News Flash

Todd Mohn’s Wrap Up of the March 12^th County Commissioner Meeting

The March 12th meeting started at 5:00 p.m. with a closed session to consult with counsel and for Boards & Commissions and Personnel. 

Administrator Mohn announced the appointment of Mike Clark as the Executive Director of the QAC Housing Authority.

The Board unanimously agreed to reappoint Andrew Costello and appoint Deyanira Juliet Murga to fill the vacancies on the Broadband Advisory Council. These terms will expire on March 31, 2027.

The Board unanimously agreed to appoint Karen Williams and Jenna Scott to fill the vacancies on the Historic Stevensville Arts & Entertainment Advisory Board. Ms. Williams term will expire on July 31, 2024 and Ms. Scott’s term will expire on July 31, 2025.

The Board unanimously agreed to appoint Kim Hannon to fill the vacancy on the Kent Narrows Development Foundation. This term will expire on December 31, 2026.

PRESENTATIONS

Dr. Ciotola, Health Officer met with the Board and gave an update on the Department of Health.  The following was highlighted: the number of infants & toddlers served, family planning, community wellness, oral health, asthma, colorectal cancer screening, skin cancer prevention, diabetes & tobacco, mobile integrated community health, public health emergency preparedness and addictions peer support.

LEGISLATION

The County Commissioner held a public hearing on county ordinance 24-02 A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING the Camping Cooperative use in the Suburban Residential (SR) Zoning District in Queen Anne’s County; FOR THE PURPOSE of amending the permitted uses in the Suburban Residential (SR) Zoning District to include camping cooperatives; to establish a minimum site area; to establish minimum setbacks; and to define a camping. Patrick Thompson conducted the hearing on behalf of the county and noted all legal requirements have been met. The record will remain open for two weeks for public comment.

The County Commissioners held a public hearing on ordinance 24-03 A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING the pier length extension review by the Queen Anne’s County Board of Appeals; FOR THE PURPOSE of amending the accessory pier use to require a variance rather than a conditional use by the Board of Appeals in order to construct a pier at a length greater than 150 feet, as measured from the mean high-water line. Patrick Thompson conducted the hearing on behalf of the county and noted all legal requirements have been met. The record will remain open for two weeks for public comment.

The County Commissioners held a public hearing on county ordinance 24-04 AN EMERGENCY BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING Cannabis Regulation in Queen Anne’s County; FOR THE PURPOSE of regulating the consumption, growing, processing and dispensing of cannabis and the location of cannabis dispensaries and processors in Queen Anne’s County; prohibiting  on-site cannabis consumption establishments; permitting Cannabis Licensed Growers as a conditional use in the Agricultural (AG) District; permitting cannabis licensed processors as a conditional use in the Suburban Commercial (SC) District, the Urban Commercial (UC) District, the Suburban Industrial (SI) District, and the Light Industrial Highway Service (LIHS) District in Queen Anne’s County; permitting Cannabis Licensed Processors in the Suburban Industrial Employment (SIBE) District; permitting cannabis licensed dispensaries in the Grasonville Gateway and Medical Center (GGMC) District in Queen Anne’s County; providing setbacks for such uses; providing additional standards for cannabis related conditional uses; providing definitions of Cannabis, Cannabis Concentrate, Cannabis Infused Product, Cannabis Licensed Grower, Cannabis Product, Cannabis Licensed Dispensary, Cannabis Licensed Processor and On-Site Cannabis Consumption Establishment, and generally regulating and providing for the processing and dispensing of Cannabis in Queen Anne’s County. BY AMENDING Sections 18:1-13, 18:1-14, 18:1-21, 18:1-22, 18:1-23, 18:1-24, 18:1-35, 18:1-35.1, 18:1-95 and 18 App-1 Definitions of the Code of Public Local Laws of Queen Anne’s County. Patrick Thompson conducted the hearing on behalf of the county and noted all legal requirements have been met. The Board unanimously agreed to adopt County Ordinance 24-04.  ADOPTED 5-0

4. Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan Amendment Decision - Foxx Farms Subdivision within the Town of Sudlersville 

This proposal is a map amendment request for a property located within the incorporated boundaries of Sudlersville. The request is to upgrade the service map designation from S-3/W-3 to S-2/W-2 of a property to be known as Foxx Farms.  This property, owned by the Foxx Farms LLC, is predominately vacant agricultural lands which reside within the incorporated limits of the Town of Sudlersville. It is shown on Tax Map 13G as Parcel 17, it is approximately 96 acres in size, and it is zoned Single Family Residential (SF).  The proposal is to allow for the construction of 98 townhomes and 125 single family lots.  The property currently holds a sewer and water service map designation of S-3/W-3.  Flows from the use are anticipated to be approximately 55,750 gpd.   Sewer and water service will be provided via the Town of Sudlersville’s sewer and water system.  APPROVED 5-0

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

This is an agreement between the State and the County for the 2024 Mosquito Control Cost Share Grant.  The total 2024 Mosquito Program Budget is $162,000.  Similar to last season, this agreement stipulates that the State and County will cooperatively fund the Mosquito Control Program as follows:

                                                            User Fees                   County                       State

Integrated Mosquito Management     None                           $30,000                       $20,000 

County-wide

Surveillance/larvicide

Adult Mosquito Surveillance and       $112,000                     None                            None

Control in participating Communities

By the terms of the agreement the County is responsible for all costs exceeding the state grant and collection of user fees.  For example, disease suppression events are not included in this budget.  If such an event occurred and was documented by the Health Officer, additional local funds may need to be allocated.  APPROVED 5-0

This is a support letter to Andy Harris requesting support for federal funding for MDOT’s “Enhancing Eastern Shore Freight Rail Growth & Reliability Project”. The County has a single rail line serving the County.  This line extends south from Townsend Delaware to the outskirts of Centreville (Tidewater Direct located on US Rt 301 across from DPW offices).  Service south of Roberts, where Perdue operates a large grain elevator complex, has recently been discontinued due to the condition of the rail system.  The Perdue site generates 500 to 1,000 railcars a year so MDOT felt the cost to maintain rails to that site was worth the return on their investment.  However, the Nutrien facility at Carville and Tidewater Direct only generate approximately 50 rail cars per year, not worth the expense of their limited funds.  Additional federal support would provide the funds to restore all needed rails.    APPROVED 5-0

The next Midshore Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day Event is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 8 AM – 2 PM at the Department of Public Works Building at 312 Safety Drive. This is the bi-annual event provided by Maryland Environment Service as part of the Midshore Regional Recycling Program.  Each county takes a turn with hosting the event.  This event is open to residents of Queen Anne’s, Kent, Caroline and Talbot Counties for their household items.  INFORMATIONAL

ACTION ITEMS

The Character Counts! pillar celebrated in March is RESPONSIBILITY. This pillar stands for doing what you are supposed to do, taking accountability for your actions, and understanding and acting on your role as a member of a community. Our nominee this month is a perfect example of a community member who fulfilled his responsibility when he noticed a neighbor in need, Mr. JP Reilly. The Character Counts! pillar celebrated in March is RESPONSIBILITY. This pillar stands for doing what you are supposed to do, taking accountability for your actions, and understanding and acting on your role as a member of a community. Our nominee this month is a perfect example of a community member who fulfilled his responsibility when he noticed a neighbor in need, Mr. JP Reilly. On a chilly morning in January, Rob Nissen decided to go kayaking, an activity he has been enjoying for 16 years. However, on this morning, the unexpected happened and his kayak was capsized. He relates that he was in just 3 feet of water but would sink about 6 inches into the muddy bottom of Carter Creek with each step. With the kayak completely full of water and very heavy, he began his attempt to get back to shore. After about 15 minutes of struggling in the very cold water, he was within reach of the shoreline when he noticed a neighbor, he did not know, who came out and offered to help. This neighbor, JP Reilly, helped Mr. Nissen drag the kayak out of the water and onto land. Mr. Reilly’s involvement could end there as Mr. Nissen’s plan was to get the water out of the kayak, return to the creek, and paddle the few hundred yards to his home. However, Mr. Reilly suggested simply leaving the kayak where it was and offered to get Mr. Nissen home himself. Not wanting to impose on a stranger, Mr. Nissen initially said no but as he was starting to feel very cold and beginning to shiver, he relented. Once home he took his temperature and was shocked to find it had dropped to 89.6 degrees. For those outside the medical professions, normal body temperature is around 98.6. Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature falls below 95 degrees and can lead to complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and eventually to death. Mr. Nissen’s body temperature returned to normal after about 90 minutes.

Mr. Nissen wrote, “I am nominating JP Reilly for this award because I was a complete stranger to him and yet he took time to help me, when I did not even realize I needed help. If he hadn’t come out to help me, I probably would have messed around with my kayak for several minutes to get all the water out and then spent several more minutes in my sopping wet 40 degree clothes kayaking home, with my core temperature continuing to drop. Who knows how low it would have gotten. Mr. Reilly may have literally saved my life. I will be forever grateful.”

We are also grateful to Mr. Reilly, who showed responsibility for his neighbor in this situation and possibly averted a tragedy. As always, if you are aware of a business, non-profit, or individual in the county exemplifying one, or all, of the six pillars of character, be sure to nominate them for a future spotlight on the Character Counts website, www.peopoleofcharacter.org.

In the interest of continuing to provide broadband to those using the Long Driveway Grant Program and to provide the funds to supplement the full State award this is a request for $1M for the Long Driveway Grant Program.  The State award is expected to be $1.1M where the County will need to commit $753.5K to meet the matching financial obligation of the award.  The Board approved the LDGP in June that has provided funding for 27 completed households ($264.8K) and 17 households ($177.5K) that are in progress that will have service in the coming weeks. We provided a list of 657 households to the State that appear to have no wired broadband currently.  This recommendation is to use $600K of Public Fiber program funds ($914K currently available) with an additional $400K from ARPA funding.  APPROVED 5-0

This is a recommendation to continue support the expansion of broadband in the County.  Staff crafted a Request for Information for “Middle Mile Broadband”.  The RFI will provide a map of areas that encompass too much mileage to be covered using the Long Driveway Grant Program.  The RFI requests that Internet Service Providers provide costs and other information that can be used to select the best provider to service an area.  Once the middle mile grant becomes available the Long Driveway Grant program would be used in conjunction with this award to connect all homes in these mapped areas.  This is a recommendation to circulate the RFI in order to determine costs to serve the middle mile in these areas.  APPROVED 5-0

As part of the development of the Terrapin Skate Park, staff presented a Forest Conservation Plan and Deed of Easement for review and signature.  These instruments will establish a deed restriction for a portion of the Terrapin Skate Park property to remain forested in perpetuity in compliance with County code and standards for development of the project. APPROVED 5-0

Not My Child, Inc. is seeking Funding from Senator Cardin and Senator Van Hollen's FY2025 Congressionally Directed Spending of approximately $200,000 for Project Restart. Project Restart, employs supported employment strategies to aid those recovering from substance use disorder, facilitating collaboration between peer support staff, recovery individuals, and employers.  This effort aims to forge partnerships with local and regional employers, dismantle the stigma surrounding substance use and foster inclusive workplace cultures. APPROVED 5-0

The Fire and EMS Commission Points System was presented to the Commissioners in April 2023 for approval.  Inadvertently there was an oversight on the original leaving four organizations off the document.  The document presented is a corrected version for execution.

APPROVED 5-0

In April 2023, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council submitted a Notice to Participate in the CPRG Planning Grant program and designate the Baltimore Metropolitan Council with oversight and responsibility for managing grant funds and coordinating activities and deliverables pertaining to the CPRG Planning Grant program. All Counties, including QAC, submitted a letter of support for the joint Baltimore Metropolitan Council submittal of a CPRG application. A Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) for the Baltimore Region has been drafted and focusses on Greenhouse Gas Reduction initiatives.  The PCAP is due to the EPA on April 1, 2024.  A part of that submittal includes a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Coalition Partners.  Recommendation is to execute the MOA.

APPROVED 5-0

Queen Anne’s County Economic and Tourism Development is requesting approval to apply for a $50,000 non-capital Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Grant to fund a new exhibit:  Working the Water-Waterman Heritage Deadrise Boat Exhibit.  This exhibit will tell the story of the history, culture, and legacy of local waterman through the tools, equipment and resources commonly used in the industry.  It will include an interactive traveling exhibit, educational programming for all ages along with self-guided interpretation. If the grant is awarded, it is planned that the exhibit will be housed within our museum at the Chesapeake Heritage & Visitors Center. This project match of $50,000 will be supported through donations, in-kind staff support and volunteer time as well as proposed budgeted FY25 departmental funds for marketing and consulting.  APPROVED 5-0

An RFP was advertised for an Agritourism Economic and Land Use Study that is funded with a $75,000 grant from the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund.  Eight proposals were submitted for the project.  Staff met with representatives from Planning and Zoning as well as University of Maryland Extension Office to rank the proposals. A recommendation was made to award the study to BAE Urban Economics in the amount of $74,885.  APPROVED 5-0

The Economic Development Incentive Fund Commission voted to recommended the approval of a conditional loan of up to $50,000 to Eastern Shore Urgent Primary Care Practice for the development of a primary care practice co-located with their Urgent Care practice at 7416 Church Hill Road, Suite 2, Chestertown. The funds will be used to purchase diagnostic equipment and furnishings for the practice. The applicants are currently redeveloping a former medical office building for the new urgent care practice that will provide non-emergency/urgent evaluation and management. The business is expected to employ six full-time medical professional positions when fully-staffed. The EDIF Commission has recommended that the award be conditioned upon the creation of four new full-time positions. The job creation requirement must be met within disbursement of funding and the business is to remain in full operation for an additional two years, resulting in a five year commitment.  The agreement was been reviewed by the County Attorney.  APPROVED 5-0

A letter of support was submitted for VAMSA’s impending Congressionally-directed funding applications for earmark funding for their Center for the Military and Veteran Family on Kent Island.   APPROVED 5-0

This was an opposition letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Addendum II to Amendment 7 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Striped Bass.  The one fish bag limit, increased time slot and restricted season dates will negatively affect the Charter Boat Industry and the commercial gill and pound netters will have their total allocation reduced by an additional 7 percent.  These regulations will affect local small business models that operate in the charter boat and the commercial fishing industry.  APPROVED 5-0

This was a letter of support for a Maryland Historical Trust grant application that is being submitted for the exterior restoration of the 1880 Historic Christ Episcopal Church.

APPROVED 5-0

This was a support letter for the Maryland Heritage Areas - Stories of the Chesapeake grant application submitted by Historic Kent Island, Inc. for their proposed project Paths from the Past: Tales of Terrapin Nature Park.   This application promises to illuminate the rich history woven throughout Kent Island. The proposed installation of interactive signage along the Cross Island Trail and associated trails at Terrapin Nature Park will serve as educational resources, offering visitors a deeper understanding of our heritage.  APPROVED 5-0

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

(Tab 4)

1. Thank you card – Lisa Davis  
2. Plumbing and HVAC Board Minutes January 25, 2024
3. Maryland Community Block Grant Program Close Out 
4. Town of Sudlersville Support Letter 
5. Thank you card – Kelly Dixon