[a. Resolution 005-26 (MEDAAF Grant) ] [00:00:04] FIVE. FOUR. THREE. TWO. GOOD EVENING. CHAIR CALLS THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR RESOLUTION 005 26. MEAD GRANT. MISS HOLT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE? GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT VINCENTE. COME BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING TO SHARE SOME EXCITING NEWS ABOUT A COMPANY THAT'S MAKING A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT HERE IN HARFORD COUNTY AND HAS SUPPORT FROM THE STATE IN THAT VENTURE AS WELL. THE COMPANY IS LAFCO, AND THEY ARE LOCATED AT 1204 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE IN ABERDEEN. IT'S PART OF THE ABERDEEN TECHNOLOGY PARK. YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE FACILITY. IT IS THE FORMER BATTELLE SITE THERE WITHIN THE PARK. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL INVESTMENT HERE IN HARFORD COUNTY, APPROXIMATELY $15 MILLION. IT IS 70 300 ZERO SQUARE FEET. THE COMPANY CURRENTLY HAS 100 EMPLOYEES, AND THEY ANTICIPATED JOB CREATION WITH THIS INVESTMENT AND EXPANSION OF OF THEIR ACTIVITY WOULD BRING AN ADDITIONAL 120 EMPLOYEES. IT IS A MARYLAND CERTIFIED, WOMAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS, AND I AM PLEASED TO SHARE THAT WE DO HAVE WITH US. ANDREW LOUGHBOROUGH, THE COO OF THE COMPANY. THANK YOU. ANDREW. THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS OFFERING A MEET F OR ADVANTAGE MARYLAND, WHICH IS AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE A $600,000 CONDITIONAL LOAN TO THE LAFCO COMPANY IN SUPPORT OF THEIR INVESTMENT AT THIS FACILITY. IT IS AN EXISTING FACILITY THAT WILL REQUIRE SOME UPGRADES AND THINGS TO THE SITE, AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, WE PROVIDE A 10% MATCH FOR ADVANTAGE. MARYLAND TO MATCH SUPPORT FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES AT THAT PROJECT SITE. AND BEFORE YOU FOR CONSIDERATION IS RESOLUTION 00526, WHICH WILL ENDORSE THE STATE AND COUNTY SUPPORT FOR THIS TECHNOLOGY CATALYST. I'VE PROVIDED A QUICK TIMELINE. AT THE BOTTOM YOU CAN SEE TONIGHT IS OUR PUBLIC HEARING, AND WE WOULD REQUEST A VOTE AT MARCH 17TH. LAFCO IS A HOMEGROWN HARFORD COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS, AND THEY ACQUIRED THE BUILDING IN DECEMBER OF 25, PURCHASED THE VACATED FACILITY I MENTIONED IT WAS OWNED BY BATTELLE. THEY HAD A BATTELLE EASTERN SCIENCE AND TECH CENTER THERE, WHICH WAS A 16 LAB COMPLEX BUILT IN 2003, AND IT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS. SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THIS REINVESTMENT. LAFCO AS A COMPANY DRIVES THE CREATION OF HIGH WAGE, HIGH SKILL, SPECIALIZED JOBS WITHIN RECOGNIZED LIGHTHOUSE SECTORS BY THE STATE. AND THAT TENDS TO BE AEROSPACE, DEFENSE AND MANUFACTURING. AND THEY ARE ACTIVELY HIRING TOP TALENT TO ACCELERATE INNOVATION HERE IN HARFORD COUNTY. YOU CAN SEE SOME PHOTOS TAKEN DURING A SNOWY DAY. THE WARMER WEATHER IS HELPING, BUT IT IS A GREAT FACILITY, GREAT INFRASTRUCTURE. THERE'S TWO PHOTOS ACCOMPANYING THIS NEXT PIECE, AND I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT ANDREW SHARED THAT THEY TOOK POSSESSION OF THIS NEWLY PAINTED VEHICLE AS PART OF A MOBILE COMMAND CENTER THAT WILL BE ACTIVE IN VARIOUS PARTS OF OUR COUNTRY, AND PLEASED TO SAY A LOCAL COMPANY HELPED PREPARE THAT OPERATION AUTOMATIC COATINGS IN HARFORD COUNTY. SO WE REALLY LIKE TO SEE OUR COMPANIES WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER HERE IN HARFORD COUNTY. IT IS SPECIALIZING MISSION CRITICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND STRATEGIC INNOVATION TO GIVE THE WARFIGHTER A DECISIVE EDGE. THE SITE WILL FOCUS ON ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES FOR MICROELECTRONICS, AND IT SUPPORTS CLIENTS INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, VARIOUS STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, PRIVATE COMPANIES, AND NONPROFITS. SO THAT'S A VERY QUICK HIGHLIGHT. OVERVIEW. WE'RE REALLY EXCITED. THEY'VE BEEN VERY ENGAGED WITH OUR COMMUNITY. WE RECENTLY HOSTED THE RICHMOND FEDERAL RESERVE BANK WITH SOME ROUNDTABLE OF OUR DEFENSE AND TECH BUSINESS LEADERS, AND LAFKO WAS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO HOST US AMIDST EVEN RENOVATION OF THAT FACILITY. BUT TO SHOWCASE THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE HAVE HERE IN HARFORD COUNTY. MR. LOUGHBOROUGH, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD? IF SO, JUST COME FORWARD. IF YOU DO. KNOW IS A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF HARFORD COUNTY, THIS IS A PRETTY EXCITING AND HAPPY TO, YOU KNOW, PUT ROOTS HERE IN HARFORD COUNTY AND INVEST IN [00:05:04] THIS FACILITY. I REMEMBER WHEN THE FACILITY WAS FIRST COMMISSIONED IN 2020 OR 2003. SO PRETTY EXCITING TO BE PART OF THE NEXT CHAPTER OF IT. SO THANK YOU. SO I TOO AM VERY EXCITED FOR YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN HARFORD COUNTY. I'VE SEEN THE INVESTMENTS THAT YOU'VE MADE OVER THE YEARS LOCALLY. VERY PLEASED TO SEE THAT YOU'RE BRINGING ANOTHER PROJECT TO THE COUNTY THAT'S GOING TO OFFER 120 HIGH END PAYING JOBS. SO REALLY APPRECIATE AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN UP THE COUNCIL FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. ANYONE. MR. GIORDANO, GOOD AFTERNOON. EVENING. THANKS FOR THANKS FOR COMING IN. SO PRETTY EXCITING. GLAD THAT YOU TOOK THE PLUNGE AND WENT INTO TO DO OVER THIS BUILDING. AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE ELECTRICITY ON THAT. BUT JUST TO HEAR SOME OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU'RE DOING, THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE EMPLOYED, THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE BRINGING EMPLOY. AND WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN STUFF AND DEFENSE STUFF HERE. SO IT'S GLAD TO SEE THAT, YOU KNOW, OUTSIDE THE GATE AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT. I JUST SENT THIS OFF TO A COUPLE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW THAT SAID, HEY, YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK INTO THIS COMPANY AND, YOU KNOW, REACH OUT TO THEM FOR FOR WHAT YOU GUYS DO. BUT THANK YOU FOR STAYING IN HARFORD COUNTY AND THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN US. AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT. THANKS. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE, MISS DIXON, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP? NO, MR. PRESIDENT, THERE IS NO ONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. VERY GOOD. THIS WILL CONCLUDE THIS PUBLIC HEARING FOR RESOLUTION 00526. AND WE WILL TAKE IT UP ON THE [b. Bill 26-001 (Harford County SOPP Amendments) ] 17TH. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE INTO BILL 26 001. HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE PENSION PLAN AMENDMENT. MR. SANDERS. YES. ROBIN COUNTY TREASURER, ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE ASKING FOR SOME MODEST CHANGES TO THE PLAN DOCUMENTS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PENSION PLAN. NOW, MOST OF THE COUNTY WORKFORCE ARE UNDER THE STATE STATE RETIREMENT PLAN, EITHER THE STATE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN OR FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPUTIES. THEY'RE UNDER THE STATE'S PLAN. HOWEVER, OUR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ARE UNDER THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PLAN, WHICH THE COUNTY ADMINISTERS. AND WHAT THIS CHANGE WOULD DO IS THAT IT WOULD IT WOULD ALLOW FOR TRANSFERS OF SERVICE CREDIT TO HAVE AN 18 MONTH WINDOW INSTEAD OF A SIX MONTH WINDOW. SO SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WE ENACTED A CHANGE THAT ALLOWED FOR UP TO FIVE YEARS OF OF SERVICE TIME FROM FROM QUALIFIED PLANS THAT ARE EITHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OR CORRECTIONAL PLANS TO BE TRANSFERRED INTO THE INTO THE SOP THAT WOULD GO TOWARDS THEIR THEIR VESTING REQUIREMENTS AND TOWARDS THEIR THEIR FUTURE RETIREMENT BENEFITS. AND WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT SIX MONTHS REALLY WASN'T ENOUGH TIME. A LOT OF IT'S A BIG DECISION THAT PEOPLE ARE MAKING. THEY YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS WHERE YOU WANT TO BE, BECAUSE ONCE YOU DO CHANGE YOUR YOUR PENSION SERVICE TIME, ONCE YOU TRANSFER FROM ONE PENSION TO ANOTHER, YOU REALLY CAN'T SAY I CHANGE MY MIND, I WANT IT BACK. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO HAVE IT JUST OPEN ENDED. BECAUSE WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PUTTING ASIDE RESOURCES, BOTH THE EMPLOYEES RESOURCES AND THE COUNTY'S RESOURCES, TO PUT THEM INTO THE TRUST SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO INVEST, INVEST THEM SO THAT THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN THEY WHEN THEY DO RETIRE. SO WE THINK THIS IS A NICE BALANCE. I CAN SAY THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, THEIR UNION, BROUGHT FORTH TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE. WE'VE ALSO TAKEN THIS BEFORE, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SOP, AND THEY ARE SUPPORTIVE AS WELL. WE'LL ALSO JUST NOTE THAT OUR OUR SOP IS IS IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE. IT'S 88% FUNDED. THAT'S SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN MOST OTHER PENSIONS. I WILL SAY THAT WHEN WE WE GO TO NEW YORK AND DEAL WITH THE CREDIT RATING AGENCIES, I ALWAYS HAVE A PAGE ON THE SOP TALKING ABOUT IT, AND THAT'S REALLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY DO LOOK AT. HOW ARE YOU MANAGING YOUR PENSION OBLIGATIONS? AND I CAN SAY THAT THAT HARFORD COUNTY IS, IS IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE WHEN WE'RE DOING THIS. YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS THE OVERALL COST OF THIS, IT'S SOMEWHAT HARD TO TO ASCERTAIN. I KNOW THERE'S PROBABLY AT LEAST ONE PERSON WHO'S DEFINITELY GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT, WHO'S CURRENTLY ON STAFF. AND WHEN OUR ACTUARIES LOOKED AT IT, THEY FIGURED IT WOULD BE ABOUT $3,000 PER ANNUAL REQUIRED CONTRIBUTION PER YEAR. SIR, SIR, YEARS OF SERVICE TRANSFERRED. SO IF YOU'RE TRANSFERRING FIVE YEARS, LET'S FIGURE ABOUT $15,000 TO THAT ARC. HOWEVER, WE REALLY WON'T KNOW UNTIL, YOU KNOW, UNTIL ALL THE ACTUARIAL ANALYSIS ARE DONE. BUT BUT THE EMPLOYEES THEMSELVES WILL NEED TO TRANSFER EITHER FROM THEIR PRIOR, EITHER FROM THEIR PRIOR PENSION OR FROM A COMBINATION OF OF THEIR OWN FUNDS AND THE PRIOR PENSION, AN AMOUNT THAT IS, THAT IS EQUAL TO 9% OF THEIR 9% OF THEIR OF THEIR SALARY BY THE NUMBER OF YEARS THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE TRANSFERRED. SO THIS IS A KIND OF A DUAL OBLIGATION ON BOTH THE EMPLOYEES PART AND THE COUNTY'S PART. THANK YOU. MR. SANDERS. QUESTIONS ANYONE? MR. [00:10:01] GIORDANO, GOOD EVENING ROBBIE. SO IF SOMEBODY GOES FROM THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND THEY CHANGE POSITIONS, GOING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN A DIFFERENT, DOES THAT AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFER THEIR THEIR PENSION AS WELL? SO IF THAT WERE THE CASE, IF SOMEBODY WERE TO TRANSFER FROM IF THEY WERE A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER AND THEY MOVED TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE, WE WOULD TRANSFER FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY'S PENSION TO THE STATE'S LEON PLAN. AND SO THAT'S HOW THAT WOULD WORK. AND THEN VICE VERSA, IF SOMEBODY WANTED TO GO THE OTHER THE OTHER DIRECTION. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? MR. BENNETT? GOOD EVENING. GOOD TO BE WITH YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON THIS, AND I'M GLAD IT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYBODY CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION. YOU KNOW, THE EMPLOYEES AND MANAGEMENT ALL AGREE THIS IS A GOOD THING. SO MY QUICK QUESTION IS, I KNOW IT'S COME UP IN THE PAST, OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, BUT WITH THE EXPANSION OF STAFFING AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY MORE CONVERSATIONS SURROUNDING THEIR PENSION PLANS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AND DISPATCHERS? WE WE HAVE WE HAVE LOOKED AT IT. IT IS A EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION. LAW ENFORCEMENT, PENSIONS. SO LIKE THE EQUIVALENT OF THE PENSION IS, I BELIEVE, ABOUT 45% OF, OF OF PAY. SO, I MEAN, IF YOU ARE THEORETICALLY MAKING $100,000, THE COUNTY WOULD NEED TO CONTRIBUTE $45,000 TOWARDS THE PENSION PLAN, WHEREAS THE REGULAR PENSION SYSTEM IS SOMETHING MORE ALONG THE LINES OF 10%. SO IT IS A IT IS A BIG CHANGE. PLUS YOU WOULD THEN ALSO HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR THE UNFUNDED LIABILITY PORTION OF THE PAST, WHICH WOULD ADD SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS TO IT. SO IT IS PART OF THE CONVERSATION. YOU KNOW, I KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID THIS YEAR OR LAST YEAR'S BUDGET WAS TO TRY TO PROVIDE SOME, SOME BONUSES TO THOSE EMPLOYEES TO, TO MORE OR LESS KIND OF SERVE AS, AS AN INCENTIVE FOR THEM. BUT WE UNDERSTAND THAT, THAT PUBLIC SAFETY PENSIONS, YOU KNOW, ARE A OF KIND OF A FACT OF LIFE. AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT IT, BUT IT HAS A SIGNIFICANT IT HAS A VERY SIGNIFICANT FISCAL NOTE. AND IS THAT EVEN TALKING ABOUT YEARS, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE LIKE, I THINK RIGHT NOW TO GET YOUR FULL PENSION AS A DISPATCHER, IT'S 30 YEARS. YEAH. NOW THE DISPATCHERS IS ANOTHER MATTER. YOU KNOW, THE STATE THE ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE ULTIMATELY GOVERNED BY KIND OF IRS REGULATIONS. AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE'S LIFE EXPECTANCY AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS. AND SO SAY FIREFIGHTERS, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND, AND PARAMEDICS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EARLIER RETIREMENTS. BUT TYPICALLY DISPATCH IS NOT UNDER THOSE. SO DISPATCH WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN, SAY OPS. BUT WHEREAS A PARAMEDIC, YOU KNOW, WOULD BE INELIGIBLE. SO AGAIN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT I KNOW OTHER COUNTIES HAVE THEIR OWN PLANS FOR SIMILAR DEALS. YOU KNOW HOW WE WOULD GO ABOUT THAT, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WOULD YOU, YOU KNOW, CREATE YOUR OWN PLAN. WOULD YOU DO SOMETHING ELSE. BUT AGAIN, IT WOULD BE IT WOULD BE A VERY A VERY PRICEY ENDEAVOR. AND THIS IS ALWAYS THE ISSUE YOU WERE KIND OF DEALING WITH WHEN, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT'S ALL COMING OUT OF THE SAME BUCKET. SO EITHER DO WE PUT MONEY INTO SALARIES OR DO WE PUT MONEY INTO PENSIONS? I KNOW 20 YEAR OLD ME DIDN'T CARE A WHOLE LOT ABOUT PENSIONS. 50 YEAR OLD ME CARES A LOT ABOUT PENSIONS, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT BREAKING POINT IS. 40 SOMETHING PROBABLY. AND THAT IS THE CHALLENGE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR SALARIES ARE COMPETITIVE, YOUR OTHER THINGS ARE COMPETITIVE. BUT THERE DOES COME A POINT WHERE RETIREMENT IS IS A FACTOR. AND THERE'S THAT DELICATE BALANCE OF YOU WANT TO HAVE THE CARROT BE ENTICING TO GET PEOPLE TO MAKE IT TO THE END. BUT IF IT FEELS SO FAR AWAY, YOU'RE LIKE, I'M NEVER GOING TO MAKE IT TO 30 YEARS. YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO LEAVE AT YEAR 12 THAN IF YOU THINK, WELL, I COULD MAKE IT TO 22 OR 24 YEARS. AND AND WE DID STRUCTURE THAT SAY WITH THOSE FOR, FOR THE, FOR THE PARAMEDICS, FOR THE EMTS. THOSE BONUSES WERE KIND OF STAGGERED TO TRY TO GET THEM TO, TO, TO STAY FOR A LONGER, LONGER PERIODS OF TIME. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT. ANYONE ELSE? MR. RILEY, SIR, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE PENSION PLAN, WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT GUYS AND GALS WITH GUNS AND BADGES. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE CIVILIANS, AND WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ANIMAL CONTROL. CORRECT. WELL, IN THIS CASE, IT'S CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND CORRECTIONS. YEARS AGO, THE SHERIFF LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPUTIES WERE UNDER THIS PLAN, AND THEN THEY MOVED INTO INTO OPS. BUT NO, IF YOU WERE A CIVILIAN AND THE WHO WORKS FOR THE SHERIFF, YOU'RE IN THE SAME PENSION PLAN AS I AM, AND THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S PEOPLE ARE AND ALL OF THOSE. SO THE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT PLAN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. RILEY. MISS DIXON, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP? WE DO, MR. PRESIDENT. WE HAVE ONE. LUKE HUESMANN. TO [00:15:11] THE BACK. LUKE. ME YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE? YES, THIS IS LUKE HUESMANN. I LIVE AT 481 AMELANCHIER COURT IN BEL AIR, MARYLAND. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. I STAND IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS PROPOSED PENSION AMENDMENT. THIS CHANGE RECOGNIZES THE NEED FOR AMPLE TIME TO MAKE INFORMED FINANCIAL DECISIONS FROM THOSE WHO ARE TRANSFERRING FROM OTHER FACILITIES. THIS CHANGE THE. THE AMENDMENT REMOVES AN UNNECESSARY BARRIER FOR EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO BRING VALUABLE SKILLS TO OUR COUNTY. EXTENDING THE PURCHASE WINDOW WILL PROMOTE WORKFORCE STABILITY, ENCOURAGE RECRUITMENT OF QUALIFIED LATERALS, AND HONOR PRIOR PUBLIC SERVICE BY GIVING EMPLOYEES A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO CONSOLIDATE RETIREMENT BENEFITS. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE TO SHERIFF GAYLOR FOR HIS CONTINUED LEADERSHIP AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK TREASURER AND THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, CASSIDY, FOR THEIR SUPPORT REGARDING THIS AMENDMENT. THEIR BACKING REFLECTS A SHARED COMMITMENT TO STRONGER, MORE EQUITABLE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC SERVANTS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. NO MORE SPEAKERS. I WITH NO OTHER SPEAKERS. THIS WILL CONCLUDE THIS PUBLIC HEARING ON BILL 26 001. WE WILL TAKE IT UP AT THE MARCH 17TH MEETING. THANK YOU. AND RIGHT NOW WE'LL TAKE A LITT STAND BY. FIVE. FOUR. THREE. TWO. CHAIR CALLS THE ORDER LEGISLATIVE SESSION DAY [1. CALL TO ORDER ] 26 009. I WOULD ASK YOU TO PLEASE JOIN US IN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE, FOLLOWED BY THE OPENING PRAYER. 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 THIS EVENING IN PRAYER, ASKING FOR YOUR GUIDANCE, WISDOM, AND SUPPORT AS WE BEGIN THIS MEETING. WE THANK YOU FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES AND IN OUR COUNTY. WE CONTINUE TO LIVE IN CHALLENGING TIMES. GIVE US THE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND PATIENCE NEEDED TO LEGISLATE ON BEHALF OF OUR CITIZENS. LORD, AS ALWAYS, WE ASK YOU TO WATCH OVER OUR MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, AND EDUCATORS. WE ASK THESE THINGS IN YOUR MOST HOLY NAME, AMEN. AMEN. FOR PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS. MISS ROBERT, DO YOU WANT TO [4. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS ] STEP DOWN, PLEASE? MARCH 2026 WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS. GOOD EVENING. WHEREAS THE MONTH OF MARCH IS RECOGNIZED NATIONWIDE AS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, A TIME TO CELEBRATE THE VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND LEADERSHIP OF WOMEN THROUGHOUT OUR NATION'S HISTORY. AND WHEREAS, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS WAS FOUNDED IN 1920 FOLLOWING THE RATIFICATION OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, WHICH GUARANTEED WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND COMMEMORATED A MAJOR MILESTONE IN HELPING NEWLY EMPOWERED WOMEN BECOME INFORMED AND ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN DEMOCRACY. IN 2026, THE LEAGUE CELEBRATES ITS 106TH ANNIVERSARY. THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HARFORD COUNTY HAS CONTINUED THIS PROUD TRADITION LOCALLY BY PROMOTING VOTER VOTER EDUCATION. NONPARTIZAN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMED PARTICIPATION IN OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. AND WHEREAS, DURING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, WITH THE THEME BEING LEADING THE CHANGE WOMEN SHAPING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, WE RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE DEDICATION OF THE MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS OF THE ORGANIZATION, WHO CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY AND UPHOLD THE IMPORTANT VALUES OF CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND INFORMED CITIZENSHIP. NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND, ON THIS 10TH DAY OF MARCH 2026, TO HEREBY SALUTE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HARFORD COUNTY. WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH 2026 AND EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR THEIR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING VOTERS AND PROMOTING ACTIVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY. AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY A COUPLE WORDS. THANK YOU. AND LOOKING AT THIS YEAR'S THEME, LEADING CHANGE AND THINKING OF 106 [00:20:05] YEARS WITH WOMEN, LEAGUE OF VOTERS, I FELT THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATE DURING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH TO PRESENT THIS TO THE ORGANIZATION. THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY, KYRA? SURE. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. HOW ARE YOU? GOOD. IT'S WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH. WE SHOULD ALL BE EXCITED. WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT. HOW ARE YOU? THAT'S RIGHT. I WAS KYRA, AND I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HARFORD COUNTY. AND AS COUNCILWOMAN ROBERT SAID, FOR 106 YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN A NONPARTISAN, GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT STRICTLY FOCUSES ON PROTECTING AND EXPANDING VOTING RIGHTS SO THAT ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS CAN HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD. WE DO NOT SUPPORT CANDIDATES OR POLITICAL PARTIES AT ANY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT, LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL. OUR GOAL IS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE ARE ENGAGED, INFORMED, AND ABLE TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR VOICE IS HEARD. SO HERE LOCALLY IN HARFORD COUNTY, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION DRIVES. WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT STUDENTS AT THE WITHIN THE HIGH SCHOOLS, AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES, IN OTHER TRADES, THAT THEY ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE. BECAUSE WE KNOW IF YOU GET YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED EARLY, THEY HAVE A PROPENSITY TO STICK WITH IT, AND WE CARRY THAT ALL THE WAY UP TO OUR MORE SEASONED VOTERS, MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE INCLUDED AS WELL. SO I JUST ENCOURAGE YOU MAKE SURE THAT YOUR VOICES ARE HEARD. IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE, OR YOU NEED TO DO AN UPDATE TO ANY OF YOUR VOTER INFORMATION, WE CAN GET YOU REGISTERED HERE TODAY. MAKE SURE THAT ANY OF THOSE CHANGES ARE MADE BY THE JUNE 2ND DEADLINE, SO THAT YOU ARE WELL PREPARED FOR THE JUNE 23RD PRIMARY. OKAY. THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO GRAB A PHOTO OF ALL OF YOU. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. I'M GOING TO DO A COUPLE WITH THE FLASH AND A COUPLE WITHOUT THE FLASH. I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A LITTLE, LITTLE COUNTDOWN, MAKE SURE YOU'RE LOOKING AND GET ALL YOUR BLINKS OUT NOW. AND THREE, 21321321. AND WE'RE GOING TO DO A COUPLE WITHOUT FLASH AS WELL. OKAY. 321321 AND ONE MORE. 321. THANK YOU EVERYBODY. THANK YOU THANK YOU AND THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE RECOGNITION. DEFINITELY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU GUYS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. AGENDA NUMBER FIVE CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS [5. CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS, APPLICATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND NOMINATIONS ] APPLICATIONS APPOINTMENTS AND NOMINATIONS. EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES. MAY I HAVE A MOTION PLEASE. COUNCIL PRESIDENT I MOVE TO APPROVE THE REAPPOINTMENTS OF RACHEL HARBIN, CHER ORTIZ BROWN, COURTNEY WALLACE AND MALCOLM WHITE. MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND? THANK YOU, MR. RILEY. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE REAPPOINTMENTS. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I JUST MISS ROBERT. I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M ON THE COMMISSION FOR DISABILITIES, AND I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE THOSE RECOMMISSIONED. AND THEY'RE ALL HARD WORKERS ON OUR COMMISSION. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS ROBERT. ANYONE ELSE? MISS DIXON? MR. PRESIDENT? HI, MRS. ROBERT, I, MRS. EMHOFF. HI, MR. GIORDANO. HI, MR. RILEY. HI, MRS. HI, MR. BENNET. I FOR BEING SEVEN VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, ZERO NEGATIVE. THE APPOINTMENTS ARE HEREBY APPROVED. ARE ANY OF THE RECIPIENTS IN THE AUDIENCE? OKAY. THANK YOU. SIX SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS. WE HAVE NONE. SEVEN APPROVAL OF MINUTES. [7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ] LEGISLATIVE DAY 20 5008 MARCH 3RD, 2026. ARE THERE ANY CORRECTIONS TO THE MINUTES? THERE BEING NO CORRECTIONS, THE MINUTES STAND APPROVED EIGHT. INTRODUCTION. CONSIDERATION OF [9. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS ] RESOLUTIONS. WE HAVE NONE. MR. GIORDANO, PLEASE READ. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS UNDER INTRODUCTION OF BILLS NINE. PLEASE READ IN BILL 26 002. BILL 26 002 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION, ESTIMATED EXPENSES, STAT AND MSD AS INTRODUCED. INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT VICENTE. THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE. AN ACT TO MAKE A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO COVER EXPENSES INCURRED FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND FOR [00:25:01] ASSESSMENT COSTS CHARGED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENT AND TAXATION AND PRE-KINDERGARTEN. PRIVATE TUITION COSTS CHARGED BY THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, APRIL 14TH, 2026 AT 7:15 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THANK YOU. TEN INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS. WE HAVE NONE 11 CALL FOR FINAL READING OF BILLS NONE 12 ENROLLMENT OF BILLS NONE 13. [15. COMMENTS AND INPUT FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS ] UNFINISHED BUSINESS NONE 14. NEW BUSINESS NONE 15. COMMENTS AND INPUT FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS. MISS DIXON, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP? MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE ONE JIM WEBB. GOOD EVENING SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. MY NAME IS JAMES WEBB. I LIVE AT 329 PINE RIDGE ROAD. THE REASON WHY I'M HERE IS I WAS AT THE DECEMBER MEETING ABOUT THE MONPA EXTENSION AND ABOUT THE, YOU KNOW, THE TRASH AND, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE COMING ONTO OUR LAWNS AND THEM ONLY, YOU KNOW, PLANTING PROBABLY ABOUT 8 TO 10 TREES THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE 10 TO 15 YEARS TO MATURE SO THAT THE ROAD NOISE IS THERE. AND WHEN I ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL, I WAS ASSURED THAT THEY WERE, YOU KNOW, YOU LOOKED AT ONE ANOTHER AND SAID THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A FENCE PUT UP THERE. I GOT A CORRESPONDENCE FROM MR. MAGNUS SAID, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY FENCE FOR THAT. MA AND PA EXTENSION FOR 329327 AND 325 BYNUM RIDGE. SO I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, IS IS THERE GOING TO BE A FENCE, YOU KNOW, ERECTED THERE, YOU KNOW, TO, TO HELP WITH THE ROAD NOISE, THE TRASH AND THE PEOPLE COMING ONTO OUR LAWNS? ARE YOU FINISHED SPEAKING? YES. OKAY. I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T WANT TO INTERRUPT YOU. THAT'S OKAY. SO I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER FOR YOU TONIGHT, BUT I BELIEVE YOU'RE IN MR. RILEY'S DISTRICT. AND TONY'S. TONY'S OKAY, MR. GINGER DISTRICT. AND MR. OVERBAY IS HERE TONIGHT. I'LL SEE THAT TONY GETS WITH MR. OVERBAY. OKAY? OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? THERE [16. BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS ] ARE NO MORE SPEAKERS. ALL RIGHT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO 16 BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS. MISS IMHOF, GOOD EVENING. A COUPLE OF EVENTS I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THIS PAST WEEK. ON MARCH 4TH, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE HARFORD COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 50TH ANNIVERSARY RIBBON CUTTING CELEBRATION. THEY HAD A REALLY, REALLY NICE REMODEL TO THEIR THEIR BUILDING RIGHT HERE OFF OF BOND STREET. ON MARCH 5TH. I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE ATHENA AWARDS BREAKFAST, WHICH HONORED THE THE WOMEN WHO ARE MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE THAT ARE FEMALE. RUN FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NEVER ATTENDED AN ATHENA AWARDS BREAKFAST, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. IT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE EVENTS OF THE YEAR. ON MARCH 7TH, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING THE HARFORD COUNTY LEADING WOMEN ANNUAL AWARD CEREMONY, WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO CELEBRATE SOME OF THE MOST EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG STUDENTS BETWEEN SEVENTH AND 12TH GRADE WHO ARE NOT ONLY EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS WITH THINGS LIKE 4.75 GPAS, BUT THEY ALSO ARE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS AND JUST REMARKABLE YOUNG WOMEN FROM ACROSS HARFORD COUNTY. I WAS ESPECIALLY PROUD THAT THERE WERE QUITE A FEW LADIES FROM MY DISTRICT, BUT THE LADY, THE THE STUDENTS WHO WERE HONORED DURING THAT BREAKFAST ARE EXCEPTIONAL AND YOU WILL LEAVE THAT EVENT EVERY YEAR WITH A RENEWED HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE. THAT EVENING, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE FARM BUREAU BULL AND SHRIMP ROAST, WHICH HAD MORE PEOPLE IN ONE LOCATION THAN I THINK I'VE BEEN IN IN A VERY LONG TIME. SO IT WAS GREAT TO SEE SO MUCH SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY. THIS MORNING, ALONG WITH A FEW OF MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS, I ATTENDED THE RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE NEW DESIGN SHOWROOM FOR WARD HOME IMPROVEMENTS IN ABINGDON. THE SHOWROOM GIVES HOMEOWNERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE MATERIALS AND DESIGN OPTIONS FIRSTHAND AS THEY PLAN THEIR PROJECTS. AND THEY HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SHOWROOM. AND THEN EARLIER TODAY, I WAS ALSO ABLE TO ATTEND THE ORAL ARGUMENTS SESSIONS FOR THE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND OF HARFORD COUNTY AT HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S CHESAPEAKE WELCOME CENTER. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, THE MARYLAND SUPREME COURT TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH DIFFERENT HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEMS TO ACTUALLY MOVE THEIR ORAL ARGUMENTS TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, SO IT ALLOWS FOR A MORE DIVERSE AUDIENCE TO BE ABLE TO SEE HOW IT ALL WORKS. AND THEN STUDENTS FROM OUR HIGH SCHOOLS AND OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE WERE ABLE TO DO A Q&A. AND THOSE STUDENTS WERE SO WELL PREPARED WITH SOME REALLY REMARKABLE QUESTIONS. AND HONESTLY, THE Q&A WAS MY FAVORITE PART OF THE WHOLE MORNING. AND THEN JUST SOME UPCOMING EVENTS. JUST A REMINDER THAT THE NEXT ABINGTON [00:30:04] EMERSON CAB MEETING IS THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 12TH FROM 630 TO 8 P.M. AT ABINGTON FIRE COMPANY AND ON MARCH 28TH, FROM 12 TO 3 P.M. THE HARFORD COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY WILL BE HOSTING THE JAM THE VAN DONATION DRIVE AT REDNER'S MARKET ON FOUNTAIN GREEN ROAD IN BEL AIR. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU. MR. MR. GINGER, THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. SO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAD THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY RIBBON CUTTING. AND IT WAS PRETTY NEAT BECAUSE I THINK ONE OF THE ORIGINAL CHAMBER MEMBERS, WHICH WAS BILL COX, WAS THERE, AND I THINK THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY IT WAS OVER 50 YEARS AGO. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CHAMBER. THEY HAD A GREAT TURNOUT. I THINK EVERYBODY WAS FLOWING OUT ONTO MAIN STREET, BOND STREET THERE. SO THEY'VE DONE SOME UPGRADES TO THE BUILDING. LOOKS GREAT. SO THEY'RE THEY'RE DEFINITELY A VOICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM. ALSO DID THE ATHENA AWARD BREAKFAST BUT ALSO WENT UP TO DID THE LAND TRUST MEETING UP AT HOPKINS BREWING THEIR 35TH ANNIVERSARY. THEY GAVE OUT A VOLUNTEER AWARD TO DEREK HOPKINS AND A CONSERVATIVE CONSERVATION AWARD TO JAY YOUNG FOR ALL THE WORK HE'S DONE. I KNOW COUNCILMAN RILEY IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT JAY GIBBONS, SO I'LL LET HIM TALK ABOUT THAT. ALSO, DID THE FARM BUREAU BULL AND SHRIMP ROAST AWARD SHOW TODAY AND THAT'S IT. THANKS. COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK YOU. MR. MR. RILEY. YES, COUNCILMAN TONY G SAID WE WENT TO LOONEY'S AND WE DIDN'T GO THERE TO DRINK. WE ACTUALLY WENT THERE TO RECOGNIZE A 17 YEAR OLD JAKE GIBBONS AS A HOMETOWN HERO. AT 11 YEARS OLD, HE STARTED RAISING MONEY FOR THE BALDRICK'S EVENT, WHERE THEY SHAVED THE HEAD FOR CANCER PATIENTS. AND HE'S RAISED OVER $50,000 IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, $10,000 A YEAR. SO WE WENT AND PRESENTED ME AND TONY WENT AND PRESENTED A PROCLAMATION TO THE YOUNG MAN. AND OUR STATE'S ATTORNEY, ALLISON HEALEY, WAS ABLE TO SHAVE HIS HEAD. ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR NEWEST EAGLE SCOUT, ROBERT DAVIS FROM TROOP 965. I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE THEIR FAMILY. THERE'S THREE THREE SONS THAT MADE EAGLE SCOUT ALL THREE OF THEIR SONS. SO. AND ALSO TONY G WAS THERE TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE THAT WITH THEM. AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE, CONGRATULATE ALL THE LEVEL VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY. THEY JUST HELD THEIR BANQUET LAST WEEK AND ALL THOSE THAT SIGNED UP. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, MR. RILEY. MISS SALAS, THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I WANT TO LET THE RESIDENTS OF THE GREEN RIDGE COMMUNITY KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE A COMMUNITY MEETING WITH MARYLAND AMERICAN WATER TO HEAR UPDATES AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WATER ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY. THE MEETING WILL BE HELD THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 12TH FROM 6 TO 8 AT FOUNTAIN GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND A VIDEO UPDATE FOR THE HARFORD ACADEMY COMMUNITY WILL BE RELEASED ON MARCH 19TH. I WILL ALSO SHARE IT ON FACEBOOK, AND MY OFFICE CAN PROVIDE THE LINK TO ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS STYLES. MR. BENNETT, HELLO. GOOD EVENING. IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH EVERYONE THIS EVENING. A LOT'S ALREADY BEEN COVERED. I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT ON MARCH 16TH, THERE'S GOING TO BE A RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE COMPTROLLER'S NEW OFFICE COMING TO HARFORD COUNTY. IT'S REALLY EXCITING THAT COMPTROLLER LEHRMAN'S MOVING HER OFFICE OVER HERE WILL BE AT 1904 EMERSON ROAD, AND THE RIBBON CUTTING WILL BE AT 9 A.M. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE THIS EVENING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT. MISS ROBERT. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I TOO ATTENDED THE ATHENA AWARDS. I ALWAYS LOVE THAT EVENT. AS COUNCILWOMAN IMHOFF ALLUDED TO, IT'S JUST REALLY EMPOWERING AND UPLIFTING TO HEAR THE SPEECHES AND TO SEE WHAT GOT THESE WOMEN WHERE THEY ARE. I DID HAVE A MARYLAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING, MET THE NEW SECRETARY, JAKE DAY. HE DID TALK ABOUT TWO BILLS THAT ARE GOING TO BE INTRODUCED THAT WE SHOULD WATCH SENATE BILL 036, WHICH IS THE STARTER, AND SILVER HOMES ACT 2026, AND THEN SENATE BILL 325, WHICH IS THE MARYLAND HOUSING CERTAINTY ACT. THEY WILL HAVE SOME IMPACT IN THE FUTURE. SO KEEP AN EYE OUT ON THAT. THE HARFORD COUNTY LEADING WOMEN'S AWARDS, THAT'S ALWAYS AMAZING. THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE BECAUSE I LOVE YOUTH, AND THERE WERE 21 HIGH SCHOOLERS AND ONE MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND I GOT TO SIT WITH THE MIDDLE SCHOOLER. AND SO SHE IS READY. SHE WANTS TO BE A POLI SCI MAJOR AND A DOCTOR ALL AT THE SAME TIME. AND SO IT'S A GREAT EXPERIENCE, AND I LOVE ATTENDING THAT ONE, AS WELL AS COUNCILWOMAN IMHOFF, THE THE GPAS ARE ARE VERY HIGH. AND THEN THIS MORNING, I ATTENDED THE ORAL ARGUMENT SESSION WITH THE SUPREME COURT. BEING IN THE COURT SYSTEM FOR SO LONG, IT'S JUST GREAT TO SEE IT IMPACTING THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO HAVE YOUTH ACTUALLY ATTEND LIVE AND BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT. [00:35:01] AND I SAW SOME OF THE HIGH SCHOOLERS AND THEY JUST SEEMED REALLY ENTRENCHED IN THAT INFORMATION AND WATCHING. AND THEN I TOO WENT TO THE HOME IMPROVEMENT. I JUST WANT TO SAY, COMING UP MARCH 18TH THROUGH THE HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FAMILIES EVERY DAY, HAPPINESS IS THE TITLE FROM 12 TO 1 VIA ZOOM, AND YOU CAN REGISTER REGISTER ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOL WEBSITE. AND IT'S FOR THE PARENTS. AND THEN MARCH 21ST FROM 9 TO 130 IS THE HOUSING FAIR AND FIRST HOME BUYERS WORKSHOP. AND THAT'S ALWAYS AT THE EPICENTER IN EDGEWOOD. AND YOU CAN FIND THAT LINK ON THE HARFORD COUNTY HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES PAGE. AND I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYONE ELSE, AND THIS IS JUST A FUN FACT, BUT I WATCH AMERICAN IDOL AND BROOKE ROSSER IS UP TO TOP 20 AND HE'S FROM BELLAIRE. SO KEEP SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT. I SEE ON FACEBOOK ALL OVER. HE'S GOT A LOT OF SUPPORTERS AND SO HOPEFULLY HE'LL BE OUR NEXT HOMETOWN HERO IF HE WINS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS ROBERT 17 BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT. I [17. BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT ] HAVE TO ADVERTISE OUR BUDGET WORK SESSIONS AGAIN. THURSDAY, APRIL 23RD AT 9 A.M. FRIDAY, APRIL 24TH, 9 A.M. MONDAY, APRIL 27TH, 10 A.M. AND THURSDAY, APRIL 30TH AT 10 A.M. AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS IS, IS THAT ON THOSE DATES, EVERY DIVISION, EVERY ENTITY THAT RECEIVES COUNTY FUNDING COMES BEFORE THIS COUNCIL AND PRESENTS THEIR BUDGET. SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. AND AGAIN, I ALWAYS SAY IT'S DIFFICULT BECAUSE WE RECEIVED THE BUDGET ACCORDING TO THE CHARTER, ON APRIL THE 15TH AT THE END OF BUSINESS, AND HERE WE ARE ON THE 23RD, STARTING OUR WORK SESSIONS THAT MUCH FASTER. SO WE TRULY APPRECIATE THE HELP OF OUR CITIZEN BUDGET ADVISORS TO HELP US GO THROUGH THAT. THE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THE BUDGET ARE THURSDAY, MAY 7TH AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 13TH IN THESE CHAMBERS AT 7 P.M. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL. OBVIOUSLY, EVENTS YOU'VE HEARD MY COLLEAGUES TALK ABOUT A DOZEN EVENTS AT LEAST, BUT DEFINITELY THE ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARD IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE. IT RECOGNIZES AND HONORS STRONG, EMPOWERED WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL. SO THE ORGANIZATIONAL WINNER WAS ARC NORTHERN CHESAPEAKE REGION, ANGELA ROSE AS THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL WAS LAUREN WARD, I BELIEVE IT IS. AND THEN AS YOU HEARD DIFFERENT ONES SAY, LAND TRUST MEETING, THE LEADING WOMEN'S AWARDS, THE FARM BUREAU BULL ROAST, THE MARYLAND SUPREME COURT THIS MORNING, THE AWARD HOME IMPROVEMENT. AND AT THE LEVEL OF VOLUNTEER FIRE BANQUET SATURDAY EVENING, WE HAD TO LEAVE THE THE FARM BUREAU BULL ROAST EARLY BECAUSE MY GRANDSON WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE CADET OF THE YEAR. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM. HE AND HIS YOUNG MATES, THEY WORK VERY HARD FOR THE LEVEL COMMUNITY. AND TODAY DURING THE BOARD OF ESTIMATES MEETING, WE RECEIVED SOME REALLY GOOD NEWS. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. I'M SURE THE CITIZENS WILL FEEL THE SAME WAY. WOODLEY ROAD IS MOVING. WE HAVE A BID OUT FOR OUR BIDS GO OUT APRIL 1ST, I BELIEVE, FOR THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRIC THAT'S THERE, THE RELOCATION, INSTALLATION OF THE ELECTRIC AND THINGS WILL BE MOVING FORWARD BEYOND THAT. SO IT'S BEEN NINE YEARS SINCE WE FIRST WENT OUT AND SAT WITH. I COULDN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS GENERAL CRAWFORD OR GENERAL TAYLOR WHO WE STARTED WITH, BUT THROUGH KILGO. AND CURRENTLY IT JUST, YOU KNOW, I'M GLAD TO SEE IT MOVING FORWARD. IT WILL GIVE AN EXTRA ACCESS TO AND FROM HARRIMAN THAT IS MUCH NEEDED. AND TAKE SOME OF THAT UNWANTED TRUCK TRAFFIC OFF OF PERRYMAN ROAD. AND THEN I WANT TO WISH OUR ONE OF OUR DEPUTIES HERE, ERIC SHARPE, A HAPPY BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY. COUNCILMAN BENNETT A HAPPY BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY AND MISS BERRY A HAPPY BIRTHDAY AS WELL. SO YEAH. BERRY EXCUSE ME. I WAS GOING TO SAY HARRIS, BUT I KNEW I WOULD CATCH A DEVIL FOR THAT. SO. AND THEN FINALLY, JEANNIE AND I WISH TO EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FRIENDS AND FAMILIES OF STEVE BEYER AND DONNA MAE WARD. WE'D ASK YOU TO KEEP THEM ALL IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. AND WITH THAT, WE'LL ADJOURN THIS * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.