Jan 14, 2025 County Council

[LEGISLATIVE ADDRESS & STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS ]

[00:00:07]

GOOD EVENING. CHAIR. CALLS TO ORDER. LEGISLATIVE ADDRESS AND STATE OF THE COUNTY THIS EVENING. COUNCIL, WE ARE HERE TO HEAR FROM THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE WHO WILL DELIVER HIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS. AND AT THIS TIME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HARFORD COUNTY EXECUTIVE BOB CASTLE. THANK YOU, PAT. APPRECIATE IT. YES, SIR. I WANT TO. GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY.

A NICE CROWD. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING. THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, ALL MY DIRECTORS THAT ARE HERE TODAY, THE MANY HONORED GUESTS, CITIZENS THAT ARE HERE AND THE ONES WATCHING ON TELEVISION. I'M HONORED TO BE WITH YOU THIS EVENING TO REPORT ON HARFORD COUNTY'S PROGRESS AT THE MIDPOINT. IN MY FOUR YEAR TERM AS COUNTY EXECUTIVE. TWO YEARS AGO, I CAME INTO OFFICE WITH A MANDATE GROUNDED IN A SET OF PRINCIPLES AND PRIORITIES, AND I OUTLINED THOSE IN MY INAUGURATION, AND THEY HAVEN'T CHANGED. THOSE WERE INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT. PUBLIC SAFETY A TOP PRIORITY. RESPONSIBLE BUDGETING TO ENSURE GOOD STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TAXPAYERS. HARD EARNED DOLLARS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO ACHIEVE GROWTH THAT SUSTAINS AND ENRICHES OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION, FOR OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE AND FOR OUR OWN. THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL RESIDENTS. BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH JUST TO TALK ABOUT THESE IDEALS. WE REACH OUR GOALS BY TAKING ACTION. AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SAID, WELL DONE IS BETTER THAN WELL SAID. TONIGHT I'LL REPORT TO YOU WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND WHAT WE'RE DOING TO SERVE OUR CITIZENS. AS IS USUALLY THE CASE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THE DAY TO DAY WORK. THE DAY TO DAY WORK IS RARELY FLASHY, WHICH MAKES ME SORT OF A GOOD FIT FOR THIS JOB.

BUT OUR RESULTS ARE IMPACTFUL. THEY'RE CHANGING LIVES EVERY DAY. PUBLIC SAFETY HAS BEEN OUR PRIORITY SINCE DAY ONE. AS YOU ALL KNOW, JUST MONTHS INTO MY TERM, I WAS NOTIFIED BY OUR VOLUNTEER FIRE AND AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION THAT THE COUNTY HAD TO IMMEDIATELY TAKE OVER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FROM THE ASSOCIATION. THE RESULTING COUNTY RUN AMBULANCE SERVICE NOW INCLUDES 17 FULL TIME, FULLY STAFFED, HIGHLY TRAINED AMBULANCE CREWS DEPLOYED 24/7 THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE COUNTY. AND I'M DELIGHTED TO REPORT THAT THANKS TO OUR EFFORTS, EMS RESPONSE TIMES ARE DOWN AND WE'RE SAVING LIVES EVERY DAY. THESE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE MINUTES COUNT. RECENTLY, ONE OF OUR CITIZENS, A 62 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO WAS GOING INTO CARDIAC ARREST AND OUR DISPATCHERS HELPED HER FIANCE DO CPR, BUT SHE HAD NO PULSE. OUR AMBULANCE TEAM ARRIVED WITHIN THOSE CRUCIAL FIRST MINUTES AND THEY WERE ABLE TO RESUSCITATE HER.

AND TODAY SHE'S ALIVE AND WELL AND SHE'S ABLE TO ENJOY HER TWO NEW GRANDBABIES. AND SHE'S WITH HER WITH US THIS EVENING, ALONG WITH HER FAMILY AND ALSO THE FIRST RESPONDERS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THAT. I JUST ASK ALL THOSE INVOLVED THAT YOU WOULDN'T JUST PLEASE STEP UP, STAND UP AND SHOW US WHO WHO'S HERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS, SHANNON. SO WE'RE ON SCHEDULE NOW TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LONG AWAITED ABINGTON FIRE COMPANY'S NEW HEADQUARTERS IN BELCAMP. NEXT. THIS COMING FALL. AND THAT WILL PROVIDE US WITH ANOTHER LOCATION FOR OUR AMBULANCE CREWS TO SERVE THE BUSY. AND I'M AFRAID, TOO OFTEN DANGEROUS I-95 CORRIDOR. CORRIDOR. I WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO GIVE SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS AND EMS PROVIDERS, AND I WANT TO ALSO THANK ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE SERVICE TO OUR CITIZENS. I WAS ON THE SCENE OF THE RESPONSE TO THE DEVASTATING HOUSE EXPLOSION ON ARTHUR ARTHUR WOODS. I HAD A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT TO WITNESS THE COOPERATION, COORDINATION, DEDICATION AND HARD WORK OF OUR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS, OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, LAW ENFORCEMENT INCLUDING OUR HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, FEDERAL AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, BGE, AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS. AND I'VE SEEN THE SAME LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION IN THEIR WELL, WELL COORDINATED RESPONSES TO CRIMES AND FLOODING AND HURRICANE WINDS AND OTHER CRISIS EVENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH OVER THE PAST YEAR. WE'RE PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO OUR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES TO ENSURE THEIR CONTINUED SERVICE, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE IN RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, INCREASED ALLOTMENTS FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE, AND PROVIDING MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR OUR VOLUNTEER AND EMS PROVIDERS. WE CAN'T THANK THESE VOLUNTEERS

[00:05:02]

WE'RE NOW WORKING WITH ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND FOR THE FINAL APPROVALS, AND I APPRECIATE COLONEL PHIL MANUEL IS HERE THIS EVENING. THE APG, APG GARRISON COMMANDER PHIL, IF YOU PLEASE STAND UP AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT. AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 23 AND GRAFTON SHOP ROAD HAS CLAIMED FAR TOO MANY LIVES. WHEN THE STATE SAID THEY COULD NOT AFFORD TO KEEP THE PROJECT, WE KEPT THE PROJECT ON THE ACTIVE PROJECT LIST BY OFFERING ON THE COUNTY'S BEHALF TO PICK UP THE STATE SHARE OF THIS PROJECT, WHICH WAS 20%. THE STATE HIGHWAY ACCEPTED OUR OFFER, AND THEN OUR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS WORKED WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, SO THEY'LL BE PICKING UP 90% OF CONTRIBUTION INSTEAD OF 80%. WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH NEW SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION TO REPLACE THE MUD PATHS THAT THE CITIZENS HAVE TRODDEN ALONG

[00:10:02]

TO HELP LAUNCH OUR STUDENTS INTO GOOD JOBS, WE ESTABLISHED THE FIRST HARFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT APPRENTICE PROGRAM, AND TWO GRADUATES OF THAT PROGRAM HAVE ALREADY BEEN HIRED BY OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT. WE'RE PROUD THAT HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS 250 STUDENTS WORKING AT 168 COMPANIES, MAKING HARFORD COUNTY A STATEWIDE LEADER IN APPRENTICESHIPS FOR OUR CHILDREN TO START THEIR CAREERS. DOCTOR BOWLES AND JOB WELL DONE. THANK YOU. FOR MAXIMIZING THE IMPACT OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. TO THAT END, WE'VE RECONFIGURED OUR GOVERNMENT TO FOCUS ON ACHIEVING MAXIMUM LEVELS OF EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY. I THINK OF IT AS OUR OWN VERSION OF DOGE. BEFORE THERE WAS A DOGE, OUR GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY TASK FORCE HAS EXPLORED COST SAVINGS AND EFFICIENCIES THROUGHOUT EVERY PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT. OUR ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE INCLUDE A THOROUGH EVALUATION OF OUR VEHICLE USAGE AND MAINTENANCE TO MINIMIZE THE COSTS OF BUYING AND MAINTAINING VEHICLES. A SURVEY OF ALL COUNTYWIDE BUILDINGS OF ALL BUILDINGS COUNTYWIDE, THAT ALLOWS US TO BETTER PRIORITIZE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. A NEW AMBULANCE BUILDING PROVIDER THAT RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN REVENUE AND EFFICIENCIES. A $14 MILLION PROCUREMENT SAVINGS THROUGH A CAREFUL NEGOTIATION AND BEST PRACTICES, OUR TALENTED LAW DEPARTMENT HAS SAVED US $1 MILLION IN OUTSIDE LEGAL FEES AND THEIR 2024 ATTENTION TO DEBT COLLECTION YIELDED ENOUGH REVENUE TO FUND AN AMAZING 85% OF THE DEPARTMENT'S ENTIRE BUDGET. OPERATING BUDGET THIS YEAR, HIGH TECH INVESTMENT IN OUR TRANSIT BUS SERVICE HAVE ALLOWED US TO CAPTURE MORE FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING, SAVING THE COUNTY ABOUT $1 MILLION. PARKS AND REC LOOKS TO SAVINGS LARGE AND SMALL, INCLUDING THEIR NEW LOW MOW PROGRAM, WHERE WE REDUCE MOWING FREQUENCY IN CERTAIN AREAS, CONVERTING THEM INTO INTO MEADOWS AND THE LIKE, SAVING MONEY AND HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT. AT THE SAME TIME.

THE BUTTERFLIES LOVE IT. AS WE CONTINUE EFFORTS TO SPEND LESS, OUR FUTURE PROSPERITY DEPENDS ON A THRIVING BUSINESS COMMUNITY. UNFORTUNATELY, OUR STATE GOVERNMENT HAS FOR TOO LONG BEEN PURSUING POLICIES THAT ARE CLEARLY AT ODDS WITH A STRONG ECONOMY. AS A RESULT, THE STATE ECONOMY IS LAGGING WELL BEHIND THE REST OF THE NATION. AND WITH THE STATE'S PROJECTED REVENUE GROWTH OF LESS THAN 1% THIS COMING YEAR, WE HAD TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE BUDGET CHALLENGES.

THESE STATE POLICIES BRING US, BOTH STATEWIDE AND HERE AT HOME IN HARTFORD. AS GOVERNOR, MOORE STATED IN HIS RECENT SPEECH URGING COUNTY ELECTED LEADERS TO CUT SPENDING AND GROW THE ECONOMY. IT'S NOT POLITICS, IT'S MATH. THE GOVERNOR AGREES WITH HARFORD, OUR HARFORD COUNTY STRATEGY. WE CAN'T TAX OUR WAY OUT OF OUR FISCAL CHALLENGES. EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARE KEY. WHILE I WELCOME THE GOVERNOR'S STATED COMMITMENT TO INCREASE FISCAL RESTRAINT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, OUR ADMINISTRATION RECOGNIZED THIS DIRE NEED TWO YEARS AGO.

WHEN WE FIRST CAME INTO OFFICE. WE WERE EARLY TO THE GAME AND UNDERSTANDING THAT STATE AND COUNTY REVENUE PROJECTIONS WERE NOT AT ALL SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN PROJECTED BUDGET INCREASES. AND WE TOOK THE RESPONSIBLE STEP OF PUMPING THE BRAKES ON SPENDING. IN DOING SO, WE FACED SOME HARSH CRITICISM, INCLUDING CRITICISM THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PROJECT REVENUES, ALLEGATIONS THAT PROVED TOTALLY UNFOUNDED. WE WERE ALSO EARLY TO RECOGNIZE THAT WHAT GOVERNOR MOORE NOW CALLS THE SUGAR HIGH OF FEDERAL STIMULUS SPENDING HAD LED OUR COUNTY TO UNSUSTAINABLE LEVELS OF SPENDING, RATHER THAN YIELD TO POLITICAL PRESSURE AND OVERSPEND, WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN TOUGH MEASURES TO REDUCE THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT THAT WE INHERITED AND ENSURE THAT THE

[00:15:03]

THEY WANT SHORT COMMUTES FROM STRONG COMMUNITIES TO SAFE AND DYNAMIC WORKPLACES THAT REQUIRES PUBLIC SAFETY, QUALITY SCHOOLS, ENTERTAINMENT, RECREATION, ALL IN A BEAUTIFUL SETTING. IN SHORT, HIGH TECH MANUFACTURING WANTS HARFORD COUNTY. OUR NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM IS ON IT, BOLSTERED BY A NEW TEAM WHO HAVE REAL WORLD BUSINESS EXPERIENCE. OUR PLANS HAVE BEEN AGGRESSIVE AND I THANK THIS COUNTY COUNCIL FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP. INSTEAD OF BEING A DUMPING GROUND FOR MEGA WAREHOUSES THAT CHEW UP PRECIOUS REAL ESTATE AND OFFER LITTLE IN THE WAY OF LIVING WAGE JOBS, WE ARE GROWING. WE ARE GROWING WELL-PAYING, MODERN MANUFACTURING JOBS AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL BUSINESS. WE HAVE. WE HAVE THREE NEW HIGH TECH MANUFACTURERS NOW AND TWO MORE ARE PLANNED. OUR FUTURE LIES IN ATTRACTING COMPANIES LIKE PARSONS, DELOITTE, FAIRWINDS AND LEONARDO DRS, WHICH HAVE NOW TAKEN UP RESIDENCE IN HARFORD COUNTY. SERVICE ENGINEERING, WHICH SUPPLIES DRONES FOR USS, THE US MARINE CORPS AND IS ALSO SUPPLYING HARFORD COUNTY WITH AMERICAN MADE PUBLIC SAFETY DRONES, IS EXPANDING NOW UNDER A CONTRACT TO BUILD DRONES FOR THE US ARMY. I KNOW SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES HERE AND I APPRECIATE YOU BEING OUT THERE. MY EACH OF THESE COMPANIES OFFERS WELL-PAYING JOBS TO LOCAL GRADUATES, ENCOURAGING THEM TO BUILD CAREERS AND RAISE FAMILIES HERE IN HARFORD COUNTY, MORE LOCAL MANUFACTURERS ARE EXPANDING LOCALLY OWNED, INDEPENDENT CAN COMPANY A LONG TERM HARFORD COUNTY. HARFORD COUNTY BUSINESS, HAS INVESTED RECENTLY OVER $4 MILLION TO MODERNIZE THEIR PRODUCTION LINE SO THEY CAN COMPETE WITH GOODS CURRENTLY MADE IN CHINA, THE FAR EAST CHESAPEAKE SPICE HAS JUST COMPLETED AN EXPANSION THAT DOUBLES THEIR MANUFACTURING SPACE. WE SEE CONTINUED SUCCESS IN OTHER HARFORD BASED HIGH TECH BUSINESS MANUFACTURERS LIKE BETTER ENGINEERING, SMITHS DETECTION, RPM TECHNOLOGIES, BOOZ ALLEN AND AES TWO AND MANY MORE. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL. IF YOU'RE HERE, YOU WANT TO STAND UP, PLEASE. I'D LOVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU. I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE TRUCKS HERE. THANK YOU TO YOU FOR INVESTING IN YOUR CONFIDENCE IN HARFORD COUNTY. AND WE'LL NOT FORGET OUR STARTUPS AND SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR COMMUNITY. OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM VISITED DIRECTLY WITH 763 BUSINESSES THIS YEAR ALONE. TOGETHER, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS BROUGHT US 850 NEW JOBS AND MADE $547 MILLION IN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN HARFORD COUNTY IN THE PAST TWO YEARS ALONE TO BUILD OUR HIGHLY SKILLED WORKFORCE, OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS HAVE HAS FACILITATED BUSINESS SHOWCASES, BRINGING HIGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS TOGETHER WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES.

AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE DOCTOR BOHLSEN DOCTOR FELDER FROM THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ANGELA ROSE

[00:20:01]

EVEN WITH SO MANY GREAT IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES, HIGHLY VOCAL CRITICS REMAIN. BUT FOLKS, THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED. CHANGE IS ALWAYS UNNERVING, AND WE'VE MADE MAJOR SHIFTS IN OUR HARFORD'S APPROACH TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. OUR EFFORTS, THOUGH, I CAN ASSURE YOU, ARE NOT DRIVEN BY PAYBACKS, POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS OR CRONYISM. WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT HARFORD COUNTY, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR HARFORD, WHICH MEANS EVERYONE PLAYS BY THE SAME RULES. AS A LIFELONG RESIDENT, I FULLY AGREE WITH OUR CITIZENS WHO WANT TO PROTECT OUR WONDERFUL QUALITY OF LIFE. IT'S WHAT MAKES HARFORD COUNTY A SPECIAL PLACE TO LIVE. TOWARD THAT END, MY ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING.

WORKING WITH THIS COUNTY COUNCIL HAS PROTECTED MORE THAN 2500 ACRES OF FARMLAND FROM DEVELOPMENT THROUGH OUR AG PROGRAMS. WE STOPPED CONSTRUCTION OF A HIGH DENSITY APARTMENTS WELL OUTSIDE OF OUR URBAN CENTERS. WE SHUT DOWN MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT VIOLATED OUR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, CLOGGING OUR STREAMS IN THE BAY WITH SILT. WE HOSTED A VERY SUCCESSFUL FARM FAIR AND ITALIAN FESTIVALS, AND WE WORKED WITH THE COMMUNITY TO RESURRECT THE DARLINGTON APPLE FESTIVAL. A CONSTRUCTION IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY TO COMPLETE THE FINAL SECTION OF THE MA AND PA TRAIL BY MARCH OF 2026, CREATING AN AMAZING EIGHT MILE TRAIL CONNECTING FALLSTON, BEL AIR AND FOREST HILL. AND I JUST WANT TO GIVE PAUL MANGUS, WHO'S HERE THIS EVENING. PAUL HAS BEEN ON THIS THING. I STARTED THIS WHEN YOU TRY THIS WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL. PAUL. FOR YOU PICKLEBALL FANS, WE OPENED AN ADDITIONAL 12 COUNTY, A DOZEN PICKLEBALL COURTS THIS YEAR. I GET NAILED FOR PICKLEBALL COURTS EVERY TIME I GO OUT INTO THE PUBLIC. 12 IS NOT A BAD PICKUP FOR A YEAR. THE OAKINGHAM PENINSULA ON THE WATERFRONT BETWEEN HAVRE DE GRACE AND ABERDEEN, NOW INCLUDES A TOTAL OF 1400 ACRES OF PRESERVED OPEN SPACE AND THE DRAFT MASTER PLAN FOR PUBLIC USE OF THOSE PROPERTIES IS NEARING COMPLETION. I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW IT WITH PAUL A WEEK AGO AND I'M REALLY ENTHUSIASTIC.

WE HAD AN ADDITIONAL 132 ACRES OF PARKLAND IN JOPPATOWNE AND EDGEWOOD COMMUNITIES, AND THIS IS PLANNED FOR ADDITIONAL BALL FIELDS AND A RECREATION CENTER. WE SUPPORTED THE ARTS WITH GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE SUSQUEHANNA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, LADEW GARDENS AND THE DECOY MUSEUM, AND A CONCERT SERIES IN EDGEWOOD AND JOPPATOWNE. AND LATER THIS YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BE CELEBRATING HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES, INCLUDING 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BUSH DECLARATION, 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE US ARMY, AND THE 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIETNAM WAR.

WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR VETERANS, AND WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES. AND I'D LIKE TO OUR VETERANS COORDINATOR, BOB BROWN. BOB, WHERE ARE YOU? HERE. IF YOU JUST STAND UP FOR A SECOND, I'LL GIVE YOU APPLAUSE. BOB, WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING. WELL, BOB TELLS A STORY OF A VIETNAM VETERAN WHO WAS FACING HOMELESSNESS AND STRUGGLING TO AVOID HEALTH CARE AND HONESTLY, HAVING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. THAT ALL TURNED AROUND. HOWEVER, WHEN HE ATTENDED ONE OF OUR VETERANS RESOURCE FAIRS PUT ON BY THE VARIOUS VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. AND WHEN HE GOT WHEN HE WENT THERE, HE GOT CONNECTED TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR HELP. AND THIS HERO TELLS US THAT THAT VETERANS FAIR SAVED HIS LIFE.

LITERALLY. I ONLY TAKE A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT OUR SOUTHERN COUNTY TASK FORCE. WE ARE, IN FACT, ONE COUNTY. I KNOW EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM UNDERSTANDS AND BELIEVES THAT, BUT FOR TOO LONG, I'M AFRAID THAT WE ALLOWED COMMUNITIES IN JOPPATOWNE, EDGEWOOD AND BELCAMP TO LAG BEHIND AND LANGUISH. AND THOSE COMMUNITIES GOT PLENTY OF TALK, PLENTY OF STUDIES, BUT I'M AFRAID, FAR TOO LITTLE ACTION. TWO YEARS AGO WE FORMED THE SOUTHERN COUNTY TASK FORCE. IT'S AN ACTION BASED INITIATIVE THAT USES DATA TO IDENTIFY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, AND HOLDS OUR LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR TURNING THE TIDE. AFTER 18 MONTHS OF ACTIVITY, THEY'VE PRODUCED SOME REAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DAILY LIVES IN THE SOUTHERN COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE, WE NOW HAVE STREET SWEEPERS OPERATING ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE IN EDGEWOOD AND JOPPATOWNE PUBLIC WORKS HAS PAVED 18 MILES OF COUNTY ROADS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES AND REPAIRED AMPLE AMOUNTS OF SIDEWALK AND CURBING. THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN PARKS

[00:25:01]

WHETHER YOU LIVE IN BEL AIR OR BEL CAMP, IN JARRETTSVILLE OR JOPPATOWNE, WE'RE ALL NEIGHBORS.

EVERYBODY MATTERS. NO ONE IS EXPENDABLE AND WE'RE HERE. WE ARE ALL UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF MAKING HARFORD COUNTY THE BEST IT CAN BE. I SEE IT EVERY DAY. WE'RE RISING TOGETHER AND THE STATE OF HARFORD COUNTY IS STRONG. THANK YOU ALL. GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS HARFORD COUNTY. THANK.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GOOD TO BE HERE. THANKS. MALIKA. WHO? GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. SO IF FOR ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T KNOW ME, I'M COUNCILMAN TONY G. LAST NAME JAN JORDAN, BUT EVERYBODY CALLS ME TONY G. SO GOOD EVENING. COUNTY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL STAFF DIRECTORS, DEPUTY DIRECTORS AND CITIZENS OF HARFORD COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT IN PERSON AND ONLINE. WELCOME TO THE HARFORD COUNTY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. I WANT TO BEGIN BY EXPRESSING MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO THE DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS WHO KEEP OUR COUNTY RUNNING SMOOTHLY AND SAFELY OUR FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS, EMTS, AND ESPECIALLY OUR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES. CAN YOU GUYS STAND SO WE CAN GIVE YOU GUYS A, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY IN THAT FRUIT STAND? SURE. ALL THESE GUYS OVER THERE, PLEASE. THANK YOU. I THIS EVENING, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE SOMEBODY WHO EXEMPLIFIES THE VERY BEST OF HARFORD COUNTY, A LEADER WHO NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION BUT HAS MORE THAN EARNED IT. PATRICK VINCENT IS A PERSON WHO EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF OUR COMMUNITY. HE'S DEEPLY INVESTED IN HARFORD COUNTY, ALWAYS WILLING TO MEET WITH RESIDENTS, LISTEN TO THEIR CONCERNS, AND DEDICATE ENDLESS HOURS TO FINDING SOLUTIONS. THOUGH HIS ROLE AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT IS OFFICIALLY A PART TIME POSITION, PAT APPROACHES IT WITH FULL TIME

[00:30:04]

THANK YOU, MR. VICE PRESIDENT, FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND FOR YOUR SERVICE TO HARFORD COUNTY.

AND, TONY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP. AND YOU'RE RIGHT, WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE, BUT WE GET HER DONE. THAT'S THE MAIN THING. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. COUNTY EXECUTIVE CASSIDY, MRS. CASSIDY, COUNCIL MEMBERS, DIRECTORS, COUNTY EMPLOYEES, GUESTS AND FELLOW HARFORD COUNTIANS. EVERY LEGISLATIVE SESSION PRESENTS A FEW UNFORESEEN CHALLENGES OR HURDLES. AND THIS PAST YEAR WAS NO DIFFERENT. CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL BROUGHT US TO A VACANCY ON THE COUNCIL, LEAVING THE DISTRICT EIGHT SEAT OPEN. AFTER RECEIVING THE LIST OF CANDIDATES FROM THE DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 209 OF THE HARFORD COUNTY CHARTER, AND FOLLOWED BY THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, MY COLLEAGUES AND I ARE PLEASED TO WELCOME MISS NEULANDER ROBERT. MISS ROBERT WAS DULY CONFIRMED BY THIS COUNCIL ON JANUARY THE 7TH. I BELIEVE IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT SOME OF THE DETERMINING FACTORS THAT BROUGHT US TO THE CONCLUSION OF APPOINTING MISS ROBERT ARE AS FOLLOWS. MISS ROBERT IS A RESIDENT OF EDGEWOOD. SHE'S A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, HAS MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING WITHIN HER COMMUNITY AND WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. 18 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OVERSEEING BUDGETS AND WRITING GRANTS IN THE COURT SYSTEM. MISS ROBERT HAS EXPERIENCED THE POLITICAL PROCESS FIRSTHAND BY CAMPAIGNING, KNOCKING ON DOORS, TALKING WITH CONSTITUENTS, AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN SECURING 30% OF THE VOTE IN THE 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION FOR DISTRICT EIGHT. MY COLLEAGUES AND I ARE PLEASED TO WELCOME MISS ROBERT TO THE COUNCIL, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU FOR DISTRICT A AND FOR HARFORD COUNTY AS A WHOLE. COMMUNICATION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS ANY INDIVIDUAL, ESPECIALLY A LEGISLATOR, CAN FOSTER. AND I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, KNOWS WHEN TO LISTEN. WE CONSISTENTLY LISTEN TO WHAT OUR CITIZENS ARE SAYING TO HELP INFORM OUR DECISIONS. WE KNOW THAT EVERY VOTE WE TAKE IMPACTS PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOODS AND THEIR LIVES. FOR 2025, ONE OF THE COUNCIL'S LARGEST RESPONSIBILITIES IS COMPREHENSIVE REZONING PROCESS. OUR ROLE IN THIS PROCESS IS TO ACT AS THE FINAL APPROVAL AUTHORITY ON THESE ZONING RECLASSIFICATIONS. BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING, THE PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD, AND ULTIMATELY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE FORM OF LEGISLATION FROM THE ADMINISTRATION BY MID TO LATE FEBRUARY IN HOPES FOR A MARCH 4TH INTRODUCTION FROM THEIR COUNCIL WILL HOST TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS TO RECEIVE INPUT

[00:35:04]

CITIZENS HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO. IT'S OUR PLEASURE NOW TO RECOGNIZE SUPERINTENDENT BOLSON DOCTOR FELDER FROM HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE. MEMBERS OF HER LEADERSHIP TEAM, BOARD OF ED MEMBERS AND EDUCATORS HERE THIS EVENING. SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE DEPUTY DONATO HERE WITH US THIS EVENING. SHERIFF GAYLOR, THIS EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE COMMAND STAFF, ALLISON HEALEY, OUR STATE'S ATTORNEY, MICHELLE CASKEY, OUR CLERK OF THE COURT, ALL OF OUR STATE, MUNICIPAL AND FEDERAL PARTNERS HERE WITH US THIS EVENING ARE FIRE AND EMS LEADERSHIP, VOLUNTEERS AND PERSONNEL. WE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US THIS EVENING, AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF HARFORD COUNTY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE STRONG WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WE'VE BUILT WITH YOUR OFFICES AND ORGANIZATIONS OVER THE YEARS. IN ADDITION TO THE BUDGET AND OTHER, ANOTHER PRIMARY ROLE OF THE COUNCIL IS TO SERVE AS THE BOARD OF HEALTH. IN THIS CAPACITY, COUNCIL HAS THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH ALL ASPECTS OF THE HARFORD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS, PUBLIC HEALTH PROJECTS AND FROM TIME TO TIME WORKING WITH THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ON ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES. MARCY AUSTIN, OUR HARFORD COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER, HAS RECENTLY BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION. HER PLANS TO RETIRE IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR TO. BUT I'M PLEASED TO KNOW THAT SHE'S RETIRING TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HER GRANDCHILD, FAMILY AND TRAVEL. SO WE WISH YOU WELL. IN HER TENURE, MISS AUSTIN HAS SERVED IN VARIOUS AREAS WITHIN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS, PUBLIC HEALTH DENTAL CLINICS AND MEGAN'S PLACE. MOST RECENTLY, MISS AUSTIN HAS SERVED AS ACTING HEALTH OFFICER TWICE AND WAS APPOINTED TO SERVE PERMANENTLY IN POSITION IN OCTOBER OF 2022.

MY COLLEAGUES AND I THANK YOU. MARCY, FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING, AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR 22 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP TO THE CITIZENS OF HARFORD COUNTY. THE NEWS OF THIS RETIREMENT NOW CHARGES THE COUNCIL WITH IDENTIFYING AND RECOMMENDING A NEW HARFORD COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER TO FILL THAT POSITION. THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH SEARCH FOR A HEALTH OFFICER IN MY TIME ON THIS COUNCIL. THE SEARCH WILL ENCOMPASS A NATIONWIDE APPLICANT POOL AND WILL BE A COMBINED EFFORT OF THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. THIS COUNCIL, THE ADMINISTRATION AND ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH PARTNERS. WE WILL START TO IDENTIFY MEMBERS OF THIS SEARCH COMMITTEE, AND IT'S OUR HOPE AND INTENT TO BEGIN THIS PROCESS FOR NEW HEALTH OFFICERS SOON. IN CLOSING, AS YOUR COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD MYSELF IN THIS COUNCIL TO THE HIGHEST MORAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS IN ORDER TO BEST SERVE THE CITIZENS OF HARFORD COUNTY. EACH OF US TOOK AN OATH OF OFFICE TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND BE FAITHFUL AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND, AND SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS THEREOF. MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES AND I THANK OUR CITIZENS FOR PLACING THEIR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN US TO SERVE. WE RECOGNIZE THIS TASK WOULD BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT WITHOUT THE TIME, TALENT, AND EXPERTISE OF OUR DEDICATED TEAM. AT THE COUNCIL OFFICE. WE THANK OUR NEWEST ADDITIONS, MEGAN ALGAE, OUR COUNCIL ATTORNEY, AND MARY KATE HERBECK, OUR LEGISLATIVE DRAFTER. WITH YEARS BOTH HAVING YEARS OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND BOTH HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN OUR OFFICE WORKING ON

[00:40:01]

I WANT TO THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS THIS GREAT COUNTY. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A SHORT RECESS. GOOD EVENING. CHAIR CALLS TO ORDER PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR BILL

[a. Bill 24-040 (Solid Waste Management Plan)]

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. CAN EVERYONE HEAR ME? OKAY. AM I TALKING OKAY? GREAT. YES. ALL RIGHT. SO THE HARFORD COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN, AS JEFF MENTIONED, WE WERE HIRED OVER A YEAR AGO NOVEMBER. I THINK WE STARTED THE PLANNING PROCESS IN NOVEMBER 2023. SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS WITH JEFF QUITE CLOSELY FOR A PLAN FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS, 2025 TO 2034. RIGHT. AND SO ONE THING I WANT TO GO OVER AN OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN I MENTIONED. IT'S A TEN YEAR PLAN. IT GOES FROM 2025 CURRENTLY TO 2034. THE MATERIAL AND THE CONTENT AND ORGANIZATION IS PRESCRIPTIVE. IT'S DETAILED INTO IN THE CODE OF MARYLAND REGULATIONS, THE FORMAT. SO WE FOLLOWED THAT FORMAT. YOU KNOW, THE PLAN MUST BE ADOPTED BY COUNTY COUNCIL, WHICH IS WHICH BRINGS US HERE TODAY. AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A PUBLIC HEARING.

GENERALLY, THE PLAN IS PRETTY SIMPLE. FIVE CHAPTERS. THE FIRST CHAPTER, GENERALLY ALL THE RULES FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN HOW SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, HOW SOLID WASTE IS MANAGED. CHAPTER TWO DETAILS THE POPULATION EMPLOYMENT, WHICH REALLY DICTATES HOW WASTE IS GENERATED, HOW MUCH AND WHAT TYPES. CHAPTER THREE WHAT'S THE STRUCTURE RIGHT NOW? CHAPTER FOUR WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE WHAT WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE STRUCTURE? AND THEN CHAPTER FIVE A PLAN FOR MEETING WHAT THE NEEDS ARE. WE'VE HAD GOOD PUBLIC OUTREACH THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

IT STARTED WITH A SURVEY OF RESIDENTS. I THINK WE GOT OVER 700 RESPONSES IN EARLY IN THE PROJECT. DECEMBER TO JANUARY 2024. WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A VARIETY OF PLANNING REVIEWS. YOU CAN SEE UP THERE COMING TO TODAY AT THE AT THIS MEETING RIGHT NOW. ONE THING I WILL SAY ABOUT BALTIMORE COUNTY OR CURRENTLY HARFORD COUNTY, HAS AN AGREEMENT WITH BALTIMORE COUNTY TO ACCEPT SOLID WASTE, AND THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 2013. SO RIGHT NOW, HARFORD COUNTY TAKES, YOU KNOW, SINCE THE LANDFILL DOESN'T WANT TO ACCEPT MORE DELIVERIES OF SOLID WASTE, THE SOLID WASTE IS NOW BEING DELIVERED BY HAULERS DIRECTLY TO THE EASTERN SANITARY LANDFILL IN WHITEMARSH. AND SO THAT AGREEMENT IS GOING ON UNTIL JUNE 2036. IT'S A LITTLE BIT OUTSIDE THE PLANNING PERIOD, BUT

[00:45:06]

[00:50:08]

BUT THE TWO THINGS I REALLY WANT TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO ARE THE THIRD ONE, WHICH IS EVALUATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DIVERSION OF FOOD WASTE. AS I MENTIONED, FOOD FOOD WASTE IS GENERATED.

YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING THAT MANY COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WHOLE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING AT AS RECYCLING LEVELS PLATEAU. PEOPLE LIKE TO, YOU KNOW, TARGET THEIR EFFORTS TOWARDS FOOD DIVERSION BECAUSE IT HELPS REDUCE WASTE GOING INTO THE LANDFILL. AND THEN THE LAST THING I OR THE SECOND THING I WANT TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO IS FUTURE DISPOSAL CAPACITY. SO THE LANDFILL NOT HAVING SUFFICIENT CAPACITY FOR THE FUTURE, THE LONG TERM FUTURE, THERE'S GOING TO NEED TO BE SOME CONSIDERATION GIVEN IT, IT MAY BE CONTINUATION OF WASTE GOING TO BALTIMORE COUNTY, OR IT COULD BE ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE. SO THOSE DECISIONS ARE GOING TO BE IMPORTANT. SO ANYTHING ELSE JEFF KNOW THAT. AND THAT'S THAT'S THE END OF OUR PRESENTATION. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CAPACITY AT THE LANDFILL THERE ARE CELLS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN OPENED YET. RIGHT. THERE ARE STILLS THAT HAVE THAT ARE PERMITTED BUT HAVE NOT BEEN CONSTRUCTED WHERE THE MULTI-COMPLEX FACILITY IS THERE CELLS CAN GO THERE WHERE HOMEOWNER DROP OFF AREA CELLS COULD GO THERE. BUT EVEN IF WE BUILT THOSE CELLS, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH CAPACITY FOR LONG TERM DISPOSAL ON THAT SITE. FOR HOW MANY YEARS? HOW MANY YEARS? IF WE WERE TAKING ALL OUR TRASH THERE? LESS THAN TEN. COUNCIL TIME FOR QUESTIONS. MR. JORDAN. GOOD EVENING. THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION. YOU DIDN'T I DIDN'T SEE IN HERE COST. AND I KNOW THAT ONE YEAR COSTS WENT UP THAT BALTIMORE COUNTY WAS CHARGING US. THEN THE FOLLOWING YEAR IT WENT UP AGAIN. AND WE DID PASS THOSE COSTS ALONG TO PEOPLE THAT ARE PARTICULARLY USING THOSE COSTS. DO WE KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING UP AGAIN THIS YEAR? HAVE WE GOTTEN IN YOUR STUDY? WAS THERE ANYTHING ON THAT ON THE COSTS FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS IF IT'S GOING UP AGAIN? WELL, WELL, THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY ISN'T TO GET INTO THE NITTY GRITTY OF COSTS. OKAY. BUT COST COST WENT UP AGAIN THIS FISCAL YEAR SUBSTANTIALLY OVER LAST YEAR, ACTUALLY. HOW DO WE FIND THAT OUT AND WHO DO WE ASK THAT TO? YOU WANT TO KNOW? I MEAN, YES, I DO. YOU WANT TO KNOW COST PER TON OR OKAY. SO THIS YEAR WELL RIGHT NOW WE'RE PAYING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 100 AND 18, $119 A TON TO BALTIMORE COUNTY TO TAKE OUR WASTE. AND IS THAT THE NEW RATE OR IS THAT THE OLD RATE? THAT IS WHAT THEY'RE CHARGING US. WELL, WE'RE CHARGING US THROUGH DECEMBER. THE RATE WILL CHANGE IN JANUARY. IT MIGHT GO DOWN A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF THE. AND WHAT WAS IT LAST YEAR WENT DOWN BEFORE THAT. THERE'S ABOUT 105 I THINK. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. BUT IT VARIED EVERY EVERY MONTH NOW WHEN IT CHANGES EVERY SIX MONTHS. SO I KNOW IT'S KIND OF A COUPLE TIMES. SO WE KNOW WE'VE GOT A PLAN TO 2036 TO SHIP IT TO BALTIMORE COUNTY.

RIGHT. BUT THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS REPORT THAT SAYS WHAT FUTURE PLACES THAT WE'RE GOING TO SHIP IT TO. IS BALTIMORE COUNTY GOING TO OPEN UP ANOTHER FACILITY? DO WE HAVE TO GO TO CECIL COUNTY, OR IS THERE ALTERNATIVE MARKETS OUT THERE NOW? WELL, THAT IS WHAT THAT IS WHAT THE PLAN SAYS. THIS PLAN SAYS, LOOK, YOU KNOW, THREE YEARS INTO THE NEXT PLANNING PERIOD, THAT THAT AGREEMENT ENDS. THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AGREEMENT TO EXTEND IT. I THINK IT'S DEPEND ON BOTH PARTIES. BOTH HARFORD COUNTY AND BALTIMORE COUNTY SAY, YEAH, WE WANT TO CONTINUE THIS RELATIONSHIP, BUT WE NEED TO NAIL DOWN BEFORE THE END OF THIS PLANNING PERIOD BECAUSE IT TAKES SO LONG. IF THINGS GO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION TO PERMIT OR REQUIRE THE SERVICES OF SOMEBODY ELSE TO TAKE OUR TRASH, WE HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION. SO WE NEED TO LOOK WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT IT NOW, PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE WE WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH OUR TRASH AND EVERYTHING? 20, 36 AND EVERYTHING'S BURIED. NOTHING IS BURNED ANYMORE. I KNOW BALTIMORE CITY GOT RID OF THEIR INCINERATOR NOW. BALTIMORE CITY STILL HAS. THEY STILL HAVE THE INCINERATOR. WEREN'T THEY SUPPOSED TO GET RID OF IT? THEY THEY WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF IT. OKAY. JUST LIKE MONTGOMERY COUNTY, REALLY TO GET RID OF THEIRS. BUT IT IS A IT'S A LOT CHEAPER TO SEND THEIR TRASH THERE THAN IT IS TO SHIP IT TO VIRGINIA OR WHEREVER. IS THERE ANY OTHER FACILITIES THAT INCINERATE THAT WE WOULD LOOK AT SENDING OURS TO, WHETHER FURTHER UP NORTH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AS AN ALTERNATIVE, OR IS THAT BACKUP OR ANYTHING? I'M JUST. THOSE ARE OPTIONS WE NEED TO

[00:55:05]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WELCOME. THANK YOU. MR. JORDAN. MR. BENNETT, HELLO. GOOD EVENING.

WHEN YOU SAID THAT WE MUST OR THAT WE NEED TO FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO NEXT, WHETHER IT IS CONTINUE THE RELATIONSHIP WITH BALTIMORE COUNTY OR MAKE ANOTHER ROUTE IN WHAT WE DO IS THAT NEED AS IN LIKE LEGISLATIVELY WE NEED TO OR IS THAT NEED LIKE PRACTICALLY WE NEED TO PRACTICALLY. AND IS THERE ANY YOU KNOW, BECAUSE FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, WHO KNOWS WHO ANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM ARE DOING ANY OF WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW? IS THERE ANY WAY THAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE PLAN TO SAY, FIVE YEARS LIKE THAT, THAT WILL BE LOOKED AT IN FIVE YEARS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S SET IN STONE, THAT THAT CONVERSATION HAPPENS? I THINK I THINK THE WAY THE PLAN IS WRITTEN IS PRETTY CLEAR THAT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD ON, ON, ON DECIDING WHAT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AFTER 2036. YEAH. THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT. MR. PENMAN.

THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT. IN 30 DAYS WE DON'T KNOW WHO IS GOING TO BE IN THIS ROOM. I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE LANDFILL CLOSURE FUND AS WE APPROACH THE BUDGET COMING UP, I THINK IT'S 10 OR $11 MILLION THAT'S IN THERE. AND I KNOW THAT'S A CONSIDERATION THAT'S LEFT IN THE BUDGET FOR CLOSING SOME OF THOSE CELLS. RIGHT. SO DO YOU KNOW NOW OR CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH KIND OF THE STEPS TO CLOSE A CELL. AND THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. SURE.

WHEN WE CLOSE THE CELL AND WE DID, WE CLOSED CELLS MIDDLE OF THE LAST DECADE. THERE'S A THERE'S ONCE IT'S FILLED WITH TRASH. YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S ADEQUATE COVER SOIL ON TOP OF THE TRASH. NOW, WE SHOULD BE GOOD FOR THAT. THE LAST CELLS WE DID, WE HAD TO MOVE SOME TRASH AROUND BECAUSE THE GRADING WASN'T QUITE RIGHT. BUT WE'VE CORRECTED THAT IN THE IN THE CURRENT CELLS. AND SO A CAP IS, IS WHAT WE CALL WHAT WE PUT ON TOP. AND IT'S, IT'S A, IT'S A PLASTIC LINER. JUST LIKE WE HAVE A PLASTIC LINER ON THE BOTTOM OF LANDFILL TO CATCH WHATEVER PERCOLATES TO. WE HAVE A PLASTIC CAP ON ON THE TOP OF A CLOSED LANDFILL TO KEEP RAIN AND SNOW FROM, FROM GETTING INTO THE LANDFILL AND THEN ON TOP OF THE CAP, WE PUT PUT SOIL AND GRASS TYPICALLY. DO YOU HAVE LIKE AN ESTIMATED COST OF WHAT THAT WOULD COST? LET'S SEE. WHEN WE CLOSED CELLS A THROUGH J IT WAS A COMBINED PROJECT. BUT IT WAS IT WAS NEIGHBORHOOD OF $9 MILLION, $10 MILLION FOR THAT. BUT BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, THE CLOSURE FUND ISN'T JUST THE ISN'T JUST THE CLOSURE, IT'S ALSO THE POST CLOSURE CARE. SO IT'S THE MONITORING THAT HAS TO GO ON. IT'S FIXING ANY EROSION ON THE LANDFILL. IT'S GOING OUT THERE ON A REGULAR BASIS TO INSPECT IT, TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS STILL THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE. SO AND WE HAVE A FLARE AT THE LANDFILL THAT WE HAVE TO OPERATE THAT. SO IT'S ELECTRICITY. IT'S RUNNING ALL THAT MECHANICAL. SO IS THAT LANDFILL CLOSURE FUND GOING TO, TO, TO PAY FOR THE LAST ONE JUST FOR MONITORING PURPOSES. IT IS GOING. NO, IT IS GOING THE MONITORING IS PAID OUT OF CURRENT OPERATING MONEY. OKAY. SO ONCE WE CLOSE THAT LANDFILL WE'RE NOT USING IT ANYMORE. NOW MAYBE SOME OF THE MONEY FOR THE LAST CELL CAME OUT OF THAT, CAME OUT OF THAT FUND. WHEN WE FINALLY CLOSED IT. CLOSED IT. THAT MONEY WILL GET SPENT ON CLOSING AND MAINTAINING THAT PROPERTY. AND MD MD WELL, FEDERAL LAW SAYS YOU HAVE TO DO IT FOR 30 YEARS. YOU HAVE TO MONITOR IT. THERE ARE LANDFILLS IN MARYLAND THAT HAVE REACHED THAT 30 YEAR MARK, AND MD SAYS, NOPE, KEEP GOING. SO IT'S AN INDEFINITE THING. SO IT'S A PERPETUAL CARE TYPE THING. YES.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MR. PENMAN. ANYONE ELSE? DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP? THERE IS NO ONE SIGNED UP, MR. PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, MISS DIXON. WITH NO ONE SIGNED UP, THIS WILL CONCLUDE THIS PUBLIC HEARING FOR BILL 2440. AND WE'LL PICK IT UP AT THE NEXT MEETING. THANK YOU.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WASTE. WE'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR BILL 2441, CHAPTER 267 ZONING.

[b. Bill 24-041 (Chapter 267 Zoning- Setbacks for Extraction and Blasting Activities)]

[01:00:10]

TITLE 26 AND 26 2,101.17 ARE THE SURFACE MINING REGULATIONS. AND THE PERMIT AREA HAS A SETBACK OF NOT LESS THAN 25FT FROM THE PROPERTY LINE. SO THAT'S THE SETBACK FOR SURFACE MINING.

THERE'S BLASTING SETBACKS IN THE OTHER SECTION THAT'S LATER REFERENCED IN THE BILL. AND THAT'S 1000FT. SO IT'S 1000 SOUTH 1000FT FROM AN OCCUPIED DWELLING SCHOOL, CHURCH, HOSPITAL. AND THEN THERE'S OTHER PARAMETERS IN THERE. SO THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER THINGS. BUT AS FAR AS THE NUMBERS AND THE DISTANCE, IT'S A PERMITTING SETBACK. AND THEN ANOTHER SETBACK FOR DISTANCE FROM SCHOOLS FOR BLASTING. SO THERE'S TWO SEPARATE SETBACKS, ONE FOR EXCAVATION AND ONE FOR BLASTING. SO ESSENTIALLY WE'RE GOING TO BE CHANGING THE SETBACK FROM 1500 FEET TO 1000FT, 1025. NO. SO IT DEPENDS. SO FOR THE BLASTING ACTIVITIES IT'S YEAH IT'S 1000FT. AND AGAIN I'M SUMMARIZING, BUT IT'S 1000FT FROM CHURCHES, SCHOOLS ETC. FOR THE PERMIT AREA FOR THE EXCAVATION. IT'S 25 FOOT SETBACK FROM ANY ADJACENT PROPERTY. SO THERE'S TWO SEPARATE SECTIONS OF HOMER THAT APPLY. AND YOU'LL SEE IN THE BILL WHERE THE BUFFER IS TAKEN OUT AND THE FILM IS SET UP. SO IT'S EITHER GOING TO BE 25FT, PERMIT FOR EXCAVATION 1000FT FROM THOSE OTHER STRUCTURES FOR BLASTING. AND MEGAN, DO YOU HAVE THE ACTUAL MAP? I DO NOT YOU DO NOT. OKAY. I'LL MAKE SURE I GET THAT TO YOU. COUNCILMAN BENNETT, FOR THE SPECIFIC PROPERTY. YES. I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE SPECIFIC PROPERTY. AND THEN HAVE THERE BEEN ANY CONSIDERATIONS AS FAR AS NOISE FOR RESIDENTS NEAR ANY OF THESE SITES? AS FAR AS BY MOVING THE BLAST CLOSER TO THEIR HOME? ON IF IT'S AN APPROPRIATE DISTANCE TO PREVENT NOISE OR RATTLING OR ANY OF THOSE TYPE EXPERIENCES THEY HAVE THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE PAST.

AGAIN, THIS IS AN ONGOING SITE THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE, AND THEY HAVE ADDRESSED THAT IN THE PAST. AND I THINK SINCE THEY PROBABLY HAD ABOUT 2 OR 3 COMPLAINTS, AS I KNOW OF MY ME PERSONALLY HAVE GOT, AND THEY PROBABLY HAVE ABOUT 6 OR 8. AND IT'S SPECIFICALLY FROM THAT COMMUNITY THAT'S CLOSEST TO THE SITE. BUT IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE MAP, THEY'RE JUST TAKING A BIGGER CHUNK OF WHAT THEY ALREADY VULCAN ALREADY OWNS, YOU KNOW, OUT OF THE EARTH. THOSE ARE MY MAJOR QUESTIONS. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT SAYS TO MAINTAIN SETBACKS AS SET FORTH IN COMAR, BUT MAKING SURE THE PUBLIC HEARS, WHAT DOES COMAR ACTUALLY SAY? BECAUSE IT'S CLEAR WHEN YOU SAY A NUMBER, BUT IT'S NOT AS CLEAR WHEN YOU ASK SOMEONE TO GO OPEN UP ANOTHER BOOK TO FIND THAT NUMBER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT.

[01:05:04]

GOOD EVENING SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. MY NAME IS JUSTIN STEIN, AND MY ADDRESS IS 2854 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, NORTHWEST WASHINGTON, D.C. MY WORK ADDRESS IS ALSO 938 QUARRY ROAD, HAVRE DE GRACE. GOOD EVENING, CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL. I'M THE COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGER FOR VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE. SPEAKING TONIGHT IN SUPPORT OF THIS LEGISLATION. VULCAN MATERIALS IS THE LARGEST PRODUCER OF CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATES IN THE UNITED STATES. WE OPERATE OVER 400 FACILITIES AND HAVE OVER 11,000 EMPLOYEES. TONIGHT, I'M HERE TO REPRESENT THE MORE THAN 80 EMPLOYEES THAT WORK AT OUR HABITAT, GRAYS QUARRY. THIS QUARRY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PROVIDING CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATE TO THE COMMUNITY SINCE THE 1950S. VULCAN ACQUIRED THE QUARRY IN 2008, AND DURING THIS TIME WE HAVE HAD AN EXEMPLARY RECORD OF SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE. WE'VE BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND COMMUNITY DONATIONS. THIS FACILITY IS WELL KNOWN AS ONE OF THE LEADING PRODUCERS OF RIPRAP AND ARMOR STONE IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. ANY MAJOR CONSTRUCTION OR MAINTENANCE PROJECT YOU HEAR OF IN AND AROUND HARFORD COUNTY HAS PROBABLY USED HAVRE DE GRACE STONE. WITHOUT FACILITIES LIKE THESE, THERE WOULD BE A MAJOR SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEM TO GET QUALITY GRADE STONE TO THE PROJECTS BEING BUILT IN THE AREA SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, HIGHWAYS, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECTS WOULD ALL SUFFER FROM A LACK OF AVAILABLE STONE, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN DRAMATICALLY HIGHER STONE PRICES IF IT HAD TO BE SHIPPED FROM FURTHER AWAY, THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD WISELY CHANGE THE COUNTY ORDINANCE STANDARDS FOR BLASTING SETBACKS TO EXPRESSLY FOLLOW THE STANDARD SET BY THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, THE MDE LICENSES AND PERMITS MINES. THEY EMPLOY THE LEADING EXPERTS IN MINE SAFETY AND OPERATION.

THESE PROFESSIONALS WORK TIRELESSLY EVERY DAY TO ENSURE BEST PRACTICES FOR OPERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS AND COMPLIANCE FOR THE MINING COMMUNITY IN MARYLAND. WHO BETTER TO SET THE STANDARDS THAN THE PROFESSIONALS? THE SAFETY RECORD OF MINES IN MARYLAND IS EXCEPTIONAL. BY LINKING THE COUNTY'S BLASTING SETBACKS DIRECTLY TO THE STANDARDS SET AT THE STATE LEVEL, YOU CAN BE ASSURED YOU ARE PROVIDING THE HIGHEST PROTECTION AND SAFETY TO THE COMMUNITIES LOCATED AROUND THE QUARRY, AT THE SAME TIME ALLOWING QUARRIES TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND PROVIDE THEIR MUCH NEEDED CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATE IN A SAFE AND ECONOMICAL WAY. THIS LEGISLATION IS A GREAT STEP THAT WILL PROTECT CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES AT THE SAME TIME.

[01:10:02]

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

[8. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS]

THANK YOU, MR. RILEY. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION. ZERO. 40 DASH 24.

MISS. FOR FINANCIAL ASSURANCE PLAN 2024. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MISS DIXON, MR. PRESIDENT, I MISS ROBERT. I. MR. PENMAN I. MR. GIORDANO I. MR. RILEY. I. MR. BOYLE. I. MR. BENNETT I. THERE BEING SEVEN VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, ZERO IN A NEGATIVE RESOLUTION. 040 DASH 24 IS HEREBY APPROVED. RESOLUTION ZERO 4124. MAY I HAVE A MOTION? COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION ZERO. 41 DASH 24. MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MR. RILEY.

IT'S MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION ZERO. 41 DASH 24. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, MR. GIORDANO? SO I KNOW THE ECONOMIC COMMITTEE. LOAN COMMITTEE DID VET THESE PEOPLE. I'M CONFIDENT WITH THE PEOPLE ON THAT COMMITTEE, ESPECIALLY THE CHAIRMAN GILL FROM HARTCO. I KNOW WHERE THEY'RE AT. SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING FOR THE COUNTY, AND I AM GOING TO VOTE POSITIVE FOR THIS. SO THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? MR. BENNETT? YEAH.

JUST TO ECHO THAT, I JUST I WAS REALLY HEARTENED BY THE PRESENTATION AT OUR LAST MEETING AND THOUGHT IT'S REALLY A TREMENDOUS OFFERING THAT WE PROVIDE TO OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO GET A LOAN AT SUCH A LOW RATE, TO BE ABLE TO THEN EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS. I JUST I THINK IT'S A WIN FOR EVERYBODY. AND IT'S EXCITING TO BE ABLE TO VOTE YES.

THANK YOU. MR. GIORDANO. YEAH. ONE OTHER THING. WE DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT FUNDING FOR BUSINESSES. THERE'S A TECHNICAL TRAINING GRANT AND THAT'S AVAILABLE TWICE A YEAR. SO IF YOU KNOW ANYBODY, WHETHER IT'S A COURSE FOR ACCOUNTING OR MICROSOFT OR A CERTIFICATE THAT THEY NEED FOR C CREDITS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE. IF YOU IF YOU GO AND SUBMIT THOSE ONLINE. SO IF YOU KNOW ANYBODY THAT THAT IS AVAILABLE, THEY CAN GO ON THE WEBSITE AND LOOK AT THAT. SO THE COUNTY DOES TRY TO MAKE KEEPING YOUR STAFF AND YOUR EMPLOYEES UP TO DATE, AND THEY'LL HELP PAY FOR THAT. SO THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE. SO I SEE MR. GOALS IN THE AUDIENCE, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR FOLLOW UP WITH ME ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD A MONTH OR TWO AGO, AND I APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT. AND, MR. REVERB, WE APPRECIATE YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION THIS PAST WEEK. SO WITH THAT, MISS DIXON. MR. PRESIDENT, I, MRS. ROBERT I. MR. PENMAN I. MR. GIORDANO I. MR. RILEY. I. MRS. I. MR. BENNETT I.

BEING SEVEN VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. ZERO IN A NEGATIVE RESOLUTION. ZERO. 41 DASH 24 IS

[01:15:05]

12. ENROLLMENT OF BILLS WE HAVE NONE 13. UNFINISHED BUSINESS. WE HAVE NONE. 14. NEW BUSINESS WE HAVE NONE. 17 COMMENTS AND INPUT FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS. DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP? MR.

[16. BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS]

I'M SURE TONY'S EXCITED THAT I'M HERE, TOO. I COULD SEE IT IN HIS FACE. SO. BUT I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THIS CELEBRATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY ON MONDAY. DOCTOR KING IS A TRUE HERO IN HIS MESSAGE OF PEACE AND JUSTICE, TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES AND VALUABLE TEACHINGS THAT ARE STILL RELEVANT AND MEANINGFUL TODAY. ONE IMPORTANT QUOTE OF DOCTOR KING THAT STICKS WITH ME AND IS STILL APPROPRIATE IS INJUSTICE ANYWHERE. INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE THE INAUGURATION OF DONALD TRUMP ON MONDAY. IT'S REMARKABLE WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ENDURED TO BE SWORN IN ON MONDAY AS THE 47TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS, THE PERSONAL ATTACKS, THE SPYING, THE WEAPONIZATION OF GOVERNMENT AND THE LAWFUL LAWFARE OF COURTS. AND YET HE CONTINUED TO FIGHT AND OVERCOME ADVERSITY AND WON THE PRESIDENCY. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DIRECTION AND THE SUCCESS OF THE UNITED STATES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MR. PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, MR. PENMAN. MR. GIORDANO. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, SINCE YOU WERE HERE LAST WEEK AND YOU'RE HERE THIS WEEK, TO ME YOU WEREN'T GONE. SO I AND I'VE BEEN BUSY ANYWAY. JANUARY 8TH I ATTENDED THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING AT THE CONVERGENCE CENTER IN ABERDEEN. SO IT WAS A GOOD MEETING. WE HAD A FAIR AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THERE, SO THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD. AND THEN I ALSO HAD A MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE HCA, HCA, TO DISCUSS PRIORITIES AND NEEDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET. AND ON FRIDAY, ONE OF MY FAVORITE EVENTS IS GOING TO BE THE SEVENTH ANNUAL FAIR FAIRY TALE SUPERHERO FESTIVAL AT THE ABINGTON LIBRARY. AND I'M GOING TO PLAY MOP TOP AGAIN. AND SO FOR ANYBODY WHO HASN'T SEEN THAT, I'LL BE DRESSED UP IN A RED WIG AND GETTING MY HAIR CUT AND READING A BOOK. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT. AND IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO, AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. SO THANK YOU FOR THE INVITE TO MARY HASSLER IN THE LIBRARY. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, MR. JORDAN AND MR. RILEY. YES. JUST SO EVERYBODY KNOWS, THAT'S A WEEKLY EVENT FOR TONY. HE JUST HAPPENS TO BE DOING IT AT THE LIBRARY. I WANT TO GIVE MY CONDOLENCES OUT TO CHAD SHRODES AND HIS FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF HIS UNCLE, DAVE SHRODES. ALSO, CONDOLENCES TO SHANE GRIM AND HIS FAMILY FOR THE LOSS OF HIS FATHER, DONALD GRIM. AND YES, I DO WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP BEING INAUGURATED ON THE 20TH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. RILEY. MISS ADAMS, THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. LAST WEEK, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE ROUTE 40 BUSINESS LUNCHEON AT VANDIVER. MAYOR MCGRADY WAS THE GUEST SPEAKER, AND IT WAS EXCITING TO HEAR ABOUT ALL THE GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN ABERDEEN. AND TOMORROW IN ABERDEEN. THERE WILL BE A RIBBON CUTTING AT THE NEW RUTTER'S STORE FROM 10 TO 11. THANK YOU.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU, MISS ALICE. MR. BENNETT. HELLO. GOOD EVENING. I WANT TO FIRST ECHO. WHAT COUNCILMAN GEE SHARED ABOUT THE FAIRY TALE AND SUPERHERO FESTIVAL. IF YOU WANT TO HEAR A PROFESSIONAL READER, I'LL BE THERE AT 430. NOT TO BRAG, BUT I HAVE MADE A CAREER OUT OF IT. I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT RESTAURANT WEEK IS COMING UP FROM THE 17TH THROUGH THE 26TH. YOU CAN GO TO A LOCAL RESTAURANT, EXPERIENCE SOME REALLY SPECIAL MENUS. I KNOW FOR MY WIFE AND I, WE ALWAYS TRY AND GO SOMEWHERE WE HAVEN'T BEEN BEFORE DURING RESTAURANT WEEK. AND THAT BROUGHT US THE VENETIAN, WHICH HAS TURNED INTO ONE OF OUR FAVORITE DATE NIGHTS. SO I REALLY ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE IN RESTAURANT WEEK.

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS. THIS PAST WEEK, I GOT TO SPEAK AS THE GUEST SPEAKER FOR THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HOW THE BEST PRACTICES OF SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH DYSLEXIA AND OTHER LANGUAGE BASED DISABILITIES. SO THAT WAS REALLY FUN PRESENTATION, AND I GOT TO GO FOR A WHOLE HOUR, AND I PLANNED TO RECITE IT ALL

[01:20:05]

BUT I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE TO SAY, WHILE THERE IS A LOT TO CLAP ABOUT, THERE'S A LOT THAT I KNOW KEEPS ALL OF US UP AT NIGHT. THINKING ABOUT OUR FUTURE. THINKING ABOUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE FACING. WE JUST HEARD TONIGHT IN OUR MEETING, TRASH IS BECOMING MORE EXPENSIVE. WE HEARD TONIGHT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE SOME PAID FIREFIGHTERS. WE KNOW WE JUST UPPED OUR BUDGET TREMENDOUSLY IN THE PAST TWO YEARS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU CALL 911, SOMEONE SHOWS UP. WE'RE FACING SOME REAL CHALLENGES UP AHEAD. AND I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE CLEAR HEADED ABOUT THAT AND THAT WE REALLY START TO HAVE A VISION FOR WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE ANSWER TO THOSE PROBLEMS. AND THAT'S THAT'S DEFINITELY WHAT I THINK ABOUT MOST RIGHT NOW. THERE'S A LOT OF CELEBRATIONS, BUT IN ORDER FOR ME TO REST EASY, I NEED TO KNOW WE GOT A PLAN TO GET RID OF THOSE HEARTACHES AS WELL. SO ANYWAY, THAT'S ALL I HAVE THIS EVENING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT. WE'LL MOVE TO 15

[15. BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT]