St. Mary's County, MD Commissioners of St. Mary's County, 2 Feb 2021

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From YouTube: 2/2/21 Commissioners of St. Mary's County

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uh Please come to order good morning welcome to the commissioned st mary's county meeting this.

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Date, tuesday february 2nd 2021, I am randy guy president commissioner of saint mary's, county.

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I'd like to introduce the other commissioners sitting to my right representing the first.

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Commissioner district, which includes ridge, piney point st george island, mr eric colvin,.

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Good morning, representing the second commissioner district, which includes leonard town hollywood,.

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Mike hewitt good morning, john o'connor, who represents the third commissioner, just which.

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Includes charlotte hall, some gesture golden beach mechanicsville is going joining us by via webex.

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John yawn good morning, good morning, sending to my left represented fourth, commissioner district.

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Which includes lexington park, some of california, great mills and some of hollywood. Mr todd morgan.

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Say next to commissioner morgan is actually the mayor of leonardtown dan burris.

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Dr rebecca bridget, our county administrator, is sitting in the audience right now.

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Alisa cassis, our communications director is sitting to the table to my right good morning. Amy.

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Carter, our video media producers behind the glass. Please turn your cell phones off or on vibrate.

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At this time, we'd like to please stand and have the invitation pledged by commissioner colvin.

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Lord god, we thank you for this day. We thank you for the snow that you've given us for the.

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Beauty that we can see in your creation, we ask that you be with us as we do the work. That's.

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Set before us, we ask that you give us clear, heads and calm hearts and just help us to.

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Be rational in all that we do in your son's name, amen, amen! Please join me in the pledge.

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

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Which it stands, what the nation, under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

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Thank you, mr coleman. Next, we need the approval of the consent agenda. I move to approve the consent.

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Agenda which includes the minutes of january 21st 2021 as presented. Second, I have a first and second.

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All in favor aye aye aye any opposed. I haven't. I had a motion to adjourn the commissioner of.

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Saint mary's county, I moved to a journalist, the commissioner of saint mary's, county and.

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Reconvened, the saint mary's county board of health, second, first and second, all in favor, aye, aye,.

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Now we turn it over to dr brewster and uh I think first we're going to uh do you want us.

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To start up to your area, um actually I'll give a just a very, very brief update on. What's going on.

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With vaccine, okay and then we'll start coming up, that's right! Excellent! Good morning, commissioners.

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Good morning, um I'd like to introduce quinn alzheimer from the st mary's county health.

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Department who's accompanying me today, uh quinn is an integral part of the planning and operations.

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Team, that's running the mass vaccine clinics over at the hollywood volunteer fire department.

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Just so you're aware, I know we've got a lot on deck in terms of vaccines. Today I appreciate.

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The commissioners being willing to do this on camera, where I'm excited to administer vaccine.

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To all of you today, including mayor burris, who's joined us over from leonardtown, under your duties,.

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As elected officials and continuity of government, as well as for some of you, the age category.

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So you're aware in st mary's county we have now vaccinated over 10 percent of our population.

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There have been about 12, 000, plus individuals in saint mary's, county who've, received their.

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First dose their second dose about 2 275 of them have received their second dose already as well.

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So 12 071 have received their first dose of saint mary's county residents.

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And 2275 saint mary's county residents have received their second dose.

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In terms of the doses that are administered through the health department, partnership.

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That's been operating the mass vaccine clinics, as well as all the different vaccine clinics.

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That we're doing in the community we've administered 9733 first doses, thus far.

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Everyone involved this has, as I've said before, it's been an extraordinary partnership effort.

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Of the whole community pulling together either as a county government entities, the sheriff's office.

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Our volunteer ems departments, our volunteer fire rescue departments, school systems, so.

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Many uh who have really pulled together uh with the health department to make it happen uh so.

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I mean this is what we do at the local level right, we make things work out and we do it. The st mary's.

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Way and I'm just so very grateful for everybody, and actually I was very impressed on thursday.

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Afternoon my wife and I spent four hours at the location hollywood helping out, and I was extremely.

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Impressed how smoothly things went and how many vaccinations we got done that afternoon, it was.

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Really very impressive, excellent and my hat's off to you and to everyone who coordinated with you.

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And all our volunteers out there is tremendous the volunteers that was there. I saw on thursday.

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Afternoon- and I thank everybody extraordinary, thank you, commissioner guy for volunteering. I.

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Know dr bridget was also out there this weekend on saturday, when I was out there as well. Volunteering.

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And we certainly appreciate all the volunteers that have been on stepping out and helping out.

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Great, thank you thank you. So that means the two critical populations that we're most concerned.

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About are individuals who are 75 and older, so in st mary's county out of the st mary's.

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County residents, who are 75 and older, we have now vaccinated with at least one dose 46.5 of our 75.

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And older residents, tremendous of the residents who are 65 to 74, we have now vaccinated 30 percent.

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With at least their first dose, so this is pretty tremendous with the limited vaccine supply we.

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Have that we have been able to offer priority and offer vaccine to our critical populations.

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By age group we're excited about that this week we have a full schedule on deck there.

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Was a lot of moving parts because of the snow, and I know our operations chief, terry prock, now.

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Our planning chief katie wells and logistics mark pettit from department of emergency services.

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Have had a lot of work going forward to rearrange the dates for the vaccine clinics that were.

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Canceled for snow, but we've been able to get people fit in to get their rescheduled doses.

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This week is extraordinarily busy, I mean we have about a thousand vaccines going out on a daily.

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Basis starting wednesday through saturday, if not more so we're excited to have another busy week.

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And raise those numbers even further, um so we're going to go ahead and get started now, if that's.

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All right with vaccine, however you'd like to start, I'm not sure if mayor burris, what you wanted to.

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Dr bruce, before we start two quick things: first, off wonderful job be doing we're getting so many.

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Emails saying how seamless is and how nice you know and quick it is. Secondly, or do you have.

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Enough vaccines, because we keep hearing that there's not enough vaccine. There's, there's not.

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Enough vaccine, we certainly have demand that's much much greater than the supply that we're.

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Getting in fact, when we typically post the vaccine clinic registration links on friday afternoons.

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They usually get booked up within less than an hour. Okay and people's complain. I shouldn't.

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Say complain: the concern is trying to get on to that, so they should do it on fridays or friday.

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Afternoons friday afternoons is when we usually hear from the state how many doses of vaccine.

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We're going to get that following monday or tuesday, so this past friday, we didn't hear until.

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The very close of business, which is why we didn't post until the close of business. We try to try to.

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Get them, hopefully, if we know from the state by then we try to get them posted around three.

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O'clock on fridays, okay, so citizens should start looking at the website friday afternoons after 3.

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P.M. Yes, please, and we have also just as a reminder for those seniors who are have limited access to.

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Computers or need some help, telephone assistance is available for them through the department.

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Of aging and human services, so if they call the department of aging and human services, they can.

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Get put on what's called a callback list, it's not a waiting list, but it is a callback list so that.

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When the registration links become open, um staff at the department of aging and human services will.

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Call them in the order that they're on the list to help get them appointments. Okay, thank you that.

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Number is 301-475-4200 extension 1049.. Thank you, sir good, and, and I want to say that that.

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For everybody out there, particularly the seniors who are frustrated at this, the department of aging.

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Human service doing one hell of a job getting the people on the list and getting in their shots. So.

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If you're, not technology professional, I said the last week, maybe we get the college students to.

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Help, please call the art department of aging human services get on the list and let them work with.

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You to get that shot, please don't be frustrated and mad, which I know you are but they're doing.

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A great job working with dr brewster health department to get these shots administered so.

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Please use that number please get on the list and uh we're I'm not me everyone's doing the best they.

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Can to get that shot administered, so thank you. I mean we have limited doses coming in, but we.

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Are getting doses in every week, so if people just kind of buy their time and get on the get on the.

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Callback list again, it's not a waiting list. It's a callback list with the department of aging human.

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Services, if they need computer help- or they just continue to check every friday afternoon, we will.

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Get to everyone. Eventually, it is just a matter of waiting for that vaccine supply every week.

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Thank you great. So, let's get started with vaccine. Thank you very much for agreeing to do this.

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Left arm and as a commissioner was mentioning earlier, commissioner guy.

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Asked me to save the largest needle just for you, the largest deal, the biggest dose.

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After vaccine, I know we, I did some pre-questions with all of you for those watching. We usually.

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Screen to make sure nobody's had a history of anaphylaxis and also to make sure nobody's.

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Had a history of other vaccines that they've received within 14 days of this vaccine dose.

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So we've already asked all those questions, and now, after you receive the vaccine, you're going.

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To need to be monitored for at least 15 minutes, so, while you're sitting here on your meeting we'll.

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Be in the in the audience there monitoring you for 15 minutes, please just kind of raise a hand.

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Or if you're feeling off, if you're feeling any hives trouble breathing swelling in your throat.

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Anything like that, please just let me know and I'll rush over to you and and assess you all.

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Right, okay, so I'm going to have you actually put your both feet on the floor? If you could.

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Roll this up leave your hand in your lap and just kind of loosey-goosey in the elbow. That's great.

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Just get it ready.

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Hey the mayor's got his first dose.

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Positive reinforcement how to reimport that.

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Great all right here we go, sir. Thank you very much great. Thank you.

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Come mr morgan is coming up there. Dr brewster. Now is the time to bring up your budget requests for.

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Oh there's got to be something I'll avoid that.

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Money guy comes right.

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If anybody wants to have a great invention, even faster drying hand, sanitizer would be awesome.

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For all those smart people working the vase that might be the next technology advancement.

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That would be really helpful in the medical world. Great sir, are you able to pull it up.

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A little bit further up here, if not, I can help you, you you're welcome. That should be good. All.

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Right, loosey goosey in your elbow and turn your chair just a little bit. This way great.

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And then out, if your other hand can just keep it up here, that'd be awesome. Thank you.

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There we go. Thank you.

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If you see any tears, it's just because the bills.

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Commissioner guy I'm next.

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And no worries we saved the second largest needle for you.

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That's great, thank you.

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Let my hands dry other the gloves don't get on. Oh yeah,.

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G

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Finished all ready give yourself a good.

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10 12 days and you'll get the full uh benefit of the immunity of your second death. Thank you, sir.

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Commissioner, fulvin with the bow tie, awesome love. It youtube had a tie this morning.

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It's been a while, oh you did it yourself: yeah wow, that's impressive, nice. The original twist.

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You can't put that on you cause. You got your fingers.

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Just tell me we can stick the needle in that's very done.

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All right all there, commissioner hewitt good morning, sir.

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Do what you gotta do how you feeling today? How are you feeling today.

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Yep perfect. Thank you. Nice polo.

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Yeah good to go: okay, hey.

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All right now we're all standing up for a picture. I guess.

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You want our id badges out here. You stay right. There you stay right. There yeah.

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I'm not blocking you, yeah get a profile showing our best band-aid. Our badge of courage here.

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uh Once you uh adjourn we'll set up or clean up here sure you need to adjourn the board of health.

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You want to uh and where you want to stay right now continue. I'm sorry did you want to adjourn the.

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Board of health- that's it! For this morning! Sure, okay. I moved to adjourn as the saint mary's county.

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Board of health and reconvenes, the commissioners of saint mary's county. Second, all in favor.

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Aye any opposed eyes haven't. Thank you. So tell me, dr brewster, before you leave us once you get.

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These two shots and you go through your time, ten days or whatever. Now we cannot get it. We.

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Won't get covet in the and the ideal situation we won't get coved. Commissioner hewitt. That's.

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An excellent question and thank you for asking that so the immunity uh that the effectiveness.

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Of the vaccine is about preventing severe covet 19 like the kind that lands you in the hospital.

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Or the kind that can actually lead to mortality or symptomatic covid19, what we don't have an.

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Answer to yet is how effective these vaccines are, preventing silent infection or asymptomatic.

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Infection, we do know that asymptomatic infection can be transmitted to other individuals.

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So there still is the risk that somebody who's been vaccinated fully can get silent, covid19.

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Infection and pass it on to others. That's why we really should still be a transmitter. Yes,.

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For us, with silent infection, we just don't have an answer yet to how effective the vaccines are.

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Preventing silent infection, but what they are very effective at, in fact, in the 95 percent mark once.

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Somebody's had their second dose and have had a couple weeks after their second dose to build.

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That immunity, what they're very effective at, is preventing symptoms of covid19. If you get infected.

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And preventing the complications that we're most worried about the long-term, coveted symptoms, the.

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Hospitalizations the the deaths, okay and the other question I'll. Let you go apologize for it.

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No problem, you get the two vaccines now, can you go anywhere? You want to go in the country or in.

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Not yet there's still a while we have to get to a place where we have a card that you can.

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Show the people that now there's some discussion in the future is is the card with your two doses.

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Going to be helpful to then travel on certain to certain locations and places right now we we're.

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Just trying to get people vaccinated, we don't have enough people vaccinated in the country for us to.

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Let loose well, I guess my point is people are worried about. Do they have to quarantine? I got.

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My shots, yes at this point in time, florida and now I come back and I get corn at this point.

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In time, especially because of that question about silent infection, we're still implementing the same.

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Public health guidance that we do for individuals who are not vaccinated, but what I hope to see.

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Is as more and more people get vaccinated with their second dose and have had that couple weeks.

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After their second dose is that we start hopefully start seeing a drop in our hospitalizations and.

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The fatalities see that yeah we've had over 105, I think 105. As of yesterday, st mary's.

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County residents that have died from covid related illness, okay and that's- that's a tragedy. It's less.

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Than a year uh and and so many people, so many lives lost of saint mary's county residents, so.

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We really want to turn that number and make sure that rate of increase is is decreasing. Okay, thank.

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You so we continue with all the precautions. Wear your mask scene. Keep doing all those things keep.

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Washing your hands social distancing wearing your mask, avoid gatherings um avoid non-essential.

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Travel, I understand, thank you, thank you, so I guess they can go. Go cancun next week.

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Probably not, can I just do puerto rico next week. I'm sorry, can I go to puerto rico next week.

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All right, okay, thank you very much. uh We're we're just gonna clean up this area here.

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If that's all right, I don't know if you're up yourself should we take a little recess.

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Yeah: okay: let's just go: let's go with the proclamations here, while you're cleaning up.

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We're going to be doing okay continue going here. We have three proclamations.

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And I'm going to do the first one due to covet 19 precautions preclude presenting in person.

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But proclamations that I'm given to do right now will be sent to the national association.

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For the advancement of culture people, the unified committee for afro-american contribution, minority.

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Outreach coalition human relations, commission league of women, voters, historic sauderly, saint.

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Mary's college of maryland and historic, st mary city, whereas black history month, is an opportunity.

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To celebrate the confidence of historic and present contributions of black americans in.

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The united states, and whereas in 1926 dr carter g woodson member of omega sci-fi, fraternity.

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Incorporated and founder of the association of study of african-american life and history.

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Initiated national negro history week and whereas in 1960 the week was expanding into.

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Black history month to commemorate through community activities, a more balanced and accurate.

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Picture of black history and is celebrated during the month of february to coincide with.

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The birthdays of president abraham, lincoln and frederick douglass and whereas organizations and.

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Institutions of st in saint mary's county, like the national associated advancement of colored people,.

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Unified committee for afro-american contributions, minority outreach coalition, human relations.

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Commissions, league of women, voters, historic saturday, saint mary's, college of maryland and.

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Historic, st murray city remain diligent in their commitment to fight race-based discrimination.

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To secure equal rights for all people, and now, therefore, we commission, st mary's county, do.

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Hereby proclaim the month of february 2021 as black history month and encourage all citizens.

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To honor the many contributions made by black americans throughout the nation and to participate.

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In the many educational events honoring those achievements, this date february, 2nd 2021.

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And next we have a dating violence prevention month. I've got it good all right, so this very.

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Important proclamation this proclamation will be sent to the commission for women. The family.

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Violence coordinating council and representatives of saint mary's county public schools.

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Proclamation reads: whereas the saint mary's county commission for women, the southern maryland center.

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For family advocacy and the family violence coordinating council are committed to raising.

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Awareness regarding the dangers of dating violence and whereas studies indicate females between the.

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Ages of 16 16-24 are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence experiencing abuse at rates.

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Almost triple the national average and whereas high school students who experience physical.

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Violence in a dating relationship are more likely to use drugs and alcohol are at a greater risk of.

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Suicide and are much more likely to carry patterns of abuse into future relationships.

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And whereas by providing young people with education about healthy relationships,.

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And relationship skills and by changing attitudes that support violence, we recognize that dating.

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Violence can be prevented and whereas it is essential to raise community awareness and to.

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Provide training for parents, teachers, counselors, coaches and other adults that interact with teens.

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So they may recognize when youth are exhibiting signs of dating violence.

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Now, therefore, we, the commissioners of saint mary's county, do hereby proclaim the month of.

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February 2021 dating violence prevention month and encourage all citizens to assist in raising.

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Awareness and working to make our community a safe place for all this state february, 2nd 2021.

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Now we have the transit equity day thanks president, this proclamation will be sent.

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To john dietrich, the director of our department of public transportation, to roast the hands of.

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Sierra club to mr b.j hall, william j b.j hall, naacp 7025 and dr janice wallflower naacp 7025.

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Whereas rosa parks was an iconic figure in the movement for social justice and the immediate.

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Focus of her historic protest was the unequal access of african americans to public transit.

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And her birthday is february 4th and whereas affordable, reliable public transportation.

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Is an essential public service on par with utilities such as water and electricity and.

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Should be accessible to all persons, regardless of race, gender, age, religion or socioeconomic status,.

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And whereas humanity has faced the growing crisis of climate change and the transit for all has a.

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Role in cutting co2 emissions by reducing trips and seeing occupancy vehicles and whereas the.

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Growth of public transit will help to globally reduce automotive pollutants, such as nitrogen.

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Oxides and particulate matter that have worst impacts on the communities closest to highways and.

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Other major roads, which tend to be disproportional communities of color and low-income individuals.

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Now, therefore, we, the commissioners of saint mary's county, do hereby recognize february, 2nd 2021.

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As transit equity day and in commemoration of rosa parks, birthday encourage all citizens to.

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Honor the contribution of the civil rights leaders and reflect on the ways to make this.

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A healthier planet with increased use of public transportation, this date february, 2nd 2021.

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Thank you, commissioner. Morgan.

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Next, our main agenda item: we have the department of land use and growth management.

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Request for public hearing proposed amendment to solar task force, temporary moratorium on.

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Utility scale solar projects, mr bill hunt, our director is going to be making the presentation.

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Commissioners before he starts just thank you very much for the invitation this morning. Thank.

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You mayor burris, for being here and uh glad to get your shots started. Yes, thank you. Thank you, mr man.

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Thank you. Thank you, president guy good morning, commissioners, I'm dr bridgette.

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The first request this morning is from the solar task force. The commissioners formed the solar task.

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Force in january 2020, while studying existing laws pertaining to utility scale, solar farms, the task.

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Force became aware of the importance providing an accurate overlay map that shows, in particular,.

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Areas where utility-scale solar farms not be located due primarily to environmental constraints,.

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And also show areas where the utility scale farms should be located. The chesapeake conservancy, which.

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Prepared a solar sighting map for baltimore, county and city is currently working on a similar map.

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And report for saint mary's county, the map of preferred locations and areas to avoid will be.

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Incorporated into the draft ordinance, that is the solar test, the solar task force is recommending a.

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One-Year moratorium for reviewing and approving new applications, quality scale, solar projects.

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This moratorium will allow the chesapeake conservancy to complete the map and report for.

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Mary's county, the solar task force feels that it is important to have this moratorium in place.

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So that there will not be any applications that have to be acted on before the solar.

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Task force can complete its pre its present ordinance and bring it to the commissioners.

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There are no utilities scale, solar farm applications currently under view in the county.

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That's my presentation introduction for the request. I just have one question.

F

uh I see we appointed this task force over a year ago.

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Now, over a year later, we're asking for a one-year moratorium. So it seems like it's a.

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Little slow going what's uh what's the hold up? Well, actually, what happened? Sir, was after the.

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Solar task force began its work, which was delayed. This first meeting was delayed because of covert.

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Considerations: okay, once they got once they got rolling, then their consultant, mr knapp.

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Provided information on what the chesapeake conservancy had done for baltimore, which is a very.

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Finely prepared map that that identifies areas where these farms should be located.

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Because the property is right for them, they have the high voltage lines and there are no.

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Environmental features and also areas to avoid when that came up, the solar task force asked for.

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A an extension of their mandate from the commissioners which was granted.

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And now just to finish this and have time to produce the ordinance.

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Is why the moratorium has been reported? Tell me: what's the chesapeake conservatory.

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I'm sorry I mean not that what are they, but why is their input so much more valuable? Is there.

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Someone who's like would be a counter to them. That would be able to give their inputs too. Are we just.

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Using these chesapeake conservatory as our they're, a non-profit organization that was under contract.

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With baltimore, county and city and produced this map, which seems to be the best available resource.

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To demonstrate what what happens based on what the solar task force has come up with so far is.

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When you want to or if a local government wishes to present evidence.

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To the public service commission as to why the proposed site isn't appropriate based on.

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A utility-scale solar farm wanting to locate there one of the things that an ordinance should have.

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Is reasons for other sites that are better suited for it, as well as areas to avoid.

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So this is like a standard sin. It seems to be it's. Of course. This.

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Legislation with regard to these is changing all the time, but it seems like to this point.

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A strong way to suggest that something's not appropriate, is to have a map that shows where.

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There are locations where it would be appropriate and then go from there. Of course. The other reason.

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If we take away state and federal mandates and just talk about it from the saint mary's county.

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Perspective, we are a rural county, we have a lot of ag land some ag land may be appropriate, but some.

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May not okay, so this will help the commissioners also decide among all the possible choices which.

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Ones should should be looked at and which should be avoided. Okay, yes, sir, a couple questions.

B

Have we ever put a moratorium on anything else? Before I mean it just seems, I'm gonna support.

B

Having a public hearing, I'm no problem with that, but it seems strange that since we're.

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Behind the eight ball here that we would stop anyone, who's, entrepreneurial from.

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Moving forward with any plans they might have, have we done a moratorium on anything before yes, sir, we.

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Did one on with regard to water column, leases? Okay, oh yeah! um Well, I guess probably similar to that.

B

um Correct me, if I'm wrong, but if somebody wanted to go forward with something in st mary's county.

B

And the county said no, that that doesn't work for us, the the psc the pub they could overrule it.

B

Right the state could overrule and enforce down any they could, if you recall, sean seaman from.

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Dnr, I forget the other acronyms that he he was a part of made a presentation to the commission.

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And the state of the law at present is that local considerate, local preference is.

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Considered by the psc, but it's not mandatory that it be followed. This is just a way of.

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Bolstering whatever the county would come up with as far as yes or no to influence the.

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Public service commission's decision; okay, a couple questions, mr I'm, assuming that the.

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Chesapeake conservancy will be working with the navy in on this, so that we don't have an issue.

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When they come back and say here, it is, and the navy says whoa whoa whoa. That would be part of.

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The that'll be part of their study, the study to say we can't have them here. This would be a.

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Non-Preferred location for the solar scales- okay, then just for the public's edification in this.

D

We have um a law that went into effect last year on soil that increased the requirement of solar by.

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Three or five hundred percent in the attempt to you know become green by 2030.

D

We have bills in the legislature pending that are really sort of contradictory to this solar piece.

D

And one of them, mr president, guy and I talked about this- we got the ability in.

D

X, number of years to plant five million more trees in out there somewhere to you, know, grow green, want.

B

To cut down a bunch of trees in calvary county to put up solar! Well that that, then we got one that.

D

We discussed last night on preservation of ag land the goal of establishing and preserving 1 million.

D

30 000 acres of productive ag land by 2030 through mouth. So when I plant one million trees, you gotta.

D

Plant five million trees somewhere we want to save one million acres of land. We want to increase.

D

The solar footprint by 500 percent to get to a green stage. You know I don't know where all this.

D

Is headed at the end of the day, but I'm going to support having the hearing, but it just seems.

D

Sort of you know it's just weird when you watch all these bills and all these moving pieces.

D

Of you know we're not only talking about solar, but you know: we've got the wind farm sitting out over.

D

Ocean city right now, that is obvious worcester folks, are a little bit concerned about and.

D

I guess I'm hoping the chesapeake conservancy will come back to something that reflects.

D

St mary's county and its needs versus baltimore county and in its political persuasion. Oh.

I

Sorry to jump in too quickly that was just a completed project that shows how well the.

I

Conservancy can do the the mapping that is useful for saint mary's county. It wasn't to it. I'm sorry.

I

I

From the perspective of the department of land use and growth management and speaking for the solar.

I

Task force, harry knights on webex, who is staff, support to that? What the commissioners have done.

I

By by forming the solar task, force is actually to enable saint mary's county to get ahead of.

I

The wave that may be coming by designating by identifying these sites and having a proposed.

I

Ordinance that will take into consideration the state of law at the present time. It will be custom.

I

Tailored to saint mary's county and the reason why that's assured is that the solar task force.

I

Is made up of residents of the county that the commissioners have appointed with various.

I

Areas of expertise in this topic, I I always want to push the slower task force to start.

D

With so I mean, I really want this to work to be beneficial for saint mary's county.

D

And what our citizens needs are and work from there and that's exactly what this helps do. Thank.

I

You well these new laws passed in annapolis. I hope they're taking consideration to 1 million 30 000.

A

Acres, we have to reserve and 5 million trees and the 5 million trees that we got to plant somewhere.

A

And I'm hoping all this is part of their their investigation as they move on to try to find out.

A

Where we can put them in our county, indeed, that's what we would do locally, but I believe that what's.

I

Going to be found is that saint mary's county can easily meet what's required for its production.

I

Of renewable fuels and would be in a good position with respect to that and not have to to do to go.

I

To some of the the measures that probably other counties and cities are going to have to take.

I

To find areas where they can meet the meet the the minimum requirements, so we're sort of going to.

A

Meet the commission's goals, but other counties may not be able to yes, sir we're going to be able to.

I

Preliminary report is that we'll not only meet but will exceed and without having a lot of.

I

Problem in that area now that's subject to change because the report is not in but that's that's the.

I

What I'm told is likely to be the case? Good, okay, I had any other questions. Commissioners.

A

Well, I moved to approve a morning public hearing to receive comments on the proposed amendment.

D

To adopt temporary moratorium on reviewing and approving the new applications for utility scale.

D

Solar projects second have a first and second, all in favor, aye, aye, aye disapproval guys have it.

A

Next, we have the department of language growth, management's request for public hearing.

A

Proposed amendment to change the critical area overlay from resource conservation area, rca.

A

To intensely developed area ida the real food studio project, you got it.

I

The commissioners adopted the ordinance that allows critical area non-adjacent.

I

Growth allocation in limited situations in september 2020. the property that is the subject.

I

Of the proposed non-adjacent growth allocation meets the necessary criteria for consideration.

I

The real food studio project property is zoned rural, commercial, limited rcl with the resource.

I

Conservation area, rca overlay, the rcl zoning- allows the owners to establish the desired use.

I

Of takeout food and beverage sales, which is used 78 in the zoning ordinance, but that use is not.

I

Allowed in the rca overlay, the rca, the rca, the rcl zoning allows the owners to request a non-adjacent.

I

Growth allocation to change the rca overlay to intensely developed area ida, the saint mary's.

I

County planning commission reviewed the request at a public hearing held on january 11 2021.

I

And unanimously unanimously voted to recommend approval of the requested growth allocation to.

I

The commissioner, this request was also sent to the critical area commission and their comments were.

I

Just that the area had to be looked for as far as endangered species and a letter was returned.

I

From the state that says, there's no known endangered species on the property and the.

I

Second comment was that the request should be to the ida overlay, which is what it is requesting.

I

And then the final thing is is that after the commissioners of saint mary's, county.

I

Act on this, it has to be sent to the critical area commission for final approval.

F

I'd like to make a few comments about this, I've been working hard on this one excuse.

F

Me for miss lisa, kelly, michael and lisa kelly and, if you're listening to kelly's. Thank you.

F

For waiting so long, this process has taken months, if not years, and these people bought a piece of.

F

Property who would have known it, had to have this kind of a allocation given to it where it was.

F

Located because it really doesn't seem to be in the critical areas, but this is just another step.

F

In allowing someone to take something, that's dilapidated old, functionally obsolete.

F

And turning it into something, that's good and better for the county, and what this lady has done.

F

Down there, if anybody hasn't been there, please, if you have the opportunity to go, buy that store. It's.

F

On medley's neck road down, there used to be fat, boys she's done a wonderful job, and it's all about.

F

Eating healthy and living healthy, I know my wife loves going there and getting healthy food because.

F

Lord knows I can't get healthy enough anyway. The point is is that this is a good thing and.

F

Thanks to kelly's for going through it and thank you and your staff.

F

Mr hunt for hurting this through and thank the critical area commission for.

F

This has been a slow process, but it's getting there. I just want to echo this. This is a really.

B

Good thing to be able to take older properties in the county and revitalize them and make use of.

B

Them and turn them into something: that's really good for the county. This is awesome. This is.

B

It's definitely taking a while, but this is a really good thing. I I'm I'm excited about this.

A

Any other comments, commissioners. Mr president, I moved to approve a morning public hearing to.

D

Receive public comments on the proposed amendment to change the critical area overlay from resource.

D

Conservationary rca to intensely develop area ida for the real food studio project. Four one: five.

D

Six: six meadows network learnertown maryland. Second, oh six. Five, oh stole my motion. Second,.

A

Start with that, I have a first second, all in favor, aye, aye aye any opposed eyes have it.

A

Thank you, mr hunt. Thank you, commissioners and, if I could just say yes, it has taken longer than any.

I

Of us liked for this to to happen, commissioner hewitt, who is on the critical area commission.

I

There and has suffered through pains that have to go have to the county has to go through to get.

I

Something changed by the critical area: commission: it's not that they're, not supportive. When we.

I

Finally, get something to them, but there seems to be a lot of communication that has to take place.

I

In advance, before we're to that point to where we're fairly confident with communication, it's.

F

A paradigm shift, it's taken, people who've had a I'm, not starting trying to say it's tunnel vision.

F

But they've had a train of thought for years and years and years and you're asking them to.

F

Either expand it or maybe just to adjust it over a little bit and and take a wider aperture, and that.

F

Has been a struggle, I'm not trying to say, there's anybody, bad! It's! It's just resistant.

F

To change when you get to a state- and I hate to I mean this respectfully state bureaucrats.

F

Who tend to know how it's been done and know how that has worked and that's how they're.

F

Going to continue to do it, we saw the same thing with saint clemens shores, wastewater treatment,.

F

Plant mr hunt and thank you for all your work there, but this is another example of what I.

F

Would call progress for the citizens of saint mary's county? Thank you, but it takes so long.

A

And that's the punishment dumb question: that's the punishment we have being surrounded by water.

A

That's where it is yeah hey. uh Next we have the department of land use and growth management.

A

Request for public hearing proposed amendment to the official zoning maps.

A

Of saint mary's county to delete the existing 1 000 foot, critical area, boundary line.

A

And replace with the new critical area boundary line from the s.

A

From the statewide base map, as required by a house bill 1253 just to hunt you guys again.

A

Thank you, sir house bill 1253, adopted by the general assembly in 2008, directed the critical.

I

Area commission to prepare a statewide base map which would include a state-determined shoreline.

I

And landward boundary of tidal wetlands in a digitally generated, 1000 foot, critical.

I

Area boundary local governments are required to adopt the state produced map next slide.

I

The critical area includes the waters of the chesapeake bay.

I

And tributaries to the head of tide and all land under these waters and next all.

I

Land within one thousand feet of the landward edge of tidal waters and tidal wetlands next.

I

The original 1000 foot critical area boundary was manually drawn using the 1972.

I

Tidal wetlands map the boundary was drawn manually, and so of course, there are inherent.

I

Inaccuracies there have been many changes to the shoreline and wetlands since 1972.

I

And there are more accurate ways of identifying wetlands and tidal influences using remote sensing.

I

Electronically digi electronic digitally produced maps are the standard. Now next in 2008 house bill.

I

1253 was adopted, which required the state to work cooperatively with local governments to update.

I

Critical area maps with the state-determined 1000 foot, critical area, boundary line.

I

Next hb 1253 directed the department of natural resources to prepare a statewide base map.

I

With the state determined shoreline, the new boundary line has been drawn.

I

Using color infrared imaging lidar, new aerial, photography and gis software.

I

Next critical area staff, the eastern shore, regional gis, cooperative and salisbury university.

I

Gis staff worked with local governments to make the new boundary line. Field visits were.

I

Conducted to ground truth, aerial, photography and color infrared imagery when it was needed next.

I

The critical area commission held a public information meeting in saint mary's county.

I

In august 2018., before that meeting property owners with at least a one percent change in.

I

The critical area boundary on their property were notified by letter of the change and the.

I

Meeting with cac staff, let me let me interrupt you just for a second commissioners. It's very.

F

Important that you know that meeting was standing room only in here we had easily.

F

I don't know 200 people, if not more, it was packed and I'm not sure everybody got their answers.

F

Critical areas, commission, I think, did a good job, but it ended up being a lot. A lot of questions so.

F

This is going to be a big deal to a lot of people in saint mary's county go ahead, and also at that.

I

Meeting not only were with staff from the state here, but they had computer stations set up so.

I

That people could individually go and look at their properties, which had been photographed and.

I

Asked questions at the time and then after that, in certain cases- and I have no idea how many this.

I

Pertains to if people had a question that that couldn't be answered or that the state thought.

I

Deserved additional information or additional attention, there were field visits, arranged.

I

After that meeting with property owners to go and look at at individual situations,.

F

Well, I think I think what I heard from people that night or actually probably the week afterward, is.

F

That there was so many and that you're right they did set up individual appointments and.

F

Computer stations and stuff, but people were like hey, I can't wait. You know this is taking too long.

F

Lord knows they were here for at least two or three hours. It was a long night and what I think.

F

Is very important for people to understand is what we found at the critical areas: commission meetings.

F

Is they held these in other parts of the state, and what you found was is that someone who had been.

F

In their working life of 30 year old, 40 year old, whatever and bought this lot, that was on the water.

F

Was going to overlook the water was going to be the retirement lot so when they finished working.

F

They would have it paid off and now they would go down there and they could build their retirement.

F

Home and their dream lot only to find out after 30 years or however many years of owning that lot.

F

That the critical area line has creeped up into their lot. It happened to some.

F

People down in the valley, lee area and what happened was: is they had their ideal spot.

F

Both the husband and wife retired off the base. Now they go down there to get their plan drawn up and.

F

Now they got portion of their envelope for their house is actually in the new critical area.

F

So now it gets to be what happens now we bought this 30 years ago thinking this would be our.

F

Retirement home now it happened in anne arundel county. It happened in two other counties. I think.

F

Cecil, someone on the chesapeake bay happened three other places and that's what's important.

F

For people in the county to understand is that, if you've had a lot that you haven't built on and.

F

You've had it for a long time, it's in the critical area. This could impact you, so whoever you are if.

F

You're listening or if you haven't found out this is a public meeting understand if you have.

F

That situation, you could be impacted and when you finally get there and you finally get to be that.

F

60 some year old or, however old you are when you retire and you go there and you find out now that.

F

Right's been taken away, you'll be disappointed. Well, that's a that's! A property rights grab.

D

Mm-Hmm, I have a hard time with that. Oh, what are you going to do, but why I'm just saying.

D

Hb whatever this is, I mean you know these things get passed by folks up in in uh who.

D

Don't have critical error exactly and it's great to sit there and tell oh man. I could look at all.

D

These great environmental things I'm doing just like you know when water flows out of montgomery.

D

County in the bay- and they say well, you know good for us down here too bad for you guys down there.

D

I mean, I think, that's wrong, that this crap takes. This is an important public hearing. That's I that.

D

Part, I'm really getting I'm going to have you lead where we should go with this, because you're on the.

D

Critical area commission out of this well, I just get a lot of input. That's all I'm saying, but I.

D

Don't want to, I don't, I think it's wrong to have a land grab that you know. I guess the question.

B

Would be what choice do we have in this, though I don't know, I don't think we do other than to.

F

Make people aware of it? Okay, so let mr hunt finish president. I'm sorry, please, I'm sorry bill. Yes, sir.

I

Page page nine: yes, sir, we're on the we're on to 10.

I

Which shows some uh an example of the maps or the photographs that were produced at that meeting and.

I

Shown to folks with regard to how changes would be on their property next, one, no wait. Let's go.

D

I'll go ahead, but I'm listing this this is just using false color infrared that you can see.

I

Provides a different way of looking at the property, with the impacts on the property from.

I

Tidal wetlands, as well as a large body of water there, okay, so explain and help me please what is.

D

On the in the illustration on the right, what is the yellow boundary? That would be the area that.

I

Would be impacted and then would have the boundary line drawn from that. So if an individual were to.

D

Purchase though I'll call that a creaker, you can call it anyone, I call whatever you want. If.

D

A person had purchased a piece of property along that area there and wanted to build a home you're.

D

Saying that they now under the new rules, anything inside that yellow area would be prohibited.

I

I'm not saying that because I don't know exactly what wetland laws would pertain in that particular.

I

Case would be critical area or wetlands depending, but it is an area that would that shows clearly.

I

That there's environmental impacts that go beyond just what you see as far as the water itself goes.

I

It's the yellow line or the oil. It can't be a thousand feet. No, that would be the area that.

I

Based on the impacts from that, little stream would be considered environmentally sensitive.

I

And then you would expand your boundary out from that. It's my understanding. I'd probably.

D

Be the buffer, so it'll be a thousand feet outside the oil line. I believe so rob yourself.

D

Wow, that could be a half a mile, but again they're doing away with the thousand feet. Okay, but so I'm.

D

Just trying to figure what they're going to try to get to it has to be more restrictive. Obviously,.

F

Oh absolutely, it does but see what happened with these people. Anne arundel.

F

I'm sorry bill. Go ahead. That's okay! I'm just going to agree! Please go ahead!.

F

People in anne arundel county they finally got around to it and found out that half of it was in.

F

There and they couldn't build their house now. You gotta, you know, deal with critical areas. Commission.

F

Not a bad, not a bad bunch of people, it's just another layer of bureaucracy. You know red tape,.

F

And I think they work something out there. You know because it's new they're they're willing.

F

To mitigate early on, but as this thing becomes more hard and fast, it's going to be harder to.

F

Mitigate it, it's going to be hey. How come you didn't get back to us in 2021 or whatever? Okay.

D

For now it would be more restrictive because.

I

The data that they're using are more refined than the hand-drawn maps back in the 70s. Okay.

I

I

So discrepancies anomalies, inconsistencies identified by these. The state groups.

I

And local jurisdictions were reviewed, then additional resources such as permits, historical.

I

Aerials helped resolved issues and then, as I've mentioned, there was ground truthing. That.

I

Took place as well: next, the county gis division also created an online map for county residents.

I

To show a comparison of where the critical area boundary is currently located on the property.

I

And where it will be located with the adoption of the new boundary line, so this was a source of.

I

Reference that people could go to to see how it was going to impact their properties. In addition,.

I

To what the critical area provided with their letters and with that public meeting the maps.

I

Were on the county's web page, so residents could look at their properties next and, as I've said.

I

Critical area commission responded to residents with questions about the revised boundary.

I

Field verification was done when needed, and the final word is is that saint mary's, county and.

I

All local governments have to adopt the maps and they can't change them at the time of adoption.

I

So the request today is for the commissioners.

I

To schedule a public hearing on the adoption of the revised critical area, boundary maps.

I

As an amendment to the official zoning ordinance and have that public hearing on february 23 2021.

D

Your lead, okay, I moved to approve a morning public hearing.

F

For public comments on the proposed amendment to the official zoning maps to delete the existing 1.

F

000 foot critical area boundary line and replace with the new critical area boundary line from the.

F

State-Wide map base map, as required by hb 1253., got a question with. Can I get a second second.

D

Discussion, yeah with with the rancor that you said, existed with the first meeting.

D

And these people being so upset is a more I realize we got to zoom this damn thing regardless.

D

But will the citizens be able to get enough input in if it's a warning, meaning if they got to work.

F

Well, I mean you got a point there todd, but I mean we've seen how these.

F

Things have worked and virtually they seem if it's important to people they seem to to work.

F

Now what I noticed that night is overwhelmingly people are like. What's it doing to me, what's.

F

It doing to me because they all got you know, noticed yeah, but most landowners worry about me.

D

There's nothing wrong with that. We're trying to worry about we and they're trying to worry about me. My point is: is that they're they're totally hey, look I'd be the same way if I was them.

F

But what happened that evening is is when they're broken into question and answer hey. I live that.

F

Such and such what's gonna happen to me. I live it, you know, so it was hard to like do. You were trying.

F

To do a public presentation and they did that and then when they went into question and answer it.

F

Broke down into individual pieces, so people who I remember there was two elderly gentlemen here.

F

And I can't remember their names, but they saw me coming in and when they left they said you know, we.

F

We don't really know what what's going on here, but we can't wait around for these guys and we.

F

Don't want to sit in front of a computer, my point gets to be, is some people could be impacted now.

F

They didn't do it that night, but what they really showed us, the poster boy for this whole thing at a.

F

Critical area commission in crownsville is that they had a guy that was standing in water. That.

F

Was waist deep- and this was in dorchester county directly across from saint mary's county and he.

F

Was 70 years old and he said that when he was a kid that was center field, where he was would play.

F

Literally now, of course, that's a long time yeah, but the point gets to be the water's coming in.

F

And as it comes in now, they're a little bit flatter on the eastern shore than we are.

F

But you know you take commissioner colvin's district, which is a little.

D

I'm thinking of st george island down that area, I think they're sinking, they're sinking.

F

Well, let's just say, they're a little low yeah. So those are the people and get whacked. You know so.

B

Mr hunt, um in regards to commissioner hewitt's comments. If people hear that we're talking about.

B

This and are concerned: what impact will it have on them? Should they call your office? Is your office.

B

Capable of helping them understand yes, and also, I hope that the people will.

I

Take advantage of looking at the maps on board docks yeah. They can find their property. We are.

I

Going to have that first page redone, commissioner, he would have darker numbers for you, but.

I

It's a resource that is available for people to look at and through gis, the gis division. It has.

I

Been available since that meeting as well, I think the gis part will be probably the most impactful.

F

For people, because even if you're elderly, you can get somebody to help you and what I like.

F

About the gis thing is, you can blow it up. This map is what it is. It's not bad. It's this one.

I

Well, yes, so that's uh one of the things! That's that's the official zoning map I have, but I.

F

Can't see the maps when you go to page two, I can't read that like so I'm trying is this.

D

The map is this: the map that is going to refer to all this stuff that we're talking about now.

D

Yes, sir yeah, so we, if so we have, we can go here and see who's affected or how people are affected.

F

You can see how you're affected yeah or, if you can, but the only problem with that, is that we it's.

F

Really hard to read, the maps can be makes sense if, like one piece of property at one page, went to the.

F

Property next to it on the next page, for the title, it jumps around the county and that's I mean it's.

F

Not your fault, it's just tough! It's just right! I agree with with you with the people who want.

I

To look at them online if they have that ability is the better way to look at all of this material.

I

It just provides you the opportunity to to zoom in and to easily move between properties.

I

And see what it is that you're looking at, but of course I really think a day meeting is I I'm.

A

Just trying to help the people, I think it's more inadequate today meeting and uh with this covet.

A

A covert thing and people can still uh call in or zoom in wherever we do, whatever we do.

A

The webex and uh well yeah, the qual. The question I would bring up to a list is we're. Gonna. Do this in.

D

It's webex and a lot of people are having trouble with the webex versus the zoom. I realized this.

D

Issues with you know securing those other stuff, but you know I bet you. A lot of people may not.

D

Have webex you know the critical area commission sent all these people a letter. Now, I'm not sure if.

F

That's something we can do that we're thinking, but I mean I don't know if we have enough time.

F

But the the key would be is at least they had some kind of notice that it was going to happen.

F

I mean that's, the problem is you're depending upon. Are they watching tv in two newspapers and.

D

I bet you, 80 percent of the population is now when you get and you get a letter from uh the.

F

County government or somebody from the government and it's addressed to you and people usually pay.

F

Attention to that well yeah, but I'm just saying if you don't have the letter there obviously.

D

Most people probably not watching this well, my point gets to be, is, does it have to happen.

F

By the next meeting, or whenever we're talking about or can we can we find out how hard it would.

F

Be to notice these people that the critical error commission can we just grab their mailing list and.

F

Say send them a postcard and say we're holding a public hearing on this. We can do that, sir, and we.

J

Can work out the timeline commissioners, we work on your administrative procedures, which is why.

J

Bill at this point, the timeline works us to february 23rd. It's not in your motion in case.

J

You have inclement weather or other changes right. We could stand it for so. We plan for.

A

So then we can plan to make sure that we build in a letter uh in the timeline and.

J

So we'll look at that and make sure I think that'd be what you know you yeah. I agree.

A

Okay, I now have a first and second on the motion with a within a friendly amendment to.

D

The amendment is to mail out to mail out a notice to all the affected persons so that they know a.

D

Public hearing is going to take place regarding this issue at a date to be determined once they.

D

Once the u.s mail can get that postcard too well, we'll actually put the date and time in the letter.

J

Once we make sure that we have time to do all three, the public notices.

J

It's the same for the lawyer. All right, I see yeah right, that's what critical area did. Oh, I was.

K

Just my understanding was the critical area, just mailed them out to people that were affected. One.

K

Percent or more not to every single, oh no! No, I would say the same thing. Whatever they're.

F

I just yeah, whatever they got criteria was that we copy it. Okay, thank you. Okay, thanks.

A

For clarifying that, okay, I have a first and second, all those in favor aye aye, any opposed.

A

Eyes have thank you, mr hunt.

A

Next, we're going to some legislation uh presented by mr david weiskoff, our county attorney.

L

Good morning, commissioner, mr weiskopf, I'm always confused a little bit. Do I pay a.

F

Attention to memo2 or what I had in my there's a memo too, as a supplement.

K

Yes, it's it's not uh it's not the second edition of memo, one. It's a completely separate.

K

Because this this stuff is just so fast moving and so much happens, I think, between memo one and memo.

K

Two we got, you know a couple of the saint mary's county bills. You know had dropped. So, let's, okay,.

K

Let's start with memo just remind everybody: the legislator, up there is putting in over 900 bills.

A

They're trying to push through it's uh some leftover from last year, they never got to, but many.

A

New ones that I think they're trying to push through very quickly, I feel they can get it done.

A

Because there's not much momentum up there as far as public hearings.

A

And uh if anything you see on there, you need to sign up and testify. You can do this by web action.

F

When did the veto of the governor's, I mean the override of the government veto take place and.

F

That, usually in the very beginning, which one we'll discuss that later, I believe um they're.

K

Looking at the middle of february that they're going to take that up, because we need to factor.

F

In this kerwin commission, if that comes along right and that that will that will be discussed.

K

um The first one to discuss is the recovery for economic livelihood and relief act.

K

And this was the one that the governor's uh secretary asked the commissioners to um support.

K

Mako supports it with amendments, but when we ask maka what are the amendments? They're like we're.

K

Not sure yet, but we had a and so it's a little bit hard what's the concern they had. They said they.

K

Had concerns with the fiscal note, but didn't go into it exactly with us, basically what's happening.

K

Is this emergency um bill that the administration that the governor is putting forth.

K

Provides up to 750 million well in 750 dollars in economic impact payments to a tax player.

K

Who's claimed the state earned income tax credit for certain years. It exempts the from the state.

K

Income tax, the unemployment insurance benefits received by an individual. It authorizes certain.

K

Businesses to retain and increase sales and use vendor tax vendor credit, and it excludes fiscal 20.

K

20 and 2021 from the multi-year look-back periods generally used to establish unemployment taxes.

K

Each year and exempts from the state income tax, certain corona virus relief payments.

K

And authorizes the department of commerce to convert certain um business loans to grants.

K

And so it's going to establish reporting requirements for the comptroller as well, so.

K

There's a lot going on. I know that the I want to say the senate isn't. The committee has has.

K

Passed it unanimously in 612 the governor's relief bill? Yes, okay, so get him up to speed real quick.

D

Okay, 612 is the governor's relief bill for one billion dollars that he dropped on the table.

D

Three days later, the democrats decided up another 500 million on top of the 1 billion dollar bill.

D

So it's now up to 1.5 billion. It will pass the senate this week unanimously.

D

47 to nothing it'll go to the house. It'll pass the house in record time, at which time then it.

D

Will go to the governor, he will sign it, so the bill can take place immediately. So at the end.

D

Of the day, 6 12 or the discussion we're having now is going through period. That's the politics.

D

When we get when we're getting our checks, I don't know about that. Just tell you, that's the that's.

D

The politics 612 is going through it's going to get done and I will be I'll be very surprised.

D

If it is not in place by the end of this month, wow, okay, so I'll make the motion to support house bill.

D

612 senate bill 496 recovery for the economy, live views, entrepreneurs and families, relief.

D

Act and authorized the commissioner president signed letters of support to the delegation.

D

Into house and senate committee's fearings on the bill, second hearing has already taken place.

A

Very good, commissioner, thank you. I have a first and second, all in favor, aye aye, any.

A

Opposed guys have it. Thank you, commissioners. uh The second one house bill, 472 agricultural use of.

K

Phosphate, which, as everybody knows, roundness roundup. Thank you, sir. All right.

K

And calverts uh and as everyone knows, there's been lots of studies. Some say it's um can be cancerous.

K

To individuals so there's a movement afoot, obviously by a certain state legislator to.

K

Ban it from the state of maryland calvert county is opposed. Ask the commissioners to oppose it.

K

As well and I believe in the meantime we've heard from mr jamie raleigh so to bring you up to speed.

D

On this actually the bill, the bill prohibits the use on public properties as state and.

A

Government and federal government property- okay, but the fear that we had at rural county is that.

A

It's going to spread to the farms. Eventually, it's like the seat belt law right. It wasn't.

K

A yeah, a primary offense and then a year later it became we fought this very hard in maco last week,.

A

And the rural counties came on board to actually have mako oppose the bill. Correct.

A

Mainly on the farming issue, more than anything else, understanding a lot of us in our parks.

A

And rec and everything don't really use it that much around our play fields like some of these.

A

Counties have already prohibited, like baltimore county. I think baltimore city and china was all.

A

Over it and they've already prohibited the use of roundup, but of course they don't have very much a.

A

Farming community, so it's not too important to them so on this bill for everyone's edification.

D

Yes, the our farm bureau came to us instead opposed the bill. Mako is opposing the bill.

D

I wrote a separate letter to the committee to oppose the bill so a matter of the record when.

D

The hearing takes place today, we're voting on sending a letter up that will be part of the.

D

Record but not the hearing record right, because the hearing was um february 3rd right. So we but.

D

I got the letter and this said I would oppose it because we couldn't get the commissions to all.

D

Get together in time right, so we will we'll send a letter now it'll become a matter of the.

D

Later records, so I moved to oppose hb, 472 agriculture, use of gliophosphate prohibition.

D

And authorized, commissioner president signers of opposition to the delegation to the house and.

D

Senate commission hearings on the bill second discussion: I tell you that that roundup works.

F

And you know it seems like every time you find something that works for long. You find out, it's.

F

Got some negative effect remember when I was young, you know my dad used to get ddt.

F

You know, of course, that ended up having ill effects, so they we've fixed that- and maybe this.

F

Has the same thing, it has side effects that we don't know about. Have they come up with something.

F

As good uh effective wise, but I'm not sure about that, just from the the legal standpoint I know.

K

That a gentleman you know that was a I want to say a groundskeeper, you know came down with.

K

Cancer, monsanto and right um he got like 300 and something million dollars and it was reduced down.

K

To about 78 million dollars, but there was like a case that went all over the country right right.

K

I think there's about 13 000 cases right now, so it's gonna, it's going to be something.

K

um I'm sure my you know my guess is they're working on something to be just as effective right.

K

This is this: is the new version of ddt and now there'll be a new version of.

K

Right, that's well, there's something out there now, but just myself talking to a local farmer.

A

The byproduct right now that was is not as good as roundup, but it does. Work is about 10 times as much.

A

Cost so of course, they don't want to even go there. It's always it's always a kitchen. There's.

A

A catches to it so dad they got a product, yet he didn't anything about it. So, in my.

B

Conversations too it um it seems to be the key is using the product properly, not over applying.

B

It that's where a lot of the problems come from. A lot of the farmers have gone to these.

B

No-Till operations and if they weren't able to use this, they would have to till which, in turn,.

B

More runoff, more nutrients going into the bay and a lot of environmental impacts from exactly right.

F

Well, it seems like that the farmers specifically have programs that they have to apply, or they have.

F

To get approved, yeah nutrient management, nutrient management thing to avoid that, because I remember.

F

Years ago they used to say: well, you know, hey put two ounces of this and the farmer may say I'll.

F

Just use a glug method, one gloves two, you know, I think that's two ounces I'll just do two gloves to.

F

Really make it work that the glug method wasn't working as well, but now it seems like they're.

F

A little bit more constrained as to what they can put on their fields and how they do very extensive.

B

Plans and these chemicals are expensive, so they don't want to waste them either right. They don't.

B

Want to get too many yet well, even a date's, a thing, because I one time asked a local farmer.

A

He had piles and piles of manure said at the edge of the field, and I said why is he just sitting.

A

There he said I have to get permission from epa to spread this I said get out or he says no.

A

It's a certain time period he's got to spread it. That's due to the rains, forecasts things like.

A

That then, he could finally spread the manure on. It seems like he could smell that stuff. Around april.

A

It's about around rape exactly right, so they got to spread it. They had to wait till then to.

A

Spread it so, okay, thank you, commissioner, and some of the ones that we're keeping an eye on.

A

And second, uh all this in favor aye aye any opposed nizam. Thank you. Now you may go on.

K

Apologize for that, as I said house bill, 151 is the law officers, uh law enforcement officers.

K

Billow rights and somebody is requesting that it be repealed. Mako has not yet taken a position so.

K

We're just keeping an eye on it. I know I have spoken with um commissioner o'connor about it.

A

We discussed this also at length last night and it'll be discussed at length tomorrow with mako.

A

And uh it's sort of 50 50 on how we go with this right now. Thank you so much with this one. This is.

D

The um makeover this is my guess at the end of the day, yeah this is the law enforcement.

D

Bill of rights, what it basically is going back and saying is because of all the incidents that.

D

Happened this summer and protection to the police, the protections that believe should be taken away.

D

And they shouldn't be allowed to have certain protections under the law and just throw it.

D

Away so based I'll, read, rook the synopsis, real, quick repealing the officer's bill of rights.

D

Providing from the prospective application of the act requiring that the publishers- I'm sorry, no, you.

F

Got it yeah in constitution, with the subject to the approval department of legislators to.

D

Ascertain and take certain actions, but I mean what what would be different than what's now.

D

Right now, the law officers have certain rights. John, are you out there? Why don't you take this for.

D

Me instead well good county attorney here. Didn't he, oh so well! Well what what it! The law officer.

K

The law enforcement officer billa writes it gives if police officers are involved in a shooting.

K

For example, it gives them certain due process, procedural rights like- and I forget what it is, but.

K

They can't be spoken to for a period of days right come on up, so the bill of rights does in fact.

M

It writes, however, what it also does as a police chief. It gives you very specific guidelines on.

M

How you conduct a microstation so there's a whole host of different things. It really is.

M

Good for the agency, it's also good for the for the police officer, but really what it's intended to do.

M

What it originally was done is that there are so many complaints that will come in a person.

M

Gets a ticket so they file a complaint against a police officer and a police chief could then.

M

Just arbitrarily fire them without any due process, and this prevents that from occurring.

M

But it really is a very good structure for the law enforcement agency to follow.

M

You know, as you go through it it really. It really is, but it also is a very good protection.

M

For police officers, personally, I think it's a great law that needs to be in place maryland.

M

Has an outstanding bill of rights? Many states do not. If you recall a couple years ago, we actually.

K

um Adopted the uh correctional officer bill of rights and then I think, maybe.

K

A year or two later, the you know, because it was saint mary's specific. It was maybe only.

K

One other county in maryland had it, but I think now it's gone statewide, it is. It is a statewide.

F

You know look I support this. If it's a good thing, I support it. One thing I've ever heard from.

F

Anybody about any of this was some. Some people said you know, hey look once a police officer.

F

Has a complaint, you never know what happens because it goes into some kind of internal.

F

I don't know what happens to it, but it goes into an internal review. That's not made public.

F

So personnel they it is. That is correct because it's a personal issue right many more agencies are.

M

Starting to to give quite a bit more information, but it is because it's personnel, but if, if someone.

F

Makes a complaint- and it goes into some kind of internal review- are they? Are they able to.

F

See what that results of that internal review were generally not because of the because of the.

M

Personnel concerns, so I I think it's a great process. I think it's something that needs to.

M

Maintain it's not just about protection. It really is a very good process that a police chief must.

M

Follow to go through, it really is kind of a check sheet that you've done all the different things.

M

Again, my previous career, I've used it a number of times. It's it's good for both sides. Guess.

F

What goes to is, who police is the police? I mean the police department itself. Does that's where.

M

But that's where you're seeing so many of these efforts for so uh controlled wars of in control.

M

Boards, I don't think that's a bad thing. I think those are good things because I do think that it.

M

Does need to be as transparent as it's as it could be. Personnel issues do tend to get in the way, but.

M

The bill of rights is not a bad thing, it's just you know really it's. The leadership needs to hold.

M

Their people accountable. That's the answer. Okay, mr weiskopf. This hb 151 doesn't establish that we, the.

A

County or the counties will have to establish their own board of civilians and whatever to.

A

Oversee the various infractions by the police. Well, I know there's another one, that delegate morgan.

K

Put forward about a civilian review board that sheriff cameron um supported well, he was okay on.

A

That, but I think this right here also, we repeal this and then they're wanting the counties to.

A

Set up their own board to oversee actions other than the police chief or the sheriff.

A

And make recommendations on how these people should be handled in whatever right? Well, they.

K

Would probably they would probably have to? Because there has to be? You know there has to be some.

K

You know written guidelines, how do we handle? You know right and I think our argument, our argument.

A

On at least mine was, do I oversee the sheriff on his decisions to punish his officers or whatever.

A

He may do in discipline this would this would take over that authority, and I think it's probably.

A

For us it'd be wrong because our sheriff is elected, official right and that's always a.

A

Statement for some counties they may be appointed by the legislator or whatever that's a different.

A

Story they can fire that guy right, we can't really do that because he's he's elected, that's the whole.

A

Argument and I respect his position to discipline his people right himself versus a board sitting.

A

There and saying: well, we think, because this guy shot this guy in the shoulder he should.

A

Be punished and this should be happening to him, and then they make the recommendation to the.

A

Attorneys or whatever, but I think what we see nationally, I mean at least in the national news, is.

F

You know somebody shot somebody 22 times and you know the person was disarmed or you know they.

F

Broke into the wrong house right did this out or the other, and and that's the kind of thing.

F

I think the general public says look. It needs to be some control on that right, but also these.

F

Police officers do need some bill of rights that protects them too, because.

F

Obviously they got a tough job and when you go in there, you don't know what you're going to run into.

F

But you know it's difficult. I think the title is not a good title law enforcement officers, bill of.

M

Rights, it really is a very good structure of how to discipline a police officer that a police chief.

M

Must follow? It really is kind of a road map of how to get there. It's very effective and again as a.

M

Police chief, you know serving as one without that again, you would have to go by you know: personnel.

M

Rigs, which, personally, I think the bill of rights, gives you a little bit more authority to do some.

M

Of the things you need to do, certainly they have 10 days to get an attorney and things of.

M

That nature, I think it's a very good law. That's in effect, I think it does provide protection.

M

But not too much not unnecessarily, not not to the point where an officer can skirt that there are so.

M

Many police officers that should rightfully so been fired and they were so. I don't think it's.

M

Inappropriate, I think it's a good law. I I I would try to keep it in intact. If you could.

M

Stick it does good maryland, has a very good law. So so let me look at the the the calendar board.

D

The calendar board says the hearing's gonna be held next tuesday. All right.

D

Correct mako will vote on this tomorrow. My guess is: it'll, be a post on a voice vote.

D

Maker, then has they have the time to get the letter. In that says, we oppose it would be my.

D

Suggestion today that we oppose the bill on behalf of saint mary's county, so that our written letter.

D

Of opposition could be presented to the committee prior to using the 48-hour window. That has been.

D

Constructed under the coveted circumstances up there, so my motion is to so we're going to oppose.

D

The repealing of the bill yeah we're going to be we yeah. We we oppose the law. We we oppose my.

D

Motion is that we will oppose the repeal of the law enforcement officer's bill of rights. Second,.

A

I have a first a second all in favor. uh Excuse me, okay, you can hear me go ahead. John sorry, there's a.

N

Delay, I I was waiting for everybody to basically say their piece on that side, and I appreciate mr.

N

Walker's commentary: um I I know that one thing with the leo br is you're going to start seeing.

N

A mass exodus and or a trouble with recruiting in law enforcement. You know from a personal.

N

Perspective having been involved in shooting myself, you know these are some of the things that.

N

You know when you're involved in a shooting, without the law enforcement.

N

Officers bill of rights. Basically, an agency can demand a statement right there on scene.

N

You don't have the ability to say no, I need a few days and you know it's proven by science that.

N

You don't remember everything, that's happened and see decompressed at least two to three days later.

N

Because of the way, the physiological impacts of that occur, so you know that's just one aspect of.

N

This but ultimately this does give the agency a road map to discipline officers. There's no reason.

N

That an officer can't be terminated, and I think the thing that's lost in annapolis- is that the.

N

Leo vr only protects disciplinary matters, it does not affect administrative matters, so you can still.

N

Be terminated for performance and any other other things that are in uh the administrative side of.

N

Things outside of the um disciplinary matrix, so there's a lack of understanding of what leo vr is.

N

I believe in annapolis, and I believe it's just a uh a buzzword, that's being thrown around up there.

N

Like there's some sort of special protection, because there is no special protections really.

N

Within this, it's just due process for situations that you're put into um so I I think that I agree.

N

And I appreciate this board's stance on that. Not only from a personal perspective but generally.

N

Speaking for our men and women that have to go out there and do this job and turn our own hands away.

D

Okay without commissioner guy here we had our first and a second all in favor, hi.

D

So moved thank you and commissioner guy is allowed to sign the letter of support yeah.

K

And we'll send it okay, the next one, that we're keeping an eye on is house bill, 187, which is body.

K

Worn cameras and they're changing the law to go from law enforcement officers to police officers.

K

And if you look at what that definition, is it encompasses everybody right? It.

K

Encompasses dnr, it encompasses um community colleges, it encompasses.

K

University of maryland people it basically almost everybody that goes through the.

K

40-Hour police training, what about animal control officers almost everybody, but I guess right well,.

F

I mean I can't imagine that's a bad thing, though, because anybody who's involved in some degree of.

F

Law enforcement or enforcement of regulation they're, just expanding it, could could run into.

F

Some uh extenuating circumstances and it'd be good to have a camera there right. So we're just.

K

Keeping an eye on it um next, one we're keeping an eye on is the public information act. Revisions.

K

um Let's see, there's a solid waste management, one that would require.

K

Like the detention center to sort out, you know the the weight, the food waste. So when I.

B

Was reading through that one? It didn't look like it actually applied to us, because you had to be.

B

Within a certain distance from a organic recycling area, that's my understanding, but.

K

Out of an abundance of caution, or in case one of those did spring up somewhere, we spoke to the det.

K

uh I believe major american and I don't think if I recall what miss blondinos told.

K

Me is that it was not that big a deal for them to implement it, if that, if they did in fact have to.

K

Okay, but that was, I forgot- to make a mako's gonna post it right, if I remember correctly, um yeah yeah.

K

Yeah mako does oppose it and the hearing was held on the 27th of january, but that is memo number.

K

One memo number two involves some st mary's county bills. The public facilities bond has dropped. I.

K

Believe you know to allow the 30 million dollars and miss cudmore was okay with the wording on that.

K

The next one house bill 862.

K

The metcom one I'm a little confused. um What we had initially asked for was 27. This was 27-11.

K

The change to a about the um percentage and then we would strike b, which was what was added by.

K

Mr wah and c, which was an outdated. You know that referred to the saint mary's hospital.

K

Or something we were going to strike both those parts and then in the metcom part 113-6. I see mr.

K

Speaking of metcon, mr erickson's, on the line- and I know he's spoken with um delegate clark.

K

um And also in in trying to um get this passed, uh 113-6 was supposed to be.

K

As it was written, which I think was 25, everybody said it was too much, but now it's written as 40.

K

Percent and I believe mr clark, I'm not sure as to what part mr clark said, the bill was drawn in.

K

Error if it was just referring to 113-6 or if it was the whole, because I I still think that parts b.

K

And c of 27-11 still need to be um stricken right. There's um there's, there's a couple mistakes in.

D

Language at this time and commissioner hewitt and I and mr erickson spoke this morning and went back.

D

To delegate clark and there's going to be a couple, changes made to get the thing back on track. Great.

D

As long as you guys well, when we delete clark asked for a motion that we could, instead of.

F

Having the 3.15 percent, that metcom would have 40 of that 3.1 and the county would have 60 percent.

F

Get rid of the percentage and say the allocation of the 3.15 percent would be 2 percent towards the.

F

County 1.15 percent from that cost correct mr erickson. If you're on the phone do you concur.

L

uh I concur uh with that interpretation. The 40 of 3.15 is actually 1.26.

L

But we would still be satisfied with a two percent and a 1.15.

L

As you know, the county's debt limit calculations uh currently are at 2.15, so how to get increased.

L

To 3.15 is the win for both commissioners of st mary's county and the metropolitan commission.

L

And we operate under 1 at the current point in time, so 1.15 percent would also be an increase.

L

To our available debt, so we would be supportive of that change. Okay, so the motion is that we will.

D

Accept 3.15 the county takes two metcon takes 1.5. We go back to delga clark and say that we.

D

That's my motion. That's what we'd like to that. We put that in a letter. Five! Yes, one point one.

A

Five for the metropolitan commission- yes 2.0 for the county- and we put that in a letter to delegate.

F

Clark and and get rid of the 60 40 of the 3.1 it just gets too complicated. The way that agree. Okay,.

J

And ms cudmore, your cfo is giving a thumbs up that that's acceptable for the county as well.

A

Okay motion. Second, okay: we got a motion and a second a second all, those in favor.

F

Motion, you did the motion, I got the motion. I did the second correct, all right, hi hi.

K

Hi gary okay and you're awesome, mr commissioner, morgan you're also going to discuss with delegate.

K

Clark about the b and c and the 113 thank thank you. Thank you. Try get you out of it. Thank you.

K

The next is golf carts is uh house bill 863 and if, if you look at how 863 was drafted, I had sent.

K

um Delegate morgan's office this morning a slight revision. If, if you look, you know the.

K

First part says: you know a person who operates a golf cart on county highway.

K

Has to be under you know, a road that's under 35 miles an hour has a license have lights. I thought.

K

That you know, and then the second section c says the commissioners you know designate those but.

K

I thought there should be a number four that says you can only drive on roads that the commissioner.

K

Is so designated right? We don't want to see golf carts on any road. That's you know over 35, so.

K

Miss um delegate morgan's staff has sent my suggestion to drafting so we'll see.

K

If they think it's needed or not, but that was my suggestion. Okay, that was golf carts.

K

And no hearing date has been set. Commissioner, sorry delegate morgan has also.

K

Put a bill in to waive the fees for twenty one slash twenty two.

K

House bill 655 is the county commissioner election districts we're keeping an eye on that.

K

um Interest well we'll get there in a minute, and um we presented the bill to you last week.

K

And you voted on it. We just we're calling your attention today to the fact that the um hearing.

K

Date changed from february 5th to february 9th. um Let's and uh mako opposes the bill.

K

So that's new as well, and then there's a senate bill 174 about property tax tax assessments.

K

Going from every three years to every five years and mako opposes that as well and there's a 911.

K

Board procurement reform bill that, hopefully, mr walker is behind me and there he is and.

K

Can address a little bit more than I can, but my understanding of what they're just trying to do.

K

Is say that there should be procurement followed in these? That is true, uh so so mako has a.

M

Communications committee, the ecc- and we are on that committee, mr thompson who's available. If we.

M

Need to we'll call on him in just a minute, so what this bill is is proposing that we do. We already do.

M

And I'm not sure the purpose of of doing that unless there's a desire to do a higher level.

M

But the truth is the numbers board which you hear about every time I come before you with a grant.

M

They already do all of this and I think it's very effective, so the ecc, the emergency communications.

M

Committee, the subcommittee from mako this has been circling through the different 911 centers.

M

Everybody's opposed to it, it just is kind of a redundant thing. I don't really know what the.

M

Purpose is, I would encourage that we oppose it and I think mr thompson are you on chris.

M

Yes, sir, all right, you want to add anything to what I've just said.

O

uh No sir, you pretty much covered it. That's essentially uh based off of the emails that.

O

Have been circulating around since yesterday, the counties are in opposition of this bill and that's.

K

Basically, what I what I had seen from, I think, frederick county, you know and a couple others.

K

That base what uh mr walker was referring to is that it's fixing a problem that nobody really knew.

K

Was a problem, I don't think there is, I think, right if, unless there's some and it doesn't seem to to.

M

Indicate it in the build, unless there's some desire to go a higher level than what's being.

M

Done now, because it is being done, procurement, they're, uh they're, pretty tough, about making sure.

M

We are following procurement, so I I'm not sure what the problem is, but I would I would offer that.

M

You know you oppose it and make a was asking us for a position. Mako is asking for a recommendation.

M

Through the fcc on behalf of the rural counties, we voted last night to oppose. Well there you go.

D

I would I would make the motion then to oppose whatever that number is. Okay. Is that what that.

F

Was the 911 board? Yes, sir yeah, so your motion is that I move to a pose on the 911 board. The.

J

Proposed motion is there on memo two right for um at the top of page three, I move to oppose.

D

The 911 board procurement reform bill and authorized. Commissioner president.

D

Guy to sign letters of opposition to the bill for the house and senate committees.

A

Okay, I have a first and second, all in favor aye any opposed eyes have it. Thank you.

K

uh Commissioners, the next one we're taking a look at keeping an eye on is senate bill 245.

K

Which deals with school resource officers and it looks like basically, it would be.

K

Removing them from the schools, what's the genesis behind that? What's genesis is.

K

I mean why I mean: is it part of the large? Is it part of the larger or is it necessary for the more.

D

The it's part of the bigger school reform versus that it provides an adverse environment to them to.

D

Students by having sros in the school well: don't they want to have the safety portion of it or.

F

They just think that police hinders their. I think that the civil rights or something no.

D

I just think that they they feel that having a an officer in the schools is a hindrance to children.

D

And they should have more counselors and they should have more other things in the school and.

D

Kevin cops in schools are bad. Well, I mean having the distinction of having a child killed. There.

F

Were two children killed in a school shooting? I mean, I think we gained unique insights on this and.

F

I mean lord knows there, it's a very festive discussion. Let's put it that way. Yes, yes, it has.

F

Been I mean I mean, maybe I could see something with elementaries but look sandy hook. I mean.

F

Lord knows you, I don't know where is I'm sorry to interrupt where's mako? I I know that we had said.

K

They're going to oppose it, voting oppose it. Okay, because we haven't heard that yet, but thank you.

K

For that- and I know commissioner o'connor did you have something to say on this bill.

N

Yeah yeah, the the genesis of this bill is actually part of the defund police movement.

N

Origin, this bill actually came out of the urban counties where they believe that it's.

N

Intimidating to have a law enforcement officer in uniform in the school and does not add to.

N

A productive learning environment, which is quite interesting because baltimore city has their own.

N

School police- and you know, prince george's county- was one of the leaders in uh sros. um You know so.

N

This is part of the defund police movement and the overall police reform um they're, not accounting.

N

Into the fact of the police, violence, not police violence, but the actual violence in schools.

N

And the relationships that these school resource officers actually have with the children a school.

N

Resource officer is especially trained and has very very different relationships than anybody.

N

Would have with the children- and you know they they actually help with the uh school-to-prison.

N

Pipeline by interceding, in things prior to so there there's a big big um misconception that.

N

They're using with this, and if you actually read the bill they, what they're saying is they want.

N

School resource officers to be in plain clothes, if they're in the in the building and they some.

N

Of them that they don't want them armed they're trying to ban the firearms in the school, but.

N

On top of that, they need to be invited into the school. So if you're, a police officer or.

N

Anything you need to be invited into the school just to gain access to the school. So there's.

N

There's some mixed wording in there and, as we all know that the other commissioners just said.

N

If there's an active shooter or if there's some sort of violence going on.

N

That to have to invite somebody into a school and then make them in violation of law or how.

N

They're doing it if they enter the school and then you have to repeal leo vr. You know all of.

N

This is just like, I said, a bigger push to remove law enforcement outside of of the schools and.

N

And, uh like commissioner morgan said, there's a misconception that there's some sort of.

N

Intimidation factor that goes along with having a uniform police officer in schools.

N

um That that's the basic gist of it. I I absolutely deemingly oppose this.

N

And I think we have the perfect example in our county of why we need to have our law enforcement.

N

School resource officers in school, it's absolutely absurd. When just last year they were allocating.

N

Millions of dollars, in order for us to go, have school resource officers and different programs.

N

And training, thousands of them to make sure that they were in the schools and school safety plans.

N

I just don't understand the uh the logic behind this one coming out of annapolis. So that's that's.

N

My take on it so, commissioner, o'connor is your motion then, to oppose sb 245. It is.

D

Do we have a motion, a mask.

N

That's my motion: yes to oppose sb245 I'll. Second, it, okay, we have a first and second to.

A

Send a letter to oppose sb245 all in favor. Many opposed guys have it and we assume commissioners.

J

That means also send the letters as well. Thank you, commissioners, and the very last one is the kerwin.

K

Bill the blueprint for maryland's future. As you know, the governor did veto it. The house does not.

K

Meet for floor votes until mid-february. So that's when we're thinking it might happen, but there's no.

K

Nothing's been said at this time, so we're just keeping an eye on it and we'll.

K

Update you as we get updated well, I've always had this presumption because of course, I don't.

F

Don't follow annapolis that that well, but I always thought like in the very beginning.

F

They overrode the governor's vetoes from last year just to get that kind of out of the way.

F

And start dealing with the new stuff, and maybe they would in a coveted free environment, so.

K

That's right: everything gets blamed. Everything's covered yeah, yeah right, but that's my guess is.

K

Why they're not meeting for? Because I I think I I read that they're basically gonna come back.

K

To capacity right later, you know because I guess they'll have all had the shot and so we'll see, but.

D

That's what I got for you, mr white star. Yes, I just asked you to add hb 589 sb 493 to your list. Please.

D

589- and that is that's another financial budget, what is it I can't really go, and all that I don't.

D

Can't tell follow the test details of my have we discussed the last night is another one of these.

D

Financial reform bills: okay, okay! Well, just tell me what was it again: hb hb 589, sb 493, we'll take a.

K

Look and we'll send it to all the commission we'll send you an email commissioners to let you know.

K

You know the bill and what it's about. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Do that. Thank you. So much.

A

Okay, with that all being done, I think we move right on into county administrator time.

J

Thank you, commissioner, president guys. So commissioners, we move right into draft meeting.

J

Agendas, a couple changes february 9th you have the office of county attorney with legislative.

J

Updates, you do have a we've added a retirement presentation that morning.

J

Also, you have closed session for real property and dr brewster is not available on february.

J

23Rd so she's asked to come back on february 9th to give you a full report from the board of health.

J

You don't have a meeting scheduled for february 16th, so your next meeting is then february. 23Rd.

J

Now you begin your business meeting at 9 00 a.m. You do have three public hearings that you.

J

Approved today, department of land, youth and growth management, with the proposed amendments to the.

J

Solar task force temporary moratorium on utility scale, solar projects, the second one from lugham.

J

Is proposed amendment to change the critical area overlay from resource conservation area to.

J

Intensely developed area for the real food studio project and then the third one from department of.

J

Land use and growth management is for the critical area. Zoning map amendments, and we mentioned this.

J

Morning, we'll look at that timeline to see if it stays on that date. Also, you have your regularly.

J

Scheduled legislative updates from the office of the county, attorney and tentatively scheduled is.

J

A closed session for personnel boards, committees and commissions, you adjourn your morning. Business.

J

Meeting and reconvene at 1 30 pm for your budget work session with the department of finance.

J

For this morning's business meeting, we begin with item 6b the department of recreation and parks.

J

With the college of southern maryland wellness and aquatics center at the leonardtown campus.

J

Arthur shepard director department of recreation and parks presenting this afternoon good morning.

A

Mr shepherd, good afternoon, good morning I heard a vote good afternoon. That's right! Each of you.

P

After an eventful morning, mr shepherd, would you move towards your microphone? Thank you, sir.

P

Thank you well, commissioners. uh Today, what I want to do is receive direction regarding the.

P

Feasibility of the recreation and parks department managing the cm csm wellness center. This is not.

P

A lease or an agreement coming before you today, but just direction if we want to continue to move.

P

Forward working with staff from the college of southern maryland and potential of managing that.

P

Site here in leonardtown on webex, we do have dr bill comey from the college of southern maryland.

P

As well as jessica hale, the recreation division manager for the department of recreation and parks.

P

And you can see from advanced communication that I met with mr comey on site.

P

A couple times we've had meetings and we've exchanged documents, and so where we are today.

P

Is if you look through some of your information, some of the highlights of those are, if we can turn.

P

That back page and we'll go there, for, uh I thought it'd be best if to see where we are to engage in a.

P

Short-Term lease or an agreement also the assured that in these early days or for right now, there.

P

Would be at all where uh no ftes um added to recreation and parks? That's not the plan.

P

Sharing cost of the utilities there um we do have a net positive position within our enterprise fund.

P

That we could handle it for a year or two seeing where we are, and then lastly is because we think.

P

That we're in the community enhancement, leisure uh programming and this here on the corner of 235 and.

P

Hollywood, road and with the development and growth here in leonardtown, will be a great family center.

P

And opportunity for wellness and aquatic center here in leonardtown, representing the north county.

P

As well, so that's my brief summary. You know who's here to answer some questions and so any.

P

Questions I have from you be delighted to answer. Mr shepherd. I think this is a no-brainer. I mean.

B

I've been following a lot of your discussions and as you've reached this point, and it seems like.

B

A win-win for the county for leonardtown for csm for recreation and parks. I like it. I, like the plan.

F

Well, I'm I'm I'm not as uh I'm not on board.

F

Tell me well, first off miss hale. Are you available? I heard you're on the phone.

Q

Yes, sir, tell me at when I, when I visited the uh great mills pool the other day, you.

F

Had a lot of people in there swimming laps first question would be how many laps do you have at.

F

Great mills pool there's a total of seven lap lanes. Seven, and this pool over here has six is.

F

That right, okay, tell me miss hale. uh There was a lot of people there swimming, and I asked you about.

F

Cancellations about people making appointments not showing up and you uh or you may have been the.

F

Gentleman, that was with you, indicated that these people are very dedicated to this lap business.

F

And swimming laps and whatnot, so they tend to show up. Is that true? Oh yes, there is a great.

R

Need and demand for lap swimming availability. Okay, tell me at the great mills pool the the.

F

Number of times the laps are available for people to use and the amount of time people are using.

F

Them would you say it's pretty much max capacity. Half capacity are there's any room for more.

F

People to do laps and could you take in another? I don't know 50 people if they wanted to do laps.

R

Well, at this time, especially operating under covid protocol and the structure that we are currently.

R

Employing we are a max capacity in order to meet all needs so that your lap swimmers, your aqua.

R

Aerobics your swim teams and then there's designated times for open swim where the.

R

Public can come in now you can lap swim during a swim. If there's availability of a lane, that's a.

R

First, come first serve and then there's certain designated times where they have lap swimming.

R

And so for right now for the designated lap swimming, we certainly seem to to meet our max.

R

Capacity for most time slots throughout the week, okay, now tell me when I was there also. I saw some.

F

Ladies in there doing what looked like aerobic exercises now, do you have a lot of demand for that.

F

Type of activity of people who aren't doing laps but want to do some type of activity in a pool.

R

Yes, we have very popular classes, many of them do tend to fill up in the summer time. They continue.

R

To be very popular and we try to add more options to have class times beyond. Just a few select both.

R

In the morning and in the afternoons, okay, the next question I have is for mr comey.

F

Mr comey, when you and I met out there at the at the pool you had, the pool was being used by people.

F

And part of this agreement talks to the students or the.

F

Faculty or whoever the people are at csm would be allowed to be able to use the pool.

F

In conjunction with the wrecks and parks, is that true, that's right, sir? Okay, so what kind of usage.

F

Do you have now, with the with the students or with the faculty or whoever csm, is that at max capacity.

H

No we're not at max capacity, that's one of the reasons that we've been reaching out.

H

To talk to community partners like recreation and parks about.

H

Making this this opportunity of the full resource available to more people in the county.

H

Our average, our average visits per year are about 25 000 visits per year and about 25 percent of.

H

That are, students and staff and about 75 percent are community members. Okay, so you're already doing.

F

A lot of community there we are um especially you mentioned earlier seniors. We have a heated.

H

Therapeutic pool, that's very popular with our seniors in the area. Okay! Well, let me go to mr.

F

Shepherd now, mr shepherd, what I worry about is is part of this agreement and it and it's a good.

F

Deal for us cost wise, but by having them allow to be able to use this pool whenever.

F

They want to I'll I'll use that term sure. How will you mingle in the programming suppose you have.

F

I would assume I've seen: ruxin parks puts up programming books. That said, hey look sign.

F

Up for this class, you can get it this time of the day uh these days a week. So if you do that.

F

And you run into csm students and people from csm wanting to use it, who get? Who trumps? Who.

F

If you got a max lane and they want to do some lane, swimming and you're already using it.

F

How do you figure that out? Well, you, but you heard miss hale, say about first come serve.

P

And reservations, but we we believe with the 25 use, uh there's some other data about the age groupings.

P

In there that that level of use we're not going to really get into that management system very often.

P

I think it's going to meet the needs of everyone. The percentage is around 16 17 of that age group.

P

To 21 years old, the older age group that 21 to 40 then 41 to 60 or the age groups there.

P

So I think the numbers support the fact that there could be integration with the different age groups.

P

And the different users, commissioner hewitt, I really do okay. Now you talk here about your.

F

Your revenues and I'm a big fan of being a small business owner of revenue projections are, you know.

F

We hope that's our wish. That's right! uh Revenue expenses are guaranteed. That's right, so you talk.

F

About your expenses versus your revenues, and you look at it as a negative about fifty seven.

F

Thousand five hundred and fifty dollars and on those passes you talk about two hundred and sixty.

F

Thousand dollars a year, which I'm think assuming a pass means I bought a pass to use this pool and.

F

I can go in and use it whenever that pass allows and and that'll. Allow me to use it when there's.

F

No lap swimming going on or no aerobic, or is there enough room for all that in this pool? Well, yeah.

P

Miss hale she worked with the staff they sat down and worked on budget. The amount of.

P

Usage- and this is where their numbers came from- we know exactly how many uh swipes that.

P

Came through their counter the amount of uses you heard dr comey speak about that. So what.

P

What we believe here is it's underutilized and when the passes are also for the gym room, that.

P

Allows you to come into the fitness room also to the student, fitness and wellness studios. Now then,.

P

You pay, additionally for lessons uh classes and all those those are additional costs outside of.

P

The passes, those don't all those are, those are entry passes or you can have a pass for certain.

P

Level of classes, but right now with what so then you have, and when you talk about revenue expenses.

P

What happens at a pool because remember the pool that we have there at great mills that.

P

Came in while I was the division manager, though well acquainted, is that some of your.

P

Fixed cost utilities are out of the equation at this point, so then your revenues, a lot of.

P

Times aren't if they're not as high some of your expenses aren't as high either because you're.

P

Not paying swim instructors class instructors because you're not having the participation.

P

You don't have that fixed cost to go along with us with those and that's our whole. Life is recreation.

P

We go in leonard hall, we have the utilities and we and we post the revenue for this and.

P

We don't get that well, some of our expenses go away too, except for things such as utilities or.

P

Always okay, so when you don't have the revenue income, you may not necessarily have the expense.

F

Going out, okay, good point! So when I looked at this what was presented to us, I have a statement.

F

Of revenue, expenses and changes in net position, proprietary funds, which ended june 30th, 2020 and.

F

It talks to recreation activity fund and it talks about an operating revenue of around 2 million.

F

2 million hundred and seven thousand, but then it talks about an expensive uh two million two.

F

Hundred and ninety nine thousand a difference of a hundred and ninety two thousand. So when.

F

I back up a page and look at your enterprise fund, which you have said is as healthy. I see a.

F

691 thousand dollar number there: well, if you're, losing 200 000 a year, 192 and you add another.

F

57 to it now you're losing 250 dollars a year, sir. uh I don't think it's wise business wise to take.

F

On something, that's gonna be a loser unless you have a plan to turn it into a positive cash flow.

F

My my point I'll bring up on. That is why comical golf course when we first got into that that you.

F

Know years ago that was a great idea and then, when golf fell off and in 2008 the economy constricted.

F

And whatnot golf was one of the first things to go. I'm not saying recreation in parks will be.

F

One of the things that's people end up saying: well, that's disposable income. I can't afford it anymore.

F

And I don't do it, but my my message to you is that what we're finding at wycomico is we're.

F

Doing improvements bunkers golf carts, fair, whatever we're doing to improve the place.

F

But we're still losing money there, so I I worry that we get into something that loses now a better.

F

Use of this, in my opinion, would be the ymca now. The reason I bring that up is.

F

They have one in easton, that's 70, 000 square feet has two pools. I mean a lot of usage.

F

But they just opened one not long ago in saint michael and that one is only 24 000 square feet.

F

This one is 32 000 square feet bigger, but still smaller than now, the ones they're building in.

F

Kent county in queen anne county are 52 to 53 000 square feet, almost 20 000 more here's. My point.

F

Are you going to be able to? Is it big enough to do what we need to do to make a profit on it.

F

Once we get it totally built into our wrexham park system, yes, and now let me let me step back.

P

The number about the amount of loss and about our enterprise fund- it was in april of last year.

P

April 21 of 2019 what was your week 2020 during the budget process? We estimated here and it's in.

P

The right we estimated that revenues would be lost in the enterprise fund and golf course to a tune.

P

Of one million dollars because of covet, we knew that's, that's that's that's! In there we did much.

P

Better than that, we did a much better net than that as far as our department's concerned and.

P

Then so this is the first time you'll see our enterprise fund have that kind of hit, because.

P

Again, there are, if you're, at the carver recreation center nobody's walking in those utilities, still.

P

Must be paid leonard hall, all the different places, those fixed costs we are still and if you.

P

Look at track over the last few years to get up there to six hundred thousand dollars, and it was.

P

And get in those levels and adding new entities, we added waterfront parks park, support staff.

P

That are coming there that doesn't have the revenue against it. So no, I believe, we're still.

P

Still in more than great shape as far as an enterprise fund, I think the golf course still.

P

As it's now, it's improvements you can see. What's happened in november december, our rates have gone.

P

uh Our participation has gone well high, 35 percent higher, but what's the difference is we can't.

P

Operate a restaurant now, but yet we still have those fixed costs. I think boat, well, recreation.

P

No not even concerned about that again we're in all we're in hollywood, carver leonard hall.

P

And margaret brent, paying those utilities and not having the revenue to go against that uh this here.

P

The utilities, as you can see in this management system in the first few, are paid for that's. Why.

P

I suggest a short-term lease and that's what dr comey wrote from the original so that we could.

P

See and look if this will be favorable to both the department and the college of southern maryland.

P

So I think, we'll still be strengthening both. I think the golf course now as we're moving forward.

P

More rounds, get the restaurant back, open, you'll see a better uh story there, but I I will be the.

P

First to say I just uh since my return, I can't be more pleased with the support that comes from.

P

That table there as far as our youth sports, our facilities and everything it's it's a world of.

P

Difference and I think it's making a difference in your community, and I think this will too.

N

Well, mr shepard, one thing: I'm I look at when we're we're talking about this. Is um you know, they're.

N

When they did the study, there was an overwhelming need for these types of facilities in the county.

N

um That that clearly showed that, whether it's ymca or the county, providing it- and you know the ymca.

N

Shows that you know there would be it would be profitable, and I do think the short-term lease.

N

Does allow us to back out of it, and I also think that the short-term lease may lead to.

N

Other partnerships in the future, where you know maybe there is uh an expansion with the ymca that.

N

Meets a lot of things on the table, but most of all what I think I particularly like about this.

N

Is that it's great for leonardtown, I think that's a great opportunity, it's great for our employee.

N

Wellness programs, which we push very hard because it's right there next to our campus, you know our.

N

Law enforcement and public safety uh partners that are here can easily access that facility.

N

uh When they leave work and go back, they don't have to travel down to great bells. I think that.

N

We have an entire community. That's across the street, that'll be able to utilize this by opening.

N

The doors and then we have our senior center, which is right there, so the expansion of activities that.

N

Can go on, for our seniors is even even better when it's just a hop skip and a jump across the street.

N

You know we also have our citizens, who are disabled. That may not be able to make the.

N

Trip from the north end of the county or the 7th district, all the way down to great mills.

N

Because it puts limitations on them and they can come right to leonard town and have that.

N

Aquatic programming and physical therapy that they need. You know I've had citizens that have reached.

N

Out that have had those soil pools at their own home, just because getting into the programming in.

N

Great mills is just not accessible for them, so I think that this is a great opportunity.

N

And we're able to back out of it if it doesn't work out, which I think this will work out. I think.

N

That you know the projects that you put your hands on and work diligently on with all the staff and.

N

Turned out positive, I think golf is a uh not the best comparison in the world uh when it comes to.

N

Aquatics and the other gym facilities that are there because golf is sort of a niche type of.

N

uh Sport when it comes down to it, you know anybody can jump in the pool and go swimming, and you know.

N

I I think that uh that's that's one thing to look at here, plus golf really didn't take as.

N

Much of a hit uh during covet as everything else just because of the individual individualistic.

N

Type of sport that it can be um reading up on golf and under golf magazine, so I think we.

N

What you're, talking about on the positive end of things, came from that and our hits are coming.

N

From the restaurant into things because of the utilities, but I do appreciate all the work that.

N

Went into this and that we're not going to have a facility, that's laying dormant based.

N

On what csm is doing- and I also appreciate csm looking for the counting for partners on this.

N

Ultimately, do you do you see us being able to push this into a situation where um it'll.

N

Either break even or recover our costs in the long run I mean I'm not so much looking for a profit.

N

But more so break even type of uh atmosphere with an enterprise fund. What do you think? Oh absolutely,.

P

Once again, let me just give you the simple example of any of our other facilities that we're in that.

P

We're programming, we have the utility costs to go along with them, but I have to be up front.

P

Pools do have dedic fixed costs that need to be recuperated through revenues that are stronger.

P

List, there's no doubt about that, but here with the with the relationship we have and the cost share.

P

That we have there there's no reason we shouldn't be at a break-even point. There just really isn't.

P

Because that's what we do, we've been doing it for 50 years at facilities around the counties.

P

And in these type of arrangements like I said, I do appreciate the effort no. um Mr president, I.

N

Moved to direct the recreation and parks director to work with college of southern maryland staff.

N

To develop a memorandum of understanding that outlines the terms and the roles of both st mary's.

N

County government in the college of southern maryland regarding recreation parks, managing.

N

The wellness and aquatic center on the leonardtown campus of the college of southern maryland, second.

A

Discussion first, second, discussion go ahead. This will come back absolutely at a later date.

F

With a little bit more, oh, yes, all the terms of the agreement will be there and advanced.

F

Information because, because again, my primary issue is they're, putting in 190 000 and they're getting.

F

Usage of it, which I'm not saying, is a bad thing. No, but let's make sure with that restriction or that.

F

Caveat thrown in we can offer this what we want to offer our wrecks and parks people without an.

F

Interaction uh friction or sort of problem with scheduling or come to find out. We can't do what.

F

We thought we could do, but I can support two years of mou: just don't lose any money.

F

No problem, thank you in respect for one last question. I just want to make sure.

N

It there's going to be weights and aerobics and other types of classes that'll, be there right.

N

Correct, I know there's weight room, so I want to make sure and then so what what other type of.

N

Program it'll, be there just like pool the the swimming lessons pool aqua, aerobics everything.

P

That goes there open, swim, lap, swim, therapeutic recreation. We have a therapeutic coordinator.

P

On staff, there'll be the uh pilates classes, yoga classes, there'll be mom and me classes.

P

uh Use of the wellness exercise room uh all that whole bevy and trove of wellness activity will be.

P

uh In the on the menu okay, so it's not just the pool, there's! No, it's a lot and I have a problem.

N

I mean that'll be out there, okay, and let me say this about mr comey, dr comey- is that he's been.

P

Very forthright uh every step to open everything up, so we know exactly what's there what, when we.

P

Come back with the lease it'll be very tight and I'll be able to answer all the questions. And if I.

P

If I can't you know well, I didn't do well, but but dr comey has uh opened up the whole operations.

P

Side with tours the books and well because he wants it to go well himself for the sake of the.

P

Community college, the community and the department: okay, any other questions uh very good. Thank you.

A

Okay, I have a uh first and second, all those in favor hi hi any oppose hi.

A

I just have it. Thank you, mr shepard appreciate you great presentation. Thank you, commissioners.

J

And item c is from the department of emergency services, with an update on supplemental staffing.

J

Mr walker, director of emergency services, is presenting this afternoon. Mr walker.

A

Welcome back mr walker.

M

M

So I should have a number of people online. Let's just make sure who that's going to be.

M

All right, so we have online with me, is um carol beaum. Who is the.

M

um She's, the president of the rescue squad association. We have dr dean geary. We've got.

M

Matt cauliflower from seventh district he's the chief and mark miller from seventh. I'm sorry from.

M

Lexington park rescue squad april johnson was invited, I'm not sure she was able to make that.

S

She's on her way back from westmoreland virginia and we'll try to tune in okay, great all right so.

S

Come on walk us through where we are and how we got to where we are so so I came before you.

M

In october requested that we reallocate cares, act funding to hire contractors that provides.

M

Emts that we could place in our rescue squads, that was because we were having difficulty getting our.

M

Ambulances out, because the staffing was was just just not there and that course continues today.

M

Specific amount and assignments that we planned were in response to requests.

M

From the rescue squads for staffing, so we did that because of those seven rescue squads were telling.

M

Us what they needed, you approved the request and we started working towards supplemental staffing.

M

The contractor that was hired and there's been a lot of questions he's the contractor that provides.

M

Staffing for advanced life support he's already been through a request for proposal process.

M

We worked with our procurement office in finance and we made sure that that was acceptable.

M

And we did, and that was how we ended up with this contractor, providing services.

M

That's chesapeake medical transport, so we went through our procurement process with procurement.

M

And that was acceptable to them and that's how we got to where we are using that.

M

So it took a little bit of time again. The rescue squad chiefs, assisted us in selecting personnel.

M

That would be hired by the contractor. There was actually an interview process and assessment.

M

And they and all the emts that were working had to pass that november. 9Th our first emts rolled out.

M

Went pretty smooth and then it built as we went on and got up to where we are now as we entered.

M

December we become concerned about the cares act ending december 31st, the suspension of funding.

M

So I come back to you on december 15th to request additional money to go from january 1 to june 30th.

M

Using the commission's reserve nevada 000 now that specific amount was based on that plan,.

M

Of action that we had devised in october, so unfortunately uh we did not anticipate that.

M

There will be additional requests that come in and they did. The requests have increased.

M

Substantially so you have a memorandum in your packet and that plan of action was roughly 39 000.

M

A week 155 000 a month so november of course, was a partial month, so that total month cost was 56. 000.

M

uh Actual cost for december was 162 000., of course, about 7 000 higher than what we had planned.

M

On actual cost for january, I just got those numbers in today: 163 000, so fairly consistent.

M

So I've asked the contractor to give me projections, so february's 160.

M

000 march I have 180 000, I'm not sure why there's quite a bit difference there.

M

We have discussed previously hiring hourly employees and we've done quite a lot of analysis.

M

On that to make sure that we're making the right decisions, our contractor's cost, is about 36.

M

Dollars an hour, and we would be spending about 25 dollars an hour, that's if we can keep them under.

M

That 29 hour limit and that would increase our number of hourlies to about 60 hourly employees.

M

And there's some concern there whether we could actually attract that many. That would only be.

M

Allowed to work 20 24 hours a week, so I have sent the first eight candidates to human resources and.

M

They'll be offered a conditional offer of employment, so that's underway, but that was.

M

The first batch that has finally gone over, so that's a really quick rundown of where we are.

M

And I know you guys are going to have a lot of questions and and I'll do my best, we'll we'll move.

M

On in just a few minutes to talk to the presenters, because each of them is going to talk about you.

M

Know what they see is is a vision for where we're heading some of their concerns, some of their needs.

M

But you know I'll, stop there and ask and let you ask questions see what I can do without answering.

F

F

The rescue squads they have differing tax rates throughout the county is that true.

F

They do, and my next question would be: is we have this mutual aid? So if.

F

Leonardtown can't go, mechanicsville can go and come and go for them. Is that true? That is true.

M

And that is actually uh what was occurring before we started supplemental staffing, uh which was some.

M

Of the problems in that seventh district was uh in lexington park quite a bit and and elsewhere.

M

Hollywood was in in a lot of different places, but yes, I guess my point gets to be. Is it's kind of a.

F

Mutual aid going on all over the county. It is now what's a little bit unusual that I've seen in the.

F

Last few years is its seventh district's request to go to the maximum, so they can fund a daytime.

F

Crew, usually you're, seeing we want a new building or we want. You know some kind of a.

F

Infrastructure type of a improvement and they get to raise and tax would it would it makes sense.

F

And let me caveat this: a little bit again: I've had someone who meets me at church and always.

F

Says to me: look if you raise my fire tax, I want a reduction in my property tax or you know this.

F

All right, so people are concerned about taxes, but my response is always this: you want an ambulance.

F

When you call one- and if you want the ambulance, then we need to do whatever we need to do so. I'm.

F

Kind of in favor, if we raised everybody's rescue squad tax to the same amount, the maximum amount.

F

It seems like you, wouldn't have it while we raised ours, we hired this team now they're always running.

F

Into out of our district to go, it just seems like there would be enough money, maybe to support.

F

Costs or expenses at these individual recrea uh rescue squads, my point being, is if it was the same.

F

For everybody somebody couldn't claim hey, I got a higher rate than you and my people keep going into.

F

Your district, why don't you raise your rates so when you can get your own people so part of that.

F

Is out there for me, I think the second part is, is you know, making sure we can get somebody now? I.

F

Would assume that we're talking about this billing thing as and and I'm I'm good with it? I'm good.

F

With what we're doing today, I I want to support these people as much as we can, but I'm looking for.

F

A long-term solution, part of it, is take the tax up to the max, even though I'm the anti-tax guy but.

F

Make it fair to everybody, secondly, would be once they start getting some remunerations coming back.

F

In if lexington park's getting the lion's share of it, then maybe the lexington park tax can be.

F

Reduced, I'm not saying it will, but the point gets to be. Is it reasonable to think that if you had a.

F

Ems billing, or some type of a supplemental thing going on that it would be equitable to all rescue.

F

Squads think that's very important to make it equitable. I really do I agree. That's right. I would.

F

Agree but yes, I think what you you're suggesting is reasonable. Obviously I think there needs to.

M

Be some analysis to make sure that that we're able to do that finance would have to be involved. But I.

M

Think that it makes a lot of sense, I do so. Okay, no commissioner, mr walker, one of the uh I did thank.

N

You the uh while it's fair, uh a reasonable request to do that with the the tax rate one. I I think it.

N

Delves too much into the day-to-day operations of what the individual rescue squads are doing, and I.

N

Know that several of them have expressed that they don't want to raise the tax rate, because.

N

You know we do have the medical billing coming and they'd like some time to go ahead and assess that.

N

And the model that we have in place now of the county, providing the services to them.

N

As they need it is, is a good infrastructure right. We started in a good spot where we're developing.

N

From there the mlu is going into place. I think one of the things to look at with the tax rate that is.

N

Will never be equitable is regardless of what it is, the the population in an area how many homes.

N

Are there um and how much money they're collecting is never going to be the same, so you can have the.

N

Max but it's just never going to be the same because the north, you know mechanics or rescue.

N

Squads going to collect more than less than or may collect more than lexington park and seventh.

N

District may be at the max, but they're going to collect less than hollywood. You know so that.

N

That's always been the same just based on how many single-family homes and property owners are there.

N

So you know what once that tax break is raised, you know if the rescue squads wanted to have.

N

Staffing and they wanted to have hr there and they wanted to manage employees and everything else.

N

Well, they already would have done that. So I think that the model that we have moving forward is.

N

Is a solid one that they've all participated in that they've weighed in on, and you know I.

N

I pretty sure on the last call that the only one that wanted to raise the rate was lexington park.

N

And that's for their own reasons that they saw coming into this. The rest of them wanted to stand.

N

By and wait, um you know what I'm more concerned with is: how do we take the cares, act, money and the.

N

Budgetary funds moving forward and balance that, for the most uh responsible way for the taxpayer,.

N

And I've brought up several times about the emergency services support fund, which is at a 0.24.

N

uh Rate where, if we had to continue this, that there may be a 400 000 delta impact to the budget.

N

And then, with medical billing there may be an offset to that where we continue to uh go ahead.

N

And provide the services, so I'm hoping that we're looking at the emergency services support fund the.

N

Willingness of saint mary's county advanced life support to have that contractual funding pushed.

N

Back into that fund and go ahead and do this from the part-time positions like you're saying so.

N

We can start developing further relationships on how we're going to do this with the rescue squads.

N

Does that make sense how I just laid that out see you, mr walker, I think so I think it does.

M

I I'll go back and watch the tape a couple of times I mean I'm also looking at accountability.

N

I mean you know yeah, I mean what I know: we've had conversations about it. What I'm trying to.

N

Get at is that I don't. I don't see the necessity for the rescue squads to have to raise their tax.

N

Rates right now so soon so quick um unless they they absolutely want to, because we.

N

Already have a mechanism to cover the cost of these part-time employees once we don't have.

N

A contractor in place- and I mean quite frankly, the sooner we can move out of the contractual.

N

Services and have part-time employees or hourly employees the better. It is not only for finances.

N

But the msop, for um you know a matter of uh quality control. Let's put it that way on.

N

The providers that are out there and and better relationships, so I think.

N

That's another nexus, I'm looking at and speaking with dr geary about so I just want you to keep.

N

An open mind that there's other ways to fund this versus just raising tax rates.

N

A

What is the other way to fund this.

A

John, what's the other way of funding this support fund? Excuse me.

N

So it's the emergency services support fund. It's the rescue squads, don't necessarily need.

N

To raise their tax rates because they're, not the ones that are going to be hiring these.

N

um Contractors, you know the county is going to be providing the supplemental staffing to them.

N

Just like we're doing now, unless there's something I'm not aware of and what we can do is the monies.

N

That's paid to als right now. I think als is funded at roughly nine hundred thousand dollars.

N

uh I think six hundred thousand of that goes to contractual employees. So if you look at the cost.

N

That for part-time employees to cover this moving through with the care's money and or.

N

In the next budget, it's roughly about 1.4 to 1.5 million dollars and if you take the money.

N

From the emergency services support fund, you can cover a significant amount of that cost.

N

So now it's not 1.5 million dollars of new funding. It's roughly, let's say four hundred thousand to.

N

Five hundred thousand dollars change of new funding with medical billing coming on board.

N

There is a way to go ahead and recoup that funding that would be over without having to raise taxes.

N

So if we use what's already in place for at least the next year or two in this pilot program and use.

N

Medical billing to supplement the funding versus raising taxes, we can assess the true need and.

N

Allow this uh mou to be further developed with our individual rescue squads to see where they need to.

N

Go well would in that scenario, mr walker. Would seventh district then be able to lower their tax.

F

Because they're again they're the only ones I know who have invested the money in.

F

Cruz and it doesn't seem fair, it would seem fair if the people in the seventh district who pay that.

F

Tax, thank you get that service. Thank you what'd. You say thank you. I paid the tax, I don't know, but.

F

I'm what I'm getting at randy, but it should be reduced if uh this goes through. But if, if they.

F

Can into somebody else's district right who's, not paying the tax. It doesn't seem fair to the people.

F

They're getting the benefit but they're not paying the tax yeah, but you know I mean these guys. These.

F

These miss brome and mr california, I mean you guys are experts in this. You know you guys.

F

Tell us I mean I'm really interested to hear what they had to say so, just.

B

To jump in on commissioner hewitt, that's that's exactly my point actually um 100 my point. The.

N

Emergency services tax is county-wide that that money is collected county-wide. So it's not just.

N

From a particular rescue squad, so if we're doing that, you immediately make it fair and.

N

Equitable that this additional staffing that's put in there is paid county-wide.

N

So you don't have to worry about exactly what you were talking about and then the seventh district.

N

If they so choose could actually lower their tax because they're not having to pay for this.

N

Additional funding through a contractor, that's going every place else in the county. They can do.

N

It a different way, so let me put it this way: it's a tool in the toolbox is the way I'm I'm looking.

N

At it, but it does hit on your point. Commissioner hughes are fair and equitable, and commissioner.

N

Coleman, I'm sorry if I cut you off, there's like 10 second delay in speaking, and I can hear.

B

So, just to jump in with a few thoughts too. um This is an extremely complex issue, very multifaceted.

B

So I want to commend you, mr walker. Dr bridget, I believe you've been very involved too. Thank you.

B

Great work um working with our rescue squads, thank you to everyone on the call. um I think we all.

B

Recognize that our volunteer system is the backbone of all of this, and it's so important.

B

um One thing that I'd like to propose to the other commissioners that is related on volunteerism.

B

Is kind of the struggle and ensuring we have enough volunteers, I propose that we put together.

B

A task force to take a look at this to get some member, maybe six months long or whatever,.

B

Members of rescue squads that want to be involved um kelly bell from recruitment retention, emergency.

B

Services um to look at what are the best practices throughout the state throughout.

B

The country, um maybe there's incentives that we could provide to that, would help to bolster.

B

Our volunteers that would be cheaper in the long run than supplemental staff- um I don't know, but.

B

I think it'd be worth looking at and giving a group of people who know a lot more about.

B

This than I do a chance to give us a report on some methods that might help us in the long term.

B

With this, so just an idea, I wanted to throw out there to see if we could um continue to work.

N

I uh I you sound like me three years ago, um I we've had um swot analysis task force. We've had.

N

You name it. We had one for the fire rescue program. We've had one for recruitment retention, we've had.

N

One for um studying the response rates- I mean all together and yeah, I'm all about it again. If.

N

It wants to be uh done parallel to what we're doing. Oh yeah, I'm not saying stop anything and.

N

Hopefully it'll be yeah yeah. I think it'd be productive again. Now that we're in a different.

N

Environment with transitions to do it, I just hope that yeah yeah. I think that, hopefully now that we.

N

Have some changes and and people are, are looking at it from a different perspective that we can get.

N

More information put out actionable items. um You know I just I'm reserved, but I I see where.

N

You're going with it, commissioner, I would say: covet covet covet covert. Did it all it's filed.

F

Up everything for the last year: well, it just kind of exacerbated problems that were already there.

F

I'm sorry, my point gets to be is maybe post covid we can start talking about what life was like. You.

F

Know, pre-covet and that it doesn't get to be. I just think right now: it's going to be hard.

F

To form some kind of a group until we get past the span, I don't know about that. I think I think.

A

Well, one if I may speak up just for a second here, you know, commissioner connor can back.

A

Me up on this, but we went to avenue well over a year ago to address their shortage of being able.

A

To respond to daytime this prior covet and the problem, is we just don't have the volunteer force.

A

To accept this daytime operations- and it was very obvious and uh has brought the seventh.

A

District there and avenue- and you got a guy 78 years old, with a back brace on him as a driver.

A

An 80-something year old, who was emt so I mean- and they are probably at time cover hit. They.

A

Really say damn: if I want to go or not, I'm I'm primary for getting coveted and dying.

A

So but so there's a lot of complications that come into this and prior kovid we saw with.

A

Avenue the problem, they were meeting their daytime role and they decided- and we agreed.

A

I did, and commissioner connor did too, that they're going to raise their prop their tax to the max.

A

To pay for these people and of course, they came on board and by gus they're able to meet their costs.

A

And I was grateful for that because I live in that district and I'm grateful that they did. I'm.

A

Willing to pay the extra money for funding that what do we do now between now and before we right.

A

Now we're going to go into the medical building which I'm all 100 for so many counties already.

A

Do it many states, do it? People worry about their insurance going up, it's already gone up. People.

A

I in the county and I go vacation north carolina has been doing it for over 10 years.

A

And they pay the same insurance as we do blue cross blue shield. That's already incorporated in.

A

There that they're paying for his medical billing, we're just behind the curve on collecting, and we.

A

Need to collect this now once that comes into play, do we need to then look at our taxes, our rate to.

A

Reduce it or increase it. That may be another thing between now. We, the commissioners, agreed on 12 15.

A

20 to supplement through june 30th of this year, we agreed to that yep and we came up with nine.

A

Hundred and six thousand dollars whatever it was to do that. What do we do now past that time period.

A

uh As a next question, now we gotta put in play raising taxes. I'm definitely against no doubt.

A

About it any kind of rate change, but then at the same time this is a service we have to give to our.

A

Public, this is a primary service that I have to see get through. So until we get the rates.

A

Of these medical billing done to see how much this supplements our present service.

A

And how much it will pay for these supplemental people? We may have to raise all the taxes.

A

Right and until it's done and bring them down and then we'll bring them down as we get this medical.

A

Billing and process it's going to take a year or two to really get all this entwined in there and.

A

Then if we look at that and I've seen you know and mr walker's got, I brought back a budget from.

A

A particular rescue squad in carderock county north carolina- I gave it to them, it shows how.

A

Much they're they and they adjusted their rates the same way. They did the same thing. We're talking.

A

Right now they had already done that 10 years ago, and so now they got a supplemental with the the.

A

Charges they're giving or these calls- and I think it's already all in place- we just need to start.

A

Our process of collecting and then that from from now, though, right now this year, we need.

A

To look at how we're going to collect and pay for these people now from june 30th on.

A

And that's what we really have to look at here on this here so and I think it's if we have to raise.

A

The assessment fine, can we reduce it? Yes, taxes go up potassium, go down and we can put it back down.

A

But to right now to supplement if we need to we're going to look at the assessment.

N

I'm done john go ahead, commissioner guy. I I wholeheartedly.

N

Thanks, I I wholeheartedly agree with you. um You know we went down there, they did that the.

N

The one thing I don't want to do is is ask the rescue squads to increase their taxes needlessly.

N

And I've asked several times for this to happen. I haven't got any um actual analysis back, but I want.

N

The analysis from our staff- I want them to look at the emergency services support fund. Look at the.

N

Contract, take the funding from als, put it together and tell us how much money can they support this.

N

Through the emergency services, support tax, that's on july 1, and what is the delta change.

N

Because we know that, based on what we're doing we're piggybacking on an rfp for medical billing,.

N

That funding is going to start coming in and while we don't know what that funding is, at least we.

N

Can prepare in the next budget to supplement whatever that change is out of the emergency.

N

Services support fund, there's no point in advanced life, support continuing with contractual paramedic.

N

Services, if we're providing supplemental staffing, there's just no point in it. It's a waste of money.

N

It and it's all taxpayer money that we're putting toward the contract. So if staff truly looks at.

N

Those numbers and says: oh, we have nine hundred thousand dollars that we can allocate towards.

N

Supplemental staffing- and this is what we're left with this- is the negative balance we're left with.

N

They can do that. I I've run it, but I'm not the cfo. So I'm not going to go ahead and say this is.

N

The exact cost and mr walker is going to have to sit down and say this is the cost, but on the very.

N

Layman's thing layman's level, I'm doing exactly what you just described, that they.

N

Do in north carolina- and we can start moving through this and looking at it from okay, well,.

N

If medical billing isn't picking up this portion of it and then the rest goes out to the rescue.

N

Squads after that, supplemental staff is taken care of then you know we can adjust from there. That's.

N

That's what I'm looking at july, 1 moving forward based on what you said, and I want to see that.

N

Analysis, uh dr bridget, tell me bandwidth of what the staff has to do. You had a lot going on already.

F

I would assume for you do this work. You'll have to reallocate.

F

People and arrange things, but I'm sure we would need three commissioners to.

F

Request that you do that, I I'm not trying to say I don't agree with it. I just want to make sure.

F

That what we do it has the majority of commissioners agreeing that you and that.

F

You have the bandwidth to do it and figure all these things out. Thank you, commissioners.

J

And so in your packet today is the page from your budget book for the emergency search support fund.

J

And um right now you are at the maximum tax, which is .024. So in order to raise that tax at all.

J

It would need to have approval from annapolis, but, as commissioner o'connor indicated.

J

Reallocate the funding that you currently have so in your packet, you currently have an annual.

J

Revenue of about uh 3.1 million you have so the amos grants 300 000. So your total is about 3.5.

J

And then your expenses, which is what commissioner o'connor reference your als operating right now, is.

J

About 703 000, that's taken out annually, so we're happy to pull that contract and and come back.

J

To you, with that specific information, and this again as many of the commissioners have already.

J

Mentioned this is a tool in the toolbox for for a funding uh stream. If you wanted to reallocate.

J

Some of the the expenses, for example, you've, worked over the last several years on the low sap.

J

Trust to invest more into the low sap, so you see that number has been increasing over the years.

J

So there's some flexibility that you have there and I think that's what commissioner o'connor.

J

Is referencing, so we can certainly do some more uh detail without a lot of heavy lifting, but we.

B

Probably went about this in the wrong order and should have heard from the volunteers on the line.

B

For a while waiting to talk to us- and we really do want to hear your thoughts and opinions so.

B

Please uh please share with us until we ready good good go to them, so all right so who we have on the.

M

Line and again I don't think april johnson who was scheduled to be is on there, so we have chief matt.

M

Cauliflower uh seventh district president mark miller, lexington park and carobaum she's from.

M

Validly but she's the current president of the rsa and I think we're going to start off with.

M

Chief matt cauliflower, if you recall that they are seven districts, they're the ones that took those.

M

And they really were first bold steps of of saying they had a problem and they went into a.

M

Paid service- and I think his experiences are very critical and important to us so so matt.

M

Can you hear us? Yes, I can hear you. Can you hear me yesterday you're flying clear, okay.

T

So um I met with you guys about a year ago now talking about the taxes for the seventh district.

T

There's an echo that's getting on me, but.

T

We we essentially had our contract for the year and had no issues with that contract.

T

One of the commissioners alluded to it earlier that we had an elderly crew or an older crew.

T

That was running our daytime shifts and, like was said, they were unable to run during covet.

T

So at one point during covet we were down to two drivers and eight mts running three to five.

T

Three pm to five am monday to thursday and then thursday, at 3 p.m, to monday at 5 a.m.

T

Fortunately, now that things are starting to settle down.

T

We are seeing members come back and taken some of those shifts.

T

But without the supplemental staffing that we've gotten, we would not have been able to.

T

Get out during the day um we we were talking earlier about how we maxed out our tax rate.

T

And the way our squad feels right now is we're kind of in a holding pattern.

T

With the current tax rate and if the county is going to fund the supplemental 100.

T

Then, by all means we would reduce our tax rate back down to what it was, because in.

T

The long run we just increased the tax rate to pay for that supplemental funding.

T

And I did want to touch on the switchover from our own contract to the county contract.

T

It was seamless.

T

We have great communication with the vendor, as well as steve and his staff.

T

The crew that we've gotten has provided excellent patient care. There's been timely responses to.

T

Calls but most appropriate the the people that we've had running these calls for us. We've had no.

T

Instances where there was bad conduct or a reason for discipline, so we're really happy with that.

T

And just what I wanted to leave you with is that the supplemental staffing during.

T

The day for the seventh district, that problem is going to be here for the.

T

Immediate future, so we're planning on having supplemental staffing in some sort at avenue.

T

If that's via the county contract or if we have to go back to our own contract,.

T

Thank you any questions for for uh for matt, not this time, yeah.

M

All right, so we're going to go on to president mark miller so mark is the president of the.

M

Largest in the county, the largest rescue squad, they have the heaviest workload. We.

M

All know the size of the population down there so he's a very critical to this and obviously.

M

He's kind of a center point in our rescue squad operation so mark you want to jump in.

U

Thank you, director, walker. Thank you, commissioners, for the opportunity to speak.

U

um I'd like to first commend the commissioners and the department of emergency services, the ambulance.

U

And rescue association involved, your chiefs and presidents and medical transport force acting.

U

So quickly to get the supplemental staff in place in 27 years of volunteer service, I've never seen.

U

Something of this magnitude executed so quickly and it's a true testament to the volunteer spirit.

U

And contractor forming a great partnership um lexington park non-terrestrial squad would also.

U

Like to actually thank district volunteer squad, who actually loaned one of their animals to.

U

Help us out in the first few days of supplemental stuff, but we're dealing with an mou issue.

U

A great example of the teamwork, dear scriptures, um I'd also like to thank the.

U

Medical transport, um they are supporting our citizens of our and.

U

We are doing an excellent job. People ask very happy for services and we're working well together.

U

So we're very happy. I would like to take a little bit of time to review.

U

How we've gotten here um lexington park, monterey squad run approximately 700 calls a.

U

Year for supplemental staffing, we were the busiest all-mountain air company in the state of maryland.

U

That's an average of calls per month and after 21 calls per day.

U

That's um almost 50 percent or in the 40 percent of calls in the county.

U

We run out of two stations which the nations have their own. First two. I will tell you that that.

U

Complicates some of the statistics you have shown, I will discuss our dnr rate and the percentage.

U

Later but it's not as bad as what was explained, but it has definitely been an issue.

U

In the middle of 2019, we were running a full effect ion with about a 5.

U

Our rate we averaged having out 4 800 hours of volunteer service per month.

U

From our volunteers, it's not equivalent to 30 um full-time equivalence, employees.

U

By february of 2020, before those volunteer, hours were down to around 3900 dropped with 750 hours.

U

Per month and a loss of almost five full-time equivalents that drove our dnr rate up 18.

U

In october, right before, supplemental staffing was initiated and we had experienced the most.

U

Impact of it, we lost an additional 1100 hours per month of volunteer service. Our dnr rate was.

U

Around 30- and it was definitely impacting all of the other rescue squad and our mutual aid partners.

U

In january, we're down to around 2500 donated hours of duty, that's drop of another 400.

U

Hours another two and a half time equivalent since october. Although supplemental staffing.

U

Is required it does impact volunteerism. We've lost some of our volunteers. Do the supplemental.

U

Staffing they're working it they're working long hours, so they don't have time to volunteer.

U

And others are not. Volunteering paid staff that have been seen in other.

U

Jurisdictions, I will say, though, with the width of medical tapping over 1400 hours of support a month.

U

Our dnr rate is down to around 10.

U

Our average coverage from supplement staffing is 52 of the required shift. It's.

U

Very close to what two other departments are getting, but our full-time equivalent.

U

Of volunteers is down to less than 15 ftes, which is half what we started with in 2019..

U

Volunteer ems is a very complex issue and coped as being one of the multiple.

U

Issues that we're trying to tackle one factor in lexington park is employers.

U

Not allowing people to do ems volunteering, it is not just the department of defense, it is larger.

U

Than that we have had numerous, can you hear me yeah, yeah, you're, very fine, yeah you're, doing good.

F

You're going to ask some questions when you're done yep I'll be done shortly. I.

U

I know I'm paying along, um so um it is larger than just the department of defense. We've had.

U

Numerous new members joined and had to resign because non-department of defense, non-contractor.

U

Employers did not want them, volunteering, they had it earning us a new.

U

Ems volunteers, so where do we go from here? Supplemental acting must continue. It is a.

U

Requirement and I do not see it ending anytime soon- I will state that the transition to from.

U

Contract to county employees has impacted the ability for the contractor to fill its slots.

U

Because everyone believes they're going away so whatever we must do, we must act on now and get.

U

Moving on it because and expect the contractor to be higher in replacement, it will be short-lived.

U

We believe at lexington park that the solution.

U

Has to be full-time position to get the quality providers.

U

That it required for these positions, expect people to give up jobs or to work. Long hours have.

U

No benefits and still get the quality personnel that we want in to handle ems calls volunteers.

U

Me personally, I believe the solution needs to cover the basic life support rescue squads.

U

Should be separate from any transition of staffing by.

U

Advanced life support, I think, bringing paramedic across the paramedics already.

U

Is a challenge into a larger funding challenge, as we've seen with the cost of the contract, say.

U

Mary's als chase carter will still be required, no matter what we do here um foreseeable future.

U

As for funding, I know it's a difficult thing to figure out. um L progress did not request.

U

A rescue squad tax increase in fiscal year 22 because the public guidance that we received.

U

From your commissioner was no tax increase, it was fed numerous times in your meeting.

U

We did in our fiscal year 22 but show income from ems billing, but we believe ems billing has its.

U

Own balances and we're really not sure that that will be a full funding solution for supplemental.

U

Staffing, um I do agree with the recommendation of going forward with the pilot program and.

U

Will be discussed here in the future. Lprs is open, investigating all funding options for this.

U

We are working with the county through the ems billing mou and in closing I would like to really.

U

Thank all of the first responders sheriff's department troopers, our armaments ems in saint.

U

Mary's county that have continued to work over pandemic. It has not been easy, but their service in.

U

This county is greatly appreciated by myself squad and thank you for allowing me to speak to them.

M

Thank you mark.

A

Any commissioners have any questions from oh, I do, but let me miss brome. I mean okay, all three.

F

Of these people have been giving us inputs and thank you very much and I think what you've been.

F

Doing is very insightful and that's s-I-g-h-t, so the next one of course is carol bomb. She is.

M

From valley lee she's been doing this for a very long time. She is the current president.

M

Of the rsa she is the voice of the rsa, so she of course, is very relevant to us but carol. Thank you.

S

Thank you, commissioners, for allowing me to speak. Can you hear me very loud and clear.

S

Good, um I guess to talk a little bit about. I mean you have uh mark miller here.

S

Who's been with the organization for 27 years, you have matt cauliflower who's been.

S

This whole family has participated in ems care in the seventh district. I moved to the county in.

S

1999 and have been active with saint mary's for 16 years, mostly with the advanced life support unit.

S

Joined valley lee about three years ago and I'm currently the assistant ems chief for valley, lee.

S

Personal experience with um this whole kind of wheels falling off the volunteer system.

S

Is that we're down now because of covid, because of deaths and because of jobs, um our emts? We have.

S

Currently, 12 that will run duty, one or two nights a month. Without the supplemental staffing, we would.

S

Have no daytime coverage as the three months prior to getting the supplemental staffing, because I'm.

S

Retired, it was me- or it was no one, and it is not fair to expect mutual aid from the other groups.

S

Who are having as much problem as we are, so the supplemental staffing was um very much appreciated.

S

I worked directly with the contractor and the contracting company to ensure that, for the.

S

Entire county that we got qualified people and that the chiefs were happy with the transition.

S

To the contractors um in their ambulances at their stations, I don't see this volunteer problem.

S

Going away, um I we are going to have to have some sort of paid supplemental staffing going forward.

S

Volunteerism has just fallen dramatically even across the u.s survey, so I I can't see at this.

S

Juncture with covent school raging that we're going to have much luck in recruiting people.

S

We lost two active department members to covid and it has really hit our department hard.

S

So that also has impacted on our ability to respond and get the schedule full.

S

I think that the one of the.

S

Negative parts of the contractor and supplemental emt staffing was the intrusion into the process.

S

By chief 18 and being disruptive and uh telling people that they were going to be hired by the.

S

County the contract, employees they were going to be hired by the county. There was a lot of.

S

Miscommunication and it definitely impacted the contractor's ability to fill the shifts.

S

At all of the ems organizations that were requesting help that sense, I think, has been.

S

Taken care of- and I agree with mark that als needs to be separate from the emt supplemental staffing.

S

uh The chase vehicles are not going to go away. um They're they're, just two separate issues and.

S

What we're focusing on right now is the emt supplemental staffing.

S

Our problem is a multi-factorial problem. The wheels started falling off a number of years.

S

Ago, because I remember a conversation I had with then president jackie russell about the.

S

Problems that we were having with recruiting and retention, we would support and pay for education.

S

And no sooner than they got that certificate in hand, they were going off for a paid position.

S

So we have to you know, look at things uh kind of more globally than just this is.

S

The problem- and this is how we should fix it, so we all know that the volunteers, where are they.

S

They're just not coming forward, but another problem is public education of when and why to.

S

Use the 911 system- I have not heard anything from anyone in county government willing to address.

S

A public education initiative in partnership with medstar and maybe the department of health.

S

Covid definitely has dampened everything and I think it probably made the wheels fall off the ems.

S

System anyone who listened to the radio on monday mornings was astonished that we were going 8, 9, 10.

S

Maybe more deep trying to find an ambulance there. Is this pervasive? What's in it, for.

S

Me attitude amongst a lot of the volunteers, particularly the younger generation volunteers,.

S

um They don't really quite understand losep and what it means um there there just isn't anything.

S

You know it's it's more of that. What's in it for me attitude, rather than what what can I do to help.

S

We need to start thinking outside the box, how we, you know, practice medicine, how we take care of.

S

Patients, uh that's what pushed me into ems at the age of 40 after 25 years as a medical, professional.

S

uh Was that you can't get any closer to the patient than in their own home? So I think we need.

S

To start, maybe discussions uh and we might include the health department as well as the department of.

S

Aging, as well as social services, as well as st mary's hospital and looking for ideas on how to.

S

Drive down this 911 use, because we all know that not all the phone calls to the 911 center are.

S

Actually for true emergencies um and oftentimes, we find ourselves on the call for the stub toe.

S

When there's a call in our first view and it's a fatal motor vehicle accident, so there's a lot of.

S

A lot of things that can be looked at and- and I know this discussion is looking at funding.

S

I know that mr walker is is going to talk more about the funding in in a little bit.

S

But you need to get on this right away and if we have to piggyback onto somebody who's already.

S

Been vetted through another county, then I think at least for the next year. That's what we need to do.

S

Billing is a complicated problem. uh It needs coding experts it if you don't use the right.

S

Language, the insurance companies vented or denies it back, um so it is not going to be the.

S

Gift that everybody thinks it's going to be it's a lot of hard work. We have to teach our.

S

Ems providers, how to chart? uh Because if you don't chart it, you didn't do it and therefore.

S

You can't bill for it, um so there's a lot of education that will go into the process.

S

But you got to start and you got to get started soon, because billing returns come anywhere from.

S

Three to six nine months after the call, so it's not an immediate generation of revenue.

S

um I was a little dismayed when, at our meeting the other night, when it was brought up that all the.

S

Rescue squad should go to the max rescue tax rate, um because I didn't think that we were going to.

S

Go that route I thought we were going to try to you, know, use the contractor.