[00:00:01]
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
THE WATER LEGISLATIVE SESSION DAY 26 DASH 0 23.I WOULD ASK YOU TO PLEASE STAND WITH FOR THE PLEDGE.
UH, FOLLOWED BY THE OPENING PRAYER.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO REPUBLIC FOR WHICH STAND NATION, ONE NATION UNDER GOD IN WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER THIS EVENING.
AS WE BEGIN THIS MEETING, WE ASK THAT YOU GUIDE OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR ACTIONS SO WE MAY HAVE A SUCCESSFUL AND PRODUCTIVE MEETING WITH A NEW SCHOOL YEAR UNDERWAY.
WE ASK THAT YOU WATCH OVER OUR CHILDREN, OUR EDUCATORS, KEEP THEM ON TASK AND SAFE.
THANK YOU FOR EVERY TEACHER WHO NOTICES A CHILD'S SPECIAL GIFT.
AND THANK YOU FOR THE SPECIAL TEACHER.
EACH ONE OF US REMEMBERS, LORD, THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH MARKS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOST HORRIFIC ACT OF TERRORISM THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER WITNESSED.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER THOSE IMPACT THEIR FAMILIES AND THOSE WHO REMAIN EVER VIGILANT.
LET US NEVER FORGET THE COURAGE AND SACRIFICES SURROUNDING THE EVENTS OF THAT DAY AND THOSE MADE EVERY DAY BY OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
MAY WE NEVER FORGET THAT FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE.
WE PRAY THESE THINGS AND MORE IN THE NAME OF THE GREATEST TEACHER OF ALL.
CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS, APPLICATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND NOMINATIONS.
WE'RE GONNA MAKE UP FOR THAT NEXT WEEK.
[7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
APPROVAL OF MINUTES.ARE THERE ANY CORRECTIONS TO THE MINUTES? THERE BEING NO CORRECTIONS? THE MINUTES STAND APPROVED.
[8. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS]
PLEASE READ RESOLUTIONS 0 16 26 THROUGH 0 18 26 RESOLUTION 16 DASH 26 ENTERPRISE ZONE TAX CREDIT.11 LOCUST ALLEY AS INTRODUCED, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT VINCENTIA THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A REAL PROPERTY TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX IMPOSED ON THE ELIGIBLE ASSESSMENT FOR PROPERTY IN A GREATER ABERDEEN HDE GRACE ENTERPRISE ZONE, KNOWN AS 11 LOCUST ALLEY, ABERDEEN, MARYLAND, 2 1 0 0 1 LIBER 1 5 7 8 9 FOLIO 0 0 0 8 1.
TAX ID 0 2 0 3 6 8 3 5 PRESENTLY OWNED BY 77 SMITH AVENUE, LLC.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13TH, 2026 AT 6:30 PM IN EAST COUNCIL.
CHAMBERS RESOLUTION ZERO 17 DASH 26 ENTERPRISE ZONE TAX CREDIT.
46 0 7 APPLIANCE DRIVE AS INTRODUCED, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT VINCENTIA THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A REAL PROPERTY TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX IMPOSED ON THE ELIGIBLE ASSESSMENT FOR PROPERTY IN THE GREATER ABERDEEN VERDE GRACE ENTERPRISE ZONE, KNOWN AS 46 0 7 APPLIANCE DRIVE, BELL CAMP, MARYLAND 2 1 0 1 7 LIBRARY 0 2 2 7 1 FOLIO 0 0 4 6 9 MAP 0 5 8 PARCEL 0 2 3 7 LOT 39 PLOT REFERENCE 84 DASH 56 TAX ID 0 1 2 6 0 0 5 0 2 PRESENTLY OWNED BY MCCORMICK TRUST PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13TH, 2026 AT 6:30 PM IN EAST COUNCIL CHAMBERS RESOLUTION 18 DASH 26 ENTERPRISE ZONE TAX CREDIT.
9 65 MIDDLETON ROAD AS INTRODUCED, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT VINCENTIA TO REQUEST TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A REAL PROPERTY TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX IMPOSED ON THE ELIGIBLE ASSESSMENT FOR PROPERTY IN THE GREATER ABERDEEN HA GRACE ENTERPRISE ZONE IS 9 65 MIDDLETON ROAD, ABERDEEN, MARYLAND 2 1 0 0 1 LIBOR 0 7 5 4 1 FOLIO 0 0 2 1 1.
TAX ID 0 2 1 1 2 5 9 OH PRESENTLY OWNED BY MIDDLETON HOLDINGS, LLC PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13TH, 2026 AT 6:30 PM IN EAST COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
[9. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS]
DANO NINE INTRODUCTION TO BILLS COUNCILWOMAN.ROBERT, PLEASE READ 20 BILL 26 0 15 INTO THE RECORD.
THANK YOU BILL NUMBER 26 DASH 15 INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ROBERT THIS LEGISLATIVE DAY, 26 DASH OH TWO THREE AND ACT TO ADD NEW ARTICLE 16 E COMMISSION ON HOMELESSNESS TO PART TWO NINE BINDING ADVISORY BOARD OF CHAPTER NINE BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COUNCILS AND AGENCIES OF THE HARTFORD COUNTY CODE AS AMENDED TO ESTABLISH A HARTFORD
[00:05:01]
COUNTY COMMISSION ON HOMELESSNESS TO ESTABLISH THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION TO IMPOSE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS ON THE COMMISSION AND GENERALLY RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.AND THIS WILL BE, UM, PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED ON OCTOBER 13TH, 2026 AT 6:30 PM THANK YOU MR. ROBERT.
UH, MR. BENNETT, PLEASE READ BILLS 26 0 16 AND 26 0 17 INTO THE RECORD.
BILL 26 DASH 16 COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 38 DASH 38, PERSONNEL MILITARY LEAVE AS INTRODUCED, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS BENNETT, ROBERT AND PENMAN AND ACT TO REPEAL AND REENACT WITH AMENDMENTS SUBSECTIONS ONE B AND C OF SUBSECTION H MILITARY LEAVE OF SECTION 38 DASH 38.
LEAVE WITH PAY OF ARTICLE FOUR, CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF CHAPTER 38, PERSONNEL OF HARFORD COUNTY CODE AS AMENDMENT AMENDED TO ALLOW UP TO 30 DAYS OF MILITARY LEAVE FOR MEMBERS OF THE RESERVES OR NATIONAL GUARD AND GENERALLY RELATED TO MILITARY LEAVE PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13TH, 2026 AT 6:30 PM IN THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
BILL 26 DASH 17 ZONING, CHAPTER 2 6 7 ROOFTOP SOLAR AS INTRODUCED, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BENNETT AND ACT TO ADD THE DEFINITION OF ROOFTOP SOLAR PHOTO VOLTA VO PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY SYSTEM TO SECTION 2 67 DASH FOUR DEFINITIONS OF ARTICLE ONE, GENERAL PROVISIONS AND TO REPEAL AND REENACT WITH AMENDMENTS.
SUBSECTION C FOUR DESIGN REQUIREMENTS OF SEC SUB OF SECTION 2 67 DASH 60 CI LI AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS OF ARTICLE SEVEN DISTRICT REGULATIONS, ALL OF PART ONE STANDARDS OF CHAPTER 6 2 67 ZONING OF THE HARTFORD COUNTY CODE AS AMEN AMENDED TO DEFINE ROOFTOP SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY SYSTEM AND TO REQUIRE THAT NEW BUILDINGS 20,000 SQUARE FEET OR MORE OF GROSS FLOOR AREA AND ADDITIONS, 20,000 SQUARE FEET OR MORE OF GROSS FLOOR AREA TO EXISTING BUILDINGS IN THE INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS HAVE ROOFTOP SOLAR PANELS INSTALLED SUBJECT TO CERTAIN REGULATIONS AND GENERALLY RELATED TO ZONING, PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13TH, 2026 AT SIX TH 6:30 PM IN THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
MR. PENMAN, PLEASE READ BILL 26 0 18 INTO THE RECORD.
BILL 26 DASH ZERO 18 CHARTER AMENDMENT 2 0 7 QUALIFICATIONS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS AS INTRODUCED, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL, UH, MEMBER PENMAN, AN ACT TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE TWO, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF THE HARTFORD COUNTY CHARTER AS AMENDED BY REPEALING AND REENACTING WITH AMENDMENT SECTION 2 0 7.
QUALIFICATIONS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PROHIBIT A COUNCIL MEMBER FROM HOLDING ANY OTHER ELECTED OFFICE, UH, ANY OTHER APPOINTED POSITION IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, HARFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT OR A MUNICIPALITY WITHIN THE COUNTY, OR BE AN EMPLOYEE OF THE COUNTY IN AN OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY, WHICH IS DIRECTLY SUPERVISED OR SUBSTANTIALLY CONTROLLED BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OR THE COUNTY COUNCIL DURING THE TERM OF OFFICE AND REQUIRE THE SUBMISSION OF THIS AMENDMENT TO THE LEGALLY QUALIFIED VOTERS OF HARFORD COUNTY FOR THEIR ADOPTION OR REJECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION TWO, UH, 9 0 5 OF THE HARTFORD COUNTY CHARTER PUBLIC HEARING, OCTOBER 13TH, 2026 AT 6:30 PM IN THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
I MOVE BILL NUMBER 26 18 TO BE REJECTED ON INTRODUCTION.
ANY DISCUSSION? POINT OF WATER MR. PRESIDENT, THERE CAN BE NO DISCUSSION AS PER LAST TIME WE HAVE TO VOTE.
MS. DIXON, MS. MR. PRESIDENT, UH, POINT OF ORDER REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN THIS VOTE.
BILL NUMBER 26 18 DIRECTLY CONCERNS THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE EMPLOYEES TO SERVE ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL ETHICS BOARD.
OPINION 24 DASH ZERO ONE ADDRESSED COUNCIL MEMBERS PENMAN ETHICS OBLIGATIONS CONCERNING MATTERS AFFECTING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
I REVIEWED THE RECORDS FROM THE FOUR MOST RECENT ETHICS BOARD MEETINGS.
THOSE RECORDS CONTAIN NO INDICATION THAT COUNCIL MEMBER PENMAN REQUESTED OR RECEIVED AUTHORIZATION TO SPONSOR, INTRODUCE, OR VOTE ON BILL NUMBER 26 18.
UH, I ASKED COUNCIL MEMBER TO ENVI IDENTIFY ANY WRITTEN ETHICS BOARD AUTHORIZATION AND THE DATE IT WAS ISSUED UNLESS SUCH AUTHORIZATION IS IDENTIFIED.
I OBJECT TO COUNCIL MEMBER PENMAN PARTICIPATION REQUEST THAT HE RE THAT HE RECUSED HIMSELF FROM THE VOTE.
MR. PENMAN, I'M NOT RECUSING MYSELF.
MS. DIXON THE VOTE COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
I HAVE COPY HERE OF ALL THE BOARD OF ETHICS.
I ALSO, UH, SAY THAT BILL NUMBER 26 18 CONCERNS THE ELIGIBILITY
[00:10:01]
OF BOARD EDUCATION TO SERVE ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL FOR JACOB BENNETT.COUNCIL MEMBER BENNETT IS EMPLOYED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ASKED WHETHER HE REQUESTED OR ETHICS BOARD ADVICE AUTHORIZING HIS PARTICIPATION IN THIS BILL UNLESS SUCH AUTHORIZATION IDENTIFIED COUNCIL MEMBER BENNETT'S PARTICIPATION REQUEST THAT HE RECUSE HIMSELF FROM THE VOTE.
MR. BENNETT, UM, CAN I ASK A CLARIFYING QUESTION FROM OUR LEGAL COUNSEL? YES, SIR.
UM, MS. ALLEG, COULD YOU JUST EXPLAIN, UM, HOW A RECUSAL ON THIS MATTER WOULD IMPACT, UH, NEEDED VOTES FOR IT TO PASS IN ANY WAY? SO UNDER, FOR A MOTION TO REJECT OR UNDER THE CHARTER REQUIRES FIVE VOTES TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND THAT NUMBER DOESN'T CHANGE WHETHER I ABSTAIN OR VOTE NO.
IT NEEDS FIVE VOTES FOR A MOTION TO REJECT TO PASS UNDER THE CHARTER PROVISION.
MR. RILEY, AGAIN, TO OUR LEGAL COUNSEL, CAN WE REQUEST AN EMERGENCY DECISION FROM THE ETHICS BOARD ON THIS BEFORE WE ACTUALLY VOTE ON IT? WELL, IT'S NOT A DECISION FROM THE ETHICS BOARD.
IT WOULD BE AN ADVISORY OPINION FROM THE TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WOULD YOU LIKE, LET'S CALL IT AN ADVISORY OPINION.
THEY HAVE 15, THERE'S NOTHING IN THE ETHICS CODE THAT HAS ANYTHING EMERGENT.
THEY HAVE 15 DAYS TO RESPOND TO ANY ADVISORY REQUEST FOR AN ADVISORY OPINION.
AND CAN YOU MAKE THAT REQUEST? I CANNOT.
IT HAS TO COME FROM THE, FROM THE THE ELECTED OFFICIAL.
WHO'S ASKING WHETHER OR NOT THEY, SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE PERMITTED TO VOTE ON SOMETHING? THERE IS A PROVISION IN THE ETHICS CODE WHERE THEY CAN ASK THAT OF THE BOARD OF ETHICS, WHETHER THEY DO THAT ON A FAST TRACK BASIS.
THAT'S UP TO THE ETHICS BOARD.
MR. PRESIDENT, IS THERE, THERE NEED TO DO THIS TONIGHT OR CAN WE WAIT FOR THAT DECISION? I THINK THE, THAT AGAIN IS A QUESTION FOR COUNSEL BECAUSE OF OUR TIMELINE.
IT IT, IT'S NOT SO THERE'S, WE ALREADY WHAT DO YOU MEAN DO WHAT DO YOU MEAN DO IT TONIGHT? I MEAN, IN OTHER WORDS, YES, THERE'S, THERE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH TIME IF YOU WAIT, THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.
THE 15 DAYS AND THEN COME BACK AND TRY TO GET THIS INTRODUCED BECAUSE WE CANNOT MEET IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER UNDER RETURN.
SO THERE WOULDN'T BE, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A DECISION EARLIER THAN 15 DAYS.
ARE WE HAVING A, A COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 1ST? WE HAVE ONE SCHEDULED.
YES, BUT WE CAN'T, WE WOULDN'T BE INTRODUCING ANYTHING DECEMBER 1ST BECAUSE THE COUNT, ANYBODY WHO SPONSORS THAT LEGISLATION IS NOT GOING TO BE ON THE COUNCIL FOR THE NEXT GROUP.
BUT WE HAVE 15 DAYS BEFORE WE GET SOMETHING FROM THE, THE ETHICS BOARD.
AND THE ONLY THERE THAT WE WERE NOT ALLOWED.
SO WE, WE CANNOT INTRODUCE ANYTHING IN OCTOBER BECAUSE WE CANNOT HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING IN NOVEMBER UNDER THE CHARTER OF AN ELECTION YEAR.
AND WHY CAN'T YOU INTRODUCE ANYTHING IN OCTOBER? BECAUSE THE PUBLIC HEARING WOULD, YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME.
AND WE ARE NOT ALLOWED UNDER THE CHARTER TO SIT AND MEET IN NOVEMBER OF AN ELECTION YEAR.
THAT'S A CHARTER PROVISION THAT WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT.
SO THIS YEAR, ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS, WHEN THERE'S AN ELECTION YEAR, WE CANNOT HAVE ANY COUNCIL MEETINGS IN THE, IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT AND A CHARTER REQUIREMENT.
SO WHEN WOULD THIS COME UP FOR A VOTE? OCTOBER.
CAN YOU GIMME, UH, AN EXACT DATE WHEN THIS WILL BE? SO IF THIS IS INTRODUCED THIS EVENING, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OCTOBER 13TH.
YOU CAN EITHER VOTE THAT SAME NIGHT OR YOU CAN VOTE THE NEXT NIGHT, OCTOBER 20TH.
BUT THAT'S, THAT'S THE SCHEDULE.
SO INTRO, EVERYTHING BEING INTRODUCED TONIGHT, WE'LL HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 13TH.
THE SECOND MEETING IN OCTOBER.
THAT'S WHEN THE PUBLIC HEARING WOULD BE, COUNSEL CAN TAKE IT UP FOR A VOTE AT THAT SAME SESSION.
THERE ARE NO OTHER SESSIONS SCHEDULED IN OCTOBER 1ST.
THREE TUESDAYS OF THE MONTH IS WHEN COUNSEL IS SET TO MEET AND WE CANNOT MEET IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE OF THE CHARTER REQUIREMENT.
BUT IF WE GET A, UM, UH, A DECISION BY THE ETHICS BOARD BY OCTOBER 1ST, OKAY.
YES, WE CAN, WE CANNOT INTRODUCE ANYTHING IN OCTOBER BECAUSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, I GOT THAT IN NOVEMBER.
SO IT COULD BE INTRODUCED TONIGHT AND YOU COULD STILL THAT HAVE YOUR VOTE DOWN THE ROAD TO DO WHATEVER.
YOU COULD, YEAH, YOU COULD GET THE ETHICS OPINION.
I MEAN, IF, IF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS REQUEST THOSE ETHICS OPINIONS, THEY CAN GET THEM, THEY'RE REQUIRED UNDER THE ETHICS CODE WITHIN 15 DAYS.
THEY ARE REQUIRED WITHIN 15 DAYS TO ISSUE THAT OPINION UNDER THE CODE.
SO THAT COULD COME IN FIVE DAYS FROM NOW.
MR. JUDGE, YOU KNOW, UH, SECTION 2 0 7 OF THE CHARTER, WHAT DOES THAT STATE THAT THEY, THAT THEY CAN'T VOTE IF THEY'RE MATERIALLY REPRESENTED? UH, BY THE, THERE'S SOMETHING IN SECTION 2 0 7.
I DON'T HAVE THE CHART IN FRONT OF ME AND I DON'T HAVE IT MEMORIZED.
I I MEAN I DON'T, I DON'T YOU ASK ME DESCRIBE, SO I DON'T KNOW.
I OBJECT TO THEIR VOTING ON THE BILL.
I MEAN THAT, THAT SHOULD BE IN THE RECORD.
[00:15:01]
ABSOLUTELY.AND JUST TO CLARIFY WHERE WE ARE, THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR THAT'S BEEN SECONDED.
AND THERE'S NO DEBATE ON THE MOTION.
AND SO THE VOTE SHOULD COMMENCE.
AGENDA NUMBER 10, INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS.
CALL FOR FINAL READING OF BILLS.
[15. COMMENTS AND INPUT FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS]
AND INPUT FROM ATTENDING CITIZENS.MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE FOUR THIS EVENING.
JACKIE JOHNSON, FOLLOWED BY DIANA SADOWSKI.
THE 2026 PRIMARIES WERE VERY TELLING THE CANDIDATES WHO HAD NOTHING TO OFFER, CHOSE INSTEAD TO ATTACK OTHERS WHO DID THE PRESIDENT OF THE HCEA AND THE DEPUTIES UNION JOINED TOGETHER IN A VIDEO CAMPAIGN AD ENCOURAGING THEIR AUDIENCE TO SWITCH PARTY AFFILIATIONS, VOTE, THEN SWITCH BACK.
THOSE WHO SAW THE VIDEO DIDN'T BUY WHAT THE UNIONS WERE SELLING.
THE COUNCIL MEMBERS IN DISTRICTS E AND F WERE DEFEATED AND OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE WON WITH OVER 60% OF THE VOTES.
WE LISTEN, WE WATCH, WE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT OUR REPRESENTATIVES SAY AND DO.
AND WE HAVE THE FINAL SAY WITH OUR VOTES.
INSTEAD OF FIGHTING WITH US TO STOP THE APARTMENTS IN DISTRICT B, OUR COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE FOUGHT SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE DEVELOPER AGAINST THE RESIDENTS WHO VOTED HIM IN.
WHEN OUR F COMMUNITY SHOWED UP TO OPPOSE THE APARTMENTS, THE DEVELOPER THREATENED US WITH TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ON THAT PROPERTY.
EVEN AN ARTICLE IN THE NOVEMBER 3RD, 2023 EDITION OF THE AEGIS STATED SUCH AGAIN, OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS STOOD WITH THE DEVELOPER AND NOT THE COMMUNITY.
THERE IS POWER IN NUMBERS AND THE FO PEOPLE SHOWED UP, PUSHED BACK AND WON.
THE RESIDENTS OF PERRYMAN FOUGHT AGAINST THE WAREHOUSES.
THE RESIDENTS OF FALLSTON FOUGHT AGAINST THE APARTMENTS AND THE ENTIRE COUNTY HAS JOINED TOGETHER TO CONTINUE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HYPERSCALE DATA CENTERS AND SOLAR FARMS AND FOR THE LIVELIHOOD OF OUR COUNTY.
SO NOW CERTAIN OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS WANT RETALIATION TOWARD THEIR CONSTITUENTS.
THE PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS AND DEPUTIES, SPOKE LOUD AND CLEAR IN JUNE.
THEY'RE TIRED OF THE BACK AND FORTH CHILDISH FIGHTING AMONG THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AGAINST CERTAIN LEADERS OF OUR COUNTY.
THE EVENTS OF THE PAST FOUR YEARS HAVE AWAKENED THE COUNTY RESIDENTS.
THEY'VE DONE THEIR RESEARCH, SPOKEN AT, AT PUBLIC HEARINGS, EMAILED AND CALLED THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD.
ANYONE WHO HOLDS AN OFFICE IS HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD AND SHOULD BE RESPECTED.
BUT WHEN THEY BEGIN TO SHOW SIGNS OF FAILING, IT'S TIME TO VOTE THEM OUT.
I'M NOT HERE TONIGHT TO DISCUSS THE SUBSTANCE OF ANY CHARTER LEGISLATION.
THERE'LL BE A TIME AND A PLACE FOR THAT DISCUSSION.
INSTEAD, I WANT TO ADDRESS A BROADER CONCERN WHETHER A LAYING DUCK COUNCIL SHOULD BE ADVANCING LEGISLATION REGARDING CHARTER AMENDMENTS AT ALL.
AND THE ANSWER IN MY OPINION IS NO.
THE VOTERS HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN IN A MATTER OF MONTHS.
MANY OF YOU SERVING ON THE COUNCIL TODAY WILL NO LONGER HOLD THOSE SEATS.
THAT IS PRECISELY WHY RESTRAINT SHOULD BE EXERCISED WHEN IT COMES TO MAJOR CHANGES THAT COULD AFFECT COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
LONG AFTER CURRENT MEMBERS HAVE LEFT OFFICE.
A LAYING DUCK COUNCIL HAS AN IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY.
IT SHOULD MAINTAIN STABILITY, KEEP GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONING COMPLETE, NECESSARY BUSINESS, AND ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO THE NEXT GOVERNING BODY.
IT SHOULD NOT BE FOCUSED ON MAKING PERMANENT CHANGES THAT WOULD BE INHERITED
[00:20:01]
BY THOSE ELECTED TO SERVE.IF CHARTER AMENDMENTS ARE IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED, THEN THEY ARE IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE INCOMING COUNCIL AS WELL.
THE NEXT COUNCIL WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE VOTERS FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR DECISIONS AND THAT ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS.
THE PUBLIC EXPECTS STEWARDSHIP FROM EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU DURING THIS A TRANSITION PERIOD.
NOT A RUSH TO LEAVE A FINAL MARK ON THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT BEFORE DEPARTING OFFICE.
SOME MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL HAVE SERVED FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVE ALREADY ESTABLISHED THEIR LEGACIES.
SO THE BEST THING A LAME DUCK BODY CAN DO IS SHOW RESTRAINT.
RESPECT THE TRANSITION THAT'S ABOUT TO OCCUR AND ALLOW THE NEXT COUNCIL TO DETERMINE THE DIRECTION OF OUR GOVERNMENT.
THE COUNTY THAT HAS EFFECTIVELY THE COUNCIL THAT HAS EFFECTIVELY BEEN REPLACED SHOULD NOT BE REWRITING THE RULES FOR THE COUNTY, NOR FOR THE COUNCIL THAT FOLLOWS.
AGAIN, THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN.
THE RESPONSIBLE COURSE IS TO RESPECT THE DECISION AND LEAVE MAJOR CHARTER MATTERS TO THE INCOMING COUNCIL.
JEFF BECK, FOLLOWED BY BILL WAYLAND.
JEFFREY BECK, 2 1 0 8 5 DROP OF TOWN MARYLAND.
I WASN'T PLANNING ON SPEAKING THIS EVENING, SO BEAR WITH ME.
UM, TODAY, HARTFORD COUNTY ANNOUNCED THAT THE STATE OF MARYLAND HAS ACCEPTED THEIR REQUEST TO MODIFY THE BOUNDARY OF THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DESIGNATION FOR EDGEWOOD TO INCLUDE PARTS OF JPA TOWN.
THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DESIGNATION OPENED SEVERAL NEW GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND PATHWAYS TO ASSIST IN THE BEAUTIFICATION AND REVITALIZATION OF JOPPA TOWN.
WHILE I AND MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN LOBBYING FOR THIS WOULD'VE PREFERRED TO SEE MORE OF JOPPA TOWN'S GEOGRAPHY INCLUDED WITHIN THE NEW BOUNDARY, THIS IS CERTAINLY A WELCOME STEP IN THAT DIRECTION.
LAST WEEK I STOOD BEFORE YOU AND DELIVERED PUBLIC COMMENTS URGING THIS COUNCIL TO DRAFT AND PASS A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE EXPANDED BOUNDARY.
AT THAT TIME, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT BOUNDARY LOOKED LIKE.
AT THAT TIME, I HAD INFORMATION FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND'S WEBSITE THAT SAYS THAT MAJOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE BOUNDARY REQUIRE COUNSEL RESOLUTION, WHICH IS WHY I MADE THE COMMENTS I MADE LAST WEEK.
CLEARLY, UH, MY COMMENTS THAT MAY HAVE COME ACROSS AS SPICY TO SOME, UH, LAST WEEK, UH, BASED ON THE INFORMATION I HAD, IT SEEMS SELF-EXPLANATORY TO ME.
BUT MY INTERPRETATION, UM, OBVIOUSLY WAS INCORRECT.
UM, AS NO RESOLUTION HAS PASSED SINCE THEN, UM, I WAS WRONG AND I'M WILLING TO ADMIT IT.
SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TONIGHT.
UM, 'CAUSE I MADE A MISTAKE AND I MADE IT IN PUBLIC.
UH, THE IMPORTANT NEWS IS THAT ROUTE, THE ROUTE 40 CORRIDOR IN JOA TOWN FROM THE BALTIMORE COUNTY LINE ALL THE WAY UP TO, UH, MAGNOLIA ROAD 1 52 IS NOW INCLUDED IN IN THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DESIGNATION.
MR. BECK, SIR, THANK YOU FOR THAT BECAUSE THAT'S VERY RARE THAT SOMEONE MAKES A STATEMENT FROM THE MICROPHONE, GETS IT WRONG, AND THEN STANDS UP AND ADMITS THAT.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
DISTRICT CI HAVE, UH, NOT ATTENDED MANY LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR, BUT I HAVE WATCHED PORTIONS OF MOST OF THEM.
THE CONFLICT AND CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND COUNTY COUNCIL OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, I BELIEVE WAS OBSERVED AND DISRUPTIVE.
IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY FROM ELECTION WITH REMOVAL OF MR. BENNETT AND LATER WITH REMOVAL OF MR. PENMAN FROM THEIR ELECTRIC SEATS WITH THE COUNCIL.
EACH OF THESE GENTLEMEN HAD THE COURAGE TO STAND UP FOR THE RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW AND ONE IN COURT.
I FELT BOTH WERE ASSETS TO HAVE ON THE COUNCIL.
THEY WERE WELL-INFORMED ON THE MAJORITY OF ISSUES BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
OVER THIS TIME, I BECAME INCREASINGLY DISAPPOINTED AND DISCOURAGED WHEN PROGRESS WAS NOT MADE ON SIMPLE CHANGES TO THE ZONING CODE AND CHARTER THAT TO ELIMINATE AMBIGUOUS LANGUAGE INTERPRETATIONS AND LAWSUITS.
IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, RECOGNITIONS FROM THE, UH, TO THE ADMINISTRATION.
[00:25:01]
WITH THE COUNCIL WAS BETTER.UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF THAT TONIGHT, SOMETIMES THE REMARKS AND DISRESPECT BETWEEN SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE INAPPROPRIATE.
THE SHENANIGANS OF MR. GUTHRIE AND HIS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT AFTER WE WAS RIGHTLY REMOVED FROM HIS ELECTRIC SEAT, WAS LUDICROUS, RIDICULOUS, COSTLY TO TAXPAYERS.
MR. SMITH SAID YOU HAD YOUR HANDS FULL TO REQUEST TO HIRE EXPENSIVE OUTSIDE LAW FIRMS FOR SUBSEQUENT INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL LAWSUITS AND CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE TO TAXPAYERS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
I BELIEVE PEOPLE HAVE LOST FAITH IN THE GOVERNMENT.
UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN AT THIS LOCAL LEVEL, VERY FEW PEOPLE BECOME INVOLVED OR FOLLOW THE BUSINESS OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND COUNCIL.
EXAMPLES, 44,000 BALLOTS CAST IN THE PRIMARY ONLY 23% OF THE 193,000 ELIGIBLE VOTERS, 20,000 OF THESE VOTES WERE CAST BY MAIL-IN BALLOTS OR ELSE THAT PERCENTAGE WOULD'VE BEEN MUCH LESS.
THE LACK OF PARTICIPATION BY THE PUBLIC IS EVIDENT RIGHT HERE IN THESE CHAMBERS.
NOT MANY ATTENDEES OR SPEAKERS HARTFORD TV RECORDS SHOW LESS THAN AN AVERAGE OF A HUNDRED LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS VIEWED DAYS AFTER THE SESSION.
EXCEPTIONS, OF COURSE, INCLUDED SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, PERMAN, POTENTIAL WAREHOUSES, EXCUSE ME, ABINGTON WOODS DATA CENTERS.
CITIZEN VOICES DO NUMBER AND HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.
ELECTION DAYS NOVEMBER 3RD AND SIX COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL NO LONGER SERVE.
I WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST, MS. ROBERTS.
SO GLAD YOU RECEIVED 70% OF THE VOTES AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU IN NOVEMBER.
I DOUBT THAT THERE WILL BE ANY CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL OR HOW THEY CAN CONDUCT BUSINESS.
SO THE NEXT COUNCIL WILL HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM.
I HAD TO ELIMINATE MANY OF MY COMMENTS AND JUST LET ME MAKE THE FINAL.
THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL BOTH SERVE THE SAME PEOPLE.
THERE HAS TO BE A COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO WORK TOGETHER TO PRODUCE RESULTS THAT SERVE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE MAJORITY OF CITIZENS AND NOT PERSONAL.
[16. BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS]
BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS.UM, I INTEND TO DEFER MOST OF MY COMMENTS TO THE COMING WEEKS SO THAT I CAN FOCUS EFFORTS ON THE MATTERS THAT DESERVE A FULL AND MEANINGFUL PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
UH, WITH THAT SAID, I DID FIND IT INTERESTING.
UH, ALTHOUGH NOT SURPRISING THAT DRAFT LEGISLATION WAS RECENTLY RELEASED IMPROPERLY AND PREMATURELY, APPARENTLY IN AN EFFORT TO CREATE A NARRATIVE BEFORE THE LEGISLATION WAS EVEN FORMALLY INTRODUCED.
UM, THERE ARE ONLY A FEW LIMITED NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD ACCESS TO THAT DRAFT, AND I THINK THAT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
UM, BUT I WILL CONTINUE TO, UH, RESERVE MY TIME FOR THE ISSUES I TRULY WARRANT DISCUSSION.
UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED, UH, HERE TODAY, BUT I DO LOOK FORWARD TO THE UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING WHERE THERE WILL BE AN APPROPRIATE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION OPENLY PUTTING THE FACTS ON THE RECORD.
THERE'S GONNA BE A MEMORIAL EVENT AT THE, UM, EQUESTRIAN CENTER AT 9:00 AM SO I THINK THE SLOGAN IS NEVER FORGET AND I THINK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FORGETTING.
SO HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY REMEMBERS.
AND THEN SEPTEMBER 13TH IS FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS AT SHAMROCK PARK.
JUST TWO, UH, TWO THINGS FAR AS TO, UH, SOLAR AND ROCKS, CROW ROAD SOLAR OR WENT TO THOSE AND TOMORROW NIGHT WE GOT THE OLD VILLE BRIDGE.
AND SO HOPEFULLY I'LL SEE THE COMMUNITY OUT THEN.
MR. BEN OR MR. BENNETT? GOOD EVENING.
I, UH, WANNA THANK EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE THIS NIGHT, UM, ESPECIALLY MR. WAYLON.
UM, I ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOUR REMARKS AND I APPRECIATE HOW YOU ARE, UH, A THROUGH LINE THROUGH MANY ITERATIONS OF THIS COUNCIL BEING IN THIS CHAMBER.
I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, BUT I'LL SAY IT AGAIN.
IT'S COMMUNITY VOICES LIKE YOURS THAT ACT ALMOST AS AN UNOFFICIAL HISTORIAN FOR OUR COUNTY TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO PREVIOUS, UH, ACTION, PREVIOUS DEBATE THAT BRINGS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF VALUE TO THE WORK THAT WE DO AND, UM, HOLDS US ACCOUNTABLE IN A WAY THAT'S LARGER THAN A A VOTE.
UM, AND SO AGAIN, I JUST WANNA THANK YOU IF I DON'T GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO SAY IT BEFORE MY TERM IS UP.
UM, UH, I WANNA MAKE SURE EVERYBODY ATTENDS THE ABINGDON BELL CAMP PERRYMAN CAB MEETING COMING UP THIS THURSDAY, ABINGDON FIRE COMPANY AT 6:30 PM
[00:30:01]
AND JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC KNOWS.UM, I WILL UNFORTUNATELY, UH, MISS NEXT TUESDAY'S MEETING, UH, DUE TO A WORK OBLIGATION.
IT'S, UH, BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT AT MY SCHOOL.
UH, CAN'T CONTROL WHEN THAT'S SCHEDULED AND, UH, NOBODY SCHEDULES AROUND MY SCHEDULE, SO I'LL MISS NEXT TUESDAY.
UH, BUT WE'LL BE BACK THE FOLLOWING MEETING.
MS. ROBERTS, UH, THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
UM, TODAY I ATTENDED THE HOPE FOR HOMELESS, UH, MEETING TODAY.
AND THE DISCUSSIONS HAVE STARTED ALREADY FOR THE EMERGENCY WINTER ATION, LOOKING AT THE SHELTERS TO CHURCHES, TRYING TO SEE HOW MANY CHURCHES WE CAN GET ON BOARD.
UM, IT'S KIND OF HARD LAST YEAR.
WE'VE HAD A FEW, UM, AND WE HAD A BAD WINTER, SO HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO FIND ENOUGH CHURCHES TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT.
TOMORROW I AM ATTENDING THE KINSHIP CARE APPRECIATION CELEBRATION DINNER, UH, SEPTEMBER IS KINSHIP CARE MONTH, JUST FYI.
AND I WILL ALSO BE ATTENDING, UM, ON SATURDAY THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANITA SEA LIGHT ESTUARY CENTER, UM, IN CELEBRATION FOR THEM.
[17. BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT]
17 BUSINESS FROM THE PRESIDENT.IF I MAY, I'M GONNA PASS TONIGHT, JEANIE'S AT THE HOSPITAL, AND I'M ON MY WAY THERE.