The March 26th meeting started at 5:00 p.m. with a closed session to consult with counsel, to discuss public security, and for boards & commissions and personnel.
PRESENTATIONS
I. QACHS FFA Convention Report Ms. Elyssa Crossley presented an update to the Commissioners on their QACHS FFA group convention trip.
II. County Administrators FY 2025 Budget Submission County Administrator Todd Mohn presented his proposed budget for FY 25. A few highlights include: • The overall budget growth is 4.1% or an increase from $183.6 to $191.2 million. • Income Tax Revenue - Projected to grow by 4.4% (over FY2023 actuals). • Property Tax Revenue - Projected to grow by 9.1% (over FY2023 actuals). • Tax Rates are proposed to remain the same, our property tax rate is $0.83/$100 of assessed value (we are the 3rd lowest in the State) and the income tax rate is 3.2% • Funding has been included for the Board of Education (above Maintenance of Effort) in the amount of $5.8 million. This was the BOE’s Option C. • The budget includes funding for employee recruitment and retention actions including a 3% COLA and Employees Pay for Performance • Enhancement funding included for 5 new full-time and 2 part-time positions in the Department of Aging, Bay Bridge Airport, Circuit Court, Department of Public Works, and our Public Library • The return of Public Housing Authority as County Government department • Major Capital Projects include: BOE Admin Building, Regional Detention Center Design, 4H Park Upgrades, South Island Trail Development, Rec Center Planning/Design, Broadband Expansion, New Ambulance and replacement of protective gear for emergency response, SKI Sewer Phase III, Property acquisition for future replacement Animal Services facility, Bridge Replacement at Nichols Manor Drive and funding for the Regional Hospital.
III. DES Update & Cardiac Arrest Award Presentation DES updated the Commissioners on “special events” along with presenting an award for the heroic acts to all of those involved during the cardiac arrest incident that occurred during the Bay Bridge run. The runner that was saved attended as well. Great job to all our first responders!
LEGISLATION
1. County Ordinance 24-08 Public Hearing Animal Control Ordinance A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING Revisions to the Queen Anne’s County Animal Control Ordinance, Chapter 9 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Queen Anne’s County. FOR THE PURPOSE of revising and updating the Animal Control Ordinance in Queen Anne’s County, Chapter 9 of the Code of Public Local Laws; and dealing generally with Animal Control in Queen Anne’s County; BY REPEALING AND READOPTING Chapter 9 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Queen Anne’s County. The record will remain open for two weeks.
2. County Ordinance 24-02 A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING the Camping Cooperative use in the Suburban Residential (SR) Zoning District in Queen Anne’s County; FOR THE PURPOSE of amending the permitted uses in the Suburban Residential (SR) Zoning District to include camping cooperatives; to establish a minimum site area; to establish minimum setbacks; and to define a camping cooperative. ADOPTED 5-0
3.Amendment No. 1 to County Ordinance 24-03 AN AMENDMENT TO A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING the pier length extension review by the Queen Anne’s County Board of Appeals; FOR THE PURPOSE of amending pending County Ordinance 24-03 to exempt pending applications from the provisions of that legislation. Commissioner Corchiarino introduced Amendment #1 to County Ordinance 24-03. ADOPTED 5-0
4.County Ordinance 24-03 Public Hearing A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING the pier length extension review by the Queen Anne’s County Board of Appeals; FOR THE PURPOSE of amending the accessory pier use to require a variance rather than a conditional use by the Board of Appeals in order to construct a pier at a length greater than 150 feet, as measured from the mean highwater line. ADOPTED as Amended 5-0
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
1. FY25 Sewerage and Water Rate Increase The Sanitary Commission adopted resolutions that capped the annual rate escalator at 6.5% for sewer fees and 5.5% for water fees for “all subdistricts” (except SKI). The resolutions had language indicating that these increases will take effect automatically on July 1, unless the County Commissioners determine prior to July 1 of each year that the rates will increase by a lesser percentage. In order to keep the rate increase at 2.5% for both water and sewer fees for the upcoming FY 25 budget (as it was submitted excepting the SKI subdistrict), the Board must pass a motion and include this lesser rate increase in the FY 25 budget resolution. A motion was made for an increase of 2.5% for water and sewer rates (except the SKI subdistrict). APPROVED 5-0
2.Southern Kent Island Sanitary Project – Phase 3 – MDE Loan Resolution Official Intent to Reimburse A Resolution was prepared by the County’s bond counsel enabling the Sanitary District to be reimbursed for eligible costs associated with serving Phase 3 of the SKI project (Kentmorr & Queen Anne Colony) with County sewer. APPROVED 5-0
ACTION ITEMS
1. National Purchasing Cooperative Interlocal Participation Agreement The Department of Emergency Services requested authorization to enter an Interlocal Participation Agreement with the National Purchasing Cooperative (NPC), to receive reduced pricing on Medical Supplies. The NPC is an organization that facilitates cooperative purchasing agreements for public agencies, such as government entities, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. These agreements allow participating entities to leverage their collective purchasing power to obtain goods and services at competitive prices. APPROVED 5-0
2.Teaming Agreement for University of Maryland, Baltimore Tele-EMS Program The Department of Emergency Services requested authorization to enter into a Teaming Agreement with the University of Maryland, Baltimore, to initiate a pilot Tele-EMS program. "Tele-EMS" stands for "Telemedicine in Emergency Medical Services." It refers to the use of telecommunication technology in emergency medical services to provide remote medical assistance, consultation, and support to patients in emergency situations. Tele-EMS allows healthcare clinicians to assess patients, provide medical advice, coordinate care, and even deliver certain treatments remotely, which can be particularly valuable in situations where immediate on-site medical expertise is limited or unavailable. APPROVED 5-0
3.Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Certifications and Assurances Documents were presented for execution informing the Federal Transit Administration and the Maryland Transit Administration that the QAC Area Agency on Aging will operate our Public Transit System and the Statewide Specialized Transportation Assistance Program in compliance with all required Certifications and Assurances. Resolution #24-01 is also included for consideration and adoption. APPROVED 5-0
4.911 Surcharge Fee (Proposed Increase) The County receives a 9-1-1 surcharge fee from each telecommunications service provider established by the Maryland Public Safety Article §1-310 and §1-311. The County’s fee can range from $0.75 to $2.25 and the State fee is $0.50. We are currently receiving the minimum $0.75 making our 9-1-1 Surcharge $1.25 per phone line. The fee is utilized to enhance emergency response capabilities, technological upgrades and expanding services to meet the growing demand and increasing population. The Department of Emergency Services (DES) recently completed an assessment of the fee structure on the mid-shore that illustrated Queen Anne’s County is $0.75 below its surrounding jurisdictions that include Kent, Caroline, Talbot and Dorchester counties. DES has recommended increasing the County fee structure to a $1.50 to be equivalent with the mid-shore counties. The total fee would then become $2.00 per phone line per month effective July 1, 2024. APPROVED 5-0
5.CDBG Program Required Plans Approval As recipients of a Maryland State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) the following plans are required to be in place: Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Plan, Section 3 Plan and Minority Business Plan. These plans have been in place in Queen Anne’s County for many years but must be re-approved periodically. APPROVED 5-0
6.Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Grant Letter of Support Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway Alliance in partnership with Tri-County Council is applying for a $50,000 non-capital Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Grant to fund the next phase of the All-American Road project: Rolling Out of the Chesapeake Country All-American Road. If the grant is awarded, Chesapeake Heritage & Visitors Center will receive new signage and Queen Anne’s County will be represented on the website for the Chesapeake Country All-American Road. It is recommended that the Commissioners sign a letter of support for this application. APPROVED 5-0
7.Economic Development Strategy Vendor Recommendation Queen Anne’s County Economic & Tourism Development recently solicited proposals from qualified consulting teams to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy to guide the county’s economic development activities for the next five years. The project is being funded with a grant from the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund for $50,000. A total of nine (9) complete proposals were received for consideration. After a review of the proposals and subsequent interviews, the committee selected Emergent Method based on their approach and methodology with both the qualitative and quantitative analysis, their experience, and previous work samples. APPROVED 5-0
8.Recreation Center Feasibility Study Update – Public Engagement The Department of Parks and Recreation’s feasibility study is about to begin the public engagement phase of this project. The County’s contractor, BerryDunn will be seeking public input on the needs, design and siting of a future recreation center. They will use traditional means of promoting public involvement such as press releases, focus groups and a public meeting. In addition, the community will gain access to an online portal to join others in a community-wide conversation. Community stakeholders will have several months to participate both now and when the results of the study begin to emerge. The community can expect to begin learning about the feasibility study in April. BerryDunn will be on site April 22 – 27 meeting with County staff and the community.
9.Proposed MTA Commuter Bus Service Changes – Comment Period Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is proposing cuts to commuter bus service and will be accepting written comments on the proposed changes through Monday, April 29, 2024. If approved, the reductions in service will begin on July 1, 2024. Currently there are 3 commuter bus routes from Kent Island to the Western Shore and the proposed changes are listed below. • Route 210 Kent Island to Annapolis/ Baltimore proposed to reduce the daily number of trips from 10 to 6 • Route 240 Kent Island to Washington, D.C. which is proposed to be discontinued • Route 250 Kent Island and Davidsonville to Washington, D.C, proposed to continue to run all 12 daily trips. Many daily commuters depend on this bus service as a necessary way to get to work. In addition the bus service has the added benefit of reducing the number of trips crossing the bay each day. The Commissioners requested to have a Letter of Opposition prepared to this service reduction. APPROVED 5-0
10.Budget Amendment #CC-18 – Impact Fees This budget amendment allocates the actual annual impact fee funds to Volunteer Fire Companies. APPROVED 5-0
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Thank you card – Kevin Seals 2. Planning and Zoning Monthly Department Report – February 2024"