County Council of Dorchester County Regular Meeting Minutes June 4, 2024  The County Council ofl Dorchester County convened in Open Session in Room 110 of the County Office Building at 6:00 p.m. on the 4th day of. June, 2024. A roll call oft the members was conducted. Present in Room 110 were: George L. Pfeffer, Jr., President; Mike Detmer, Vice President; Rob Kramer, Jr.; William V. Nichols; and, Ricky C. Travers. Also present in Room 110 were: Jerry Jones, County Manager; Donna F. Lane, Clerk to Council; and, Irene Barnes, Executive Administrative  Specialist.  REGULAR SESSION  INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Councilman Travers led the invocation and the pledge ofallegiance. CALL FOR ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA  After publication of the agenda, the following item was added to: Letter of Support - Department of Housing and Community Development Community Legacy Grant Application - Habitat for Humanity  Choptank.  The Council approved the amended agenda. FINANCIAL REPORT: CASH. ANDI INVESTMENTS  Councilman Pfeffer reported total cash and investments as $24,160,217.41.  CLOSED SESSION SUMMARY  The Council convened into Regular Session on June 4, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. in Room 110, County Office Building, 501 Court Lane, Cambridge, Maryland 21613 and motioned to adjourn into Closed Session pursuant to Title 3 of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, pursuant to $3- 305(b)(1) to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; pursuant to $3-305(b)(7) to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice; and, pursuant to $3-305(b)(3) to consider the acquisition ofr real property for a public purpose and Present in Room 110 were: George L. Pfeffer, Jr., President; Mike Detmer, Vice President; Rob Kramer, Jr.; William V. Nichols; and, Ricky C. Travers. Also present in Room 110 were: Jerry Jones, County Manager; Donna F. Lane, Clerk to Council; and, Irene Barnes, Executive Administrative Specialist. Voting in favor oft the Closed Session were the present Council Members. Charles  matters directly related thereto.  MacLeod, County Attorey,joined the meeting late via telephone.  The Council convened in a Closed Session on June 4, 2024 at 5:16 p.m. to discuss the following items: 1) Received legal advice from the County Attorney regarding updates on specific issues;    Dorchester County Council Regular Session Minutes ofJ June 4, 2024 Page No. 2  2) Discussed acquisition of real property for aj public purpose and matters directly related thereto;  and,  3) Notifications ofr recent personnel changes within the County were provided. Present in Room 110 were: George L. Pfeffer, Jr., President; Mike Detmer, Vice President; Rob Kramer, Jr.; William V. Nichols; and, Ricky C. Travers. Also present in Room 110 were: Jerry Jones, County Manager; Donna F. Lane, Clerk to Council; and, Irene Barnes, Executive Administrative Specialist. Charles MacLeod, County Attorney,joined the meeting late via telephone.  CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES  The Council approved the minutes ofl May 28, 2024. APPROVAL OF DISBURSEMENTS The Council approved the vouchers as presented.  FY24-25 FIRST/SECOND QUARTER MEETING SCHEDULE  The Council adopted the FY24-25 County Council First/Second Quarter Meeting Schedule. EASTERN SHORE INNOVATION CENTER CO-WORKING SPACE AGREEMENT  AMENDMENT - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT  The Council approved the request of Susan Banks, Economic Development Director, to amend the Eastern Shore Innovation Center Co-Working Space Membership Agreement toi include the following: Payment - Monthly, payments will be made by ACH authorization withdrawals. The one-time set-up fee of$25 and the monthly member payment to the County shall be payable by ACH ACH Withdrawal. Rejection Fee - Ifany ACH withdrawal initiated by the Countyfor membership dues or other fees is rejected by member's financial institution due to insufficient funds or any other reason attributable to member, member will be charged an additional fee of$30.00 to cover administrative costs, and other penalties and fees associated with thej failed transaction. The County reserves the right to charge member account or invoice member for this fee promptlyfollowing notification ofthe rejection. Failure to reimburse the Countyforfee within ten (10) days after notification may result in additional  debit...  penalties or suspension ofmembership privileges.  REQUEST TO. ADVERTISE FOR PROPOSAL - RESURFACE GLASGOW STREET TENNIS The Council approved the request ofDuc Trieu, Recreation and Parks Director, to advertise a request  COURTS -E RECREATION & PARKS  for proposals to resurface the. James G. Busick Tennis Courts.    Dorchester County Council Regular Session Minutes of. June 4, 2024 Page No. 3  BUDGET TRANSFER REQUEST- CORRECTIONS  The Council approved the FY24 Budget Transfer Request for the Department ofCorrections.  MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ANNUAL VISIT  Johnny Olszewski, President, Maryland Association of Counties (MACO), and Michael Sanderson, Executive Director, MACo provided the Council with an overview oft the attached presentation, which  included legislative updates.  During al brief discussion, the Council expressed concerns regarding the following:  Kirwan/Blueprint for Maryland's Future Preemption of Solar Percentage ofUndevelopable Land Highway User Funds Volunteer Fire Companies Juvenile Services Jury Duty Recruitment and Retention  COMMENDATIONS  RETIREMENT - ANDREA ROBINSON  The Council presented a Commendation to Andrea Robinson, Sergeant, Sheriff's Office, for 21 years ofservice to Dorchester County and congratulated Ms. Robinson on her retirement. The Council acknowledged that the individuals for the following Commendations were unable to attend the meeting, and will be presented at a future meeting: 1) Vernon Price High. Jump State Championship - North Dorchester High School; 2) Tori Willis, Jr. - 300 Meter Hurdle State Championship - Cambridge South Dorchester High School; 3) Kassidy Young - Discus State Championship - Cambridge South Dorchester High School; and, 4) Cambridge South Dorchester High The Council recognized Melvin Young, Varsity Head Coach, and James Samiec, Volunteer Assistant, for attending the meeting on behalf of the North Dorchester High School Track & Field Team.  School Men's Outdoor Track & Field Team - State Championship.  The Council adjourned into Legislative Session.  LEGISLATIVE SESSION  PUBLIC HEARING - COUNTY CODE UPDATE - PLANNING & ZONING  BILL NO. 2024-5 - AN ACT OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND TO AMEND CHAPTERS 65 (BUILDING CODE), 102 (HEATING, VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION), AND 119 (PLUMBING), ANDOFTHE    Dorchester County Council Regular Session Minutes ofJune 4, 2024 Page No. 4  DORCHESTER COUNTY CODE BY UPDATING SUCH CHAPTERS FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE AND 2021 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE, AND THE: STATE PLUMBING CODE, RESPECTIVELY; PROVIDING THAT THE TITLE OF THIS BILL SHALL BE DEEMED A FAIR SUMMARY, AND GENERALLY RELATINGTO! BUILDING, PLUMBING, AND HVAC CODES IN DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND.  Ms. Lane said aj public hearing is being conducted on Bill No. 2024-5 to amend Chapters 65 (Building Code), 102 (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration), and 119 (Plumbing), and oft the Dorchester County Code by updating such chapters for consistency with the 2021 International Building Code and 2021 International Residential Code, the 2021 International Mechanical Code, and the State Plumbing Code, respectively; providing that the title oft this bill shall be deemed ai fair summary, and generally relating to Building, Plumbing, and HVAC Codes in Dorchester County, Maryland. Ini response to the Council's inquiries, Susan Webb, Planning & Zoning Director, said Bill No. 2024-5 is a requirement to be compliant with the State of Maryland and will not affect contractors, Councilman Pfeffer asked for public comments, hearing none, the public hearing was closed. The roll call on Bill No. 2024-5 was: Pfeffer - aye; Detmer - aye; Kramer - aye; Nichols - aye; and,  asi iti is an update to the language.  Travers -aye.  The Council adjourned into Regular Session.  REGULAR SESSION ACTION ITEMS POLL CONFIRMATIONS  The Council confirmed its decisions in the interim of meetings, via poll to:  Agree to provide a letter of support for a Bartus Trew Providence Preservation Fund grant application of the National Trust for Historic Preservation submitted by the Applegarth Tubman Medicine Hill Preservation and Education Foundation to fund additional flood Agree to provide a letter of support for Cross Street Partner's application to host the SPARK! LETTER OF SUPPORT - DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LEGACY GRANT APPLICATION -1 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CHOPTANK Based on the request of Erin Harmon, Grants Administrator, Habitat forl Humanity Choptank, the Council agreed to provide a letter of support for a Department of] Housing and Community Development Community Legacy grant application submitted by Habitat for Humanity Choptank for  protection work at Medicine Hill, by a 4t to 0 vote; and,  Exhibit, bya4to 0 vote.  its Home Repair Program.    Dorchester County Council Regular Session Minutes of. June 4, 2024 Page No. 5 COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS Mr. Jones had no comments. COUNCIL'S COMMENTS  The Council briefly discussed constituent concerns regarding the new Landfill sticker requirements. Mr. Edwards explained that the new rules were implemented due to a demand in accountability regarding the abuse of the solid waste program, and to refrain from increasing the cost of the stickers. He said the: 1)operating hours, adhering the sticker to the windshield, and information requirements are consistent with other Counties; 2) the cost oft the program is significantly lower than surrounding Counties; 3) drivers licenses do not contain social security numbers; 4) the program includes the County recycling centers; and, 5) the program will be reevaluated next year. The Council directed staff toi implement other Social media platforms, such as Instagram. Councilman Pfeffer thanked Karen Tolley, Finance Director, for updating the budget to reflect the additional funding for Volunteer Fire Companies. He noted that the budget was signed today.  PUBLIC COMMENTS  Terry Robbins, resident, expressed her concerns regarding the new Landfill sticker requirements.  ADJOURNMENT  With no further business to discuss, the Council adjourned.  ATEST:  THE COUNTY COUNCIL FPORCHESTER,0) Y 22  Jerry Jortes County Mànager  Mike Detmer, Vice President LRE  William V.Nichols  g  Approved the da dayof_furc,2024.    PRESIDING OFFICER'S WRITTEN STATEMENT FOR CLOSING A MEETING ("CLOSING STATEMENT") UNDER THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT (General  Provisions Article 53-305)  This form has two sides. Complete items 1-4b before closing the meeting.  1.  Recorded vote to close the meeting: Date: 6/4/24 Time: 5:15 p.m.; Location: Room 110, County Office Building, 501 Court Lane, Cambridge, Maryland; Motion to close meeting made by:  TYOVAS _Seconded by. Nmnols etre,Omai.imnn Opposed:  Members in favor: TYAMNS Pfeffer,  Abstaining:  Absent:  2.  Statutory authority to close session (check all provisions that apply). This meeting will be closed under General Provisions Art. S 3-305(b) only:  (1)x "To discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals"; (2). "To protect the privacy or reputation of individuals concerning a matter not related to public business"; (3).3 "To consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto"; (4) "To consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State"; (5) "To consider the investment of public funds"; (6)_ "To consider the marketing of public securities"; (7)x "To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice"; (8)_ "To consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation"; (9)_ "To conduct collective bargaining negotiations or consider matters that relate to the negotiations"; (10)_ "To discuss public security, if the public body determines that public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to public security, including: (i) the deployment of fire and police services and staff; and (ii) the development and implementation of emergency plans"; (11) "To prepare, administer, or grade a scholastic, licensing, or qualifying examination"; (12)_ "To conduct or discuss an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct"; (13)_x "To comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially imposed requirement that prevents public disclosures about a particular proceeding or matter"; (14) "Before a contract is awarded or bids are opened, to discuss a matter directly related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal, if public discussion or disclosure would adversely impact the ability of the public body to participate in the competitive bidding or proposal process." (15) "To discuss cybersecurity, if the public body determines that public discussion would constitute a risk to: (i) security assessments or deployments relating to information resources technology; (ii) network security information : or (ii) deployments or implementation of security  personnel, critical infrastructure, or security devices."  Continued *    3.  For each provision checked above, disclosure of the topic to be discussed and the public  body's reason for discussing that topici in closed session.  Citation (insert # from above)  Topic  Reason for closed-session discussion Council does not want to waive the 101, August 17, 2021, OMCB ruling (15  of topic  53-305(b)(7) Tor receive legal advice from  the County Attorney regarding attorney-client privilege. See page  County Manager issues.  OMCB 99)  $3-305(b) (3) To discuss acquisition of real To consider the acquisition of real  property for a public purpose property for a public purpose and  and matters directly related  matters directly related thereto Public Discussion of applicant's names from applying for County jobs Public Information Act, GP Section 4- 310 and 311 requires us to shield recommendation letters and job  thereto. County.  53-305(b)(1) Notifications of recent 53-305(b)(13) Same topic as above  personnel changes within the and jobi info could discourage people  applications    4. Thisstatement is made by.  Presiding Officer.  WORKSHEET FOR OPTIONAL USE IN CLOSED SESSION: INFORMATION FOR SUMMARY TO BE DISCLOSED IN THE MINUTES OF THE NEXT OPEN MEETING. (See also template for summary.)  Fora a meeting closed under the statutory authority cited above:  Time of closed session: Place: Purpose(s):  Members who voted to meet in closed session: Persons attending closed session: Authority under $ 3-305 for the closed session: Topics actually discussed: Actions taken: Each recorded vote: A Place: Persons present: Subjects discussed:  For a meeting recessed to perform an administrative function (S 3-104): Time:  (Form Rev.10/1/2018)