YOU'RE READY. GOOD EVENING. CHAIR. CALLS TO ORDER. LEGISLATIVE SESSION DAY 26 ZERO
[1. CALL TO ORDER ]
[00:00:11]
13. I WOULD ASK YOU TO ALL JOIN US IN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE, FOLLOWED BY THE OPENING PRAYER BY COUNCILWOMAN BOYLE. 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 BEFORE YOU TONIGHT WITH GRATITUDE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. GRANT US WISDOM, PATIENCE, AND CLARITY AS WE CARRY OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES ENTRUSTED TO US. HELP US LISTEN WITH OPEN MINDS AND LEAD WITH INTEGRITY. GUIDE US TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY, SETTING ASIDE DIFFERENCES TO FIND COMMON GROUND FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO WE REPRESENT. MAY OUR DECISIONS BE THOUGHTFUL, FAIR, AND ROOTED IN SERVICE. BLESS THIS COUNCIL, OUR STAFF, AND OUR COMMUNITY. AMEN. AMEN.[4. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS]
AGENDA NUMBER FOUR PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS. APRIL 2026 IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH. MISS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO STEP DOWN, PLEASE? AND INVITE UP WHOEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME. HOLD ON JUST A SECOND. HOW ARE YOU? JUST A SECOND. FOLKS. CAN YOU PLEASE FIND A SEAT? THERE'S PLENTY OVER IN THIS CORNER HERE YET TO. TONY. WHENEVER YOU'RE READY. FAIR HOUSING MONTH. WHEREAS APRIL 2026 MARKS THE 58TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE US FAIR HOUSING LAW. TITLE EIGHT OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1968, AS AMENDED, WHICH ENUNCIATES A NATIONAL POLICY OF FAIR HOUSING WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, FAMILIAL STATUS AND HANDICAP, AND ENCOURAGES FAIR HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL CITIZENS. AND WHEREAS, THE HARFORD COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS IS COMMITTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE FAIR HOUSING LAW.TITLE EIGHT OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1968. BY CONTINUING TO ADDRESS DISCRIMINATION IN THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT WILL EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE RIGHT TO EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES AND TO PLAN PARTNERSHIP EFFORTS WITH THEIR ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP ASSURE EVERY AMERICAN OF THEIR RIGHT TO FAIR HOUSING. NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND, ON THIS 21ST DAY OF APRIL 2022, HEREBY RECOGNIZE FAIR HOUSING MONTH, APRIL 2026, WHICH BEGINS A YEAR LONG COMMEMORATION OF THE US FAIR HOUSING LAW IN HARFORD COUNTY AND URGES ALL CITIZENS TO WHOLEHEARTEDLY RECOGNIZE THE CELEBRATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. AND IT'S MY HONOR AS A REALTOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL, TO PRESENT YOU WITH THIS PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING FAIR HOUSING MONTH IS SO IMPORTANT, AND WE'RE SO THANKFUL FOR YOU GUYS TO BE HERE TONIGHT. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? YES, YES, A FEW. THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING. I'M PAULA SMITH AND I'M THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF HARFORD COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS. AND WITH ME IS VERONICA ELLICOTT, OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. AND WE HAVE DAVE STROMBERG, PAST PRESIDENT AND MEMBER OF THE IDEA COMMITTEE. AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT VICENTE, FOR HAVING US HERE AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR INVITING OUR ASSOCIATION TO THIS EVENING'S MEETING. SO, AS YOU MAY KNOW, APRIL IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH, AND THE HARFORD COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS BELIEVES THAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THEIR RIGHTS WHEN IT COMES TO FAIR HOUSING. SO TO HELP IMPROVE THE AWARENESS OVER THE YEARS, WE'VE INVITED SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN FROM ACROSS HARFORD COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FAIR HOUSING ART CONTEST. HERE'S ONE FROM THE YEAR 2000. YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 26 YEARS. SO THIS YEAR'S THEME IS FAIR HOUSING IS THE KEY AND ALL PARTICIPATING STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED FOR THEIR EFFORTS. OKAY, WITH US THIS EVENING, WE HAVE OUR FINALISTS FOR 2026, AND I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THEM TO COME FORWARD AND BE RECOGNIZED. OH, I'M SO SORRY.
OH, YES. IN THE HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORY, WE HAVE VIOLET SMITH AS FIRST PLACE WINNER. IN
[00:05:10]
SECOND PLACE, WE HAVE MILEY CHEATHAM. IN THIRD PLACE, WE HAVE MATTHEW CHEATHAM. IN OUR ELEMENTARY CATEGORY. WE HAVE CATHERINE MCEWEN IN FIRST PLACE, WHO IS NOT ABLE TO BE HERE. I BELIEVE SHE'S OUT OF THE COUNTRY, BUT WE HAVE MADISON MORELLI. YES. AND WE HAVE NOELIA. PLEASE FORGIVE ME. SHE'S NOT HERE, OKAY? SHE'S TIED FOR THIRD PLACE. SHE'S UNABLE TO BE HERE. WE HAVE RIVER DUMONT. WHO? AND WE HAVE JANISHA MCKINNEY. HONORABLE MENTION. AND THERE'S HADLEY, WHO'S NOT HERE AS WELL. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU.ALL RIGHT. ONE, TWO. THREE. SMILE. ONE TWO. THREE. SMILE. AND ONE MORE. ONE TWO. THREE.
PERFECT. HANG ON. I'LL GRAB A PHOTO FOR THE COUNCIL. IF WE COULD MOVE EVERYBODY, JUST BRING EVERYBODY TO THE CENTER. THAT'S NOT GOING TO WORK. EVERYBODY LOOK AT ME AND GET YOUR GIGGLES OUT NOW. 321321 AND ONE MORE. 321. THANK YOU EVERYBODY ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE ON TO MISS EMHOFF FOR NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK, APRIL 19TH 2020.
EXCUSE ME. 25, 2026. NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK. WHEREAS LIBRARY'S SPARK, CREATIVITY, FUEL IMAGINATION AND INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING, OFFERING SPACES WHERE INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES CAN FIND JOY THROUGH EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY AND SERVE AS A VIBRANT COMMUNITY.
HUBS THAT CONNECT PEOPLE WITH KNOWLEDGE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESOURCES WHILE FOSTERING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, CRITICAL THINKING, AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT. AND WHEREAS LIBRARIES PROVIDE FREE AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO BOOKS, DIGITAL TOOLS, AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMING, ENSURING THAT ALL INDIVIDUALS, REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND, HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO LEARN, CONNECT AND THRIVE, AND PARTNER WITH SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO MAXIMIZE RESOURCES, INCREASE EFFICIENCY, AND EXPAND ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES, THEREBY STRENGTHENING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS LIBRARIES EMPOWER JOB SEEKERS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND LIFELONG LEARNERS BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO RESOURCES, TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT SUPPORT CAREER GROWTH AND ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND NURTURE YOUNG MINDS THROUGH STORYTIMES, STEM PROGRAMS AND LITERACY, LITERACY, LITERACY INITIATIVES, FOSTERING CURIOSITY AND A LOVE OF LEARNING THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. AND WHEREAS LIBRARIES PROTECT THE RIGHT TO READ, THINK AND EXPLORE WITHOUT CENSORSHIP, STANDING AS CHAMPIONS OF INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM AND FREE EXPRESSION, AND ARE SUPPORTED BY DEDICATED LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARY STAFF WHO PROVIDE WELCOMING SPACES THAT INSPIRE DISCOVERY, COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY FOR ALL. AS LIBRARIES, LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARY STAFF ACROSS THE COUNTRY JOIN TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK UNDER THE THEME FIND YOUR JOY NOW. THEREFORE, WE, THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND. ON THIS 21ST DAY OF APRIL 2026, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 19TH TO THE 25TH, 2026 NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO VISIT THEIR LIBRARIES AND EXPLORE ITS RESOURCES AND CELEBRATE THE MANY WAYS LIBRARIES HELP OUR COMMUNITY FIND JOY. I JUST I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE
[00:10:03]
TODAY. MY FIRST LIBRARY CARD WAS WITH WAS HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY. I WAS A VOLUNTEER FOR THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM, AND NOW I GET TO SUPPORT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. SO IT'S A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT AND I JUST LOVE WORKING WITH YOU GUYS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. DO YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS? OH, SURE. I'VE NEVER MET A MIC. I DON'T LIKE WHEN I GET TO TALK ABOUT THE LIBRARY. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. EVEN THE BLUE HAT FOLKS IN THE BACK. YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW TONIGHT, BUT IT MEANS YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT HARFORD COUNTY. YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY. YOU CARE ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WE DO AND SAY. AND THAT'S WHAT YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY IS HERE TO SUPPORT AND DOES EVERY SINGLE DAY. SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR REALLY BUSY LIVES. SECOND, WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR 80TH ANNIVERSARY, SO IT'S BEEN A BIG YEAR FOR US. AND I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE LESLIE GREENLEIGH SMITH. SHE'S OUR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING, AND JENNIFER BUTTON, WHO'S MY EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT. BOTH OF THEM KEEP ME STRAIGHT. AND LET ME TELL YOU, THAT IS A DIFFICULT CHALLENGE ALMOST EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE WEEK. BUT THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. WE LOVE OUR JOBS. WE LOVE WHAT WE BRING TO THE COUNTY, TO YOUR CHILDREN, TO YOUR SENIORS, TO EVERYONE. WE WELCOME YOU ALL. AS LONG AS YOUR BEHAVIOR IS GOOD. I'M REAL STRICT ON THAT. EVERYBODY WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS I AM. BUT THANK YOU AGAIN AND GOOD LUCK TONIGHT IN ALL THE WORDS YOU'RE GOING TO SHARE, BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD. AND THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL TOO, FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO FOR US. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THURSDAY. OH, GOD. NOT ME. OH, THAT'S OUR BUDGET HEARING DAY AT 2:00. SO SAY YOUR PRAYERS FOR US. THANK YOU. BRING THE DOG. THAT'S RIGHT. I'M GONNA HAVE YOU IN THE FRONT. JUST SCOOT IN JUST A LITTLE MORE. AWESOME. PERFECT. SAME THING AS OUR OUR CONTESTANTS. GET YOUR GIGGLES OUT NOW. 321321 AND ONE MORE. 321. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOLKS, CAN I HAVE YOU SIT OVER HERE, PLEASE? THERE'S EMPTY SEATS.IN HERE. I COULDN'T FIND IT EARLIER.
[5. CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS, APPLICATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND NOMINATIONS]
ARE WE GOOD? FIVE CONSIDERATION. PETITIONS, APPLICATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND NOMINATIONS. HARTFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. MAY I HAVE A MOTION? COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF JONATHAN STREET. MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU.IT'S BEEN MOVED. AND SECOND, TO APPROVE MR. STREET, FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, MISS IMHOF, WHILE I WILL BE VOTING TO MOVE THIS PROCESS FORWARD, I HAVE TO STRONGLY SAY THAT I ECHO THE COMMUNITY'S CONCERNS WITH. JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN DO A PROCESS THIS WAY DOES NOT MEAN THAT THAT'S WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR. WE'VE BEEN THROUGH SEVERAL MONTHS OF TURMOIL, AND I THINK THE ONE THING THAT EVERYONE KEEPS ASKING FOR IS TRANSPARENCY. AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THAT MOVING FORWARD. THANK YOU. MISS.
ANYONE ELSE? MR. BENNETT, I ECHO WHAT MISS IMHOF SAID. YOU KNOW, I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT TOOK PLACE. THAT BEING SAID, I DID MEET WITH MR. STREET WITH AN OPEN MIND TO TO GET TO KNOW HIM. HE DOES HAVE A VERY IMPRESSIVE RESUME. HIS FAMILY HAS LIVED IN HARTFORD COUNTY FOR A VERY LONG TIME, BUT I DO THINK IT'S NOT AN EXAGGERATION TO SAY MY. OUR MEETING WITH MR. STREET WAS ONE OF THE. LEAST PLEASANT CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD SINCE COMING TO THE COUNTY COUNCIL. YOU KNOW, BEING ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO COLLABORATE WITH NOT JUST THE OTHER PEOPLE UP ON THAT DAIS, BUT ALSO WITH THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. AND MR. STREET DID NOT DEMONSTRATE TO ME THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IN A WAY THAT BUILDS BRIDGES. HE MADE SEVERAL COMMENTS TO MY STAFF ENTERING AND EXITING THE BUILDING, MAKING IT SEEM THAT THE PROCESS OF HAVING TO INTERVIEW FOR THE JOB WAS
[00:15:03]
BENEATH HIM, ABOUT HOW IT WAS A WASTE OF HIS TIME, AND THAT HE HAD REAL WORK TO DO. AND, YOU KNOW, I WAS REALLY HOPING TO BE ABLE TO BUILD CONNECTIONS. MR. STREET WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH MY FATHER AND HIS BROTHERS GROWING UP WAS IN SCOUTS WITH THEM. WE TRIED TO BUILD A CONNECTION WITH THAT, YOU KNOW. BUT EVEN AFTER THE MEETING CALLED MY FATHER AND LEFT MY FATHER SO OFFENDED, HE HAD TO HANG UP AND WE NEEDED. SO, MR. STREET, WITH THAT IN MIND, I JUST DON'T THINK MR. STREET HAS THE DEMEANOR TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND BRING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND BRING STABILITY TO OUR COMMUNITY IN A TIME WE REALLY NEED IT. THANK YOU, MR. BRENNAN. YES, MISS ROBERT, THANK YOU. I, TOO, DID MEET WITH MR. STREET, AND I'M GOING TO ECHO WHAT COUNCILWOMAN IMHOF SAID AND WHAT COUNCILMAN BENNETT SAID ABOUT TRANSPARENCY. I HAD A LENGTHY CONVERSATION WITH ACROSS THE STREET, NOT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, ABOUT TRANSPARENCY. AND AND ONE OF THE FACTORS WE TALKED ABOUT IS WE KNOW THAT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE CAN CHOOSE WHOM HE WANTS, WHEN HE WANTS, WITHOUT NEEDING ANY GUIDANCE FROM ANYONE. I SAID, WELL, IT WOULD BE NICE IF THERE WAS SOME TRANSPARENCY. AND I WAS TOLD LIKE ANY CITIZEN CAN PUT IN AT ANY GIVEN TIME ALL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR ANY OF THE COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS, AND THERE SHOULD BE A LENGTHY LIST OF ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE ON THESE COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS. SO I AM GOING TO SAY FIRST, IF YOU WANT TO SERVE ON ANY COMMISSIONS, BOARDS, SCHOOL BOARD, ETC. I SUGGEST YOU PUT AN APPLICATION IN BECAUSE APPARENTLY IT SITS THERE. AND SO WHEN THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, WE WOULD EXPECT THAT THE POOL WOULD COME FROM THE LIST THAT IS SITTING IN OVER ACROSS THE STREET. SO I'M GOING TO PUT THAT IN. I DID TALK TO MR. STREET FOR A GOOD HOUR, AND SOME OF THE THINGS HE HAD TO SAY WERE WERE POSITIVE. HE FELT THAT MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT IN THE CLASSROOMS INTERFACING WITH THE KIDS. HE DID FEEL THAT BOARD OF EDUCATION SHOULD NOT BE POLITICAL. HE DID HAVE GOOD BUDGET EXPERIENCE. MY CONCERNS WERE MORE SO THAT HE WAS UNAWARE OF EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. AND WHEN I SAY THAT, I MEAN LOOKING AT THE BOOK BANNING ISSUES, THE. EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM ISSUES, CERTAIN THINGS LIKE THAT. HE DID SAY THAT HE WAS INTERESTED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. HE'S BEEN APPROACHED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND THEN AGAIN MORE RECENTLY, HE HAD THE CAPABILITY TO, TO DO THIS AND ACCEPT THIS POSITION IF VOTED ON. AND SO I TOO, MY ONLY CONCERN IS WHETHER HE WILL BE A GOOD FIT WITH THE CURRENT BOARD. THERE'S ALREADY ENOUGH CONTROVERSY WITH THAT BOARD, AND I JUST FEEL LIKE THE PERSONALITIES MIGHT CLASH. BUT THAT'S ALL I NEED TO SAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS ROBERT. ANYONE ELSE? MR. GINGER? THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. SO I'VE TALKED TO JOHN STREET AS WELL. I THINK IN THE IN THIS TIME OF DISARRAY WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD QUESTION ABOUT THE BUDGETS THAT WE'VE HAD. AND GOING FORWARD, WE NEED SOMEBODY THAT'S GOT GOOD, STRONG BUDGET EXPERIENCE, WHETHER THERE'S DISCORD WITH OTHER MEMBERS. THAT'S ALWAYS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN YOU HAVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE COME ON THE BOARD OR COME OFF THE BOARD, THERE'S ELECTIONS COMING UP. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO'S GOING TO BE ON THE BOARD COMING UP OR WHO'S NOT GOING TO BE ON THE BOARD. SO THEY HAVE TO LEARN TO GET ALONG AND WORK TOGETHER.AND SOMEBODY WITH A STRONG BACKGROUND AND BUDGET IS WHAT WE NEED. I THINK AT THIS TIME TO TO LOOK FORWARD FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD AND ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT THE PUBLIC HAS HAD AND TO GET ANSWERS ON SOME OF THAT. SO THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK YOU.
MR. MR. GINGER, I'M SORRY. ANYONE ELSE, MISS DIXON? MR. PRESIDENT? NO. MRS. ROBERT. NO.
MRS. EMHOFF. YES. MR. GIORDANO. YES. MRS. NO. MR. BENNETT. NO. THERE BEING FOUR VOTES IN A NEGATIVE. TWO IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. ONE ABSENT THE APPOINTMENT, HEREBY DENIED. SIX
[7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ]
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS. WE HAVE NONE. SEVEN APPROVAL OF MINUTES. PUBLIC HEARING 14 2026.LEGISLATIVE DAY 20 5-0. 12 APRIL 14TH, 2026. ARE THERE ANY CORRECTIONS TO THE MINUTES?
[8. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS ]
THERE BEING NO CORRECTIONS, THE MINUTES STAND APPROVED. MR. JAHN, PLEASE READ RESOLUTION ZERO 1026 AND ZERO 1126 INTO THE RECORD, PLEASE. RESOLUTION TEN DASH 26. ADOPTION OF[00:20:06]
PROPERTY TAX RATE AS INTRODUCED INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL. PRESIDENT VICENTE REQUESTED THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE A RESOLUTION TO LEVY AND IMPOSE A PROPERTY TAX UPON ALL PERSONS FOR REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND, BOTH WITHIN AND WITHOUT THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE, THE CITY OF ABERDEEN AND THE INCORPORATED TOWN OF BEL AIR IN THE COUNTY THAT IS SUBJECT TO ORDINARY TAXATION. IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 15 OF THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS OF THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION. THE TAX. PROPRIETARY PROPRIETARY ARTICLE, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND AND CHAPTER 123, ARTICLE ONE, SECTIONS 123 DASH 15 ONE, 23 DASH 16 AND 123 DASH 27 OF HARFORD COUNTY CODE, AS AMENDED.FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEETING ALL OF THE ESTIMATED COUNTY EXPENSE EXPENSES FOR THE TAXABLE YEAR BEGINNING ON THE FIRST DAY OF JULY 2026 AND ENDING ON THE 30TH DAY OF JUNE 2027, AND TO SET THE RATE OF COUNTY TAXATION FOR SUCH TAXABLE PROPERTY AND YEAR RESOLUTION. 1126 FY 27 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AS INTRODUCED INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT VICENTE AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE CAPITAL PROGRAM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2027. JUNE 30TH, 2028. JUNE 30TH, 2029. JUNE 30TH, 3030, JUNE 30TH, 2031 AND JUNE 30TH, 2032. PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED ON THURSDAY, MAY 7TH, 2026 AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 13TH, 2026 AT 7 P.M. IN THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THANK YOU. ALSO,
[9. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS]
WOULD YOU PLEASE READ IN BILL 26 005 AND BILL 26 006 INTO THE RECORD BILL 20 6-005 MORATORIUM DATA CENTERS AS INTRODUCED INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL ā MEMBER BENNETT, AN EMERGENCY ACT TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE APPROVAL OF THE SITE PLANS AND ENSURE ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMITS AND CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY FOR DATA CENTERS TO ESTABLISH DURATION OF THE MORATORIUM AND GENERALLY RELATED TO A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM. REGARDING DATA CENTERS. PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, MAY 19TH, 2026 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, BILL 26 006 ANNUAL BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE, AS INTRODUCED INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT VICENTE AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, THE ANNUAL BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE OF HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND, TO ADOPT THE COUNTY BUDGET CONSISTING OF THE CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2027. THE CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2027. THE SPECIAL PURPOSE BUDGETS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2027, AND THE GRANTS BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2027, AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR ALL EXPENDITURES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1ST, 2026 AND ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2027. AS HERE AND AFTER INDICATED PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED ON THURSDAY, MAY 7TH, 2026 AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 13TH, 2026 AT 7 P.M. IN THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THANK YOU. WHAT WAS THAT? MAY 16TH. MAY 16TH. MAY 13TH. AGENDA ITEM[11. CALL FOR FINAL READING OF BILLS]
NUMBER TEN. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS. WE HAVE NONE. 11 CALL FOR FINAL READING OF BILLS BILL 26 002 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION, ESTIMATED EXPENSES. STAT AND MSD. MAY I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE? COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVE TO APPROVE BILL 20 6-002.MAY I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MISS ROBERT. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE OR MOVE BILL 26 002. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION. AND I BELIEVE, IF I MAY, I KNOW MR. AVABIZ IN THE AUDIENCE SOMEWHERE. JUST CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. THIS IS TO COVER SOME EXPENSES THAT WERE UNEXPECTED BY US, CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT. YEAH. THANK YOU SIR. ANYONE ELSE? MISS DIXON? MR. PRESIDENT? HI. MRS. ROBERT. MRS. EMHOFF. MR. GIORDANO, I MRS. I, MR. BENNETT, I THERE BEING SIX VOTES IN AFFIRMATIVE. ONE ABSENT BILL 26 002 IS HEREBY APPROVED. 12 ENROLLMENT OF BILLS. WE HAVE NONE. I'M SORRY. OH, YES. SO ENROLLMENT
[12. ENROLLMENT OF BILLS ]
OF BILLS WILL CONFIRM THAT BILL 26, THE TEXT OF BILL 26 002. IS THE TEXT FINALLY PASSED? 13[13. UNFINISHED BUSINESS]
UNFINISHED BUSINESS RULES AND PROCEDURE OF HARFORD COUNTY COUNCIL. AND AS YOU ALL HAVE KIND OF KEPT IN CONTACT WITH, WE'VE HAD PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS CONCERNED ABOUT GIVING THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS AT THE MICROPHONE. AND OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, WE'VE HAD[00:25:04]
SOME DISCUSSION BACK AND FORTH OF WHAT THAT SHOULD LOOK LIKE. WE HAD A PRESENTATION HERE THAT KIND OF MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT PEOPLE WERE AFRAID TO GIVE THEIR ADDRESSES. SO WE'VE MADE A CHANGE TO INCLUDE NAME AND ZIP CODE. AND I THINK THE FULL COUNCIL SUPPORTS THAT. AND I'D LIKE TO HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE. COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE REVISION OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE HARFORD COUNTY COUNCIL. SECOND, THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE REVISIONS TO THE RULES AND PROCEDURES. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, MR. BENNETT? COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE WANTED TO SEE CHANGED SINCE BEFORE I WAS ON THE COUNCIL. AND SO NOW, NEAR THE END OF MY FIRST TERM, I'M REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THAT THIS IS FINALLY DONE. PEOPLE, FOR ALL SORTS OF REASONS, MIGHT NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE STATING THEIR FULL ADDRESS ON A TELEVISED MEETING, AND I HOPE THAT THIS HELPS PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE PEOPLE, FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE COMING AND ENGAGING WITH US IN A PUBLIC WAY. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. AFTER MANY CONVERSATIONS OVER MANY YEARS FOR BEING WILLING TO MAKE THIS CHANGE TO ALL MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES.ABSOLUTELY, MR. JORDAN. YEAH. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANKS THAT I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE AFRAID TO GIVE THEIR ADDRESSES IN CASE SOMEBODY DOX THEM OR STALKS THEM. YOU NEVER KNOW WITH TODAY'S WORLD. SO I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE FINALLY CHANGING THAT.
WE'LL HAVE THEIR THEIR ADDRESS AND INFORMATION HERE IF WE NEED TO CONTACT THEM FOR ANYTHING.
SO I'M HAPPY TO SEE THIS MOVE FORWARD. ABSOLUTELY. AND FOR THE RECORD, OVER THE YEARS, WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE PEOPLE WOULD GIVE THEIR ADDRESS AS THEY SIGNED UP. THAT WAS NOT THEIR TRUE ADDRESS, AND IT TAKES A LOT OF LEGWORK FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF HERE TO TRACK THAT DOWN AND CONFIRM EVERYTHING. FOR THE RECORD, ANYONE ELSE WITH A COMMENT, MISS DIXON? MR. PRESIDENT? HI, MRS. ROBERTS. HI, MRS. EMHOFF. HI, MR. GIORDANO. HI, MRS. BULL.
HI. MR. BENNETT, I BEING SIX VOTES IN AFFIRMATIVE ONE ABSENT THE RULES OF PROCEDURE, HEREBY
[15. COMMENTS AND INPUT FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS ]
APPROVED 14 NEW BUSINESS. WE HAVE NONE. 15 COMMENTS AND INPUT FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS.MISS DIXON, DO WE HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP? WE DO, MR. PRESIDENT. WE HAVE 10 OR 9 THIS EVENING. I WOULD JUST REMIND EVERYONE THAT YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. CALL YOUR FIRST SPEAKER, COREY ERIC, FOLLOWED BY MATTHEW BROWN. GOOD EVENING SIR. NAME AND ZIP CODE. EVENING, COREY 21085.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I SPEAK TO THE TOPIC OF DATA CENTERS THIS EVENING. I BELIEVE WE'RE IN A SITUATION WHERE THE OUTCOME IS ALREADY CLEAR TO MOST PEOPLE PAYING ATTENTION.
ONCE COMMUNITIES UNDERSTAND WHAT THESE FACILITIES BRING, THEY DON'T WANT THEM. THERE ARE ONLY TWO REASONS I CAN SEE FOR STILL ENTERTAINING THEM EITHER. PEOPLE HAVEN'T LOOKED CLOSELY AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OTHER STATES, OR THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL INCENTIVES AT PLAY THAT FAVOR THAT FAVOR THE FEW RATHER THAN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. I'M NOT HERE TO ASSUME WHICH, BUT THOSE ARE THE ONLY EXPLANATIONS THAT MAKE SENSE TO ME. WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT DATA CENTERS DO. LOOK AT NORTHERN VIRGINIA. ENTIRE REGIONS HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO INDUSTRIAL CORRIDORS FILLED WITH MASSIVE SERVER WAREHOUSES. RESIDENTS THERE CONSISTENTLY REPORT CONCERNS ABOUT CONSTANT NOISE FROM COOLING SYSTEMS, 24/7 INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY, THE SCALE OF INFRASTRUCTURE BUILT AROUND THESE FACILITIES, AND THE SWELLING COSTS PLACED ON THEM TO SUPPORT THEM. IT'S NOT SPECULATION, IT'S DOCUMENTED REALITY. WE ALSO KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T DO. THEY DON'T BRING MEANINGFUL LONG TERM EMPLOYMENT.
AFTER CONSTRUCTION, THE JOBS DROP OFF SHARPLY. ONCE BUILDING IS COMPLETE, THEY DON'T MEANINGFULLY INTEGRATE INTO COMMUNITIES. THEY CONSUME LARGE AMOUNTS OF LAND, WATER AND ELECTRICITY, THEN OPERATE LARGELY IN THE BACKGROUND WITH LIMITED LOCAL BENEFIT. I PERSONALLY WORK FOR A HEAVY MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR SPECIALIZING IN WATER AND PIPING SYSTEMS. I'M A LICENSED PLUMBER, AND I'VE SPENT OVER A DECADE IN THE TRADES WORKING IN AND ON PROJECTS RANGING FROM HOSPITALS TO GOVERNMENT FACILITIES, WHO, IN ALL HONESTY, MY COMPANY COULD PROBABLY BENEFIT FROM AND PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE SUCH FACILITIES. SO TRUST ME WHEN I SAY IN THE FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE THAT THESE CLOSED LOOP WATER SYSTEMS AT DATA CENTERS RELY ON ARE OFTEN OVEREXAGGERATED IN PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY. ON THE ENERGY SIDE, THE IMPACT ISN'T NEUTRAL EITHER. THESE FACILITIES PLACE ENORMOUS, CONSTANT DEMAND ON THE GRID. RESIDENTS ACROSS MARYLAND, PA, VIRGINIA AND DELAWARE ARE ALREADY SEEING RISING UTILITY COSTS THROUGH BG AND OTHER PROVIDERS. I LIVE NO MORE THAN TEN MINUTES AWAY FROM MOUNTAIN BRANCH. I GOT MARRIED THERE. I CAN ATTEST TO SUCH RISES. IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH IMAGINATION TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ADDING HIGH LOAD INDUSTRIAL USERS WILL ONLY ADD TO THOSE COSTS. THE UPSIDE DATA CENTERS PROMISE IS SIMPLY OUTWEIGHED BY THE DOWNSIDES. NO DATA CENTERS IN HARFORD COUNTY. NOT NOW. NOT EVER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR.
[00:30:17]
I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT, BUT I WOULD ASK YOU TO PLEASE NOT APPLAUD. NAME AND ZIP CODE PLEASE. MATTHEW BROWN 21015. HELLO, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. AUDIENCE MEMBERS HERE. I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO WHAT I'VE SAID ABOUT UNITY WITHIN THE COUNTY. IN MY LAST DECADE. I WOULD SAY I'VE NEVER SEEN THE COUNTY MORE CONNECTED, MORE ALIGNED WITH THE IDEA OF HOW ONE SHOULD MOVE IN TERMS OF PROGRESS, TRYING TO BOTH PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND BETTER OUR COMMUNITY. AND THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE WORLD. BUT I'D ALSO LIKE TO SPEAK TO HOW IT'S CURRENTLY BEING CONTRASTED BY SOME OF THE INFIGHTING OVER PROCEDURAL DIFFERENCES. WHAT IS THE LETTER OF THE CHARTER, LETTER OF THE LAW AND THE HOST OF POLITICS THAT COME WITH IT, WHICH IS THE BACKBONE OF POLITICS? WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL DEBATE, MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION ABOUT METHODOLOGY WITH THE SAME GOAL. WHEN YOU FIND BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE IN LOCKSTEP ABOUT NOT ALLOWING A LEVEL OF PROGRESS IN THEIR OWN COUNTY, THAT SHOWS THAT IT'S ABOUT THE REAL MESSAGE. IT'S ABOUT WHAT CAN WE DO TO BENEFIT OUR AREA, OUR COUNTY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO WE SHOULD BE CONTINUING THAT FOCUS IN OTHER AREAS. THERE'S TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, THERE'S HOUSING ISSUES. THERE'S SO MANY ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO PROGRESS THAT COULD BE MADE SMARTLY AND EFFECTIVELY. AND WE'RE SPENDING TIME ARGUING ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF DOUBLE DIPS, ONSET OF APPOINTMENTS, ALL THINGS THAT TRULY DO NOT MATTER IN TERMS OF OUR DAILY LIVES. THE IMPACTS THEY HAVE ARE NOT TO BE MINUSCULE. THOSE IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, THOSE IN CHARGE OF ZONING, NOT DISMISSING THESE, BUT I'M SPEAKING TO, IS THE IDEA THAT WE GET SO LOST IN THESE DISCUSSIONS. WE GET SO CONSUMED WITH WHERE THE MESSAGE IS COMING FROM, THAT WE TEND TO IGNORE THE REASON WHY WE HAVE THE MESSAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND I WANT TO CELEBRATE THIS. I WANT TO CELEBRATE THE FACT THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND ALL BE ALIGNED ON WHAT WE TRULY WANT. SO MY QUESTION AND REQUEST TO YOU GUYS, BOTH THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE IS, CAN WE GET BACK TO FOCUSING ON PROGRESSING THE COUNTY IN A MEANINGFUL WAY VERSUS A POLITICAL WAY? THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR HENRY GIBBONS, FOLLOWED BY RON STUDZINSKI AND DIANA SADOWSKI.GOOD EVENING SIR. NAME AND ZIP CODE. GOOD EVENING. HENRY GIBBONS 2104. YEAH, 21040. GOOD EVENING, MR. COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY. AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, I. I LIVE IN EDGEWOOD, BUT I DRIVE ON A REGULAR BASIS OUT TO DARLINGTON THESE DAYS. AND EVERY TIME I DRIVE BY THAT LARGE SOLAR FIELD ON ROUTE 136 AND SCHUCK'S ROAD, VERY NEAR WHERE I LIVED WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO THE COUNTY IN 2016. I CAN'T THINK OF HOW ABOUT HOW WE USE LAND IN THIS COUNTY? I RECOGNIZE THAT WE'RE A GROWING COUNTY AND THAT POWER DEMANDS ARE GROWING IN SPITE OF OUR EFFORTS TO SEEK OUT EFFICIENCIES AS INDIVIDUALS, AND THAT SOME INDUSTRIES THESE DAYS EXERT SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DEMAND ON POWER SUPPLIES THAN OTHERS, AND POTENTIALLY AS MUCH AS MANY INDIVIDUALS COLLECTIVELY WITHIN THE COUNTY, PARTICULARLY THE DATA CENTERS.
SOMEONE HAS TO SUPPLY THAT POWER AND WE ALL END UP BUYING IT. AND THE AGGREGATE DEMAND OF INDIVIDUALS AND AND BUSINESS ENTITIES DETERMINES THE RATES THAT WE ALL HAVE TO PAY. AND IF YOU'VE LOOKED AT YOUR ELECTRIC BILL LATELY, I'M DOUBTING THAT YOU'RE PRETTY HAPPY ABOUT IT.
SO THAT MEANS IF SOME FACILITIES DECIDE WE'RE A GOOD PLACE TO BUILD AND THEY DRAIN WHAT CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF POWER TO DRIVE THE COMPUTERS, TO DECIDE WHAT YOUR ALGORITHM SHOWS YOU, WHOM TO SURVEIL, WHOM TO PROSECUTE, WHATEVER, AND CREATING SLOP OF VARIOUS KINDS FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT AND PERSUASION, INCLUDING, IN SOME CASES, CAMPAIGN LITERATURE. FOLKS WERE WATCHING YOU BECAUSE SOME OF YOU ARE USING IT.
THAT'S POWER THAT WE ALL END UP PAYING FOR. WHILE WE SEE LITTLE OF THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS AS INDIVIDUALS NOW, THERE ARE WAYS OF ADDRESSING THE DEMAND SIDE OF THE EQUATION THAT ARE, TO DATE, NOT REALLY BEING EXPLORED HERE. WE'VE RECENTLY, FOR EXAMPLE, WE'VE RECENTLY SEEN OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT, WITH THE SUPPORT OF HIS LACKEY, REPRESENTATIVE ANDY HARRIS, ATTEMPT TO TORPEDO OFFSHORE WIND FARMS. AND IN THIS COUNTY, WE'RE LEAVING VAST TRACTS OF ALREADY DEVELOPED LAND SPACE UNUSED FOR ANYTHING BUT PARKING CARS, AREAS THAT COULD BE PUT TO WORK BY PUTTING UP SOLAR PANELS OVER THE PARKING SPACES OR ON LARGE, LARGE SURFACE AREA ROOFTOPS, OPEN AND UNDEVELOPED LAND IS NOW AT A PREMIUM IN THIS COUNTY, AND PRESERVING ITS
[00:35:05]
RURAL CHARACTER REQUIRES US TO MAKE BETTER, MORE EFFICIENT USE OF THE LAND THAT WE DO HAVE. SO I AM URGING THIS COUNCIL TO EXPLORE REQUIRING NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT INCLUDES LARGE PARKING AREAS TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS OVER THESE LOTS, THUS GENERATING ELECTRICITY TO HELP INCREASE THE SUPPLY AND PROVIDING SHADE TO OUR VEHICLES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BAKE IN THE SUNLIGHT. FURTHERMORE, WE SHOULD BE INCENTIVIZING INSTALLATION OF PANELS OVER EXISTING LOTS AND LARGE SURFACE AREA ROOFTOPS. SO LET'S TRY TO KEEP HARFORD COUNTY GREEN. PUT PANELS OVER THE PARKING LOTS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. GOOD EVENING SIR. NAME AND ZIP CODE PLEASE. GOOD EVENING AGAIN. RON STYCZYNSKI 21001 PROUD PERMANENT RESIDENT. I WANT TO JUST START WITH LAST WEEK. I SAID I WAS GOING TO BRING UP SOME DIFFERENT DATA CENTER POINTS, BUT I THINK WHAT I WANT TO FIRST START WITH IS TODAY, IRONICALLY, I SENT AN EMAIL TO EVERYONE UP THERE AND I CALLED FOR THE HARFORD COUNTY COUNCIL IMMEDIATELY REVISIT BILL 26 004, WHICH WAS TONY G'S INTRODUCTION LAST WEEK, TO ALLOW IT TO RECEIVE FAIR AND TRANSPARENT CONSIDERATION THAT IT DESERVES AND FOR ALL OF US TO HAVE A WORD ON IT. AND IT'S IRONIC THAT THE ONES OF YOU THAT ASKED FOR TRANSPARENCY WERE THE ONES THAT SPOKE UP AND SHOT IT DOWN RIGHT AWAY. I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. TODAY. I'M GOING TO START WITH I'M GOING TO START MY TALK ON DATA CENTERS WITH WATER AND WATER CONCERNS. THE WATER DEMAND FROM DATA CENTERS IS STAGGERING. THESE FACILITIES CAN CONSUME FROM 3 TO 7 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER DAILY FOR THEIR COOLING SYSTEMS. JUST ONE FACILITY CAN USE AS MUCH AS 4000 HOMES PER DAY. IN MANY COMMUNITIES, THIS PLACE IS TREMENDOUS PRESSURE ON DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES, WELL, WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE. TRADITIONAL COOLING SYSTEMS ALSO PRODUCE WASTEWATER DISCHARGES KNOWN AS BLOOD DOWN. THESE DISCHARGES CAN CONTAIN CONCENTRATED MINERALS, TREATMENT CHEMICALS AND METALS THAT AFFECT RIVERS, PONDS, STREAMS AND ALL OTHER SOURCES OF WATER, AS WELL AS MUNICIPAL TREATMENT SYSTEMS. IF THEY ARE NOT PROPERLY MANAGED. DAILY COOLING TOWERS ALSO CREATE WHAT'S KNOWN AS CHEMICAL DRIFT, A MIST CONTAINING THESE CHEMICALS THAT CAN EASILY TRAVEL ONE HALF MILE OR MORE AND SETTLE ON HOMES, LAWNS AND NEARBY VEGETATION AT A TIME WHEN MANY PARTS OF OUR COUNTY OFTEN FACE DROUGHT, WATER SCARCITY AND ALREADY NEEDED DAILY TESTING, ALLOWING FACILITIES THAT CONSUME MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER EVERY SINGLE DAY RAISES SERIOUS, SUBSTANTIAL CONCERNS. DATA CENTERS RELY ON A WIDE RANGE OF CHEMICALS AS WELL FOR COOLING, MAINTENANCE AND FIRE SUPPRESSION. IF THESE SUBSTANCES LEAK OR ARE IMPROPERLY HANDLED OR EVEN WORSE, DISCHARGED INTO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS, THEY POSE SEVERE RISKS TO BOTH PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT. I ASK ALL HARFORD COUNTY CITIZENS IF YOU SHARE THESE OTHER CONCERNS AND OTHER CONCERNS ABOUT PROTECTING HARFORD COUNTY FROM UNCHECKED DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU JOIN THE FACEBOOK PAGE. OUR LAND, OUR HOME, OUR HARFORD AND GET INVOLVED TODAY. AND I WILL THANK JACOB. YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT ACTUALLY REPLIED TO MY EMAIL AND I APPRECIATE IT AND I AM GETTING BACK TO YOU. THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR TIME.THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING MA'AM. NAME AND ZIP CODE ALMOST THAT ADDRESS. GOTCHA. DIANA SADOWSKI 21047. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS. PARKER GRAHAM IS BACK THIS WEEK ALONG WITH SOME TOUGH LOVE FOR ALL OF YOU. LAST WEEK YOU SHUT DOWN TONY G'S NO DOUBLE DIP BILL USING ROBERT'S RULES. IN DOING SO, YOU DIDN'T JUST STOP AT DISCUSSION. YOU TOOK AWAY EVERY CITIZEN'S RIGHT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST A PROPOSAL THAT DEALS WITH GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY, POTENTIAL CORRUPTION, AND SAVING TAXPAYER DOLLARS. THAT BILL DESERVES TRANSPARENCY AND DEBATE. QUITE FRANKLY, THE WAY IT WAS HANDLED WAS DISAPPOINTING. I URGE THIS COUNCIL TO DO BETTER AND TO SHOW INDEPENDENCE, NOT DEFERENCE TO UNIONS. COUNCILMAN TONY G. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO BRING THAT BILL FORWARD AGAIN. LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD. NOW ON TO DATA CENTERS. CURRENTLY, DATA CENTERS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN HARFORD COUNTY. AND THAT'S A GOOD THING, DESPITE WHAT SOME ON THIS COUNCIL HAVE SUGGESTED ABOUT, AND I'LL QUOTE THIS A SPACE AND A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING, UNQUOTE. LET ME BE CLEAR. THERE IS NO PLACE FOR LARGE SCALE DATA CENTERS HERE IN HARFORD COUNTY. OUTSIDERS COME HERE WITH PROMISES OF ECONOMIC BENEFITS. DOES ANYBODY REMEMBER BRAC NOW? ITS DATA CENTERS. LAST WEEK WE GOT
[00:40:01]
EXAMPLES ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN FREDERICK COUNTY AND IN VIRGINIA. BUT THE REALITY IS CHANGING FAST. PUBLIC SUPPORT IN VIRGINIA FOR NEW DATA CENTERS HAS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY, FROM 69% TO 35%. MAJOR PROJECTS LIKE THE PROPOSED DIGITAL GATEWAY IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY HAVE BEEN ABANDONED. COMMUNITIES ARE PUSHING BACK AND FOR GOOD REASON. HERE'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A COMMUNITY PUSHBACK IN FESTUS, MISSOURI. LOOK THAT ONE UP THIS YEAR, MARCH 30TH. THERE, CITY CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A $6 BILLION DATA CENTER PROJECT, EVEN PLANNING TO ACQUIRE NEARBY HOMES DUE TO ITS IMPACT. JUST ONE WEEK LATER, VOTERS RESPONDED DECISIVELY. EVERY INCUMBENT UP FOR REELECTION WAS VOTED OUT. THE MESSAGE WAS CLEAR WHEN ELECTED OFFICIALS DON'T LISTEN, THE PEOPLE WILL REMIND THEM WHO IS IN CHARGE.COUNCIL PRESIDENT, LAST WEEK YOU SAID TO ME THAT YOU LOVE HARFORD COUNTY. NOW IS THE TIME TO SHOW IT. PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES, PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS. NO ZONING CHANGES, NO DATA CENTERS. THE CITIZENS OF HARFORD COUNTY DESERVE A COUNCIL WITH THE BACKBONE TO STAND UP, NOT JUST TO OUTSIDE PRESSURE, BUT TO ANY PROPOSAL THAT THREATENS THE CHARACTER AND FUTURE OF THIS COUNTY. AND WITH PRIMARIES APPROACHING, I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS. THE VOTERS ARE PAYING ATTENTION. GOOD NIGHT. THANK YOU. MA'AM. LINDA STEIN FLINT, FOLLOWED BY JEFF BECK, TIM MURPHY AND BILL MONTANARI. GOOD EVENING. HARFORD TRANSIT NAME AND ZIP CODE, PLEASE. IN 21015. LINDA STEIN, FLINT 21015. THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
HARFORD TRANSIT IS A MUCH NEEDED COMMUNITY. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED IN HARFORD COUNTY FOR THOSE THAT ARE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. RIDERSHIP HAS BEEN INCREASING OVER THE YEARS SINCE IT WAS STARTED, AND IT IS NOW AT. FOR FY 25, IT IS MORE THAN 414,000 PLUS RIDERS. THE TWO BIGGEST GROUPS OF THE RIDERS ARE CHILDREN'S AND SENIOR PEOPLE AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND THIS NUMBER DOESN'T INCLUDE THOSE USING THE NEW DEMAND RESPONSE. THE DEMAND RESPONSE IS FOR CURB TO CURB TRANSPORTATION WHERE THEY NEED TO GET FROM HOME TO THE SENIOR CENTERS TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, SHOPPING AND JOBS. THE HIGHEST USE OF THIS SERVICE IS FOR THOSE. AGAIN, WITH ALL THAT THEIR EMPLOYMENT, THEIR APPOINTMENTS, DIALYSIS APPOINTMENTS, GOING SHOPPING, MISCELLANEOUS TRIPS AND GOING TO SCHOOL. THE FACILITY THAT THESE BUSSES ARE SERVICED IN IS A VERY SMALL BUILDING ALONG ABINGDON ROAD. IT IS UNDERSIZED FOR EMPLOYEE PARKING AND VEHICLE PARKING. THE BUSSES THERE. THE MAINTENANCE GARAGE REQUIRES THEM TO BE BACKING OUT ONTO AVENUE ROAD AND THERE IS NO TURNAROUND ROOM. THE FACILITY IS NOT ADA COMPLIANT AND THE ROOF NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PREVIOUS CALLS FOR THIS BUILDING THAT WERE SUPPORTED BY YOU AND YOUR SIGNATURES ON THOSE DOCUMENTS, THAT AT A MUCH HIGHER COST THAN THEY ARE QUOTED NOW, THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN IS NOT ABOUT EXPANDING CURRENT FACILITY. IT'S ABOUT REPLACING AN URGENT TRANSFER TRANSIT FACILITY. AND IT INCLUDES A FUELING STATION THAT CAN BE SHARED WITH OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES. THIS FACILITY WILL BE BETTER PARKING AND MAINTENANCE AND ALL THAT. IT WOULD PROVIDE A FACILITY FOR THE FUTURE OF HARFORD TRANSIT LINK FOR MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS. THERE IS NOTHING IN THAT STATE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING PLAN THAT SAYS ANYTHING ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE FROM BALTIMORE. THIS IS ALL ABOUT HARFORD COUNTY. IT'S A COMMUNITY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR THOSE THAT NEED IT. AND IT'S PRETTY SAD THAT YOU ARE PUTTING OUT FALSE INFORMATION TO THAT EFFECT. AND IT'S CLEARLY DOCUMENTED IN THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN THAT THIS IS A MUCH NEEDED SERVICE. WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT NEED TO GET TO HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE, PEOPLE THAT NEED TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL, THE GROCERY STORES, EDWARD SHOPPING CENTERS IN BEL AIR. JUST THIS MORNING, THERE WAS SOMEBODY THAT MADE A POST ABOUT A MOTHER AND THEIR THREE KIDS NEEDING TRANSPORTATION, AND THEY CAN'T EVEN USE AN UBER,
[00:45:03]
AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO. MY FINAL COMMENT IS ABOUT THE DOUBLE DIP BILL. TONY, BRING IT BACK OR ELSE WE'RE GOING TO HELP YOU GET THE 10,000 SIGNATURES BECAUSE WE CANNOT HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE A COUNCIL MEMBER THAT IS ALSO A TEACHER THAT IS ALLEGEDLY SUSPENDED FOR FIVE MONTHS FOR ACTIONS THAT HAPPENED IN THE JOB, AND THERE'S ACTUALLY A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. SO WE NEED TO HAVE THAT CHARTER ADDRESSED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING SIR. NAME AND ZIP CODE. GOOD EVENING. JEFF BECK, TWO 1085 JOPPATOWNE. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. I NEED YOUR ZIP CODE, JEFF. I SAID TWO 1085. OH, I THOUGHT YOU SAID JOB TEN. I'M SORRY, I MISSED IT. YOU GOT IT ALL. 210. EVERYTHING BUT THE HOME ADDRESS THIS TIME. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. COUNCIL. THERE'S A LOT OF GREEN IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY. I LIKE IT. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. WHEN I FIRST BEGAN ADDRESSING THIS DAIS, I ALWAYS BEGAN MY REMARKS BY QUOTING THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION, DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. DUE TO TIME LIMITATIONS AND A DESIRE TO SPEND MY THREE MINUTES FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC CONCERNS, I'VE GOTTEN AWAY FROM THAT PRACTICE. I WON'T NEED MY FULL THREE MINUTES TONIGHT.ACCORDING TO THE MARYLAND DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. ARTICLE SIX QUOTE ALL PERSONS INVESTED WITH THE LEGISLATIVE OR EXECUTIVE POWERS OF GOVERNMENT ARE THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC AND AS SUCH, ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR CONDUCT. END QUOTE. OUR FREE GOVERNMENT EXISTS AT THE NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES OF THE CITIZENS YOU'RE SWORN TO SERVE. EVERY BILL DRAFTED, EVERY AMENDMENT OFFERED, EVERY MOTION MADE, AND EVERY PRESS RELEASE ISSUED OUGHT TO BE PRECEDED BY THE FOLLOWING QUESTION HOW WILL THIS ACTION PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE LIBERTIES OF MY CONSTITUENTS? IT WOULD SERVE THE PEOPLE'S HARFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT WELL. TO KEEP THIS IN MIND, I YIELD BACK THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME. THANK YOU SIR. GOOD EVENING SIR. NAME IS IT? GOOD EVENING. TIM MURPHY 21014. SO I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT I'M COMPLETELY AGAINST THE DATA CENTER. IT'S JUST POISON FOR THE COMMUNITY. THEY OFFER MAYBE A HANDFUL OF JOBS AND SOME TAX MONEY. THAT'S IT. NOTHING ABOUT PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT OR THE PEOPLE THAT SURROUND AND MAKE UP OUR COMMUNITY. THAT BEING SAID, I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND USE THE REST OF MY TIME TALKING ABOUT ALL OF THE NEGATIVES OF THE DATA CENTER, BECAUSE WE'RE ALL DOING OUR RESEARCH. I SEE IT ONLINE, TALKING TO PEOPLE OUTSIDE AND HEARING EVERYONE IN HERE. WE'RE ALL TRYING OUR BEST TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT IT, AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S THE ONE THING THAT IS ACTUALLY BRINGING ALL OF US TOGETHER. WE ARE ALL AGAINST IT. BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THAT. JUST BECAUSE WE'RE AGAINST IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO STAY AWAY.
SO IN THE MEANTIME, YES, WE SHOULD HAVE A PAUSE PERIOD. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD START AND IT SHOULD BE A LARGER PULSE PERIOD, SIMILAR TO PG COUNTY. EVEN THEN, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A LONG ENOUGH TIME. THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BUILDING THEIR PLANS AND LAYING THE BRICKS FOR WHAT THEY WANT FOR A LONG TIME. AND PERSONALLY, I THINK WE NEED TO SPEED UP OUR PROCESS TO PUT IN ACTIONS TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR COMMUNITY, FAST, ESPECIALLY WITH THE RUMORS OF MOUNTAIN BRANCH, SOMETHING I'M SURE WE HEARD RUMORS ABOUT. AND EACH DAY THEY BECOME MORE CONCRETE. SO AS SOME OF YOU MAY BE AWARE, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS DESIGNATED DATA CENTERS AS CRITICAL NATIONAL SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS MEANS THERE WILL LIKELY COME A TIME WHERE US SIMPLY GATHERING TOGETHER AND SAYING NO THANK YOU ISN'T GOING TO BE ENOUGH. SIMILAR TO THE PUSH THAT WE'VE SEEN WITH THE SOLAR FARMS. WITH THAT IN MIND, WE NEED TO PLAN FOR THE WORST AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE AND IT'S WHAT WE MUST DO NOW. WE'VE BEEN CAUGHT BEHIND THE BALL. WE NEED TO PUT
[00:50:05]
IN PROTECTIONS, SOUND ORDINANCES, STRUCTURAL SETBACKS, ALLOWABLE AREA DESIGNATIONS, INFRASTRUCTURE PROOFS, BUILDING CODES, ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS AND INSPECTIONS, AND FEES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE BEFORE ANYTHING IS FORCED ON US. SO THERE'S ALREADY A FORM OF PROTECTION.THESE COMPANIES THAT THE DATA CENTER SERVICE HAVE AN ENDLESS SUPPLY OF RESOURCES. THEY'RE ALREADY LAYING THE GROUNDWORK TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS. JUST LOOK WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MOUNTAIN BRANCH. THEY WILL EVENTUALLY GET WHAT THEY WANT. IF WE ACT NOW, IT CAN AT LEAST BE ON OUR TERMS WHEN EVENTUALLY. MR. MURPHY, CAN YOU BRING YOUR COMMENTS TO A CLOSE, SIR? WHEN EVENTUALLY SAYING NO IS NOT ENOUGH? BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, SIR. GOOD EVENING SIR, I THINK I'M NEXT, BUT I'M NOT SURE. CLOSE ENOUGH? CLOSE ENOUGH. BILL MONTANARI 21015.
TWO THINGS. THE DATA CENTERS. I THINK EVERYBODY THAT'S ALREADY SAID WHAT THEY SAID IS MORE THAN ENOUGH. I DON'T NEED TO ADD ANYTHING ELSE TO THAT EXCEPT BINGO. YEAH, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT RIGHT THERE. THE SECOND THING I WANT TO ADDRESS IS, AS SOME PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED, A BILL WAS INTRODUCED BY TONY G. SOMEBODY SAID THAT THEY USED ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER TO SHUT IT DOWN. UNLESS I MISREAD ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER WASN'T FOLLOWED AT ALL.
THE BILL SHOULD HAVE BEEN READ AND THEN VOTED ON. SO AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AND I COULD BE WRONG, BUT I DON'T THINK I AM. I THINK WE FAILED, NOT ME. WE THE PEOPLE THAT SHOT IT DOWN.
PULLED THE WRONG STRING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO HAVE BEEN READ. AND THE REASON IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO BE READ MORE SO EVEN THAN ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER. MORE IMPORTANTLY IS WHEN SOMEBODY INTRODUCES A BILL, THAT PERSON IS REPRESENTING THAT AREA. ALL THE CITIZENS OF THAT COUNCILMAN'S OR COUNCIL LADIES AREA. IT MATTERS TO THEM. NOT ONLY DOES IT MATTER TO THEM, IT MATTERS TO ALL THE REST OF US AS WELL. LET'S HEAR WHAT HAS TO BE SAID. LET'S HEAR WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. THEN VOTE ON IT. BECAUSE IF YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT, YOU'RE DOING A DISSERVICE TO ALL THE CITIZENS OF THE HARFORD COUNTY, NOT JUST THE ONE AREA OR TWO AREAS, ALL OF US. SO READ THE BILL, LET IT BE PRESENTED, AND THEN VOTE ON IT.
BECAUSE IF YOU'RE NOT DOING IT, YOU'RE NOT REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE AND YOU SHOULDN'T BE UP THERE, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY. THANKS VERY MUCH. THANK YOU SIR. THERE ARE NO MORE SPEAKERS, MR. PRESIDENT. WITH NO MORE SPEAKERS, WE'LL GO TO AGENDA NUMBER 16. BUSINESS
[16. BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS]
FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS. MR. BENNETT, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH YOU TONIGHT. HELLO. GOOD EVENING. IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH EVERYONE THIS EVENING. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT. I REALLY HOPE EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE TIME AND DATE, OR THE TIME AND DATE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE MORATORIUM BILL. I JUST WANT TO SAY IT A SECOND TIME. THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE ON MAY 19TH AT 6:30 P.M. HERE IN THESE CHAMBERS. SO I REALLY HOPE EVERYONE'S ABLE TO COME OUT AND SPEAK AND BE HEARD. IN THE PAST WEEK, I ATTENDED PUBLIC SAFETY RECOGNITION NIGHT AT THE BEL AIR MOOSE LODGE WITH SEVERAL OF MY OTHER COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, AND I WAS ABLE TO CELEBRATE SOMEONE FROM HAVRE DE GRACE POLICE WHO WAS RECOGNIZED AND CELEBRATED. PATROLMAN FIRST CLASS STERLING JONES AND I WAS ABLE TO MEET HIM AND HIS YOUNG CHILD AND WIFE. AND THEY'RE A WONDERFUL FAMILY, AND I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR ALL THEY DO FOR HAVRE DE GRACE. I WAS ALSO ABLE TO ATTEND THE FRIENDS OF HARFORD ANNUAL MEETING THIS PAST WEEK, WHICH WAS VERY INFORMATIVE HERE IN ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT GROUPS THAT ARE WORKING TO, ONE, BRING ORGANIZATIONS TOGETHER THAT ARE FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND TWO, FOCUSED ON HELPING US GET ALL THIS RUNOFF AND MUD THAT'S COMING FROM CONSTRUCTION SITES IN THE JOPPATOWNE AREA, OUT OUT OF OUR WATERWAYS. SO IT WAS VERY ENCOURAGING TO HEAR ABOUT THE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE, EVEN IF THE NEED FOR THE WORK CAN FEEL DISCOURAGING. SO I THINK STEPHANIE FLASH AND EVERYONE WITH FRIENDS OF HARFORD FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO TO HELP KEEP THE COMMUNITY INFORMED, ENGAGED AND EMPOWERED. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MIGHT BE NEW TO COMING TO A COUNCIL MEETING OR NEW TO ENGAGING WITH AN ISSUE, THE GREATEST ENCOURAGEMENT THAT I CAN GIVE YOU IS TO GET CONNECTED WITH A GROUP. GROUPS LIKE FRIENDS OF HARFORD, KEEP FALLSTON RURAL Ā£0.03 HARFORD LAND TRUST. THERE'S MANY.[00:55:08]
HARFORD COUNTY. CLIMATE. HARFORD. CLIMATE. ACTION. I IT'S H C A A BUT ANYWAY, THERE ARE MANY GROUPS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE FOCUSED ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOCUSED FOR MANY YEARS NOW ON UPDATING OUR COUNTY CODE, GETTING ZONING RIGHT, PROTECTING OUR LAND, PROTECTING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, PROTECTING OUR WATERWAYS. AND WHEN YOU ENGAGE WITH THOSE TYPES OF GROUPS, YOU'RE ABLE TO PUT POWER INTO WHAT YOU DO. ONE OF THE THINGS I SAY OFTEN TO PEOPLE IS, YOU KNOW, WE CAN SIT IN A ROOM AND TALK, BUT WHEN WE WALK OUT, WHO CAN KEEP TRACK OF WHAT OUR WHERE OUR AIR WENT? BUT IF YOU BLOW INTO A BALLOON AND YOU EMBRACE THE STRUCTURE OF THAT BALLOON, YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU CAN HOLD, SOMETHING YOU CAN MOVE, SOMETHING YOU CAN CARRY. AND THAT GOES THE SAME FOR WHEN YOU'RE IN A GROUP, WHEN YOU ORGANIZE AND WHEN YOU BUILD THAT STRUCTURE, YOU'RE ABLE TO MOVE AND GET SOMETHING DONE. SO I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET ENGAGED AND GET CONNECTED WITH OTHER PEOPLE. WE HAVE BUDGET WORK SESSIONS STARTING THIS THURSDAY THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. YOU'RE WELCOME TO SIT IN HERE. WE'LL BE DOING FOUR DAYS OF BUDGET WORK SESSIONS, BUT THEY'RE ALSO STREAMED ONLINE ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE, THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE GRAND OPENING. I FEEL LIKE I'VE ANNOUNCED LIKE NINE DIFFERENT GRAND OPENINGS. THIS POOR OFFICE MIGHT BE CURSED, BUT IT WILL BE ON APRIL 27TH AT 9 A.M. ON EMMORTON ROAD. IT'S VERY EXCITING TO HAVE THE CONTROLLER BRINGING IN AN OFFICE TO HARFORD COUNTY AND TO HELP PROVIDE THOSE CONSTITUENT SERVICES RIGHT HERE LOCALLY. FIRST FRIDAYS ARE RETURNING TO HAVE DEGREE SOON ON MAY 1ST IN DOWNTOWN, HAVE A DECREASE AND HAVE A D GRACE CITY ELECTIONS ARE COMING UP ON MAY 5TH, SO MAKE SURE YOU'RE KEEPING UP TO THAT. IF YOU LIVE IN HAVRE DE GRACE, I KNOW I AM EXCITED TO VOTE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE THIS EVENING. THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT. MISS ROBERT THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I TOO WANT TO ECHO WHAT JACOB SAID REGARDING THE DATA CENTERS AND COMING TO THE PUBLIC HEARING. I TOO HAVE DONE MY OWN RESEARCH, TALKED TO OTHER COUNTIES, LOOKED AT NEWS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WILL STATE THAT THERE IS A DEVELOPER LOOKING AT MOUNTAIN BRANCH. I ACTUALLY HAD HIM COME TO MY OFFICE, SPOKE TO THAT PERSON, TOLD HIM THAT THE CITIZENS OF HARFORD COUNTY ARE NOT FOR IT, AND HAD THE CONVERSATION WITH HIM AS TO WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE, WHAT HIS INTENTIONS WERE, ETC. ADVISED. YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT'S COMING DOWN THE PATH AS FAR AS LEGISLATION, AND I DO HAVE INFORMATION, AND IT'S PRETTY MUCH PUBLIC. AND SO IF ANYONE WANTS TO SEE SOME THINGS, I, YOU KNOW, HAVE NO PROBLEM SHOWING THAT TO ANYONE. BUT I DO WANT YOU TO KNOW, BECAUSE YOU'RE ALL HEARING IT, THAT THERE IS SOMEONE THAT IS IDENTIFIABLY BEEN LOOKING AT IT AND RESEARCHING AND DEVELOPING PLANS. WITH THAT BEING SAID, ON THE LAST WEEK, I DID ATTEND JACKIE ROBINSON DAY AT ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL. I THINK IT'S THE THIRD YEAR OF IT OCCURRING, AND ABERDEEN HIGH PLAYED JOPPATOWNE HIGH, SO IT WAS EVEN MORE SPECIAL BECAUSE THEY WERE PLAYING ONE OF THE TEAMS IN MY DISTRICT AND ALWAYS A GREAT CEREMONY, BEING PROACTIVE THAN REACTIVE. I TOURED HARFORD MINERALS DOWN IN OUR IN DISTRICT A, MAINLY BECAUSE DAVE'S COVE IS GOT A TIMELINE OF POSSIBLY CLOSING. IT'S STILL GOING BACK AND FORTH OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, BUT LOOKING AT HARFORD MINERALS ON HOW THEY CAN HELP US WITH SOME OF THE CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS, WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AS FAR AS PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO PICK UP SUPPLIES, WHAT THEY DO THERE AND THEY ARE EXPANDING. SO GOING TO CONTINUE THAT CONVERSATION WITH TYLER, WHO IS THE CEO, AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FUTURE. BUT WE DO. WE DO NEED A BACKUP PLAN FOR THAT. WHEN DAVE'S COVE CLOSES. DEBBIE ATTENDED THE SOCIAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD WHILE I ATTENDED THE CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION WITH THE TEACHERS AWARDS, COUNCILWOMAN IMHOF AND I WENT TO NORTHERN HARFORD SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL TO DO A TOUR AND A FLORAL CLASS AND LEARN ABOUT AGRICULTURE. THE BEST PART ABOUT THIS IS THAT FLORAL PROGRAM IS EXPANDING INTO A BUSINESS, AND THEY'RE HOPING TO DO WEDDINGS AND PROMS AND OTHER THINGS. AND IT'S GREAT. THESE STUDENTS ARE AMAZING AND REALLY WANT TO PUT FORTH EFFORT IN THESE PROGRAMS. AND THEN I MET[01:00:10]
WITH THE EDGEWOOD EPICENTER. WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE GREEN SPACE. THEY HAVE SOME FREE GREEN SPACE THERE TO BRING SOME COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, MAKING IT SOMEWHERE WHERE THE COMMUNITY CAN COME LISTEN TO MUSIC, HAVE SOME FOOD TRUCKS, MAKE SOMETHING BETTER FOR THE COMMUNITY. SO THAT IS IN THE WORKS. AND WE WILL BE DOING A COMMUNITY INPUT SURVEY FOR DISTRICT A INTO WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE PUT IN THERE. IF THEY SAY EVERYONE COMES BACK AND SAYS, WE WANT A BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO PUT A BUTTERFLY GARDEN, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE THE COMMUNITY THAT DESIGNS THAT WITH THE HELP OF THE EPICENTER. AND ON SATURDAY, I WENT TO WALK A MILE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT RECOVERY, GOT TO VOTE ON BEST SHOES AND HAND OUT MEDALS TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS. AND THEN TONIGHT I WENT TO THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY. BEFORE WE HAD OUR SESSION TODAY. UPCOMING, WE HAVE THE FLOTILLA ON MAY 2ND AT 10 A.M. AT MARINER POINT PARK. SO IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN MOTORBOAT, KAYAK, PADDLE BOARD OR JET SKI, FEEL FREE TO COME OUT. WE'RE CELEBRATING THE WATERS AND HONORING THE WATER. IT'S DONE BY MAD ABOUT MUD, AND YOU CAN ALSO RENT ANY OF THOSE VESSELS AS WELL. HARFORD SQUARE IS HAVING THEIR COMMUNITY CLEANUP FROM 830 TO 12 THIS SATURDAY, AND THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT IS ALSO ON APRIL 25TH AT ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL FROM 8:30 A.M. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. ROBERT. MISS IMHOF, GOOD EVENING. SO ON THURSDAY, APRIL 16TH, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION WITH HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR. THEY ALSO CELEBRATED THE BUS DRIVER OF THE YEAR, THE SUPPORTIVE STAFF OF THE YEAR, PRINCIPAL AND BUS DRIVER'S AIDE OF THE YEAR. IT REALLY KIND OF CELEBRATES THE BEST OF THE BEST. SOME OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR OVER 30 YEARS. THEY'VE SERVICED MULTIPLE GENERATIONS OF OUR PUBLIC, AND THEY'RE JUST REALLY REMARKABLE PEOPLE. ON FRIDAY, APRIL 17TH, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE NORTH HARFORD HIGH SCHOOL AGRICULTURAL MAGNET PROGRAM TOUR. AS COUNCILWOMAN ROBERTS SHARED, WE WERE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR FLORAL DESIGN CLASS, THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA, AND GET TO KNOW SOME OF THE DIFFERENT. FURRY CRITTERS THAT THEY KEEP ON ON SITE, AND THAT THE STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO TAKE CARE OF. SATURDAY, APRIL 18TH, I ATTENDED THE PUBLIC SAFETY NIGHT AT BEL AIR MOOSE LODGE, WHERE ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS OF THE RECOGNITION WAS FALZON'S VERY OWN FIREFIGHTER, BELLA. ON MONDAY, APRIL 20TH, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE BURTON'S BAR AND GRILL RIBBON CUTTING. IT IS WHERE THE OLD TGI FRIDAYS WAS.ONE OF THE REMARKABLE THINGS ABOUT BURTON'S IS THAT THEY ARE A ALLERGY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT AND THEY MAKE EVERYTHING FROM SCRATCH. SO IF SOMEONE HAS A GLUTEN ALLERGY. A DAIRY ALLERGY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THEY CAN ACCOMMODATE. AND I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIES WHO ARE VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS RESTAURANT. AND THEN THIS EVENING, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AWARDS CELEBRATION, WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE BOTH OFFICERS AND CIVILIANS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE DONE SOME REALLY REMARKABLE THINGS OVER THE LAST YEAR, INCLUDING SEVERAL LIFE SAVING MEASURES OF VARIOUS DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS, UPCOMING EVENTS. THE VOLUNTEER FAIR ON APRIL THURSDAY, APRIL 23RD FROM 2 TO 5 P.M. AT THE MCFALL SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER. THE HARFORD COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY IS HOSTING A YARD SALE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 25TH FROM 8 A.M. TO 12 P.M. IN THE PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF THE SHELTER BUILDING. THEY WILL BE SELLING ITEMS THAT ARE PET SUPPLIES, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. THEY'VE BEEN ACCEPTING VENDORS, SO PLEASE GO OUT AND SUPPORT THEM AND THEN REMEMBER THAT WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29TH IS THE NEXT FOLSEN ADVISORY FALSE AND COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING AT 630 AT THE VERONICA CHENOWITH ACTIVITY CENTER. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU, MISS IMHOF. MR. JANARDHANA THANK YOU.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THIS PAST SATURDAY ATTENDED THE EAGLE SCOUT COURT OF HONOR CEREMONY FOR TROOP 777. CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL NEWMAN, AIDEN HEIMBACH, TIMOTHY LYNN AND MASON STEVENSON ON THEIR. EAGLE SCOUT. ALSO DID THE GRAND OPENING OF BURTON'S BAR AND GRILL. THIS IS THEIR 30TH RESTAURANT. AS COUNCILWOMAN EMHOFF SAID, THEY MAKE EVERYTHING FROM SCRATCH. THEY HAVE A GLUTEN FREE MENU. THIS IS THEIR FIRST IN NORTHERN MARYLAND. AND THE THE NEXT LOCATION I WAS TALKING TO, THE OWNER SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE IN PARSIPPANY, NEW JERSEY, AND I SAID, WOW, THAT'S WHERE I GREW UP. HE'S LIKE, I'LL SEND YOU AN INVITATION, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO DRIVE THREE HOURS TO GO TO THAT IN
[01:05:05]
SEPTEMBER. BUT MY AIDE ATTENDED THE ANNUAL HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S ANNUAL AWARD CEREMONY THIS EVENING, MAY 16TH AND 17TH IS SPRING NATIONALS. WHAT IS SPRING NATIONALS? THEY ARE HYDROPLANE BOATS. THEY'RE GOING TO BE OVER FLYING POINT PARK. THEY GO ABOUT 180 MILES AN HOUR.THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SPONSORSHIP STILL. IT'S GOING TO BE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. IT'S GOING TO BE FREE TO THE PUBLIC. SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, THEY'RE TRYING TO GET CORPORATE SPONSORS SO THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO GO IN THERE. SO I'VE GONE THERE THE LAST LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT. THEY'RE AMAZING. THEY LOVE THE AREA BECAUSE THE WATER IS REALLY FLAT. THE BOATS GO REALLY FAST. SO IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO A BOAT RACE, IT'S GOING TO BE YOUR OPPORTUNITY. IT'S LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY. LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE I HAVE HERE. SO THE DATA CENTERS, I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT ON THE DATA CENTERS, I'D LIKE TO SEE ABOUT MAYBE PUTTING AN AMENDMENT IN THAT MAYBE TAKES IT UP TO 180 DAYS FOR THE FOR THAT AS WELL. AND THEN. AND THEN I RECEIVED A LOT OF PHONE CALLS, A LOT OF EMAILS ON BILL 26, 004, PEOPLE CALLING AND ASKING HOW WE CAN GET 10,000 SIGNATURES, BUT MAYBE WE'LL REINTRODUCE IT AGAIN AND SEE WHAT THE REST OF THE COUNCIL PEOPLE, IF THEY WANT TO LET THE PUBLIC HAVE THEIR DAY WITH A PUBLIC HEARING AND TALK ABOUT IT. BUT IF NOT, WE'LL GET THE 10,000 SIGNATURES. I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INFORMATION AND ALL YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THAT AND PEOPLE TALKING UP ABOUT IT. SO THAT'S IT. THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK YOU TONY. MISS THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THIS EVENING I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH MR. OVERBAY REGARDING THE GREEN RIDGE COMMUNITY WATER ISSUES. HE ASSURED ME THAT I WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION SUCH AS WATER QUALITY COSTS AND FURTHER INFORMATION ON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT. HOPEFULLY THIS WEEK AND I WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP EVERYONE UP TO DATE ON THAT ISSUE. ON THURSDAY, APRIL 23RD AT 7 P.M. A PRESENTATION ON THE HISTORIC B AND O RAILROAD IN ABERDEEN WILL BE HELD. IT'S GOING TO BE HELD AT ABERDEEN CITY HALL AND THE B AND O RAILROAD MUSEUM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHRIS HOLLAND AND REMARKS FROM LOCAL HISTORIANS WILL BE THERE AS WELL. AND AT THIS TIME, THERE IS NO VOTE FOR ME TO APPROVE DATA CENTERS ANYWHERE IN HARFORD COUNTY. WE STILL WANT THIS TO BE THE BEST COUNTY TO LIVE AND WORK. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS SALAS. 17 BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT. SO EVENTS, I HAD THE
[17. BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT]
GREAT PLEASURE OF SERVING AS A GUEST READER TO HIGHLAND SCHOOL THIS PAST WEEK, ATTENDED THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR EVENT, WHERE MICHAEL JAMES WAS NAMED TEACHER OF THE YEAR, ATTENDED THE SCULPTURE DEDICATION. THE. MRS. CARRUTHERS WAS KIND ENOUGH TO DONATE SOME SCULPTURES ON BEHALF OF HER HUSBAND, WHO PASSED AWAY AND WAS NOT THERE, BUT THEY WERE VERY NICE AND IT FIT VERY WELL IN THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL WATER RELATED. ALSO WANT TO MENTION THE BUDGET, PUBLIC HEARINGS OR WORK SESSIONS, I SHOULD SAY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY OF THIS WEEK AND THURSDAY'S INTERESTING BECAUSE IT'S IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE'LL TALK WITH THE SPENDING AFFORDABILITY GROUP, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, THE ADMINISTRATION, THE TREASURY, COUNTY COUNCIL, OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. LIBRARIES BRING TONY'S TOYS, THE HARFORD CENTER AND THE ARC NORTHERN CHESAPEAKE. THEY'LL KICK US OFF.AND THEN FRIDAY WILL BE ANOTHER FULL PLATE AND THEN DATA CENTERS. LISTEN, I'M GOING TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. I DON'T SUPPORT DATA CENTERS. NEVER SAID I DID. BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THAT EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT, GOOD AND BAD. HARFORD COUNTY IS NOT THE PLACE FOR DATA CENTERS. IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE PLACE ON AG ZONE GROUND. NEVER WOULD BE. WE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH SOLAR PROBLEMS ON AG ZONE GROUND, SO I WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVE IT'S AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT, BUT NOT IN HARFORD COUNTY. SO WITH THAT, I ALWAYS SAY THAT HARFORD COUNTY IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, LEARN, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY. AND TRUST ME, I DO LOVE IT, SPENT MY ENTIRE LIFE HERE AND HAVE SPENT MY TIME ON THIS COUNCIL PROTECTING IT AS BEST I
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.