News Flash

Todd Mohn’s Wrap Up of February 22 County Commissioner Meeting

The County Commissioners February 22^nd meeting started at 5:00 pm with a closed Session for Consult with Counsel and at 5:15 p.m. for Personnel.

The regular meeting was called to order at 5:35 pm.

ACTION ITEM

Item #                                                                                                                                                 

Board                                                                      

This is a letter in support for HB663 Education Accountability and Implementation Board — Membership. This bill pertains to geographic diversity in membership on Maryland’s Kirwan Commission Accountability and Implementation Board.  It is imperative that all regions of the State of Maryland are represented equally on any matters concerning and pertaining to state education.  Previously, there was not a representative from the Eastern Shore on the board, whereas Baltimore City and Montgomery County has had multiple representatives.  This bill modifies membership requirements as outlined below. 

Of the eleven members of the board:
            • One member shall be a resident of Western Maryland
            • One member shall be a resident of Southern Maryland
            • One member shall be a resident of the Eastern Shore
• There shall be one member from each of the five counties with the largest student populations in the state. -APPROVED 5-0

This is a support letter to MDTA for our continuing partnership to host the Bay Bridge Run on Sunday, November 13, 2022, with Corrigan Sports Enterprises.  -APPROVED 5-0

TA/CO #21-09 proposes to change the definition of a Shooting Club as set forth in Appendix A to Chapter 18 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Queen Anne’s County to prohibit the operation on lands that are adjacent to existing or approved residential subdivisions Queen Anne’s County. This draft amendment was conveyed to the Planning Commission for review at its February 10 meeting. After much consideration of written and oral testimony, as well as options outlined in the staff report, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to take no action, thereby sending an unfavorable recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners.  It is recommended to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation for no action on TA/CO #21-09. THE BOARD AGREED TO TAKE NO ACTION.  APPROVED 5-0

TA/CO #21-04 is a citizen sponsored application submitted by E. Trippe Callahan, Jr. This proposal would allow, as a conditional use, the construction of utility scale solar outside of the mapped Utility Scale Solar Array (USSA) District as long as it is partially located within in the existing overlay and require a conservation easement be created.  It is recommended by staff to Introduce TA/CO #21-04 as presented (legislation attached) and schedule a Public Hearing. TABLED

This is a sponsorship request from the QAC Farm Bureau to support the 5th annual “Agriculture     Awareness Day” on March 30th and 31st, 2022.  Next Generation Science and Maryland Environmental Literacy Standards guide students in all areas of agriculture as well as discuss future careers in agriculture. This is accomplished using four educational stations throughout the day that provide hands on educational experiences and activities in the areas of crop growth & harvest, technology, farm animals, aquaculture, nursey, produce, plant life cycles, and how to start a career in the agriculture.   APPROVED 5-0 for a Gold Sponsorship ($1,000)

This is a progress report on the campaign to raise community funds to help equip the expanded Kent Island Library.  The expansion project budget included $250,000 in community funds and their Capital Campaign set a goal to double that amount--to raise $500,000 to ensure that
the new facility has the fixtures, furnishings, and technologies best suited for the community’s needs. We are happy to report that the Funds raised to date is $523,334. -INFORMATIONAL

Request to amend budget by $18,772 in both revenue and expenses to recognize additional grant funds provided by the State for FY22 through the Children’s Cabinet Fund. -APPROVED 5-0

This amendment transfers budget authority to project 17125 (HOPWA) from unspent grant funds of $8,323 originally budgeted in project 17123 (HOPWA FY20) for tracking purposes. Additionally, this amendment recognizes $4.579 of grant contract #39578 that was awarded to QAC through the Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA) Program. The total increase in revenue ($8,323 & $4,579) is balanced with an equal increase in rent expense for $12,902.  -APPROVED 5-0

This amendment recognizes the Homelessness Solutions Program funding through the CARES Act being carried over from FY2021 plus two additional rounds of CARES funding issued for these related programs. The total grant funding awarded was $217,841 (CV1 $87,841 CV2 $110,000 & EHP $20,000) of which $4,806 was spent in FY20 and $86,456 in FY21 leaving a balance of $126,579. Additionally, a modification was done to original grant award to allocate $8,000 of CV2 to Haven Ministries resulting in a remaining balance of $118,579.  Following this amendment, all grant funding will have been utilized and expected to be spent in FY22. -APPROVED 5-0

This amendment recognizes The Homeless Solutions Program funding for SFY2O21/FFY2O2O grants being extended beyond original grant into FY22. The total original grant funding awarded was $399.888 (FY20 $133,296. FY21 $133,296 & FY22 $133,296) Additionally a modification was done to decrease total awarded grant to $395,626. of which $135,205 was spent in FY20 and FY21 leaving a remaining balance of $260,421 to be spent in FY22. Total original budget authority for FY22 in all three activities was $133,296.  Following this amendment, total budget authority and expected expenditures for FY22 will be $260,421 (amendment $127,126 & adopted budget. $133,296) which utilizes all grant awards mentioned. APPROVED 5-0

This amendment is to reallocate grant funds awarded through ERAP Grant.  A $275,000 increase in budget authority is requested for rental assistance, which will be balanced by a decrease in electricity expense and emergency fund expense.  There is no change to total grant amount awarded. APPROVED 5-0

Economic Development received a $16,571 grant on behalf of the Stevensville A&E District. The funds will be used to pay for consulting fees in addition to printing and graphic design for new brochures, while advertising for upcoming events.  No County funds are requested. APPROVED 5-0

Department of Aging received Supplemental Funding for the period of December 27, 2020, through September 30, 2022. The funding is to be used to support Home Delivered Meals services during the pandemic. This award will allow for a new program to help local businesses and those in need by delivering restaurant meals to those eligible. We are currently contracting with one local partner to prepare the meals which we will deliver through our home delivery program.  APPROVED 5-0

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Item #                                                                                                                                                 

1. Statewide School Mask Mandate Support Letter             
2. Planning and Zoning Monthly Department Report – January 2022    
3. Thank you note from Cindi and Nancy Boone                 
4. Support letter from Dorchester County Bay Bridge        
5. Support letter from Wicomico County Bay Bridge     
6. Town of Church Hill Tax Set Off                                
7. Proposed Conceptual Site Plan, Lands of Bay Bridge Marina 

PRESENTATIONS

Item #                                                                                                                                                 

1. Parks and Recreation February Update                              
2. Chesapeake Charities Update                                           
3. Kent Island Federation of Arts Update                               

Department of Aging FY21 Annual Report and Update    

Or watch the entire meeting here https://youtu.be/h2Q4a4xOu3U