Carroll County, MD Board of County Commissioners Open Sessions, 28 Jan 2021

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From YouTube: Board of Carroll County Commissioners Open Session Afternoon January 28, 2021

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

A

Thank you uh we're here this afternoon with our joint uh meeting with the.

A

Board of county commissioners and our environmental affairs committee.

A

uh This is an annual event uh and I really appreciate everybody.

A

Coming, uh first of all, frank leave already yeah. No, they came back uh frank. You wanna just.

A

Okay, this is the creme gold, beaver mitigation, all right.

A

And where do we have marine? I guess this is yours. Yes, I'll start it off. um Commissioners.

B

Good afternoon- and we were with you previously to talk about phase one of the beaver mitigation.

B

At crim gold park- and that is now in its final stage- and we are working on phase two.

B

Your facilities, solicit solicited, quotes to supply and install four clemson devices.

B

At crim gold park at each pond's overflow pipe and we are requesting your approval to award.

B

This project to white pine construction in the amount of forty one thousand eight hundred and.

B

Four dollars, um this cost includes all labor material and equipment, and um if you have.

B

Questions about the projects excel, there's justin is here and brad. Weikert is here.

C

Thank you much this. This is a real controversial issue, a trap street from me in my district. So any.

C

Elaboration or explanation of what this does and that it's not to harm the beavers would be.

C

Greatly appreciated sure, absolutely, commissioner, I'm going to turn this over to.

D

Facilities, man manager, brad, and he will fill you in on the script.

D

Of work and how this is uh going to help the situation down there.

E

Okay good afternoon, commissioners, I can elaborate a little bit on what we're doing um we're here.

E

Today, for a decision of installing um said clemson devices in the four pawns, uh basically, the clemson.

E

Beaver devices are a diversionary tactic used to help deter the beavers from attempting to prohibit.

E

The flow of water through a designated area such as an outflow pipe, the device will allow water to.

E

Flow through the outlet pipe without noise or the appearance of any current, the device will.

E

Also not allow the beavers to physically see any water being discharged from the pond. This will.

E

Effectively halt the beavers from damning since none of the variables the dam are longer present.

E

The level the levelers should provide the opportunity to live with the presence of beavers.

E

At crim gold park, while no beaver mitigation strategy is maintenance. Free clemson devices offer.

E

A lower quality maintenance mitigation option and provide for a longer term solution for both.

E

The wildlife and the site function and just to add a little bit to that. These levelers were.

E

um In play from day one, we just said certain phases, the the logging or the taking of the.

E

Dead wood from crimp bolt was phase one and now we're working into phase two, uh which is obviously.

E

Installing these levelers and what they are, is uh it's a 10 inch pipe with a thousand little holes.

E

And that those holes allow the water to infiltrate slower and thus much less noise.

E

And slower meaning current as well, then the original output outflow pipes that we are.

E

Dealing with now um they'll be covered, so there will essentially be no noise and no current and.

E

We're still letting the water exit the ponds when need be when the level gets high enough.

E

But this is a way that we can live with the beavers uh at criminal park and fix the problems.

E

That we have with the four pawns, so we think it's definitely the best way to go about trying to.

E

Help everyone in this situation, mr weaker, thank you very much. It's my understanding that the noise.

C

Issue is beavers instinct really want to clog the drain or something when he as if they think their.

C

Their dam is leaking is that true they do and when the pond gets to a certain level, the outflow pipes.

E

They obviously collect the water. Well, it's like a four foot hole and the water falls.

E

Down the outlet pipe, thus making the noise. So if we cover the outlet pipe and divert.

E

The inflow 20 feet out under water that takes away any noise and any any current that may be. That may.

E

Be happening with the four foot in outflow pipe, so it's like it's a diversionary tactic, we're still.

E

Leaving the water out of the pond, but the beavers don't know it's leaving, there's a lot of fencing.

E

There's a lot of fencing around the pipes, there's fencing around the outflow, um you know it's. It's.

E

One of the better mitigation options out there um for us to be able to utilize effectively.

C

Now is this a new mitigation technology, or has it been around a while or does.

C

Have a track record of being effective, uh yeah it's been around since the early 90s.

E

I believe the university of minnesota came up with it. It's not a patented or a copyrighted thing. It's.

E

Kind of just gone throughout the universities- and I was reading this morning- there's been about four.

E

Years, the first four years, they had trials and errors on them and uh experiments, and they pretty.

E

Much got them to the point where they feel it is the most effective uh way to live with beavers.

C

Then they work the bugs out of it now. All I ask is that when they start doing the construction.

C

Project on this, that's right up the street from me, mr mcgowan knows where I'm going with this.

C

I'd love to go there and see it in action. I want to take some photos, get some film of it, because.

C

It really helps on priority carol to get my constituents to visualize. What's going on and give.

C

Them a greater understanding, so please, mr mcgowan, contact my administrative assistant, ms dietrich,.

C

When you have a time schedule and we'll plug it in and with that.

C

I move that the board of commissioners award this project for installation of the clemson.

C

Devices at crim gold park the amount of forty one thousand eight hundred four dollars for a second.

F

Yeah second, okay, have a motion.

A

A second that we move with move on uh with the beaver mitigation, all in favor.

A

All right, that's four uh in favor! So good luck with your uh mitigation of the beavers and let me.

A

Know how it goes off how this uh goes on. uh It'd be nice to have a review of this in about a year.

A

See if they've uh changed their habits at all, thank you.

A

Now maybe we uh we'll go back and move on to environmental advisory council. uh This.

A

Is our annual meeting update meeting and uh see craig's on board brenda welcome people coming on.

G

Commissioners: okay, uh how about uh frank you want to introduce members of the council.

H

I don't think he died: okay, brenda, uh yeah, okay, yes, brenda! You want to take care of that.

G

Sure, commissioners, I'm going to ask each of the.

G

Environmental advisory council members to just give a quick introduction to who they.

G

Are just so that we can refresh everybody's memory, since we just do this once a year.

G

um Frank, if you could start we'd, appreciate that and then come back to me at the end of it.

G

And if he's having trouble with his life, maybe craig could start.

I

Hi, I'm craig paskowski um vice uh chair of the um eac.

I

uh Been on the board for at least four years now um recently moved from finksburg.

I

Commissioner, weaver's district um to um new windsor near frank, been involved in.

I

Numerous environmental activities over the years in the county so looking forward to another year.

I

And hopefully it'll be, hopefully we can meet in person at some point this year too. Thank you.

A

Curtis you with us yeah good afternoon, um my my image is frozen. I have a camera issue, but.

J

I'm moving um my name's cliff barrett and um I'm a member of the each been a member of the.

J

Committee now pushing getting close to eight years actually, um hydrologists live in westminster.

J

Involved in a number of the activities, I think it's a very progressive and.

J

Accomplishing uh committee and we look forward to working with you in the next year, thanks.

A

Okay, uh kathleen charlene anybody here good afternoon. My name is charlene norris.

K

I've been a member of the carroll county eac for a little bit over three years. I've.

K

Been a resident of eldersburg maryland for over 22 years and I'm an engineer.

A

Frank we're not not picking up on it, kathleen hi! You can. You can hear me right. Yes, um so kathleen.

L

Anthony, I think, uh come february will be a year with the eac. um So I'm the newest member.

L

To my knowledge, uh born and raised in new windsor spent a couple years in new york in colorado for.

L

For college and whatnot uh and I currently work seasonally for maryland state parks. So it's been.

L

It's been fun to kind of learn what this board does um and and all the things it can do.

A

And last uh curtis: are you with us.

F

And we already we already heard from curtis uh yeah. We need to hear from frank, but.

F

Now I think, he's gone, isn't he yeah he's coming back there? He is if we can't hear having a mic.

M

Issue: let's have him just call in yeah either that or did he check his gear wheel.

M

All right, I'm back, I think I'm good yep yay.

M

I was, I was moving my computer, so I didn't have this uh glare on the back of my head here.

M

And suddenly going so um anyway should I get started from the get-go here, brenda.

G

Would you like to introduce yourself first and then you can turn it back to me to talk about the meeting.

M

Absolutely I'm frank bleck, uh chair of the eac and uh computer guru, obviously not.

M

um Been chair of the eac here, for, I think, a little over two years, not sure uh somewhere.

M

Around that area, I'd like to thank you, gentlemen, for giving us time on your agenda here today.

M

A little bit of my background, I'm the owner of wakefield valley, nursery in new windsor.

M

uh Garden center and landscaping company do a lot with native plants as well.

M

Like I say appreciate you having us and I'll turn it back over to brenda, then.

A

Well, brenda get started uh this this committee's dear. To me, I served six years on the eac years ago.

A

And as an advisory group to the commissioners, I think we made uh quite an impact.

A

Back then, as as you are today and uh I'm going to highlight some of your things later, but brenda I'm.

A

Going to let you go ahead with everything from now great. Thank you. I just wanted to give you a quick.

G

Sort of background on the purpose of the meeting for those I'm sure you're aware, but.

G

There may be other members of the public who aren't aware that you know the environmental.

G

Advisory council meets with the board of county commissioners in the joint meeting every year.

G

And in that meeting we review the 2020 annual well, in this case the 2020 annual report.

G

And the code chapter 31 requires the eac to report to you annually, and so this serves as that.

G

Reporting- and we also review with you- the proposed projects in the work plan for the calendar year.

G

So you should have a in the packet that you received.

G

A little agenda for this portion of your meeting, as well as a copy of the 2020 under report.

G

And the commission, uh the eac's proposed 2021 work plan which will review the projects with you and.

G

After reviewing those have some discussion with you and then, uh if there's any other.

G

Projects we can talk about that and ultimately they would like to have your concurrence on a.

G

Proposed work plan to move forward, so that's about it for my introduction, I'm going to.

G

Turn it over to frank and frank will review briefly with you. What is in the annual report.

M

Okay, thanks brandon once again, I'd like to, as I always say, brenda does a fantastic job.

M

Helping us at this committee and uh kudos to her, we couldn't be able to do the great work.

M

We do without her um so I'll get right into it here. uh I'll brief, you on the 2020 annual report.

M

um Which you should have in front of you there? uh As brenda said, the report is annually given.

M

To you guys per chapter 31 of the code, um I'll try to be brief. With this to allow any questions you.

M

All may have either during or after I give the um briefing here. uh The first thing we.

M

Completed was the public outreach uh piece um on the expanded polystyrene.

M

And your business uh 2019, the general assembly passed in bill 109 prohibiting certain.

M

Eps products and at the board's request, we developed a one-page fact sheet to help.

M

Businesses get through this and to comply with it. The carroll county health department enforces it.

M

And that project, I believe, was backed up several months due to the covid, uh but it is in effect.

M

Now um we finalized that in september of 2020 and it was posted on our web page.

M

uh The second thing we took care of here uh in 2020, um basically two things, our environmental.

M

Awards which we present biannually, uh we basically our committee basically.

M

Rebranded uh the whole program, um the last time in 2018, we had very few nominees.

M

For projects done for environmental projects throughout the county, so we figured it was time to.

M

Look at this and refocus and rebrand it uh we skipped last year and the awards will be.

M

um The name has been changed to the environmental action awards and they will be presented in 2021.

M

And will still go biannually every two years with those.

M

Basically, the purpose of the awards are to invigorate.

M

The process and increase significance of the award uh for environmental projects done in the county.

M

um Like I said before, we changed the name branded the program with a new logo. We restructured the.

M

Awards categories used up five, we narrowed them down to three. We developed a new nomination.

M

Guideline and eligibility criteria- and um we also have a venue for the awards, presentation.

M

uh To be coordinated with another environmental event in carroll county in april, basically, we've.

M

Also secured donations um for award winners, um the positive practices and educational outreach.

M

Categories in this we've solicited 75 dollars of gift cards to salerno's restaurant.

M

And the student engagement award we've been able to secure a 500 hour scholarship uh from atlantic.

M

Blue water services uh for the student winner, um plus a 25 olive garden gift card, so uh we know.

M

Everybody's got to eat, so the gift cards are a nice little incentive to these award winners. Here.

M

um Basically, all the behind-the-scenes work was done and the rollout of the campaign was in.

M

Early january, uh as of our last.

M

Meeting last week, I believe we already had several nominations that have come in.

M

So hopefully, we're off to a good start uh as far as the awards uh this year are concerned,.

M

um A couple other things we did it was: it was a trying year, obviously, with the virtual meetings.

M

But um it's been the case with everybody, so um we also had residential gray water on our agenda.

M

It was basically on our agenda. Every meeting we had um nothing was basically worked on.

M

Or done on that, we're still waiting uh for the state of maryland to develop their regulations.

M

um As to what they expect with this, and then uh it is on our work plan, if that comes up for 2021.

M

A couple other things in addition, uh kind of ongoing work, uh we provided feedback on the.

M

Initial concept for the community solar zoning text, amendment uh for the county.

M

uh We also had an ad hoc committee formed uh with three members of the eac.

M

uh Did he only to hear an appeal um related to the forest conservation code.

M

And we completed our 2021 work plan which you'll be briefed on uh shortly here about that.

M

And concluded and prepared our 2020 annual report, which I've just given you here.

M

Other than that uh members, charlene norris and jesse drummond were reappointed to their first.

M

Full term, starting uh in february of 2020., uh we have a new member on board kathleen anthony.

M

She was appointed in february of last year and I myself was reappointed to my second term.

M

um As chair in december of 2020., currently uh it's nice to say we have no vacancies on the eac, so I.

M

Don't it's been a while, since we've been able to see that say that, but uh we're thankful for that.

M

Because it's always nice to have a full docket of nine members on the committee uh that basically.

M

Wraps up the annual report, um if you have any questions, uh go ahead and chairman, thank you.

C

For that report uh you and or your business is in my district district 4 new windsor. Is that correct.

M

Yes, sir, that's correct, since I love doing these priority carols, I was wondering if, in the future.

C

If you have any projects, you want me to meet up with you and go get some video or photos of.

C

Or even the award recipients at their projects, I don't know if there's any physical things we.

C

Can take photos of, but I absolutely love to get these images of what you're doing out in front.

C

Of the public, so they have a greater awareness of what you're doing my administrative assistant is.

C

Captain dietrich, so you can think about over the next month or two. I don't know what your.

C

Time frame is or when all this stuff's actually being done, but if any of that time frame you.

C

Think he can put something together. That would be beneficial that I can go out with you and get.

C

Some photos please contact her and let her put it in my schedule. I want to give you guys: publicity.

C

For what you're doing that sounds great, I thank you for that offer. um Our awards ceremony is, and.

M

Brenda can probably tell you, I don't have the information in front of me directly, but it is.

M

I believe, sometime in mid april, uh it's coordinated with the um a bureau of.

M

One of them one of the bureaus she's on she she's arranged it for that.

M

um I'll, let brenda fill you in all the details of that, but yeah we would love to get.

M

Video of that I know last time um commissioner weaver was at the uh awards ceremony and and.

M

uh Yeah, the more publicity we can get the better and this spring is absolutely gorgeous time of the.

C

Year and with this cobin people locked in, I think that would be a good time to get that out there by.

C

The way you look like you have a halo on your head, so you're blessed and uh mr bear that frozen photo.

C

Of you, if we put some mittens on you, you could answer that bernie sanders photo that's floating.

A

Any other questions concerns dennis no, no steve yeah, I'm good good right now. Just thank you for.

F

All the work that you're doing uh you guys do a great job. I've got a couple items I want to bring.

F

Up for them to look at, but that's for later on, so I'm good right now, commissioner weaver thanks.

A

That's uh huh let me mention that what do you want to mention? Thanks for the work and.

N

The great water thing really is disappointing that that legislation was passed in 2018 and.

N

They still haven't written regulations for it. Yet, therefore, you can't move forward with it. It's so.

N

Frustrating I and- and I would last time we met down in mako, can't think of the the secretary.

N

For the environment, his name slipsy right now, but I talked to him about that personally about.

N

Getting these regulations written and so forth, he gave some suggestions and so nothing, but it's very.

N

Frustrating when something finally gets passed, it could help out around maryland and you don't even.

N

Write the regs for it. I know nothing you do about that, but it's just it's just very frustrating when.

N

Stuff, like that happens, yeah, it's better. You know the speed in which government works. Sometimes we.

A

All understand that it's uh frustrating yeah yeah, that's been. That's! That's ben grumbles.

F

That's right yeah, so I'm I'm concerned about that as well. uh I think they were, I think they weren't.

F

Prepared when it was passed to to I, I think mde thought that it was not going to pass so.

F

They're they're sort of they're they're they're sort of uh coming at it differently.

F

Now so I don't I don't know, I would like to see some uptick in activity there as well.

M

Okay, um yeah I've asked friend if go ahead,.

M

I've asked brenda if we uh should still keep the grey water on our agenda month to month and.

M

She suggested we do because, as soon as we take it off and don't discuss it, then.

M

Then that's when it'll be there, so we'll just keep it on as soon as.

M

uh Something's able to be looked at we'll be sure to be right. On top of it,.

A

I think everybody's in agreement on that to keep it uh on that on that uh when it comes available.

A

We'll be able to move on, let's move ahead to our, uh I guess, 2021, environmental uh issues uh where.

A

We're going, I know you have some really good ones here coming up so brenda right. We have um four.

I

Projects that we hope to be able to get to uh on our agenda for 2021 uh one of the first ones is.

I

The updating of the environmental stewardship uh booklet, which you guys are probably familiar with.

I

And that's chock full of information that the county does from the environmental protection.

I

Particularly lag land preservation, so we'll be taking coming through that and updating that.

I

That's every other year that we we do that. uh The other thing second item is something that.

I

The frank kind of mentioned that we looked at in the fall and uh reviewed is the uh proposed.

I

Community solar uh text amendment to the zoning so we're prepared to uh do a booklet um once you.

I

If the board approves that we're prepared to do a booklet and provide resources to the community and.

I

How that affects them, how they can take advantage of that? The other item is our resources. Doing.

G

I can interrupt for a second just a little bit the the the idea with this public outreach piece.

G

Is that you know we have a lot of different issues that could come up with this community.

G

Solar zoning text amendment and the thought was that the eac could possibly put together.

G

Some type of public outreach piece that would help explain the amendment to the public and.

G

What it, what it does and doesn't do, and that would be then concurrent or very shortly after.

G

You adopt something if you did adopt something so that that's the idea behind that piece right.

N

Can't hear you weaver, I uh I did put brenda on my uh radio address uh weeks ago.

A

And that was really good. I think, as far as some public outreach to get people aware, people aren't.

A

Aware what this, how this is coming together uh at the present time- and I know uh farm bureau- has.

A

Opposed it uh the way it's coming together here and a lot most of us lack of understanding. I think.

A

At this time, so uh this needs a it's gonna need a lot of help once we get through the next phase,.

A

Or gets the approval of this to get it pushed out there.

A

Brenda comments from you on this. You are very more you're, much more aware exactly where you are in the whole process here so.

G

Yeah we're we already introduced the concepts to the planning commission that was on january 19th.

G

We have we're scheduled to start reviewing the draft.

G

Text amendment with the planning commission next week at their evening walk session on february 3rd.

G

The reason for that, of course, is that the state law requires that the planning commission.

G

Review any uh text or map amendments to zoning and provide a recommendation to the board of.

G

County commissioners, so we're beginning to start that process we're actually in the middle of that.

G

Process now and then, when that concludes, and they have a recommendation, complete they'll, be.

G

Boarded to the board and then we will come back to the board and look for direction from you.

G

On where to go from there in terms of, do we schedule a public hearing or do you want it.

G

What changes you might want before that happens, so that's that's where we are in.

G

The process with that, like I said this project with the eac, would be sort of a companion item.

G

To help explain to the public what it's all about when it you know if it does proceed to.

G

Being approved and adopted, okay, any other comments on the solar uh text. Amendment coming up there.

A

There will be a lot of work to do once it gets passed so.

A

The only that's what I think so. Thank you frank. I want to move on man.

M

Yeah, I think craig uh still has a few more items to bring up here on the work plan. Go ahead, craig.

I

Yeah, just two more and uh real, quick. um The third item is a.

I

uh Fact, sheet or resource guide for residents uh to help them with uh tree planting.

I

um Some of the um reasons behind tree planting where they can find uh information about that and.

I

That would be something we would put on our website and, I suppose, around the county and.

I

The um fourth item is that great water, um that we're still waiting for the uh state.

I

To develop the regulations for- and you guys have discussed that a bit already- okay, that's it! I will.

A

Tell you the tree planting is uh a major here and I think we uh steve the legislation was for.

A

How many trees to be planted? uh Statewide was just just on earth, just five million. That's all.

A

Okay in the future, if that legislation goes through, that's a lot of trees, uh but.

A

I found that many people they'll know about what kind of tree to plant uh in their environment. They.

A

Have no clue what they're uh uh looking at in the type of tree, how the size of this tree you.

A

Planted for mature heights, not the seedling size and you've probably seen how many people planted.

A

A 60-foot tree five feet from the foundation of their house when it was a seedling, perfect size.

A

Now, all of a sudden, it's huge, and what do we do with it? um You know the recommendations or how to.

A

uh Go through the tree, planting and type of tree to plant uh is critical here, so I hope we can get.

A

Those out even more and dispensed everywhere, because people have no clue, but timing is.

A

Everything they want to plant trees in the spring when they all get ambitious and want to go out and.

A

Do the lawns or in the fall, uh but here again we need to get the information now I think that's a.

A

Great project to go with, I see people all the time, planning something they shouldn't and uh in the.

A

Wrong place and plus we have stream buffers and everything other opportunities uh to plant trees.

C

That's a good one is bamboo an invasive species and frowned upon.

C

Or is that something positive people should plant that's invasive species.

A

Once bamboo gets established craig, you probably deal with it more than anybody.

I

Yeah, a lot of the really tall bamboos is really nasty. um There are some.

I

Like nandina bamboo versions that aren't quite as bad you'll see them.

I

You know in in garden beds and such, but the bamboo is really tough to get out.

I

Get rid of is: is there a list of like invasive tree species on a website or something for people.

C

As a reference to educate them as what do not plant, do we have that out there for the public.

M

Yeah, the maryland department of agriculture should have a list.

M

Of invasive invasive species that are abandoned actually illegal in maryland,.

M

um And garden centers are required if they're selling any of those type of plants they have.

M

To have a actual warning label, um it's an invasive species, the ones that aren't totally banned. Some.

M

Are totally discouraged and you have to have signed a job that uh shows that there are native.

M

Alternatives toward those so um yeah, I don't have the direct uh link or information, but should be.

M

Able to find it from the maryland department of agriculture is that something that was important.

C

Is that something that we can include on their reference website material? Anything is a.

C

A public announcement you know taken from what the state list, the duplicate for our.

C

Local residents that go for looking for resources that we have to let them know.

M

Maybe that's something we can incorporate in the tree planning guide and have it be a little.

M

More broad than just tr free planning resource sheet, maybe we can incorporate.

M

um Invasives into that, that would be rather than having a second publication for that.

M

um You know the list is not incredibly long, but I think that would be a good place to incorporate.

M

That but it's a great idea that would be helpful because so often it's just a pure ignorance.

C

People don't know, and next thing you know they got bamboo running all over their yard, going.

C

Into neighbors yard, so any type of education we have for our constituents will be helpful.

A

This is also a topic with the solar.

A

Zoning coming up, you know the invasive species don't take over between the solar panels and you.

A

Know that can be a mess once they put panels in if they're not maintained and taken care of correctly.

A

So these are all be topics we're going to have to address in your tree planning guide. Are you going.

N

To have suggestions on where to plant trees, the thing that comes to mind is people that.

N

Plant trees, along between like sidewalks and curbs or streets and stuff like that.

N

There are certain what I would call street trees that are good, and there are certain things that.

N

You can plant, there should never be there. Is that going to be in your planning guide as well.

N

This would be recommended for this particular spot, and this is not recommended for that kind of thing.

G

The I'll answer that one, but what the eac is actually proposing.

G

To put together here is more of a like back in front of one page fact sheet, which will.

G

There's a whole lot of materials out there already available and what the eac is going to do is.

G

Put together sort of like a directory of where to find all these different types of information and.

G

Links to that information, rather than trying to um you know, duplicate information. That's already out.

G

There so it would be sort of a one-stop reference guide to where to find that kind of information.

C

That's a very good point, because today, with the technology, it's a different world than when we.

C

Were kids, you know looking things up now, it's a matter of finding a reference and clicking a link.

C

That's a good idea.

F

Hey um all right, commissioner,.

F

Where are we now with the agenda? Was that it for the work plan.

A

Yeah, I think that that's your 21 plan now we want to ideas from the commissioners for future.

A

Plans or things we want to deal with, and commissioner wants. You already alluded to.

A

Some so uh you may want to start off yeah yeah. Thank you, commissioner, weaver and again thank.

F

You guys for all that you're doing you do an amazing job and it's it's. It's important work.

F

uh One of the things that I'd like to see you all focus on for 2021 and beyond. uh We are seeing.

F

An increasing amount of of trash and uh all kinds of of things along our roadways.

F

uh I myself have seen an uptick in emails uh from constituents and just to give you an idea about.

F

That I've got a I've, got some constituents up in um in in some very rural areas. In my district.

F

And uh one gentleman shared with me that he and his uh wife uh go for walks every other weekend.

F

And put trash bags in their hands, and this is up in the reinhardt deep run area and every single.

F

Time when they come back, they have at least three bags of trash that they're picking up on the roads.

F

I will also tell you that, I'm pretty sure there's a mcdonald's somewhere in pleasant valley.

F

uh I would I would ask um mr bennett or mr barrett to help me look for that, because there's got to.

F

Be one around there somewhere curtis because of the amount of big mac boxes and french fry and.

F

And all that stuff, that is in my yard, constantly and I'm sure you see it on stone road, too curtis.

F

Out our way, so I agree yeah. So this is a huge uh issue.

F

uh I know that that there was a uh that there was uh some some things put together.

F

Previously, I know that the state highway administration.

F

Uses folks that are on work release from their detention center to do that along state highways.

F

And I know that there were adopt-a-road programs that were put in place by the state highway.

F

That we have certain organizations in carroll that still participate in, but.

F

Some of them have been curtailed because of the safety issues, because apparently.

F

On our back roads that are posted at 40 mile an hour folks think they have to go 80.. So it's kind.

F

Of tough to get the safety uh aspect there too, but you know education, uh an educational.

F

uh Push in our school system or or education for just our citizens, or something to to try to deter.

F

People uh from throwing things out of their window- and you know recently I was talking to.

F

Our county administrator roberta windham about this, and she suggested that maybe.

F

Some of this comes out of our trash trucks too, as they're moving along. But I'd like to think that.

F

Sporadically the way I see it that people are just attuned to throwing things out and- and it.

F

Along the roadways- and it's it's really becoming an issue uh so I'd like the eac to dive into that.

F

And come up with, um you know, maybe push out some sort of of public. You know public.

F

Information that folks can relate to just reminding them not to do it.

F

Maybe getting in our schools and telling folks of how bad it is to throw stuff out.

F

You know we we had that thing where we had some of our municipalities doing the street sweeping.

F

To keep things out of our storm water drains uh and that that too could be a part of it. But.

F

uh We are st again. I think this is a huge problem, and this is right in your. This is right in your.

F

Wheelhouse cac to to really push out something on this, so I'll leave it at that. I think you all know.

F

Because you travel around here too, uh it's becoming a problem, so any anything that you.

F

Could do there may be trying to increase the adopt-a-road program or or again, educational.

F

Opportunities, I don't know, but I would love to see you guys focus on that uh for the coming year.

A

Actually, uh you hit one key component education. If you start in elementary schools, you'd be surprised.

A

How those kids train their parents uh over the years and if you start young, they get the.

A

The habits formed and already I mean I've, thrown things away. My granddaughter even says.

A

You need you need to have that recycled uh or whatever thrown away and something I would.

A

Even think about have to wash it and recycle it, but they, uh the younger generation here.

A

Is really on top of what needs to happen? If we, if you give us some education on it,.

A

And that's the key component to anything to change uh the future, get started with the young kids.

A

And we have commissioner rostein back to now so uh yeah, it's all good. um I appreciate the.

O

Conversation I mean I'm used to you know back in the day the crying indian. You know that was this.

O

Very strong message- and we all remember that growing up was that crying indian. um Maybe we.

O

Need we gotta figure it out and uh come up with a very strong, deliberate message, um but it's already.

O

Been said so appreciate, I apologize uh for my tardiness. I was on a call with the state dealing.

O

With the uh the vaccination process so, but I'll keep it going uh there, commissioner weaver okay.

A

But, commissioner williams, all the things you have to bring up. No, I think their needs and.

F

And we work pretty well together on this, but uh you know the continued effort of the proper.

F

Way to recycle and don't throw it anything at me, commissioner boucher, uh but you know I think we.

F

Need to continue that effort uh in partnership with uh our our our folks in public works.

F

uh But those were the two things you know just a reminder of how to properly recycle and what.

F

To properly recycle and to do something with the trash that continues to be found,.

F

Along our roadways, they were, they were the two things that I had, uh commissioner weaver. Thank you.

C

Well, I want to add on. I think commissioner wayne's made a really great point. I live on woodbine road.

C

And I have a mcdonald's down the street, so I do occasionally have to pick up the mcdowell's.

C

Garbage off my front yard- and I was thinking- maybe if there's something the fact that uh children.

C

Need volunteer hours to graduate high school and there's different community organizations.

C

That looking for things to do, if there's in any way, your council could have be like a hub on a.

C

Website or something where these organizations can coordinate one another advocate for the children.

C

To get their community service hours some place some central location as a commonality. To do this.

C

Is that there's something you guys should look into to set that up, possibly with the.

C

Education of students and offering a network of volunteering for road cruise and pick up and stuff.

A

Mr fraser ideas for the teacher.

A

Actually, right now, I think you're doing doing a good job.

A

Mr austin, you have any uh uh ideas for the future of the eac uh need to look into.

O

I think just um keep it simple, you know just uh whatever you're doing keep it simple. So we can.

O

Sustain it, if we try to do something too complex, it's good for a day a week a month or a year, but.

O

Then it goes away by the wayside and that's the problem with a lot of these uh projects.

O

That's why that crying ending you know, sticks in my head. It was, it was a relatively, very simple.

O

Thing he was standing by the side. Somebody throws crash out there. He cries that was it. It was a very.

O

Straightforward message: so whatever we can do uh to help you um resource it, let us know and.

O

Yeah appreciate all you're doing so, that's kind of where I'm at and she's a great resource for this.

A

She's fantastic to pull things together, so uh I will say that I do have a I didn't know the trees.

A

That's an issue going to bring up and I think craig you already addressed that one.

A

uh Recycling is one that we're recycling solid waste, we're uh battling with here and.

A

In our budget and everything else coming up, I'm sure we're going to have the recycling. I guess is.

A

Our biggest issue we used to make uh 15 a ton, and now it costs us uh where's, erica, 85 or 100. A ton.

A

To get rid of it uh is a major issue and what you were obligated to recycle. I think 37.

A

Of our trash, but um it's it's a it's a costly uh endeavor right now and I'm not sure where we're.

A

Gonna head with it, what we're gonna do with it, but you know ideas looking into recycling how we could.

A

Is really a major um uh focus for uh a group, and I mean that's a huge uh task to undertake.

A

But at least just ideas too, as an advisory council, where should we be going as a county.

A

And looking into the recycling- and hopefully this balances out sometime but right now it's.

A

Very costly- and uh we we don't have the answer internally- so might be a topic that we.

A

Want to research over the next year or two years uh on this, okay um from the committee.

M

uh A couple things I'd like to add, um I think, they're very good points and I think.

M

Recycling and uh trash and the trash along the roadways kind of go hand in.

M

Hand- and we will definitely look into that- um I've noticed it as well.

M

And maybe in our you know, one of our upcoming meetings here or either february or march. We.

M

Can get on the agenda and, as a committee just brainstorm uh the who's, the whys, the where's of of.

M

Where the trash is coming from, um I think we could all probably ascertain a lot of that has.

M

To do with uh everybody's habits have been different. The last year, more people at home.

M

There's more trash people, just I don't know not doing what they're supposed to be doing. um You.

M

Can't legislate morality, you know either you're going to throw trash out or you're. Not that's.

M

Hard thing to do, but, uh commissioner lance, I think it is a great idea, we'll definitely look into it.

M

um You know trash blogs either in the recyclable um containers or in the landfill. It doesn't.

M

Belong along the side of the road so um and definitely getting the education in the schools.

M

That's where it comes from, I think you know going back when we were all kids. You know I can look.

M

Themselves in the mirror and I'm sure they've thrown stuff out when they were kids. But you.

M

Know you grow older and you realize that's not the proper thing to do and you don't do it anymore. So.

M

You know I hate point fingers, but probably a lot of it is coming from the younger population and.

M

We're also coming out of the trash trucks because they're you know overloaded with trash so.

M

um We, as a committee, will brainstorm that see what we come up with and uh you know maybe try to do.

M

Something constructive where we can alleviate uh a lot of the ugliness along the side of the roads.

M

Which certainly is in carroll county, so definitely work on that. Thank you, commissioner williams.

C

And the trash definitely doesn't belong in commissioner lance's front yard.

C

He got threatened last year on this, so these subjects are.

C

Always very touchy of people, and they they they get a little bit irrational.

F

Yeah well, that was a whole other issue, but yeah that's true.

F

But, thank you frank. I think that'll go a long way, even if it's just public service.

F

Announcements to start out with whatever, but I appreciate you focusing on that.

F

And and curtis when you get a chance I'll stop by their neighbor and you and I can walk along.

F

And see if we can find that mcdonald's out there, it's got to be out there somewhere.

A

Okay, anybody have anything uh for the good of the uh group here at this time. Martin.

A

Mentioned I just want to tell stephen anytime come on by we'll: do that walk.

A

All right, chairman black, I'm very much looking forward to doing some photos and tours with you.

C

I'm an outdoors guy fish hunt hike, so anything involved in the outdoors. Absolutely love.

C

And I'm looking forward to doing it with you. Thank you.

M

Sounds good I'll, keep that in mind and I'll reach out. Thank you, commissioner.

A

G

Is there can, I assume then yeah you hate to assume, but why I'm asking that you concur with.

G

The work plan that they've drafted plus looking into these additional products.

A

I'm sorry I even come through clear yeah. Sorry, so can I assume that the board concurs with the.

G

Work plan that they proposed and adding in looking at these additional projects.

A

All in favor, yes, yeah, work plan. That's good! That's good! Okay! So you.

A

Thank you, and, uh as always guys, uh I do want to say you know brenda special thanks. I know she does.

A

A great job of uh coordinating between the county and the uh work group- and uh she is tremendous in.

A

What she does so we all think a lot of her. I know you guys do so brenda. Thank you for what.

A

You do, and I guess that concludes our meeting for today. Do I have a motion for adjournment or did.

A

We have that earlier so moved. Second, all right motion made and second to adjourn all in favor.

A

Okay. This concludes our annual eac commissioners meeting.

A

um Look forward to seeing you guys at the award ceremony in april so take care.

A