Carroll County, MD Board of County Commissioners Open Sessions, 11 Feb 2021

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From YouTube: Board of Carroll County Commissioners Open Session Afternoon February 11, 2021

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https://www.carrollcountymd.gov/government/commissioners/board-of-carroll-county-commissioners-weekly-agenda/

A

I just like hitting commissioner weaver on the head with the gavel: it's commercial rusty again.

A

It's 1 33.. I apologize for the short delay. We have a couple of topics we're going to discuss.

A

In open session this afternoon, uh one is dealing with the harrison leicester property having a.

A

Briefing by mr lyburn and then afterwards we'll be talking about our transportation.

A

Priority letter with ms eisenberg first up uh jack, mr lybron, are you there. I see you're there.

A

And let's see if he'll come up jack, oh okay, I see the top of your head. There you go. Let's talk about.

A

uh The transfer of the harrison leicester property to carroll county uh from the ida.

A

Go ahead, jack, you're, muted, still, muted,.

B

I can't hear you jack you gotta unmute,.

C

Yeah the harrison laser property was given to the ida with a memorandum of understanding a little.

C

Over 10 years ago, to be exact, 10 years and two months to develop the memory of.

C

Understanding is that if it was not developed within 10 years, it would revert back to the.

C

To the county and the ida has voted not to um develop their priority.

C

Project and send it back to the county. So what I'm asking you it's it's one of our premier.

C

You know I guess locations, it's a um about a 254 acre piece of property in a zone r40 and it's got.

C

Great visibility on 27, it's about five miles away from I-70! So what what I'm asking you to do as a.

C

As a board is to uh deem it surplus property like you've done the other, I guess 20, some properties.

C

Which you know we've sold, you know for the county. You know department of economic development that.

C

We would do a request for a proposal and ask for solicitation bids for a master plan and a sketch.

C

um To do that um to cheat up to the query surplus, then we could go after proposals. I'd like to see.

C

We've had two or three developers call us since uh the idea announced it a couple weeks ago.

C

uh That they are interested in uh you know talking to us about it. I'd like for us to.

C

Put a um you know, like, I said, an rfp out showing the master plan given design sketch and everything.

C

You know giving them five or six weeks to come back to us and that we would bring the proposals.

C

To you on on the 254 acres and at that point you know you can make a decision what to do.

C

With the with the property based on um you know what whatever rfps, that we do do uh get back.

A

So just to uh frame this discussion, the discussion right now is that the ida, after their.

A

Term of you know having a property voted to provide it back to the county.

A

This is really a briefing at this point. Any this further discussion on um you know the legality.

A

And the bond discussions, which can we can move into will be holding enclosed at a later date.

A

Right now, this is a do we want to move forward with this piece of property. Is county property.

A

And you to continue to pursue uh opportunities for rfps. Is that correct? That is correct for sure, okay,.

A

Okay, thanks um anything from the commissioners at this point, the legal language on the ten years.

D

This becomes automatic, or do we need to vote? How does the language of the original agreement.

D

Work, we don't need to do anything, and then we take ownership of it or we have to do so.

E

The nlu, the mou between the county and the ida.

E

Has a reversionary clause in it um that indicated that the deed would be written also with that.

E

Reversionary clause, um reverting the property back to the county automatically after 10 years, so.

E

um I think this is, you know briefing only um you know the ida's informing you that they're.

E

In agreement to give the property back to the county, and in fact the um the mou allows, the ida.

A

To give the count the property back to the county before that 10 years correct I mean this: is it.

A

Just happens that this is the end of the mou, the 10 years. Is that correct? I'm not looking.

E

At it at the moment, it might um but it's sort of moved since we're after 10 years anyway. Okay, okay,.

C

That would automatically come back to the county. um The idea at any time could you know it is a.

C

Separate entity they could come back and say you know, we didn't want to develop it, but it's.

C

Just yeah 10 years out right, but it automatically reverts back to the county.

A

Exactly that's what I expected okay, uh mr hush hour from uh mount airy uh town council, has.

A

Asked to join us and providing uh his thoughts, but also the uh town council and the mayor's thoughts.

A

On the situation dealing with the harrison lasher, is that correct, sir? That's correct? Can you all.

F

Hear me, okay, ken, but I just haven't. I haven't. I have a procedural question and this is just.

G

This just a briefing today to advise us that the ida is giving it back to us. Then why are.

H

We expanding the conversation on what we're going to do with it. I thought this was just a briefing.

A

This is just a briefing and it's. It is informing us that mr libra and our economic development team.

A

Will be pursuing you know, efforts to you know deal with the uh harrison leicester, property.

A

Because it's now the accounting property, but there's really no decisions for us to be making.

A

On you know what to do with the property right now I mean it's: okay, okay, so that that's my.

G

Question right, that's my question: if today is just a briefing to advise that it's back in our hands.

G

Couldn't there be uh an agenda item in the future that talks about the what ifs and today I don't.

G

Think is that day, no that that's correct, that you're absolutely correct it is it's informing us.

A

That the property is back into county hands from the ida. Okay, with all due respect to the town and.

G

The council, then I'm not sure why we're hearing from them at this point. Well, they asked to.

A

Provide their thoughts and comments, knowing that it was transferred back from the ida to the county.

A

And in asking they could either do it via public comment for three minutes, but providing them the.

A

Courtesy giving them time during this piece to uh to voice their opinions if they have that's all.

F

If I may, I just believe that there's some information that could.

F

uh uh Could could influence a decision.

A

One second or mr, I apologize yet, commissioner, wins any anything else. I understand your concern. It's.

A

Just yeah, I just think, and they actually okay, if they ask that's fine, then you as the president.

G

Of this board have made the decision that we are now going to enter into a conversation about what.

G

We're going to do with this property, we are now going to listen to mount airy council in hearing.

A

This from their last meeting- and I don't know any further than that- but it's just an opportunity.

A

To listen, this is a briefing and discussion, but no decisions should be being made at this point.

G

Okay, I'm just I'm, listen! I've! No disrespect here, I'm just I'm just confused about the process. I.

G

Thought today was a briefing only and that then we would then at a later date, set an agenda item.

G

To discuss the what ifs of the property and what could occur and what the town wants and.

G

That kind of a thing, so, if we're doing all that today, that's fine we're not doing all that today.

A

What we're doing what you just said, we will be doing at a later date, but timeline wise. The.

A

Town mount airy requested for us to listen to what they had to say when they were told.

A

That the property was being transitioned from the ida to the county after the 10-year mou allowed, it.

A

To be with that, big r word that roberta used that I can't remember so um yeah, that's where we're at.

A

But it is no, it is not time to have a discussion on what we're going to be doing next so and you're.

A

Right, I I I'm providing the professional courtesy to allow mount airy to you know.

A

Share their thoughts and listen in hearing this, knowing that this briefing was going to occur.

G

Okay, that's fine, yep, okay, mister hush hour. Please! Okay! Thank you! uh So much. uh Thank you for your.

F

Time again, I'm larry hussein, I'm the council, president of mount airy and the statement that.

F

I'm about to read was drafted by myself and run through the staff and the council members.

F

Horrified council members have expressed support of this statement so after a decade of negotiating.

F

Compromise well testing and legal coordination in december 2019, the stars finally aligned and.

F

The town, along with the ida, hit high gear in accomplishing the harris endless year.

F

Development project since then, despite covid, we've had five meetings with the ida as well.

F

Commissioner boucher the mayor and two council members met with county residents adjoining the.

F

Property council member munder presented powerpoint presentations on the annexation.

F

At two council meetings to inform our residents that this was the annexation resolution was.

F

Introduced in august, the planning commission gave it a favorable recommendation in october.

F

The annexation plan passed unanimously in january and we set a date march 23rd for a public hearing.

F

Following count and county and state review of the plan, we still have the fire hall reserve by.

F

The way and we expected to have a council vote on this annexation in april, imagine or surprise and.

F

Disappointment when the ida told us that they were stepping away from the annexation and derailing.

F

The entire project most disconcerting to us was the vote was held unannounced. We believed.

F

It was a discussion item on their january agenda to announce and talk about the march.

F

23Rd public hearing we were not offered a chance to refute any of the ida's concerns.

F

Prior to this unannounced vote occurring, we have heard through the grapevine that the ida.

F

Felt the town would be too difficult to work with in the future. Also, they did not feel the town had.

F

Endorsed the project with full enthusiasm this, despite two letters that I had personally wrote.

F

In a local paper that came as close to a positive endorsement, as I could offer.

F

As an open-minded council member, certainly you, as elected officials, understand the need to keep.

F

An open mind through public hearings. After all, why have a public hearing if the result.

F

Is preordained? I also suspect the ida was puzzled by our sincere concern for the county residents.

F

Of joining the harrison lasher property about two dozen households were, are and will continue.

F

To be very concerned about the development's impacts, especially to their wells, perhaps.

F

Our efforts to facilitate responses to their questions left the members of the ida feeling.

F

We were uncommitted to the project. Truly, all we desired from the ida was sincere consideration and.

F

Responses, even if the answers were not favorable to those who were asking the questions, the idea is.

F

Not viewed by mount airy as the bad guy trying to facilitate the ruination of our small town.

F

I certainly view them as who and what they are, a group of five appointed volunteers serving.

F

As an arm of the county government chartered to encourage a balanced economy in carroll, county.

F

By completing sensible development projects in given areas, certainly you, as elected officials,.

F

Know that the word development raises the hair on the necks of most residents in a small town.

F

It would be very unrealistic to expect streamers in confetti when development of any type of amount.

F

I was not a council member when this loaf of bread was put in the oven a decade ago.

F

None of us who are currently serving on the council were but the more I've learned about the.

F

Idea and how they function within the county, the more confident I have uh become that if harrison.

F

Last year is to be developed. I want the ida to be mount airy's partner in that development.

F

I know the ida will not try to reach for more than we have been a decade agreeing to, and I also know.

F

The benefits will far outweigh the impasse on this project. In closing, what mount area is asking of.

F

You, the commissioners, is to not take the harrison lashear deeds back from the ida. Please extend any.

F

Timelines, if necessary, though we know the ida, operates with a lot of independence. They are.

F

Still a component of carroll county government and its members are appointed by you. The commissioners.

F

The town of mount airy is asking you to exercise your dutiful influence on the ida and ask them to.

F

Finish the job the ida needs to see this through the public hearing and the subsequent council vote.

F

And if passed, then we will be partners committed in fulfilling the office park on harrison lashear.

F

That's been planned for the last decade and u.s commissioners will have followed through.

F

On your county's comprehensive plan and permitted mount airy to follow through on our master plan,.

F

That's the end of my statement and I thank you for your consideration. I believe that uh three of.

F

Our council members will be sending you emails to confirm that they support this statement. Thank you.

D

Council president, I appreciate it. This is work one second, uh commissioner. um I I appreciate.

A

Coming on, uh as you were, invited to do so and provide um your comments, this is not, as I shared.

A

A debate or further discussion: this is a recognition and a briefing from.

A

Our economic development team that the ida had made the decision in accordance with the mou to.

A

Bring back the property to the county, the ida is not the arm or an arm of our.

A

County government, so I do want to make that one correction, but uh so this is not any more than.

A

Where we're at right now, uh the discussion that you may want to continue to have is with.

A

The ida on their brothers in dealing with the property, it was their decision to bring back.

A

The property to the county and I'll just leave it at that further comments from our commissioners.

A

Commissioner boucher did you have something you want to say. I was just expressing my appreciation.

D

To the town council, president for representing the community and coming forward and expressing.

D

Their concern to us councilman hoshaur. Thank you very much. Well, I. I truly appreciate your.

F

Time- and I know that uh that you didn't have to give it to me, so uh thank you so much.

A

It's the right thing to do, and I appreciate you coming on and uh providing your uh insane.

A

Thoughts, so thank you um with that jack. Is there any further discussion you want to.

A

Provide or comments, I guess I need direction. The ida has declared that they are not going.

C

To develop this piece of property and they give it back to the county uh as the um the director.

C

Of economic development, this is a you know, a great piece of property. You know, and I guess.

C

I'd like um to be able to put it out with an rfp just to get the requests back and see uh what.

C

Developers what you know what they want to do with the property, and you know, design the sketch and we.

C

We can talk about it. You know you can talk about it later, once we we get, um but eventually I.

C

You know, I wonder if that's possible, commissioner lance, you know if you were to put it put an rfp.

C

Out now to see what you know, we can get back from developers to do with their piece of property.

E

Yeah, I believe, that's premature at this point. I think. Okay, I'm just asking you know, that's.

A

I think uh understanding the the value of the property. Now that's uh part of the county.

A

And what you know, options would be presented uh moving forward and then your recommendation.

A

On then, moving forward with the property we'll be able to say to put it out to rfp or.

A

You know what the next step should be, but I mean that this was more of a you know, informative.

A

Opportunity for you to come to us and say the property is now in transition from the ida to.

A

The county there are other things that need to be discussed and they will be discussed. I expect.

A

Enclosed session dealing with bond issues and legal issues dealing with this property, but that's.

A

For a later date, um this is just informative. At this point I understand, if I could, I would like.

I

Since we heard from the town, I don't want to do it today, but I would like to maybe in the future.

I

Meeting to hear from ida what their perspective of this is before, we do anything else. I just like to.

I

Hear they've been working with us for a while just like to hear what their you know, their opinion.

I

Of this is, and just as an informational kind of thing, and then we don't have to.

I

Do anything with it? Excuse me before we before we take any other steps, I'd like to hear from the ida.

A

Their opinion in past context of how, over the last 10 years, dealing with the property not.

A

Their opinion on moving forward because they don't exactly exactly uh their opinion.

I

On dealing with the property and- and you know, which is I just like to hear from them, because.

I

They've been dealing with this for 10 years. I think that would be good good perspective.

D

Okay, I have to agree with commissioner fraser. I I thought that someone from that board would be.

D

Here in front of us today also wondering you know: whoever takes control this property in the future.

D

Could potentially petition the town for annexation as well right? That option would still be out there.

D

Potentially, for whoever buys this property, it's not like that door will be permanently closed.

A

Right now, the property is about 256 acres, uh zoned r40 been transitioned.

A

In accordance with the mou from the iba to uh the county, and that's where we're at right now.

A

um Next step is to understand the value of the property, uh the options that the property can.

A

Provide um and like commissioner fraser said, you know, learning from the past on what the ida.

A

Has provided over 10 years in their experiences jack, you then coming forward with recommendations.

A

Where we can make a decision in the next steps, okay, does that make sense.

A

Okay: okay, any further discussion comments on this again, mr hasher, thank you for coming on.

A

Okay, let's move on to uh planning and the ctp consolidated transportation priority list with.

A

Ms linda and miss mary, ms eisenberg and ms lane.

A

Good afternoon, if you commissioners screen with mary and not me control them, that would be great.

J

So today, we're here before you for our annual discussion on the consolidated.

J

Transportation plans priority letter. As you know, this letter is sent annually to.

J

Maryland's department of transportation secretary, it has the list of carroll county priorities for.

J

State roads projects um we've been proposing the same suite of road improvements over the.

J

Last several years, we've made great strides on many of our projects within carroll county.

J

So today, mary elena is going to present to you the projects that are in the letter and changes from.

J

Discussions that we've had with the board over the past year that will be updated in the letter.

J

And then any future direction that you all would like to take for this. The idea and goal.

J

Is to have this letter drafted in march for your final review and then work with our legislative.

J

Representative mike fowler to get this signed by the delegation as we do every year so that.

J

We have their full support and then we will submit this letter in april to up so with that.

J

I'm going to have mary lane present to you. uh This year's start of um the letter mary good afternoon.

K

um As linda said, we're here today um to introduce to you the topic of the consolidated.

K

Transportation county priority letter as you'll as you will recall, this is an annual letter that is.

K

Required from the commissioners setting forth the county's top priorities for the state, ctp.

K

The purpose of this presentation, which is just the introduction, it's probably the first of three.

K

Is to review the process, for you give you the highlights of last year's letter.

K

Any proposed changes that we have identified, which you'll see in red.

K

um The timing and next steps and then any questions and answers.

K

So the as a reminder, the priority letter includes the top state transportation.

K

Priorities that are state highways and roads, streetscape improvements, county trails and transit.

K

We began working with the county agencies as other county agencies, as we do every year. Public works.

K

Economic development, rec and parks in january, then you will review and approve the letter in february.

K

March, the county submits the letter to the state. By april 1st, the county tour occurs in the fall.

K

Where the draft ctp is distributed, and then the legislature approves the ctp.

K

From the prior year in april, so this is a review of last year's letter. We did have.

K

Four priority projects: three of them had been in a number of the previous priority letters.

K

On maryland, 32 from 26 south to the carroll county line, that project is about seven miles, maryland 97.

K

From bachmann's valley, road to maryland, 140 in westminster, that is about 4.7 miles, maryland 26.

K

From 32 east to the reservoir, which is about four miles, and for the first time last year, we included.

K

As the fourth priority maryland 140 quarter improvements from the county line to case mill.

K

The first first project, which has been the number one priority for a number of years, is maryland 32.

K

From maryland, 26 south to the carroll county line, this project is to widen the roadway from two to.

K

Four lanes, including pedestrian facilities and other amenities at appropriate locations within.

K

The corridor um in 2018, you reviewed a completed mdot planning and environmental linkages study.

K

Which identified potential improvement? Concepts to address identified needs in specific locations.

K

So last year, what we had was two breakout projects. The first one is a breakout project for.

K

Engineering design from piney ridge, parkway and macbeth way to north spring north of springfield.

K

Avenue and then the second breakout project was for design funding second street to main street.

K

And here's a map- hopefully it's clear enough of the project boundaries- the second priority.

K

Is maryland 97 bachmann's valley, road to 140 in westminster? This project's scope is to widen the.

K

Roadway from three to five lane, five lanes with an interchange at meadow branch, road and pedestrian.

K

Facilities, you will recall that there was a phase one breakout project that was completed for safety.

K

And resurfacing improvements on 0.64 miles from south of airport drive magna way to just north of.

K

Pleasant valley that is now complete and has been removed from the letter. We have two additional.

K

Possibilities for this year's letter to talk about the first is a request for a feasibility study for.

K

This project, which has not been completed and construction funds for this entire project, could.

K

Not be included in the ctp until a feasibility study is completed as well as dpw has recommended.

K

That we begin asking for land acquisition for the remaining portion of the project- hey mary.

A

I apologize going back to uh 32 uh macbeth to main street or main street to macbeth.

A

Is complete? That's the uh in front of the national guard. Readiness center.

K

um No, this is I'm sorry which one the the main street main street.

K

No, this is a longer project. This this would connect to what has been complete from just south.

K

Of 26., so there's two complete sections, and this would this would add to that. I don't have a detail.

K

Map I can bring one for next time, but no that that breakout project is not yet complete. So it's.

A

Okay: um okay, if, uh if it's not that break out- and it's it's gotta, this is not that breaking up.

A

Okay: okay, no problem! Thanks right, it's going to tie into that correct.

K

So here's the map of the entirety of the 97 project that goes from bachmann valley.

K

Road down to 140. the third priority has been maryland: 26 from 32 east to the liberty, reservoir.

K

In prior years, this project scope was to widen the roadway from four to six lane. I'm sorry.

K

On that one from four to six lanes, you'll recall that last summer, in july, sha completed.

K

The maryland 26 quarter, study analysis and targeted improvement recommendations.

K

The purpose of this study was to find ways to revise the design to a new practical approach.

K

And, rather than complete widening to six lanes, improvements will consist of more limited.

K

Breakout projects that focus primarily on enhancing the safety of the corridor.

K

This may be achieved through the extension of auxiliary lanes, increased signalization and.

K

A center median in certain segments of the road which have been identified as critical to the safe.

K

And efficient functioning of the entire corridor so through further analysis and collaboration with.

K

Sha staff breakout projects will be identified and prioritized. You know I'll tell you that's.

A

Very much appreciated. I know sha is working with us on that uh piece, but there's a lot of concern.

A

Especially with the uh elderly communities that feed into 26 east of 32, so putting medians in.

A

There getting rid of those suicide lanes um is really gonna. I think help out a lot. It's just a.

A

Very congested area- and it's not gonna slow down anytime soon, so appreciate the work being done.

K

And here's a map of the um scope of that project.

K

So the last of the priority projects was, which was added for the first time last.

K

Year was maryland, 140 quarter improvements from the county line to kay's mail. These improvements.

K

Ultimately, would include a four-lane, divided highway, a full interchange at maryland, 91.

K

With an additional auxiliary lane, east of maryland, 91 and access management improvements, an initial.

K

Breakout project was requested last year for design funding for this intersection.

K

Following the recent completion last year of a concept study to evaluate a jug handle.

K

Type design for westbound traffic and again here are the here's, the scope of that project.

K

We also have and continue to have out to urban records. um I'm sorry, I was getting some feedback.

K

um We have two urban reconstruction streetscape projects that have been in for a number of years.

K

In priority, currently, it is maryland 31 and new windsor main street from high street to church.

K

Street uh co-drive to main street, you can see on the map that works um and then the second one is.

K

Sykesville maryland 851 main street springfield avenue, which is cooper drive to south branch of.

K

The patapsco river, it has been suggested through conversations with sha staff that we possibly.

K

Change the ranking of these two projects because of some of the issues going on within the towns.

K

And the collaboration between the state and the towns on this project.

K

So the first project will include improvements to sidewalks enhancement, to bicycle.

K

And pedestrian accessibility, as well as roadway improvements, this project would be coordinated.

K

With the replace with the replacement of water lines by the town- and this is ongoing,.

K

And that is the scope of that project.

K

And second, in sykesville um the concept has been completed for this project, but it is not currently.

K

Funded for design um of note is that maryland. 851 is currently getting a road classification upgrade.

K

From local to major collector, to now make it more competitive for federal money, um which linda can.

K

Talk about a little bit more, if you wish um it's happening, I believe at the at bmc with the brtb.

J

Friday that we did get the reclassification for maryland 851 to a major collector.

J

um And on either side eastbound and westbound of 850, what was already considered a major.

J

Collector it was just that small, like half mile stretch within the town of sykesville.

J

Where it was actually downgraded to a local, so it made sense to have the whole segment.

J

Continually have the same classification and not have that change, so that will go a long way.

J

um This is an mdot request, they worked through me and the town of sykesville.

J

To get everyone's concurrency and the executive board um for the brtv approved it on friday. Sorry.

J

Thank you very much now that's fantastic news and will that allow for it's going to bring.

A

More attention to to mainstream 851 will allow for more funding, especially dealing with the.

A

You know under 851 the storm uh the drainage replacement that I see on the bottom.

A

Is gonna allow for uh funding? I think it makes them more competitive for federal funding, so.

J

That's my understanding from working with mdot and shda staff got it. Thank you and then we.

K

Also wanted to point out, in this year's letter a possible breakout project to get this jump started.

K

A little bit more to address the storm drain replacement issues first, which have been ongoing.

K

That is the boundaries of that project, so, regarding transit, as with every year, the request.

K

Will be identical to the atp request for fy 22, which includes four replacement buses continued.

K

Funding for preventative maintenance, funding or major repair, and that we got that from stacey nash,.

I

Just a quick question on that one uh before we play this, I I know right now: they don't have.

I

Electric buses in the size that we use, however, might start asking for some electric buses.

I

You know full replacement if we could get one or two electric which they don't have but put.

I

It on the radar, so you know that we're interested in moving in that direction. Okay, we can add that.

G

You might want to include uh the associated infrastructure with that.

G

Because it's going to require uh some some changes out at the um right at the facility.

I

Well, I'm having some talks with uh bg e to see if we can what we could do to partner with that and.

I

When I get more information because I generally have the buses our size yet so I'm just trying to.

I

Get ducks in a row right now, but I do understand what you're saying so. I actually have um tomorrow.

I

I'm having a discussion with someone from bg e about that, hopefully they'll they might even fund.

I

It for us, you never know, I'm not holding my breath on that part, but but we'll see.

K

Okay, um there are also bicycle pedestrian and trail projects. There are two of them in last.

K

Year's priority letter, the first one that you're very familiar with, is the governor frank brown.

K

Trail, which formerly, was known as the freedom area trail network. It will link parks, residential.

K

Developments, commercial areas and communities, including eldersburg, and the town of sykesville,.

K

Future trail phase design remains on hold due to security concerns with the readiness center.

K

At springfield hospital property and in speaking with jeff degetts, this is ongoing. He does not have.

K

A resolution in sight to this problem and he talked about the possible deletion from the latter.

K

Pending resolution of the location issues, um and that would be up to the commissioners.

K

Could leave it in, though, and keep pointing out that that is an issue that we need to.

K

Have resolved but at this point he doesn't see any progress being made in that, but my recommendation.

A

Is to keep it in and work continue to work with the army, national guard, both state and federal.

A

um There were talking about a property outside their fence line on the east side of the.

A

Of their property, now that their property is complete, the reins readiness center is complete. I.

A

Think they can make a a better educated decision on the trail uh before it was all pending. But.

A

Right now, I think uh we still should keep it and work with them to see if we can make this happen,.

I

I'm all for keeping us in because it has been uh on our letter for quite quite some time, but.

I

Because of the local problems, maybe switch it to number two and put the westminster community trail number one that way. So it's still in the letter we're still.

I

Looking at it, but we realize they have these local problems coming up right now,.

I

And it's so you know just just take into consideration what's happening.

G

I completely agree with that. Governor frank brown trail has been on this letter for all of.

G

The six years that we've been sitting here and nothing has occurred. uh However, there has been.

G

Some progress with the westminster community trail, I think you've got a great idea dennis.

G

I think the two should be flipped and I don't know if, if that has a lot of credence down there,.

G

If we flip them, but uh that that governor frank brown trail is a problem and it's not just the.

G

Readiness center, it's a lot of other issues down there as well, so but the community westminster.

G

Trails that that happens almost ready to roll and portions of it are pretty good.

D

Commissioner, since I love history, did you know the connection or anything between governor frank.

D

Brown for this trio, I mean: why is it named that was he a carroll county citizen? um No, it it's.

J

Because uh the freedom trail actually the exact same name as the freedom trail and boston, so there.

J

Was a trademarking issue, so it had to be renamed. um I'm, to be honest, I'm not sure the origination.

J

Of the governor, frank brown portion, but that's why it was renamed from the freedom trail.

D

It well be nice to honor this governor and we have some sort of plaque or something to that.

D

Connection to it he's he's the only governor from carroll county.

E

In the state from the states ever had and he was from sykesville.

D

If we can memorialize that well, let's see if we can get the trail complete and then memorialize.

A

It because we don't want to memorialize him if we break down the trail but yeah. I agree with you.

A

But but I do you know, I agree. Let's, let's flip those projects, um don't know that.

A

Like you said, commissioner, wants: if it's going to make any bit of a difference, but.

A

You're right, you know, let's keep the momentum going with the westminster community trail. I.

A

Just want one more bite at the apple for the uh frank brown trail, and uh now that again, the.

A

Readiness center is to a point where that fence line's done and it's complete. I want a a hard. Yes.

A

Or no last time I talked with tgs, it was a still a hard. Maybe so let me keep trying to work that one.

G

And mary correct me: if I'm wrong that that westminster community trail, that's almost done.

G

Isn't it I mean I me um there in the feedback I got from jeff there's a few things going on.

K

Right now that are slowing it down, but yes, it's got the momentum together: um okay, okay, thanks.

K

And I can, if you want to I, when we come back, I could have jeff here and give you more of an.

K

Update on that, if you would like yeah that that's fine just to make sure, because I think there's.

G

Certain sections of that, yet that need to be uh completed. um Yeah yeah joe, we'll ask.

K

Him to join us next time, thanks. Okay, um in the letter last year, you had one additional concern.

K

As you'll recall, at the end of the letter, after the main priorities and the other issues.

K

um You've often pointed out things you would like the secretary to be aware of, and last.

K

Year's request included future discussion of maryland 140 from sullivan road to market street.

K

To widen it from six to eight lanes with the full interchange at maryland, 97 and continuous flow.

K

Intersections at center street and angler road, including pedestrian facilities again, this was.

K

Not included as one of your top priorities, but it was noted um since that time in putting this.

K

New letter together we're remembering that over the past year, you've mentioned several concerns.

K

The first one was maryland 31 at medford road safety concerns, as well as a study of maryland 26.

K

West of 32 to johnsville, and that came up during your discussion of the rest of the maryland 26.

K

Study when the state brought it to you, so we were wondering if you would like those concerns.

K

Included um in the letter this year, yeah yeah, I think they should be included as a matter of fact,.

G

I suggest that we make maryland 31 in medford uh one of our priorities, get it off additional.

G

Concerns and put it on as a priority. That's it I'm not going to beat a dead horse here, but good grief.

G

It's time to do something over there yeah and I do yeah and- and I would suggest that we put it above.

G

97 from magnet at bachmann, because that ain't going to happen.

J

So, commissioner, wants, I think what we can do is similar to what we've done on 27 and work with sha.

J

For the appropriate placement, I think we may have better chance of getting funding for this through.

J

Their safety enhancement pool of money, because it's a smaller project than a huge capacity.

J

Enhancing project and the safety projects tend to move a little bit quicker through the process. So I.

J

We're going to reach out to state highway and talk with them about the best ways to incorporate.

J

These to make sure we can move these two projects forward. Is that fair yeah? That's fair, but I would.

G

I I would entertain that if we've got it both as a safety concern and a an item.

G

High on our priority list on our ctp couldn't hurt coming at him with with a double double shot. There.

J

Okay, absolutely I'm going to say additionally on that maryland 31 medford.

I

A few years ago, we set some money aside to help a project like this, since this is a smaller project.

I

How much money we have left in that particular fund, but that that light we.

I

Got down on, um I can't remember what road that's on now, but yeah middle school area.

I

It was false yeah we put a couple hundred thousand dollars into that and got it moved pretty quickly.

I

I think we have a couple hundred thousand dollars and that's fun. I'm not sure we have to check.

I

But we could say you know we. This is a safety concern. We have this money, we'll we'll you.

I

Know, prime the pump with this money- if you guys, can come along and and uh fix this because it's.

I

Not a four mile road or something like that, it's just this one intersection needs to be looked at.

I

That might be another way to look at it to try to get it down a little quicker.

G

Yeah, I'm good with that too. Dennis. I think that's a good idea, but I still think we should move it.

G

From additional concerns over to a priority, but still go at it from a safety standpoint as well.

G

I agree linda I I just think it would be better to to double give them the double hit on that one.

E

There's there's approximately a hundred thousand dollars still there by the way, the great start.

G

That'll get uh weed control in through there.

K

Okay, we'll make that addition to the letter. um So as far as next steps, based on today's input.

K

We'll finish, preparation of the letter, one second go back to the last slide. um The study of maryland.

A

26 west of 32 to johnsville, I'm not sure what that study is. The concern was the intersection of 32 in.

A

Johnsville but the 26 to johnsville, I mean from 32 you're talking a quarter mile, half mile, which is.

A

Nothing it's just a straight road with salerno's on it and a couple other stores. um The concern.

A

Probably when I brought it up had to do with that specific intersection um and on 26 in johnsville.

A

um Similar to the 32 and uh bennett johnsville intersection, that's being addressed right now,.

A

So, okay I'll make that change, yep and then marion on that last slide. Sorry, uh maybe you can get an.

G

Update uh but I've been asking for four years now and I even had a couple legislators involved.

G

140 in mayberry uh a turn lane put in for the running, meet elementary school.

G

uh Every time we bring it up, yeah yeah yeah we're looking at it can. Is there a way that.

G

We could maybe list it on here as a concern that maybe could get a little bit more uh influence to.

G

The sha and and or maybe get an update, maybe it's in the design phase or something I can't remember.

G

What greg's secretary slater said to us the last time, but.

G

Maybe it's time to list it on here I think linda linda, I don't want to put you on the spot. Do you.

K

Have an update on that from your conversation with jerry seuss, I don't believe we discussed.

J

That but I will reach out to see what their thoughts are um on this intersection.

G

Yeah, if it's, if it's not in the queue linda and mary, we may want to put it on here, because.

G

You know, sha is very statistic: driven and medford and 31 and mayberry and 140 are right. There, both.

G

Together with the number of accidents that have occurred there over the last two to three years,.

J

I think mary might have froze on us, um but yes, I'm actually reaching out to terry now send her an.

J

Email um and then, finally, just based on today's discussion, we would we're gonna finish doing the.

J

Preparation of the letter then we'll come back and present the letter for further discussion.

J

And get your approval on the letter, then our final step would be to get signatures of the delegation.

J

In support of the letter and transmitted to the secretary of enda, so once we answer some of these.

J

Questions and reformat the letter based on today's discussion, we will send that to your office for.

J

Your review and we'll schedule time to meet again to discuss the latter, make sure it's where you.

J

Would like it to be um before moving forward? So, probably in a few weeks we will be back before you.

A

Okay, go ahead, linda! I'm sorry! No that that's all we have through this. If there's any.

J

Questions or anything else that you'd like for from us we're happy to to work on it.

D

Ms eisenberg, I wanted to thank you for talking about the medford road and different options. We.

D

Have to try to be successful with that. It's a big concern of all of us, so any avenue you can.

D

Exploit to make it happen, we appreciate it absolutely. We will get right on that.

J

All right well, thank you all for your time today and we'll be back before you in the next few weeks.

A

Okay, great linda and mary, thank you so much for the work. Any further discussion from my colleagues.

A

We have callers, I believe, on the line for open admin or for.

A

What's that for public comment, go ahead, sure.

B

First, caller caller 12, please identify yourself. You'll have three minutes for public comment.

L

Caller 12, yes, can you identify yourself? Please, yes, is that me? Yes, okay, I didn't know which caller I.

L

Was I'm sorry? um My name is diane party before you start before. You start just real quick again.

A

Is commissioner rothstein uh those that have not given public comment prior just to share uh it's.

A

An opportunity for you to share your thoughts in a few minutes for us to uh have the opportunity to.

A

Listen if there are questions or concerns- and you want us to get back to you- we will be responsive.

A

And getting back to you at a later time, but it is not intended for a back and forth or dialogue. So.

A

With that said, please continue all right. Thank you. um My name is diane perni. I've got to take me off.

L

And I live in mount airy off butler road. I've been living in this area for over 25 years.

L

I moved here for the rural feel and the small town atmosphere that we have here in carroll county.

L

And thank you for letting me talk on this beautiful.

L

Snowy day, I support the decision of the ida to pull out of the harrison lychee annexation process.

L

Building an enormous office park accommodating up to 38 buildings is not a solid business decision.

L

In this economy, the pandemic has changed the way we physically do business now and into the future.

L

Businesses are shifting to working from home, and physical offices are becoming a thing of the past.

L

The town of mount airy is interested in accessing the water on that land and getting a small.

L

Parcel for a park they're not interested in how it will affect the property values of those of us.

L

Along uh the corridor, I believe the property may be declared surplus county land and that county.

L

May solicit for public sale and development of this property. Although I understand that 250 plus.

L

Acres less than five miles from route 70 seem to be prime land for development. Please consider that.

L

The residents living near this property have been here for decades and we were assured that the land.

L

Could only be developed for residential use, the current zoning is still split between residential.

L

And conservation zoning any developer will have to go through a piecemeal rezoning and the criteria.

L

For piecemeal rezoning is a is a finding that a substantial change in the character of the.

L

Neighborhood, which this property does not meet or a mistake in the existing zoning classification.

L

Currently, the only way that the second finding could be met is because the county's general plan.

L

Was recently changed to identify the property into the town's growth boundary and the future land use.

L

As village commercial industrial only because the.

L

The bath the county took on the settlement of this land and ongoing negotiations between the town.

L

However, in a court of law, it begs the question why the county did not comprehensively rezone.

L

The property this year to match the general plan to cover their bases. How can you claim a.

L

Mistake when you did not make an effort to fix such an error during the comprehensive zoning.

L

uh Let's see, please don't try to recoup the money that the county has spent on the lawsuit for this.

L

Piece parcel of land that should not be a factor in the county's decision to decide.

L

To try to change the zoning or land usage, the mistake that led to that.

L

Lawsuit was not the county's citizens fault, but was bad decisions made in the past.

L

We would like the citizens here who live along this land, for you to think about. Looking at.

L

Other options for this land- and I hear that you will do that. That made me very.

L

Happy when we look at traffic and 27 here beside a development of this sort will be.

L

It would just create daily gridlock on this road, making it a nightmare to travel up and.

L

Down not only for the citizens of mount airy, but for anybody trying to get south of carroll.

L

County and I heard the cpa- the ctp priorities- there's nothing about 27 in those priorities.

L

I would ask that moving forward, the commissioners proactively set up meetings with the county and.

L

Town residents living in 21771 to vision for the future of this county-owned property together.

L

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So much next caller.

B

Okay, next caller you've been unmuted. Please identify yourself and you love three minutes. Thank you.

M

Hi this is joanne blunty. Can you hear me, can anybody hear me we can? We can hear you thank.

B

You, okay, um yes, my name is joe grundy and I'm a homeowner in the freedom community and I've lived.

M

Here for over 20 years, hopefully you received my fact sheets sent by commissioner ross dean last.

M

Week regarding the decision to reallocate priority sewer connection during development of the 2018.

M

Freedom plan, um commissioner rossby, suggested this fact sheet to help summarize this issue.

M

Which was also discussed at the last planning and booming commission meeting, as we commissioner.

M

Heard my public comment: um I sent this back sheet to him on february 1st, I'm not sure. Unfortunately,.

M

I didn't make the meeting last week, um I didn't realize it was in the morning and I was.

M

During work hours, uh you should have also been copied on letters to and from the fdca on this.

M

Important issue: that's the freedom district citizens association in the last month, or so.

M

The fact sheet- I don't know those of you that have it in front of you.

M

Some of you probably familiar with my concerns from some previous letters and such during.

M

Our own trying experience trying to sell our home of 16 years in 2018 I've become.

M

More involved in community planning and septic oversight at the state level, um just.

M

You can read the fact sheet, it's you know just a one-pager. It gets to the big points.

M

This all came about because our house was built in 1950 had its original septic system. We were the.

M

Second, owner it's in the priority funding area and due to current standards, it will no longer pass.

M

Inspection, we didn't realize that there's no walls or regs but effective industry has determined.

M

That it's not acceptable. um We really had a hard time trying to even remedy the situation, because.

M

It's on a very small lot, with constraints such as neighboring wells, our own, well limited replacement.

M

Areas for a new system- um and then we learned during this time that our home was in the priority.

M

Area for public sewer connection, we didn't even realize it was, but we were told the following week.

M

That it was going to be removed and put into a new category created by a planning division.

M

Called long range, which we were told means not in our lifetime.

M

um During the next few months, I learned three other homes in our neighborhood.

M

Which were all previously priority sewer um in the 2014 master plan, the previous water sewer plan.

M

Had their stance truly failed during the wettest year on record uh one family along.

M

Green valley way had their system sail and they had to relocate for nine months until.

M

They could have it fixed and they had to take out a second mortgage to pay for the new system.

M

Which costs nearly fifty thousand dollars, their neighbor's system failed as well, and they could.

M

Not afford to fix it, that's likely still failing they've, limited plumbing use and so forth.

M

Another neighbor on the opposite side of route 26 also had a failing system. There was a newer system.

M

With the best available technology tank, but the groundwater levels have rate were raised up.

M

Our home and the majority of the others on our street are still on their original system.

M

Built in the 40s 50s and 60s prior to septic regulations, they're surrounded by public sewer.

M

Several older properties in the freedom priority funding area, including commercial rousting's, whom.

M

Were connected over the years, a new development was built right behind our home in 2002, which was.

M

Designed to add the transmission lines necessary for connecting the public sewer for whatever.

M

Reason this was forgotten. um Several undeveloped properties now are in the priority series to our.

M

Area some of these outside of the pfa um several of these are up for rezoning to higher densities.

M

Due to their recent designation of priority sewer areas, hey joanne, please wrap up your thoughts. Okay,.

M

um We have limited sewer infrastructure in the freedom area once this is reallocated to new.

M

Developments, it's not going to come back. These are on small lot systems that are over 40 years old.

M

If you live in an older home, that's on a public system, it probably wasn't built with that system.

M

We're having issues with our community with over development, overcrowded food traffic, congestion.

M

This is all tied to that. No public outreach has ever been done to even let people know they were.

M

In priority sewer that they could connect the reasons why they may want to, there is.

M

Funding available through the bay restoration fund, twenty thousand dollars per homeowner.

M

There's low interest loans available for larger capital projects, I'm not sure why the county.

M

Has not put this in a priority funding situation, um it is in the pfa, and I have been talking about.

M

This for years- and I and I did reach out to commissioner rossby- I'm trying to sort out.

M

uh The chain of command, as far as amending the 2018 freedom, comprehensive plan and the.

M

Okay, I just I'd like another minute. I know you told me you could give me a little bit more time.

M

And I have but the last thing I want to say. The last thing I want to say is: I would like.

M

To have a dialogue, some good discussion, I have a background in environmental planning. Watershed.

M

Planning construction and engineering- I would I really would like to see this issue be taken.

M

Seriously, thank you for your time. Okay, absolutely and we did receive the fact sheet.

A

And as uh asked, I did pass that, along to my colleagues as well.

A

With uh miss eisenberg, so I'm sure we'll begin back with you. Okay, next caller.

H

Yes, can you hear me yes, sir, uh for uh first just uh if, if, if I could be allowed a little leeway.

H

uh I'm disabled, veteran and sometimes stutter or or stop talking.

H

uh My name is aaron. I live on sunshine way and uh I apologize. I didn't make this morning's.

H

Meeting as uh that was the topic of the discussion was the traffic comment. um I just kind of wanted.

H

To put two my two cents worth, then um the uh proposed the proposed plan for the bump outs and.

H

Concrete barriers and stuff, I understood, was kind of put on hold uh pending a.

H

Possible two years until a re-evaluation or discussion could be made. um I mean I know some.

H

Of the neighbors came around asking, you know the different options for the stop signs and whatnot.

H

I had a few concerns I wanted to voice, first being, if we did go with the concrete traffic calming.

H

What kind of increases to property would that would include, um because I'm sure, with anything.

H

That's done inside of a neighborhood, it always increases uh the property values or changes.

H

And if that would be a permanent increase or if it'd be a temporary increase, um I've.

H

Never really seen a property taxes going down before so I kind of have my thoughts on that.

H

My other kind of last little thing, I guess, would be to ask if the average cost of stop.

H

Signs probably anywhere installed between 150 to 200 um and they're. It's a lot less permanent than.

H

You know embedding concrete into the existing stuff: that's there if it would be feasible.

H

Or even something we could sit down and talk about or have further discussion on, that, the stop signs.

H

Be used as a temporary fix so say, and we after a two-year period, like the uh decision on the on the.

H

Coming uh proposal was we re-evaluate or we or test you know.

H

What what what's been happening on the road for those for that time period? um I think that.

H

Would be a nice negotiating split down the center because, okay, fine, if the stop signs, did absolutely.

H

Nothing and speeding, increased and uh god forbid, the death of of someone they're a lot easier to.

H

Remove um it's a lot easier, it's it's less damage to emergency personnel, vehicles and stuff, because.

H

They're pretty sure, pretty likely to have to mostly jump over and drive over some of the.

H

Obstructions that are put in the road, um and then I was just watching your earlier.

H

Was just watching this meeting and y'all were? um I have a talking of a.

H

Plan of widening uh 140, starting at sullivan road um and going on out.

H

That that there will even further increase traffic coming along uh down sullivan on the.

H

Sunshine way, which would include which of course, will increase uh the traffic flow and a number.

H

Of other problems, so I was just kind of thinking that that I would present that to y'all. Hopefully.

H

Possibly willing to sit down to discuss it more sir. I appreciate your comments.

A

Thank you. Do we have any other callers, that's it for callers, okay, anything for open admin for.

A

The good of the group for a second time do I have a motion to adjourn no motion to adjourn.

A

Let me rephrase that I have a motion to adjourn, never mind. I don't I mean if we all want to stay here. That's fine! Okay! I got a motion. I.

A

Got a second: is there any further discussion on this seeing hearing, none we're adjourned.

A