The County Commissioners September 27th meeting started at 5:30 pm.
ACTION ITEMS
1.QACEDT’s Annual Destination Marketing Organization Grant from Maryland Department of Commerce
Economic Development & Tourism receives grant funding from the state annually to support tourism marketing efforts focused on driving visitor traffic to the county. The amount of the grant award varies annually dependent upon several factors including hotel tax revenues and budgeted annual spending on tourism marketing. In prior years, the County received $39,106 in FY22 and $29,152 in FY21. Due to an additional $8,000,000 in funding from the Governor’s office awarded to Maryland Department of Commerce, we were awarded $266,324 for FY23. EDT has received the grant agreement and award specifications and is confident that the department will be able to utilize the funds within the fiscal year as required. Due to the significant increase in grant funding a budget amendment is also requested APPROVED 5-0
2.Request for Economic Development Incentive Funding (EDIF)
– Fox Acupuncture and Wellness
The Economic Development Incentive Fund (EDIF) Commission recommended the approval of a conditional loan of $30,000 to Fox Acupuncture and Wellness for the expansion of the current wellness center, located at 133C Log Canoe Circle in Stevensville, Maryland. The expansion will start with the build-out of approximately 2,000 sq. ft. of space in the Chesapeake Bay Business Park, including at least six (6) treatment rooms. This would allow for the hiring of 2-3 additional practitioners and an administrative staff person. EDIF funds will be used to contribute to the purchase of furniture and equipment. The conditional loan will result in the creation of two new full-time professional positions, and one part-time administrative position. The EDIF agreement is to be prepared by the county attorney will include guarantees and employment reporting requirements. Upon performance of the conditions of the agreement, the conditional loan would revert to a grant. APPROVED 4-1
3.Fleet Equipment Replacement – Planning & Zoning
The Department of Planning and Zoning seeks approval to purchase one (1) 2022 Chevrolet Colorado Pickup from I.G. Burton, in the amount of $28,200.00. This will replace a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado that is currently used by a Zoning Inspector. Adequate funding was budgeted in the FY23 operating account and is available for this purchase. APPROVED 5-0
4. Sole Source Zoll Z-Vent Portable Ventilator Purchase
The Queen Anne’s County Health Department has agreed to purchase portable Zoll Z-vent ventilators and provide these ventilators to the Department of Emergency Services for deployment on their Paramedic Units. These portable ventilators will assist with the increased respiratory incidents they have documented within the pre-hospital Emergency Medical Services arena and will particularly be helpful with patients who have and continue to suffer from long-term Covid-19 symptoms. The cost for eight (8) ventilators is $82,676.88. Funding will be utilized from the State Health Department COVID-19 grant #F795N. No additional County funds will be needed. APPROVED 5-0
5.Queen Anne’s County FFA Request for Funding
The Queen Anne’s County FFA Chapter (10 students) are eager to attend the National FFA
Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana from October 25-October 29, 2022. The total cost of the trip for 12-people is $11,544.60. Each student will be contributing $100.00 to assist with the expenses for a total of $1,000.00. The members of the FFA have a fundraising profit of $5,200.00 leaving a balance of $5,344.60 left to fundraise. FFA is requesting that the County
Commissioners assist with the remaining balance to support the trip to the convention. APPROVED 5-0
6. Budget Amendment #CC-45 – DES Station 400 Mezzanine Project
This amendment will establish budget authority in the QAC Station 400 Mezzanine project in the amount of $98,337. The project is complete; however, no funds are currently budgeted which has resulted in the project being overspent. This project is being funded with the following revenue sources: County Facilities - $34,000, Emergency Services Building Renovations -$31,526, Fed CARES, Part A -$11,314 EMPG Grant -$21,497. APPROVED 5-0
7. Budget Amendment #CC-14 – Tourism Grant
This amendment is to increase the Tourism Grant budget by $226,324 to reflect the total awarded grant amount of $266,324 APPROVED 5-0
8. Budget Amendment #CC-15 – Stevensville Arts & Entertainment
Tourism Grant
This amendment is to increase the Tourism - Stevensville A&E Grant budget by a total of $77,089 for three separate FY23 grant awards which are summarized as follows:
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development - Community Safety Works -$50,000, Maryland State Arts Council NOD Grant-$10,000, Maryland State Arts Council Operating Grant- Off-Year- $17,089. APPROVED 5-0
9. Budget Amendment #CC-16 – BOE School Roof Replacements
This amendment will establish additional budget authority totaling $493,010 in the Board of Education projects 70307, Bayside Elementary Roof Replacement, and 70315, Kent Island Elementary Roof Replacement. Most of the available bond funding is due to previously closed Board of Education projects totaling $405,756. The remaining $87,254 is available from
the 2020 and 2021 bond issuances. This amendment also removes budget authority in the amount of $101,672 from Project 70263, Grasonville Elementary Addition, which is complete and will be closed out. APPROVED 5-0
10. Budget Amendment #CC-17 – Parks and Recreation Land Preservation
This amendment will establish additional budget authority in the Land Preservation Parks & Recreation project 40831. Maryland Department of Natural Resources awarded $25,000 for FY23 which will be reimbursed once the funds have been spent. This grant will help cover the cost of the FY27 LPPRP project which is required every 5 years to fulfil State requirements for POS funding. No additional County funds are requested. APPROVED 5-0
11. Budget Amendment # CC-18 – Parks and Recreation Artificial Turf
This amendment will establish additional budget authority in the Parks Artificial Turf project 40915 for the design and installation of artificial turf fields at Batts Neck and Church Hill parks.
On September 14, 2022, the County Commissioners approved a Parks action item requesting $2,895,510 using a combination of Parks Impact Fees and Prior Year Fund Balance for the funding of the projects. This budget amendment establishes budget authority to transfer $700,000 of Parks and Recreation impact fees for this project. The remaining amount of $2,195,510 will be funded with General Capital projects fund balance. APPROVED 5-0
12. Budget Amendment #CC-20 – Special Loan/Grant Program -Housing
To establish budget authority in FY23 for an FY22 encumbrance. This amendment encumbers $23,850 for a Special Loan rehab project that was originally forecast to be completed in FY2022. However, supply chain issues for building supplies have delayed the project. The project is now
expected to be completed by the end of September 2022. APPROVED 5-0
13. Budget Amendment #CC-21 – Housing Opportunities for Persons
with Aids Program Fund.
This amendment is for the FY22 Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA) Program funds. The total amount of the FY22 grant award was $24,170. Housing will utilize these funds in FY23. Project 17125, HOPWA FY21, has $306 in remaining budget authority. These funds are being transferred to Project 17126, HOPWA FY22. No additional County funds are requested. APPROVED 5-0
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Thank you letter – Mid Shore Community Foundation
2. Maryland Environmental Trust Letter – Perpetual Conservation Easement donation
3. Planning and Zoning Monthly Department Report August 2022
4. Proposed Minor Site Plan 337 Pier One Road
PRESENTATIONS
I. Ms. Lauren Weber Vice President of Philanthropy and Education, Ms. Kamari Collins Member of the Board of Directors with Four All Seasons - “Proclamation for Suicide Prevention Month”
II. Mr. Robert Woolley, Owner /Operator, “Giving the Edge Foundation Update”
LEGISLATION
1. Hearing County Ordinance No. 22-02
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING Recreational Vehicle Parking in the Waterfront Village Center (WVC) Zoning District in Queen Anne’s County; FOR THE PURPOSE of providing for the temporary overnight parking of recreational vehicles in the Waterfront Village Center (WVC) Zoning District accessory to a bona fide fraternal organization; regulating and restricting such use and generally dealing with, permitting and regulating overnight parking of recreational vehicles in the WVC Zoning District in Queen Anne’s County;
BY AMENDING Sections 18:1-26 and 18:1-53 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. ADOPTED 5-0
2. County Ordinance No. 22-10
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING Revisions to the Queen Anne’s County Ethics
Ordinance, Chapter 8 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Queen Anne’s County; FOR THE PURPOSE of revising Chapter 8 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Queen Anne’s County to comply with the requirements of House Bill 363 (2021) and House Bill 1058 (2021); revising the requirements regarding conflicts of interest, gifts and financial disclosure; defining “Quasi-Governmental Entity”; and generally revising and updating the Queen Anne’s County Ethics Ordinance to comply with the requirements of State law ADOPTED 5-0
Or you can watch the entire meeting here: https://youtu.be/5kFKX6BSuOA