County Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, chair. Calls to order legislative  session day 26-00008. I would ask you to please   join us for the pledge led by our cub scout  troop 865 from Jaredsville. Would you like   to come forward, please? Be followed by our  opening prayer by Councilman Bennett. Hey Jake,   remember you're taking the lead  on this, buddy. All right, Jack. Leave it to Councilman Riley.  They always mess the name up.   What did Art Link later said? Kids say  they're crazy. Whenever you're ready. 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. Dear heavenly father, uh thank you for being with  us tonight. Um help us tonight to be people who   are slow to speak and quick to listen. Let us  be people who reach out our hands open to one   another, knowing that when we help a neighbor, we  are loving you. Thank you for the young people who   are with us tonight, for we were once them and  they will one day be us. In your name we pray.   Amen. Amen. Thank you, fellas. Thanks, Troop.  Thanks for calling me out, Jack. Good job, Jack. Come back and do it again. Agenda number four, presentation of proclamations   development disabilities awareness  month, March 2026. Miss Robert Ready?

Whereas development of disabilities awareness  month observed each March as first proclaimed   nationally in 1987 by Ronald Reagan to  enhance public awareness of the needs and   potential of Americans with de developmental  disabilities. Individuals with developmental   disabilities are valued members of our  community who contribute their talents,   skills, perspectives, and accomplishments  to strengthen our neighborhoods, workplaces,   schools, and community life. And whereas we  recognize the importance of promoting inclusion,   accessibility, self-determination, and  equal opportunity so that individuals   with developmental disabilities can live, work,  thrive fully integrated within the community. And   whereas Pathfinders for Autism was established  in 2000 by parents of children with autism,   they have since grown into Maryland's largest  autism organization and work to educate and train   the community to support and improve the lives  of individuals with autism and their families.   Now, therefore, we, the County Council of Harford  County, Maryland, on this 3rd day in March, 2026,   do hereby salute Development of Disabilities  Awareness Month, Pathfinders for Autism,   and encourage all residents to recognize,  celebrate, and support the abilities,   achievements, and contributions of individuals  with developmental disabilities. Thank you. So, I'm presenting this to uh Shelley McLaclin,  who is the program director for Pathfinders. Um   when I I'm on the developmental disability  commission. Um and so we look at all the   organizations that are helping in our community  and other communities and the ARC and Harford   Center highly recommended this program um because  they're doing a lot of good work in our community.   What people don't know is they educate even law  enforcement officers on when to um how to deal   with autistic children and adults when they're  having a stop um when they're involved in the  

community. Um so they're they're looking at all  aspects and Shelley is one of the trainers that   trains all of our law enforcement officers on on  how that works. And so as we look at mental health   and disabilities, we want to make sure that we  are identifying those individuals so that they   are dealt with in a different type of manner. And  Shelley, if you'd like to say a few words. Oh,   thank you so much. Um, we're greatly honored. I  especially as both a parent and an advocate. Um,   Pathfinders for Autism is the largest  autism resource center in the state. We do   uh workshops and trainings. We do family fun  events. So, we just uh last weekend rented out   the science center for a night. We'll rent out the  aquarium for a night. We do sailing uh baseball   games. We have several baseball games coming up  this summer. Uh Ladew Gardens, which is up here.   And we and everything that we do for families  is free of charge. And truly, our programs are   open to more than just individuals with autism.  We really include people of all different dis   uh developmental disabilities. So we welcome all  families and I thank you so much. You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Agenda number five, consideration of petitions,  applications, appointments, and nominations,   executive appointments, environmental  advisory board. May I have a motion for   the new appointments? Council President,  I move to approve the new appointments   of Nancy Post and Ralph Kum Kaminga. Thank  you. May I have a second? Second. Thank you,   Mr. Riley. It's been moved and seconded to approve  the new appointments. Is there any discussion? M. Dixon. Mr. President. I Mrs. Robert. Hi. Mrs.  Mhoff. Hi. Mr. Jano. Hi. Mr. Riley. Hi. Mrs.   Badles. Hi. Mr. Bennett. Hi. There being seven  votes in the affirmative, zero and a negative, the   appointments are hereby approved. Perfect county  Liquor Control Board may have a motion for the   reappoints of Council President. I move to approve  the reappoints of Steven Signs and James Walters.   May I have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr.  Riley. It's been moved and second to approve the   reappoints. Is there any discussion? Mr. Jan. So,  I I just want to uh mention James Walters here. Uh   last time he came up um he had his work address  and I think I gave him a hard time for that. So,   uh but um I I understand why he put it there.  So, um no issues this time. Thanks, James. And   I've worked with the liquor board on a bunch  of different things. We've got a lot of small   businesses opening up here. Um I know some people  have reached out to me. I've talked to a couple   of you guys and I I want to appreciate all your  hard work and efforts for all the uh community   restaurants and everything that's opening up  in here. I think it's a vital part for our uh   community to make sure that you know we get things  to go along smoothly. So, thank you gentlemen. Anyone else? I too would just like to comment that  I believe things have been running much smoother  

at the liquor board for quite some time now.  So I appreciate that very much. Miss Dixon, Mr.   President, hi. Mrs. Robert, hi. Mrs. Mhoff. Hi,  Mr. Janerano. Hi, Mr. Riley. Hi, Mrs. Badles. Hi,   Mr. Bennett. I mean, seven votes in affirmative  zero to negative. The appointments are hereby   approved. Both gentlemen, I believe, are in the  audience. Would you stand be recognized, please? Six special presentations. We have none. Seven,  approval of minutes. Public hearing February 17,   2026. Legislative day 25006 February 17, 2026.  Are there any corrections to the minutes? There being no corrections,  the minutes stand approved. 8,   introduction, consideration  resolutions. Resolution 00226,   pilot agreement, St. John's Commons. May I  have a motion, please? Council President,   I move to approve the resolution 002-26.  May I have a second? Second. Thank you,   Mr. Riley. It's been moved and seconded to  approve resolution 00226. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Miss Dixon. Mr. President, I Mrs.  Robert. Hi, Mrs. Mhoff. Hi, Mr. Janerano. Hi,   Mr. Riley. Hi, Mrs. Badles. Hi, Mr. Bennett.  I being seven votes in affirmative zero and a   negative resolution 00226 is hereby approved.  Mr. Janana, please read resolution 00726 into   the record for introduction. Resolution 007-26,  master water and sewer plan update spring 2026 as   introduced. Introduced by the council, President  Vincenti at the request of the county executive   resolution providing for the adoption of the  master water and sewer plan spring 2026 update,   a copy of which is attached here to for  the submission of the plan to the Maryland   Department of the Environment for its approval  and implementation pursuant to title 9 of the  

environment article the Maryland annotated code  public hearing scheduled on Tuesday, April 7th,   2026 at 7:15 p.m. in East Council Chambers.  Thank you. Nine, introduction of bills. We   have none. 10, introduction and consideration  of amendments. None. 11. Call for final reading   of bills. None. 12. Enrollment of bills.  None. Um 13. Unfinished business. None. 14.   New business. None. 15. Comments and input from  attending citizens. There is no one signed up,   Mr. President. Thank you. 16. Business  from council members. Um, Miss Robert. That was fast. I was like, "Okay, good evening  everyone." Um, so in within the past week,   I've been pretty busy um with Council President  Vincenti. On February 19th, I went to the Inner   County Outreach um evening of connection, uh  which was great. The announcement was that   inner county outreach was going to now be um took  under their wing Fresh Start. Um and they're going   to work hand in hand in order for Fresh Start  to be able to accommodate more households with   uh the free furniture that is needed. Um so I  think it's a great connection and it will benefit   uh both agencies. Um while I was doing that, uh  Debbie was attending the social services advisory   board meeting on my behalf. Um and then I did  take a tour of uh behavioral interventions. Um   what I found to be interesting is they accepted  children from 18 months to 10 years of age and   they accept medical insurance. So if any children  um who are out there who need those autistic   services for education purposes um I would highly  recommend they have tons of openings for children  

at this time. Um, on February the uh 23rd, I  had the Commission on Disabilities meeting. Um,   there's lots of events coming out um for children  and adults. Uh, so just keep an eye out on them   and I will announce them as they come forward. Um  but we're talking about getting more things for um   individuals to be able to have the ability to have  some some entertainment and some other things. Um   I believe we all went to Greater Harford night on  uh the 24th and that was good to see a lot of us   there and be able to talk to um our fellow fellow  colleagues. Um on February 26, um myself and   Councilwoman Imhof intended the Medco second build  the future over breakfast event. Um the primary   conversation on that was data centers. What does  that look like? What's the cost of that? Um what   does that look like in the communities and across  the country? It was an interesting conversation   which led us to have some further um questions and  maybe some further conversations in the future.   Um, and that evening I went to the Northern  Maryland Technology Council Visionary Awards,   um, and did proclamations for the council. Um,  February 27th, I had a Susquehanna Workforce Board   meeting and we're discussing more of the budget  and what that looks like for continuing to provide   programs for our youth and for those in college to  be able to continue with workforce trade programs.   um and attended that same day the health  department's minority health program. Um   that was an interesting conversation on kidney  disease and Sickle cell and how that affects   our minority communities. Um and for everyone  who didn't know March is women's history month  

um and this year's theme is leading change um  and women. And today um is on March 3rd in 1913   um it was National Women's Suffrage Parade. And  so 5,000 women marched up Pennsylvania Avenue in   Washington DC demanding the right to vote. Um so  that is all for me. Thank you, Miss Robert. Miss,   um, to piggy back off of Councilwoman Robert,  March is Women's History Month, and I want to   take this time to honor the women who have paved  the way and made it possible for so many of us to   serve and lead. Today, it is not only a time to  reflect on the past, but also encourage the next   generation of young women to lead with confidence,  integrity, and purpose. I'm especially thankful   for the mentors who shaped my path and modeled  my true leadership and modeled true leadership.   I'm also mindful of the young girls in our  community who are watching us, learning what   a leadership looks like and starting to recognize  their own limitless potential. May we continue to   lead in a way that inspires and supports them and  reminds them that there are no limits to what they   can achieve. I am proud to stand along by so  many women in our community who serve, mentor,   and inspire. Happy Women's History Month and  also happy social worker appreciation month as   well. I was waiting for that. I know. Um, this  past weekend, excuse me, the Humane Society set   a new record on Saturday, February 28th, hosting  the largest pet vaccine clinic in its history at   the Abington Fire Company, servicing 546 pets,  including 435 rabies vaccines in addition to 72   pets were microchipped to help ensure they can be  returned with their families if they're ever lost.   Upcoming events. On March 12th, Fallston Library  will be hoping their puzzle pandemonium from 5 to   7:45 p.m. This event is open to high  school teens and adults. On Sunday,  

March 15th, the Fallston Lions Club will hold  its scholarship bingo at the Fallston Volunteer   Fire Company. Doors open at 11:00. And then  on Saturday, March 21st, the Charlie Riley   Community Service Scholarship Foundation will  host their cash and bag bingo at the Level Fire   Hall at 2 PM. Some of the events and meetings that  I attended over the last week, uh, last two weeks,   February 19th, I attended the Har County Library  Board of Trustees meeting. February 20th, the   Cub Scout Pack 899 blue and gold ceremony I was  able to attend, which was actually really cool.   February 24th, I attended Harford County  Night in Night Out in Annapolis for the   Greater Harford Committee. And then on February  25th, I attended the Fallston Fallston Community   Advisory Board meeting. February 26, attended the  build our futures over breakfast. Then I attended   the northeastern Maryland Technology Council  with Councilwoman Robert and then attended   the Humane Society board meeting, the Edgewood  Joppa Town CAB meeting and attended this morning   Harford County Public Library fifth annual women's  summit. That's all I have. Thank you. Thank you,   Miss Mr. Jandra. True. Follow that one. So quite  busy, I have to say. Um as all we as all of us are   uh different times we all travel around this  county doing different things. So uh it's always   a pleasure uh to go somewhere do something and be  seen. Um definitely learn a lot about the county   and different businesses and what's going on. So  uh uh but it was nice to go down to Annapolis. Um   what was even nicer was we had uh other delegates  from other areas that stopped in and wanted to   um partake in Hartford County. So, it it  was really nice to have that. I think even   um um the uh Brook Lman Lman was there and and  everything. So, it really was a nice event. Um  

and then we did the cab meeting up in Jerusville.  Um the chamber is celebrating 50 years tomorrow.   We'll be there for that. And uh that's all we  have. Council President, thank you. Thank you,   Mr. James and Mr. Riley. Yes. Again, I want to  thank uh Mr. Brown in Cup Pack 865 for being   here this evening and leading the pledge of  allegiance. Uh what Tony failed to say that   he went he wanted to go down Harford County  night down in Annapolis because he wanted to   visit my wife. She took him out to dinner and so  uh he got a free dinner out of it. Also I want to   uh let everybody know the Harford County Chamber  of Commerce is celebrating 50 years tomorrow. So,   if you get a chance, uh, please, uh, be there  for the Harford County Chamber of Commerce. Uh,   that's all, Miss Prism. Thank you, Mr. Riley.  Miss Saddles. Thank you, Council President. Um,   I wanted to give everyone an update on the Harford  Academy and new elementary school project. This   afternoon, I had the opportunity to talk with  Kathy Bendis, who's the assistant superintendent   for operations for Harford County Public Schools.  Um the project is now in the design phase and   um it's being planning on opening the 2029 2030  school year. Um the school is designed to serve   600 elementary students and 150 Harford Academy  students. Um a video update for the Harford   Academy community will be shared on March 19th and  my office can provide the link if you would like   it. Um that's all I have. Thank you. Thank you  Miss Mr. Bennett. Hello. Good evening. Uh thank   you to our Cub Scouts for being here this evening.  Um it's fun that you guys, it's a quick meeting,   but you're able to stay through the whole thing.  Um you know, in 2006, so 20 years ago, I was a   boy scout attending my first council meeting for  my citizenship and the community merit badge. And   20 years later, here I am on the council. So, you  know, when I think about leadership and I think   about the things that prepared me to be on the  county council, I think about my time as a den  

chief and patrol leader um and then working up at  Broad Creek. So, it's just so great to have you   all here as young people and I can't wait to see  what you do 20 years from now for our community.   Um, past two weeks I got to attend the Abington  Fire Company awards banquet which was a really   great event and I always enjoy being around those  who serve our community as volunteers in uh,   fire and EMS. Um but also the more I interact with  fire companies, the more I feel strongly that we   have to start setting aside funds um to support  them in the transition as inevitably we need to   start bringing on uh career uh to help support  them, you know, for daytime driving shifts and   the like. Um it's just one of those things that  we need to make sure we're preparing for the   future on. Um, I got to attend Love Fellowship  Christian Center's uh service this past Sunday   and present a proclamation to Bishop Elect Dr. T.  Anthony Thompson on his 20 years of of service to   our community um and to his church and that  was a really nice event. Um, it was really   nice to be with his church and to to meet his  congregation. Um, and then lastly, tomorrow is my   baby's first birthday. Adah Ray will be one year  old tomorrow. We're taking her to the zoo. So,   um I'm very excited for that. With that being  said, I hope everyone has a good evening. Thank   you, Mr. Bennett. Um 17 business from the council  president. Um, we'll receive our copies of the   budget on April 15th and our budget work sessions  for fiscal year 27 will start on Thursday, April   23rd at 9:00 a.m. and then again Friday, April  24th at 9:00 a.m. Monday, April 27th at 10:00   a.m. and Thursday, April 30th at 10:00 a.m. All  of these uh work sessions are open to the public  

if anyone wants to attend. And then council will  be hosting two uh budget public hearings here in   the chambers. The first on Thursday, May 7th and  Wednesday, May 13th at 7 p.m. in the chambers. So,   um just a couple of things real quick as far as  events. Um Miss Robert mentioned the inner county   outreach and the fresh start furnishing event.  Um those are two strong organizations merging   together to provide greater service uh to the  citizens uh in need and um well attended um   and a strong support for that group both groups.  So uh that was a nice event. Uh Harford night in   Annapolis we all were there that was really  good. Uh Jerry'sville CAD meeting I attended   that with uh Councilman uh Riley and Councilman  Jan Jordano. uh yesterday uh marked the uh read   across America day and I started that with the  students at Darlington Elementary the third grade   class reading with them and as we saw tonight our  children you never know what they're going to say   right so um the most scary part of that is sitting  in the classroom you read that's fine then at the   end of at the end of that you ask if they have any  questions so uh you never like I said you never   know what's coming but you know they represent  our future uh We want to make sure that they   have everything they need to prepare them for  that and um it's always a great great time. I   too want to congratulate the chamber Harford  County Chamber for its 50th anniversary and   I absolutely want to wish ADA a happy birthday.  With that we'll adjourn this meeting. Thank you.