St. Mary's County, MD Commissioners of St. Mary's County, 19 Oct 2021

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From YouTube: 10/19/21 Commissioners of St. Mary's County

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A

Please come to order good morning welcome to the commission of st mary's county meeting this date.

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Tuesday october 19 2021., I am randy guy president commissioner of st mary's county I'd like to.

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Introduce the other commissioners sending to my right representative. First, commissioner district.

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Which includes ridge, piney point saint george island, mr eric coleman good morning mike represent.

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The second commissioner district, which includes learning to hollywood, is unable to attend today.

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Standing on my left representing the third commissioner district, which includes charlotte hall, seven chester, golden beach and mechanical mr john o'connor morning, representing the fourth.

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Commissioner district, which includes lexington park some of california great.

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Mills as some of hollywood, mr todd morgan, dr rebecca bridget, our county administrator.

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Is sending to the table to my left morning, alisa casas, our communications director is.

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Sitting at the table to my right good morning, amy carter, our video media producers behind the glass.

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Please turn your cell phones off from vibrate. When you come to the presenter's table. Please come down.

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The center aisle and remember this meeting is being televised, so you need to speak clearly.

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And directly into the microphone for recording purposes, so look good announcement. We do have a.

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Public forum in this room tonight at 6 30 p.m. We hope you will join us either in person or by phone.

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At this time, we'll have the invocation pledged by commissioner colvin. Please stand.

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Almighty god, we thank you for this opportunity to serve and we ask for your guidance and protection.

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As we do the work that is set before us amen, please join me in the pledge.

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But please of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands. One nation.

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Under, under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all, thank you, commissioner. Coleman.

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Thank you next, I need the approval of the consent agenda so moved. Second remember. First and second,.

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All in favor aye aye aye any booze nice. Next we have several proclamations. uh First, one is.

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We call white cane day and it'll be done by commissioner o'connor.

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um Do you want to call everybody out julia stand up yeah, please come on up.

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Lisa austin yeah, please do come. Thank you all right. All right.

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Yeah, you guys can take a seat. Thank you for being here today.

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All right, whereas the white cane, which every blind citizen of our county, has the right to.

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Carry demonstrates and symbolizes the ability to achieve a full and independent life and the.

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Capacity to work productively in a competitive employment and whereas the white gain by allowing.

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Every blind person to move freely and safely from place to place makes it possible for the blind to.

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Fully participate in and contribute to our society and to live the lives they want and whereas every.

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Citizen should be aware that the law requires that motorists and cyclists exercise appropriate.

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Caution when approaching a blind person carrying a white cane and whereas maryland law also calls.

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Upon all employers, both public and private, to be aware of and utilize the employment skills.

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Of our blind citizens by recognizing their worth as individuals and their productive capacities and.

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Whereas the state of maryland, through its public agencies and with the cooperative assistance of.

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The national federation of the blind of maryland can and should facilitate the expansion of.

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Employment opportunities and greater acceptance of blind persons in the competitive labor market.

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Now, therefore, we, the commissioners of saint mary's county, do hereby proclaim october 15, 2021 white.

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Cane awareness day and do call upon our schools to offer full opportunities for training to blind.

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Persons upon employers and the public to utilize the available skills of competent blind persons.

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And to open new opportunities for the blind in our rapidly changing society and upon all citizens to.

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Recognize the white cane as a tool of independence for blind pedestrians on our streets and highways.

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Either one of you have something like to say to the people on the behalf of the national.

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Federation of the blind of maryland, we want to thank the county commissioners of saint mary's.

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County for recognizing such an important day to the blindness community, I myself have grown.

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Up in here in saint mary's county- and it wasn't always where some things like this were recognized.

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So it's beautiful to see this has come to a point where we are recognizing the use.

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Of you know, white, canes and service dogs alike. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much.

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Thank you thank you for being here today.

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Next, we have a red red ribbon week for young marines.

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And commissioner morgan will go ahead and read that I think three of you are going.

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To come forward at this time, I'm not sure with three there. You go very good.

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Y'all just go and have a seat right there. There you go very good.

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Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, morning.

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National red ribbon week, whereas communities across america have been plagued by the numerous.

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Problems associated with illegal drug use and those who traffic them and whereas there is.

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Hope in winning the war on drugs and the hope lies in education and drug demand, reduction.

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Coupled with the hard work and determination of organizations such as the southern maryland, young.

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Marines to foster healthy drug-free lifestyle and whereas governments and communicators know citizen.

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Support is one of the most effective tools in the effort to reduce the use of illicit drugs.

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In our communities and whereas the red ribbon campaign was established by congress in 1988.

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To encourage a drug-free lifestyle and involvement in drug prevention, education efforts and whereas.

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October 23rd to 31st has been designated national red ribbon week, which encourages americans to wear.

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Red ribbon to show their support for a drug-free environment. The 2021 national red ribbon theme is.

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Drugs free drug-free books like me now, therefore, we, the commissioners of saint mary's, county.

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Do hereby pray claim the week of october 23rd to 31st 2021 it's national red ribbon week in.

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Saint mary's county all citizens are joined are urged to join the commissioners of saint.

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Mary's county and the special observations now and throughout the year. Thank you very much.

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So anything you'd like to say this morning. Yes, sir, thank you, and can you all introduce yourselves to.

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I'm your marine staff sergeant williams, I'm young marine, corporal harrington, I'm young.

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Marine private, very good, very good. They in this community drugs have become a very popular thing.

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They see it in muted, music, videos and movies even on the streets, but the young marines were.

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About not using drugs, because we know the dangers about it instead of just saying no, we can also.

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Educate other people, not just as children but as citizens of america and saint mary's county.

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And I just and I just and I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be able to speak about drugs.

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To other people, other kids and even grown-ups drugs have become a very it's. A very huge thing.

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In our community, but it can all be stopped if we all just learn what drugs actually are. Instead of.

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What we see in the community and how people promote them great. Thank you very much. Thank you.

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Do we have any other young marines out there just three of you, okay,.

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Highlight of the day's meeting right there, all downhill from here before you go, I just want.

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To say to the young marines, thank you for what you do, and and every year we're reminded of what.

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The sacrifice from kiki and down in mexico and what you're carrying on in his tradition.

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And his memory and never letting his uh his memory fade. So thank you very much very good.

A

Okay, next, we have another red ribbon week, but this is for the health department.

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I don't have dr brewster tammy louie uh mike wyatt. I think uh here, okay,.

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Good morning, good morning morning to you.

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Whereas alcohol and other drug abuse in this nation have reached epidemic proportions, it.

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Is imperative that visible, unified prevention, education efforts be by community members, be.

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Launched to eliminate the demand for drugs and whereas the national family partnership nfp is.

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Sponsoring the national red ribbon campaign to offer citizens an opportunity to demonstrate their.

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Commitment to drug-free lifestyles, the national red ribbon campaign and celebration is celebrated.

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In every community in america during red ribbon week, which is october 23rd through the 31st.

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And whereas business government, parents, law enforcement, media, medical, religious institutions.

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Schools, senior citizens, service organizations and youth will demonstrate their commitment to healthy.

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Drug-Free lifestyles by wearing and displaying red ribbons during the week-long campaign.

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And whereas to help achieve this goal, the saint mary's county health department, st murray county.

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Public schools, st mary county sheriff's office, health, saint mary's partnership and the community.

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Alcohol coalition invite all residents of saint mary's county to participate in red ribbon week.

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Now, therefore, with the commission, st mary's county, to hereby proclaim.

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October 23rd, through october 31st 2021 red ribbon week and the theme drug free, looks like me in.

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Saint mary's county and encourage all residents to participate in drug prevention, education.

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Activities making a visible statement that we are strongly committed to a drug free state.

A

Oh yeah, you had the floor, make a little statement. uh I just want to thank you again.

G

We're obviously very happy to uh renew a tradition. Mr wyan, could you move towards the microphone, sir.

H

I'm very happy to renew a tradition that we kind of missed out on last year because of the pandemic.

G

And renew our commitment has already been stated with the young marines that this.

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Is a very important initiative and something we enjoy partnering with the health department, the.

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Sheriff's office and many others to put forward the message for red ribbon week in our schools, so.

G

Thank you very much, yeah, very good training, young ones right now, no doubt about it. Yes, sir. Thank you.

A

Ma'am and just on behalf of the health department, we again appreciate all of our partnerships and.

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The recognition of red ribbon week, it's very important, and especially with our.

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Partnership with the schools of being able to go in and make an impact on the students.

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And you know just bring awareness, so we very much appreciate all of our community partnerships.

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As well as um being able to renew our outreach with the schools.

I

Very good, thank you very much and let's help spread the word. Thank you.

A

Thank you very much.

A

And next we have economic development week it's going to be written. My commissioner calvin will.

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Read uh hey, I think we got the whole economic development department here. We do good good.

B

Glad you took a seat, this one's a little bit longer yeah, but uh but it's really fitting to be.

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Able to present this this week, right after we had the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new.

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Smart building, so it's really really good time to present this. So it reads: whereas the saint mary's.

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County department of economic development is an active member of the maryland economic development.

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Association, a non-profit organization established in 1961, whose mission is to enhance the knowledge.

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And skills of the members encourage partnerships and networking among people committed to.

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Bringing jobs and capital to maryland and promote economic development as an investment in maryland.

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And whereas the economic growth and stability of the state impacts, all regions and jurisdictions of.

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Maryland and saint mary's county department of economic development is an important component.

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Of the state's economic success and whereas st mary's county department of economic development.

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Supports a dynamic cultural and economic ecosystem by attracting and retaining a talented and diverse.

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Workforce growing the advancing manufacturing autonomous systems, aircraft, modification tourism.

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And agricultural and aquaculture industries creating a robust environment for innovation,.

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And entrepreneurship and whereas the department of economic development has shown a commitment to.

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Innovation and creativity and supports an economy anchored by the important mission of naval air.

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Station patuxent river and its tenant commands, while stretching business revenue streams beyond.

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Military work to include commercial products and services attract new companies, large and small.

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And targeted industries that bring fresh ideas and capabilities to the local economy draw in.

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Highly skilled workers who can advance the work in aviation manufacturing, rapid prototyping in other.

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Business sectors and maintains the rural character of the county and protects military installations.

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Through robust land preservation efforts, whereas the department facilitates a rich quality of life,.

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Good schools, safe neighborhoods connectivity gathering places, walkable destinations.

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Access to natural resources and an active lifestyle now, therefore, we, the commissioners.

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Of saint mary's county do hereby recognize the department of economic development as important.

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Contributors to the resiliency and success of the local economy and the foundation to the economic.

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Future of our county and ask all citizens to join us in recognizing the contributions and further.

B

Proclaim the week of october 25th through 29th as economic development week in saint mary's county.

J

Thank you, commissioners. Typically during this week we recognize a business or an industry, but this.

J

This year we wanted to recognize our staff and I'm usually the one up here and kind of getting the.

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Tv camera and whatever and staff work very, very hard behind the scenes to do everything every day.

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To help small businesses, big businesses and to help the farmers and the in the.

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Farming community, so I'd like to invite the whole staff up please I want to thank you.

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And your staff for all the work you've done, especially during pandemic. The last almost.

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Two years, the distribution of funds to help our small businesses out- you all stepped up and did.

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A great job, okay, of course, and just the economic development alone, with the new aero park out there.

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Now being developed, and we just had ribbon cutting of the new smart building on friday.

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What a great addition to our aero park area! So it's going to be a great great addition to us.

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And I thank you and your team for everything you do appreciate it. Thank you very much.

J

Maybe we'll have everybody introduce themselves real, quick just once we're all off here.

J

All right, lisa, hi, lisa legman and I work in the agriculture division.

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Donald stafford, um the agriculture manager, kelly hinkle deputy director.

K

And we're missing one casey giddy.

B

All right, I moved to adjourn as a commissioner of saint mary's county and reconvene as the saint mary's county board of health.

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Second, I have a first and second all in favor. I will now move into the board of health.

L

Good morning, commissioners, good morning good morning,.

B

Good morning, dr michael morning, dr michael welcome welcome. How are you.

L

Okay, thank you for your time this morning, as you can see, I'm joined here by dr.

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Steven michaels, the chief operating officer and chief medical officer of.

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Medstar, st mary's hospital, so thank you, dr michaels, for joining us today. My pleasure.

L

Thank you as usual I'll start by presenting some uh updates in our local data related to covet.

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19 pandemic and then we'll talk um a little bit with dr michaels about hospitalizations.

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And then go back to some updates in terms of our response to the covet 19 pandemic. We continue to.

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Be in high transmission here locally with covid19, you go to the next slide. I'll start. First, with.

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Vaccinations because I think that is really such a key strategy right now, in addition to testing.

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And prevention to get us through uh the surge and hopefully closer to the end of this pandemic,.

L

We are the top graph indicates the first dose of vaccine for saint mary's county residents.

L

The bottom graph indicates the final dose of the original vaccine series.

L

We have seen some increases in vaccination rates here locally, though we have seen.

L

It's been more of a slow pace of increase. We are still well below statewide averages for a vaccine.

L

I think the state just reported 85 percent of all adults have received the first dose where.

L

Where little less than 70 percent of all adults have received their first dose, as you can see, for.

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Our total population, which is really the metric that counts because everybody lives here in saint.

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Mary's county and is susceptible to getting infected or spreading infection, so our total.

L

Population is about 60. 61 percent have received their first dose of covid19 vaccine.

L

And for those who are considered fully vaccinated because they've completed their original series of.

L

Vaccination, um it's a little bit lower at close to 57 56.5. So dr brewster, sorry to interrupt.

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We've been doing this for a while now do we see any substantial number doesn't look like a.

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Substantial number of people that get their first dose and just don't follow up with the second dose.

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um So the numbers that we have indicate uh you know we look at our data in terms of what the.

L

Health department, we are the main vaccinators in the county, so we look at our subset of data.

L

And then we also look at what metrics we have uh through other systems that counts.

L

Other providers who are providing vaccine from our data there's about 5, 000 or so people who.

L

Have not yet received their final dose in their original series. Some of that is hard to gauge.

L

Though, because some of those individuals are people who've, more recently received vaccine.

L

And they're just waiting for the right time period to go, get their second dose.

L

If they're an mrna vaccine recipient but yeah, there is a a percentage and you can.

L

It's kind of reflected here in this chart as well. It's about four or five percentage points.

L

Difference in terms of individuals who haven't yet come back to get their final dose.

L

Let's go into talking about covid cases by week and vaccination status. This is the graph that we.

L

Tune into the most really to give us an indication because it spans the number of cases by week.

L

Which helps account for the variations we get day by day. You know we don't have as.

L

Much testing on the weekend so usually monday, tuesday, tend to be lower day. Num.

L

Lower dose sorry lower case numbers, but over the course of a week we have uh fortunately seen.

L

Some decline in the number of new weekly cases of covet 19 in saint mary's county.

L

We we think this is attributed to the increase in vaccinations uptake of booster doses by those who.

L

Are eligible, some natural immunity from people who have been recently infected and also more.

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Masking especially masking indoors throughout our community that helps prevent the spread of.

L

Infection still again very high transmissions here locally, but but definitely improving, which is very.

L

Very much an encouraging trend for us here. The next slide indicates the actual case.

L

Rate again reflecting that as well the decrease in those metrics so far in the past few weeks.

L

When you break it down by age, and you look at those new daily case rates,.

L

uh We're we're great to see a decline, especially in those.

L

Really high age groups of zero to 19 and the 20 to 39 age groups that have been.

L

You know really marking the high rates of uh during this delta surge we're going to continue.

L

To monitor, obviously, these rates are still higher than where we would want them to be for each.

L

Of these age groups so again we're encouraging people to get vaccinated if they're age eligible.

L

And then also to get boosted if they're eligible for that and I'll talk later about.

L

Those criteria again, the risk of infection is significantly associated with not being vaccinated.

L

I'll present some data first in the next handful of slides about hospitalizations for saint mary's.

L

County residents as a whole and then I'll pass the mic over to dr michaels, who can speak a little bit.

L

More to our local picture and the impact in the medstar system, I believe, commissioner morgan at.

L

The prior board of health meeting you had asked the question about impact on medstar systems, so.

L

I'm grateful that dr michaels can be here to help answer some of those questions.

L

Daily hospitalization use for saint mary's county residents is still high, it does appear.

L

To be decreasing or on a decreasing trend compared to where we peaked about a month ago,.

L

But uh obviously it's um still much higher.

L

Than at the lower points during our pandemic and earlier in the summer in the last few months,.

L

Alone, we've had well over 200 coveted, related hospitalizations of saint mary's county residents,.

L

And the greatest impact, as you would expect, are in the older age groups.

L

And continue to be, I mean for the whole pandemic, as well as just during this delta surge, but still.

L

You know again, it just speaks to the significance of the surge that we're currently in.

L

And the impact it's having on our health care, hospitalization hospital systems.

L

The majority of the hospitalizations again have been happening and those who are not vaccinated.

L

Or not fully vaccinated, as as demonstrated by this slide here, the last column reflects the week.

L

Ending in 10 9 october 9th, so this data is typically about a week or delayed based on.

L

When we get our hospitalization data week and a half dr bruce, I'm looking at that chart and the.

E

Second, bar graph from the right looks like an anomaly where a huge burst of fully vaccinated.

E

People show up with kova's right sure that is an anomaly. So if you look at it there, there was.

L

About half of those cases were those who were not fully vaccinated. There were some.

L

Who were partially vaccinated and then, of course, a greater number of hospitalizations.

L

Than what we had seen in prior weeks of fully vaccinated or breakthrough, hospitalizations.

L

So that was unusual at that week it was probably related to a high level of transmission. We were.

L

Having usually hospitalization data is a few weeks lagging behind rates in the community.

L

So it may have been reflecting higher levels of transmission when you have higher levels of.

L

Transmission locally, then, the risk, even for those who are fully vaccinated and have some protection.

L

With their vaccine the risk of getting illness- and you know then subsequent serious illness.

L

Would be higher, thank you also, but keep in mind. We've started rolling out booster doses as well.

L

So I think that will help protect those breakthrough hospitalizations from happening.

L

As we move forward, these are the hospitalizations by age and vaccination status and, of course,.

L

Older individuals would have a higher risk of hospitalization, especially if they are not.

L

Vaccinated as indicated by the darker blue bottom parts of each of these bars.

L

The next on hospitalizations, before I pass it over to dr michaels.

L

Is specifically looking at those breakthrough hospitalizations, so, commissioner morgan, the.

L

The numbers that you had referenced so we have had about 50 breakthrough hospitalizations so far,.

L

These are hospitalizations and individuals who are fully vaccinated but still get coveted infection.

L

The majority, as I've mentioned before the majority of these breakthrough,.

L

Hospitalizations are happening in individuals who are 60 and older, or have chronic underlying.

L

Health conditions or immune compromise and we are strongly strongly encouraging.

L

All residents who are eligible for booster vaccine doses to go ahead and get it.

L

Especially our seniors and those who may have underlying health conditions or immune compromise.

L

And again I'll talk more about who's eligible for booster doses later on I'll uh pass over them.

A

These hospitalization uh figures here are these people that are spending more than one day there.

L

um So the uh dr michaels can speak a little bit to the length of stay. We have seen.

L

Fairly long, lengths of stay associated with covid related hospitality, I've seen that, because.

A

These are just me who went to the hospital just spent one day there was sent home to.

L

These are reflected of hospitalization status, so they've been admitted in patient status.

L

And they are being counted as a new hospital admission. Okay, dr michaels, did you want to.

M

Talk about, I would I would. uh I would agree with uh what dr brewster said, that um the length of.

M

Stay for people who have been being admitted with covid is uh significantly longer than than usual.

M

What I will say about the um the hospital situation is is that the summertime has been a.

M

Very very busy uh period for us um and that's um not um usual, usually the the summer at.

M

The hospital is a less is a period where there's less volume. This has been a period of very, very.

M

High volume and long lengths of stay um related to the covet population we have experienced.

M

Our our data reflects exactly what dr brewster has in her data that um the covid uh situation.

M

um Was quite high a few weeks ago and now the covet inpatient volume is about half of that.

M

And the data on on the breakthrough cases is clear that well over 90 percent of the breakthrough.

M

Cases are people who are unvaccinated and I think she'll show her data about.

M

Mortality mortality too, is clearly related to vaccination status. So, while you might.

M

See breakthrough cases coming into the hospital the the percentage of.

M

Patients dying who are vaccinated is much lower than those who are not vaccinated.

M

I will say that the hospital is functioning at full capacity and we have. We are not curtailing.

M

Any services we are fully open and ready to serve the citizens of saint mary's county.

M

And we, as part of the medstar system, are able to take full advantage of the the offerings at.

M

Our tertiary and quaternary facilities, so if we have to transfer patients for higher.

M

Levels of care we're able to do that, given our the size of of our inpatient population at this time.

M

While we're part of the medstar total medstar transfer system at this point, we've not been able.

M

To accept transfers into the hospital from outside of the area, oh, for, I would say at least the last.

M

Three months for sure and well beyond that, it's been just sporadically because the um incidence.

M

Of disease in the county has just been much higher, not sure. If that's because people put off.

M

Coming to the hospital, but our our case mix index, which is a which is an indication of the severity.

M

Of illness has been up over the last year and remains up in the first quarter of of fy 22.. So.

M

I want to assure the commissioners that the hospital is staffed. It's it's ready to take.

M

Care of patients and we are taking care of both covenant and non-coveted patients. As far as the.

M

Covet is concerned, I am concerned that you know st mary's county continues to be one of the.

M

Highest incidents in the state- and I think that is reflective of our relatively low vaccination rate.

M

And I took encourage um all students of saint mary's county to consider getting vaccinated.

B

So dr mike was um setting aside covid in particular.

B

How's, your staff doing how's the morale because we see across the country. Healthcare workers have.

B

Just been slammed for the past two years and and it's not easy they're dealing with.

B

A lot and you're talking about just how tough things are, so we really appreciate all of our.

B

Care workers in our community and what they're doing and yeah I I I it's an honor.

M

To work with the team at medstar, st mary's, they have, uh they are persevering under.

M

Really increased stress and increased volumes, the volumes are much higher than what we would.

M

Normally have budget for, and so people are having to to do. Extra people are having to.

M

To really um step up to the plate, and I'm happy to to say that that we've just had an outpouring of.

M

Of support from our associates- um and um you know I just couldn't be more proud of them- excellent.

A

Any other questions. Commissioners, oh thank you. I do have one question. Yes, sir, I had an individual.

A

I talked to you about medstar's hiring, yes, for some reason, you don't offer medical coverage for.

A

A three-month period after they're hired is that true, so I'm not aware of that, um um they said they.

M

Had to wait three months for some kind of, but they lost their healthcare when they left the other job.

A

Then they got to medstar and he was blocked for three months from getting his healthcare provided.

A

So um seemed like something: we don't do that in the county. We hire people. Quite honestly, I mean.

M

So I want to be 100, you know accurate, but uh but my my feeling is is that we offer healthcare as.

M

Soon, as you uh begin your employment at medstar, but I will follow up with you yeah, please give me.

A

A call, let me know this individual was concerned, and I said well that doesn't make sense yeah. I I'm.

M

Almost 100 sure, but I obviously don't want to speak um without. I appreciate that yeah.

L

Thank you, dr michaels. um Moving on to covid fatalities, I just uh you know: we've.

L

Have a a lot of people um now in saint mary's county who've, passed uh related to covet 19.

L

159 saint mary's county residents since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly 30 of which.

L

Have happened just in the past two months again to our residents. Please, please get vaccinated.

L

This talks to the point about covid related deaths um associated with uh you know how it's, how it.

L

Relates to or ties to, vaccination status, we do update this monthly. uh We have other graphs on.

L

Fatalities that are updated more regularly, but this particular one we update monthly we'll have.

L

An update for october reflected on here uh in another couple weeks, so here you can see. I mean.

M

Clearly, mortality is significantly affected by by vaccination status. I mean, and this is what we're.

M

Really going afters preventing people from dying and uh no vaccine vaccine is 100, effective and so.

M

You do see breakthrough cases, but if you're talking about preventing people from dying.

M

This graph is really telling would you agree yeah absolutely thank you. Thank you and you know really.

L

These deaths, the deaths uh here in this county, the deaths across our country across our world.

L

They have a significant impact on families and communities. um It's really beyond the individual.

L

And you're you're, seeing this kind of ripple effect um through through society related to.

L

These fatalities related to covid. This study recently came out that looks specifically at.

L

The impact of caregiver loss in children and in families caregiver loss for children, estimating.

L

About 140 000 u.s children have nationally have lost a caregiver and a caregiver qualifies as.

L

Somebody who provides housing to the child could be a primary caregiver. In fact, majority of these.

L

140 000, I think about 120 25 000. If so estimated are primary caregivers. These are providing for.

L

Housing and basic needs like food and so forth, and also love. This study was done. Pre-Delta.

L

Before the delta surge, that has been running through the u.s, and so we think the numbers.

L

Are likely significantly greater now of this type of impact, we also see a racial ethnic.

L

Disparity primarily because earlier on in the pandemic, as we had talked about that we were.

L

Seeing more fatalities nationally related to covet happening, affecting our african-american.

L

Residents and our hispanic residents, and so of course now we're seeing that this type of outcome.

L

Where loss of a caregiver due to covid is a great having a greater impact on our african-american.

L

Residents and hispanic residents around the country, the loss of a caregiver, is considered.

L

An adverse childhood experience- and I think I've talked with you that about those types of things.

L

Before they're, basically traumatic conditions that youth may experience that, when unmitigated may.

L

Be associated with an increased risk of chronic illness. Mental health concerns, violence, drug use.

L

And delayed or reduced educational outcomes, so there are a lot of strategies that communities.

L

And families can put into place to mitigate the impact of these adverse childhood experiences.

L

And some work certainly is being done here locally on this topic across a variety of.

L

Partners, commissioner o'connor, I think this speaks also to the point that you have made several times.

L

In prior board of health meetings about the need for us to have strong supports for mental health.

L

And drug prevention in our county and also a system in place that adequately addresses.

L

The rising concerns we've been seeing over over years now with mental health and with drug use.

L

And so the health department, of course, is working very closely with our local partners.

L

To try to assess the impact of covid related loss on our county on our children.

L

And then also to move forward with strategies to mitigate the impact of that and adverse.

L

Childhood experiences overall again, if for anybody who's watching, if you're a caregiver.

L

A parent or grandparent, for example, it's especially important that you reduce your.

L

Risk of covid related death, little ones are depending upon you, please get vaccinated.

L

Another key development, since we last met is the world health organization has now.

L

Put forward a clinical case definition for what we were previously calling long covid.

L

And what the world health organization is now describing as post coven 19 condition we'll.

L

We'll probably still continue to call it long coveted for some time until we get some further.

L

Adoptance of that phrase, postcovid 19 condition. So I've talked about this a little bit before.

L

But that's basically, these are some of the criteria for identifying post, coven, 19 condition.

L

Where you've had a laboratory diagnosed covid19 infection, and you continue to have.

L

Or have new onset symptoms after having had coven 19., so those symptoms should last for at least.

L

Two months before you can be diagnosed with this condition, and you should exclude.

L

Other causes of those symptoms before utilizing the the description of coast, covid19 condition.

L

We have had several studies now that have been trying to identify the prevalence of.

L

This post, cova 19 condition or long covid and most of the estimates are suggesting that about 10 to.

L

30 percent of people getting infected with covid19 may develop this post cova 19 types conditions and.

L

Symptoms there potentially is a higher risk of developing long covid. If you've been hospitalized.

L

Or have had other types of severe illness and then also potentially a higher risk of long.

L

Covid, if you're unvaccinated, so that is definitely something that we're continuing to monitor. That is.

L

A significant concern, because this has long-term implications on our workforce, absenteeism uh costs.

L

Of healthcare insurance, all of that on our employers, it has long-term implications on.

L

The burden of chronic illness um affecting our residents here and the and the you know need for.

L

Health care resources to support addressing those long-term symptoms. Are you seeing this in all age.

B

Groups, yes, uh we are we're still waiting on more science to suggest, if there's a greater likelihood.

L

Of long covid in certain age groups over others, so a lot of this is still developing and emerging and.

L

So we're just watching very closely right now. This is a big step when the world health organization.

L

Establishes through a consensus process a case definition that is very critical to then studying.

L

The the impact of that condition right so you need to know and have some kind of agreed upon adopted.

L

Agreed upon criteria for what you're, looking at before, you can really everybody's kind of on the.

L

Same page and describing how frequently it's occurring in different places, right.

L

Okay, so the next is testing we're continuing to do to make covid19 testing. Hopefully.

L

Readily available to our community members monday through friday at these two locations.

L

And then rapid pcr testing is available for certain populations, including children under.

L

11 and age 11 and under who may have symptoms of covid19 and that can need to be arranged by.

L

Appointment, the next is really just to talk a little bit when dr michaels was last here.

L

We talked about monoclonal antibody treatment and he had spoken about some.

L

Processes, the hospital was looking to implement to make that treatment readily available to our.

L

Residents so just wanted to bring this up, so he can speak as well about that and we.

L

Can talk a little bit further about that treatment thanks so much yes, so um there's no question that.

M

um Early in the course of a covet 19 infection that administering antibodies and antibodies are.

M

Are exactly what we're trying to produce through vaccination? But if we administer exogenous.

M

Antibodies that patients do improve and prevent a more serious case of disease. The hospital.

M

And the health department spoke about the needs down in saint mary's county. There was not a.

M

Area close by where this could be administered, and even though we weren't on the list of.

M

Of sites to open a monoclonal, antibody site, the hospital did pull together and.

M

Open a clinic that we're able to man with people with staff from the hospital.

M

And we do now administer monoclonal antibodies on a daily basis. We initially had to move it into.

M

Our education center we've now just in the last two weeks, moved it into the one of the temporary.

M

Buildings that are still on site at campus, we'll be able to use those temporary buildings.

M

For a while longer, unfortunately, those buildings um were not built um with any insulation.

M

And so um the their use in extreme climates is very difficult, in fact impossible. So.

M

In extremes of heat and extremes of cold, we won't be able to continue to use them.

M

So we'll have to figure out additional ways and we've talked with the department of health about.

M

Partnering in in additional areas, particularly down in lexington park on that so right now.

M

It's it's available to members of saint mary's county and we're.

M

Glad to provide that service and we'll continue to do so, just as long as we can.

L

Thank you, dr michaels, and you know part of what dr michaels was referencing is.

L

Is the hospital and health department working together to try to figure out a longer term option.

L

Or a next option, once it becomes more challenging to use the space, that's currently being used for.

L

This treatment option, and so what I wanted to bring up and raise in front of you is.

L

We have the behavioral health hub that we really are interested in renovating the interior of so.

L

We can make it into a behavioral health crisis, stabilization service for our county residents.

L

We, I know you're you're, still considering the request for funding that we had put forward.

L

To support that project, if the commissioners are willing to consider we're very interested.

L

In the interim in using that facility for actually coveted treatment, because once the hospital is not.

L

Able to use its current space, we would like to partner together if we're able to complete the.

L

Renovation in the next few months, able to partner together to turn that facility temporarily into.

L

A covid19 treatment center, so we can continue to make treatment options available to our residents.

L

Again, we recognize we have lower vaccination rates here in this county and having treatment.

L

Available is particularly important for those residents that have opted not to get vaccinated.

L

So that we can assist them in preventing serious illness and hospitalization or death.

L

From their infection, dr brewster, could we also make use of the school-based health center so.

B

That we have the geographic, the school-based health centers are only during work hours or.

L

During school hours, or only for the school community to use, they wouldn't be set up for.

L

Using as a covid treatment center because we'll be using them, for um you know, individuals who may.

L

Not be infected with covid who are coming in and are they'll be operating as a school-based health.

L

Center and providing those types of clinical services for children and the staff at the.

L

Schools yeah, I think that's a very important point, because you know we cannot co-mingle.

M

Absolutely covet positive patients in areas in other areas, like schools or in other areas in the.

M

Hospital, I mean we have an infusion center, where we infuse um chemotherapeutic agents and other.

M

Infusions, but we certainly could could never let a covet positive patient come into that area, so.

M

um Really, you know the the areas for regeneron administration need to be segregated completely.

M

Because we we're we're treating only covet positive patients and we don't.

M

Want to put others at risk, um and so that's why it's important to have a segregated space.

L

And that's part of why that the building we we thought would be an optimal solution, because we.

L

We have a long-term plan for that building as well to make it available as a behavioral health crisis.

L

Stabilization and if the commissioners deem this important enough to fund, uh then we would like to.

L

Use it in the interim uh for covid treatment while and then be able to benefit from that.

L

Renovation in the long term, continuing to benefit our community with behavioral health crisis.

L

Stabilization, it also allows us to have that segregated space. It's also right next to where.

L

We do covet testing and so as people come through and they have a positive test result because we do.

L

Want to in the future offer rapid pcr testing right there at that site, as people come through.

L

And if they have a positive pcr test result, we can then transition them immediately into treatment.

L

On the interior of the building and again, this would be a temporary use of that space until.

L

We're able to operationalize it for the purpose of behavioral health crisis stabilization and the.

M

Hospital be willing to support that operation, so I think one of the things is I I don't.

C

Believe anybody on this board doesn't feel that it's not important. I just believe that there's a.

C

Budgetary balancing act that we have to go ahead and focus on. You know, commissioner, coleman myself.

C

And other commissioners, we made sure you had the funding to go ahead and continue operations.

C

It was over a million dollars, so I don't think it's about the importance. I do feel that it's.

C

About making sure all the other needs are met and as we're moving into this budget cycle as.

C

Well, I think that these are going to be some serious conversations we have. I just want to.

C

Make sure you you know yeah. I appreciate that conversations that it is important.

C

But it's the same same instance: we have between fire and ems of balancing the monies that are.

C

Going to fire an ems to keep them operational, you know as well. The concern I have, though, is.

C

We by these numbers, we it's obvious, we've reached a point and I've used the comparison about seat.

C

Belts, aggressive driving things like that, you know, there's a cost associated with a car crash.

C

Every single time, a car crashes, you know it's, it can be upwards of about 1.5 million dollars.

C

Total medical, if it's serious and the reason I make that point is, is usually if you're driving.

C

The speed limit, you're wearing a seat belt, you know the kids in a child safety seat, the risk.

C

Of serious injury is less and the cost associated with said accident is less now we're talking about.

C

Using another facility to provide care explicitly based on the sense of those that are unvaccinated.

C

By the not the ones that can't get vaccinated right, the ones that are choosing not to get.

C

Vaccinated- and here comes the governmental expense because of whatever reason that may.

C

Be whatever it's personal belief, religious belief? um You know some feed on facebook of a conspiracy.

C

Conspiracy theory attached to dr fauci, I you know, I mean it it's in it's all over the place.

C

How, how are we tracking those expenses, the government's expenses on those vaccinated and not.

C

Vaccinated yeah because somebody's picking up the tab and so are the insurance providers absolutely.

L

And and it's quite it's quite an expense to get hospitalized for kovid, as dr michaels mentioned,.

L

Earlier, it's a long length of stay and if you're unvaccinated the length of stay tends to be longer.

L

Than if you have a breakthrough and hospitalization related to covid.

L

And so those dollars are being paid, as you know, by society. So the impact of that decision.

L

Not to get vaccinated is potentially having a financial cost to the employers who are paying.

L

Health insurance premiums to families who are paying co-pays and so forth to government who.

L

Might be funding medicaid or medicare and taxpayer dollars on the taxpayers, essentially who fund.

L

Those programs and then, of course, you know to the healthcare and hospital system that may have to.

L

Eat some of the cost in that process of providing care in that emergent kind of situation. So yes,.

L

You're right, the economic costs to choosing not to get vaccinated is significant for everyone.

L

Every taxpayer, but there's also portions of our community, who are not yet eligible for vaccine.

L

So we continue to wait for eligibility for the under-12s. There are people who are immune.

L

Compromised who are or who have certain health conditions that prevent them from getting vaccine.

L

Or are immune compromised and maybe aren't responding well to the vaccine or need you.

L

Know you know more frequent monitoring of their immune response and so for those individuals.

L

Who have elected to get vaccine or who really just medically or by age, are not able to get vaccine.

L

There's you know we want to be able to make sure we have the appropriate care available to them as.

L

Well and this treatment, while we see the greatest burden of severe illness, hospitalizations included,.

L

And people who are not vaccinated, this treatment is still available to people who have breakthrough.

L

Cases of copin 19.- I I definitely understand that, and you know those that are immunocompromised and.

C

Various other reasons whether doctors say so or not. I completely understand it. I think what I'm.

C

Trying to drill down it down to is what is going to be the government's cost associated with those.

C

That choose not to get vaccinated and come in so it's. How do you drill that down? I mean you look at.

L

Costs of hospitalizations right look at costs of absenteeism on employers and the workforce. There.

L

And those how those costs then translate to you, know: government. You know, ultimately, all of that.

L

Goes back to the taxpayer right and you know those types of things you do need to quantify. You look.

L

At all the funding um you know, the commissioners you've dedicated a million dollars to support.

L

Staffing well we're you know also relying upon three or four other million dollars from the feds.

L

um To support staffing, because that million dollars that the commissioners, you all have.

L

Dedicated we use to support our contact, tracing efforts and some other stuff.

L

But we have uh funding that we're using to support all the vaccination staff and the testing staff.

L

And all of our supplies, so that's a lot of costs that have gone into responding to this pandemic.

L

That continue to go into responding to this pandemic, and particularly when our surge.

L

When we're surging and when that surge, of course is, uh you know, as we know, is being.

L

Driven uh largely by individuals who are not yet vaccinated and dr michaels, uh the other.

C

Question I would say what, on average, what let's say a five-day stay related to covet.

C

Rough figures, I know you can't give me a dent what what do you approximate that cost to be.

C

It's I know it's tough, to give me a number because it'll be a multitude of factors, but yeah.

M

Yeah, it's it's particularly tough in the way we do it in maryland, but.

M

It it's probably running close, almost close to six figures. Okay, that's fair.

M

Yeah, although it's just hard to convince everybody, when I was at the oyster festival, this saturday.

A

A couple probably I'd say 50s were walking around with a t-shirt. That said, I say no to vaccination.

A

It is my freedom to choose. I was written all the entire front of their t-shirt, so you got people.

A

Like that out there that are saying that and uh I've had my vaccinations, I've had my booster shot.

A

I've done all that and I feel fine, I'm glad I'm glad to have it all done it's. uh How do.

A

You drill through to people like that that this is important to get vaccine. I think I think that.

M

Mr o'connor's uh analogy around car crash, I think you know closer to the health situation is. Is you.

M

Know people who choose to smoke I mean the cost to the health care system is, is clearly much higher.

M

And clearly to society much higher, um you know we haven't completely outlawed cigarettes either.

M

I mean, but we we've certainly pared it down, but um you know I, you know people will make choices. I I.

M

I have a tough time understanding why you would be against vaccination, especially since vaccination.

M

Has saved the human race over and over and over again, oh my god. Over the years, oh yeah, I mean.

M

Hundreds of years just think about um we're. I mean I'm old enough and many of you are old enough to.

M

Remember back, you know in the before um the polio vaccine. You know you wouldn't let your kids go.

M

And swim in the swim, where you watch out, where you drank a lot of water fountains. Because when.

M

Polio was around, you know you could you could get hit by polio and that was a life-changing event.

M

And now polio is unknown. In fact, I'm an orthopedic surgeon- and you know, polio surgery is- is a lost.

M

Art, so um you know it's it's it's a very similar kind of situation and I understand that technology.

M

Is newer but um with a you know, if you want to look at a clinical trial and you look at over over.

M

A billion vaccine doses, given I mean it really, we really haven't seen any um bad um bad outcomes.

M

There's not been extremely negative consequences from taking that right. Yes, I agree dr michaels.

E

How many have you had to turn away seriously ill patients at the hospital due to a bed being taken.

E

Up at covet patients, um no, we we we have not, we we will not, and we will not turn away patients. We.

M

Will be able to um continue to um take care of of the community uh if, if um we haven't gotten to the.

M

Point where we're um just so bad that we can't fit anymore anyone more in the hospital. But we.

M

Have been where we have 125 beds in the hospital and we've been at censuses of over 130 patients.

M

Several times um during this period of time, which means that we have patients in other areas, not.

M

Inside of rooms, but we're taking care of them, and then um you know if we need care beyond that.

M

We're able to transfer to the um quaternary and tertiary facilities in medstar or other places in.

M

The state, if we have to okay, thank you, yeah yeah and I guess the purpose of my line of questioning.

C

And understanding is when we talk about another facility, that's providing treatment. Where is that.

C

Money coming from so we're talking about down in in great mills lexington park using that facility.

C

Somebody unvaccinated, obviously they're at a higher risk and they come in. What is what.

C

Is the associated cost to the health department? Are you going to be utilizing their insurance.

C

What what bill are we looking to pay? Are the taxpayers looking to pay for those that are.

C

Unvaccinated yeah and and again just to clarify that the treatment's not just for unvaccinated it.

L

Would also help individuals who have breakthrough infections, who would be eligible for the treatment.

L

But yes, you're right primarily, individuals who are unvaccinated are the ones that are getting sick.

L

And so this would be a partnership effort. We would partner with medstar saint mary's hospital and.

L

The medstar system to implement this they would we would support jointly support with staffing.

L

As we're able, but primarily rely upon hospital staffing as they're currently.

L

Staffing their facility right now, the medication is already subsidized by the federal government.

L

In many ways and certainly medstar can dr michaels can talk a little bit more about the.

L

Medstar experience in administering that um there may be some administrative costs that are charged.

L

To the patient's insurance companies and that's something that the medstar system would would.

L

Implement and I'll defer over to dr michaels to talk about that. So so, um if, if we're able to use.

M

That facility, it would be a reasonable for us to to move our operation to that facility and offer.

M

Regeneron treatment to patients in that area, and we would deal with that just like we deal with.

M

It at the hospital- um and so um you know if, if we have to give.

M

This is an unregulated space, and so it's not part of the hospital billing process. If we have to.

M

Absorb some of that cost and that would be part of our community benefit, and so this is an important.

M

Community effort and something that you know we're glad as a big part of the community to provide.

L

And and again just you know want to recognize uh master st mary's hospital.

L

And dr michaels and his whole team um for stepping forward in such a big way.

L

Not just you know, with everything that they've done in the pandemic as we as you, commissioner,.

L

Colvin acknowledged earlier, but certainly in this perspective moving forward is how can we continue.

L

To make covid treatment available to our residents here locally, so they don't have to travel out of.

L

County to access that resource, and, of course, if we invest in this opportunity to utilize that space.

L

For covid treatment, it then sets us up to continue to utilize that space afterwards for behavioral.

L

Health crisis stabilization for our community, which is also another pressing health care, need.

L

You move to the next slide. Please I'll go into some vaccine updates.

L

Because there's many, including some that are probably developing today,.

L

And if you move over to the next side, please thank you. Miss classes.

L

So covet 19 vaccine booster doses so currently eligible for booster doses. Anyone who.

L

Was a moderna or pfizer recipient, and this is more a third dose than just a booster dose who.

L

Is immune compromised- and we talked about that back in august when that was eligible.

L

So 12 and older immune compromised, modern or pfizer you're, at least 20, to.

L

8 days after your second dose you're eligible for a third or additional dose for booster doses, if.

L

You are a fiser recipient, at least six months after your second dose. You and you are a senior.

L

You are eligible for booster dose if you are 18 and older and have an underlying health condition.

L

You are eligible for that booster dose if you're, 18 and older, and are higher risk because you work.

L

In a setting like a grocery store or a restaurant or a health care setting or school or child care,.

L

Or other setting, where you may be at higher risk for covet exposure, you are eligible for a booster.

L

Dose, please go get boosted, we have done about 6, 000 or so booster doses. So far in st mary's county.

L

For these eligible populations here, the next slide is something that is.

L

Imminent, I was hoping that by today I would be able to say that you're currently eligible.

L

um We're still waiting on the fda, in fact it may have happened in the past hour. I don't know.

L

The fda emergency use authorization to be expanded. The fda advisory committee met last week.

L

And recommended booster doses for both moderna recipients and johnson and johnson recipients.

L

The moderna recipients, it looks like based on the advisory committee, recommendations.

L

The guidance will be for the same groups as what we are currently making. Booster doses.

L

We're offering booster doses to uh for pfizer recipients, so the seniors all.

L

Seniors, regardless of health, 18 and older, with health conditions, 18 and older, with a higher risk.

L

Settings or occupations and then for all johnson and johnson recipients. So these.

L

Are all johnson johnson recipients, 18 years and older would be eligible for a second dose.

L

Right, two months after their first dose, and so we are waiting for the formally for the emergency use.

L

Authorization documents to be updated from the fda, uh we expect that that will happen either today or.

L

At least, hopefully latest by tomorrow, and that you know they're made they're also considering.

L

The fda from what our understanding is also considering that.

L

Some of the johnson and johnson recipients may be able to get a booster dose with some other, like.

L

A moderna vaccine if they want to get a a second dose through moderna, instead of a second dose of.

L

J j, so I was going to ask about that. I've seen a few headlines where they're looking at mixing.

B

The vaccines might have some additional benefits yeah and just to clarify it's not mixing of the.

L

Vaccine in the syringe it's basically if you've received johnson and johnson as your first dose.

L

Some of the science that's come out more recently suggests that receiving a booster dose through.

L

Moderna, for example, gives you a much stronger immune response and protection than getting a.

L

Booster dose with another johnson johnson vaccine, so the mixing would be you got j and j first and.

L

Then you went and got either moderna or pfizer for your second dose, but we're not sure. Yet if.

L

The eua will be the emergency use. Authorization will be expanded for that mixing purpose.

L

We're expecting at least the things that I've listed on here to be covered with the eua.

E

Dr brewster, if this does become available, do you have adequate supply? We have supply of moderna.

L

We're running moderna and johnson johnson clinic today we have supply of pfizer. We have supply.

L

For who we're expecting in the next couple weeks to come in and get moderna or pfizer or j and j.

L

As their booster dose, we are as I'll talk about in a moment, though, moving into another phase of.

L

Our vaccine effort here locally as a health department, at least, and so I will say that.

L

While we have vaccine supply, we are going to be focusing our resources, staffing and so forth.

L

On moving into the next phase of vaccine, which will be for the um five to eleven age group,.

L

So the clinics, where we offer modernize or j j boosters uh may not be as plentiful available.

L

As they have been this past month, so that's why I'm encouraging people who are eligible.

L

To go ahead and sign up this week next week get your booster dose in because our attention will.

L

Start to shift in november and so that actually great question to transition to the next slide.

L

And this is about pfizer vaccine uh is uh soon to be approved uh for ages. Five.

L

To we're expecting this to happen by the end of the month with a roll out of that vaccine.

L

To local jurisdictions within the first week of november I'll talk a little bit more about dates.

L

In a moment, this is a different formulation of the pfizer vaccine or a different way to administer.

L

The pfizer vaccine than what we have with adults, so we can't use our existing pfizer supply for the.

L

Under 11 or 5 to 11 age group, there are separate vials that are going to come specifically for that.

L

Age group, so it's going to be about a third of the dose than what we use than the dose that's used in.

L

12 and older kids and adults, the it'll still be two doses three weeks apart.

L

So it will still take five weeks if you look at the couple weeks after the second dose to get.

L

To that full immunity status, we're hoping to get as many five to 11 year olds to that full.

L

Immunity status by the time they go on winter, break and start traveling and going to family.

L

Gatherings over christmas and other holidays, so we're going to be as I'll show in a moment pretty.

L

Focused on getting as many opportunities available to families to get their five to 11 year olds,.

L

Vaccinated, if you go to the next slide doctor- yes, sir, um so vaccination in children, you know we talk.

C

About adults, okay, vaccination of children like for myself in the military, lord knows what they gave.

C

Me I say all the time you know they said stand here and there it goes. I know if it's smallpox.

C

Anthrax, malaria, you name it so when it came to this, it's just another shot. Just here we go.

C

um But when it comes to kids, even I you know- and I will admit, have apprehension.

C

About a vaccine vaccine for my son because he's four years old he's not eligible by this. But let's.

C

Say he was five: he has his whole life ahead of him and on the other side, he has his whole life ahead.

C

Of him right me, okay, I'm here where I'm at. I still have plenty of life ahead of me, but um we hope.

C

How where's the data, how how are we showing for our children that this this is safe, that you know.

C

The risk is worth the reward that comes from the vaccination, because you know this is our most.

C

Precious in the world right absolutely and- and I completely understand I have two children in that.

L

Five to eleven age group um as well myself and I think as any good parent should do. You should.

L

Critically, evaluate the information: that's there in front of you and make a decision um that you.

L

Think is optimal for your child and you know any decision to do any intervention, including vaccine.

L

Is a kind of like a risk benefit analysis right? What is the risk of getting sick and ill and the.

L

Risk of getting long covered, for example, even if you don't get severely ill in the beginning of.

L

That what is the risk of passing on that infection to other people? Because there's also not just you.

L

Know your child functions within a society in a community and so forth, and so the risk of passing.

L

It on to a grandparent, for example, or other people, and so those types of risks. Certainly you consider.

L

Compared to the risks of what may come from a an intervention, and in this case in particular,.

L

A vaccine, um that's why we study these vaccines for through for thousands and tens tens of.

L

Thousands and hundreds of thousands of people who participated already now in clinical trials.

L

On these vaccines for months right I mean you can see the 5 to 11 age group did not roll out.

L

At the a year ago, almost a year ago, when we rolled it out for adults, it's because it was.

L

Being studied on a longer term basis than even what we had studied, those vaccines for adults.

L

And they were there, they've had tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people participating.

L

Across the world, in these vaccine trials, who are in this age group and they've, been able to monitor.

L

That data over months now to monitor for impact on whether or not they get infection to monitor for.

L

Impact on occurrence of serious illness, including hospitalization, and also to monitor, if there have.

L

Been any adverse effects related to this vaccine and what they've been, and this will be presented.

L

In front of the fda and you'll, have these medical scientific experts who've been reviewing.

L

Those studies so far, but then we'll also review the full data later in the month when they meet.

L

To specifically review this um this issue and to make guide and to issue their guidance based on.

L

What they are are seeing from all the data, um so I think uh what the early access to the data that we.

L

Do have demonstrates that this vaccine has been very effective and even at a third of the dose.

L

Right, which is what this is even at a third of the dose- it's been very effective in this 5 to 11.

L

Age group, as well for those outcomes that we're always concerned about and the safety profile.

L

Has been strong in adults and in older youth like adolescence and certainly through these trials.

L

If, as it moves through the approval process and so forth, that's also what they look at.

L

I think your question is a good one. It's one that we have dealt with for all age groups right.

L

Which is you know what? What are the long-term kind of impact? And you know we've talked about.

L

This a little bit before- and I think dr michael's even talked about it- uh maybe.

L

At the last sport of health meeting where he had joined us is that, with these vaccines, we don't.

L

Most vaccines that are created right, the the vast majority of all vaccines that.

L

We've implemented and and our u.s history for the most part, if there's going to be a.

L

Serious consequence associated with that vaccine you'll see it within the first couple months.

L

Right, you, don't you, don't have no impact from the vaccine in terms of adverse events and then.

L

20 years down the line something's happening to me because of a vaccine I got 20 years ago. That's not.

L

Something we've seen with any of the vaccines really that we've been implementing in the u.s.

L

So, and partly because of all the the effort that goes into studying.

L

The vaccines, and partly just because of how vaccines work you know they they go in. They.

L

Help your they teach your system, something they teach your own body to create its own response.

L

And they disintegrate or they exit they have shorter half-lives than, for example, medication.

L

That you take on a daily basis, um so so that's um I think my point with that is that there are very.

L

Good safety profiles with these vaccines. There are many other vaccines that we offer to our children.

L

That, frankly, haven't even been studied as much as these vaccines have been studied because of.

L

The thousands and thousands of people that are getting enrolled into these trials and.

L

Moving into this there's going to be thousands and thousands of people getting vaccine and they'll.

L

Continue to be monitored in the months ahead, I think you make a valid point and.

C

Scientifically based point as well beyond valid, which is I, which I did not understand um with the.

C

Vaccinations which is you know my biggest concern, and I think I can speak for most parents in this.

C

Is what I do now, what will affect later, you know, so is it something that you know if I go out and.

C

Make this decision? For my you know my son um and speaking hypothetically here. It.

C

When he's you know going to do something later on 15 16, 17 18 years old, am I making a decision.

C

Now that's going to negatively impact his life in the future, so I think that's that's the fear.

C

That that living with is is there I mean it's just like any decision raising a child, but now you're.

C

Taking something and taking that next step and it's with any vaccination but something so new.

C

It right and- and I think these are good questions to ask and I'm you know, I'm heartened to hear that.

L

You, as a parent are asking that question. I've asked that question myself and that's why I.

L

Turned to the data, and I turned to the science and um you know, of course, being a physician. I may have.

L

Some insight into that uh that that allows me to help that helps me make my own personal decisions.

L

uh But certainly you know if you're not you don't have to be a physician to consult with.

L

Your healthcare provider, you don't have to be a physician- to consult with the medical.

L

Experts and the scientific experts that are like I talked about last time are on these panels and.

L

Committees and are available in communities to provide guidance. I think you know these are good.

L

Questions to ask I I completely understand the the need to ask those questions. As a parent myself,.

L

um I I think again, it comes back to risk risk benefit right. I would rather have and and do.

L

Have confidence in the safety and the um the tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people.

L

That have participated in these trials, the months and months of monitoring for safety impact that.

L

They've done with these vaccines the experience that we've already gathered from teenagers and.

L

From adults who've utilized this vaccine, I have high confidence in that, especially as you even.

L

If you look at our local data, the the benefit of these vaccines uh compared to you know, I I don't.

L

Want my five-year-old going on to get long-covered and you know maybe years down the road struggle.

L

To be an athlete, if he so chooses because he's got this long-term fatigue or reduced exercise.

L

Tolerance from that coveted infection that he had, I would rather protect him with a vaccine.

L

Where there's a higher likelihood that that vaccine will protect him against coven infection.

L

And where he is able to, you know, participate and and have a lower likelihood of getting.

L

Coveted infection and long covenant and all the other complications that can happen from covid.

M

Thank you what I would say. I think what I would say in this case is.

M

Is that, while everyone wants to be have surety, um there's no surety um in science, and you know.

M

We don't know all the answers and we don't have all the definitive results, but I, but for myself.

M

If I look at the mechanisms of the of the pfizer vaccine, the modern vaccine.

M

And the j j vaccine and I think about what the potential issues could be. There's not a lot of.

M

Mechanisms of action that that are readily apparent that could cause long-term issues.

M

um Quite honestly, um you know what the the you know going back to the polio example.

M

One of the polio vaccines that we gave back in the early 60s and 70s was a live attenuated virus.

M

Where you take the virus and actually try to like knock it down a few few notches, and there was a.

M

A known percentage of people who would serially convert to having polio from the live attenuated.

M

Virus, and so that would certainly be a very bad outcome, there's no chance that that's going to.

M

Happen with these vaccines, these vaccines don't produce live virus. They produce a coat protein.

M

To teach your immune system on how to work and the the way that co-protein is produced.

M

Lasts in the body for just a very short period of time, so the chances of that causing some type.

M

Of long-term situation are really remote, and so given that situation, I think um the odds are on.

M

That it's better to get vaccinated than to worry about some potential effects that really um you.

M

Know as a as a physician I can't find, and so I mean that's hoping, I hope that gives people.

M

Confidence to move in that direction, obviously you know if I knew everything um you know.

M

That would be they'll be really omnipotent, but I don't um we'd get some water and you can walk on.

C

It exactly so I mean so, um but but looking you know on balance um it's it's there's. There's.

M

A lot of good um evidence that nothing's going to happen versus really no evidence.

M

That something bad except the the unknown, so so I mean on balance, that's how I would look at it.

M

Thank you. So um thank you for that really great discussion. I'm sure people who are watching will.

L

Really benefit from that so appreciate you raising that um if you uh so this slide here is really.

L

Just talking about some of the tentative plans that we have and they're tentative because again.

L

We don't know yet how much vaccine supply we're gonna get for this five to eleven age group, we'll.

L

Know hopefully, in another couple weeks once we know we'll be able to modify our plans, but in.

L

The meantime we have to plan because we've got you know staffing and resources to dedicate and and.

L

Partners to work with uh so uh this is our tentative rollout uh that for we're.

L

For the five to eleven age group and because they're five to eleven age group, we want to.

L

Dedicate clinics specifically to that group, so there's not a risk of having other vaccines around.

L

When we're dealing with the 5 to 11 age group, because it's such a unique it's only a third.

L

Of the dose- and we want to make sure that there's no risks of mixing vaccine, so these uh these are.

L

The dates that we have tentatively planned right now for drive-through five to eleven vaccine and.

L

uh That that'll be that first week that we are expecting uh to get vaccine supply and be ready.

L

To roll out again, if this doesn't all happen as planned, we'll probably shift back some of.

L

These dates, um the second is we're coordinating uh with schools here locally, to offer uh elementary.

L

School located on-site uh vaccine clinics just like we're doing the flu clinics we're we're in.

L

The schools right now doing flu clinics this week for flu vaccine for those parents who.

L

Have consented to that for their children, and so we would use a similar process to that. For, for our.

L

Local elementary schools and we plan we're planning on that the week of november 15th.

L

Next and lastly, we're really excited about this: we're partnering with the.

L

Saint mary's county public school system, great mills, high school.

L

To offer a vaccine event, that's dedicated for those five to eleven-year-olds.

L

On sunday afternoon november, 21st at on-site at great mills, high school.

L

So again I mean long lots of discussion today and from the data to some of the some of the.

L

Other discussion that we've had, I think it's pretty pretty clear. I mean please, you know if you.

L

Haven't yet gotten vaccine and you're eligible if you haven't yet gotten booster and you're eligible.

L

Please just get it done. The our health department, which is the primary vaccinator in this county,.

L

Our attention is shifting in november to that 5 to 11 age group. We will still have some clinics.

L

Available for adults and those who want boosters, because we know the the need will be there, but it.

L

Takes a lot of staffing and resources and supplies to run these clinics, and we need to make sure.

L

That we're making plenty of availability available to the 5 to 11 group. We have seen, as you know, all.

L

These kids are back in school and we've seen lots of cases and lots of outbreaks affecting.

L

Our young people here in this county we want to try to get them as best protected as we can.

L

Again, especially, get them fully immunized before we head into the winter holidays,.

L

And just commissioner morgan, you had raised this at the last meeting, so I wanted to make sure to.

L

Include it again, flu vaccine season, we started our flu season early here in saint mary's county.

L

Compared to the rest of the state, so we we are expecting a more robust flu season than what we.

L

Had last year, just again because people are out and about and they're in back in schools and back.

L

In the workplaces, please get your flu vaccine on board. You can get flu vaccine the same time.

L

You get coveted vaccine if you do get it on the same day. Just try to get in at a different arm.

L

And again, as I mentioned, we're the health department's currently in the.

L

Schools right now doing school, located flu clinic flu vaccine clinics and pneumonia can.

C

Get vaccinated on ammonia! Yes, if you're eligible for pneumonia vaccine. We don't do that as a health.

L

Department, unless it's part of our back to school vaccine clinics, but all of our many of.

L

Our primary care providers here locally do offer that pneumonia vaccine. Thank you for raising that.

L

Thank you, commissioners. Thank you, dr wester and dr michaels. Thank you. Thank you very much.

E

Have a good day, thank you.

B

All right, I moved to adjourn as the saint mary's county board of health and reconvenence the.

B

Commissioners of saint mary's county; second, our first second, all in favor aye, all right.

A

Next, we have the office of the county attorney decision, repeal the moratorium on utility scale.

A

Solar projects good morning, commissioners, mr weiskopf, um as you.

N

As you noted, I'm here for the final decision for the repeal of moratorium on utility scale.

N

Solar projects on september 28th of this year, we held a public hearing on the repeal of it.

N

And it lasted approximately five minutes. No one signed to speak.

N

Either in person or via call-in, the record remained open for an additional seven days.

N

And we received no public comments whatsoever so now we're here for the decision. I moved to.

B

Repeal ordinance 2021-15 repealing the moratorium on utility scale, solar projects in saint mary's.

B

County second, ever first and second, all in favor aye any opposed eyes have it. Thank.

A

You, commissioners, thank you. Next, we have the department of land use and growth management.

A

Decision comprehensive water and sewerage plan cwsp amendment property on tap.

A

Mr hunt, the director, is here to present morning's time good morning. Thank you, commissioners, dr.

O

Bridget, I'm appearing to request the decision of the commissioners for the amendment to the.

O

Comprehensive water and sewerage plan for commercial development of the property on.

O

Tap property located at 37281 carpenter, lane charlotte hall in the charlotte hall town center.

O

The requested amendment will change the water water service category from w6d service and six.

O

To ten years developer, finance to w3d service in three to five years, developer financed.

O

The amendment will allow public water service for future intended forever lawn business and.

O

Four residential apartments, the immediate use of the property, will be to store equipment used.

O

By forever loans, the planning commission held a public hearing on the amendment on july 12.

O

And recommended approval the health department and metcomp support the proposed connection to public.

O

Water maryland department of the environment found the proposed amendment to be consistent with the.

O

County's comprehensive plan the commissioners held a public hearing on the amendment on october 5th.

O

The engineer for the project spoke in favor of the amendment. There were no other speakers.

O

A letter supporting the amendment was also sent by the project engineer and we.

O

Haven't received any other correspondence. Are there any questions on this amendment? No sir,.

E

I may approve the resolution to event st mary's county, comprehensive water and sewage plan.

E

To designate 1.84 acres proposed law, 21 and 2.03 acres at 37, 281 carpenter, lane charlotte hall.

E

In the fifth election district tax map, four grid four parcel 281 service map 3-4 to water.

E

Category w-3d and authorize the commissioner president to execute the related documents. Second,.

A

I got a first and second, all in favor, aye aye any opposed eyes. Have it.

A

Mr hunt, I think you're going to continue here. Thank you. Department, land use, growth management.

A

Requesting a public hearing to repeal and reenact the saint mary's county electrical codes, ordinance.

O

Thank you, sir, as you just said, I'm appearing to request a public hearing to repeal.

O

And reenact regulations pertaining to licenses for electricians, harry knight, deputy director.

O

And staff to the board of electrical examiners is with me, mr knight and deputy county attorney. Neil.

O

Murphy worked together on this agenda item. The 2021 general assembly passed a law regarding the.

O

Issuing of licenses for electricians, starting on july 1, only the state board of electricians.

O

Can issue master electrician licenses? Local governments, including saint mary's county, are.

O

Still allowed to have a regulation from us, I'm sorry to have a registration for master.

O

Electricians by registering master electricians locally, the board of electric electrical examiners.

O

Maintains the ability to take local action if an electrician violates the local electrical code.

O

The county board of electrical examiners provides oversight of electricians who have who provide.

O

Electrical services in the county, I'm requesting authorization for public hearing on november 16th.

O

At a time to be determined by the commissioners, the members of the saint mary's county board.

O

Of electrical examiners will be notified of the public hearing.

O

As will the master electricians who are currently licensed by saint mary's county, thank you for.

O

Your consideration perry, could you explain to the public in english? What bill just said.

P

Effective july 1st of this year, no local jurisdiction in the state of maryland.

P

Is allowed to issue electrical licenses with the exception of those licenses that the state of.

P

Maryland does not issue, for instance, we have a low voltage license and we have a restricted license.

P

For burglar and fire alarms, only the state of maryland has never issued those types of licenses.

P

But what the state has taken over is master journey person and apprentice licenses, st.

P

Mary's county has never issued journey person or apprentice licenses. Therefore, we cannot register.

P

Those because you can only the state, authorized us to only register that which we previously licensed.

Q

So basically, we're going to have a license now for electricians or whatever that's state issued and.

E

Not county issued correct, we have county issued licenses, but you do not. You will no longer have.

E

To be licensed in saint mary's county directly, if you're licensed at the state that passes the.

E

Litmus test um true, um but the proposal before you is that in lieu of a license you would be required.

P

To be registered by the county, do any other counties have that process in place. Now that.

E

You're, aware of I'm not aware of any who have enacted the legislation as we are proposing.

P

It's quite possible, they have. um It would have been good if I had brought this before you sooner.

P

Because you know for the past several months we've been in um this in-between state of um those who.

P

Renewed their licenses no later than june 30th, and um so um yes, I do anticipate.

P

Every other jurisdiction that issued licenses in the past will enact similar legislation if.

P

They have not already no we're, I'm aware as you and I have talked about the issues that.

E

Are bouncing back and forth so the long story short if you, if you're licensed with the state.

E

You will register in saint mary's county, and that will be what you need to do it and and.

P

It'll be just like it used to be only the word is lice the the word that used to be licensed.

P

Locally is now the registration got you so just trying to get a better understanding of this.

B

Pre, this law being enacted by the state, did the state issue any kind of license for electricians.

P

They did, but it was not a um the term. That's often used as a performance license. So while the.

P

State would issue a maryland master license. You still had to get the local license to perform the.

P

Service in the local, so I guess I'm just trying to understand are we duplicating efforts here? Are we.

B

Making electricians do double the work in order to be able to work or just getting a clarity on what.

B

What this is doing here, uh what this is doing is simply changing. The word license to registration.

P

So that we can actually continue to do what we've always done so while the state is taking over the.

P

Responsibility of issuing the performance license, the state has no interest in taking over the.

P

Local oversight over electricians, okay, so my question would be if their basically the state.

C

Is certifying them as master electricians, right, correct, okay and then or journeymen's apprentices.

C

So why is it that they would have to then register here as well? If the states already has a database.

C

Of them being a master electrician, what? What is the purpose of that to to continue the same.

P

Consistent level of oversight that we've always provided, so I guess do we need to continue that.

B

If the state's providing the oversight now no the state is not providing the oversight, the state.

B

License doesn't it's a it's a performance license, but the state is not going to take on local issues.

P

In regards to interpretation- or um you know in the event that, in that a dispute arises between.

P

A local electrician and a electrical inspector, the board of electrical examiners, is here to.

P

Step in and um resolve those questions, okay, the state's not offering to expand their service, but.

P

Why would they have to register to be a part of that process? So I guess the question is that of.

C

There's no, let's say a beautician right, they're registered at the state. There's no extra registration.

C

For beauticians in saint mary's county to participate in a process because the state says.

C

So they said, you're certified you're good to go department of mental health and hygiene. That's it.

C

um The same thing here, if an electrician from allegheny county wants to come to saint mary's,.

C

County and do the electrical work, the state said: they're good to go across the state. They've met.

C

All the standards they could still participate in our process, whether they're registered or not.

C

So why do they have to register here? I understand the continuing the same process, but do we need to.

C

Continue the same process, do we need to add more bureaucracy to land use and growth management.

C

We're not adding a single bit of bureaucracy again we're just changing the word license. We're keeping.

P

It to registration, yes, we'd, be keeping it okay. So it's an interesting comparison. um Electrical work.

P

To cosmetology, I would say: there's a greater risk to um life and property, with electrical work being.

P

Done the um and hence the greater oversight. Mr, let me stop you right there, um I'm not.

C

My comparison is a state regulatory action, not the two industries. Okay, what I'm getting at is.

C

You have the state saying so and then the county, adding or keeping bureaucracy- that's not necessary.

C

So my question: why why do we have to keep this if the state says so okay, we want to go on that. The.

C

The maryland police training commission certifies police officers, there's no registration here that.

C

Says you need to register as a police officer with saint mary's county okay, far higher risk than.

C

Electrical work all right, so if we want to look at it that way, so why are we keeping a registration.

C

List is it to say, you're authorized to work in saint mary's county. I mean that that's what I want.

C

To understand, because if the state has has a list, I can choose an electrician from wherever they.

C

Shouldn't have to be registered in saint mary's county to participate in a process. Why are we.

C

Keeping bureaucracy is our local electrical code different from the state level electrical. It is.

E

Not no, we follow the state's code. I think part of this has to do with the fact that there's a little.

E

Bumping of heads going on between the electrical people and mdia, and when someone comes to do this.

E

Because this law has changed different people within our respective organizations or play are.

E

Getting to a turf battle, that's a good way to word it and now what what they're recommending.

E

Is you just have to register at your assertive electrician and then the inspectors can sit.

E

There and move forward- I'm not opposed to this going to a public hearing. I just.

B

Want to get a better understanding of it me too, public hearing will help with that. There there's.

C

A list at the state of certified- you know when they do this there'll be a list available and.

C

If you're there, it's easy enough as land use and growth management saying they adopt the list of.

C

Certified electricians in the state of maryland, I mean I just there's so much bureaucracy and.

C

The speed at which things are able to happen. I think this may be something we can look at to.

C

Move a different direction, but anyway, let's just still have the public hearing. Let the electricians.

E

Want to come and speak and the inspectors come and speak. We can hear it all out. Oh I'm sure.

E

I moved to approve the department of land use and growth manages to schedule a morning public.

E

Hearing to repeal and reenact the saint mary's county electrical electoral codes ordinance. Second,.

A

I have a first and second all in favor aye any opposed.

A

Eyes have thank you all. Thank you, mr knight. Thank you, mr hunt. Thank you, dr bridget.

A

Okay, we now move right into uh county administrator time, dr bridget, thank you.

R

Commissioner, president, guy uh commissioners, first is your draft meeting agendas october 26th you.

R

Have the encroachment mitigation and prevention joint meeting of the commissioners of saint mary's.

R

County and the commanding officer in a specs river and that meeting will be held via zoom.

R

The commissioners will be here and the navy will join you via zoom you'll adjourn your joint.

R

Meeting and then reconvene for a closed session to discuss litigation and personnel you'll adjourn.

R

And come back for your regular business meeting at 1 pm, where you'll have a request for public.

R

Hearing from the department of land use and growth management on the alcohol beverage production.

R

And then you recess that afternoon for your 2 pm annual consolidated transportation.

R

Tour from mdot, and they will join you virtually that afternoon. The next week is november, 2nd.

R

You have your joint meeting with metcom and that will be held via zoom as well, and then you have.

R

A proclamation for family court awareness month and then you have your first budget work session.

R

That afternoon, at 1 30., so for today's business items you have item number b. Is the department of.

R

Finance with the board of education and a request for approval of the fy 2022 categorical budget.

R

Adjustment janette cudmore cfo presenting this morning and, of course, introducing board of ed good.

R

Morning, good morning, good morning, good morning, commissioners, um I have with me today, uh dr smith,.

S

And tammy mccord from the board of education to discuss their final reconciliation of the 2021.

S

Audit and also the proposed use of their fund balance tammy dr smith good morning.

T

Commissioners, good morning, good morning, we have before you a request for an fy 22 budget amendment.

D

Ms mccourt, could you pull the microphone towards you please. Thank you so much next slide. Please.

T

For our fy 21 budgetary savings for our unrestricted fund, we recognize 11.7 million.

T

Dollars in budgetary savings, a substantial component of this was already incorporated in.

T

Our fy 22 budget, as we projected that early on as a result of the pandemic impact on the budget.

T

The primary areas of our savings are recognized under instructional salaries as a result of the.

T

Lack of need for substitute teachers and extracurricular activities as a result of.

T

The students being at home last year, other instructional costs uh savings of 662 000.

T

Also, as a result of the lack of need for our contractor temporary support student.

T

Transportation services recognized a savings of 2.7 million dollars as a result of fuel savings.

T

And under fixed charges we recognize 4.4 million dollars of savings and those were budgetary.

T

Savings associated with health care savings, as well as the care for settlement next slide. Please.

T

So of that 11.7 million dollars, we included in excess of seven million dollars in our fy.

T

22 budget at this time we're requesting a use of the remainder of that unassigned fund balance of.

T

4.5 million dollars, 2.5 million dollars to support turf fields and 1.9 million dollars to go towards.

T

Opeb of the 2.5 million dollars you all had already allocated 2.5 million dollars, so this will.

T

Bring our total project appropriation up to five million twelve thousand dollars next slide. Please.

T

Additionally, we are requesting a 200 000 budget amendment to support our school safety grant.

T

Program, this was a grant that we applied for under the interagency commission on school construction.

T

To support security communication improvements at chopticon high school, this award notification.

T

Was received on september 16th for the two hundred thousand dollars next slide. Please.

T

The final budget amendment to our unrestricted fund is a an increased use of fund balance of.

T

4.5 million dollars and then on the expenditure side, 2.5 million dollars for capital outlay, cip.

T

Transfer and 1.9 million dollars for fixed charges for the opeb.

T

On the cip side, we're requesting revenue transfer in of 2.5 million dollars for capital outlays, the.

T

State funding recognition of two hundred thousand dollars in the grant funds for a total 2.7 million.

T

Dollars on the cip side, 2.5 million dollars going towards the tariff fields and then the 200 000.

T

Is going to safety and security? So that concludes the presentation. Are there any questions? I want to.

E

um Thank dr smith and yourself and everyone else for where we're headed, and um I know people listen.

E

To me for 11 years talking about turf field, so this might be my last hurrah at the table, but.

E

Quite frankly, we're finally getting st mary's county up on par with all of our high schools.

E

To be equal to a lot of the other schools in the region, the turf field project, I think, will allow.

E

Our student athletes, our bands, everybody else to be on the same par. We will have good fields, we're.

E

Going to have a nice track and field courses everyone's going to be able to be the same.

E

So the uh sometimes the squabbling that went on between high schools will be over with and done.

E

We will be able to look at this now and say: the football season is about to be over.

E

So we'll be able to get on with this project very shortly and then simultaneously with.

E

The turf fields and the bermuda fields that we've used in playing with wrecks and parks we're going.

E

To be able now to have three more fields available during off season things like that for more wrecks.

E

And parks, more community events, more opportunity for economic development by being programs down.

E

Here to saint mary's county and things like that across the board, so I'm really thrilled that.

E

Between the money that the commissioner set aside in the last budget, what the board of education.

E

Has been going to come up with also at their cost savings that we can move this thing down the down.

E

I can say quark down the field right now, and that would be it's just really good and I'm really I'm.

E

Really happy to be here for this. I don't know about equal because I talked to the turf field.

C

Company and I made sure it was a particular turf at chopticon that makes the lacrosse balls bounce.

C

Harder and faster and the players run faster, just putting it out there. So if you know it's just.

C

Gonna happen, look look for that uh that state championship uh that's right, follow of course,.

A

This is great, it puts us in a competitive nature with the other, the other community. So I really.

A

Appreciate you all moving forward with this, and I think it's great for our community to.

A

Have this happen, thank you. Thank you. Well, I moved to approve the board of education's request for.

E

A fiscal year 2022 categorical budget adjustment for the assignment of fund balance in the amount.

E

Of 4 million one hundred 501 six dollars the inter fund transfer of two million five hundred twelve.

E

Thousand nine hundred eighty seven dollars from operating to cip and the two hundred thousand.

E

Dollars of state funding from the school safety grant and authorized, commissioner president.

E

To sign any of the related documents, second, I have a first and second, all in favor.

A

Aye aye aye any opposed eyes have it. Thank you all right. Thank you. Commissioners. Thank.

R

You, commissioners and item c is from the department of public works and transportation.

R

To establish no parking along the county roads of the south woods estate subdivision john.

R

Diedrich director department of public works and transportation presenting this morning and.

R

We do have a guest who's, a requester kimberly short with the south woods estate, homeowners.

R

Association president, here also good morning good morning, good morning, good morning, commissioners.

U

And I just want to let you know that the other members of the board are here as well.

K

Thank you very much, uh and I really appreciate the work ms short has done on this uh she's.

K

Followed through with all we need and I'll explain why that was important. So in april, as.

K

I'm sure you remember, uh she brought forth a request to put no parking in day flower place.

K

But from dpw and t's experience with the neighborhood, all the streets are.

K

The same width basically and we have the same problems there in snow removal.

K

Particularly and other maintenance work with cars parked down the street.

K

I believe miss short is a presentation that she wants to go through. I think that'll explain.

K

The issue, but dpwnt definitely supports this request and it will help us do our work.

K

More effectively, it will also make the streets safer good to use for all. I moved to approve.

C

The ordinance to establish no parking along the county roads of the south woods estate subdivision.

C

Authorized commission president to sign any related documents. Second, with discussion. Ms short,.

B

I just want to commend you for your work with this and your persistence. Your proof that citizens can.

B

Get things done it's taken a while, but I this is. This is a good step and your commitment to.

B

Your community is admirable, very good. Thank you so much, commissioner colvin, and I appreciate your.

U

Support as well yeah and thank you for going the extra step. I know it can be frustrating um and.

C

Some of these requests were driven from this table. uh You know, because it was just one street and in.

C

Particular myself, I said: well we're gonna, do it for one. Why aren't we doing it for all of them? If.

C

These are there, let's take another, look at it and and go from there. So I I do appreciate everything.

C

That you did to include working with county staff and bearing bearing through the frustration that.

C

Sometimes the process causes, but um you know this was a no-brainer after we got to this point so.

C

Thank you well, thank you so much. Commissioner o'connor. I also appreciate your support and I.

U

Did understand your concerns with the one street, but again initially I was just coming to you as.

U

One homeowner, but when I realized the safety issue, it led me to join the board and it wasn't just.

U

An issue for me there you go. Mr short, thank you also, but mr dietrich we're gonna. Put these signs.

E

Up is whose responsibility now is going to be the enforcement to make sure that, after all, the work.

E

That's taken place. It's going to be taken care of besides putting a sign up right. Well, the sheriff's.

K

Office is responsible for enforcement. uh It'll be important since they're not everywhere at.

K

All times that the citizens report violations to the sheriff's office, that's that that's the.

E

Most important thing is because we could put all the signs we want to. We put up speed, limit signs.

E

We put up all kinds of other signs and enforcement sometimes gets to be lacked. So ms short, please.

E

Feel free to call the sheriff. So if I know the sheriff, the major and the cabins are all over.

E

Ocean city this week at a convention, but um I'm sure some of the sheriff's office is listening, can.

C

Actually, mr dietrich, commissioner morgan brings up a good point: um a small sub sign below the.

C

No parking sign that says: please contact 301 475. I think it's going to be 40 40 for the non-emergency.

C

For enforcement, so if you have the no parking sign, then you know usually beneath you can get.

C

A smaller sign, so it puts the non-emergency number for communications um so for violators.

C

Put that number down yeah yeah, and this way they can contact and that that's how you would get.

C

um Dispatch this way they're not trying to call us and they got the district court. Commissioner.

U

Do you have one question on, I don't know if this is feasible, could you get close? Would you pull.

U

Your microphone, yeah yeah, you can manhandle it. Okay, there you go. Thank you. I did have one.

U

Question or one request request, I was hoping that we would be able to post something say at the very.

U

Beginning of the community that allows, when you're coming into the community, to know that it is a.

U

No parking on the streets as well as the signs that would be put throughout the community.

U

Now this is not something that can be done through the department of public works and transportation.

U

Our hoa board could potentially order signs that.

U

Fit the requirement and have them posted, but we did want something at the very beginning just to.

U

Make everyone aware that the community is a no on street parking? uh Actually, it does involve.

K

Us somewhat, uh you can apply for a permit to put a sign up. Oh okay and uh we'll take care.

K

Of it yeah, that's pretty simple, yeah wonderful, so I made the motion kind of I'll just do a.

C

More friendly amendment for discussion and yeah, I have a first and second, all in favor.

A

I have a friendly amendment and amendment um yes, mr president, to also approve the.

C

No parking the the prohibited sign at the entrance as well just accept that that's.

E

A great idea, because then they'd have to put them for a permit now: yep no permit necessary.

C

You can do it, it's done there you go. Thank you, commissioners. Thank you. We got that dr bridget.

R

Yes, thank you, okay, good. Okay, with the amendment uh I have a first and second, all in favor, aye, aye, aye,.

A

Any opposed I was happy, thank you. Could I just get a cleric, that's great uh could. Can I get some.

K

Clarification on the amendment, though again yeah a sign that um ms short just uh presented. It's been.

C

Approved so whatever processes need to take place, you know just make it a part of the whole part.

B

At the entrance to the community, it says this is a no street parking community yeah.

R

Okay, so we for that with you, mr dedrick, after the fact happy to have that we.

R

Have that written down? Okay, thank you. I think we're just making it a county sign. That's it.

C

Yeah all right, we'll get you in details. Thank you very much for being here today.

A

Great, thank you. Miss short. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you, commissioners and item d.

R

Is from the department of public works and transportation with the newtown neck road transfer.

R

To dnr mr dietrich, thank you. This is, I think, a really good win-win for both the department.

K

Of natural resources and the county, it's been difficult to maintain that road, although we do.

K

Do that as much as we can, because department of natural resources.

K

Actually is the only their property, their farmland that's farmed by tenant farmers as well as.

K

The state park is the only thing served by this extension to route 243 newtown neck.

K

So, being able to transfer that to dnr will enable them to use the road for their own purposes.

K

More effectively and really gets us off the hook for something that we really uh we're not serving.

K

Anyone with you know we're spending money really that should be spent by dnr and they're perfectly.

K

Willing to take that on this might be the only time I've seen you come to to us to actually take.

B

A road off the county records good, that's good! I move to approve the letter of support for the.

B

Transfer of newtown neck road to the maryland department of natural resources and authorized.

B

Commissioner, president, to sign the related documents, second have a first and second, all in.

A

Favor all right any disapproval eyes have it. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, commissioners. An.

R

Item e is from the department of emergency services, with the maryland 911 board, nena.

R

Center manager certification program, mr walker, director, presenting this morning good morning,.

C

Morning, mr walker morning, as you recall, this is for the the grant program that I came before you.

V

On august, 24th asked for approval to submit that grant request to the 911 board. You approved it.

V

We went before them september 30th and the 911 board approved the funding in the amount of 30.

V

Thousand dollars, this is a request for you to accept that grant uh just a quick note that the.

V

Class limit is 35 people, we've already got 50 of that class filled and, of course, it'll be next july.

V

So we won't have any problems filling it, but my request is for you to.

V

Accept a grant, I moved to approve the 911 board additional grant funding to improve.

C

The budget amendment increasing the 911 board grant by thirty thousand dollars in decreasing.

C

The appropriation reserves and authorized the commission president to sign all related documents.

C

Second, I have a first and second, all in favor, aye aye any opposed. Thank you.

R

Thank you, commissioners and item f is from the department of aging and human services, with the.

R

State of maryland emergency rental assistance program, application for supplemental funds, lori.

R

Jennings harris director department of aging and human services dennis nicholson, executive director.

R

Housing authority and cynthia brown aging and human service manager presenting this morning good.

R

Morning, good morning, good morning, commissioners, good morning, uh so commissioners, you may recall.

W

That the department of housing and community development awarded st mary's county government.

W

4.5 million dollars and we have an opportunity to receive another two million dollars for the.

W

Emergency rental assistance program program is going well, so this is to ask.

W

For you to approve a letter of interest for the department so that we can apply for those funds.

W

Any questions about the program itself. Yes, uh mr nicholson, this is a great program and.

B

This is a huge opportunity for us. I'm excited about this um when you came before us before.

B

Talking about it, the one thing I asked for was data. If we don't have data, you can't even show.

B

That a problem exists, and so I I I'm asking again I want data. I want to be able to see where the.

B

Money's going so the breakdown of by zip code or region of where this money is being spent.

B

For the people who need it, um I just want to know more about our community and how this money's.

B

Impacting our community, can we do that? Yes, we can good morning, commissioners, good morning, good.

X

Morning morning, dr bridge good morning, so I can forward this going through protocol through county.

X

And then it'll arrive, but let me just give you a review that.

X

Since mid-july, this emergency rental assistance program, which is helping our rental property.

X

Owners manage their mortgage debt, yep and renter households who are at risk at losing.

X

Housing, so this is a county effort to bring to our county resources from the department of treasury.

X

Since mid-july, we've assisted families, we've spent the million dollar advance.

X

And more just as of last friday, this request is a chance for the county to add an additional two.

X

Million dollars right that will be a future bridge for when our first allocation from the treasury.

X

Will probably be spent out by april or may of next year of the 246 families assisted that involved.

X

88 property owners of those 88 property owners, 55 were small landlords having 25 units or less.

X

The program has touched the zip codes from ridge to charlotte hall.

X

The pro zip codes having the most activities were california leonardtown lexington park.

X

And mechanicsville, as far as as far as I when I say activities as far as.

X

Like involvement from property owners, rental property owners.

X

But all but rental property owners again have covered almost all of our zip codes.

X

The average rental aid now, when I say rental a because the department.

X

Treasury does allow for three months of rental assistance in addition to arrears.

X

But the rental aid is averaging about thirteen hundred dollars a month.

X

The average arrear payment is about three thousand seven hundred dollars a month.

X

And then there's a utility assistance and that's been averaging about a thousand dollars a month.

X

This is a active, very thin, staffed program. I must commend all of us, including you, commissioners,.

X

Because we're here trying to receive more money for our county, I want to thank the.

X

Folks in county finance, because when we were at a negative balance friday, the state money came in.

X

And county finance immediately able to bring that state money.

X

Into the active account that we disperse the money so we're all in this together again kudos.

X

To your team- and I want to thank the folks who, at the house authority who are doing the extra.

X

Mile to make this happen, and also the folks at three oaks and department, social services.

C

So how many um do you have the statistics on how many of these people are employed that are working.

C

Like that, you've assisted in the rental facilities that can be brought into into the information pool.

X

We we have a single point of contact, I'm just trying to give you the.

X

The data volume, so the single point of contact is very helpful where folks can either.

X

Call in at 301-866-6590 extension, 1404 and especially landlords should call in because.

X

They can start the application process or you can go online. Www.Stmarrieshousing.Org.

X

Go online and that online takes you to a data set, and we are commissioners working beyond the.

X

Spreadsheet level that we have right now trying to look at software applications that can make it.

X

More staff efficient to bring that data. Some of the data right now is more hand counted because.

X

The emphasis is on compliance to make sure our overall team county included is in compliance.

X

With spending the money with treasury and getting the money to the folks as rapidly as possible,.

X

The the need for data and that socioeconomic information is, I hear I hear that I need to.

X

Find the either staff expertise or the software application that can make that reporting.

X

More efficient, effective, as opposed to stopping the service of serving the folks getting the.

X

Money out because we're spending more time on reporting and I'm not using that as an excuse.

X

It's just a very lean staff. This program started mid-july and I really thank the folks who are.

X

Backing us up and delivering the service, so I know there was a lot of pressure from the federal level.

B

Down to get this money out there to get it spent on, we heard about it, I'm sure you heard about it.

B

Too um so, yes, I I understand the urgency of getting the money out to the community.

B

I just want to see the data I just want to get a better understanding of our community through the.

B

Data, so that's my only caveat for approving this request for two million dollars more. I.

B

Get the data and is the information that you just is it on our agent human services website.

A

For people to apply for this, or is it on our county website, it's on the housing authority's.

W

Website you know if it's on the county is it on our site too human services or.

Y

County website the department's website, it should be on the the department's website.

W

But if it isn't we'll check and if you want to know on the uh st mary's county government, yeah.

A

I think there's a government website somehow that uh yeah there's people somebody some.

A

People probably don't know they go to the housing authority to apply for rental assistance. They may.

A

Be heading for your site, sure or on the site, somehow put a ribbon out there. Somehow so I'd.

W

Like to ask a question before we move forward so other than commissioner colvin, which you asked.

W

About the the data, the zip code and commissioner o'connor, what other types of information target.

W

Points would you like to see in a report, and would you prefer monthly or is quarterly okay.

B

I'd prefer monthly, but I can make do with quarterly. um Let me go back to mr nicholson.

E

Again following mr o'connor's question: is there an application process for this rental.

E

Assistance money, yes, commissioner, so they go. So it's very simply on the form we could say are.

E

You gainfully employed yes or no, by whom there's an answer, and that would be the data with the I.

E

Think, commissioner o'connor is looking for. Have I got that right? Yeah, pretty simple, I mean I don't.

E

See why we can't ask, are you gainfully employed? Are you employed yes or no? If so, by whom? I will.

X

We will work on that after this meeting to see if it can be a quick response. The first, the first.

X

Check off is, is your income at or below this? Let me see if the next level is gainfully employed.

E

I'm not I understand, well, it can be it so fact of the matter. Is I manage e-wrap and arp for.

C

A small local government and our questionnaire point-blank says: what is your income level? Are you.

C

Currently employed, so I know you can ask it it's a very simple process and the reason says if you're.

C

Currently employed is because we want to know well, are you going to be continuing to utilize this.

C

Because unemployment is through the roof right now, so, if you're not actively participating in the.

C

Process to seek and find a job you're, not getting the funding. So for me it comes to the point.

C

Of two million dollars is great, but emergency rental assistance, not socialism. So if we have.

C

Grocery stores closing at 9 a.m. In the county we have gas stations, closing we have all sorts.

C

Of other places that cannot operate, county government has vacancies. There are jobs to be.

C

Had so, I want to know if the people that are receiving this are actively employed and they.

C

Just can't make ends meet. Is there other other some form of emergency, that's upon them to receive.

C

The emergency rental assistance monies because the way our government is heading right now.

C

To include this funding is, we are providing more, so people are not going to go back out and work.

C

And that is what we're seeing people don't want to go to work because they're getting unemployment.

C

Their rent is getting paid, there's various other things, so I want to know. Are they.

C

Employed, are they seeking employment? Are they uh you know? Are they on unemployment.

C

Those various things that come into it that that's very important when we're looking out.

C

Looking at money pushing out into the community that that has to be that has to be known.

B

And I don't want any data gathering to bog down the system as much data.

B

As you can is helpful because we don't know what we're looking for until we see it.

B

Geographic location, family, size, number of children in the household I mean what are the impacts of.

B

This and where we want to be able to say where the money's gone, the impacts that it's had and.

B

Where our problem areas- okay- to do that, thank you I think, and it this is more towards the.

C

State side of things and and that because the the governor everybody else, maryland's open.

C

They want to want people off unemployment, they cut back the extra extra side, but yet.

C

Businesses and private industry are struggling to hire people some in part a pro for from from.

C

Programs like this so there's the emergency, I'm all about the emergency, but I'm not about.

C

The long term, the government's going to keep paying my rent, so I'm not going to go, get a job.

X

I I hear that, and I think our zeal was to jump in and be responsive mid, beginning to july.

X

Right we're true we're maturing. Now we can mature the data set yeah, I mean that's beautiful. The.

C

Emergency was there I just um this emergency. Persisting is the question, and- and I don't.

C

See that the emergency is actually persisting because there's plenty of places to get employment.

C

Okay um and just commissioner there's been 904 applications and those applications continue.

X

There's 441 have been assigned by to different case workers to to drill in to get the resources.

X

Out there's an additional 455 unassigned right now still waiting for an answer now their.

X

Specific situation that becomes important to for us to act on them as quickly as we can.

A

Another question, commissioners: no, I moved to authorize a submittal of a letter of interest.

B

Budget and related documentation for an additional two million dollars in the u.s treasury funds to.

B

Supplement the e-ramp one program and have the commissioner president sign the related documents.

B

Second, I have a first and second, all in favor, aye, aye aye any opposed eyes have it.

A

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, commissioners. Thank you, commissioner calvin. I just wanted.

Y

To let you know that housing authority submits those reports to human services, typically around.

Y

The second week of the month, and then we have to enter that data in a portal to the state. So if we.

Y

Start with the monthly reports, it probably would be toward the third or fourth week of each month.

Y

For the previous month, okay, that's good; okay! Thank you! Yeah and commissioners. Item g is also from the.

R

Department of aging and human services, with the fy 2022 senior center operating funds online, fitness.

R

Notice of grant award miss harris, continuing and joined by brandy, tully senior center operations.

R

Manager good morning, thank you, dr bridget, so this is another grant application. This is a notice of.

W

Grant award for the senior center operating funds grant to continue online virtual fitness classes.

W

So we were creative in starting those during the height of the pandemic, and we've learned that.

W

Seniors really enjoy them if they have the option to either have in person, classes or virtual.

W

It's it's a good thing to continue offering to the seniors, um so we were awarded funds for that.

W

As well as through a competitive grant awards for outdoor furniture for the garvey senior activity.

W

Center total amount of sixteen thousand two hundred and sixty-five dollars from the maryland.

W

Department of aging will this get benches by the pickleball courts. I've heard that request.

H

So there are already benches by the pickleball ports yep. They were installed a few weeks ago. This.

H

Will support furniture for the patio? Okay, very good, very good. I moved to approve the title three.

C

Seven nsip older americans act second notice of grant award from the maryland department of.

C

Wrong one two wait, I think, we're on item g g. Is it jordan, fitness? I don't know conor, I'm sorry, mine.

C

My board docs has g as e-wrap, no okay. How about I jump ahead of you? Buddy go ahead. Thank you. I moved.

E

To approve the fiscal year, 2022 senior center operating fund scoff online fitness notice of.

E

Grant award for the maryland department of aging on behalf of the saint mary's sky department,.

E

Of aging and human services, the amount of six 16, twenty two excuse me: sixteen thousand two hundred.

E

Sixty-Five dollars to continue online fitness classes and to purchase outdoor patio furniture.

E

For the garvey senior activity center and the related budget amendment to establish budget.

E

Authority and authorize the commissioner president to sign the related documents.

E

I'll second, second, okay, we have a first and second, all in favor aye any opposed. I just have it.

F

Thank you. Thank you. Commissioners and item h is also department of aging human services, with the.

R

Office of aging supplemental nutrition notice of grant award ms harris. Thank you, dr bridges.

W

So this, too, is from the maryland department of aging for supplemental nutrition funds.

W

Notice of grant award in the amount of 40 832 nutrition services for older adults as.

W

It relates to the epidemic and additional funding for us to provide additional meals to seniors. I.

B

Moved to approve the supplemental nutrition notice of grant award project number us2134.

B

From maryland, department of aging, on behalf of the saint mary's county department of.

B

Aging and human services in the amount of 40 832 dollars the budget amendment to establish.

B

Budget authority to support additional nutrition activities authorized by the older americans act.

B

And authorized, commissioner president, to execute related documents. Second, I have a first and second.

A

All in favor aye aye any opposed eyes have it. Thank you, commissioners. Thank you, commissioners,.

R

And continuing with department of aging and human services, you have the fy 2021 title three.

R

Seven and the nsip older americans act second notice of grant award ms harris. Thank you, dr.

W

Bridget, so this is the second notice of grant award for the items just described by dr bridget.

W

In the amount of nine 396 fifty five dollars and these funds help to support a number of grants.

W

That support seniors and yesterday, just as a point of interest I received from the maryland.

W

Department of aging uh notification of our third grand award for the same grant so we'll be coming.

W

Before you again, wow good well now that my board docs is refreshed and working in this motion. Yes,.

W

Thank you. So I move to approve the title. Three seven nsip older americans act. Second notice of.

C

Grant award from the maryland department of age on behalf of the saint mary's county department,.

C

Of aging and human services, in the amount of 396 thousand nine hundred and fifty five dollars.

C

The attached budget amendments and authorized commission present execute related documents.

C

Second, I have a first and second, all in favor aye any opposed eyes have it. Thank you, commissioners.

R

And item jay is the final uh request from department of aging and human services.

R

Today, for the maryland department of aging fy 2022 area plan update application. Ms harris.

R

Thank you, dr bridget. So the maryland department of aging requires each local jurisdiction area.

W

Agency on aging, to provide a four-year area plan and in between, during the four-year period, there.

W

Are updates are that are required? This is the fy 22 area plan update also known as the application.

W

That also helps to support services for older adults. Federal grand state grant state grants.

W

County match and donations and the total amount of six hundred eleven thousand one hundred forty.

W

Dollars for services for seniors, I move to approve the fy 22 area plan, update allocation.

C

For the federal title iii, older americans act grant and the state grant allocations from the.

C

Maryland department of age and on behalf of the saint mary's county department of aging and human.

C

Services in the amount of six thousand 396 hundred fifty five dollars federal grants, seventy nine.

C

Thousand one hundred and thirty eight state grants thirty, eight thousand nine hundred and ninety.

C

Dollars required county match fifty one thousand and fifty seven dollars additional county match.

C

Forty five thousand dollars donations for a total of six hundred and eleven thousand one hundred.

C

Forty dollars to provide various programs and services to the seniors of saint mary's, county and.

C

Authorize the commissioner president to execute related documents. Second, I have a first and.

A

Second, all in favor aye, any opposed guys have it great. Thank you, commissioners. Thank you. Thank you.

W

Commissioners and items k is from the department of finance with the award recommendation for fdr.

R

Boulevard phase three: a miss cut, more cfo procurement officer and brandon hayden.

R

Procurement manager presenting this morning good morning good morning again good morning, um our.

R

Commissioners, we have um the award recommendation. I think the first one is fdr and brandon hayden.

S

Will go over the details? We also have um director john diedrick here. Should you have any questions.

Z

Good morning morning, so we're here for authorization to award the construction.

Z

Of fdr boulevard phase 3a, this phase constructs approximately eight tenths of a mile from of fdr.

Z

Boulevard from chancellor's run to buck uh road. This was a joint solicitation with metcom, where.

Z

The county obtained unit pricing for water line construction. This allows metcom's cooperative.

Z

Use of the county's contract to subsequently execute a metcon contract for their water main.

Z

With our contractor, the solicitation was posted to the email and marketplace advantage on october.

Z

August 24th, where approximately 200 potential bidders were notified of the solicitation.

Z

Additional vendors were notified by the county website. A virtual pre-bid meeting was held.

Z

Followed by a site visit to walk the project properties.

Z

Two amendments were posted to answer questions and respond to requests for additional information.

Z

And three bids were received before the bid opening date on october 7th at 3 pm.

Z

We are seeking your concurrence to award the construction of fdr boulevard phase 3a.

Z

To the great mills trading post company in an amount estimated to exceed 8 million.

Z

Subject to receipt and acceptance of contract related documents.

C

Okay, go ahead; hey baby steps in my world out here, 12 years, we're getting here. I.

E

Moved to authorize the procurement officer to execute the contract award for fdr boulevard.

E

Phase 3a to great most trading post company, incorporate in an amount to estimated amount.

E

To exceed 1 million dollars subject to receipt and acceptance of contract-weighted documents.

C

Second, we have a first and second, all in favor all right any opposed nice. Thank you. Thank you.

R

Commissioners, and next is also from the department of finance, with the award recommendation for the.

R

Saint mary's county sheriff's office, headquarters design, ms cutmore, yes and brandon- will also go.

S

Over this one for us, thank you brandon, so we're here for authorization to award the design of the.

Z

Sheriff's office headquarters project, the planning and design budget for this project is currently.

Z

Approved for 1.75 million, with an additional 1.5 million becoming available in fy 2024.

Z

For design consistency, the intent of this request selects the a e team for the entire project.

Z

This work was sourced through the county's open-ended consulting contracts, where firms are.

Z

Pre-Qualified to perform a e services on county projects, the firms on the open-ended roster then.

Z

Transparently, compete for a e projects with the award based on the low bid for the scope of work.

Z

Including any additional qualifications requested, the resulting award is then made to the low bidder.

Z

On a not to exceed basis for the stated scope of work, price proposal request for phase one of this.

Z

Project which includes full site design for the entire property plus the design of the evidence.

Z

Storage facility was sent to the open-ended roster of eight pre-qualified firms on may 4th three.

Z

Amendments were sent to these firms, answering their questions and responding to requests for.

Z

Additional information six bids were received by the due date of wednesday september 22nd.

Z

And in addition to the recommendation from the director of public works and transportation,.

Z

The sheriff's office also checked references on the sub-consultant redstone architects.

Z

In speaking with chief blocker from the battle creek city, michigan pd, they learned.

Z

Chief was extremely satisfied with how the consultant walked his team through the project.

Z

And provided them with many suggested suggestions related to public safety, buildings and design.

Z

Major american indicated that he is satisfied that redstone exhibits.

Z

The capabilities required for selection of the team assembled by morgan design, group, architects.

Z

Morgan has confirmed their bid of 751 6445 for this initial phase of the project.

Z

And indicated that their team is ready to begin working on our project immediately.

Z

As such, we are seeking your concurrence to award the design of the sheriff's office headquarters.

Z

Project to morgan design group architects in an amount estimated to exceed one million dollars.

Z

Subject to receipt and acceptance of contract related documents.

C

I moved to authorize the procurement officer to award the saint mary's county sheriff's office.

C

Evidence, storage and headquarters facility design project to morgan design, group architects in the.

C

Amount estimated to exceed 1 million dollars to complete the project subject to receipt.

C

And acceptance of contract related documents. Second, I have a first and second, all in favor.

A

Aye aye any opposed eyes have it. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

R

Thank you, commissioners. An item m is also from the department of finance with approval of resolutions.

R

For the realignment of the 2020 bond proceeds, ms cudmore, yes, um commissioners, um this is a.

S

Realignment of the 2020 30 million dollars that we sold and closed on may 11 2020 and what we do.

S

Is we have the three years to spend the bonds, so we come back normally when we get about over five.

S

Hundred thousand dollars towards, at the end of the bond um after we've, spent all the funds and.

S

We realigned any of the unspent proceeds at that time. Two projects that have completely spent their.

S

Bond proceeds um so those projects, then we won't, have to include in the next bond sale the projects.

S

That will be receiving the money will be 14 821 to asphalt overlay auditorium lighting replacement.

S

Public school project, 528 930 and the remaining 86 097 will go to the lexington park. Massive.

S

Passo park, our bond council prepares the resolution and we'll probably have one more.

S

Actual um resolution to amend when we're finished, with the uh leonardtown library and garvey center.

S

Project, there's still a little punch this one we'll bring that back to you and just to give.

S

You an update on the 2021 bonds that we also sold in this past may. um We were down to 8.7 million of.

S

um Proceeds still remaining and then currently we have we're at that. 11 million dollar mark um for.

S

The next bond sale, which I'm expecting to probably hopefully sell next in fy, 2023, probably july or.

S

August, okay, I'll move to approve the execute and execute the resolution supplementing resolution.

C

2020-05 authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds of the county by designating.

C

Additional projects authorized to be financed with the proceeds from the sale of such bonds. Second,.

A

Have a first and second, all in favor, aye aye any opposed. I just have it.

R

Thank you, commissioners and item n is from the department of finance to realign and close out.

R

Projects to the fin 2022 capitol reserve, ms cudmore, yes, thank you again, dr bridget. We.

S

Have 18 budget amendments um so get your signing hand ready. uh Commissioner guy.

S

um We normally this time of the year we actually go through after we finish the audit for the.

S

Cip, we look at um you know what projects have been spent, what projects need money.

S

Departments will let us know they have some projects and then we at that time. We also look at.

S

The trend on the spending and we um kind of recommend you know projects haven't had.

S

Any activity so we'll contact the departments and we'll also um ask them: are they ready to be closed.

S

Where are we at in this project? So you can see, we've got four projects that have actually.

S

They actually need funding. um The animal shelter needs 130, 000, north county farmer's market 139, 000.

S

Lexington manor passive park, 175 000 and then the choptakon high school pre-designed study.

S

125 and with that, we've had other projects that were closed or had funding available because.

S

They, just you know, had better estimates at this time, so this is actually increasing your fin 22.

S

By about 1.1 million and with 1.2, bringing your total fin reserve up to um 1.8 over 1.8 million.

C

I moved to approve the related budget amendments, realigning the various cip projects increasing.

C

The fin 22 capital reserve by one million one hundred and fifty two thousand six hundred and.

C

Eighty two dollars and authorize the commission president to sign the related budget amendments.

C

Second, I have a first and second, all in favor, aye aye, any opposed just have it. Thank you.

R

Commissioners, thank you. Thank you, commissioners, and this completes county administrator time.

K

Oh, my goodness, okay.

A

Go around the commissioner's time and uh we'll go ahead and start with commissioner morgan.

E

Thanks president, um first of all, a tragic loss to our nation yesterday with the passing of.

E

General colin powell, I think the many flags within the nation and half staff, and just so.

E

Acknowledge the tremendous service he provided to our nation as chairman of joint chiefs of staff.

E

Secretary of state and all the other roles that he had along the way, so um our condolences to his.

E

Family and to our nation, um dr brewster, had a long discussion today on vaccinations, which I think is.

E

Still very important, I would encourage you to get a shot as she and dr michaels have said. I would.

E

Encourage you, if you got a booster, to schedule it and get with the health department, because, as dr.

E

Brewster said: come early in november, we're going to be changing our focus. Are they changing their.

E

Focus to get the youngsters five to 11 vaccinated, so please get to the health department and.

E

Take care of that two really good things for me happened today. First of all, the money that was.

E

Approved for the turf fields, I think people heard me long clamoring about a turf field, complex down.

E

Here, to bring in more teams more sports and to make our kids our student athletes more.

E

Competitive that was passed so now we're going to have a variety of turf fields throughout the.

E

County, I want to thank mr shepard and rexella parks for getting that there, the bermuda fields.

E

And now each school will have its own turf field and atlanta is squabbling between the schools who.

E

Has something the other one doesn't? The second was the next phase of fdr boulevard phase 3a. That will.

E

I believe get us down to buck. Hewitt road from chancellor's run. um 12 years um still got three.

E

Or four miles to go, so I'm hoping when I'm gone, the next board will continue to get fdr boulevard.

E

Finished from sanders church road down to peg road and we'll have that parallel road. That is always.

E

I mean the people who ride it now they love it. It's doing good and I'm really happy when I drive.

E

On it too, so, let's just keep um is watching the wheels of bureaucracy move. Let's get that done.

E

Lastly, last night the redistricting board met and with it came the new county commissioner.

E

Proposed maps, I would encourage you. I would strongly encourage you to go. Look at those maps.

E

And see how the commissioner districts have changed for years, we've had a relatively stable.

E

Commissioner base between the four districts and obviously the president runs at large, but the the.

E

New maps change it a lot, and I think that um when you start to look at that, particularly my district.

E

Is is, is it's a new world? So if you would, please remember the redistricting board we're meeting in.

E

Meeting with the citizens, they get their inputs along the way and.

E

Please look at those maps with that. Thank you, john start with a big thank you to.

C

Our parks and rec division. You know, commissioner morgan highlighted a lot on this.

C

But with mr shepherd's leadership down there, the team that he surrounds himself with our parks and.

C

Rec I've said this before, but have just come so far and people are using our parks more and more.

C

And more now that they're getting back out of the house doing what they're doing getting out with.

C

The families I mean baseball fields, leaps and bounds. We, the leonardtown pool aquatic center.

C

All of our fields that are going from turf, bermuda, irrigation southern maryland, bmx with lighting.

C

You know, commissioner, president guy brought up uh two young ladies approached him about a skate park.

C

One one mentioned at the meeting and mr shepherd's team is all over it and hopefully we can get get.

C

That moving with a good plan, which all the plans have been solid coming forward, so you know that a.

C

Huge thank you because it was at a point in time where all this entire board would hear.

C

Was complaints about our parks, I mean non-stop now, what we hear is compliments, and that is a.

C

Tremendous tremendous credit to that team and everybody on this board, so I do thank you for.

C

That, because it I love the parks, I really do um got a chance to go to the national aquarium.

C

It was great 40 and fabulous 40 years old. I didn't realize this year it was 40. same age.

C

Same age, oh we're just off by a few months, so we celebrated together. It was great. uh It was.

C

Actually, a very nice event: uh it was from 6 00 6 p.m. To 9 00 pm uh the mayor of baltimore. Was there.

C

He spoke the ceo from the aquarium and unfortunately the octopus was not on display.

C

And my son was very upset about that. It's disappointing. It was disappointing. I think.

C

It was just blending into the uh the landscaping they didn't want to tell us they're smart. They are.

C

Smart enough to hide the uh the oyster festival was uh amazing this weekend. Let me tell you.

C

Packed saturday weather didn't stop anybody, they came back out sunday. Crowd was amazing, as.

C

Well, great vibe, congratulations to all the winners there and uh you know that's. I I really enjoy the.

C

Oyster festival and when you're all all over the state and you're having conversations with people.

C

You hear crab festival, oyster festival, st mary's county, so those are the those are the things that.

C

Always come up in conversation looking forward to the legit conference this week, I'm sure they'll be.

C

Talking about the oyster festival, crab festival and the many other events that we have down here.

C

And a funny note, the mayor of baltimore likes watching saint mary's basketball. He what st.

C

Mary's, basketball he's an alumni college. I know he he was telling me he's going to be down there.

C

And and he's going to be watching it was, it was interesting. He says he never likes to miss a game.

C

And he makes the trip down so I said well come on down to peace and tranquility.

C

Good guy, though, he ra totally different from uh how you see him behind the microphone and on tv.

C

So with that, mr president, thank you. Thank you very good. Well, it's been a busy weekend busy week a lot.

B

Of good stuff going on in st mary's county, mr o'connor talked about the oyster festival.

B

I was able to go to it on sunday, just a wonderful time.

B

All the food at the oyster festival is always good because it's oysters it's delicious.

B

uh But I want to give a shout out to the leonardtown rotary. They always sell their.

B

Seafood chowder: it's phenomenal! It's delicious! If you didn't get it this year, get it next year.

B

um Support them good work there I was able to see our commerce secretary kelly schultz at the.

B

Oyster festival she happens to be running for governor, so it's great to have her down in st.

B

Mary's county and see her there um and before the oyster festival, I took my family over to bulls.

B

Farms and had just a wonderful time it was packed there too. It's just feels like fall outside right.

B

Now- and it was, it was a nice weekend for that, but last friday, commissioner, president guy and I.

B

Attended the ribbon, cutting and groundbreaking serum or not groundbreaking, opening celebration.

B

Ceremony for the smart building at usmsm. So if you don't know the acronyms it's the third building at.

B

The higher ed center, but it is phenomenal and smart, stands for southern maryland. Autonomous.

B

Research and technology building this building is going to have a huge impact and there's a lot of.

B

People who deserve a lot of credit for making this building happen here in st mary's county, and I am.

B

Not one of them, but everyone else on this board, who was here in the previous term and commissioner.

B

Tom jarbo, when he was sitting in this chair, they put out a million dollars, and that is what.

B

Joe anderson credits with getting that building started and off the ground, the state was willing.

B

To put in the rest of the commitment after that, money was put out there and if you haven't driven.

B

Out to the airport in the aero park and seen this new building seen everything going on over there.

B

Take a drive check it out, it's pretty impressive, it's pretty incredible and there's a lot of.

B

Potential for the future of st mary's county for maryland. This building is going to be help out.

B

On a national level, it's just really really neat stuff going on there. Finally, public forum tonight.

B

I believe it's at 6, 30 p.m. Call in talk to us come and yell at us come tell us. What's on your.

B

Mind we look forward to hearing from you. Thank you. Please don't yell just talk, yeah we're listening.

A

You don't have to we we'll be here. Listening to you appreciate it, I want to put another shout.

A

Out for the smart building that we did have the grand opening or dedication to on friday.

A

Boy, the tour it was like you, you have to go wow, it's just unbelievable. There's going to be done.

A

There they're researching uh so real quick. I know it's your turn now, but just to add in to this.

B

During the ribbon cutting commissioner, president guy was part of the ribbon cutting they had a.

B

Autonomous robot drive over a big pair of scissors for them to use, and then he probably didn't even.

B

See this, but as soon as they cut the ribbon, we're in a big hanger garage open area, they had a drone.

B

Fly through carrying a maryland banner and it was flying through a couple times right behind.

B

Your back and it was very impressive right- yeah yeah yeah, it's just it's unbelievable. They had on.

A

Display but then to see all the research areas and the various classrooms. It's amazing. What's.

A

Going to come out of this center eventually, and it's as an economic development for us as well as.

A

Hopefully, train people for the future of pax river and the various other employment agencies around.

A

There it was really great to see, and just just shout out to parks again. One of my big themes is.

A

Always to get waterfront parks for our citizens, because we have limited activity or limited.

A

uh Resource for most people to get onto the water- and so we've been here this time.

A

Period and have developed several parks that are waterfront and got another one coming online as.

A

Mr shepard's working on developing it shannon farm, and I mean this is a great asset for the people.

A

Of saint mary's county, so they go down and I've had nothing. But people tell me how great it is.

A

Snow hill, how they really enjoy that waterfront park and the beach and they're looking forward.

A

To finally getting a boat ramp and on the tucson riverside, that's big enough to handle a few more.

A

Than two or three cars, so it's going to be nice once we get all this done. That's always been a big.

A

Thrill to me and of course, the the development of all these uh uh fields, I I say I was swayed.

A

Several years ago, when these young girls walked in here wet from trying to find a field to practice,.

A

On soccer and made their appearance here that sort of swayed me to say: hey, we need to get these.

A

Fields done and we have- and I appreciate the commissions doing that and I do appreciate.

A

The commissioner the first board, because only a couple months after I got here well, we were hit.

A

By mr anderson and a few others todd uh mr jarbo saying hey, we got to put some money out to to.

A

Keep this smart building going and we decided as commissioners and I caught a lot of flak from one.

A

Of our delegates of that, we had no business doing this, but we moved ahead and we have recognized and.

A

We were recognized during that meeting that we did have a big say-so in getting this building.

A

Built so I appreciate that now the oyster festival uh I was there all day saturday, it was packed.

A

I don't mean to tell you it was just unbelievable. There were people that were there.

A

And uh I I'm hoping that people were protected, I don't know what kind of outcome, but.

A

I didn't see very much masquerading at all some some, but not very much. I I gotta admit that and.

A

The crowds were big and I was part of the team that helped to time some of the suckers, especially.

A

We got through the women's uh national championship, but we didn't get the men's.

A

Done until sunday, but it was, uh it was really uh something to see uh the one lady who won a.

A

If I could suck or steadfast I'd, be a professional too did homer win again for the men.

A

Did homer win again for the men with well, we never got to the mint there's supposed to be two heats.

A

The men were never done, a storm came up, oh was blowing everything all over the place. They just.

A

Canceled that out and then they did everything on the men on sunday, uh but it was just amazing that.

A

The ladies I watched, I just I said wow this, the one that won was just unbelievable. How quickly.

A

She could shuck an oyster and keep it in in good shape. I mean it was just amazing.

A

So uh it was, it was a great turnout. I'm sure that that rotary is very happy with all the.

A

The people that did show up they had a large number of vendors that seemed to be happy with.

A

What's going on, if anything, we have a problem with the connectivity on the field, some of the vendors.

A

Complaining to me said: hey my my cell phone. I can't I can't take credit cards because of.

A

And I said wow, okay, and so I was hit with all that and I said well we'll try to do our best with.

A

Mr bob kelly to see if we can do anything to improve uh that ins, because there was long.

A

Lines, we had two atm machines there and there were long lines. People trying to get money at.

A

Them so they could buy products whatever bring cash. Cash kills yeah. We should bring.

A

I I like to emphasize, but you better bring cash from now on. I don't know how we can we're trying.

A

To improve it, but cash carries something like this um you're better off to have that, but they brought.

A

Into the verizon tower for the fair, the extra the extra uh didn't help, but it didn't help them.

A

It didn't help; no, it didn't help, they were, they did all that it just didn't help, but in defense of.

E

We've been folks, we've been working for years on recognizing two big events take place in the.

E

County at the fairgrounds, the county, fair and the oyster festival- and we have tried each year.

E

Two or three times to get verizon to do something, and we might as well be talking to a brick wall.

E

That's that's true. It's your listening. Verizon help us out bob kelly's trying.

E

Verizon doesn't really care yeah and we and we should- and these and our our vendors were really.

A

Upset because a lot of them could not process credit cards and it made it very bad for them.

A

And uh the people stood in long lines to get them the cash so anyway. uh Well we're still working.

A

That problem and hey did bob kelly moore work, but uh maybe he can help us out near ford. I don't know.

A

So we do appreciate it though, but okay with that said, uh I need a motion enter to close session.

A

Move to enter into closed session to discuss litigation. Second,.

A

First thing: all in favor, aye aye: let's take about uh five minutes.

A