Carroll County, MD Board of County Commissioners Open Sessions, 22 Oct 2020

Previous Meeting Next Meeting

⏯

youtube image

►

From YouTube: Board of Carroll County Commissioners Open Session October 22 2020

Description

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

A

Okay, good morning to my colleagues good morning to staff good morning, carroll county.

A

Foggy morning october, the 22nd, as we rapidly move through the month of october.

A

We've got a pretty lengthy schedule today and we've got quite a few items for priority carol.

A

So we're going to jump right into things here this morning, commissioner frazier. I believe it's your.

A

Turn this morning to lead us in the pledge and after the pledge we will, uh we will do our moment.

A

Of silence, as we always do, uh let's keep all those on the front lines uh in our thoughts. All those.

A

In uniform in our thoughts first responders and everyone else, uh as we honor everyone uh with our.

A

Moment of silence this morning, commissioner, if everyone can stand for pledge allegiance.

B

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to.

B

The republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

A

All right, um let's quickly go down with my colleagues here with uh their personal.

A

Priority carols this morning and then we'll jump into a couple items that we have where.

A

We're honoring some folks today and also um we have a proclamation uh in reference to residents.

A

Right month as well, so I'm going to start with commissioner weaver this morning dick good morning.

C

Well, it's a great start, then. So, um first of all, I uh want to just remind people that uh you know the.

C

Farm museum has uh free friday out uh and then they've been holding an attendance of. I think.

C

The 16th like 347 people 443, and uh they only allow so many on the grounds at a time, they're.

C

They're, coming in they're being counted is going out to be encountered and they're uh adjusting.

C

That so there's not a whole lot of people at any one time on the grounds, but on october 30th.

C

They encourage children uh to wear their costumes and have a free gift for them. uh Eric that.

C

Includes you, uh children of any age I think, can uh go into this, so you can burn your costume and your.

C

Food truck friday and at the museum uh I do want to say uh just a couple updates here: the community.

C

College is only slightly down in enrollment, this uh fall, which is uh encouraging. I think they fared.

C

Better than they thought they would and they are going through middle states, accreditation.

C

Which is a major accreditation that happens about every 10 years for a school having chaired one of.

C

Those before in millions of paperwork that they have to go through uh and I think november 16th.

C

They're having their first uh visit from the middle states, accreditation team, virtually.

C

And um I think they'll go through this with flying colors. uh You know my thoughts on it.

C

Little things, but it's a it's a self-improvement uh type program, so uh I wish them well. Okay, I.

C

Will end up at this point thanks, commissioner weaver, commissioner frazier dennis good morning.

B

I was wondering why the college kept calling me wanted me to switch with you.

B

As as the commissioner on the board, but now I understand the middle states is coming, they want to look good, so I got it now. Thanks.

B

I want to say the public schools started with hybrid on monday.

B

From what I can tell most, things are going pretty well, there's there's some glitches, but.

B

Of course, you have to expect some glitches when something like this just gets started.

B

So I'm, hopefully it's going to go well and I uh you know, I also put it out there that teachers.

B

That might have some concerns or something you can call me or text me. I never mentioned any names, but.

B

I would like to know what's going on, so I can, you know, bring to the board's attention if it's.

B

Necessary, you can also call me and text me and say things are going fantastic. That would be nice.

B

As well, but you know, if you have any concerns or anything, let me know I'll be glad to talk about it.

B

uh This past, I think, was this past saturday. uh The ag center had their flea markets, which they have.

B

Usually once every quarter, but of course I think it's the first one since cobot has started. I was.

B

I attended everyone had a mask required to have a master walk into the building. They were keeping.

B

Track of how many people are in the building, so not too many people were there at one time.

B

My guess is about half as many vendors somewhere around years or wherever there have been in the.

B

Past they they were spaced, it was. It was, went very well and everyone that I saw that.

B

Was in there were in a mass trying to maintain social distance and, of course, my wife picked up.

B

A few items as she always does also uh we had our the chamber breakfast- was uh this past tuesday.

B

I was the speaker, usually it's sro when I'm a speaker, but it wasn't this past tuesday.

B

Because it's the first one that they've had back with people live since the since the pandemic.

B

I was very curious to find out how many people were going to be there and it was. It was pretty.

B

Well attended, my guess is around 20 people, the tail everything was social distance again. Everyone.

B

Had a mask, I had my mask on, of course, unless you were eating or unless until I was speaking, uh it.

B

Went very well, and you know, if we're going to move forward with the covet, we have to do things like.

B

That it was a it was in person, people were there, but everyone had mask. There were social distance.

B

Social distancing there was hand sanitizer on the table. So all all those protocols were.

B

Followed- and I think that's that's- why we're moving forward told there's a vaccine.

B

So I appreciate everyone that came out and- uh and that's all I have for today. Thank you.

A

Thanks, commissioner frazier commissioner boucher good morning good morning, sir I'd like to start.

D

Off by mentioning this gentleman reverend jim skillington, he is the minister from morgan.

D

Chapel church in woodbine he had contacted me in reference to the issues that his community.

D

Is facing law father the faith community in the the county, food insecurity, elderly loneliness.

D

Physical and mental health and how addiction is being exacerbated by the pandemic.

D

And he is looking forward to networking with all the other uh faith-based non-profits to try.

D

To coordinate their resources for the food security issue to bring their food pantry.

D

Resources together, so I highly recommend that all those ministries throughout the county.

D

Try to coordinate and network one another to address these issues on the front line.

D

Because he made me very much aware, there's a lot of people out there who are suffering.

D

This pandemic, who are lonely and are not connected with the the greater community at.

D

Large, especially the elderly population, who does not have the technology, so it's heartwarming to.

D

See individuals such as reverend skellington out there trying to address these issues, especially.

D

With some of the shortcomings and followings that have taken place with the county, like our senior.

D

Is closing those institutions that we finance are so critically important for elderly population.

D

And this pandemic has drastically affected them, so god bless reverend skillington and.

D

All the other ministries out there doing the good work to help our community out. So thank you very.

D

Much for that meeting, I look forward to things progressing with your ideas, so thank you very much.

A

Commissioner rostin ed good morning, good morning, um first off, uh commissioner boucher, there is a.

E

Faith-Based network uh in carroll county, um I'm aware of it and I'm aware of who's engaged. I don't.

E

Know if this gentleman is part of it or not, but feel free to reach out to me, and I can connect him.

D

You've lost him. Time has stopped. Ladies and gentlemen, I think commissioner rostine is frozen.

F

In time for that network, but uh and a lot of discussion about the food- and uh I think.

E

You're on the same team as a you know: commercial fraser again we're not through this masks, social.

E

Distancing we're in buildings, it is the law that we maintain uh the distance and masks uh when.

E

We're in gatherings, so it's not suggestions, it's not recommendations. It's the law that was given.

E

To us, and uh just continue to remind people to adhere to it and let's get through this together,.

E

um Had a really good uh zoning or not zoning, a planning commission the other day and then last.

E

Night I participated with uh miss heisenberg and uh mary playing in a uh public session with the.

E

South carol community, the fdca there was probably about 60 folks on the assume call lasted a couple.

E

Hours, it was a great dialogue going back and forth um getting the community's input and insight on.

E

Moving forward for our rezoning recommendations, uh specifically in the south carolina area, and I look.

E

Forward to bringing that to all of your attention as we move forward in making the decisions.

E

Lastly, uh head of veterans meeting on tuesday afternoon, as always, we have.

E

Always a large group uh in attendance and participation, our veterans are doing well overall.

E

Unemployment overall in the county and the state for veterans is doing well. We've really turned.

E

The curve on that, but there's still the challenge on the very similar to what commissioner boucher.

E

Talked about was the social interaction and uh challenges that our veterans have.

E

Especially when they find themselves in isolation, so uh you know just continue to keep our.

E

Veterans in mind and their families as we move forward and that's all I have right now, thanks.

A

Okay, thank you ed, a couple, quick things for me: uh dennis you did a great job the other day I.

A

Heckled from the back row um at the tannery barn up at uh union, mills homestead and.

A

Yes, you're right, it was the first time that that event has been held in person.

A

I haven't yet figured out why fraser was in my district to do his.

A

But I think I know everybody wants to come to district. One uh weaver has a uh a thing.

A

Tonight, dick, do you want to give a commercial, real, quick for your finksburg uh uh event this evening.

A

You're, muted, dick you're mute, you're, muted, dick, and maybe you won't be.

A

Because you're the guest speaker tonight, hopefully you won't be muted tonight,.

A

Well, never know um it's a virtual uh town hall for uh finksburg area planning, council.

C

uh I'll be um talking about district 2 in the county and updating local issues. If you guys.

C

Are invited if you want to find out what's really happening in the county uh tune in.

C

And I will um answer questions people have and uh thanks steve, you know anyone got that.

C

um Anyway, um it's seven o'clock and they have a uh just get on website uh zoom meeting and.

C

Should be interesting, I'm more than willing to heckle virtually. I did it in person this week.

A

I can certainly do it the second time virtually okay, uh a couple other quick things. I want to say.

A

Congratulations to the town of tawny town. uh They had an unfortunate incident several months back.

A

uh Where someone was a little one bit upset about their water bill, apparently and decided.

A

To do something to their city offices, never quite understand folks, but whatever anyway,.

A

They get to that level, but anyway, they're back and ready to reopen their city offices. There's a small.

A

Gathering of folks tomorrow morning for a ribbon cutting but tamer wants and all of the officials.

A

In tony town, congratulations and it's good to see tony town back up and running in that historic.

A

Building there on baltimore street um I had the uh I was on a baltimore metropolitan council meeting.

A

um Yesterday and uh or I'm sorry a couple days ago, uh just I'm I'm I'm honored that carroll.

A

County will be represented uh with the baltimore metro council, as I will be moving into the chair.

A

Seat of that uh of that group beginning first of the year or soon thereafter, uh a lot of great.

A

Regional transportation issues uh come out of that, uh as and and other other great things as well. So.

A

I'll have more on that, but um it's good to see the carroll county gets that regional representation.

A

uh Commissioner, ross teen, you talk about that all the time and when you came on board uh that.

A

Certainly was upticked, so uh you know we. We've got the face in the name out there for for carroll.

A

County, uh mr lance, it's hard to believe all the other members dropped off. That committee, though,.

A

Hey hey, I was nice to you this morning. Frasier knock it off uh anyway,.

A

uh A reminder if you have not gotten your flu shot yet I would encourage everyone to get your.

A

Flu shot, it only hurts for a little while, uh and uh it's um especially this year. I think.

A

That's really important uh the health department's coming out with a little uh a flu fighter, uh press.

A

And we'll see what goes with that, but uh just want to remind folks we've been uh providing that.

A

Opportunity here at the county as well, and uh just if you haven't, got it yet uh make sure that you.

A

Get on board and get your flu shot reminder that it is breast cancer awareness month. There are a.

A

Lot of events that are going on virtually this year, please support their efforts again. I will.

A

Remind folks that you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who has not been touched by breast cancer.

A

So you know try to support those and finally, before we get into the other priority carol items.

A

I'd like to give a shout out to our elections board, I actually stopped over there. The other day.

A

And talked to katie personally katy berry who's ahead of our election board.

A

uh It's interesting to me that things are really going pretty smooth here in carroll.

A

And um the thing that she most said was that the problem she's, having mostly, is with voters, I.

A

Listen, I get the fact that people are frustrated and people are angry, uh but good grief.

A

In carroll, county uh you've got the ability here to be able to vote several different ways.

A

They've got the drop-off boxes that are working well. um They've got um the.

A

Mail-In, that's working well, the post office has an incredible, uh has been cooperating. Incredibly.

A

Well, with our elections board and uh and then you'll be able to vote in person so.

A

um Maybe just give our elections board a little bit of a break uh to those people.

A

That seem to be angry and the most important thing is: you need to get out there and vote so.

A

I I just can't say enough about what katie and her team is doing out there so kudos to them. We.

A

Got two weeks to go in this absurd election? uh Did you all see the the thing that the utah governor.

A

Candidates are doing, uh I thought that was interesting. If you haven't seen that yet google, it.

A

uh The republican and the democrat actually did a commercial together uh talking about how we have.

A

To work together and move forward in this country really refreshing, so it's enough of my politics.

A

For today, but uh give give our election boards, uh when you get a chance, thank them katy, berry.

A

And her team out there they're doing a yogan's job all right. That's all that I have this morning.

A

uh Personally, but we've got some things I don't want to cover and I'm going to.

A

Go a little bit out of order here, um we're going to start this morning with um celine.

A

Our director of citizen services and celine is on, and uh yesterday I had the opportunity.

A

I'll start this one first now I'll hand it to celine. I visited the tony towne senior center.

A

And when you, when you visit senior centers, now, there's nobody there well in this photo.

A

There was people there, so we unfortunately had to say farewell to our senior center manager in.

A

Tony town jennifer is standing there beside me uh jennifer. It was an incredible young lady who.

A

Who really touched a lot of lives in tawny, town and her family is um she's she's been uh she's.

A

Been inundated with challenges with with her kids as it comes to virtual learning, and what have you.

A

So jennifer decided to uh to take a break and move on uh and we truly appreciate the three.

A

Plus years that she spent in carroll county- and uh I I provided a a uh a certificate to her and.

A

Was able to talk to a lot of our our our senior uh center managers? uh Yesterday socially distanced.

A

With masks on, of course- and um it was good, it was good to be able to do that so to jennifer, barr.

A

We say thank you very much for all that you've done and we look forward to the next person that.

A

Will step up and run that great facility up in tawny town and with that I'll turn it over to.

A

Celine, our director of citizen services, because we're going to talk about residents rights month.

A

But celine, I know that you worked very closely with jennifer as well so um good morning, celine.

G

Morning, commissioner, yes, it would, this will be a tough loss for our department. Jennifer was a very.

G

Gentle soul and she was a wonderful, um wonderful manager at tawny town. She was very creative. She.

G

Brought a lot of fresh ideas to the center, and I know that she will be sorely missed by the members.

G

At the center- and I also note that um you know we had pushed out information on facebook about the.

G

The farewell yesterday and already our colleagues from baltimore county are trying to encourage her.

G

When she wants to come back to the workforce, that they'll take her back there, where she previously.

G

um Had come from so we we had a great resource with her um and she's a fantastic, fantastic.

G

Person and we will miss her, um but certainly looking forward to filling that vacancy.

G

With someone just as dynamic so we're hopeful for that so, but we will miss jennifer. She was great.

A

Thanks celine, uh we do have a proclamation, so uh who's got that in front of them.

A

All right, commissioner: boucher you've got it. uh If you go ahead and read that proclamation.

A

And then we'll turn it back over to celine. Thank you very much proclamation. Excuse me cindy.

D

Marucci bosley, that's not the right one, gary the proclamation long-term care. I.

D

Have two of them there you go now you're on it, yeah, sorry about that, we're bringing them.

D

Thank you proclamation long-term care residents rights month october 2020, whereas 10 nursing homes.

D

And 32 assisted living facilities are licensed to operate in carroll county serving more than 2 000.

D

Residents per year and whereas the federal nursing home reform act of 1987 guarantees.

D

Residents, their individual rights in order to promote and maintain their dignity and autonomy.

D

And whereas all residents should be aware of their rights, so they may be empowered to live.

D

With dignity and self-determination, and whereas we wish to celebrate these individuals honor their.

D

Individuality and reaffirm their rights will include the right to have a say in their care.

D

The right to visitation the right to privacy, the right to complain and the right to make.

D

Independent choices and whereas individuals and groups across the country will be celebrating.

D

Residence rights month with the theme connection matters to emphasize connections to family.

D

Excuse me to friends and the community as an essential component of good health and.

D

Quality of life for long-term care residents. Now, therefore, we, the board of carroll county.

D

Commissioners do hereby proclaim october 2020 to be long-term care residence rights month.

D

In carroll county, we urge every resident to take time during this month to acknowledge long-term.

D

Care residents and the people who care for them for their valuable contribution to our communities.

D

Adopted 22 day of october 2020 the board of county commissioners. Thank you.

A

Okay thanks eric uh celine. I know that you're on uh with your some of your staff this morning, so.

A

I'll turn this over to you now good morning. Okay, thank you, commissioners. I want to recognize.

G

Gail gannon is our long-term care. Ombudsman program manager and she is with us today.

G

And I believe, tina linder is also with us um in gail's office.

G

So um and tina linder is our is another long-term care ombudsman, with our program.

G

As well, uh she and gail complete our long-term care. Ombudsman folks here.

G

In carroll county- and we appreciate all the work that they do and commissioners we want.

G

To thank you for recognizing this month as a long-term care residence rights month.

G

Obviously, during covid this, this piece becomes more difficult to monitor for our ombudsman staff.

G

And also to provide outreach um into the facilities where we have these issues with.

G

Resident rights, but I I think we have a great team and tina and gail have been very creative.

G

um In their networking and their outreach to the facilities right now- and I know visitation.

G

Rights in the long-term care and assisted assisted living facilities have been really on.

G

The top of everybody's agenda right now, thinking about how people are accessing their loved ones,.

G

In the facility, how can they visit with them, and I do want gail to give us a little bit of.

G

An update while we're here about how we're doing things currently in carroll county and what the.

G

Restrictions are and how we're working through that yes good morning, commissioners, thank you.

H

For recognizing october at resident rights month, um it's about seven months ago, mid-october, when.

H

Long-Term care communities closed their doors to all visitors. Anyone non-essential since.

H

The beginning, there had been an exception for compassionate care and end of life.

H

In july, outdoor visits started uh being permitted under certain conditions, and it was really just.

H

The start of this month october, when the health department issued new guidance that, under certain.

H

Conditions, indoor visits could be allowed, so we're very pleased for residents and their.

H

Family members to have the opportunity to visit in in multiple ways as celine mentioned, creative.

H

Options have been explored with virtual visits via facetime or zoom meetings, window visits, then in.

H

The summer outdoor visits started and now under certain um situations, indoor visits are being.

H

Permitted as well and that's just come as quite a relief to many residents and their loved ones,.

A

Okay, thanks gail. We appreciate that and uh celine. We appreciate.

A

uh All of the work that you guys do over here when it comes to this, uh my colleagues.

A

uh Any comments on on this before we we move on. While we have uh celine and her staff on here.

C

I just want to say thank you for what you've done uh and you're always looking out for senior.

C

Citizens and uh their care and your staff has done a tremendous job in carroll county. Don't quit.

E

Yeah and again from me just thank you for all you've done.

E

And are doing the selfless service and taking care of our community.

E

uh Does not get unseen, so just thanks. Thank you. Thank you, commissioners.

A

Okay, thank you guys very much. This is a this is a uh this is a troubling uh area and we always.

A

Like to try to make sure that we we honor uh and and provide the rights for our citizens that are.

A

uh In our long-term care facilities or wherever it's it's very important to do so so uh we thank.

A

You all for your hard work and uh continue to do a great job over there. Thank you so much.

A

Okay, uh I went out of order because I wanted to just flow right into uh the first item.

A

On our agenda, uh because we're going to go next and uh pay tribute uh to a young lady.

A

At the carroll county health department uh that has been over there for uh 37 37 plus years and.

A

I believe I've got ed singer on here this morning, we're going to be hearing from ed anyway. So uh let.

A

Me go ahead, where's uh cindy if you'd go ahead and turn your camera on please and ed as well.

A

There's cindy and there's ed, so uh let me read this proclamation and then I'll turn it over to.

A

You ed, we did do a proclamation for cindy uh again. We always try to pay tribute to those that have.

A

Been uh at their uh at their jobs for for long periods of time, and that certainly is cindy and.

A

My honor to be able to read this today cindy and I have a little bit of a history uh as well, because.

A

We have a fire department, connection that uh that we, that I will never forget and we.

A

Talk about that often so I've known cindy a long time before I got into uh this lovely.

A

Adventure that I'm in but cindy uh we've got a proclamation here. I'm gonna try to get.

A

Through most of this- and I might skip a couple of them- but I know that you'll be getting this, but.

A

uh This is um the direct to cindy marucci bosley, director of nursing bureau of community health.

A

Nursing in recognition of her retirement uh cindy is retiring after 37 years with the carroll county.

A

Health department she's a passionate advocate for issues related to reproductive health, infant child.

A

Fatality and underserved populations she built relationships in the community by working with the.

A

School system and other organizations to educate young people reduce teen pregnancy and prevent.

A

Transmission of disease she established community teams to reduce infant and child fatality by.

A

Creating and managing the best fetal and infant mortality and child fatality review committee in.

A

The state of maryland she advocated for children and victims, working with the state's attorney.

A

Social services, law enforcement and others on carroll, county's advocacy and in the investigation.

A

Center by providing a unique clinical medical perspective, she's built and fostered relationships.

A

With carroll hospital access carroll, the partnership for a healthier carroll, county.

A

And many other community organizations supporting the health department's vision.

A

Of a safe and healthy community, cindy's leadership, as the director of nursing for over 10 years led.

A

To improvement in access to health care for underserved populations, including a robust.

A

Pediatric dental program appropriate care for the elderly, countless prevention programs to ensure.

A

People stay healthy, most notably cindy built an effective partnership with carroll hospital.

A

For the best beginnings program, which ensures all pregnant mothers, have access to prenatal care.

A

So their babies are born healthy. During the covet pandemic, cindy led the operations section.

A

In the health department's response, which was essential in the health department's success,.

A

In mitigating the effects of the pandemic, by providing advice to businesses and organizations.

A

In carroll and by supporting cobit 19 testing and oversee contact tracing no easy task. There.

A

Cindy's most critical role in the pandemic was working, countless hours to conduct operations in.

A

Support of nursing home outbreaks that occur that occurred early in the emergency, informing various.

A

Teams to assist facilities, there is no doubt that cindy's actions saved lives and facilitated the.

A

Recovery of carroll county's nursing facilities, so we, the board of commissioners, are proud to honor.

A

Cindy marucci bosley and express deep and abiding appreciation for her dedicated years of service to.

A

The citizens of carol, we celebrate her passion, her professionalism and leadership, and extend to cindy.

A

And her family our best wishes for many years of happiness and cindy. You don't know this yet and.

A

Neither do the folks at the health department, but now you'll be treated differently throughout the.

A

All the rest of today, because we are declaring today cindy marucci bosley day so y'all at the.

A

Health department- um you better start going in and catering to cindy today, because today's her day.

A

Pendy! Congratulations uh for all that! You have done all that! You have meant all the lives that.

A

You have touched uh you're, an amazing young lady. You really are mr singer I'll turn it over to you.

I

I'll try to be uh very brief because you've already said all the things that uh I thought.

I

About cindy, but I do want your commissioners to know that you have uh viewers today from maine.

I

To north carolina, uh I I said, uh provided roland was successful in getting out the uh the length of.

I

The family members, I know uh cindy talks about her family, often and they're, a very important thing to.

I

Her but she's been an extremely strong leader here at the health department. I don't know what I would.

I

Have done without her for for this cobit pandemic, and she has second thoughts every day about.

I

About her retirement, but uh you know it's it's it's awfully. You know, I'm sure. If, commissioner.

I

Rosting can relate to when you step away from something that you've been into for years.

I

It it it's hard and- and I know when I left the military, it was hard for a while you, but you.

I

Eventually get used to it, and, and uh I just really appreciate the leadership that cindy's.

I

Provided to our nursing bureau, she's been an outstanding leader, there's a lot of things that.

I

We've accomplished here, you know the one thing um you in any type of organization there's always.

I

Somebody else that steps up when when somebody goes but those relationships cindy, has with all.

I

The folks in the community are going to be hard for, for people to uh reestablish well continue to.

I

Establish and to uh to fill her shoes so I'll stop there. I just want to thank her for for her great.

I

Leadership here at the health department and the other thing that last thing, I'll mention is just.

I

Her her initial assignment was as a shock, trauma nurse, and I think uh because of that.

I

She's really good at keeping uh both dr taylor and I in line uh I'm not sure who's gonna have.

I

To who that's gonna fall to when she goes, but uh somebody's gonna have to keep us in line.

A

Well, that's an unfortunate circumstance there. I don't know who's gonna. Take that over.

A

uh Before we hear from cindy, I wanna go right down through my colleagues here, uh commissioner weber,.

C

Cindy just keep in mind with change comes opportunity, and I know it's hard to step away.

C

But you have now an opportunity to do things in your life that maybe you wanted to do and.

C

Never had a chance to do them, take advantage of it and move on and be happy about what you've.

C

Done in carroll, county carroll county, just thank you. Thanks d, commissioner frazier cindy thank.

B

You very much for 37 years of working with the carroll county health department. Thank you for.

B

All you've done for the citizens of carroll county to try to keep them healthy and thank.

B

You especially for for what you've done for child infant care in carroll county. Thank you very much.

A

Commissioner, boucher that's bosley, carroll county is a better place because you're in it- and I know.

D

That's like a family over there with the health department, then you'll be sincerely amidst I.

D

Know how emotional this is for you, but don't be ashamed of those emotions, you're very much loved.

D

And you'll be missed and I'm sure your fellow staff members will look forward to you visiting.

D

Occasionally and maybe having lunch and dinner with you, god bless and enjoy your retirement.

A

And commissioner rostein thank you and uh it's it's evident from the proclamation that we shared.

E

You've gone well above and beyond the expectations uh for the duties that you had over 37 years.

E

You know it's, it's obvious, the selfless service uh that you performed over those three decades.

E

Have really served carroll county in incredible ways and, like mr singer said you know there are.

E

Challenges when one uniform comes off and another one goes on, but I've recognized that regardless, if.

E

The uniform comes off regardless, if you're, leaving it after 37 years. It'll always be a part of you.

E

And that's really cool um and that's just something to continue and always embrace.

E

So just thank you for all you've done and good luck for all that you will be doing in the future.

A

Thank you, gentlemen, uh cindy. You know how I feel about you and.

A

And the relationship that you and I have had over the years, you're you're.

A

Again, I don't know any other word than amazing: uh you've just been a rock over there.

A

And uh every citizen in this county should take notice of of all of the lives that you've touched.

A

You you've you're amazing, and I know that that you're it's going to be a little difficult, but.

A

um You're, a very strong you're, a very strong lady and you'll you'll find your niche in retirement.

A

And um I know you'll you'll move on to greater and better things, so without further ado, uh we'd would.

A

Like to hear from you cindy so um again, godspeed well wishes and cindy bosley. The floor is yours.

J

Well, obviously, I am totally overwhelmed and um I just would like to thank everyone for all the.

J

Support all of the things that I've done could not have been done without the help of all of my staff.

J

And the people above me, including ed over all of the years, and I just want to say that it's been my.

J

Honor and privilege to function in carroll county for as long as I have so. Thank you very much. All.

A

Right. Thank you. Cindy round of applause for cindy uh everybody and to all of your extended family.

A

And friends that are on here uh stay tuned because our sessions are really quite exciting. uh Don't.

A

Don't sign off just because cindy's leaving, uh but but to all of you we say thank you for allowing us.

A

uh The ability to be able to share cindy uh here in our county and um again you you want to talk.

A

About somebody, that's think that that whose fingerprints will be forever on this county.

A

That's cindy bosley, so again cindy! Congratulations! uh We wish you nothing.

A

But the best and and certainly enjoy your retirement. Thank you very much.

A

Okay, with that said, uh we're gonna go into anything else for priority carol. Gentlemen.

A

If anything comes up, we'll we'll we'll put it in as we uh move forward through our agenda items.

A

uh As always, uh we hit coven right out of the gate, and um I know we always try to start with.

A

Whatever's coming from the state, I do know that there is a press conference this afternoon at 2.

A

P.M: from from our governor, so we'll see what that brings a little bird kind of whispered in my ear.

A

This morning, in a phone conversation, I had that a lot of it's going to be centered around providing.

A

Additional relief for our business community so we'll we'll see where that goes, uh but that that's.

A

um Whenever the governor has a press conference, we sort of all hold our breath and see. Okay, what's.

A

Going on now, so so that's at 2 pm today. I know that there have also been other changes. I know.

A

The governor put out the maryland's covet 19 vaccination plan. So again I can't say enough.

A

About the governor and his team, we're out in front of that- and that's that's good so when we do get.

A

The vaccine maryland will be ready to roll uh and, I think, other than and you'll probably touch on.

A

Some of these, I know that the positivity rate uh there was some changes in how that's being done ed.

A

So I know you'll maybe touch on that too, because I know there's always been a little bit of a.

A

Difference between the maryland department of health and the hopkins positivity rate, so.

A

uh Other than that, I don't know of anything else that came down ed, I always throw it to you. Are you.

A

Aware of anything because you and I sort of get those calls uh rostine anything okay, all right.

A

With that ed uh singer, I'll turn it over to you uh for the latest and uh we'll touch on some of.

A

These items and go over any questions. We have ed good morning good morning, commissioners and.

I

I uh thank you again for your support and uh just a couple quick updates before I get into the.

I

Into the slides that I have for you today is um so there is a uh new definition that cdc.

I

uh Just posted last night to their website, there there'd been a lot of question about.

I

The definition of a close contact is essentially, if you had uh prolonged contact with somebody.

I

Within six feet for at least 15 minutes, uh it was recognized by a couple of outbreaks that happened.

I

That really uh intermittent contact with people over the course of a day um could cause.

I

Transmission of the disease, so the definition of close contact is going to be shifting from what.

I

It previously was to, if you've had contact for a total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period, with.

I

Somebody who's confirmed to have coveted you would consider to be be considered to be a close contact.

I

And and should be in quarantine uh so that that'll have some impact on people in the community and on.

I

Our school system and everybody else as we're doing contact tracing, um we haven't changed.

I

Anything in our contact tracing process yet but mdh will likely uh change the whole process.

I

Concerning this, uh this new definition sometime in the in the near future because they tend to follow.

I

The cdc's lead um so that that definition is important. um Commissioner uh fraser, I just want to.

I

Echo your thoughts on the school system, I'm very hopeful that uh we we continue to be successful. I.

I

Know it's a lot of work uh for the school system and for for for our epidemiological team here and.

I

In tracking anybody, that's uh potentially could have coveted and and actually confirmed cases.

I

And making sure that we keep a safe environment for the kids, it's a it's a it's a lot of work.

I

Both on the school systems part and our our part to keep this functioning and uh keep.

I

The schools operating uh you know. I have heard of other school systems that have had to close.

I

We're fortunate that uh you know the first few days have been very successful and things seem.

I

To be working, we you know it's a it's always a hump to get over whenever you open something new.

I

And and we'll be uh keeping an eye on things as this moves along. um I know, commissioner, uh wants.

I

Also mentioned the board of elections, interesting to me that uh I've been leaving the health.

I

Department late every night since this pandemic started now, there's a parking lot full that never.

I

Used to be over at the uh over at the board of elections as they're they're processing, all these.

I

uh Early voting ballots and things of that nature, you know encouraging people to uh to potentially.

I

Get out early and and keep the crowds down on the actual election day. So um it's amazing the work.

I

That they're doing over there and then just to mention that uh you know as winter's coming we're.

I

All going to be forced inside and we're probably going to see an uptick in cases just related to.

I

That and uh we'll we'll get on with that. As best we can. Commissioner lance mentioned the hopkins.

I

Positivity rate they've changed the way that they're calculating that. So it's really hard to.

I

Compare one week with hopkins uh positivity rate versus another: I think it actually is more in line.

I

With what the state's uh positivity rate is at this point, um I guess we'll have to monitor that.

I

As it moves along, but they hopkins has changed the way that they're calculating the positivity rate.

I

All right so moving on to uh slides this uh community case report that.

I

We provide you on a weekly basis, is going to be an important thing that the board of education- and I.

I

Are going to be watching over uh over the next several weeks? Because we want to see.

I

um We're down a few cases this week we're down 10 cases from last week, which.

I

Is a good thing to see? We always like to see a decline in the number of confirmed cases, but.

I

What we're going to try to watch as schools have reopened one of the things that the state's plan.

I

Has us looking at is: is whether these cases uh kind of remain constant or go up if they go up.

I

Over a certain percentage over a period of time, we we need to discuss whether or not the schools are.

I

Impacting that in the community and whether or not we need to consider doing things differently so.

I

This is a number we're going to be watching very closely over the next several weeks to see.

I

You know whether those cases go up go down, stay relatively constant. We.

I

We're hoping not to see a a big increase, but uh one of the things we need to watch.

I

Is is those number of cases that are reported as school reopens and see what the impact is.

I

These are the probable cases that are not included in those case counts, and it's just something that.

I

We felt is important to report to you all in the public, uh because these don't these don't get.

I

Counted as confirmed cases, but these are people that have uh tested positive with a rapid test.

I

That have symptoms and so they're 99 likely to be positive, covered cases so 14 day rolling average.

I

We've been regularly reporting, it kind of shows a trend, obviously we're still trending upward, even.

I

Though we had that dip uh last week, it's it's been a gradual upward trend over the rolling.

I

Average, if uh you know the cases, continue to move in the direction they have been and they seem to.

I

Be headed in a similar direction this week that we would have fewer cases or or relatively the.

I

Same so that trend will probably dip starting next week um covet desk by week. uh I know.

I

Statewide and nationwide we've seen uh seem seems like a slight uptick in in death over the.

I

uh Over the last few weeks- and we actually had two community deaths last week and there's one that's.

I

Not on here that will be in the in in the graph next week when I present to you, but we hadn't.

I

Had a community death since august and and uh so we've had a total of three in the last eight days.

I

The icu numbers um we had ticked up a bit in the icu beds over the past couple of weeks this week.

I

We were down a little bit overall, just to kind of give you an idea of the information that garrett.

I

Shares with me, the hospital president on a daily basis right now, um their their.

I

Icu capacity is generally around 10, um but they have one patient right now. That's a.

I

Person under investigation for covid that's on a ventilator. They have uh three total people.

I

Under investigation in the ccu that are, that are uh that are pui's and they have one confirmed.

I

Covet positive patient in their ccu, so a total of five patients that are uh related to covet. That.

I

Are in the uh ccu at this point, they have a total of 19 persons under investigation in the hospital.

I

Ten of these were new. um Additionally, they had eight uh confirmed covet positive patients.

I

Being treated to the hospital at this point, uh garrett told me this morning that uh generally.

I

The the pui's and the covet positives are increasing. uh This is kind of consistent with what.

I

We're seeing statewide and nationwide um so we'll just have to keep an eye on where that's headed.

I

This all over all hospitalizations uh that we've seen since the uh pandemic began and um one of.

I

The things commissioner boucher challenges me on a regular basis to share some additional information.

I

And it gets me thinking about things and, and uh one of the things he asked me to share was.

I

Hospitalizations by uh by week since the pandemic began now, this doesn't uh reflect how many people.

I

Were in the hospital being treated because I shared just shared those kind of numbers with you.

I

But what it shows is kind of a trend as to uh how many folks are winding up in the hospital.

I

Because of this disease and and what it counts is um the state reports, anybody who's who's tested.

I

Positive for covid, if they get hospitalized once they, they count it one time. So this shows the.

I

Number of folks, over over the weeks that have been hospitalized for the first time related to coven.

I

So I know um the commissioner boucher was was interested in this uh in this information, and this.

I

Is kind of uh it doesn't like? I said it doesn't reflect how many people are in the hospital at.

I

Any one given time, but this reflects the number of people that are being hospitalized for the first.

I

Time related to covet, thank you for sharing that information. I like seeing the trends going flat.

D

I think that's what our overall objective has been, and this is really helpful for.

D

The public to see what you're, seeing and we're seeing so thank you for producing this.

I

So the uh the other thing that we share on a regular basis is this community cases by.

I

A week in age group and as I've said the last couple weeks, uh the younger folks tend to to.

I

Be the ones right now that we see uh when we see an uptick that are getting it first and then the.

I

The older population, uh this seems to follow the national trends uh follow with with, uh with with.

I

Getting it from the younger folks that have gotten it out in the community quite quite frequently.

I

Another thing that uh commissioner boucher had asked for was to share the information on.

I

The the deaths and the ages of deaths um we've had a range of of uh the youngest person. We've.

I

Had die in carroll county and this is carroll county, specific data, and it's not that far off.

I

From the national data, the the uh the median age of uh death related to covet in in the.

I

Country and and in the state is 78 years old. um In carroll county we've had a range of from 43 to 103.

I

And, of course, you know some of those folks that are on that far end of the age.

I

Scale that it does tend to raise that average age a bit um but the average age has been 80. our.

I

Deaths in the community have had a range of 56 to 86. The average age has been 74.

I

And then in facilities, uh we've had a range of uh 43 to 103, with the average age of 81.

I

So a couple of other things that I wanted to share with you that I thought was important because.

I

I get a lot of questions from people out in the community and I think you all, as commissioners.

I

Probably get a lot of questions too, because there's a lot of people that are struggling.

I

Financially and this had a huge impact on the on the community and one of the things we had.

I

Shared before was uh information on increases in deaths that we'd seen in carroll county based on.

I

On covet, but naturally uh the the um cdc has seen that there have been 299 000, more deaths since.

I

um January than we would have expected- and at least two out of three of these excess deaths.

I

Were related to covet 19., um I think another very important thing for us to point out is that.

I

The largest percentage increases with these deaths were in the hispanic or.

I

Lieutenant latino community, and also among people who were aged 25 to 44. so.

I

It is having an impact, at least nationally on on some of the underserved populations, and also.

I

On people that are at an age group at 25 to 44 age group with nationally they they've seen some.

I

Increases in deaths percentage-wise very high in that age group there's also one of the things I.

I

Get asked a lot about is is well, you know, we don't do all this for flu and really um isn't this just.

I

uh It isn't flu just as bad as this and the cdc's that develop some information. That shows that.

I

The risk of dying in the hospital is five times greater from covet than what it would be if.

I

Somebody's hospitalized with the flu, so I just think that's an important thing for for people.

I

To know and that it is more dangerous than the flu that's a question I get quite frequently.

I

And I think it's an important thing for you, as elected officials and for the community to know.

I

Next, I get a lot of questions about younger people and and lingering symptoms and that.

I

Type of thing and uh fervent 19 can can often result in prolonged illness, even in young.

I

Adults and in children without underlying chronic medical conditions, there are many.

I

Cases where uh case reports from people do not regain their previous health following covet, 19.

I

There's really little known about the clinical course of covert 19 following mild illness in a.

I

Telephone survey of symptomatic adults, who had a positive outpatient test results for for probit.

I

35 had not returned to their usual health when interviewed two to three weeks after testing, so.

I

When most people are clear to go back to work and back out in the community after 10 days, you know.

I

Even two to three weeks after testing people are still feeling the effects of this disease.

I

And um among those in the 18 to 34 year old age group that report themselves as.

I

Being in good health, 20 percent reported that some of their symptoms were whoops.

I

I'm sorry I we're continuing, even after uh after they were medically cleared.

I

And the last uh some of the things that uh covet 19 may increase the the risk of long-term.

I

Health problems: it's it's documented that this disease can cause damage to the heart muscle.

I

And it can cause long-term concerns about potential heart failure, causes damage to.

I

The lungs and and uh can can cause problems with long-term lung lung lung issues. I I think it's.

I

Important for people to understand the these potential uh health risks that are out there.

I

And what does this mean for patients? Even in uh younger adults, persons with no underlying.

I

Conditions that were not hospitalized, this could still have uh long-term implications, and I think.

I

That's important for people to know, there's a lot more. That needs to be known about covet 19, as we.

I

Work through this pandemic, and uh the last thing that I just want to touch on is.

I

You know, commissioner boucher asked me another question and and uh about.

I

You know whether, over time the virus gets less lethal and I'm not sure that that's happening.

I

There's there's there's some studies. People are trying to figure that out. Epidemiologically.

I

But um hospitalizations are starting to go back up in in many states and uh some virus get viruses.

I

Get left less lethal over time and that's that's known to be a fact with some of them. But we don't.

I

Know that for sure that's happening here at this point, I think there's a lot more information that.

I

Needs to be gathered uh to make a determination as to whether or not uh the lethality is is, is.

I

Waning but uh we'll keep an eye on that. We'll try to answer your questions as best we can.

I

The other thing that uh you know there's been a lot of debate about, hurt, immunity and and.

I

Whether whether or not we should just you know if you, if you get everybody, if, if essentially people.

I

In the community get sick and the large number of folks have had it and whatnot and I really think.

I

Just based on everything that I tried to read because uh I I looked into this as best I can and.

I

I'm not sure in talking with my staff, it's kind of a crap shoot and it could be deadly. I don't think.

I

We know enough about it to say that you know you just go ahead and and hope that hurt immunity is.

I

Going to solve all of our issues, so it's it's. uh Unfortunately, I don't have a straight answer for.

I

You on this, but uh at this point I think it's a it's an unknown and you'd be taking a big risk.

I

If we were just to uh to do away with all the uh things that we have in place to try to uh to slow.

I

The spread at this point, and I think that it would be um well, I think, it'd, be a wrong decision for us.

I

To move in a different direction and I appreciate the leadership the board of commissioners have.

I

Provided the governor's provided in trying to help protect our population as best we can so I'll stop.

I

There and if you all, have any questions I'll be glad to try to address them. Mr singer, I appreciate.

D

The expansion of your reports and I like the fact that we're challenging one another because I think.

D

This whole issue challenges all of us and the more we ask questions and get this information.

D

Out the better for us to make their decisions and better for the public to be aware of what.

D

We're faced with as well- and I heard that vitamin d and zinc is helpful, so people out there don't.

D

Take daily vitamins, I highly recommend people, you know stay on top their regiment of delhi.

D

Vitamins and exercise and stay in health. I think the initial responsibility falls upon all of us.

D

And our lifestyles and trying to improve our health and keep us posted as this goes on, I do.

D

Think the the trend downward the hospitalizations and the fatalities is a wonderful thing and we'll.

D

Just have to pay attention to it and see how this unfolds, but thanks for keeping us posted and thank.

D

You very much for expanding out your charts and information to the public. It's most helpful.

I

Thanks and I appreciate that, just the opportunity to get the information out there to folks.

I

Any other questions, commissioners, ed, just real, quick uh with all that information, because it is.

E

Information overload for me um so take it in army terms. What is the most likely course of action to.

E

Minimize the impact of coping 19 in carroll county. What are the things that we need to do.

E

With all that information you shared so it's the information was was essentially the the why it's.

I

Important that I shared today, but what we're doing is, is the things that we're doing are the things.

I

That we're going to have to continue to do- and I think you guys have said this as a board of.

I

Commissioners, until we have a vaccine to slow the spread, we've got to try to avoid the large.

I

Gatherings we need to wash our hands; we we need to just take those those normal precautions that we.

I

Take to prevent spreading germs the face coverings are, are critical and and and keeping your distance.

I

As much as you can, you know, we all want to we're a very social society, and this is impacting us all.

I

Very hard, but we've got about another, probably 10 months of this to go until we get everybody.

I

Vaccinated and it's important to to do the social distancing to wear the face coverings.

I

Wash your hands and avoid large gatherings, so there's essentially four things. There.

A

So, based on that last comment about information overload, I hate to bring this up, but I'm gonna.

A

uh The schools are back in session. What are we doing in reference to statistics that.

A

Are coming out of our school system? I think it's very important to know where these.

A

Numbers are coming from uh it's important for parents to be kept informed. I think- and I'm not.

A

Talking about names of individuals, let's be clear here, I'm using a common sense approach.

A

I'm talking about grades, possibly or or schools. I know that caroline county is putting up a.

A

Weekly report up about the the uh the the cases they have in their schools down there.

A

In the interest of keeping parents informed as to whether or not uh or it, and it helps to alleviate.

A

That that that a part of that social media crap so is there a plan ed uh working in conjunction with.

A

Ccps uh to put out some sort of numbers on where they are and uh moving forward because as county.

A

Leaders, I think it's important for us to know that as well. So let me start with first of all,.

I

Anybody who would would need to know is going to be notified if they've been in close contact with.

I

Somebody that's suspected or confirmed, of having coveted we're going to do that by telephone call.

I

To to those individuals and to those families, so so that's that's number one most important thing.

I

Is we're doing contact tracing we're working very closely with the school system and we're.

I

Making sure that the families who are impacted are notified, um we've been having a lot of discussions.

I

About this, as a group of health officers, with with the legal counsel from maryland, department.

I

Of health about what we can and we can't what we can't disclose, we're looking to establish a.

I

Threshold as whether that's a certain number of cases or a certain percentage of the population.

I

In the school that we would be able to disclose, if we have uh cases that are related within a school.

I

To be able to disclose those publicly disclosing individual cases that an individual, not not names.

I

Of people, but even if I say there was one case at piney ridge, elementary school and I'm not saying.

I

That there was because I I just threw that out there, because it's a school name that comes to.

I

Mind but if I say there was a case at piney ridge, elementary school.

I

And all of a sudden two people know that they were the people, people that were in quarantine.

I

It's going to be very easy to figure out who that individual is and and those people.

I

Who who test positive and and are are diagnoses code positive, has have a right to privacy and.

I

Quite frankly, I've seen situations where people have been shunned because.

I

Because they've had they've had covet and even though they're medically cleared to go back in the.

I

Community we know they're, not infectious uh people are treating them essentially like they have.

I

Leprosy and- and uh you know so- we do have a legal obligation as a health department not to disclose.

I

Information that would lead to the identification of specific people that may have had covet, but I.

I

Do think that it's important that, if we had I know, caroline county, had had a situation where they had.

I

10 cases of staff members that were positive and I think that gets to be a point where it's important.

I

For the community to know that you know we we may have connected cases or or an outbreak in a school.

I

And um while we haven't figured out exactly what that number is going to be yet and we're trying.

I

To get guidance from the epidemiologists and and the attorneys at mdh as to where that threshold.

I

Ought to be set, I I do think that we will have a have a system in place where we see what we.

I

Would consider to be outbreaks or related cases where we would be disclosing that information.

I

I do want to put out uh generally the the total numbers of cases that we see that are related to.

I

Schools, so that we can track that as a trend, because I think that's important for you all.

I

As decision makers to be able to know if, uh if schools being open or driving any trends and.

I

And changes as in cases that we're seeing in the community, but I I keep going back to if.

I

Somebody's potentially been impacted by this by having close contact with somebody, and they.

I

Would need the quarantine or they've been near somebody who who's sick that could potentially.

I

Cause them an increase in risk for infection they're going to be notified, so it's well. We.

I

Don't want to uh give the impression that we're not being transparent with any with anything.

I

It is important to also protect the privacy of people who, who may have been diagnosed with covet.

I

So we have to balance that and it's it's much like the difficult balancing act, that the board of.

I

Education had in making a decision as to whether it's the right time to go back to school or not.

I

Based on education versus the public health issues, so um I'll be glad to try.

I

To address anything else, you might have based on questions you might have on what I just said.

A

All right, I just believe, there's got to be some sort of a happy medium common sense approach here.

A

To uh be able to to keep all those informed and again, I'm not talking about.

A

Giving out names or or or you know you know that ed I but there's got to be a way uh to do that. I.

A

Mean I'm, I applaud caroline county. The citizens need to know. uh I don't know if they're going to.

A

Keep it up down there, but I know that they've been doing it and I've had a conversation with their.

A

uh One of their county commissioners about the decision that was made and again they're the.

A

Same as as us, the school board decided to do that, but the commissioners went along with it and said.

A

In the interest of transparency, it's important for our citizens in caroline county to know so.

A

I'm just I brought it up because I hope that there is a way that you can find that tracking method.

A

To share these statistics just so that we know and are kept informed. That's all so that I'll I'll.

A

Stop with that well, I have to say, commissioner lance. I think it's a good idea to find out.

B

Because, to be honest with you, I've already heard rumors a staff member was infected at one thicker.

B

School and then notices went home to students and stuff. True, not true. I had no idea, although I have.

B

Heard a bit so I'm leaning toward true, but maybe there's something out there I mean, I think, that's.

B

Better to get some real information out there than all the rumors that are flying around, I I just.

B

And I don't know how to do it ed and I'm not telling you how to do your job, although I should.

B

But no, but uh we need to get some information out there. We really do at least the truthful, factual.

B

Information- and I think there was a if I'm not mistaken- I read in the newspaper this morning.

B

There were several schools that had incidents and they're, not naming schools and stuff and.

B

And what does that? What does that exactly mean, and I don't know it just. I think it's better to.

B

Have the facts out there than everyone speculate and all the rumors fly and all that kind of stuff.

A

Okay, any I I mean anybody else want to weigh in on this I mean, I think I think this is an important.

A

Topic- and I I'm I want to reiterate- I'm not looking to to get into the hipaa thing or anything.

A

That is dealing with that, but with schools going back to that hybrid slash, virtual.

A

uh Methodology right now, it would be very, very important, I believe, for our citizens to have some.

A

Idea of how it's going instead of reading it on facebook, because I've about had it with all.

A

That and you know where that goes, it's the dumpster of our society, so there it is, and.

A

I'd rather hear it on a chart from ed singer than than betsy smith on her facebook page.

D

Nothing against betsy smith yeah. I don't know, I don't know betsy's out there or not, but you know.

A

If you are, I apologize betsy, but whatever get my point so exactly so, I would, I think.

A

If you can work on something there, I believe all would be appreciative so and I'd kind of like to.

A

Know why caroline county did it no one else and everyone else seems to be jammed up with lawyers.

A

As a result of of that, I don't know what they're doing in caroline different, but well, I will say.

I

That, I think part of what drove caroline county to sharing information is the fact that they had 10.

I

Staff members in one school that that tested were confirmed, positive we're not talking about people.

I

That are in quarantine or anything else. They they had 10 cases in in one school, and I certainly.

I

Think that would rise to a level where we need to be talking about it. um You know if we have one.

I

Case, that's not even related to the kid getting it in school a lot of times people are getting out of.

I

The community, you know, I'm not sure how that's helpful and what we try to look at commissioner.

I

Is how it's helpful in preventing the spread of disease? Because I can disclose certain information.

I

If we can show that it actually helps prevent the spread of disease, not just because people are.

I

Are curious about it and the the difficult part of this is? Is we look at the fact that we're we're.

I

Making sure that anybody who's who's had contact or potentially had close contact with with.

I

With somebody who's who has covet or is even suspected of having covet and that's going much.

I

Further than what we do out in the uh general community um that those people are are made.

I

Aware of it, um so it's it's going to be a tough balancing act and we're going to be sharing some.

I

Statistical data- I don't know that it's going to go as far as you would like to see it go.

I

um But uh ultimately, I've got to take the best advice, we're getting from the department.

I

Of health and and everybody that's involved with this on on what data that we can share.

A

All right thanks ed any other questions for ed.

A

All right hearing, none thank you, ed and again again, our best to cindy bosley, and you know we.

A

Truly appreciate all the hard work: that's a she's, the she's, the poster child, uh along with you, ed.

A

And and all of the folks over there on the fabulous work that you guys are doing over.

A

There, in a very difficult time, give a shout out to her family for uh sharing her for all the hours.

I

That she's been in during this pandemic. So if her family's still listening I'd love to give a shout.

I

Out to them for for sharing her talents with us thanks commissioners, you all have a great day.

A

You do the same thanks ed. Thank you very much. I know a thank. You goes out to your staff as well.

D

Because they put a lot of effort in putting those reports together for you, so thank you.

A

All right with that said, we typically then move into our covert relief fund plan.

A

And for that, I'm going to turn it over to our county administrator roberto windham good morning.

K

Good morning, gentlemen, I am uh joined by grants, manager, deb, stanford and um jack library.

K

As I mentioned, I think in the last two weeks, um new.

K

Staff has been doing a sort of a midterm review, we're approximately halfway through.

K

The period of time from which we receive the money until we have to spend the money.

K

And so we um did a bit of an accounting and uh saw where everything stood and um what money.

K

Has been spent, what money is anticipated to be spent and then what money? We don't think we'll.

K

Spend will be spent, fell, sort of to the bottom um there's. No, there aren't any significant changes to.

K

Any of the county programs, um there is one that is coming before the board today, that is, on the.

K

On the list, that's in addition, it's for the sheriff's office or an evidence.

K

Digital evidence system um for 77 thousand dollars. So if the board approves that later.

K

In your agenda today, then that will um stay on this on this plan. If you don't of.

K

Course it will, it will leave and, and then those monies also will fall to the bottom.

K

um So if you look at the plan after having the accounting done, we end up with a surplus of about.

K

Two and a half million dollars and anticipated uh surplus of about 200 2.5 million dollars.

K

um And so uh also part of this accounting reached out to all the governor governmental partners.

K

With um whom we worked previously to see whether they had any additional requests since time.

K

Has passed and um they submitted approximately just shy of two million dollars of 1.9 million.

K

Dollars of additional requests, the bulk of those coming from the fire companies um about one and a.

K

Half million dollars from the fire companies um 386 thousand dollars from municipalities.

K

A little bit from the humane society and public library and then um we.

K

Continue to have sort of our catch-all at the bottom of one of two potentials, either using.

K

Any remaining funds that aren't spent by the end of december on substantially dedicated staff costs.

K

Which treasury guidance has allowed us has said we can do uh which makes it nice and easily flexible.

K

For us, um or if we do get an extension of of this grant spending period beyond december, 30th of 2020.

K

Then we would have some money going into 21 to calendar year 21 to cover expenses. um If we have.

K

Any additionals at that time, so that's um sort of where we stand. It is staff's recommendation.

K

um That you fund the 1.9 million dollars of um additional requests from our governmental partners.

K

Beyond that, um that's that's all. I was going to tell you if you have any.

K

Questions or any suggestions or any other recommendations that you would like to do.

K

Let me know hey thoughts, questions on the uh what we just heard in reference to the remainders here.

A

uh The only bet I see you're lit up just one quick question: roberto all of these funds. Now I.

A

Mean we're almost to november there's they still have to be spent by the end of the year. Is that.

K

At the right, that's correct, and it this is, this accounting um is our: um not only did we.

K

Did we, um you know, figure out what had been spent, but what is realistically going to.

K

Be spent between now and the end of the year. Okay, ed you, you had your mic lit, go ahead, sir.

E

Yeah, no, I appreciate um definitely interested in supporting the fire departments and what they can.

E

uh Receive out of this, the municipalities asking for four hundred thousand dollars more.

E

um Is but municipalities receiving only funds through this act from federal funding or are they.

E

Receiving other direct funds from federal funds do we know debbie, um probably knows better than I.

K

I do not, they may have had other grants that they applied for, but they did not receive any money.

K

From the federal government or state other than this that I'm aware of but debbie that's correct.

L

That's why we included them in our plan, because this was their mechanism to get crf funding.

E

Right, that's what I thought as well and um I'd like to see having the conversations with.

E

Those municipalities, what more they could also receive. um You know kind of open up the aperture.

E

For them to look at okay, what else do they need, if there's uh more than just that, 400 000 um to feed.

E

Those municipalities, I'm also so that's one angle. The other angle is with economic development.

E

I feel like we've, given a lot of effort and funds to our small businesses and restaurants.

E

To get basically their lips above the water line, um with the weather, changing and that's going into.

E

A season that can be challenging for people to get out. um How do we get them and continue to.

E

Keep their their, uh I say lips above the water line, especially with the uh restaurants.

E

You know getting the capacity indoors can be difficult, so you know steve you.

E

And I apologize commissioner wentz and I uh discussed some of the heating in the outdoor.

E

Tentage and maybe we should be looking direct to the restaurants and not asking them to bring in.

E

Their requirements, but saying here are things that we can push your way um it's more work, but um what.

E

I want to do, is I want to shop local, I want to eat local and the only way we're going to do that.

E

Is to get these businesses and restaurants at a point where they can serve and produce. uh I I just.

E

I I'm I'm getting a lot of anecdotal comments, not actually not just anecdotal, but some real comments.

E

That they're going to have a very difficult time in in the coming months. So uh I know it's it's.

E

Hard work to figure it out, but that's where I'd like to see the money go so and I'll stop there.

A

Yeah, I'm going to agree with you on that ed and, as you stated, you and I had a.

A

A couple conversations over the last several days about this very topic.

A

uh And it sort of went a little bit further with me because uh and and I.

A

Just to my colleagues, I had a discussion with uh our folks in in permits as well, because.

A

You know some of the stipulations and some of the codes that are required.

A

For the tents at our restaurants, I just I feel as if the buy the book method is probably not.

A

The best for the next several weeks here I want to do best practices and be safe as possible.

A

But I also want to make sure that we're allowing these restaurants, the ability with common sense.

A

Approach to be able to continue to have outdoor dining in the most safe possible way without.

A

Getting the code book out and going okay! Well, you can't do this because it says right here that you.

A

Can't do that, so I I I was in this business for quite quite a few years, and I know that there's.

A

A there's a there's, a best practices safe way. I think that we can approach that so I kind of took.

A

That a little bit of a step further, but I don't know jack if there's a way that we that we can.

A

That we can help the restaurant industry- I know ed you and I talked about this and I think dick I may.

A

Have had a conversation with you over the weekend about this too, you know there are heaters that you.

A

Can get for these tents that that are better than the the patio heaters that go up against the tent.

A

And then you got a tent on fire and I don't know if there's a way that we could provide funding for.

A

These these facilities that have these tents to be able to utilize something like that. I don't know.

A

I just you're you're spot on ed that this industry is going to take a huge hit and we know that.

A

I'm going to be curious to see what the governor says today, because I think there's another round.

A

Of state funding coming for that industry, possibly and all of small business from what I understand.

A

Maybe that'll help as well, uh but I don't know if there's a way that we could help if they need to.

A

Help uh and just go there. I don't know you know. uh My recommendation is that the people that know.

E

Best are not those that are sitting around this table virtually uh except jack um with your you.

E

Know the work that you have done and I really do applaud everything you've done, but bringing in.

E

Those businesses, uh the consortiums the south carol business association, the chamber of commerce.

E

Those organizations that are representing the main streets that are representing uh clusters.

E

Of businesses and saying: okay, what else? What else needs to be done to ensure that we can maximize.

E

The shop local, you know approach uh through this pandemic and through this year, both.

E

Retail services, and specifically with restaurants, um that is my recommendation.

E

In moving forward, I feel like we'll get something out of that. um We're gonna, be it's gonna, be tough.

E

You know it's a lot of work but, uh and I see jack, your hair is getting a little grayer.

E

As we're having this conversation, but um I'd like to get your thoughts on it,.

M

The commissioners anything we can do to help businesses, you know we'll, do it it's our mission.

M

Here and our focus, I can tell you quite a few restaurants. You know this is reimbursable funds or.

M

Quite a few restaurants have bought those heaters, they're, 148 and 72 cents. It seems like that's the.

M

Common thread for a heater, I can tell you that uh I know one restaurant that bought the heaters and.

M

Had a tent and they were told to take the tent down because you're right, uh commissioner, lance.

M

Said they they would catch on fire, and I hadn't eaten that restaurant last week and um it was.

M

Warm as you went next to one of the heaters, but we could we could do you know if you want to do.

M

Special for the restaurants, we'd have to go back and pull all those 70-some restaurants and make.

M

Sure they didn't already a lot of them already. You know submitted uh bills for the heaters, so.

M

We can't get double double double bill, those you know we got, we got to be careful, we're.

M

We we can check that out anything we can do to help the restaurants. You know or small.

M

Businesses that you know we're there, we've been more than happy to um do the restaurants.

M

You want to call it heaters or whatever you know, we can come up with some creative idea.

M

But um just to let you know um that I don't know if it's the health department or our permit.

M

Department, commissioner, lance I've come down and said you can't have those type of heaters.

M

In a tent too, I do know that for a fact, yeah, but we'll be we'll, be happy to pull out our all our.

M

Restaurants and they submit them, we'll we'll reimburse them for 148.72. It seems like so.

M

I know I repeated that, but whatever you whatever you want to do we're there. You know.

C

I uh agree with you uh steve ned on uh you know. This needs to be something.

C

Should we wait down until we see what the governor comes out with today, um that we're not duplicating.

C

Any initiative, or just add to his initiative uh if that comes through the way, I think it's going.

C

To come through that may be a way we can add on to that. With some of the money we have left and.

C

Actually, give a little more uh bang for the buck and such uh for these items and.

C

um I do agree with you right now. uh I think we have to take a common sense approach to.

C

Permitting and things that uh things are there that never were before.

C

And we have to look at it from a common sense area um not to compromise public safety, though.

C

And I can't believe I'm saying that in front of lance, but uh I don't want to.

C

Whatever compromise any public safety, but I do want to keep these businesses afloat.

E

You know looking for what the governor is going to be sharing this afternoon. I am.

E

Hopeful, which means it's not a course of action, because I have no clue but that he will discuss.

E

Allowing higher capacity in some services uh and um retail one specifically, I know the nail salons.

E

um And hair you know, uh shops only are allowed so many certain capacity. I am getting some.

E

Emails and concerns that they need to stay in stride with the rest of uh the retail and services.

E

That the governor is allowing so I'm hoping he opens up that aperture, uh you know and if not that.

E

We need to continue to promote uh one best safety. um You know obvious, not obviously, best safety.

E

For our um our stores, but go as long as far as we can um and so I'll be looking to see what he says.

E

I don't think we should wait. uh I think what we can do is take a look at uh plans of um of effort.

E

And funding and start identifying uh those that may be in need and and move forward. I mean we.

E

Have the money you know, let's tell our story, you know now wait for him to tell tell it for us.

M

The commissioner, if you're going to do any kind of extend the program and new programs, I would.

M

Hope that we could resolve it today, because we wait till next thursday we're into november and.

M

It doesn't get you know much time if you could come up. You know just a general program for us.

M

Or some kind of guidelines we could work with roberta, but if he could have you know she could.

M

Come most of it today, rather than wait another whole week, you know, maybe the theme should be.

E

Shopping in uh during the holiday season, you know and the focus is on cold weather activities.

E

um And what stores and retail and other things um need to provide or have the things necessary.

E

For us to be able to shop local, and that could be like a theme uh for the restaurants or for uh the.

E

Retail and the specifically and majority of the main streets, you know uh what are their needs to.

E

Allow them to get to capacity and shopping local during the winter months. You know.

M

I can tell you you should have received ads this week. uh We put ads in the uh baltimore magazine.

M

This new hanover magazine, frederick magazine carroll, county magazine, we said you know shop.

M

Shop, local, we took whole page ads out through tourism in those venues and we're pushing.

M

Shop, local and shop, you know our main streets and if you look at those ads, hopefully you received.

M

Them this week uh you know we're out there doing that. But you know the odds are fine, but if you.

M

Want to do in a program with the restaurants or something else like that. You know we need to.

M

We need to set it up and you know get the grants out to these restaurants and help them.

E

Yeah, this isn't a carol rebound moving forward in the holiday season. I'm sorry.

C

How many, how many dollars are we talking about here? We want to uh put into this.

A

So roberta, if we, if we we haven't discussed, we haven't said we're good with that. Yet, but.

A

If we do the fire departments and the towns or municipalities, what what do we have then? Because.

A

That's your question right dick. What do we have then, after that.

K

So so, if, if you do the recommended, which I'm looking at.

K

Right, the town's municipalities, humane society and the public library.

K

um You'll have 600 just slightly over 600 thousand and the sheriff's department right: okay, okay,.

K

Just over six hundred thousand okay.

C

So we're looking at a 500 000 program here we could put together.

A

Yeah and you're muted, I apologize I'm saying if we take 500 000 and.

E

You know the theme of this um from economic development is shop, local for the holiday season.

E

And reach out to the uh the businesses on the things that they can, they need.

E

To achieve that, that effort, you know obviously a lot of its restaurants, but.

E

It's it's open to all of them, so it's just another theme to get us ready for the holiday season.

E

In shopping local in in carroll, county yeah, if you got dined to that I'll, be good shop and dine local.

A

There you go so it would be, they would have, they would submit receipts for things that they.

K

Purchased that allow uh or accommodate um more easy shopping or eating during cold weather. Yes,.

A

Right, ed, yeah yeah, better affected by cobin 19.. You know because, obviously that's what this focus.

E

Is it's got to be related to to the pandemic that they have to make their business practices.

E

Adjusted because of cobit 19 and yeah shop and dime local for the holiday season and taking 500.

E

000 and applying it towards it, uh commissioner, I'm looking at the number here and it's a it's a.

M

Final number: we've given restaurants, um 686 000 uh through this program, just the restaurant 686 000.

A

Yeah and that's fine, but now I think the emphasis should be, and I think we we got to be clear- that.

A

We're not that we're not losing something here in the translation. While I know that there are folks.

A

That are that are dining inside. There are a lot of folks that aren't comfortable dining inside yet.

A

And I think we need to remember that. So if there are safer heating methods that we can provide.

A

Funding for for those that have the tents up, I think that's what we're looking to do.

A

Here, that's one thing: we're looking to do, because common sense will tell you that a.

A

You know those upright patio heaters against a tent. It would not be the best thing to do so.

A

But there are heaters that they can buy that go underneath the tent and provide warm air.

A

They're, like an outside heat pump unit for these things. So if we could focus on that.

A

And whatever else our small business communities need or small businesses need for cold weather. I.

A

Think that's a great theme for this 500 000 and roberta, I think you mentioned, show us the bills.

A

And we'll pay the we'll pay, the we'll pay them right. That might maybe that would be easier on.

A

On our economic development, folks, by not just going blanket, I mean we could certainly announce.

A

That that's what we're doing but having them come back and filling out applications or whatever just.

A

Show us the bills and we'll pay. I don't know something. Maybe that's easier. I don't know you put.

C

A cap on it for business, but I think they still need to be in good standing. I mean that that's.

E

You know they've got to be continued, being good standing within carroll county within the state.

E

To be eligible for receiving the funds, uh you know, but I don't I don't want to.

E

Say that's a given, but that's gotta be clear that yeah, the the the yeah okay.

D

D

Thanks for mentioning the ads that uh tours tourism, director bonnie stop put together.

D

For the holiday season, I like the fact that someone was emphasizing.

D

Families coming out and cutting trees down so once we get those people coming in their.

D

Account, it's gonna be great that we can have these restaurants and facilities set up where.

D

People could dine, you know, we don't want them just to come in and cut a tree. We want them to.

D

Patronize, our stores and restaurants, so this plays into that and uh special thanks tourism.

D

For what they're doing with ads, I appreciate you guys giving us copies of them to look at.

A

Okay, so let's go down through the funding again roberta and let's get let's get that out of the.

A

Way first, so our fire departments want what again, let's go down specifically, I know we've got the.

A

Sheriff's department coming up in a little bit, but that the humane society was in there. I didn't.

A

They kind of got lost in the middle of the bottom they're at the bottom of the spreadsheet. That's in.

K

Your books, um okay, so the fire companies are just shy of 1.5 million. The municipalities are 386 000.

K

Humane societies 651 dollars uh public departments for roberta for the fire department- is that just.

B

Economic support grants, or is they want specific things or that request some specific specific.

B

Items um debbie, you probably know better than I they've provided um detailed information.

K

Commissioner, this is replacing lost revenue for the fire companies and then they are using.

L

This replacement to fund what they would normally use that revenue for. So this is all the carnivals.

L

That were canceled, so they're paying you know their operating expenses through the.

L

End of the year utilities rent mortgages right; okay, so it's economic support, they're using.

L

The funding for what they would normally use their fundraising revenue for all right. Thank you.

A

And then the libraries right it was eighty five hundred dollars and that's right.

A

What's for what what are they? You know what the specifics are there deb? It was for um ppe.

L

um Supplies for disinfecting supplies for the pickup that they had, they had bags and things.

L

When they were- and I don't know if they're still doing this, but you can order books and pick them.

L

Up so supplies for that to protect staff and and um patrons of the library, and I think they had.

L

Also, some um some new some additional digital content that they were purchasing. Okay. So if.

A

Everybody's good with those four: why don't we get that out of the way here and get those four.

A

uh Funded so let's make it official I'll I'll just go ahead and make the motion that we support.

A

The additions to our covet fund plan, the monies that is assigned to visa our municipalities, the.

A

Humane society and our libraries, second, okay, all right all those in favor of that.

A

Okay, so that's out of the way now we've got 612 000 and change.

A

Left over so we've talked about this for a while. Now, let's pick try to pin it down.

A

Is it the? Is it your thought, ed that we go with that theme that you're discussing you.

A

Know cold weather related items as it pertains to shopping, local and dining. Local absolutely is that.

A

Is there something you could come up with jack to to put to put together to get that word out.

A

Jack's asking his boss he's looking to the gods yeah, we I mean brian, I just yes, brian, come in.

M

And we, you know we can, we can put up some guidelines and to do that we can get it out.

M

Yeah it'll be next week. It would take a couple days to get that out because you know we can't.

M

Open up all the portals. Remember we're closed, that's fine and then that goes in hand in hand.

A

Maybe with what commissioner weaver was suggesting too, uh because then we'll have an idea of what.

A

The governor is bringing out this afternoon so that'll give you some time to to maybe juggle.

A

Re-Juggle the balls in the air jack, based on what the governor says today,.

M

We can do that whatever yeah, whatever we need, we'll come back and work with roberto on a program.

M

But yeah remember: these expenses have to be uh spent by 12 30, you know and a lot of people a.

M

Lot of these restaurants are already done heaters too, but anything they can do now. Is this going to.

M

Be to uh if they want to come up with advertising or marketing as long as it's covered related like.

M

Our previous ones, you're, okay, with that yeah, it's got to be the to me it's the theme of how do we.

E

Appeal to the community to shop and dine local, and so whatever this uh shopping and dining uh needs.

E

In the midst of this pandemic to bring in folks so it is marketing, um it is the heaters it's.

E

Anything and everything that they can do uh to bring folks into and keeping them into carroll.

E

County shopping, local- um I again do do recommend reaching out to the uh business communities as.

E

You always do to get some of their ideas as well um and yeah that that's that's my thoughts on it.

C

Amount per business or not up to an amount.

E

I I think, we're at a point where we're open-ended and we're we're. Looking at this um I mean and.

E

Using I have full faith in uh jack and his team to come up with the best. You know, solutions.

E

For for businesses, where they're not going to go above and beyond, and it is kogan 19 related, so.

C

And so we just go first, come first serve until the money's gone.

A

Yeah yeah yeah, based on based on the parameters that we set up dick. I think we've got a.

A

We've got to set up, we've got to let jack set up some parameters here. I I still like the idea of.

A

Focusing on the cold weather, stopping and dining local, and if that's marketing or what I mean it.

A

Could it could be marketing, you know, uh lance cafe could say, look I got new heaters, come come dine.

A

On my porch or something to that effect, I you know something along those lines, except for you. Frasier.

A

Because you look back at me this morning, you're not you're out anyway, something along those lines.

A

If we could set it up, I don't know. I think we need to try to pin it down a little bit.

A

Dick my my suggestion is that we don't do home businesses. I mean we're going to get. I know some.

M

Some put some pushback on some home business. I'd just like to do. You know.

M

I think we were listening jack. I think we were very adamant about our focus here this morning.

A

And that is shopping and dining local and when it comes to the cold weather and leave it go at that.

M

That's great, I mean, do you want to keep it open-ended? I mean no, I don't think so.

A

I think we got to put a time period on it because, realistically, unless the weather is going to be a.

A

Little wacky by the middle of november or the end of november outdoor dining is probably not going.

A

To be a thing, although, if we had the mindset that they do in europe, they eat over there outside all.

A

The time all year long can we say, can we say to the end of november last day in november, that'll.

M

Give it it's got to have time to spend the money too yeah. I think that yeah, that's reasonable. That.

A

Gives them time to spend it? So you know what one thing is I talking to some of the retails on main.

E

Street, specifically in sykesville, is in order for them to prepare for the holiday season. They had.

E

To build their inventory in august july and august and so like getting books or getting whatever they.

E

Doing to sell for the holiday season, it is a real challenge for them to have done that and still.

E

Going through this right now, so whatever we can do to promote that you know those stores and people.

E

Staying in towns and buying, that's where I'm, where I'm looking at so thanks. Our mission is to.

M

You know with businesses to enhance the business anything we can do to help. We will do.

D

Mr lyburn, inter potential marketing for this holiday season osmar we can.

D

Have any type of assistance to help the art community? Because I've emphasized to people.

D

How art is a unique christmas gift and we do have a thriving art community in this county.

D

And any type of assistance we can provide for the art community to bring people in.

D

And that's a unique thing we can offer, because if people do come in for art, then they can.

D

Patronize, the restaurant, so any help that's out there. You can research on the needs of.

D

Our art community would be helpful too, because I think that's a unique hook for people to shop.

A

Okay: let's see what your, what what you come up with jack between now and next thursday.

A

Let's see what uh our governor says this afternoon and we'll zero in on something.

A

Thursday, okay, we'll put it together in the next couple days and uh today or tomorrow, we'll have.

M

It ready for you we'll, send it up to roberta, so she can you know, so we can I'd rather not wait.

M

Till next thursday, because that's you know it's so it gives us a month if we, if we can, you know.

M

Yeah, okay, yeah. I know that that gives them a month but- and you know, might be difficult to get some of.

A

These things in too, because I'm sure everybody's getting heaters but whatever so we'll come up.

M

With a program and present it to you next thursday, okay we'll be ready to pull the plug on thursday.

M

Afternoon, if you know, if you approve it all right, okay, all right anything else, uh roberta or deb,.

K

Well, you made a motion to um to approve the the um extra spending for the the four items, but you have.

K

Not made a motion to for this economic development program. So if you want to do that, just to be clear.

A

All right, ed and commissioner ross dean and commissioner weaver made a motion.

A

They both seconded it yeah. I don't know uh in the interest of making sure we do it.

A

Right, commissioner rostein, you made the motion to go forward with that.

A

Commissioner weaver used second any other questions on that.

A

Okay, all in favor, okay and we're there with that one all right anything else, roberta nope! That's it.

K

Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. We greatly appreciate all the work that.

A

Everybody's doing and we're we're uh we're moving in the right direction here. So thank you all.

A

All right anything else covered anyone. Everybody covered it out all right. Well, I'll! Tell you what.

A

Then, let's move into the next item or on our agenda, which is exercising option to purchase.

A

uh Through the county program, uh one of our farms- and for that I see debs on here this morning,.

A

I see mr devil. This is on here. This morning I haven't seen tom devil biss in a while.

A

Tom was that's correct. Tom was out of town for a day or two I was out of state. That's correct.

A

So tom welcome back so uh you want to give us the the rundown here I'll. Let you introduce this and.

A

Then we'll move uh through the process here tom good morning good morning. Thank you, commissioners.

N

Yes, I'm joined here today by deb bowers, our program manager for ag land preservation and.

N

We have two two uh proposals for you today to exercise options. The first one will be a county.

N

Program, one on the john rawlings senior and ramona s: rollins property. This will be the last of our.

N

Fy 20 lump sum requests which we're very excited to wrap those up and the second one.

N

We'll move into will be the critical forms for the brian and jenna reinhardt property.

N

Which you previously did a preliminary approval for back in august of of this past year, so I will.

N

Turn it over to ms bowers for presentation and your consideration. Thank you very much.

O

Morning, commissioners, it's good to see you all um the first one up this morning is a um yes.

O

Yes, can you hear me, go ahead, dab? Okay, this is the rawlings farm um and we will it's up on cherrytown.

O

Road, it's 79.8 acres. It has 10 lot right and this is the list of our lump sum properties um in.

O

Our fy 20 county program and the cost will be 301 578, um with a real nice per acre cost of 3770.

O

Here is an aerial view and um the rowlings have had a bus, a school bus business for for a good.

O

While that we had to have surveyed and excluded from the easement, because it's a non-agricultural.

O

Business, um the rolling uh recently purchased the parcel. That is, the the uppermost.

O

Parcel but these parcels have been consolidated and there will be one parcel.

O

And here's where it sits um just uh back from old hanover pike, there are other preserved properties.

O

In the area- and um we are also working on some other properties there- that have not.

O

Been publicized yet so there will be some other ones in that area. Just north of union mills.

O

So this is a request for final approval for john and remember rawlings property on cherrytown road.

O

Be happy to answer any questions. I'll move, the board of commissioner's exercise, the.

C

Option to purchase his easement on the john, a rowling senior and ramona s, trollings property.

A

Second, all right: I've got a motion in a second we're: the property on cherrytown.

A

Road I'm familiar with this: it's a it's a good farm up there and what was the amount.

A

Of property again deb that was excluded for the school bus. It is uh just over an acre, okay, okay,.

A

All right, I was just curious: okay, thanks all right, any other questions on this one.

A

All those in favor, unanimous, okay, we move to the next one, and I believe this one.

A

Thank you, this one's on ruggles, I believe, deb. Yes, uh this is the brian and jenna reinhart. Now this.

O

Is a critical farms purchase up on ruggles road? uh It's an excellent farm. um It's 127.3 acres.

O

And we are providing purchase assistance to the reinhardts in the amount of 420 thousand dollars.

O

That comes out the 32.99 per acre, another excellent purchase.

O

This is a great farm, it has 66 acres of class, 1 and 2 soils and that that means that.

O

The soil that the ground lays are fairly level, so it's easy to farm, easy to plant easy to harvest.

O

And the soils are less eroded, so this is a real good farm, good farmers farm for our program. Here's.

O

Where it lays um you can see it's a a lot of crop ground. That's what we like to see with critical.

O

Farms and the farm up to the right there is also owned by the reinhardt. So if it looks familiar.

O

Familiar, we helped the reinhardt's purchase that farm last year, and it is right now going through.

O

The state program, so it will have an easement on it soon as part of our program requirements.

O

And here's where it sits up close to the pennsylvania line, those yellow lines.

O

Show the form that we did last year and, as you can see, there's plenty of preserved ground nearby, so.

O

Really fits in well with our parameters and our preferences for critical farm.

O

So at this time, we're asking for final approval on this critical farms.

O

Program and we are ready to move to settlement.

A

All right I'll make the motion. This is a good farm as well in in my district up there, I'm.

A

Familiar with both of these farms that we did this morning, so both great properties.

A

And they're tied together real well up in that area too, so that that.

A

That makes sense so I'll move that we exercise the critical farms program option to purchase.

A

The brian and the brian and jenna reinhardt farm, at uh whatever the.

A

What's the specific address up ruggles road there, it is 4107 ruggles road. Thank you.

A

All right got a motion in second questions: all those in favor.

A

Once again, unanimous deb tom, thank you.

A

Thank you very much. Thank you, commissioners. We greatly appreciate it.

A

All right, we moved from the farms to uh some vouchers for citizen services.

A

Application and accept the main street vouchers, and for that I will turn over again this morning.

A

To celine- and you can introduce you've- got with you here this morning, celine good morning.

G

Good morning again, commissioners, I am here this morning with danielle yates, our bureau chief of.

G

Housing and community connections and debbie standiford our grants manager with the county.

G

We are here this morning seeking approval to make application for acceptance for application.

G

And acceptance of an additional 40 mainstream vouchers for our housing choice, voucher program.

G

uh This is a non-competitive opportunity for additional vouchers that are, that is authorized by.

G

The cares act funding the cares. Act authorizes hud to make previously appropriated funding available.

G

For mainstream vouchers on a non-competitive basis, in order to help public housing authorities.

G

Like our bureau of housing and community connections here with carroll county.

G

To work with community partners to apply for and use additional mainstream vouchers as part.

G

Of the overall community housing plan, we have a lot of different community housing partners. I do.

G

Want to mention them that work with us with these mainstream vouchers, pen, penmar, human services, the.

G

Arc of carroll county, the bureau of aging and disabilities, human services programs is a large.

G

uh Partner with us and the carroll county health department, and also potomac case management,.

G

They're all integral in the use of these vouchers, because of the way that they're they are.

G

um Awarded to individuals, so the cares act um that provides this funding, um as you can.

G

Imagine with this coveted pandemic, we have seen an increase in overall housing assistance needs.

G

um But very specifically, with these mainstream vouchers we have utilized at this point all of.

G

The mainstream vouchers that we previously had and we have another 45 individuals on our waiting list.

G

For these vouchers, I'm going to turn it over to danielle now to present some more detail about.

G

How this program works and then also some coveted, related impact that we've had with the program.

P

Good morning, commissioners, so as celine noted, the mainstream vouchers have been a valuable resource.

P

In assisting disabled individuals who are at risk of homelessness or institutionalization,.

P

And helping them find permanent housing during the pandemic. We have worked very closely with several.

P

Of our partner agencies to administer the current mainstream vouchers that we have and currently.

P

We have actually utilized all 69 vouchers that our housing choice, voucher program holds.

P

We have specifically worked very closely with our human services program of carroll county.

P

To assist in placing individuals during the state of emergency that qualify for.

P

The mainstream vouchers, the director of hsp scott yard, has noted that the mainstream voucher program.

P

Has been very important in assisting them with providing permanent housing solutions.

P

For individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with disabilities, since the beginning.

P

Of the state of emergency, our agency has issued 31 mainstream vouchers to qualifying candidates.

P

As noted, we have over 45 active referrals on our mainstream waitlist that we are hoping to assist.

P

Another 45 individuals with, if given approval today, to apply for the additional vouchers.

P

Is there any other information that we can provide for you in regards to the vouchers.

B

I have a question for you: um how long are the vouchers good for.

B

It's just just starting to pandemic, or just go on for as long as they're needed.

P

No, this is on funding that was already appropriated for mainstream vouchers.

P

That weren't utilized so hud pulled the funding back and what it does is it's um renewed every.

P

Year, along with the other funding that we receive federally for our housing choice, voucher program.

B

So the expectation is that these doctors would be renewed next year. Correct, okay,.

E

Yeah, that was my question as well: the the vouchers that we're receiving.

E

Whether you're asking to receive those 45, they will be renewed. The expectation is, they will.

P

Yes, once they're awarded and if we utilize them fully, okay, because uh the worst thing I feel like.

E

We can do is give them something, and then the following year, they're back out on the street.

E

Correct, thank you. Is there a veteran's priority on any of these or anything like that.

C

In the application we have a priority for veterans, but we also have bash vouchers or.

P

Veteran assisted subsidized housing vouchers that we administer with the va as well.

B

Okay, with that I'll make the motion, the board of commissioners approved the application.

B

And acceptance of main street vouchers non-competitive opportunity for additional.

B

Vouchers authorized by the cares act. Second, okay, motion and second, any other questions.

A

All those in favor and once again unanimous, ladies, thank you. Thank you, commissioners. Thank you. Thank.

G

You, okay, uh gen uh gentech clearance, digital evidence, management system for our carroll county.

A

Sheriff's office, and for that I believe we have vicki on here from administrative services bureau.

A

Over there um sixten is on here from uh morning I.t good morning. uh Do we need, I don't we don't.

A

Need, um I don't think we need mike myers on this one. This is coveted funding. So next thing I guess.

A

We turn it over to you. um Actually, I think vicki would start this one off uh for us this morning.

A

All right back to vicki good morning, good morning, commissioners, yes, we are before you today.

Q

And I'll summarize, the the briefing um paper here but we're requesting um permission to obtain.

Q

Digital evidence, management software um we've been working with its on this project for quite a while.

Q

To look at additional resources for storing various types of digital evidence, anything for.

Q

Investigations, video pictures, you name it things like that it is stored in various locations. It has.

Q

Been stored on, I guess, 16 different locations on county servers, depending on the software.

Q

One of the reasons we started looking at this. Actually it's been a joint effort in the space.

Q

On the servers and backup looking to save space and do other options, so this is cloud-based.

Q

The reason this has come up through maryland cares funding. In addition, it assists with the social.

Q

Distancing, currently anything that we are sharing with other agencies state's attorney's office, we.

Q

Literally, have to download information, take take those flash drives terabyte drives over to those.

Q

Offices and physically share that information back and forth. So that is the reason why this project.

Q

Was brought before the maryland cares committee, so in speaking with debbie stanford and it went.

Q

To that committee and was approved through there, but it also has additional benefits.

Q

Say, sixth, and probably has much more specific information regarding the servers um and space.

Q

And storage, and and where, where we are with that yeah, um as with everything right now, especially.

R

Covet related we're, we are storing more and more information on our network um and moving away from.

R

Paper-Based uh storage, um as you know, throughout the county, we're scanning a lot more documents in.

R

All of this is is adding up it's taking up space.

R

On our network storage devices that we have available to us, another large piece for the.

R

Sheriff's office is a lot of this digital evidence that they're receiving are video files, whether.

R

They're from businesses or homes, um potentially body cameras down the road cell phone video.

R

All of that information takes up a lot of space and moving to a cloud-based solution. uh Will.

R

Give us a lot more flexibility. It allows us to purchase the storage as we need it. Instead of.

R

Trying to anticipate what that storage is going to be and then running up against hard stops like.

R

We have on our backup server that we're going to be talking about a little bit later this morning,.

R

Another benefit from the cobit standpoint is that, because this is cloud-based, we would not.

R

Need vpn user access to access this data people working off-site would be able to.

R

To access this from wherever they need to, without tying up those vpn licenses,.

Q

And also there are audit logs we've done our due diligence to make sure the software has in place.

Q

What we need um audit logs, we have security in place, we're able to set up the permissions.

Q

For retention of data, and also for sharing, for example, if there's a joint investigation with.

Q

Another law enforcement agency in the county.

Q

That information can be shared electronically, as well as with the state's attorney's office and.

Q

Then, as sixteen said, uh the the space is is it's kind of a win-win all the way around. Additionally,.

Q

We're anticipating not having to purchase as many thumb drives flash drives terabyte drives.

Q

That keeps going through the roof as well. We will always need some, but that I don't have an exact.

Q

Cost savings on that, but we do know we wouldn't need to continue to purchase those to keep those.

Q

For each case, to then distribute physically to all these other agencies in the state's attorney's.

Q

Office so there's a lot of combined benefits to this, um and which is why we're coming to you today.

D

Miss mcdowell thanks for mentioning the security aspect, because since this is evidence that was.

D

My biggest concern, because of all the hacking you know, my concern was whether someone who's.

D

Facing a criminal trial could hire some it guy to access this system and delete it or whatever, but.

D

It's reassuring to know that that's going to be addressed, it is designed for law enforcement, so.

Q

Those those are taken into consideration and the access and the security um and who's allowed to.

Q

Have permission and how it's shared is all certainly part of that, and so those are admissions.

B

What exactly is the carries money going to be uh covering because I I'm thinking it's just covering.

B

The 45 45 000 of this or is it covering the 30 000 for the first year, and then we have ongoing.

B

Expense with 30 000 a year after that. So what is that money going to be covering? The request? Was.

Q

For 77 000, which includes the initial year and the migration, the largest chunk of that is your.

Q

Your correct, commissioner, is migrating data over that we have stored in many different locations.

Q

Budget is aware we did have meetings with both of our budget analysts and so they're aware that then.

Q

The ongoing costs, after that, after this fiscal year, would be picked up in the operating budget.

Q

So we we did have discussions with all of our budget analysts on that, and they are aware.

B

Well, this would be picked up an operating budget, but it hasn't been approved for by us to be picked.

B

Up in operating budget, because this is another budget expenditure and which is, I know because.

B

Of the care's money, probably it's a good idea to try to do this now because of the money coming.

B

From cares, however, that thirty thousand dollars in ongoing expense that we have to add to our budget.

B

Is that there's also well there's also one piece of software that we will be able to.

Q

um Not have anymore so there are savings. We will be not renewing contracts for at least.

Q

One other piece of software: what's of the cost of about approximately five thousand dollars.

Q

So we're able to take that out of our operating and put it towards the.

Q

Ongoing for this sixth- and I think we were looking at.

Q

I don't have hard costs, but at this point we would be looking at what standing up additional.

Q

Servers down the road potentially to handle the space right well, there will be additional.

R

um You know server infrastructure that we would have to purchase for storage down the road as.

R

We increase our storage needs, um we also you know. Currently you know some of these devices are some.

R

Of this, information is being stored on servers. That would then need to be replaced down. The.

R

Road, so that whole replacement cycle expenditure is not. You know, it's not needed any longer. So.

B

Right, I'm not saying this is a bad idea. It sounds like a good idea, but what I am saying that this is.

B

A budgetary item- and this is not the time where we handle budget items and the court- you know.

B

It's not budget season basically, and this is an ongoing expense. It's going to be year after year.

B

And yes, it probably will save us, and I agree with everything this being said. But it's not budget.

B

Season and I'll just stop right there do. We want mr zaleski to weigh in on this to hear from him.

A

No, I don't think we need to we're perfectly capable of knowing that.

A

This is an expense that we do not have in our budget for the ongoing expenses. You mean, commissioner, yeah. That's what I'm talking about.

A

Vicki, because- and my other question to follow up with commissioner frazier is I get it that we're.

A

Getting 30 000 out of the gate for the first year uh does that first year include when we get this.

A

Which would mean only like three months or four months? What is it a? Is it a calendar year or is.

A

It a fiscal year, so it would be uh based on the number of months that we're purchasing.

R

So, okay, so in other words, if we make this decision today to purchase this.

A

And uh you guys do it well, let's just for for ease of operation here, let's.

A

Say november the first you order it or get it in or whatever then.

A

Then the 30 000 covers from november the 1st of 2020 to november the 1st of 2021.

A

We'd have to put it into the fy 20.

A

The fyi budget or the fy 22 budget, because there'd be six months in the fy 21 budget,.

A

That would not be covered correct and then there would be um one piece of software.

Q

That we would be eliminating in fy 22 to cover part of those additional costs.

Q

um Approximately 45 to thousand dollars for that partial year, so we have that software.

Q

That cost would go towards that now. We realized that that would be something a partial.

Q

Expense in the next year, so we were looking at all of the expenses that would be reduced or reapplied.

Q

And so the soft.

B

Go ahead! I'm sorry! That's fine! So the software was one piece for the partial year.

Q

And then the some of the additional supplies that we do not have to buy terabyte drives run.

Q

70 60 to 75 each that we have to purchase for cases and then the additional space down the.

Q

Road for servers, so looking at the larger picture and various related expenses.

Q

Is why we brought all those to a discussion with budget to look at overall? Getting this covered to.

Q

Get us halfway through into the next year and then being able to feel that there's enough to cover.

Q

The remainder in fy 22 from other areas, I just feel I would just feel more comfortable as this.

B

Is brought up during the budget season, where we can look at this against other expenditures that.

B

We're looking at because when it stands alone like this, you don't know what it's competing against.

B

You know I mean, I know a lot of people understand exactly what I'm talking about there so and, and we.

B

Have talked about not uh proving things out of the budget cycle, especially if it's ongoing expenses.

B

And that's exactly what this is. I understand the advantages of it. I do think it's a great idea.

B

However, what is it competing against for the budget dollars? I don't have any idea about.

B

That right now, because it's it's, that it's out of terms out of cycle, I would.

B

Feel better if we looked at this during the budget session, just my opinion, yeah and.

E

I don't disagree with you for long term what, if we looked at this as a pilot effort for one year, what.

E

If we engaged the system would put the system in place, um and it was determined that this was not.

E

Appropriate or it competed against other priorities where we're not going.

E

To continue to fund it, would it be difficult to disengage it and take it off uh the books.

E

I mean if we we did a pilot for a year using the kubernete 19. You know dollars and then.

E

You know made a determination, uh I I don't know. I mean it's kind of a mix on this, but.

E

Can we do that um commissioners? I will just say we. We understand the concern being out of the.

Q

Budget cycle, however, with the opportunity for it to fit within covet guidelines that would.

Q

Take more pressure off of the budget next year, because we would have to ask for the entire 77.

Q

000 in the budget cycle, which we realize with not knowing what things are looking at all the pieces.

Q

That it was an opportunity for it to fit within those guidelines.

Q

To get something that we looked at needing, but then actually being a better position for fy.

Q

22 without having to ask for the entire amount out of the operating, so I certainly understand.

Q

Like I said, there was no way to put an exact dollar on those supplies needed, but we know.

Q

There would be less expensive than that as well, so the difference to cover that operating.

Q

We looked at the, I guess you want to say the differences between trying to get that.

Q

Set up now and using coven funds and then having less of an impact in the operating.

Q

Budget next year, because we know it's going to be very difficult for fy22 um and there's no.

Q

Crystal ball for 22 and we're at a point where it's critical, with the servers and the space.

Q

And all of the information that we have um stored in all these locations, so we did look at all that.

Q

Very seriously, um when we thought through everything, um I don't think at this point.

Q

Sixteen we would be discussing if we weren't critical on the server end and freeing up space.

Q

So that there's other things that are being stored, um it frees up space on the current.

Q

Servers and takes the pressure off of that and the backups. So I completely understand your concern.

Q

um But when you widen the scope of that there's a lot of pieces that come into play with looking.

Q

At attempting to do this now and like I said not having as much pressure on next year's budget.

C

At the present time, with charizard money and spread this out not just one year to.

C

Two, or is that impossible? Sixteen, I don't think it would be. Would it.

R

No, I don't think it would be. uh It wouldn't be impossible from um from the quote standpoint.

R

Debbie, I don't know their concerns from your side, hello, that's why I stayed on.

L

And I thought that we need to be very careful about that and we could talk offline. It really.

L

Guidances, um if we would normally purchase something that way, we could consider using.

L

Karazhak for outside of the their their definition of the pandemic, which ends december 30th,.

L

um But we do. We have been very conservative about doing multi-year agreements with kara's.

L

Act funding just for that reason, so I could talk to sixten and vicki offline about whether.

L

This would be how we would normally purchase it. I'm I'm assuming not that we would do it.

L

Year to year, and if it's a year to your purchase, then I would not use cares act to do multi-year.

E

You know again, I would look at an innovative approach and if, if we can, then let's look at.

E

That, but if not I got it, but uh you know again, if we look at this for a one year approach.

E

As a pilot and then make a decision determination during the budget cycle on whether we want to.

E

Continue this and allow the argument to be made on its, you know value compared to other things that.

E

We have to look into the budget, but right now we have funds available and we can justify it through.

E

The funding from the cares act I'd be reluctant not to do this.

E

Except that, if we can't put it in place and then take it away, then that's the biggest concern.

E

Is so well, I think that question is an answer. I don't think we can take it away uh once we've.

A

Got that in place sixth- and I know that many times we've asked ripper about the length of contracts.

A

Why can't this be something that we buy right now, similar to what dick was saying.

A

Commissioner weber, why can't we buy a three-year package with this thing and get it done now so.

R

That's certainly something we can discuss with genotech, and that was what um you know.

R

What debbie was referring to that? We can have that discussion afterwards uh about yeah with.

R

The cares yeah talking about about spreading it out, I'm talking about buying it now buying it now.

A

With a three-year contract, and then that gets us through 2024 or something yeah, we can certainly do.

A

I know that we've asked mark about that before down there about various software.

A

Packages that he buys- and he said there could be savings as a result of buying a two or three.

A

Year package, with some of these things, so we've looked at that before as well. Yes, so.

A

Can we and that's similar, that's similar to what commissioner weaver was saying- it's just that, but.

A

This would be purchasing it now and not spreading out the covet money we'd be purchasing it now.

B

Yeah, but I believe what what debbie was saying that copper money, you can't really use it for.

B

That because it goes beyond december 31st, if I'm wrong debbie just tell me, but since you're shaking.

B

Your head, yes, I think I'm writing that. So, with the spread now for 30 years, we still can't pay.

B

For that, with the corporate money that still come out of our budget and as we all know, our budgets.

B

In the future are are not looking that great, I'm very reluctant to do this. Add the budget cycle.

B

For the fact that what is it competing against, I think it's a good idea. I didn't say it wasn't.

B

But it shouldn't be coming up at this time and I realize the reason it's coming up.

B

At this time is because the code of money initially is 77 000., but you also remember.

B

That one-time money is much easier to use and appropriate because we usually have one-time money.

B

Than ongoing funds, ongoing funds is what kill is what's killing us? It's, not the one-time money.

D

Commissioner fraser was right: I'm marking that down and it's good to see being a fiscal.

D

Conservative on this I happen to agree with a lot of what commissioner fraser is stating.

D

And I know it's something that our budget director emphasizes to us time and time.

D

Again and drills into our heads so we're in a very tough situation, making a decision on this.

A

Now, most all of the coveted funding that we've provided is are one-time items. So, let's be clear.

A

About that and we don't have ongoing expenses as a result of them, so this kind of throws us.

A

Into a different lane, I'd kind of like to stay in our lane here, uh what would be the what would be.

A

The harm in checking and coming back next week with the possibility of the technicality here.

A

I understand deb of purchasing a three or four year contract of software. Now.

A

uh Because it's got to be just a technicality there I mean, I can't imagine.

A

If, if, if we can get a better deal by purchasing multiple year software package, with this.

A

I I would think that would come under the auspices of of the of the relief funding.

L

Well, that was going to be my suggestion. Let me talk to um I.t staff about this and and we'll.

L

We'll come back to you next week, if we can do them, if I feel comfortable doing multi-year.

L

I would recommend that, um but I don't you know I never want. I don't want to do multi-year and then.

L

Be audited and they they want us to give money back, because then that just defeated the purpose.

L

Right so I get that, but maybe if you do it under you know, maybe if we go back to whoever.

A

The software folks are marathon and say: look if we purchase four years, then it might only be 90 000.

A

As opposed to 120 for four years, we can realize a savings. There seems to me that would legitimize.

A

The ability to be able to buy that multi-year purchase that would then come under the coveted.

A

Funding just a thought: we've been looking at that on a case-by-case basis. It did not come.

L

Up during this discussion, but we can circle back and look at that and come back to you next week.

A

Okay, is that all right with you dennis sure, okay, everybody else with that.

A

All right, we'll see you all next week, thanks.

A

Thank you all right. We move into uh an update on the hoods mill residential yard waste program and.

A

Who I got on here, I got to go around there kind of go around the room here, uh there's cliff so we've.

A

Got cliff angle, our bureau of solid waste uh cliff I'll hand it to you, hey commissioners, good morning.

S

And thank you very much for your time. Today. Again, I think eric's in the background lurking somewhere.

S

Where he can chime in, if needed, uh just a quick update on august 13th, we were in front of the.

S

Board and presented requirements regarding hood's middle landfills convenience center. At that time,.

S

We reported that there may be potential for residential yard waste acceptance at the we.

S

Care denali operation adjacent to the hoods mill landfill. This board had asked us to work with.

S

Denali and report back with a solution, which is why we're here today we are pleased to report the.

S

Dpw staff and we care denali have developed terms whereby denali will begin accepting yard waste.

S

From carroll county residents only free of charge at their cabin court facility, beginning saturday.

S

November 7th 2020. summaries of that are as follows: we care denali will establish and in.

S

Fact they already have established a residential yard waste drop-off area at their operation.

S

County carroll, county residents with proper identification will be permitted to deliver.

S

Yard waste only from their own properties free of charge on saturdays, from 7am to 12 noon.

S

Which are denali's typical operating hours on saturdays keeping in mind that denali.

S

May close on certain saturdays due to holidays, such as the fourth of july, falls on a saturday.

S

Now they'd obviously be closed uh commercial waste haulers, uh I'm sorry, commercial yard, waste haulers.

S

Will continue to be charged by weak, hair denali, as is their current practice, they already do take.

S

The landscapers and other yard waste commercial yard waste haulers at their operation.

S

So that's a summary of what the what the plan has been put forth. uh We'd, definitely like to.

S

Take an opportunity to express our gratitude to we care denali for offering to work with the county.

S

To continue free yard waste drop-off service for residents in the south county area.

S

And we do hope and we expect the option to be well received.

S

So at this point, I'd like to turn it back to the group for any comments or questions.

D

Mr engel, I sincerely appreciate your hard work on this other members of the administration for.

D

Making this happen, this is in my district. It's something I get a lot of messages about, so this.

D

Will release some of that pressure and hopefully satisfy some of my constituents needs down here.

D

So thank you for working this out and hopefully it turns out to be a win-win for everyone.

S

Well, denali has been a very, very good partner.

S

In the release of that facility- and they help us out tremendously tremendously at northern.

S

uh By coming up and grinding the material bringing it back down to their facility, you know that helps.

S

Us avoid some significant costs in purchase of new equipment, so it is again a very, very.

S

Good relationship- and this is just another example of their willingness to work with us.

D

And the process they utilize is very equipment and maintenance, intensive and I'm sure dwight amos up.

D

At the landfill be happy with this, because in the numerous conversations I've had with him.

D

It's a a sticking point for his facility to handle this, so they should be very happy with it.

A

Where is where is cub beak court.

S

Academic court: it's off of hoods mill road, south end of the county, near woodbine,.

S

Just just a little ways: north of route 70., so it's in that same general vicinity down there.

S

This facility is immediately adjacent to the hoods of no landfill. Actually, their gate is their gate.

S

Is right next to the gate, the residents would have been using anyway or I've been using anyway. Okay,.

A

Yeah I wasn't familiar with that court. I've been on hood's mill, obviously, but I haven't.

A

I didn't recognize that that name, okay, that makes it easy to do and the only other thing.

A

I'll say is, I hope they have a good process in place for identifying carroll county citizens.

S

We've been working with them on what id would be required, a driver's license, or some other form.

S

uh It could be a tax bill or utility bill that type of thing, but we're working with them.

S

And they're again they're very receptive to to doing that. Screening at the facility.

A

That's right, that's right at the line! That's why it's yes,.

A

Right there at the carol howard line driver's license. Please because that's a picture on it.

D

Yeah and for citizens I'm from north area, the driveway is within maybe 150 yards of route. 97.

D

So it's very easily accessible off a 97., and the only thing I'd like to do is re-emphasize.

S

This is from the yard waste portion um and they again they create mulch and compost.

S

uh Very, very nice operation. They have there and they're a tremendous tenant.

A

All right any other questions on this one.

D

Will they be taking uh like uh dear roadkill and putting in the mulch, like I've heard done before.

D

Or is that a separate thing uh not at that facility at this time, though? Okay, thank you.

A

Okay, all right thanks, cliff you're, very welcome, appreciate the efforts down there and I think.

A

That'll go a long way as, as commissioner bouche said, to alleviating some of the.

A

Challenges down there with having to bring yard waste all the way to westminster, so.

A

uh That sounds good. Thank you thanks. Thank you. You're welcome. All right. We moved from there to.

A

Westminster for uh preliminary engineering uh for the relocation of meta branch, as it.

A

Pertains to our phase one operations of safety enhancement project at our carroll county airport.

A

And for that I'll turn it over to eric burdine, our deputy director, and I also see that mark myers, our.

A

Airport manager is on here as well. Gentlemen, good morning good morning, commissioners.

T

So recently we bid the professional consulting services for the carroll county, regional airport,.

T

We received responses from lr kimball, michael baker, international and delta airport consultants,.

T

We've received faa concurrence on on selecting delta airport consultants as the highest rated.

T

Firm to perform the professional consulting services for clinton county, so today we are.

T

Here, requesting your approval to award task order, number one to delta airport consultants in the.

T

Amount of 450 000 with me today I have mark myers airport manager uh mark will now give.

T

You more detail on what the what work is to be performed under that task order. Can you hear me.

A

Yeah mark you're good go ahead. Okay, thank you good mor good morning, commissioners.

U

uh As eric stated, we're seeking to approve task order, number one issue: a notice of.

U

Notification: proceed to delta engineering to begin preliminary engineering for the.

U

Relocation of a ranch road outside the runway, object-free area for the reconstructed runway.

U

Of course, part of this effort will be in gathering geotechnical data, doing.

U

Preliminary design surveying core boring storm water management planning so forth.

U

Fundings coming from the faa, the maa and some faa provided, cares grant money. Our five percent local.

U

Share from 2019 was eleven thousand four hundred and eighty nine dollars the faas provided also.

U

Fifty nine thousand dollars in discretionary funding in the 2020 grant, which is also.

U

Under grant next step in the project is, will be the final design for meadow branch road and then.

U

We'll go to actual construction. We anticipate this phase to take approximately one year.

U

A

The uh the funding of this is, let me get this straight again. The the five percent local share.

A

Is 11 489 right mark? Yes, sir? It was from that was from 2019.

A

Okay and then the the bulk of that then goes for reimbursement by the faa. Absolutely okay,.

B

Go ahead, I was gonna say it mark the 11 489. I could be wrong, but my understanding that comes.

B

From the enterprise fund from the airport anyway, so it's not coming from our actual.

B

Taxpayer dollars is that correct? Yes, sir? Okay, so all of it's being paid for it from no carroll.

B

County taxpayer dollars and that's a that's a good thing. I just want to point that out.

U

B

And with that I'll make the motion of board of commissioners approved task order, number one, an issue that noticed to proceed to delta engineering for metal branch, road relocation, design services. Second,.

A

uh As we move as we continue to make progress with our safety enhancement project.

A

At the airport, any questions moved all right. All those in favor.

A

All right unanimous, thank you mark. Thank you, yep. Thank you, commissioners.

A

Okay, uh fun transfer, requests for the north pump station and sanitary main improvement project and.

A

Who have I got on here andy's on here? um Our bureau chief in utilities.

A

And I guess this this one's yours andy, so I'm handed it to you, sir good morning.

A

And you're muted andy something's wrong.

F

Hey andy you're meeting your gearbox up there on the right hand, side to make sure that you might.

F

Refresh your uh microphone setting there we're not hearing you yeah up up up top in.

A

The right hand corner uh andy, there's a little gear hit on that make sure your mic is open.

D

Mr walker looks quite sharp today, still not hearing you.

N

um Now we got you, I heard something there are we good now yeah we're good gotcha.

V

Okay, all right go ahead. I was just talking about how I thought I accomplished my first mission.

V

Which was to turn my mic on unlike last time, so this is fantastic. um This item is for the.

V

A a fund request in the amount of 300 000 dollars from capital account 6447.

V

The hampstead wastewater treatment plant affluent line capital account 6418 the north pump station.

V

This transfer will fully fund the award of construction and inspection services contracts.

V

For the north pump station and sanitary main improvements project, as per as for previous.

V

Briefings the existing north pump station on main street in hampstead is an aging and undersized.

V

Facility that is in dire need of improvements with property and funding assistance from the iba.

V

The north pump station is being relocated, approximately 700 feet to the northwest. This.

V

Move as a result will result in two major benefits to the bureau. First, it eliminates the need for a.

V

Dedicated pump station to serve the id, the ida property and, secondly, it has provided the bureau.

V

With additional area needed to expand the size of the north pump station and, in turn to add features.

V

That were not possible in the limited space at the current site. These additional features, including.

V

A standalone, grinder involved will will benefit the overall long-term operation of the facility.

V

However, these resulted in construction bids above estimated costs and capital account plan.

V

To balance this, the bureau is requesting the board's approval to transfer funds from the.

V

Hampstead wastewater plant effluent line project where substantial cost savings were realized when.

V

With the submitted construction bids, this work is well underway and sufficient funding will.

V

Will remain available in the source capital account following the requested fund transfer.

V

To cover any unanticipated construction issues, both of these capital accounts are funded by.

V

Sewage fees and the fund transfer will not impact the bureau's overall capital program.

A

Okay, questions for andy on this project.

A

Commissioner weaver, this is in your wheelhouse.

C

ah Here we go, I know the world commissioners approved the transfer of 300 000 from the capital.

C

Account 6447 hampstead wastewater treatment plan affluent lodge at capitol account 6418.

C

Northbound station, as per resolution, number c 21.03 to fully fund the award of construction and.

C

Inspection services, contracts for the pump station and sanitary main improvements project. Second,.

A

Commissioner weaver, I'm not sure I heard all that. Could you repeat that, oh and now he's microphones.

A

On okay, all right, I've got a motion and second, for this transfer any questions.

A

All those in favor and that's unanimous, andy. Thank you all right. Moving on to the north pump station.

A

And sanitary main improvements, construction, inspection services and same cast here, but we'll.

A

Turn it over to mike myers, as this is a purchase mike good morning good morning, commissioners.

W

So yeah andy just told you a little bit about the uh project for the uh construction of the north.

W

Pump station in maine sanitary main improvements, so the county went out to bid. We received eight.

W

Bids um pretty competitive got quite a few and uh we'd like to award the wickersham construction.

W

Amount of one million eight hundred seventy two thousand four hundred and eight dollars.

V

A a few additional tidbits of information commissioners, the new facility will include.

V

A well well sized for the for the build out of the service area. The the the current facility.

V

Cannot handle full build out of the upstream drainage area? uh The facility will also.

V

Include two sewage pumps: the separate grinder involved that I spoke about a few minutes ago.

V

A natural gas powered standby generator, a control, building and gravity enforcement.

V

Extensions one thousand seven hundred feet from into the current pipe pump station site.

V

The bureau is very pleased with what the bids received and is confident that.

V

They reflect value the load better of the the company wickersham construction of lancaster pa.

V

Is fully pre-qualified for this type of work and has an extensive history with wastewater.

V

Construction projects- and we expect very, very good results with this project.

C

And I'm going to move the commissioner's award to contract for the construction of.

C

The northern pump station, the sanitary main improvements to wilkerson.

C

Construction and engineering in the amount of 1 million 872.

C

Make 408 dollars.

B

I knew there was no sense when you made the motion. Commissioner weaver.

A

uh I've got a motion in a second on this. I I see that you say that.

A

That this amount is in the adopted budget. Was this about what you figured on this one andy or.

A

Is it running about what your the numbers were expected to to roll with this project.

A

The! um What what the! What the transfer of the pump station to to the new site on the ada.

V

Property, as I said, we were able to expand the footprint and add some features that will.

V

That will make the uh the pump station a long-term, more efficient process.

V

So so with that and those costs incurred with the what the just approved balance transfer, the.

V

These costs are right in line with our budget figures. Now um the the bids came in very nicely.

A

All right very good, any other questions for andy on this one, all those in favor.

A

Moving forward over there, it's a great sign, thank you and that's unanimous.

A

All right uh hardware and software upgrades to the septage facility receiving station mike.

W

uh Thank you, commissioner. I think we had the construction inspection services.

W

Next for north pump station, do you have that on your agenda.

A

Did I get one ahead? Sorry about that? um Maybe I did yeah yep you're right. I skipped over.

A

Oh thanks, so the construction inspection services, sorry about that.

A

Great, so for the construction uh project that we just awarded, we need a firm to.

W

Provide construction inspection services, so we reached out to our term contractors. We received.

W

Two bids and we like to award the contract for construction inspection services to johnson.

W

Memorian and thompson amount of 162 396 dollars and 50 cents.

V

And commissioners, well, while that amount might may seem like a large, a large dollar amount which.

V

Which it is it's well within the 10 construction cost threshold value for inspection services.

V

My bureau simply simply does not have the manpower or expertise to self-inspect the project.

V

Of the size, these full-time services are definitely needed to ensure that.

V

The replacement pump station project is constructed as per the plans and specifications.

A

So with that said, andy do we do. We have boots on the ground over there as well.

A

Or does this construction inspection group just report back to us.

V

I'm sorry I I I don't follow your question, commissioner. No in other, in other words,.

A

Do we have do we have a staff member on the ground over there during this thing, or is this.

A

Or are you, are you handing that to this firm.

A

And then they report back to you with what, with whatever I'm just curious, just.

A

I know we don't have the staff to do this, but do we have a pair of boots on the ground over there.

V

Yes, we we have a project manager here here within my office, who will have the responsibility for.

V

Overseeing the project, but but he will not be able to be there on a full-time basis, so.

V

This construction inspection service will will report to him directly: okay, all right, yep, okay,.

C

Wouldn't it be cheaper to hire someone at this price then and to the staff than to uh bring.

C

Somebody else in well, the the the interesting part about this project is, is we're going to have a.

V

Wide variety of inspection needs we're installing pipeline we're we're doing open, cutting we're.

V

Doing directional drilling and we also have a very complicated pump station, that's being installed.

V

So so we're going to be using a a variety of resources from the consulting front. So.

V

It's not going to be the same person assigned each day. It will rotate as the tasks change.

V

So we we, we couldn't hire anybody who has that kind of background knowledge and information.

A

Okay; okay; without removing the border commissioner's water contract for.

C

Construction inspection services to the north pump station and sanitary main improvements.

C

To johnson's mermaid do whatever it is, and thompson incorporated in the amount of 162 396.50.

B

Second, okay, any other additional questions, all those in favor.

A

All right now what I brought up before now, the soft hardware and software upgrades uh mike great.

W

I don't blame you for skipping ahead. This one is exciting, but we would like to award a contract.

W

Now, for the hardware and software upgrades for the uh septage facility receiving station to.

W

Paradigm, software, in the amount of sixty seven thousand nine hundred seventy dollars and ninety.

W

Cents, this is an existing contract, we're just upgrading the hardware and software to this one.

V

And commissioners, water and sewer products are very exciting, contrary to popular opinion,.

V

um I don't know what all the chuckling was about there, but um the hardware and software upgrades to.

V

The septic receiving station have been planned to be coordinated with the city's current wastewater.

V

Plant enr upgrade project, um as you can imagine. The extreme conditions at the receiving station.

V

uh Greatly impact the hardware features uh the the the receiving station is under cover, but it's.

V

Exposed to to the uh uh weather uh the the uh the heat uh and then and so forth, um being outdoors.

V

Essentially, the primary function of the receiving station is to measure and record center hollow.

V

Septical or volume discharge into the treatment process, these volumes are then used for accounting.

V

And invoicing purposes the facility believe it or not processes, 17 million gallons of.

V

Wastewater and invoices 1.2 million dollars on an annual basis and, as mike just said, the existing.

V

These existing system components were originally installed by and continued to be serviced by by.

V

Paradigm board approval of this request will allow for a smooth transition to the system upgrades.

A

Okay, questions on the software for this. That's a lot of money coming through hardware and software.

C

Andy I want to express to you. I took a hydrology course once, and this is stuff I learned more about.

C

Plants and water treatment than I ever thought I would know uh or wanting to know at that time.

C

But it is exciting stuff once you get into it and if it doesn't work right.

C

You will know how exciting it is, so I uh I understand exactly where you're coming from.

C

And I believe the board of commissioners aboard a contract uh for hardware and software upgrades is.

C

uh A seed beads uh stations to paradigm software llc in the amount of sixty seven thousand nine.

C

Hundred seventy dollars and ninety cents. Second, okay, any other questions on this purchase.

A

All those in favor and unanimous once again right. Thank you andy. Thank you, gentlemen.

A

Yep all right we're moving on to a license upgrade for the avamar system uh for our department of.

A

Technology services and mr myers again mike. Thank you yes. uh Finally, today we'd like to uh request.

W

Your approval toward a contract for the license upgrade to the avamar system, which is the county's.

W

um Backup system to ip data systems, the amount of twenty, eight thousand nine hundred and thirty.

W

Dollars so the current backup system has reached its um license limitation. At this point, we.

R

We physically have 96 terabytes of disk space available but are licensed for 60 terabytes of.

R

That so so, that's why this increase would just be to add that additional 12 terabytes for us.

R

um We're anticipating this additional license will be sufficient for the next two years. For us.

B

The next, how many years two two.

R

um Which will take it up to the point where we'll be looking at the replacement for that unit?.

A

Okay, any other any questions for for 16 on this, so we're actually purchasing 36 terabytes in three.

E

Blocks correct, correct, yes, yeah we purchased that 60 up front and now another 12 is needed. Well, no.

E

Another 36 is needed which, but it's sold in 12 terabyte blocks, but we're only purchasing one.

R

12 terabyte license um out of this request, which will get us to 72 correct, so there would still.

R

Be additional hardware availability uh beyond that license? Okay, I'm just trying to understand.

E

You have 96 terabytes of disk space licensed for 60 terabytes they're sold in 12 terabytes.

E

And all you need is 12 more terabytes, I mean I'm just walk it through one more time. For me.

R

So it's um so what we we need that additional 12 terabytes to right now the system is running.

R

At around 90 capacity, so um if by adding another 12 terabytes to that, we will give.

R

Ourselves, enough of a cushion that we are anticipating to last us for.

R

Two years up to the point where we will be then evaluating the replacement for this unit.

K

This may help and sixth- and I believe this is correct- we are not using 96 terabytes, we have a.

K

Total 96. we're using slightly under the 60 that that we have licenses for now and so adding the.

K

In anticipation that we're going to go over the 60 terabytes, we want to add this additional license.

K

Licensure, so we have a proper licensing for the use. Okay, uh oh I got it thanks.

A

So I'd like to know what a terabyte is, no I'm kidding.

A

I'm kidding, I'm kidding kidding all right uh any other question. Any other questions I mean.

A

You are talking, like you know what a terabyte is and we got all these chair. I have no idea.

A

What a terabyte is just saying: I just know that we need 12 more uh any other questions on this.

A

I'm going to make the motion we award the contract for the license upgrade to the avamar system to.

A

I p data systems in the amount of twenty, eight thousand nine hundred and thirty dollars. Second,.

C

I only vote on this.

E

The terabyte not a pterodactyl, okay, oh there's, a difference. Oh okay,.

A

If you're going to have me uh identify what a terabyte is, let's break for lunch and I'll come.

A

Back about five-ish, okay, somewhere around there, all right any other questions on this. All those in.

A

Favor and that's unanimous sixten good luck with your terabytes. Thank you mike. Thank you very much.

A

All right um contract award for a building edition at the hap baker.

A

Firearms facility, and for that we say good morning.

A

To our director reckon parks, jeff daggetts jeff good morning good morning, commissioners and.

X

Thankfully, this project does not involve any terabytes at all, so I think we're in good team.

X

We're here this morning to request approval for a contract award for a building addition to the.

X

Hap acre firearms facility. We have been using a repurposed construction trailer for an office for.

X

Our range officers for some time that trailer is in poor condition and it has been scheduled.

X

To be replaced by a blocked building that will actually be physically connected to the range.

X

Grc general contractors has been involved with the design and the construction of the range as well.

X

As the baffles for the facility- and they would be actually doing this as an extension of that work,.

X

They'll be tying the range into this new building. It will now be under roof in between the areas.

X

As well, which will be an added advantage, we do have sufficient funding that has been generated.

X

In the enterprise fund and that's revenue, that's generated on site that will pay for.

X

This construction for this contract award so we're here this morning to ask for permission.

X

And your approval of the contract award and the total is 98 780 to grc general contract.

C

Will the construction of this building help with some of the noise the way it's put in as far as.

C

For the neighborhood.

X

It may have some just because of having a roof over the area between the current trailer and.

X

The range that's not the primary objective here we are looking at some other means to try to address.

X

The sound issues at the ring, so I'm not going to promise that we'll have that outcome from this. It.

X

Would be an unexpected benefit, but we're looking at some other methods to possibly reduce the noise.

A

Okay, any other any questions with jeff on this project. I know this is long overdue. I've been.

A

Out there and the trailers kind of leaning towards the landfill or something anyway.

A

It's not a good look. um I I I and I I'm going to take a little thunder from you on this one.

A

Because I usually answer this question to ask this question but a grc was this bid or.

A

We're just using them because they're they they were they've worked there before. I'm I'm unclear.

A

On that part, uh we worked with purchasing on this and uh basically, it's being viewed as an extension.

X

Of the project that was completed there and because they've done the design, work and they're.

X

Actually, physically tying this new structure into the existing structure, the decision was made to.

X

Go with grc and we've had positive experiences working with them in this facility. In the past.

A

Okay, what's the timeline here jack, we will be looking to do the work this winter, hopefully early.

X

In 2021 uh we're not open as many days to the public, then so it has less impact on the public.

X

So we're we're ready to go and we have a purchase order that we're ready to award.

X

To them, but because of the dollar amount we're here this morning, for your approval, concurrence.

A

Okay, any other questions for jeff.

C

I'll move the board county commission's approved the award of a contract to grc general contractors.

C

Incorporating the amount of 97 98 780 uh from the half acre firearms facility enterprise fund.

C

Second, okay got a motion in a second hearing, no more questions.

A

Okay, that's unanimous jeff off you go! Thank you very much.

A

Good luck with that! uh Good luck with the project! It's that's! um That's something.

A

That's been needed for a while, as you stated, so that's good. Thank you. Yes, thank you very much.

A

All right with that we've reached the end of our agenda items. uh So I, before we get.

A

Into looking at future agendas, I will open it up for any open administration uh items.

D

That's why if we get mr burke to come on board.

D

Because I had mentioned a possible conflict of interest last week and he had addressed it.

D

I just want to probably clear it up to make sure everyone understands his uh there. He is mr burke.

D

He presented a report to this board to make sure that we're in compliance with the law did you want.

D

To brief the public on what you had shared with us to make sure that we're in compliance with the.

D

Law well, as long as the board's comfortable with uh be disclosing your legal advice, I'm happy to.

E

Any objection I mean any objections here.

A

If it, if it gets me out of more mud, I'm good with it, apparently that's what I want to make sure.

A

I get thrown in the mud a lot, so maybe this will give me a chance to get out of it a little bit.

A

So I'm good with it tim, okay! Well, the question was raised as to whether the board's president's.

Y

Vote to extend the local state of emergency constituted some sort of a conflict of interest.

Y

And legally, a conflict of interest, only pops up when an individual derives a personal benefit.

Y

From actions or decisions made in their official capacity, that could be a benefit to you or members.

Y

Of your family generally generally we're talking about financial interests in other.

Y

Words, the commission takes a vote that affects his or her financial interests or those of a.

Y

Close family member, the vote to extend the state of emergency, in my opinion, does not.

Y

Constitute a conflict of interest for the president and the reason is.

Y

The local state of emergency, as I stated earlier uh several weeks ago, has a very severely limited.

Y

Impact it merely triggers the activation of our local emergency management plan. Some of the things.

Y

That would provide for the provision of emergency shelter, evacuation degree, management.

Y

Rescue operation, public information, uh dissemination, that sort of thing.

Y

So it doesn't appear that the uh president's vote to extend a local emergency plan would benefit.

Y

Him himself or his family financially in any way or in any way different from the.

Y

Public at large, so I concluded that it does not come a constituted conflict of interest.

U

Thank you. I sincerely appreciate you clarifying that for the public, because I in no way insinuated.

D

That our board president had gained any financial gain whatsoever from this. It was.

D

Merely just the technicality of the political science and what I was alluding to was the fact.

D

That you know authority, which is power, comes in two forms: the formal form and the informal form.

D

And the formal form is laid out in a statute of law. I think what I'm alluding to more or less is.

D

The informal authority that I think we as a board lose by being a state of emergency and not meeting.

D

In person person- and I hope that since we have the barriers set up here in the board room now that.

D

And the fact that all of our employees are showing up for work, I'd like for this board to start.

D

Really considering showing up here in person and meeting because in the political science.

D

Terms we as commissioners are both executive and legislative in our authority. That's why we do not.

D

Have a separate council on a county executive when we hold these meetings virtually we are.

D

Fulfilling our legislative obligation to the public that we are elected to do.

D

But I think what we are missing by not being present in this building as the executives.

D

Is we are not addressing our direct executive authority? We have not had a closed administrative.

D

Session since I guess march and I think that's to disadvantage this board and our obligation.

D

To the citizens, and by not meeting in person and having our administrative sessions in person, this.

D

Building, we are inadvertently delegating out our elected authority and responsibility over to the.

D

Administration and not that their administration is doing anything wrong but does not comply with.

D

Their elected obligations, so even though we maintain this state of emergency, I still think.

D

At this point in time, this board should seriously consider meeting in this building. After all, we've.

D

Made a substantial investing investment into upgrading this facility for safety standards.

D

Commissioner fraser and I are sitting here- we have plexiglas. I guess.

D

Four different dividers of plexiglass between us. We also have plexiglass at the tables for.

D

The administrator and the county attorney, I see no reason why we should not be able to start.

D

Meeting here in person and fulfilling more of our executive responsibilities, by showing up in person.

D

And the second thing I notice in the briefing from the county attorney he listed off eight different.

D

Reasons why we should be in a state of emergency, and by going down through that list, I will have.

D

To quite emphatically state that not one of these reasons are presently needed to be in a state of.

D

Emergency and if we want to go down through that, I'd love to go individually over each one and try.

D

To see how being this presidency of emergency is addressing these eight different parameters.

D

Of being a state of emergency, so technically under a legal standard, I don't think we've.

D

Met the obligation, as spelled out by the county, attorney to even be in the state of emergency.

B

Well, if I can comment, commissioner boucher and everyone knows, I don't think we should be in state.

B

Of mercy, I I don't feel, but we also just voted on standing in the state of mercy for another 30 days,.

B

If we want to look at those points- and we should, I think we should wait until the end.

B

Of that time period and then bring it up and look at those points at that particular time.

B

Because we we voted to extend it, so let's wait till the extension's over and then you know, talk.

B

About what you're? Talking about with those points that you got from a county attorney.

C

Can you be a little more specific on the executive responsibilities that haven't been met.

D

The fact that every week we would have gatherings and close administrative session and run down the.

D

Line of different things involving our staff and facility, we lack that and we're not doing that.

D

Anymore- and I see no reason at this present time with the investment that we've made substantially.

D

In this building and neutralizing, and keeping our safety that we cannot come here and have.

D

These meetings that we cannot gather as a board here, after all, our staff, has shown up for work.

D

Every day I run a business and I can't imagine what my business would be like if my employees.

D

Didn't see their boss show up since march, so there's a formal and an informal impact of this.

D

And whether we realize it or not, consciously there is an impact upon this administration because of.

D

Our lack of totally showing up and fulfilling our job in person as we ask of our employees to do so.

C

But what specific executive responsibilities have not happened?.

D

Well, it's tough to say, since we don't have the meetings I mean, was it necessary to have.

D

Close administrative meetings prior to this covid shutdown.

E

So I believe we are having closed administrative meetings, we're just.

E

Doing them virtually, I have not absolved or taken away any of my responsibilities.

E

um In the role as a county commissioner, and to say that we have pushed things onto our.

E

Administrative staff to conduct themselves uh in a way that it takes away our responsibilities. I.

E

Absolutely disagree. um We are executing just as we did uh this morning. uh Our fiscal responsibilities.

E

um We have conversations, although it's the go-to meeting or zoom or, however, virtually.

E

Text or phone calls it doesn't take away the fact that we are actually doing the work that we are.

E

Designed to do, um we have had closed meetings almost every week, they've just been virtually.

E

You know I just and I've shared this before um you know. I take this very seriously that uh you know.

E

We are maintaining our responsibilities as a board of county commissioners and.

E

I think we are doing a very good job in the collaboration uh and in the work that we're doing.

E

um I feel, like we haven't almost said, missed a beat, but we have continued to move forward. um I.

E

Believe that, as long as we continue to abide by the law, uh the the masks wearing masks in public.

E

Facilities in government facilities, uh keeping our distance in doing the things necessary to minimize.

E

The impact of this pandemic- we will get there sooner than later in getting together, um but I.

E

Think we need to all lead by example in everything we do. So that's that's my two cents about this.

D

You emphasize lead by example. We ask our employees to show up for work.

E

I have a business as well and leading by example, is ensuring that we are maintaining a safe and.

E

Secure environment, maintaining our roles as county commissioners and I feel that we are doing that.

E

We don't need to physically be at a dice to ensure that we're doing what's right. The perception of.

E

Being on the dice, I understand is important, but I believe the perception of doing it via.

E

The way we're doing it virtually is as equally important to recognize the importance.

E

Of safeguarding our community and doing what's right, because this pandemic is still out there so.

E

We we need to continue to uh to to balance it and we're moving in that direction.

E

I don't think sitting at the dice or around the table to say that we're in a closed meeting.

E

Because we're at the physical table is going to change the fact that we can do a closed meeting.

A

Sounds better, we lost dad and virtually just as well they're all very good points, and I will not.

D

State in any way that you have skipped a beat and that you did not fulfill to facilitate your.

D

Responsibilities and that aspect, but it still does not address the fact that our employees.

D

Are coming to work and we require them to come to work and we as a whole body are not showing up for.

D

Work so so for the record and I get thrown under the bus by you on a pretty.

A

Regular basis, commissioner boucher, I'm actually here today. Well, I know you are, and I love it. I.

D

Think you and I were the first ones to come here and I I loved it I'll. Tell you what president.

D

Lance you showing up for work is an inspiration to our staff, and I highly uh give you recognition.

D

For that principle, that you're fulfilling as a commissioner and the president is bored and I'd.

D

Like to see leadership to encourage our colleagues that come in here, there's absolutely no reason why.

D

This board cannot come in this building conduct its business, just like we ask of our employees.

D

And I feel very confident that an overwhelming majority, our staff feels the exact same way.

A

Okay, well, I don't know that we need to debate this any further, we'll take this under advisement.

A

This discussion and move forward from there um I'm I'm comfortable in my office. I'm really not.

A

Comfortable in that room yet, nor do I think that the uh more than two in there is is we're ready.

A

For that yet because of uh of audio and the camera thing now, I guess we could each bring.

A

Our own laptop in there and set it up um but but I you know, I'm I'm I'm not comfortable and you.

A

You talk about closed sessions. I can tell you right now: I'm not comfortable getting in a room.

A

uh Without some type of of petitions uh between us, so you know that's how we always conducted.

A

Those closed and I'll agree with commissioner osteen we've had numerous closed administrative.

A

Sessions to conduct business when it comes to our boards and commissions, which is what we.

A

Did before in person uh and gwerber items, we've done that uh we've just done them virtually so.

A

I'm not ready to get into a room yet, uh especially well. I'm not gonna. Go there about the mask thing.

A

But um I'm just not ready to get into a room, yet uh I appreciate it in a in a single room.

A

Where the the correct best practices have not been put in place, I go see my mom and dad almost on a.

A

Continuous basis- and I will not come to work and come into a room with someone who doesn't believe.

A

In masks and then take that home to my mom and dad I'm not gonna, do it well, I appreciate that.

D

But let me call you out on this fact for the public. You had no problem holding the interviews.

D

For emergency medical service director in a room with social distancing and none of us had a mask.

D

How is it any different now than we we appointed and picked out our emergency medical director.

D

There's no reason why, in this building, we don't have a large enough room where we.

D

Can social distance and accomplish the safety that you're? Looking for? After all, you let us.

D

In that appointment, interview process for the emergency medical director.

D

And you had no grievance at that time and you felt perfectly safe at that time as well.

E

I believe we've taken risk in doing that, and we've learned a lot since then.

E

And we've recognized to get over this, we should not be putting ourselves at risk. The way we did.

E

uh But we we accepted the risk in doing what we did. uh We've learned since then, and we've.

E

You know been told and by law, about the masks and about social distancing, and we need to now.

E

Maintain that but you're right uh eric we did, but that was a risk you know associated with it. So.

A

And I believe, if I'm not mistaken, that everybody had a mask on when we did those interviews, we we.

A

We asked our interviewees if they would be okay with taking them off, but I believe we had them.

A

On and we were social distance around that room, so that's what I remember, but anyway, um that's.

A

The way that goes, I listen. I'm not I'm not here to debate the subject. I I've got. I've got what.

A

I believe in uh and I'm I have very strong beliefs when it's come when it comes to this.

A

I have not inserted politics at any point during this pandemic and I will not until we.

A

Get through it other folks have and that's their per that's their right to do that.

A

But but you know with my background and all the ambulances that I've ridden in the back of and.

A

And my family background, with, with with my wife being a nurse, I believe what I believe.

A

And I didn't go to school to be a doctor or a scientist. Other folks did.

A

I believe what they're telling me at this point, but again I I see both sides of this.

A

I'm here today, I'm in my office, I'm not going to be in that room and I just I don't think we're.

A

We're quite ready for that room, but I you know I've. I've made an exception by the fact that.

A

I'm in the office today and I think I'm very I'm very happy. You show up in your office but.

D

Each week we look at the data being presented by the state health department and each week we see.

D

The same thing we have literally flattened the curve exactly as governor hogan asked us to do.

D

We don't see an uptick in the fatalities, we don't see an uptick in the hospitalization.

D

I mean how much longer on this trail. Do we maintain ourselves before what indication will.

D

Eventually, come out says: oh all, of a sudden. We as commissioners can come in the building and work.

D

Just like we ask of our employees what is that indicator out in the future? Looking like that, we.

D

Need to find to actually come in this building and work together, as we were elected to do so.

A

So I think we're there with the statistics, because everybody's most everybody's wearing masks.

A

And social distancing, can you imagine where the numbers would be if we weren't.

D

Well, I must state that last week I mentioned the cdc, did a study on the infection rates.

D

And said, 84 of the people infected had mass 16 did not wear mass and I must stay.

D

Informally, I went up to gettysburg this past weekend and looked around and it's about 15.

D

Percent of the people are walking around about miss. So if there's no difference in between the.

D

Public compliance of face mass and infection rates- there's quite probably no differentiation.

D

Between the two, whether you wear it or not, because the reality is, if face masks were so effective.

D

Those numbers would be flipped, 84 percent of the people have infections would not have worn mass.

D

And 16 percent of people would have been infected having more mass, but since the infection rate.

D

Is almost identical to the compliance? I don't really see much of a difference in it.

D

But the point is I'm getting at. Is we've made the investment in this building for public safety and.

D

There's no reason why we should not come in here and meet as a governing body as elected to do so.

D

Just like we ask our employees to show up for work, our employees are an office complex together. I.

D

Mean there's offices around here to have probably 20 30 people in it walking around. How is that any.

D

Different than us, coming into a larger room with plexiglass exercise and social distancing, what's.

D

Happening is and I'll emphasize again, there's two forms of authority, formal authority and informal.

D

Authority and the longer we neglect showing up for work in this building as a government body.

D

The more informal authority we are delegating out to this administration and neglecting the.

D

Responsibilities we are elected to do so so, first off the cdc report and the numbers you said: that's.

E

Wrong, that's erroneous! That's not what the cdc report says so recommend going back because.

E

It was a it was quoted by others that those numbers that you shared and going back to cdc.

E

Director, along with others, so that that report is not those numbers so recommend re-looking at.

E

That understand where you're coming from, and I think we've made a lot of good distance, a good.

E

You know effort in the last seven eight months and we're moving in that direction. Once again,.

E

We have not delegated any of our responsibilities or authorities to our staff. We have not.

E

Just because I'm not in the physical room does not mean to have delegated any of my responsibilities.

E

uh And I don't believe any of us have or should, because it is our responsibilities and authorities.

E

That aren't delegated and you know again I I get where you're coming from, but the fact is.

E

That masks and social distancing must happen. It is the law to go into buildings, especially government.

E

Buildings and if you're not you are then therefore breaking the law. I think we've gotten where we are.

E

Just as commissioner lance said, because most are adhering to the law and we're going to break this.

E

Pandemic and we are going to get ourselves back into a healthy community, I think it's just going.

E

To take time, but it's it's a lot of work, that's in front of us um so that that's kind of where I'm at.

C

You know we spent most of our time in the community anyway, a lot of our time in that.

C

Building uh is making phone calls the same things we're doing here in whatever office.

C

You're in or wherever you are dealing with the issues we deal with, I mean dealing with.

C

Our friends and neighbors or constituents, or whoever want to come up with we're doing that.

C

Continuously, I don't think we've missed a beat uh by the way, we're doing anything not showing.

C

Up physically in one spot sure it's, uh I guess for looks and that's about it. But as far as getting.

C

The job done, you tell me what we haven't done at this point and what hasn't been accomplished.

C

In fact, I think this has been a very effective uh time for carroll county and you compare us.

C

To a lot of other counties, counties with county executives and all the others we're further ahead.

C

Than they are, and we have been very efficient and have done a fantastic job in this county.

C

Making moving ahead not just standing still and just look at the um economic.

C

Cares act and the money going out, kill county took that had it under control and gone at our.

C

Direction within a week within a week that doesn't happen in all counties, I think you have to look at.

C

Efficiency and the way things have happened, and I I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I I do.

C

Agree with commissioner fraser uh a little bit here, but uh that we have to go, and you know.

C

At the end of our time, we look at this evaluate decide where we're going to go and we'll do it.

C

In short segments remember, this was only a two week program when it started we're going to be.

C

Over this and it's going to be a couple weeks, isolation and it keeps growing and right now.

C

Things don't look great in the future as far as the states and where things are growing.

C

So you know, don't don't jump the garment things uh you get too impatient and you wind up out in.

C

Front of things- and uh you get your head chopped off sometimes so. uh Patience is a virtue. Well, I'm.

D

Not stating that at this point in time we can end the state of emergency and I agree with fraser. We.

D

Voted on this, I agree with you, commissioner weaver we can wait till it runs out the point I'm making.

D

Is I think this board should show up for work and if commissioner weaver's uh argument is correct,.

D

There's no need for us to show up for work, then that should apply to our employees. Then there.

D

Should be really no need for employees to shop for work either? Is that correct? We do show up.

E

For work, that's what commissioner weaver's saying I had a town hall last night with about 55 folks.

E

You know it was virtual, but every day I show up to work every day I show up along with all of us, go.

E

Up to work, it's not about the physical space. That means work is getting done or not getting done.

E

If we become more efficient and effective with those that are in the office space to get their.

E

Jobs done that's what they're doing and we are taking the appropriate risk associated with that.

E

And decisions are being made on who can and should go into buildings for effects and efficiencies.

E

But I believe, just as commissioner weaver just said, we are becoming very effective and incredibly.

E

Efficient because of the way we are working, but I I show up to work every minute of every.

E

Day- and I don't need to be in a physical space to uh to say that I'm there and working and.

E

I feel that the staff recognizes that, and I talk to them constantly and continuously and they are.

E

Incredibly, responsive as I am, but it's not about physical space that associates work or not work.

D

Well, I do believe we are better served as a county with president wants showing up for work.

D

And that has a very positive impact upon our staff.

D

So his showing up for work has a positive impact upon this administration and I'm stating that.

D

Commissioner, weaver and commissioner ralsteen, showing up for work, will have the exact same.

D

Positive impact upon our staff that president lance has and he's providing leadership for us.

A

Okay, uh I'm can, is it already if we stop the debate just need to get it.

A

Out there, thank you very much all good topics. um It's interesting that I usually get thrown.

A

Under the bus and today I'm on top the bus apparently so that's interesting.

A

I don't know, but um it just kills time. Yeah yeah, give it time.

A

It just personally I've been doing both. I was at home, I'm here back and forth, uh so I'm just kind.

A

Of I'm just kind of doing whatever works works uh for me personally, so uh to my colleagues I mean.

A

I'm I think commissioners weaver and ross teen are doing uh an incredible job uh representing their.

A

Constituency, uh dick, I believe, you're having uh a a big event this evening. I don't think everybody's.

A

Going to be in a small room in a library I believe everybody's going to be, I was in love with harley.

C

Yeah, so I just think and and the other thing to remember is too uh we're not anywhere near the.

A

Fact, where we're going to have those that present to us these various agenda items are going to be.

A

In the room with us, we're not even anywhere close to that happening, so you know the virtual's still.

A

Working there and it's going to have to because I don't want people traipsing in and out of.

A

That room over there either and I don't think anybody else does either so I'm going to leave.

A

It go with that we'll take all this unadvisement we've debated it enough today uh and and we'll.

A

Just um we'll go from there uh anything else. I hesitate to ask this anything else for, and admin.

D

Thank you very much all right hearing nothing. Let me run down through the uh the the agendas real.

A

Quick for the coming weeks uh october, the 26th uh nothing until uh thursday, the 29th.

A

uh Thursday, the 29th we go into session uh with um various uh items to occur. There.

A

I did skip over one item. I apologize the sheriff's having an event at.

A

At the academy, the the sheriff's academy over north carolina for corporal brant.

A

Webb but that's a very limited amount of folks, everyone has to be masked up there and I think.

A

You're just presenting him with it with some of his badges as he leaves the county workforce.

A

But now getting back to thursday october the 29th uh we we've got uh a bond authorizing resolution.

A

From our comptroller as we're getting ever so closer to our bond rating hearings, which were.

A

Staffs working on uh very hard we're going to get an annual report from our department.

A

Of planning we've got various things: we're going to be purchasing from auto services to sampling.

A

And testing and reporting services of the wastewater treatment plant.

A

Housing opportunities for persons with aids, from our department, assistance services and that's.

A

It right now for open session, I'm sure that will grow and I've got the podcast next week.

A

The week of november, the second uh november, the second is a national holiday.

A

Oh wait a minute nev, never mind it's my birthday anyway. uh Maybe I should.

A

We have, uh we have a we're planning work session at 9 a.m. On tuesday november the 3rd.

A

On wednesday, the 4th the board of aging and disabilities meets at 10 a.m.

A

Virtually commissioner rostein uh there's another planning and zoning work session that evening.

A

That virtually it's 6 p.m. Thursday, we're going to open session. uh We've got revised fee schedule for.

A

Rec and parks we've got some ag conservation easements through mouth that we're going to.

A

Discuss and that's it right now but um again, there's those agenda items grow as we get through.

A

Them I'd like to add to the agenda on that day the discussion about appointing a citizen commission.

D

To write a charter for the carroll county government- okay, I think that was yeah. Okay,.

A

All right, yep uh friday, the sixth, is a virtual round table with the comptroller franchot.

A

That I'll be uh involved with saturday. The seventh is a vietnam veteran welcome home.

A

Pinning ceremony at babylon vault, uh commissioner boucher, that's at I don't know what time 11.

D

And they won't stick me a.m. A vault uh yeah, we'll get a we'll get a time on that.

A

That's two weeks away, so we're good and commissioner weaver has the podcast.

A

All right anything else for open admin.

A

A

With that being said, roberta anything else from you from the administrator's office.

K

No thank you. We just need a motion to recess, actually a motion to adjourn what correct sorry.

A

Second, okay: I've got a motion and second to adjourn. I will remind our citizens that.

A

You will see changes uh here next week at the county office building.

A

uh The main entrance that everyone is accustomed to utilizing.

A

Will be closed as a result of putting in safety enhancements down there? I will be closed for about.

A

A month and almost two months, I guess really when you get down to it,.

A

So that the temporary entrance will be around by the ronald reagan room, everybody remember.

A

President reagan uh anyway, he said I want to get back into another political statement.

A

uh Anyway, the temporary entrance will be down there. We will utilize same practices that we.

A

Always have been, there will be a sheriff deputy on duty down there, as well as uh our personnel.

A

To greet as people come and go so a little bit of a difference than what people are accustomed.

A

To but as with everything around here, uh we will we will move on and we will not skip a beat to.

A

Allow those citizens access to our building, which I will remind folks, is still by appointment only.

A

All right uh with that being said, I've got a motion and second, uh to adjourn.

A

Everybody have a safe weekend, continue to utilize best practices, all those in favor.

A

And that is unanimous and off we shall go uh all right, we'll be off the air. Let us know when we are.

A