[00:00:04]
GOOD[ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS]
EVENING CHAIR CALLS TO ORDER ZONING, BOARD OF APPEALS CASE NUMBER 59 70.UH, COUNSEL, WE HAVE MR. SNE PRESENTING ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT, AND I BELIEVE MR. KRICK ON BEHALF OF THE OPPOSITION.
UH, YOU WILL BOTH HAVE 15 MINUTES TO PRESENT YOUR CASE.
AND, UH, MR. SNE, I BELIEVE WE'LL START WITH YOU.
I THOUGHT MR. KRICK WAS THE APPELLANT, MR. PRESIDENT.
HE, HE REQUESTED MR. KRICK REQUESTED A FINAL ARGUMENT IN THIS MATTER.
MR. KRICK, WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.
AND, AND IF I MAY, I, HE DOESN'T HAVE AN ATTORNEY.
I WAS EXPLAINING TO HIM THAT IF HE WANTS SOME TIME HELD IN REBUTTAL THAT YOU, YOU WOULD, UH, TELL HIM IF HE COULD LEAVE THE, COULD I HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR FINAL? YES.
SHOULD I START? WHENEVER YOU'RE READY, SIR.
I'M THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF HIDDEN HAVEN FARM, LOCATED AT 24 20 CARSON'S RUN ROAD.
I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN 40 YEARS GROWING CROPS AT THAT LOCATION AND EXPENDING CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND RESOURCES TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF THAT FARM.
I'M A MEMBER OF A DIMINISHING NUMBER OF HARTFORD COUNTY FARMERS TO IN SIZEABLE CONTRIBUTION FOR THE ECONOMIC WELLBEING OF THE COUNTY.
I AM THE NEIGHBOR MOST AFFECTED BY THIS PROPOSAL OWNING LAND BORDERING ON TWO SIDES TO THE WEST AND THE NORTH.
THIS PROPOSAL ACTUALLY WOULD BE BUILT PROPOSALS TO BE BUILT IN A NOTCH IN MY LAND I OWN TO THE WEST AND THE NORTH OF THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.
I WILL DEMONSTRATE IN MY PRESENTATION THE, THE INACCURACIES AND OVERSIGHTS THAT ALLOW THE INITIAL APPROVAL OF THE MCI VERIZON PROPOSED.
BASED ON A CONS RECONSIDERATION OF THE FACTUAL INFORMATION, YOU WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO SOUNDLY REJECT THIS PROPOSAL.
I WILL BEGIN WITH A MAJOR MISSTATEMENT IN THE STAFF REPORT.
I'M GONNA QUOTE IT DIRECTLY, AND THIS EXPANSION SHOULD NOT BE SUBSTANTIALLY DETRIMENTAL TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES.
THE SIDES AND REAR YARD ARE HEAVILY WOODED.
THIS NATURAL AND WOODED AREA WOULD FURTHER PROVIDE ADEQUATE BUFFERING TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES.
SO I'M GONNA ASK, WHAT'S THE NATURAL AND WOODED AREA THAT WOULD PROVIDE ADEQUATE BUFFERING TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES? THERE ARE ONLY TWO POTENTIAL ANSWERS.
FIRST ANSWER IS THAT MCI VERIZON PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY WOODED AND WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A BUFFER, BUT THAT ANSWER IS TO BE REJECTED ON THE BASIS THAT THIS PROPOSAL WOULD ELIMINATE APPROXIMATELY THREE AND A HALF ACRES OF WOODED LAND ON THE MC VERIZON PROPERTY AND REPLACE IT WITH A BUILDING COOLING TOWER'S, INTERNAL COMBUSTION DRIVEN GENERATORS, A ROADWAY IN A PARKING LOT, ALL BUILT TO THE BOUNDARIES WITH MY LAND.
SO THE POT SECOND POTENTIAL ANSWER IS THAT MY PROPERTY TO THE NORTH AND THE WEST OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IS CURRENTLY WOODED AND CONSERVE AS A BUFFER.
THIS ANSWER IS REJECTED ON THE GROUNDS THAT MY PROPERTY IS OWNED BY ME AND IS NOT AVAILABLE TO MCI VERIZON TO BE A BUFFER TO THE UNTOWARD EFFECTS OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT.
EVEN SO, THIS IDENTITY OF MY PROPERTY IS BUFFER, APPEARS IN SEVERAL PRESENTATIONS OF THE PROPOSAL, BOTH BY SO-CALLED EXPERT TESTIMONY AT THE HEARING, AND IN THE SO-CALLED SOUND STUDY PRESENTED AFTERWARDS.
THE STAFF REPORT MISSTATEMENT ABOUT A NATURAL AND WOODED AREA PROVIDING ADEQUATE BUFFERING TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES IS CLEARLY A FALLACY.
AND BECAUSE THIS STATEMENT UNDERPINS THE JUDGMENT THAT THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WOULD NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ADJACENT PROPERTIES, THAT JUDGMENT IS LIKEWISE ERRONEOUS.
AS AN EXAMPLE, THE ZONING HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION, BOTTOM PAGE SIX STATES THAT I QUOTE, THERE WILL BE NO PARTICULAR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND THERE WILL BE NO PARTICULAR VISUAL IMPACT AS THE PORTION OF THE PROPERTY IN WHICH THE BUILDING IS TO BE CONSTRUCTED IS FULLY SCREENED BY EXISTING VEGETATION THAT SO-CALLED EXISTING VEGETATION IS ON MY PROPERTY.
IT'S NOT AVAILABLE FOR USED BY MCI VERIZONS.
LET ME MAKE SEVERAL POINTS ABOUT THE DISCLAIMED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
WHO CARES ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF THREE AND A HALF ACRES OF WOODLAND? I'LL READ TO YOU FROM MR. GREGORY A R RAPPA ARDA THE ZONING HEARING EXAMINER FOR CASE NUMBER 3 2 9 OH FEBRUARY 86.
HIS DECISION REGARDING AN EARLIER PROPOSAL TO EXPAND THE FACILITY, I'LL QUOTE HIM DIRECTLY.
SECTION 25 DASH 8.3 I FIVE STATES THAT THE TELEPHONE MICROWAVE FACILITIES MAY BE GRANTED AS A SPECIAL EXCEPTION IN THE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT, PROVIDED THAT THERE BE A THOROUGH EVALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SUCH A USE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING, ONE EFFECT ON WILDLIFE, TWO EFFECT ON PLANT LIFE, THREE EFFECT ON LAND SURFACE FOUR EFFECT ON ECONOMICALLY RECOVERABLE RESOURCES AND FIVE EFFECT
[00:05:01]
ON OPEN SPACES.MR. R'S GRANTING OF A SPECIAL EXCEPTIONIST CONDITIONED BY THE FOLLOWING, THAT THE MICROWAVE FACILITY SHALL NOT HAVE A ADVERSE IMPACT ON WILDLIFE PLANT LIFE, LAND SERVICE, ECONOMICALLY RECOVERABLE RESOURCES OR OPEN SPACES.
THE 1986 VARIANCE APPROVAL WAS GIVEN WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND AGREEMENT THAT A BUFFER WOULD BE MAINTAINED BY MCI ALONG ADJOINING PROPERTIES TO SATISFY THE STIPULATION CITED ABOVE.
SO WHAT'S THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH BY THE HEARING OFFICER IN 1986? WHY ARE THEY SUMMARILY DISMISSED IN THE CURRENT APPROVAL PROCESS? I SEE NO THOROUGH EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
I SEE NO ARGUMENT FOR THE BENEFICIAL IMPACT OF THIS DEVELOPMENT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
I, ON THE OTHER HAND, HAVE STIPULATED MY CONCERNS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN MY TESTIMONY AT THE HEARING AND IN BOTH MY LETTERS AUGUST 12TH AND SEPTEMBER 7TH, 2022, THESE LETTERS WERE SUBMITTED ON, ON THE RECORD.
WHILE THE RECORD WAS STILL OPEN AND NEED TO BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION IN THE APPEAL PROCESS, THEY ARE NOT DIRECTLY ADDRESSED IN THE ZONING HEARINGS.
HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION, FEW OF THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED IN THOSE LETTERS, NOI, NOISE AND LIGHT FROM THE EXISTING F UH FACILITY WILL NO LONGER BE BUFFERED BY THE CURRENT VEGETATION.
OUR ENJOYMENT OF THE NICE SKY WILL BE FURTHER INFRINGED UPON THE ADDITION OF EXTENSIVE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES WILL INCREASE THE RUNOFF AND ADD TO ALREADY EXISTING EROSION AND POLLUTION GOING INTO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.
THE PROPOSED FACILITY WILL DRIVE OFF WILDLIFE AND RO OUR ENJOYMENT OF SUCH WETLANDS AND STREAM LOCATION ARE NOT CORRECTLY PORTRAYED ON THE SUBMITTED SITE PLANS.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE DEVELOPER WAS NOT PRESENTED.
A GOOD PORTION OF THE BUILDING SITE IS CURRENTLY LISTED AS HYDRICK SOIL MOST COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH WETLANDS.
CURRENTLY, THERE IS A STREAM WATER COLLECTION FACILITY FOR LIVESTOCK ON MY LAND WHERE THE STREAM FLOWING OFF MY LAND ONTO THE MCI LAND, THEN BACK ONTO MY LAND.
SO WHERE THAT STREAM FLOWS BACK TO MY PROPERTY FROM MCI, VERIZON IS A FACILITY FOR COLLECTING WATER TO WATER LIVESTOCK STREAM WATER FLOWING FROM THE SITE ONTO MY PROPERTY WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE TO ME FOR WATERING LIVESTOCK AS IT WILL BE CONTAMINATED BY THE CON BY THE CHEMICALS FOUND ON THE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES SUCH AS ROOFS AND ROADWAYS, AS WELL AS SNOW AND ICE CONTROLLED CHEMICALS.
THE DEVELOPMENT'S VISUAL IMPACT LIGHTING AND NOISE WILL ELIMINATE MY DEVE, MY ABILITY TO DEVELOP THREE BUILDING LOTS ON MY PROPERTY ADJACENT TO MCI VERIZON.
IT'S THE BEST DRAIN LAND ON MY FARM.
IT'S IDEAL FOR BUILDING LOTS LOST VALUE AMOUNTS TO SOME $835,000.
I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS GOING TO BE INTERRUPTED IN THE RECORD.
OUR LETTERS AUGUST AND AUGUST.
IT'S NOT ON THE RECORD, MR. THOSE RE THOSE LETTERS ARE IN THE RECORD AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AND I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT THEY BE REVIEWED.
THE, THE, THE LETTERS ARE IN THE RECORD AS, AS WELL AS MR. SNEEZE RESPONDS TO THAT LETTERS.
THEY WERE ALL DIRECTED TO MR. KAY.
THE ISSUE OF NOISE WARNS SPECIAL ATTENTION.
MR. CAHO, THE PRESENT HEARING OFFICER, IN HIS WISDOM, RECOGNIZED THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF NOISE FROM THE PROPOSED ADDITIONAL GENERATORS AND COOLING TOWERS.
HE INSTRUCTED REPRESENTATIVES TO DO AN ACOUSTICAL STUDY FOR THE COOLING UNITS AND FOR THE GENERATORS AT THE PROPERTY LINE.
THE RECEIVING PROPERTY LINE, THIS DIRECTIVE WAS CONFIRMED BY MOST BY BOTH MR. RUFF AND MR. SNE.
PAGES 53 AND 54 OF THE HEARING TRANSCRIPT, PAGE 58 AND 59 PUT FORTH JEFF CRICKS POINTS ABOUT CLARIFYING THE CONDITIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS MADE FOR THE MODEL EMPLOYED IN THE STUDY.
SO HOW DOES THE SUBMITTED STUDY COMPLY WITH THE REQUESTED INFORMATION? THE STUDY DOES NOT AT ALL COMPLY WITH THE DIRECTIVE OF THE HEARING OFFICER.
PAGE SEVEN OF THE STUDY REFERENCES GENERAL VARIABLES OF THE MODEL.
NO SPECIFIC CONDITIONS SUCH AS LEAF COVER ON TREES ARE SPECIFIED.
RATHER THAN MODEL THE NOISE LEVELS AT THE PROPERTY BOUNDARIES AS DIRECTED, THE STUDY USES THE LOCATION OF THREE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, ONE OF WHICH R ONE IS MINE AT ABOUT 400 FEET FROM THE PROPERTY BOUNDARY.
READ THE STUDY, PAGE EIGHT AND MENTION IS MADE OF THE TREE BUFFER TO THE NORTHWEST OF 26 0 6 CARSON'S RUN ROAD, AGAIN CONFIRMING THE USE OF THE FEATURES OF MY LAND TO MITIGATE THE UNTOWARD IMPACT OF THE FACILITY'S NOISE ON THE SURROUNDINGS.
[00:10:01]
TO EVEN MODEL THE NOISE FROM THE EXISTING EIGHT AND TWO ADDITIONAL GENERATORS, EVEN AS THOSE AT THOSE EXTREME LOCATIONS.BY THE WAY, THE APPROVALS IN 1986 AND FOUR ALLOWED FOR THREE GENERATORS ON THE SITE.
THERE ARE NOW EIGHT GENERATORS ON THE SITE.
IT IS STILL ZONED AGRICULTURAL.
THAT INDUSTRIAL USE SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED.
AND THEY PROPOSED IN THIS PROPOSAL TO ADD TWO MORE GENERATORS.
THESE AND MULTIPLE OTHER QUESTIONS WERE RAISED IN MY SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2022 LETTER TO THE HEARING EXAMINER.
A REQUEST WAS MADE TO HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO QUESTION AND CHALLENGE THE FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY, YET NO OPPORTUNITY WAS AFFORDED ME OR OTHER PROTESTORS.
SO WHAT DO WE HAVE WITH RESPECT TO CLARIFICATION OF THE NOISE ISSUE? WE HAVE A WELL DELINEATED DIRECTIVE BY THE HEARING EXAMINER.
WE TOLD HIM EXACTLY WHAT TO DO.
WE HAVE A STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE DEVELOPER, PAID FOR BY THE DEVELOPER, SUBMITTED BY THE DEVELOPER.
THE SUBMISSION WAS NOT IN ACCORD WITH THE EXAMINER'S DIRECTIVE.
THE STUDY RECEIVED NO REVIEW BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY WITH EXPERTISE IN NOISE.
THE STUDY WAS NOT SUBJECT TO PUBLIC QUESTIONING OR CHALLENGE.
IT SIMPLY WAS ACCEPTED AS WRITTEN AND INCORPORATED INTO THE HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION.
IN SUMMARY, FIRST, THERE'S A MAJOR MISSTATEMENT IN THE STAFF REPORT THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE BUFFERING PROVIDED FOR THIS PROJECT.
THE EXISTING BUFFERING WILL NEAR TOTALLY DIS THE EXISTING BUFFERING WILL BE NEAR TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THE ELIMINATION OF THREE AND A HALF ACRES OF WOODLAND FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT.
THE ADJOINING WOODLAND ON MY PROPERTY IS NOT AVAILABLE TO RE CLAIM AS AS A PUFFER.
SECONDLY, PROJECT CREATES MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS FOR ME AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
IT IS OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE EARLIER 1986 HEARING OFFICERS.
CONDITIONAL APPROVAL HAS NEGATIVE IN ECONOMIC IMPACT ON MY ABILITY TO DEVELOP MY ADJACENT PROPERTY.
IT DESTROYS A RESOURCE AVAILABLE TO ME ON MY FARM BY ELIMINATING MY USE OF THE STREAM FOR WATERING LIVESTOCK ADDS TO THE POLLUTION CURRENTLY FLOWING FROM THE FACILITY TO THE NEARBY CHESAPEAKE BAY.
AND AGAIN, I WOULD REFERENCE THE LETTERS THAT I HAVE SUBMITTED WITH THE DETAILS ON THOSE MATTERS.
FINALLY, THE SOUND STUDY PAID FOR AND SUBMITTED BY MCI VERIZON TOTALLY AVOIDS THE REQUESTED INFORMATION PUT FORTH BY THE HEARING EXAMINER AT THE INITIAL HEARING.
IT SUBSTITUTES MODELED IMPACT ON PROPERTY LOCATIONS, HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF FEET FROM THE FACILITY IN PLACE OF THE REQUIRED IMPACT AT THE PROPERTY BOUNDARIES AND THE PROCESS EMPLOYEE DISALLOWED REVIEW BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR QUESTIONING AND CHALLENGES BY THE PUBLIC.
IT WAS A TOTALLY BOGUS PROCESS.
I ASK YOUR CAREFUL REVIEW OF THE DETAILED INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY ME AND OTHERS IN THE RECORD.
I ASK THAT YOU NOTE THE INACCURACIES AND MISSTATEMENTS IN THE DOCUMENTS AND I ASK YOU TO RENDER A DECISION OF DISAPPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL.
THAT'LL LEAVE YOU FOUR MINUTES AND 30 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL BOARD OF APPEALS, JOSEPH FRANCIS SNEE JR.
ON BEHALF OF MCI TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND MCKINSTRY ASCENSION LLC.
UH, THIS PERTAINS TO 26 0 6 CARSON'S RUN ROAD BOARD OF APPEALS.
I WOULD NOTE AT THE OUTSET, MR. KRICK DOES NOT EVEN LIVE AT THE PREMISES.
UH, THE PROPOSED EXPANSION IS FOR A NON-CONFORMING USE, WHICH IS LESS THAN 50% FOR A COMMUNICATION STATION AND DATA CENTER.
CURRENTLY, THERE'S 113,900 SQUARE FEET.
THE EXPANSION WOULD BE 23,881 SQUARE FEET, WELL BELOW THE THRESHOLD.
THE EXPANSION WOULD BE 21% ROUNDED UP THE EXISTING STRUCTURES.
THERE IS A DATA PROCESSING CENTER THERE, WHICH IS DEFINED AT SECTION 2 60 74 OF YOUR ZONING CODE AND A COMMUNICATIONS TOWER, WHICH IS A LATTICE TOWER.
AND BOTH OF THOSE ARE IN EXISTENCE.
[00:15:01]
THERE WE GO.SO THAT IS 26 0 6 CARSON'S RUN ROAD THAT'S IN ABERDEEN.
IT DATES BACK TO THE REAR MEN ADMINISTRATION.
IT HAS WATER AND SEWER TO THE PROJECT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT IT'S OUTSIDE OF THE DEVELOPMENT ENVELOPE.
UH, AND THAT WAS DONE FOR PURPOSES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THIS PROPERTY IS KNOWN AS MCI TELE TILL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION.
IT'S KNOWN AS MAP 57 PARCEL, UM, 1 37, AND IT'S 35 AND A HALF ACRES AS LISTED ON THE S D A T UH, RECORD, WHICH YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU.
NOW, THE HISTORY OF THE M C I DATES WAY BACK TO MAY 7TH, 1999.
THE COMPANY CURRENTLY IS A HUNDRED PERCENT WHOLLY OWNED BY VERIZON BUSINESS GLOBAL LLC, WHICH IS A HUNDRED PERCENT WHOLLY OWNED BY VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS.
UM, IT IS LAND USE, THE AGRICULTURAL DESIGNATION, THE CURRENT ZONING IS AGRICULTURAL.
ALL THE BUILDING SETBACKS WE'VE COMPLIED WITH.
SO THE FRONT IS A HUNDRED FOOT, THE SIDE IS 80 FOOT, THE REAR IS 80 FOOT, AND THE PARKING REQUIRED.
THAT IS IT BECAUSE THESE THINGS DON'T REQUIRE A LOT OF EMPLOYEES.
AND THE CURRENT, UM, WOULD BE 7:00 AM TO 3:30 PM TO, UH, ADDITIONAL FIVE PEOPLE.
AS I SAID, THE EXISTING SITE IS 34.5 ACRES.
THE BILLING RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE TWO OF THEM, 48,400 SQUARE FEET, 65,500 SQUARE FEET FOR A TOTAL OF 113,900 SQUARE FEET.
AS MR. CRAIG STATED, UM, WE GO BACK TO 1983 AND WE STARTED OFF WITH A DECISION OF THE HEARING EXAMINER BACK THEN, MR. HENDER HK.
AND IT WAS A SPECIAL EXCEPTION GRANTED, TO ALLOW FOR THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY, WHICH WAS GRANTED.
AND THE APPLICANT WAS AUTHORIZED TO REMOVE THE EXISTING TEMPORARY STRUCTURE AND TO REPLACE THEM WITH 5,000 SQUARE FOOT MASONRY BUILDING THAT WAS FOLLOWED IN FEBRUARY 14TH, 1986, UH, ALSO BY MR. RAPPA.
UH, IT WAS A SPECIAL EXCEPTION GRANTED FOR THE FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF GUIDE TOWER CONSTRUCTION OF A 240 FOOT, UH, BY 170 FOOT STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION OF 80 FOOT BY 40 FOOT GARAGE AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN EIGHT BY FOOT SHELTER.
THAT WAS FOLLOWED FEBRUARY 27TH, 1987 WITH ANOTHER, UH, BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION, AGAIN BY HEARING EXAMINER, UH, GREGORY AORTA.
AND IT WAS FOR A HEIGHT VARIANCE IN ORDER TO PERMIT A BUILDING TO BE CONSTRUCTED TO THE HEIGHT OF 51 FEET.
NOW WE'RE GONNA SHOW YOU THE EXISTING ELEVATIONS.
THAT'S IF YOU DRIVE DOWN CARSON'S RUN, THIS IS WHAT YOU WOULD SEE TO DATE.
UH, AND THEY'RE JUST ELEVATIONS.
SO, UM, I DISAGREE WITH MR. KRICK.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO, UM, IMPACT ANY WETLANDS.
IF YOU SEE THAT SLIDE IN THE FRONT OF THE PROPOSED BUILDING IS THE N R D, THE WETLANDS, AND WE ARE STAYING OUT OF THAT.
UM, SO WE'RE NOT GONNA IMPACT THAT AT ALL IN THE BACK IS THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY TO FACILITATE THAT BUILDING.
WE, WE HAVE NO IMPACT WHATSOEVER ON MR. CRAIG'S LAND.
THESE ARE THE ELEVATIONS FOR THE PROPOSED USE.
AND MAYBE JUST SLIDE THROUGH THOSE PLEASE.
YOU'LL SEE THAT THEY'RE IN HARMONY WITH THE EXISTING STRUCTURES OUT THERE.
UH, THE SLIDE DOESN'T DO ENOUGH JUSTICE, QUITE FRANKLY, BUT, UH, IT WILL BE THE SAME AESTHETIC APPEAL AS THE EXISTING BUILDINGS.
SO LET'S GET TO THE LAW BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
SECTION 2 67 DASH 21, WHICH TALKS ABOUT THE ENLARGEMENT OR EXTENSION OF NON-CONFORMING USES.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
[00:20:01]
FIRST, THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OR ENLARGEMENT DOES NOT CHANGE TO A LESS RESTRICTED OR MORE INTENSE USE.THE CURRENT USE IS COMMUNICATION CENTER DATA CENTER.
AND, UM, THE USE WILL NOT CHANGE.
NEXT, THE ENLARGEMENT OR EXTENSION DOES NOT EXCEED 50%.
AS I SAID BEFORE, WE'RE AT 21%, SO WE'RE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE 50%.
THE ENLARGEMENT OR EXTENSION DOES NOT VIOLATE THE HEIGHT OR COVERAGE REGULATIONS.
THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT IN THE THE AG DISTRICT IS THREE STORIES.
WE'RE GONNA BE AT 22, UH, FEET AND 7.5 INCHES WELL BELOW THREE STORIES.
THE ENLARGEMENT OR EXTENSION WOULD NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT ADJACENT PROPERTIES, TRAFFIC PATTERNS OR THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND YOU CAN SEE BY THE TREE COVER THERE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE REMOVING SOME TREES, BUT LOOK AT HOW DENSE THAT IS.
AND AGAIN, THE CREEKS DON'T LIVE THERE.
IT'S ALL SURROUNDED BY WOODLANDS.
WE'RE GONNA REMOVE SOME TO BUILD THAT BUILDING, BUT THAT, THAT'S IT.
NEXT IS THE LIMITATIONS, GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS HEAD FORTH.
THE BOARD OF APPEALS ARE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD AND THEY WERE BY MR. CAHO.
PARDON? UH, THAT'S AN I, I'M SORRY.
AND THEN THE BOARD HAS TO ALSO CONSIDER THEN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS LIVING OR WORKING THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THERE'S NOT MANY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
THE ORDERLY GROWTH OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY, THE EFFECT OF ODORS, DUST, GAS, FACILITIES FOR POLICE, FIRE PROTECTION, ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.
SO, UH, WE HAVE NO IMPACT WHATSOEVER ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE DEGREE TO WHICH THE DEVELOPMENT IS CONSISTENT WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED ENGINEERING AND PLANNING PRINCIPLES, ALL OF WHICH WERE ARTICULATED IN A VERY, VERY THOROUGH BOARD OF APPEALS CASE IN FRONT OF, UH, HEARING EXAMINER MR. CAHO, THE STRUCTURES IN THE VICINITY, SCHOOLS, HOUSES OF WORSHIP, THEATERS, HOSPITALS, THERE ARE NONE.
THE PURPOSE IS SET FORTH IN THE MASTER PLAN.
THEY ALL RELATE BACK TO THE MASTER PLAN GOING BACK TO THE 1990S.
AND, UM, CONSISTENT WITH THE RARE MEN ADMINISTRATION, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, THE EFFECT ON SENSITIVE FEATURES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE.
THERE ARE NONE THE PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL AND HISTORIC LANDMARKS.
SO WE GET TO THE STAFF REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS, AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE CLEANEST ONE I'VE EVER SEEN.
IN 38 YEARS OF LAW PRACTICE, THE APPLICANT SHALL PREPARE THE REQUIRED PLANS FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL.
THAT'S AN ENGINEERING FUNCTION.
AND THEN THE APPLICANT SHALL OBTAIN ALL NECESSARY APPROVALS, PERMITS, AND INSPECTIONS FOR THE PROJECT.
WE'LL DO THAT THROUGH THE ENGINEERS.
SO MR. CAHO CONCLUDED IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE REQUEST FOR AN EXPANSION, A NON FOREIGN USE, BE APPROVED SUBJECT TO THESE CONDITIONS.
THE APPLICANT SHALL PREPARE THE REQUIRED PLAN.
THE APPLICANT SHALL OBTAIN ALL NECESSARY APPROVALS WILL DO THAT.
AND WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN ALL OF OUR GENERATORS, UH, TO THREE OR FEWER CONCURRENTLY RUNNING UNDER MAINTENANCE WITH NO OVERLOAD.
SO WITH THAT, MR. PRESIDENT MEMBERS OF THE COURT APPEALS, WE WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU AFFIRM THE HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION, WHICH WAS THOUGHTFULLY ARTICULATED BY MR. CAHO.
AND I, I HAVE AN AFFINITY FOR MR. KRICK.
HE AND I GET ALONG VERY WELL, BUT WE JUST RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE, SO WE ASK THAT YOU AFFIRM
[00:25:01]
THE HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION.UH, YOU WILL HAVE LEFT YOURSELF FIVE MINUTES, 45 SECONDS FOR ANY TYPE OF REBUTTAL.
MR. KRICK, YOU HAVE FOUR MINUTES, 30 SECONDS, SIR.
YOU HAVE FOUR MINUTES AND 30 SECONDS.
MR. SNEE HAS VERY, UH, ADEQUATELY PRESENTED THE HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE.
AND I WOULD JUST POST, CAN YOU PULL THAT MICROPHONE CLOSER TO YOU, SIR? I'M SORRY.
UM, I WOULD JUST POSE THE QUESTION AS TO WHAT ARE THE LIMITS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH A SITE IN AN AGRICULTURALLY ZONED DISTRICT? STARTED OUT WITH A TOWER IN A, IN A SHACK, BASICALLY.
AND THEN THAT SHACK WAS CONVERTED INTO A BUILDING.
THAT BU BUILDING WAS CONVERTED INTO ANOTHER BUILDING, AND THEN THAT BUILDING HAD AN EXPANSION UPWARDS.
AND NOW THEY'RE ASKING TO DESTROY THREE AND A HALF ACRES OF THE SITE TO BUILD YET ANOTHER BUILDING AND NOT JUST A BUILDING, COOLING TOWERS, GENERATORS, PARKING AREAS ALONG ROAD ACCESSING THAT PART OF THE PROPERTY.
SO WHAT ARE THE LIMITS WHEN IT COMES TO EXPANSION IN AN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT? I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER.
I KNOW THAT MR. MR. SNEE JUST QUOTED SOMETHING.
I'D LIKE TO HEAR THE REST OF THAT SENTENCE.
50% OF WHAT? AND I BELIEVE IT'S 50% OF THE ORIGINAL APPROVAL OF A VARIANCE.
MUCH DIFFERENT THAN 50% OF WHAT'S THERE.
NOW I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, THAT'S NOT MY EXPERTISE.
BUT MY QUESTION REALLY IS, TO WHAT EXTENT CAN YOU KEEP EXPANDING IN AN INDUSTRIAL WAY? WHEN I SAY INDUSTRIAL, I'M TALKING ABOUT GENERATORS THAT ARE POWERED BY CATERPILLAR AND CUMMINS, HIGH HORSEPOWER ENGINES TO THE TOTAL OF 10.
AND WHEN THE CURRENT GOES OFF, THOSE ALL HAVE TO BE EMPLOYED TOGETHER.
SO THINK OF THE NOISE THEY'RE ALL MAKING TOGETHER, NOT JUST SIMPLY EXERCISING THEM UNDER NO LOAD.
THAT WOULD BE EXERCISING THEM UNDER FULL LOAD, WHICH MEANS FULL VOLUME OF NOISE.
SO AGAIN, LET ME COVER WHAT I, WHAT I PUT FORTH EARLIER.
THE STAFF STUDY INACCURATELY PORTRAYS A BUFFER TO THE DEVELOPMENT PICTURE UP THERE WAS VERY NICE, BUT THAT'S MY LAND HE'S PICTURING AS, AS WOODLAND BUFFER.
THE PROPOSAL PROCESS FAILED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPACTS ON MY PROPERTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
IN FACT, I'VE SHOWN THAT THE PRO PROPOSAL WOULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT AND NEGATIVE IMPACT ON MY PROPERTY.
I COVERED SOME OF THOSE IN MY PRESENTATION TONIGHT.
MORE DETAILS ARE IN THE LETTERS THAT I HAVE PREPARED AND THE TESTIMONY FOR THE ORIGINAL HEARING.
THE SOUND STUDY WAS A FAILURE, BOTH IN TERMS OF OUTCOME AND PROCESS.
YOU CAN'T BELIEVE A THING IN THAT STUDY.
IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A MODELED PICTURE OF THE SOUND WAVE THAT WOULD BE CREATED BY GENERATORS.
OH, THERE'S A PICTURE OF THE, THE SOUND THAT WOULD BE CREATED BY COOLING TOWERS AND IN FACT, IT DOES SHOW DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON OUR PROPERTY BOUNDARY.
BUT, BUT IT'S NOT TOTALLY THERE AND WE HAD NO OPPORTUNITY TO QUESTION IT AND, AND PROCESS IT.
AND WITH 34 AND A HALF ACRES AT THIS SITE AND MANY OTHER SITES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, MCI, VERIZON WOULD NOT EXPERIENCE A HARDSHIP TO LOCATE THIS FACILITY ELSEWHERE AND THEREBY PRESERVE THE AGRICULTURAL ZONING IN HARTFORD COUNTY.
LET ME JUST REITERATE, I'VE SPENT A GOOD PART OF MY LIFE BUILDING A FARM AND PARTICIPATING IN THAT ACTIVITY IN HARTFORD COUNTY.
I HATE TO SEE THAT INFRINGED UPON THE COMMENT THAT I DON'T LIVE THERE.
WELL, MY MAILING ADDRESS IS NOT THERE, BUT I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME THERE.
AM I ENTITLED WITH THE PROTECTIONS THAT ARE AFFORDED FOR AGRICULTURAL ZONING? I THINK I AM.
I THINK YOU NEED TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AND REJECT THIS PROPOSAL.
MR. SNEE, NOTHING FURTHER, MR. PRESENT.
THANK YOU WITH, UH, NOTHING FURTHER.
UH, THIS WILL CONCLUDE THIS HEARING ON CASE NUMBER 59 70 AND IT'LL BE TAKEN UP AT A FUTURE MEETING.
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
SESSION DAY 23 DASH ZERO THREE.PLEASE JOIN US FOR STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE.
FOLLOWED BY THE OPENING PRAYER BY COUNCILWOMAN BOLES.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH WE STAND ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HEAVENLY FATHER, I COME TO YOU TONIGHT ASKING FOR GUIDANCE, WISDOM, AND SUPPORT.
HELP US ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION.
ALLOW US TO GROW CLOSER AS A GROUP
[00:30:01]
AND NURTURE THE BONDS OF COMMUNITY.AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR, PRESENTATION PROCLAMATIONS.
FIVE CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS, APPLICATIONS, APPOINTMENTS, AND NOMINATIONS.
[7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
HAVE NONE.SEVEN APPROVAL OF MINUTES, PUBLIC HEARING.
ZONING APPEAL CASE NUMBER 59 66 H EDWARD ANDREWS THE THIRD AND IRENE PADILLA, LEGISLATIVE DAY 23 DASH ZERO TWO.
ARE THERE ANY CORRECTIONS TO THE MINUTES? THERE BEING NO CORRECTIONS TO AMEND STAND APPROVED.
[8. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS]
AGENDA NUMBER EIGHT, INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION 0 0 1 23 CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BOND SERIES 2023.MAY I HAVE A MOTION? COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVE TO APPROVE RIGHT RESOLUTION 0 0 1 DASH 23.
IT'S BEEN MOVED, SECONDED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 0 0 1 DASH 23.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION MR. PENMAN? PRESIDENT? THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ATTENTION TO A PARTICULAR PROJECT LISTED ON THIS BOND BILL RESOLUTION 0 0 1 23.
THE PROJECT NUMBER IS A 2 0 4 1 0 3 DESCRIBED AS THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CENTRAL PRECINCT AND TRAINING CENTER.
THIS BOND BILL FUNDS A SMALL PORTION OF THE NEW PRECINCT PROJECT TO A SUM OF $694,000.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS LINE ITEM IS TO PAY FOR SERVICES ALREADY RENTED FOR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN.
SO WHEN THIS BILL WAS APPROVED, IT AUTHORIZES THE COUNTY TREASURER TO USE A 15 MILLION BOND FOR THE PURPOSES OF PAYING FOR ALL THE LISTED PROJECTS.
AND I WOULD FULLY EXPECT THE COUNTY TO FULFILL THIS SALE AND THE FUNDING OF THIS BOND AND THE OBLIGATIONS LISTED WITHIN BASED ON THE DETAILS REQUESTED AND THE AUTHORIZATION BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL.
WHAT I FIND INTERESTING IS THAT THIS, THAT, UH, PREVIOUS BOND AUTHORIZATION HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL PERTAINING TO THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CENTRAL PRECINCT, SPECIFICALLY BILL NUMBER 22 0 1 16 RIGHT HERE, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL ON AUGUST 22ND, 2022, WHICH WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE HARFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO USE 120,360,000 TO FUND CERTAIN CAPITAL PROJECTS.
ONE OF THOSE PROJECTS IN BILL 2216 IS $20,500,000 FOR THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CENTRAL PRECINCT AND TRAINING FACILITY.
MY QUESTION IS IF BILL 22 0 16 WAS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL JUST LIKE THIS ONE MAY BE, WHY HAS THE PROJECT BEEN PLACED ON HOLD WITH, UH, WITH VERY REAL POTENTIAL OF BEING CUT ALTOGETHER? THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
ANYONE ELSE? MS. DIXON? MR. PRESIDENT? AYE.
THERE'RE BEING SEVEN VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, ZERO IN A NEGATIVE RESOLUTION.
0 0 1 DASH 23 IS HEREBY APPROVED.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS WE HAVE NONE.
INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS? WE HAVE NONE.
[11. CALL FOR FINAL READING OF BILLS]
11.CALL FOR FINAL READING OF BILLS BILL.
22 DASH 0 25 RE REVISIONS TO THE HARFORD COUNTY CODE.
ARTICLE ONE, CHAPTER FOUR, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AS AMENDED.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION? COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVE TO APPROVE BILL 22 DASH 25.
MAY I HAVE A SECOND AS AMENDED? SIR? AS AMENDED? SECOND.
BILL 22 DASH 25 AS AMENDED, UH, HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION MS. DIXON? MR. PRESIDENT? AYE.
THERE BEING SEVEN VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE AND ZERO AND A NEGATIVE BILL.
22 DASH 0 25 AS AMENDED IS HEREBY APPROVED.
[12. ENROLLMENT OF BILLS]
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 12, ENROLLMENT OF BILLS BILL 22 DASH 25 REVISIONS TO HARFORD COUNTY CODE ARTICLE ONE, CHAPTER FOUR, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AS AMENDED IS CERTIFIED TO BEING A TEXT FINALLY PASSED.AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 13, UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
[17. COMMENTS AND INPUT FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS]
DIXON, WE'RE GONNA GO TO COMMENTS FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS.DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? WE
[00:35:01]
DO.MR. PRESIDENT, I BELIEVE WE HAVE, UH, FOUR THIS EVENING.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS CASSANDRA, BE BEVERLY, FOLLOWED BY RON STUCZYNSKI.
I WOULD BE, UH, REMIND EACH OF YOU OF YOUR TIME.
NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
PRESIDENT VICENTE AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I'M CHAIR OF THE HARFORD COUNTY CAUCUS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERS.
FOR THOSE UNFAMILIAR WITH OUR ORGANIZATION, WE ARE A NON-PARTISAN GROUP OF COUNTY RESIDENTS WHOSE MISSION IS TO ADVOCATE FOR FAIRNESS, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THIS COUNTY.
SINCE OUR INCEPTION, WE HAVE WORKED TO ADDRESS ISSUES SUCH AS A LACK OF EMPLOYMENT PARODY WITHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, HEALTH DISPARITIES AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITY AS WE CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF DR.
I CALL UPON THE MA MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AND OUR FELLOW RESIDENTS TO RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO LOOK BACKWARDS IN PINE FOR A TIME WHEN AMERICA WAS QUOTE UNQUOTE GREAT.
HISTORICALLY, AMERICA HAS BEEN GREAT FOR SOME, HOWEVER, FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE, WE'RE NOT INVITED TO THE, TO FEAST AT THE TABLE OF AMERICA'S GREATNESS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS AND OTHER MINORITIES.
A GREAT AMERICA IS WHAT LIES AHEAD.
IF WE CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS THE BELOVED COMMUNITY, WE LOOK FORWARD TO AN AMERICA THAT TRULY REFLECTS THE FOUNDER'S CREED THAT ALL MEN AND I'LL ADD WOMEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.
THAT IS THE GREAT AMERICA THAT WE SEEK.
I BELIEVE A FOCUS ON OUR COMMON HUMANITY WILL PROVIDE THE GLUE WE NEED TO SURVIVE THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE AHEAD.
I URGE YOU AND EVERYONE IN OUR COUNTY TO SUPPORT TRUTH OVER LIES, FACT OVER FICTION, AND TO REJECT THE VOICES THAT SEEK TO DIVIDE US BY FOCUSING ON OUR DIFFERENCES.
AS YOU ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO TAKE SOME ACTION OR NOT TAKE AN ACTION, ASK YOURSELVES IF IT WILL IMPROVE THE LIVES OF ALL THE RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY.
AMERICA HAS BEEN AT HER GREATEST WHEN PEOPLE COME TOGETHER WITHOUT REGARD FOR COLOR, ETHNICITY, OR FAITH TO ACCOMPLISH A GOAL.
I'VE BEEN SO INSPIRED BY A VERY RECENT EXAMPLE OF HOW GREAT GREAT THIS COUNTRY CAN BE WITNESSING THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE, COMPASSION, AND SUPPORT FOR THE BUFFALO BILLS FOOTBALL PLAYER, DEMAR HAMLIN, NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE THAT HE WAS BLACK.
EVERYONE SAW A HUMAN BEING AND FOR THAT REASON, ALONE, WORTHY OF OUR CARE AND PRAYERS, I HAVE WITNESSED GREAT ACTS OF KINDNESS AND COMPASSION AND CARE FROM HARFORD COUNTY RESIDENTS.
AS WE CELEBRATE AND COMMEMORATE DR.
KING, LET US SUPPORT THOSE THINGS THAT ELEVATE AND CELEBRATE EACH OTHER AND IGNORE THE VOICES THAT SAY THAT WE CAN'T CARE ABOUT OR TREAT WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT PEOPLE WHO MAY BE DIFFERENT IN HOW THEY LOOK, SPEAK, LOVE, OR THINK.
DO NOT FEAR THE TRUTH, EMBRACE IT.
CELEBRATE THE WONDERFUL DIVERSITY OF THIS COUNTY, AND ALLOW EACH CITIZEN TO BENEFIT EQUALLY FROM ALL THAT THIS COUNTY HAS TO OFFER.
I LOOK FORWARD ON COUNCIL PRESIDENT OF ASCENDED TO YOUR ANNUAL VISIT TO THE CAUCUS.
MR. BENNETT HAS REACHED OUT TO US AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH HIM.
THE CAUCUS WILL BE HAPPY TO HAVE ANY OTHER MEMBER COME TO MEET WITH US, TO WORK ON MAKING THE COUNTY A GREAT PLACE TO WORK AND LIVE FOR ALL WHO RESIDE HERE.
RON SOCINSKI, THREE 19 MARINA AVENUE PERRYMAN.
I JUST WANTED TO, UM, UPDATE ON SOME OF THE NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS ON WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IF THEY ARE NOT AWARE, THE MITCHELL FREIGHT TERMINAL PROJECT ONE WAREHOUSE WOULD BE THE NINTH LARGEST WAREHOUSE IN NORTH AMERICA.
THE PROJECT WOULD BE THE SEVENTH LARGEST DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH AMERICA, THE 13TH LARGEST SQUARE FOOTAGE WISE IN THE WORLD.
WE ARE 5.6 SQUARE MILES OF A PENINSULA.
WE ARE ALREADY AT 56% OF COVERAGE OF WAREHOUSING AND, UH, FREIGHT DISTRIBUTION IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT, WE'D HAVE OVER 80% OF ALL THE COUNTIES DEVELOPMENT.
BUT FOR WHAT? AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE JUST HAD ANOTHER, UM, WAREHOUSE VACATED.
IT'S 571,000 MORE, UH, SQUARE FEET THAT JUST OPENED UP.
BUT I'M ASKING AGAIN TO THE COUNCIL.
SOME OF YOU HAVE HEARD IT BEFORE.
ARE WE EVER GONNA GET ANOTHER WATER STUDY? OUR LAST ONE WAS DONE OCTOBER OF 2000, AND THAT WAS BEFORE MOST OF THE THINGS BUILT IN THAT COMMUNITY WERE BUILT.
APG DID ONE IN 2002 WHERE THEY DID FIND POLLUTANTS IN THE WATER THAT ACTUALLY, UH, POISONS THAT ACTUALLY CAUSED THYROID CANCER.
MEANWHILE, THEY CONTINUE TO BUILD CONTINUED POLLUTER WATERWAYS AND THE COUNTY HAS FAILED TO ENFORCE ANY OF THE CURRENT CODES TO STOP WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ANY OF US.
A LOT OF YOU MAY NOT REMEMBER, BUT WE WENT THROUGH A, A LONG, A LONG PERIOD OF SPEAKERS AND,
[00:40:01]
UH, A DAC MEETING AND A SIM MEETING.SINCE THEN, A DEVELOPER HAS ACTUALLY CHANGED HIS PLANS, WHICH REQUIRES BY CODE, IF A PLAN IS SUBMITTED SU SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE PLAN PRESENTED AT THE COMMUNITY MEETING ANOTHER COMMUNITY MEETING, A NOTIFICATION AS SPECIFIED UNDER THE SECTION OF THE CODE SHALL BE REQUIRED.
SO THEY CHANGED THEIR PLANS ALMOST 60% SINCE THE FIRST TIME WE'VE COME HERE.
AND WE'VE ASKED REPEATEDLY FOR ANOTHER DAC MEETING, NSM MEETING SO THAT RESIDENTS HAVE THE, THE ABILITY TO SPEAK UP ABOUT THE, THE PROJECT.
IN MARCH OF 2022, BEFORE WE ACTUALLY HAD OUR MORATORIUM, C GREG MADE A FAKE FACEBOOK PAGE ENTITLED PERIMAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
IT RECEIVED 1100 COMMENTS OF WHICH 98.7 1085 WERE NEGATIVE.
THEY ALSO HAD C UH, WHIT MCQUAIG STAND OUTSIDE WITH FIVE MEXICAN WORKERS HOLDING SIGNS SAYING WE NEED JOBS.
AND I DO REMEMBER ACTUALLY, PAT CAME OUT AND YOU, YOU ADDRESSED ME IN A SITUATION WHEN IT HAPPENED.
THE NEW PLANS ACTUALLY TAKE AWAY JOBS THAT THEY NEEDED SO BAD.
YET NONE OF 'EM ARE HERE DEFENDING THEIR PROJECT.
WE'VE HAD OVER 300 SPEAKERS WITH OVER 16 HOURS OF COMMENTS, AND EACH WEEK THEY HAVE NO ONE HERE, DEPENDING ON WHY IS THIS SO GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, UH, TONY G, GOOD LUCK TO YOUR G MAN THIS WEEKEND.
UH, I, I HOPE THEY DO PULL A VICTORY FOR US.
AND OF COURSE, THE NINERS BANG BANG NINER GANG.
ANGIE LANE, FOLLOWED BY VICKI JONES.
SEE HERE, SHE MADE ME DO THAT.
NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
ANGIE LANE, THREE 19 MARINA AVENUE.
UM, I DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT ABOUT POLITICS.
I'M A REPUBLICAN BECAUSE MY MOM SAID THAT'S WHAT JESUS WOULD DO AND I ALWAYS WANTED DO THE RIGHT THING.
UM, BUT I AM A HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR AND SO I OFTEN HAVE TO FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO SAY NO, UH, WHILE MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS.
SO I CAN RELATE AND I HIGHLY, UH, RESPECT YOUR POSITIONS.
UM, I LIKE TO REQUEST AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO PROVIDE OUR ADDRESS PRIOR TO SPEAKING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS A VICTIM.
NO, FOR SOMEONE WHO IS A SURVIVOR OF A TRAUMATIC CRIME, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STAND UP AND SPEAK ABOUT ANYTHING.
THANKFULLY, MY FIANCE DOES MOST OF THE TALKING, SO I USUALLY DON'T HAVE MUCH MORE TO SAY.
BUT EVEN WITH AN ACTIVE PROTECTIVE ORDER, SAYING WHERE I LIVE MAKES ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE.
SO I APPRECIATE THAT CONSIDERATION.
FEELING SAFE IS SOMETHING WE ALL SHOULD HAVE A RIGHT TO.
I'VE LIVED A LOT OF MY LIFE WITHOUT THIS COMFORT, FEELING, SCARED AND UNABLE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.
I'VE HAD TO WORK REALLY HARD TO GET MYSELF WHERE I AM NOW.
AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT I'VE DONE THAT.
NO ONE SHOULD EVER HAVE TO TELL A STORY LIKE MINE.
I REALIZE THIS ISN'T THE PLACE FOR STORIES.
SO IF YOU WANNA KNOW MINE, YOU'LL HAVE TO READ IT IN THEK.
I ONLY BRING THIS UP TO MAKE A POINT THAT FEELING SAFE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS BEING SAFE.
YOU'VE HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE SHARE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL SAFETY.
I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT MENTAL SAFETY IS EQUALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ILLEGAL HANDICAP PARKING IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF THE ATTITUDE THAT IS MOVING INTO OUR AREA.
HOMELESS CAMPS ARE SETTING UP BEHIND THE SHOP, RIGHT? AND THE PARK AND RIDES.
MEN ARE COMING UP AND ASKING ME FOR MONEY AT THE GAS STATION.
I DON'T EVEN FEEL SAFE GOING TO THE LOCAL STORE ANYMORE.
ALL OF THESE THINGS CONTRIBUTE TO HE TO MENTAL HEALTH.
AND I FEEL THE COUNTY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO CONSIDER ALL ELEMENTS OF SAFETY.
REZONING AND BUILDING TO BENEFIT DEVELOPERS IS KILLING OUR COUNTY.
THERE'S A LIST OF REASONS WHY THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR US, AND THERE'S ONLY ONE REASON WHY IT CONTINUES.
WHAT GOOD IS MONEY? IF YOU FEEL UNSAFE, WHAT GOOD IS MONEY? IF YOU'RE TOO SCARED TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE TO SPEND IT, WHAT GOOD IS MONEY? IF THERE'S NO QUALITY OF LIFE, CRIME IS REAL.
AND IF WE DON'T DO ANYTHING TO STOP IT, OUR HOUSES, OUR HOMES, THE PLACE WE ALL GO TO FEEL AND BE SAFE WILL NO LONGER BE WHERE WE FIND PEACE.
WHEN CONSIDERING ACTION TO APPROVE MORE DEVELOPMENT, PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING.
AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, JUST ASK YOUR MOM, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? THANK YOU MA'AM.
[00:45:09]
GOOD EVENING MA'AM.NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
I'M VICKI JONES, PRESIDENT OF THE HARFORD COUNTY NAACP PO BOX 5 25, ABERDEEN, MARYLAND, 20 1001.
UM, I WANNA TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO SAY I AGREE WITH THE LAST SPEAKER, UM, ABOUT GIVING ADDRESSES.
I KNOW THIS DISCUSSION CAME UP LAST YEAR BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME BAD ACTORS IN THIS COUNTY, STALKING PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO SPEAK OUT, UM, FOR THINGS IN THIS COUNTY.
EVEN THOUGH I KNOW EACH OF YOU, I HAVE NOT MET SOME OF YOU IN PERSON, BUT I WILL BE REQUESTING TIME ON BEHALF OF OUR EXEC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE EACH OF YOU ON YOUR APPOINTMENT.
I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH NEW MEMBERS KNOW ABOUT THE NAACP, BUT I'LL SHARE.
THE LOCAL BRANCH HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1920.
WE HAVE ALMOST 300 MEMBERS AND 2000 SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS.
WE CONTINUE TO GROW AND OUR MEMBERSHIP IS DIVERSE.
OUR MISSION IS TO ACHIEVE EQUITY, POLITICAL RIGHTS, AND SOCIAL INCLUSION BY ADVANCING POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT EXPAND HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS, ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION AND ACCELERATE THE WELLBEING, EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC SECURITY OF BLACK PEOPLE AND ALL PERSONS OF COLOR.
I HAVE A FEW THINGS THAT I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.
THE FIRST IS TERM LIMITS, WHICH I WAS AWARE WAS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST MEETING.
WE ARE BY AND LARGE IN SUPPORT OF THEM.
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SOME DOWNFALLS.
THE ADOPTION OF TERM LIMITS TEND TO LEAD TO MORE DIVERSE LEGISLATORS, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO RACE, ETHNICITY, AND GENDER.
ALTHOUGH HISTORICALLY, WE HAVEN'T HAD MANY ISSUES WITH CANDIDATES STAYING FOR LENGTHY TERMS. WE DO HAVE SOME WHO HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE FOR SEVERAL TERMS AND THEIR VIEW ON POLITICS AND ISSUES HAS NOT CHANGED AND THE TIMES AND, UM, CHANGED WITH THE TIMES.
AND AS THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO DIVERSIFY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHER VOICES AND THAT OUR ELECTED POSITIONS AREN'T POWER TRIPPING OR USING THE ROLE JUST FOR THE BENEFITS.
NEXT, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THAT TODAY IS THE NATIONAL DAY OF RACIAL.
THIS IS THE SEVENTH YEAR ON THIS DAY, INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE US COME TOGETHER TO EXPLORE THEIR COMMON HUMANITY AND BUILD THE RELATIONSHIPS NECESSARY TO CREATE A MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE WORLD.
WE HAVE WORK TO DO IN THIS AREA, IN THIS COUNTY.
LASTLY, WE HAVE OUR ANNUAL MLK BREAKFASTS, SATURDAY IN ATTENDANCE, OUR LOCAL C-SUITE LEADERS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM HARFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT, AND MANY FROM THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE 200 TICKET HOLDERS, 50 OVER OUR GOAL AND 53 ON THE WAITING LIST, WHICH WE FINALLY HAD TO CUT OFF.
I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBERS, RILEY AND BENNETT FOR REGISTERING TO ATTEND AND FOR COUNCIL MEMBER SOLES FOR RESPONDING WITH HER REGRETS.
AND I THINK WE'LL SEE YOU THERE TO PRESIDENT VINCENTI.
[16. BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS]
LET'S MOVE TO AGENDA NUMBER 16, BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS.I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS.
UM, FIRST I WANTED TO, UH, REPORT THAT JBA TOWN HIGH SCHOOL HAD AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THEY WANTED ME TO MAKE IN, UH, UM, THROUGH THE HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
THEY'VE ANNOUNCED THAT JBA TOWN HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY TO ESTABLISH A US ARMY JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS J R O T C PROGRAM.
EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1ST, 2023 EIGHTH.
EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN THE J R O T C AT THE JPA TOWN HIGH SCHOOL.
APPLICANTS WILL BE AVAILABLE, UH, APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JANUARY THE 17TH, AND FRIDAY, FEBRUARY THE 10TH, ON ON THEIR WEBSITE, WHICH IS HCPS.ORG.
AND THEN ALL THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICES.
ALSO, UH, UH, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE HAS PUT OUT A NOTICE TO, UH, NEEDING VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE ON THE HARFORD COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION BOARDS.
UH, AND IN, UM, IN CHOPPA TOWN, EDGEWOOD, WHICH I REPRESENT, UH, THEY JUST LIKE THE OTHER AREAS, THEY HOLD REGULAR MEETINGS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO STAY INFORMED, DISCUSS LOCAL ISSUES, AND PROVIDE VALUABLE FEEDBACK TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND HIS OFFICE.
THE EDGEWOOD CAB MEETINGS ALWAYS MEET ON THE SECOND THURSDAY, AND THE CHOPPA TOWN CAB MEETING ALWAYS MEETS ON THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH, UH, ABSENT OF A HOLIDAY.
IF IT'S A HOLIDAY, THEY, THEY MEET ON THE FOLLOWING
[00:50:01]
MONDAY, AND THOSE MEETINGS USUALLY RUN FROM ABOUT SEVEN TO NINE.AND THOSE MEETINGS ARE AT THE SOUTHERN PRECINCT, WHICH IS 1305 PULASKI HIGHWAY, EXCEPT JULY.
UM, AUGUST AND, AND HOLIDAYS, THEY'RE EXCLUDED.
ONE OTHER THING, UM, CONGRATULATIONS TO J PATAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NAMED DECEMBER THE FRIENDLY FAMILY SCHOOL WINNER.
HCPS, UH, PARENT ACADEMY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHICK-FIL-A OF HARFORD COUNTY IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT JO PAT TUNNEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS THE DECEMBER WINNER FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS FRIEND, UM, FAMILY FRIENDLY SCHOOL AWARD PROGRAM.
THIS MONTH, THE TOTAL OF 21 SCHOOLS WERE NOMINATED.
UM, UH, PEOPLE VOTED AND WERE CAST BY THE COMMUNITY AMONG THE NOMINATED SCHOOLS NAMED CHABA ELEMENTARY, THE WINNER WITH 891 VOTES.
NOT ONLY DOES THE SCHOOL EARN THE COVENANT, UM, TITLE OF, OF FAMILY FRIENDLY SCHOOL FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, BUT THE ENTIRE SCHOOL STAFF WILL BE TREATED TO LUNCHEON AT THE PROGRAMS, UH, H CS, UH, OF HARVARD COUNTY.
I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO A COUPLE RUNNER UPS S SWINE, UH, UH, CREEK SCHOOL, UM, EMERTON, UH, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND WILLIAM JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I HAVE, UH, THREE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THIS EVENING.
UH, THE FIRST IS AN UPDATE ON THE TERM LIMIT LEGISLATION.
MYSELF AND COLLEAGUES HAVE CONTINUED TO DISCUSS AND EVALUATE THE TERM LIMIT LIMIT LEGISLATION.
MY HOPE IS TO HAVE A MORE CONCRETE UPDATE AT NEXT MONTH'S MEETING.
MY SECOND MESSAGE IS, UH, CONSTITUENT REQUEST PERTAINING TO THE, UH, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BUS, SHELTER AND ABANDONED VEHICLES AND HOMELESS AT THE PARK AND RIDE AT 9 24 AND 24.
I'VE INITIALLY REACHED OUT TO THE MARYLAND STATE POLICE BELAIRE BARRACK, UH, FOR INCREASED PATROLS AND TO ADDRESS THE ABANDONED VEHICLES.
IN ADDITION, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE HARFORD COUNTY ACTION AGENCY HAS BEEN MONITORING THE HOMELESS SITUATION AND WILL BE ATTEMPTING TO FIND, UH, PLACEMENT FOR ANYONE THEY ENCOUNTER THAT IS HOMELESS.
I'LL ALSO BE MAKING CONTACT WITH THE STATE TO REQUIRE REQUEST REPAIR OF THE DAMAGE OF THAT BUS SHELTER.
UH, MY CLOSING COMMENT IS TO AGAIN, ADVOCATE, UH, TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED CAPITAL BUDGET PROJECT FOR THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CENTRAL PRECINCT AND TRAINING CENTER.
I'D LIKE TO, UH, THANK THE SHERIFF, ACKNOWLEDGE THE SHERIFF.
UH, JEFF GAYLOR IS HERE, ALONG WITH, UH, COLONEL DAVIS AND COMMAND STAFF MEMBERS.
SINCE IT WAS DISCUSSED LAST WEEK'S AT LAST WEEK'S MEETING, I'VE HEARD SEVERAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS REACH OUT AND THANK ME FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE PRECINCT SUPPORTERS THAT ALSO SEE THE ADVANTAGES AND PUBLIC SAFETY NEED ALONG THE ROUTE 40 CORRIDOR EVERY DAY.
THIS PROJECT IS DELAYED, IS ONE DAY IT COULD BE SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.
I WOULD POINT OUT AGAIN FROM MY PREVIOUS COMMENTS THIS EVENING, THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CENTRAL PRECINCT AND TRAINING CENTER WAS FUNDED BASED ON COUNTY COUNCIL BILL 22 0 1 16.
IF THAT FUNDING IS WITHDRAWN, THAT IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF DEFUNDING.
I DO THANK COUNTY EXECUTIVE, UH, CASTLEY FOR THE CONTINUED CONVERSATION.
I HAD A POSITIVE CONVERSATION WITH HIM OVER THE WEEKEND, AND MY HOPE IS TO, UH, AFTER A CAREFUL EVALUATION, THIS TO DECISION WILL BE MADE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CENTRAL PRECINCT.
UM, MY, UH, CONDOLENCE TO, UH, MR. CHARLIE HEMMER ON HIS, UH, RECENT PASSING.
HE MOVED DOWN HERE FROM, UH, NEW JERSEY.
WORKED WITH MY FATHER AT LEER BROTHERS.
UM, SO MY CONDOLENCES TO THE, UH, TO THE HELMER FAMILY.
UM, I WAS ON THE COUNCIL WHEN WE APPROVED THE, UM, UH, THE BOND HEARING FOR THE NEW PRECINCT.
I WENT OUT AND DID THE, UH, RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE PRECINCT THAT WAS TO BE COMING.
SO, UM, I WAS, UH, INFORMED BY SHERIFF GALLER THAT THERE WAS, UH, SOME TALK ABOUT, UH, MAYBE NOT MOVING FORWARD.
SO I, I KNOW WE APPROPRIATED FUNDS FOR THAT.
I KNOW WE'VE SPENT FUNDS FOR THAT, PROBABLY OVER A MILLION DOLLARS IN DESIGN AND, AND EVERYTHING ON THAT.
SO I, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO, TO THAT BEING, UH, COMPLETED AND IMPLEMENTED.
I KNOW WE NEED THAT IN THAT AREA.
SO, UH, HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THAT WORKED OUT.
UM, RONNIE, I FORGOT TO TELL YOU LAST TIME WHEN WE WERE OUT, WE, UH, WHEN WE DID THE RIDE ALONG OVER THERE, I CAME BACK TO BELL CAMP AND I SAW SHERIFF DEPUTY TICKETING SOMEBODY IN THE HANDICAP PARKING.
AND I KNOW, UH, SHERIFF GAYLOR SITTING HERE, HOPEFULLY WE CAN, UM, MAYBE GET MORE DEPUTIES LOOKING IN TICKETING PEOPLE THAT ARE ILLEGALLY PARKED IN THESE HANDICAPPED ZONES.
I KNOW I'VE, UH, LOOKING INTO, UH, FIRE ZONE AND HOPEFULLY THAT WE CAN WORK OUT SOME KIND OF, UH, BILL THAT MIRRORS THE, UH, MUNICIPALITY SO THAT THE POLICE OFFICERS CAN ALSO WRITE TICKETS FOR THE FIRE ZONE.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THE, WITH THE COST FOR THAT AS WELL.
[00:55:01]
ALSO, UH, I'VE HAD A LOT OF CALLS FROM THE AIR ATHLETIC CLUB, SUDDEN CLOSING THAT WAS ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY ON FACEBOOK.I DID FOLLOW UP AND CALL, UH, QUITE A FEW PEOPLE TO SEE IF ANYBODY KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON.
UM, UNFORTUNATELY, THE TOWN OF BEL AIR DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING.
I'VE TALKED TO SOME OF THE LAWYERS WHO ARE WORKING AT THE, AT THE, UH, HARTFORD MALL PROJECT.
UM, I ACTUALLY WENT UP TO THE ATHLETIC CLUB THIS EVENING CUZ I HEARD THE COO OF, WELL, BRIDGE WAS THERE.
UM, HOPEFULLY SHE WAS GONNA TALK TO ME, BUT SHE DID NOT GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION.
UM, I DID, UH, C W B A L OUTSIDE.
THEY ASKED ME TO COMMENT, WHICH I CERTAINLY DID.
I STARTED GOING TO THAT CLUB WHEN I WAS 16 YEARS OLD.
UM, AT A BEL AIR HIGH SCHOOL, WE WOULD GO FOOTBALL TEAM, WE WOULD PAY A DOLLAR A DAY TO WORK THERE.
SO OVER 44 YEARS I'VE BEEN A MEMBER OF THAT CLUB.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GONNA GO THERE.
WE, WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT APARTMENTS OR REALLY, WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE CLUB.
SO I DON'T KNOW HOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY CAN JUST, UH, TERMINATE THEIR CONTRACT.
I WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THEY DIDN'T PAY THE RENT OR WHAT THE STATUS WAS, BUT THEY WANT TO REPURPOSE THAT PROPERTY, WHICH NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THAT'S GONNA BE.
UM, BUT IT DEFINITELY IS HEARTBREAK, HEARTBREAKING.
THERE'S, UH, OVER 200 PEOPLE THAT ARE GONNA LOSE THEIR JOB.
THE PARKING LOT IS FILLED EVERY NIGHT.
SO I'D LIKE TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GONNA, WHAT'S GONNA GO WITH THAT.
UM, AND, AND I'M GONNA TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TERM LIMITS AND, UH, COUNCILMAN PENMAN.
UM, COUNCILMAN PENMAN HAS NOT SPOKEN TO ME OTHER THAN INITIALLY TALKING ABOUT WHETHER I WAS FOUR TERM LIMITS OR NOT.
HE'S WORKED WITH THE OTHER COUNCIL PEOPLE AND BROUGHT UP, UH, DIFFERENT PROPOSALS.
WE HAVE YET TO TALK TO ME ABOUT IT.
I HAVE TALKED TO PROBABLY OVER A HUNDRED PEOPLE, UM, POLICY HOLDERS THAT I HAVE, UH, BUSINESS PEOPLE THAT I HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY.
UH, NOT ONE OF 'EM HAS SAID TO ME THAT THEY ARE FOUR TERM LIMITS FOR THE LOCAL LEVEL, UH, FOR THE STATE LEVEL.
FOR CONGRESS, YES, BUT NOT FOR TERM LIMITS.
UM, PRIOR ON THIS COUNCIL, WE HAD, UH, MR. CURTIS, CURTIS BUELL, WHO WAS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN.
UM, THEY, HE'S NO LONGER ON HERE.
WE HAD A, ANOTHER GENTLEMAN RUNNING FOR THE SAME POSITION AS DION, MR. WOODS, WHO WAS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN.
SO I THINK FOR INCLUSION, WE CERTAINLY WANT INCLUSION.
THE PEOPLE OUT THERE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT VOTE AND VOTE PEOPLE IN.
SO I, UM, I, I CERTAINLY AM, UH, A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN CONSULTED ON ANYTHING.
AND I THINK TODAY WAS THE, THE NIGHT TO TALK UP IF EVERYBODY ELSE IS GONNA BRING UP THEIR OPINIONS.
THAT IS THE OPINION OF A HUNDRED PEOPLE THAT I'VE TALKED TO SO FAR.
I'LL CONTINUE TO TALK TO PEOPLE.
IF ANYBODY WANTS TO CALL ME, BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT IT.
BUT AS I SAID, I'VE NOT HAD ONE PERSON THAT I KNOW OUTSIDE OF SOME OF MR. PEN'S, PEOPLE THAT ARE FOUR TERM LIMITS.
SO, THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU MR. JERDEN AND MR. RILEY.
I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY, UH, TODAY WE HAD A VERY INFORMATIVE, UH, COUNTY COUNCIL TOUR OF SOME COUNTY FACILITIES.
UH, I WANNA THANK JOSEPH SEIFA, JOE SIMONICH AND RICK AYRES.
UH, THEY TOOK THEIR TIME TO REALLY, UH, UH, GET US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR OPERATION.
I ASKED, UH, SHERIFF GAYLOR JUST THIS EVENING BEFORE THE MEETING IF HE WOULD DO THE SAME WITH HIS FACILITIES.
AND, UH, HE SAID HE'D BE GLAD TO.
SO I'M GONNA WORK OUT WITH ERIC ROBY TO SEE IF WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO THAT SAME INFORMATIVE TOUR WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
MR. PRESIDENT, THANK YOU, MR. UH, MS. SOLES.
I'M A LITTLE UPSET THAT YOU LEFT ME OUTTA YOUR COMMENTS BECAUSE I AM FOR TERM LIMITS, BUT, UM, WELL, YOU CERTAINLY HAVEN'T COME TALK TO ME EITHER.
I'LL PUT THAT ON MY COMMENT LITTLE LATE.
LAST TUESDAY I TOLD YOU, UH, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH SERGEANT SANCHEZ OF THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE COMMUNITY POLICING UNIT.
UM, I DID GET AN UPDATE FROM HIM AND HE HAS MADE NUMEROUS TRAFFIC STOPS.
HE HAS ISSUED WARNING CITATIONS AND ON ONE OCCASION INVOLVING A NON-COMPLIANT TRUCK DRIVER MADE AN ARREST.
SO THEY ARE OUT THERE WORKING AND DOING THEIR BEST TO TRY AND MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE GETTING SAFE.
UM, HE'S ALSO SPOKEN WITH THE ABERDEEN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND I WILL BE TALKING WITH HIM AGAIN TOMORROW FOR AN UPDATE ON THE MEETINGS THAT HE HAS PLANNED FOR THE AMAZON WAREHOUSE.
UM, I ALSO HAVE A MEETING PLANNED WITH STATE HIGHWAY TOMORROW TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY FOR FLASHING SIGNAGE AS I'D SPOKEN ABOUT BEFORE.
SO THAT WILL BE HAPPENING TOMORROW AS WELL.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR SUBMITTING YOUR CONCERNS.
[01:00:01]
UM, JUST PLEASE AGAIN, BE SAFE.DON'T TAKE PICTURES IF YOU'RE NOT AT A SAFE DISTANCE, JUST STAY SAFE.
UM, ON ANOTHER NOTE, I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR LAST WEEK THAT THERE HAS BEEN A HOLD PUT ON THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, NEW CENTRAL PRECINCT AND THE TRAINING FACILITY PROJECT.
UM, I UNDERSTAND THAT IT WAS FUNDED BY THE PREVIOUS COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND APPROVED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL.
SO, UM, I PLAN ON ALSO SPEAKING WITH THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO FIND OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE ON A TIMEFRAME WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN, IF IT WILL HAPPEN, WHY IT'S BEEN PLACED ON HOLD.
AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE COUNCIL AND CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY WILL HAVE AN ANSWER ON THAT VERY SOON.
UM, SO THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 20TH, IT'S GONNA BE THE FIFTH ANNUAL FAIRYTALE SUPERHERO AND NINJA FESTIVAL AT ABINGTON LIBRARY FROM 9:00 AM TO 4:30 PM UM, I WILL BE THE GUEST READER AT, UH, 4:20 PM AND I'M VERY EXCITED FOR THAT.
UM, PENDING ME READING VERY QUICKLY.
I IMAGINE I'M THE LAST GUEST READER OF THE EVENT.
UM, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO READING AFTER THE FALL, WHICH IS THE SEQUEL TO HUMPTY DUMPTY.
UM, ON JANUARY 21ST AT 9:30 AM THE NAACP IS HOSTING THEIR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
FREEDOM BREAKFAST AT LEVEL FIRE HALL.
UM, MS. JONES ALREADY SPOKE TO THAT SO WELL TONIGHT.
UM, I JUST WANNA POINT OUT THAT THEY ARE COLLECTING BOOKS THAT EVENING OR THAT MORNING.
SO PLEASE, UH, BRING YOUR, UH, NEW AND SLIGHTLY USED LIGHT USED BOOKS, UM, TO SUPPORT, UH, THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, JANUARY 21ST AND 22ND AT 9:00 AM THERE'S GONNA BE A MARYLAND BOAT, UH, BOATING SAFETY COURSE PROVIDED THE CLASS IS GONNA BE HELD VIRTUALLY FOR BOTH AND BOTH SESSIONS ARE, UH, REQUIRED.
THIS COURSE SAT SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATING A VESSEL ON MARYLAND WATERS, AND THE COST IS $20, BUT IT'S FREE TO FIRST RESPONDERS, ACTIVE MILITARY C SCOUTS AND MEDICAL SLASH HOSPITAL STAFF REGISTRATION COULD BE FOUND ON THE HA GRACE MARITIME MUSEUM WEBSITE.
UH, JANUARY 25TH, UH, THE, THERE'S GONNA BE A SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES AT THE AMERICAN LEGION.
UH, POST 47 OVER IN HA GRACE, YOU CAN, UH, SIGN UP BY EMAILING SJ BALLARD AT, UH, HARTFORD COUNTY MD.GOV.
UM, ON A, UH, A SATURN PORT MORE PERSONAL NOTE TO OUR DISTRICT, UH, THIS, UH, PAST WEEK WE HEARD OF THE PASSING OF MR. ROBERT GREEN FROM CAVITY GRACE.
UM, YOU KNOW, HE WAS A LOT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M, IF YOU WALK THROUGH TOWN REALLY AT ANY POINT, I'M SURE YOU RAN INTO MR. GREEN AND HIS CAT CLUB HAT.
HE WAS A PROUD AMBASSADOR OF THE CAT CLUB AND, AND REALLY PROMOTED, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, BEAUTIFYING OUR COMMUNITY AND PICKING UP TRASH AND TAKING CARE OF ONE ANOTHER IN THAT WAY.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, UM, HE SERVED ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF, UH, COMMERCIAL AND SAVINGS BANK.
HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE HAVE GRACE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AND WAS OVERALL JUST A VERY ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, UM, CONSISTENTLY AT MEETINGS, CONSISTENTLY PRESENT, UM, AND CONSISTENTLY THERE IN A, A PLEASANT MANNER.
YOU KNOW, EVERYONE WHO KNOWS HIM WAS VERY PLEASED TO KNOW HIM.
UM, AND IT'S VERY SAD TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING.
UM, A FEW THINGS I JUST WANNA TOUCH BASE ON THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON, UH, IN JANUARY.
I'VE MET WITH, UH, THREE P CONSISTENTLY NOW A FEW TIMES, AND, UH, CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM ON UPCOMING LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT THEM.
ALSO MET WITH THE NAACP THIS EVENING, UM, MS. JONES, UM, AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONSISTENTLY ATTENDING THEIR MEETINGS AS A MEMBER, UM, AND TO JUST BE INFORMED OF THE CONCERNS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN THAT WAY.
UM, UH, I ALSO WAS HANDING OUT PROCLAMATIONS ALL OVER THE PLACE.
IT WAS VERY, UH, EXCITING TO GIVE A PROCLAMATION TO OFFICER TERESA ADAMS ON HER RETIREMENT AND TO CELEBRATE HER ON THE TREMENDOUS WORK SHE DID FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS AN SRO.
UM, AND ALSO TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF ULTIMATE DRINK CAFE, WHICH IS A, A BLACK OWNED BUS OR A BLACK OWNED BUSINESS HERE IN HARTFORD COUNTY.
UM, AND A REALLY GREAT SPOT IN A PERFECT LOCATION FOR OUR, UH, FAMILIES AS THEY'RE LEAVING SCHOOL, WALKING HOME TO BE ABLE TO GET A SNACK, A HOT DRINK, AND IN THE SUMMER, A COLD TREAT.
UM, AND TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, IN ADDITION TO THAT, I, UH, BEGAN SERVING ON THE MENTAL HEALTH CORE SERVICES BOARD, UM, AND ATTENDED MY FIRST MEETING.
UM, IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE TO BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS.
UM, I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THAT THEY'RE EXPECTING TO ONLY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEIR WORKERS A 2% RAISE THIS UPCOMING
[01:05:01]
YEAR, UM, UH, WITH THE EXPECTATION OF HOW THEIR BUDGET IS GOING TO BE.I HOPE THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ADDRESS, UH, IN THIS NEXT BUDGET CYCLE, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IN ORDER TO PAY ALL THEIR WORKERS AND GIVE THEM A RAISE THAT MATCHES INFLATION SO THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE, PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE.
UM, IN ADDITION, MY STAFF, UH, WHICH REALLY MEANS HEATHER, WHO'S INCREDIBLE, UH, ATTENDED THE ABINGDON WOODS HEARING, MET WITH THE SUSQUEHANNA, UH, UM, MINIUM ATTENDED THE
UH, FUTURE, UH, HEATHER, HELP SPELL PHONETICALLY WHEN YOU GET THE BIG WORDS
UM, UH, ATTENDED THE ROUTE 40 BUSINESS ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON AND TOOK A TOUR OF VARIOUS HARTFORD COUNTY FACILITIES TODAY.
UM, I'LL FINISH OUT THE MONTH MEETING WITH THE HARTFORD CENTER AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE HARTFORD COUNTY ACTION AGENCY, AND THE ARC ATTENDING, A BRIDGE DEDICATION AND A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY.
AND, UH, SERVING ON THE HARTFORD CENTER AND THE CITIZENS NURSING HOME BOARD.
SO IT'S A BUSY FEW WEEKS AS WE GET READY TO START FEBRUARY.
UM, BUT I'M ENJOYING EACH MOMENT AND I'M GLAD TO BE HERE.
SO THAT'S ALL MY, UH, COMMENTS FOR TONIGHT.
[15. BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT]
WE'LL GO TO A BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT AND, UM, I'LL TAKE MR. BENNETT'S LEAD.UH, HE FINISHED UP TALKING ABOUT, UH, BOARD AND LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS FOR DIFFERENT, UH, COMMISSIONS AND THINGS.
AND, UM, OUTSIDE OF THEIR REGULAR DUTIES, COUNCIL MEMBERS SERVE ON AT LEAST 30 DIFFERENT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, AND EACH ONE OF 'EM, UH, DO AN EXCELLENT JOB.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT MS. SOTOS, UH, WITH HER REPORT BACK FROM HARTFORD TV.
I THINK IT'S, UH, A GREAT IDEA FOR ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, NOT EVERY MEETING, I KNOW THAT NOT EVERY MEETING WITH EVERY BOARD POSITION, UM, WARRANTS A REPORT BACK, BUT, UH, YOU HEARD, UH, COUNCILMAN GUTHRIE TALK ABOUT EDUCATION ISSUES.
UH, EACH ONE OF THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN REPORT BACK ON BOARDS, AND, AND I DO APPRECIATE THAT.
UM, THIS PAST WEDNESDAY, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND AND SPEAK AT THE RALPH 40 BUSINESS ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON.
AND, UM, IT WAS EXTREMELY WELL ATTENDED, I BELIEVE.
AND I WANT TO THANK, UH, LESLIE STEIN, LESLIE STEIN, AND THE MEMBERS, UH, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
UM, COLONEL DAVIS WAS THERE, UH, AS WELL AS OTHER MEMBERS OF THE, OF THE COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
UM, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, UH, EACH ONE OF THEM WERE THERE, UH, IN MR. BENNETT'S CASE.
UH, HEATHER WAS THERE, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU BEING THERE.
UM, NOT THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING GREAT TO HEAR, BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
UM, AND ALONG THOSE LINES, UH, THERE IS GOING TO BE A ROUTE 40 REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE MEETING.
IT'S SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY THE 13TH, UH, WITH SEVERAL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
UM, A FEW OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE AS WELL AS THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.
AND, UM, SOME OF HIS, UH, KEY DIRECTORS.
UH, SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A POSITIVE MEETING THERE.
THESE ARE, UH, MEETINGS THAT HAVE BEEN ONGOING FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE, UH, ONE WAS HOSTED.
SO I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING, UH, AS MANY OF YOU THAT'S BEEN INVITED THERE AS POSSIBLE.
UM, WITH THAT, UM, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND ADJOURN THIS MEETING.