Carroll County, MD Board of County Commissioners Open Sessions, 8 Jun 2023

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From YouTube: Board of Carroll County Commissioners Open Session June 8, 2023

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

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Okay good morning, commissioner, ed rathton, it is thursday june 8th. We have.

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An interesting morning session uh and we'll be fortunate to have um the leadership of.

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The maryland association counties join us in just a bit, but before that and before.

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Our priority carol as we always do, let's stand for pledge of allegiance in a moment of silence.

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America and to the republic for which it stands.

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One nation, under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

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Okay, so let's find out what's on people's mind this morning, commissioner vigliotti.

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What's on your mind, uh thank you, commissioner rossi, now very quick and very straight to the.

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Point this morning I had the privilege of attending the francis scott key high school.

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Graduation yesterday, it was a very, very well done ceremony and I know that all the high schools.

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Between last week and this week are are going through their graduations and so very simply, I.

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Just want to say congratulations to all of our students who are graduating and I pray the best.

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For them, and god speeds them in their lives hereafter and that's it for me. Thank you. Okay,.

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Commissioner kyler I'd like to also mention the high school graduations and.

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um It's it's so fun to go to them and see the families, see the excitement, and I know.

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We've a community college graduations, we have students that are graduating from both. We, we.

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Have college graduations, but for many many many families, the high school graduation is a major.

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Big event, and I'm so glad I got, I went to winners mill and man val saw a lot of friends, saw a lot of.

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Family, friends and- uh and it was pretty awesome- I wanted to reach out and thank the carroll county.

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Health department and uh susan doyle, who was here last week, I asked a question about some.

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Recovery facilities and I've gotten multiple emails from the state. um My nephew told rhonda.

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Call this person at the facility- and she will talk to you about counseling and what can be done in.

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Food and money, some of the stuff we'd already done but and and I'll be honest. uh My dog's only barely.

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In that fight, so I don't know the details, but I just want to do. I want to thank the carroll county.

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Health department for reaching out and helping my family with some issues. I really appreciate.

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It and uh to be short I'll uh I'll stop here, too, it's been a great week and we're busy and and.

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um Well, one one thing: hampstead farmers market opened last saturday and, and that was great and.

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Manchester wrestling decided to have a party at our house and did let us know ahead of time and.

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That was great and they furnished free snowballs for uh for people, but they couldn't come until.

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Seven or nine a lot of people had left, but we did 75 free snowballs and uh it that was.

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It's fun, it's just fun to see the families and the kids that are busy and and doing positive.

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Things. Thank you absolutely, commissioner. Gordon thank you. um First, as most people.

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Know last week all five of us were at the uh fire ems pinning for class one. I thought that.

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Was a great event and it's nice to see all of the parties involved on board with that last saturday,.

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In westminster, it was the westminster held their second annual pickle in the park tournament.

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They broke last year's records, which was 278 registered players and 23 event brackets and.

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11 courts. uh I have to be a little biased, at least slightly for one of the groups which the doubles.

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Skill level three was my wife and my mother-in-law, who won the gold in that. So congratulations to.

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Them is that them that is them there, yes and then, on monday, I attended the westminster high.

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School, graduation, a wonderful event, as always- and it was nice to be around a fellow members.

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Of the westminster high school community was kind of neat to be involved and watch all the.

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Very excited students and the very happy parents, so that was quite impressive. Also on uh the same.

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Day I attended the 911 call center. As I know, commissioner, kyler and rothstein did earlier.

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That day I was there later in the afternoon. I was very educational to learn what goes on with the.

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Staff there and I greatly appreciate all the hard work and dedication and everything they do for the.

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Citizens of carroll county- I then this week also attended the winners mill high school graduation.

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With commissioner kyler, we were both at that one again, another great event: a lot of excited.

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Students with great big futures ahead of them and it's going to be exciting, to see what comes out.

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Of some of those graduates and where it takes them and then yesterday afternoon I was at the.

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Carroll county farm museum for the dedication of the exhibits at the hof barn, uh incredible piece.

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Of history, we have on the property over there that barn actually existed when george washington was.

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Alive so a true testament to how that came about over there, and uh you know it was wonderful to see.

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That we were able to receive grants from that from the heart of the civil war heritage area.

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And then last is in some of the timber from that period. Yes, like that big significant amount of the.

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Timber in that building is actually still from that period. So that's incredible 229 years ago.

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It's absolutely amazing: yeah they've replaced a little bit. They did have to replace the roof.

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I think about within the last year or so, but most of the storage. I just remember they showing.

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Those big timber from that period, which doesn't mean so it's incredible- that that still exists.

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And then a little exciting note in westminster, we are getting a new business on main street called.

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Heir of the dog brewing, so that will be a new brewery. Business opened on main street coming.

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Soon, thank you. That's a great label to piggyback you um hey. I need to apologize. The farm museum.

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I ended up having a conflict. I could not change as much as I think I like to control stuff, so I.

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Apologize for not coming there and the 911 senate was awesome but yeah what what I'd like to say.

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We've been busy and we need. I think we need to do better. I need to do better there's a lot of.

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Departments in this building I haven't visited, and I think, if any of you like the 911 center.

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Want to invite us feel free, yes, and, and uh I think we need to do more visits. I don't know.

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When we have more time, you always have more time next week right so uh so in the future. We we do.

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Need to visit more of of the departments we have. I agree. How come mr burke never invites us all right.

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That's a good question, so every time I have food, all of a sudden we seem to migrate over there go.

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Back, yes, I think he could he could have like food and drinks. I know and invite him. I know.

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Couldn't he and we could find it almost from where we are chris, go back to that uh brewery.

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You can when's it opening uh that I'm not I'm not certain of yet yeah. They just got their.

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Zoning approval so, okay, we're in process. Yes, that's a great label. Okay! Well, regardless.

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Looking forward to there, it is, I just think, that's a great label. I just want to see it one more time.

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Okay, we're gonna have to partake in that place.

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um uh Just you know opportunities, uh mr garen. uh Thank you good morning, carroll county. So.

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I too attended a high school graduation this week, my my alma mater, uh the graduation of the.

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South carroll high school class of uh of 2023, my appreciation goes out to principal doherty and her.

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Entire staff, they they run one, they run one hell of a high school and that ceremony was fantastic.

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And it's a real thrill to be sitting there as a graduate of south carroll and see the families.

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And the students walking across once a cavalier always a cavalier, is something that people down.

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In my district really uh really take the heart, so I I enjoyed it. It was certainly one of the more.

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Enjoyable things we've done so far of uh us new commissioners in the past six months and.

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Also this week, actually yesterday, I attended our opioid senior policy group meeting over at the.

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Carroll county department of health- the meeting takes place every three months, but there is so.

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Much going on every day in between those meetings, it's widely attended by just about every single.

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Department in the county to include state and local government agencies as well the.

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Deputies there, the state police, are there, not surprisingly the opioid situation in our county.

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And across our region it is getting worse, there's an increase in overdoses for this time last year,.

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And the really bad news is now they're starting to find fentanyl and crack cocaine and marijuana.

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Somebody goes into overdose after smoking. Marijuana.

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The police or ems show up can't figure out. What's going on, they administered an arcane.

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Or noxilan and the person comes back to life. That means there's fentanyl in there or some.

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Sort of a dangerous opioid, so that is bad news. Obviously there was even a spike alert for.

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Elevated overdoses here in the county yesterday, because because those numbers have gone up.

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Again, I I want to thank the the county health department for for what they're doing the the.

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Topic of marijuana and its legalization in the state did come up yesterday during that group.

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Meeting for for the first time that that I've been a member of it, this is a growing problem. You know.

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The irony is we're meeting to discuss opioid abuse and we're meeting to discuss how to protect young.

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People, but at the same time, the legalization of marijuana is about to take place in this state.

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And the mandates for distribution come along with that. I would encourage anybody, who's interested.

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In this topic and I'll speak about it more later on, but I wouldn't encourage anybody. Who's worried.

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About this topic to go to a website called learnaboutsam.org, learn about smart approaches.

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To marijuana.org, so it's learn about sam.org. It is a fantastic website for parents and people who.

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Are concerned about this issue because it really lays out, what's going on in the state, the failure.

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Of these laws across the country and how states such as california and colorado are rethinking.

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What they've done? Because it makes things worse, so I would encourage parents to go to that. This.

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This board of commissioners is on this topic. We're going to stay on this topic. It's an important one.

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To us- and I especially want to thank our county staff and employees, everybody from the sheriff's.

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Department to the county health department for their involvement in this issue, they're literally.

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Saving lives, iran and, in fact the the sheriff's departments are the since they're typically.

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The first people on the scene- and they have the narcan with them they're the ones actually saving.

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A majority of the lives right now, because that's how quickly you have to go ahead and uh administer.

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That drug to bring somebody back we're going to start we're going to make sure we're working with.

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This school system, as well on this topic as we go forward, because that is your best opportunity to.

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Educate people, particularly the young people, about the dangers of of these drugs being uh opioids.

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In today's marijuana, so again I appreciate the time. Thank you, commissioner. No, absolutely in fact.

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They're uh was an article commissioner kyler, I believe, shared from the denver post a couple weeks.

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Ago and um it highlighted the secondary tertiary effects of after the legalization of marijuana,.

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Recreational marijuana that there is an increase in use of purchasing black market or you know.

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Marijuana and not going through the stores and and that's where you're going to find the least.

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Garbage put into this marijuana and uh you know the other thing, is it wears off the.

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Novelty of marijuana so they're going for other opportunities, so right yeah. I I thank.

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You for that, so yesterday uh was probably the first time I've heard from a health official.

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Confirm that yes, marijuana is a gateway drug, because you know it's a big debate and we all.

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Knew it was but to hear officials say that it was eye-opening, but your point is very interesting.

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I think in new york city they've only issued a couple distribution permits, because the second.

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The legalization took place, everybody who's, making it in their backyards and their basements. They go.

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Ahead and sell it, so it's having the act like you mentioned, commissioner, the opposite effect.

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Right in states like colorado and california and new york right fairly, left-leaning states.

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Are realizing whoops? We've made a big mistake here, so yeah yeah, it's it's not a revenue, drawing no, no.

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It's more of a unfortunate because we don't have all the answers and neither does our.

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Police and sheriff and go on and on but we'll move on. But and we do have our guests- that.

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We can talk more about that as well, because that is a topic of concern across maryland. But before.

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Bringing the guests uh to to finish up um our priority carol. The inequality just give me one.

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Second, on that, chris, the air quality, as we know, is very bad uh here in maryland because of the.

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Effects of the fires happening up in canada and quebec. We have opened up our warming centers for.

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Air quality concerns, so all of the libraries and health centers are open for those that need them.

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If you're feeling, uh you know a concern for a loved one, especially the elderly and the.

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Children feel free to go into our what would be our cold weather, shelters and and warming.

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um You know our heat shelters, we've opened them today for the air quality and we'll keep them open.

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As long as we recognize the need um go ahead, chris with that, uh with that slide, I had the fortune.

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Opportunity to be invited, along with uh one of our guests- that's here and that's uh county executive.

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Ball to attend the change of command of the agent in general in maryland, the edge in general.

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Who the outgoing is right here, major general gallon tim gowan, who retired last month he was.

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Selected by governor hogan to oversee all of our national guard in maryland, uh to include air and.

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Army and the incoming is well. I apologize was the woman right behind major general burkhead.

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Thank you right here, so she is now the adjunct general appointed by governor uh moore, so it.

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Was a great opportunity to attend the formation and the ceremony and the change of commands.

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Let's see before I get off, we talked about that. We talked about that.

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The 911 center again unsung heroes, uh tsa that was the lieutenants being commissioned. As commissioner.

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Gordon mentioned, I also attended a graduation liberty high school earlier this week and I.

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Have century high school, so I have the colors of century on today and uh that'll be at one.

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O'clock- and I think that may be the last of the high schools for us yeah, I think so- is century.

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So saving the bed. Now I'm not kid. Although my kids went there, I'm not going to say that.

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They are all just amazing schools and we have such quality every time you sit in.

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One of those- and you listen to what these young men and women have achieved over a.

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Very short period of time and where they're going next is just mind-boggling and I think.

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Wow and they all are great, I think we also need to thank the principals. They really put their.

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Heart and soul and their staff and the teachers everybody into this event. These events are they.

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They go so well, oh, I know it's just awesome and you and I could never spell ap yeah. I know so.

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um Lastly, uh I attended the governor's workforce development board yesterday and I represent both.

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Carroll county on the board, but also the maryland association counties as a representative and.

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um Good opportunity, because it brings together the new secretaries uh under governor moore's.

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Administration and some business leaders along with um academia and focused on yesterday, a.

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Large portion was focused on apprenticeship and opportunities for apprenticeships uh across the.

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State the funnel effect, if you can imagine the funnel effect, was get to the local workforce.

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Development boards- and we are blessed to have a local workforce development board.

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um You know here in carroll county, that's very aggressive that works with our workforce. You know.

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Team or underneath economic development so uh more to follow on that, as I get.

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My notes, but it was a it- was a well worth meeting and finally got to do it in person.

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Because I'm honestly, I'm tired of virtual there's a need for virtual and sometimes but doing things.

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In person and reading body language and having side bars and having the opportunity just.

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Is awesome so um ccbc hosted us and they did a great job. Last thing I want to share. I don't.

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Know if my colleagues are getting this, I just got a text from a friend there's a lot of bear.

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Sightings that are happening, and um especially the southern part of the county, there's been at.

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Least three or four bear sightings in separate areas that any one bear walking from one place.

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To another, it can't be so just be aware of that, and um you know the best thing to do just like a.

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Bear or a fox or anything else, just leave them alone and they'll leave. You alone reported to.

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uh You know animal control, if you don't know to report to animal control, call 9-1-1 go to.

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Non-Emergency and let them take care of it, but uh you know just to me like a deer, if you see.

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One deer there's usually two: if there's one bear there could be two and uh I just don't want to see.

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Mama bear if there's a baby, I think they're all coming from howard county, so I think I meant it.

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I need a a gate there, but without um further ado, as we share we've been a proud participant.

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Of the maryland association and counties um and very fortunate to participate both in the.

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um In the summer and winter sessions, along with the legislative sessions, along with being on the.

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Board so I look forward to uh being hosted by the uh president of the board county executive ball.

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Next week next week and uh starting, I got the agenda, so I'm looking forward to that as well.

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But without further ado, why don't the executive director, michael sanderson and county executive.

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Calvin ball come on up and let's take a little time to share uh what mako is looking forward.

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To doing over the summer, some of the initiatives and we've talked a little bit about this. You know.

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Two things that are on our minds, one is the herd of elephants, which is the blueprint it ain't, an.

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Elephant in the room, it's a herd of elephants- and the other is like commissioner garen said- was.

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New legislation that you know um whether we are funded to do it or resourced uh that really has.

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Concerns like recreational use of marijuana are we resourced to allow for that we can zone it. We.

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Can permit it, but are we resourced within our sheriff's department and legislation to govern.

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It well enough to keep carroll county safe, secure and maintain its great quality life that we want.

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So those are a couple of highlighted topics I want to you know kind of get into discussion, but.

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um I think, most appropriately, because we have a new board of county commissioners as well. If.

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Xiaoming, you can introduce yourselves and allow a minute to introduce our board and.

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Some of their experiences coming onto the board would be great so with that.

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Excellent, thank you so much. Mr president, uh commissioners, it is such an honor to be here. I'm.

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Calvin ball. I am serving as this year's president of the maryland association of counties or mako.

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Otherwise, I also spent about 13 years as a county councilman in howard county and I'm in my fifth.

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Year as county executive, and so uh I'm very well aware of some of the issues and challenges first,.

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Of all, congratulations on those of you who are recently in your new roles. I actually watched.

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Your state of the county speeches and it was quite fascinating- I loved- being able to see your.

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Differing perspectives and and your goals and then in just listening to the the previous conversation.

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About recreational marijuana use or cannabis blueprint blueprint is frankly the top issue, as.

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Mr sanderson and I have traveled around the rest of the state and we have shared some of our.

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Thoughts with the presiding officers, the senate president and the speaker of the house as well.

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As the governor, and also congratulations on the passage of your budget, that is.

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Probably one of the most important things: if not the most important things you can do.

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As commissioners and and you were able to do that successfully in these challenging times,.

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um What I have with me, michael sanderson, who's, the executive director of mako. He has served.

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In that role for several years, he is very well respected, and it is especially nice to come here.

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In carroll county speaking of well-respected, where just recently a few months ago, we had.

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Mr zaleski join us with a speak speech to the state board of education. Talking about issues.

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And concerns around funding and blueprint and, as you heard your president, mr commissioner, rothstein.

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Is very well respected around the state, someone who not only serves on our mako board and you.

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Can see that in our in your materials, but he has been a thought leader on issues. Of course around.

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um Military service veterans, education, a lot of the infrastructure issues and the things.

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That matter to us as local jurisdictions, and so it is very it's quite an honor as.

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Mako president and then as your neighbor right across the border in howard, county.

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Where I have two seen some bear sightings, I thought there were carroll county bears.

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And with that I'll turn it over to michael to give some thoughts.

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Well, thank you very much for the time this morning, I'm michael sanderson director at.

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The maryland association of counties I'm pleased to be with you. We brought a packet of information.

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And we'll probably be mercifully short on on going through that in a whole, lot of detail got a flavor.

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Of some of the topics you'd like to get into, did you want to do a round of introductions for the.

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Commissioners, here to set the table a little bit, why don't we do take a pause for that. Just take.

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A minute um you know kind of where you're coming from the district you're representing and some of.

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The experiences that you may have brought to the table into the diet, so first with commissioner joe.

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Vigliotti from district one good morning, gentlemen, thank you very much for coming all this way and.

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For not bringing bears with you, so I am a district one. Commissioner. This is northwestern portion of.

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Carroll county: I have three municipalities in my district tontitown union bridge in new windsor.

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This is my first term as a county commissioner, and prior to this I served three or two and a.

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Half terms as a city councilman for tontitown, as well as a mayor pro tem for tawny, town.

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And his reign author of 19 books to date. So just let you know so very important, commissioner.

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Kyler's district two hi yeah, I'm district, two hampstead manchester and finksburg primarily.

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And uh I was blessed to serve the last four years on board of education ending as president, and I.

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I almost when we talk graduations. It was so heartbreaking to see some of those seniors.

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If, if I were tougher, they should have been in school more than they were, and we let.

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Politics override science and we kept these poor kids at home and now we're trying to.

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Recover and- and I truly apologize for that, but um but it was great experience- taught me about.

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The budget I I feared ted and the people over in this building so now I'm with them.

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um But uh and and then mako uh that's been such a good experience, the conferences.

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um Commissioner rothstein put me on the educational committee and, and I learned a.

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Lot there and because of mako, primarily, we ended up spending almost every wednesday in annapolis,.

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During the session, we did the virtual sessions there and I don't think we went a week without.

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Meeting a senator, a delegate or a secretary or a budget director, it was uh so valuable to go there.

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And I'm not sure we'd have done it without the push for mako of the meeting. So thank you very.

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Much absolutely- and you said you were blessed to be on the board of education. That's the first time.

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I've heard that, and I'm just saying I think I also said I was blessed to go to annapolis.

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It's a there's, not a lie. Detector. I guess we got. I guess we got to count our blessings [music] so.

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District three is uh commissioner tom gordon. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you for coming in this morning,.

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It's good to see you, um so I am commissioner of district three, which is westminster and some of.

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The surrounding area, which, of course westminster is the county seat here in carroll county I've.

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Been involved in a variety of things over the years, small business owner been involved in a.

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Couple different industries and previously have served on a number of non-profit boards in the.

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Community, so I've had some pretty extensive involvement with some of those and seeing what.

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Goes on in our community as a whole. um I want to thank you all for coming today and I really.

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Do appreciate all the hard work and effort that goes in with mako attended the winter conference.

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And I thought that was incredibly valuable and I thank you for taking the time to come in today.

A

Okay and uh in district four commissioner, mike karen yeah, welcome to both of you. I really.

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Appreciate you being here, and I know mr ball, your schedule is extremely busy, so special thanks to.

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You uh am, I I'm, commissioner, mike garan. This is my first term. uh I am district four, so I actually.

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Border, frederick, montgomery and a portion of your county howard county, our main municipality, is.

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Mount airy and part of that is in frederick county, so it's the southwest portion of the county itself.

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A frequent visitor to your county in that regard, and again thank you for being here. Thank you so.

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You see the diversity of our board along with the diversity of our county. You know we are not.

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A homogeneous county, you know, as some people would sometimes want to say, we're a rural countages like.

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Garry county we're not and absolutely no offense whatsoever to garrett county we're.

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Very diverse, from what's up north to mount airy to westminster to eldersburg and sykesville to.

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um Hampstead and manchester I mean very diverse, so been blessed to have my colleagues to my left and.

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Right representing all of that so so with that said uh michael did you want to uh take it on.

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I'm happy to, and I want to be respectful of of your time and your agenda this morning. We.

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Put together a packet of some material that I'll spend time mostly on the front page of but there's.

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Some resources in here that may help us get in a little deeper into a few topics and if there's.

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Things that I don't get into that are on your minds, I'm happy to talk about those. I will take.

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A moment if I may just to start out and offer mako's thanks to carroll county in particular,.

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um For for a variety of reasons, carroll county has historically been over represented in staff.

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Level leadership within our organization you've made couple references to ted zoleski, who is sort.

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Of the dean among our county level, you know budget and finance staff teaches a course for the academy.

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Of excellence and local governance, our partnership with the university of maryland has a leadership.

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Role with the local government insurance trust he's a great asset for local governments generally.

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And we thank you for sharing some of his time and expertise, but the story doesn't stop there across.

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Our 13 different professional organizations we routinely have three or four presidents or.

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Chairs of those groups are from carroll county. We welcome your excellent staff, contributing.

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To successes across the state, so for those who are new in your role as county commissioners, you.

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May not realize how great you've got it with a super team to work with and around you all.

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um So so that said, that's a big part of the mission of our statewide organization. We we do.

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Our best to represent and serve county governments and to try and support all the sort of frontline.

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Services that that we provide county governments are, are the central local government in maryland.

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For a wide wide range of services- probably more so than just about any other state where it's a.

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Privilege to to work on your behalf in that regard, this time of year in springtime, visiting you, it's.

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Kind of natural to reflect, principally back on the last session of the general assembly state policy.

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Tends to trickle down it affects your priorities and your budgets and so forth. So I'll do a little.

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Bit about that as policy updates and so forth, I want to mention one particular service that mako.

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Provides for our counties and then if we want to get into further talking about education, funding.

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Or cannabis, implementation and so forth, I'm happy to spend more time where, where it makes sense.

H

For you all, but big picture on the front page of this packet, I want to we like to do a big graphic.

H

To give you a sense of the far reach of county governments, I don't think there's any stakeholder.

H

In the state policy process that has us broad, a portfolio as counter gov county governments.

H

There's just so many different things where we are the central deliverers, where the state has has.

H

Devolved responsibility to deliver service locally, so it's it's soup to nuts. The things that you fund.

H

And support and and provide for your residents, and you share that bond with the elected officials in.

H

Annapolis, that's our best currency. We don't have a political action committee. Hardly anybody gets.

H

Reelected to the state legislature, because they work well with local governments. We have a kinship.

H

At the level of service and responding to you are elected, your your constituencies. So that's that's.

H

A big part of our stock and trade, but we engage in hundreds of bills. We get we get to the table.

H

In annapolis, I have a number of professional staff colleagues who specialize in different areas and.

H

We've focus on an awful lot of stuff delivering on behalf of the local governments. A great deal.

H

Of our credibility does arise from having a mako legislative committee, that's driven by elected.

H

Officials- it's not me, it's not my excellent team who decides that this bill is bad for county.

H

Governments or this bill needs to be amended to make sure that we can still do recycling in a.

H

Sensible way that guidance comes from commissioner kyler, commissioner rothstein and your colleagues.

H

From around the state- and that is a door opener in annapolis- that we're here representing elected.

H

Officials from across the state, that's a big difference maker for us there's a scatter shot of.

H

Different things on on this on this sheet of paper and I'll kind of dance through these relatively.

H

Quickly again, if there's something that I touch on briefly, that you want to talk about more or.

H

Happy to a lot of times, I owe you five minutes of conversation about the state fiscal plan and.

H

That's usually, where that's my background and I I tend to talk about that. This was an unusual.

H

Year, we've been in a weird spot for the last couple of years with the the american economy.

H

Maybe being sort of artificially propped up by federal support in and around the pandemic and.

H

What's the nature of the under of the underlying economy, I don't think anybody who still knows the.

H

Answer to that question we closed out last year's budget at the state level with a multi-billion.

H

Dollar surplus that allowed the state to do some pre-funding of long-term obligations and do some.

H

Capital projects with cash, rather than borrowing other things like that, that made this year's.

H

Budget cycle for the state, not as gnashing of teeth, as sometimes is the case, although.

H

When the state sat down to revise its revenues in early march, which is usually like the final.

H

Revision that you balance the budget to the final number they made a revenue write down. They wrote.

H

Down their estimates by several hundred million dollars and that felt like someone took the punch.

H

Bowl away from the party a little bit, there was a tone shift in in annapolis, with policy leaders and.

H

um I think that probably ushered in some shorter term thinking and maybe not making here's a bill.

H

That's going to require eight million dollars a year forever. Maybe we're not ready to commit to.

H

Something like that right now we saw a little bit of a tone shift in the middle of the legislative.

H

Session there so um we're still in kind of a cautious moment fiscally that had a ripple.

H

Effect down to county governments, particularly in your income tax forecasts, which are tougher.

H

To forecast than property tax, if they're, the two big drivers of your local budget income taxes.

H

Tough to read right now, what's going to happen with with non, you know, non-withholding work, work.

H

um Yeah work withholding income taxes, that's a that's a tough gig to be in right now.

H

um I'll mention a couple other things. uh One thing on on fiscal policy, which is not.

H

A newspaper headline grabber, but it's a structure of government, think that is a good takeaway from.

H

This year, for years, your counties had to have a special public hearing on the constant yield.

H

Tax rate maryland's law has basically said, even if you're leaving the tax rate right where it is. You.

H

Have to put an ad in the papers thing or raising your taxes, because some people's assessments are.

H

Going up, um the state in my judgment has brought some more reasonable balance to that law. If you.

H

Change your rate in the future you'll still have to go through that process and say we're going to.

H

We're proposing to increase your your property tax rate and here's an opportunity to talk about that.

H

Specifically outside the usual budget process, but if you're leaving the rate where it is you'll, no.

H

Longer have to advertise a tax rate increase, and I think that will reduce the number of people who.

H

Come to the table confused by what they read in the paper and then they learn the truth and at.

H

The meeting, so that's a good takeaway that I think, is a long time coming a couple other issues that.

H

Are non-fiscal that I'll speak to briefly? um One is a little bit in the weeds, pardon the pun, but.

H

The state's forest conservation act needed some touch-ups this year. There was a sort of a legal.

H

Opinion that popped up a couple years ago that one of the tools, a lot of our counties, were using to.

H

Comply with forest conservation laws was basically forced banking, taking areas that might have been.

H

Subject to be having those priests got down and say we're going to strictly preserve those trees.

H

And have that be part of our canopy strategy? The state found legally that we didn't have.

H

The authority to do the do that the way we have been doing for years, so we needed legislation to.

H

Pass to to maintain that process as part of an overall forest conservation strategy, this was.

H

Lots of stakeholders coming together with a lot of moving parts and the building community and the.

H

Environmental community and local governments as one of the players we worked out a big, complicated.

H

Deal I'll spare you the 30 minute version, but the 30 second version is worked out. A good deal on an.

H

Issue where we needed something to happen, and I'm happy to see that that that that happened.

H

um Another thing we needed some fixes on was the state's paid leave requirement. The family.

H

And medical leave act in 22. The legislature passed the framework of a bill and basically said we're.

H

Going to leave the details until a year later, coincidentally, right after an election, so in 23.

H

We needed to do some tidying up in particular, for employers, who probably would want to offer their.

H

Own benefit structure, rather than just participate in the state insurance program, they're creating.

H

This kind of like the way unemployment insurance works, where you you pay for for a lot of employers.

H

You pay a premium to the state as unemployment insurance, you know contributions and then you draw.

H

Benefits out of a state pool, some employ players can opt out of that program and self-insure and.

H

There's going to be a similar path for employers who already provide generous benefits, leave.

H

Benefits for their employees. We think a lot of local governments are going to want to opt out, but.

H

We needed a clear path to do that, like let us know what the regulations and standards are and give.

H

Us a long window of time, so we can decide. Okay, we're going to just be in the state pool or we're.

H

Going to do our own thing and now we know how we might have to modify our local offerings so fix.

H

Up bill from this past legislative session to make basically clear that path for everybody who would.

H

Want to do it that way and mako's actively working with the state department of labor and a number of.

H

Other stakeholders to provide some clear options and directions for for the local governments on.

H

That front another thing in the public safety area, I'll mention real briefly, we know we've got a real.

H

Difficulty finding and retaining folks in the fire service, in particular both volunteer and.

H

For the parts of the state where career is part of the picture or the entire picture on both fronts,.

H

We're just having difficulty getting recruiting and retaining people to serve uh in in fire.

H

Sometimes what annapolis needs is to bring the stakeholders together and find some peace in the.

H

Valley and say here's the recommendation from all the stakeholders. That's the bill. We got past this.

H

Past legislative session was basically a one-year commission to bring stakeholders together and find.

H

Recommendations by the end of this calendar year, I anticipate that one of mako's big pushes for.

H

Next year's legislative session will be get that stuff done, so it may be a combination of different.

H

Things we we do some a variety of tax incentives and a lot of places do uh length of service awards.

H

And we have some workers, comp coverage, there's a variety of things that we do. It's an incomplete.

H

And imperfect package- and we know- we've got an awful lot of legacy fire service employees who.

H

Are still counting on the next wave needs to come behind them, so that's a priority as well, something.

H

Coming down the pike in public safety also is a state mandate that, by the beginning of calendar,.

H

Year, 25 five, all of your sheriff's deputies will need to have body cameras suited up one thing.

H

We got done this year was the state's going to provide some centralized sort of ride-on contracts.

H

To buy the equipment and potentially for storage services for the for the footage coming from that.

H

It's not this, isn't the solution for a larger issue there, but this is coming and to make this.

H

As smart and practical as possible is just good business, um I I'll mention so so let me get to.

H

The two things that you teed up as as big topics, um I'll mention cannabis first and then we'll get.

H

To school funding, because that sometimes is the biggest and broadest conversation, as you know,.

H

The the voters spoke uh about a constitutional amendment to change state laws on classifying.

H

Cannabis as a controlled, dangerous substance in the state, um the the deadline is july, 1 and.

H

That's when the the, when things shift the way the legislature created this structure, was they.

H

Needed to pass implementation legislation this session, so uh sometimes using it's a washington.

H

Dc term, sometimes they talk about a must-pass bill. This was one of those must pass bills.

H

um What that meant was they ended up, piling lots and lots of different policy decision into one.

H

Big bill, which sometimes is a way where smaller topics had they been in their own bill. Subject.

H

To their own policy hearing and the public comes in and talks about justice, one facet you get an.

H

Hour and a half of discussion on the one facet, but when there are 40 facets in one big bill, you.

H

Can talk for eight hours and you still don't get into the deep details on some of the small stuff.

H

um We did come away with a bill that gives local local zoning authority for the placement of.

H

Facilities, in particular the dispensary, the retail retail facilities- it's not great, I'm unhappy with.

H

Some language that ended up in the bill to say that they need to be subject to reasonable.

H

Zoning and neither your zoning staff nor any zoning attorney in maryland has any idea what.

H

Reasonable zoning means, because that is a never before used term. I don't like the idea of creating.

H

A new, a new term of art that may mean this is a higher standard for your zoning, as opposed.

H

To just subject to local zoning, I'm not thrilled about that as an outcome, we're also not thrilled.

H

With the big picture decision that the state made to not try and turn legalize cannabis or marijuana,.

H

Into a big revenue generator with high taxes, I think part of maryland's concern, which I think.

H

Is justified is exactly what you just mentioned a moment ago, if you have a high tax differential.

H

Between legal sales and illegal sales, you provide an awkward perverse incentive for people to stick.

H

With the illegal market- and that's where you have dangers like it being laced with garbage right so.

H

I think I think maryland made a generally wise policy to say: let's not have three levels of.

H

Taxation and have a huge market difference between the legal and the illegal. However, in the process.

H

Of cutting down on the revenues, the share of revenues that come back to local governments.

H

Including for providing the sort of guidance and oversight and locating and so forth, is.

H

Going to be pretty paltry, so what might have been a meaningful rep? There was no version of marijuana.

H

Implementation that was gonna. This is going to pay for the blueprint that was never on the table of.

H

That magnitude, but this becoming a meaningful part of a local government's budget for the next decade,.

H

Seemed like it was a possible ability. Instead, it looks like that universe is going to be in.

H

The you know: 10 million dollars, statewide universe, which, when you divide among counties and municipal.

H

Governments will end up being. You know enough to print some paperwork, but not to hire staff.

D

Can you touch a little bit on my opinion, um annapolis kind of went backwards for our law.

D

Enforcement people on how they can stop people and enforce driving under the influence and is.

D

It any hope of that relaxing and what what did you think of that so so the so. The question is.

H

Principally, there was actually a a second bill. This wasn't in the main implementation bill, but.

H

A specific bill about to what extent can a law enforcement officer use the odor of cannabis as.

H

A principal reason to search a vehicle- and um this is a policy question- that's laced with a whole lot.

H

Of issues that are very near and dear to a lot of a lot of folks in the general assembly about you.

H

Know this this special relationship between law enforcement officers and the public, and when do.

H

Those relationships engage and when you know and so forth, so those have been sensitive matters for.

H

Some time the bill that they passed, I think even a number of supporters of the bill are already.

H

Looking at the the plain language of the bill and sensing a bit of buyer's remorse, so I don't often.

H

Make this prediction, but I think, there's a very high likelihood that that gets some refinement as.

H

Soon, as next year, it's going to go into law this year and it's going to leave sheriff's deputies.

H

With an awkward you know, sort of a you have to tow the line. You can't do these things for risk.

H

Of having any evidence gathered being unusable in a prosecution, so we know there's that whole fruit.

H

Of the poison tree theory- and this bill is going to attach to that it's going to make practice. I.

H

Think more difficult for police officers and deputies for a while. But I think there's a.

H

There's a real opportunity for some refinement a year from now and maybe get that real. I think.

H

The central policy is going to stay, but maybe the specifics will become wiser, given another bite at.

H

That apple, you know, and that just again puts the cart way in front of the horses, because you know.

A

Yes, they may get there in a year, but there could be a lot of actions and fatalities between now and.

A

Then- and there shouldn't be one, the other issue is that ingestion of cannabis is not just smoking. You.

A

Know so it's not just odor, it can be ingested in many different ways and that you know so so we're.

A

Focused on the odor of of an issue, but there's other issues associated with I mean I'm not.

A

Like you said, the voters voted and I'm not going to second-guess that, whether I vote for it or not.

A

But the governance of the vote needs to come in place before we enact this californian and.

A

Colorado, they left it up to the counties to do the work maryland's not doing that maryland's.

A

Saying maryland, regardless all 24, you will allow in a reasonable manner recreational cannabis sales.

A

And so it doesn't allow us to do things, I mean us or howard county or anybody, and um you know.

A

That's the message that we just need to keep pounding to our legislators, saying it's not.

A

About this being a good idea or bad idea, that's already in place, that's voted carroll county.

A

You know percentage-wise voted for it. That's regardless it's the governance. To get the cart. You.

A

Know back behind the horses and the horses to stop any of those fatalities. I know it made like you.

A

Said be a year two years, whatever my concern is one death is too many. If we're waiting for a law.

A

To be put into place and, however, we can influence our legislators. That's I mean because that's what.

A

We're doing I'm talking to them all the time how to do it and, as you know, it's very challenging.

A

um Here in the county, in carroll, county, we're represented by a hundred percent republican.

A

Legislators, both delegates and senators and that's not what is down in annapolis, the fortunate thing.

A

We are blessed in mako, is it's regardless of you know rd or I you know it's. We all have an equal.

A

Voice and we all come together, like you, have that 24 counties one voice. um These are not.

A

A in my view, a democrat or republican concern. It's a humanitarian, you know issue, it's a governance.

A

Concern so whatever we can do to get on the bandwagon and go that way, I think is necessary.

A

um Again, regardless, if I like it or not, the usage or the sales that that ship sailed, we're.

A

Down that path, but the governance piece we're not so that I don't know if we're going to get.

A

There in uh summer mako, if we're going to get legislators in involved in this, but that's to me.

A

Got to be one of the highest priorities, because we're talking a lot of bad things can happen.

A

um You know before we put the the horses back in in your place, I don't know either. I I completely.

C

Agreement with you, commissioner, um did you, gentlemen, get a sense from other counties.

C

That they share some similar concerns to these, and it's not even just you know the.

C

Forms that the marijuana is being sold in, but it's the potency and the concentration levels.

C

Of the thc in those forms in which they're being ingested or consumed.

C

um Was there any discussion that you know of as to the to limits on the potency of products that.

C

Could be sold well, why that were, uh and also to that extent, uh do you know anything about why.

C

Counties were not given the option to opt out of allowing dispensaries to to sell so we we.

G

um Agree that the government governance and the implementation is where the rubber meets.

G

The road- and I think the fact that you all were talking about some of the real issues before we.

G

Came up here speaks to this is a local government issue, whether it's land use, whether it's you know.

G

Dealing with the public safety aspect, whether it's the substance, misuse helping folks work through.

G

That we're the ones who are who are moving those issues forward, and so we did advocate.

G

It was one of our top priority issues this coming this this past session, primarily on being able to.

G

Potentially opt out and revenue sharing because we're concerned about some of these issues and.

G

We're the ones that are going to have to actually do the implementation. I think we, as mr sanderson.

G

Indicated were disappointed with some of the outcome and we're going to continue pressing.

G

We haven't given up and and I'm very glad that uh commissioner rothstein noted mako it's one county.

G

Everyone has the equal opportunity and it's one voice and we work very hard to eliminate.

G

The partisan philosophies of various counties and really get to what is going to help ensure.

G

That our counties are able to move forward to serve our shared constituents and I'm hopeful.

G

That, while we were in a year of transition after the election with a new governor new attorney.

G

General, a new treasurer new comptroller, a lot of new faces they appear to want to at least have.

G

Conversation constructive conversation about the issues, and so you know it's important for.

G

Us as mako to ensure that every county has an opportunity and a seat at the table, regardless.

G

Of any um what political stripe you are because it's these issues that impact all of us and these.

G

Challenges do not know county borders absolutely so so just I mean a couple things as far as where.

H

Mako is looking forward, um you're right, of course, uh what we're going to have we're going to have.

H

Another conference in in august uh we are lucky to draw stakeholders from all over the policy.

H

Spectrum so we'll get a lot of state legislators around the table and so forth. We're going to do a.

H

Big general session about cannabis implementation and our biggest challenge right now is keeping.

H

That topic from becoming an entire day at the expense of like everything else there is to talk.

H

About but the the appetite is absolutely there um one of the best way, one of the best things.

H

That can happen at a mako conference. I I mean I want there to be a good content at the front of.

H

The room for the county commissioners and county decision makers in the audience to hear and get.

H

Up to speed and be able to ask questions and so forth, but one of the best small things that can.

H

Happen is a legislative leader as a moderator, or a participant on that panel is stuck in the room.

H

For for an hour with all the people implementing these laws and when that sheriff or that recycling.

H

Director or whomever is on the panel with that senator and that senator she needs to hear okay.

H

At the ground floor, here's what we have to deal with and they've left this almost impossible for.

H

Me to make ends meet. That is an extraordinarily powerful thing to do so. Our hope is, as we talk.

H

About cannabis, implementation, we're going to have legislative leaders in the audience and on the.

H

Panel to hear that there's still more work to be done. I think there's a general acknowledgment that.

H

That is the case, but some of these issues about potency and so forth. I will also.

H

Mentioned specifically we're hoping to get the the director of the the states right now, it's.

H

The medical cannabis commission, it's going to expand into the broader cannabis commission.

H

um As a guest at our next meeting of the mako legislative committee in july, so we usually bring.

H

In state leaders just to talk about nuts and bolts issues, and one of those issues at the moment is.

H

How much latitude does this state agency have in a regulatory capacity just by passing regulations.

H

Did they have some ability to fill in some gaps where the bill wasn't fully clear, and I don't know.

H

The answers to those questions, but sometimes you bring the right people in front of the room to ask.

H

That so, your question is on point uh continuing conversation and just one more final piece on.

G

That you know I've had conversations with the governor before we started on our mako road trips.

G

He indicated a great interest in wanting to hear what's important to every county, including carol.

G

And I just spoke with him again last week and I've been telling them updating them. Okay, these.

G

Are the issues, and so he is well aware- and I think, wants to continue to be a partner and is wants to.

G

Work with mako and and the commissioners and what have you to try to as we build that legislative.

G

Agenda and goals for the upcoming session and the things that are in the intervening.

G

Time that need to be addressed, he seems to be willing to listen and wanting to partner.

A

Okay, thank you so I'll take a moment, if I may to speak about school funding, it is dollars wise.

H

It's the largest matter, um you know basically between state and local governments. uh It's.

H

The biggest fiscal commitment that new members of the general assembly look look ahead toward.

H

um And and without a doubt, it is now the principal driving force in each county's budget um counties.

H

Are situated a little bit differently, so maybe for the benefit of of those who might be watching this.

H

Morning and and a multi-county perspective, the the blueprint arising from the kerwin commission and.

H

Folks in the county community sometimes use kerwin and blueprint interchangeably. It's basically the.

H

Same thing, but it's it's a it's a 10-year plan to bring our expectations from public schools.

H

And what we owe to the school children uh to a higher tier in pursuit of better outcomes.

H

For our kids- and this is born of concern- that we invest in public schools, but we don't have results.

H

That make us proud in every capacity there's a awful lot of scholarship behind all this. That.

H

I I can't do justice to but outcomes driven and setting higher expectations for what should happen.

H

In our schools, where there are lots of poverty for our students who have special needs for for.

H

Students who are not on a um on necessarily on a college path but on a career path, making sure we.

H

Have career and technical education opportunities for those students getting way more students.

H

Career and cr and college ready by 10th grade rather than 12th grade, so we can do more joint.

H

Enrollment with our community colleges and and the like, a wide range of things like that are.

H

What the blueprint promises also trying to create a teaching uh sort of a teaching career ladder for.

H

Education professionals, in hopes of getting some of our most promising high school juniors and.

H

College sophomores to be thinking about education as a profession, instead of other things that may.

H

At the moment, feel more glamorous or exciting and whatnot, but get some of our best and writers want.

H

To be, teachers is a noble cause. All this stuff costs money and like it or not in the maryland.

H

Government structure, the county governments are principally contributors to the education mission.

H

On the the financial side, as opposed to the vision and policy side- and you all understand specially.

H

Former school board member understand that issues of curriculum and and school. You know internal.

H

Decision making and so forth are properly with the school system. The counties are major players.

H

In making it happen on dollar terms, and and that ends up being a challenge for you all, as as fiscal.

H

Servants for a wide range of of services and functions beyond education. Some counties are.

H

Already right now feeling the immediate pinch of this phase-in of of of the the the blueprint.

H

To oversimplify an awful lot of math really quickly, what the blueprint basically says is.

H

Between now and 10 years, from now we're going to ramp up the amount of this, these multiple formulas.

H

And in each county, the share of who comes up with the dollars between the state and the county is.

H

Basically, a function of local wealth, so there's some wealth equalization for jurisdictions that.

H

Don't have a lot of local wealth, the state helps more other places are in different circumstance.

H

And that local share is a function of those two things: where are we on the blueprint path and.

H

How much is a county obligation as a function of local wealth? There are some counties who have not.

H

Yet seen that number basically get up and above what you've already been providing through your.

H

Local budget and political process, but county executive ball- and I have already met with some.

H

Jurisdictions who are already in the throes of this year's budget was a great challenge. We're.

H

On we've, we've found everything under the couch cushions we can and we're only in year, three or.

H

So of a 10-year plan, so over time we're going to see more and more jurisdictions find that jarring.

H

Number, where our revenues are going up by four percent and our obligation to school needs to.

H

Go up by eight or nine or eleven or something along those lines, because the steps in the in.

H

The blueprint plan are aggressive, it's a it's a it's, a ambitious and costly multi-year plan so.

H

That's the lay of the land, generally speaking from the point of view of the state there's one wrinkle.

H

That's not obvious at the county level, but it really matters politically, and that is the state.

H

The voters in another constitutional amendment said an awful lot of the money coming from the.

H

States from casinos needs to go into an education trust fund, walled off for educational improvements.

H

Basically, like the blueprint plan, the state has been sitting on money for a number of years, as.

H

The blueprint kind of sputtered and kicked off relatively slowly and the covid covid slow down.

H

And kind of losing a year along the way the state has money in the sock to pay for the fy 24 budget.

H

They just passed all their extra. All their extra blueprint money came out of a reserve fund, they've.

H

Prepaid all their extra obligations for fy25 and they put some extra money away out of this sort.

H

Of one-time reserve to try and pre-fund fy26, this puts county governments in an even tougher spot.

H

Because annapolis isn't really feeling the cost of the blueprint yet, but the county seats are.

H

um So I don't know to what extent this was you know this is a driving panic for the moment. I.

H

Know that carroll county tends to be thinking about a multi-year budget plan, maybe more so.

H

Than any other jurisdiction in our state, that's a it's a good! It's a good practice.

H

To have and it's good discipline, so I'm sure your multi-year forecasts look challenging.

H

Whether it's this year's fy24 budget or it's 25, 26 27, I'm sure the numbers get really difficult.

H

Without going too far into the future, some of our jurisdictions are doing things like digging into.

H

Deeply into reserves to make this year's budget work again we're in year three of a 10-year plan.

C

um And you're right, we had to use some surplus revenue from previous fiscal.

C

Year to make this coming fiscal year, work and the the challenge is so daunting for us in fy25. That.

C

Instead of waiting for next year to begin the budgeting process we're starting it next month,.

G

Yeah, that's very wise. We actually and and howard. I signed an executive order and put together a.

G

Blueprint implementation team because we're in a similar place, we were able to get there this year.

G

But as we're looking multi-years out, it's just not sustainable. I thought, um let's I thought.

A

We're supposed to have that the board of education, we're supposed to have a a person coordinator, a.

G

Coordinator but I put together a whole team uh with our school board, our county council folks.

G

From me, the community college, because you know their workforce there's child care- I mean it is.

G

Such a multi-pronged entity, so there's of course, all the funding piece, but even if we had the money.

G

How do we implement with you know just for one small example: the the private child care piece.

G

I mean there's just a lot, and so I think we we are communicating with our friends in annapolis,.

G

That this needs to be revisited immediately. I mean at the workforce board, ccbc uh and others.

A

We're so proud to talk about community college and I'm like okay who's paying for that. I know.

A

And I finally had to step up and say it sounds great and looks great on paper, but you know you.

A

Know that all 24 all jurisdictions are required to pay for it, where's that money coming from and.

A

Yeah, you know, but it goes on deaf ears. Unfortunately, especially.

A

I want to say with the administration, but with those that like to build requirements but aren't.

A

Paying or accountable for the price tags, um that's my issue, but no, I think, you're absolutely right.

F

Thanks, commissioner- and I want to be respectful of both your time so I'll make this brief, but again.

F

Thank you for your comments regarding maryland blueprint. I understand maryland blueprint is.

F

Designed to help counties with education, but I I am of the firm belief that it is the way it's.

F

Designed right now, it is not going to help carroll county and we just want to get that word out. There.

F

I personally feel that it's going to hurt us in its current state, so that's just a message.

F

That we're trying to send is that we get it it's supposed to be helpful, but we look at the numbers.

F

And we look at the uh what it does for us and it's doesn't look that way and again briefly, I'm.

F

Glad you brought up the firefighting commission if I could digress a little bit. uh We are hyper.

F

Focused this board's hyper focused on fire and ems right now, because we're going through a bit of a.

F

Transition from all volunteer force to a hybrid county and volunteer- and I am- uh I don't think, I'm.

F

Any closer to the issue than anybody else, but I serve on the emergency services advisory committee.

F

So I'm a little closer to it and I get to interact with all our 14 corporations and fire departments.

F

A little more often than most, I am encouraged to see this as an issue. Recruitment and and retention.

F

um A bit of a personal project of mine. But if you take a look at low sap, which is how the volunteers.

F

That you're very familios app it's a great mechanism to try to uh establish uh guidelines and.

F

Confirmation for people who may receive some sort of benefit. I am focused right now on education.

F

Intuition should somebody who's on a volunteer force who qualifies via low sap, should they.

F

Have to pay for college community college, maybe not, maybe that's a great way to retain people.

F

You might keep them in accounting for a couple extra years too. They may just want an aaa and.

F

Never leave, or so um I I would just uh I'd like to get more involved in that, but as just sort.

F

Of a I'm kind of cheating here, but I'm throwing out my two cents on that commission that may be.

F

A great thing to look at and fortunately low sap provides you with a great mechanism to confirm.

F

Whether people should get that benefit or not, and I've actually met with the president of our.

F

Fantastic community college on this issue already and I I hope, there's a path forward for us, but it.

F

Would be great to see some progress that at the state level, because I think that is one.

F

Of the main things that I've heard from the fire chiefs and the corporations is that, if we could.

F

Work something out in terms of education, and you know you get to keep people in your county.

F

And you've got a great community college in your accountant as well, and that's the trend.

F

Anyway, right we see a lot of that in the community college, so that's my two cents, but again I just.

F

Really appreciate both of you, you being here, it's been very beneficial and I'm really appreciative.

F

Well, thank you, we're very honored to be here my other life, my doctorates, in education, with a focus.

G

On community college leadership and one of my mentors was a jim ball, and so uh so it's his fault.

A

So we definitely understand and howard county. We have a combination system too, and so we know the.

G

Growing pains of going from simply volunteer to career and volunteer working together effectively.

G

Is challenging but worthwhile and that's one of the reasons why we wanted to have this legislation.

G

So we greatly appreciate appreciate your time, your attention, your partnership, your engagement.

G

And we look forward to continuing to move forward on, especially these issues that we talked about of.

G

Concern of shared concern throughout the state of maryland. Now I go. I appreciate that. I definitely.

A

Appreciate, commissioner karen's, you know comments regarding how we are building the firefighting and.

A

Fire uh ems- that was the elephant or still is the elephant in the room. The blueprint is the.

A

Herd of elephants reminds us and you're right. We have and we're blessed with a awesome staff.

A

That is fully engaged uh with mako and and other you know, obviously keeping us straight.

A

You can't boil the ocean, you got to pick which fights which which, where where you want to go.

A

So, within the blueprint, if you take that as the ocean, what part of the blueprint do we want to.

A

Put our attention and to me it's the compensatory education. It's that you know bracketed dollars.

A

That by law has to be spent this way x-way. If we're on, spend it x-way, you don't get it.

A

You know type of thing open up the aperture of compensatory education. It allows carroll county.

A

To spend it appropriately for carroll, county and carroll county public school system, because right.

A

Now that's not happening, so I don't know if uh you know we can influence mr ferguson to bring.

A

It back up into the delegation and say: how do we open up the aperture of just one piece of this.

A

That compensatory education, you can't boil the ocean, but if we do that, that gives us at least.

A

More opportunity, because, right now, the board of education ccps are scrambling to figure out.

A

School size moving teachers from one place to another. I don't want to say overcrowding. The.

A

Schools, but now you have a teacher that had 25 students will now have 40 students, the facilities.

A

Do they have the capacity for 40 students fire codes? I mean there's a whole lot of secondary.

A

Tertiary effects to these decisions, like you said it's on the ground, it's the local government and.

A

It's the ccps and the board of education that are making very difficult decisions, so.

A

I always feel this is nice lofty goals. You know all this kind of stuff, but push comes to shove.

A

Let's, let's focus on one or two things: those two or three priorities and compensatory education.

A

To me is a very important one, so if that you know resonates and that's what we're hearing from the.

G

Various jurisdictions, you know pet story education here, the wealth funding formula was an issue for.

G

Some folks, that's part of this conversation and the various jurisdictions so that then we.

G

Can go back to annapolis and say we have we. We all agree that we want the best teaching.

G

And learning environment for all of our students and our educators here are the top four or five.

G

Issues that, if addressed effectively, we could move forward with an implementation of blueprint. That's.

G

Actually doable. Okay, I'm sorry an implied part of trying to get a handle on some of these finer.

H

Pieces is more visibility of the sources and uses of resources in our education system and I think.

H

Sometimes we sit before county officials, and this turns into a little bit of preaching to the choir.

H

But I mean in all candor there's no element of the county budget that is as difficult to piece.

H

Together as public education- and I mean there are reasons for that- there- it's not supposed to be.

H

The county commissioner's job to decide whether to teach portuguese or french right. That's that's! The.

H

School system's job, and we appropriately should recognize that. But at the same time we hear from.

H

So many counties saying we just never understood: why did they come to us for this plexiglas? They.

H

Needed for covid response: when didn't they get a grant from the federal government. What happened.

H

To those dollars, why is that not available and the you know you, you get a dead letter so.

H

um It's there's they're, not, let me just say in the blueprint, um transparency and.

H

Accountability is a big part of that plan that the state wanted to learn from the thornton plan.

H

Before it and say, the kerwin plan should have a lot more guideposts and the idea of the that.

H

um The implementation coordinator, being a joint appointment by this body and the school system.

H

That's not a random occurrence that was meant to give you a seat at the table on how things are.

H

Happening but more dollars happening at the school level rather than the school system level, and so.

H

Forth, that's meant so that residents and parents and stakeholders like county governments, ought to.

H

Have a clear sense of what's going on that gets us at least closer to the issues of how do we.

H

Do compensatory education, where do those dollars go so so there's some of the tools to get closer.

H

To that as well makes sense- and I I think the global issue is local control and- and I recognize.

D

Komar we're a top-down education state, but everybody's always said we have local control.

D

And we heard in annapolis well, this is just trying to create the perfect school for maryland. Well,.

D

It doesn't exist. Your school, our school anne arundel, county pg, baltimore city, are different.

D

This started out, and I made the comment at least four years ago- the the kerman commission. They know.

D

More about education than I'll ever learned, I hope they have good personal financial advisors.

D

Because they they don't have a clue about money and they don't care how you implement right. So.

D

We're now getting very little guidance but threats to hold money and, and it started out.

D

Carroll county was one, they said, you don't need to add a penny to the schools, because.

D

This is going to be funded well. This year we doubled what it went up, and next year looks.

D

Like it's not going to happen and then I'll do one more commercial with the local control.

D

um Our state superintendent hasn't done much to help that in the past four years. I I hope.

D

We don't see him another four years, um and, and all we hear from the state department of education is.

D

Threats to whole money, very little guidance and and somehow somehow we got to inject some local.

D

Control in this, and- and I understand I saw when I first got on mako and and I've heard.

D

In carroll county, this is a big skepticism between the board of ed and the county government. In a lot.

D

Of places and I'll be honest, we didn't ask you guys for plexigas, because we had grants and and.

D

We didn't need it um and ted, wouldn't have let us at it. But but uh um you know it is uh somehow we.

D

Gotta grow the trust because you know it and- and I said from the other side of the fence, I can say.

D

He could have said well, we'll give you another million if you use it to employees, and I could.

D

Have said sure, and as soon as I got the million I could do whatever the heck I want with it. I.

D

Don't have to honor what I told him and, and so it's tough, but I think both the counties and and.

D

The school boards they need some local control, we're we're and and like like. He said on the.

D

The parameters of how you spend the money- it's not fair- that our average students have 40 in a class.

D

To make blueprint work, it's not fair that are gifted and talented, get ignored and.

D

uh You know more about education and I do, but I saw seniors this week that aren't sure what.

D

They're doing and we're going to expect 10th graders to make that decision. That's going to.

D

Be a toughie too: it's it's it. This has in theory a lot of great things and in reality, I'm not so sure.

D

Well, local control is the central theme of mako. That's that's our our horizontra, so I think we're.

G

Huge on pushing for local control- and I think the implementation challenge that you talked about are.

G

Are very real and um we're all feeling it, and I think I think our friends at the state level.

G

Are starting to recognize that, and so we want to give them a road map to actually how to fix it.

G

And this conversation is key to that yeah. Thank you and I have a general question um for us and.

D

And the people listening and mako does a super job. I've learned so much in in less than a year.

D

When, when you guys lobby, do you get a greater effect from committees from.

D

General session, a combination, what's the strategy when you see a bad bill or you.

D

See that's okay bill if it could have a few changes. Where do you make that impact.

H

That's a I got a good two-hour answer for that slide, deck and so forth, but I think you probably.

H

Want, like the the 45 second version, which would be the general assembly, just by virtue of its.

H

Size 188 members is very committee intensive, so the house of delegates, with all of its members.

H

They break into six standing committees and you're assigned to one committee and you develop a lot of.

H

Rapport with those policy issues you become much more well-versed in them and so forth. If you sit.

H

In the economic matters, maybe suddenly you're very familiar with workers, comp and alcohol.

H

Bills and and labor issues and so forth. The the committee structure is where most of the.

H

Important sort of day-to-day stuff, the 95 percent of work is getting done at the committee level. The.

H

Public hearings are before the committees and the leadership structure within each of those.

H

Standing committees is by far the single most important venue in annapolis, big picture stuff.

H

You talk with the president of the senate or you talk with the sponsor of a given bill and so forth.

H

And you want those relationships as well, but the committee is really where the action is and for.

H

Citizens and for local stakeholders like attending and participating in committee, public hearings is.

H

The easiest and best on-ramp to be effective, maryland's good at making that available to.

H

Everybody better than a lot of states and and that structure allows in a 90-day session, sometimes.

G

They might have 3 000 bills that go through the general assembly mako last session, analyze more.

G

More than 750 of those bills, so the staff is phenomenal and then, as you know, mr commissioner,.

G

We then, as a mako group will go through and the staff will give us their analysis and we'll vote.

G

On how to approach different pieces of legislation- and I think because of the relationships that mako.

G

Has built because of the tactics we're generally more successful than any one of us would be alone.

A

uh Well said, and uh I mean obviously what you see from us is our commitment to safety.

A

Security and quality of life for our carroll county community and also our candidness and.

A

Approach, you know and our commitment to being candid, uh you know we only allow the lawyers on.

A

Our right and left to use big words, uh I can, you know, understand it so two syllables at most, but.

A

uh No, but importantly, is being candid and getting down to ground truth. So uh appreciate your time.

A

um Are there any closing comments we want to make? Are they willing to be in a photo with us? We will.

G

Be honored, is there a photo that uh the accounting executive doesn't like you know I I do have one.

C

Final question now that now that ted has been outed as a dean, does that necessitate a pay raise.

C

A

He just gave us a thumbs up, I don't know, maybe we'll give him a nickel.

A

Another I apologize any other comments. Thank you, okay. Thank you.

H

It's the best spot right up here.

H

H

Thank you, sir. You know what that's for.

I

A

B

Ladies good morning, good morning, good morning, commissioners, this is actually your second public.

B

Hearing on our fy 2022 community development block grant this one concerns our youth services bureau.

B

We have some staff here today. Celine is here from our citizen services.

B

As well as today, we have with us mallory sutphin from she is the clinical director.

J

Of the behavioral health services for carroll county youth service bureau also, you know lynn.

J

Lynn davis is our executive director for youth service bureau. She is not here today with us, but.

J

Mallory is certainly aware of all the programs and services that they operate at youth service bureau.

J

And so we do have some public comment today from some of the staff and we will get into that. But.

J

For now, I'd like to turn it over to mallory to talk a little bit about the services of programs.

J

That they provide and- and why we're here for for this project and the expansion project, that they.

J

Are looking to do and get approval for as far as a feasibility study to see if this is even.

J

An opportunity that they can embark on or should embark on with their building free service bureau.

K

Good morning um morning, I would be happy to give an overview of our services if you'd, like.

K

You guys are okay, so we are the carroll county, youth service bureau and our name is a little bit.

K

Misleading because we serve across the lifespan, so we have services for children, families, adolescents,.

K

Adults- and we have several community-based programs and our community-based programs are.

K

Really what lead us here today? We are out of space totally out of space, so we have people stacked up.

K

Four to a room and you'll hear a little bit more about that from our our agency participants here.

K

Today, but you know this feasibility study really is to let us know if we can build the expansion.

K

That we'd like to have so we should have the information both about our civil from our civil.

K

Engineer and from the architectural firm by the end of june, to let us know kind of where.

K

What we're looking at as far as how much land we need from the board of education, which also.

K

Involves you, gentlemen? So we are really looking forward to having an addition, because it will.

K

Enhance our community-based services, it will all of our community-based programs to work alongside.

K

Each other, rather than being kind of siled right now, where they are in our current space and that.

K

Really will allow us to serve our community even more because the need in the community, especially.

K

Post pandemic is very, very good great, um so I have several different representatives here to.

K

Speak to our programs, the programs that will be housed in the edition are assertive community.

K

Treatment which is for our chronically mentally ill adults in the community connecting youth which.

K

Is a transitional aged youth program for those 16 to 24 who are disconnected, which means they're.

K

Not in school they may be homeless and they're not employed, and then we're also adding a new program.

K

Which is our mobile treatment services program and that will allow us to expand our continuum.

K

Of services right now, that's for individuals who don't yet rise to the level of act, but they.

K

Also can't be cared for appropriately in an outpatient setting, so that really will expand.

K

Our continuum along the whole, the whole mental health lifespan, so I have representatives from.

K

Each of those here today to speak with you a little bit more directly about their programs.

A

Okay, or are there any questions up front? Please is there somebody who who wants to.

A

Talk and we're, I guess, we're operating under public comments, yeah the purpose.

B

Of today is to solicit public comment: we we have some commenters and we ask them to.

B

Limit their comments to three minutes each, so I apologize chris. Is there anyone on the phone.

D

Yes, sir, okay, please put up the timer and please.

L

Good morning my name is sherry bowman. I am currently the program director for the assertive.

L

Community treatment, team or act for short, which mallory spoke about briefly here, I've been with.

L

The youth service bureau for about 12 years and I've run the act team for the last eight.

L

Of those years, and so today, I'm going to tell you a little bit about act and what we do so that you.

L

Can kind of understand our role in the community and how it impacts some of the clients and then.

L

Julie will come and tell you a little bit about the new mobile treatment team. We want to build.

L

Which is going to allow a step down service for a lot of our clients in the act program, so act.

L

Services are specifically designed for chronically mentally ill folks in our community who've been.

L

Unsuccessful at accessing traditional outpatient treatment, they have not been able to get to the.

L

Clinics they've not been able to schedule their appointments, they've not been able to keep up.

L

With their medication and as a result, they often become frequent users of our hospital system. Our.

L

Emergency rooms, our inpatient psychiatric units and even sometimes our legal system,.

L

The population we serve is mostly diagnosed with schizophrenia and severe mood disorders.

L

The symptoms of these illnesses make it very hard for folks to stay organized and to stay on top.

L

Of their mental health and often their physical health needs and the outpatient system through no.

L

Fault of its own is just not set up to offer the level of support that these folks need in order to.

L

Keep themselves organized and stay on top of all the things that they need to be successful in the.

L

Community and when folks aren't able to maintain mental health stability, the rest of the pieces of.

L

Their lives start to unravel fairly quickly and then, like I've previously mentioned, they end up.

L

Having these interactions with the hospitals and the jails and the things like that, so the act team.

L

Is specifically tasked by the state to reduce the amount of interactions that the chronically.

L

Mentally ill are having with the hospital system and with the legal system, and in the time that.

L

I've been at the youth service bureau. We've been largely successful at really reducing the amount.

L

Of contact that our folks have with the hospitals and with the legal system- and we work closely with.

L

Both of those systems in continual communication to make sure that we're doing the work that.

L

Needs to be done to keep our folks out of those systems. The act team is a very large team. There.

L

Are 19 staff on the team? The team consists of several nurses: a housing specialist, an employment.

L

Specialist, a peer support, specialist case management, therapists who provide both individual.

L

And group therapy, including in mental health and in substance, use and, of course, our psychiatrists.

L

Our clients are provided services wherever they are in the community, so we may visit them in their.

L

Homes we may meet them on the street. If they have no home, we may meet them at the homeless, shelter.

L

So we go to our clients, because by history they have not been able to get where they need to be.

L

Which is what has caused a lot of problems for them, so we go to them, including our psychiatric.

L

Practitioner goes out to the houses. Medications are prescribed in the house, as nurses follow up.

L

In the houses so we're all out there doing the work on the street, the clients are often in need.

L

Have a lot of diff of the different services that I mentioned above, so we sort of help them.

L

Pick and choose which services are a priority for them and get them started with a small group of.

L

Staffing who can provide them support our team meets daily, and every morning we go through a.

L

Hundred people and touch base on them and where they were, but the day before, how they're doing.

L

Today, who needs to see them today and then every three months we do a full assessment of every.

L

Client and reassign staff based on the client needs and how they're going so with this level.

L

Of care we've had some success in helping folks achieve stability and becoming ready to become.

L

More independent and folks are ready to graduate the act program so when you're ready to graduate.

L

The act program: where do you go? Well? You have to go back to the outpatient clinic, which was.

L

So difficult for you to manage before, because there's really no in-between service for our.

L

Folks so unfortunately, some of our folks have worked so hard to graduate act only to have to.

L

Come back because they still are lacking the organizational skills and some of the.

L

Things that they need to kind of keep all their ducks in a row for lack of a better term and the.

L

Pieces start to unravel, and then the clinics are referring them back to us, and this is hard for.

L

Us, but so hard for the clients. Who've worked so hard to get where they are, when all they really.

L

Needed was just a little bit of extra support to keep them stable in the community. So um I.

L

Think you might have gone over three minutes. Well, I'm done anyway. I was going to introduce julie so.

A

Good morning my name is julie anton. I am currently the assistant program director for the act program.

M

I will be the program director for the new mobile mobile treatment program, which mallory mentioned.

M

So I don't think sherry mentioned this, but we are currently serving 97 clients. Our max capacity is.

M

100 as allowed by the state, so we're quickly running out of room. So that's kind of why we.

M

Decided to create this mobile treatment program to allow us to continue their services within.

M

The community, so as sherry mentioned, we do have some clients who are ready to graduate act, but.

M

That transition to the outpatient mental health is is is really intimidating and daunting for.

M

These clients, um so the mobile treatment, kind of bridges that gap between the act program and going.

M

To the outpatient mental health clinic so act provides all those array of services the housing.

M

The vocational the um nursing mobile is kind of focuses more on just nursing psychiatry therapy.

M

And a little bit of case management, whereas an act client may get three to four visits a week.

M

Mobile just gets one so again, just that kind of middle ground between act and the um outpatient.

M

um Let's see so in terms of the new building, that's kind of why we're here we run out of.

M

Space, we have 1920 act workers with a mobile treatment team. We need an additional five.

M

Staff, we are already three four offices or three or four staff in an office. Our.

M

Lovely building manager has done everything he could to our building. We even created a.

M

um A chart room for my mobile team that we're going to be in with no windows or.

M

Anything for the next two years until this building is finished, but we're too excited.

M

To wait to have this program implemented, so the new building will have um the ability for.

M

Us to provide all these services in the community will have laundry facilities. We will have hygiene.

M

um Things to provide to the clients will have a teaching kitchen to teach people cooking skills.

M

More opportunities for groups, just a ton of more community services that we can offer and our whole.

M

Community-Based programs will be in this building the act program. The mobile connecting youth, which.

M

Tiffany will talk about and we'll just be able to provide all these community-based services.

M

In a much better frame, so thank you. No thank you. I do have a question, though, is you said a statement.

A

um It's a hundred yes in the act program, the max capacity is 100 clients. We are currently at 97.

A

Is that because of the facility limitations, or is that no? That's more so just based off the staffing.

M

That we have to offer for the clients, mobile treatment can offer 40 clients, so that just gives.

M

Us an extra 40 people that we could serve and then we'd have transition. We have clients, transitioning.

M

From act to mobile and opening spaces for act so allowing us to continue all those services.

M

So that's what will happen is they'll transition to some of the folks will transition from app to.

M

Mobile and open more spots for act. Okay, so that's a good thing. Yes, okay and I should have mentioned.

M

Too, that we are in the process of developing the mobile treatment, we're we are planned to.

M

Hire in july and we plan on starting services in september, so we are ready to roll just kind.

M

Of waiting for the building to be finished and we're very excited, so it's great okay! Thank you.

A

Is there anyone else hi good morning, commissioners, I'm tiffany macemore and I am the program director.

N

For the family engagement program and the connecting youth program, both at carroll.

N

County youth service bureau we spoke before and we had a client talk a little bit about.

N

Our testimonial, I was hoping to have her today, but she's working, multiple jobs to keep her house and.

N

To keep things going, so that was a good thing that she wasn't able she wasn't able to come, but I want.

N

To share with you a little bit about my programs and a little bit about about our need for space.

N

um These two programs, the family engagement program, we serve about 30 youth a year who.

N

Are involved with djs, we serve as kind of like a mental health diversion program for these folks.

N

But really they've been identified as needing some additional family support and probably a.

N

Linkage and support to mental health services. The connecting youth program serves up to 75.

N

Disconnected youth ages, 16 to 24. they're, usually experiencing barriers to employment.

N

Education and housing and may be homeless. Both programs are really aimed to reduce the barriers.

N

To these connections, and especially to mental health treatment, and while we work to eliminate.

N

Barriers for connection oftentimes we're also really working in the realm of prevention, for a.

N

Lot of folks, fortunately, not everyone is totally disconnected when they come to us. They may have.

N

One or two points, but for us we know that once someone is disconnected from one thing, it's very.

N

Easy for them to get disconnected to another. Sherry spoke a lot about mental health and how.

N

One's mental health starts to unravel other things in folks lives, kind of follow suit, and we see that.

N

Very, very often so when we're talking about this age group we're talking about not just barrier.

N

Reduction services, but we're also working to prevent further disconnection and prevent further.

N

Barriers, so between these two programs there are six staff. We often have an intern. We try.

N

To have an intern every year, but this is starting to be impacted by our our space and our size. These.

N

Employees, two of them are licensed clinicians one, including myself, so we require space to see.

N

Folks, individually in a private and confidential setting, so we need to have an office. The remaining.

N

Employees provide case management services; they certainly meet with clients individually.

N

Oftentimes we're also in the community meeting folks we're going going to meetings. We do our best.

N

To get some space at the service bureau, we have a support group that we run and a clinical treatment.

N

Group that we run both have been impacted by the constraints of our space, so we've been having some.

N

Support groups out in parks and things like that, but it limits who can get there. So we currently.

N

Have all all of our case managers in one office we measured it's about 171 square feet, so each staff.

N

Member has a desk. Has you know all the things that you need to keep your job up and running, but in.

N

Addition to that, when we talk about working with this population, just the actual supplies that you.

N

Need is, is, can be overwhelming um food, you know hygiene supplies clothing. Sometimes we have folks.

N

That are losing their housing and they might not have a place to go for a month or there's no end.

N

In sight- and they have belongings that they don't want to lose we're looking to try to storm within.

N

Our offices, it's 171 square feet, so we are really struggling as space and we've done everything.

N

We've can we've recently shifted. All of our offices tried, you know, measuring desks, measuring.

N

File cabinets just to make the best of the space that we have. I mean, like I said you know this. This.

N

Constraint with space may impact our ability to take on interns, not besides the time being.

N

Yeah moving yes! So let's stop here, but I do have a question, though sure disconnected. You is 16 to 24.

A

um How have you identified transportation as being a considerable need because number one issue with.

A

Poverty ends up being transportation, yes, um and the reason I'm bringing that up is I'm very close.

A

Celine knows I'm very close with a non-profit called vehicles for change and um they've been.

A

Wanting to get more engaged in carroll county for a long time, yes, and I would love to see vehicles.

A

For change more engaged in carroll county and if there's a targeted population like this, this may.

A

Be something we can discuss further, because I I saw marty yesterday he's the executive director.

A

Of this so- and I know their program starts at 18 years of age and someone has to have a job, they.

A

Have to have a job commitment letter from a future employer correct and the ability to pay insurance.

A

Yeah, though, that's the criteria so well and our program works to help people to be able to do.

N

Those things okay, um but one of the things. I think that just really stuck out in my mind, is we had.

N

Some um we had some funding that we had set aside this year, specifically to address transportation.

N

Needs because driver's ed is very expensive right, but on top of driver's ed there's the driving time.

N

And the supervised driving time that folks need disconnected youth, rarely have family members.

N

And supportive individuals in their lives to do that, so we have to pay for that. So we have funds.

N

Right now that we're working to get kids through driver's ed but don't have access to let's, let's.

A

Follow up uh with a another conversation about transportation, you know, needs and potentially.

A

Working with a non-profit like vehicles for change getting them engaged, so I I appreciate.

N

It I greatly appreciate that as well. Thank you guys. So much are any other questions about either.

N

Program, can I just ask, is a very general question and you don't have to worry about a super detailed.

C

Answer: do you expect that the addition may allow for a an expansion of the scope of the services.

C

That are being offered as well as taking on additional employees to offer those services 100.

N

We would like to add some skills training to our clients so that they once they leave us, they can.

N

Still continue with the skills, we can't do that within the space that we have. Thank you. I just.

K

Want to say it's really two-fold because, as we open more space for the community-based programs,.

K

We're also, then, opening up space in our clinic for our outpatient clients in the county that are in.

K

Need so it's really kind of hitting all of the programs that we have as an agency and allowing.

K

Us to serve more people within the community. Thank you very much both of you yeah. Thank you. I think.

A

Is what you're hearing is the enthusiasm from those uh on my right and left? So I think, without.

A

Further ado, we can move forward and regardless, if you had other speakers, but I think this is enough.

A

Information that we have so we have a choice, mr burke, to make yes, you have two options. You.

B

Can close the public hearing and leave it open for an additional 10 days or you can close the public.

B

Hearing and that's it and then accept it. Yes, this is your second public hearing, so so we can close.

A

This public hearing and accept the award- and it is the second public hearing so well just to clarify.

J

There is no accept the ward they've already gotten the funding that this we did. One a public hearing.

J

At the beginning of the process, and now this is the second public hearing, because now they're.

J

Finishing that study and they're soon going to have the results and we were required to come.

J

Back before you as the project is, is completing. So it's just closing public hearing, okay motion.

C

To close the second public hearing second and motion: second, any discussion, not discussion.

E

I just want to make one comment if I could real quick. um Obviously you all came in this morning.

E

And talked about the challenges that you're facing, I can't speak for the rest of the board. I had the.

E

Opportunity last spring to come out and tour and innovative, wouldn't cover what you all have done.

E

I mean that in the best way possible um I know from all of us. We greatly appreciate all the hard.

E

Work you do and looking out for the the people of carroll county, and I just wanted to say thank you.

A

Any any further thomas discussion seen here, none all in favor all right. Thank you. So much.

A

Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Let's talk about the fy 2023 youth homelessness, demonstration project.

J

All right, so I'm joined here this morning um by danielle yates, who is our bureau chief of housing.

J

And community and development, and then also corey hardinger, who is our grants analyst with carroll.

J

County, um we are here to seek approval to submit the federal fiscal year. 23, youth, homelessness,.

J

Demonstration project application and to accept the award, the department of citizen.

J

Services, as you know, serves as our continuous care collaborative applicant for our hud funding. I am.

J

The co-chair of the circle of caring, which is also the continuum of care, and we have an opportunity.

J

To seek funding from the u.s department of housing and urban development, that's going to allow us.

J

To enhance support for our youth age 14 to 24, who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness,.

J

And and as you were, asking questions of mallory and the agenda item before this.

J

There's a lot of crossover between services that could be provided with some of this.

J

Funding and the work that they do and other youth service providers throughout the county.

J

um The coc, in collaboration with carroll county local management board, have taken deliberate.

J

Steps since 2017 to position ourselves to submit a successful application for this funding. We have.

J

Increased collaborative efforts to identify and serve youth experiencing homelessness through.

J

Participating in the state of maryland's legislatively mandated youth reach account.

J

In maryland, it's a biennial count of homeless youth. We have also increased funding through the.

J

Department of housing and community development and the governor's office of crime, prevention, youth and victim services, which provides funding through our community partnership agreement with.

J

The lmb so that connecting youth program that they were just speaking to is funded through.

J

Our lmb funds that the youth services bureau operates for us also our rental assistance and.

J

Supportive services for youth, we have increased those and we've also partnered with danielle and.

J

Her team, with the public housing authority to prioritize our long-term housing choice.

J

Vouchers for youth we've also streamlined our data collection efforts surrounding youth.

J

um Right now, this rcoc here in carroll county estimate, we have about 125 unduplicated at-risk.

J

Homeless, youth that we are serving each year to provide a successful application. We really need.

J

To be able to demonstrate a couple of different things, one is that we have leadership in place.

J

To effectively manage the development of a coordinated community plan to prevent and end.

J

Youth homelessness, through our engagement with the coc, as well as local management board, local.

J

Care team and providers within our youth service delivery system. We we clearly are able to say that.

J

We do this. Another piece requires that we engage in a homeless community needs assessment for youth.

J

And we have recently last year hired a consultant to work with our local management board and our.

J

Team and we went out into the public and we did this assessment. It was a survey that went out.

J

Across the community, we involved at-risk youth in the in the development of the questions, so that we.

J

Could make sure we heard their voice and then they were encouraging us to ask certain questions and.

J

Then also we engaged underserved populations to ensure their voice was captured as well.

J

So we had that piece already completed. The coc also works with other systems of care like.

J

Department of social services and their foster care program, juvenile services, local inpatient and.

J

Outpatient behavioral health providers to ensure continuous services are available for youth. That.

J

Are and so they're not released to homelessness when they leave an inpatient or an inpatient, stay.

J

We also have to demonstrate that we prioritize authentic youth collaboration, and we do this with.

J

Our recently developed youth action board and I am going to turn it over to corey, to talk a little.

J

Bit about our youth action board that we recently engaged with again, it's always great to to.

J

um To be able to talk with you directly, and I got a chance to do that this past week with corey so.

A

Before you get started, just for all of us don't worry about 11 o'clock. We we've made any the.

A

Appropriate adjustment? Okay, so we can continue. Okay, so I'll, be brief. um Okay, it's all good back.

O

In october, um we really decided that it was time to put a youth action board together. We we had.

O

um For years have anecdotal stories of youth experiencing homelessness, and you know kind of.

O

Knew where they were, but we didn't really engage in that engage with them in a meaningful way that.

O

Actually provided feedback, so we were able to get a group together um and very quickly. They.

O

Developed a mission and a vision and some structure around the youth action board.

O

They went to two conferences: one was a national conference for homeless youth that was held in.

O

Dc and one was a local conference in maryland, um they meet approximately once a month and.

O

They are very willing and open to kind of put a face to youth homelessness and I will say.

O

That youth homelessness looks very different from adult homelessness in a lot of instances.

O

um Celine and I spoke with the youth on monday, who is um goes to school every single day, the youth.

O

Parent has a full-time job and they basically house hop, but she she's a wonderful student.

O

um You know their family has on the surface, they look like every other family, but they literally.

O

Don't know where they're going to be night tonight and they're sort of running out of options.

O

um And even you know, they've been connected to services, but at times it's just not enough, so you.

O

Know they're they're. They are incredibly resilient youth. They have oftentimes a lot of trauma in.

O

Their background and they are very willing to kind of speak to their experiences, and we, I think.

O

As a as a system, we have to be ready to hear that, because it's often they don't often have positive.

O

Experiences and being able to have give them space to say that this isn't great and it's not working.

O

And here's why it doesn't work is really important and a big piece of this application is us.

O

Demonstrating that we are actually incorporating their voice into this, not just writing answers.

O

For them or about them but actually hearing from them, so we're actually going to create a bit as.

O

Part of the application we're going to create a video with the youth for them to actually speak.

O

To some of the questions in the application and then that will become part of our application so.

J

Okay, so the another piece of what we've done is we've designated a formal youth, housing.

J

Navigation coordinator to support the needs of homeless youth and those at risk of homelessness.

J

And that's housed within the department of citizen services and danielle oversees that staff so we're.

J

Going to talk a little bit about that program so since we began our housing stability, coordination.

P

Program which was back in 2020, we have served over 225 youth between the ages of 18 and 25.

P

Specifically, we work a lot with our youth for the rapid rehousing program, which is funding. We get.

P

Through the homeless solutions program grant, it assists us with rental subsidy assistance.

P

For individuals that are disconnected between the ages of 18 to 24. since the inception of.

P

This program in 2020, we have served 12 households, which is consisted of 12 adults and eight children.

P

We have had 10 successful exits from that program where individuals have gone to other permanent.

P

Housing options to our independent rentals and the other eight still are with permanent housing.

P

Assistance programs as well our folks work very closely with these individuals during the period.

P

That they're in these programs, we don't only just provide rental assistance subsidy, but we're.

P

Also helping them maintain housing, stability and financial self-sufficiency as well, so we're making.

P

Constant connections within the community to ensure their success and their stability. The years.

P

That our housing authority this year, our housing authority, is also implemented. What was called the.

P

Move on strategy vouchers, we have assigned five vouchers specifically for our disconnected youth.

P

Between the ages of 18 to 24, and what this allows us to do is move those individuals that were.

P

Assisting with the limited income we get for the rapid rehousing program faster over to a permanent.

P

Housing voucher solution, so we can assist more individuals with the route. Every housing program.

P

Funding, this is something we have been able to do as far as that housing, navigation, piece.

P

Due to the additional local management funding that we were awarded this year, we will continue.

P

To work with those disconnected youth to make those necessary community connections, so we can.

P

Help them continue that support and independence, even throughout the end of the rental assistance.

P

Program as well are there any other questions? I could answer for you just about that section.

A

Any questions comments, nope nope, um to kind of close everything out this. This application is.

J

A two-phase application, so we first have to apply um and and show that we actually have all of these.

J

Things in place and we need to kind of pass that first phase once we get through that, then we have.

J

A six-month period where we need to develop a coordinated community plan and that community.

J

Plan is going to involve all of our agencies. Providers really- and you know our local care.

J

Team, our coc really coming together to identify what projects and services we need to focus on and.

J

And what services we want us, we want to say that this money will provide, um and so that could be.

J

Rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing host homes case management services, and so there is a.

J

Required county match it's 25 percent, but that is only for direct services so, depending on what.

J

It wouldn't count if we did subsidy for rapid rehousing that wouldn't need to be calculated.

J

Into that amount, so this is a great opportunity community, with this funding, because once we get.

J

This award, I'm being I'm hopeful, because I really do think we positioned ourselves very well and.

J

That's thanks to a lot of thought put into this by the chc by the lmb and local care team in in.

J

The years leading up to this, but once we receive this funding, it is ongoing funding as part of our.

J

Coc allocation, so if we get the six hundred thousand dollars each year, we will get that.

J

Renewed as part of our funding to support homeless, youth and prevention in in carroll county, so.

J

um So right now we also with our current hud allocation that we get. We have 446 834.

J

Which is for adults we with that? We provide our permanent supportive housing services. We have our.

J

um Planning a small amount of that goes to a planning and monitoring fee and then the other.

J

Piece of that is our um coordinated entry so and then this additional six hundred thousand would.

J

Give us a total of one million, forty six thousand eight hundred and thirty four dollars through our.

J

Coc funding, so you can see it would be quite the enhancement for the services we could provide.

A

Okay motion to approve the submission of the yhdp grant application and accept the award second.

A

I have a motion, I have a second, I tell you, I just appreciate.

A

The experience and passion you have, neither one can be taught, it can only be embraced. So you.

A

You demonstrate that you know from leadership on down and everywhere so really.

A

I mean we do it right in carroll county, and you know you missed your. You missed your line.

A

This morning about loving carroll county, oh you did that's right. I noticed these things.

A

So, okay, all in favor aye. Thank you. Thank you very much. I do want to say. I love the 988 cards.

J

Yes, thank you yeah. Absolutely, thank you. Okay sure, go asphalt, paving hot mix asphalt, paving.

A

Fall down, lady, I don't think so.

Q

Good morning, commissioners, good morning.

R

Foreign, the office of procurement, in cooperation with the bureau of engineering request your.

R

Approval to award a contract for the 2023 hot mix, asphalt, painting, 1 to cj miller, llc.

R

And the amount of 6 million 107 975 dollars. This work consists of paving approximately.

R

26 miles on 24 county roadways, this amount is within the adopted budget.

Q

Okay, good morning, um the list of roadways is attached to your briefing paper, along with the.

Q

Respective commissioner districts, this work will repair and preserve our aging infrastructure to.

Q

Include full depth, reclamation milling placement of hot mix base and surface courses installing.

Q

New outlets, storm drain pipes, we're going to be adjusting and rebuilding some inlets shoulder.

Q

Back up means of traffic and other incidental work, the work will include 155 working days.

Q

And cj miller has completed similar work and we hope to get started as soon as the other fy 23.

Q

Contract is substantially complete. Okay, this is uh districts, one two and three getting a love so.

C

Motion to award the contract for 2023 hot mix asphalt, paving one to cj miller llc in the amount.

C

Of six million one hundred seven thousand nine hundred seventy five dollars. Second, I got a motion.

A

I got a second any discussion seen here, none all in favor, aye, aye, aye, okay, thank you, zero. One.

A

Okay, thank you. Let's talk about the westminster veterans, memorial, sidewalk, construction.

C

C

Morning, okay morning, good morning, commissioners, the department of recreation and parks in.

I

Cooperation with the office of procurement request your approval to award a contract to.

I

Inl construction llc for sidewalk construction for memorial at the westminster veterans memorial park.

I

Located at crest lane for a total cost of 179 803 work will include the grading, the installation, the.

I

Flat work stamped and stained concrete, paving and construction of retaining walls, the county.

I

Requested bids from the qualified vendors to perform this work, and I and l construction llc.

I

Was the lowest responsible and responsive bidder on the base bid? This project is partially funded.

I

Through program, open space, maryland, department of natural resources and and funds have been.

I

Approved by budget by the viewer budget and I'll turn it over to jeff to talk about the project.

I

All right good morning, commissioners morning can I just start by saying I love carroll.

S

County felt the need to fill that gap glad somebody die. I know I'm glad somebody said it.

D

Actually, I said nice things about, commissioner rothstein, that exhausted, threw you off your game.

S

Actually, one of the things I do love about this county is the way that we honor and take care of.

S

Veterans- and this is going to be a focal point for westminster veterans memorial park- we have.

S

A memorial garden area that will have trees planted in it we'll have benches and what you.

S

See before you today are the bids for the walkways that will take you through that.

S

Garden area, so all the hardscaping will be done this summer, we'll be planting the trees.

S

This fall and we are targeting a dedication for this, probably in november close to veterans day.

S

This garden will also feature a blue star memorial in the center of the garden.

S

And happy to answer any questions that you all may have and if you were like me, you probably noticed.

S

The tremendous range of the bids inl construction is a company that we're working with right now up.

S

At hash, where they're doing the walkways up there, okay, so I answered one of my questions, the other.

A

Is the 179 803 is a combination of what and what it's a combination of the base bid and then also.

S

Alternate too, where we have some stamped and stained concrete, there will be a traditional.

S

Sidewalk that takes you directly in and through the memorial area, and then there will be one.

S

It's more of a meandering walk that will take you around the perimeter where the benches are okay,.

A

Okay, commissioner, gordon did you wanna. Take this one sure I move the board of commissioners award the.

E

Contract for the westminster veterans, memorial, sidewall construction to I and l construction in.

E

The amount of 179 thousand eight hundred and three dollars. Second, I got a motion. I got a second any.

A

Discussion on this senior none all in favor, aye aye. Thank you very much. Can I just make one thing.

F

Up, I don't, I think a couple of us have the same thing on our minds is this: is this mr david's last.

F

Time before us, no a couple more weeks left, okay, I'll, come back and bug you about something I'll.

D

Find something I gotta get off that easy, yeah, okay, not quite yet, okay, all right! Well, we appreciate.

F

What you did thank you, I was gonna say you didn't feel like that was lucky that his last day no, I.

F

Didn't say why I was asking yeah, I'm not sure if I disappointed you with that answer. Thank you. Thank.

C

You thank you. Thank you very much. Okay thanks. I need uh uh well first off chris anybody online.

A

Okay, I'm not gonna come in on that, but this is more than one.

A

Of chris right now, I need a review and approval of uh the closed minutes from.

A

June 1st land acquisition motion to approve closed session minutes. Second,.

A

I got a motion and I got a second okay. That's what it was um any discussion on this.

A

Seen here, none all in favor all right, miss wanda one! You come on up, mr rosting. I do have an issue.

F

That I wanted to bring up if we still yeah, please I'm sorry. I think we've got a little business. I'd.

F

Like to attend to, and hopefully I've got support from, my fellow commissioners in this uh irregard.

F

It's in regard to the uh the solar text amendment and and the work we've spent as a commission.

F

On that particular topic, I'm proud of the work we've done. We haven't always disagreed, but I.

F

Think we've made some tough decisions and I think we've made some of the right decisions.

F

For people paying attention, we recently had our final hearing and then we in accordance.

F

With the carroll county, ordinance, section state law and state law, section 158, 134,.

F

It states varies clearly that the county commissioners shall refer all proposed changes and.

F

Amendments do regulations or amendments to chapter, 155 or 158. In this case it's 158 or proposed.

F

Changes in a zoning district or zoning map to the planning commission for review and comment.

F

uh Design planning and zoning committee has been given the opportunity to review and comment.

F

And I'm prepared to make a motion that we proceed to public hearing.

F

To enact uh what we previously voted on was the removal of section 158-153e.

F

Community, solar energy, generating systems and agricultural zones, and my understanding is that.

F

Would move to a public hearing? Yes, I need to run an advertisement in the carroll county times for.

B

A public hearings, so it has to run twice one each consecutive week, so we will pick.

B

A hearing date with wanda after this and get it set up. So I'd like to make a motion, and I might.

F

Fumble through it a little bit, but I I move that the board of county commissioners direct.

F

Staff to direct that we moved to a public hearing. That's fine for the removal of section 158.153e.

A

Okay, I have a motion in a couple of seconds. Is there a discussion from you seen here? Okay, we'll.

D

Discuss then, if we have to and we're good right yeah it just moves forward to public hearing.

A

All in favor all right, okay! Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen. Okay.

A

Rhonda um june 12th, I have one thing for that. If I could for wanda on june 12th, okay, wanda.

E

We need to add for me, the westminster city council meeting at 7 pm on the 12th.

I

A

um A few tuesday june 13th the therapeutic recreation day, commissioner kyler.

A

We'll be at the farm museum, special olympics uh law enforcement, torch run ceremony.

A

Commissioners, gordon tyler vigliani and I will be participating.

A

um Just need to get information on it. You know the the details, then there'll be a joint board.

A

And esac meeting where all five of us will be participating down in the reagan room, zero, zero.

A

Three and at 7 pm ag center board meeting I'll, be participating over the carroll county ag center.

A

On wednesday june 14th flag day army birthday farm museum board meeting commissioner vigliotti.

A

Well, did you say your birthday, no army? Oh, oh, but thank you. It is uh and flag day.

A

Farm museum board meeting at 9 30 a.m. Commissioner figley eyes attending.

A

Board of education board meeting who wants to participate in that? So I can definitely say that I.

C

Will not be able to because I, instead of attending the flag day ceremony at the farm museum, I will be.

C

Attending at the veterans of foreign war in harney and that's at the very, very northern edge of.

C

District one, so I'm not going to have enough time to. I will check my schedule. Okay, so just put a.

A

Temporary or tentative for commissioner karen, but we'll figure that out and then there is a.

A

Flag day ceremony at the carroll county farm museum, where commissioner gordon kyler and I.

A

Will be attending is also opportunity to dispose properly of our u.s flags um on thursday. So if.

A

Those that are not participating that want to dispose of your u.s flags give it to one of.

A

Us we'll carry it over there appropriately um on thursday june 15th. We go into open session.

A

And I will be at a spring or yeah the springboard retreat mako, uh it's a board meeting I'll, be.

A

Actually it's in colombia, not in annapolis. um I will be foreclosed just, but that's for us.

A

Open session we have water and sewer triennial update case systems, management, maintenance, renewal.

A

I'm not sure what case is k-a-c-e, but does anybody know.

I

I don't remember what it stands: carroll county public network maintenance, contract.

A

uh From I.t so very light schedule uh and then 6 p.m: mml carol, frederick commissioners.

A

Gordon guerning kyler will be attending and and commissioner figliotti at the links of sheladon.

A

Then uh yeah the the mako board, I think it'll be done thursday, but it's scheduled.

A

For two days, saturday june 17, nothing scheduled, commissioner gordon, has the podcast for that week.

A

The county offices will be closed for the observance. Excuse me of juneteenth.

A

Is that a federal holiday? Yes, yes, um I apologize asking, I just didn't know uh tuesday june 20th.

A

Commissioner, gordon has a chamber of commerce breakfast at the exploration commons.

A

And commissioner kyler and I will be.

A

Attending to learn from commissioner gordon that morning, planning and zoning commission afterwards.

A

Where, commissioner, gordon will be attending down the reagan, room and then veterans, advisory meeting.

A

With commissioner, gordon and kyler in that afternoon,.

A

The mako interim legislative committee meeting has been rescheduled. That's.

A

Not happening that day, it's been rescheduled to june 12th at 11 a.m.

I

July 12th july 12th, I'm sorry july 12th um at 5 pm, commissioner kyler will be attending the carroll.

A

Community college board of trustees meeting and commissioner garen will be participating in the.

A

Emergency services, advisory council and I and I need to check on that because I because I think.

F

That meeting new men have been canceled in lieu of us having the joint meeting so.

A

I will get back to you on that, but I think that meeting is no longer june 22nd thursday june 22nd.

A

We have uh first off the budget adjustments for fiscal year 23.. The board of education will be.

A

Coming in with uh superintendent and also john o'neill and mr burke, um we will then go into.

A

Exercising an option to purchase the john and kathy kugel property through rural legacy program.

A

Purchase an installation of one kohler diesel generator.

A

Actuarial actual actuarial actuarial, thank you. It's again, it's those yeah.

R

You want to look at it and pronounce it all services.

A

um Hr will be presenting approval to apply for fy24 maryland facade improvement program, grant.

A

And ms eisenberg will be gone, she'll be gone, she will not be purchased, it will be mislane. I.

A

Would imagine so um and friday june 23rd family summerfest at freedom park? I will be down in.

A

Eldersburg and sykesville I'll be participating in that 4 30 pm.

A

Saturday, nothing scheduled, and commissioner garen has the podcast for that week.

A

They got a dual kid there for you, ms wanda, any other additions, anything else for open.

A

Admin for agendas, I'm just going to publicly say thank you to wanda for taking care of us.

C

And keeping us on track with everything. I really do appreciate that. Thank you.

A

Thank you got anything there. Mr burke, air 4p has nothing. I need a motion to.

A

Adjourn motion to adjourn. Second, I got motion. I got second all in favor, aye.