St. Mary's County, MD Commissioners of St. Mary's County, 24 Aug 2021

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From YouTube: 8/24/21 Commissioners of St. Mary's County

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

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Tuesday august 24th 2021., I am randy guy, commissioner press president of the commission of.

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St mary's county I'd like to introduce the other commissioners settings my right representing the.

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First, commissioner district, which includes ridge, piney point st george island, mr eric colvin, good.

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Morning representing the second commissioner district, which includes leonardtown hollywood,.

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Mr mike hewitt good morning, john o'connor, who represents the third commissioner district.

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uh Is unable to be here today attending the meeting today via zoom is todd morgan, who.

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Represents the fourth commissioner district, which includes lexington park, some of california great.

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Moses, some of hollywood are you on morning. Everyone here. Can you hear me? Thank you.

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Good now, mr david weiskopf, our county attorney, is sitting in at the table to my left.

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Representing well, dr bridget is unable to attend today she's getting another one of.

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Her treatments today and he will be the acting county administrator.

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Alisa casas our communications director, setting the table to my right good morning.

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Amy carter, our video media producers behind the glass, please turn your cell phones off or on.

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Vibrate, when you come to the presenter's table, please approach by coming down to center aisle.

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And remember this mean is being televised, so you need to speak clearly and directly into.

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The microphone for recording purposes at this time, please stand for invocation and pledge.

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Dear heavenly father, we ask you to bless the present border commissioners.

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That we do the duty for the people of saint mary's county and make correct decisions and helping.

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Continue to build saint mary's county for a better county and better living space for our people.

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And many of those who are out sick today get better amen. Please for the pledge I pledge.

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Allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic of which it stands.

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

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Next, we need to approve of the consent agenda and move to approve the consent agenda. Second,.

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All those in favor, aye, aye all right eyes have it. Thank you. Next we have some proclamations today.

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The first one is um for child support awareness month. Commissioner hewitt will be reading.

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I think we have a few people here from the state's attorney's office on the child support division.

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So if you guys don't mind, can we stand up here in front and certainly.

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I think we need to get back to normal. This is what we do.

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And I'm fully vaccinated to everybody here, I hope you're all fully vaccinated.

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Child support awareness month this proclamation is being awarded accepted. I'm sorry.

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By joseph boyd state's attorney for the child support division, I'm standing for joseph he.

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Had a baby this weekend, oh congratulations to joe's offensive right. His parents and everybody.

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Else, I know it's a big day. Yes, it is well, this is dan white. Doesn't look joseph boyd.

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Good morning, whereas every child has the right to a quality of life that includes emotional.

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And financial support from both parents, the consistent payment of child support.

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Helps to lift children out of poverty and provide for their daily needs.

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And whereas the maryland department of human services, child support division, bureau of support.

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And saint mary's county state's attorney's office works with parents and custodians.

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To ensure that children are financially supported and have access to health care.

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And whereas the state's attorney's office works collaboratively with the department of social.

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Services bureau of support to facilitate paternity testing to establish orders of paternity child.

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Support and health insurance and to modify and enforce support orders and whereas the fy 2020 in.

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Fy 2020 the department of social services, bureau of support and the state's attorney's office.

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Assisted families in collecting thirteen million seven hundred sixty three thousand eight.

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Hundred and ninety two dollars in child support established 76, paternity or fraternity, orders 263.

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Child support and health insurance supporters modified 310 orders and filed.

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327 contempt show cost petitions now. Therefore, we, the commissioners of saint mary's county.

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To hereby recognize august 2021 as child support awareness month and encourage every.

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Parent to actively support the emotional and financial well-being of their children.

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Maybe it's already been given to you. This thing looks empty.

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Other people too, that are with you today sure so my name is daniel white and kevin.

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Is the head of child support? uh Your support enforcement he'll have a few words to say.

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Well, basically, it's a team effort from the old county, sheriff's department state's attorney's.

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Office, our office and the department of social services as far as that's concerned, we're just.

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Out here to make sure that we're serving the needs of our children in the community.

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And our nation is all. Thank you very good. Thank you.

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Photo op photo yeah. We always get a picture in the front.

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You want us in front of lexus. Is this okay? Oh you're, good, okay,.

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Thank you all very much for your work. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, see you bye, see.

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Okay: next, we have uh women's equality day. uh Commissioner colvin will be reading that.

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And I think we have a few people here to represent uh the commission for women. I think.

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Norma pipkin are you here there you go okay, norma and whoever else might be or please come forward.

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Looks like we got katie werner with her good morning. If you all are okay, we'll just keep the.

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Distance, as is our policy right now, okay, so excited to be able to present this proclamation.

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To you all, and it reads, whereas on august 26 1920, the women of the united states of america were.

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Granted the right to vote through the passage of the 19th amendment and whereas the united states.

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Has designated august 26 as women's equality day to commemorate the passage of the 19th amendment.

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And serve as a symbol of the continued struggle for equal rights for all. And whereas the women.

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Of saint mary's county are to be commended for their efforts to promote local organizations and.

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Activities in the political arena and encouraged to continue to exercise their hard-won right to.

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Participate fully in the political process. Now, therefore, we, the commissioners of saint mary's,.

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County do hereby honor the anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment.

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And national women's equality day, we call upon the people of saint mary's county to take a moment.

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To acknowledge that milestone and to continue striving for global equal rights. Thank you all.

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Commissioners, if I may thank you for the opportunity to pay homage to the brave women.

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That fought so hard for the right to vote.

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I like to think that it started right here in saint mary's county. It did in st mary's city.

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When margaret brent went before the assembly and requested both voice and vote in 1648.,.

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But it would be 200 years later, when women would gather in seneca falls new york.

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To start the true suffrage movement and there their declaration of sentiment, one of those.

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Included the following phrase: he has compelled her to submit to the laws for which she has.

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No vote and no voice. So again, women are requesting both vote and voice in 1878. The right to vote was.

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First proposed in congress, but for the next 40 years plus it would fail to be adopted throughout.

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All those years women persisted and endured many hardships in their struggle for equality.

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That included being arrested, being beaten being spat upon and when they were jailed for.

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Peaceful protest, some of them decided that they would in fact go on a hunger strike.

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The powers to be at that time determined that they must be force-fed, because if they were not.

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Force-Fed and one would happen to die, it could cause public sympathy for the cause.

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World war, one brought about a labor shortage required women to move into positions that.

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Were non-traditional the beliefs that women were physically and intellectually inferior to men.

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Were proven wrong during that process, as they were extremely successful in their new roles on august.

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26 1920, the 19th amendment to the constitution of the united states, was finally ratified. Many of.

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The women that began the fought, never were able to exercise their voting privileges. The saint mary's.

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County commission for women challenges every woman to honor those that have gone before us.

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By registering to vote by running for office by campaigning for their candidates and by all means.

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Please vote at every opportunity. Thank you. Well sorry,.

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We will stand if y'all just turn around get up. Look at a photo up here.

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Okay: next, we have miss alice allen.

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Good morning, commissioners, we're sorry to see you retired, but it comes that time in everybody's life.

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They make that decision first, I would personally thank you for everything you've done uh under.

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Working for glory and everything and everything in the asian human services that you may have.

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Been part of is very grateful. Officially commends alice allen for 26 years and.

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Three months of outstanding praiseworthy and dedicated service with saint mary's county.

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Government, through your diligence, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence, you have.

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Rightfully earned the community's gratitude, respect and my admiration. We hereby express.

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Our sincere congratulations on this occasion of your retirement and extend best wishes for your.

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Future endeavors and ask god's blessing upon you this date september, 1st 2021. Thank you very much.

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Great chance for all of us to make your peace with us. I just would like to say thank you very much.

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I have always felt very blessed and grateful for the opportunity.

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Well, we thank you. It's hard to leave anywhere after serving 26 plus years.

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I know it's difficult and you're, leaving a lot of friends and co-workers and everything else.

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Behind it's, it's been a wonderful experience and it's been a great ride. I appreciate laurie and.

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All the folks that I've worked with, I know you had a great staff all the time and.

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Everybody worked with you very well, but good thing: you've done a great job. Oh yes, meals and all that.

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Stuff you've done yeah you've made a difference. Yeah you made a difference, not everybody gets to.

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Say at the end of their career that they made it different in a different somebody's life.

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And you get to come back and enjoy the fruits of your labor too. So that's wonderful.

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Thank you well, thank you very much again, nor you have anything yes, so I would like to add.

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That I met alice about 15 years ago, 15 years ago in august, and she was as big a supporter of the.

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Department, supporter of county governor government and me on day one as she is today and beyond.

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We have identified a person to fill the position of division manager for senior center operations.

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But no one can take alice's place for sure, I'm sure we'll miss you alex. Thank you and thank.

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You thank you so much again, thank you very much. Okay, just open it up and uh yeah there you go.

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Circles is that all right, okay,.

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Sir, would you like to be in the photograph as well.

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Thank you again. Thank you very much.

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Okay with that we'll go right into county administrator time. Thank you, commissioner.

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President guy first is the draft agendas for august 31st and september 14th. There will be.

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No meeting of the commissioners on september 7th and on tuesday august 31st you'll start.

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At 9 00 a.m, with the invocation and pledge by commissioner president guy approval of consent.

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Agenda you'll have some proclamations for suicide prevention month and for national recovery month.

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And then the office of the county attorney will request a public hearing to repeal the.

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Solar moratorium ordinance and then at 9 15 you'll convene as the saint mary's county board of health.

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935 county administrator time, 10 40, commissioners, time, 10, 50, closed session litigation and then you.

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Will adjourn on september 14th, please note you'll start at 1 pm with the invocation and pledge.

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By commissioner colvin approval of the consent agenda, a proclamation for national forget me not.

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Month and also for the hispanic heritage month and then you will convene at 120 as the saint.

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Mary's county board of health and department of land use and growth management will request.

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A public hearing for a comprehensive water and sewer amendment for a property on tap and at 150.

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Is the county administrator time and then 2 30 is commissioner's time and then you'll adjourn.

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And then, first up on the agenda is the university system of maryland at southern maryland and I.

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Know mr anderson is here, miss abel is here and mr sark, sir cassaro is here as well. Thank you.

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And I know we also have many um people on zoom as well, and maybe mr anderson can.

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Introduce those good to see you, commissioner, anderson good morning, commissioners good to.

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See you too, as well mr coleman, commissioner hewitt commissioner guy commissioner morgan.

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Sumler, hello, he's there he's there yeah. I know I know. um First of all I want to thank you for the.

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Opportunity uh for meeting with us today and to give us this opportunity to provide you an update.

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On all the very excellent things that are happening at the university systems, I'll.

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Take this off university systems of southern maryland at southern maryland, um including.

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The construction of our new smart building, we have several with of the board of advisors.

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With us today, via zoom and others, are watching, live on youtube.

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We have tawanda jordan from st mary's college, a member of our board of advisors, denise barnes from.

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Calvert county, I mean charles county, I'm sorry denise george herrlberg from charles county.

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And I think that's all, of course, matt scassaro is a member of our board of advisors as well, um and.

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First, let me say that it's a pleasure to be with you today in person it's been a long two years.

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But I think you'll see after our presentation today from eileen abel, our executive director.

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And matt how much progress we've made despite the uh the pandemic, um so with that, let's go into the.

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Presentation, I know you have a busy agenda, I think first we have uh chancellor jay perman will join.

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Us via a pre-record re, pre-recorded message- the chancellor had hoped to be here at least virtually.

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But last minute changes to his schedule precluded. That I'd also like to thank your staff for.

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The excellent uh assistance that they gave us in setting this meeting up alyssa casaus david.

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Weiskopf alex huseman, katherine pratzen, couldn't have been more helpful and more accommodating.

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And you know it, I think it speaks well of the quality of our people in county government.

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So without further ado, let's um hear what chancellor perman has to say and then.

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We'll go into our presentation. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, mr anderson.

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Thank you joe good morning, everyone. I appreciate this opportunity to talk with you today. We all.

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Know the usm at southern maryland is a fantastic story and we're telling it every chance we get.

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Of course, saint mary's county is an integral piece of that story. You are an integral piece.

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Of our story, your commitment to the usm sm, your significant support of it, makes our work and our.

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Vision real. Thank you. I'd like to talk about that vision. Very briefly, because to me it's.

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An expansive one, it's one that has the support of dr abel and, of course, this board of advisors.

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With our partners in education, business and industry, we see the usms.

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As serving the needs of this entire region, its people, its workforce, its communities, its economy,.

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And it will do that in a few ways. The center will be proactive in developing partnerships that.

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Strengthen the talent pool for southern maryland, employers that develop in students the skills and.

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Abilities that pay off for them and pay off for the organizations that are desperate to hire them.

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The usmsm will build partnerships and programs with southern maryland school districts with.

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The college of southern maryland with saint mary's college so that we can stop hemorrhaging students.

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From our education pipeline so that we can give students options every step of the way.

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Options that make it easier for them to map their future and get what they need to succeed.

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All of it right here in southern maryland, we know the region's four-year degree rate.

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Lags far behind the share of jobs that require one not just in stem and technology fields,.

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But in business education, social work- there is no reason. This gap can't be closed with our higher.

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Ed partners in southern maryland, we can do two things number one get students into post-secondary.

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Education and number two offer residents work-based training that leads to high-demand.

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High-Paying jobs and there's more if this past year has taught us anything it's that equity must.

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Be front and center for us foundational to what we do if we're here to serve southern maryland,.

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And we don't enroll black and brown students if we don't enroll low-income students first-generation.

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Students and if we don't enroll them as at a share equal to their number in the population and we're.

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Not fulfilling what I consider a fundamental contract in higher ed equity is not optional.

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We have to develop scholarships internships summer work programs to help students.

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Offset their cost of study and begin building the relationships that will keep them.

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In southern maryland, that will keep them contributing to the region and its communities.

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And its strength and of course we have to support college park in growing the research function.

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Of the new smart building last summer, I got to see building construction first hand.

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The usmsm was actually my first campus visit since becoming chancellor last year.

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And I cannot wait to be back with you in st mary's county when we finally cut the ribbon. Obviously,.

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The building will add so much to our teaching mission and our research mission it'll be our hub.

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For collaboration with the navy, our link to researchers around the world who want to work with.

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Us it's the key to bringing together some of the country's best university and agency based people.

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Developing the latest unmanned systems, technology and policy- I know I just rattled off a long list.

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Of ambitions, but I also know that, with dr abel and her staff, with this committed board and with.

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Visionary leaders like you who back us and support us we can make this multi-part mission work. We.

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Can serve the people and the prosperity of this region. We can show off its power and potential.

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It's an exciting time for southern maryland and it's all more special, because we have.

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This unifying vision of how we can build on what we already have, so I look forward to seeing all.

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Of you in person this fall and celebrating the future we're making together. Thank you.

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Very well, I don't think I can add anything to what the chancellor said.

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I don't either say this: um I didn't want to steal his thunder. You know one of the reasons that we're.

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Here today is to thank you very specifically for the uh one million dollar contribution that saint.

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Mary's county made to the construction of our building. um I know that I can say I haven't been.

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In you know with it for years that, had we not had that contribution and that level and commitment.

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Of support from saint mary's county, this building would not have happened. There's no question about.

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It so thank you for that, and also thank you for the support that you've given us over the years.

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Financially and morally, um we couldn't have done it without you. You were there from the.

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Very beginning in the mid 90s during the brax and you're still with us today, so without further ado.

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I'd like to introduce uh dr eileen, abel um and matt's castro, uh dr abel, is our executive director.

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And she comes to us from from the college of southern maryland, um who, where she was.

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The vice president for academic affairs, um eileen will kind of give you the overview of the entire.

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Building process what's going on in there and also our programmatic ideas and matt, will specifically.

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Talk about our new matrix lab, which was an app matrix, lab and research components. The matrix lab.

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Is absolutely a one of a kind in the world, and I think matt is a tremendous spokesman for the.

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University systems of maryland southern maryland, but also his role as director at the uas.

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Test site, you know we're right in the middle of the innovation district and we're going to do.

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Everything we can to make that a success so eileen, please take it away. Thank you, dr dr abel. If I.

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Could interrupt you just for a second. I apologize uh commissioner anderson you're right about that.

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Million dollars, and if anybody needs credit for that, it's commissioner todd morgan. My first term.

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uh However long ago that was, is he made that motion, because we were worried that that building.

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May not take hold, it was at a precarious point. Where okay do we keep it? Do we cut it not for us.

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For for you guys for university of maryland for the governor- and it was todd morgan's leadership.

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That got this board to say: let's put that million there now look, we're all republicans and that's.

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Not a bad thing bottom line is todd. Had the leadership had the foresight to say if we put this.

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Million there what's that term, skin in the game, saint mary's county is committed to this, and for.

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You to say that it helped makes this, commissioner, who voted for it, say glad. Now we took our heat.

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From delegation, so that's state stuff, you county, guys stay in the county, we'll stay in the state.

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But it was good leadership. Congratulations! Tyler! Yeah joe, I would say I caught a lot of heat over.

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Thanks mike appreciate that very much commission commissioners, uh commissioner hewitt um yeah yeah.

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uh It just wouldn't have happened, and you know I think one of the best parts of this substantial.

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Gift was that it came unsolicited from our board. um When I heard that the you you were going to.

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Do this wonderful thing, um I was just not amazed, but I was just very very grateful.

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And a little bit surprised, but you know well, we thought this fit into the model of our county.

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As the patuxently rare test center became the premier site for test evaluation aircraft.

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You know the you know the everything just sort of fit in with our airports we're trying to move on.

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And this was just something to fit in absolutely, and uh I recognize that along. I say, commissioner,.

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Morgan really pushed it. He convinced us at least a couple of us that it was truly a thing to do.

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Did we catch a lot of heat from our delegation at that time? Yes, we did. I got to remember, there was a.

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Former delegate from calvert county, who has a has part of a district in saint mary's camp, great man.

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uh But boy did he get red-faced to me in a one-on-one? What do we do? None of your business.

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Oh whatever we were doing and uh good news is that building is almost done right. I'm sorry.

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Good, that's gonna, say and, more importantly, that investment will be transformative. I I guarantee.

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You not not today, no doubt tomorrow, it's not it's economic development as well as this training and.

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The the research is going to come out of this is unbelievable. I just absolutely I'm happy with it.

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So joe thank you um and I have to give joe in the board kudos I've been in this position since.

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Just december um navigating covid navigating the new building, which is way out of my comfort zone,.

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But working with partners that I have known in the six years that I've been in the southern.

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Maryland region, I am thoroughly convinced that the new building will allow us to.

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Expand the mission as the chancellor laid out, and also to be one of the hubs of economic.

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Development in st mary's county, so matt and I are going to take the occasion today to.

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Talk a little bit about the expanded mission in a little bit more detail and then matt's.

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Going to talk a little bit about the research and collaborative opportunities that we see.

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Available to us, if I can ask you to the next slide, please great, so we officially.

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Joined the university system of maryland in 2019, some mou's that were established with.

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University system and the then board of governors, many of whom have stayed over into our board of.

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Advisors and again have provided very stable and very visionary leadership for the center over.

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The last many years and for the many more years to come, we have eight partner institutions that offer.

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Bachelor's master's and phd programs for those of you that don't know anywhere from criminal justice.

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And social services and education, which are some of our primary under undergraduate programs, all.

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The way to flight tests, engineering through florida institute of technology and computer.

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Science, with with the university of maryland our expanded mission as the as the chancellor laid out.

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Is to do two things, one to grow the undergraduate education opportunities in southern maryland, so.

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We have st mary's college, primarily honors, liberal arts college. What university system.

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Institutions do is down here, is primarily to focus on workforce programs, so.

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Trying to look at some labor market need and to embed bachelor's completion, programs masters and.

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Phd that serve the workforce, needs and I'll talk a little bit more about the programs that we're.

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Going to try to grow here in the next little bit and explain why our signature program and.

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One of the ones that we're trying to replicate is the program that we have in conjunction with.

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College of southern maryland and the university of maryland college park engineers come through csm.

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Graduate from csm with a degree in engineering transfer to the university of maryland college.

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Park, but take all of their courses down at the regional higher ed center, where they.

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Do internships at the base it helps offset the cost of their education they're. With these.

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Internships, they also have the job opportunities on the back side. So what we're trying to do with.

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All of the rest of the the bachelor's programs that we're trying to grow is that particular.

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Kind of model, because we know our employers in the area are desperate to have experienced.

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And skilled workers coming into the workforce as soon as they're completed their education.

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So the opportunity, as the chancellor laid out to grow internships, work-based opportunities for.

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Students, so that we can develop those skilled workers and to offset the cost of education.

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Particularly right now, because the nation is highly concerned and rightfully so, for the cost.

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Of higher ed and the student debt that becomes incurred in that, so part of my job is to make.

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Sure that the regional families understand that the return on investment for taking.

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An education program through usmsm can be offset by these work based opportunities by internships.

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But by high demand high wage careers on the back side of it, so these.

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These education programs really do pay off in the long run. You can see in the bottom of the slide.

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Here that I'm working on something called 30 by 30., so the chancellor mentioned that the share of.

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Bachelor's completion down in the southern maryland region is lower than what we need.

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In our job market, we have about 18 bachelor's completion in the area, entry-level jobs in this.

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Area about 30 percent of them require a bachelor's degree if you'll go to the next slide. Please so.

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You can see here this is the labor market data that I use to drive the way I work with my.

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University partners to talk about what programs we need to offer down here, so the this entire list of.

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27 is for the entire southern maryland region on the far right side. You can see the demand.

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That's a little bit differentiated specifically for st mary's county, so, for example, electrical.

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Engineers, saint mary's county, is going to grow by 28 in the next 10 years, whereas the region as a.

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Whole is only going to grow by 11., so st mary's is really driving a lot of these high-tech jobs.

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We know we need to have engineers, we know we need business analysts. We know we need to have.

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Social workers, we need to have educators and we need to have people who are um in going into.

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Health care- so I think, what's interesting about this particular table again, is that it should.

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Make everybody encouraged about the opportunities for education and employment in southern maryland?.

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This is fairly cheery data driven by the growth in the community that usm sm can help support.

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So if you can go to the next slide, please so this is what the renderings for the new.

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Campus looks like it's going to be completely transformative and I would be remiss if I didn't.

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Tell you right now to mark your calendars for october, 15th you'll be getting formal invitations.

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Next week, but our grand opening is going to be on october 15th.

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It will be a wonderful opportunity for you to see what is actually happening in that building, so the.

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Other the other end of our research of our mission for us msm, is not just the bachelor's growth and.

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Reaching out to underserved and underrepresented communities and providing opportunities for them.

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But also to embed the research mission that college park is bringing that will attach.

L

The autonomous systems with government industry and education to expand the.

L

Technologies around autonomy and to drive economic development and growth in the area.

L

Which, again, I think in all of those areas between the human capital and these technology.

L

Advancements and the ability to ground us very clearly in economic development in the area.

L

Is proof that your investment mattered and will be transformative for this region? So I'm going.

L

To pass the mic to mount castro who's going to talk a little bit about the larger picture.

L

And what we believe, the research and technology growth around drones can do for the area matt.

M

Thanks dr eagle, and I can say that uh part of my job is to actually increase her comfort zone so.

M

Working with dr abel has been both a privilege and a pleasure working on this project, but also the.

M

More expansive nature of the arrow park, innovation district, which we'll talk a little bit more about.

M

But you can see from the slide in front of you. It is truly a game changer for this area. We've.

M

Created a campus, it is actually the only regional education center in the state of maryland. That has.

M

Both education and research components to it, so it is really going to be a game changer not just for.

M

Our county, but for the state and the entire region and the nation, with our role in the national.

M

Defense that we have with the naval air station patuxent river nswc, indian head and the other.

M

Facilities in the state of maryland all centered around research and development next slide. Please.

M

So this slide shows uh very clearly the education and research components that are going to be.

M

Part of the smart building as we go forward. A lot of these are built around our partners and.

M

The biggest partner down here, obviously, is the navy, as you've mentioned, president guy.

M

Our navy partners at the naval air warfare center aircraft division and on the base in its entirety.

M

uh Pulling those partners together is critically important because they have the expertise, but.

M

Also the demand signal- and they also are one of the attractors of our talent, a big part of our.

M

Mission is to retain that talent and to give them other paths to be able to use this talent.

M

Not just for defense, but also in the civil, commercial, realms and the other pieces. This.

M

Will be autonomous technologies and unmanned technologies across all domains, air ground, surface.

M

Subsurface, so we're going to be pointing new partners like um sees the university of maryland.

M

Center for environmental studies and chesapeake bay lab over in solomon's with dr tom miller and.

M

Other folks, from around our state and around the world, next slide, please one of the things that.

M

Then dean pines, my boss and now president pines emphasize very heavily, is we want to create unique.

M

Facilities and also facilities that buffer existing facilities that are in high demand.

M

So some of the things you see on the slides, such as the anechoic chamber, which we actually have.

M

Two of a very large open-air one: that's a radio frequency sealed very large, open air.

M

Flight facility and then a smaller chamber, those are actually very similar to things that are on.

M

The base, but those ones in the base are scheduled for years in advance, so we wanted to have those.

M

Buffer facilities to offer more capability, but also these unique facilities, dr graham, the new.

M

Interim incoming dean that will be here in october has already been briefed on this project.

M

He is very excited and actually requested another follow-up session to learn even more about it. He's.

M

Coming up from georgia, tech and is very excited to be part of this and we're working diligently.

M

To get research filled in again with our navy partners bringing in interns, students, esdps.

M

A lot of the folks you're familiar with that work on base getting them in this building. All.

M

Working together with the clark, school and other institutions next slide, please so the bottom line.

M

Is why should you care it's jobs? It's companies, expanding its companies, spending being created.

M

It's diversifying our economy and to include the defense dollar, but now the civil, commercial dollar.

M

The arrow park innovation district has been stood up officially. As of last week. We actually.

M

Have joined the association of university research parks and I'll be leading a panel.

M

In salt lake city in october, talking about drones and innovation parks, so this is very exciting.

M

It pulls together the three primary necessary ingredients, research, education and investment.

M

We have all three of those today and that's why we constitute a university research park.

M

Last slide, please: this really is the fulfillment of not only our vision but a vision that is coming.

M

True across the state, the identities of every region of our state are declared by the partners.

M

That pull together and this area is known for its collaborative partnerships, unlike any other.

M

Place that I've ever been stationed around the world, we're able to get stuff done here.

M

The identities for the autonomy corridor run all the way from aberdeen baltimore down.

M

Through college park, all the way through indian head down here to southern round the naval air.

M

Station patuxent river and now the arrow park, innovation district, it's all coming true and.

M

It's thanks to your support and the investment of yourselves and the state and the people that are.

M

Working on this project, and with that I'll hand it back over to dr abel all right last slide. Please.

L

Thank you matt, so again, what you can hear here is is how this building has the opportunity for us.

L

To expand our mission to provide additional educational opportunities and incredible.

L

Growth through the research that will be funded by grants collaborations with navy.

L

Education and other institutions, so we talk about this building as not just being a building that is.

L

A way to rethink education and to transform not just the community in saint mary's county, but.

L

The region, the state and the nation, so we thank you for your investment in that we believe it.

L

Will pay off tenfold? Thank you very good. Thank you. I think we have some time for questions.

B

Great, I had just a few comments. Tell me when you talk about your 30 by 30, your bachelor degrees.

B

Great stuff is our board of education as our local school system, providing you, let's say the feeder.

B

Students into your group there, so so two things, one part of my role is absolutely to make sure.

L

That those pipelines work right serving all three counties. I will say that in in my position, as vice.

L

President of academic affairs, when I was at the college of southern maryland, I had the opportunity.

L

To help develop the dual enrollment programs, with the high schools, where they're taking college.

L

Level classes in high school and then consequently can finish their programs earlier. So my goal.

L

Is to make those pipelines even more robust and what we're trying to do. Also with the college of.

L

Southern maryland and the public schools is to make sure students in eighth and ninth grades.

L

Know exactly what the curriculum is in order for them to plan on coming here from an early age.

L

And know exactly what they're going to need, including security clearances and a lot of.

L

Those programs so that they can plan on this um as a destination early on in their high school.

L

Career, so we that part of our goal- I've got a marketing person now we're working right now.

L

All three of the superintendents and the three counties that we serve are on my advisory board.

L

So they are now really invested in what we do. I should have said calvin and charles too, I'm sorry.

B

No, but I'm a saint mary's guy, no, absolutely so so frankly, the same thing you're doing the right.

A

Thing to see dr smith nodding his head yesterday I mean he's on board and we're grateful for that.

A

Because we want to see this happen in saint mary's county for sure and our fellow counties too, but.

A

To provide a background and provide whatever's needed to move your students into this college.

A

Level is great absolutely so so I think one of the things that people may not necessarily know we.

L

Don't offer the first two years of the bachelor's program. We only offer bachelor's completion.

L

Programs, so we have to work in close partnership with our um with csm we're also trying, because we.

L

Also know the need down here is great we're hoping to expand some of our outreach to prince george.

L

And to anne arundel counties as well to bring students to transfer students down as alumni from.

B

Saint mary's college, hopefully they're somehow involved, so they absolutely are so. Dr jordan is.

L

Also on our advisory board and again, I think that between csm st mary's college and us msm, we are a.

L

Very strong face of higher education in southern maryland and my intent is to collaborate with.

L

Both of them to make sure that that the ecosystem for education down here remains robust president.

J

Murphy from csm is on our board of advisors, as well as our representatives from the major.

J

um Business organizations uh throughout the region, the chambers production partnership, um naval.

J

Alliance, economic development, economic development yep, um so we hope we think we know we have.

J

A lot of those bases covered and we're going to be um utilizing the strength of those connections.

J

To bring you know about a program, uh that's going to be unparalleled great well, I was in.

B

Mayco this past week and had an opportunity to talk to some colleagues from the eastern shore.

B

And we talked about common challenges, you know, infrastructure everything, that's gone on and the.

B

Point was is that uh I meant I mentioned to one uh commissioner from caroline county that you know.

B

Our average salary is over here in the mid 80s to high 80s, which is quite good in my opinion, and the.

B

Point was he said: how do you do it? How do you get? He said ours are probably in the high 30s to low.

B

40S but he said we're mainly agriculture. I said well we're big in agriculture too, but we do have.

B

A big presence with the naval base- and we have this facility that I think is taking us. I keep.

B

Calling to third buildings! So sorry, if I missed all right, we've been calling it that for 20 years.

L

Actually, our official signs say buildings, one two and three so.

B

I know it's got a different name than that, but the point is is that I said what we're doing we're.

B

Investing in this and the governor and state have seen this as a quality uh thing for us and and.

B

We're kind of taking that the stem part, the the whole part about engineering and technology and.

B

uh And we're trying to attract young people who come down here as engineers. Obviously the county.

B

Needs to keep them here, so I'm going to put a plug in for my. Why I'm not my but the ymca idea.

B

You know that you know that we need to have things for people to do after after work for dinner.

B

And just to make sure that they're happy living here and we want to help you so any challenges.

B

That you kind of see coming down the road or blips in the screen. You think we can help.

B

Please please help us and the last thing I'm sorry to make it personal, but uh october 15th.

B

My wife and I will be celebrating, excuse me our 44th wedding anniversary and mykonos grease.

B

So uh-oh we won't be here, so we are going to live stream. It you're welcome to join us, come on.

B

No, no, no! No! Let me get don't get me wrong. I probably won't do it, but I would like to have.

B

A tour of the place- maybe of course absolutely before sometimes late september, yeah and just a.

J

Couple of things, commissioner, you mentioned eastern shore, I think in the fall, we're.

J

Proud to have the university of maryland eastern shore as a as an academic partner.

J

So we're you know we will. We will find those connections and those partnerships wherever we can.

J

Not just in the state of maryland, but throughout the country: okay, okay, commission, anything else,.

E

um Commissioner, morgan just want to make sure you get a chance to weigh in if you'd like.

A

Commissioner, morgan, are you still on he's there somewhere.

A

Did we lose him he's still on sir? I know you got me I'm trying to there.

C

I appreciate everyone attending today. I think you know it's a great testament to what we're.

C

Being able to build down here, the complementary strengths between the base, usm and and all the.

C

Other universities we have down here- I mean I taught for you, dr abel, going back to the umuc.

C

Charles county community college, saint mary's, some some 20 years of teaching there. So I really.

C

Recognize all the things that are going on and how great these programs are becoming. So thank.

C

You all very much for being here today. Thank you, commissioner. Thank you. Another question.

A

Commissioner, I'm good well. Thank you very much for your presentation to us. It's very important and.

A

Joe thank you for all your work. You've done all these years. Yes he's a commissioner at.

A

One time here sitting on this side and all of you done for our county. We appreciate it. Thank.

A

You- and this is just another step forward in uh advancing our county into this technical world,.

A

I'm a low-tech guy in a high-tech world, but I understand I try to turn my phone on every morning.

A

Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you all very much. Thank you for your help.

I

Thank you, commissioners. Next on the agenda is from the sheriff's office.

I

A continuation of the school thank you resource officer, sro, and adequate good coverage program for.

I

Fiscal year, 2022 miss lottie bell and I believe lieutenant simmons is uh on the line as well.

N

Good morning come here: how are you doing morning? Yes, lieutenant simons is also on.

N

The line- okay good so this morning, we're requesting your concurrence on the letter.

N

Confirming the continuation of the school resource officer, adequate coverage program for fy22, the.

N

Amount of the grant is the grant. Funding is 211 566 dollars, which is formula based for 30 schools.

N

In addition, 115 000 67 in county funding is included in the sheriff's fy 22 budget to cover.

N

The remaining salary and fringe needed for the time the two sros will work in the schools under.

N

This grant a budget amendment will be submitted at the awards stage to increase the grant funding.

N

And loose tenant simons and I are happy to answer any questions you may have yeah. I had one um the.

B

General assembly last year had a very contentious debate about school resource officers. I.

B

Totally support them. I totally believe you know we're one of the few counties in the state that.

B

Has the stigmatism of having a a child die in a school from a shooting death and I believe school.

B

Resource officers are very important. Have you heard anything from people up and I hate to use.

B

The term up the road, but I know it was montgomery county that I listened to. One delegate talk about.

B

How he you're trying to get him out of it? Have you heard anything new on that? I personally have not.

N

I will phone a friend to lieutenant simons. Have you heard anything lieutenant simons.

O

Hi good morning, everyone good morning, commissioners, I have not heard anything.

O

Specifically with our neighboring jurisdictions, where that would pose a risk of the sros.

O

Coming out of the schools, as you know, saint mary's county is a bit unique in that we have.

O

Citizens that are very supportive of county government, the school system, the sheriff's.

O

Office, state police, I'm very fortunate that way, but no, I have not heard any chatter and I have not.

O

Heard any uh personally heard any opposition from anybody within the county that would oppose to.

O

Having school resource officers within the schools? Okay, thank you. Thank you. Lieutenant.

E

All right, well, I moved to approve the letter confirming the continuation of.

E

The fy 2021 school resource officer, adequate coverage program for fy 2022 project, md, 2215.

E

From the maryland center for school safety in the amount of 211.

E

566 dollars excluding county funds and authorized commissioner president to execute the related.

E

Documents and staff to submit all electronically. Second, I have a first and second, all in favor, aye.

A

A

Thank you, okay, thank you, commissioners, and next is also from the sheriff's.

I

Office, the equitable sharing agreement and certification for fiscal year 2021 again.

I

Miss bell and this time lieutenant evans is on zoom, so the annual certification report before.

N

You today is a summary of the equitable sharing activity for the fiscal year ended june. 30.

N

2021., as shown on the report, no federally forfeited funds were received or expended in fy21.

N

Your approval is requested, so the report may be submitted to the department of justice and.

N

The treasury department, in accordance with our equitable sharing agreement, lieutenant evans.

N

And I are happy to answer any questions. If you have any yeah, I had just a couple quick ones now.

B

This comes from this money is comes from as if someone's say uh rated, and they have drugs or.

B

Whatever illegal contraband they may have and there's cash or something this is money. That's.

B

Collected in that regard, federally forfeited funds. Yes, okay! Well, I know we have the feds.

B

Down here with this gun task force, or I'm not sure exactly what their role is, I've just heard that we.

B

Brought them into so this funding is funding that comes specifically from the federal government.

N

Yes, it's sees through federal, federally forfeited funds. It sees through the equitable sharing.

N

Program but I will phone a friend to lieutenant evans to speak more about that, because I'm not.

N

Exactly because do we have like local is what I'm asking you. We do have local also. Yes, this is not.

N

Local this is, I got it, so it's two different pots of mine. Exactly yes, sir. Okay, all right.

E

Okay, well, I moved to approve the annual equitable sharing agreement and certification for fy 2021.

E

From the department of justice and department of treasury, on behalf of the saint mary's.

E

County sheriff's office and authorized the commissioner president to execute.

E

The related documents and sheriff's office staff to submit electronically.

E

Second, I have a first and second, all in favor hi any oppose.

I

I have it you all. Thank you, commissioners. Thank you. Miss bell.

I

Next, you have uh mr michael blackwell from the saint mary's county public.

I

Library to give the semi annual brief, and I believe he also has a board of trustees.

I

On zoom as well- and it's probably best if he would introduce them.

P

Good morning and thank you so much for the opportunity to present here.

P

uh From our board of trustees online, I see dr janice walthauer welcome dr wall power. The other.

P

Members weren't able to join us, but we have a number of our staff who are also watching so.

P

Belinda amy am thanks for joining us this morning. Also, here is deputy director marianne bowman.

P

um Who is back here? Marianne, you just gonna, let me- and I believe uh she was at mako last week.

E

That she's, the president of the maryland library association, she is the president of the maryland.

P

Library association we're going to mention that later, but we might as well talk about it now.

P

uh St mary's county library uh use whatever sports metaphor. You want swings, a big bat.

P

uh Punches above its weight class I'll talk in a couple minutes about how we're contributing not.

P

Only at a state, but even a national level, right here in st mary's county. um So again, thank you.

P

For the opportunity to present to you, um I last presented to you in early february.

P

And we'll try to concentrate on what's happened since then, but we did release a.

P

Fiscal year annual report, and so we're going to take a look at some of that right now,.

P

Unfortunately, covet continues to be a concern for us.

P

But in response to that and if we could go down a slide here.

P

um That that's just fine thanks. um We created a number of new services and we've continued.

P

Offering those so we have curbside or drive through the new leonardtown library we have grab.

P

Bags, you just call us up and say I'd like a cozy mystery and we'll pick out 10 15 items for your.

P

Dvds, books, whatever you want and you take them home and you can see. Oh well, here's what we got.

P

Proven really popular, especially among young kids, their parents can just swing on by and.

P

Get a lot of books without even having to get out of their car. I'm happy to report to you.

P

That our curbside has dropped off and that's because we have reestablished our full hours.

P

We have been a leader in maryland in aggressively, but safety reopening our facilities, despite.

P

The pandemic, so when I last talked to you, we were open, but we were restricting the.

P

Number of people in the building with the county health recommendations in mind, but in march we.

P

Stopped that and in may we completely went back to our original hours. We now have our meeting rooms.

P

Open and so the only thing we haven't put back into place yet is in person inside programming.

P

We're doing programming for all ages outside, but then we've also uh really increased. The number of.

P

Virtual programs we're offering and we're finding that in some cases those are even more successful.

P

Than in person, we've had five or 600 people. Do an author visit over 100 people? Do some art classes.

P

So we're going to be taking a look moving forward at what's just the best way and.

P

Learn from the pandemic, my sons enjoyed some of your virtual programs. Oh fantastic! Thank you.

P

Just to compare to some libraries close to us just this last week, calvert went back to its full hours.

P

Only in july did charles county even open its buildings other than by appointments.

P

So we have been opened as much as any library in the entire state and we've done that safely.

P

I'd like to thank the county health department and the county nurse who's helped us to.

P

Establish a really safe space, we've got air filters, we've not had any transmission that.

P

We know of one staff member, unfortunately, but that staff member is doing fine. Now.

P

Had the covid, so we think that we're offering as safer facility as we can, while maintaining.

P

Services during this very difficult time, one bright spot, our digital use- did go up by 23.

P

Percent, that's ebooks audiobooks things like that. I think it would have gone up even more, um except.

P

That those are very expensive things and I'll talk about that for a second. So it's sometimes.

P

Hard for us to meet the demand, but that's a bright spot. People have discovered our online sources.

P

Down a little bit, if you would, on the slide.

P

Yeah so we checked out in total last year, uh 767 430 items it's about 6.8 items for every adult.

P

And child in the county and if you figure each item, costs about 15 bucks that saved the county.

P

Consumers over 11 million dollars of stuff that they'd pay out of pocket. Some of those are just.

P

Renewals but let's say at least five million dollars, we've saved the consumers in maryland.

P

And libraries are a real bargain. We spend about four hundred thousand dollars a year on materials.

P

And give a great return for that. um That's only about half our usual usage, though, and so obviously.

P

Covert has had its effect. Unfortunately, we do offer a wide suite of other things. So.

P

If you want to do language learning, if you want to do online crafting, if you want to.

P

Try to increase your technical skills, we've got databases that will help you do that.

P

We do offer a free find free card to every st mary's county public school student.

P

And so they can get online and use those resources and it greatly increases their ability to uh to do.

P

Some online learning and support their schooling, so we're very happy to have that partnership.

P

Down a little bit, if we could.

P

And this talks a little bit about our user visits. um We had 80 000 user visits and covered is.

P

Clearly showing its effect here, that's typically have well over half a million, but we did see a.

P

Large increase in our number of virtual attendants, and we had many many curbside appointments as well.

P

So uh I'm happy to report that right now we're starting to see a large uptick in in-person.

P

Attendance and our busiest locations are starting to get about 500 a day again and we could usually.

P

Do a thousand, but so people are being careful but they're, coming back to the library and if you are.

P

Out there in the public, I encourage you to come on back. We are offering a safe location to you.

P

And I want to thank you and bob, and I t in the county, you've extended our wi-fi.

P

Throughout our parking lots, and when it's not quite so hot outside, we see families come in.

P

And just sit in their car or sit outside the library in some comfortable seating.

P

And enjoy using the wi-fi, we've launched an app that allows people to access their.

P

Their accounts on their own devices and you can even check things out using your smartphone.

P

Or your tablet and that way people don't have to put their hands on sort of public equipment.

P

So it's not only convenient, but it's contributing to safety about down just a little bit. If we could.

P

And a little bit more heavy wi-fi use, yes,.

P

um 48 000 plus card users, uh and so that's what about 40 percent of the.

P

County 42 percent of the county um good market penetration there.

P

Down a little bit more and I'm skipping a lot of wonderful public comments. But there in the.

P

Background you see the new leonardtown library which um it was open. The last time I presented.

P

To you just want to report to you that we continue to get kudos for that. Everybody who comes in says.

P

This is just an amazing place, so you can all be very proud that you've got your names on that.

P

Building there with the garvey senior activity center, I think it's just a real showcase for.

P

The county and a beautiful beautiful facility, so thank you very much for supporting us with that.

P

I should point out that.

P

A similar size facility, just the library portion alone up in some other counties, we were paying.

P

Four million dollars less than we did for that, so while yes, this is an expense facility and thank.

P

You for your great support for that. um This is a bargain compared to a similar size, library and say.

P

Up in laurel maryland um just a couple of notes about the pandemic. We did work with community.

P

Partners to try to spread awareness of this, we fielded over 1500 phone calls.

P

Seeking information about it and we helped over 400 people register for the vaccination, so we were.

P

In partnership with the health department there it's been a real challenge for us uh covet has.

P

Well, it hasn't necessarily directly affected our staff. Obviously, there's.

P

Been a lot of concern about it. Since last august, we've had about 30 staff turnover.

P

But we have continued to hire and move forward and continue to give great services. You know.

P

People who are a little bit older have said you know. um Well, uh I've got other priorities now we.

P

Do serve as an incubator for uh talent. People come to us get a couple years in and then go.

P

Work for the base, unfortunately, we can't really compete with that kind of a salary. Now can we.

P

But we are helping people grow in their careers as well, so we're a fine community.

P

Center and we continue to give great services and a great return on your investment move on just a.

P

Little bit past our presentation there, those of you who are watching online, you can see our full.

P

Annual report for the fiscal last fiscal year from our website and do take a look at it.

P

Talk about a couple of other things that we're doing and more future oriented than here's. Where.

P

We've been and the first, when I last presented to you, I talked about senate bill 432, which was a law.

P

That was requiring publishers who put out e-books and digital audio books to consumers in maryland.

P

To also provide them to libraries- and there were a number of large companies, amazon included.

P

Who were not doing that? I'm happy to report to you that that bill has become law and I'm going to.

P

Swagger a bit that was my idea and I helped draft the legislation and provide the talking points and.

P

I was its main cheerleader. um It can be a little bit daunting. What are you doing today, michael I'm.

P

Going to support legislation that calls out the richest company in the whole wide world and tell.

P

Them they need to support libraries. I'm delighted to report to you that amazon has responded and, as.

P

Of september, we'll be able to start making unique content from them. Some other major publishers that.

P

We're not working with libraries have we are how we're going to continue our efforts. uh The mayoral.

P

Library, association and thank you, mary ann, has released a statement that, um yes, I helped write.

P

That will ask for better pricing terms. We can get a hardback for about 15 17.

P

We get to keep it as long as that book stays together for a digital e-book. A typical term is.

P

Sixty dollars per title and at the end of two years it's gone, you don't get to keep it.

P

Now I should say that there is opposition to this. The associated american publishers.

P

Which is a lobbyist for the publishers located in d.c attacked our bill. We got it.

P

Passed without a single negative vote anyway, they have recently asked the united states.

P

Senate its judiciary committee to ask the copyright office to invalidate the bill. Well, the.

P

Copyright office can't do that. We think they're just trying to chill this legislation, which is now.

P

In sort of in line to be passed into other states with several other states getting interested.

P

We think we're right. We don't think that this is a violation of copyright that, if a publisher.

P

Makes a copy a copy available to a citizen? Maryland library should have the same access.

P

So we're going to continue that fight and we may not get those better prices, but at least you know.

P

That we in maryland, and in st mary's county in particular, are doing our best to give a good deal.

P

To our taxpayers in maryland, and the other thing I'd like to talk about is we applied for a grant.

P

With arpa funds, and thank you for the institute of marine of museum and library services for offering.

P

Extra money arpa money to libraries this year um to get a mobile library.

P

Any of you use a book of bookmobile when you were younger, or is it just me, who's old? It used.

P

To be yeah, yeah mobile, a bookmobile yeah, so my first memory of the library is walking on what.

P

This thing a bus and you could pick out a book there and then it was right right in.

P

My front yard, so a mobile library is the same thing only more. It has its own collection and.

P

You can walk right on and check out a book or a dvd. It also has two workstations, as we've planned.

P

It it offers wi-fi, so you can drive it into a community, and people can simply pull up there.

P

And they can connect to the wi-fi right there. It has a handicap lift and we got letters of support.

P

From the health department and from the department of social services and from the naacp, all of whom.

P

Were making plans to do joint programming and, yes, we got a grant 250 thousand dollars.

P

Wow, that's great news, um so it may not cover quite all the cost of this vehicle which would be about.

P

28 feet long roughly the size of the mobile jobs van, but we're working with our friends and our.

P

Foundation to make up any cost shortfall there. So where do you come in here and the answer is.

P

To make this sustainable, we're going to have to have some additional staffing for the vehicle.

P

It will take about 15 months to get it together. We've already got an rfp out there, but it takes.

P

A while it's a custom vehicle to get it done, but so I'm already going to be asking you and.

P

To think about- and I know you can't make promise me anything today, but for next fiscal year when.

P

We go through the budget cycle if the budget doesn't look too bad if you'll consider giving.

P

Us some additional ftes to support that, so the vehicle will go out into daycares.

P

It will go to senior facilities, it can go to more far-flung neighborhoods. You know think colton's.

P

Point, uh scotland, ridge tall timbers, where children might find it difficult to access.

P

The libraries you know physical buildings go into neighborhoods, where there might not be.

P

As much people connected to broadband and just say, come on out, we'll have a schedule, and this is a.

P

Great way to extend library services out to people who have a harder time reaching our buildings.

P

So I'm hoping that when the time comes, you'll consider supporting our request for that and.

P

That's kind of what I've got for you today, so any questions.

B

You were telling my uh daughter, well here's what I'll say to you. I always believe.

B

Education is the key to success, but the key to education. The success of education is reading.

B

Being able to read and comprehend makes education easier, makes learning easier, we've been reading.

B

To our grandchildren, since they were one week old now, the ones their oldest is nine. She reads.

B

Two and three hundred page books now, of course they're you know nancy drew or something that's.

B

In her range as she enters the fourth grade, but her four-year-old granddaughters also read my.

B

Daughter goes to your facility in leonard town, multiple times she was a little sad.

B

When you were closed and couldn't get in, but she used your curbside service.

B

And she picks up exchanges. I don't know 10 12 books every week, two weeks, something like that.

B

You're doing a good job, sir, thank you, but we call that a power user and thank you uh for supporting.

P

The literacy because you're absolutely right, it's essential from an early age and we've got.

P

A program 500 before five, where we're trying to inculcate that sense of the importance of reading.

P

The more you read with the more you talk with a young child, the better prepared they are for a.

P

Success later, it literally builds brain synapses that allows people to succeed more in school.

P

So what you're doing with your grandkids is just vitally important and the library.

P

uh You know we're great partners with the school, but even before the schools, we've got programs.

P

Where we're reaching young kids and trying to reach parents and inculcate that huge sense of.

P

The importance of reading, thank you yeah. I know my wife appreciates. She checks out a lot of.

A

Especially the ebooks, she reads a lot using her. Well we're we're working to make sure she's got.

P

An even wider selection did you uh finish in the sailing yeah for the governor's cup.

P

Our boat finished uh um third overall on the potomac leg and second in our class.

P

And uh it was, uh um it was a fun night, um pretty good wind and everybody got in a lot a lot earlier.

P

Than they did last time right, we, my wife and I were on the dove, checking you guys in from three.

A

In the morning, until seven in the morning, that was our shift. Well, you saw most of those came.

A

In during that time period earlier, you saw us come by about 3 45 and I think we slept till seven and.

P

Then we were there, we were there yeah yeah yeah. It was a. It was a really good day. A great thing: yeah.

E

So, uh just to echo um great work on that my son's doing the 500 before five and he's getting ready.

E

To turn four and he's well into 400 books, so we've been reading a lot, he's got it and uh my wife and.

E

My son have been enjoying the scavenger hunt for the words in the parks that I believe is through.

E

The library so they're really enjoying that um I did have one question. uh Commissioner morgan and I.

E

Had some constituents reach out to us regarding mandatory training that the library is conducting.

E

That they feel is violating their personal beliefs, and I don't really know the details about it. But.

E

I was just wondering if you could clear mandatory training yeah some kind of employee training that.

E

They feel is violating their personal beliefs and I really haven't had the conversation.

E

To get the details, oh okay, um we asked all our employees to take a course. It's online.

P

In um equity, diversity and inclusion- okay, and, like you we've on your website, we just have a statement.

P

And I wouldn't say that violates anybody's rights. It simply gets our people thinking about.

P

How best to serve everybody in our community? Okay and.

P

We we do ask our staff to complete that, um but we also listen to people who- and I have had.

P

Conversations with our employees who come forward and say I'd like to talk to you about that.

P

And and so we we do and it's just an opportunity for opening up a conversation with our employees.

P

um I am asked every year by our county commissioners, I'm sorry by our.

P

Our trustees to report back on how we reflect um the population as a whole, in saint mary's and and.

P

So we're doing a pretty good job of of promoting uh inclusion, um but I don't say anybody. You know.

P

Nobody out in the public is being exposed that we're completely politically neutral.

P

Okay, well, mr uh blackwell, let me follow commissioner colvin. So is this training.

C

Mandatory for the employee, yes, we ask everybody all the employees to take the training.

P

um But if they don't well we're not going to do anything about that, we simply ask it.

P

And so far no, but none of our employees have come forward and said I don't want to take the training.

P

Some of them have said, and I've just discussed that I'd like to talk to you about it.

P

And I've listened carefully to those concerns and we validate them. People are allowed.

P

To speak, their own opinion to us we're not enforcing anybody to follow a political line.

P

Libraries aren't about that at all. So yes, we ask our employees to complete it.

P

So far nobody has said I don't want to or not done it. If somebody did say that I would listen to them.

C

Well, as I said, as commissioner coleman pointed out, we are both hearing. It.

C

um Now you also brought the point that you know um in library. Programs have been sort of stopped. This.

C

Means you know the commissioners always take a lot of heat when the library decides they want to do.

C

A few things, so we expecting that we will become again a controversial location in the future. Well,.

P

I'd like to point out that nothing that you've had an issue with has been a library program. Those.

P

Have been uses of our meeting room and- and I don't really want to revisit that- much because it's not.

P

A particularly happy memory for me, but you'll recall that the attorney general of maryland.

P

Has weighed in on the uses of library meeting rooms we have to make them available to all.

P

I will say that since then, we've made a change in our meeting room policy and now, if you have.

P

A meeting in the library it has to be open to the public now, there's a reasonable expectation.

P

Of privacy, if you're going to meet, you know somebody for a business deal, and somebody comes.

P

In the meeting you can say you know, we've got this room preserved. Could you please give us some space.

P

But for a public program, if you're going to have it at the library, it has to be open to the public.

P

So we put that change into effect and made the use of all our meeting rooms totally free. It used to.

P

Be you could reserve one as a citizen and say all right? This is my space, my private space now.

P

You can't do that anymore, so I will say that confidently. You may expect that the kind of.

P

Program that did create controversy. The library is not going to be sponsoring that. um So you.

C

Are going to be a center of controversy, then I don't ever want to be a center of controversy.

P

At the same time, we have to respect the rights of everybody in the county to use the meeting rooms.

P

So we cannot say you can't have this here if it's a legitimate organization.

P

So we are not expecting it, and no. Our programming should not be promoting that the library strives.

P

To be politically neutral, we want to serve everybody in the county fairly and allow all.

P

Voices to be heard, and sometimes that's going to create controversy- somebody might have the.

P

Meeting room and somebody else doesn't like that organization. The library's stand is that as long.

P

As it's a legitimate community organization- and yes, people might disagree about what legitimate is.

P

That we in the library and again the maryland attorney general, has made this pretty clear. Have.

P

To support that, if we discriminate on the use of our meeting room based on politics or something.

P

Else like that, we could open ourselves up to a large lawsuit and, yes, libraries have lost lawsuits.

P

Over that, including a library who wasn't allowing religious organizations to have prayer meetings or.

P

Church meetings, they said no when they were sued and they lost and they should have. We support.

P

Everybody's right to use the library great, thank you that that said, we recognize the community that.

P

We're in and that we we hope that people always feel free to express what they think about the.

P

Library and we'll listen, it's just that on certain things there's no give for us. We have to be.

P

Responsible and respect everybody's right for free use of the library- and we do too as commissioners.

A

The other questions come. Mrs anybody else. No.

P

Well, it remains for me to thank you for your great support of the library and uh uh again. I hope that.

P

You come out to the leonardo library and look at your your names on that and say most important.

A

Part of our community, mr blackwell, there we go. We appreciate everything you're doing to make it.

A

Successful well, thank you so much everybody and we really appreciate the opportunity to be here. Thank.

P

You thanks come to your library, everybody, oh quick note: um we were supporting the naacp at its recent.

P

Back to school, fair there's some book bags with school supplies left over come to your library.

P

And get one if you needed some. Thank you great. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioners. Next is the.

I

Department of economic development, with a grant agreement for online telework relief funds from.

I

The state of maryland under the federal american recovery act director chris castellis, presenting.

Q

Thank you, mr weiskopf. Good morning, commissioners, we're miscast news. We are getting more grant.

Q

Money today we're asking commissioners to sign a grant agreement from the state of maryland and.

Q

Approve a budget amendment, the state has made funds available to counties under the federal.

Q

American recovery act, the department of commerce will eight provide and seventy four dollars for.

Q

Saint mary's county to provide grants to assist businesses in setting up online sales framework.

Q

And offering employees telework opportunities, we've worked with our it department and they.

Q

Have created an online application for us for these grants, ded proposes awarding 19 grants.

Q

Of 4993 you're trying to get to the 5 000 dollar level to be eligible under the grant, a grant for.

Q

This under this program, an applicant must first have been established prior to march 9th of 2020.

Q

Be registered and in good standing with the state of maryland currently in operation have a physical.

Q

Location within saint mary's county, and also a priority, will be given to businesses that have 20.

Q

Or fewer employees and priority will be given to those who have not already received a state grant.

Q

So we're all ready to go. We will open up the application portal on september 1st.

Q

And all funds must be dispersed by december 31st of 2021.. Tell me, uh mr castleman, so if people.

B

uh Small businesses do not have an online presence already you're looking for them. First.

B

Absolutely right, if they have an online presence that maybe is, could be better.

B

Do you offer some kind of assistance to help them make it better to make maximum use of this grant.

B

If they are able to get it well, we can provide some con, some advice. If they're looking for.

Q

That I mean the idea is that they would whatever they need to do, to provide better online sales.

Q

If they need a more robust website or whatever they need to do, they can use the funds for this.

Q

For telework, if they need to provide computers for their employees, and it can be stuff that they've.

Q

Already done they want to get reimbursed for stuff that they're planning on doing but yeah. I'm sorry.

B

Interrupt no go ahead, I guess my point is, is you know, coming from small business websites are very.

B

Important yeah, but a lot of people work too hard to, like you know, put up the website to put it out.

B

There and they hope it works and if it don't work, they're really hoping the quality of their product.

B

Brings the people in right, but this web thing is a good good thing. I agree we heard about mako.

B

Where it used to be location, location, location now, it's a website website website. So that's a great.

B

Great plug, but I do know some people who are challenged per se and either finding the expertise.

B

Or they don't have them themselves or finding people who have the expertise. They may have a.

B

You know a relative who knows how to do this and they know a person who knows you know that type.

B

Of thing- and it would be interesting if or it would be good if we could set up some kind of.

B

Way to say: hey, look if you get this grant, you can get this professional. Who does this thing.

B

For whatever amount to look at your website and make it more effective, is that the type of thing.

B

They can do well, we don't really recommend. I mean there are consultants out there who can help set.

Q

Up websites or people have do this as a business. We don't really have we're not going to recommend.

Q

A specific company we may have a list of some companies who do this. I'm sorry, I'm interrupting.

B

You now I apologize, my point is: can they go out and use this money to go out and find somebody.

B

Not that we're recommending, but they can get this money because I know two people, I'm gonna.

B

Recommend apply for this grant yeah because they got a great product, they're frustrated.

B

With their website- because they just don't know enough about how to make it more effective.

B

But if they had some hate to save free money, they had some grant money that allowed them to hire.

B

Somebody that could make their website effective- I think there would be their business- would be.

B

More effective, so yes, commissioner, hugh this is exactly what this is for. If they want to go out.

Q

And hire somebody to help them set up online sales, that's exactly what they can use this money for.

Q

Okay, well, I'm going to move to approve the budget amendment reducing the appropriation.

B

Reserves by ninety four thousand, eight hundred and seventy four dollars and the modification to grant.

B

Agreement to accept ninety four thousand eight hundred and seventy four dollars in the state of.

B

Maryland under the federal american recovery act for online sales and telework grants and authorize.

B

The commission of president to sign all related documents, second discussion, one quick question:.

E

Kind of the irony of the situation is that this is to help people with their online presence, but it's.

E

An online application to do it if they need help with it, can they come to you or can they come to.

E

The county office to fill out the application is there a way to help facilitate applying for it.

E

If there's somebody like commissioner hewitt talks about that, doesn't have a web presence, commissioner colvin, uh we are on only accepting online application, but we'll walk.

Q

People through that step by step, so they can call our office and call kelly hancock deputy director.

Q

And we'll go through them step by step as long as they get to a computer and they can even come in.

E

We just talked to the library: they've got computers, they're, there's a computer.

Q

They can get us down the line and we'll go through step by step and it's a it's a.

Q

Very very easy process: excellent yeah! Thank you. Okay. I have a first and second, all in favor, aye.

A

Aye aye any oppose, I just have it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, commissioners.

I

Next is from the department of emergency services regarding a 911 grant, submission and director.

I

Stephen walker good morning, commencement thanks, so this is an exciting venture to bring to you.

D

It truly is so in july of 2018 uh mr magnolia was appointed training coordinator, he's done an.

D

Outstanding job really brought our training program into a very efficient and robust.

D

System, one of the things he set his eyes on is this training program. It is the manager 911.

D

Program, it's really a very highly coveted in high demand program. It's very hard to get.

D

Nina to bring that to our community, but he's been very diligent, he's been working very hard.

D

And done a lot of different things and working with them identifying a location all that um this.

D

Really, and the quite a phrase I heard this morning, education is the key to success.

D

So I heard that this morning outstanding this program is building future leaders. It truly.

D

Is it teaches people that attend this budgeting leadership, organizational presentation, skills.

D

I attended this shortly after I became employed here in saint mary's county outstanding class. It's.

D

Grant money we have received tentative approval from the 911 board that they will pay for this.

D

What we will do is we put it, we will put as many of our staff in this class and then we will open.

D

This up to the state from the other 911 centers, and we will bring them in this we've already.

D

Reserved a space at the riverfront facility at the golf course perfect place for this.

D

I'm very excited about it and I asked you to approve our request to take this to the 911 board.

B

Mr walker, I had one quick question: uh the 30 000. Do you have a number of people you can.

B

Put in I mean, do you have a limit? That's what probably better. I think it's 30, if I recall.

D

Okay, so you can put that yeah and that many in right, mr magley's, on the line, if.

D

You'd like to ask them any questions about it again, I mean we're not just sending one right.

D

Oh, no we're going to be sending quite a bit as many as I can get in there and there might be.

D

Other people in the building that will benefit all these other skills that will be putting them.

D

In there we get the first crack and then we open up to anybody else in the state so and we will get.

D

Quite a bit of people again, I attended it three and a half four years ago, outstanding class.

D

And again, I'm very excited about it and I really commend mr mattingly for his diligent work on this.

D

Again, he was just on them over and over and they finally relented and they agreed to do.

D

It- and I think this would be the first time in in the southern maryland area, to have this so very.

D

Excited about it great game, well, great work, um great work, jay! This is a good thing, so I moved.

E

To approve the department of emergency services to submit a grant request to the 911 board to fund.

E

The 9-1-1 center manager, certification, training program for 30, 000 and authorize commissioner.

E

President to sign all related documents. Second, I have a first and second, all in favor, aye aye.

I

Eyes have it very much. Thank you auditioners. Thank you, mr walker. Next is the department.

I

Of public works and transportation, a dnr grant application from the waterway improvement fund.

I

For saint george's, creek maintenance dredge. Thank you very much. This is good news. I'm really glad to.

R

Bring it before you, it's a real tribute, I think, to the partnerships that have been established.

R

Between dpw and t employees and funding agencies- in this case, of course, it was zane rhett stat that.

R

Made himself excuse me available whenever dnr calls and in this case dnr did call.

R

When they did the bath metrics survey, which is an ongoing program to check the federal channels, make.

R

Sure that they're open the way they're supposed to be, and they alerted zayn to the fact that the one.

R

For st george's creek that goes under the bridge, at 2, 49 was shoaling up and.

R

There are a number of benefits to this. First of all, just to the boating public they'll be able to.

R

Use that channel with more confidence use the boating ramp. That state has at that location.

R

With more confidence, they're not going to ground out.

R

But it also means that that sand is going to be available for other projects that zane margaret.

R

Oliver, a couple other people have going down in that area. For example, piney point museum.

R

That project try to build greater coastal resiliency, also piney point road, our road.

R

The county road that we're working on right now that project will need sand and also the state.

R

Alerted the state to the possibility that this could help them with their 249 project and got a.

R

Policy response back on that part of it is just they need more sand that they can use on site.

R

And it has to be disposed somewhere, so, at any rate, it's a good news story.

R

And because of course, we have to have a growing program of coastal resiliency, I'm bleeding.

R

Because of you, sorry, what was that time? Nothing! I apologize. It's all right, zane is there anything.

R

You'd like to add to this about time frames, or uh you know how you see this progressing.

S

Sure, um commissioner, good morning, you'll see in your memo that was in the package. What were.

S

Time wise, uh if the grant is approved in may, then we could conceivably award a.

S

Design permanent services somewhere in mid-july, with a completion of the permit.

S

uh And submission uh by december of 2022 next year, and then we could conceivably be.

S

Dredging this thing um in june of 2023, which is a pretty quick turnaround. But I think, uh as.

S

Commission, as uh mr dietrich pointed out, dnr one of the things they do is they do these bathroom.

S

Metric surveys throughout the state and when they do the ones in saint mary's, they send them to us.

S

And we keep those filed away, so it gives us a time a baseline for each creek. But uh this it's a good.

S

Good grant I'm pretty confident that we'll get it and uh and dnr had been a great partner with with.

S

Our department uh for the past 20 years, so I'm looking forward to getting that project started.

B

uh Mr anderson we'll sit there go ahead time.

C

Thanks mike uh zan, I want to say thank you for this, because you know between saint jerome's creek.

C

And st patrick's creek there's a lot of movement. Finally going on to get those things dredged to.

C

Help our watermen and our or just anybody enjoying the water out there. So thank you good job. I mean.

C

Sorry, it takes this long to get there, but at least you're making stop progress. Thank you.

B

uh Mr dietrich and mr rainstat and zane you're doing a great job buddy. I appreciate all the.

B

Effort you put into this uh when we were at mdot when we were at mayco. Last week we met with mdot.

B

And we talked about the route 249 area down there, that has the washer erosion going on now.

B

Property owners down there have talked about that. Their beach, which was a beach at one time, is gone.

B

It's just eroded away. This would be an ideal place because the mdot people did talk about how a.

B

Design has been done for that 249 area where they have the revetment out there and they'll need to.

B

Bring sand in, and it would be an ideal time to if we can ever put that project together to have them.

B

Be able to come have that sand be able to come just a little bit down fill that beach back in.

B

Give that replenishment to kill that I shouldn't say: kill sorry, um diminish, stop the diminishing.

B

That wave action diminish that wave action that continues to erode that now they did say that.

B

They may be able to identify funding somewhere in the budget, but it's been tough, but there.

B

May potentially be this infrastructure funding now we're very lucky to have mr sean powell up.

B

There, because he knows saint mary's county, he's the deputy director and when I asked him, I said.

B

Please we have 200 people down there. That will be impacted safety if that washes through with.

B

A hurricane right now during a high tide, they go through four, so four inches or so of water.

B

To get out, this would be an ideal uh as they call it spoiled. Is that what they call that stuff? That.

B

Comes out of a dread site, that's sand or whatever they call it that material that comes out of.

B

A dread site, it would just be a little bit down the way they could even probably set up some kind.

B

Of a pumping station to pump that to fill that area, and it's so uh experiencing so much erosion.

R

Yeah yeah one of the worst locations is right by the bridge. It's even more so you could.

R

Hydraulically uh dredge that okay yeah, that's that other site in mind right yep, we'll do.

A

Any other question, commissioners need a motion. Our move to approve the dnr waterway improvement, grant.

E

Request in the amount of 540 thousand dollars from the maryland dnr center for waterway improvement,.

E

For the saint george creek federal navigation, channel maintenance, dredge and authorized the.

E

Commissioner, president, to electronically sign all related documents. Second, I have a first and second.

A

All in favor aye, aye aye always have it. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioners.

I

And that concludes uh county administrator time. Oh, my gosh you're done already. Okay! Well, we'll.

A

Go right into commissioner time and let's see uh uh well todd's online, we'll start with you todd.

C

Thank you. Mr president, um last week I talked a little about the parks and discussed nicolette.

C

Park- and I said I would continue that conversation and I am so the other side of great mills, road.

C

On willis willow's roads, another great park for everyone to use- and that is lancaster park and.

C

Also, the new passive park we've invested a lot of money in lancaster park to put into our fields.

C

To have numerous events down there, just like a couple weeks ago, we had the naacp with the.

C

Books, our back to back to school backpacks we're working hard on getting the pasta park up to date.

C

Getting the roads completed, ucac was using one of the old flat top homes as a site. We have the.

C

Memorial back there and I think again another thing that the folks, the county, just don't see.

C

Is all the good things going on in that park? Also, I think when the passive park gets done,.

C

If you go back to governor earl stays that was the largest community development block grant, I think.

C

In the state of maryland, we have walk parks, we have a beautiful lined cherry trees in the spring.

C

We have frisbee golf and then it all connects to another set of very.

C

Accommodating walking paths to lancaster park and we're also working diligently now with the navy.

C

To be able to expand and continue the lease agreement that we have with them, which I would.

C

Hope would be able to get completed before my term is done, and that way I can feel good for the next.

C

10 15 20 years that park and the amenities that it provides will continue to be available for not.

C

Only the citizens, but the navy, folks, etc. The young kids, who want to play football soccer, lacrosse.

C

All the things back there and there's even a dog park back there. Folks, if you haven't been back.

C

There you want to walk your dogs, we have a nice beautiful dog parkway in the backside, so I think.

C

Like I said, many people think that lexington park has sort of been forgotten for amenities.

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But quite frankly, there's a lot of things to do in lux in the park and I'm glad I we can be working.

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Together with the community, and also with our various departments, to continue.

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To provide a lot of good things back there for everyone to be able to use.

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And I know that I'm away today, so I will conclude with that. So thank you.

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Thank you very all right, so I got a couple things I want to talk about this morning. First off I just.

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Want to offer my best wishes to all the children and teachers who are returning to school. I know.

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Our public schools start back up this coming monday, some of our private schools have started up.

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Today might have already started, I know chesapeake public charter schools already started up a couple.

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Weeks ago so hope you all have a great school year. I hope it's a better school year than last year.

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um And a special congratulations to my youngest sister, who is starting.

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Off her career as an elementary school teacher in our school system this year, so.

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Good luck to you, carly, and I hope you have a lot of fun teaching.

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Next last week we were at the mako conference and it was a really good conference. It was good to be.

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Able to be back together with elected officials from all around the state, with a lot of different.

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County employees, from all around the state and for everyone watching you should be extremely.

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Proud of your county government, the people who are working here do a phenomenal job and there was.

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Representation from a lot of different departments out there at mako, there was um people out there.

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Learning a lot choosing to better themselves so that they can serve the citizens better.

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And it was very interesting a lot of the stuff. I want to give a special shout out to the people who.

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Are working the booth each county has a different booth in the um exhibition hall there and there's.

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A ton of vendors, it's a huge trade show, but each county has a booth and our saint mary's county.

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Booth was themed with a big blue ribbon. It was the first in maryland because we're the first place.

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Settlers landed in maryland the start of maryland and it was a really great booth. So thank you to.

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Andrew pani from the museum division and to mary wagner from visit st mary's for staffing, the.

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Booth, you all did a great job. We had a phenomenal looking booth. Another county had a booth that had.

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A rabbit in there a live rabbit, but my favorite booth other than the saint mary's county booth was.

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The caroline county booth, now a couple weeks ago, we had a mako presentation in the afternoon here.

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With the michael sanderson, the director of mako and wilbur levin good, the commissioner president.

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From caroline county now, the caroline county booth had a cut out of mr levin good, and you could get.

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Your picture taken with them, but even better than that they were giving away white chocolate.

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Mustaches, so you could have your white chocolate, wilbur leaven good mustache, and I was like that.

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Is hilarious, creative, I loved it. It was phenomenal for the other commissioners, commissioner guy and.

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I were able to attend a session on the american rescue plan funds. I think it was on saturday the.

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Last day, very informative session, very interesting one of the things I love about the mako conference.

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Is that we get to hear the best practices from around the state and around the country? And we.

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Get to hear that none of the issues that we deal with are we the only ones dealing with them. Every.

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County is dealing with issues similar to ours, they're they're, going through the same things.

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And every county is getting these millions of dollars of funds and we're all trying to figure.

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Out how to use them, how to make use of them right now, the treasury department has only put out their.

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Interim final guidance and we had a presentation there from a national association of counties, naco.

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Representative who's in constant contact with the treasury department. He said it's very.

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Rare that they do this interim final guidance, but when the final guidance does come out, he.

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Everything he's heard everything he's expecting. It will not be more restrictive in the use of the.

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Funds, it may be less restrictive, but it won't be more restrictive, also interesting. The money.

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That we got, we got 22 million dollars, or so we can put that in an interest, bearing account right now.

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Until we're using that money and whatever interest we earn on, it is not bound by the restrictions.

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We can use that interest, however. We'd like it was very interesting to hear this and they had.

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Some recommendations on how to make use of the money, especially don't rush to spend it, be very.

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Intentional be very thoughtful and how we use it because we've got time to spend it and then don't.

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Use it for recurring things, obviously, because it's not going to be recurring funds, so very good.

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uh Presentation very interesting, finally, there's a lot of stuff going on around the county.

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Hollywood carnival it's a great time. It's one of the few remaining carnivals in the county that.

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Enrich they're their carnival's going to be coming up in a little bit. If you haven't been out to the.

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Hollywood carnival this past weekend, you've got one weekend left so make sure you get out to that.

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In the crab fest this saturday, I hope to see you there. Everybody have a great week and stay cool.

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Thank you. Thank you mike. Thank you, commissioner. President guy, um you know, there's there's a term.

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That uh people use a lot and it says everybody's different and that's good thing. You know, because.

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Wouldn't be good in the world if everybody was the same, it's important to be different or do.

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What you think is is the right thing to do, for whatever you're doing it for last week, at mako.

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It was an excellent conference. I didn't get to attend saturday. My niece had a bridal shower and.

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My wife attended, I don't do bridal showers, sorry, I know they're co-ed these days or whatever, but.

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I just don't do bridal showers, so we came back uh late friday afternoon and but while we were there.

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I have to say it was a very interesting conference. I had meetings with department of the environment.

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uh Secretary grumbles, department of health, mr schroeder, secretary schroeder, mdot uh deputy.

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Secretary sean powell, uh also with the public service commission, all important things to saint.

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Mary's county important things to our residents to our constituents. Now some people thought it was.

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You know important to go to those things and some people didn't and that's, okay, because people are.

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Different and you got to do what's different today- I personally believe that, while I'm very.

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Worried about the coved, 19 delta variant and I strongly believe people need to get vaccinated. I.

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Also believe of choice- and I do believe we need to get back to normal and the more we let this thing.

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Take over our lives the harder it's going to be to get back to normal. Now, like everybody else, I'm.

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Surprised at the rising rates- lord knows it's it's it's something that we have to be concerned about.

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But I do believe we need to get back to normal. I'd also believe in personal choice. If you've.

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Been fully vaccinated and you want to wear a mask, do so, but if you've been fully vaccinated and you.

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Don't want to do then, don't wear it. It's up to personal choice. It's what's made this country.

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Great, it's a it's a great nation, and it's because we can do what we want to do well back to mako. I.

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Think they talked about a session, they went to on saturday and I missed it and I'm sorry. I did.

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But I went to one on friday that or I'm sorry on thursday, and I thought that was probably the.

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Most interesting session I went to out there the whole time the people involved were the.

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Financial director or the cfo chief financial officer for anne arundel county- and they also was.

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The director of revenue forecast for the office of the comptroller for the state of maryland.

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And lastly, was the retired director of revenue forecast for the general assembly? Now I've sat.

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In this seat during the last budget session and talked about the need to be conservative, with our.

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Estimates that one day we're going to have a day of reckoning for this coved shutdown. When we were.

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All in home, doing puzzles and watching netflix and doing whatever we did in economic activity.

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Was very stagnant, and the point is, is that I understand that it takes a while for that to come.

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But what we're seeing is good revenues revenues well, above our projections, this county is liable.

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To see 25 to 30 million dollars, if not more, of a fund balance the school boards liable to see 16 to.

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17 18 million dollars and fund balance and people would say, commissioner hewitt your conservative.

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Approach to this is keeping people from paying our deputies as much as we could, and I want to pay him.

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As much as any deputies out there can get, I want the best deal for our teachers. We can get in our.

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County employees, but I don't want to put recurring costs paying with money that may not reoccur.

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So I was very interested to hear what these three gentlemen had to say about the post-covet.

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Economic environment, and what was very interesting to me, was the director of revenue forecast his.

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Name is andrew and I'm sorry I can't pronounce his last name. I could spell it for you, but I.

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Won't bore you with that, but they called him andy and he was a very delightful person. But he said.

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This recovery has been like a nike swish boom and back up, but he said what we need to be careful of.

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Is probably in the next 18 to 24 months, it's probably going to continue, but then there's.

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Going to be his term a precipitous drop off in revenue growth that, if you're spending it now.

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You may want to be wary because you may either have to cut services or increase taxes.

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To accommodate what happens in 23 and 24., it's always easy to say: hey, I got it now. Let me put.

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It out there, but it's important that we're it's important, that we make sure we don't spend it.

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His term was we're on the sugar high right now in the last 18 months. I was surprised to learn.

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That the federal government, the stimulus money, has been 70 billion dollars to the state of maryland.

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He said the people who had the low income jobs that were laid off or weren't working were the.

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Ones in the hotel industry, so the ones in the restaurant industries, the the lower paying jobs.

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And that those jobs did not impact our income as much, but those people received their unemployment.

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Plus 600 or 300, or whatever the amount was stipends above they actually had take-home, pays.

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That was above what they had when they were working, so they were able to spend other.

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Thought was: is people in high income jobs, let's say doctors, lawyers, engineers, professionals, those.

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People, well, they tell it worked. They got paid government workers contractors, they all got paid.

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Now the interesting thing was: is people couldn't spend they couldn't go on vacation? I'm sorry! I'm.

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Taking so long and I'll get to my point, the point is that there was a lot of money that was built.

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Up in the economy and people are now spending it and we are seeing this economic activity that is.

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Well, above what we expected, that's a good thing, thank god we're seeing that, but we're going to.

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Have a day of reckoning and it's important to know that it's probably going to be in 18 to 24 months.

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And that we need to be prepared for that, they told us instead of spending your money on reoccurring,.

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Funds recurring expenses, you should concentrate on increasing your fund balance. You should.

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Concentrate on paying down or paying up your op, your retirement funding, and you should concentrate.

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On paying pay, go, don't borrow money to do projects because you have to pay interest and plus you got.

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To pay it back, but try and pay cash. If that's the term, I should use pay, go pay as you go.

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And I thought that was very good advice. Now, let's segue into the hollywood volunteer fire department.

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My wife joined the ladies auxiliary a couple years back she likes to meet people. We had.

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Retired she wanted to meet new people. One of her friends joined she joined with her friend and.

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It is just taken up her time now. Thank god I mean it's wonderful, but saturday she had to go to that.

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Bridal shower for my niece, so she asked me to work her shift up there. Oh, my goodness,.

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We were so busy, they said it was the busiest night they've ever had at a carnival. We worked our our.

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Heads off- and it was amazing that the amount of people that were out, I think, honestly, what it was.

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And they've talked about it, it was people who just wanting to get out. They want to get back to normal.

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They want to get to the carnivals and they want to get to the rides. All the children.

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And grandparents it was really wonderful. We worked again sunday. Now we get there at six.

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We don't get home to almost midnight, it is so busy and the dedication of those people at hollywood.

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Volunteer fire department and all the fire departments. It's just amazing and it's honestly.

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Very encouraging it warms my heart to see it and I'm very glad to do it. Hey my wife.

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And I are doing the ice cream stand this week, thursday, friday saturday and sunday.

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As I say, come by and I'll serve you a cold one. Now let me uh earlier today.

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A good friend died unexpectedly, he was in the hospital and it was all gonna be. Okay. Excuse me.

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It was gonna, be okay and it wasn't. I apologize, but it hurts. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioners.

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uh First thing I'll do is want to put a plug out for the crab festival this friday, uh I'm in the.

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I'm a member of the lions club in londontown and we're sponsoring it and we'll be working.

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uh The area so for those of you who missed last year, uh I know we're, we usually do it in june.

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But this year, it's in august and that was delayed because of the cove and everything but pleased to.

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Come out we're expecting a good day saturday, so come on out and enjoy some good steamed.

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Hard crabs and other things you know we're famous for that area for crabs and oysters in this area.

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And we hope to have plenty online in in for us all to enjoy so remember this saturday crab festival.

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I do want to put out we're not the only ones that have a problem with the economic impact.

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Our first day at mecca, I'm going to make again like everybody else did, but uh our open remarks.

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uh The mayor and I think one of the town council members uh gave us a little briefing and one thing.

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To hit hard was uh usually when I get there the evening of tuesday. The first thing I do is go to.

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A restaurant called coins on 23rd street as far as I'm saying they got the best crab cakes in the.

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Area uh when I called them up at first an answer machine came on, they were closed. Captioning not.

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So I available down there, there's one cashier sitting there by himself. I looked.

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Down towards the deli- and it was dark, I said: can I get a sub? The guy says no.

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Due to help shores we're closed at five o'clock, I said five o'clock dinner's just starting, then he.

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Says you see who's sitting there, I'm the owner, I'm the only one. Here today uh it was shocking, but the.

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Next morning we got a briefing from the mayor of ocean city and one of the council members, and he.

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Explained some of the real severe shortages of help that normally ocean city gets 5 500.

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Students being college high school and foreigners that come into ocean city every year to work.

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They only had 1200 this year in maine to do this pandemic. They couldn't get people in there.

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And whatever so, it was a severe shortage, all over even our hotel had a different kind of.

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You might say rather than clean every day we only clean your room if you ask for it, but if.

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You want additional things mark on the card and we'll leave it by your door towels and things.

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Like that- and I said wow and there's once again a severe shortage of help, so we're all trying.

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To get out of this pandemic, I know it's tough, it's going to be still a strain, and I got to agree with.

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Commissioner, hewitt we've got to be careful in how we do our spending, because I think my I've always.

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Believed this in a couple of years, it's going to hit us and the down it's going to be a downturn.

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And we're not going to have the support we have now to so we're going to be careful about how we.

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Spend their money and and use it for non-occurring expenses right now, rather than reoccurring, because.

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It's going to hit us hard, so we have to be very careful how we do this. I still believe that.

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uh Other than that, uh I would like to say that uh we are enjoying a uh like. I said.

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Great thing, right now the mako uh was very interesting. I even though commissioner hewitt.

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And colvin met with several people. I met with the same people later on during the during.

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The governor's uh in we get a chance to meet all these directors at the state level. This is about.

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A once a year thing I'll meet with these people. I met with mr powell and gave him a few other.

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Things that I thought need to be worked on in our roads, it's getting worse and worse to deal with.

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Our asphalt overlays and things like that we're starting to dip into our own bonds in order to.

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Do road repairs versus getting the money from the state that we used to get it's just not.

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There and how we're going to supplement this is getting worse and worse every year, but I do.

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Believe that transportation is very important for us and also if we get our roads fixed up.

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And uh but all these people are here to try to help at least, and I believe pals is from.

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Memdot is sincere and will try to do his best so we'll see what happens on all that.

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Other than that, don't forget crab festival. Please do come out this this saturday, uh it's unique in.

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Our area and believe me, a steam crab, seems to be unique to maryland only in some of virginia.

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But the rest of the country doesn't know what a steam crab is so, and so here we are so please do.

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Come out and support uh not only the the festival itself, but our alliance club, which we contribute.

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Much to the sight and hearing so that uh we will now adjourn the meeting for today. Thank you.

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