St. Mary's County, MD Planning Commission for St. Mary's County, 24 May 2021

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From YouTube: 5/24/21 Planning Commission for St. Mary's County

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Folks come out and thank you.

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Okay good evening, I'd like to welcome everybody to the may 24th meeting of the saint mary's county.

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Planning commission, our meeting is being recorded for the public record. Any comments made by anyone.

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Present must be recorded as part of the record. Therefore, if you have anything to say, you must.

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Come up to one of the microphones provided or when giving testimony online or through the telephone.

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Please give us your name followed by your statement. Your comments cannot be recorded.

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And placed in the record unless they are done in this fashion, you are to direct your statements.

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Questions and responses to the board only and we'll direct them to the appropriate person for an.

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Answer, please keep your comments to three minutes or less, and anyone testifying or asking questions.

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During our public hearings will be required to take an oath and thank you for your cooperation.

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Tonight on our agenda after the review and approval of two sets of minutes, we have a.

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Public hearing it's uh for number 20-132-016 for the chapter: co, substation concept, site plan.

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After that, we will have any new review of anything and followed by at this time I'll let the board.

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Members introduce themselves starting miss summers, kim summers, patty robreck, howard, thompson, merle.

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Evans, joe vazquez, also with us this evening we have on to the computer. We have joe van kirk and.

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We have bj hall. Our alternate was also with us just in case of mr joe sinclair. um Let's see and.

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From land use and growth management we have the director mr bill hunt. uh Planner four is brandi.

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Glenn uh planner three is courtney jenkins and our administrative coordinator is cathy, garcia.

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Our video media producers this evening is amy carter county from the county attorney's office.

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uh Our county attorney, mr david weiskoff, is here, and it says on here that mr balkan is here, but I.

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Don't see him on my board, so I don't know whether they're here or not uh from the applicant.

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We have two members from smeko, mr hugh vold. I hope I pronounced that correctly and tommy short.

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Their attorneys, mr lewis, jenkins and the consultant from kwc is mr kevin anderson.

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Okay, we have two sets of minutes. um We can do them both at the same time, if you want.

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We have them from the may 10th and the may 17th uh hearings. Did everybody have a chance to review.

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Anybody like to make a motion to to do you can do one or both I'll do them. Okay, I'd like to make a.

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Motion to approve the planning commission make meeting minutes of may 10th and may 17th have.

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A motion to have a second, I second, second, okay, um since we have members out there, we'll go down roll.

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Call mr evans you're you're, the a team tonight uh aye mr physiques aye, ms summers, aye mr van kirk.

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Hi ms roebreck hi, mr hall,.

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Well, uh I want to say I but um I missed last week, so I can't really.

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uh So I'm not sure how we do this, because I I can. I can acknowledge the first one.

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And uh do I just need to abstain from both? You just abstain from both.

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We're they're they're pretty much well going to pass okay. Thank you. Thank you.

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And I vote I, okay. Both minutes are done.

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Moving right, along, um as I say, we'll start our first case of the evening.

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Get that up here on this computer.

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Account for concept site plan number.

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One six 20-132-0016, the chapter: co substation, the owner- is a southern maryland. Electric cooperative.

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Incorporated the agent is kcw engineering and their action requested this evening is.

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A review of a concept site plan for an approximate ninety five thousand two hundred square foot, smeko.

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Substation, okay, all persons that are testifying and you folks, if you all, are.

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Gonna do any public if you're gonna have any testimony public public testimony time will.

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If you'd stand raise your right hand and I'll swear everybody in and all you folks out there.

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In the computer world, if you would raise your right hands also, so I can get you sworn in.

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Do you declare an affirmative penalty of perjury that the testimony responses and statements you.

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May give will be the whole truth and nothing, but the truth. I do okay, thank I you and if there's.

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Somebody else that wants to get something to speak and you didn't get sworn in. I can swear again.

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Okay: okay: let's go all right good evening, chair and planning commission members.

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I'm going to share my screen with you.

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Okay, is everyone able to see my presentation.

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Yes, okay. Can someone on zoom confirm they can see it as well? Okay, yes, we can see great. Thank you.

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All right agenda item: one is a concept site plan for 20-132-16 for chaptico substation. It is.

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They seek approval for an approximate ninety five thousand two hundred square foot, smeko substation.

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The site is located at 38 285 chaptico road in mechanicsville. The.

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Land use is rural preservation and the zoning is rural preservation. District.

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Use 97 major utility is a power generating plant or power substation water reservoir.

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Water or wastewater treatment plan and associated disposal ponds or similar facility of a public.

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Agency or public utility, it's a structure that may have a significant effect on surrounding uses.

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And is regulated under this classification.

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The rural preservation districts are intended to foster agricultural forestry, mineral resource.

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Extraction and aquacultural uses and protect the land base necessary to support these activities.

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Low density residential development in this type of district is permitted subject to.

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Performance standards that maintain the rural character of the district in recognition.

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Of the fact that a full range of public facilities is not provided or planned,.

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The general intent of the district is to encourage farming without undue burden on the landowner.

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Per the comprehensive plan, rural preservation district is prime farmland, timberland and mineral.

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Resource lands agriculturally related industries and limited non-farm cottage industries and low.

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Density non-farm, residential development developments characteristic of the county's.

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Rural character, which are to be preserved for a wide range of economic and aesthetic purposes,.

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It acknowledges continued non-conforming, commercial and residential activities on.

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Existing parcels throughout the district but limits their expansion or creation.

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The public notice for the planning commission public hearing was published in the southern.

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Maryland news on may 7th and may 14th. The property has been posted in accordance with the czo.

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Requirements, section 21.3.3 and certified mail receipts have been received and have been entered.

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Into the record of this public hearing, as exhibit 1.

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And the agenda was posted on the county website on may 19.

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2021. the concept plan was reviewed at the tec meeting that was held on november 25th 2020.

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Per the ordinance major utility use number 97 is a conditional use in the rural preservation.

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District with the following general standards, one that site plan approval shall be required.

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And that utility transmission facilities, except those regional or interstate facilities, that must.

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Cross tidal waters may be permitted only in the critical area ida zone if the facility or activity.

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Has demonstrated to all appropriate local and state permitting agencies that there will not.

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That there will be a net improvement in water quality discharged to the adjacent body of water.

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For all non-residential and multi-family residential projects that require major.

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Site plan approval, a concept site plan shall first be approved by the planning commission.

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Before the major site plan may be processed for approval by the planning director, this is.

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A public hearing which enables all who wish to provide information to the planning commission.

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In order to approve the concept site plan, the planning commission shall make the findings that.

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The proposed development is consistent with the comprehensive plan and applicable functional plans.

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May be served by adequate public facilities, as required by section 70.2.2.

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Will promote the health, safety and welfare of the general public adequately developed recreational.

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And other community amenities are provided in accordance with the comprehensive plan.

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And the comprehensive zoning ordinance and is consistent with chapter 62 design objectives.

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The conditional use approval hearing with the board of appeals was held on may 13, 2021 and.

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Approval was granted per cuap number 20-132-16. The information from that meeting will be added.

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To the site plan, once the order is finalized and signed- and this concludes staff's report and is.

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Entered into the record of this public hearing, as exhibit 2. representing the applicant, is.

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Kevin anderson with kcw engineering technologies and other staff are there any questions for me.

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Very the board members have any questions of staff.

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Okay, hearing, none; okay, okay, no we'll go ahead and let the applicant um and the applicant have had.

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A powerpoint presentation as well, so I will pull that up for them who's doing the um speaking for.

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You all this evening. Thank you, mr good afternoon, good evening, mr chairman, I'm lewis jenkins, I'm.

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The attorney for southern maryland, electric uh with me tonight, are tommy short from smecko.

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Tommy is the environmental and property rights director for smeco. Hewl is also an employee at.

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Smeko, mr voll is the transmission and substation engineer and manager, and also with us tonight is.

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Kevin anderson from kcw engineer and who is the civil engineer for the project, uh mr goal.

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This is his show, so we're going to let him go through his powerpoint and answer any technical.

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Questions that the board that the commission may have okay go ahead. Thank you, lewis, good uh good.

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Evening, members of the board- and I said thank you for your time- to allow smoko to prevent the.

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uh Present the chapter code substation tonight and keep this brief. As you say, this is in regards to.

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The proposed chapter coast substation right off of chapter corrode just by phillip thomas lane,.

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Okay and what first one we'll talk about, is the reason why we're looking.

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uh Why we why the substation is being proposed in that area is um echoes planning, department, we're.

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Continuously modding our system to identify areas where there are increasing areas of.

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Load that need to be served as well as to mainta and maintain reliable service to our customers.

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The chapstick area has been identified where the existing substations in place that serve the area.

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Are maximum capacity and we're starting to lose the ability to serve the growing load in their.

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Area and to and to serve the load that is required, the new substation we have proposed not only.

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Will address increase low growth in the area, but uh also provide something more options to restore.

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Power to our customers in a more quickly and timely manner should an outage occur.

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And the reason why the chapter goes, this area is, uh we looked looked in this area.

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The current stations that are serving the area or um roberts r2 is our our milestone.

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Substation, which is all uh in milestone just past the seventh district park, um a substation.

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Up off of uh oakville oakville road and then a substation located over in holly uh down in off.

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Of route 235 in hollywood uh maryland, as you can tell those are pretty remote areas, I mean those.

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Are pretty remote from the area we're looking at and hence why we're trying to get a substation.

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Closer to the source to provide to address the growth in the area and provide more reliable power.

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So what we're looking at uh you know the proposed location, it's right off of our.

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Our existing transmission line right away on property that is owned by smeko. um We have the.

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Project proposed to be built over two years and I do apologize. That should say 2021 and 2022.

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um uh Our plan is, you know, once we once we uh perm uh for the receive. All our permits is to start our.

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The clearing and spike rating uh this summer in 2021, and then we predict once the clearing, is.

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Gone it's about a year, long construction. So we expect to be completed uh in fall of 2022.

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And that said, the reason why you know. uh Finally, we have the growing load in the air in the area.

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That we, the substation, will help serve, and that also has the ability to help restore power.

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In the area, because the existing stations uh are already at their max and we don't have the ability.

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To to provide the power needed in this area, but uh two things I really want to focus on is this is a.

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The property is already owned by smeko, and it is also right next to our existing transmission.

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Line so and when we build the station we were not, there is no new right-of-way required in.

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Order to build the lines to serve to energize the station, so we can serve load in the area.

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And I want to give a little bit of background exactly to what this uh to what our substation.

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The pub station does is what it takes. It uh takes the substation of the transmission voltage.

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And and essentially it takes the from a higher voltage and it steps it down to the.

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Low voltage, which is then used to serve all the residential and uh commercial customers.

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So the side you're looking at right here, is just a little bit of the aerial that was shown earlier.

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In the uh from the staff report um right, you can see the the yellow square there, that is, a property.

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Owned by smeko nextstar right away right across from phyllis thomas lane, that is where the site.

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Is going to is um to be built, and then this is just a couple of pictures up close if you look.

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At the next picture, showing the actual right of way, you know this is on standing on chapter co.

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uh Chapter road, looking in that's, uh you can see, that's our the exist uh existing right away where.

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Our transmission lines already are and that uh there you know I just wanted to point out. We've.

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Had some questions in the past that we know with access- and you know we have recently.

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Replaced the gates and redone the you know: redone the wires to try to prevent.

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You know um prevent people from accessing the right of way off chapter road.

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And then, if you go to the last slide of the presentation, next, um that's just looking in.

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That is the actual proposed site um where once declaring, where the site will will be built.

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And mr gold, when you say it's next to the transmission line, you're, not talking about.

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Your normal distribution line, uh how much voltage does your transmission line transmit uh the.

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Transmission line is the or to be built to serve the station trans. It's a 69th. It's a 69, 000 volt.

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Line, whereas the distribution lines next to the road are served to uh 13.2 kv, and how wide is this.

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uh Right-Of-Way, this electrical transmission line, existing transmission right away, is 150 feet wide.

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And and is necco agreeable to installing the appropriate bumper yard, as required by.

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The county code- yes um all as our as part of the plans and presented with the board of appeals, all.

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um We plan to go above and beyond, to meet all buffer yard requirements and to provide.

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Extensive screening around the station- and it looks like your site is completely wooded- is.

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It your intent to try to maintain as much of the tree canopy that exists as possible.

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Outside of the area which uh needs to be cleared inside, the fence shown on the display which, where.

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All the energized electrical equipment will be. Our plan is to outside of that, maintain all the rest.

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Of the trees on site and actually going and they will be put in a permanent forest conservation.

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And in terms of health and safety, uh does smacko comply with all applicable electrical building.

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Codes in the construction of the substation there there are two main codes which smell has.

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To follow, and that would be the osha occupation, occupational safety and health administration.

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And the mesc, which is the national electric safety code, there's the two codes which are.

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Designed we make sure we maintain all minimal clearances both horizontally.

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Horizontally horizontally and vertically from any neighboring structures or or roadways,.

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And we also provide uh in all the security and the perimeter, parameter fence to keep the public.

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For the public safety to keep them out from the equipment and once the substation is constructed.

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What do you anticipate the traffic uh impact to do by the trump by the substation.

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Once the uh once construction is complete, our substation is actually remotely monitored.

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From our central operations center um and the outside of uh like an outage of emergencies, the.

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Typical traffic will be either a pocket or a pickup truck to do an inspection.

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A visual inspection for maintenance and make sure everything's in working order.

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uh Every other, once a month or every two weeks so minimal to no traffic.

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Thank you, I know for the questions. Mr chairman,.

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uh Does the board have any questions, mr bold, at this time.

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Mr vol, how um how familiar are you with other substations in the in the county.

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uh They're very familiar with all the substations in st mary's county and throughout all of specco's.

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Service territory we currently operate and maintain over 85 states, um 85 states.

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85 stations throughout calvert, st mary's, lower, prince george's and charles county. Well, I guess.

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What I'm asking is familiar from how familiar you are with like I'll, say the substation.

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That's on um hewitt road in california. um Do you know which one I'm talking about.

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Yes, I refer. That's our the r2, that's actually a 230kv yard uh right there off of hewitt road.

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Yeah um that substation, I said that is actually a 230 kv. um That is much larger and not the not.

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The size of the station that we are proposing here at chapterco give me a ballpark figure. It is, is it.

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The one you want to build in chapterco is it half that size a quarter of that size.

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I would say it would be a quarter of that size yeah, because that was that one's big you know, but.

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But it's right there, next to a neighborhood and all that. But um I go across there to.

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Deliver grandchildren- and uh it um I mean it's, a big substation, it's clean.

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It looks good and all that and it's next to a lot of I'll, say fairly fairly expensive homes, but.

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It's huge, but when you're saying that yours is only about a quarter that size that um that helps.

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Okay, yes, that is a that is a high. That is a what I said a higher voltage station. You know it's.

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Actually, at the 230 kv the 230 kv level, so that requires you, know greater heights and more spacing.

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And I believe, the hubert road, that's that site is almost 10.

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It's over 10 plus acres, if not more fenced in that area alone, whereas, like down here we're proposing.

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uh 2.95 acres, total, okay um and you're planning on I hear if I hear you all correctly, uh keeping.

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Up with all the trees uh that that are, except for the area, that's I'll, say right in the middle.

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um But are you gonna be doing I'll, say any uh type of evergreen type type of plantings.

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Around that to to kind of hide the fence, even though it's um I'll say the only people that.

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Are probably going to be impacted besides, the ones that are on the highway would be. um I think.

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It's the name is haskell campbell that, um let me see, I can look it up a little bit quicker here.

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um Yeah, mr haskell can't even have one acre and it's that's the closest closest part of.

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Your buffer is is on their property and that's 35 feet, but down in the corner. I noticed that.

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Their existing building is up more towards the road. um I just always like to look out for the.

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Neighbors, so you all are going to take care of the plantings that are from the I'll say from the road.

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Down to that corner where it says 35 foot, I'm looking at your concept site plan, um page 12 is.

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Yeah we're going to um if you're looking at the concept site plan, anything uh we're going.

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To maintain all the trees as much as possible and we've also in the landscaping on that, I'm going to.

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Refer to as the east side of the station for the, which is the haskell campbell arsenal 90, then we.

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Have the top the 61 agnes thomas there is, we do have proposed additional plannings and screenings.

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Along that side of the station as well, that's good to hear like make sure if this is to go through.

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uh Important things to take care of your neighbors so that they're they're, protected and screened.

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um Is there much sound that comes off of this, that I know there's a small one in hollywood.

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um I know in the old days it used to hum, but after you all replaced everything, the home went away.

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And I'm sure the neighbors were happier is there much sound that comes off of these um projects? You.

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Know when you're, when you're, when you're, seeing when you're standing at the fence line at our.

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New substations, with the new transformers, um the any audible noise, is uh minimal to not to none.

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At all, okay, it's well below the well well below the 5 gb uh well below the 55 decibel threshold.

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Okay, mr physiqueus, uh mr roll um going back to the.

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Great mills substation that mr thompson was asking about.

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The reason we're building the substation or you're proposing this.

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Is that there's um added demand that the the system needs to um um uh take um to address so.

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You can supply the um the power safely and and such um I guess my question is.

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In the event, I would, I would think it's unlikely, but that's not the case here in the event that.

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The power needs of this area, you know double, let's just say, um would the possibility of this.

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Substation, if approved ever grow to the the size of the one we see there at great mills.

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Or is that something where you would have to cite a different location to meet the needs.

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If it ever gets to the, if it ever gets to that point, where the I would say the.

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Substation down there off of the hewitt road that is actually a 230kv substation. We would actually.

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Look at a different, uh a different area. There's not we do not have enough there, there's not a.

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Big enough footprint, to put it aside, the size publication you're, looking for in that area and.

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I would like also to follow up into more detail with the proposed substation that we do have.

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There at chapter code now it is set up for it, is set up to address. um You know if you say.

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The low growth doubles it is set up, so we have the ability to add a second transformer in the future.

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To serve to serve load in that area without having to build another site, thank you very much.

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Any other questions from board members.

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Okay, hearing none um go ahead and open up public testimony. If there's anybody that.

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Would like to come up and make a comment at this time. You can come up to the microphone.

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Here in the center give us your name and address and give us your comment.

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Good evening, man.

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Okay, could you give us your name and address please.

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And your and your address please.

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Okay, thank you. Could you speak and and speak a little bit louder.

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Toward the microphone, we want to make sure that you're you're on record. Yes,.

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Mr chairman, I apologize for stepping in. We cannot hear her on the computer. Okay.

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Can't can't hear because she's speaking too softly or can't hear or.

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At all hold on, we got amy's coming out to check the microphone.

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Yes, ma'am pull that little microphone up. It's it's a lot better than that. Other thing.

A

Okay, more comfortable too, for you all right what I wanted to know if smeko is constantly monitoring.

J

The emf, but um you know, okay, that's that's one of my questions. Okay, did you all hear that that's.

J

Something that's constantly being monitored. I know they say they're going to be monitoring. It.

J

So therefore, the traffic would be at a minimum, and you know, as far as other things going on.

J

Is that something else that they would be monitoring? Also.

A

Okay did y'all hear um this is a huge bowl from spec.

H

I can speak to that. I heard the question in regards to the concerns of.

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um Em emf generated by the electric power lines and substations and is this: uh is this.

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uh Miss frederick, correct, yes, uh-huh. This is something we spoke about at the 13th. Yes,.

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Yes, at the board of appeals meeting that is correct. um I said the we know exactly with your.

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Property and yes, mecco's excited the station, is always being uh remotely monitored. 24 7.

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You know to make sure the power is on and there's no uh no outages going on.

H

In regards to to the emf, he said that is the function. That is, uh it's.

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Every type of electrical appliance or power line you know, especially as a generator. You know.

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Creates an electric electromagnetic field and the level of the emf that you experience. You know that.

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Is directly related as a function of how close you are to the source, so the farther away? You are.

H

From the source, the less the em, the less the emf reading is going to be and what smeko has proposed.

H

And what we can do- and I said we will call you, we have your contact information we'll be in touch.

H

Is we have? um We have a uh employees on staff with the equipment can come out and then take.

H

The measurements like I said this is a this- is something that we offer free of charge for our.

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Customers, so we don't think it's fair for you to have to pay for a third party to do a reading.

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Because of a project we're doing so, we can come out and take readings at the site.

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um At your property, I will refer on the others on the other side of the station, which is across from.

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Where our existing transmission lines are, we will gladly come out. Take a reading prior to anything.

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Prior to substation construction, starting during and after, and we can also take readings around.

H

Your house as well to show you the emf levels at your house compared to the substation as well.

J

Okay- and I think you made that clear, but what I was asking is this something that you monitor.

J

Remotely like you're, not out there testing, but that you can monitor if it's a you know, range.

H

It's steady because of the source because, as long as the power is on it can change being generated.

H

So once you get that once you get that once you get that first reading, um that's that's.

H

That's the level and in the future we can always. We can always do follow-up readings on site as.

H

Well, to show that the emf level has not increased okay, so I think from what I'm understanding is.

J

You will only know uh from the readings it's not something that you'll be back in your.

J

Office or wherever you do the monitoring. This is not something that you would see in case. It.

J

Fluctuated you would never see that you would only know what it is at the time of the reading.

J

Is that what I'm understanding? Yes? Because you want to go out? Because you need that.

H

Yeah you want to be out with the equipment, you want to be right right there and you have to.

H

Adjust it to get an accurate, uh an accurate reading at the time, and then you go out and.

H

You want to do it right there at this point. Okay, so, yes, you don't have the ability to transmit.

H

To transmit that data back okay, so sound like it's not being monitored. Okay,.

J

Oh kind of got the little.

J

Do you find out that this time that it does fluctuate, but if you're not monitoring, you.

J

Wouldn't know that anyhow, you would only know what it is when you come out to test it. So.

J

That's all right and when you get ready to test it, then you contact the residents. Is that something.

J

They can schedule with you at that time. Yes, we will yeah, we will. We will reach out and.

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Contact our any con, any consumer that has concerns directly and can schedule and will.

H

Schedule times directly with the consumer uh based upon their uh on their availability,.

J

I think that's all. I think you answered my question. Okay hold on one second, mr frederick,.

A

Is there any board members who have any questions miss frederick, nothing's, frederick? No, I know what.

A

You're getting ready to ask okay, you go ahead, we think along the same lines. Thank you. Miss.

A

Frederick we're just going to ask questions just about what you talked about, though so stand by.

B

Mr yeah, this is mr vocal, is there? Is there a reason that emf.

B

Would fluctuate, can you give me some idea of why emf might fluctuate? Maybe that would.

B

That would help, or is there a reason that it would fluctuate.

H

Yeah, maybe under an instantaneous fault, but other than that, the emf as long as the source is.

H

Generating is generated and continuously running the emf. The emf will not fluctuate, so it would.

B

It's so it's consistent with the generation of the power. That's moving through that system.

H

Correct, okay and then the freak because it's uh emf, the electric.

H

uh All it uh stands for electric electromagnetic frequency right it all that frequency is.

H

Generated by all you know, any type of motor condenser, like the like the motor on your h.

H

Outdoor hvac unit the right motor on your microwave yeah, so it generates that source.

H

And then the far the farther you, the farther away, you are the less the less the emf right.

B

But you guys do monitor with the power across that grid. You guys monitor that all the time.

B

Right, so if there was a fluctuation you would know frequency the yeah.

H

We would know if there's we would know if there's a fluctuation, but so that would not it's not going.

H

To affect directly effect or cause the emf to go up or down, it goes back to it's the source. uh How.

H

The how close you, how close you are to whether it's the motor or the power lines and the farther.

H

The farther away, you are the less exposure to the emf itself. Okay, mr vols suppose let's say you.

A

This this goes through. You get this built, and you hear that next week is going to be five straight.

A

Days of 98 degrees, so you know everybody is going to be running their air conditioner everybody's.

A

Going to be cooking in the microwave, because they're not going to be wanting to run that.

A

The oven in the house and all that type of thing is: would that be the time that y'all would go out.

A

And check that emf to see if um there's any I'll, say higher or lower standard or any fluctuation.

A

um And, and on the same line in the middle of the winter, when it's going to be at its coldest days.

A

Where everybody's going to be in the house, with either furnace or electric heat or.

A

Or electric heaters or and that type of thing same same I'll, say application, but just different.

A

Different weather um would that would those be times that you all would check that in your first.

A

Years of of this station being up, would that be a good suggestion for you? If that's when the.

H

If that's, if that's when our, if that's when the consumers want us to come out and do the reading, we can gladly come out and do the reading during the middle of the summer.

H

Whether it's or two is our or the middle of the winter of what was our highest peak demand.

H

When the most electricity is being consumed, and we could also do it in the middle of the fall.

H

Or spring you know, when nobody has the heat or ac on and demand is lower on our system as well.

H

Because that is the time of the year, we can easily accommodate the consumer's request. Okay,.

G

In that regard, and mr chairman uh lewis, jenkins, you don't have the benefit of having the order.

G

Yet from the board of appeals, but one of the conditions of the board of appeals, approval.

G

Of the conditional use was that smeko meet with miss frederick, as well as the other adjacent.

G

Property owners and perform an emf read-in prior to construction during construction and.

G

Then, after construction to to give the neighbors the assurances that there's no increase in emf,.

G

And uh so that was it now, it's an opportune time to point out that smeko is.

G

A a owned by our members and so smeko is usually very receptive and responsive to members requests.

G

So if, if at any time mrs frederick would like smack to come out and take a reading, I'm sure.

G

Smack would be more than willing to do that. Yes, um that was supposed to be added, but I mean, but that.

A

Was a um mr jenkins, you say that was a condition uh with the board of appeals that that that that.

A

Be done enough? Yes, yes, yes, sir, that was yeah correct. That was part of the order. That was.

G

uh Part of the motion that was uh approved by the board of appeals back on uh may the 13th.

G

Okay, that's good question. I have a question. Mr chairman, I got a couple questions from mr vols.

D

um So does mit okay hold on miss summers, we had just started before you and then.

A

We'll we'll kick in hold on mr vol, I have a question: would it be reasonable to assume.

K

That increasing this size and capacity of this substation would increase emf.

H

If we were to, if we were go to a higher volta higher voltages than what we have proposed.

H

Then yes, the emf will be up, but we're not proposing we're. Not that's what we're not.

H

We're not proposing that here. Okay, thank you.

A

Okay and then, who who else had a question joe mr van kirk, airman joe van kirk here.

A

D

Okay, quick couple two-part question from mr vol and it's in reference to the emfs. um The first.

D

Part is for some reason they were a tad bit high and I don't know the levels or anything.

D

About ems, but is there some way you can do external shielding? You know an additional.

D

Fence a some kind of barricade: I'm not sure what stops them, but is that a possibility if.

D

That was, and the second part of that question is at your other substations, the 85 plus substations.

D

Had have you had any problem with ems and had to actually go out and and add any type of shielding.

D

For them, thank you for the question and to answer the first part of the question should, for some.

H

Reason the readings come back higher than what uh that was acceptable. There are options out there.

H

You know to provide like different shielding and to um to reduce the frequency, but to date at all,.

H

The other stations that smeko has we've yet to come across where we've had an increase in the.

H

Emf due to our substations in that site between the substations and the high voltage power lines.

H

We've yet to come across where we've ever caught, where we've ever caused it to go extremely high.

D

Okay, I certainly appreciate that I mostly asked that question just so.

D

Miss frederick may have a level of comfort to know that out of all the mother, substations.

D

There's been no problems with the levels of ems and I appreciate your answer. That's all. I have.

H

Thank you very much, sir. Okay. Miss robert okay, mr vol. I have one one question for you and.

C

Is there not a pro a safety protocol, that's some that smeko conducts to d on all of their sites to.

C

Determine if there's any uh variance in the in the in the levels of the emf, you know you're you're,.

C

Saying it's up from what I'm understanding you saying is that it's going to be up to the consumer.

C

Mrs frederick, for instance, to make that call for you to come out.

C

And conduct that analysis of the emf, I would think that would be part of your safety program.

C

Question mark it is it.

H

And there there are several there's actually several factors we do into this and how we.

H

Lay out design the sub and to get without getting into too much technical detail. It actually comes.

H

In with the way we how we roll the conductors and how we have the phasing, the phase, the different.

H

Phases come into the station because if you set it up right, you can actually the alternates if.

H

You do the phasing right. The alternate phases will actually cancel the emf out and that's one.

H

Of the ways we can do to help that's one of the we incorporate that into all our designs.

H

By the way we bring the wires into help, so they cancel out and minimize any emf effect whatsoever.

H

So yeah there are so there are several design aspects that smeka does for all substations.

H

And transmission line design to minimize that effect to make sure it doesn't happen.

C

But what about the monitoring, sir.

C

I mean we've talked about the what the monitoring.

C

Yeah I mean is that solely dependent on a consumer making a call and requesting.

C

That be done, or is it part of your protocol to come out there maybe once a month it's.

H

When the customer calls and calls in and has questions and concerns about it, that's what we.

H

We will come out and take the take the readings for it, so that that's not something that y'all.

A

Do uh I'll say periodically in the course of a year I know that they come out and check all.

A

Substations, for whatever you know um just to give it visual looks, but you don't have on a schedule.

A

I'll say anything that takes readings for emf on a um I'll, say, a regular basis, quarterly basis.

A

Biannual, throughout you said, throughout the other, numerous stations throughout our service territory.

H

We've never had it's never been a concern or an issue that smeko has created, but we also.

H

Know it's a lot, there's a lot of questions and concerns from the public out there. That's why we.

H

Have that's why we have the service available, so we can go and take the readings to let our.

H

Consumers know that we're not doing anything to expose them to any harms from the emf. Okay, well.

A

We might see we might suggest a little something different. It doesn't sound, so neighborly yep.

J

Because the customer might not know what to even look for to think it's time to.

J

Check the emf, whereas smeko should know that this is something that's important enough.

J

To monitor, because I know you always say that.

J

Good I'd, like I would like to add, we do understand that it is very important to our customers.

H

You know: that's why it's a it's a service. We offer to everybody free of charge.

E

I got a question um what's required with this monitor, I mean that being that it doesn't happen.

E

Often I mean what what goes into um one of the uh the readings how much work is required. uh It.

H

Require from our it's a smeko personnel and the handheld equipment, the geiger mounter and it's.

H

Them just walking out there with the device that reads the emf and walk and walking around and.

H

Taking the readings next to it, certainly next to different locations uh and certain equipment, so.

H

It can be, it can be pretty time consuming it's uh depending on if you, if we start walking around and.

H

Checking every piece of equipment in somebody's house compared to standing at their property.

H

Line next to our substation and you can you um define pretty uh pretty time consuming please.

H

In regards to how uh it's just with the customer, if it's a big house you know going up to, is you.

H

Have to walk up, and you put it next to each piece of equipment, whether it's the outdoor unit, the.

H

Microwave, it all depends on where, where exactly they asked smeko to take the emf readings at.

E

Are we talking two hours we're talking about 15 minutes, we're talking about.

E

I mean I'm just trying to get a better understanding how long it will take. You typically.

H

When we do the uh the site visit for the emf readings, it's anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

E

Roger that and and there's no way to do this remotely because it's like I said it's a function.

H

It's a function of uh of distance, so you could put it at once. You could set. You could set up a.

H

Monitor at one spot you know, but then you want to walk around and check it compared to other.

H

Areas to get a true to get a true reading of the emf in the entire site, not just one spot.

H

Because but it could could it could it be something that.

E

Are there are there um remote uh monitors available, not that I'm aware of it this time, sir.

E

Okay, okay! Well, I know you did oh.

J

I'm sorry go ahead. Mister. I know you did say that you sent someone out. Is it uh every two weeks or.

J

At least a month, the the those are our field personnel. They do not have the esa. They do not.

H

Have the emf equipment? It's? um We only have a couple of them. They're they're there just to.

H

Inspect the overall, the equipment and the station to make sure everything is operating properly.

J

And since we since we're talking about that, though, is it that they don't know how to operate it or.

J

And you say they don't have it, they don't have it because it's not given to them or they don't.

J

Know how to operate it or you know.

J

I'm not quite understand.

H

It's not it's not part of it's. It's special. It's special equipment.

H

And we don't have all the smuggler alignment where right there are not trained or not. Everybody in smeco is trained because it is, it is specialized equipment.

A

That's through and that's that's the reason why we want to when we set.

H

Somebody out there we want to make sure that they're properly trained so they're taking.

H

The right readings and giving and passing on the correct information to the public.

J

Well, you're, big enough company, I'm sure you can work that out.

J

I mean if training is the problem.

H

Yeah it's, but I'm not the only one like I said, that's what we can. uh We can gladly.

H

We can gladly we can gladly set up a time and meet you at your house and the property on site.

H

To take your readings and discuss uh in detail the further, what specials can do to help.

H

Ease your concerns. Well, I guess the board would probably have to enforce some things that you know.

J

I can say certain things, but I think the board would have to uh enforce some of the things that.

J

Smack her should do since they're the ones that's gonna, give you the permits and all of those things.

J

Okay: okay, okay, I think um thank you, miss frederick! Thank you, mr freddie. Okay,.

J

And I know they didn't say anything about the minutes.

J

And that's probably why you didn't know that it was um added in that they would give the readings.

J

Before during and after, but when he was reading, uh I didn't hear they say about the minutes from the.

J

13Th so, but I guess this act added somewhere. We appreciate that they might even be doing it more.

A

Yeah. Okay, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Somebody else like to come up.

A

Either spots good, just as long as we can hear you, what would you tilt that microphone up.

A

Oh, that mic's not working, could you come up here where mr frederick was.

A

Please give us your name and address. Please sure my name is james young. My address is 808.

L

Ciro estates drive and that's fort washington maryland zip codes, 2074.. Okay, I have a couple.

L

Of questions, one is for the county. I heard about the rural preservation district.

L

Being proposed for this- and I just wanted to.

L

Find out if there is any uh effective that effect on adjoining properties as a result of that.

A

What kind of effect were you talking about? Sir? I mean, I don't know I mean. Are.

L

You kind of locked into whatever they're doing as a result of your property being.

L

uh Joined to them, I'm not going to speak or any of any effect at all I mean that's, I mean.

A

I mean: are you talking uh costs or uh financial costs on your property? No! No! No! I'm talking! I'm.

L

Talking about from zoning issues and zoning, I mean because that's what I thought we were talking.

A

About I don't let the county speak for you, but this is allowed in that zoning district. If I'm not.

F

The emf ratings prior to construction during construction and then post construction.

F

And then, obviously, whenever a citizen would reach out and request.

F

To have additional readings that was part of that approval, so that kind of satisfied allowing it for.

F

The zoning okay, my property- is directly adjoining the property. So really I'm just trying to find out.

L

Does the fact that it's being rural preservation district have any issues on my property from a.

L

Zoning perspective, no, not that I'm aware of okay, that's my first question and uh the next one I.

L

Wanted to be sure, I think it was mr jenkins that mentioned that uh miss frederick was on the record.

L

For the emf testing and I wanted to ensure that I'm on the record as well for the emf, testing.

H

Yes, this is hugo mecca I'll, speak to that. Yes, sir, mr, uh we have you on record in regards to.

H

Setting up scheduling the emf testing as well from the board of appeals back on may 13th. Thank.

L

You very much okay and the last question that I have is- and I correct me if I'm I'm wrong here,.

L

If, in fact, the substation is being monitored.

L

For emf, frequencies, then I'm assuming that the adjacent properties emf frequency can't.

L

Be any higher than the substation would that be correct? Would that be incorrect.

H

That's correct, sir, and we have shown throughout our service territory that one building a smeko.

H

Substation does not affect or increase the emf level uh on the on the adjacent properties. Okay, so.

L

That being said, is it that big a deal to just have the substation monitor itself and then that way.

L

Everybody on the periphery. We don't have to worry, because if, in fact, it's just like having a fire.

L

Alarm, I don't wait till there's a fire to worry about that. I mean where's the alarm. I mean what.

L

I'm hearing is that unless we call you, we have no way of knowing that the emf levels have increased.

H

That's why we come out and test it, but it's about the.

H

The technology and also to set those up and then to be able to monitor and bring that data back to.

H

Smeko is is what was preventing it, whereas we also believe back to what uh several my.

H

Many previous statements we like to do it at the house to show the effects of emf of the substation.

H

Versus what the effects of the of the emf are saved from the condenser, the condenser, the motor.

H

Unit run it on your outdoor hvac unit or next to your microwave. You know so that's where at.

H

One point: dude: if we monitor the smeko substation 24 7, our customers, are we going to want to? Are you.

H

Going to want to monitor all the potential sources for emf, it's individual landowners as well too.

L

Well, no I'm just saying if we can feel comfortable that the emf isn't being.

L

Put off by the substation, then, whatever ems in our home is uh self-created. That's that's kind.

L

Of what I'm you know, the other question that I have is um you mentioned that people come out a.

L

Couple of times a month to the substation at that time, do they take emf readings at the substation.

H

Again uh I'll go back to my previous statement, the the linemen and the personnel that go out they're.

H

There to inspect and check on the uh the equipment um they do not have they're, not they're, not there.

H

To check or uh to do take the emf readings because they don't have the equipment and they're not.

H

Trained they're, basically and they're not trained in that as well. So again that would be quite.

H

Go ahead, it gives me the feeling that you guys are more reactive than proactive. Okay,.

H

I I would actually tend to say we are, we are more proactive than reactive.

H

Instead of just waiting until after the substation is built.

H

uh Say that's why we are. We have no concerns with meeting with the customers before during.

H

And after and when they were like readings to show exactly what the effects are at their site,.

L

Okay, but there's no policing that goes on and again, I'm like.

L

There's no policing that goes on independently of the owner's involvement.

H

Well, once we have, when the more readings we get and once you then we thoroughly demonstrate that.

H

There is no effect uh from the e of the emf. You know then smeko's comfortable, saying we haven't.

H

Caused any effects and, as stated back in the board of appeals meeting, you know if, for some.

H

Reason something does happen. There is shielding and alternate methods that smeko can implement.

H

To make to reduce the emf effects but, as said before, we in the multiple stations.

H

And lines we have throughout we've never had we've never had any of this occur.

L

Okay, and is this the industry standard, good question.

H

Yeah, uh every everything we do in regards to it's all standardized decree.

H

All standardized readings and it's an industry, uh there's all type of standards expected.

H

Follows in regards to the readings we take good all right. Thank you very much.

A

Okay, hold on one second, mr young. Any of the board members have any questions. Mr young.

I

Enough for mr younger for the county just to clarify mr young's question.

I

So the fact that this property was conditionally rezoned does not change the zoning of the adjacent.

I

Properties, correct correct and it does not limit my ability to do what I want to do.

L

With my property, correct with the current zoning, correct, okay, okay, thank you very much any other.

A

Question, thank you, mr young. Is there anybody else chairman thompson, I have a quick. I had a.

D

Quick question for mr vol as just a follow-up from mr young's questions: okay, go ahead, sir.

D

Once you build the substation you'll have the same amount of power the entire time there. I'm not.

D

Gonna say it won't fluctuate. You know with high demand or low demand, but when you take a reading.

D

At your site, at your fence line or wherever you do, the reading.

D

If you check it at the max, you can't ever exceed that unless you expand that substation correct.

D

That is correct, so what you have I I I guess what I'm trying to understand is because I've had a.

D

Couple of the um public ask questions about the emf and continuous testing and remote testing and.

D

And I'm just trying to understand that if, if you say the emfs are two, I'm not even.

D

Sure of levels, but if you say they're two at our max output, then that's the most. It can be.

H

Correct: it's a magnet, the max it's the max demand that that our substation is designed for.

H

You know the the emf will never get, can never get any higher than that.

D

So I'm assuming that there is a standard for ems, since you guys are in the electrical business and.

D

I'm sure you've built substations of this size so which what you're building there.

D

You probably already know that at your fence line it's going to be whatever the number is.

D

And I'm going to assume because you're governed by osha and national electric code, that's a safe.

D

Level that is correct. Okay, I just wanted to confirm- and uh maybe that hopefully answered.

D

A little bit of the questions, um ms frederick and mr young. Thank you very much.

A

Okay, is there any other any other questions from the board.

A

Okay, we'll go ahead and close public testimony, um I'm just going to.

F

Check with kathy just to make sure nobody had calm down real quick, I forgot about the telephones.

K

This is kathy garcia. We have no public comments. Okay, great, thank you. Thank you.

A

I'll have to say, I'm glad you folks came in here tonight because we're so used to doing it on the.

A

Telephone that when we have public testimony live, it makes a big difference. You get a better feel.

A

And a lot of times you get more questions asked and answered.

A

In that evening, I'm glad it's I'm glad things are getting back to normal.

A

It helps okay I'll go ahead and close public testimony uh hear any rebuttal from.

A

The applicant, um do you all have anything you all need to add after hearing those questions.

G

uh No, no well just one brief question, mr chairman, mr goal, uh in terms of the monitoring of the.

G

Substations, what information does smeko do any type of a remote monitoring of its substations.

H

Yeah, the remote monitoring the smoker does with the substations is it's to make sure.

H

The the power is on and we have uh all the proper volt all the proper voltages are there.

H

And you know that the power and the power is not out to make sure that uh it's pretty much to make.

H

Sure everything is functioning as properly so we can the power stays on and is uh reliable.

G

And that's monitored: 24 7 24 hours a day, seven days a week that is correct in the.

G

Event that any of those readings were abnormal smeko has procedures to vote to.

G

Have a crew go out and inspect the substation promptly? Yes, um we have, uh we have. We have croc.

H

We have trucks, service, trucks on the road, 24 7 and in the invento and in the case on an event at the.

H

Station we they're dispatched and we usually have a truck in there. uh Our goal is an hour or less.

G

No further questions, mr chairman,.

A

Okay: okay, we're going to close, um go ahead and close testimony and open it up to the board for.

A

Deliberations, um we got a lot of good information from the neighbors that are close by their their.

A

Concerns- and we heard what smeko does I'll say on their regular basis. um It's it's in my opinion,.

A

Just this board member's opinion that maybe I know they're going to do it uh before during and after.

A

The building of this, but maybe if something can be done um on a quarterly fashion for a couple of.

A

Years just to keep the neighbors um both mined at ease, but maybe that's something that smeko.

A

You know they're one of the most I'll say safety-minded companies out there. You know.

A

They they run classes, they're, they're, they're alignment. I mean, I don't know you gotta. It's.

A

It's got to be like you know, if you're, if you want to run on an ambulance and be a fireman to.

A

Be a smeko lineman you got to be, you got to have some sort of a toughness in you to go out there.

A

In that weather and and to take care of that, but along the other lines too, on their day-to-day.

A

Work, I know they they they train, they train a lot. I know a lot of guys that work for smeko, so I'm.

A

Sure that's something that that if they pick up from us tonight from this board, that's something.

A

Especially just on this site, which we're making the decision on tonight, but they might want to.

A

Go out and start checking, you know some of these other ones where there's homes that are close by.

A

I mean these neighbors have a concern. They have a right to be concerned. I mean it's something.

A

New in the neighborhood- and um you know even like the one I was asking about in the park, which is.

A

Like they were even saying it's four times as large as this.

A

If I was living in one of those nice half million dollar homes, I'd want them to come.

A

Out every now and then to check that you know just to make sure so, maybe um in the course of.

A

Or deliberations, and and when it comes time to uh make a motion if this was to move.

A

Forward that might be something that could be considered to do things, for you know, on a more.

A

A few more times for a couple of years to make sure this thing is, you know and and that the.

A

Neighbors are notified when they do these readings. You know I know they're going to be anyway, because.

A

They're going to be in their yards, but sometimes something on paper is, is nice to have too.

A

Is anybody else that has anything, mr, mr chairman,.

A

Excuse me, mr vols, uh wanting to speak. uh We're actually done, mr chairman, this is.

H

Sorry go ahead. Go ahead, we're in deliberations. I mean I've, given you all all the all the shots, but.

A

If you're answering something that I just bought up, um go ahead and give it a whirl.

H

I was going to ask after delivery deliberations. I was going to offer. uh I was going to offer.

H

Comments that was just a point for clarification. Well, after we do all of ours, we will explain to.

A

You anything any conditions, or that comes with a motion this evening.

H

Thank you, sir okay, so I would like to comment.

K

Along the same lines as mr thompson, I sort of feel as if it would appear as if the onus is on.

K

The consumer to reach out and make the contact um with their concerns, and obviously this is.

K

Something that's been through: the board of appeals and you've all talked about someone coming out.

K

Before during and after, um but I think the part of this, that's that I'm concerned about is you know.

K

Do mr frederick or mrs frederick and mr young know who they're supposed to contact? Do they know how.

K

They're going to be informed of the findings of the emf readings I mean it just seems to me as if.

K

Some things need to be spelled out a little bit more clearly and mr thompson, when you.

K

Were saying about something on on paper, I think that that's that's critical um for the peace of.

K

Mind for the people who are uh who have these concerns and express them here this evening.

K

So it would just seem to me as if it would be smeko's responsibility to say.

K

Here's when we're coming, here's how we're going to let you know and again, as mr thompson said, you.

K

Know coming back, maybe several months later and doing the same thing, um I just think it.

K

It's it's working in good faith with your um with your neighbors, and it would certainly.

K

Help with their peace of mind, I would like to add to ms summers and mr thompson's uh comments.

I

We have a great down here with smacko, I'm I've said many times before, I'm not from the region.

I

We have for-profit companies where I'm originally from and the rates are great the service we get.

I

The fact that I can pull up on my app on my phone when an outing is you know, is happening where it's.

I

Taking place whether or not you know a team is out, uh you know addressing the issue and anticipated.

I

Time till the power's gonna be back on I mean that is just over and above what we had in the big city.

I

So for a nice southern rural county, like we have, I say, kudos to smacko but but the I would add about.

I

The about the emf concerns. um We have two citizens who are concerned: they're a small portion that.

I

They probably represent a lot of other people in the community who have similar concerns, who either.

I

Couldn't make it tonight didn't didn't know um or just couldn't afford the time to come out.

I

I understand that the equipment they use is specialized and you have training to use this emf.

I

Equipment um we've gotten rebates on our on our bills from smeko in the past. um Maybe something.

I

Specco could look into. I wouldn't make this a condition, but just saying you know look into this.

I

Moving forward, um maybe for the system we could afford one person who's trained um on this.

I

Equipment and whose sole job it is, is to go out to each of these substations in in the territory. You.

I

Know round robin and and test them, um and that way that stuff would be available on the website and.

I

You know I could look at that and say: okay. Well, I'm near the hollywood substation, whatever.

I

And oh okay, they were last here nine months ago and uh everything was baseline and oh that feels.

I

Good, I don't have to worry about that. I don't have to call them because I think their response to.

I

Concerns could actually cost more and be more more more effort and more costly, um and maybe.

I

Less confidence to to our the customers than simply saying hey, we have this plan, this policy.

I

In place for people who are concerned about emfs- um and um you know at least at least explore the.

I

Possibility is that feasible, financially and what would need to what steps would need to take place.

I

um For the future, so that you know when other growth happens and other substations have to be.

I

um Coming through uh you know, boards like this, uh maybe there's less community resistance. It can.

I

Point to we have this very you know proactive program so that I think that's the only thing.

I

I would actually add to the conversation today, okay, and I would agree, I think that.

B

um The emf testing is, a you know, is a uh uh is reasonable uh to.

B

For some echo to consider I, I would not be comfortable with with uh making it a.

B

Condition beyond uh what the board of appeals did the other evening, which I think is.

B

Is reasonable before, during and after um and a recommendation to southern mountain electric.

B

When technology is available to move uh to to use that technology, I've lived here, my whole life and.

B

I and you're right. We are really fortunate to have southern mayor electric here. um I've never known.

B

Them not to do what's in the best interest of uh the members of uh of the uh of some echo, um my.

B

You know personal uh personally: I've never picked up the phone without them. Addressing my issues.

B

um And going above and beyond what you might imagine that that any other you know.

B

Yeah might might uh might do so again. I'm I'm fine with the uh the conditions that the.

B

Appeals board put on, but would make a just a recommendation to smeko that they consider when.

B

Technology is available and again, if you chose to you, know, put in place something um in a schedule.

B

That you guys would or schmeco would do, but I think that's left to sumeco to do that and if.

B

Some echo believes it's the right thing to do for their customers. I think that they'll they will so.

B

Again, I don't believe that they have the ability to monitor the emf remotely currently.

B

Is what I understood so again as a as just a recommendation to smeko? I think that's reasonable.

B

That's all I have thanks. Okay, everything you want, sir. um I just want to add to what each one of you.

C

Have said in um statement that refers back to the safety of our residents, I think that's. It's.

C

Why we're here, each one of us to ensure that our the citizens of saint mary's county.

C

Whatever we do from a planning perspective are safe.

C

So in that regard, I don't understand why we can't have an automatic.

C

Emf status report you know or generated every quarter or I don't know what the minimum or.

C

Maximum would be, but I think why why put the onus like you said on mrs frederick or.

C

Any other resident it should be something that's automatic, because it's relative to the safety of.

C

These people and that's very concerning to me and not being an expert in the emf technologies, but.

I

um Like other detectors out there, I don't think that the I believe I'm not speaking for them, but.

I

I would I would assume that the technology is not just there yet that you could have.

I

A little remote sensors throughout the entire property that would be reporting directly back.

I

In the future, that might be the case, we're seeing you know smart refrigerators and toasters. Now.

I

So what point are we going to have detectors that would actually do the same kind of thing and.

I

Report back so maybe right now technology's, not there and you have to send somebody out. There's.

I

The labor involved in that, um but perhaps in the future, who knows what's going to be available so.

I

I definitely would hope that they would explore that. I think they would because they're gonna think the waiver isn't good a good utility to us, um but even if, if there's nothing automatic.

I

If they just had it in the system where, like I said round robin, if they have 40 substations.

I

That's one person's sole job and you say: hey, I'm bob and I'm the guy who does this.

B

Smeko you know, smeko is not not a company. That's going to do anything, that's unsafe for it. For the.

B

Community, it just isn't going to do that um and- and you know they have been very proactive- I think.

B

Over the years you know where we are, you know we reached out our you know. The service was, you know.

B

Spotty sometimes they replaced the everything on the road was replaced um and guess what I didn't.

B

Get a bill for that. I mean I got my regular bill, but but all that maintenance comes along with.

B

With me, being a member of this cooperative um and and again substation, this substation.

B

Is no different than the others it's to provide a consistent power source for folks in that area,.

B

And perhaps it's not as consistent as it once was, I mean they went through the expense, an enormous.

B

Expense of creating a loop so that so that, if your power was out you know, power could come.

B

From a different direction- and it was out only for a very short time, we are extremely fortunate.

B

To have a utility that is as diligent as seller, mayor electric um and you know I, as I say I don't.

B

um I don't want to put the onus on them uh first for technology that I don't think exists.

B

And again, I think, making that recommendation to southern mayor electric. I think this body, the.

B

People that testify tonight I mean I, I think they listen to that. I I think the success of the of the.

B

Cooperative is, is, that is that they do listen to their. You know their their consumers um and, and so.

B

You know I putting the onus of something I'm not sure that technology exists. I don't I I.

B

Don't agree with that, and I I do agree that the conditions that were put on were reasonable. I.

B

Also believe that if consumers are are concerned about emf- and I understand that you know putting.

B

The onus on consumers, you know may not be, may not be popular in all things, but I do believe.

B

If that is a concern of yours, pick up the phone just call and you you'll be pleasantly surprised.

B

With the professionalism that's shown when these folks come out, um I you know I mean I don't know.

B

What the emf is, but again I sumeko is not going to build something. That's going to be dangerous to.

B

To to adjacent property owners, so mr evans, I'm a bit confused because it was my understanding from.

C

What I heard that they do have people that come out that are trained and they have the equipment.

C

To mop that monitors the emf levels, so when you say their technology is not there, he he stated.

C

That they do in fact go out there with uh yeah I'm talking about remote technology, which is what's.

B

Mister secretary, I wasn't talking about remote, I was just well, I understand, but I guess I guess.

B

As my business background is when I look at 85 substations four times a year, quick array of the.

B

Tick, I don't know how many people they need to do that um and if and if we make, that recommendation.

B

And they can build that into their budget, then that is more meaningful than than for us to put.

B

A condition on them that they're not prepared to take care of I mean they don't have technology.

B

They don't have the tech, they don't have the units, they don't have the people. So I'm I guess.

B

My point is: if we can make this right, if we, if this, if this is a recommendation to smeko.

B

You know to to to look at this and actually do the monitoring you're talking about.

B

Then that is something that they could take in. You know consideration. They can look at the cost.

B

They can run and put it into their budget and then they can move forward and then down the.

B

Line if it does become possible to monitor it, you know um remotely no different than they did.

B

You know used to be that you saw the meter guy, you know every five minutes you saw him show up.

B

You don't see him show up anymore and that's because the technology evolved and so now.

B

They're able to do that, the cost has gone down and probably you and I probably benefit a bit from.

B

The cost going down so I mean just by two cents, mr hall, do you have anything to add? uh Yes, sir, the.

E

The one thing that I I just I mean I I hate to echo everything that everyone else has stated.

E

um But I think I don't think that it's much to ask um since you have someone going there.

E

Periodically was every two weeks for that person to be trained, um and, and I understand that, there's.

E

An additional 30 to 30 minutes to an hour for him to just do a miscellaneous check. But uh I.

E

I don't think that that's unreasonable, okay, okay, mr van kirk, do you have anything that.

D

Oh yes, um I understand where all the board members are coming from and I'm not saying I disagree.

D

um It's certainly not under our purview tonight to put a condition in to tell smiko that they have to.

D

Continuously monitor or monitor, 85 substations. um What do we? What they'll do is one second.

D

This may be something that mister that mr bo would agree to is, since there are some public concern.

D

About this one, even though the board of appeals has put in to have it monitored before during.

D

And after I don't know what that means, after was just being once it's built and that's it I mean.

D

I I I would assume, since there are some neighbors concerns mr vole may agree if we chose to put a.

D

Condition on there to monitor that quarterly for a year or you know something like that.

D

Which would require them to go out there four additional times and if it was the same reading.

D

You know, then possibly the um neighbors would feel fairly comfortable, but you know I don't.

D

Know much about ems, but I did some reading up on them prior to prior to the meeting, um and it's.

D

Kind of like what what mr vol stated, I think is, if you check them at your maximum output.

D

Based upon what smeko's doing there, they couldn't get any worse unless they added.

D

Power where they could put out more power, but I do not necessarily think that it should be put on the.

D

Homeowner or consumer to call for a service, they have a concern. So I'm just going to say that.

D

I would like to see, I don't think it's any problem for us to put a condition on this, since it's new.

D

And there's nothing in that area to say we'd like to see it checked four times or eight times over.

D

Two years or four times over one year, just my um and mr vol or smekka would have to answer that. But.

D

We could surely do something like that. It doesn't seem to be wouldn't seem to be any major.

D

um Concern because a consumer could call every week every day, not saying.

D

They could go out there that much, but maybe this would would help with that.

D

With that question that we've had but other than that, I I feel fairly comfortable that none of.

D

The other 85 substations have had a problem, neighbors haven't complained and I'm sure.

D

That that when they go out, there's been testing over the years of them. 85 stations.

D

And and if smeko knew that well, we've got, you know 2000 kw here or whatever the number.

D

Is and it's our emfs are steadily increasing, I'm sure they would have taken some action.

D

With shielding or or something- and it doesn't seem to be the case cell- that's just something.

D

That I would like to um would like to see, and that's all I have okay. Thank you, mr van kirk,.

A

I think we've we've beat that down for now, yeah we we we've we've heard and I think the.

A

I think we've gone through enough of it so with that being said,.

A

Would anybody like to make a motion to start out see if we can pass one.

C

K

In the matter of concept, site plan number 20-1320016, chaptico, substation,.

K

Having accepted the staff report and having made a finding that the objectives of section.

K

60.6 of the comprehensive zoning ordinance have been met in noting that the reference project.

K

Has met all the requirements for concept approval, I move that the concept site plan.

K

Be approved with the following conditions: any road improvement required by the.

K

State and county must be concurrent with the issuance of the use and occupancy certificate.

B

Second, okay: I have a motion. I have a second. Is there any discussion on the motion.

E

Do we not want to put a condition in um at all for for, like any additional monitor, yeah.

A

You you, if you're, making the most you're going to take okay.

K

You pop it on. um I would like to also add the condition.

K

That um smeko be responsible for reaching out to the applicants or presenters this evening.

K

Ms frederick and mr young about when they will be there and providing them.

K

With documentation of their findings both before, during and after the emf, readings.

A

um Discussion on on that part of motion, I think that's already been done by the board of appeals.

A

uh For the and, if we we wouldn't want to, I'm not, I think we'd want.

A

To do it with all contiguous landowners, anybody that butts up to that property.

E

Yeah one one question I've been meaning to ask about this before, during and after.

E

um Are we just saying once do once before once during one's after is or.

E

Are we defining frequency during this period during each of those windows.

A

Well, I think that's coming in in the motion that we're just warming into that.

B

Before during and after no the frequency of, if, if, if the board wants it done afterwards, and if so.

A

How frequently, and and for how long, a period of time might be a good way to to think that out.

A

You know, do we want to do that for a year I want to you know I was my opinion. I mean I.

B

Don't disagree with mr van kirk. I think if you want to do, if you want a condition that saying.

B

That they will come out quarterly for a year and that'll arrive in a situation that those you know.

B

The people that testified here tonight and I don't think that's an onerous request um uh as long as.

B

We're understanding that it's on this it's on this particular yes, we're talking about yeah.

B

That's the only thing we're allowed to make decisions and down the line if it becomes.

B

Available, for others, that's fine well, this is this is something new, so the other ones they've.

A

That's strictly for this, so would you take that as a an amendment to your motion? Absolutely okay, so.

A

To do quarterly for a year or a year after, yes, so we would um like to put in the condition that.

K

The homeowners will be notified quarterly within the year once the project has been completed.

A

Okay, we've had so we have the motion of the I'd like to be a little bit more specific road.

A

Improvements, okay and and go ahead and discuss the specific specificity specificity. You go ahead. You.

A

Got now I just want to make sure you add in there that they will conduct during the year after the.

C

Site is completed. They will conduct the analysis of the emf four times within the year after the.

K

Completion date: yes, okay, okay, we have a motion. We have a second and have a second by mr evans.

A

Okay, I'm going to go down the sheet. Mr evans. Yes, mr fazikas aye, ms summers, aye mr van kirk, aye.

A

Ms robert hi, mr hall,.

H

Hi, okay, and also uh I, um mr vol, make sure you take care of your neighbors.

A

That's one of the things we're we're pretty adamant about here. You know.

A

I know you all do nobody can say anything about smeko's work. We know how you're going.

A

To build this- and we know it's going to be done very correctly, but you've heard the concerns.

A

Of the neighbors, if you could do your company could take care of that for a year. That would.

A

Put their mind at ease and let them know that their properties are safe. That's our that's! Our.

A

Motion, that's our conditions for the evening for your approval. Good luck in your endeavors.

H

Thank you. Thank you for your time, sir, and I'd like to say that yes, becca is very adamant about.

H

Taking care of the concerns of our customers and when they reach out and.

H

The additional monitoring additional monitoring quarterly for a year after.

H

Station is complete will not be an issue for smeko to meet okay.

A

Thank y'all, okay. Is there any other business? I have a motion to adjourn a second all in.

A

Favor of the motion say: aye aye any opposed, okay, we're adjourned. Thank you. Thank you.

A