St. Mary's County, MD Commissioners of St. Mary's County, 14 Sep 2021

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From YouTube: 9/14/21 Commissioners of St. Mary's County

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Please come to order good morning and welcome to the commissioners of saint mary's county.

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Meeting this date, tuesday september 14 2021, I'm eric colvin representative for the.

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First, commissioner, district, which includes ridge, piney point and st george's island.

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Today, I will be chairing the meeting in place of commissioner president guy.

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Commissioner, president guy is joining us today via zoom commissioner guy. Can you hear me.

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Good morning, everybody good evening.

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And commissioner john o'connor, who represents the third commissioner,.

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District, which includes charlotte hall, 7th district golden beach and.

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Mechanicsville is also joining us via zoom john. Can you hear me.

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Good afternoon, I'd like to introduce the other commissioners sitting to my right, representing.

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The second commissioner district, which includes leonardtown and hollywood commissioner mike hewitt.

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Good afternoon, sitting sitting to my left representing the 4th commissioner district.

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

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Dr rebecca bridget, our county administrator, is sitting at the table to my left good afternoon.

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Alisa casas our communications director is sitting at the table to my right good afternoon. Amy carter.

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Our video media producer is behind the glass. Please turn your cell phone off or on vibrate when.

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You come to the presenter's table. Please approach by coming down the center aisle and remember this.

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Meeting is being televised, so you need to speak clearly and directly into the microphone for.

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Recording purposes before we get to our usual invocation and pledge, we have a somewhat unique.

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Time, uh let me read this statement here on september 11 2001, the united states of america.

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Was attacked by terrorists and suffered the devastating loss of 2977 people in.

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New york city, washington, dc and shanksville pennsylvania in the days weeks and months.

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Following the attacks americans united to provide help to offer aid and to serve in countless ways.

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Around the country, people pause to remember those who lost their lives on the anniversary.

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Of the 9 11 attacks vowing to never forget on behalf of the commissioners of saint.

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Mary's county: please join me in taking a moment of silence, to reflect and remember.

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Thank you, you'll probably hear more about september 11th remembrances.

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During our commissioner times, but at this time I will turn it over.

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To commissioner hewitt for the invocation and pledge okay, please stand for the prayer.

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Dear lord help us well first off. Thank you for this beautiful day. Thank you for this beautiful.

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Weather this clean air, we breathe this fresh water. We drank this abundance of food that this lamb.

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Produces for us thank you for all those blessings help us find a way to get past this coved 19 delta.

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Variant or whatever else is just driving this world, and this country crazy help people who.

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Maybe aren't vaccinated to find the wisdom to become vaccinated, be part of the solution.

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God left us with in this country is wonderful with having free choice, but let us help us help.

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Us find the right way and with your guidance, hopefully we will come out of this thing and.

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Be stronger afterwards, all this in your name, amen, amen, join me for the pledge I pledge allegiance.

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All right at this time, I need a motion for the consent agenda, so moved.

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Second, all those in favor aye any opposed aye all right motion passes. Thank you all now we have.

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Two proclamations first is for forget me not month. I believe commissioner hewitt has those.

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I'd like to ask the people who are taking the uh accepting it come up here with me.

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Please something like back there. I like it up here. We got to get back to normal.

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I'm fully vaccinated, if you didn't, have the boost.

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Accident but I strongly uh encourage anybody. Who's not been vaccinated to get so.

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If you want to wear a mask, please do so, but this is america. Forgive me not month. This proclamation.

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Is being accepted by linda wellhoy, commander of dav chapter 26 and a couple of her co-lieutenants.

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Maybe co commanders uh last commanders he's a past commander he's my chief of staff, good.

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Guys, whereas everyone in saint mary's county has a continuing sense of gratitude to disabled veterans.

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Who have done so much to keep our way of life intact and whereas the disabled, american.

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Veterans organizations works for the welfare of our disabled veterans and their families.

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By offering a free service of filing claims for government benefits and assisting with job.

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Hospital employment and other issues, and whereas chapter 26 of the disabled american veterans, has.

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Been established to help the disabled veterans of saint mary's county and whereas the disabled.

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American veterans organization has chosen the month of september for its annual. Forget me not.

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Campaign in our community and has announced that all funds contributed will be utilized.

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For disabled veterans in the st paris county now, therefore, we, the commissioners of saint mary's,.

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County do hereby proclaim the month of september 2021 as disabled american veterans. Forget me not.

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Month and urge all citizens interested groups and organizations to support this worthy occasion.

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Shake at the end, okay, I just want to let you know that we help people.

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Not just disabled, we provide homes for them. We provide food, we provide, as said in the.

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Proclamation, we do the claims for them right and right right. Yes, the claims that we do helps them.

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To receive their benefits that they so deserve, I am very proud to be the commander chapter, 26.

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And I will continue to do all that I can to help every veteran in this country. Thank you very much.

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Yes, I've been with the disabled american veterans for over 15 years, I've been doing.

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Planes for over 12 years, uh I did right now. The last camp was 53 on 300 plus claims for.

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Veterans uh there's over 200 that have a hundred percent and uh I love veterans. I love disabled.

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Methods, um I love what I do. That's why I'm still doing it. uh I now have moved up to the state.

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And uh what I'm doing is trying to get more money into saint mary's county, because that's what we do.

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We work with the people in saint mary's county and the lower college county up to huntington and.

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It's a very satisfying work. It is like I said. Linda is now the commander uh ray is not gang.

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The past commander, I'm the past commander uh chapter 26, does a lot a lot of things. A lot of.

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Different things and uh we're the best chapter in in the county- and uh we are also the only chapter.

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In the nation that has a ptsd group, which I have suicide prevention group and.

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This has been going on for over four years, uh almost five years now and.

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Ray and myself are the only two originals left and the last camp. We had 27 people in the room.

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So uh it is working, uh we haven't lost anybody, uh thank god, uh but 22 buttons, a day, kill themselves.

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And uh believe me, that is a statistic that we have to change. Thanks commander, let me let you.

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Have a few words, I'm sure you wonder what we do is uh folks. If you have any family family.

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Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas grandpas, anybody that needs a claim and anybody that was injured.

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Or an injury was aggravated while on active duty services we introduce you.

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The veteran and the families to what benefits that you can get off the veteran.

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Right now we're having we're having veterans that are dying and their death certificates, don't read.

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The right verbiage so that the families can get their benefits, that's what we're out there for.

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um It's a free service, we're after for everybody, you got a question, come see us we're willing to.

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Help anybody and everybody, uh like you, said uh while I was I did, I did rants uh somebody.

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Handed me a box of here, I got two homeless veterans, put them in a home successfully.

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Did that chapter 26, did that oh great? Well, listen! That's all good stuff! Okay! There you go.

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What a great group! Thank you! Thank you all right. Thank you very much. Thank you.

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Good to see you buddy, thank you, mr hughes. Thank you for supporting my youtube. Buddy.

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Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all right and next we have.

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Hispanic heritage month, mr morgan, do you have that one got this one.

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I'll stand here and read a real three ladies good afternoon afternoon,.

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Hispanic heritage month, whereas hispanic heritage month, is an opportunity to share both past.

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And present cultural contributions of hispanic americans, this year's theme celebrates esperanza.

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A celebration of hispanic heritage and hope, and whereas hispanic heritage observation began, the.

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United states in 1968's hispanic heritage week under president lyndon johnson and was expanded.

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To a full month by president ronald reagan in 1988, beginning september 15th and ending on october.

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15Th known today as hispanic heritage month and whereas the united states of america was built.

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And thrives on its ingenuity, integrity and diverse contributions of its people. The hispanic american.

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Community continues to positively influence our account to our country by integrating the.

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Foundational qualities of faith, hard work, service, patriotism and a strong commitment to family.

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Hispanics have helped to shape our communities and have enhanced our quality of life.

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Increasingly, hispanics are holding a variety of key roles in the community as business owners.

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Engineers, doctors, lawyers, laborers teachers, public service and brave service members.

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Who have to defend our country and the way of life with integrity, pride and honor? Now, therefore,.

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With the commissioners of saint mary's county do hereby proclaim september 15th through october.

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15 2021 hispanic heritage month and urge all citizens to recognize the contributions they have.

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Made and continue to make in american history in every aspect of american life. Thank you very much.

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Commissioners, thank you for this proclamation that speaks to the value of diversity.

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And recognizes the contributions of our hispanic community in saint mary's county.

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I'm very pleased to be joined today by members of the patuxent river hispanic engagement, action team.

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Also known as heat right beside me is maria mayte, cheney and beside her is kimberly.

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Levay leyva thank you, and so, if you could just have a moment to talk a little bit about the heat.

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Initiatives, thank you be great. Well, thank you. um Heat is an organization. That's based out.

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Of patuxent river, where federal employees and we come together as a community because most of our.

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Members are from out of town, and this is a space for them to commune, with like-minded.

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Like diverse people were also part of a larger diversity and inclusion organization within pacs.

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Where we work with other demographics to find common ground to work together and that's why.

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We're here uh to represent the hispanic community, because we want to show that we are diverse and.

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We have common ground for whatever group that we can we're part of right ma'am. I have nothing.

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And cynthia would you hand her the proclamation please thank you.

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All right and now we have a commendation for the american legion post, 255 baseball team.

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And if uh let's see, if we have some of the coaches, maybe they could come forward. I believe.

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It's steve zampano tim cameron, tyler kimmy, so thank you all for being here. I'm especially.

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Proud to present this, since this is in my district, but this commendation reads: commissioners of saint.

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Mary's county officially commends american legion post 255 baseball, 2021 mid-atlantic.

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Regional champions for your outstanding 2021 season, with most wins in team history at 27.3.

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Including 18 in a row first state title: first, regional title and first world series, appearance.

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Your season was truly exemplary. Your hard work and perseverance is a true inspiration to all.

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In our county, especially the next generation of baseball players, this date september, 14, 2021.

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They were all following your season, especially as you went a little further and further. It was.

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Very exciting, so I will sit there. I said that world series, however, that bracketology didn't.

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Get you guys out I'll, never figure that out and I tried to figure it out and I don't get it.

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Well, we could have used you in your chart.

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Absolutely yeah, you know you guys had a tremendous season, we're really proud of everything you guys.

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Accomplished now, thank you guys um appreciate the accommodation and the recognition I mean.

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It was, it was a great run, like you said, a historic run for, for our our guys, um it'll be better next.

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Year, yeah, hopefully we if we can reload and do the same thing, but you know it all starts with.

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With great coaches, coach, kimmy, coach cameron, uh pat o'dell, jason bean um ryan, kaslavich.

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And um andrew fenwick I mean they're, you know it all starts with those folks and then obviously.

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Our post is such a great sponsor. For us I mean uh post, 255 sponsors, more team, seven uh teams.

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In saint mary's county than any other post in the country, we found that out when we were down in.

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At the world series, so um you know great parents, great kids, I mean the parents that you know made.

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Sacrifices uh you know when we started this back in march time frame, putting this team together and.

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There was no way we could say to the parents: hey. We need you to take three weeks off uh at the end.

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Of july and into august- but you know um these are- these- are baseball families. They understand this.

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Unique opportunity- and it was just it- was a great run and we're so proud of the support that we got.

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Back home, the phone calls the text messages and we could feel the support back home. So.

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Kids are proud of what they did. We're really super proud of what they did and.

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Hopefully we can duplicate this and keep it going baseball's alive in southern maryland and.

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Is thriving, thank you very much. That's great. Thank you. Thank you all very much. Thank you.

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Camera knows how to do this real well.

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Great. Thank you. Thank you.

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All right moving on, we have a presentation from mr john richards, one of saint mary's,.

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County's most outstanding citizens you'd like to come forward. Sir.

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For one of the most exciting events of the year.

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Everybody else in front of me here is getting an award for what they did.

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We haven't done anything yet so richard, mr richards, you can be seated sir yeah.

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Thank you, you can be seated. Yes, sir, please thank you. I want to show up.

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Going to do a whole lot of presenting you know 20 years ago.

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The county fair came right after the 911 and I hope we were part of.

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Getting things back to normal, as you could.

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So this year, after covid uh last year, when we had to cancel we're ready to go.

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I think people are ready to go. We've had so many nice comments from people saying oh they're, so.

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Glad that we're going to have a fair this year.

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It's it's been a little bit of a challenge because things are different and we're working with.

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The health department and everybody to try to see it's going to be as safe as possible. At this point,.

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Well, you know: we've had a year and a half or more of wearing, masks and and reading signs and saying.

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You know, I think everybody knows what they need to do. um I'm going on friday to get my booster.

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So the folks at the health department and emergency management have really done a.

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Good job, as far as the vaccinations go, and I really look forward to going over to hollywood.

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Fire department and and getting my shot, so I certainly encourage everybody to do that too.

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Our catalog, which gives all the information about what you can enter.

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It's available in the library it's also online, but please go out and get your.

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Tomatoes and your peppers and whatever else you've grown pumpkins pumpkins.

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Yeah, don't go down to the store and buy one, please, okay, I want to make sure I never find a big one.

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But there are so many people that um that worked put this on.

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We survived last year with not having an affair, because we don't have any salaries to pay so.

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We've survived uh quite well and going into the future, we're um I think, we're in good shape. So.

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Unfortunate, I decided to come a week early, so don't get confused. It's not this weekend. It's.

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Following weekend, but as a result, I don't have any t-shirts to give you. I was going to bring a.

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Stuffed ham sandwich or something but elisa said she didn't think that was necessary. So.

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Anyway, we uh hope to see you at the fair uh if you get there and you locate me I'd, be happy.

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To give you a tour, it will keep me from having to do something and we would be always happy to.

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Show off what all these great volunteers have done. So thank you very much and hope to see you.

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At the fair, okay, hey john, are there going to be any mask requirements that you and the health.

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Department are going to be putting forth, so the public can at least know about it ahead of time.

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Are you trying to still decide? We've worked together for too long.

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There there are probably going to be places on the fairgrounds.

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Where you will, for instance, come into the office you're, probably going to have to wear a mask. Okay,.

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But if you're sitting in the watching, horsefool, probably not.

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I asked the health department if they had some sample size signs, that we could print out.

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And what we needed to do and they sent me signs for mass required and mass suggested so cover.

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So the are the exhibit buildings going to require masks. No okay, we have of this is not our first.

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Fair, so we um are used to having swine flu and flu and, for instance, all of our livestock barns have.

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Fans and that's why we were really in good shape when it came to swine flu.

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All of the exhibit buildings have uh exhaust fans, and we have fans tons of fans. Believe me that we.

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Can keep the air moving we're not expecting any problem from that tolerance hall has a special.

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Eye on something or other system installed in it, so.

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We installed that uh memory of bill pilkerton who died last year from kovid.

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And so that's already been in and functioning and we're going to have a newly.

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Renovated hand washing station that's uh either cats meow have a baby changing station.

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Everything right in hot and cold running water in the new wearing water in the bathroom too.

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Say it again, sorry that I've got this on my ears, it's okay and the fancy bathrooms we have now.

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Too, the bathrooms are yes, air conditioned for the ladies, that's right all ventilated uh with.

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With a special ventilation which we had already installed before so okay, well, it's good to know.

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That so the people know you know that the with the just want to give them a little heads up on.

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The basket requirements might have been, but now that you have announced it, it's gospel. Yes, the.

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If you go to ace hardware or walgreens or something you're, never quite sure until you walk.

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Up at the door and see so usually it seems like every place. You go it's it's optional, yeah, okay, so.

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We don't we're not going anywhere about that, whatever the health department, if between.

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Now and fair time, health department says something different. Okay, we will follow. I.

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Feel, like I know, everybody at the health department, like they're part of my family, talk to.

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Them every day so well we're all looking forward to it and we're looking for those t-shirts too.

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You got it I'll, get you buddy double extra large. Yes, okay, mr richards, tell me this. Is your 74th.

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Annual, how many of you and your wife done all 74.

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I'm only kidding, of course, um well as.

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I think I became president in 1984.

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But I did, I did work um in other aspects at fair, probably since 75 or so so you've been down there.

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About 45 moved down to saint mary's county in 1963. I didn't even know what a county fair was so.

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Yeah and that's the same year, I got here 63. okay, um good year, so so the the message is.

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Bring a mask may have to wear it, may not. If you're outside you shouldn't have to wear it.

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That's right, that's right! Whatever you feel most comfortable with well, sir, I I have to.

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Sorry to say I'll miss your parade. I actually have a family affair going on in leonardtown at.

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That same time that morning, but I'll be there before and I'll be there after I'm done with this.

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Family affair we'll be looking for you I'll, be. uh I hope I can recognize you if you have your.

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Mask on well, you might not see me with a master I I've been vaccinated. I have my booster and I.

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Believe this country is free choice, sir I'm with you. Thank you, okay. Thank you, mr chairman. Thank you.

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Very good moving into our main agenda, I believe the only thing on our main agenda is department.

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Of land use and growth management and mr hunt, if you'd like to come, explain what's going on to us.

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Good afternoon, commissioner, I'm appearing to request that the commissioners schedule a public.

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Hearing to obtain public testimony and to consider adopting an amendment to the comprehensive water.

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And sewerage plan for commercial development of property located at 37281 carpenter lane.

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In charlotte hall, the property is within the charlotte hall town center. The requested amendment.

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Would change the water service category from w6d servicing six to ten years to developer finance.

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To w3d service in three to five years, developer finance the property owner is property on tap llc.

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Mr hunt, could you move towards the microphone please, sir. Thank you.

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The amendment will allow public water service for future intended forever lawns business service.

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And four residential apartments, the immediate use of the property will be to store equipment used by.

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Forever lawns the land use is mixed, use, moderate intensity and the zoning is town center. Mixed use.

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Planning commission held a public hearing on the cwsp amendment on july, 12, 2021 and recommended.

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Approval the health department and metcomp support the proposed connection to public water service.

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Mde found the proposed cwsp to be cwsp amendment amendment to be consistent with.

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The comprehensive plan staff's request is that a public hearing be scheduled for october 5th.

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And if that date is acceptable, a time of day for the public hearing is needed.

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Mr hunt, dad I'm sorry were you down, sir. Yes, sir: um tap llc.

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Is that mark cord and who's a landlord who owns this property? I don't know, sir. That's always a.

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Challenge for this, commissioner, to have nobody's name associated with something, it's always makes.

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You wonder yeah who it is anyway, but I do know about forever lawns llc. It's a local group that.

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Does turf fields or not fields but turf lawns and I dealt with them a while back on another.

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Piece they were looking at and they did find this piece, and I guess my point to you is- is that I.

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Think it's a great idea. They talked about there's so many people who don't want to mow their grass.

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Anymore, that they're just taking the grass out and putting turf in now it sounds a little expensive.

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But you never have to mow it again, I'm sure it's green year round. So it's a great idea.

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um I'm totally in favor of it and without the commissioner's support I'll go ahead and make.

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A motion: I move, that the department of land use and growth management be authorized to.

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Schedule a morning public hearing to amend the cwsp service area map, I I.

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I to change the water service category from w-6-d developer finance service in 6 to 10 years to w3d.

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Developer finance service in three to five years for property on tap llc tax map, 4 grid 4 parcel.

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281 all parcel a proposed lot: 2 37 281 carpenter lane in the charlotte hall town center. Second,.

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All right, I have a first in discussion. Is there any discussion on the line.

P

Yes, I would prefer an evening hearing just because there's so much development. That's.

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Going to be happening in the north end of the county, I've been receiving a lot of.

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Feedback and comments questions, especially with the sale of the farmers market area.

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You know we have royal farms that is possibly going to be going up so.

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I do know that the citizens of district 3 would would like to possibly have comment.

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And the warning time is not conducive for that due to work schedules. So if we, if, uh commissioner.

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Hewitt would accept the friendly amendment for an evening public hearing. um I would.

P

I think that'd be much better for the residents in the north town. I'm sure you.

C

I'm sure you're with them you're always there you're good sure, okay, okay,.

A

All right, thank you so we're the motion is for an evening public hearing all those in favor.

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Aye, are you opposed hi right eyes? Have it? Thank you. Thank you, mr hunt.

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All right we're moving into county administrator time, dr bridget. Thank you, commissioner. Colvin.

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uh And commissioners for your draft agenda on next week on september 21st, you do have two pr.

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Sorry, three proclamations constitution week, underground railroad month, the national senior.

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Center month you have a presentation in the department of land use and growth management for.

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Sustainability awards, you also have the office of the county attorney with the legislative proposals.

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On september 28th, you have a proclamation for world architect day.

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And a commendation for paul reed's retirement, the office of the county attorney has a public.

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Hearing to repeal the solar moratorium ordinance, saint mary's county board of health has the.

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Regular 9 30 every other week meeting a follow-up from the office of the county attorney.

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On legislative proposals and then you have a closed session for litigation and real property.

C

I must have missed something I thought we were going to repeal the.

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Solar moratorium on that day did I miss that on september, 28th is the schedule for the public.

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Hearing on the solar moratorium ordinance to repeal all right, I thought I'd. I thought that was.

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The day we're gonna vote, but we're gonna we're not okay. uh So for today's business meeting is item b.

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The sheriff's office with the goccp fy 2022 edward j byrne, memorial justice assistance, application.

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Lottie bell fiscal manager, sheriff's office attending and I think melanie.

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Trifone is the community health nurse from the sheriff's office and she is on zoom.

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Good morning, lottie or good afternoon, ladies good afternoon, commissioners and dr bridgette.

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In this fy 22 bject grant the sheriff's office is requesting 90 000 in federal.

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Funding to cover the purchase of the lexipo cortico shield law enforcement, wellness app.

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In support of the sheriff's office wellness mental health.

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And crisis center- I'm sorry in crisis intervention initiative: this uh will cover three years and.

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There is no required match for this grant. The grant is included in our fy 22 budget.

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At a higher amount, so a budget amendment would be needed at the award stage. If you have any specific.

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Questions nurse melanie is online and captain yingling is in attendance in the audience, so.

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Are there any questions on the line.

H

I moved to approve the fiscal year 202. edward j byrne, memorial justice assistance grant.

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Application project us222 the governor's office of crime, prevention, youth and victim services. You.

H

Know ninety thousand dollars the purchase of the lexi paul cortico shield law enforcement, wellness.

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App it's where the sheriff's office wellness, slash mental health and crisis intervention initiative.

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And authorize the commissioner president sheriff and staff to execute the related documents and.

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Suit electronically, second, I have a first and second, all those in favor, please say: aye aye, aye,.

A

All right, all the any opposed none. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, commissioners, and.

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Item c is from the department of emergency services with the tower lease agreement with.

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Nextedge networks, llc steve walker director for des, I think, is in the lobby and headed our way.

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Samantha willis from site acquisition coordinator next edge networks llc either. One present.

K

Oh here here comes steve good afternoon, mr walker. Thank you good afternoon.

R

So I'm here today regarding a tower lease application, so we were contacted by a company.

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That is called next edge networks. They would like to install a device on one of our tower sites and.

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When they put that up there, that will be assisting the navy department at pax river. The cost of this.

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That they will be paying us, is roughly 250 a month comes out to about 3 000 a year.

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The device itself is about three and a half pounds and we have done an assessment. Structural analysis.

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To make sure that that will not impact the structure of the of the tower and then also that.

R

uh It will not, we, we contacted harris to make sure it will not impact our operations, and we are okay.

R

On both accounts and I'm asking for you to prove our lease and then to allow them to use our site.

H

Who's this ford, what does next edge? Do it's called next edge networks? Llc? It is a contractor for the.

R

Navy tell me patience. I just had two quick questions for you now. uh First off they're.

C

Going to be, are there other co-locators already on there? Are they going to be the only one? Besides us.

C

On that one, I believe they're the only one um it is on here on the leonardtown site. I don't think.

R

There's anybody else that is renting renting on that one and again it's a very small device.

R

It is something we've done elsewhere, there's another one coming before you later in the month,.

R

From dish network, so it's not uncommon that we do this, that we lease to other companies.

R

That do that now, the ridge radio tower is that the one down there by st michael's school the.

R

Ridge is right there by the, uh where they do the carnival yeah enrich. Wouldn't we want to.

C

Give that revenue to the rescue squad or the fire department. That's your choice. Well, I mean.

C

Is it on their territory and then right there, the ones right there, where the carnival is with the.

C

Tower sits right there behind it. It is again this one isn't is in leonard town, it's our site, but.

H

I mean you're, I think you're talking about a tower in ridge and he's talking about a tower.

H

In wintertown correct, oh maybe I'm okay, I thought it said for purpose of leasing space on the ridge.

C

Radio tower site, but that's the ridge, radio site in the leonard town. No, if it says ridge again, I'm.

R

Working I'm working two of these, so that's nice! Maybe I missed it all right. Well, I just thought.

C

It was in ridge, sorry if it's the one in leonard town, I get it. I mean this again, that's your choice.

R

If that's what you decide to do, no, no I mean it is. I thought it was the one that was on the.

C

Ridge, radio tower, but apparently, let's put it this way, I would, I think we should vote to support it.

H

And then, when we find out where it is, we can decide how to allocate the revenue.

H

I have no problem supporting it. I just thought it was then, let's figure out where it's going to be.

H

Whether it's watertown or ridge, and if it is rich, I can agree with you that given might not a rescue.

H

Squad of the fire department down there, so the lease agreement commissioners does uh say that.

K

The principal offices are on uh leonard hall, drive in leonard town maryland,.

K

All right right, okay, I'm sorry I just read- was something all right, I'm good! Second, whatever.

C

Okay, you'd have to change the motion. Commissioner morgan, I got you. I will.

H

Make the motion to approve the commissioners of saint mary's, county and next stage networks, llc.

H

Enter into an agreement for the purpose of leasing space on the leonardtown radio tower site to.

H

Receive three thousand dollars per year: annual revenue and authorize the commissioner president.

H

To sign our related documents. Second, all right: I have a first and a second all, those in favor.

A

All right any opposed. No. Thank you all very much. Thank you, mr walker.

K

Thank you, commissioners and item d is from the department of human resources with the resolution.

K

Just serve volunteer initiative, catherine pratzen, director, presenting this afternoon.

K

Good afternoon good afternoon, dr bridget good afternoon, commissioners good afternoon.

S

You may recall that annually we participate along with the state of maryland in a day to.

S

Serve initiative, and recently the initiative has been renamed. It's now. The just serve.

S

Initiative and it's supported by the governor of maryland governor hogan, is granting four hours of.

S

Paid admin leave to all state employees who volunteer between september 11th and october 11.

S

2021. and in the past years we have done the same for county employees, um I'm here to.

S

Present a resolution um if the commissioners would support doing that again this year.

C

So this doesn't require a vote. It does. It does.

S

And then to participate in the community service event. Employees are required to complete a leave.

S

Request and obtain approval before volunteering, upon completion of the volunteer time to provide.

S

Documentation and then their time volunteering would be paid. Admin leave. We've also have a.

S

Provision for employees that work 24 7 that they could volunteer as well on their off.

S

Time and get the paid leave well I support this, but tell me what kind of things would they do.

S

It's anything of their choice. We have a it has to be a volunteer organization. We have a request now.

S

With a group that is beautifying the grounds of the library in the senior garvey center.

S

And they are hoping that I can solicit volunteers for that. We've had people that have supported the.

S

United way in our area in the past, and then certainly church groups, okay, well I'll move.

C

To approve the just serve resolution providing county employees with up to four hours of paid.

C

Administrative leave to take part in the volunteer activity of their choice from september 11.

C

2021 through october 10th 2021.. Second, I have a first and second, all those in favor.

A

Aye aye aye sounds like that's unanimous. Thank you all very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

K

Commissioners and item e is from the department of recreation and parks with the fy 22 program.

K

Open space project applications. Mr shepherd director presenting this afternoon good afternoon,.

T

Good afternoon good afternoon- and thank you, you know, there's a great opportunity here.

T

Dnr has additional allocation in the amount of some 85 million dollars in the state of maryland.

T

Maryland going to all the different counties and our allocation here in saint mary's, fy 22,.

T

Is 1.5 million? Now what that tells you? Charles county, a larger population received 3 million.

T

And calvert was 1.5 as well. This allocation does not require matching funds, but it requires.

T

Projects as you can, if you would read here in the email I mean the um their letter, design construct.

T

And capital provide capital equipment, indoor and outdoor park, infrastructure and other capital.

T

Eligible projects, what we're used to normally doing so then I identified some five projects and.

T

Reviewed them with dnr staff, pos staff, and these are all permissible and acceptable projects, so.

T

Then what I do is come here today and to have the applications signed that go to program open space.

T

So that we can get them to the state, then approved by the board of public works and then the funding.

T

Then can be managed here locally. So there's five projects, baseball improvement field or.

T

Improvement project ada improvement project, some amenities at lexington, manor, passive park.

T

A new restroom at chapter co park adjacent to the turf fields, will make that very manageable.

T

And some athletic court improvements, I can go over those one at a time with you or you can ask.

T

Questions so every how you would choose, I think it's pretty straightforward yeah pretty soon. I did.

C

Have one question sure um people have reached out to me about these 90-foot ball diamonds? I.

C

Remember uh chairwoman, bailey of the board of education said they couldn't find a 90-foot.

C

Ball diamond, I guess anywhere in the county. Maybe I don't know if that's true, I don't play baseball.

O

Not anymore, my point to you is: is: can we fit that in with this? Can we get 90 foot? Can we get.

C

Those you know what I'm talking about todd yeah, there's, there's the big the bigger kids play with.

H

Nine and look his play was 60 and the problem is defining the 90s and 60s, as arthur can probably.

H

Easily explain so one of the assets we've gotten since uh a while back is we're we're permitted to.

T

Utilize, the 90-foot fields on the high schools, now, youth sports leagues are so that's. That's a.

T

That's a significant change and if you look in the plan here, baggett field number, two fifth district.

T

Field 90 foot dime in the 90 foot diamond at 7th district and at dorsey park and improvements at.

T

All of them, chancellors are premier park already. However, the american legion group that just left.

T

Just asked: when am I going to get a turf in field for baseball and jess, but not really, but uh 90?.

T

Foot diamonds- all this, so you really the the the highlight of this is: is that grade that um grading.

T

Those infields out that infield mix setting the bases, realigning them getting good drainage.

T

Putting irrigation on some of those infields, some of them that already have water, so that.

T

As it dries out, the infields are still at a high level and enhanced for playing. So to answer your.

T

Question, mr you, we are going to address some of our 90-foot diamonds here. Those are part of the.

T

19 fields that we're going to address okay, so how many think you'll have all of them? Oh yeah,.

T

But well let me let me look on my left side to tell you the 90-foot baggage, fifth district.

T

Seventh district and um dorsey and then the one at the chancellor's received. Oh I'm gonna, say thirty.

T

Thousand dollars in the worth of improvement, since uh I've arrived in 2017., that gives you what six.

T

So, no, you will have uh five and then we'll have the uh uh school fields as well.

T

Yeah, okay, so our assets aren't far behind and then of those dorsey chancellor's run cecil baggett.

T

uh And fifth disc: all of them have lights as well: good yeah, yeah, now you're reading something about.

C

These that, I think mr shepherd, the the point of, um is that we've literally doubled our 90-foot.

P

Field since you started the initiative uh with working with uh the school system, so with all the.

P

Feels of the school system has what we have. We doubled double the fields there and then.

P

You've been working with all of the leagues and getting the right infield mix getting.

P

The right type of grass, the fencing put up the foul poles, etc. Everything that needs to happen.

P

For all the leagues that we have for some time, I think at least four months now you've been.

P

Working on this leading up to this project is that a fair statement? Well, that's correct.

P

Thank you yeah, so you're going to have. I appreciate it very much, and I know that as well. Oh.

T

Excuse me so this this one hands. That means that we'll keep it in the cip going out, because they'll.

T

Still need some more to keep going, but this is a big lift to to work with the youth sports league.

T

Especially our baseball leagues, uh in light of the improvements on the other multi-sport fields,.

H

Mikey, okay, uh I I if what you're reading is in this packet, maybe I missed it so.

C

I did you see it in there. No, there were, there was a. There was a. um There was a checklist for.

T

What we're doing in um of all the lists here with the y's and the ends, and then in your uh then in.

T

Your status memo there's a list. I got you, I see it now, so you get the 90 over there on the left. Yep.

C

Thank you. Yes, sir. I move to approve the program open space, local parks.

H

And playgrounds infrastructure funding development applications.

H

For the ball field, improvement project, the ada improvement project, lexington manor.

H

Passive park project chaptico park, restrooms project and the court improvement program in.

H

The total amount of one million five hundred thousand dollars and authorized commissioner.

H

President execute the related documents. Second, I have a first and second, all those in favor.

A

We have consensus. Thank you, mr shepherd.

K

Thank you, commissioners and item f is from the department of finance to approve the calendar.

K

Year, 2022 commissioners meeting schedule and the fy 2023 budget calendar jeanette, cudmored cfo.

K

Presenting this afternoon good afternoon good afternoon, I almost said morning um well here we go.

U

We're starting our budget process already, don't you feel like we just kind of ended, it.

A

So exciting, so the timing of the calendar dates will accommodate various requirements.

U

Related to the adoption of the budget, setting tax rates and timing of submissions by internal.

U

And external agencies, there are no significant changes from the calendar accepted from last year.

U

The calendar year 2022, commissioner calendar identifies the county's holidays and identified.

U

Them- and there will be no meeting now on june 21st 2022 due to the latest holiday june 19th.

U

So the finance considers the presentation of this calendar as the official start.

U

Of the fy 2023 budget process, the adoption of the county's final budget will be on may 24.

U

2022 and the commissioner's agenda starts on january 4th and ends on december 13 2022.

H

I move to approve the calendar year. 2022 commissioners meeting schedule accept the.

H

Fiscal year 23 budget calendars presented at direct staff to circulate the instructions and.

H

Schedule meetings based on this calendar. Second, I have a first and second, all those in favor, hi, hi,.

A

Hi we have consensus. Thank you, commissioners and we'll be back.

U

um Next week, um with the board of education requests, yes, it is oh, it is for cip.

U

Because their um submission is due to the state on october 4th, so will you be sending.

C

Us an update, saying, or can we just keep this one and no it's it? Oh, it's actually on the calendar.

C

uh Okay, but I'm I'm gonna, I like to put this somewhere where I can refer to it.

U

Oh I'll email it to you, I keep it. Yes, you can use this, it's good. You can use this yeah. It was.

A

The draft, but uh it's the draft, which will looks pretty much the same as the official we're just.

U

Going to change the words on it accepted today I got you. Thank you. So, commissioners item g is.

K

From the also from the department of finance for the american rescue plan act, ms cudmore, you want.

K

To start us off, yes, I sure will and I'm so glad to have our county administrator back.

U

Because you, because now we are presenting to you the county administrator recommendations for the.

U

American rescue act so we've been in front of you. I feel like a lot of times and you know.

U

Included on may 25th as part of the approved 992 000, we were here on june 22nd july 13th july 20th.

U

And then you approved on july 27th, um 3.4 million, which of 2.4 went to our information technology.

U

Department and then a million went to the health department. The interim final role was released.

U

On may 17 2021 with comments being received on or before july, 16th final guidance will be is.

U

Still expected to be released to provide clarity and uses and actually on friday, I finally got a.

U

Response back from the u.s treasury, where I sent a request to them and questions based on the july 20.

U

July 16 questions: when were they gonna put out the final interim rule and they said um the treasury.

U

Is still working on finalizing the interim final rule and that this will continue into the fall.

U

So until the the treasury adopts a final rule and the final rule becomes effective, the interim final.

U

Rule is and will remain, binding and effective. So there you go great, double talk, isn't it so? The.

A

Assurance that I heard at least was that the final rule will not be more restrictive than the interim.

A

Rule just provide, I think, more clarity right on the uses is what I had heard also- and I thank you.

U

Yes, based on and jody, is behind me and she's taking notes and uh that's based on the trainings.

U

That we've received, and also the information that you um provided to us, commissioner, coffin.

U

And we appreciate that, of course, thank you so as part of the interim report that was submitted.

U

On august 26th that was due on the 31st, so yes, we got it done a couple of days, a revenue replacement.

U

Calculation was completed which at the last minute was completed, and this compared the 2019.

U

Revenue with the growth factor adding 4.1 percent to the calendar, 2020., the calendar 2020.

U

Revenues exceeded the fy 2019 revenues. Thus rest revenue replacement is not available at this time.

U

So this is going to be a practice they're going to do probably for the next two or three years, where.

U

They're going to have us compare our revenues with to see if any point in the next few years have our.

U

Revenues actually decreased, so the calculation was interested. um I so I took the audit from 2019.

U

And I actually um there it is so, and we had to back out the federal revenue, because this is a u.s.

U

Treasury then I had to recalculate it because you know our financial statements are on fiscal year.

U

So we were able to run a report in our system for calendar year, 2020 and again, backed out.

U

That revenue for federal and then added the 4.1 percent growth factor, which was provided.

U

In the interim rule, and that actually showed because our revenues actually exceeded the.

U

Actual revenue, after removing the federal revenue, was about 250 million, and that was compared to.

U

The 242 grown revenue, so therefore we didn't have an available revenue replacement to use.

U

So you'll see that when we get to the actual columns, the column for revenue replacement is zero.

H

And that's a good thing. Yes, it is thank you, except for the fact that if we were able to show revenue.

A

Replacement that money has the most flexibility in use, but you know I'd rather be I'd rather.

H

Be on the good side of the dollars than where it's coming from um simon you're fine! So um we.

U

Have seven reporting expenditure categories when I actually um went online on august 26 and completed.

U

The actual um report for expenses through july 31st, which was only 704 so that first report, was a.

U

Little late, um they identified the seven reporting category expenditure categories, so we've updated.

U

Our schedule to reflect those categories- the seven are public health, negative economic impacts.

U

Services to disproportionately impacted communities, premium, pay infrastructure, revenue.

U

Replacement, administrative and other so to follow up from the last time. I was in front of you our.

U

Actual requests are now 38.4 million dollars, so they've been fine-tuned. We've received a.

U

Few additional clarifying requests and with that we have an updated.

U

Schedule- and I probably should have blown this up, because the print is a little small.

U

Trying to get that in here, but on this new schedule and like I said jody, is behind me.

U

And she's going to take good notes and I'm sure dr bridget always takes great notes too.

U

You'll see at the very end, on the right hand, side we've got all the requests. You'll see, there's a.

U

2022 county administrator recommendation and a 2023 county administrator recommendation. We added.

U

Next, to each request and before the priority order, based on the expenditure category, what we felt.

U

Or close to what we felt the expenditure cat that each request would fall under.

U

Like we've said before the ones that are for public health, you know fire departments.

U

Emergency services are pretty clear-cut ones for uh broadband, for it are pretty clear and then the.

U

Ones for the health department and metcom for your water and sewer infrastructure are pretty clear.

U

The other ones we have to try to get as close as we can to the expenditure category so.

U

Then you'll notice again, we've got all of them listed and they're all in the expenditure level.

U

Information, we have them in all the different columns, so we have the total request, which I.

U

Said before that equals the 38.4 million dollars the total approved, when we were here on the 27th.

U

That includes the million 2.4 million dollars and you'll see that's highlighted in the middle.

U

Of your first page to let you know that that's already been approved for your fy 22 amount.

C

Okay, so that's the amount we had proved before. That's the 2.4 for broadband. Yes exactly and then.

U

You've got the million dollars that was approved for the surge of covid for the health department.

U

And then you have, I think it's a 992 000 at the bottom items that were approved. Part of.

U

The 2022 um approved budget so going down the list, we can go one by one or we can go through.

U

A summary, but each column for the fy 22 and the 23 actually equal the amount that we received.

U

And that the county will be eligible for so you know that we received the 11 million 23.

U

934 that was received on june 14th and then we'll receive a similar amount next year about the same.

U

Time that will actually be funded in the fy 2023 budget at that budget authority. So the.

U

Budget authority, that's for the 22. We have that already because remember we added that in the.

U

Budget authority we'll add the budget authority for 23 at that time, when we do the 23 budget.

H

If um you don't mind cut interject for a second sure in in looking at these numbers, I think that.

H

At least my point of view is that I think some of the stuff is good to go today. I think that.

H

Over time, the commissioners probably would like to have a little bit more internal discussion.

H

On some of those matters, so we're not just blankly just coming out. So if I can make some.

H

Recommendations to the table and see how everyone feels about it. Would that be okay, sure if we could.

H

Please start with the fire departments I'd like to recommend that the fit test machines for 83.

H

655, the ppe washer extract for 80 500 and the ppe dryer for 66 500 be approved to go forward today.

P

I agree this is commissioner o'connor. I think that's a great great idea. Well, I'd really. I saw.

C

This recommendation a while back a week or two ago- and uh I know that was up around a.

C

Million instead of this amount we're looking at here, I I still would like to say that.

C

These fire departments have taken a big hit, with their carnivals being canceled, with their.

C

Initiations their installations, all these events being canceled, where they're not.

C

Making any revenues now again they get the fire tax. I get that, but I just worked at hollywood.

C

Volunteer fire department carnival and when I look at things like self-contained breathing apparatus,.

C

Mass decantation decontamination, tent air cleaning systems and vehicle exhaust removals.

C

Systems I got it, I still support it. So what were done? They initially asked for three million seven.

C

Hundred and thirty four thousand, uh I thought I saw something a week or two ago that was.

C

Commission county administrator's recommendation of two million three hundred and twenty four.

C

Thousand now it's been reduced down to what it is. I know they'll take whatever they can get, but if.

C

The money's not going to them where's it going to go, who go who's going to get it. I didn't. I was not.

H

Advocating to not give it to them, I'm just trying to take it in a step-by-step sequential basis that.

H

All the decisions don't have to be made today, but I think it's important that we start getting.

H

Some of this money out- and we can come back to those figures at a later time for discussion.

H

Well, it looks like what we're doing here is: we've already made a decision on where to go at least.

C

The county administrator has changed her mind, which is fine. I don't think she may change my.

C

Idea, well, it's different than what was the last time. We saw the county administrator's.

C

Recommendation- and I guess my point to you, uh commissioner morgan- is that that's fine look.

C

A majority of commissioners makes a decision, that's the way it goes, but these firefighters.

C

These volunteers, that we have need all the help we can get now if we can't give it to them. If there's.

C

Not a political will there to give it to them, so be it it I'll still say this is not enough for.

C

Them I don't think that it's about the political will. It just doesn't have to all be done today.

P

So I think my question is I I'm trying to figure out commissioner hewitt. What is it you want to do.

P

Because I I get everything you've said, but.

P

About the money and the decisions, but what are your intentions? What do you want to do.

P

Because I want to understand that part of it to see if it's something I can support.

C

Well again, commission morgan you're going three and you got your three votes so.

C

It is what it is so I mean I mean I I'm just trying to get the ball rolling and not just.

H

I'm not trying to slow the ball down, but I want to get the ball rolling.

H

And do it in a manner that has at least you know, we have two people who I haven't talked.

H

To in a few weeks and they're on the zoom, and I'm just gradually trying to get the thing going and.

H

That's just my recommendation: if you don't like it, then no, no, no, that's fine! I mean look. You get.

C

Three votes and that's all it takes so I'm just going to save my I'm just going to explain that.

H

I'm not, I will promise you. I am not going to not look at those instances and those things that.

H

You've recommended I'm just trying to get the ball rolling today. I guess my whole thought is: I'm fine.

C

With what you're talking about getting the ball rolling, I totally agree, but I just would like.

C

To know I don't have to know, but I just know that two weeks ago it was one recommendation of giving.

C

Them a million dollars a little over about a million one each year and it was going to do.

C

What you just talked about, plus the 541 excuse me item number four on their agenda, which has.

C

Now been pushed out to next year and item number five that was going to get them to this about a.

C

Million one and some change, and then we were going to come in the following year with the.

C

Items number six, seven and eight, which was probably going to be the additional.

C

Million or so that's what I seem to remember, dr bridget and maybe.

K

So, commissioner, hugh you're, absolutely right- we've done many drafts of this over the last several.

K

Weeks and so part of it is trying to strike the balance, as as kind of the thinking is, this is.

K

Round one to get us again moving again, because the commissioners have made several dates. As ms.

K

Cudmore mentioned of where you've approved, so our thinking is, is that today you go through and give.

K

Us the items that you're ready to check off the list so that we can have folks begin to make the.

K

Purchases or know what difficulties they have and then come back. We thought about four weeks or when.

K

The commissioners would like us to, but that gives us time to sort through and bring back a status.

K

Report, for example, uh it also the other change. I think from the draft that you're suggesting.

K

Is that initially we allocated all the money across the board? One of the suggestions when.

K

Jeanette- and I were talking- was that doesn't give any leeway to the commissioners if there are.

K

Other projects that we are unidentified and so it create, we created an excess each year.

K

So that, as you receive additional funding, um or I mean additional requests or something we.

K

Don't know about that gives you the opportunity at a later time to come forward and say: can we.

K

Consider x, and so those were some of those kinds of conversations that happened. Difference between.

K

Draft and when we come to you for approval, okay, I guess what I'm saying is what I'm saying here.

C

Is we're talking 22 million dollars in that neighborhood and each year 22 and 23 has 11.

C

Million down at the bottom now you talk about your excesses, which I I see down there one year at 6, 45.

C

Next year it's about 370., that's about a million dollars, so we're actually allocating 21 of the 22.

C

Million or a little over 21. now what we've done with the fire departments is again the.

C

Last draft, I will say, and I'll use the term I'll refer to that what talked about them getting two.

C

Million three hundred twenty four thousand three hundred and fifty now what's been taken out is.

C

Approximately one million five hundred fifty thousand five hundred and seventy five.

C

In the county administrator's recommendations now so if that million 555 000, it doesn't equal. Your.

C

Excess down to bottom, so I guess I would like to know who gets it? Does broadband get? It does.

C

Health department get it it: where does it go, but if it's a matter of we want.

C

Flexibility, I understand that, but I will still advocate for those fire departments.

P

Okay, so I'm going to go back to my question since you never answered it. What are you proposing now.

P

Because commissioner morgan is proposing that these three or four projects you've said a lot.

P

What is your plan? What do you do? You want more to go to the fire departments today or do you.

P

Just want to go with what commissioner morgan has, because you keep saying you have three votes, but.

P

Nobody's voted yet so what I'm telling you is, I haven't had a conversation with commissioner.

P

Morgan about this, he just brought it forward. What would you like to do today, commissioner? Hewitt.

P

What what's your solution to this? Do you have a proposition? Oh, it's not a solution. It's just to.

C

Say that what I saw previously, I agreed with what I see today. I don't agree with that's all: okay,.

P

So the only only offer we have on the table is from commissioner morgan.

P

To fund these three, but if you'd like to fund more projects in this, I'm open to considering.

P

That, if you feel that the fire departments need to have more of an allegation at this time,.

P

Based on what you're, seeing is what I'm trying to say. So, if there's any particular projects that.

P

You from the fire department you want to put there I'm open to it. I guess what I would say.

C

Though, is that we're trying I've heard someone say they're trying to get flexibility here.

C

And I understand that flexibility is important. um I was just surprised to see this jump of going.

C

From one way to the other and I didn't and when I read it yesterday, I was surprised honestly, that's.

C

What I want to say, I thought we were going one way and for not we're not going there.

C

So fair enough, if this is if this is a matter again, what I saw two weeks ago, the draft I liked.

C

What I see today, but but again, if, if commissioner morgan's, you know, look I respect you.

C

If you think it's the best way to go it just it's just I'm just trying to move the process along and.

H

I might say I'm not disagreeing that we, I agree, we should come back. Look at those projects again.

H

There's no doubt in my mind about that. I'm just saying for today. I just want to get some of this.

H

Stuff rolling and we can come back and talk about it. Like I said, john and randy are away. I've been.

H

Away for two weeks you know so it's just it's trying to pick up the pieces and move forward.

H

Now that we're past labor day back into our regular sessions again right, I agree, um I think.

A

I've had people members of fire departments reach out to me about these specific funds too. I don't.

A

Think anyone up here doesn't want to support the fire departments. We all agree on that, but.

A

I think todd if you want to just keep working through the county administrator.

A

Recommendations and we'll see where we get at the end, okay and uh on the on the public works side.

H

um I was going to support the program manager for stormwater and the cip rack water service project.

H

I was going to ask to support the retrofit sidewalk program to take care of that group.

H

For the time being I'll just run through them all, okay, on the I.t side, I think that, with the pio.

H

Audio audio video equipment is a is a good one. I support all three of the wrecks and parks requests.

H

On the sheriff's office side, I support the detention center visitation area renovation.

H

And also the backup d1 generator continuing to next page, I've had a number of conversations with.

H

Mr erickson and folks over at metcom, and I think it's really critical- that we get the same clemens.

H

Shore sewer phase b program moving quickly. I agree um for a number of reasons, and that was um that.

H

Was sort of where I brought my initial list today to get to and they recognized that as dr bridges.

H

Said and commissioner, you pointed out, we can come back and we have plenty of money to work with.

H

And um requirements keep changing along the way and to ensure that you know people can make plans.

H

And beginning to move ahead- and you know with some of the departments now they're they're.

H

They're pretty stressed out, I don't want to throw a whole another pile of stuff on them that just.

H

Keeps adding to the pile and the straw that breaks the camel's back, so I think that's kind.

A

Of key here, unlike the covid, cares funds that we had. We don't have that same time, constraint that.

A

We have to get it exactly identified as quickly the funding needs to be encumbered by december.

U

31 2024., so we have a lot of time and if you just want to go through and have consensus on.

U

A number of any of these we can take that we can come back later.

U

And then we can kind of go through and say: okay, what's been approved, like my column, that says.

U

What was approved as of july 27th, then we can come back and identify any others at that time.

U

But if there's any consensus today, maybe there's a few that you would like to approve. So can we go.

K

With commissioner morgan's list and begin there to see, if the other commissioners either concur,.

K

Agree or disagree with that his list is that, okay with you, commissioner morgan? Yes, please.

P

Yeah, I I agree with that. I think that's my goal with commissioner morgan's list.

P

So far, uh just a point of clarification for the recreation and parks, three projects.

A

That's two of them are next fiscal year and one's this year correct.

A

Right just making sure I understood that correctly. Okay, then I agree.

B

And it's, commissioner guy. I concur also.

H

So that gives you your votes all right. So what we'll do is we'll go back.

U

And we'll I've got them all marked in jody's in the back taking notes, dr bridget's got her notes.

U

And we need a motion, though. Yes, we do so.

K

The motion we have is as presented: if you can make the motion as amended, that would be.

K

Helpful for us I'll make the emotion as amended. Thank you with everything I rattled off yep.

U

And I think they need a second. They need a second, oh. I need a second second.

A

Okay, I have a first and a second all, those in favor aye.

H

Yes and- and I can assure the public- we have a guess yeah, so it's four to one yeah.

H

So we will become, I can assure the pub we will be coming back to address these fire department.

H

Issues I can promise you and a motion, and I I that needed to be in here that we didn't include.

U

In here, depending on whether you were going to approve the 2.6 million dollars for metcom or not.

U

They need a motion for us to say um to amend their cib 22 through 27, just so they wouldn't have to.

U

Come back because that 2.6 is actually a part of their cib um and then that just saves them a.

U

Trip in front of coming back, okay, so whatever you just said will be the motion, and I will.

H

And I'll make that motion whatever you just said, to amend, to amend the cip for.

U

Through 27., wait for the saint clements water project.

A

Okay, we have a motion on the floor. Is there a second? Second all, those in favor, aye, aye,.

A

All right hi, we have consensus. Mr erickson, are you good with that? Yes, sir, thank you so much very good.

U

Thank you very much, commissioners and we'll be back in about a month, we'll reschedule and then we'll come back um with the remaining balances. So, ms more just one comment.

A

You know it's, it's almost like a mini budget work.

A

Session that you we've gone through with this, and that you're going through with.

A

This, except instead of just having answered us, you have to answer to the federal government too,.

A

And and I'm happy to do that at the end of the day, this is a good thing for saint mary's county.

A

There's a lot of really good work being done with this money. It's all going to really good causes.

A

And going to help a lot of really good things, so thank you. Thank you for your work with it.

K

Thank you, commissioners, and the last item on the county. Administrator's agenda is leadership.

K

Southern maryland, so for your uh review, just a reminder that the commissioners have sponsored.

K

A saint mary's county government employee in the leadership southern maryland program for the last.

K

Several years prior to covid, coveted 19 pandemic in march of 2020, like many other programs and.

K

Events: leadership, southern maryland was canceled to save funding in fy 2021. We reduced this funding.

K

Since it was not needed not knowing its fate and fy 22, the funding was not restored until we knew.

K

The outcome now we know the outcome leadership southern maryland has resumed their nine-month.

K

Leadership training course for middle managers and angie graves who's, a fiscal supervisor in aging.

K

And human services has been accepted into the program due to the to the delay in the pandemic.

K

And responsibly, not funding a training that was not occurring, we're requesting a budget.

K

Amendment to fund the sponsorship for leadership, southern maryland from the commissioner's reserve.

H

I moved to approve the use of the fiscal year 2022 commissioner reserve for the saint mary's county.

H

Sponsored employee tuition for leadership, southern maryland. Second, second, I have a first and second.

A

All those in favor aye, aye aye, we have consensus. Thank you, dr bridget. Thank you, commissioners and.

K

This ends county administrator time all right. At this time, I will accept a motion to move.

A

To the board of health, I'm moving to adjourns the commissioners of saint mary's, county and.

H

Reconvene, the saint mary's county board of health; second, first and second, all in favor, discussion.

C

Recently, I requested a explanation of why we have to be the board of county commissioners and then.

C

We have to be the board of health. I've been on this board seven years going on seven years now,.

C

A commissioner for seven years- and I just didn't understand what was the difference.

C

I did some research on my own and before they didn't do that and that's something.

C

That's happened in the last, I don't know 10 15 years, so I just wondered what that meant.

C

And and what it means is, is we're gonna, obviously listen to our board of health.

C

Our health director and take her recommendations and we do have the potential or the wherewithal to.

C

Make recommendations or make emotions on what she requests, but that is as the board of health.

C

But it also comes over us as the board of county commissioners, so whatever we do as.

C

The board of health transfers over into our board of county commissioners- I just didn't understand.

C

Why you needed both? What was what was the difference? Why can we just go on, but thank you.

C

uh He's not here uh david weiskoff for helping me understand that. Thank you. It is a unique situation.

A

All those in favor aye any opposed nice habit. We are now in the board of health, dr brewster.

O

Okay, good afternoon good afternoon about to say good morning.

O

All right, um thank you. All commissioners appreciate your time today.

O

uh Today will be a briefer update. I think, unless you have questions, of course, we'll be.

O

Happy to answer we'll move on to the first slide. Thank you for handling the slides.

O

We are still in high community transmission of covid19.

O

We have a variety of data points available on our saint mary's county health department website. As.

O

The website listed here I will highlight some of that data. In a moment I do want to mention.

O

That we've been having some loading difficulties with some of the graphs on our data page.

O

And we are implementing some major changes to the data page, which will include new.

O

Data points that we hope to announce either at the end of this week or towards the beginning.

O

Of next week, we're working with our dashboard contractor right now to get all that squared away.

O

Our new covid cases by week, so the the total number of new cases.

O

On a weekly basis, for the past few weeks, we've been hanging out at about the same.

O

Number of weekly new cases, which is definitely better than the escalation that we were seeing.

O

In the weeks prior, we still haven't seen the impact from labor day just yet, and there's.

O

Probably still some impact of return to in-person school and work environments and so forth that.

O

We may see in the weeks ahead so we're following this very closely. Of course, as is the whole county.

O

Next page, and that's of course, reflected in the daily new case rate as well.

O

Our breakdown by age, we're now seeing the 0 to 19 age group as the age group with the highest.

O

New case rate in our county, although the 20 to 39 age group is not far behind and we're, we.

O

Did see originally some uptick in the 60 plus age group, of course that's fallen. Fortunately,.

O

That's fallen a little bit in the past couple weeks, but we're keeping an eye on that as well.

O

Our seven day case rate, this is a new graph that we you haven't seen before, but this one is.

O

Looking at the seven day case rate per 100 000 by vaccination status, it tries to by doing it.

O

Based on population versus gross numbers, it tries to neutralize the um impact of number of people.

O

Who are vaccinated versus number of people who are not vaccinated on the uh the evidence of infection.

C

So what you're seeing is increase in non-vaccinated decrease in vaccinated more.

O

Recently, yes, sir uh-huh, but we did see because of some of the breakthrough infections that we.

O

Were having over the course of august, primarily, we did see a slight rise in the number of infections.

O

Or the seven day case rate, at least in the fully vaccinated population, but fortunately that started.

O

To decline somewhat, although we haven't seen that decline in the not fully vaccinated population.

O

Just yet, but as you point out, dr brewster and you looked up a couple slides back with the age.

H

You see they're not fully vaccinated going up and then the vaccine going down and the age joint. But.

H

Let's forget that the people who were older were able to get their vaccines much earlier.

H

Along the way and the permission for the youngers has not come to more recently so that.

H

If I choreographed this correctly, there's there's a cause and response in there that.

H

Yeah, the later the way that the cdc allowed younger people to get vaccinated.

H

It's just maybe catching up as they're trying to catch up yeah. That's an.

O

Excellent insight, sir, and and exactly that, when you look at the age groups in the graph prior.

O

As you, as you stated, the older age groups are the ones where we have higher rates of vaccination.

O

For either age eligibility or just because they do have higher rates of vaccine adoption compared to.

O

The younger age groups, and, and again that may be why we're seeing a little bit of that difference.

O

Too, thank you thanks for pointing that out, dr brewster. um Last week I watched some not all of.

A

President biden's speech where he talked about the vaccine and the status and all, and he had.

A

A number in there that a little different than your numbers, um he said that one in 5 000 people.

A

Who have been vaccinated are testing positive for covet and that just that number seemed to.

A

Be somewhat of a reassuring number kind of a as perspective. One in five thousand people are.

A

Getting positive if once they're vaccinated is, can you comment on that? Do you agree with that?.

A

Number yeah absolutely, and so so that is looking at national data of course, and that considers.

O

Communities where they have lower vaccination rates and higher vaccination rates than what we.

O

Have here in saint mary's county in looking at our local data, this is a seven day case rate, so.

O

This isn't a daily case rate. It's a seven day case rate. If you had a hundred thousand people who were.

O

Fully vaccinated, that's that green line right there, um that's if we were trending what we're.

O

Currently, seeing that's the number of people that would be identified as having infection across.

O

That seven days does that make sense so that one in 5 000 is a different way of looking at a rate.

O

This is looking at what would be the number of people we'd see infected over the course of seven.

O

Days per 100, 000 people not 5 000 per 100 000 people who were fully vaccinated; okay, but again.

O

The national data is is, is uh you know, looking at a much bigger picture of jurisdictions who.

O

Have quite differing, you know, vaccination rates than what we see here in saint mary's county.

O

And to add to that explanation, um while this is per vaccination status, keep in mind that.

O

The amount of covered transmission in a community which is higher tends to be higher in communities.

O

Where there's less people vaccinated that also increases the risk of having those breakthrough.

O

Infections, so in communities where you have higher vaccination rates right, you're going.

O

To see tendency, lower rates of covet infection in both the unvaccinated and the vaccinated.

O

This is an update on coveted fatalities, since I think we I last came here, I believe we've.

O

Added on one and there's one that's pending, currently that we're waiting on records for.

O

Covet hospitalizations continue to be elevated compared to what we saw in june and july, and we.

O

Expected you know again, as I've mentioned before, hospitalizations tend to lag behind infections by.

O

At least a few weeks and, of course we're these- are the hospitalization beds taken up throughout any.

O

Maryland hospital, but it does exclude all the federal facilities like va hospitals and nih.

O

This is the fully vaccinated by age chart. That's also on our website and there's additional detail.

O

For those who want for first doses on our website as well, we have seen in the past.

O

Couple weeks since I last came here, we have seen an increase in the number of saint mary's county.

O

Residents who have now become fully vaccinated, we expect that this will continue to happen as.

O

You know more and more businesses require vaccination of their employees.

O

Or as more and more incentives are rolled out to encourage employees to get vaccinated and.

O

Hopefully, that will go alongside a decrease in transmission to covet in our community.

O

This is a chart you've seen before and just kind of looking at the trend again similar to.

O

What you've, seen already in in prior slides, the majority of new cases, of course, are happening.

O

In those who are unvaccinated, although we are seeing some breakthrough infections in.

O

Those who are fully vaccinated doctor, I'm assuming partially vaccine means one shot usually partially.

O

Vaccinated means they didn't complete the series now they may have recently started vaccine.

O

For example, you know we definitely have seen people start to get more vaccine, especially.

O

Now that they've been identified, maybe as a close contact, they just haven't by this.

O

Point of the slide they haven't gotten to the point of getting their second dose. Thank you.

O

um We also are looking at weekly new hospitalization admissions by vaccination status.

O

And we are seeing some breakthrough hospitalizations, which I'll detail out in a moment.

O

uh The the the main point is to consider is that vaccines, the covid19 vaccines, are protecting a.

O

Large number of individuals who are still having breakthrough infections are protecting from severe.

O

Illness, it's not a hundred percent there's still situations, especially uh in older individuals,.

O

As you see in a moment where they may have more complicated disease or because of their underlying.

O

Chronic illnesses it's safer for them to be in a hospital setting to recuperate from their covid19.

O

Symptoms, so if you move to the next slide, this actually is a new slide for you. It's a break.

O

Through hospitalizations by age graph- and this will be one of the items that we have in our new.

O

Data page when we roll it out, but, as you can see, the main point from this side is that those who.

O

Are having hospitalizations after getting covet infection after being fully vaccinated, tend to.

O

Be individuals in that 60 plus age group, at least you know, for residents here in saint mary's, county.

C

Okay, now that 23 as of 9 13 20., that's not in that's in the whole state or saint mary's,.

C

County those are st mary's county residents um who are hospitalized in st mary's county. So this.

O

Data is reflecting st mary's county residents, who are hospitalized at any maryland hospital.

C

We're in maryland right, except for the federal facilities like the va hospitals, okay, and is this.

A

All encompassing or a point in time that data point right there. The 913 is a point in time.

O

um This is all the the the total graph right is for all breakthrough. Infections that we've.

O

Had since we started identifying breakthrough infections, which would have been after the first.

O

Wave of people were fully vaccinated, I think back in february sometime, but they could be in.

C

Any county in the state they're all saint mary's county residents, but they could be hospitalized.

O

In any county right- and that's something we were familiar with down here, because a lot of people.

O

Who have more severe illness, for example, who may originally get hospitalized.

O

At medstar, st mary's might get transferred up to a higher level uh or higher acuity hospital.

O

Depending what their needs are so, regardless of which hospital they're in again, except for.

O

Whether they're in a federal facility, they would get counted here once as a new hospitalization.

O

So, yes, and again to clarify for your question, commissioner colvin. This goes back.

O

um From the february of 2020 or sometime in february 2020, when we first started having that.

O

Period of time where people were first fully vaccinated.

O

Okay, st mary's county deaths by vaccination status.

O

A graph you've seen before as well. This is just an update to that and it's by month.

O

um Testing so, as you can imagine and expect, especially after the start of.

O

In-Person schooling and labor day holidays. We are experiencing tremendously high volumes at.

O

Our two testing sites right now in the county, so I just want to relay our appreciation at the.

O

Health department for the public's patients as they go to these testing sites. We are.

O

Working on staffing up at those testing sites, we're also working on staffing up testing sites.

O

At the two school based health centers to help defray some of the volume at the other two sites.

O

It is much easier and faster for everyone if people take the time to pre-register and.

O

Get to get tested and that pre-registration can happen on our website that that link right there.

O

It's very quick: it's not um it's not mandatory to pre-register, but when people pre-register.

O

It definitely facilitates movement through that testing line for everyone. So we really appreciate.

O

Whoever can to please take the effort, the minute to go ahead and pre-register for their test.

O

We have updates updated some information on the vaccine since I last spoke with you a.

O

Couple weeks ago, if you go to the next slide, the main update is related to booster doses,.

O

So currently eligible, and when I was here in front of you a couple weeks ago, we had talked about.

O

Those individuals who were immune compromised as being eligible for those booster doses.

O

um That, and as the first two bullets and on that left side of the screen describe described.

O

Since that time, governor hogan announced off-label authorization for booster doses.

O

For people residents living in certain types of situations, primarily individuals, living.

O

In nursing homes, those are the long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and dda. The.

O

Developmental disabilities, administration group homes and also residential treatment facilities.

O

Like substance use treatment facilities where they actually live there for a period of time,.

O

Because of the higher risk of covid infection in these congregate settings and the underlying.

O

You know compromise of of health that many individuals in that live in these settings.

O

May have he had made taken the decision to go ahead and authorize. Off-Label use.

O

um Of the booster doses for for this population, so again the vaccine has been authorized and many of.

O

These individuals, because of concentrated efforts of many, have already been fully vaccinated. This.

O

Is taking it a step further and saying? Okay, we're going to authorize booster doses now for for those.

O

In these facilities- and that's a maryland thing that isn't something yet that the fda has put out.

O

So if you move to the right column in terms of not yet eligible, this is the news that we're waiting.

O

For we are waiting for the fda to make a decision as to who they will, who addition, what additional.

O

Populations they will authorize for booster doses, so we've heard about the immune compromise. That's.

O

What's been adopted nationally, what we haven't heard about yet are other individuals or other.

O

Populations or other groups in our population we're anxiously awaiting. We think uh we hope.

O

By uh next week- uh and you know, there's an fda meeting planned for the end of this week and so.

O

We're hoping that there'll be some decision making coming out of that. So we have a better idea as to.

O

Who will be authorized for booster doses if any additional groups are at what interval, after their.

O

Second dose will they be authorized for vaccine. So there's been some discussion of six months after.

O

Or eight months after you know we're again we're waiting on on that national guidance.

O

And third, what vaccine types are authorized for booster doses? Is it going to be both moderna and.

O

Pfizer is it going to be only pfizer recipients? What about j, j recipients or johnson and johnson.

O

Vaccine recipients, so there's a lot of question marks still. I hope that the next time I come in.

O

Front of you I'll have some of these answers, and certainly as soon as we hear the news.

O

We're ready in st mary's county, we have activated our mass vaccine site.

O

To support the rollout of booster doses, we've been active since september 10th. I was there on.

O

The vaccine line that date and I was really happy with the turnout that we saw from our community.

O

Coming through that line to get booster doses, and I think we'll be able to support that moving.

O

Forward I stopped by their friday afternoon. I think they were 360 for the number of shots. They.

H

Gave last friday after another just driving down the hill, let's see what's going on and they said.

H

Yeah 360 was the that was a number like at 3 30., so they probably did more, but I'm glad I'm really.

H

Glad to see that maybe people are getting the message, go, get the shot, yeah yeah, exactly and.

O

Again, that was mainly geared towards individuals who wanted to come in and get their booster dose.

C

Because they fit under that immune compromise category, but tell me that 360 that commissioner.

C

Morgan's referring to is that the number of people got boosters or just got first time. You say first.

C

Second or booster, yes right, we are doing for a second or booster, the majority of people that came.

O

To that clinic were coming there for booster doses, oh okay, so people who haven't been vaccinated.

C

No people who were vaccinated but were coming in for their. I understand what you're talking.

C

About dr bruce, but I'm saying, people who are not vaccinated okay are still not showing up.

C

In the numbers we'd like to see yet um so we are vaccinating people who haven't been vaccinated.

O

At um we're operating today at the hollywood fire department, for example, and we're getting people.

O

There who haven't been vaccinated yet uh we're also open on friday and we'll be. We have people.

O

Scheduled who haven't been vaccinated? Yes, my point is: if we had 360. it would be encouraging if 300.

C

Were getting vaccinated for the first time sure that would be great news and we're going to keep.

C

That seem to be the case yeah. Well, I think it's going to improve. We have seen, as I showed you.

O

Before the numbers have improved in the past few weeks, I think with you know, as I said, with some.

O

Of the vaccine, incentives and vaccine mandates that are being pushed out by private businesses.

O

Especially we'll start to see more and more of those individuals get vaccinated. We have.

O

We are doing vaccine on a daily basis at the hub location in lexington park, great mills, um so we.

O

Are getting a certain number of people that were vaccinating every day there and we're also like I.

O

Said, starting to see more people, first dosers register for vaccine at the mass vaccine site.

C

I'm gonna wait to you're done before. I ask my question. Sure no problem. Thank you all right.

O

Let's move to the next slide, then um so as we're talking about covet and covenant and covid, you.

O

Know, of course you know we have the the regular um specter of flu uh to contend with in this year in.

O

Particular because we've now returned thousands of students to in-person learning um in these indoor.

O

Environments and individuals going back into the workplaces who were previously teleworking.

O

Were more concerned about flu transmission this year than perhaps what we saw last season.

O

When there was a lot more remote learning, remote work, social distancing and even more masking.

O

And so, given that we know that, when influenza hits, it tends to cause a significant load on our health.

O

Care system uh it, it certainly affects students ability to learn in person and and work her.

O

Ability to be in person and in a time of covid, we're of course concerned about people getting.

O

Co-Infected with both flu and covet at the same time, and what that does uh to a person's ability.

O

To fight off each of those infections, and so we're really strongly encouraging everyone.

O

Six months and older, who doesn't have a medical contra indication to please go get flu vaccinated.

O

And if you could do it by the end of october, that helps this community have some level of readiness.

O

For you know all the flu transmission we tend to see during this season.

O

We are the the health department is hosting alongside the st mary's county public schools.

O

And a partnership, a long-standing partnership we've had with them for several years on the week.

O

Of october 20th we're going to be doing school located flute clinics at each of the public school.

O

Elementary and middle schools and the the consent forms and language on that will be transmitted.

O

Through the public schools and then our non-public schools are invited to participate in that if they.

O

If they would like to as well, um do you offer flu shots through the school-based health centers.

O

Yeah so we actually have a clinic. The school-based health centers are a little smaller. So it's hard.

O

To rush through the number of people for a flu vaccine clinic in that setting, we usually use.

O

Cafeterias and and larger open spaces for that purpose we are going to for the for the mass.

O

Vaccine at located at school settings it'll, be you know a particular event where people.

O

Come through and they get flu vaccinated if we have flu vaccine supply remaining after that.

O

We'll try to make it ongoing available at some of our clinical sites. Okay, just to point out sorry.

O

The last bullet there, because we've had a lot of questions about this flu vaccine and covid.

O

Vaccine can be co-administered, so that means that you can get both your coveted vaccine. If you.

O

Haven't received it yet or a booster. At the same time, you get your flu vaccine. We just encourage.

O

People to get it in separate arms, so it's two shots at the same time. Yes, but in different arms.

A

Which one's more sore depends.

O

All right and that's it from me, but I'm happy to answer your questions. Sirs.

C

Okay, let me help let me so yellow red.

E

Red I saw dr brewster, um you know. One of the things that I want to address is basically the.

P

The code fatigue that that is currently going on, and not only that on the political level, um where.

P

You know, commissioner hewitt asked a seemingly innocuous question and got an innocuous answer.

P

Back and you know the first thing, I read it and I'm like oh great, you know now the the wrath of.

P

The left and the right is gonna, come down upon all of us and we're not gonna, stop hearing it forever.

P

Because it's a simple question, but um I guess it goes more to the data that you're giving and that.

P

You know politics and science: don't belong together. So regardless the board of health is the.

P

Board of health, the board of county commissioners is the board of county commissioners, and we have.

P

To rely on the science um and watching things bleed back and forth between charles county and.

P

Commissioners over there inserting themselves into st paris, and we have delegates across you know.

P

How how what's the best way that you can recommend from the medical point of view.

P

To convey the message that this, this really is um an important decision based off of the facts that.

P

You're, finding the doctors are finding the governor's office is finding versus all this.

P

Independent research, what how do you recommend doing that? Are you referring, sir, to the decision.

O

About vaccination for covid, uh generally speaking, yeah because we're you know a lot of people are.

P

Concerned about the mandates, a lot of people are concerned about mask mandates, um not mandating.

P

Vaccines or not mandating masks um what what do you think? The best way is to convey the science.

P

Sure of why we are where we are from the medical point of view, what is the message that is best.

P

Served as the board of health, I guess, is what I'm asking okay I'll try to answer that as best.

O

As I can, and if you have any additional, you know clarification, you need please just let me know.

O

You know, ultimately, health is not a political issue and really shouldn't be, and the role of your.

O

Health officials and scientists really should be to relay the findings and the evidence of science.

O

That's scientifically based driven by research and data in a pandemic that is more challenging.

O

Because you have a new virus and you have a constantly mutating virus which um continuously.

O

Causes changes in dynamics and uh because of that, because it's new virus, that's you know the.

O

Essence of definition of a pandemic really because it's a new virus, we're constantly learning and.

O

As we are continuing to learn, the recommendations may get updated, but ultimately the recommendation.

O

Should be based upon data and science, and I think that's if, if this is part of your question.

O

You know, obviously, as we convene as the board of health, it's it's important, I think, and which is.

O

Why we're all making the effort to meet regularly and and make sure the public has access to.

O

The information that we review here today and then also has ongoing access to the science and.

O

The data you know through, for example, through st mary's county health department website and other.

O

Means you know, I think, as we are, you know, dealing with this pandemic. It's important for us to be.

O

Continually communicating that science and sharing that data and demonstrating uh the impact of.

O

Of the pandemic on you know, of course, on all of our lives right and and then the impact.

O

Of certain strategies that we've deployed like uh vaccination, um so I think the data if this is part.

O

Of your question, I think the data is pretty clear, as you can all see that if you're fully vaccinated.

O

You have a greater level of protection against severe illness and you have a greater level of.

O

Protection against covid infection- it's not a hundred percent. You know when we say effective.

O

We don't mean it, we don't mean something is 100 effective. Usually, effectiveness is statistically.

O

Significant differences when we do analysis in the data and we certainly see that with vaccines.

O

Vaccines for covid are effective. That message has been clear and that message continues. Despite the.

O

Number of breakthrough infections we've been seeing. We clearly are seeing the benefit of a.

O

Fully vaccinated, you know, population or a portion of our population, that's fully vaccinated. um So I.

O

Think the number one message really to grab onto as a community and as elected officials and as.

O

Scientists and public health officials who follow the science and the data is recognizing that these.

O

Vaccines that we have readily accessible to us here locally are effective and they are saving.

O

Lives and they are decreasing the amount of days off from school and days off from work.

O

And certainly the prospect of long covid or those long symptoms of covid that we're concerned about.

O

Is decreased if you're vaccinated as well? I don't know if that answers your question, sir.

P

Actually, it answered it very well. Thank you because you know one of my one of my biggest.

P

Concerns is the the blending of uh county lines and decisions from other counties.

P

And how uh you know people are trying to blend the party politics along with it.

P

This board of health is listening to the data that's presented in front of us.

P

You know education, education, education and pushing that side of it, which you've been great with.

P

So I think that um overall, you hit the nail on the head for what I was trying to get a.

P

Better understanding of, and especially in that last part, so I do appreciate it sure. Thank you.

C

Okay, tell me well, first off I got the booster and I got to say I looked at your website and.

C

Looked at the you know, list of things there and I fit at least one, maybe two, okay. So when I.

C

Called the I thought it was kind of interesting again, it's not about me. It's about people who.

C

Want to know when they can get the boost, and the point was is the lady said I said well, I got.

C

I got this and I got that and she said, look you don't have to tell me that she said you just need.

C

To tell me if you're, a moon compromise, sure we're not actually allowed to ask about specific health.

O

Conditions so when I was at church on sunday there's an usher there. That's with me he's.

C

In his 80s and he wants to get his, he said, but I think I'm immune compromise. I went through cancer.

C

I said you got to be, I said, but they won't even ask you that's true right. So we asked uh the.

O

Question in the registration, as you saw when you you must have registered, because we don't. We only.

O

Vaccinate people who register when you register there's a question if you're immune compromised.

O

For those people who answer yes, we will vaccinate them for those people who answer. No, then we ask at.

O

The time they show up for their appointment uh it, you know you've answered. No we're only authorized.

O

To vaccinate immune compromised and so forth, and we ask if it was a mistake or not, and if so they.

O

Re-Register, if not, we turn them away now. It was a great process and it was very smooth and very.

C

Simple, so tell me some people have said I think, I'm immune compromised and I'll look in that site.

C

But I don't want to take a vaccine from somebody who could be. You know more immune compromised.

C

Than that person, yes, so the key is when we first started this vaccination thing. There was.

C

More supply more demand than there was supply. Now the lady told me there's more now more.

C

Supply than there is demand, that's correct. We have plenty of supply right now. If people.

O

Feel um that they meet that immune compromise criteria or if their doctor tells them they do.

O

Then they can go ahead and register and and go ahead and get the booster vaccine now.

C

Okay now another question I was asking again: I don't know the answer, that's why I'm asking you.

C

Is if you get the booster, does that mean your may show symptoms of covet, not necessarily, but you.

O

Could have some of those symptoms, people get after a vaccine that usually lasts one to three days.

O

A sore arm, maybe they're, wiped out for a day. um You know all of that. They're.

O

Still it's the same vaccine formulation. So if you got pfizer before then your booster dose.

O

Was the same thing that you had as your first and second dose of pfizer? If you had moderna.

O

Your moderna booster is the same thing you had as your moderna first dose and moderna second dose.

C

So tell me that leads to my question about the pcr testing. Now. Is that something that you can.

C

Get done without an appointment in leonardtown or in lexington park yeah. You don't need to.

O

Have an appointment we're just asking people to pre-register in advance, pre-registration.

O

Isn't an appointment pre-registration allows us to collect some of that information in our system, so.

O

That, when you show up in the line, we don't have to spend the five ten minutes collecting that.

O

Information again before we do this confidential, nobody gets your data, yes correct, but the pcr.

C

Testing, you use the term the gold standard. So if someone were to say get the vaccine and wasn't.

C

Feeling good afterwards, they could go, get the pcr test and it would come back negative. They could.

O

What we encourage people to do is to recognize that, after getting the vaccine, they may have those.

O

Types of symptoms, the sore arm, the fatigue, maybe even a headache or even a day of fever, in that one.

O

To three day period after getting the vaccine, so it's okay in that situation, to wait it out and see.

O

Unless you know that you've been recently exposed to somebody with covet, if you've recently been a.

O

Close contact of somebody with covid, then one you should be quarantining ideally or.

O

Two, you can get tested if you're concerned about those symptoms. Well I say that because.

C

I was recently at a wedding and the point was obviously the wedding was a lot of people. There.

C

And there were some people there that weren't vaccinated. I said how come you're not vaccinating that making sense they said. Well, we have the antibodies, how you know you have the antibodies.

C

Well, we've been exposed to it and uh we're still fine, so we're good. So we must you know so there.

C

Was there's a lot of miscommunication going on? This might be yeah. You know, commissioner, you bring.

O

Up an excellent point: actually, all your questions have been excellent. Thank you for them. um This one.

O

Is a really important one people thinking that, just because they had kovid, meaning that they.

O

Don't that they're, free and they're, protected and and so forth there have been a variety of studies.

O

That have come out some more recent science suggesting that getting vaccinated after having.

O

Had coveted infection, if you haven't already been vaccinated, gives you a boost to your protection so.

O

Typically, yes, after somebody's had infection to anything you know a virus or a bacteria, they may.

O

Build some level of natural immunity and I think I addressed maybe you had asked me, commissioner,.

O

Colvin at the last commissioner meeting that there is some level of natural immunity, but that natural.

O

Immunity response varies from person to person. We can't reliably say that somebody is going to.

O

Have strong robust immune response that protects them from future infection and that it lasts for.

O

A period of time we think it probably lasts for a few months, but as more and different kind of.

O

Variants come out, we're not sure if you know the covent infection you had two months ago is going.

O

To protect you against the delta variant as well right, and so that's why we are encouraging people.

O

If you even had, even if you had covet infection, if you're unvaccinated, please go ahead and get.

O

Covered vaccine, if you want to wait a few months, you wait a few months, but please try to go ahead.

O

And get your coveted vaccine, it does boost that immunity and give you a stronger, more reliable.

O

Level of immunity for a period of time. Okay, now there's still no covet vaccine for children under.

C

12. correct or there's no cover vaccine, that's been approved yet nationally for children under.

O

12., okay and I saw another report in the news I was watching news anyway. They are they're, saying.

C

Now that they're not recommending that you get the booster, even if it becomes available to the.

C

General population now they're saying maybe you shouldn't get the boost or what's that.

C

About so there's been, that's a definitely been a catchy headline in the past few days there was a.

O

Body of scientists who looked at some of the science around booster doses and the impact.

O

Of booster distance in the general population, we're not talking about the immune compromised.

O

We're talking about the general population overall and in looking at that general population, their.

O

um Their conclusion were that booster doses weren't needed at this point in time that.

O

Immunity continues after vaccine vaccination and they didn't feel that booster doses were needed at.

O

This time we are waiting on the fda. Does a very you know, vigorous review of all the scientific.

O

Literature, including uh studies that may have been more current than what this group had reviewed.

O

And so we're waiting on the guidance coming out of the fda, which will be this.

O

I think this coming friday is when they're planning on meeting, and so if they have.

O

uh We'll follow what their guidance is, because what their guidance is uh translates to what.

O

The vaccines are authorized to be used for, and that uh is, is what we ultimately offer. Our public.

C

Okay, now it seems like we cured the flu, thank god, because you don't really seem to see many people.

C

Catching the flu or hearing they didn't last season, which was a wonderful thing. Okay, great.

C

So my point to you is, as I read that maybe we have to like: we've lived with the flu for.

C

However long we've identified the flu we may have to start living with covet, in which case it would.

C

Be like the booster shot yearly like we do with the flu, possibly so so my thing gets to my thing.

C

My question gets to be uh flu versus vaccine flu versus vaccine, so if I've already had the vaccine.

C

Do I need to get the flu shot if you've already had the covid vaccine? Yes, okay, so we recommend so.

O

They're two different viruses, so the covid vaccine isn't going to protect you against the flu virus.

O

They're very different viruses. The flu virus is formulated every year for what they think the the.

O

Types of flu strains will be that are circulating, so if you've been, if you've had flu before.

O

If you've had flu vaccines before your body has some level of memory for flu virus, which is why.

O

Over time in dealing with the flu, unless there's like some strange new strain of flu, that we just.

O

You know: that's why we practice and we prepare for pandemic flu, but unless there's some strange new.

O

Variant of the flu, our general population, because we've had flu for some time because we've had flu.

O

Vaccines for for years now we have some level of memory and immunity to some degree or memory and.

O

Ability to respond to flu virus, whatever strains are circulating that season we haven't built that.

O

Up yet for covid, which is why we're trying to get to a level where we don't have this pandemic level.

O

Of covid, uh where you know in which you see a lot of these mutations, come out from the covid virus.

O

But the covid vaccine is not going to it's not intended to protect you against the flu vaccine.

C

My question gets to be the flu virus, people who have gotten the flu vaccine every year.

C

Should continue to get it even if they've gotten correct anybody who's six months and older, even if.

O

You haven't previously received the flu vaccine unless it's some medical contraindication, your.

O

Doctor tells you don't get the flu vaccine, we are really strongly encouraging them to get.

O

Flu vaccinated by the end of october, okay last question is about children in school.

C

And you talked about a week of october 20th for children to get flu vaccines. Now they can do it.

C

Earlier, of course sure, although thank you for raising that, a lot of doctor's offices carry.

O

Flu vaccine a lot of pharmacies, carry flu vaccine and are already making flu vaccine available. Okay,.

O

So people can go to these settings to go, get flu vaccine. They don't need to wait if they have a.

O

Child in elementary or middle school, they don't need to wait until october. 20Th we've been doing.

O

This for years, the partnership with the school system making flu vaccine clinics in the schools.

O

Available during a particular week, because we we know that increases the opportunities for parents.

O

To get their kid vaccinated, so they don't have to take time off of work and so forth and take them.

O

Elsewhere, no well, that's good information, because you know: we've been waiting for the vaccine for.

C

The children, so hopefully they can get rid of the mask in the schools, but on the other hand, if they.

C

Can get the flu shot? Maybe that can help them get one step ahead of the the process for for flu vac.

O

Virus correct, but it's whatever keeps them from getting sick, yeah exactly and that ultimately,.

O

That's the whole point right is: we want to be able to maintain people in workplaces and people.

O

In schools- and so we've done that in the past, with flu virus by doing flu, vaccine campaigns and.

O

During flu season and we're doing that now, of course, with covid with the covet pandemic, thank.

C

You for answering all those questions and again I think, you're doing a great job. I know I ask you a.

C

Lot of questions- that's okay, they're, good ones. You know. Thank you appreciate it, commissioner. Thank.

O

You very good, uh commissioner guy. I just want to give you a chance in case you had any questions.

B

uh For those who are wondering about, if the immune system is compromised,.

B

They should call their doctor and have a conversation with them.

B

My doctor advised me to get the booster I'm good as soon as I can. Okay great commissioner guy. Thank.

O

You for reminding, if anybody has a question, I think what he said was. If anybody has a question.

O

On whether or not they are immune, compromised and eligible for a booster dose just go ahead.

O

And talk to your health care provider and and get their advice. Commissioner morgan you good, I'm good.

A

Thank you, dr brewster. Thank you very good. I'll, accept a motion to adjourn his board of health.

H

I'm new to adjourned as the I move to adjourn. It's the saint mary's county board of health and.

H

Reconvenes, the commissioners of saint mary's county; second, all those in favor, hi, hi, hi,.

A

We have consensus. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioners have a good day.

A

Very good: we will move right into commissioner's time and because he never gets to go first.

A

I'm going to turn to commissioner guy and you get to go first for commissioner time.

B

Thank you. You've done a great job today. I appreciate it very much uh once again, I'm gonna.

B

Echo so we just finished with the board of health. You get a vaccination, I think you'll be uh better.

B

Off for all of us to go ahead and get it done, it's been approved so go ahead and get it done.

B

And uh as soon as I get back I'll be getting my booster shot, I have no problem with that. My doctor.

B

Has told me I should get it, I'm really good and as for those of us, who've had some compromises in.

B

The past with me, it's been mainly the cancer and other things, and so my doctor's approved.

B

Said go ahead and sign yourself up. That's the main thing to do. uh Looking forward to uh things that.

B

Opened up a little bit, uh we just had our crab festival a couple weeks ago, things went well.

B

We're looking forward to the fair we just had a briefing about the county, fair. I missed it last.

B

Year and it ought to be a good turnout this year and just follow some general practices uh mass. If.

B

You don't feel comfortable, try to keep some social distancing and we'll all be okay. We need to get.

B

Through this as quickly as possible, thank you for everything today and I'll see you next week.

A

Very good, thank you, commissioner guy commissioner o'connor.

P

Thank you, sir. I appreciate you uh sharing the meeting since both commissioner guy and.

P

Myself are on zoom um I'd like to say thank you, everybody for coming out for the september 11th.

P

um Memorial service at the governmental center, it was definitely.

P

An amazing tribute I'd like to also thank foundation for heroes for putting that together.

P

uh Dr jay awesome for what he does and the spirit that he has behind. It is.

P

Tremendous um you know, clement's cuties was packed. um You know significant amount of money raised for.

P

Childhood cancer and just tremendous on the efforts that everybody down there prior votes for.

P

Them I just wanted to recognize that it was a busy weekend in the county, and I I can tell you that.

P

I'm happy to see so many people out so many people enjoying things and exercising what it is that.

P

They feel is most best for themselves at this point, and um you know just like like we should.

P

Be doing so, thank you and you know if uh the booster shot comes up and I'm eligible, I I.

P

Probably will go, get it myself as well. Thank you very good thanks, commissioner o'connor, mr morgan.

H

Thank you, mr coleman. um A couple of things, first of all um ridge, moved their carnival.

H

I think, as most you know from august to september, and I went down there last friday.

H

Night to work, let me tell you it's a lot different in september than it is in august.

H

The temperature drops, the sun, doesn't burn yep as much and it was a great attendance. So I want.

H

To thank everybody down in the ridge for having me down, and the carnival again was a huge success.

H

Bright blight is something you know that I hear a lot about in luxem park and it can be small.

H

Blight and it can be a big blight, but um if you're traveling around lexington park. I want to thank mr.

H

Weisskoff and mr hunt for something we've been working on for probably well over six months.

H

And that is something called the patuxent hotel or two many of you been around here for quite a while.

H

It's called the belvedere and over the years that place has been dilapidated, pretty badly.

H

But if you go down there now, um thanks to a lot of work and a lot of communication.

H

They'll be tearing down three of the four old buildings where the belvedere used to be so. The.

H

Main building in the front will probably remain intact, but all the buildings in the back will.

H

Be going down so if you remember the heyday of lexington park- and I remember moving here in.

H

1979 and living back in the efficiency apartments of the belvedere, um many have fun night of the.

H

Belvedere with a few individuals but um we're working on cleaning up lexington park, I want to.

H

Thank the owners, particularly mr weiskopf and mr hunt for working through the process with me to.

H

Be able to you know, begin to clean up one piece of lexington park which has really gotten pretty bad.

H

Pretty bad reputation and uh we're making progress so with that commissioner colvin. Thank you very.

H

Good commissioner hewitt uh attended the 911 ceremony very solemn. You know it's just such a. We.

C

All remember where we were, we all remember what we were doing and that day we'll, what's it fdr afraid.

C

To live in infamy, but thank you jay and his group foundation for heroes for putting that event on.

C

It was very powerful, it's a very good event and thank you very much for including me.

C

A ridge carnival missed you this past week had a wedding up the road and some a couple. Other things.

C

Going on but I'll be there next week and uh I I do support the the carnival. I know that you're.

C

One of your primary uh revenue generators for the auxiliary plus the carnival and the.

C

Fire department itself and lord knows it's a great way to support these volunteer.

C

Organizations that need all the help they can get. I also like to think thank metcom director.

C

George erickson for agreeing to meet with some uh residents from saint clements shores, who were.

C

Concerned complaining per se about the quality of the roads that are being impacted by the.

C

Water lines that are being replaced out there, those people have been dealing with low water.

C

Pressure and failing lines for years interesting to know that existing water line, that's being.

C

Replaced is 80 years old. Lord knows it's uh lasts that long. It's it's pretty good shape, but.

C

Good news is they're, replacing ten thousand square ten thousand lineal feet of it.

C

It's going to take 360 days. Hopefully key gets to be as there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

C

We will, they will get it done. The county will follow up, pave the roads over and hopefully,.

C

Within a year, the people in saint clemons shores will have new water and new roads.

C

Attended the leadership southern maryland.

C

um Conference yesterday I uh it was over in solomon's, and it was uh commissioner president.

C

Guy was supposed to go but he's out of town, so he asked me to sit in his place and I did very.

C

Enjoyable with commissioner collins from charles county and commissioner hans from calvert county.

C

uh They told me it's gonna, be a bunch of softball questions, but it ended up being some tough ones.

C

But the key was what I walked away from is what we're doing in saint mary's county is a lot better.

C

Than what they're doing in other counties, we talked about the ymca, and I was asked specifically.

C

You know thoughts on saint mary's, county and ymca I'll. Tell you this. They asked the right.

C

Guy when we were done, commissioner collins said I want to give you a call about that, and I want to.

C

Maybe talk to you about how we can get ymca's in charles county. Commissioner hans said. We already.

C

Have five community centers in calvert county, but both commissioner collins and I said well.

C

We don't have any congratulations on having five in calvert county. It's just a real um opportunity.

C

To see what other people have in the southern maryland area and where the disparities are.

C

But it was a good good uh exchange of ideas, there's probably about 40 people there. I want to.

C

You know wish him good luck. Congratulate him. B.J hall, he was there. Mia bowers was there from saint.

C

Mary's county and those were the two that I knew even though there was a lady from leonard town.

C

I'm sorry, I can't remember her name, but the point is great event. They had a lot of good.

C

Topics going around a lot of good interaction, tom jarbo former county commissioner. Excuse me.

C

Founded that group- and it still goes strong to this day and local denise foster. She was.

C

A knot back in the day as we say she was the director. It was very nice all right. Thank you.

C

Very good, thank you, commissioner hewitt, so I just want to echo some of the comments that have.

A

Been made about the ridge carnival if you've been around in the county long enough to remember when.

A

There were more carnivals you'll know that they all had their own different feel their different.

A

Little flavor to them the ridge carnival, is no different. If I was going to describe the ridge.

A

Carnival, I would say community, it is a community event and you should definitely go down this.

A

Weekend I was able to get there opening night get a crab cake while you're down there ridge makes.

A

Some great crab cakes at their carnivals, it's one they sell out fast. They do they do only friday and.

A

Saturday nights this year at the carnival too. So if you show up on a thursday like I did, you won't.

A

Get a crab cake, but the pizza was good. um I was also able to attend the foundation for heroes.

A

uh 9 11 event and read a list of names: it's it's always a powerful moving event. So thank you.

A

To all the organizers of that there's a lot of work that goes into that um a lot of organization.

A

And I really appreciate it. I was also able to attend a 911 service on saturday morning out.

A

At saint clements island, it was organized by a youth group called southern maryland roots.

A

And it was intended to honor the first responders and it was an incredible event. So they asked me to.

A

Speak so I was very happy to senator. Bailey spoke emergency services. Director, steve walker spoke.

A

Maryland state trooper sergeant casey ruth captain steve hall, from our sheriff's department and board.

A

Of education member rita weaver spoke, it was. It was just a very moving event on an.

A

Incredibly beautiful day and the island looked incredible, it was, it was just great all around.

A

And so thank you to all the people who helped make that possible. um It was really good. uh Today's a.

A

Little different, obviously I'm sitting here, and I want to thank commissioner guy for letting me.

A

Sit in his seat while he's out of town, but we also started later today than we normally do.

A

Because this morning we had our calvex drill, this happens every two years. It's a fema drill in order.

A

To just be prepared in case there's an accident at the nuclear power plant. So what's interesting.

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About that is communities that have nuclear power plants like we do here. um This was across county.

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Drill going on so calvert county was involved, we were involved, dorchester county was involved.

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Because they're in the zone of that, if something happened, they need to be involved and be ready.

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And the communities that have these events in these regular practices are better prepared for.

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Any kind of emergency that happens- and it's just fascinating for me- to be able to sit there and see.

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All of our great county employees, state employees, just people from every different department and.

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Branch that can be involved working together to solve the problems to solve the scenario.

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That was thrown at them. um It started off as a small little leak and then in the scenario.

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This is just a drill, just a scenario: there was a plane crash and a sinkhole and they adapted.

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And they worked together and it was incredible now, if you've ever been in our emergency operations,.

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Center, mr gerald gardner is our emergency manager who handles anytime there's an emergency in the.

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County he's the one in charge, everyone answers to him, but today I want to give a shout out to amy.

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Bledsoe because she led it today, she did a great job. So thank you, amy, thank you to everyone who was.

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Involved because it was really good so with that, I will accept a motion to move into closed session.

H

I gotta find it it's pretty easy. um I move to enter into the closed session.

H

For the discussion of personnel, second, all those in favor aye, aye.

A

Aye eyes have it. Thank you. We are adjourned, we're in the closed session.

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