Mar 04, 2025 County Council

GOOD EVENING. CHAIR. CALLS TO ORDER. LEGISLATIVE SESSION DAY 20 5-008.

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:06]

AND I'D LIKE TO HAVE CUB SCOUT PACK 865 COME FORWARD, FOLLOWED BY THE OPENING PRAYER.

WHENEVER YOU'RE READY, FELLAS. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU IN PRAYER THIS EVENING ASKING FOR YOUR GUIDANCE AND WISDOM.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES.

LORD, HELP US TO ALWAYS COMMUNICATE WITH RESPECT AND UNDERSTANDING AS WE NAVIGATE THROUGH THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS, LEAD US IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, HELPING US TO SEEK THE BEST RESULTS AND DECISIONS FOR ALL.

WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER ALL OUR MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

KEEP THEM SAFE AND OUT OF HARM'S WAY. FATHER, WE ASK THESE THINGS IN YOUR MORE MOST HOLY NAME.

AMEN. AMEN. THANK YOU.

YES, SIR. MR. RILEY. SO I WANT TO THANK STEVE MAYO AND CUB SCOUT PACK, AGE 65, FROM JARRETTSVILLE FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING AND SAYING OUR PLEDGE.

THANK YOU, FOLKS AND MOM AND DADS THAT ARE WITH YOU.

APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

THANK YOU, MR. RILEY. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS. WE HAVE NONE. FIVE.

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

COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. MISS SADDLES. COUNCIL PRESIDENT I MOVE TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF SHARIF SALAMA TO THE HARTFORD TV ADVISORY BOARD.

THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. MR.. EXCUSE ME.

MR.. JAN GIORDANO IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE HARTFORD TV COUNCIL APPOINTMENT.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MISS DIXON? MR. PRESIDENT, I MRS ROBERT I.

MR.. JAN GIORDANO I. MR.. RILEY, I. MRS.. SEIDEL.

I. THERE BEING FIVE VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ONE ABSENT, ONE VACANT. THE APPOINTMENT IS HEREBY APPROVED.

AND BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT COUNCILMAN BENNETT IS NOT WITH US THIS EVENING.

BUT I WANT TO CONGRATULATE HE AND ABBY ON THEIR NEW BABY.

ADA RAY. AND WISH THEM ALL THE BEST. AND I'M SURE HE'LL BE HERE SHORTLY.

EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS COMMISSION FOR WOMEN. MAY I HAVE A MOTION, MR. GIAN GIORDANO? COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENTS OF LINDA FLINT AND ALLISON MCCORD.

THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE A SECOND? A SECOND? THANK YOU, MR. ROBERT. IT'S BEEN MOVED IN A SECOND TO APPROVE, MISS FLINT.

MISS MCCORD TO THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MISS DIXON? MR. PRESIDENT, I, MR. ROBERT MRS. ROBERT I. MR.. GIORDANO I. MR.. RILEY. I. MRS. I. THERE BEING FIVE VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ONE ABSENT, ONE VACANT. THE APPOINTMENTS ARE HEREBY APPROVED.

MISS FLINT, MISS MCCORD, COULD YOU PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED? MISS MCCORD? NOT HERE. AND THEN ALSO, IS IT SALAM? IS THAT HOW YOU PRONOUNCE THE LAST NAME? IS MR. SALAM SOLOMON IN THE AUDIENCE. ALL RIGHT. HARFORD COUNTY LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD MAY HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE. COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF PAUL MAJEWSKI.

WE HAVE A SECOND. SECOND. THANK YOU, MR. RILEY.

IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE MR. MAJEWSKI TO THE HARFORD COUNTY LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MR.. MR.. GIORDANO? CALL ME MR. RILEY. I'VE HAD A LOT OF HIM TODAY, I GOT TO TELL YOU.

SO. YEAH. SO I WANT TO THANK MR. MAJEWSKI. I SEE HE'S OUT IN THE AUDIENCE.

OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I'VE REACHED OUT TO MR. MAJEWSKI ON VARIOUS THINGS WITH THE LIQUOR BOARD.

SO WE DO APPRECIATE HIS WORK ON THE LIQUOR BOARD.

AND GLAD TO SEE HIM MOVE FORWARD AGAIN AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM SOME MORE.

SO I WANT TO THANK HIM. I'LL ECHO THOSE COMMENTS, MR. RILEY. YES. I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY PAUL, CONGRATS ON THIS.

AND ALSO, AGAIN, I SEE A LETTER FROM THE HARFORD COUNTY DELEGATION AND YOU GOT ALL OF THEM TO VOTE FOR YOU.

HOW YOU EVER DID THAT? THAT'S A THAT'S A FEAT IN ITSELF.

SO CONGRATULATIONS. MR. DIXON. MR. PRESIDENT, I MRS ROBERT I.

[00:05:05]

THERE BEING FIVE VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. ONE ABSENT, ONE VACANT.

THE APPOINTMENT IS HEREBY APPROVED. MR. MAJEWSKI, PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED.

THANK YOU. SIX SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS. WE HAVE NONE.

SEVERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES. LEGISLATIVE DAY 25 007 FEBRUARY 18TH, 2025.

[7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

TWO MINUTES. STAND APPROVED. EIGHT. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS.

[8. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS]

MAY I HAVE A MOTION? COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION 002 DASH 25.

MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MR. RILEY.

IT'S MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 002.

25. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MISS DIXON, MR. PRESIDENT, I MRS ROBERT I.

MR.. GIORDANO I. MR.. RILEY I. MRS.. ROSADO I.

THERE BEING FIVE VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. ONE ABSENT, ONE VACANT.

RESOLUTION 002 25 IS HEREBY APPROVED. MR. JAN GIORDANO, PLEASE READ IN RESOLUTION 003 25, RESOLUTION 003 DASH 25 AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSIT MTA GRANT APPLICATION.

FISCAL YEAR 26. AS INTRODUCED. INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT VICENTE AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO FILE AN APPLICATION WITH THE MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION OF THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FORCES TAP STATEWIDE SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND SECTION 5303 5304 5305 5307 5309 5310 5311 5318, AND 5339. FORMULA AND DISCRETIONARY OPERATING AND CAPITAL GRANT PROGRAMS UNDER THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ACT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, AND FOR ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS WHICH MAY BE AVAILABLE UNDER THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ACT DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

THANK YOU, MR. BLAZYNSKI. YOU WANT TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE? MR. RICHARDSON, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU THIS EVENING. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

SO GOOD EVENING, BARBARA RICHARDSON, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. I HAVE MY SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT, HARTFORD TRANSIT ADMINISTRATOR GARY BRZEZINSKI.

AND BASICALLY WE'RE ASKING YOU TO AUTHORIZE THIS ENABLING LEGISLATION.

SO THE MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION IS THE DESIGNATED RECIPIENT IN MARYLAND FOR GRANTS UNDER THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ACT.

THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE GRANTS TO COUNTIES AND TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR MASS TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM PROJECTS.

THIS CONTRACT FOR FEDERAL GRANT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL IMPOSE CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS UPON THE APPLICANT, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF THE LOCAL SHARE OF THE PROJECT COSTS IN THE PROGRAM.

HARFORD TRANSIT LINK IS A SUB RECIPIENT OF THE MARYLAND TRANSIT AUTHORITY.

THE RESOLUTION IS A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF GRANT GUIDELINES, GIVING HARFORD TRANSIT LINK THE ABILITY TO APPLY FOR MULTIPLE OPERATING AND DISCRETIONARY FUNDING FOR OPERATING AND CAPITAL GRANTS UNDER THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ACT.

WE ARE REQUESTING THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL, AND THEN THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ALLOW HARFORD TRANSIT TO APPLY FOR THESE FUNDING SOURCES. GARY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? NO, JUST. WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION.

THIS GIVES US THE ABILITY TO, YOU KNOW, FILE FOR OUR ANNUAL OPERATING AND CAPITAL EXPENSES, BUT ALSO GIVES US THE ABILITY THAT ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE RELEASED THROUGH THE YEAR ALSO APPLY FOR THAT LIKE DISCRETIONARY GRANTS.

AND THIS IS A THIS IS AN APPLICATION THE GRANT APPLICATION THAT WE SEE YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

CORRECT? CORRECT. YEAH, WE GET JUST RIGHT AROUND $4 MILLION FROM THE INITIAL GRANT.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL. ANY QUESTIONS. SO BECAUSE WE SEE THIS YEAR AFTER YEAR I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE YOU COME BACK.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE ACTION ON IT TONIGHT. DOESN'T NEED A PUBLIC HEARING. SO MAY I HAVE A MOTION PLEASE.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT I MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 003 DASH 25.

THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MR. RILEY.

IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION 003 25.

IS THERE ANY MORE DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, MISS DIXON.

MR. PRESIDENT, I MRS.. ROBERT, HI, MR. GIORDANO.

HI, MR.. RILEY. MRS. BORSATO, I BEING FIVE VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ONE ABSENT, ONE VACANT. THE RESOLUTION IS HEREBY APPROVED.

THANK YOU FOR COMING TO SEE YOU. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ABSOLUTELY.

MISS DIXON, DID YOU TAKE CARE OF THAT PROBLEM? I DID, I'VE BEEN ADVISED THE LIVE FEED IS WORKING.

[00:10:02]

AND WITH US HERE THIS EVENING, MISS ALLEGED COULD NOT BE HERE, BUT TRULY HONORED TO HAVE MARY KATE HERE WITH US.

MR. GIORDANO, PLEASE READ RESOLUTION 004 25. RESOLUTION 004 DASH 25 MASTER WATER AND SEWER PLAN UPDATE SPRING 2025 AS INTRODUCED. INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT VICENTE AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.

A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE MASTER WATER AND SEWER PLAN SPRING 2025 UPDATE, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERE TO AND FOR SUBMISSION OF THE PLAN TO THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT FOR ITS APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION PURSUANT TO TITLE NINE OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE OF THE MARYLAND ANNOTATED CODE.

PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, APRIL 1ST AT 6 P.M.

IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THANK YOU. AND PLEASE READ RESOLUTION 005 25, RESOLUTION 00005 DASH 25 ESTABLISHED CHURCH COMMITTEE COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER INTRODUCED. INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT VINCENTI A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH THE SEARCH COMMITTEE TO SECURE AN INTERVIEW.

APPLICANTS FOR THE POSITION OF HARFORD COUNTY HEALTH OFFICERS SO THAT THE COUNTY COUNCIL MAY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE? COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 004 DASH 25.

005 DASH 25 005 DASH 25, SIR. MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MR. RILEY. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? MR. DIXON? MR. PRESIDENT I.

MRS.. ROBERT I. MR.. GIORDANO I. MR.. RILEY I.

MRS.. SEIDEL I BE FIVE VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, ONE ABSENT AND ONE VACANT.

THE RESOLUTION IS HEREBY APPROVED. MR. GIORDANO, PLEASE READ BILL 25 0002 OR EXCUSE ME, 20

[9. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS]

HARFORD COUNTY ZONING MAPS AS INTRODUCED. INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT VICENTE AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.

AN ACT TO REPEAL AND REENACT WITH AMENDMENTS.

SECTION 260 7-1 23, INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OF ARTICLE.

24 OFFICIALS. HARFORD COUNTY ZONING MAPS OF PART TWO.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 267 SEVEN ZONING.

THE HARTFORD COUNTY CODE, AS AMENDED, TO ADOPT THE 2025 OFFICIAL ZONING MAPS TO INCORPORATE THE MAPS INTO THIS ACT, AND GENERALLY RELATING TO THE COUNTY'S OFFICIAL ZONING MAPS.

PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, APRIL 1ST AT 6 P.M.

AND APRIL 8TH AT 6 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

THANK YOU. TEN. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS.

WE HAVE NONE. 11 CALL FOR FINAL READING OF BILLS.

WE HAVE NONE. 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.

[17. COMMENTS AND INPUT FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS]

MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE TWO THIS EVENING. GARY JOHNSON, FOLLOWED BY GENE SALVADOR.

GOOD EVENING SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. GARY JOHNSON, 704 PLEASANT HILL CIRCLE IN KINGSVILLE, MARYLAND. THANK YOU SIR. ON FEBRUARY 26TH OF THIS YEAR, THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND DENIED A PETITION BY HARFORD COUNTY COUNCILMAN AARON PENMAN TO REVIEW A SECOND. A CIRCUIT COURT DECISION THAT SAID HE COULD NOT CONTINUE IN ELECTED OFFICE WHILE ALSO WORKING FOR THE COUNTY SHERIFF.

NEWS REPORTS SAID THAT THE HIGH COURT DID NOT OFFER INSIGHT INTO WHY HIS PETITION WAS REJECTED.

I COULD NOT HELP BUT REMEMBER THE OPINION RENDERED BY THIS SAME COURT REGARDING JACOB BENNETT'S ELIGIBILITY TO SIT ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

THAT OPINION OFFERED ALL KINDS OF INSIGHTS. NONE OF THEM MADE ANY SENSE, BUT THEY WERE USED NONETHELESS TO SUPPORT THE COURT'S DECISION.

HARFORD'S CHARTER CLEARLY STATES THAT COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS SHALL NOT HOLD ANY OTHER OFFICE OF PROFIT OR EMPLOYMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, HARFORD COUNTY, OR ANY MUNICIPALITY WITHIN HARFORD COUNTY.

BUT IN THEIR OPINION, THE MARYLAND SUPREME COURT SAW NO CONFLICT WITH MR. BENNETT'S SIMULTANEOUS EMPLOYMENT WITH BOTH THE HARFORD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

THEY VIEWED THE SCHOOL BOARD AS AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY, CONNECTED NEITHER TO THE STATE NOR TO THE COUNTY.

HOWEVER, IF THE SCHOOL BOARD WAS TRULY INDEPENDENT, THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR IT TO HAVE TO COME TO THE COUNTY FOR FUNDING.

YET THEY COME, THEY DO REGULARLY AND AGGRESSIVELY BY FIGHTING FOR MR. BENNETT, THE COURT TOOK THE CLEAR WORDING OF OUR CHARTER AND TWISTED IT BEYOND UNDERSTANDING.

THE LAW IN THIS CASE WAS HARFORD COUNTY'S CHARTER AND ITS STATED QUALIFICATIONS FOR SITTING ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL.

[00:15:06]

HE SAID LAWS ARE MADE FOR MEN OF ORDINARY UNDERSTANDING AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE CONSTRUED BY THE ORDINARY RULES OF COMMON SENSE.

THEIR MEANING IS NOT TO BE SOUGHT, IS NOT TO BE SOUGHT FOR IN THE METAPHYSICAL SUBTLETIES WHICH MAY MAKE ANYTHING MEAN EVERYTHING OR NOTHING AT ONE'S PLEASURE. METAPHYSICAL SUBTLETIES WERE PRECISELY WHAT THE COURT USED TO INTERPRET THE BENNETT CASE.

IN DOING SO, THEY UNDERMINED NOT ONLY THE MEANING OF THE LAW, BUT ALSO THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW.

CHARTER GOVERNMENT REQUIRES THAT YOU, THE COUNTY COUNCIL, NOT ONLY GOVERN, BUT THAT YOU ALSO DEFEND OUR CHARTER AS OUR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

YOU SHOULD HAVE CHALLENGED THIS OPINION EVEN TO THE US SUPREME COURT.

AFTER ALL, WE ARE A NATION OF LAWS, NOT OPINIONS.

IT IS JUST SHY OF ONE YEAR AGO THAT I STOOD BEFORE YOU, CHARGING YOU WITH DERELICTION OF DUTY IN THE BENNETT CASE.

THE MARYLAND SUPREME COURT HAS APPARENTLY FLIPPED AND NOW APPEARS TO AGREE WITH OUR CHARTER.

AND SO YOU APPEAR TO HAVE DODGED A BULLET AS REGARDS TO MR. PENMAN. BUT YOU STILL NEED TO CLEAN UP THE MESS MADE REGARDING MR. BENNETT BEFORE IT COMES BACK TO BITE YOU AGAIN.

REGARDING OUR CHARTER, YOU SHOULD DEFEND IT. YOU SHOULD CHALLENGE THOSE WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF ITS WORDS.

OR WE WILL BE UNDONE. THANK YOU. SIR. CALL YOUR NEXT SPEAKER, JEAN SALVADOR.

GOOD EVENING MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. HI, I'M JEAN SALVADOR.

MY ADDRESS IS 2007 ROUGHS MILL ROAD, BEL AIR, MARYLAND, TWO 1015.

I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF OUR ORGANIZATION, SHADOWCAT'S TNR.

DOES THAT MEAN I'M ALLOWED A FEW MORE MINUTES? NO, MA'AM.

OKAY. JUST CHECKING, BECAUSE IT USED TO BE. YES, MA'AM.

I'LL BE. I'LL BE BRIEF. SO I COME TO YOU TONIGHT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A PROBLEM IN HARFORD COUNTY.

AND THAT IS THE UNWANTED REPRODUCTION OF ROAMING CATS.

I'VE ALREADY SPOKEN TO SOME OF YOU ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT I DO TO HELP, I HOPE, SOLVE THE PROBLEM. SHADOW CATS TNR HAS BEEN OPERATING IN THE COUNTY AS A NONPROFIT, AN OFFICIAL NONPROFIT, SINCE 2016, AND WE ARE DOING PART OF THE SOLUTION TO TO REALLY CORRECT THIS ISSUE.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW, CATS CAN GO INTO HEAT AT FOUR MONTHS, TWO CATS CAN MAKE 100 IN ABOUT TWO YEARS, AND AFTER THAT THOUSANDS IF THEY KEEP REPRODUCING.

SO OUR PART OF THE SOLUTION, AS I SAID, IS TO DO WHAT WE DO, WHICH IS TNR IS TRAP, NEUTER, VACCINATE AND RELEASE TO COLONIES USUALLY MAINTAIN COLONIES.

PEOPLE ARE FEEDING CATS. WE'VE WE'VE FIXED OVER 14,000 CATS IN HARFORD COUNTY AND ENVIRONS AROUND.

WE DO GO A LITTLE BIT UP TO BALTIMORE COUNTY AS WELL AS CECIL COUNTY AND EVEN LOWER PENNSYLVANIA TO GET THIS WORK DONE.

THAT'S A LOT OF CATS, AND WE KEEP ON BRINGING THEM IN AT ABOUT 1800, 1900 OF THEM A YEAR.

SO WHAT WE HAD SEEN IN THE BEGINNING WAS THAT WE HAD FERAL CATS AVERSE TO HUMANS, AND WE WOULD RELEASE THEM.

THAT WENT ON FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS. IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WE ARE TAKING IN FRIENDLY CATS AND WE ARE ALSO FIXING LOCAL RESIDENTS PETS AT LOW COST.

THIS IS A PART OF THE SOLUTION. WE CAN'T DO VERY WELL BECAUSE WE ARE EQUIPPED TO DO TRAP, NEUTER AND RELEASE.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE TAKING IN PETS, IT'S BECAUSE THE AVERAGE COST IN HARFORD COUNTY TO FIX ONE CAT OR KITTEN IS $500, AND I HAVE HAD PEOPLE BRING ME ESTIMATES AS HIGH AS 800.

LOCAL VETERINARIANS ARE SAYING YOU HAVE TO COME BACK IN 2 OR 3 MONTHS.

IF MY CATS IN HEAT, THAT ISN'T REALLY GOING TO HELP ME.

AND LOCAL VETERINARIANS ARE REFERRING CLIENTS TO US BECAUSE THEY EITHER CAN'T OR DON'T WANT TO ACTUALLY DO THE SURGERY.

SO THE REST OF THE SOLUTION IS THIS. AND THIS IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP WITH.

PLEASE PASS THE BILL THAT MR. PENMAN DRAFTED.

IT'S ABOUT TWO SENTENCES THAT WOULD ALLOW UNDER THE COUNTY CODE FOR OUR LOCAL SHELTER TO DO LOW COST PET SPAY AND NEUTER.

FOR SOME REASON, THEY HAVE TO BE PERMITTED TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT'S NOT PART OF THE DEFINITION OF ANIMAL SHELTER.

ALTHOUGH MOST ANIMAL SHELTERS DO THIS ALREADY, THAT WOULD TAKE THE PETS OUT OF OUR PURVIEW, AND THAT WOULD LET US CONCENTRATE ON WHAT WE DO BEST, WHICH IS TRAP, NEUTER AND RETURN.

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE IF I WERE YOU, BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS MONEY.

I'M NOT BRINGING YOU A MONEY PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE DONE WITHOUT THE COUNTY PAYING MORE MONEY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GRANTS OUT THERE TO DO JUST THIS KIND OF WORK.

[00:20:01]

AND WITH THAT MONEY, WE DO A WHOLE LOT OF. SALVATORE, PLEASE BRING YOUR COMMENTS TO A CLOSE.

AND I WOULD JUST LIKE YOU TO PLEASE PUSH THE SHELTER.

THERE'S A NEW. THANK YOU. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DO THAT THING.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE, MISS DIXON? WE DO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL SPEAKER, GINA KRIEGER.

GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. HI. MY NAME IS GINA KRIEGER.

I LIVE AT 704 CONNOLLY FARMS ROAD, FALLSTON, MARYLAND, 247.

I'D JUST LIKE THE COUNTY TO ASK THE COUNTY TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO BECOME A NO KILL COUNTY IN 2025.

A NO KILL COMMUNITY IS ONE THAT ACTS ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT EVERY HEALTHY OR TREATABLE DOG AND CAT SHOULD BE SAVED.

THIS COMMUNITY FOCUSES ON SAVING AS MANY LIVES AS POSSIBLE THROUGH INCREASED ADOPTION SPAY NEUTER, TRAP, NEUTER, RETURN, RETURN TO OWNER, AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT KEEP ANIMALS OUT OF SHELTERS.

NO KILL IS A PHILOSOPHICAL PHILOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLE THAT MEANS SAVING EVERY DOG OR CAT IN A SHELTER WHO CAN BE SAVED, BUT IT'S HELPFUL TO HAVE A WAY TO CLEARLY MEASURE LIFE SAVING PROGRESS.

AND THAT'S WHERE THE 90% BENCHMARK COMES IN. TYPICALLY, NO MORE THAN 10% OF DOGS AND CATS ENTERING SHELTERS ARE SUFFERING FROM IRREPARABLE MEDICAL OR BEHAVIORAL ISSUES THAT COMPROMISE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND PREVENT THEM FROM BEING REHOMED, SO A SHELTER IS CONSIDERED NO KILL WHEN AT LEAST 90% OF THE ANIMALS WHO ENTER LEAVE ALIVE.

OUR ASK IS THAT THE COUNTY AND RESIDENTS TAKE THE NO KILL PLEDGE, WHICH CAN WE CAN FORWARD TO YOU? AND THE FUN FACT THAT HARFORD COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY HAS ACHIEVED NO KILL FOUR OUT OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS WITH THE HELP OF AREA RESCUES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU MA'AM.

THERE ARE NO MORE SPEAKERS, MR. PRESIDENT. THANK YOU.

WE'LL MOVE TO AGENDA NUMBER 16. BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS, MISS SALES.

[16. BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS]

I'D LIKE TO GIVE A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS FOR ALL OF THEIR DEDICATION TO OUR COUNTY.

THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE LAUNCHED THE FOUR PART PLEDGE PROGRAM TODAY AT PROSPECT MILL ELEMENTARY FOR STUDENTS AGES 8 TO 11.

I'M EXCITED THAT MY SON LUCA IS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT EDUCATING STUDENTS ON THE DANGERS OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL REFUSAL SKILLS AND HANDLING PEER PRESSURE, THEY WILL BE HOLDING MORE OF THESE EVENTS AT OTHER SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

AND FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN CONTACT SERGEANT SANCHEZ FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS STYLES, MR. ROWLEY.

YES. AGAIN, AURORA ATTENDED FOR ME, FOR THE LEVEL OF VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY.

CONGRATS TO ALL THOSE WHO GOT AN AWARD. AGAIN, THANK CUB SCOUT PACK, AGE 65, FOR LEADING THE PLEDGE THIS EVENING.

AND THAT'S IT. MR. PRESIDENT, THANK YOU, MR. JORDAN.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT ATTENDED THE GRAND OPENING OF CHOCOLATE MOONSHINE ON FEBRUARY 19TH.

LOCATED ON NORTH MAIN STREET. LOTS OF DIFFERENT CHOCOLATE FUDGE TOO.

SO IF YOU GET A CHANCE, STOP THERE. STUFF WAS DELICIOUS.

WE ALSO DID A ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR LET GO.

WELLNESS CENTER ON FRIDAY. CONGRATULATIONS TO BRENDA PETRICK ON HER ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

THEY HAVE A HOLISTIC NURSE IN THERE. THAT HOLLY AND THEY HAVE A BUNCH OF OTHER PEOPLE IN THERE THAT DO DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO IF YOU GET A CHANCE, LOOK AT THEIR WEBSITE. STOP IN AND SEE THEM. AND TODAY WE I ACTUALLY STOPPED DOWN AND GAVE A CITATION TO DYLAN FRANCE.

HE IS A BARTENDER WHO SAVED SOMEBODY'S LIFE OVER AT SHAWN BOWLEN'S.

SO I WANTED TO THANK HIM FOR FROM THE CITIZENS FOR HIS QUICK THINKING AND AND ABLE TO SAVE SOMEBODY'S LIFE.

SO ANYWAY. AND THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

THANK YOU, MR. JORDAN. MISS ROBERT. YES. AND I'VE DONE A COUPLE OF TOURS.

I ACTUALLY TOURED THE PYRAMID HEALTH CARE FACILITY.

I'VE NEVER BEEN THERE. IT'S IN MY DISTRICT AND WANTED TO SEE WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT.

IT'S A VERY WELL RUN OILED MACHINE FOR A SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESIDENT PROGRAM.

AND, AND SO I TOOK A TOUR OF THAT AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THEIR FUNDING AND ETC..

I HAD TWO MEET AND GREETS ONE IN JOPPATOWNE AND ONE IN EDGEWOOD.

I HAVE ONE LEFT TO DO, AND THAT IS ON THURSDAY AT 6:00 IN ABINGDON.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE EDGEWOOD JOPPATOWNE CAMP MEETING YESTERDAY, AND COUNTY EXECUTIVE WAS THE

[00:25:03]

BUT THOSE MEETINGS HAVE BECOME A LITTLE BIT MORE CROWDED SINCE I'VE BEEN PUT INTO OFFICE.

AND THEN TODAY I ATTENDED THE ARMY ALLIANCE LUNCHEON AT THE VANDIVER INN.

THAT WAS A THAT WAS INTERESTING. THE SPEAKER SPOKE A LOT ABOUT THE FUNDING ACROSS THE BOARD, COMING FROM FEDERAL AND STATE MONEY AS IT RELATES TO OUR DEFENSE.

AND SO IT WAS INTERESTING TO LEARN WHAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

AND THAT IS IT FOR ME. THANK YOU, MR. ROBERT.

15 BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL PRESIDENT. PURSUANT TO THE HARFORD COUNTY CHARTER, SECTION 209, REGARDING A COUNCIL VACANCY.

[15. BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT]

WORKING WITH THE, IN THIS CASE, REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO MR. MCBRIDE ON FRIDAY AND THEN ALSO SO BACK IT UP WITH A EMAIL LETTING HIM KNOW THAT THE 60 DAY CLOCK HAD STARTED. AND SO WE ARE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY ARE ADVERTISING NOW, AND THAT THEY WILL PRESENT A LIST TO US, NO LESS THAN THREE APPLICANTS FOR US TO CONSIDER FOR DISTRICT B, AND THAT DEADLINE TO FILL THAT SEAT IS APRIL 28TH, 2025. TOMORROW WE WILL BE HOSTING OUR FIRST HEALTH OFFICER SEARCH COMMITTEE MEETING WITH ABOUT 14 MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, STATE HEALTH REPRESENTATIVES, MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMMUNITY.

JUST AVERAGE CITIZENS. AND WITH THE HELP OF HR HERE IN THE COUNTY, WE HAVE RECEIVED 30, 34 APPLICANTS TO DATE. SOME ARE PHYSICIANS, SOME ARE NON PHYSICIANS.

AND WE'LL START WITH THE PROCESS TOMORROW. PROBABLY NOT ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THE APPLICANTS TOMORROW, BUT JUST GETTING EVERYTHING SQUARED AWAY FOR OUR FIRST MEETING.

THE EVENTS THAT YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD ABOUT WAS THE LEVEL OF VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES FIRE EVENT I DID ATTEND.

IT IS MY COMMUNITY FIRE COMPANY. THEY DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB FOR NOT ONLY OUR COMMUNITY OF LEVEL, BUT ALSO ALL OF HARFORD COUNTY. THEY'RE CLEARLY ONE OF OUR MORE ACTIVE COMPANIES.

LADIES AUXILIARY DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB. THEY ACTUALLY BROUGHT A CATERING FOR THAT EVENT SO THE LADIES COULD PARTAKE AS WELL.

BUT MISS HARRIS ATTENDED ABERDEEN'S VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY AWARD BANQUET FOR US, AND SHE SAID IT WAS ALSO WELL ATTENDED.

WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN A READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY ON MARCH 3RD.

READ TO MISS NEELY'S SECOND GRADE CLASS AT DARLINGTON ELEMENTARY.

AND THE KIDS ARE ALWAYS GREAT. THEY REALLY ARE.

I WANT TO OFFER MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF RICKY MARSH.

UNFORTUNATELY, RICKY LOST HIS SEVEN YEAR BATTLE WITH CANCER THIS PAST WEEK.

HE'LL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS A GREAT OUTDOORSMAN.

HE WAS A RETIRED NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICER. AND THEN AFTER THAT, HE STARTED A CAREER IN HUNTER SAFETY TRAINING WITH THE KIDS AND DID A GREAT JOB. HE WAS AN OUTSTANDING HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, AND FRIEND.

WE ASK YOU ALL TO KEEP HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

AND WITH THAT, WE'LL ADJOURN THIS MEETING. THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.