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Okay, we're gonna bring this meeting to order.

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Okay. Welcome to the Queen

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S County Commissioner's meeting.

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This is a public meeting

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that is being aired live on our local ca cable television

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station, QA CTV seven.

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These media broadcasts provide county citizens an

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opportunity to watch

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and review our scheduled public meetings.

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In addition to our live audience this evening,

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we are providing remote options for citizens to watch

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and participate in county commissioner meetings.

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Citizens may watch our meeting live on our website at

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qac.org/live,

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or on our public access governmental television channel

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provided by Breeze Line Cable Services.

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Citizens may also participate by going

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to the live Zoom meeting at qac.org/public comment.

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Citizens may also email comments to public comment@qac.org.

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All comments received will be summarized during the press

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and public comment period.

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On tonight's agenda. We acknowledge everyone's participation

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and by attending you acknowledge

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that this session is both recorded and aired.

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Press and public comment will be taken

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and is limited to three minutes per person.

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If you do care to speak, please sign up at the

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information table in the lobby.

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Comments longer than three minutes can be submitted in

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writing for the commissioner's review.

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We'll now stand and be led in the

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Pledge of Allegiance by commission.

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President Jim Moran,

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I pledge of allegiance to the flag

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of the United States of America

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and to the republic of which stands,

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one nation under God, an indivisible liberty

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and justice for all.

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If you could please remain standing.

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Tonight we are mourning the loss

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of our dear friend Patrick Pat Thompson.

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For more than 45 years, pat served Queenan County

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as a county attorney providing guidance

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and counsel to generations

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of county commissioners and county staff.

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A lifelong queen Annes county resident.

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Pat began practicing law locally in 1975

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and was appointed county attorney in 1980,

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but Pat was much more than a county attorney to so many

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of us who had the privilege of working alongside him.

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He was a trusted advisor, colleague and friend.

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His knowledge of Queen Annes County, its government

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and its history was remarkable

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and his decades of serve service

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have left a lasting mark on the community.

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He called whom the county commissioners

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and employees of Queen Anne County extend our deepest

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condolences to Pat's wife, Pam, his children, family,

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friends, and everyone who, whose life what he touched.

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Pat dedicated much of his, excuse me, pat, dedicated much

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of his life to serving Queen Anne County

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and we are grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.

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He will be deeply missed.

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Thank you very much.

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Alright,

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Commissioners, we can move to approve the agenda.

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So our agenda for tonight's meeting, September 21st, along

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with the regular session minutes,

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the closed session minutes,

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and the sanitary commission minutes from the September 8th

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meeting have all been circulated for your review.

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Do we have any additions or corrections? Nope. Gonna

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Make a motion to approve the agenda as submitted

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and all the meetings minutes as submitted as well.

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Second. Motion. Second. Any discussion? Seen none.

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All those in favor signify to saying aye. A. Opposed?

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So moved.

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Thank you commissioners. Okay,

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we just held a closed session under the general provisions

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article, section 3, 3 0 5 B three for land acquisition

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and section 3, 3 0 5 B one for boards

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and commissions and personnel.

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So do believe we have a couple

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of announcements to make. Yep. On

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Closed session.

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So I'd like to make a motion

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that we execute the Grayson Ambulance Building Agreement

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with the Grayson Volunteer Fire Department

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to purchase the ambulance building for $700,000.

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Second. Second. We have a motion and a second.

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Any discussion? I wonder if everybody knew that

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that building was even for sale.

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So nothing. Nobody, okay, so

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The people know Grayville has a new fire department

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that they just opened up and then another auxiliary building

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there, which they've been trying to find a use

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and a purpose for the county has a need

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for another location for an ambulance.

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We have needs for lots

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of ambulances over the next couple years,

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but this in particular was a great location, worked out well

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because after building new fire department, the being able

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to sell that property is very useful

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for the Graceville fire department.

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So it was able to serve a public need for both the county

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and for the fire department. Yep.

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Okay. All those in favor signify of saying aye. Aye. Aye.

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Opposed? Abstained. So moved.

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All right. Thank you commissioners.

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Next we had one appointment to make.

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Yep. I moved to appoint Riley Huffin to the board

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of Queen Annes County Community Partnerships

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for Children and Families.

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The local management board

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to survey the term beginning July 1st, 2026.

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Second, We have a motion to second on this item.

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Any discussion? Seeing none.

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All those in favor signify the saying Aye. Aye. Aye.

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Opposed? So moved.

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Thank you Commissioners. We can now move

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into pressing public comment.

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So, we appreciate all citizens taking time

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to express views to the county.

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Commissioners. Comments

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are limited to three minutes per person.

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Comments longer than three minutes can

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submit it be submitted in writing.

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This commission respects your desire

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and right to convey your matches freely.

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When come forward, please speak clearly

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at the standing microphone.

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State your name, name, your

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address, and your topic of interest.

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And in keeping with the dignity of our office, we ask

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that all views be expressed in a

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respectful and civil manner.

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Alrighty, we have one person signed up. Liz Filter.

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Thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to speak.

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I'm Liz Filter, two 15 Slipper Lane Stevensville.

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In full transparency, I am a candidate

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for Queen Annes County commissioner at large,

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but tonight I stand

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before you just as a county resident for over 35 years.

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And I'm a very concerned citizen.

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During the August 25th commissioner's meeting at the Kent

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Island Library, I was shocked

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by the disrespect shown to the public.

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During a discussion by this body about development,

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in particular about the Chester Haven Beach project,

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a commissioner went off topic

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to scold the public about criticisms he was reading online

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and then even went so far as to include a profanity

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to add insult.

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Another commissioner piled on

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with his comments in the same vein.

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But the real kicker was the deafening silence from the other

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commissioners, the lack of rebuke or a call to order.

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I respectfully ask for you all to do better.

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Yes, we live in a world where internet trolls exist,

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but we also have citizens that do not feel heard, citizens

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that are tired of the status quo.

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Please make your decisions more transparent.

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Debate and discuss the tough issues in public.

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Let the voters feel supported,

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not berated. Thank you so much.

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Alright, that's, that's all signed up to speak.

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Would anyone else like to speak? One. One? Okay.

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Mr, are you here to speak now?

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Would you like to speak now?

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I think it's frozen. I think it's frozen.

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Hello? Oh, there he is. There he is.

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Can, can you hear me? Yes. Yeah.

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Oh, okay. I wasn't sure if he

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he was coming through or not.

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First of all, Jay Fag,

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queen Ance Conservation Association Commissioners,

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thank you very much for the opportunity to speak the board

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of QACA.

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Would like to extend our sincerest condolences

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to both the county government and the Thompson family.

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We were obviously very saddened to hear about his passing

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and just wanted to convey our condolences.

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Pat's been around for a long time,

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served the county honorably

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and we just wanted to acknowledge that.

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The second thing, commissioners, at the last meeting

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that I was unable to make your morning meeting,

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I just wanted to express thanks to the county commissioners

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for their signing on

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of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy letter.

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This letter is in support of land conservation.

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As a result of any development that might come forward

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from a potential new Bay Bridge, I realized

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that we're on opposite sides of what that bridge means.

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But I think we can all agree that land preservation

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in our county, the largest grain producing county in the

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state, we've got a long, proud heritage

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of protecting land in this county.

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And I just wanted to acknowledge that letter

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that you all put forward and say thank you very much.

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So thanks for the opportunity to speak

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and thanks for your service to the county.

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You receive two emails

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And both of these emails are

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concerning resolution 26 dash 15.

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The first email was from a Chris Esthers, the founder

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of Good Truffle Circle, concerning resolution 26 15.

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He asked basically some series, series

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of questions about like, what prompted this now,

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what would the effective date be?

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What are the written standards behind it?

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What would be the enforcement and what are like clear terms

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and exceptions by like defining what is the sign,

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what is county property rights of way and so forth.

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He also ends by thank you for your service

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and for considering these requests.

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And he'd be glad to answer any questions.

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The second email is from Thomas Hirsh

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of 1 3 9 McHenry Court, Chester, Maryland.

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And he, his email is just basically saying

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that he is against this ordinance.

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The new ordinance should not be effective until, at least

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after November 4th, the day after the general election.

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So those are the only two emails that we received. Thank

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You.

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Alright, we're gonna go ahead

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and close press and public comment.

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Moving on. Alright. Alright, moving on commissioners.

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We have a couple of presentations up next.

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So if you wanna turn to tab number six.

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So tab six, item one, page one.

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We have the proclamation for the official town crier. So Mr.

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Rick Ada, please. Am I saying that right? Ada?

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You are Alright. Please come on up here if you want to.

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Well, you can stand right there if you

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like that. That's good.

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I think that's a job requirement, isn't it?

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I don't need any microphones. They're not from my period.

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Well, I think it's really for the,

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for the tv The TV audience.

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Yeah, for the TV audience. Yes, sir. Sorry. Please.

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Thank you.

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Well, gentlemen, I guess the first thing is did you,

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I did not know what

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to expect at this meeting other than I was going

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to be appointed as your official town cri.

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And I just want, I guess first I'd like

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to ask you if you have any questions or, or,

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Well, why don't we do this?

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Why don't I go ahead and read the

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proclamation first and that might generate,

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And I got a few comments on.

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Okay.

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By order of the county commissioners,

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the Queen Anne County, be it known to all students

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of Queen Anne County, this is Proclamation 26 0 3.

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Whereas throughout the history, the Office

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of Town Crier has stood as a respected

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and time honored tradition serving as a vital link

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between governing bodies

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and the people by publicity are publicly announcing matters

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of civic importance.

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Mr. Rick Ada is a person of exemplary character,

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commanding presence,

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00:12:03,605 --> 00:12:06,565
and clear voice who has demonstrated a sincere commitment

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to community engaging in public service.

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And whereas Rick is hereby appointed

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00:12:12,185 --> 00:12:15,485
to the official town cri for Queen Annes County entrusted

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with the distinguished responsibility

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00:12:17,985 --> 00:12:21,485
of proclaiming official announcements, local ordinances,

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00:12:22,555 --> 00:12:23,685
celebratory news,

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00:12:23,905 --> 00:12:25,885
and special recognition on behalf of the county.

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00:12:26,985 --> 00:12:30,085
And whereas this role, Rick will, shall, shall serve

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00:12:30,305 --> 00:12:32,645
as an authoritative and ceremonial voice

275
00:12:32,665 --> 00:12:36,245
for Queen Annes County fostering community pride, ensuring

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00:12:36,245 --> 00:12:39,445
that the important information is communicated in a manner

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00:12:39,445 --> 00:12:42,925
that is both accessible, engaging to the residents

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00:12:43,545 --> 00:12:44,685
and visitors alike.

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00:12:45,425 --> 00:12:46,575
The presence

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00:12:46,575 --> 00:12:49,295
of the official town crier enriches public gatherings,

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00:12:49,795 --> 00:12:51,535
commemorations and civic events

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00:12:51,715 --> 00:12:55,015
by honoring historical tradition, by promoting transparency,

283
00:12:55,725 --> 00:12:58,775
inclusivity, and public awareness with the community.

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00:12:59,675 --> 00:13:01,615
Now therefore, we, the county commissioners

285
00:13:01,615 --> 00:13:04,755
of Queen Annes County, who hereby proclaim

286
00:13:05,295 --> 00:13:10,045
and appoint Rick Ada as the official town choir

287
00:13:10,045 --> 00:13:12,885
for Queen Annes County and commend him for his willingness

288
00:13:12,885 --> 00:13:14,605
to serve in this unique

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00:13:14,985 --> 00:13:17,365
and honorable capacity to the benefit

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00:13:17,505 --> 00:13:19,965
and the enjoyment of the citizens of Queen Annes County.

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00:13:28,315 --> 00:13:30,725
Well, I, I just wanna say it's, it's

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00:13:30,725 --> 00:13:34,845
with great appreciation and affection that I thank Mr.

293
00:13:35,305 --> 00:13:38,885
Mr. Moran, Elle Wilson, McLaughlin,

294
00:13:38,885 --> 00:13:42,395
and Cocaino tonight for your approval

295
00:13:42,655 --> 00:13:45,515
and designation of me as the official town crier

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00:13:46,015 --> 00:13:47,595
of Queen Anne's County, Maryland.

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It is with great honor, sincerity,

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00:13:50,975 --> 00:13:54,195
and joy that I look forward to serving this fine county

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00:13:54,215 --> 00:13:57,435
of Queen Anns as your town crier. Thank you very much.

300
00:13:58,005 --> 00:13:58,795
Thank you. Thank you

301
00:14:05,085 --> 00:14:05,435
Again.

302
00:14:05,595 --> 00:14:10,275
Thank you Scott Mcla, first off, I would like to, to mention

303
00:14:10,455 --> 00:14:15,035
and, and echo what President Brand said as far as the laws

304
00:14:15,035 --> 00:14:18,075
of Patrick Thompson on behalf of the Maryland judiciary.

305
00:14:18,455 --> 00:14:20,995
We had saying in the judiciary there, the lawyers

306
00:14:21,695 --> 00:14:22,715
and there were real lawyers,

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00:14:23,415 --> 00:14:25,675
and Patrick Thompson was a real lawyer.

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00:14:26,055 --> 00:14:29,675
He will be missed. I'd like to introduce Mr. Russ.

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00:14:31,055 --> 00:14:35,195
Hey, good Tonight, he is our immediate past president

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00:14:35,615 --> 00:14:37,795
of the SAR Sons of the American Revolution,

311
00:14:37,795 --> 00:14:40,795
which I'm a member and Rick is an associate member.

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00:14:42,265 --> 00:14:44,275
It's a, a Tench Tillman chapter,

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00:14:44,605 --> 00:14:46,675
which Tch Tillman was born in Tbe County.

314
00:14:47,415 --> 00:14:50,475
But as we all know, Tench Tillman was aided to camp

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00:14:50,695 --> 00:14:51,805
to George Washington.

316
00:14:52,465 --> 00:14:56,685
And it, the surrender of Jamestown, James Tillman Road

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00:14:56,705 --> 00:14:59,605
to Philadelphia to announce that we had won the war,

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00:14:59,605 --> 00:15:00,725
the Revolutionary War,

319
00:15:01,465 --> 00:15:03,045
and you may remember out in,

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00:15:03,065 --> 00:15:05,605
at the four H Park just passed four H Park,

321
00:15:05,755 --> 00:15:10,045
Charles Wilson Peele, a a citizen of Queen Anne County,

322
00:15:10,075 --> 00:15:11,085
born in Queen Anne County,

323
00:15:12,265 --> 00:15:14,965
did a portrait from Life at Jamestown,

324
00:15:15,335 --> 00:15:16,685
which shows the surrender.

325
00:15:17,145 --> 00:15:21,605
And it shows George Washington Lafayette

326
00:15:22,105 --> 00:15:26,325
and t Tillman and the flag, the troops are marching by.

327
00:15:27,885 --> 00:15:32,045
I happened to be Well, ed Pfu,

328
00:15:32,045 --> 00:15:35,285
brown State Archives, everybody says, I had Judge South,

329
00:15:35,485 --> 00:15:36,805
I had eagle phobia.

330
00:15:37,425 --> 00:15:39,045
We have the eagle on the old courthouse.

331
00:15:39,505 --> 00:15:41,525
And when you built a new courthouse, we put the Eagle

332
00:15:42,185 --> 00:15:43,605
and Dr.

333
00:15:43,985 --> 00:15:46,085
Pfu died. If you go to Annapolis

334
00:15:46,185 --> 00:15:49,805
and we did a tour over there, I would encourage everyone

335
00:15:50,105 --> 00:15:51,125
to go to Annapolis.

336
00:15:51,635 --> 00:15:53,365
They have redone the room over there

337
00:15:54,025 --> 00:15:57,085
and that portrait is there and it shows the flag.

338
00:15:57,085 --> 00:15:59,405
And that portrait was cleaned some number

339
00:15:59,405 --> 00:16:01,045
of years ago, and guess what?

340
00:16:01,425 --> 00:16:04,325
The American Eagle popped out on that flag.

341
00:16:05,065 --> 00:16:08,765
So, but the other thing, Louis Stein, uncle Lewis, to me

342
00:16:09,545 --> 00:16:13,245
was the, the working sword for, for Ted Tillman sat there

343
00:16:13,245 --> 00:16:16,285
for years, but they didn't have a ceremonial sword.

344
00:16:16,985 --> 00:16:18,925
And Louis Stein got

345
00:16:18,925 --> 00:16:20,605
that from the Tillman family in Baltimore.

346
00:16:21,105 --> 00:16:24,285
It does hang right there next to that portrait.

347
00:16:24,505 --> 00:16:25,725
And it is the same sword

348
00:16:25,835 --> 00:16:28,005
that is shown in that portrait there.

349
00:16:28,145 --> 00:16:30,285
So it's most interesting.

350
00:16:30,305 --> 00:16:32,965
But I like if Wes could say a few words,

351
00:16:33,265 --> 00:16:35,085
he is our media past President of Sons

352
00:16:35,085 --> 00:16:37,325
of American Revolution, and now our treasurer.

353
00:16:37,345 --> 00:16:39,005
But this is a busy man

354
00:16:39,265 --> 00:16:41,205
and the 250th anniversary,

355
00:16:41,585 --> 00:16:44,085
he was instrumental in getting a lot of work done.

356
00:16:44,145 --> 00:16:45,685
And if you say a few words

357
00:16:46,195 --> 00:16:47,195
Sure.

358
00:16:47,195 --> 00:16:48,365
Thank you, Scott. I I wanted

359
00:16:48,365 --> 00:16:49,605
to say a couple words about Rick

360
00:16:49,605 --> 00:16:51,845
and then a little bit about the Suns American Revolution.

361
00:16:52,445 --> 00:16:55,325
I think I met Rick the very first time when we were invited

362
00:16:55,345 --> 00:16:59,765
to go to the old wide church where Rick acts as sort

363
00:16:59,765 --> 00:17:02,765
of like a historian and explains the history of the church.

364
00:17:02,785 --> 00:17:06,285
He also portrays individuals who would've been members of

365
00:17:06,285 --> 00:17:08,165
that church back in the 18th century.

366
00:17:09,495 --> 00:17:11,795
And then as I got involved

367
00:17:11,825 --> 00:17:14,155
with not only the Suns American Revolution,

368
00:17:14,215 --> 00:17:17,355
but the Talbot two 50 Commission, which was planning a lot

369
00:17:17,355 --> 00:17:20,555
of events for the 250th anniversary of the founding

370
00:17:20,555 --> 00:17:22,875
of our nation, I reached out to Rick

371
00:17:23,075 --> 00:17:25,075
'cause I thought he might be a good person to act

372
00:17:25,075 --> 00:17:26,075
as a town crier.

373
00:17:26,075 --> 00:17:28,675
And in fact, he was, he did a great job

374
00:17:28,775 --> 00:17:30,275
and he's never turned me down.

375
00:17:30,365 --> 00:17:32,555
Every time I ask Rick, will you show up

376
00:17:32,555 --> 00:17:35,635
and do something, whether it's acting as a town crier,

377
00:17:35,845 --> 00:17:37,555
portraying William Hemsley

378
00:17:37,935 --> 00:17:40,595
or any other person, Rick is there for us.

379
00:17:41,495 --> 00:17:43,595
And so I just wanted to acknowledge him.

380
00:17:44,335 --> 00:17:46,955
He was first, I believe the official town crier

381
00:17:46,955 --> 00:17:48,395
for our SAR chapter.

382
00:17:48,445 --> 00:17:50,805
Isn't that right? The Colonel Tinch Tillman Chapter

383
00:17:50,995 --> 00:17:52,165
Sons, the American Revolution.

384
00:17:52,265 --> 00:17:54,645
And as Scott said, Tillman was both a local

385
00:17:54,745 --> 00:17:56,685
and a national his hero

386
00:17:56,685 --> 00:17:59,845
because of what he did in serving George Washington

387
00:17:59,945 --> 00:18:01,605
and helping him manage the war effort.

388
00:18:02,365 --> 00:18:05,085
I wanted to say just a couple things about the SARC.

389
00:18:05,085 --> 00:18:07,925
You know what it is? It's an organization

390
00:18:07,925 --> 00:18:11,845
that was founded in April 30th, 1889,

391
00:18:12,915 --> 00:18:15,085
exactly 100 years

392
00:18:15,255 --> 00:18:18,805
after the anniversary of George Washington's inauguration

393
00:18:18,825 --> 00:18:19,885
as our first president.

394
00:18:20,235 --> 00:18:24,085
Then in 1906 Congress granted a congressional

395
00:18:24,085 --> 00:18:25,605
charter to the organization.

396
00:18:26,605 --> 00:18:28,645
It was signed by President Teddy Roosevelt,

397
00:18:28,665 --> 00:18:31,245
who was also a member of the Suns of American Revolution.

398
00:18:31,745 --> 00:18:34,325
We currently have over 38,000 members

399
00:18:34,465 --> 00:18:38,205
and 550 local chapters across the United States

400
00:18:38,425 --> 00:18:40,205
and some international chapters.

401
00:18:41,125 --> 00:18:43,365
We're a lineage organization, which means

402
00:18:44,545 --> 00:18:48,045
we can trace our ancestry back to someone that we consider

403
00:18:48,065 --> 00:18:50,645
to be a patriot during the Revolutionary War era.

404
00:18:51,785 --> 00:18:53,205
Our mission is to honor

405
00:18:55,105 --> 00:18:57,445
our Revolutionary War patriot ancestors,

406
00:18:57,545 --> 00:18:58,645
and we do it in three ways.

407
00:18:58,705 --> 00:19:00,805
Number one, we promote patriotism.

408
00:19:01,305 --> 00:19:03,485
Number two, we serve our communities.

409
00:19:03,865 --> 00:19:05,605
And number three, we educate

410
00:19:05,625 --> 00:19:08,725
and inspire future generations about the founding

411
00:19:08,725 --> 00:19:09,765
principles of our country.

412
00:19:10,425 --> 00:19:11,925
So that's what we're all about.

413
00:19:12,175 --> 00:19:13,725
Thank you all for letting us speak

414
00:19:13,825 --> 00:19:18,765
and for granting Rick the acknowledgement

415
00:19:18,945 --> 00:19:21,565
as your official town crier for the county.

416
00:19:21,695 --> 00:19:22,695
Thank you so much.

417
00:19:23,435 --> 00:19:27,085
Awesome. Thank, thank you.

418
00:19:27,085 --> 00:19:29,765
We, would it be possible to get a picture? Sure, sure. Yeah.

419
00:19:29,895 --> 00:19:32,085
Appreciate that. You go, there's a proclamation.

420
00:19:37,315 --> 00:19:37,725
This is,

421
00:19:42,255 --> 00:19:43,045
appreciate it.

422
00:19:43,365 --> 00:19:43,885
I know right?

423
00:19:49,155 --> 00:19:49,645
Picture.

424
00:19:54,625 --> 00:19:56,485
Oh, hey, that'd be great. Thank you.

425
00:20:01,675 --> 00:20:02,325
Hold some stuff.

426
00:20:30,705 --> 00:20:32,285
1, 2, 3, smile.

427
00:20:39,835 --> 00:20:42,365
Yeah, I wanna be in the photo. It happened one time

428
00:20:42,425 --> 00:20:43,485
and I will never go back.

429
00:20:44,525 --> 00:20:45,525
I was like this.

430
00:20:46,625 --> 00:20:49,805
She screamed. I have.

431
00:20:55,435 --> 00:20:56,605
Yeah, like, what's wrong with your

432
00:21:07,425 --> 00:21:08,425
All right, commissioners.

433
00:21:08,445 --> 00:21:11,445
Moving right along. We have our second presenter tonight,

434
00:21:11,875 --> 00:21:13,165
John McKnight and Company.

435
00:21:13,595 --> 00:21:15,885
They have a presentation in your book under tab two,

436
00:21:16,185 --> 00:21:19,085
or excuse me, tab six, item two, pages two through 12.

437
00:21:19,475 --> 00:21:22,485
This is for the Kent Island Community Garden.

438
00:21:22,865 --> 00:21:24,165
So folks, come on up.

439
00:21:28,065 --> 00:21:29,845
You can introduce your colleagues, John,

440
00:21:29,865 --> 00:21:32,565
and the presentation's also up on the screen as well for

441
00:21:33,225 --> 00:21:34,405
Do I have to sit because I,

442
00:21:34,565 --> 00:21:36,125
I can't see the screen then. So

443
00:21:36,385 --> 00:21:37,405
You can stand if you'd like.

444
00:21:38,315 --> 00:21:40,685
Yeah, bring The mic over so they can hear you.

445
00:21:45,715 --> 00:21:46,255
All right. Hey,

446
00:21:46,825 --> 00:21:48,455
We're from Ken Community Garden.

447
00:21:48,555 --> 00:21:51,415
I'm John McKnight. We got Steve Wine and Patty Wine.

448
00:21:51,415 --> 00:21:52,655
They're gonna talk a little bit too,

449
00:21:53,075 --> 00:21:55,335
but first of all, I wanna thank the commissioners

450
00:21:55,995 --> 00:21:57,615
for their support of this garden

451
00:21:57,615 --> 00:22:01,335
where we were the first garden in Queen Annes County.

452
00:22:01,875 --> 00:22:04,175
We have other ones popping up here and there now.

453
00:22:04,835 --> 00:22:07,695
The Rotary just supported one, I believe, in Centerville.

454
00:22:07,795 --> 00:22:08,895
And it's just growing.

455
00:22:09,075 --> 00:22:13,255
And we, you know, are, are really appreciative.

456
00:22:13,375 --> 00:22:14,775
I know a number of you have been out there.

457
00:22:14,915 --> 00:22:18,055
Jim was out there at our open house and Chris was, and

458
00:22:18,075 --> 00:22:21,455
and without Pat's support, we wouldn't have a garden.

459
00:22:21,615 --> 00:22:23,015
I mean, I remember me, him

460
00:22:23,015 --> 00:22:25,335
and Curtis were walking

461
00:22:25,335 --> 00:22:27,535
through the field talking about putting a garden here,

462
00:22:27,535 --> 00:22:28,935
and we're getting eaten by bugs.

463
00:22:29,215 --> 00:22:30,975
And, and one of the things we have today,

464
00:22:31,445 --> 00:22:33,935
because we planted so many native plants

465
00:22:34,075 --> 00:22:36,055
and things like that, all those nasty bugs

466
00:22:36,055 --> 00:22:37,295
that bite have gone away.

467
00:22:37,295 --> 00:22:41,735
And we've got like all these friendly insects now. So Yeah.

468
00:22:42,035 --> 00:22:43,375
Anyway, I wanna talk a little bit about

469
00:22:43,375 --> 00:22:46,575
how the community garden started and where it is today.

470
00:22:46,805 --> 00:22:48,815
Some of the capital investments that were made,

471
00:22:49,375 --> 00:22:50,975
future plans for investments.

472
00:22:50,975 --> 00:22:52,415
Steve's gonna talk a little bit about that.

473
00:22:53,035 --> 00:22:55,295
And then how the garden serves Kent Island

474
00:22:55,795 --> 00:22:57,095
and Queen Ann's community.

475
00:22:57,795 --> 00:22:59,855
That's really my favorite part about the garden.

476
00:23:00,175 --> 00:23:03,695
I, I looked at it, you know, not necessarily as just a place

477
00:23:03,715 --> 00:23:05,255
for residents to grow vegetables,

478
00:23:05,755 --> 00:23:07,455
but more as a living classroom,

479
00:23:07,955 --> 00:23:09,935
as an education resource for the county.

480
00:23:10,355 --> 00:23:12,335
And we've been networking a lot with the schools

481
00:23:12,395 --> 00:23:14,335
and the library and, and patio.

482
00:23:14,485 --> 00:23:15,655
Talk a lot about that.

483
00:23:16,155 --> 00:23:18,095
But anyway, it was founded 12 years ago

484
00:23:18,115 --> 00:23:19,695
as the Glee community garden.

485
00:23:20,285 --> 00:23:22,175
They had given us land next to the

486
00:23:22,975 --> 00:23:25,215
Lutheran Church over in Harborview.

487
00:23:25,835 --> 00:23:27,935
And they had to sell the land.

488
00:23:28,055 --> 00:23:29,455
I actually drove by there and they put

489
00:23:29,455 --> 00:23:30,615
houses where the garden was.

490
00:23:30,715 --> 00:23:32,855
So we got outta there, we got kicked out.

491
00:23:33,755 --> 00:23:36,015
And fortunately one day I was riding my bicycle

492
00:23:36,195 --> 00:23:37,895
to the library along the bike path.

493
00:23:38,315 --> 00:23:40,655
And I, I went to the power companies.

494
00:23:40,775 --> 00:23:42,535
I went to all the neighborhoods everywhere.

495
00:23:42,535 --> 00:23:44,455
And I needed some place where there were enough people

496
00:23:44,455 --> 00:23:46,365
around in Kent Island, you know,

497
00:23:46,365 --> 00:23:47,685
to be able to put the garden together.

498
00:23:48,145 --> 00:23:49,485
And, and I'm riding my bike by,

499
00:23:49,485 --> 00:23:53,205
and I see the fire marshal's house and I'm nosying around.

500
00:23:53,205 --> 00:23:54,365
I don't know, I was gonna get arrested.

501
00:23:54,445 --> 00:23:57,085
I go behind it and I see this big open parcel of land

502
00:23:57,625 --> 00:23:59,125
and I see a water spigot there.

503
00:23:59,125 --> 00:24:00,925
I turn it on. I'm like, oh, they got water here.

504
00:24:01,545 --> 00:24:03,045
So I, I contacted you guys

505
00:24:03,385 --> 00:24:04,645
and came up with the idea

506
00:24:04,645 --> 00:24:06,325
of this would be a good place to put it.

507
00:24:06,345 --> 00:24:08,645
So what do we have? We've organized

508
00:24:08,645 --> 00:24:11,605
as a 5 0 1 C3 Maryland charity.

509
00:24:11,615 --> 00:24:12,965
We're also a Maryland charity.

510
00:24:13,985 --> 00:24:17,365
We have 18 garden beds and four specialty beds.

511
00:24:17,365 --> 00:24:19,485
That's what I talk about. The education beds.

512
00:24:20,345 --> 00:24:22,485
One of the beds right now, which was,

513
00:24:22,685 --> 00:24:24,285
I believe the native flowers.

514
00:24:24,695 --> 00:24:27,645
We're turning that this next year totally into milkweed

515
00:24:28,345 --> 00:24:30,485
as we become a monarch waste station.

516
00:24:31,115 --> 00:24:33,165
Huge numbers of monarchs come through now,

517
00:24:33,165 --> 00:24:35,405
which never came pollinator.

518
00:24:35,465 --> 00:24:36,485
We could talk to students

519
00:24:36,665 --> 00:24:38,285
and library, they do a bunch

520
00:24:38,285 --> 00:24:40,605
of library stuff about pollinating

521
00:24:40,745 --> 00:24:41,925
and of course herb gardens.

522
00:24:41,925 --> 00:24:43,605
We got every kind of herb you could think of.

523
00:24:43,625 --> 00:24:44,765
If, if you like to cook

524
00:24:44,765 --> 00:24:46,685
and you want some herbs, come on, buy our garden.

525
00:24:46,705 --> 00:24:47,965
We got plenty to give away.

526
00:24:48,465 --> 00:24:51,325
And Haven Ministries, one of the the things,

527
00:24:51,405 --> 00:24:54,685
I got a grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture,

528
00:24:54,685 --> 00:24:57,565
and part of that grant was for the irrigation system.

529
00:24:57,745 --> 00:25:01,525
We had to give so much food that we grow to, to charity.

530
00:25:01,705 --> 00:25:04,125
And we, we, we do more than that every year.

531
00:25:04,585 --> 00:25:06,085
We got about 20 gardeners,

532
00:25:06,505 --> 00:25:09,885
but even better, we've, one of the things that I decided

533
00:25:09,885 --> 00:25:11,565
to do, because I've got involved

534
00:25:11,565 --> 00:25:13,885
with the Master gardener program when I was at Gal Lake

535
00:25:13,885 --> 00:25:18,365
Gardens, is we've actually become part of the University

536
00:25:18,365 --> 00:25:19,645
of Maryland extension.

537
00:25:19,985 --> 00:25:21,325
And what does that provide us?

538
00:25:21,515 --> 00:25:24,285
Well, if you're a master gardener with the University

539
00:25:24,285 --> 00:25:26,125
of Maryland extension, you have to do 20 hours

540
00:25:26,145 --> 00:25:28,445
of volunteer work a year and get 10 CEUs.

541
00:25:28,995 --> 00:25:31,685
Well, all these gardeners who are like very talented people,

542
00:25:31,715 --> 00:25:33,605
they come over to get their volunteer hours

543
00:25:33,665 --> 00:25:35,845
and they get them for working at our gardener.

544
00:25:35,845 --> 00:25:36,725
And that's very unique.

545
00:25:41,505 --> 00:25:43,785
Just a quick idea of what we have there.

546
00:25:44,085 --> 00:25:45,305
Of course, we have the shed

547
00:25:46,045 --> 00:25:49,185
and that it's all the tools, equipment, all the gardeners.

548
00:25:49,365 --> 00:25:51,225
We have lawnmowers, we got weed whackers,

549
00:25:51,565 --> 00:25:52,865
we got rakes and shovels.

550
00:25:52,885 --> 00:25:54,705
We gardeners don't have to buy anything.

551
00:25:54,705 --> 00:25:55,865
It's all supplied to them.

552
00:25:56,405 --> 00:25:58,945
Our latest thing that we just built there is a greenhouse.

553
00:25:59,565 --> 00:26:01,185
You can see the interior of it, it,

554
00:26:01,515 --> 00:26:02,825
we've yet to put it in use.

555
00:26:03,045 --> 00:26:05,745
But really one of my favorite parts about the garden is the

556
00:26:05,745 --> 00:26:08,665
seating area and the picnic table, you know,

557
00:26:08,665 --> 00:26:11,505
on a beautiful spring day or summer day, it was not too hot.

558
00:26:11,845 --> 00:26:14,385
You can sit there. I, I've, I've sat there with a book

559
00:26:14,525 --> 00:26:16,745
and looked out over the pollinator garden

560
00:26:16,805 --> 00:26:18,425
and I've seen hummingbirds come in

561
00:26:19,085 --> 00:26:22,465
and all kinds of critters that, you know, beautiful,

562
00:26:22,535 --> 00:26:25,745
beautiful critters and whi which never existed there before.

563
00:26:30,095 --> 00:26:32,275
And again, the herb garden. The pollinator garden.

564
00:26:32,275 --> 00:26:34,555
And we've been listed as a monarch waste station.

565
00:26:37,615 --> 00:26:40,425
Finally, before I turn it over to Steve, just some

566
00:26:40,425 --> 00:26:43,065
of the capital investments, many of you're aware

567
00:26:43,085 --> 00:26:44,685
of is the county land.

568
00:26:44,745 --> 00:26:46,685
We have a renewable lease with you guys.

569
00:26:47,665 --> 00:26:49,485
Garden shed was a capital investment.

570
00:26:49,765 --> 00:26:52,565
I actually got duty towing to move it from Galway Garden.

571
00:26:52,975 --> 00:26:55,565
We're able to save that shed, which has its own history.

572
00:26:56,205 --> 00:26:59,325
Picnic bench and chairs. Just adds to it.

573
00:26:59,325 --> 00:27:02,605
People can come down, just enjoy the garden, the deer fence,

574
00:27:02,705 --> 00:27:05,085
the irrigation system, which the Maryland Department

575
00:27:05,085 --> 00:27:06,605
of Agriculture Finance for us.

576
00:27:07,185 --> 00:27:10,365
And then more recently, our latest acquisition, we built

577
00:27:10,365 --> 00:27:14,005
that greenhouse and, and we're putting solar panel on it,

578
00:27:14,005 --> 00:27:16,205
but I don't wanna steal, steal Steve's

579
00:27:16,575 --> 00:27:20,765
Stuff under push it right there.

580
00:27:21,195 --> 00:27:25,895
Okay. Okay. We'll move to the next slide.

581
00:27:26,295 --> 00:27:27,455
Future investments.

582
00:27:27,725 --> 00:27:28,815
This is just a good picture

583
00:27:28,835 --> 00:27:30,775
of the ex exterior of the garden.

584
00:27:31,475 --> 00:27:33,655
One thing I'm gonna talk about in a minute,

585
00:27:33,835 --> 00:27:35,735
if you look at the tree line there, there's a,

586
00:27:35,895 --> 00:27:36,895
a buffer zone there.

587
00:27:36,895 --> 00:27:41,255
There's about a 20 foot wide section of basically weeds

588
00:27:41,255 --> 00:27:44,815
that we are looking at turning into kind

589
00:27:44,815 --> 00:27:49,015
of a wild scape wetland meadow area potentially.

590
00:27:49,315 --> 00:27:51,935
So we've got our local deer, plenty of those.

591
00:27:52,345 --> 00:27:55,655
We've got a pretty big fox that roams the grounds as well.

592
00:27:58,575 --> 00:28:03,355
You wanna go back? I wanna go back. There we go.

593
00:28:03,505 --> 00:28:05,955
Okay. So future investments, really a couple of things.

594
00:28:06,065 --> 00:28:10,115
John mentioned the greenhouse for plant propagation.

595
00:28:11,245 --> 00:28:13,635
Right now we're looking at installing a power,

596
00:28:14,275 --> 00:28:18,275
a solar power system for the greenhouse, since we're kind

597
00:28:18,355 --> 00:28:21,795
of off grid there, that will allow us to have the fans

598
00:28:22,375 --> 00:28:25,035
lights and auto irrigation system.

599
00:28:25,975 --> 00:28:29,315
We want to create kind of an automated food processing

600
00:28:31,075 --> 00:28:33,595
facility inside the greenhouse is, is one

601
00:28:33,595 --> 00:28:35,115
of the things we're going to use that for.

602
00:28:35,735 --> 00:28:37,595
I'm gonna supplement that a little bit with

603
00:28:38,385 --> 00:28:40,155
rain barrels as well.

604
00:28:41,095 --> 00:28:44,075
As you see the, the pictures up here on the trail

605
00:28:44,095 --> 00:28:46,635
of the wetland mitigation sign,

606
00:28:47,475 --> 00:28:50,795
the rain garden at Queen Ann's, we kind of like to tie in

607
00:28:50,905 --> 00:28:53,355
with that particular project a little bit

608
00:28:53,495 --> 00:28:57,755
to do this native Wild Escape wetland meadow.

609
00:28:58,545 --> 00:29:01,515
It's approximately one half acre there.

610
00:29:01,575 --> 00:29:04,155
And it would certainly be very, very beneficial to the,

611
00:29:04,495 --> 00:29:08,835
to the Cox Creek sanctuary as far

612
00:29:08,835 --> 00:29:12,155
as the improving water quality there.

613
00:29:12,695 --> 00:29:16,795
But also not only impact the water quality in the Cox Creek

614
00:29:17,235 --> 00:29:20,515
sanctuary, but we're looking at increasing the native plant

615
00:29:21,165 --> 00:29:24,795
population along that buffer area as well.

616
00:29:26,325 --> 00:29:28,625
That's kind of a couple things we're working on right now.

617
00:29:35,265 --> 00:29:38,285
You up Patty? Okay. Over to Patty.

618
00:29:38,795 --> 00:29:40,645
Talk about community outreach.

619
00:29:41,035 --> 00:29:43,645
Okay. So now that we have all of this infrastructure,

620
00:29:44,275 --> 00:29:45,525
what are we gonna do with it?

621
00:29:45,985 --> 00:29:49,205
How are we going to get the community involved?

622
00:29:51,075 --> 00:29:52,775
Oh, word of mouth.

623
00:29:53,145 --> 00:29:57,695
We're going to partner with the University

624
00:29:57,695 --> 00:30:01,175
of Maryland and Queen Annes County extension

625
00:30:01,315 --> 00:30:05,375
for Master Gardeners, which John talked about with that.

626
00:30:05,555 --> 00:30:08,455
We have plant sales, we have seed giveaways,

627
00:30:09,035 --> 00:30:13,135
we have all types of community driven activities

628
00:30:13,135 --> 00:30:16,695
that we can easily fit into their programs

629
00:30:19,205 --> 00:30:23,095
with volunteers and volunteers are very important.

630
00:30:24,305 --> 00:30:27,695
We've also gotten together with Ken Island High School,

631
00:30:29,265 --> 00:30:34,145
their honor students have gotten together

632
00:30:34,365 --> 00:30:39,265
to form a, oh, what is the name of it?

633
00:30:39,765 --> 00:30:44,655
The Environmental Crusaders.

634
00:30:44,655 --> 00:30:48,735
Environmental Captains for the month of September.

635
00:30:49,085 --> 00:30:50,215
I've had them come in

636
00:30:50,275 --> 00:30:54,695
and work with us one Wednesday a week from

637
00:30:55,505 --> 00:30:57,415
three 30 to four 30.

638
00:30:58,195 --> 00:31:01,295
And they've been doing manual labor,

639
00:31:02,005 --> 00:31:03,295
they've been learning a lot.

640
00:31:03,365 --> 00:31:08,175
They've been asking about insects, plants, vegetables

641
00:31:08,175 --> 00:31:09,495
that they've never seen before.

642
00:31:10,605 --> 00:31:15,295
It's a definitely a well worth of program to have them.

643
00:31:15,635 --> 00:31:19,095
Are they eligible for their, their They are, yes. Thank you.

644
00:31:19,185 --> 00:31:20,935
Hours of community service. They do.

645
00:31:21,635 --> 00:31:22,895
And all students are,

646
00:31:23,635 --> 00:31:28,615
and we track those hours for each individual student

647
00:31:29,675 --> 00:31:31,295
and sign off on them at the end.

648
00:31:33,515 --> 00:31:35,065
Let's see the schools

649
00:31:35,445 --> 00:31:38,745
and the library, since our garden is right

650
00:31:38,845 --> 00:31:42,305
behind the Queen Ann Ken Island Library.

651
00:31:43,435 --> 00:31:47,705
We're very involved with programs through the library,

652
00:31:48,255 --> 00:31:50,305
through the extension as well.

653
00:31:50,885 --> 00:31:54,065
And we're gonna start trying to break off to have more

654
00:31:54,965 --> 00:31:56,705
of these programs on our own.

655
00:31:56,705 --> 00:31:58,465
Because the library, believe it

656
00:31:58,465 --> 00:31:59,705
or not, is very, very busy

657
00:31:59,775 --> 00:32:02,705
with other programs throughout the community.

658
00:32:03,885 --> 00:32:08,385
But in October on the 16th, we're having a

659
00:32:09,055 --> 00:32:12,145
book reading at the library for little ones.

660
00:32:12,925 --> 00:32:14,505
And then they will walk over

661
00:32:14,575 --> 00:32:18,265
because it's a short walk to the community garden

662
00:32:18,645 --> 00:32:20,505
and do crafts

663
00:32:20,925 --> 00:32:23,625
and maybe a leaf

664
00:32:23,735 --> 00:32:26,065
hunt, things like that.

665
00:32:26,065 --> 00:32:27,065
Little things like that.

666
00:32:30,205 --> 00:32:34,305
And let's see, Haven Ministries,

667
00:32:34,535 --> 00:32:38,745
John talked about, we have one bed

668
00:32:38,855 --> 00:32:43,005
that is directly for Haven Ministries so far

669
00:32:43,705 --> 00:32:46,205
and that might change as time goes on,

670
00:32:46,745 --> 00:32:49,925
but we're developing that program so that the produce

671
00:32:49,995 --> 00:32:54,765
that we take goes to Haven Ministries at least once, twice,

672
00:32:54,775 --> 00:32:56,005
three times a week.

673
00:32:57,535 --> 00:33:01,605
We're looking into developing with our greenhouse

674
00:33:02,695 --> 00:33:05,285
herbs that the recipients

675
00:33:05,665 --> 00:33:08,085
of the Haven Ministries Pantry

676
00:33:08,825 --> 00:33:10,685
can have access to all year.

677
00:33:11,335 --> 00:33:14,165
Along with, you know, lettuces

678
00:33:14,305 --> 00:33:18,565
and cool weather crops, radishes,

679
00:33:18,925 --> 00:33:20,685
broccoli, things like that.

680
00:33:22,345 --> 00:33:24,285
So these are all in development.

681
00:33:25,505 --> 00:33:29,125
In addition to be able to go out into the community

682
00:33:29,125 --> 00:33:32,965
and do things like at Ken Island Day

683
00:33:33,665 --> 00:33:37,445
or any kind of Centerville Day

684
00:33:37,585 --> 00:33:40,645
or whatever, we're, we're developing a kiosk

685
00:33:41,585 --> 00:33:46,445
so we can have a setup for a table or,

686
00:33:46,585 --> 00:33:48,125
or bench or whatever.

687
00:33:48,425 --> 00:33:50,525
So we can actually go to these functions

688
00:33:51,185 --> 00:33:54,845
and interact with people, see what they want, invite them

689
00:33:54,865 --> 00:33:57,885
to the garden, ask what they're interested in,

690
00:33:58,945 --> 00:34:01,765
and also do classes at the garden.

691
00:34:01,945 --> 00:34:04,085
So say someone is a homeowner

692
00:34:04,505 --> 00:34:07,205
and needs some help with their tomatoes

693
00:34:07,865 --> 00:34:12,605
or wants to do a cool weather production

694
00:34:12,865 --> 00:34:15,205
for the fall, we can

695
00:34:15,765 --> 00:34:18,165
actually have the demo gardens at the,

696
00:34:18,305 --> 00:34:19,965
at the Ken Island Community garden

697
00:34:20,425 --> 00:34:21,685
to show them how to do it.

698
00:34:22,425 --> 00:34:24,605
So we've come a long way since I came before you

699
00:34:24,985 --> 00:34:26,405
2020, I think that's,

700
00:34:26,605 --> 00:34:28,165
I can't believe we did it. We've gone past

701
00:34:28,165 --> 00:34:29,165
Our time.

702
00:34:29,165 --> 00:34:31,285
I apologize. That's quite, but we wanted to thank you

703
00:34:31,385 --> 00:34:33,405
and that's why we're here because it really is

704
00:34:34,105 --> 00:34:36,565
Our open house And it's a good thing.

705
00:34:37,065 --> 00:34:38,965
Yes. You know, it's a really good

706
00:34:40,365 --> 00:34:41,365
Thing.

707
00:34:41,365 --> 00:34:41,875
Well you guys have, certainly,

708
00:34:42,095 --> 00:34:44,595
you guys have certainly committed and, and, and ran with it.

709
00:34:44,675 --> 00:34:47,155
I mean, I can remember when you first reached out to us

710
00:34:47,655 --> 00:34:49,755
and said, we're losing our garden.

711
00:34:50,335 --> 00:34:53,075
And that's when we really started getting educated about

712
00:34:53,075 --> 00:34:54,675
your organization and what you guys do.

713
00:34:55,255 --> 00:34:57,795
And so this o obviously is a win-win

714
00:35:00,015 --> 00:35:02,395
for everybody who wants to get involved.

715
00:35:03,175 --> 00:35:05,235
And again, there are students getting their community

716
00:35:05,235 --> 00:35:07,115
service hours, people

717
00:35:07,115 --> 00:35:09,635
who are having troubles with their tomatoes.

718
00:35:10,185 --> 00:35:12,235
Fred, I know you're having trouble with your tomatoes, so

719
00:35:12,755 --> 00:35:17,355
I have a hard time eating, so Yeah.

720
00:35:17,355 --> 00:35:18,515
But you guys have come a long way

721
00:35:18,515 --> 00:35:23,365
and it's an awesome investment on our part to,

722
00:35:23,505 --> 00:35:25,605
to make sure that we got to where we are today

723
00:35:25,825 --> 00:35:28,485
and continue to do the great work that you guys are doing.

724
00:35:28,835 --> 00:35:32,485
Yeah. And send volunteers our way, please. Absolutely.

725
00:35:32,625 --> 00:35:36,725
The cons, constituents that you meet, send them our way.

726
00:35:36,735 --> 00:35:37,735
We'll put 'em to work.

727
00:35:38,695 --> 00:35:40,285
Thank you. Do real quick, you wanna,

728
00:35:40,345 --> 00:35:42,685
you wanna just let people know how they can get ahold

729
00:35:42,685 --> 00:35:45,205
of you if you guys have a Facebook page or a website

730
00:35:45,205 --> 00:35:46,765
or, okay, there you go.

731
00:35:46,765 --> 00:35:48,325
Right up there. Alright. Yep.

732
00:35:49,285 --> 00:35:51,175
Yeah, the Facebook is probably the best way,

733
00:35:51,395 --> 00:35:55,135
but we, we started an online page too, so

734
00:35:56,075 --> 00:35:58,855
we had a lot of people just walk by the garden, you know,

735
00:35:58,855 --> 00:36:00,975
they're on bicycles and they see somebody there

736
00:36:00,975 --> 00:36:02,415
and then they're asking, how can I join?

737
00:36:02,925 --> 00:36:06,095
Yeah. Because it's like, we only have 18 beds.

738
00:36:06,115 --> 00:36:10,775
So, but we've gotten really much better quality gardeners

739
00:36:11,185 --> 00:36:12,455
since we moved over there.

740
00:36:13,745 --> 00:36:16,695
We're very picky. Now we have guys who's a retired doctor.

741
00:36:16,955 --> 00:36:19,975
We have this one lady who comes and cleans up the garden

742
00:36:19,995 --> 00:36:22,535
and we were asking her, are you really good at this?

743
00:36:22,555 --> 00:36:24,855
And did you grow up? She goes, well, I grew up on a farm.

744
00:36:24,915 --> 00:36:26,215
And I was, oh, you are a farmer.

745
00:36:26,315 --> 00:36:28,655
She goes, no, no, I, I, I was a neurosurgeon at Hopkins.

746
00:36:28,895 --> 00:36:32,695
I just, in case

747
00:36:34,125 --> 00:36:36,015
Last, Thank you very much. Thank you. Appreciate

748
00:36:36,015 --> 00:36:37,015
It.

749
00:36:37,015 --> 00:36:39,855
John, John, have you been to the senior, the senior center?

750
00:36:41,065 --> 00:36:43,005
Huh? Have you been to the senior center for Oh yeah.

751
00:36:43,205 --> 00:36:44,765
I, alright,

752
00:36:45,405 --> 00:36:47,365
I was just thinking, you know, seniors might wanna

753
00:36:48,235 --> 00:36:50,615
have a little garden there. Yeah,

754
00:36:50,905 --> 00:36:51,905
We've talked about that.

755
00:36:51,905 --> 00:36:53,255
Yeah. Okay. Yeah, thank you.

756
00:36:53,835 --> 00:36:57,135
And also, I don't know what their food situation is,

757
00:36:57,595 --> 00:36:59,095
but we certainly have enough produce

758
00:36:59,285 --> 00:37:03,005
that we could contribute if they have lunches or whatever,

759
00:37:03,305 --> 00:37:05,045
You know, you know, we, down the road, we,

760
00:37:05,045 --> 00:37:06,285
we did have two just drop it off

761
00:37:07,085 --> 00:37:08,605
handicap gardens at our old garden

762
00:37:08,625 --> 00:37:12,085
and we've talked about building one of them, you know, need

763
00:37:12,085 --> 00:37:13,085
To do that again.

764
00:37:14,355 --> 00:37:16,045
Yeah. A few things. Yeah. It's always nice to have,

765
00:37:16,985 --> 00:37:18,445
But it's only been a year and a half.

766
00:37:19,225 --> 00:37:20,725
Yes. Which is pretty amazing.

767
00:37:21,425 --> 00:37:22,845
And we thank you guys very

768
00:37:22,845 --> 00:37:23,845
Much.

769
00:37:23,845 --> 00:37:24,645
Thank you. Cheer. Thank you. Great work.

770
00:37:24,645 --> 00:37:25,645
Thanks for your time.

771
00:37:31,545 --> 00:37:32,965
All right, commissioners, moving on.

772
00:37:32,965 --> 00:37:34,285
We have one final presentation

773
00:37:34,385 --> 00:37:38,205
and this is from our Annie Sparks, the Director of Aging

774
00:37:38,205 --> 00:37:39,365
and Transportation, and Mr.

775
00:37:39,365 --> 00:37:41,685
Steve Palmer, our transit administrator.

776
00:37:41,745 --> 00:37:44,765
And they have a consultant here with KFH Group.

777
00:37:45,545 --> 00:37:48,965
And we have a presentation of the transit development plan

778
00:37:48,985 --> 00:37:51,925
and we have a, this is an action item for adoption

779
00:37:51,925 --> 00:37:54,365
of this particular plan if you so choose to do

780
00:37:54,365 --> 00:37:56,205
so following the presentation Commissioner.

781
00:37:56,305 --> 00:37:57,305
So

782
00:37:58,015 --> 00:37:59,015
Annie, take it away.

783
00:37:59,015 --> 00:38:00,725
Thanks Todd. Good evening Commissioners.

784
00:38:01,345 --> 00:38:03,445
We are here today to talk about the

785
00:38:04,035 --> 00:38:06,445
five year transit development plan

786
00:38:06,585 --> 00:38:08,405
and partnership with KFH Group.

787
00:38:08,505 --> 00:38:11,365
So I want to introduce a few folks to get started.

788
00:38:12,125 --> 00:38:14,685
First off, we have Bridy Mastro here

789
00:38:14,745 --> 00:38:17,005
who led the planning from KFH group.

790
00:38:17,465 --> 00:38:19,405
And then down at the end is Will Sutton,

791
00:38:19,405 --> 00:38:21,845
who led the previous plans years,

792
00:38:22,265 --> 00:38:24,845
and then Steven Palmer, transit administrator.

793
00:38:25,905 --> 00:38:29,725
So as Todd mentioned, this five year plan is, we are hoping

794
00:38:29,835 --> 00:38:32,725
that that will be adopted today, meaning

795
00:38:33,275 --> 00:38:35,365
that we can potentially ask

796
00:38:35,365 --> 00:38:38,005
for grant funds in this next five year cycle.

797
00:38:39,225 --> 00:38:42,205
Not meaning we have to do everything in this plan,

798
00:38:42,705 --> 00:38:45,565
but it gives us the opportunity to ask for funding,

799
00:38:45,565 --> 00:38:48,285
should we choose to during that five year span.

800
00:38:49,145 --> 00:38:52,925
And then to conclude tonight, we do have a proposal

801
00:38:53,025 --> 00:38:54,565
for our current Annapolis route

802
00:38:54,565 --> 00:38:56,245
that is somewhat separate from the plan,

803
00:38:56,345 --> 00:39:00,285
but which came up due to some findings from the plan.

804
00:39:00,465 --> 00:39:02,845
So I will turn it over to ready to get started.

805
00:39:09,635 --> 00:39:13,045
Good evening, Ron. And thank you. You move closer.

806
00:39:13,095 --> 00:39:15,485
Thank you for the introduction and,

807
00:39:16,065 --> 00:39:19,205
and again, thank you all of you for having me here.

808
00:39:19,545 --> 00:39:22,085
I'm quite excited to present the findings from

809
00:39:22,085 --> 00:39:23,165
the plan that we had.

810
00:39:23,705 --> 00:39:27,285
We worked on it for over a year with Queen Annes County

811
00:39:27,425 --> 00:39:29,125
and the countywide staff

812
00:39:29,785 --> 00:39:33,165
and it was a great opportunity to learn about the county

813
00:39:33,505 --> 00:39:35,125
and learn about the place people

814
00:39:35,465 --> 00:39:38,645
and kind of see how, you know, everything comes together

815
00:39:38,865 --> 00:39:40,565
and what the needs and issues are.

816
00:39:40,705 --> 00:39:45,125
So, so here I am just going to go to the next slide here.

817
00:39:46,485 --> 00:39:48,965
I would like to give you a quick overview of

818
00:39:48,965 --> 00:39:51,045
what a transit development plan is.

819
00:39:52,105 --> 00:39:55,605
So this is a five year short term plan.

820
00:39:56,035 --> 00:39:58,045
It's a roadmap for the county

821
00:39:58,745 --> 00:40:00,525
for improving public transportation

822
00:40:01,345 --> 00:40:04,045
and for potential future funding.

823
00:40:04,985 --> 00:40:08,445
So, so basically every transit agency in Maryland,

824
00:40:08,515 --> 00:40:09,925
they go through this process.

825
00:40:11,075 --> 00:40:15,325
It's a requirement by Maryland Department of Maryland,

826
00:40:15,325 --> 00:40:16,445
department of Transportation,

827
00:40:16,705 --> 00:40:18,365
and Maryland Transit Administration.

828
00:40:19,185 --> 00:40:23,445
And it basically connects to their annual grant application

829
00:40:23,785 --> 00:40:25,285
for the state and federal funding.

830
00:40:26,385 --> 00:40:29,645
So transit development plan, it helps us guide the growth

831
00:40:29,645 --> 00:40:32,485
of public transit and it also helps us define what the goals

832
00:40:33,085 --> 00:40:35,725
and objectives are of public transit in the county.

833
00:40:35,865 --> 00:40:37,725
And then they provide the basis for future

834
00:40:38,485 --> 00:40:39,685
federal and state funding.

835
00:40:43,625 --> 00:40:48,525
So the planning process, we go through several,

836
00:40:48,595 --> 00:40:50,045
several steps here.

837
00:40:50,225 --> 00:40:54,445
So we kicked off this plan last year in June, and,

838
00:40:54,745 --> 00:40:56,085
and then we,

839
00:40:57,185 --> 00:40:59,765
and then we kind of worked on the existing conditions.

840
00:40:59,955 --> 00:41:03,725
It's, it's, it's a, it's a detailed quantitative analysis.

841
00:41:03,745 --> 00:41:06,365
We look at the system in detail, you wanna see

842
00:41:06,425 --> 00:41:08,405
how the routes are doing, how the service is doing,

843
00:41:08,405 --> 00:41:11,285
what the ridership is like, you know, the performance.

844
00:41:11,345 --> 00:41:12,805
So we kind of review all the

845
00:41:13,245 --> 00:41:15,005
operating statistics of the plan.

846
00:41:15,225 --> 00:41:18,565
We go ride the buses, we talk to the frontline staff, try

847
00:41:18,565 --> 00:41:20,845
to understand, you know, what the issues are

848
00:41:20,905 --> 00:41:22,005
or what needs to be improved.

849
00:41:22,665 --> 00:41:24,365
We also look at the demographics

850
00:41:24,625 --> 00:41:27,965
and land use of the county to gain a better understanding of

851
00:41:27,965 --> 00:41:30,645
where people live, where the transit needs are,

852
00:41:30,645 --> 00:41:32,205
where the service gap exists.

853
00:41:32,625 --> 00:41:36,245
And then the next step we is the community outreach.

854
00:41:36,705 --> 00:41:39,285
And I will talk a little bit more about it in a minute,

855
00:41:39,385 --> 00:41:41,245
but it's basically the feedback

856
00:41:41,245 --> 00:41:43,885
that we collect from the riders in the community

857
00:41:43,985 --> 00:41:46,805
to get a better understanding of you know, what they need

858
00:41:46,805 --> 00:41:48,045
and what they are experiencing.

859
00:41:49,075 --> 00:41:52,685
Then based on our existing conditions

860
00:41:52,745 --> 00:41:56,085
and feedback from the public that we receive, we go ahead,

861
00:41:56,185 --> 00:41:58,085
we work on system alternatives.

862
00:41:58,445 --> 00:42:00,165
There could be modifications

863
00:42:00,225 --> 00:42:02,605
to the system operations capital.

864
00:42:03,265 --> 00:42:06,285
And we come up with several options, you know, that,

865
00:42:06,305 --> 00:42:10,685
you know, the county, the transit agency can, can work with.

866
00:42:11,065 --> 00:42:15,285
And then based on the priorities, we, we come up, we, we,

867
00:42:16,165 --> 00:42:17,925
we develop certain recommendations

868
00:42:17,955 --> 00:42:20,285
with them in a five year timeline

869
00:42:20,465 --> 00:42:21,965
of when they should be implemented.

870
00:42:22,185 --> 00:42:24,325
And along with that, what are the operating costs,

871
00:42:24,325 --> 00:42:27,045
capital costs that are associated with those implementation.

872
00:42:27,585 --> 00:42:29,765
And then we, we got to the final plan.

873
00:42:29,785 --> 00:42:31,485
That's, that's what we are presenting here

874
00:42:31,545 --> 00:42:33,325
and for your, for your blessing today.

875
00:42:37,125 --> 00:42:41,625
So just a quick overview of the existing conditions

876
00:42:41,625 --> 00:42:42,865
that existed when we started

877
00:42:42,865 --> 00:42:45,705
with the plan Queen County, right?

878
00:42:45,805 --> 00:42:48,345
It operates four fixed routes.

879
00:42:49,965 --> 00:42:52,625
So one of them, route two county right is the local

880
00:42:53,565 --> 00:42:55,225
is the local route within the county.

881
00:42:55,645 --> 00:42:56,865
And routes one, three

882
00:42:56,865 --> 00:42:59,825
and four are regional routes that connect to East Annapolis

883
00:43:00,005 --> 00:43:01,465
and in the northern part of the county.

884
00:43:01,565 --> 00:43:03,625
And as well as they go down to Denton.

885
00:43:04,675 --> 00:43:07,705
Route four is the only one which runs once a week.

886
00:43:08,305 --> 00:43:10,625
Other than that, there's door-to-door service.

887
00:43:10,755 --> 00:43:13,185
Countywide services are fair free at this time.

888
00:43:13,445 --> 00:43:16,905
And the service that operates only on weekdays

889
00:43:17,145 --> 00:43:18,225
between 6:30 AM

890
00:43:18,245 --> 00:43:19,265
and 4:30 PM

891
00:43:21,805 --> 00:43:23,265
for the public outreach.

892
00:43:23,745 --> 00:43:25,705
We conducted writer surveys.

893
00:43:26,185 --> 00:43:29,465
We went on onboard buses and we distributed them out.

894
00:43:29,485 --> 00:43:30,985
We talked to the writers, we did some

895
00:43:30,985 --> 00:43:32,185
intercept interviews as well.

896
00:43:33,125 --> 00:43:35,465
We also conducted an online community survey.

897
00:43:35,735 --> 00:43:38,345
This happened between August and September last year.

898
00:43:38,725 --> 00:43:43,025
And we got about 143 total survey

899
00:43:43,505 --> 00:43:44,625
responses from this effort.

900
00:43:46,045 --> 00:43:47,465
Mostly what we learn is

901
00:43:47,495 --> 00:43:50,425
that county ride is important for the rider.

902
00:43:51,695 --> 00:43:53,465
Most of the writers that we surveyed,

903
00:43:53,465 --> 00:43:55,945
they're pretty much dependent on it to live independently.

904
00:43:55,945 --> 00:43:58,625
They use them for all their essential trips related

905
00:43:58,625 --> 00:44:00,305
to medical shopping work trips

906
00:44:00,685 --> 00:44:03,265
and they do value this particular system.

907
00:44:03,955 --> 00:44:06,785
Other than that, we learned different needs,

908
00:44:07,675 --> 00:44:09,945
which were more related to service expansion,

909
00:44:09,945 --> 00:44:12,905
having a weekend service, having more awareness

910
00:44:13,045 --> 00:44:14,065
of the county ride

911
00:44:14,565 --> 00:44:16,825
and having some more like clearer information

912
00:44:16,925 --> 00:44:18,185
and schedules in the system.

913
00:44:19,245 --> 00:44:23,225
And I will kind of go through these issues

914
00:44:23,565 --> 00:44:25,905
and needs a little bit in detail.

915
00:44:25,905 --> 00:44:27,065
This is what we kind

916
00:44:27,065 --> 00:44:29,625
of put together from our existing conditions

917
00:44:29,625 --> 00:44:31,165
and public outreach analysis.

918
00:44:31,505 --> 00:44:34,325
So basically what we learned was that a lot there,

919
00:44:34,325 --> 00:44:36,845
there are some services which are overlapping

920
00:44:37,225 --> 00:44:39,805
and we probably need a more streamlined,

921
00:44:39,805 --> 00:44:41,565
predictable service, more better

922
00:44:41,565 --> 00:44:43,205
coordinated service in the county.

923
00:44:44,025 --> 00:44:46,605
We also learned that the service plan is a little bit

924
00:44:46,605 --> 00:44:49,925
limited, which could benefit from expanded

925
00:44:49,925 --> 00:44:51,245
service hours in the evening.

926
00:44:51,845 --> 00:44:54,045
There is more demand for door to door,

927
00:44:54,045 --> 00:44:55,205
the demand response service.

928
00:44:55,925 --> 00:44:57,765
We also learned that the Eastern Annapolis

929
00:44:57,765 --> 00:44:59,005
ridership is declining.

930
00:44:59,105 --> 00:45:00,845
The performance was like hitting its

931
00:45:00,845 --> 00:45:01,965
lowest point at this point.

932
00:45:02,345 --> 00:45:06,085
So we need to come back with some hybrid service models,

933
00:45:06,215 --> 00:45:09,045
which could kind of strengthen those regional connections.

934
00:45:10,075 --> 00:45:12,005
Then there is a need

935
00:45:12,005 --> 00:45:14,565
for more clear rider information in communication,

936
00:45:14,965 --> 00:45:18,485
stronger banding visibility of the system, as well as

937
00:45:19,545 --> 00:45:24,285
bus stop signage and infrastructure for rider safety.

938
00:45:25,545 --> 00:45:27,085
So based on these issues

939
00:45:27,265 --> 00:45:30,445
and needs, we put together this five year plan here.

940
00:45:31,745 --> 00:45:34,925
So the recommendations are spread across five years.

941
00:45:35,275 --> 00:45:37,765
Year one and two are the short term recommendations.

942
00:45:38,905 --> 00:45:42,045
So in terms of service modification, so one thing

943
00:45:42,045 --> 00:45:44,885
before that is that these recommendations are cost

944
00:45:44,965 --> 00:45:46,285
neutral for the short term.

945
00:45:46,745 --> 00:45:49,525
So we are proposing restructuring of route one

946
00:45:49,525 --> 00:45:52,805
that's the Eastern to start at Kent Narrows Park

947
00:45:52,805 --> 00:45:55,805
and right, we would like to establish Kent Narrows Park

948
00:45:55,805 --> 00:45:58,605
and right as the main transfer mine for the whole system.

949
00:45:58,985 --> 00:46:00,365
So we wanna run Eastern from there.

950
00:46:00,435 --> 00:46:02,205
Then Route two county, right?

951
00:46:02,425 --> 00:46:04,885
We have proposed a minor route alignments as well

952
00:46:04,885 --> 00:46:07,325
as there are some schedule adjustments there so

953
00:46:07,325 --> 00:46:10,565
that we can provide more frequency, more consistent headways

954
00:46:10,565 --> 00:46:12,885
and more service where people live, like

955
00:46:12,885 --> 00:46:13,885
that's on the Kent Island.

956
00:46:14,385 --> 00:46:18,085
And then route four is the northern route

957
00:46:18,175 --> 00:46:19,805
where we are proposing a flex service,

958
00:46:19,805 --> 00:46:22,205
which is a combination of door to door

959
00:46:22,385 --> 00:46:23,485
and of fixed route service.

960
00:46:23,905 --> 00:46:25,925
So these are the s service modifications.

961
00:46:26,065 --> 00:46:27,205
In year two we are looking

962
00:46:27,225 --> 00:46:30,125
for more supporting system improvements such

963
00:46:30,125 --> 00:46:32,845
as implementing branding and marketing initiatives.

964
00:46:33,665 --> 00:46:35,725
One of them is the vehicle branding.

965
00:46:36,245 --> 00:46:38,805
We are looking for bus wraps, which will be great

966
00:46:38,825 --> 00:46:41,725
for system marketing as well as be able

967
00:46:41,725 --> 00:46:44,765
to generate some local revenue as well for the system.

968
00:46:45,425 --> 00:46:47,685
We are also looking for electronic head signs.

969
00:46:47,685 --> 00:46:50,805
Reason being that right now it is difficult to differentiate

970
00:46:51,275 --> 00:46:54,005
between the door-to-door service and the fixed route.

971
00:46:54,005 --> 00:46:55,845
Like we found on site that people were confused,

972
00:46:55,845 --> 00:46:57,165
they didn't know where the bus is going.

973
00:46:57,545 --> 00:47:00,485
So we, there's a need for head signs for the, so

974
00:47:00,485 --> 00:47:03,525
that the riders know which bus they need to board right now.

975
00:47:03,525 --> 00:47:05,605
They just stop the bus and ask the driver, you know,

976
00:47:05,605 --> 00:47:06,925
where which direction is it going

977
00:47:06,985 --> 00:47:09,685
or, so that's, that's another thing.

978
00:47:09,895 --> 00:47:12,245
Other than that, we are looking for some bus stop

979
00:47:12,265 --> 00:47:13,525
and signage improvements

980
00:47:13,625 --> 00:47:14,965
and technology improvements

981
00:47:14,985 --> 00:47:17,965
to make the system more comfortable for the riders,

982
00:47:18,555 --> 00:47:22,445
more accessible, convenient for the midterm.

983
00:47:22,445 --> 00:47:24,405
That's for year three and four.

984
00:47:24,665 --> 00:47:27,445
We are looking for system expansion

985
00:47:27,445 --> 00:47:29,685
related alternatives.

986
00:47:30,025 --> 00:47:32,405
So, so we are proposing a Saturday service

987
00:47:32,675 --> 00:47:33,965
only for the local route.

988
00:47:33,965 --> 00:47:35,245
That's the county right route.

989
00:47:35,665 --> 00:47:39,525
We are looking for weekly service hour expansions on county

990
00:47:39,525 --> 00:47:41,805
right and eastern route as well, as well as

991
00:47:42,085 --> 00:47:43,165
for the door-to-door service.

992
00:47:44,305 --> 00:47:48,525
And then another thing that we have the plan is proposing is

993
00:47:48,525 --> 00:47:52,165
to launch a Kent Island micro transit pilot just

994
00:47:52,165 --> 00:47:55,885
for the weekdays, adding a midday central world return trip

995
00:47:55,905 --> 00:48:00,525
to Route four, which is an expansion to, to the flex route

996
00:48:00,525 --> 00:48:02,045
that is being proposed in year one.

997
00:48:02,465 --> 00:48:04,245
And then the last one

998
00:48:04,245 --> 00:48:06,885
that I have here is the Kent Island weekend

999
00:48:07,075 --> 00:48:08,085
visitor shuttles.

1000
00:48:08,085 --> 00:48:09,925
It's more like starting a Saturday service,

1001
00:48:11,165 --> 00:48:13,445
which is oriented towards the visitors

1002
00:48:13,445 --> 00:48:14,685
that are there on the Kent Island.

1003
00:48:14,855 --> 00:48:17,085
It'll be just, it'll just be surveying.

1004
00:48:17,085 --> 00:48:20,045
Mostly it'll be running on the Kent Islands catering

1005
00:48:20,145 --> 00:48:22,365
to the visitor needs and making a stop so

1006
00:48:22,365 --> 00:48:23,685
that it can make a connection

1007
00:48:23,755 --> 00:48:25,845
with the upcoming ferry from Annapolis.

1008
00:48:26,305 --> 00:48:28,205
So, so it's kind of oriented towards that.

1009
00:48:28,915 --> 00:48:32,245
Year four, we are looking at combining Eastern

1010
00:48:32,265 --> 00:48:36,285
and county right routes to make the service more direct

1011
00:48:36,425 --> 00:48:38,885
to Eastern and having more service on Kent Island.

1012
00:48:39,185 --> 00:48:41,565
And we will have another additional bus

1013
00:48:41,565 --> 00:48:43,285
to connect from Centreville

1014
00:48:43,425 --> 00:48:45,245
to Kent Island every couple of hours.

1015
00:48:45,625 --> 00:48:48,765
So this will increase the availability of service as well

1016
00:48:48,765 --> 00:48:52,525
as the frequency of the service in, in Queen Ends county.

1017
00:48:53,505 --> 00:48:56,725
And then again, there's an expansion proposed for North

1018
00:48:57,325 --> 00:49:00,125
northern flex route, depending on the demand, if you know,

1019
00:49:00,125 --> 00:49:02,565
if it's worth expanding it, I mean, based on that.

1020
00:49:03,065 --> 00:49:07,125
So year three supporting system improvements are mostly

1021
00:49:07,125 --> 00:49:09,485
related to technology enhancement, given

1022
00:49:09,515 --> 00:49:13,525
that we are proposing a micro transit pilot, which will need

1023
00:49:14,445 --> 00:49:18,845
enhanced technology capabilities for the system.

1024
00:49:18,985 --> 00:49:22,845
And then we are also proposing to

1025
00:49:23,395 --> 00:49:28,165
modernize the technology for demand response so that the,

1026
00:49:28,165 --> 00:49:30,605
the transit agency has more option

1027
00:49:30,665 --> 00:49:34,125
of providing same day trips or maybe a day advance.

1028
00:49:34,295 --> 00:49:38,245
Right now a rider has to reserve

1029
00:49:39,295 --> 00:49:41,045
their rights two days in advance.

1030
00:49:41,305 --> 00:49:43,525
So to give them or provide them more flexibility

1031
00:49:43,525 --> 00:49:45,405
with reservations, I think

1032
00:49:45,985 --> 00:49:48,285
we are proposing this technology enhancement as well.

1033
00:49:49,515 --> 00:49:51,245
Year five is mostly long term.

1034
00:49:51,545 --> 00:49:54,605
We are looking at expanding the micro transit depending on

1035
00:49:54,605 --> 00:49:57,965
how it performs in its initial phase two Saturdays.

1036
00:49:58,705 --> 00:50:01,885
And then also expanding the northern flex route

1037
00:50:01,945 --> 00:50:03,365
to all five days a week.

1038
00:50:04,425 --> 00:50:07,725
So, so these are the recommendations from the plan

1039
00:50:08,265 --> 00:50:11,205
and the operating cost associated

1040
00:50:11,205 --> 00:50:14,045
with these implementation are here.

1041
00:50:14,225 --> 00:50:17,405
So for first two years, fiscal year 2027

1042
00:50:17,425 --> 00:50:20,885
and 2028, as I mentioned previously, these are cost neutral.

1043
00:50:21,465 --> 00:50:23,645
So we, so it's, it's,

1044
00:50:23,645 --> 00:50:26,605
it's just about over $1.8 million.

1045
00:50:26,675 --> 00:50:29,725
This is the projected budget for the existing service.

1046
00:50:29,865 --> 00:50:31,445
So we, so we are keeping that

1047
00:50:31,625 --> 00:50:36,005
and with a 3% inflationary in increase each year.

1048
00:50:36,785 --> 00:50:38,605
So there are no additional expenses

1049
00:50:39,145 --> 00:50:40,125
of making those service

1050
00:50:40,155 --> 00:50:41,805
modifications in the first two years.

1051
00:50:42,405 --> 00:50:45,005
Then for fiscal year 2029 in 2030,

1052
00:50:45,665 --> 00:50:49,005
we are looking at major expansions in the routes, you know,

1053
00:50:49,005 --> 00:50:52,085
proposing we proposed the new micro transit pilots,

1054
00:50:52,085 --> 00:50:55,765
the visitor shuttle, so the associated expenses are

1055
00:50:56,405 --> 00:50:59,205
just over half million for your 2029.

1056
00:50:59,585 --> 00:51:01,725
And then for 2030 there are about six,

1057
00:51:01,865 --> 00:51:04,605
$673,000 that year.

1058
00:51:04,825 --> 00:51:09,325
And for fiscal year 2031, we are looking at $814,000

1059
00:51:09,965 --> 00:51:13,765
additional cost of implementing the expansions proposed.

1060
00:51:14,505 --> 00:51:19,165
So at this point we are assuming that the state

1061
00:51:19,185 --> 00:51:21,165
and federal funding will remain the same.

1062
00:51:21,425 --> 00:51:24,565
So we are looking at these expenses

1063
00:51:24,755 --> 00:51:28,885
through the local revenue to be funded by the,

1064
00:51:29,085 --> 00:51:30,765
by the local funding At this point,

1065
00:51:32,185 --> 00:51:36,805
and again, just to, I'm almost done with the presentation,

1066
00:51:36,805 --> 00:51:39,125
but something I would like to say that

1067
00:51:40,065 --> 00:51:41,605
all these options are in the plan.

1068
00:51:41,605 --> 00:51:44,005
There are several options. We could be a bit aggressive

1069
00:51:44,005 --> 00:51:47,605
about proposing so many things, but with time

1070
00:51:47,745 --> 00:51:49,365
and with changing priorities,

1071
00:51:50,015 --> 00:51:53,565
these recommendations can be moved around or shuffled.

1072
00:51:54,025 --> 00:51:57,085
And so the best thing is that they are in the plan

1073
00:51:57,265 --> 00:51:59,805
and they could be justified for any future funding

1074
00:51:59,915 --> 00:52:01,325
that comes about.

1075
00:52:01,665 --> 00:52:03,685
And if there's a new, for example, there's a new

1076
00:52:04,205 --> 00:52:07,285
grant opportunity that you see a federal grant opportunity,

1077
00:52:07,705 --> 00:52:09,125
you have that in your plan.

1078
00:52:09,185 --> 00:52:11,685
You have a justification of why you want to apply for it.

1079
00:52:12,025 --> 00:52:15,165
So, so that's why this plan is really important for,

1080
00:52:15,345 --> 00:52:17,365
for the, for the county, for the, for the agency.

1081
00:52:19,785 --> 00:52:21,925
The last few slides, I'll quickly run through

1082
00:52:22,065 --> 00:52:25,405
how these recommendations they look like at ground level,

1083
00:52:26,435 --> 00:52:29,725
just some visuals of, for the short term improvements,

1084
00:52:29,725 --> 00:52:33,525
which are more kind of related to schedule changes

1085
00:52:33,825 --> 00:52:35,045
and minor alignment changes.

1086
00:52:35,115 --> 00:52:39,445
They are most, they are covering, they, they're basically

1087
00:52:39,795 --> 00:52:41,245
what exists right now.

1088
00:52:41,245 --> 00:52:43,485
They, they cover the entire county as it is,

1089
00:52:43,625 --> 00:52:44,885
as it is right now.

1090
00:52:46,275 --> 00:52:50,455
Then the midterm, you can see there's an

1091
00:52:51,215 --> 00:52:56,175
addition of the Kent Island micro transit on the top

1092
00:52:56,175 --> 00:52:58,375
of the screen, if you can see there's a little zone there,

1093
00:52:58,455 --> 00:52:59,975
a micro transits zone in Kent Island.

1094
00:52:59,975 --> 00:53:02,655
That's what we are proposing, covering Stevensville,

1095
00:53:02,895 --> 00:53:05,575
Chester and Cannes area.

1096
00:53:06,115 --> 00:53:09,895
And then on my next screen there's this

1097
00:53:10,965 --> 00:53:14,895
weekend visitor shuttle that we are proposing to add.

1098
00:53:15,995 --> 00:53:19,735
And then for the last year, that's a long term improvement.

1099
00:53:19,805 --> 00:53:22,295
It's, it's mostly for the weekend service, kind

1100
00:53:22,295 --> 00:53:23,895
of expanding the micro transit zone,

1101
00:53:24,665 --> 00:53:26,805
micro transit service over to the weekends.

1102
00:53:28,505 --> 00:53:33,435
So, well, so with this plan we intend to strengthen

1103
00:53:33,435 --> 00:53:34,915
and simplify the existing service.

1104
00:53:35,095 --> 00:53:37,955
We just, we want to make sure that, that the riders,

1105
00:53:37,955 --> 00:53:40,635
they're able to understand the system, it's easier for them

1106
00:53:40,635 --> 00:53:44,195
to navigate and we are able to modernize them,

1107
00:53:45,525 --> 00:53:46,635
their experience

1108
00:53:47,015 --> 00:53:49,555
and we are able to make those connections, regional,

1109
00:53:49,555 --> 00:53:50,795
local connections well

1110
00:53:51,135 --> 00:53:53,715
and we want to position county right to grow ridership

1111
00:53:53,775 --> 00:53:55,075
as funding becomes available.

1112
00:53:55,775 --> 00:53:56,955
So, yeah.

1113
00:53:56,975 --> 00:54:01,675
So w with that I think I would like to back to Steve.

1114
00:54:03,865 --> 00:54:04,355
Alright,

1115
00:54:12,645 --> 00:54:15,225
So what I'd like to talk to you about is eliminating our

1116
00:54:15,225 --> 00:54:16,545
fixed route to Annapolis

1117
00:54:16,805 --> 00:54:18,185
and switching to a door to door route.

1118
00:54:19,065 --> 00:54:21,585
This sheet here shows you, on average

1119
00:54:22,165 --> 00:54:24,185
for the last fiscal year, we've been averaging five

1120
00:54:24,185 --> 00:54:25,305
to six riders a day.

1121
00:54:25,525 --> 00:54:30,305
On that route, it costs roughly $222

1122
00:54:30,365 --> 00:54:31,625
to run that route every day.

1123
00:54:32,565 --> 00:54:35,985
So the per person to route ratio is, is pretty high.

1124
00:54:36,315 --> 00:54:38,185
Where our door to door service is about

1125
00:54:38,445 --> 00:54:41,225
$32 for a total ride.

1126
00:54:41,285 --> 00:54:43,865
So that's like $16 for each way.

1127
00:54:44,935 --> 00:54:48,665
We'd like to switch to a Tuesday Thursday medical only

1128
00:54:48,765 --> 00:54:52,305
to start out with, to see, see if we can push our ridership

1129
00:54:52,305 --> 00:54:56,185
that way for the Annapolis way, MTA still does have a bus

1130
00:54:56,185 --> 00:54:58,785
that comes in the morning and in the, in the evening

1131
00:54:59,095 --> 00:55:01,665
that could get people across the bridge if they have to

1132
00:55:02,675 --> 00:55:04,585
every day Monday through Friday.

1133
00:55:05,085 --> 00:55:07,945
So there's still a way to get over there on a daily basis.

1134
00:55:08,055 --> 00:55:09,105
It's just early in the morning

1135
00:55:09,125 --> 00:55:11,465
and late, late in the, in the afternoon.

1136
00:55:13,405 --> 00:55:15,925
Most of our riders in Annapolis don't live in our county.

1137
00:55:17,395 --> 00:55:19,405
They are people that come from Easton

1138
00:55:19,865 --> 00:55:22,885
and they just catch connectors across or vice versa.

1139
00:55:26,675 --> 00:55:28,605
This here will help our county residents

1140
00:55:28,605 --> 00:55:30,765
because they give 'em the medical needs to get to get our,

1141
00:55:30,825 --> 00:55:33,245
we get asked a lot and we take 'em, you know,

1142
00:55:33,245 --> 00:55:34,605
but it's, it's very few.

1143
00:55:34,845 --> 00:55:36,565
I mean we go to the hospital every day

1144
00:55:37,345 --> 00:55:38,565
and take people, you know,

1145
00:55:39,315 --> 00:55:43,045
it's usually maybe one a day at most, but if we advertise it

1146
00:55:43,045 --> 00:55:44,365
and we can really work on it.

1147
00:55:45,145 --> 00:55:47,445
Our Eastern medical we do Monday, Wednesday, Friday

1148
00:55:47,545 --> 00:55:49,925
and it's usually got 10 to 12 people every day

1149
00:55:50,105 --> 00:55:51,285
or you know, every three days.

1150
00:55:53,225 --> 00:55:55,355
With that we could also open dialysis up

1151
00:55:55,495 --> 00:55:56,635
in, in Indianapolis.

1152
00:55:56,815 --> 00:55:58,955
Yep. Which we've never done,

1153
00:55:59,775 --> 00:56:01,715
but there is a dialysis over there.

1154
00:56:02,755 --> 00:56:05,455
I know the county talking to

1155
00:56:06,355 --> 00:56:08,255
people at the health department, they wanna try

1156
00:56:08,255 --> 00:56:10,415
to get one in Queen s county 'cause they call us up

1157
00:56:10,415 --> 00:56:12,335
and ask us what our numbers are right now going

1158
00:56:12,335 --> 00:56:13,535
to Chester County, Easton.

1159
00:56:14,275 --> 00:56:16,815
So I think moving forward, if we could,

1160
00:56:16,835 --> 00:56:18,255
if we could make this happen, we have

1161
00:56:18,255 --> 00:56:21,535
to start a 30 day period for public comments through,

1162
00:56:21,755 --> 00:56:25,445
you know, MTA rules for, for our funding.

1163
00:56:26,065 --> 00:56:29,815
But I think we all, we get more funding

1164
00:56:29,995 --> 00:56:31,335
for the more riders we get

1165
00:56:32,085 --> 00:56:35,105
and I think with eliminating the fixed route to Annapolis

1166
00:56:35,205 --> 00:56:37,825
and the small number, we can move those drivers to door

1167
00:56:37,825 --> 00:56:39,465
to door and open our door to door up more

1168
00:56:39,765 --> 00:56:41,305
and get more riders that way.

1169
00:56:42,005 --> 00:56:45,025
So ultimately I think this would be a more benefit to,

1170
00:56:45,205 --> 00:56:48,545
to our residents and a more benefit to financially.

1171
00:56:50,005 --> 00:56:51,465
And what is the state funding chief?

1172
00:56:51,965 --> 00:56:53,465
Excuse me? What is the state funding?

1173
00:56:53,915 --> 00:56:56,505
State funding is is, it used to be a, a set amount,

1174
00:56:56,605 --> 00:56:58,785
but now we're all based on ridership.

1175
00:56:59,285 --> 00:57:02,145
That's why we went fair free in in 2023

1176
00:57:02,505 --> 00:57:03,505
'cause we knew that was coming

1177
00:57:03,765 --> 00:57:05,505
and we had to get our ridership up.

1178
00:57:09,645 --> 00:57:12,145
We know what we got this year or anticipated.

1179
00:57:13,105 --> 00:57:15,665
We're probably going to for, for the calendar year 26,

1180
00:57:15,665 --> 00:57:19,385
we're probably gonna hit about 38,000 rides back in 2022.

1181
00:57:19,405 --> 00:57:22,185
We were at 12,000 rides. So you can see how far we've grown.

1182
00:57:23,625 --> 00:57:25,025
I meant, I meant financially,

1183
00:57:26,135 --> 00:57:28,785
Financially we're, we're gonna come in at 1.8, you know,

1184
00:57:28,785 --> 00:57:30,585
8 million for our budget

1185
00:57:30,925 --> 00:57:32,545
and about a third of that comes from the state.

1186
00:57:32,765 --> 00:57:34,625
And then another bid comes from federal.

1187
00:57:34,775 --> 00:57:37,105
Federal is what gets adjusted the most state.

1188
00:57:38,065 --> 00:57:40,545
They passed a law a couple years ago that we have to get,

1189
00:57:40,645 --> 00:57:43,545
the state has to put up the same amount of money every year.

1190
00:57:43,725 --> 00:57:46,185
But the federal funding is what fluctuates the most for us.

1191
00:57:47,915 --> 00:57:50,015
And we're kind of a unique county

1192
00:57:50,015 --> 00:57:51,615
because we have both rural and urban.

1193
00:57:51,955 --> 00:57:55,855
So we get two fundings. We get a 53 0 7 and a 53 11.

1194
00:57:57,435 --> 00:57:59,935
So we're, we're one of the only few counties that get that.

1195
00:58:05,675 --> 00:58:08,745
That it. Yes. Any question? Any other question?

1196
00:58:11,245 --> 00:58:15,265
Go ahead. So, so with the Annapolis thing

1197
00:58:15,265 --> 00:58:16,465
that would be slightly separate

1198
00:58:16,575 --> 00:58:19,145
with doing a 30 day public comment period,

1199
00:58:19,625 --> 00:58:21,665
we did wanna mention it to you today

1200
00:58:21,805 --> 00:58:24,665
for our proposal in case you did have any questions

1201
00:58:24,685 --> 00:58:27,945
or concerns on that one as we get ready to start

1202
00:58:27,945 --> 00:58:29,825
that 30 day public comment period.

1203
00:58:30,605 --> 00:58:34,785
And then we would ask if you're able to adopt the

1204
00:58:35,465 --> 00:58:38,865
TDP, which is the transit development plan as presented

1205
00:58:38,865 --> 00:58:42,185
by Rdy today, that would be our goal to move forward

1206
00:58:42,215 --> 00:58:43,465
with that five year plan.

1207
00:58:43,845 --> 00:58:46,465
And again, that is to adopt the plan,

1208
00:58:46,565 --> 00:58:49,105
but it doesn't guarantee we're going to move forward

1209
00:58:49,215 --> 00:58:52,025
with anything official until each year were to come.

1210
00:58:52,025 --> 00:58:54,305
Then we would look at the budget and finances.

1211
00:58:54,605 --> 00:58:58,585
But by having it in that five year plan, it does allow us to

1212
00:58:59,155 --> 00:59:02,265
apply for future grant funding for those projects.

1213
00:59:02,265 --> 00:59:04,145
Whereas if it wasn't in the plan,

1214
00:59:04,145 --> 00:59:06,065
then we wouldn't be able to apply for it.

1215
00:59:07,895 --> 00:59:10,585
Alright, I'll move to adopt the Queen Annes County Rye

1216
00:59:10,585 --> 00:59:14,545
Transportation Development plan as presented by KFH

1217
00:59:14,845 --> 00:59:16,785
and the Queen of County Department of Aging

1218
00:59:16,785 --> 00:59:21,125
and Transportation on this 21st day of September, 2026.

1219
00:59:23,105 --> 00:59:25,205
Second, I got a motion and a second.

1220
00:59:25,385 --> 00:59:26,485
Any further discussion?

1221
00:59:27,745 --> 00:59:29,485
I'd just like to see more financials.

1222
00:59:30,035 --> 00:59:33,245
Okay, sure. Yeah. What was your, what was the question?

1223
00:59:35,065 --> 00:59:37,085
It Wasn't a question, it was a statement I just said

1224
00:59:37,105 --> 00:59:38,805
I'd like to see more financials.

1225
00:59:39,225 --> 00:59:43,765
Oh, you know what, what, what are if,

1226
00:59:43,785 --> 00:59:45,925
if the state's a third, I'd like to know

1227
00:59:45,925 --> 00:59:47,165
what the federal government is.

1228
00:59:47,705 --> 00:59:49,645
I'd like to know if there's any other grants available

1229
00:59:49,755 --> 00:59:53,765
that we can apply for and what's it gonna cost us, you know?

1230
00:59:54,365 --> 00:59:59,145
Yep. Good work. Okay. We have a motion in a second.

1231
00:59:59,615 --> 01:00:00,945
There's no further discussion.

1232
01:00:00,945 --> 01:00:04,065
All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed?

1233
01:00:04,645 --> 01:00:09,105
So moved. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you.

1234
01:00:09,105 --> 01:00:10,745
Need a separate motion for the 30.

1235
01:00:14,015 --> 01:00:16,865
Okay. Alright. Alright. Thank you.

1236
01:00:17,065 --> 01:00:19,225
All good presentation. Very good, thank you.

1237
01:00:22,135 --> 01:00:23,185
Alright, commissioners.

1238
01:00:23,495 --> 01:00:26,505
Next we have, we have two public hearings under our

1239
01:00:26,655 --> 01:00:28,345
legislative portion of the agenda.

1240
01:00:29,265 --> 01:00:31,745
First up we have a public hearing for a private

1241
01:00:31,805 --> 01:00:33,345
to public road upgrade project

1242
01:00:33,445 --> 01:00:36,305
for Cecil Road in Kent Island Estates.

1243
01:00:36,685 --> 01:00:37,865
I'm gonna make a, a motion

1244
01:00:38,405 --> 01:00:40,665
to authorize Commissioner Christopher Corino

1245
01:00:40,725 --> 01:00:42,785
to conduct tonight's hearings on behalf

1246
01:00:42,785 --> 01:00:45,665
of the Queen Anns County Commissioners in light of the

1247
01:00:46,455 --> 01:00:48,065
passing of Pat Town.

1248
01:00:48,965 --> 01:00:50,825
Second, Both yours.

1249
01:00:51,015 --> 01:00:55,945
Alright, we have a motion to second all those in favor?

1250
01:00:56,205 --> 01:00:58,745
Aye. Aye. Opposed? So moved.

1251
01:00:59,015 --> 01:01:00,505
Alright. Aye.

1252
01:01:01,375 --> 01:01:03,265
Mess this up. Stephanie's gonna tell me, she said

1253
01:01:03,485 --> 01:01:04,785
so I'll do my best.

1254
01:01:06,055 --> 01:01:09,105
Okay. Notice of public hearing the Queen County,

1255
01:01:09,445 --> 01:01:11,785
the County Commissioners of Queenland County, Maryland.

1256
01:01:12,745 --> 01:01:15,505
The County Commissioners of Queen Anne County will hold a

1257
01:01:15,505 --> 01:01:18,985
public hearing on September 21st at 6:00 PM at the Liberty

1258
01:01:19,225 --> 01:01:21,985
Building, 1 0 7 North Liberty Street, Centerville,

1259
01:01:22,185 --> 01:01:25,545
Maryland 2 1 6 1 7 for the purpose of consideration

1260
01:01:25,545 --> 01:01:27,265
of the adoption of Cecil Road.

1261
01:01:27,265 --> 01:01:30,025
Special assessment charges for road construction.

1262
01:01:30,805 --> 01:01:34,945
The purpose of those special assessment charges is

1263
01:01:34,945 --> 01:01:37,745
to provide an equitable method of distributing the cost

1264
01:01:37,745 --> 01:01:40,505
of constructing an eight inch gravel based course,

1265
01:01:41,145 --> 01:01:43,305
a triple surface treatment surface course,

1266
01:01:43,765 --> 01:01:45,265
and associated drainage s swes

1267
01:01:45,265 --> 01:01:48,785
for Cecil Road from Route eight to 1 32 Cecil Road.

1268
01:01:48,845 --> 01:01:51,385
To the benefit the benefited property owners,

1269
01:01:52,045 --> 01:01:53,505
the total estimated cost

1270
01:01:53,525 --> 01:01:56,705
of the proposed construction is $115,000.

1271
01:01:57,705 --> 01:02:00,745
Property owners shall be assessed on a per property owner

1272
01:02:00,875 --> 01:02:04,065
basis of the total actual projected costs.

1273
01:02:04,365 --> 01:02:06,905
The affected property includes all lots,

1274
01:02:07,235 --> 01:02:09,745
which abut the AFO mentioned roads.

1275
01:02:09,815 --> 01:02:12,145
Accepting those lots which currently abut

1276
01:02:12,165 --> 01:02:14,745
and take access from an existing county or state road.

1277
01:02:15,325 --> 01:02:17,865
The total project cost, including all engineering,

1278
01:02:18,185 --> 01:02:20,245
construction, and interest on funds borrowed

1279
01:02:20,345 --> 01:02:23,645
to finance the construction property owners will have the

1280
01:02:23,645 --> 01:02:26,645
option of paying their assessment via one of the following.

1281
01:02:26,715 --> 01:02:30,245
Estimated prepay repayment plans a single payment

1282
01:02:30,345 --> 01:02:33,205
of $5,476

1283
01:02:33,545 --> 01:02:37,805
or annually for 20 years of $385.

1284
01:02:38,505 --> 01:02:41,685
The annual payment option is computed with an interest rate

1285
01:02:41,685 --> 01:02:43,725
of 3.5% per annum.

1286
01:02:44,195 --> 01:02:46,605
Persons who wish to make comment on the proposed special

1287
01:02:46,605 --> 01:02:48,365
assessment may do so at the hearing.

1288
01:02:48,765 --> 01:02:50,685
Speakers will be limited to three minutes each,

1289
01:02:50,685 --> 01:02:52,605
but written testimony of any length may

1290
01:02:52,605 --> 01:02:53,645
be submitted before the hearing.

1291
01:02:54,105 --> 01:02:57,325
To the Director of Public Works, three 12 Safety Drive,

1292
01:02:57,325 --> 01:02:59,285
Centerville, Maryland 2 1 6 1 7.

1293
01:02:59,865 --> 01:03:02,245
Any questions prior to the hearing date may be directed

1294
01:03:02,245 --> 01:03:03,525
to r Shane Moore pe.

1295
01:03:03,815 --> 01:03:06,045
Chief Rhodes engineer at the Department

1296
01:03:06,045 --> 01:03:09,525
of Public Works at 4 1 0 7 5 8 0 9 2 0.

1297
01:03:10,025 --> 01:03:11,525
All hearing sites are accessible

1298
01:03:11,525 --> 01:03:12,965
to individuals with disabilities.

1299
01:03:13,315 --> 01:03:14,525
Sign language interpreters

1300
01:03:14,665 --> 01:03:17,885
and assistive listening, listening systems will be available

1301
01:03:17,985 --> 01:03:19,925
for individuals with hearing impairments.

1302
01:03:20,145 --> 01:03:24,325
Please contact Beverly Churchill at 4 1 0 7 5 8 4 4 0 6

1303
01:03:24,545 --> 01:03:28,205
or at be churchill@qac.org seven days

1304
01:03:28,265 --> 01:03:29,405
before the hearing date.

1305
01:03:29,405 --> 01:03:31,765
To arrange for any reasonable accommodations

1306
01:03:31,765 --> 01:03:33,725
for individuals with disabilities.

1307
01:03:34,265 --> 01:03:37,005
You may watch the hearing for Cecil Road Public Hearing,

1308
01:03:37,035 --> 01:03:40,085
live on the county website@qectv.com.

1309
01:03:40,805 --> 01:03:45,685
facebook.com/qe CTV youtube.com/qtv

1310
01:03:46,025 --> 01:03:48,125
or at the QE CTVs television channel

1311
01:03:48,405 --> 01:03:50,765
provided by Breeze Line Cable Services live.

1312
01:03:50,795 --> 01:03:54,885
Zoom Comments can be given by going to qac.org.

1313
01:03:55,785 --> 01:03:58,165
Public comment on the county website,

1314
01:03:58,215 --> 01:04:00,045
email comments can be sent to public.

1315
01:04:00,045 --> 01:04:03,125
comment@queenatqac.org

1316
01:04:03,545 --> 01:04:05,245
and will be summarized during the hearing.

1317
01:04:05,665 --> 01:04:08,725
We will accept public comments until the end of the hearing.

1318
01:04:09,405 --> 01:04:11,645
Citizens are asked to submit all other written testimony

1319
01:04:11,665 --> 01:04:12,765
to the county commissioners

1320
01:04:13,185 --> 01:04:16,045
by mail at 1 0 7 North Liberty Street, Centerville,

1321
01:04:16,245 --> 01:04:20,605
Maryland 2 1 6 1 7, or by email at QAC commissioners

1322
01:04:20,785 --> 01:04:23,965
and administrator@qac.org.

1323
01:04:24,355 --> 01:04:26,405
This legal ad ran in the Bay Times

1324
01:04:26,505 --> 01:04:30,525
and record observer on November, sorry,

1325
01:04:30,885 --> 01:04:35,405
September 11th, 2026 and September 18th, 26.

1326
01:04:35,465 --> 01:04:38,085
And this is, we have the certificate of publication.

1327
01:04:40,265 --> 01:04:44,445
All right. Nobody has signed up for the hearing.

1328
01:04:44,545 --> 01:04:45,805
Is there anybody who wishes to be

1329
01:04:45,805 --> 01:04:49,645
heard? Anybody online?

1330
01:04:50,545 --> 01:04:55,375
No. Alright, we'll close that

1331
01:04:55,375 --> 01:04:58,575
and for two, two weeks keep the record open

1332
01:04:59,675 --> 01:05:00,775
and do we go from here?

1333
01:05:00,805 --> 01:05:05,375
Alright, I'm sorry. One, yeah,

1334
01:05:06,125 --> 01:05:07,125
Come on up.

1335
01:05:07,125 --> 01:05:07,655
We'll get you to the mic. Sure.

1336
01:05:17,025 --> 01:05:19,165
Hi, good evening. My name's Edwin.

1337
01:05:19,225 --> 01:05:22,005
I'm one of the owners on Cecil Road.

1338
01:05:23,075 --> 01:05:27,005
Just here to say that the road

1339
01:05:27,625 --> 01:05:30,205
is a little narrow, it'd be best for the county

1340
01:05:30,205 --> 01:05:33,005
to take it over to help with.

1341
01:05:34,825 --> 01:05:36,245
Now we have potholes and,

1342
01:05:36,585 --> 01:05:38,805
and issues with cars coming in and out.

1343
01:05:40,075 --> 01:05:43,245
It'd be best now that we don't have a road association

1344
01:05:43,265 --> 01:05:46,645
to help with, even though it's a small road

1345
01:05:47,835 --> 01:05:49,205
with snow, snow removal

1346
01:05:49,345 --> 01:05:50,885
and fixing of these potholes

1347
01:05:50,885 --> 01:05:52,685
that eventually are gonna get worse.

1348
01:05:52,905 --> 01:05:56,325
Now it'd be best to just be able to go ahead

1349
01:05:56,345 --> 01:05:58,885
and let the county help take care of it

1350
01:05:58,905 --> 01:06:01,725
and us take care of the calls so that way

1351
01:06:03,585 --> 01:06:05,725
our kids and everybody that goes up

1352
01:06:05,725 --> 01:06:08,285
and down the street can enjoy a better road

1353
01:06:08,345 --> 01:06:10,565
and be able to access it without any problem

1354
01:06:10,665 --> 01:06:13,645
and any issues leaning forward.

1355
01:06:14,185 --> 01:06:15,725
So thank you. Thank you,

1356
01:06:15,725 --> 01:06:16,725
Thank you.

1357
01:06:16,725 --> 01:06:16,975
Thank you.

1358
01:06:19,525 --> 01:06:22,165
I guess let me just so those who don't understand what,

1359
01:06:22,275 --> 01:06:23,325
what this hearing is about.

1360
01:06:23,785 --> 01:06:25,725
So when you buy a house in Queens County

1361
01:06:25,725 --> 01:06:27,085
and you're like in a new subdivision,

1362
01:06:27,225 --> 01:06:29,965
the developer is building the roads up to county standards

1363
01:06:30,025 --> 01:06:31,045
and they give 'em over.

1364
01:06:31,305 --> 01:06:33,605
And the people who buy those new houses are paying

1365
01:06:33,605 --> 01:06:35,805
for those roads when they buy a brand new house that's built

1366
01:06:36,445 --> 01:06:39,245
a lot of the subdivisions of Queens County were built

1367
01:06:39,245 --> 01:06:40,325
before we had that process.

1368
01:06:41,345 --> 01:06:44,445
And so they have, what a really, I guess, private roads,

1369
01:06:44,685 --> 01:06:46,165
although the public can traverse over those,

1370
01:06:46,375 --> 01:06:48,325
those private roads tend to be narrower.

1371
01:06:48,395 --> 01:06:50,965
They're had to be paid for by the homeowners.

1372
01:06:50,965 --> 01:06:53,445
The county does not take care of those roads.

1373
01:06:53,445 --> 01:06:57,045
So there is a process where the individuals on those streets

1374
01:06:57,145 --> 01:07:00,325
can petition for their road to become a public road.

1375
01:07:00,325 --> 01:07:01,885
And in order to do that, we have

1376
01:07:01,885 --> 01:07:03,005
to have all of these hearings.

1377
01:07:03,005 --> 01:07:06,085
And then everybody who owns a property on that road has

1378
01:07:06,085 --> 01:07:08,485
to pay for that road to be upgraded.

1379
01:07:08,545 --> 01:07:10,365
So if it's a hundred thousand dollars

1380
01:07:10,385 --> 01:07:11,605
and there's 10 houses on it,

1381
01:07:11,605 --> 01:07:13,125
it's a hundred thousand divided by 10.

1382
01:07:13,505 --> 01:07:15,805
And we can, we can, they can pay either at once

1383
01:07:15,865 --> 01:07:17,525
or over a period of time.

1384
01:07:17,785 --> 01:07:20,645
So that's what this hearing is for, is to allow the people

1385
01:07:20,785 --> 01:07:22,165
who live on Cecil Road to speak.

1386
01:07:22,235 --> 01:07:23,525
There's been prior meetings

1387
01:07:23,525 --> 01:07:24,645
with them and informational meetings.

1388
01:07:24,645 --> 01:07:28,005
This is not the first time, but anybody up here who has not

1389
01:07:28,965 --> 01:07:30,605
familiar with what that is, that's what that is.

1390
01:07:30,605 --> 01:07:34,845
And we've already had meetings down at the, at the firehouse

1391
01:07:35,065 --> 01:07:37,685
for folks for Cecil Road to ask questions.

1392
01:07:39,065 --> 01:07:40,405
Did I get that right Shane? Think?

1393
01:07:40,785 --> 01:07:41,965
Yes. We, we have had the,

1394
01:07:42,725 --> 01:07:45,165
a letter has gone out in January of 2026.

1395
01:07:45,265 --> 01:07:48,165
We had an information meeting January, 2026.

1396
01:07:48,265 --> 01:07:50,165
The same information verbatim is in the

1397
01:07:50,165 --> 01:07:51,325
same presentation tonight.

1398
01:07:51,765 --> 01:07:53,525
A registered letter went out to all property,

1399
01:07:53,665 --> 01:07:56,285
all 21 property owners earlier this month

1400
01:07:56,385 --> 01:08:00,445
of the 21 3 were returned that were not gathered

1401
01:08:00,465 --> 01:08:01,485
by the property owner.

1402
01:08:02,265 --> 01:08:04,965
And plus it was advertised in the local paper as you read.

1403
01:08:05,625 --> 01:08:06,965
So they're very, hopefully

1404
01:08:06,965 --> 01:08:08,165
they're very well aware of the project.

1405
01:08:08,505 --> 01:08:10,045
Yes. And so then the meeting will be,

1406
01:08:10,105 --> 01:08:12,085
the vote will be at the two weeks?

1407
01:08:12,305 --> 01:08:14,725
Yes, sir. And I, if it's voted in favor at that time,

1408
01:08:14,745 --> 01:08:16,805
it the, the county takes over

1409
01:08:16,805 --> 01:08:17,925
the road at that point in time.

1410
01:08:18,505 --> 01:08:20,565
At that vote, we will take over the road

1411
01:08:20,565 --> 01:08:23,605
and we will begin design and plan for construction.

1412
01:08:23,665 --> 01:08:25,845
We will maintain the road as is,

1413
01:08:25,845 --> 01:08:28,925
but input a little better condition grading snow removal

1414
01:08:29,165 --> 01:08:32,085
services, potholes, little drainage work while we do the

1415
01:08:32,085 --> 01:08:35,045
full design and prior to construction we will maintain it,

1416
01:08:35,455 --> 01:08:36,455
Right?

1417
01:08:36,625 --> 01:08:41,265
Yes. Okay. Number two.

1418
01:08:41,535 --> 01:08:42,535
Alright.

1419
01:08:44,765 --> 01:08:47,865
Notice of public hearing at the regular meeting on

1420
01:08:48,025 --> 01:08:49,105
September 8th, 2026,

1421
01:08:49,105 --> 01:08:52,465
commissioner Wilson introduced county ordinance number 26

1422
01:08:52,465 --> 01:08:55,705
dash 16 a bill entitled an act concerning the level

1423
01:08:55,705 --> 01:08:58,465
of service standard for high schools under the Queen Anne

1424
01:08:58,465 --> 01:09:00,665
County, adequate public facilities ordinance

1425
01:09:00,965 --> 01:09:02,625
for this purpose of increasing the level

1426
01:09:02,625 --> 01:09:05,025
of service standards for high schools under the Queen Anne

1427
01:09:05,025 --> 01:09:08,025
County, adequate public facilities ordinance chapter 28

1428
01:09:08,025 --> 01:09:12,505
of the code of public Loss of Queen Anne County to 110%

1429
01:09:12,505 --> 01:09:13,905
of the state rated capacity

1430
01:09:14,285 --> 01:09:18,105
by amending section 28 dash seven C1

1431
01:09:19,445 --> 01:09:21,905
of the code of Public Laws of Queen County.

1432
01:09:22,325 --> 01:09:24,945
The county commissioners of Queen County hereby give notice

1433
01:09:24,945 --> 01:09:27,465
that a public hearing will be held on the ordinance on

1434
01:09:27,465 --> 01:09:31,145
Monday, September 21st, 2026 at 6:05 PM

1435
01:09:31,765 --> 01:09:33,905
in the Queen Anne County Commissioner's meeting room,

1436
01:09:33,925 --> 01:09:36,105
the Liberty Building 1 0 7 North Liberty

1437
01:09:36,105 --> 01:09:37,145
Street, Centerville, Maryland.

1438
01:09:37,445 --> 01:09:39,705
Copies of the proposed ordinance may be obtained

1439
01:09:39,725 --> 01:09:42,305
by the county com at the County Commissioner's Office at

1440
01:09:42,305 --> 01:09:44,465
1 0 7 North Liberty Street, Centerville,

1441
01:09:44,665 --> 01:09:47,625
Maryland 2 1 6 1 7 prior to the hearing, during the hours

1442
01:09:47,885 --> 01:09:49,585
of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

1443
01:09:49,805 --> 01:09:53,425
or online@www.qac.org,

1444
01:09:53,745 --> 01:09:55,345
speakers will be limited to three minutes.

1445
01:09:55,375 --> 01:09:58,345
Each written testimony of any length may be submitted on or

1446
01:09:58,345 --> 01:10:01,185
before the hearing date to the county commissioners at 1 0 7

1447
01:10:01,185 --> 01:10:03,425
North Liberty Street, several Maryland 2 1 6 1 7.

1448
01:10:03,885 --> 01:10:06,545
All hearing sites are accessible to the individuals

1449
01:10:06,545 --> 01:10:07,825
with disabilities sign,

1450
01:10:07,875 --> 01:10:10,545
inter sign language interpreters and assisted living.

1451
01:10:10,805 --> 01:10:13,025
SI listening systems will be available

1452
01:10:13,125 --> 01:10:14,825
for individuals with disabilities.

1453
01:10:14,885 --> 01:10:18,185
If any such assistance is necessary, please contact Ms.

1454
01:10:18,185 --> 01:10:21,945
Beverly Churchill at 4 1 0 7 5 8 4 4 0 6

1455
01:10:22,005 --> 01:10:26,905
or TDD 4 1 0 7 5 8 2 1 2 6 at least seven days

1456
01:10:27,325 --> 01:10:28,905
before the scheduled hearing.

1457
01:10:30,145 --> 01:10:31,865
I have the certificate of publication here.

1458
01:10:31,865 --> 01:10:33,825
This legal ad ran in the Bay Times

1459
01:10:34,365 --> 01:10:37,785
and record observer on September 11th, 2026

1460
01:10:37,885 --> 01:10:40,225
and September 18th, 2026.

1461
01:10:41,435 --> 01:10:44,385
There is nobody who is signed up to speak.

1462
01:10:44,525 --> 01:10:46,265
Is there anybody here who wishes to speak

1463
01:10:47,325 --> 01:10:51,825
for county ordinance 26 dash 16 a PO amendment.

1464
01:10:56,055 --> 01:10:58,625
Alright, we'll close this one also

1465
01:10:58,805 --> 01:11:02,905
and we'll give it two weeks to the next commission meeting.

1466
01:11:05,445 --> 01:11:07,785
How I do, Stephanie? Okay, fantastic. Perfect. Perfect.

1467
01:11:08,155 --> 01:11:09,265
Thank you Commissioner Corley.

1468
01:11:09,265 --> 01:11:13,445
Appreciate that you kick me out. All

1469
01:11:13,445 --> 01:11:14,445
Right, commissioners.

1470
01:11:14,445 --> 01:11:16,365
Continuing with our legislative agenda here this evening.

1471
01:11:16,935 --> 01:11:18,165
Items 3, 4, 5,

1472
01:11:18,185 --> 01:11:21,565
and six are all citizen sponsored text amendments

1473
01:11:21,565 --> 01:11:23,125
that actually began back in February,

1474
01:11:23,805 --> 01:11:25,445
admitted the planning commission to the commissioners.

1475
01:11:26,005 --> 01:11:27,485
They were amended by the commissioners back

1476
01:11:27,485 --> 01:11:29,885
to the planning commissioners and they were all four back

1477
01:11:29,885 --> 01:11:32,645
here in front of the, this board here this evening.

1478
01:11:32,755 --> 01:11:36,485
They are ready for scheduling of a public hearing.

1479
01:11:36,665 --> 01:11:38,565
So we can want me to go through these individually

1480
01:11:38,585 --> 01:11:39,685
or would you like to just go

1481
01:11:39,685 --> 01:11:40,685
Ahead?

1482
01:11:40,685 --> 01:11:41,845
I I was gonna make a bulk motion to send That's fine. All

1483
01:11:41,845 --> 01:11:42,845
To public Hearing.

1484
01:11:42,845 --> 01:11:46,565
Okay. Yeah, so, so I

1485
01:11:46,565 --> 01:11:47,645
guess we gotta go back and read 'em all there.

1486
01:11:51,425 --> 01:11:56,365
So for, make a motion to schedule for a public hearing

1487
01:11:56,705 --> 01:12:01,525
for county ordinance number 26 0 5

1488
01:12:01,525 --> 01:12:05,205
amendment number one county ordinance number 26 0 6

1489
01:12:05,235 --> 01:12:07,045
amendment number one

1490
01:12:08,415 --> 01:12:11,045
count ordinance 26 0 9

1491
01:12:12,275 --> 01:12:13,605
with amendment number one

1492
01:12:14,505 --> 01:12:18,765
and 26 10 with amendment number one second.

1493
01:12:20,745 --> 01:12:24,485
We have a motion to second. Any discussion? Seeing none.

1494
01:12:24,485 --> 01:12:26,205
All those in favor sign I. Aye.

1495
01:12:26,385 --> 01:12:30,965
Aye. Aye. Opposed? Abstain. So moved. Alright,

1496
01:12:30,965 --> 01:12:31,965
Thank you commissioners.

1497
01:12:32,485 --> 01:12:35,845
Item number seven is county ordinance number 26 14.

1498
01:12:35,875 --> 01:12:38,045
This was sponsored by the county commissioners.

1499
01:12:38,355 --> 01:12:40,285
It's on pages 75 through 92

1500
01:12:40,785 --> 01:12:42,925
and this is for cottage industries.

1501
01:12:43,145 --> 01:12:46,125
And the objective of this text amendment is to allow

1502
01:12:46,125 --> 01:12:47,365
for a cottage industry

1503
01:12:47,465 --> 01:12:50,245
as a supplemental use within the Ag District on parcels

1504
01:12:50,245 --> 01:12:52,285
with a minimum of five acres in size.

1505
01:12:52,865 --> 01:12:55,485
And that will require an administrative review consisting

1506
01:12:55,485 --> 01:12:58,205
of an approval of a minor site plan and a use certificate.

1507
01:12:58,615 --> 01:13:01,645
Those provide for limitations on the site type

1508
01:13:01,665 --> 01:13:03,605
and size of businesses and screenings.

1509
01:13:03,865 --> 01:13:07,205
So all of these standards are to limit nuisance nuisances

1510
01:13:07,205 --> 01:13:08,885
and foster way to meet the intent

1511
01:13:08,885 --> 01:13:10,445
and purposes of the Ag District.

1512
01:13:10,465 --> 01:13:13,645
So this is ready for actually could be introduced this

1513
01:13:13,645 --> 01:13:15,245
evening and also scheduled

1514
01:13:15,245 --> 01:13:16,725
for a public hearing if you so choose.

1515
01:13:17,525 --> 01:13:20,125
I introduce county ordinance 26 14

1516
01:13:20,345 --> 01:13:22,685
and make a motion to schedule it for a public hearing.

1517
01:13:22,945 --> 01:13:26,125
Second. All those in favor a Aye.

1518
01:13:28,995 --> 01:13:30,325
Alright, thank you commissioners.

1519
01:13:30,465 --> 01:13:33,605
And our last item for legislative legislation this evening

1520
01:13:33,745 --> 01:13:36,485
is the planning commission sponsored county

1521
01:13:36,485 --> 01:13:37,805
ordinance number 26 15.

1522
01:13:37,805 --> 01:13:41,325
This is for accessory dwelling units, our ADU

1523
01:13:42,105 --> 01:13:44,245
and this proposed text amendment is in response

1524
01:13:44,245 --> 01:13:46,045
to state legislation, which requires

1525
01:13:46,045 --> 01:13:48,685
that local entities adopt regulations authorizing the

1526
01:13:48,685 --> 01:13:51,005
development of accessory dwelling units.

1527
01:13:51,065 --> 01:13:54,365
By October 1st, 2026, this was a result

1528
01:13:54,365 --> 01:13:58,005
of House Bill 1466 Senate Bill 8 91

1529
01:13:58,845 --> 01:14:01,645
mandating ADUs be permitted in any zoning district

1530
01:14:01,645 --> 01:14:05,045
with which permits single family detached dwellings.

1531
01:14:05,595 --> 01:14:06,885
This also can be introduced

1532
01:14:07,025 --> 01:14:08,685
and scheduled for a public hearing.

1533
01:14:09,645 --> 01:14:12,325
I will introduce county ordinance 26 15

1534
01:14:12,585 --> 01:14:15,005
and make a motion to schedule a public hearing.

1535
01:14:15,345 --> 01:14:18,725
Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye.

1536
01:14:21,705 --> 01:14:22,885
All right. Thank you Commissioners.

1537
01:14:22,955 --> 01:14:25,125
That is all of the legislative items for this evening.

1538
01:14:26,085 --> 01:14:28,165
Next we have the Department of Public Works.

1539
01:14:28,345 --> 01:14:29,605
We have four items there.

1540
01:14:31,445 --> 01:14:33,485
Actually these are for the Roads board, so if you want to

1541
01:14:34,915 --> 01:14:36,485
address the Roads board, that'd be great.

1542
01:14:36,675 --> 01:14:38,285
Four. Motion OUS Roads. Second.

1543
01:14:39,635 --> 01:14:40,765
Okay, everyone Tab two.

1544
01:14:40,915 --> 01:14:42,805
Item one, pages one through seven favor

1545
01:14:42,945 --> 01:14:43,945
Excuse.

1546
01:14:43,945 --> 01:14:47,005
Aye. He gets so excited. You gotta let get there.

1547
01:14:47,465 --> 01:14:51,525
You gotta let us get there. Okay.

1548
01:14:51,625 --> 01:14:53,165
You ready? Yes sir. Alright.

1549
01:14:53,405 --> 01:14:55,645
This is under tab two, item one, pages one through seven.

1550
01:14:55,645 --> 01:14:59,725
This is the FOY 20 27 20 29 Hot Nicks asphalt program.

1551
01:15:00,445 --> 01:15:02,765
I know Roads engineer Shane Moore is here somewhere,

1552
01:15:03,265 --> 01:15:07,965
but the Roads division hereby is requesting $1.46 million in

1553
01:15:07,965 --> 01:15:10,245
additional funding to award the FY 27

1554
01:15:10,785 --> 01:15:12,645
hot mix asphalt resurfacing program

1555
01:15:12,785 --> 01:15:15,805
to David a bramble under their pre-established government

1556
01:15:16,045 --> 01:15:18,685
contract for approximately 5.5 miles

1557
01:15:18,745 --> 01:15:20,965
of roads this fiscal year as part

1558
01:15:20,965 --> 01:15:23,125
of a larger three year plan covering over

1559
01:15:23,125 --> 01:15:24,285
15 miles of roadway.

1560
01:15:25,025 --> 01:15:28,445
And we deferred this project as part

1561
01:15:28,445 --> 01:15:32,165
of the FY 27 budget in order

1562
01:15:32,185 --> 01:15:34,005
to balance the budget in looking

1563
01:15:34,065 --> 01:15:36,525
for some additional savings from last fiscal year,

1564
01:15:36,525 --> 01:15:39,165
fiscal 26, that savings has been realized.

1565
01:15:39,185 --> 01:15:40,405
So we are now in position to

1566
01:15:41,605 --> 01:15:42,845
recommend approval of this contract.

1567
01:15:45,685 --> 01:15:49,045
I move that we approve FY 2027 hot mix asphalt overlay

1568
01:15:49,045 --> 01:15:50,765
program to David, a bramble incorporated

1569
01:15:50,765 --> 01:15:53,205
of Chestertown Mellon using pre-established state highway

1570
01:15:53,265 --> 01:15:56,005
administration's mill slash grind patch

1571
01:15:56,005 --> 01:15:58,485
and resurface roadway pavements in various locations.

1572
01:15:58,825 --> 01:16:01,245
And Queen Annes County contract number XQ

1573
01:16:01,355 --> 01:16:06,325
9 1 7 5 3 7 7 FAP number AC

1574
01:16:07,325 --> 01:16:11,485
S-T-B-G-N-H-P-P dash 0 0 0 B

1575
01:16:12,095 --> 01:16:14,525
8 58 E in the amount

1576
01:16:14,525 --> 01:16:17,525
of $1,462,655.

1577
01:16:18,305 --> 01:16:21,285
Second. Second. Okay, we got a motion. Second.

1578
01:16:21,345 --> 01:16:24,525
Can you read that backwards One time? That's it.

1579
01:16:24,925 --> 01:16:27,525
This one includes some of the roads in Queens Colony.

1580
01:16:27,525 --> 01:16:28,525
We had gotten an email about

1581
01:16:28,945 --> 01:16:32,365
Yes, this, this include includes roadway maintenance

1582
01:16:32,365 --> 01:16:34,845
that was deferred as a result of the rebate sewer project

1583
01:16:35,305 --> 01:16:38,845
and includes resurfacing the roads in Queen Colony.

1584
01:16:41,505 --> 01:16:44,365
Motion to second. Any other discussion? Seeing none.

1585
01:16:44,365 --> 01:16:46,565
All those in favor signify saying aye. Aye.

1586
01:16:46,595 --> 01:16:47,885
Opposed? So moved.

1587
01:16:48,835 --> 01:16:50,005
Okay, thank you commissioners.

1588
01:16:50,635 --> 01:16:54,525
Item number two, all on pages eight through 14.

1589
01:16:54,525 --> 01:16:56,765
This is the, we have several pieces of equipment here.

1590
01:16:56,765 --> 01:17:00,285
Next up, systematic replacement of fleet equipment.

1591
01:17:00,285 --> 01:17:02,365
First up we have six wheel dump trucks.

1592
01:17:02,705 --> 01:17:03,765
Can I get a motion on that?

1593
01:17:04,365 --> 01:17:06,805
I move to purchase the two Freightliner

1594
01:17:09,395 --> 01:17:12,215
10 85 d plus six wheel dump trucks

1595
01:17:12,725 --> 01:17:15,415
with snowplows from National Auto Fleet Group

1596
01:17:15,715 --> 01:17:17,215
of Watsonville, California

1597
01:17:17,595 --> 01:17:22,175
and the amount of $526,202 via the

1598
01:17:22,455 --> 01:17:23,495
existing source of contract.

1599
01:17:23,965 --> 01:17:27,695
0 3 2 8 2 4 dash ED a l

1600
01:17:29,235 --> 01:17:30,235
Second.

1601
01:17:30,275 --> 01:17:32,135
We have a motion to second Any discussion?

1602
01:17:32,205 --> 01:17:35,655
Just real quick, Jim, I, if Shane could explain, a lot

1603
01:17:35,655 --> 01:17:37,175
of people don't understand what source well is

1604
01:17:37,175 --> 01:17:38,815
and why we're buying trucks from

1605
01:17:38,815 --> 01:17:40,055
California and how that works.

1606
01:17:40,055 --> 01:17:42,175
Could you just give a real quick Reader's digest of

1607
01:17:42,175 --> 01:17:44,655
what source well is and how benefits the county

1608
01:17:44,675 --> 01:17:46,775
to have these pre-negotiated contracts?

1609
01:17:46,875 --> 01:17:48,215
Why would we buy something from California?

1610
01:17:48,215 --> 01:17:50,015
Why wouldn't buy something from California? Right, exactly.

1611
01:17:50,655 --> 01:17:53,775
Source. Well, originally was called the NJPA

1612
01:17:54,075 --> 01:17:56,335
and we started working with them about 10 years ago

1613
01:17:56,475 --> 01:17:58,655
to piggyback on existing contracts.

1614
01:17:58,655 --> 01:18:02,375
They are a national sort of fleet equipment provider of

1615
01:18:04,695 --> 01:18:06,135
Procured bids that go out

1616
01:18:06,235 --> 01:18:09,295
and competitive bid bids that all over the country.

1617
01:18:09,635 --> 01:18:13,445
We purchased from the National Auto Fleet group

1618
01:18:13,965 --> 01:18:16,605
before from Watson, California for just for a pickup truck.

1619
01:18:17,025 --> 01:18:18,325
But it's one of those things where it's,

1620
01:18:18,325 --> 01:18:20,645
it's sourced locally, but the contract goes

1621
01:18:20,645 --> 01:18:23,165
through much larger company that bid on this and they,

1622
01:18:23,745 --> 01:18:25,085
and they just use their fixed price.

1623
01:18:25,785 --> 01:18:28,085
And we've, over the last 10 years, we purchased almost all

1624
01:18:28,085 --> 01:18:29,285
of our equipment through them.

1625
01:18:30,005 --> 01:18:32,165
And that's a very common thing throughout the United States.

1626
01:18:32,645 --> 01:18:34,445
I believe it started in, don't hold me to it,

1627
01:18:34,445 --> 01:18:35,605
but believe it started in Michigan

1628
01:18:36,135 --> 01:18:38,405
where it originally started, but it's

1629
01:18:38,605 --> 01:18:39,645
commonly used everywhere now

1630
01:18:40,785 --> 01:18:43,005
And what it, but it keeps it from being subject to

1631
01:18:43,555 --> 01:18:46,245
huge tariff fluctuations and things like we're seeing now.

1632
01:18:46,245 --> 01:18:48,645
You don't see those huge jumps if you were to just go out.

1633
01:18:48,965 --> 01:18:51,205
I believe there are tariff adjustments in these

1634
01:18:51,315 --> 01:18:53,445
Bids, but they're minimal compared to going

1635
01:18:53,465 --> 01:18:55,165
to the local Ford dealership

1636
01:18:55,165 --> 01:18:56,325
and trying to buy this truck tomorrow

1637
01:18:57,955 --> 01:18:59,725
That I cannot attest to. I

1638
01:18:59,845 --> 01:19:02,965
I see Steve's head over there shaking so I know, I know it

1639
01:19:03,045 --> 01:19:05,365
'cause I live in the source wall world, so I I do know

1640
01:19:05,365 --> 01:19:07,205
that those fixed prices definitely save you

1641
01:19:07,205 --> 01:19:08,325
a lot of money over long haul.

1642
01:19:08,435 --> 01:19:10,325
Yeah, we do see the tariff adjustments in here.

1643
01:19:10,325 --> 01:19:14,045
It's, it's sort of similar to anything with asphalt or fuel.

1644
01:19:14,045 --> 01:19:16,165
There's always an escalators involved to adjust

1645
01:19:16,165 --> 01:19:17,285
as as the market changes.

1646
01:19:19,195 --> 01:19:22,365
Okay. Any other discussions? Seeing none.

1647
01:19:22,365 --> 01:19:25,245
All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed?

1648
01:19:25,465 --> 01:19:27,085
So moved. Alright, commissioners

1649
01:19:27,085 --> 01:19:29,485
Item number three on pages 15 through 22.

1650
01:19:29,515 --> 01:19:32,125
This is a systematic replacement of fleet equipment

1651
01:19:32,125 --> 01:19:33,165
for a front end loader.

1652
01:19:33,165 --> 01:19:36,885
Caterpillar 9 26. Can I get a motion on that one?

1653
01:19:37,085 --> 01:19:41,725
I move to purchase one Caterpillar 9 2 6 dash 14 a

1654
01:19:41,775 --> 01:19:45,125
wheel loader with a 2.25 cubic yard bucket

1655
01:19:45,625 --> 01:19:48,205
and a 12 foot hydraulic diagonal plow

1656
01:19:48,665 --> 01:19:51,405
and flared v plow from Carter Machinery Company,

1657
01:19:51,485 --> 01:19:55,445
a Felton Delaware and the amount of $281,809

1658
01:19:56,145 --> 01:19:59,045
via the existing source contract number

1659
01:19:59,235 --> 01:20:02,685
0 1 1 7 2 3 CAT

1660
01:20:02,945 --> 01:20:05,365
and I moved to purchase the one four

1661
01:20:06,685 --> 01:20:09,485
F 4 51 ton crew cab dump truck

1662
01:20:09,485 --> 01:20:12,165
with nine foot snowplow from all roads trucks

1663
01:20:12,165 --> 01:20:13,845
of upper marble Maryland in the amount

1664
01:20:13,845 --> 01:20:18,765
of $124,316 via the existing Howard County contract.

1665
01:20:18,995 --> 01:20:21,965
4 4 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 4 6.

1666
01:20:22,715 --> 01:20:24,725
This was smaller. Hmm?

1667
01:20:24,745 --> 01:20:27,205
You got a lot of smaller contracts. Second, that's,

1668
01:20:27,365 --> 01:20:28,365
I can find them for You.

1669
01:20:28,515 --> 01:20:30,005
Okay, we got a motion and a second.

1670
01:20:30,105 --> 01:20:32,995
Any discussion on these items? Seeing none.

1671
01:20:32,995 --> 01:20:35,875
All those in favor? Seeing five saying aye. Aye. Opposed?

1672
01:20:36,175 --> 01:20:37,595
So moved. Thank you.

1673
01:20:37,595 --> 01:20:38,875
Alright, thank you. Commissioners.

1674
01:20:38,875 --> 01:20:40,195
That takes care of three and four.

1675
01:20:41,155 --> 01:20:42,555
That's all we had for the Department

1676
01:20:42,555 --> 01:20:43,955
of Public Works, roads to board.

1677
01:20:44,175 --> 01:20:46,115
So we can move into tab number three

1678
01:20:46,135 --> 01:20:47,835
for the action items for this evening, commissioner.

1679
01:20:47,835 --> 01:20:50,515
So if you wanna turn to tab three, item one,

1680
01:20:50,515 --> 01:20:51,835
pages one through 13.

1681
01:20:52,675 --> 01:20:55,555
First up we have the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board

1682
01:20:55,845 --> 01:21:00,355
Chief Local elected officials agreement for 26 through 2028.

1683
01:21:00,895 --> 01:21:03,235
And this is required under the Workforce Innovation

1684
01:21:03,255 --> 01:21:05,795
and Opportunity Act, defining the partnership

1685
01:21:05,795 --> 01:21:07,995
between the chief local elected official

1686
01:21:08,295 --> 01:21:10,635
and the local workforce development board.

1687
01:21:11,235 --> 01:21:12,835
This agreement outlines collaboration

1688
01:21:12,835 --> 01:21:15,715
and governs for the local workforce area for a period

1689
01:21:15,715 --> 01:21:17,595
of two years, beginning July 1st

1690
01:21:17,775 --> 01:21:20,275
and ending in June 30th, 2028.

1691
01:21:21,795 --> 01:21:23,395
I move to execute the Upper Shore Workforce

1692
01:21:23,395 --> 01:21:24,595
Investment Board agreement.

1693
01:21:25,015 --> 01:21:28,195
Second, we have a motion and a second on this.

1694
01:21:28,215 --> 01:21:30,915
Any discussion? It did have a line item in

1695
01:21:31,695 --> 01:21:33,105
president no matter what.

1696
01:21:33,105 --> 01:21:35,935
You're responsible for the money. Yeah, I read that.

1697
01:21:35,935 --> 01:21:38,575
I said that's nice. Yeah. Alright. Seeing none.

1698
01:21:38,575 --> 01:21:41,455
All those in favor signify by saying Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?

1699
01:21:42,115 --> 01:21:43,115
So move.

1700
01:21:43,815 --> 01:21:46,645
Thank you commissioners. Item number two on pages 14

1701
01:21:46,645 --> 01:21:49,925
through 29 is a revised human resources policy

1702
01:21:50,385 --> 01:21:51,925
for drug and alcohol.

1703
01:21:52,345 --> 01:21:56,045
And this essentially adjusts the, the policy for

1704
01:21:57,115 --> 01:21:59,845
fire and rescue public safety employees for the use

1705
01:21:59,845 --> 01:22:02,405
of medical cannabis under certain conditions.

1706
01:22:04,535 --> 01:22:07,255
I move to adopt the revised human resources drug

1707
01:22:07,255 --> 01:22:10,295
and alcohol policy to be effective October 1st, 2026.

1708
01:22:12,915 --> 01:22:14,415
Second, we have a motion

1709
01:22:14,475 --> 01:22:16,055
to second Any discussion on this item?

1710
01:22:18,095 --> 01:22:21,235
See none. All those in favor? I saying aye. Oh, hold on.

1711
01:22:21,455 --> 01:22:26,265
Aye. Oh, did you wanna share anything? Question. Okay.

1712
01:22:27,915 --> 01:22:32,625
She's so astute. Aye,

1713
01:22:34,735 --> 01:22:36,145
it's five Oh already it's good.

1714
01:22:36,385 --> 01:22:39,505
Okay. The train's left. Okay,

1715
01:22:39,505 --> 01:22:40,505
Moving on.

1716
01:22:40,505 --> 01:22:42,785
Commissioners Item three on page 30 we have proclamation

1717
01:22:42,785 --> 01:22:45,865
number 26 26 for suicide prevention month.

1718
01:22:48,735 --> 01:22:49,865
Yeah, you want to come up

1719
01:22:54,445 --> 01:22:57,145
And September is suicide prevention month.

1720
01:23:02,865 --> 01:23:04,105
I can even do the proclamation first.

1721
01:23:04,165 --> 01:23:06,925
And then would you like to do the proclamation first

1722
01:23:06,985 --> 01:23:08,485
or do you want would like to speak

1723
01:23:08,905 --> 01:23:10,125
Or We can do either.

1724
01:23:10,425 --> 01:23:12,685
You can read first. Okay. Yes, please. Great. Thank

1725
01:23:12,685 --> 01:23:13,685
You.

1726
01:23:13,685 --> 01:23:14,205
Alright, well thank you for being here.

1727
01:23:14,265 --> 01:23:15,205
Yes, thank, thank you for having, having,

1728
01:23:15,205 --> 01:23:16,245
we appreciate everything that you do.

1729
01:23:16,815 --> 01:23:20,485
Thank you. Proclamation 26. 26.

1730
01:23:23,635 --> 01:23:26,685
Whereas suicide remains a significant public

1731
01:23:27,305 --> 01:23:29,485
health concern across the United States

1732
01:23:30,585 --> 01:23:34,925
and in Maryland with 48,000 Americans dying by suicide

1733
01:23:35,705 --> 01:23:39,645
in 2024, the most recent available data, an average

1734
01:23:39,705 --> 01:23:42,725
of approximately one life lost every 11 minutes.

1735
01:23:43,905 --> 01:23:47,165
And whereas the impact extends far beyond those deaths

1736
01:23:47,755 --> 01:23:51,205
with an estimated 14.3 million US adults

1737
01:23:52,035 --> 01:23:55,205
reporting serious thoughts of suicide in 2024,

1738
01:23:56,005 --> 01:23:58,245
underscoring the importance of prevention,

1739
01:23:59,135 --> 01:24:03,325
early intervention, and access to mental health support.

1740
01:24:04,505 --> 01:24:08,405
And whereas in Maryland, 630 residents died

1741
01:24:09,065 --> 01:24:11,085
by suicide in 2024.

1742
01:24:12,555 --> 01:24:15,535
That's two a day highlighting the continued need

1743
01:24:15,535 --> 01:24:17,095
for communities across the state

1744
01:24:17,635 --> 01:24:20,575
to strengthen suicide prevention, connection

1745
01:24:21,155 --> 01:24:22,495
and access to healthcare.

1746
01:24:23,555 --> 01:24:27,135
And whereas here in Queen Annes County, the most recent

1747
01:24:27,655 --> 01:24:30,215
Maryland Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance survey

1748
01:24:31,185 --> 01:24:34,735
taken in 2024 found that about one in seven

1749
01:24:34,915 --> 01:24:38,375
or 13%, 13.9%,

1750
01:24:40,505 --> 01:24:43,375
queen Annes County High School students reported seriously

1751
01:24:43,655 --> 01:24:48,005
considering attempting suicide in

1752
01:24:48,005 --> 01:24:49,085
the previous 12 months.

1753
01:24:49,225 --> 01:24:53,765
And 6.6% reported attempting suicide during that period.

1754
01:24:54,695 --> 01:24:57,325
Among middle school students, about one in six

1755
01:24:58,225 --> 01:25:01,325
or 17% reported ever

1756
01:25:01,355 --> 01:25:03,245
seriously considering suicide.

1757
01:25:03,785 --> 01:25:08,275
And one in 16, 16.3% reported

1758
01:25:09,645 --> 01:25:12,975
ever actually attempting to take their own life.

1759
01:25:13,875 --> 01:25:17,775
And whereas suicide prevention is a shared community

1760
01:25:17,835 --> 01:25:21,335
responsibility and connection, open conversation,

1761
01:25:21,635 --> 01:25:25,175
timely intervention and accessible behavioral healthcare

1762
01:25:25,955 --> 01:25:27,095
can help protect lives

1763
01:25:27,195 --> 01:25:30,655
and ensure that people experience emotional distress.

1764
01:25:30,715 --> 01:25:31,855
Do not face it alone.

1765
01:25:33,035 --> 01:25:35,015
Now therefore, we, the county commissioners

1766
01:25:35,015 --> 01:25:38,495
of Queen Annes County do hereby proclaim the month

1767
01:25:38,495 --> 01:25:40,455
of September as no matter

1768
01:25:40,525 --> 01:25:43,455
what you matter suicide prevention month

1769
01:25:44,075 --> 01:25:48,955
and recognize suicide as a significant public health concern

1770
01:25:49,375 --> 01:25:51,035
and affirm suicide prevention

1771
01:25:51,035 --> 01:25:54,235
and mental health support as priorities for our community.

1772
01:25:54,895 --> 01:25:56,475
And encourage every resident

1773
01:25:56,475 --> 01:25:59,475
to help create a community in which people know

1774
01:25:59,865 --> 01:26:02,595
that they matter, that help is available.

1775
01:26:03,505 --> 01:26:06,125
And that asking for support is a sign of strength

1776
01:26:07,435 --> 01:26:09,605
sign Queen Hands, county commissioners,

1777
01:26:09,605 --> 01:26:11,045
and the county administrator.

1778
01:26:14,075 --> 01:26:16,005
It's a tough thing to read. It definitely is.

1779
01:26:16,005 --> 01:26:17,125
It's very difficult. Yes.

1780
01:26:17,415 --> 01:26:19,285
Thank you. Thank you for having us.

1781
01:26:19,825 --> 01:26:22,685
Really briefly, I'm Sydney Tron, I'm the Vice President

1782
01:26:22,785 --> 01:26:25,605
of Advancement and Community Engagement at for All seasons.

1783
01:26:25,865 --> 01:26:27,165
And this is Carly Palmer.

1784
01:26:27,165 --> 01:26:29,485
She is our Assistant Director of Marketing and Outreach.

1785
01:26:30,105 --> 01:26:32,725
And we just wanted to be here to number one, say thank you

1786
01:26:32,785 --> 01:26:35,405
for bringing this to everyone's attention.

1787
01:26:35,505 --> 01:26:36,605
It is certainly an issue

1788
01:26:36,605 --> 01:26:40,965
that we are all facing here on the shore for all seasons.

1789
01:26:41,005 --> 01:26:44,845
Provides therapy, psychiatry, rape crisis,

1790
01:26:45,105 --> 01:26:47,165
and education throughout the shore,

1791
01:26:47,165 --> 01:26:48,485
all five counties on the shore.

1792
01:26:48,485 --> 01:26:50,285
But through our open access

1793
01:26:50,305 --> 01:26:53,125
and telehealth, we actually have clients in every single

1794
01:26:53,445 --> 01:26:54,565
Maryland jurisdiction in the state.

1795
01:26:56,175 --> 01:26:59,435
And so currently our,

1796
01:26:59,455 --> 01:27:02,435
we have a very small office here in Queen Annes County on LA

1797
01:27:02,445 --> 01:27:06,995
Canoe Circle, but by the end of this fiscal year,

1798
01:27:07,095 --> 01:27:09,275
we are hoping to be moving to a larger office

1799
01:27:09,415 --> 01:27:11,395
and doubling our clinical capacity.

1800
01:27:12,035 --> 01:27:13,955
We will be taking over the former vs.

1801
01:27:13,955 --> 01:27:17,715
A office space at the mar at the marina.

1802
01:27:18,775 --> 01:27:22,795
And for all of you who aren't familiar with VMs a

1803
01:27:22,795 --> 01:27:24,875
that was the Veteran and Military Service Alliance.

1804
01:27:25,335 --> 01:27:26,835
We have been working with them for years

1805
01:27:27,055 --> 01:27:31,195
and providing all of their therapy and psychiatric support

1806
01:27:31,295 --> 01:27:33,795
and some of their psychoeducational groups.

1807
01:27:35,335 --> 01:27:38,075
But when they decided to close their doors, we knew

1808
01:27:38,075 --> 01:27:39,955
that it was something that couldn't go away.

1809
01:27:40,455 --> 01:27:43,435
And so we have taken all of those services on

1810
01:27:43,435 --> 01:27:46,035
and actually expanded our services to meet the needs

1811
01:27:46,035 --> 01:27:47,115
of the veteran community.

1812
01:27:48,855 --> 01:27:49,955
You know, our team at

1813
01:27:49,955 --> 01:27:53,395
for all seasons is working on this issue every day

1814
01:27:54,225 --> 01:27:57,635
from prevention to early identification to intervention

1815
01:27:57,895 --> 01:27:59,395
and support after a loss.

1816
01:27:59,935 --> 01:28:03,595
So whether we're working with our new first responder,

1817
01:28:03,595 --> 01:28:06,115
peer support program, queen Ann, queen Ann Rise,

1818
01:28:07,095 --> 01:28:09,115
and going in and helping with trauma debriefings

1819
01:28:09,115 --> 01:28:10,355
after a tough situation

1820
01:28:10,815 --> 01:28:14,195
or going into the schools when a child has taken their life.

1821
01:28:14,955 --> 01:28:17,035
Sometimes it's a, it's a sports team

1822
01:28:17,175 --> 01:28:19,275
and we're working with the teammates and the coaches

1823
01:28:19,815 --> 01:28:21,875
and sometimes it's just the community at large,

1824
01:28:22,135 --> 01:28:26,435
but we are boots on the ground when those times happen.

1825
01:28:26,775 --> 01:28:30,115
But we're also working to, to work on the intervention piece

1826
01:28:31,025 --> 01:28:33,075
from an outreach and marketing standpoint,

1827
01:28:33,075 --> 01:28:34,715
but also making sure that people know

1828
01:28:35,025 --> 01:28:36,315
that they have a place to turn.

1829
01:28:38,225 --> 01:28:39,995
This is suicide prevention month.

1830
01:28:40,135 --> 01:28:41,595
And so there are a few things that,

1831
01:28:41,665 --> 01:28:43,075
that Carly can let you know about

1832
01:28:43,075 --> 01:28:44,955
that we're doing in the community. Yes.

1833
01:28:44,975 --> 01:28:46,635
So we have some free events coming up

1834
01:28:46,635 --> 01:28:49,235
for our community on September 30th.

1835
01:28:49,365 --> 01:28:52,315
We're having a lunch and Learn on Calm,

1836
01:28:52,325 --> 01:28:55,195
which is counseling on access to lethal means.

1837
01:28:56,055 --> 01:28:58,715
So it focuses on how to have difficult conversations

1838
01:28:58,815 --> 01:29:00,235
and create time and distance

1839
01:29:00,235 --> 01:29:02,805
between someone experiencing a suicidal crisis

1840
01:29:03,265 --> 01:29:05,565
and access to lethal means such as firearms,

1841
01:29:05,875 --> 01:29:07,205
medications, and alcohol.

1842
01:29:08,305 --> 01:29:10,845
We also have a free online resource for teens

1843
01:29:10,985 --> 01:29:12,485
and the adults who support them.

1844
01:29:13,035 --> 01:29:15,085
It's a new video series called Real Talk

1845
01:29:15,085 --> 01:29:16,565
Conversations That Save Lives.

1846
01:29:17,465 --> 01:29:20,485
So this was created to assist local youth

1847
01:29:20,585 --> 01:29:21,885
and identify ways that teens

1848
01:29:21,945 --> 01:29:24,165
and trusted adults can talk about mental health,

1849
01:29:25,005 --> 01:29:27,005
social stress, isolation.

1850
01:29:27,625 --> 01:29:29,965
And the goal is to make these conversations a little easier

1851
01:29:30,025 --> 01:29:31,285
to start and let everyone know

1852
01:29:31,285 --> 01:29:32,885
that they don't have to struggle alone.

1853
01:29:34,085 --> 01:29:37,345
I'd like to say that in your, in your proclamation, you

1854
01:29:38,295 --> 01:29:40,865
made note of everyone has a responsibility.

1855
01:29:41,565 --> 01:29:44,465
And so I think that that's really important takeaway tonight

1856
01:29:44,565 --> 01:29:47,225
is that there's no one in this room who

1857
01:29:47,835 --> 01:29:49,785
can't just have a conversation,

1858
01:29:49,995 --> 01:29:51,625
can't just say, how are you doing?

1859
01:29:52,015 --> 01:29:53,145
This is where you can get help

1860
01:29:53,405 --> 01:29:55,785
and it's okay to, to talk

1861
01:29:55,785 --> 01:29:57,985
to them specifically about suicide.

1862
01:29:58,465 --> 01:30:00,545
Just because you bring the word up doesn't mean

1863
01:30:00,545 --> 01:30:03,745
that's gonna cause it, it sometimes makes it an easier

1864
01:30:03,785 --> 01:30:07,065
conversation and they're more willing to ask for help.

1865
01:30:07,665 --> 01:30:10,545
So we appreciate that, we appreciate all your support in

1866
01:30:10,705 --> 01:30:14,985
bringing this important matter to, to everyone's attention

1867
01:30:14,985 --> 01:30:16,785
because it is certainly something that,

1868
01:30:17,135 --> 01:30:19,265
that we all know too well is happening around us.

1869
01:30:19,725 --> 01:30:23,225
You can also learn more no matter what you matter.org and,

1870
01:30:23,245 --> 01:30:24,905
and get more information about those events

1871
01:30:25,085 --> 01:30:26,665
and courses I was speaking of

1872
01:30:26,725 --> 01:30:28,705
and what we're doing in our community to help.

1873
01:30:29,205 --> 01:30:30,265
And what's your contact number

1874
01:30:30,405 --> 01:30:31,745
for people that I'd like to talk?

1875
01:30:33,045 --> 01:30:37,265
So it's 4 1 0 8 2 2 1 0 1 8

1876
01:30:37,285 --> 01:30:38,385
is our office number.

1877
01:30:39,245 --> 01:30:41,425
On our website you will find our crisis hotlines.

1878
01:30:41,545 --> 01:30:43,385
I do not know them off the top of my head, sorry.

1879
01:30:43,765 --> 01:30:45,545
But they are available on our website

1880
01:30:45,545 --> 01:30:48,225
And they are and they're available 365 days a year.

1881
01:30:48,225 --> 01:30:49,385
24 hours. Yes.

1882
01:30:49,815 --> 01:30:51,145
Okay. Yes. Thank you so much.

1883
01:30:51,365 --> 01:30:53,465
Can you give us a little bit of an update on the,

1884
01:30:54,285 --> 01:30:55,865
the first responder support team?

1885
01:30:56,645 --> 01:30:58,385
Did you just graduate the second group?

1886
01:30:58,765 --> 01:31:00,305
We did, yes, we did.

1887
01:31:00,445 --> 01:31:04,265
So Talbot first started in 2023

1888
01:31:04,645 --> 01:31:07,585
and then Queen Anne's Rise was our next peer support group.

1889
01:31:07,845 --> 01:31:11,945
And we are just finishing a kickoff for Caroline Cares

1890
01:31:12,045 --> 01:31:15,425
and Kent and Dorchester in the are in the queue.

1891
01:31:15,645 --> 01:31:17,745
So what that means is that we go in

1892
01:31:17,765 --> 01:31:19,865
and we work with all of the different agencies,

1893
01:31:20,375 --> 01:31:24,385
sheriff police 9 1 1, operators, corrections

1894
01:31:24,805 --> 01:31:26,065
and fire.

1895
01:31:26,605 --> 01:31:29,745
And so we, we bring those agencies together

1896
01:31:29,965 --> 01:31:32,825
and then different first responders apply

1897
01:31:33,525 --> 01:31:35,905
and train to become peer support.

1898
01:31:36,365 --> 01:31:39,265
So that means that they're there for their peers

1899
01:31:39,765 --> 01:31:43,225
who are struggling or they're also learning how to work

1900
01:31:43,225 --> 01:31:44,905
with people in the community when they go out

1901
01:31:44,925 --> 01:31:45,945
and they have tough calls.

1902
01:31:47,165 --> 01:31:50,865
And in fact, just last week we had our first Hope awards,

1903
01:31:51,625 --> 01:31:54,585
which we look forward to having here in Queen Anne County in

1904
01:31:54,585 --> 01:31:58,745
a couple years where nine different first responders

1905
01:31:59,755 --> 01:32:01,325
were recognized for the work

1906
01:32:01,325 --> 01:32:02,525
that they had done in the community

1907
01:32:02,525 --> 01:32:04,765
and the lives that they had saved during really tough calls.

1908
01:32:06,125 --> 01:32:07,385
And so it's an excellent program.

1909
01:32:08,445 --> 01:32:09,505
And when are we gonna get that?

1910
01:32:10,375 --> 01:32:12,265
Well, you have after a couple of years

1911
01:32:12,265 --> 01:32:13,705
and we get the stories and then we

1912
01:32:13,705 --> 01:32:15,985
come in and we do the awards. So yeah, we'll get

1913
01:32:15,985 --> 01:32:16,985
The stories.

1914
01:32:16,985 --> 01:32:17,335
Yeah.

1915
01:32:17,855 --> 01:32:20,345
Well we look forward to holding the Hope Awards here. So

1916
01:32:21,085 --> 01:32:23,985
When's the app coming for the first responders?

1917
01:32:24,665 --> 01:32:25,865
I, I, I can't answer

1918
01:32:25,865 --> 01:32:27,225
that. I do not know that. You know what,

1919
01:32:27,285 --> 01:32:28,285
Do you know what I'm alluding to?

1920
01:32:29,265 --> 01:32:30,865
I can help you. There you go. There you go.

1921
01:32:31,365 --> 01:32:32,865
You knew you were gonna chime in.

1922
01:32:36,845 --> 01:32:37,945
So we have a app

1923
01:32:37,975 --> 01:32:41,105
that the peer support resources have been put in.

1924
01:32:41,105 --> 01:32:42,585
It's, it is established now.

1925
01:32:43,325 --> 01:32:45,265
And so the, the committee

1926
01:32:45,265 --> 01:32:47,145
that's working on it will be rolling it out

1927
01:32:47,245 --> 01:32:49,665
to all the members this, this fall,

1928
01:32:50,085 --> 01:32:51,905
so probably starting maybe next month.

1929
01:32:52,325 --> 01:32:54,105
So it, it's up, it's ready, it's working.

1930
01:32:54,485 --> 01:32:55,665
And so it's just a matter

1931
01:32:55,665 --> 01:32:57,025
of getting it out to the, the folks.

1932
01:32:57,725 --> 01:32:59,945
So if you could just explain a little bit

1933
01:33:00,005 --> 01:33:01,425
for our audience. Sure.

1934
01:33:01,725 --> 01:33:05,385
So we have really an app to connect anyone

1935
01:33:05,455 --> 01:33:08,985
that needs services to our peer support team members

1936
01:33:09,325 --> 01:33:11,505
and other resources that are available.

1937
01:33:11,805 --> 01:33:15,745
So they need, say for all seasons, we have the information

1938
01:33:15,745 --> 01:33:19,105
of, for all seasons there and other resources.

1939
01:33:19,365 --> 01:33:22,065
So for if they're a county employee, we have county

1940
01:33:22,865 --> 01:33:25,865
resources, so maybe our employee assistance program,

1941
01:33:26,285 --> 01:33:27,945
mental health services that are available

1942
01:33:27,945 --> 01:33:29,425
through our health insurance.

1943
01:33:30,725 --> 01:33:35,345
And then we're growing that volume of resources as well.

1944
01:33:35,725 --> 01:33:36,905
So we have started that.

1945
01:33:37,205 --> 01:33:39,545
But the most important thing is the peer support team

1946
01:33:39,545 --> 01:33:42,865
members' information is there, how they can get ahold

1947
01:33:42,865 --> 01:33:45,305
of them, whether it's by phone, email,

1948
01:33:45,845 --> 01:33:49,825
and so they can pick who they would like to reach out to.

1949
01:33:49,925 --> 01:33:52,585
So maybe it's somebody within their own division

1950
01:33:52,765 --> 01:33:54,265
or maybe in another division.

1951
01:33:54,365 --> 01:33:57,065
So if maybe if they're a law enforcement officer

1952
01:33:57,085 --> 01:34:00,265
and they would like to reach out to maybe somebody in

1953
01:34:00,815 --> 01:34:03,585
emergency services or corrections, they can do that.

1954
01:34:04,125 --> 01:34:06,625
So they can have access to anybody who's been trained

1955
01:34:07,885 --> 01:34:09,905
and that they feel comfortable reaching out to.

1956
01:34:10,845 --> 01:34:14,025
So for those hundreds of

1957
01:34:14,735 --> 01:34:17,265
volunteer fire folks and EMS

1958
01:34:17,285 --> 01:34:21,425
and paid staff, it's completely

1959
01:34:21,425 --> 01:34:22,625
confidential. Completely

1960
01:34:22,625 --> 01:34:23,625
Confidential.

1961
01:34:23,625 --> 01:34:24,785
There's no reporting back to

1962
01:34:24,895 --> 01:34:25,895
Anybody.

1963
01:34:25,895 --> 01:34:27,345
That's right. It doesn't go on your record. Nope.

1964
01:34:27,765 --> 01:34:28,985
Nobody knows about it.

1965
01:34:29,055 --> 01:34:32,225
Your your, your supervisor doesn't

1966
01:34:32,225 --> 01:34:33,345
even have to know about it.

1967
01:34:34,055 --> 01:34:36,705
It's completely confidential. Completely confidential.

1968
01:34:36,725 --> 01:34:39,945
And it's designed that way to your point

1969
01:34:40,135 --> 01:34:43,065
that you're sh you'll share if you're,

1970
01:34:43,065 --> 01:34:44,505
if you're going through a struggling time

1971
01:34:44,765 --> 01:34:46,825
And truly, even before we have the app

1972
01:34:46,845 --> 01:34:48,185
up, it's already working.

1973
01:34:48,185 --> 01:34:50,905
People already are reaching out to the peer support members

1974
01:34:51,085 --> 01:34:52,705
for help even now. Yes.

1975
01:34:53,205 --> 01:34:56,665
Yes. And we'd like to thank Commissioner Wilson for

1976
01:34:57,435 --> 01:35:01,185
being on the FEC and spearheading this and working with,

1977
01:35:01,455 --> 01:35:02,665
They, they did it internally.

1978
01:35:03,005 --> 01:35:04,145
I'm taking no credit for that.

1979
01:35:04,305 --> 01:35:05,545
I just, all I did

1980
01:35:05,545 --> 01:35:06,705
was guide 'em where they needed to be guided.

1981
01:35:07,095 --> 01:35:09,585
They, that was their, their thing they ran with

1982
01:35:09,585 --> 01:35:11,145
and I give 'em all the credit in the world for doing it.

1983
01:35:11,405 --> 01:35:12,425
So a couple more questions.

1984
01:35:12,645 --> 01:35:17,585
You don't get away that easy Are is Vana,

1985
01:35:18,045 --> 01:35:20,825
are, are, are, are veterans getting great care?

1986
01:35:21,745 --> 01:35:25,375
Right? I mean Vana was a, it wasn't just for

1987
01:35:26,315 --> 01:35:30,415
mental health issues, it was for benefit issues, it was

1988
01:35:30,475 --> 01:35:34,945
for paperwork issues, it was for Fred would know, you know,

1989
01:35:34,945 --> 01:35:38,745
sometimes it's really tough for veterans to ask for help

1990
01:35:39,485 --> 01:35:41,905
and then to go through the system

1991
01:35:42,045 --> 01:35:45,185
of the grinding of the government. So

1992
01:35:45,645 --> 01:35:47,505
We have, we have expanded our services

1993
01:35:47,685 --> 01:35:49,065
and we now include those services.

1994
01:35:49,065 --> 01:35:52,105
Correct. Right. It is not something we had ever done before,

1995
01:35:52,365 --> 01:35:54,185
but we are doing that now.

1996
01:35:54,205 --> 01:35:55,865
And Lee Ellingson who was

1997
01:35:55,865 --> 01:35:57,905
with AMSA is now with Four Seasons.

1998
01:35:58,165 --> 01:35:59,265
Oh great. Great.

1999
01:35:59,295 --> 01:36:04,145
Well, commissioner Moran was very instrumental

2000
01:36:04,205 --> 01:36:05,705
as were the rest of the commissioners

2001
01:36:05,725 --> 01:36:06,905
in, in getting that done.

2002
01:36:07,455 --> 01:36:09,225
Last thing I'm putting you on the spot about,

2003
01:36:12,375 --> 01:36:15,745
well two things for services in our schools.

2004
01:36:17,205 --> 01:36:21,005
How can we get mental health specialists

2005
01:36:21,005 --> 01:36:23,245
through your company into our high schools?

2006
01:36:24,135 --> 01:36:25,165
Again, not a question

2007
01:36:25,165 --> 01:36:26,485
that I can answer sitting right here.

2008
01:36:26,585 --> 01:36:30,805
We have had our most recent person,

2009
01:36:31,165 --> 01:36:33,525
a clinician who was in the schools, has retired.

2010
01:36:34,125 --> 01:36:36,005
And so I know that it is in the works

2011
01:36:36,265 --> 01:36:38,765
and they're, they're trying to figure out

2012
01:36:38,765 --> 01:36:40,645
how we're gonna get somebody in there. And

2013
01:36:41,585 --> 01:36:42,675
That was one school, right?

2014
01:36:43,425 --> 01:36:44,795
That was one. Okay. What

2015
01:36:44,795 --> 01:36:45,795
About the other truth than one?

2016
01:36:46,075 --> 01:36:47,955
How about the other one? I don't know. Okay.

2017
01:36:48,195 --> 01:36:49,555
I don't know who answer to that. But you let us know.

2018
01:36:49,675 --> 01:36:51,155
I mean, I know that's certainly a plan.

2019
01:36:51,575 --> 01:36:54,595
We have been in the schools in Kent County for a number

2020
01:36:54,595 --> 01:36:57,515
of years and we are expanding into

2021
01:36:57,515 --> 01:36:58,835
Dorchester County this year.

2022
01:36:59,375 --> 01:37:00,715
Is it something that we would be

2023
01:37:00,715 --> 01:37:01,915
interested in discussing further?

2024
01:37:02,315 --> 01:37:03,315
Absolutely.

2025
01:37:04,535 --> 01:37:08,985
And the last thing is, is it true that if a

2026
01:37:09,245 --> 01:37:10,785
and you're gonna say I can't answer that,

2027
01:37:10,885 --> 01:37:12,585
but I'm just planting the seed,

2028
01:37:13,325 --> 01:37:15,505
if a teenager is having trouble

2029
01:37:16,245 --> 01:37:18,345
and they go to talk to somebody in the school,

2030
01:37:19,545 --> 01:37:20,955
someone like you or

2031
01:37:21,015 --> 01:37:25,355
or another healthcare provider, that they might have

2032
01:37:25,355 --> 01:37:27,715
to have insurance and if they don't have insurance,

2033
01:37:28,545 --> 01:37:29,555
they can't be seen.

2034
01:37:30,935 --> 01:37:34,115
That's not really resonating well

2035
01:37:34,115 --> 01:37:35,395
with the commissioners, right?

2036
01:37:35,895 --> 01:37:37,595
So can someone dig into that

2037
01:37:37,735 --> 01:37:40,345
and find out about, is that true?

2038
01:37:41,285 --> 01:37:43,665
And what can we do to rectify that? That is,

2039
01:37:44,485 --> 01:37:46,895
So I very concerning, I can't, I can't speak spec

2040
01:37:47,575 --> 01:37:49,895
specifically to a student,

2041
01:37:50,755 --> 01:37:52,735
but what I will tell you is that at

2042
01:37:52,735 --> 01:37:55,205
for all seasons we see people regardless

2043
01:37:55,265 --> 01:37:56,405
of their ability to pay.

2044
01:37:57,145 --> 01:38:00,405
So two things, we have what we call open access,

2045
01:38:00,405 --> 01:38:04,805
which came about in 2020 during COVID, which means that

2046
01:38:05,475 --> 01:38:07,005
there's no, there's no wait list.

2047
01:38:07,985 --> 01:38:11,045
And so you call in to our open access line,

2048
01:38:11,045 --> 01:38:13,005
there's someone in one of our five offices,

2049
01:38:13,185 --> 01:38:15,485
you might see them telehealth, you might walk in,

2050
01:38:15,505 --> 01:38:19,565
we have different hours and you are, you are triaged

2051
01:38:20,265 --> 01:38:24,245
and seen and with a clinician within typically 24

2052
01:38:24,245 --> 01:38:26,205
to 48 hours, not six to eight months,

2053
01:38:26,205 --> 01:38:27,525
which is the typical wait time.

2054
01:38:28,185 --> 01:38:31,165
The second piece of that is that we do of course go

2055
01:38:31,165 --> 01:38:32,205
through all the process.

2056
01:38:32,465 --> 01:38:35,205
Do you have insurance? What does your insurance cover?

2057
01:38:35,665 --> 01:38:39,005
Do you have Medicaid? You know what Medicaid covers?

2058
01:38:39,345 --> 01:38:42,525
And if you do not have insurance, then that's my job

2059
01:38:43,065 --> 01:38:46,605
as the advancement vice president is

2060
01:38:46,605 --> 01:38:48,485
to raise the money to fill that gap.

2061
01:38:49,165 --> 01:38:51,205
And so we never turn anyone away.

2062
01:38:55,195 --> 01:38:58,575
Now, specific to a student or how that works, I don't know.

2063
01:38:58,675 --> 01:39:02,855
And we certainly have grants that cover some in school care

2064
01:39:03,075 --> 01:39:04,495
and outta school, but I don't know

2065
01:39:04,495 --> 01:39:05,695
about in Queen Annes County.

2066
01:39:05,715 --> 01:39:08,255
But what I can tell you is if this someone from Queen Anne's

2067
01:39:08,255 --> 01:39:09,975
County needed help tomorrow

2068
01:39:10,155 --> 01:39:11,695
and they called in to open access

2069
01:39:11,715 --> 01:39:13,935
and they could not afford to pay, they would still be seen

2070
01:39:15,235 --> 01:39:17,695
As I'm, as I'm talking with kids that are gone

2071
01:39:17,695 --> 01:39:18,855
through some of these struggles.

2072
01:39:18,875 --> 01:39:20,655
That's one of the things they're talking about.

2073
01:39:21,275 --> 01:39:24,495
The other thing is, is having, being able to be seen,

2074
01:39:25,275 --> 01:39:29,765
having a location at the school where they can get,

2075
01:39:29,955 --> 01:39:33,805
they can have a therapy, I'm struggling

2076
01:39:33,805 --> 01:39:34,965
with words right now, but

2077
01:39:35,275 --> 01:39:40,165
Session Once a week with the same therapist.

2078
01:39:40,905 --> 01:39:43,805
So who, who can we talk to about that to

2079
01:39:43,835 --> 01:39:46,405
That is, yeah, that is the conversation that we would have

2080
01:39:47,115 --> 01:39:48,365
with Beth Ann Doman

2081
01:39:48,545 --> 01:39:51,845
and Lauren Weber who is our chief strategy officer

2082
01:39:52,465 --> 01:39:54,445
and I work under her through the Center for Learning

2083
01:39:54,865 --> 01:39:56,085
as as part of my team.

2084
01:39:56,305 --> 01:39:59,445
And so those are all programs that we would work together to

2085
01:39:59,715 --> 01:40:00,845
with the schools

2086
01:40:01,305 --> 01:40:03,805
and maybe the commissioners, I'm not exactly sure

2087
01:40:03,805 --> 01:40:05,325
how it works in Queen Annes County,

2088
01:40:05,585 --> 01:40:07,245
but that is certainly a conversation that we

2089
01:40:07,245 --> 01:40:08,245
Can have.

2090
01:40:08,245 --> 01:40:10,845
So access and consistency,

2091
01:40:11,705 --> 01:40:15,485
seeing the right person for that student

2092
01:40:16,715 --> 01:40:19,725
that, and they have the space at,

2093
01:40:20,305 --> 01:40:21,325
you know, both high schools.

2094
01:40:21,935 --> 01:40:24,445
Right. So if you could let us know about

2095
01:40:24,445 --> 01:40:25,605
that, we'd appreciate it.

2096
01:40:25,725 --> 01:40:27,565
Absolutely. Happy to. Thank you so much. Thank, thank you.

2097
01:40:27,745 --> 01:40:28,805
You doing appreciate it very much.

2098
01:40:29,095 --> 01:40:31,525
God's work and we're, we're very grateful. Thank

2099
01:40:31,525 --> 01:40:32,405
You. Thank you so much.

2100
01:40:32,575 --> 01:40:33,965
Thank you. Thank you so much.

2101
01:40:38,035 --> 01:40:41,725
Alright commissioners item number four on pages 31

2102
01:40:41,725 --> 01:40:44,285
and 32 is resolution 26 15 temporary

2103
01:40:44,285 --> 01:40:45,445
signs on county property.

2104
01:40:45,825 --> 01:40:47,805
And this was intended for adopting a policy

2105
01:40:47,805 --> 01:40:49,405
regarding temporary signs on

2106
01:40:49,405 --> 01:40:50,725
county property and rights of ways.

2107
01:40:51,105 --> 01:40:54,565
We currently do not have a policy to regulate those with,

2108
01:40:54,595 --> 01:40:57,085
with the exception of our county parks. So

2109
01:40:57,185 --> 01:40:58,565
I'm going to table this

2110
01:40:58,955 --> 01:41:02,685
because our intent was for something goes into effect

2111
01:41:02,685 --> 01:41:05,365
after the election so that people know going forward there a

2112
01:41:05,365 --> 01:41:07,005
little comm I think confusion about that.

2113
01:41:07,105 --> 01:41:08,525
So I'm gonna table so we can make sure

2114
01:41:08,525 --> 01:41:10,045
that it's clear on that.

2115
01:41:10,285 --> 01:41:12,405
I know we had one person, I think two people

2116
01:41:12,985 --> 01:41:15,605
in public comment who asked about it

2117
01:41:15,605 --> 01:41:17,285
and I think one of them was why is this coming up?

2118
01:41:17,285 --> 01:41:20,815
All of a sudden it's not, we've been talking about it

2119
01:41:20,815 --> 01:41:23,575
for several, several meetings going back several months.

2120
01:41:24,795 --> 01:41:28,225
But maybe with the tabling

2121
01:41:28,225 --> 01:41:29,305
that should hopefully address that issue.

2122
01:41:29,365 --> 01:41:30,365
You

2123
01:41:31,085 --> 01:41:32,465
That's fine actually.

2124
01:41:32,565 --> 01:41:34,985
And, and I mean I've run a few times, Tim,

2125
01:41:34,985 --> 01:41:36,105
you've run a few times Phil

2126
01:41:36,105 --> 01:41:38,905
and all this is, it was always an unwritten policy

2127
01:41:39,335 --> 01:41:41,345
that you don't put signs on county property, right?

2128
01:41:41,465 --> 01:41:44,385
I mean that's going back to the first time I was ever ran.

2129
01:41:44,845 --> 01:41:47,225
So I don't know why it became an issue this past Prime.

2130
01:41:47,255 --> 01:41:48,785
It's, let's face it and issue primary,

2131
01:41:48,965 --> 01:41:51,665
it was this past primary, the people were just sticking

2132
01:41:51,665 --> 01:41:52,745
signs only takes one.

2133
01:41:53,245 --> 01:41:55,945
And the other one is a lot of

2134
01:41:56,505 --> 01:41:59,425
real estate signs popping up and things like that.

2135
01:41:59,445 --> 01:42:01,505
But I think a lot of that stemmed from people seeing all

2136
01:42:01,505 --> 01:42:02,905
these campaign signs on county property.

2137
01:42:02,905 --> 01:42:04,345
They think, huh, I could put a sign there.

2138
01:42:04,605 --> 01:42:06,585
So that's where this whole thing's coming from.

2139
01:42:06,885 --> 01:42:08,665
So we'll revisit it again like

2140
01:42:09,425 --> 01:42:10,905
December one or something like that.

2141
01:42:11,015 --> 01:42:13,785
Alright, sounds good. Alright, thank you commissioners.

2142
01:42:14,585 --> 01:42:16,305
Item number five on pages 33

2143
01:42:16,305 --> 01:42:19,465
through 44 is the Queen County Community reinvestment

2144
01:42:19,525 --> 01:42:21,465
and Repair Fund distribution plan.

2145
01:42:22,105 --> 01:42:23,905
This is seeking the commissioner's approval

2146
01:42:24,085 --> 01:42:25,265
for this year's plan.

2147
01:42:26,085 --> 01:42:27,865
Before we submitted to the Maryland Office

2148
01:42:27,925 --> 01:42:31,265
of Social Equity next month, this was established

2149
01:42:31,265 --> 01:42:34,985
through the 2023 Cannabis Reform Act providing cannabis tax

2150
01:42:34,985 --> 01:42:38,305
revenue to support social equities, economic development,

2151
01:42:38,305 --> 01:42:39,305
and community needs.

2152
01:42:39,985 --> 01:42:41,865
I move to approve the Queen Anne County Community

2153
01:42:42,105 --> 01:42:44,185
Reinvestment and Repair Fund distribution plan

2154
01:42:44,605 --> 01:42:47,225
and authorize its submission to the Maryland Office

2155
01:42:47,245 --> 01:42:51,545
of Social Equity by the October 1st, 2026 deadline.

2156
01:42:51,725 --> 01:42:54,385
Second, We have a motion to second. Any discussion?

2157
01:42:55,525 --> 01:42:57,865
Seeing none. All those in favor signify by saying Aye.

2158
01:42:58,245 --> 01:43:00,025
Aye. Opposed? So moved.

2159
01:43:00,475 --> 01:43:02,505
Thank you commissioners. Item six,

2160
01:43:02,505 --> 01:43:03,785
we have another proclamation.

2161
01:43:03,785 --> 01:43:07,225
This is Proclamation 26 27 for Economic Development Week

2162
01:43:07,815 --> 01:43:10,705
also September, or excuse me, September through October 2nd.

2163
01:43:11,085 --> 01:43:15,065
So yep. Proclamation 26 27 Economic Development Week.

2164
01:43:15,065 --> 01:43:16,585
Whereas Queen Annes County Economic

2165
01:43:16,585 --> 01:43:18,265
and Tourism Development is an active member

2166
01:43:18,265 --> 01:43:20,345
of the Maryland Economic Development Association,

2167
01:43:20,345 --> 01:43:23,705
better known as mea, a nonprofit organization established in

2168
01:43:23,905 --> 01:43:26,745
1961 whose mission is to enhance the knowledge

2169
01:43:26,745 --> 01:43:29,185
and skills of its members, encourage partnerships

2170
01:43:29,185 --> 01:43:31,465
and networking among people committed to bringing jobs

2171
01:43:31,565 --> 01:43:32,945
and capital to Maryland

2172
01:43:33,245 --> 01:43:35,065
and promote economic development

2173
01:43:35,065 --> 01:43:36,185
as an investment in Maryland.

2174
01:43:36,605 --> 01:43:39,145
And whereas me, a members promote statewide economic

2175
01:43:39,145 --> 01:43:41,705
wellbeing by working to improve Maryland's business climate

2176
01:43:42,005 --> 01:43:43,865
and the professionalism of those in the field

2177
01:43:43,865 --> 01:43:46,425
of economic development, including other professionals

2178
01:43:46,425 --> 01:43:48,305
with a direct interest in Maryland's economy.

2179
01:43:48,495 --> 01:43:51,365
Through regular educational meetings, special programs

2180
01:43:51,365 --> 01:43:53,805
and community driven projects meet a members

2181
01:43:53,805 --> 01:43:55,085
address diverse issues.

2182
01:43:55,425 --> 01:43:57,565
And whereas Economic Development Week provides the

2183
01:43:57,565 --> 01:43:59,565
opportunity for community-minded organizations

2184
01:43:59,865 --> 01:44:02,405
to collaborate and share strategies, programs,

2185
01:44:02,405 --> 01:44:04,685
and best practices for advancing Maryland's economy.

2186
01:44:04,945 --> 01:44:07,845
And whereas economic developers promote economic wellbeing

2187
01:44:07,845 --> 01:44:10,685
and quality of life for their communities by creating,

2188
01:44:10,875 --> 01:44:13,565
retaining and expanding jobs to facilitate growth,

2189
01:44:13,755 --> 01:44:16,045
enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base.

2190
01:44:16,345 --> 01:44:17,565
And whereas the economic growth

2191
01:44:17,565 --> 01:44:20,045
and stability of the state affect all regions

2192
01:44:20,045 --> 01:44:21,245
and jurisdictions of Maryland

2193
01:44:21,545 --> 01:44:22,885
and Queen Anne's County economic

2194
01:44:23,105 --> 01:44:24,885
and tourism development is an important component

2195
01:44:24,885 --> 01:44:26,485
of the state's economic success.

2196
01:44:26,865 --> 01:44:28,365
And now therefore be it resolved

2197
01:44:28,365 --> 01:44:30,205
that we the county commissioners of Queen Annes County,

2198
01:44:30,525 --> 01:44:32,845
Maryland, you hereby proclaim the week of September 28th

2199
01:44:32,845 --> 01:44:34,885
through October 2nd, 2026

2200
01:44:35,105 --> 01:44:36,805
as economic development week in Maryland.

2201
01:44:36,905 --> 01:44:38,285
Signed your county commissioners.

2202
01:44:42,375 --> 01:44:44,005
Thank you Commissioner. Yep. Alright.

2203
01:44:45,155 --> 01:44:47,045
Okay, moving on. Commissioners,

2204
01:44:47,045 --> 01:44:49,445
these next four items are all in reference

2205
01:44:49,445 --> 01:44:51,605
to Providence Farm and the town of Centerville.

2206
01:44:52,705 --> 01:44:55,805
So items item seven is the

2207
01:44:56,815 --> 01:44:58,845
annexation annexation of the lands

2208
01:44:58,845 --> 01:45:00,205
of Providence Farm, town of Centerville.

2209
01:45:00,205 --> 01:45:02,325
This is a zoning web zoning waiver request.

2210
01:45:03,205 --> 01:45:05,325
This farm was annexed into the town

2211
01:45:05,325 --> 01:45:07,325
of Centerville back in September, 2024.

2212
01:45:07,635 --> 01:45:09,285
This plan for mixed use development

2213
01:45:09,665 --> 01:45:12,765
and the town's traditional neighborhood development design

2214
01:45:12,765 --> 01:45:14,285
zoning allows for different uses

2215
01:45:14,285 --> 01:45:16,365
and higher densities than the county's ag zoning.

2216
01:45:16,785 --> 01:45:19,245
And the town is requesting a waiver

2217
01:45:19,305 --> 01:45:21,965
of the five year zoning hold by the county commissioners.

2218
01:45:22,315 --> 01:45:24,325
This has been reviewed by the town obviously

2219
01:45:24,325 --> 01:45:25,325
and the planning commission

2220
01:45:25,325 --> 01:45:28,645
and they both recommend unanimous approval of that.

2221
01:45:29,445 --> 01:45:31,445
Item eight is the termination

2222
01:45:31,445 --> 01:45:33,365
of the open space on that same property.

2223
01:45:34,045 --> 01:45:37,845
The property is currently subject to 155.9 acre deed

2224
01:45:37,845 --> 01:45:41,685
of open space resulting from a earlier subdivision for this,

2225
01:45:41,905 --> 01:45:44,005
the lots along rolling Bridge Road

2226
01:45:44,805 --> 01:45:46,645
property Enter is now requesting termination of

2227
01:45:46,645 --> 01:45:47,845
that particular easement.

2228
01:45:48,535 --> 01:45:50,245
State and county regulations allow for

2229
01:45:50,245 --> 01:45:51,925
that when an annexation occurs.

2230
01:45:52,385 --> 01:45:53,885
The town is in support

2231
01:45:54,225 --> 01:45:56,125
and the Board of Education on a small piece

2232
01:45:56,745 --> 01:45:58,965
of open space on their property over at Canard

2233
01:45:59,265 --> 01:46:01,845
and they've already approved their termination

2234
01:46:01,845 --> 01:46:04,165
of a 2.1 acre parcel there.

2235
01:46:05,675 --> 01:46:08,365
Item 10 is the comprehensive water

2236
01:46:08,365 --> 01:46:11,365
and sewer plan amendment 1128 decision.

2237
01:46:11,705 --> 01:46:13,685
We had a hearing on that a couple of weeks ago also

2238
01:46:13,705 --> 01:46:17,245
for Providence Farm to rezone that from S six W six

2239
01:46:17,245 --> 01:46:20,925
to S3 W three And then backing up to item nine,

2240
01:46:21,305 --> 01:46:23,765
we have an agreement to convey a 10 acre parcel

2241
01:46:23,865 --> 01:46:25,485
of real estate from Providence Farm

2242
01:46:25,485 --> 01:46:28,485
to the county Commissioners Plat is included in your books

2243
01:46:28,625 --> 01:46:31,165
and this conveyance would add to additional lands

2244
01:46:31,165 --> 01:46:33,925
that we own adjacent to the YMCA for future

2245
01:46:34,805 --> 01:46:38,525
governmental facilities there in Centerville.

2246
01:46:40,805 --> 01:46:43,005
I move to provide express zoning approval to the town

2247
01:46:43,005 --> 01:46:44,525
of Centerville regarding the application

2248
01:46:44,525 --> 01:46:46,365
of the five year zoning waiver as required

2249
01:46:46,365 --> 01:46:47,805
by the Maryland local government code

2250
01:46:48,425 --> 01:46:51,485
set section four dash 416 annexation planning

2251
01:46:51,485 --> 01:46:53,205
and zoning authority for the lands

2252
01:46:53,465 --> 01:46:56,165
of the providence at Centerville LLC, commonly known

2253
01:46:56,165 --> 01:46:58,645
as Providence Farm Map four four F parcel 60

2254
01:46:59,145 --> 01:47:02,085
to be zoned traditional neighborhood district TND.

2255
01:47:02,145 --> 01:47:04,445
In addition, the county commissioners support the zoning

2256
01:47:04,465 --> 01:47:07,765
of commercial C two zoning district on the 10 acres of land

2257
01:47:07,825 --> 01:47:09,765
to be conveyed to the county commissioners.

2258
01:47:11,655 --> 01:47:15,995
Second. Any discussion, questions,

2259
01:47:16,155 --> 01:47:17,795
comments, see none.

2260
01:47:17,795 --> 01:47:20,915
All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?

2261
01:47:21,745 --> 01:47:22,745
Abstain.

2262
01:47:24,855 --> 01:47:29,315
All right. I move to terminate the 155.986 acres

2263
01:47:29,315 --> 01:47:31,155
of open space located on the lands known

2264
01:47:31,155 --> 01:47:34,555
as Providence Farm Map 44 F Parcel 60

2265
01:47:34,975 --> 01:47:36,555
and the Queen Annes County Board

2266
01:47:36,555 --> 01:47:39,915
of Education Map 44 F parcel 5 76.

2267
01:47:40,015 --> 01:47:42,235
Lot one through signature of the termination

2268
01:47:42,235 --> 01:47:43,795
of the open space easement.

2269
01:47:46,965 --> 01:47:51,715
Second. Any discussion? Seeing none.

2270
01:47:51,735 --> 01:47:54,795
All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?

2271
01:47:55,225 --> 01:47:57,035
Abstained five Vote

2272
01:47:57,915 --> 01:47:59,955
I move to execute the agreement to convey real estate

2273
01:47:59,955 --> 01:48:03,115
and deed of trust for the 10 acre parcel from the Providence

2274
01:48:03,225 --> 01:48:05,875
Farm property to the Queenland County commissioners.

2275
01:48:06,695 --> 01:48:10,915
Second. Any discussion on this item? See none.

2276
01:48:10,915 --> 01:48:14,155
All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?

2277
01:48:15,395 --> 01:48:17,085
Abstained. So moved.

2278
01:48:17,525 --> 01:48:20,085
I move to approve the amendment of the, to the upgrade,

2279
01:48:20,505 --> 01:48:24,885
the sewer and water service designation from S six W six

2280
01:48:24,905 --> 01:48:27,365
to S3 W three for the property known

2281
01:48:27,365 --> 01:48:29,245
as Providence Farm in the recognition

2282
01:48:29,265 --> 01:48:31,925
of its recent annexation into the town

2283
01:48:31,925 --> 01:48:34,445
of seven Centerville's incorporated limits.

2284
01:48:34,865 --> 01:48:36,485
Second, we have a motion

2285
01:48:36,505 --> 01:48:38,445
to second any discussion on this topic? One

2286
01:48:38,445 --> 01:48:40,005
Quick thing on all four of these.

2287
01:48:40,005 --> 01:48:43,125
I'll let you go Patrick. Just sort of my point

2288
01:48:43,125 --> 01:48:45,045
of view on these things is that this is the town

2289
01:48:45,045 --> 01:48:46,845
of Centerville's decision on how they're growing.

2290
01:48:47,345 --> 01:48:50,605
So I sort of view, I I hate it when the state tells us what

2291
01:48:50,605 --> 01:48:51,885
to do at the county level and

2292
01:48:51,885 --> 01:48:52,885
That's, That's, yeah.

2293
01:48:52,885 --> 01:48:54,685
And so unless there's something that's like sort

2294
01:48:54,685 --> 01:48:56,965
of grossly inappropriate, I'm gonna defer

2295
01:48:56,985 --> 01:48:59,725
to our elected officials in the town of Centerville

2296
01:48:59,725 --> 01:49:01,525
to make their decisions and the citizens

2297
01:49:01,525 --> 01:49:02,965
of Centerville to make their decisions.

2298
01:49:03,225 --> 01:49:04,845
So that's why it's not like

2299
01:49:04,845 --> 01:49:06,125
what I'm for or against this thing.

2300
01:49:06,225 --> 01:49:08,365
I'm, I'm for Centerville deciding their fate.

2301
01:49:09,035 --> 01:49:11,565
Most of this stuff with the towns is more just,

2302
01:49:13,205 --> 01:49:14,325
I guess it's old hat

2303
01:49:14,325 --> 01:49:16,085
of the commissioners having to approve a lot of this stuff.

2304
01:49:16,085 --> 01:49:18,605
But it, it really boils down to what the towns wanna do.

2305
01:49:18,705 --> 01:49:21,645
And the state has told everybody, including the counties,

2306
01:49:21,755 --> 01:49:24,325
that the towns are the only place you can grow those.

2307
01:49:24,325 --> 01:49:25,605
They're the only ones with infrastructure.

2308
01:49:25,785 --> 01:49:27,085
So there you have it.

2309
01:49:27,965 --> 01:49:29,045
I guess we all think alike.

2310
01:49:30,095 --> 01:49:32,165
Would you like to say anything about this?

2311
01:49:32,905 --> 01:49:35,205
Any thoughts about it? You are in support of it,

2312
01:49:35,205 --> 01:49:37,245
obviously the township.

2313
01:49:38,185 --> 01:49:41,125
Yes. Yeah, sure. Come on up.

2314
01:49:43,435 --> 01:49:45,235
Commissioner McNeil, you want

2315
01:49:45,235 --> 01:49:46,235
To come up?

2316
01:49:46,235 --> 01:49:49,845
Can we take the vote? I'm call vote. Yep.

2317
01:49:49,985 --> 01:49:51,685
So we have a motion in a second.

2318
01:49:52,265 --> 01:49:55,365
All those in favor signify by saying aye a. Aye. Opposed?

2319
01:49:55,795 --> 01:49:57,285
Abstain. So moved.

2320
01:49:57,855 --> 01:49:59,525
Would you like to share with the audience

2321
01:49:59,535 --> 01:50:00,565
about what's going on?

2322
01:50:01,545 --> 01:50:05,565
So the town council at their last meeting last Thursday

2323
01:50:06,085 --> 01:50:08,205
submitted a letter to the commissioners in support

2324
01:50:08,265 --> 01:50:11,245
of the zoning waiver request termination of open space

2325
01:50:11,785 --> 01:50:15,325
and the the water sewer designation.

2326
01:50:15,505 --> 01:50:19,045
So we still have a little ways to go

2327
01:50:19,045 --> 01:50:20,245
before we're ready

2328
01:50:20,265 --> 01:50:22,605
to even the planning commission's even ready

2329
01:50:22,605 --> 01:50:23,805
to look at this yet.

2330
01:50:24,025 --> 01:50:27,165
So they'll, they have to go through a regulating plan

2331
01:50:27,345 --> 01:50:31,725
and with the, with the planning commission to,

2332
01:50:32,025 --> 01:50:34,565
to look at the layout of the property. But

2333
01:50:35,105 --> 01:50:37,085
So lot's time for the, the citizens of Centerville

2334
01:50:37,085 --> 01:50:39,725
to come forward and tell you they like it or don't like it

2335
01:50:39,745 --> 01:50:41,205
and correct whatever else,

2336
01:50:41,205 --> 01:50:42,205
Right?

2337
01:50:42,205 --> 01:50:45,765
Yeah. The S3 W three is three to 10 years.

2338
01:50:45,765 --> 01:50:48,885
Three to 10 years. Three to 10 years. Okay. So,

2339
01:50:50,305 --> 01:50:52,405
And I'd just like to say very quickly, first of all,

2340
01:50:52,405 --> 01:50:53,685
thank the county commissioners

2341
01:50:53,685 --> 01:50:56,405
for letting the town make major your decisions on this.

2342
01:50:56,465 --> 01:50:57,725
We appreciate that. Yes.

2343
01:50:57,985 --> 01:50:59,445
You know I've lived here 50 years

2344
01:51:00,665 --> 01:51:02,565
and what's the number one issue over the whole

2345
01:51:02,565 --> 01:51:03,805
50 years growth?

2346
01:51:04,995 --> 01:51:07,375
The Providence Farm plan is smart growth.

2347
01:51:07,955 --> 01:51:09,935
You want it in the county, we want it in the city

2348
01:51:11,035 --> 01:51:13,805
housing we need in the county and the city.

2349
01:51:14,145 --> 01:51:16,005
So we appreciate you doing what you're doing

2350
01:51:16,585 --> 01:51:19,125
and with Carolyn's guidance we're gonna get through this

2351
01:51:19,145 --> 01:51:20,365
and we're gonna get this done.

2352
01:51:20,365 --> 01:51:22,525
Before I turn one five,

2353
01:51:25,015 --> 01:51:26,045
thank you for letting us.

2354
01:51:27,155 --> 01:51:28,885
Very good. Thank you. Thank Carolyn.

2355
01:51:29,145 --> 01:51:33,045
Any update on the sewer, sewer plant? Nothing. MDE.

2356
01:51:33,435 --> 01:51:36,005
Okay. Yeah. Yeah. 2031.

2357
01:51:36,225 --> 01:51:40,245
2031 there will be a party. Thank you.

2358
01:51:40,685 --> 01:51:44,365
Thanks Carolyn. Thank you Jim. Thank you. Thank you.

2359
01:51:44,365 --> 01:51:47,125
Alright commissioners, our final two items and Mr.

2360
01:51:47,365 --> 01:51:48,445
Quimbee is here. Our director

2361
01:51:48,445 --> 01:51:50,405
of public works really are informational.

2362
01:51:51,115 --> 01:51:54,645
Item number 11 is just an update on the 2026 comprehensive

2363
01:51:54,645 --> 01:51:58,165
water and sewer plan pages 1 37 to one 40.

2364
01:51:58,825 --> 01:52:01,405
We are beginning that process to adopt the, the plan

2365
01:52:01,765 --> 01:52:04,405
with the public hearing plan for October 27th

2366
01:52:05,065 --> 01:52:08,645
and the adoption which is targeted for November 10th, 2026.

2367
01:52:08,755 --> 01:52:11,445
This does include our new sewer allocation policy

2368
01:52:11,445 --> 01:52:13,285
with thresholds and caps for

2369
01:52:14,485 --> 01:52:17,285
residential commercial institutional uses going forward.

2370
01:52:17,865 --> 01:52:20,325
And so just wanted to make everybody aware of that.

2371
01:52:21,075 --> 01:52:23,405
Alan, anything you wanted to add about the the plan?

2372
01:52:24,145 --> 01:52:27,605
No, as a requirement to degrade the plant plan every

2373
01:52:27,665 --> 01:52:30,285
so often by Comar, actually Comar says every three years

2374
01:52:30,285 --> 01:52:32,445
but the would like you to do it every 10 years.

2375
01:52:32,465 --> 01:52:36,725
So we're a little bit behind. But honestly there there's not

2376
01:52:36,725 --> 01:52:39,925
much of an upgrade between 2011 and this one. So

2377
01:52:40,515 --> 01:52:41,885
What did you just say? I'm sorry.

2378
01:52:42,395 --> 01:52:43,685
There's not much there.

2379
01:52:43,685 --> 01:52:46,605
There's really not that many revisions between the 2011

2380
01:52:46,665 --> 01:52:51,155
and the 2026 plan. Okay.

2381
01:52:51,335 --> 01:52:53,875
So we will proceed with that. Yeah. Alright.

2382
01:52:53,875 --> 01:52:56,435
And then our final item is the Marlin Farms

2383
01:52:56,435 --> 01:52:58,195
and Dominion public health concern area.

2384
01:52:58,215 --> 01:53:01,155
Update number one, pages 1 41 to 1 42.

2385
01:53:01,455 --> 01:53:04,195
And as you know, we are advancing the, the proposal

2386
01:53:04,255 --> 01:53:08,795
of the project to extend sewer to 504 improved properties,

2387
01:53:08,795 --> 01:53:11,355
77 vacant unbuildable lots

2388
01:53:11,355 --> 01:53:14,075
and five five vacant buildable lots

2389
01:53:15,065 --> 01:53:16,915
just running into some challenges with the funding.

2390
01:53:16,915 --> 01:53:18,595
Everything is about the money these days

2391
01:53:18,615 --> 01:53:20,555
and costs continuing to escalate

2392
01:53:20,575 --> 01:53:22,515
but relatively small number

2393
01:53:22,515 --> 01:53:25,235
of unbuildable lots doesn't really help to offset that cost.

2394
01:53:25,255 --> 01:53:28,475
And then we have some repairs to pump station number two

2395
01:53:28,475 --> 01:53:30,515
and upgrades that are necessary.

2396
01:53:30,615 --> 01:53:33,475
So we're gonna continue to look at those models

2397
01:53:33,535 --> 01:53:35,715
and hire some additional consulting firms

2398
01:53:35,815 --> 01:53:36,875
to assist with that effort.

2399
01:53:36,895 --> 01:53:38,035
But we are gonna go

2400
01:53:38,035 --> 01:53:41,835
to the state's smart growth coordinating committee very soon

2401
01:53:42,055 --> 01:53:43,635
and present this case like we did

2402
01:53:43,635 --> 01:53:46,035
with the bru date sewer expansion as well.

2403
01:53:46,575 --> 01:53:47,595
But we will be reaching out

2404
01:53:47,595 --> 01:53:50,275
to the public once we have a little better handle on the

2405
01:53:50,475 --> 01:53:53,435
parameters and the cost associated with the project.

2406
01:53:54,135 --> 01:53:55,355
So if you have any questions about that

2407
01:53:55,355 --> 01:53:58,075
or want to participate, we have you meetings monthly

2408
01:53:58,215 --> 01:54:00,515
and thank if you wanna get more in depth. Yep.

2409
01:54:00,815 --> 01:54:03,435
How much money's left in the, for the,

2410
01:54:03,655 --> 01:54:06,635
to get the funding from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund,

2411
01:54:07,425 --> 01:54:08,715
what we use for Southern Ken Island

2412
01:54:08,815 --> 01:54:10,435
for the loans and all for that stuff.

2413
01:54:10,595 --> 01:54:11,675
I mean how much money is left?

2414
01:54:12,035 --> 01:54:13,315
I mean is it still a healthy, I know

2415
01:54:13,395 --> 01:54:15,435
'cause the flush tax got flushed so to speak.

2416
01:54:15,695 --> 01:54:17,315
So that whole,

2417
01:54:18,065 --> 01:54:21,115
well now the flush tax flush tax stays the same until

2418
01:54:21,755 --> 01:54:23,875
possibly 2031 when it gets cut in half.

2419
01:54:24,215 --> 01:54:26,675
If they allow to program sunset to occur.

2420
01:54:26,855 --> 01:54:28,955
So, which they be, the bet is

2421
01:54:28,955 --> 01:54:30,435
that they will not because they will.

2422
01:54:30,695 --> 01:54:32,315
So how much are they pumping in there yearly?

2423
01:54:32,355 --> 01:54:34,195
I mean, like you said,

2424
01:54:34,195 --> 01:54:36,155
the costs are probably rising at a quick,

2425
01:54:36,295 --> 01:54:37,755
at a quicker pace than what they have.

2426
01:54:37,755 --> 01:54:40,715
I have no idea how much the state generates in BRF funds.

2427
01:54:40,775 --> 01:54:43,035
The county generates about 750,000,

2428
01:54:43,035 --> 01:54:45,035
which is not much to do anything with.

2429
01:54:45,625 --> 01:54:48,515
Yeah, that's my point. Maybe 15 years ago it would've done

2430
01:54:48,515 --> 01:54:50,155
something, but nowadays yeah, yeah.

2431
01:54:50,155 --> 01:54:53,995
Right. It was almost 750,000 again 15 years ago.

2432
01:54:53,995 --> 01:54:55,955
What, you know, it was almost real money

2433
01:54:56,055 --> 01:54:57,235
but now it's like nothing.

2434
01:54:57,775 --> 01:54:59,915
So I mean, I guess my question, the root

2435
01:54:59,915 --> 01:55:03,155
of the question is like, are obviously there's always gonna

2436
01:55:03,155 --> 01:55:06,595
need upgrades, needed funding for upgrades needed is,

2437
01:55:07,015 --> 01:55:09,075
is there any effort at the state to look

2438
01:55:09,075 --> 01:55:11,915
and say, Hey, this is what things are costing now this is

2439
01:55:11,915 --> 01:55:13,715
what we're gonna have to do because we're gonna run into,

2440
01:55:13,995 --> 01:55:16,075
I I see us running into the same situation we have

2441
01:55:16,075 --> 01:55:17,275
with the roads now and the state

2442
01:55:17,275 --> 01:55:18,435
trying to take care of the roads.

2443
01:55:18,705 --> 01:55:19,955
They, they didn't plan for it.

2444
01:55:19,955 --> 01:55:22,675
So now they can't, they have no money to maintain 'em.

2445
01:55:22,815 --> 01:55:24,035
We can't run into that problem

2446
01:55:24,385 --> 01:55:26,435
with our sewer and water treatment.

2447
01:55:26,605 --> 01:55:28,515
Right. 'cause that'll be a major mess down the road.

2448
01:55:28,675 --> 01:55:30,515
I don't see any initiatives on the state level

2449
01:55:30,535 --> 01:55:32,435
to increase the revenue stream now.

2450
01:55:32,655 --> 01:55:35,915
And there's quite a bit of noise in Washington DC

2451
01:55:36,535 --> 01:55:39,475
who provide the seed money for the revolving loan funds,

2452
01:55:39,475 --> 01:55:41,515
which is what if we don't get grant funds, we

2453
01:55:42,505 --> 01:55:44,205
rely on the revolving loan funds

2454
01:55:44,745 --> 01:55:46,005
and there's a lot of noise in there

2455
01:55:46,005 --> 01:55:47,125
that they're gonna cut that back.

2456
01:55:47,145 --> 01:55:49,045
So no, things are not looking good

2457
01:55:49,045 --> 01:55:50,285
from a revenue point of view.

2458
01:55:51,325 --> 01:55:54,135
Yeah. And these, like, these calls are just accelerating,

2459
01:55:54,135 --> 01:55:55,335
like there's no tomorrow.

2460
01:55:55,765 --> 01:55:58,215
Yeah. So then the bottom line of the bottom line is,

2461
01:55:58,215 --> 01:56:00,135
so this will be another thing that the counties are gonna

2462
01:56:00,135 --> 01:56:02,295
have to figure out how to pay for in the coming years.

2463
01:56:03,335 --> 01:56:04,615
Probably to add to all the other ones.

2464
01:56:05,775 --> 01:56:07,305
Yeah. The other key piece we've been talking

2465
01:56:07,305 --> 01:56:10,465
with our legislative team about is the, the fact that,

2466
01:56:10,565 --> 01:56:14,145
as Alan mentioned, the, the Bay Restoration Fund is slated

2467
01:56:14,145 --> 01:56:16,465
to reduce by 50% in 2031.

2468
01:56:17,685 --> 01:56:20,785
So instead of 60 a year per residents 30.

2469
01:56:20,885 --> 01:56:22,145
So that's gonna be a big impact.

2470
01:56:22,165 --> 01:56:24,945
So we're, we're gonna push back against that. Well,

2471
01:56:24,945 --> 01:56:26,545
Not to mention when they, when they put the 60

2472
01:56:26,605 --> 01:56:28,225
in, it's not worth 60 anymore. Well,

2473
01:56:28,225 --> 01:56:29,225
True.

2474
01:56:29,225 --> 01:56:30,065
Yeah. Because they were basing on costs when

2475
01:56:30,065 --> 01:56:31,265
they did it e Exactly.

2476
01:56:31,575 --> 01:56:33,225
Good point. And now it's probably worth 10. Yeah.

2477
01:56:33,525 --> 01:56:36,025
In real, in real dollars. And that's where the problem was.

2478
01:56:36,645 --> 01:56:38,745
And the other issue too, the urban counties who,

2479
01:56:39,045 --> 01:56:40,905
or produced a lime share

2480
01:56:40,965 --> 01:56:44,785
or the Bay restoration funds, they're like, I want,

2481
01:56:45,225 --> 01:56:46,465
I wanna keep it right.

2482
01:56:46,615 --> 01:56:48,265
Yeah. But they're the biggest polluters.

2483
01:56:48,945 --> 01:56:51,185
I mean they wanna keep it for themselves when, so

2484
01:56:51,185 --> 01:56:52,825
that would really leave us out in the dry.

2485
01:56:53,285 --> 01:56:54,745
No, I, I get it. I get it.

2486
01:56:54,825 --> 01:56:56,665
'cause budgets are tightening everywhere. Yeah.

2487
01:56:56,665 --> 01:57:01,585
From all ans so, so Marlene Farm, is that gonna be stepper?

2488
01:57:01,765 --> 01:57:06,025
Vacuum? Probably. Maybe Grinder. Really? Oh really?

2489
01:57:06,855 --> 01:57:08,505
Grinder and, and Gravity.

2490
01:57:09,475 --> 01:57:10,945
Definitely not gravity for,

2491
01:57:11,005 --> 01:57:12,465
for some reason we don't have gravity, I hope.

2492
01:57:12,735 --> 01:57:16,905
Yeah. Okay. Is that similar to what's in North Brook? Yes.

2493
01:57:19,755 --> 01:57:20,925
That we would maintain it.

2494
01:57:21,065 --> 01:57:25,705
Gotcha Step, I mean,

2495
01:57:26,485 --> 01:57:27,625
reason we went with Step is

2496
01:57:27,625 --> 01:57:29,065
because he could pump the whole way by itself,

2497
01:57:29,065 --> 01:57:30,185
which a grinder could not.

2498
01:57:30,485 --> 01:57:32,145
But we're tired of pumping out tanks already,

2499
01:57:32,235 --> 01:57:33,745
which we know we gotta pump out forever.

2500
01:57:35,365 --> 01:57:36,385
So we think we,

2501
01:57:36,455 --> 01:57:38,545
well actually we know we get from Marley Farms

2502
01:57:38,545 --> 01:57:39,865
to pump station two on the grinder

2503
01:57:43,045 --> 01:57:45,585
and well, you know, we maintain 'em in Barkley.

2504
01:57:46,435 --> 01:57:48,735
So got a few up there.

2505
01:57:51,275 --> 01:57:54,935
All right. Moving on. Thanks Alan. That's,

2506
01:57:55,055 --> 01:57:57,495
That's all the items we had for tonight, commissioner.

2507
01:57:57,555 --> 01:58:00,055
So it's pressing public comment

2508
01:58:01,645 --> 01:58:02,855
part two and then

2509
01:58:06,435 --> 01:58:08,455
The consolidated transportation plan.

2510
01:58:08,455 --> 01:58:10,455
Anybody sign up? That was just our information on item.

2511
01:58:10,585 --> 01:58:15,265
Would anybody like to speak pressing public comment? No.

2512
01:58:15,895 --> 01:58:19,655
Okay. We'll close that. Alright. Chris had to leave early.

2513
01:58:19,995 --> 01:58:22,655
Yep. Patrick, would you like to go first?

2514
01:58:22,915 --> 01:58:26,015
You asked me last time. Did I? I'll switch around. You did.

2515
01:58:26,755 --> 01:58:28,535
No fell.

2516
01:58:30,215 --> 01:58:31,815
I, I understand the most when he is like this.

2517
01:58:32,725 --> 01:58:36,055
Jack, you got anything? Yeah, just real quick,

2518
01:58:36,395 --> 01:58:38,855
the text amendments and people probably think we've ran

2519
01:58:38,855 --> 01:58:40,935
through 'em rather quickly, but honestly this process

2520
01:58:41,065 --> 01:58:43,605
for these text amendments has been going on since February.

2521
01:58:44,665 --> 01:58:46,485
And, and by no means,

2522
01:58:47,025 --> 01:58:49,165
and this goes back as far as I've been doing this

2523
01:58:49,165 --> 01:58:51,645
with the text amendments, whether we put 'em

2524
01:58:51,645 --> 01:58:52,405
through the process and

2525
01:58:52,405 --> 01:58:53,645
allow 'em to work their way through the process.

2526
01:58:53,795 --> 01:58:55,005
It's not an endorsement for

2527
01:58:55,005 --> 01:58:56,765
or against them as they work their way through the process.

2528
01:58:56,865 --> 01:58:59,285
And I think people need to understand that this is

2529
01:58:59,865 --> 01:59:02,645
the fairest way for our citizens to actually do something.

2530
01:59:02,905 --> 01:59:05,365
And it's the only way that they're able

2531
01:59:05,365 --> 01:59:08,245
to bring forward something under their own guise and,

2532
01:59:08,265 --> 01:59:09,805
and have it work through the process.

2533
01:59:10,115 --> 01:59:12,685
Whether it's a zoning change or whatever the case may be.

2534
01:59:12,745 --> 01:59:14,285
So we went through these

2535
01:59:14,285 --> 01:59:15,965
because these had just recently gone

2536
01:59:15,965 --> 01:59:17,445
to the planning commission again

2537
01:59:18,665 --> 01:59:20,725
and we had already seen 'em once

2538
01:59:20,745 --> 01:59:23,245
and we've added amendments that we wanted to see to them.

2539
01:59:23,595 --> 01:59:24,845
They came back from the planning

2540
01:59:24,845 --> 01:59:26,485
commission with the amendments.

2541
01:59:26,585 --> 01:59:28,325
So now they must go back for another hearing.

2542
01:59:28,615 --> 01:59:30,685
Again, the process is rather lengthy.

2543
01:59:32,065 --> 01:59:34,885
So I, I just wanna put that out there that we're, for me,

2544
01:59:34,885 --> 01:59:37,285
I've always said let 'em go

2545
01:59:37,285 --> 01:59:39,565
through the process whether they make it

2546
01:59:39,565 --> 01:59:42,325
or not, at least the, the citizens got to do.

2547
01:59:43,155 --> 01:59:45,525
Thus the name got to put their text amendment in

2548
01:59:45,525 --> 01:59:47,325
and have it heard by everybody,

2549
01:59:47,465 --> 01:59:48,765
the commissioners and the public.

2550
01:59:48,825 --> 01:59:49,925
And, and I encourage the public

2551
01:59:49,985 --> 01:59:51,885
to read some of these text amendments.

2552
01:59:52,005 --> 01:59:53,365
'cause some of 'em over the years have been rather

2553
01:59:53,645 --> 01:59:57,725
interesting and rather creative to get things done.

2554
01:59:58,105 --> 02:00:00,165
And some work, some don't.

2555
02:00:00,165 --> 02:00:01,765
But again, it's all part of the process

2556
02:00:01,985 --> 02:00:05,845
and it's part of, you know, being able to do what you want

2557
02:00:05,845 --> 02:00:07,125
with your land or at least trying to.

2558
02:00:07,305 --> 02:00:11,005
So that's all I got. Oh yeah. Phil? Nothing.

2559
02:00:11,265 --> 02:00:13,525
I'm good, thank you. Okay. Patrick,

2560
02:00:14,505 --> 02:00:15,505
I'm good.

2561
02:00:15,505 --> 02:00:19,965
I just want to send our respects to the Thompson family

2562
02:00:20,185 --> 02:00:24,445
and it's a tough thing to, to go through.

2563
02:00:26,525 --> 02:00:27,965
I agree with you a hundred percent.

2564
02:00:29,545 --> 02:00:31,365
Not to mention what the county's gonna go through.

2565
02:00:31,755 --> 02:00:35,325
Yeah. A Lot of historical knowledge passed on yesterday

2566
02:00:35,705 --> 02:00:38,285
and it's a big vacuum to fill right now.

2567
02:00:40,025 --> 02:00:43,325
So, big pair of shoes to fill. Yes, it is.

2568
02:00:43,825 --> 02:00:45,165
But he always enjoyed sitting there

2569
02:00:45,165 --> 02:00:46,205
when we had closed sessions.

2570
02:00:46,405 --> 02:00:49,205
'cause some of us can be comedians in this room

2571
02:00:49,225 --> 02:00:50,285
and he would just be smiling

2572
02:00:50,545 --> 02:00:52,765
and laughing, loving every minute of it.

2573
02:00:53,245 --> 02:00:54,925
Probably still smiling and laughing, that's for sure.

2574
02:00:56,065 --> 02:00:59,725
You know, and he, he, he always picked up the phone.

2575
02:01:00,825 --> 02:01:02,645
If you call him, he always picked up the phone.

2576
02:01:04,475 --> 02:01:06,565
Very responsive. He's apology

2577
02:01:06,965 --> 02:01:07,965
Probably afraid we did something stupid.

2578
02:01:09,705 --> 02:01:11,485
Oh my gosh. Why worrying about he had to go

2579
02:01:11,485 --> 02:01:12,605
to, to court for something at airport.

2580
02:01:12,605 --> 02:01:15,405
Why is Patrick calling me now? No, no, this can't be good.

2581
02:01:15,565 --> 02:01:17,845
Wilson's got up on speed dial. Oh yeah. You know. Yeah.

2582
02:01:17,845 --> 02:01:20,445
Yeah. Well I'll take a motion.

2583
02:01:20,755 --> 02:01:24,685
I'll make a motion to adjourn. Second. All in favor? Aye.

2584
02:01:24,695 --> 02:01:25,405
Thank you very much.