Commissioner - Regular Meeting

Okay, we're going to bring the meeting back to order.

I'm taking them home tonight.

Okay, welcome to the Queen Anne's County Commissioner's meeting. This is a public meeting that is being aired live on our local cable television station, QAC TV 7. These media broadcasts provide county citizens an opportunity to watch and review our scheduled public meetings. In addition to our live audience this evening, we are providing remote options for citizens to watch and participate in the county commissioner meetings. Citizens may watch our meeting live on our website at QAC.org slash live. or on our public access television channel provided by Breeze Line Cable Services. Citizens may also participate by joining the live Zoom meeting by going to qac.org slash public comments. Citizens may also email comments to publiccomment at qac.org and all comments will be summarized during the press and public comment period on tonight's agenda. We acknowledge everyone's participation and by attending you acknowledge that this session is both recorded and aired Present public comment will be taken and is limited to three minutes per person. If you do care to speak, please sign up at the information table in our lobby. Comments longer than three minutes can be submitted in writing for the commissioner's review. We will now stand and be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Commission President Jim Moran.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, If you can remain standing for a moment of silence for Paul Gunther who passed away Thank you

All right, good evening, everybody. So that brings us to the approval for the agenda for tonight's meeting. So our agenda for today's meeting, June 9th, along with the regular session minutes, the closed session minutes for May 26th, they've all been circulated for review. Any additions or corrections?

I make a motion to add two additional desk items to the agenda. Second.

No motion, second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye.

Opposed? So move 5-0. Motion to accept the agenda as amended and the minutes as submitted.

Second.

We have a motion to second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Very well, 5-0.

All right. Thank you, Commissioners. So we just held a closed session under the General Provisions Article Section 3305B1 for boards and commissions and personnel. And I think we have a couple board appointments to make next.

I move to reappoint Scotty McGlashan to fill the vacancy on the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board. This term will expire on June 30th of 2031.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed?

5-0. I move to appoint Devin Jones and reappoint... Giselle Gatrell, Michelle Johnson, and Gail Lundberg to our local management board, and their terms will go till June 30th of 2029. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on this item? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.

Aye.

5-0. All right.

Thank you, Commissioner. As that brings us to press and public comment, So we appreciate all citizens for taking time to express views to the county commissioners. Comments are limited to three minutes per person. Comments longer than three minutes can be submitted in writing. This commission respects your desire and right to convey your message freely. When you come forward, please speak clearly at the standing mic microphone to state your name, your address, and your topic of interest. And in keeping with the dignity of our office, we ask that all views be expressed in a respectful and civil manner.

Uh, let's see. The first person signed up was Eric Levasseur.

My name is Eric LaVos. I'm the community president for the Harborview community on Kent Island. And it's a concern of ours of these unidentified delivery vehicles. I'm here as representative of the Harborview community located in Chester on Kent Island. Like many of the communities in Queen Anne's County, the issue of unidentified delivery vehicles in our community, these delivery vehicles are mostly Amazon delivery trucks or vehicles, but can also be related to companies like DoorDash. The vehicles speed through our neighborhood, park suspiciously in the roadway, and aggressively enter people's driveways. I have personally witnessed one of these vehicles aggressively enter my driveway with no identifying markings and heavily tinted windows. The operator of the vehicle sat in there in his vehicle for a short period of time and then got out. It wasn't until they exited the vehicle that I noticed that they had an Amazon vest on and then made the delivery and departed. This is not an isolated incident. It is occurring weekly in Harborview and I'm sure is occurring weekly in other communities as well. I'm concerned that this practice of these delivery services may lead to an unfortunate incident. There may be citizens in Queen Anne's County that have protective orders or other concerns for their safety and may be concerned when a vehicle speeds into their driveway or it's especially parked in front of their house and they have no idea why. Confrontation may ensue, and an unfortunate accident may happen because they do not know who these people are. And then there is an argument, and we don't want that to happen, especially not in Harborview. Amazon Flex's delivery service, if you go on their website, the only thing needed is a cell phone, a driver's license, and a four-door sedan. Once they hire you, they will give you a vest. There is nothing that identifies who this vehicle is or who these people are. There are far too many issues to speak of here today during my time. I fully understand that these drivers are working to make a little extra money. They are working the hours that work best for them. However, the safety of our community comes first. We're requesting that Queen Anne's County Commissioners take a look into these delivery practices and either pass a county ordinance or work with our state officials to pass legislation that would require these vehicles to be identified. The Amazon trucks are identified. These Amazon vehicles should be identified as well. The companies profit by not paying for vehicles, and they pay these people at lower wages. They don't have to pay them health care or anything like that. Therefore, it's bad for Amazon. Everybody should be treated the same, and the homeowner should know whoever comes into their property and their driveway feels safe that this is a legitimate delivery and not just somebody that's speeding into their driveway and coming up into their property. I respect your attendance to this matter and your support. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank you.

Jay Paulson.

Good evening Commissioners, Jay Falstead, Queen Anne's Conservation Association. I just wanted to get in a last comment on 26.9 and 26.10 before you all vote on it later tonight. I just want to emphasize that both the non-contiguous development and TDR programs were established to protect and preserve agricultural land. Within our code are a bunch of things that have nothing at all to do with agriculture. If you look at the recreation section of the code, you can have things on preserved open space such as golf courses, tennis courts, and other things that have nothing to do with agriculture. I'm not disputing the need for landowners to adjust lot lines. And staff will properly tell you that the things that I'm mentioning are already allowed on agricultural land now and that is a true statement. All I'm suggesting is that by allowing these lot line adjustments as text amendment 26.9 and 26.10 do, you're increasing the probability that these non-agricultural uses will ultimately be allowed. And At the end of the day, I hope you'll find a way to at least amend it, this ordinance, so that these non-farm uses are taken out. Absent that, if you want to revisit the issue entirely, that's okay too, but at the end of the day, these programs were meant to protect ag land. What does a golf course have to do with agriculture? Nothing. What does a tennis court have to do with agriculture? And those things really ought to just be taken out altogether. And that's really all I'm asking for. There are all that I'm hoping that you'll consider. It's a reasonable request. I hope we can find a way to do it. I'm not opposed to anything that the applicants want to do. I understand the need to adjust lot lines for geologic reasons or for a driveway or access. That's all perfectly reasonable. but allowing golf courses and tennis courts and all this other stuff on agricultural land flies in the face of everything that this county has done with its great record of land preservation, and I just hope we can find a way to continue that. Thank you.

Thank you.

Nobody else has signed up. Would anybody else like to speak? Yes, ma'am.

My name is Ann Goodman, and I'm a... I had sponsored, my husband and I, James had sponsored an amendment that then we worked with Jeff Thompson and Planning and Zoning to Merge three amendments into what you see as 26 9 and 26 10 I thought that the comment period was over the last time we met on this so I just Don't understand why we're still standing here and letting people comment on it The hearing was over for two weeks to the next meeting so it was I thought that it was open for written comment and

Well, we leave the record open, so if the record's open, it can be written or it can be verbal.

Right, and you're in press and public comment time. Okay. Let's do comments on everything.

Then I do want to reiterate that the proposal doesn't change anything with respect to the agreements that were already made between the county and the landowners on the open space involved. Thank you.

Thank you. Anybody else like to speak?

Yes, sir. Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson, I'm representing the applicants in this case. The only thing I'd like to point out in Mrs. Jones' report of today's date that she submitted to you is that the only really permitted use is public recreation. Those are recreation facilities that you approve. The others are all conditional uses. And by way of example, tenants courts, golf, all of those are conditional uses requiring Board of Appeals approval. And recently someone proposed a pickleball court in the Ag Zone, and it was rejected by the Board of Appeals. So there's a showing there that, again, only you have control over without Board of Appeals approval to do any of those activities. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else?

It's the first one up on the agenda. Let's read it now. Okay. This letter comes from Annie Richards, our Chester Riverkeeper at the Shore Rivers. To the Quance County Commissioners, thank you for the opportunity to provide comment on behalf of Shore Rivers, a water quality organization working to protect Eastern Shore waterways, including the Chester, Miles, Wye, and Eastern Bay, and other tributaries within the Quance County. I am writing to express our strong support for the proposed Amendment 1127 to the Quance County Water and Sewer Plan. Septic pollution represents a significant and growing threat to water quality in Chester River and across the county. Aging and failing septic systems contribute excess nutrients, bacteria, and other pollutants to our waterways degrading aquatic ecosystems, harming fisheries, and putting public health and drinking water supplies at risk. These challenges are only expected to intensify as rising groundwater levels, saltwater intrusion, and increased development pressure further compromise septic system performance. For these reasons, Shore River strongly supports the county's proactive approach to assigning sewer allocation for the purpose of connecting impaired septic systems to advanced wastewater treatment infrastructure. Prioritizing septic to sewer conversions is one of the most effective strategies available to reduce nutrient pollution at its source and improve long water quality outcome. This amendment reflects a thoughtful and forward-looking commitment to protecting the Chester River, safeguarding local drinking water, and supporting resilient, sustainable communities. By directing limited wastewater capacity towards addressing existing environmental and public health challenges, the county is taking an important step towards responsible growth management. We commend the county for advancing this amendment and encourage its adoption. Sincerely, Annie Richards.

All right, we're done with pressing public comment. Moving on. All right.

All right, commissioners, we can go into the legislation portion of the agenda. And as you know, we have a number of bills that we've had hearings on. It can be voted on this evening. So tab number seven, item one on page one, the first one we have is the comprehensive water and sewer plan. public hearing decision for the marlin farms and dominion sewer service area map and this is the service area map that would provide for public sewer extension to the marlin farms and dominion areas this map would then allow this project to be pursue a public health exemption from the Smart Grid Coordinating Committee so that that action could be taken at some point in the future to provide public sewer to these two areas that have public health concerns. So this is kind of the step one.

I move to approve the amendment to place the Marling Farm slash Dominion Sewer Service Map into the 2011 Comprehensive Water Sewage Plan.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on this?

Long overdue and looking forward to it. Let's march on.

Seeing no other comments, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those. Bye-bye.

All right. Thank you, Commissioners. Item number two on pages two and three is County Ordinance 2604, uses allowed to occupy in excess of 65,000 square feet of gross floor area in the Airport Protection and Kent Island Gateway District area. And the intent of this amendment is to add boat sails and repair and marinas to the list of individual uses or tenant space that can occupy more than 65,000 square feet of gross floor area within the airport protection in Ken Island Gateway District. And this can be better than as well. Planning Commission did send a favorable report to the commissioners for this proposed ordinance. Do you have the motion? Yes, I'm on it. 2604.

I move to adopt County Ordinance 2604.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on this item? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.

Opposed?

5-0.

Thank you, Commissioners. Item number three on pages four and five, excuse me, is County Ordinance 2607, non-residential floor area in the Waterfront Village Center Zoning District. And the intent of this ordinance is to increase the by right maximum non-residential floor area from 30 to 40 percent within the Waterfront Village Center District and remove the bonus standard that allows for a floor area ratio of 40 percent. Also, recommended favorably by the Planning Commission.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2607.

Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Abstain?

File O. Commissioners, next up, item 4 on pages 6 and 7, County Ordinance 2608, Commercial Apartments in the Waterfront Village Center Zoning District. The intent of this ordinance is to add additional provisions to allow commercial apartments within the Waterfront Village Center District to locate the commercial apartment dwelling unit on any same floor, including the first floor. Also recommended favorably by the planning commissioners.

Motion to adopt ordinance 2608.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on this? Amy, this also allows commercial to be on the top floor, right? Yeah, which I think it's a great idea. So, better review. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? So moved.

All right, commissioners, moving on. Item number five, pages 8 through 14. County Ordinance 2609, this is an amendment to the Transfer Development Rights Standards, TDRs, and this would amend the transferable development rights standards to allow for a transfer or parcel which is designated as open space following the conveyance of development rights to be subdivided through the administrative subdivision process to accommodate lot line adjustments, but not to be reconfigured to create a new lot. Planning Commission also recommended favorably on this amendment.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

I mean, I'll bring the motion up to get it to discussion, but I have discussion, so I will make a motion to push 2609 or to adopt 2609.

I'll second it. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion?

Yeah. I mean, I've got these papers. I'm going through a lot of these. I guess I get the point. I'm all good with the whole lot line moving. I have no problem with any of that. But I really don't see why. It's very simplistic to just strike the non-agricultural uses and get rid of it as an amendment to it. If you move your lot lines, then... You can't do any of these things, whether conditional or permanent. That's all my thing. I just don't understand why it's a big deal to get rid of that if you move the lot lines. I don't know that it is a big deal. So you want to amend the... I would like to amend it to have that struck if you were to move your lot lines. That's all.

Does it have to be rewritten?

We'd have to amend the bill to do that, yeah. Would it have to go back to the Planning Commission?

So basically what we do is send it back to Planning and Zoning?

Um...

I'd have to check with the attorney. I don't know that that would be a substantive change. It could be. You're talking about changing the use applicable for the zoning districts. Amy, do you have an opinion on that?

I think we would need to get a legal determination as to whether or not this change meets the substantial threshold, but likely it would. So likely this would need to go back to the Planning Commission for a recommendation on the proposal as amended.

And adjust your motion to just amend it and send it back.

Well, we have to vote on the amendment first and then vote on it. We're going to table the 2609 until it's amended, basically. Correct. You have to table it and have it sent to Planning Commission. So I'm going to make the motion for the amendment to strike the non-agricultural uses... From. Uses permitted. When you move the lot line for twenty six oh nine. Second.

Got a motion a second. I don't even know if we should. We need to do that.

Well we've got to pass the amendment to send it back to planning commission. that's got to be official that we're sending it back. Okay, you should make a motion.

There was a motion on the floor to approve this.

To approve this as is.

So I'm going to withdraw my 2609 motion, correct? And then my amendment motion will stand. Yes, Amy.

Can I ask for a point of clarification on the amendment? And that is... Are you proposing to strike non-agricultural uses upon resubdivision, upon lot line adjustment, or entirely?

No, only during a lot line adjustment, which is what this is actually trying to do and accomplish, is being able to adjust the lot lines. That'll keep them all in ag uses.

And then we had a motion and a second on that, to send this back, as amended. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. 5-0. Okay.

So back to the Planning Commission on 2609. Okay, so County Organs 2610, amendments to the non-contiguous development standards. Similar intent here. This would amend the NCD standards to allow non-contiguous and developed parcels, which are designated as open space, to be subdivided through the administrative subdivision process, again, to accommodate lot line adjustments, but not to be reconfigured to add an additional lot or create a new lot. So similar to the 2609, but for NCD.

So I will introduce an amendment to get rid of the same non-agricultural uses.

Second We have a motion in a second any discussion Basically the same thing as 2609 Okay all those in favor Thanks Amy

Okay, commissioners, moving on. Item number seven on pages 22 through 26. This is County Ordinance 2612, Amendment Number 1 to the Queen Anne's County Forest Conservation Act, Chapter 18 of the Code of Public Local Law. This can be introduced and voted on. And this was a request by the commissioners for this amendment to be drafted to address the application of solar energy generating stations in relation to the specifics of the proposed code. and they are currently exempt from afforestation but not reforestation, and the intent of this amendment is to protect existing forested areas from being cleared for solar energy generating stations or any other proposed use by requiring a higher reforestation rate for those properties that are larger than 25 acres or more than 50% forested.

I'll introduce 2612. For the amendment, I'll introduce the amendment, I'm sorry.

Yeah.

And then I'll make a motion to adopt the amendment.

Yep. All right, so that's been introduced, the Amendment 1. Okay.

And now we should be able to adopt it.

Yeah, we can adopt 2612.

I'm making a motion to adopt Amendment 1 to 2612.

Right. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed?

Aye. 5-0. And now a motion to adopt 26-12 as amended.

That's item 8 in your book on pages 27 through 62, 26-12.

Second. We have a motion and a second on this. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? So moved.

5-0. And then I move to adopt the updated Queen Anne's County Forest Conservation Technical Manual. Second.

Yeah, the forest conservation technical manual is a reference in the 2612. That's just an additional piece of that to amend that as well as part of that bill.

Should we have a motion?

I understand the discussion. conversation fee-in-lieu rate of $1.50. That's the next one.

That's the next one. Number four. I'm one ahead of you. Yeah, it's the bottom of the other one. Manual. Okay.

Thank you.

Okay.

All right. Well, then, on this first one, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? So moved.

Okay. One more.

I move to adopt the updated Forest Conservation fee-in-lieu rate as $1.50 per square foot and the violation and penalty rate at $2.50 per square foot.

Second. We have a motion and a second on this. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.

Opposed?

So moved.

Now we're done with Forest Conservation for a little while, right? Okay.

Okay. Thank you, commissioner. That's all of our legislative items for this evening, except for the desk item, but we'll get to that later. Uh, we can move into the presentations portion of the agenda now. So if you want to turn to tab number six, item one, we have the upper shore workforce investment board update and Ms. Ellen LaFranchi executive director is here. So come on up Ellen and Beverly is with her today. Director of human resources. Welcome. Okay. Do we have it on the screen or just in the book?

Just in the book?

Okay. All right. So tab six, item one, pages one through 20 is the update.

Good evening. And I am not here in my capacity as the human resource director. I am here in the capacity as the Queen Anne's County representative on the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board. And so I'd introduce to you Ellen LaFranchi, who is our executive director. And good news, she's not asking for any money. And so she's going to have some things that we need to take care of as far as business for meeting our legislative requirements. And so I'll let her take it away.

Thank you. Thank you, Beverly. I want to thank you for your time today. The Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board sincerely values the continued support of the Queen Anne's County Commissioners, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today. I would also like to thank you for appointing Beverly Churchill of Queen Anne's County Government, who already spoke to us today, and as well as Adam Tolley of Queen Anne's County Public Schools. They have been invaluable assets and we greatly appreciate their service to the board. Our mission is to provide high quality career and training services to the residents of Queen Anne's County with a goal of connecting individuals to meaningful employment opportunities within our region. This work is essential not only to the individual job seekers but also to the overall economic health and stability of our communities. As mandated by the Governor's Workforce Development Board policy, the Memorandum of Understanding is a required and foundational document for our workforce system. It establishes how our key workforce partners collaborate to deliver coordinated, high-quality services to individuals and businesses. These partners include the Maryland Department of Labor, the Division of Rehabilitation Services, the Department of Social Services, including the Queen Anne's County Department of Social Services, and Chesapeake College. Through this mandated framework, residents of Queen Anne's County benefit from access to workforce training funds, industry recognized certifications, and comprehensive employment services that support their path to sustainable employment. At the same time, businesses in Queen Anne's County benefit from a skilled and prepared workforce that is better positioned to meet their current and future workforce needs. Embedded within the Memorandum of Understanding is the Resource Sharing Agreement, which is also required under the Governor's Workforce Development Board policy. This agreement outlines the individual, financial, and in-kind contributions made by each participating agency. Funding provided through the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, along with other funding sources, is detailed within this agreement. Together, these shared contributions support our collective mission and provide a clear and transparent framework for coordinating resources, maximizing efficiency, and stretching funds so that we can serve as many individuals as possible. Our partner agencies have provided valuable input throughout this process and have indicated their concurrence with these documents. Today, I respectfully request your concurrence as well in fulfillment of these policy requirements and in continued support of our collaborative efforts to strengthen the workforce and economic vitality of Queen Anne's County. I want to thank you for your time and consideration.

All right. I move to execute the memorandum of understanding with the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board for the resource sharing agreement. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion?

Impressive program.

Yes. All right. It is a very impressive program.

All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Here we go, 5-0. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Thank you.

A lot of fun with this.

All right. Thank you. Good to see you. All right. All right, commissioners also in tab six, our second present presentation tonight, item two on page 21. Uh, we have the veteran and military support Alliance update. So we have a group here. So come on up folks. Lee Elling, Lee Ellingston, Jeff deputy director of AMSA, Kathy Diotis, board chair of AMSA, Walt Petrie founding member with AMSA Beth Ann Dorman president and CEO for all seasons. All right. Welcome everybody.

Nick, come on up. No, Brian. Brian, come on up. Brian. No, I don't want to. Nick's just driving. Nick's just driving.

Hi there, thank you so much for making time for us. My name is Kathy Diotis. I am the current board chair for VAMSA, the Veteran and Military Support Alliance. I'm here to let you know that I'm here on behalf of our board. I have Walt Petrie here, who's one of the founding members of our board. Others that are not here are Jean Fair, Lee Young, Joe Candela, and I can't help but mention the late Wes Guckert, also a founding board member. Five years ago, these gentlemen, all veterans, got together to form a group that would go out and help them with issues they themselves had grappled with or were aware of in the veteran and military community. Early this year in January, we decided as a board that the best way and the best path forward for VAMSA to continue our mission and services to area veterans was to pair up with For All Seasons. We really feel like the continuance and the sustainability of our mission and the services that we've been able to provide in this community will not only be well handled by For All Seasons, but they will be able to broaden of the depth and breadth of the services. They have offices in each of the five counties on the Eastern Shore. They will maintain a presence here in Queen Anne's County, right near where VAMSA is at this point in time. And so we are happy to announce to you that this is the path we're looking forward. We're actively pursuing this. We are very happy and very confident that we'll be melding into an organization as excellent and as well run as 4L Seasons. And I just want to assure any veterans and any families out there that have received services from VAMSA, the transition will be seamless, we promise. Services are currently being offered and will continue until that difference is made. And I want to introduce Ryan Snow. is with R&R Solutions, and Ryan and Jeannie Haddaway have walked alongside VAMSA helping us advocate to people on all different levels in the government, in the community, and helped us secure a great deal of financing to continue the services that we were. So I wanted to thank Ryan, and Ryan will be walking alongside for all seasons as well. So I'm gonna pass this on. Walt, do you wanna? So yes, hi.

Hi. So five years ago, Jim Moran was at the first meeting, I think. where we were talking about how do we help the veterans in the community and we started off going in the direction of building tiny homes. And we spent a few months working on that and decided that was a wrong approach through his research. He came in one day and said, you know, there's only two homeless veterans in the whole county. You guys are spending all this time on this. And it sort of morphed into what it is today. And VAMSA has done a wonderful job. We have been through lots of problems and trials and tribulations. We've helped a lot of veterans. We're getting straight A's from all of the various agencies, American Legion, VFW. And we're the go-to group. We have come that far. But we've reached a plateau. And after a certain time, we were working with the Four Seasons team. It became apparent that they were they had many more resources than we did and they were doing many doing a lot of the counseling that we couldn't do and had the people to do. So this sort of evolved into a wonderful solution for what was a struggling fans are trying to get to where it needed to be. sort of underfunded and so on, and couldn't be happier with the alliance we've formed with them, and I just couldn't be happier about it. I just wanted to express that to you.

I'd be remiss in not thanking all of you, all of you, Commissioner McLaughlin, Commissioner Moran, and all of you for your support, both in spirit and in funding. You know, VAMSA's mission just really is indicative of your care for veterans and other vulnerable members of the community here. So we really thank you very much.

So just out of curiosity, how did this partnership, this pairing, actually happen? get to where we are today. I mean, did you approach them? They approached you?

When I joined VAMSA a little less than a year ago, Beth Ann was, four whole seasons is already an integral part of VAMSA in the support groups, PTSD, and then referrals for mental health counseling. And so Beth Ann was leading sort of a strategic planning session for the board and the staff and where are we going to be five years from now and it really caused the board and all of us to think really deeply about where are we going in the next five years and some really careful self-examination and what's the best path forward so I would have to say Bethann's leadership in that strategic planning session really got our wheels in motion as to what was the best course forward for how we could best help veteran and military families.

So you guys are just ramping it up, the relationship that already existed. Absolutely. Taking it to the next level.

We've been a part of AMSA for over three years now, as Kathy said, providing the mental health and the community connection. We've also worked with other veteran organizations, all of the FWs, the American legions, we've worked with the folks both on our side of the bridge and across the bridge throughout the state of Maryland and so the sort of walk along has been a natural occurrence and this just gives us the ability to hire additional team members, keep some of the VAMSA staff that will continue to walk through that seamless transition, but also then look larger. So we will be launching the Center for Veterans and Military Families through our Center for Learning and the mental health services that we provide And the support that you all have provided, what we can guarantee you is we are going to be able to take something and continue to grow it, to make it bigger, and also have an impact across all five counties of the shore. So that it's not simply a home based in Queen Anne's County, but this is the model. And then we can say to the rest of the counties, hey, come along and get on board.

If I might add, each one of their offices are manned. from nine to five or eight to five, eight to five. We've struggled with that as somebody trying to keep open And the nice part about this is they have five different locations, or actually six, and they're going to be staying at the marina, but maybe a little different space that we're working on right now. But the nice part, it's staffed, and they have the people, they have the resources. If we have a problem, instead of us trying to call somebody in, how do we fix this, and how do we help this gentleman or this lady? they just have it all. And they have, how many, 60, 100 employees? I don't know.

We have just under 100 employees.

They have a lot of people and a lot of very qualified people to help veterans that we were struggling trying to figure out how to do.

Well, I know one of the problems that's always existed was the paperwork.

Say again?

The paperwork.

Yeah.

With the VA and everything else. I mean, I thought at one time you had someone there that was a guru at that, that could help anybody that walked in the door. You know, navigate through that.

Yes, and that will continue.

So somebody's on staff right now for doing that? Yes. Awesome.

So as you know, my story is I didn't really want to. I was fortunate when I got back. I didn't have PTSD or any major issues. And I went to a... a reunion a 50-year reunion and everybody looked at me like instead of you joined the va and i said no i they said what are you crazy you should join that's good that's great for your family so i tried to join and i said the hell with this after about a month i said this is ridiculous that calls me around i couldn't get anybody and so that's why this organization and VAMSA are so helpful because I'm getting, the feedback I'm getting is, oh my God, I've been trying to get to this point for a year and you guys did it in a half an hour. You know, that's what, it's just the person, they're so big, the state and federal, their meaning is well. They just don't know how to get people from A to B. And we figured out a way to get them from A to B. And Beth Ann here has been just a breath of fresh air. Just fantastic. So anyway, I'll shut up.

Awesome. So the gentleman that Jim's alluding to was the AI guy.

Oh, the AI program guy.

He talked about that he spent his last 10 years figuring out AI to to allow you to get benefits quicker. So he's still with you or?

That is, he created the tool, which is utilized by VAMSA and will be utilized by for all seasons.

And is it effective?

Yeah, they're finding it extremely effective. And so we are, one of the commitments that I can say we are making to all of you is that the things that are working, we are going to continue to have them work and we're going to enhance them. The things that aren't working, we're just going to take a look at and say, how might we retool? How might we find better solutions so that we're able to do more? And, you know, Ryan being a part of VAMSA, Ryan also is our lobbyist alongside with Jeannie for For All Seasons. So there's also a capacity for us to really go after some incredible funding when we are relying on partners and really strengthening some of these partnerships. And so Ryan's going to be continuing on with us as well.

And Ryan can be persuasive.

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Yes.

Yeah. I mean, you know, we're all very blessed to live here and reside on the Eastern Shore. Right. And in rural communities, when you look around the room for all seasons, provide such phenomenal services. Right. They meet you where you are 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And then now adding in the VAMSA perspective and strengthening that relationship. you know, the conduit to all of our veterans organizations, folks who have served our country. It just couldn't be a better opportunity to better serve the Eastern Shore and beyond.

So Bethann, you're taking on a lot. So you're doing this work and you're also doing the first responders, right?

Yeah.

How's that going? And then you're going into our schools. So you're busy.

We are busy. The first responder program is going great. I am really excited. I shared with Beverly before the meeting to let you all know that we're, Caroline County is the next county. We've talked with some folks in Dorchester County and in Kent. And so the goal was that we would create a pilot program and all five county first responder peer support teams would be up and operational by 2028. That was our goal. So we're on our way and folks are really excited. One of the things that we're really grateful for, especially within Queen Anne's County, is everybody's able to sort of shape the program the way that we want we're giving them the foundation we're coming alongside and embedding ourselves in the school system has reached out we've started to do some suicide prevention education and learning and videos and we just had a conversation today with matt evans and bryce about getting some of the school students involved in some of these videos over the summer and so that will take shape And so, yes, we are busy. We're also adding staff to make sure that we have the capacity to not over promise and under deliver. We are a slow and steady wins the race kind of an organization. And so when we make these decisions to take on these things, I mean, this has been a conversation for the last eight, nine months and. We really have a good plan of bringing folks in and hiring a new veterans community connector. So we've got an application out right now in the community. So if there are any veterans that are listening, we are hiring a veteran community connector because we know that what's most important is that there's a veteran who's leading the charge. And so this isn't something that we can do without someone by our side who can say, hey, Here's what it looks like. We do have Gene Davis, who does the employment piece. He'll continue with us. He is a veteran as well. But the more that we can enhance the staff, the more that we can reach the veterans.

So are the first responders going to get an app if they want to talk to somebody?

So that's something that we've talked about with Jess and Kelly. I don't know what, every county decides differently, but I know that Jess and Kelly have talked about that. I know that Talbot County is looking at the Lighthouse app. I'm not sure where the group landed, but I will certainly go back and revisit with them if there's anything that we can do to be helpful.

That could be extended to veterans as well. Students.

Yeah, yeah.

Well, hopefully we can get Centerville and VAMSA you know the veterans that are located up here they have a good sized contingency up here. I'd love to see them work together.

And we've met with them. So we had a great lunch and really talked through help us understand what would be beneficial. And we recognize that part of why VAMSA was established in addition to the claims and in addition to the mental health services, it was also about reducing suicide. And we know that we can't walk into a VFW or an American Legion and say, hey, let's talk about reducing suicide because no one wants to hear that. So our presence is that of a quiet consistency. going in and making sure that folks understand the services that are there, talking about self-care, talking about how we get connected, whether it be food pantry or housing stability, or simply just saying, hey, are you checking in on your people? And so that's the approach that we really use to create those connections, and we're really looking forward to digging in deeper.

What about the Fred McNeil's group?

Yeah, I had an opportunity, as Jim did, to go and speak one morning at that group, and it was packed just because of the popularity of this organization and the feeling that they get that there is a community behind them. So I'm excited for them because of you guys.

Thank you. We're excited as well. And Lee's been an integral part of all of the transition being as seamless as it is, and she was unable to be here tonight, but she really has been just a champion, and she's coming on board as well as Jean, and we're making sure that those connections and the trust that's been built is maintained because of those relationships.

And Lee is a regular attendee at those Monday meetings. She's very involved with the group. Yep. The present deputy director at VAMSA, so, yeah. And then I'm all pleased to, Walt and I are honored and to have been asked to be on the Four Seasons Board and we have accepted that honor. So we will be on the Four Seasons, what? Four All Seasons Board. And I'm really looking forward to that and we'll be able to.

Very good. So for the folks that are listening, if they have a benefits problem, Mr. Walt, who are they calling?

They come to the marina and the VAMS office is there and open and it's operating just as it was before. Can you give out the number?

Well, before all seasons after the end of June. So we would probably, if you don't mind, we'd get the proper information once that's all squared.

Get that line first.

That office is not going to be going anywhere in terms of its location. So if people are saying, I know that's where it is, we are going to remain in the marina in the exact location that um that bamsa is in for all seasons has an office in stevensville on log canoe circle those two offices are going to remain the same through the end of this calendar year and then we will merge into one building after the first of the year

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you all for your support.

And by the way, the model is open. And bring your wives. Call me, and I'll be happy to show you around.

Sell you a condo.

Sell you a condo.

Thank you. Wait, Ryan. I'll meet you down at Legal Assets in Easton. Yeah.

Thank you, guys.

Great job, everybody.

Great job. Thank you.

Great job.

Thank you.

What an amazing partnership. Yeah, that's great. That's good partnership. Amazing. That's all VAMS needed was just that little push.

All right, Commissioners, that is all the presentations we had this evening. We can move into the action items for tonight's meeting. First, we have the Department of Public Works. We have two items for the Roads Board. So first, I guess we should convene as the Roads Board.

Make a motion that we adjourn as the Roads Board.

Second. Second. All those in favor? Aye.

All right, commissioners. Item 1 on pages 1 through 7. This is a public hearing request for the Merganser Drive road upgrade proposal. This is North County up near Duck Neck Campground on Double Creek Point Road. This is item one, pages one through seven, tab two. Tab two, there you go. Tab two, item one, page one, yep. So, um, cost of this upgrade is $150,000, 34 property owners. Uh, the 20 year annual payment is estimated at $311 each. It looks like about 16 people weighed in with their opinions, and it was close. Ten were in favor, and six were opposing the project. So this one's close. Close.

9-4-6 opposed, huh?

Yeah. So anyway, Shane was up there for the public information meeting this past month. Any other points you want to make about the group up there?

It was a lively meeting. Nine to six, I guess so. The residents had some very good questions, very insightful. Merganta Drive is one of the more unique projects we've looked at. This is the second time we've looked at it for an upgrade project. This road was originally constructed in the late 60s, early 70s, and the original developer dedicated it to the county, but the county did not accept it. There was a lawsuit involved with the residents and the developer. And at that time, there was a decree I think judge Turner that the road was to remain private the developer did not do all the things he needed to do To properly give that to the county. So it's been private for all these years However, there's definitely a lack of maintenance and the residents are feeling that the push to actually upgrade it So there's definitely some for and there's definitely some against so a public hearing will certainly be very lively as well.

I Moved to schedule the proposed Manganja Drive project public hearing

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed?

All good. 5-0. Okay, Commissioners. And just a point of clarification. We were proposing to have that at the Crumpton Volunteer Fire Company. that public hearing on October 27th. Okay. Okay. Change venue.

Okay. I'd send that out now. Send that invite out now. Yeah.

At the Crumpton VFD. You haven't got up there lately for a commissioner meeting at least. All right. Item number two, pages eight through 15. Another. public road upgrade, public hearing request. This one's Cecil Road in the community of Kent Island Estates. And we've been doing these pretty routinely over the past several years. 965 feet, 21 properties, $115,000 estimated cost, 20-year annual payment of $385 per resident. Looks like overall nine were in favor and two were opposing on this one, and two undecided, so 9-2-2.

I move to schedule the proposed Cecil Road improvement project public hearing.

Second. Motion to second on this item. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? So moved.

All right, Commissioners, and we were hoping to schedule this public meeting, public hearing on September 21st. That's the Monday before our normal September 22nd meeting, and that would be, we have a scheduling problem on September, so we were hoping to have that on a Monday evening. Is that okay?

Yeah, so we're gonna actually have this September 21st meeting.

Yeah, we'll address this The well is yeah mergansers October. This one would be September 21st on the Monday here at the Liberty building Here's the Liberty building.

Oh, okay Does that mean we're having a commissioner meeting here on the 21st on the Monday on the Monday? We'll get a calendar Okay, all right Thank You commissioners Thank You Thank You Shane Hey Shane Thanks for your help with the route 8 breeding farm. Oh yeah. That was fabulous. The guy had been trying to get a 10 or he's got he had a 20 foot culvert pipe and the trucks were crushing it and. chain and alan got on it with uh... fender and made it forty feet anything with the forty feet forty feet it's it's beautiful the work of art it's really good but cover pike could be a little hard it would be it's and it's like if if uh... if only other things could get done that fast by the state so thank you sir thank you shane all right commissioners uh... action items are next uh... so that's under tab number three

So tab three, item one on pages one through 28, this is the FY 2027 county budget resolution number 2606. This resolution is for the adoption of the FY 27 county budget. We did make one change that's included in this resolution after the public informational meetings we held last month, and that was to add a $700,000 match which was required to receive the state grant funding for the Queen Anne's County Detention Center project. So other than that, the total budget proposed operating budget is $230,950,880. Total proposed capital is $66,793,607. And the operating budget has been balanced without the use of any fund balance. Tax rates for fiscal 27 are established as follows. Real property tax rate countywide, $0.80. Real property tax Centerville, $0.67. Real property tax rate Millington, $0.71.5. Public utility personal property tax rate, $2. Kent Narrows Commercial Management and Waterfront Improvement District Special Taxing Area, $0.06. And the income tax rate remains the same at 3.2%. And I want to thank our director of budget and finance for all his hard work, him and his team put into this year's budget process.

Thank you all as well.

All right. I move to adopt resolution 26-06, a resolution to establish the fiscal year 2027 annual budget and appropriations with real property tax rate of 80 cents per 100 of assessed value a tax differential rate of 6.67 cents per 100 of assessed value for the town of Centerville and 0.715 per 100 of assessed value for the town of Millington, a public utility personal property tax rate of $2 per $100 of assessed value, and a Kent Narrows Commercial Management and Waterfront Improvement District special taxing area rate of 0.06 per 100 of assessed value.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on this? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Abstained?

5-0. When do you start on 2028? Tomorrow.

I've got another motion that we'll be able to talk about, but I'm going to make a motion for the Finance Office to draft a budget amendment to the fiscal year 2027 operating budget to be presented for a vote at our July 14th commissioners meeting, which will grant an additional $500,000 to the Board of Education to be used to fund two district-wide rotating behaviorists and four middle school mental health support staff.

Second all right.

We have a motion in a second discussion. It's six So We had three budget hearings in each budget hearing we heard about mental health and issues The one at the canal library went on for a good deal and it was a number one complaint or issue that I think we faced this year during the budget cycle and So we had the Board of Ed in here today for a liaison meeting and we discussed this with them. They had some savings in their insurance portion or health insurance portion which they are going to pick up 13 positions teaching positions you know from the savings on the health insurance and at that time we presented them with the possibility of doing $500,000 to deal with the mental health issues in our schools. And I wanna just thank everybody here for listening to this and hopefully you'll vote for it. So any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Aye. Opposed, so moved.

You got something else to do Jeff?

I mean the message that resonated I know we took our vote but I just know that the message resonated on that Monday night that that our behavioral and issues that we have in our schools and the importance of extending this funding to the board of ed so they can bring these specialists in to work with our high school students and our middle school students uh... and address some of these issues that perhaps uh... they wouldn't have been able to without this extra funding so hats off to the set of commissioners alrighty moving on alright thanks jeffrey

Okay, moving on, Commissioners, item number two on pages 29 through 43. This is the Rural Health Transformation Program Agreement with the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems. We have Director Haas up here with us today. And this is a... Actually, a grant agreement, $155,000 for the Department of Emergency Services to enter into a Rural Health Transformation Program agreement with Emergency Medical Services Systems to support the county's whole blood program. So this would be an additional position and an individual and materials to provide this whole blood on our ambulance units. So I'll let I'll let these gentlemen take it away with some details on this program. But it is a grant that would provide for an additional individual for our DES personnel team. Scott?

Zach, as usual, has been working very hard to get this rural grant. It originates from CMS and it goes through the Maryland Department of Health and is then passed on to our licensing agency, which is the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems. We applied for the grant. There were 13 receiving jurisdictions across the state that received this grant. Eight of them are shore jurisdictions. We're one of the eight to start whole blood programs in the field. So this adds a tool in our toolbox, which is probably the most valuable tool we've had in over a decade and will make a huge difference in saving a life in the field by carrying this valuable resource with us.

Whole blood something that we've been exploring since 2019. We've been looking at feasibility for it and it's always been a cost prohibitive thing for us. So getting the opportunity for this grant coming down from CMS through the state to us has really unlocked the potential for us to get this on our units. It's one that we won't use frequently. We anticipate probably six to eight administrations a year, but this is something that will absolutely save a life. We had one instance this past year where we were able to rendezvous with MSP and round two shock trauma because aviation was down, but they met us by ground and they carry whole blood. We gave whole blood and I firmly believe that if we were not able to rendezvous and administer that, there would have been a family that would have been buried.

Who had the whole blood?

Maryland State Police. helicopters carry right now but if the helicopters are down they'll come out by ground to rendezvous with us so basically just a road trooper brings the blood to us on the side of the road wow but this will give us the ability to have that in our own pocket and administered early and not have to worry about trying to rendezvous so it it will be

How will you know when you're going to use it will just be on the units.

So where it's going to be assigned to a supervisor unit of the story going one supervisor unit is a period we're going to have to units OK.

I just was curious how how we were going to be. Using it or distributing it or.

It'll be centrally located. So that'll be the initial rollout. And then hopefully with proof of concept, we can expand to the northern and southern battalion so that it's readily available throughout the county.

So this is a five-year grant. We have to reapply every five years. But we've been told if you trust federal grants right now, it'll be available for the next five years. And we just have to reapply each year.

And the blood bank is in Easton?

So the blood bank, we have not actually done a contract until we seal the deal on this. So we still have to do that component of it. I believe they're looking at Delaware for our blood bank that we're gonna utilize. The deal with the blood banks are they issue us the whole blood. We have them for X amount of time, but we have to return it in time for them to be able to administer it to a patient.

before it's exp so we're constantly going to have to be rotating it's whole blood is good for four weeks from the time that you donate to the time that it expires so we're looking at taking possession of blood on day seven and then returning to the blood bank on day 21 and then at that point they've got a week that they'll end up administering it somewhere else so just to switch you'll go and return it and they'll give you new yes yep we just basically go and swap out okay and we're only paying for the blood if we utilize it oh okay

And of course, this has to have the refrigeration part of it.

Yes. So the price of the grant enables us to purchase all the equipment that we need to keep it at the perfect temperature and all the requirements we need.

Both on the ambulance and the police car and then

Well, it's strictly on a supervisor unit, so we only need the equipment on the supervisor unit.

It's a self-contained cooler that the blood's kept in, and then there'll be another bag that's got the administration sets and all that. So basically, we can take that truck, rendezvous with any ambulance on scene.

So here comes the softball question.

Who else does it over here on the shore? So currently I think Caroline is the only one approved to use it.

Is that correct? Caroline started their program mid-May and they actually had within eight hours the opportunity to give blood but MSP got there before their supervisor did. but they have done an administration since then. Cecil County also is live with blood. So there's two on the shore right now.

And we've got the ability to use aviation. The problem is, and we're hitting our busy time of the year, The most common time you're gonna see an auto accident is during bad weather, rain, thunderstorms, and unfortunately for us, aviation's down, not available to us, and we're doing what we call ground and pound to a trauma center to get somebody there quick. And the interesting thing is Centerville is kind of our center point to the two trauma centers that we utilize, Christiana and shock trauma are two level ones and they're both approximately an hour away drive time but you calculate summer traffic into it it could take us much longer than an hour in this blood that's why the blood is so valuable for us to have it at hand and all the uh

All the ground-based blood programs that have got in, everyone starts with blood-thinning trauma, but you have actually a large subset of GI bleeds and actually OB patients that qualify for these transfusions for postpartum hemorrhage and GI bleed.

So they can determine on-site what their type blood is, and we don't have blood? It's just a plasma.

We do low titer, O positive is what we carry.

And if they're not that type?

And then if they are in the small subset that has the titer for a reaction, we discontinue and then we treat the reaction. But since it's gone live in the state, I don't even think I've heard of one transfusion reaction.

And it's been three years that MSP's been doing this. Very good. What took you so long to bring this to us?

I mean, come on. I'm trying to find money.

Well, the problem is it requires a lot of labor, and that's why there's an employee attached to this. And we just could not, in our own mind, in the budget process, come to you and ask for the staffing level. So once this grant became available, we were like, this is our end to be able to start a blood program. But there's no cost for the employee, and there's no cost for the supplies, and basically no cost for the blood for us to utilize through the grant. How many leaders will you have? Two units. All right. Very good.

I move to authorize the director of Department of emergency services to add into a rural health transformation program agreement with the Maryland Institute of emergency medical services systems to support a Queen Anne's County whole blood program, totaling 155,500 dollars.

second motion in a second for the discussion. Seeing none all those in favor signify by saying aye aye.

You guys just keep setting that bar. We try we try we try.

We appreciate your support and actually you're the ones that allow us to set up are so thank you for the support we really appreciate it.

Good job still just wants to be first he's a little disappointed.

Oh, no, no, no, no.

Have Caroline beat us.

That's what Phil's thinking. I've taken my last ride in those Amelies. No hard feelings.

The boss always tells me to be on the cutting edge, not the bleeding edge.

You're welcome. Thank you, gentlemen.

Good to see you both. Commissioners, item number three, pages 44 and 45. This is for the Queen Anne's County Library. It's an FY2027 capital grant certification letter. They need an executed letter from the Board of Commissioners that indicates that we have guaranteed matching funds in the amount of $65,000. for the procurement of architectural and engineering services for the North County branch. For next fiscal year, the grant funding has been awarded and we have the matching funds in the proposed FY27 budget.

I move to execute the Queen Anne's County fiscal year 2027 capital grant certification letter for the procurement of architectural and engineering services for the North County branch project in the amount of $65,000.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Abstain? 5-0.

All right. Thank you, Commissioners. Okay. We have two desk items for your consideration. Desk item one is County Ordinance 2613, Prohibition of Political Signs. This is for introduction and conveyance to the Planning Commission for their review and a recommendation. But essentially, this ordinance bans the placement of political signs on all property owned by the county commissioners, including roads, county roads, and county rights-of-ways.

I move to keep the impact fees flat at 0% increase in accordance with 1836C. No, no, no.

He's doing that. Oh, that's the other one? I'm sorry. Introduce.

I'm sorry. Excuse me. Yeah, we're going to introduce Desk Item 1, County Org 2613.

That was the political signs on county property roadways.

Oh, I thought we were on the same side. It just needs to be introduced.

Yeah, so I'll introduce it. I'll introduce it.

And we'll send that to the Planning Commission for their review, and it'll come back to the commissioners.

Just pick one, Steph.

Yeah, is there, Todd, is there an exception on that for election day and early voting days?

Yeah, we're going to have to.

There is not. There is not. Currently, it was just. Make sure that when it gets sent to them that they include that because, obviously, early voting had been sent building. You can put signs up then, but on any non-election days, maybe it's as simple as that.

And then you've got the schools.

Okay, good point. Although I'd be happy not seeing them, too. Yeah.

I'm with you on that.

A lot of litter, and it takes a lot of work to put them up and take them down.

It sure does. It sure does. Okay. So we'll send that to the Planning Commission for their review and recommendations back to the board, and we'll go from there. All right. Desk item two, and this is for the FY 2027 impact fee schedule. As you know, we collect impact fees.

So that was desk item two. Desk item one is the... I already did that one.

One was the signs. Did I get them backwards?

One was actually the impact fees according to the weather label. I apologize.

That was my mistake.

It's all good.

So item two is the FY2027 impact fee schedule. July 1st each year, the impact fee schedule values are adjusted by the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index for the 10 cities. This year's increase is proposed at 2.8%.

I move to keep the impact fees flat at 0% increase in accordance with 18.3-6C of the county code. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion?

Yeah, so I'm looking at it. We've got a building moratorium on right now. Raising impact fees just kind of goes counterintuitive to the fact that you're not even letting builders build, and then you want to raise the rates on them when they come back to build. I'm just not a big fan of that. And I just did the calculation, 17 cents per square foot, which on a 2,000 square foot home is an additional $340 people would have to pay. So you know what? Times are tough. We just lowered property taxes. We can suck it up on impact fees for a year, and we'll see what next year brings in my mind. Very well.

We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Aye. So moved. 5-0. That's it? That's all we have, Commissioners. Anybody like to speak? Press in public comment? No.

All right. Roundtable. Patrick, since you're all the way over there to the right. It was wonderful to have the BAMSA folks come in here and share with us what's going on. We had a wonderful time at the...

churchill uh parade yeah and um i'm good okay jack yeah just uh had uh well obviously the parade that was later in the day but uh went up to the salisbury skeet uh and watched our both our high schools uh compete uh queen anne's county did uh come in second well ahead of kent island i might add um Not to rub that into my fellow Commissioner Phil there. Not to rub it in? Not to rub it in. Chris, we don't have to stand for this. Cole Coppedge from Queen Anne's County High School won it again this year. He's also our sitting national champion as well. But his last time, I believe, Cole's senior this year, so we won't have. But an incredible program. I mean, so they had the picture from two years ago. with 10 kids from each school this year they got 40 kids 20 from each school and they're up to six schools this year and they're looking to bring on four more next year so it's it's growing at a rapid pace wasn't it 40 this 40 last year 80 this year no no no that was with all the schools but just queen anne's county we had 40 up from 20. i mean as a as a school high school team sport yeah it's it's really they're they're talking about adding what six more schools next year Yeah, that's what they were saying, six. But it's funny because talking to the coaches and all that, it just brings kids out of their shell. Some kids that are introverts, they really get into it and they shoot. I'm telling you, I wouldn't want to make any of them mad because I'm pretty sure they can knock you down. We saw two 25 out of 25s in a matter of two shooters. One actually was Gene Legg's grandson. He hit his first 25. Yeah. But, yeah, it was a great time, and I'm going to be bringing something back around here in the next month or so to try to enhance the facility up there, because it is going to be our home base for both high schools, and just clean it up and get them some new bathrooms, and we've done all that in a lot of the other parks that we're using, so I think it's a good idea to... And they've raised $155,000 already, so I told them we may be talking about if we can match them that and get them over to the finish line.

And possibly the sheriff's indoor range.

Well, we haven't had that conversation yet, so I won't bring that one up yet. The sheriff don't know about that one just yet.

I did see the Lady Bucks picture, though, on Facebook today. Looking good. Did a really good job.

So, yeah, that was very enjoyable. So next time they have a meeting, I would suggest getting out there and... Commissioner, got anything you want to say?

Yeah, I just want to...

an addendum almost to the vote we did earlier for the additional funding for the school and for the mental health professionals. And I just want to commend the father who lost his son tragically to suicide, who came out to the meeting to speak. I think that was a very brave thing that he did and the folks that were there to support him. And it made a difference because as you see, there's additional funding that goes in. And so I just want to make sure that people know that if there are things that you want to see in the community, and things that you want to see from the commissioner's budget, come and talk to us because you'll be surprised at how quickly we can put things Into action, it reminds me of when we had those kids come to the parks for export and they wanted to have a skate park and they put on amazing presentation. And within 18 months, it was open. Like, amazing. Right? And because if you come forward and you talk to the commissioners, you'd be surprised at how, you know, how much we can get done. But when you're sitting at home and just. Not speaking to us, we can't read your minds. So, you know, come out talking commissioners. You'll find we're all very approachable. I'd be shocked if you reached out to any commissioner. If you didn't get a response back within 24 or 48 hours. Setting up a time to meet with you, and that is something I'm proud of that we, that we all do to make sure that we are accessible, whether it's. At night, during the day, on the weekends, we're always out there meeting with the constituents and trying our best to do the right thing for everybody.

Awesome. Julie?

So I got to participate last Saturday. I got to hang out with Jack at the Southern Rose Trapped Club. Got some great pictures of of the Bucks team and a few of the Queen Anne's team. But it was great to see the kids get to come together. We actually got our picture taken, Jack and I, with both teams. That was pretty cool. And then Saturday we did, Saturday was a busy day. Saturday afternoon we joined the folks up in Churchill and celebrated their 150th anniversary. birthday And walked in their parade and just what a great turnout for the north part of the county For the fireworks and all the festivities and things that were going on. So Jim very good.

Well Saturday was a busy day. We went out with our $50,000 matching funds checked down the Y River via a boat and I got to watch a seeding of a historic bed, which was very interesting, and a lot of interesting facts about oysters in the Wye River and what's going on. And I told them I want it all itemized. I want all the information because the numbers are just unbelievable. So it's doing very well for them. And then, like you said, we went up to Churchill, ran out of candy. We're not going to live that one down. That was a lot of kids up there. Boy, that was a hell of a crowd, so. But on a more serious note, the passing of Paul Gunther, he will be missed. I mean, what a great individual, from commissioner to businessman to farmer, just so easy to talk to. No matter what he was doing behind a hot grill, he would, you know. Wealth of knowledge. That's it, yeah. So he's a pillar of the community, and he will truly be missed. So God bless, and, you know, that's all I can really say about it.

Anything else for the good of the group? The pickleball courts in Churchill opened the day before. So if you want to play pickleball, brand new beautiful courts up in Churchill.

Very good.