Dec 12, 2023 County Council

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:07]

EVENING CHAIR CAUSED ORDER LEGISLATIVE SESSION DAY 23-0 32. I WOULD ASK YOU TO PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE, FOLLOWED BY THE OPENING PRAYER. I PLEDGE TO LEAVE TO THE CLIENT STATES OF AMERICA. CONSIDER REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD. AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HEAVENLY FATHER. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER IN THESE CHAMBERS THIS EVENING, WE ASKED FOR YOUR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE AS WE MOVE THROUGH TONIGHT'S AGENDA AND THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS. MAY THE TRUTH IN YOUR WORDS, GUIDE US. FATHER WATCH OVER ALL OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, FIRE AND E M S PERSONNEL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. KEEP OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM SAFE AND OUT OF HARM'S WAY. MAY WE NEVER FORGET TO PRAISE YOU FOR THE SACRIFICES YOU'VE MADE. WE PRAY IN YOUR MOST HOLY NAME, LORD. AMEN. OKAY? COUNCIL BEFORE WE MOVE ON.

I WANT TO RECOGNIZE COMMISSIONER TAYLOR IN THE AUDIENCE WITH US THIS EVENING. UM AND I DON'T THINK OF MISS ANYONE ELSE. GOOD TO SEE YOU, SIR. UM PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS HAPPEN. HAWKS

[4. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS]

ADDITIONALLY THEY WERE INVITED TO PERFORM AT THE CELEBRATION OF ATHLETES AND WHEREAS UPON RETURNING TO MARYLAND, ALL FOUR JUMPERS WERE SELECTED AS MARYLAND A AU ATHLETES OF THE YEAR, TWO JUMPERS WERE ALSO AWARDED THE MEL PARKER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ATHLETES AT THE 2023 , MARYLAND A AU BANQUET NOW THEREFORE WE, THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND, ON HIS 12TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2023 TO HEREBY SALUTE HOPPIN HAWKS JUMP ROPE TEAM AND WISH TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION FOR THEIR CONTINUED DEDICATION TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER AND CONTINUALLY SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS. ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND DISTRICT E. WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT YOU WITH THIS PROCLAMATION. CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND, UM, YOUR PERSEVERANCE AND BRINGING HOME ALL THOSE MEDALS. YOU GUYS HAVE SO MUCH TO BE PROUD OF, AS DO AS YOUR COACH AND YOUR PARENTS AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS.

SO CONGRATULATIONS, MEGAN. OKAY SURE. ALRIGHT SO, JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH HOPPIN HAWKS JUMPER UP STEAM WE LOVE TO HAVE NEW PEOPLE JOIN US. WE'RE OUT OF CHURCHILL REC CENTER, AND WE'VE BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR A REALLY LONG TIME AND THEY WEREN'T A LOT OF SKILLS AND HAD FUN. WE'RE HOSTING ANOTHER TOURNAMENT. THIS APRIL WANTS TO SEE A JUMP ROPE IS COME WATCH US. THANK YOU. AND ELSE I THINK THAT'S IT, HEATHER. OH YEAH, I HAD TO SPEAK. SHE HAS TO THINK SO. I THINK SO. CONGRATULATIONS ALRIGHT PRESERVES OUR PRESSURE THANK YOU. THANK YOU. LITTLE THING. THE WORKING JUST A LITTLE. PERFECT. ALRIGHT. OKAY?

[00:05:04]

[5. CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS, APPLICATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND NOMINATIONS]

WELL LILLIAN NORC ITIS, ANGELA ROSE AND ROBIN TOMARCHIO. THANK YOU MAY HAVE A SECOND. THANK YOU, MR PENNOCK. WE HAVE THE. IT'S BEEN MOVED IN SECOND TO APPROVE THE NOMINATIONS.

APPOINTMENTS. RATHER IS THERE ANY COMMENTS? MS DICKSON. MR. PRESIDENT MR GUTHRIE PENMAN. MR JAN GIORDANO SADDLES, MR BENNETT. IT BEING SIX VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. ONE ABSENT. THE APPOINTMENTS ARE HEREBY APPROVED . AND IF I MAY, I'D LIKE TO HAVE LILIANA UH, IS RONALD C. ROBIN HERE, ANGELA, PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. CRYSTAL HEY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

SPREAD OUT. YEAH. AGENDA NUMBER SIX SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS. WE HAVE NONE. SEVEN APPROVAL OF

[7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

[8. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS]

[00:10:10]

THANK YOU, MR SANDERS AT THIS TIME. MR SENNETT FROM MILES STOCKBRIDGE. MR RICHARDSON LOOKS LIKE. GOOD EVENING, GENTLEMEN. OKAY MR PRESIDENT. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MARTIN JR. HARBOR COUNTY. AS NOTED, AS THE PRESIDENT NOTED WITH US IS MR CHRISTOPHER SENATE FROM MOSES STOCKBRIDGE COUNCIL ON OUR ISSUE, AND TREASURER ROBBIE SANDALS AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO THESE GENTLEMEN. THAT CAN OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL EXPLANATION. YOU MAY NEED AN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MR PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL. I'M GLAD TO BE HERE AGAIN ON BEHALF OF MILES AND STOCKBRIDGE, THE COUNTY'S BOND COUNCIL TO DISCUSS TWO RESOLUTIONS THIS EVENING RESOLUTION NUMBER 42-23 AND RESOLUTION 43-23 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF HARFORD COUNTY'S 2024 C P AND REFUNDING BONDS. AS THE COUNCIL JUST OUTLINED. I WILL BEGIN MY DISCUSSION WITH RESOLUTION 42-23, WHICH IS THE C P I BONDS ON JUNE 27TH 2023, THE COUNCIL APPROVED BILL NUMBER 2321 AND BUILT 23-22 AUTHORIZING AND EMPOWERING THE COUNTY TO ISSUE ITS 2024 BONDS FOR COUNTY PROJECTS. INCLUDING PROJECTS RELATED TO WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. THE BILL AUTHORIZED THE COUNCIL TO ADOPT ONE OR MORE RESOLUTIONS TO SELL ITS 2024 SOLID PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS PUBLIC SALE AT A LATER DATE. THIS RESOLUTION PROVIDES NOTICE THAT THE PUBLIC SALE WOULD OCCUR ON JANUARY 23RD 2024 AND ALL BIDS WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY TREASURER. COORDINATION WITH DAV IMPORTANT COMPANY ON THIS DATE. THE NOTICE OF SALE AND SUBSTANTIALLY FINAL FORM IS ATTACHED TO THE RESOLUTION AT EXHIBIT B. THE RESOLUTION ALSO AUTHORIZES THIS NOTICE OF SALE,

[00:15:01]

AND IF NOT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MR SANDWICHES FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. MR SANDERS, IF YOU'RE READY SO THIS IS LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS THAT COME FORTH EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THE COUNTY'S ANNUAL BOND PROCESS. I'LL JUST KIND OF JUST WALK THROUGH HOW BONDS MORE OR LESS BEGIN IN THE BEGINNING THE BUDGET PROCESS WHERE THEY ARE IN THE CAPITAL, UM IN OUR CAPITAL BUDGET, WHICH IS THEN APPROVED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL. SO ANY ANY PROJECT THAT HAS BONDS ON IT IS STATED SO WITHIN THAT BUDGET PROCESS, UM AND THEN A LOT OF TIMES THERE'S A BIT OF A LAG BETWEEN WHEN WE BUDGET FOR THE PROJECT, AND WHEN WE ACTUALLY START WORK ON THE PROJECT AND HAVE FUNDS THAT WE NEED TO REMEMBER. WORSE OURSELVES FOR AND THAT'S KIND OF NOW THE POINT OF WHICH WE ARE NOW ASKING FOR THIS RESOLUTION FOR THE TERMS OF SALE BECAUSE WE ARE ABOUT TO GO OUT FOR $40 MILLION OF NEW MONEY IF YOU WILL NEW DEBT, UM, RELATED TO PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE THROUGH THE BUDGETING PROCESS, AND MOST OF THOSE ARE FROM THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. UM AND OF THAT AMOUNT OF THAT $40 MILLION OF NEW MONEY. AH THERE IS IT'S ABOUT HALF OF IT IS FOR SCHOOL PROJECTS, MOST NOTABLY, THE BIGGEST ONE IS THE HOMESTEAD. WAKE THE OLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT BUT THEN THE SECOND LARGEST ONE IS THE HARPER TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL LIMITED RENOVATION, BUT THERE'S A KIND OF A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER PROJECTS AS WELL. UM 38 MILLION OF THAT 40 MILLION IS TAXPAYER SUPPORTED DEBT. AND THEN THE OTHER 2 MILLION IS FOR WATER AND SEWER DEBT, WHICH IS PAID FOR BY THE USERS OF THE WATER AND SEWER. UM SO OUR SYSTEM THEY RE FUNDING POSSIBILITIES. AND AT THIS POINT, WE'RE STILL NOT EXACTLY SURE IF WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO A REFUNDING OR NOT, BUT WE'RE GOING FORWARD SO THAT WE'RE PREPARED IF MARKET CONDITIONS EXIST. THIS IS FOR OLDER DEBT. THIS IS FOR DEBT THAT WE ISSUED BACK IN 2013 AND IN 2014, AND THAT WE THINK WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET SOME POSSIBLY BETTER RATES. THAT WAS, OF COURSE, THAT WAS BEFORE YOU SAW A LOT OF THE BIG DROP SOUND IN INTEREST RATES THAT WE SAW IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. SO WE THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME POTENTIAL FOR SAVINGS THERE. SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR THAT AND WE COMBINE ALL OF THIS INTO ONE JOINT BOND SALE, WHICH WILL BE ON UM, JANUARY 23RD. THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THAT, THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE ITS CREDIT

[00:20:04]

SO WE WEREN'T ABLE TO DO AN ADVANCED REFUNDING. SO NOW THESE ARE THE FIRST TIME THAT THEIR, UM THAT THERE POTENTIALLY AVAILABLE FOR US TO DO THESE WHAT'S CONSIDERED ADVANCE AND WHAT IT WOULD MEAN BEFORE THAT 10 YEAR CALLABLE DATES BEFORE THE 10 YEAR CALL, SO WE WERE KIND OF KIND OF CAUGHT BY BY CHANGES IN FEDERAL LEGISLATION ON ON WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR PENMAN. THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT, MR SANDERS IN RELATION TO RESOLUTION, 4223 LOOKED THROUGH IT. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING ABOUT THE HARVARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CENTRAL PRECINCT AND TRAINING FACILITY THAT'S BEEN APPROVED. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT MISSING IT. IT'S NOT. IT'S NOT BONDS. IT'S NOT PART OF THAT. THAT BOND SALE, UM THAT THOSE PROJECTS THAT PROJECT IS STILL A BUDGETED PROJECT THAT STILL HAS ITS APPROPRIATION ON IT, BUT IT'S NOT PART OF THIS BOND SALE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR BENNETT. HAS ANYTHING CHANGED OUT THERE IN THE NEWS OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD CHANGE YOUR EXPECTED POTENTIAL SAVINGS WITH THE REFUNDING OF THE BONDS, LIKE AS WE GET CLOSER, ARE YOU LEARNING MORE INFORMATION THAT WOULD MAKE YOU LEAN ONE WAY AND ANOTHER IN OUR POTENTIAL TO SAVE ANY MONEY? I'M HOPING SO. I THINK YOU KNOW, DURING THE SUMMER, THE RATES WERE GETTING CLOSER TO THE TO THE 4% RATE. SO I KNOW CARROLL COUNTY JUST HAD THEIR BOND SALE ABOUT A MONTH AGO, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO SELL FOR THREE POINT AIN'T SIX. SO I'M HOPING THAT AGAIN. WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT, YOU KNOW, STAY UNDER 4. UM THE DAYS OF US BEING ABLE TO SELL IT ONE OR 2% ARE PROBABLY GONE. JUST LIKE GETTING A 2% MORTGAGE ARE PROBABLY GONE. BUT AGAIN, WE STILL HAVE A VERY CALM, I THINK BECAUSE WE'RE TRIPLE A RATED COUNTY WITH A LOT OF STRONG FINANCIALS. OUR DEBT IS IN HIGH DEMAND. UM AM I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO KEEP IT UNDER THAT 4% OF WE'LL SEE. THANK YOU, MR BENNETT.

ANYONE ELSE? UM SEEING NO OTHER QUESTIONS, GENTLEMEN, AS MR JAN DOWNER SAID, THIS WILL BE ADDRESSED IN A FUTURE MEETING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE REST OF MY NAME, RIGHT? THAT'S FOR SURE. MY GOSH. FORGIVE ME. DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW SOMEBODY AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO? YEAH. NINE INTRODUCTION OF BILLS WE HAVE NONE. ALL RIGHT, MR JANITOR

[10. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS]

AMENDMENT NUMBER FIVE ON PAGE ONE IN LINE 12 AFTER ACTIVITIES INSERT 25% OF THE BALANCE OF THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TACKLE IT COLLECTED SHALL BE USED FOR A VISIT HARTFORD INCORPORATED COUNTIES COUNTIES DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION, D M O OUT OF THE REMAINING BALANCE.

[00:25:05]

[14. NEW BUSINESS]

UM THERE WERE AT THAT TIME FOR PROJECTS FROM OUR FISCAL YEAR 2023 AUDIT PLAN THAT WE'RE STILL IN PROGRESS. UM THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX AUDIT. THERE WERE FOUR HOTELS THAT WE AUDITED SINCE MY LAST UPDATE. UM THERE WERE TWO RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO THOSE AUDITS. UM WE LOOKED AT THE SUPER EIGHT AND ABERDEEN THE COMFORT IN ABERDEEN. COME TO SWEETS AND ABERDEEN AND THE HILTON GARDEN INN IN BEL AIR. UH UM, THE TWO ISSUES WE FOUND, UH ONE HOTEL HAD OVER PAID THEIR TAXES, UM, THAT AMOUNT THAT THEY OVERPAID WITH CREDIT TO A LATER PAYMENT THAT THEY NEEDED TO MAKE . UM AND ONE HOTEL OWED ABOUT 4800. THEY REPAID THAT, UM, UNDERPAYMENT. FAIRLY QUICKLY AFTER WE ISSUED THE AUDIT REPORT. UM OUR RECRUITMENT AND HIRING PRACTICES. AUDIT IS IN PROGRESS. IT WAS PUSHED BACK AT MANAGEMENT'S REQUEST. WE ARE EXPECTING TO REPORT ON THAT IN FEBRUARY OF 2024. WE COMPLETED AN AUDIT OF THE WATER AND FLOOR BUILDING SYSTEM CONTROLS THAT WAS A NEW SYSTEM THAT WAS PUT INTO PLACE OF YOUR POOR LAST. UM WE FINISHED THAT IN NOVEMBER. UM THERE WAS ONE RECOMMENDATION RELATED TO THAT AUDIT. WE FOUND THAT, UM, MANAGEMENT REVIEWED ADJUSTMENTS TO BUILD AS THEY WERE MADE. BUT THERE WASN'T A FUNCTION IN THE SYSTEM TO BE ABLE TO GENERATE A LIST OF ALL OF THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT HAD BEEN DONE. SO WE RECOMMENDED THAT MANAGEMENT WORK WITH THE SOFTWARE DEVELOPER TO COME UP WITH THE REPORT. SO THAT MANAGEMENT KEN AND SO YOU GENERATE A LIST OF THE ADJUSTMENTS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'VE ALL BEEN CAPTURED IN THEIR REVIEW PROCESS. AND MANAGEMENT TOLD US THAT THEY WILL BE WORKING ON FIXING IT. UM I THINK BY JULY 30 JULY 1ST EXCUSE ME. UH UM. WE ALSO FINISHED OUR AUDIT OF PURCHASE CARD CONTROLS. WE SENT THAT REPORT OUT IN SEPTEMBER. UM THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO ALL YEAR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE LOOK AT TRANSACTIONS FOR CARDHOLDERS TO SEE THAT THEY ARE REASONABLE AND ALLOWABLE AND SUPPORTED BY THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION. WE LOOK AT CARDHOLDERS, UM, LOGS TO SEE THAT THEY WERE DONE REVIEWED BY THEIR SUPERVISORS TIMELY AND THAT THEY WERE COMPLETE. THERE WERE NO ISSUES. AND THIS YEAR'S PURCHASE CARD AUDIT. THERE WAS ONE IN FORMAL RECOMMENDATION THAT WE MADE RELATED TO DEVELOPING A POLICY RELATED TO UH, FLOWERS AND MEMORIALS. UM WHEN PEOPLE DIE, WHETHER THEY BE EMPLOYEES OR FAMILY MEMBERS OF EMPLOYEES OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, UM JUST THERE BE A STANDARD POLICY FOR WHEN THOSE THINGS ARE ACCEPTABLE. UM LOOKING AT THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 AUDIT PLAN WE COMPLETED AN AUDIT OF PETTY CASH . UM THERE WERE ACTUALLY SEVEN FUNDS THAT WE AUDITED. THERE WERE NO ISSUES RELATED TO ANY OF THEM. THEY WERE, UH, FOR FUNDS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. ALL OF THOSE FUNDS ARE NOW CLOSED SO THAT PUBLIC WORKS HAS A NEW PROCESS FOR UH UM. COMPLETING MEAL REIMBURSEMENTS FOR EMPLOYEES THAT THEY DON'T NEED PETTY CASH ANYMORE. WE ALSO LOOKED AT THE COUNTY'S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PETTY CASH FUND. TREASURYS REVENUE COLLECTIONS FUNDS OF THE AMOUNT THAT THEY KEEP IN TREASURY FOR THE CASHIER'S WINDOW AND THE JURY COMMISSIONERS FUND. UH, WHICH IS TO FIND THAT THEY USED TO PAY JURORS EVERY DAY. UM LIKE I SAID THERE WERE NO ISSUES RELATED TO ANY OF THOSE FUNDS. WE EVERY YEAR GO THROUGH AND REVIEW THE FINDINGS THAT WE'VE HAD IN PRIOR AUDITS TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT MANAGEMENT HAS ADDRESSED THE RECOMMENDATIONS. WE FOUND THIS YEAR THAT THEIR WORDS 12 RECOMMENDATIONS, UH, THAT ARE NOW CLOSED AND THAT THERE ARE SEVEN THAT REMAIN OPEN FOR FOLLOW UP. UM THOSE SEVEN ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE THINK MANAGEMENT IS WORKING ON. WE DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO ESCALATE ANY OF THEM AT THIS POINT, UM,

[00:30:03]

[00:35:03]

THANK YOU, MISS PROS. AGENDA NUMBER, 17 COMMENTS AND INPUT FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS. MS.

[17. COMMENTS AND INPUT FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS]

BALTIMORE ON THE BUSH RIVER AND 16 SIXTIES. RICH FARMLAND, FRESHWATER RESOURCES AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWED SETTLEMENTS AND PLANTATIONS TO THRIVE. AND LEAD TO COMMUNITIES SOON TO BE KNOWN AS PARENT MAN. AND TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS LIKE BUSH RIVER DECLARATION IN 1775. WELL BEFORE THE FOUNDING OF BEL AIR IN 17 EIGHTIES. WHILE THE PERRIMAN AREAS SURVIVED THE INTRODUCTION OF ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND IN THE EARLY 19 HUNDREDS, A SHIFT OF POWER AND INFLUENCE WAS MOVING TO HISTORIC. WELL LATER. WITH THIS SHIFT. BEGINNING THE BEGINNINGS OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DISCRIMINATION BEGAN TO BE FELT IN OUR AREA. NEIGHBORHOODS WERE DOMINATED BY THEIR LARGE LANDHOLDERS AND THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR THE RICH RESOURCES OF THE PENINSULA WERE FINDING THEIR WAYS INTO THE POCKETS OF BUSINESSMEN AND POLITICIANS OUTSIDE OF OUR AREA. ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOODS WERE NEGLECTED. IN A LAND ABUSED FOR THE ECONOMIC GAIN OF THE FEW AT THE EXPENSE OF THE LOCALS. THIS PATTERN OF ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SOCIAL INJUSTICE HAS CONTINUED, RESULTING IN THE SUPPRESSION AND INDUSTRIALIZATION OF SOUTHERN HARFORD COUNTY. AS DOCUMENTED IN THE THREE P AUTHORED STUDY, TURNING THE TIDE PYRAMIDS PATH FROM SACRIFICE SACRIFICE ZONE TO SUBSTANTIAL COMMUNITY, THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY FOR A HEALTHIER CHESAPEAKE BAY. THE FOLLOWING WAS QUOTED. HEAVY POLLUTION BEARING DEVELOPMENT IS FUNNELED INTO THE COUNTY SOUTHERN REGIONS WHERE MINORITY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES RESIDE. WHILE IN CONTRAST. THE NORTHERN AFFLUENT WHITE POPULATION SEES PRESERVATION OF FARMLANDS AND LESSER ENVIRONMENTAL BURDENS.

THIS GLARING, UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION IS NOT AMERICAN COINCIDENCE. IT IS A MANIFESTATION OF THE SYSTEMATIC RACIAL BIAS AND ECONOMIC DISPARITY FUELED BY THE IMPACT OF DECADES OF COUNTY DECISIONS. UNQUOTE. WE CALL THE COUNCIL AT THE TOP OF THE THESE. THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THESE WRONGDOINGS AND ACT DECISIVELY FOR PYRAMID AND ALL OF HARFORD COUNTY DURING THE HARPER TO 50 CELEBRATION. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE SOON TO EVERYONE. I THINK MOST OF THE COUNCIL PEOPLE HAVE IT AS AS YOU STAND NOW. THANK YOU, SIR. EXCELLENT. JOHN MILAM. OH, GOOD EVENING, SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. SURE GOOD EVENING TO YOU CAUSE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES, MR GUTHRIE, I APPRECIATE YOUR DISCUSSION OF YOUR MEDICAL ADVENTURES. AND YOUR ENCOURAGEMENTS TO THE RESIDENTS TO LOOK AFTER THEIR HEALTH. BUT, SIR, I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL THAT YOU DID NOT BRING PICTURES OF

[00:40:07]

[16. BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS ]

CONGRATULATIONS TO J. C AND KATIE DAVIS. SO YOU GO IN THERE, AND THEY HAVE PREPACKAGED MEALS

[00:45:02]

THANK YOU, MR JANITOR, DAN AND MR PENMAN. THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT. BE A LITTLE BIT LONG WINDED MYSELF AND COUNCIL COLLEAGUES HAD AH, IN A FORMATIVE MAYKO CONFERENCE LAST WEEK, AND WE ENGAGED IN SOME INTERESTING CLASS AND CONVERSATIONS, JUST A COUPLE TAKEAWAYS FROM THAT, AS FAR AS ECONOMICS, THERE ARE WILL NEED TO BE ECONOMIC GROWTH TO OVERCOME INFLATION. UM WE DON'T HAVE A JOB PROBLEM BECAUSE THE UNEMPLOYMENT IS VERY LOW IN OUR STATE, BUT AVAILABLE HOUSING TO MEET THE WORKFORCE DEMAND SEEMS TO BE A BIG CROSS PROBLEM ACROSS OUR AREA. AND IF WE DON'T PUT SMART ECONOMIC GROWTH AS A PRIORITY, THE STATE AND THE COUNTY. UH WE'LL TRY TO RAISE TAXES, WHICH I'M NOT IN SUPPORT OF IN WHICH WE'VE SEEN ALREADY LOCALLY THROUGH FEES ON THAT TOPIC. IT WAS A GREAT TO PARTICIPATE YESTERDAY IN A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION WITH THE MARYLAND SECRETARY OF COMMERCE. DURING DISCUSSION. IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR WHAT BELLAIRE IS DOING FOR SMALL BUSINESS, AND ABERDEEN GAVE THEIR UPDATES. I WAS ABLE TO DISCUSS SOME OF THE DIFFICULT DIFFICULTIES HARFORD COUNTY HAS HAD IMPLEMENTED CAREFUL BALANCE ECONOMIC GROWTH, ALONG WITH SOME DIFFICULT DECISIONS WE HAVE MADE FACING ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT AND THE IMPACT OF OUR LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE, SO I WAS ABLE TO KIND OF SEEK WHAT THE STATE'S STRATEGY IS ON THOSE TOPICS. I DID GO AWAY FROM THAT MEETING, CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF VISION AND UNDERSTANDING OF HARFORD COUNTY OR BY HARFORD COUNTY AND BELIEVE WE HAVE A LOT OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, SUCH AS WHEN IT WAS COMPARED AT HARFORD COUNTY IS A VERSION OF VERSION OF SILICON VALLEY. LOOK, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A LARGE NETWORK OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATIVE IDEAS LIKE THE REAL SILICON VALLEY, UM, TO ENERGIZE OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, BUT I JUST DON'T FEEL THAT HARFORD COUNTY IS THERE YET. UM AS FAR AS THE MAKO BLUE PRINT DISCUSSION TOOK PLACE LIKE US, MANY JURISDICTIONS ACROSS OUR STATE ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BLUEPRINT DEMANDS. I BELIEVE WE ARE IN MUCH BETTER POSITION THAN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BECAUSE OF THE GLASSMAN ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET PRACTICES WHILE INVESTING IN PEOPLE AND KEEPING TAXES LOW. UM WE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA, WHICH I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS. HERE IN HARFORD COUNTY. MORE AND MORE DISPENSARIES WILL BE APPROVED ACROSS THE STATE. UM AND FOR AREAS DEEMED THIS APPROPRIATE FROM MARIJUANA ARREST SOME OF THE BIG QUESTIONS WE WILL BE FACED WITH HIS OWN CONSIDERATIONS IN THE APPROVAL BUSINESSES SUCH AS MARIJUANA LOUNGES. UM SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THOSE DISCUSSIONS. I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CHRISTMAS DRIVE IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY. IT'S INCREDIBLE TO THINK THAT THIS CRYSTAL CHRISTMAS DRIVE HAS BEEN IN EFFECT FOR 41 YEARS. IT WAS AN HONOR TO ATTEND THE CHRISTMAS DRIVE EVENT AT FRIENDSHIP. LIQUORS OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT WAS THERE WITH ME, WHICH HAD A FANTASTIC TURNOUT. UM AND COMMUNITY RESPONSE LAST SATURDAY. AND IF ANYBODY'S INTERESTED, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS HAVING A CHRISTMAS PRESENT WRAPPING DAY THIS SATURDAY. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE COMMUNITY POLICING UNIT. LASTLY I WOULD LIKE TO CONVEY MY DISAPPOINTMENT AND THE LACK OF COOPERATION WITH THE HARFORD COUNTY EXECUTIVES ADMINISTRATION, I WILL SEE THERE ARE DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS ON CERTAIN MATTERS AND TRANSPARENCY , AND I HOPE SOON THERE WILL BE ACCOUNTABILITY ON THOSE MATTERS.

BUT REGARDLESS OF THE ISSUES, THERE SHOULD BE AN OPEN DIALOGUE ON COUNTY RELATED ISSUES. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, I HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN A VITAL BUDGET AND LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS INITIATIVE INITIATED BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION, NOR HAVE I RECEIVED ADEQUATE RESPONSE OR FEEDBACK. WHEN I HAVE ASKED CONCERNING UM, WHEN I BROUGHT FORWARD CONCERNING LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES THAT I HOPE TO GET FEEDBACK ON, I TRULY THINK THIS IS AN EMBARRASSMENT FOR HARFORD COUNTY, WHICH SUFFERS IF WE CAN'T PUT ASIDE PERSONAL DIFFERENCES AND ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY. THAT'S ALL HAD, MR PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, MR PERRY AND MR GUTHRIE. MM. A COUPLE OF THINGS. AH THE WORKING WITH THE HARVARD CABLE NETWORK TO FIND OUT IF IT'S THERE'S A WAY POSSIBLE TO GET. UH THIS, UH, OUR MEETINGS HERE ON LIVE TELEVISION. THERE ARE FOUR CHANNELS ON YOUR ONLY STORM ON MY TELEVISION THAT DEALS WITH GOVERNMENT. AND THE THREE OF THEM BELONG TO BALMER COUNTY AND ONE IN BLOOM. SO HARFORD COUNTY, SO I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT IF WE CAN'T GET ON TO THAT CHANNEL.

WHEN THIS, UH WHEN THIS MEETING TAKES PLACE, SO IT'S LIVE. WE'RE TRYING TO GET A COST ON THAT TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT WOULD COST. I KNOW THERE'S A THERE'S A BIG COST COMING IN FOR HORFORD CABLE

[00:50:02]

FT. MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD SO WE'RE HOPING THAT THEY CAN GET THAT CHANGED. UM SATURDAY. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN INVITED TO IMPROVING GROUNDS TO THE MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT MORTON HOME FOR DINNER, SO WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT THE SECOND TIME THAT WE HAVE HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY, AND, UH, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M DISAPPOINTED IN THE SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT ARE COMING FORWARD ON THE HOTEL TAX SUPPORT FIVE AND SIX DON'T SUPPORT ONE BEFORE. THERE'S AMENDMENTS 1 TO 4 LITERALLY KILL THE BILL. IT MAKES IT LITERALLY WORTHLESS, AND I HOPE THAT THEY FOUR COUNCIL PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED ON THERE. THAT BILL WOULD TAKE A LOOK. SPEND THIS WEEK UNTIL NEXT WEEK TO LOOK AT IT AND, UM SEE WHAT A DIFFERENCE. UH, THOSE AMENDMENTS ARE DOING TO THAT, BILL. UM I AM JUST SO DISAPPOINTED THAT WE CONSTANTLY SQUASH THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY. ANYWAY WE CAN 43,000 PEOPLE THAT LIVED THERE. THEY DESERVE MORE ATTENTION. THEN WHAT IS IN THIS BILL WAS TRY TO HELP OUT THE AREA. UM AND I MEAN, JUST THINK ABOUT IT. YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE AWAY THE IT'S A. IT'S 50% OF THE TAXES RAISED IN EDGEWOOD TAXES RAISED AND EDUCATED AND GIVEN YEARS ABOUT 685,000. HALF OF IT. WE WANTED TO BE SPENT IN THE AREA BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO NEED IT. WE'RE WORKING WITH WITH, UH, WITH A NEW SPORTS FIELDS COMING IN THERE TALKING ABOUT 12,000 PEOPLE IN ANY GIVEN WEEKEND. AH, WE'RE GOING TO NEED UPGRADING IN THE AREA AND TO CUT THIS DOWN TO 25% JUST TO PUT IT IN REALITY.

AND I DON'T SUPPORT THIS AT ALL. UM IF THEY'RE GOING TO CUT, UM UH OUR DISTRICT FROM 20 FROM 50 TO 25. I WANTED TO DO THAT TO ABERDEEN. ONLY DO IT TO HAVE ANY GRACE. THEY'RE GOING TO GET STILL GET 50% WHY ARE WE GETTING 50% WHY IS IT FAIR? AND I DON'T SUPPORT THAT AT ALL. I THINK ABERDEEN AND HAVING A GREAT SHOULD GET THEIR 50% NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. WHY CAN'T WE? AND BY THE WAY THERE THEY'LL GET IT. THEY'LL GO RIGHT INTO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AND THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT THEY'LL GET THAT MONEY. WE WON'T GET THAT MONEY. OKAY THAT 50% WE HAVE TO NOW GO AFTER EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS THERE'S 50% THERE WE ARE NOW STILL GOING TO HAVE TO GO INTO HARFORD COUNTY AND GO TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND A SCHEME AND BRING THE PROJECTS TO HIM, AND HE STILL HAS TO APPROVE THEM . SO WHETHER THAT NUMBER IS 50% 75% OR 100% IS REALLY IRRELEVANT. BECAUSE HE HAS THE LAST WORD LIKE IT, LUMP IT DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T LUMP IT. FORGET

[00:55:03]

SERIOUSLY SEE WHAT DOES THE REST OF THE COUNTY BECAUSE AGAIN? I MADE THAT REMARK ABOUT THE ORDERS. FISCAL INPUT. NOTE IT'S GOING TO HAVE NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER ON ANY PART OF THE COUNTY IF THAT STAYS AT 50. THAT WE KNOW FINANCIAL EFFECT AT ALL BECAUSE THE HOTEL TAXES HAS INCREASED THIS LITERALLY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THAT 50% WITH WOULD WOULD AMOUNT TO SO UH , ALRIGHT WOULD APPRECIATE IF, UH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND SEE IF THERE IS IN SOME KIND OF OTHER ADJUSTMENT THAT WE CAN MAKE. TO MAKE THE 43,000 PEOPLE. IN, UH, MY DISTRICT. A LITTLE HAPPIER, BUT THIS IS JUST WE JUST GOT THESE TODAY. BY THE WAY, I JUST GOT THESE TODAY. WHEN I CAME INTO THE COUNCIL TODAY. IT'S THE FIRST TIME I SAW SO I'VE HEARD IT CALLED SOME PEOPLE IN THERE SOME REALLY UNHAPPY PEOPLE ABOUT THOSE AMENDMENTS, SO I'M DONE.

THANK YOU, MR GUTHRIE. UM 15 BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT. UM WHEN I ADVERTISE OR AP FO

[15. BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT]