BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY 11916 Somerset Avenue Room 111/Meeting Room Princess Anne, MD 21853 July 2, 2024 2:00 p.m.  Appointment:  2:00 p.m. - Public Hearing - Mr. Jesse Drewer, Director/Department ofTechnical and Community Services 2:15p.m. - Public Hearing. Mr.. Jesse Drewer, Director/Department ofTechnical and Community Services  Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) Applications Blight Removal Grant (CD-20-CD-25)- Second Public Hearing FY24 CDBG Application Approval/Resolution- Homeless Shelter  2:20 p.m. - Mr. Jesse Drewer, Director DTCS  2:25 p.m. - Mr. Tim McGaha, Ms. Val Connelly, Mr. Leroy Sverduk, Choptank Electric Cooperative and  Mr. John Redden, County Engineer, Mr. Chris Woodward, IT Director, Mr. Danny' Thompson,  EDC  Choptank Fiber Broadband Update  Correspondence  Received: Sent:  Mr. Ed Goyda, Library Director re: Library Board Reappointment  Mr. Jesse Drewer, Director re: Building and Plumbing Code Appeals Board Appointment 1. Somerset County Property Tax Appeals Board Vacancies (1 Seat/1 Alternate)  Discussion:  2. Letter of Support- City of Crisfield Grant Application/Kubberset and Cove Wastewater Pumping  Station Project  Public Comments: Members of the audience who have signed up to address the Board will be permitted to 2:40 p.m. Closed Session- Mr. Ernest Leatherbury, Ms. Jamie Manaia, Sheriff Ronnie Howard, Authority ofthe General Provisions Article ofthe. Annotated Code ofl Maryland $ 3-305 (b)(1)the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an appointee, employee, or official over whom it hasj jurisdiction.  do SO at this time and allotted 51 minutes.  Chief Deputy Paul Keplinger, Ms. Sharon Muir  Denotes Action Item    BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY July2,2024  At2:00p.m., Vice President Randy Laird called the Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County to open inl Regular Session. Also present for today'sm meeting were Commissioner Eldon Willing. Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr., and Commissioner Darryl Webster. President Charles Laird, and County Administrator Ralph D. Taylor were absent from today's meeting. Deputy Administrator Ernest J. Leatherbury Jr., and Executive Aide Lory E. Ebron were  also present.  Closed Session Summary Report  On" Tuesday, July 2, 2024 from 3:03 p.m., following a brief recess, until 3:47 p.m., Vice President Randy Laird, upon a motion made by Commissioner Darryl Webster and seconded by Commissioner Mathies opened in Closed Session by Authority oft the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland $3-305 (b)(1) the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation ofan appointee, employee, or official over whom ith hasj jurisdiction. Commissioner Willing voted in favor. Those present voted aye therefore the motion carried 4-0. President Charles Laird and  County Administrator Ralph D.Taylor were absent from today's meeting.  Deputy County Administrator Ernest J. Leatherbury Jr., Ms. Lory Ebron, Executive Aide Ms.. Jamie: Manaia, HRI Director, Ms. Sharon! Muir, Internal Auditor, Sheriff Ronnie Howard, Chief Deputy Paul Keplinger, and Lieutenant Ray. Johns were present at this time.  Topics discussed: (1) Salary (2) Legal EnforcemenlOninances. Topics Approved: (1)  None  Vice] President Randy Laird asked Commissioner Willing tol lead those present in Devotion Mr. Leatherbury presented meeting minutes for approval regarding the Commissioner and Closed Session meetings held on. June 18, 2024 and the Special and Closed Session meetings held  andt the Pledge of Allegiance.  on. June: 25,2024.  Commissioner Mathies made ai motion to approve the minutes from the June 18 and. June 25,20241 meetings as presented. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. Those present voted  aye; therefore, the motion carried 4-0.    Board ofd Commissioners Meeting 7-2-24  At 2:04 p.m., Vice President Randy Laird next declared al Public Hearing open to receive public comment on the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Applications. Mr. Jessel Drewer and Ms. Catherine Skeeter, Department ofTechnical and Community Services came forward. Mr. Drewer explained that since 1977, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) has purchased agricultural preservation easements that restrict development on prime farmland and woodland. As of June 30, 2023 has purchased 61 easements preserving 6,731 acresi in Somerset County. The deadline for FY25 application was. July I,a and 18 applications were submitted and provided within the agenda package for review. The applications must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and the local Agricultural Land Preservation Board prior to final approval by the Commissioners. Additionally, the Commissioners must rank the applications based on criteria set by the State. The recommended ranking order was alsoi included. Mr. Leatherbury then proceeded to formally read the notice of public hearing into record as  New applications willl bet taken again in2 2 more years.  follows:  NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING  BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY Under thej provisions ofMaryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, applications have been filed with the Somerset County Commissioners to sell easements to the Maryland  Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation ont the following properties: Gary Breeding- - 348.5 ac. on Lovers Ln (Tax Map 48, Parcel 9) Wilson Davis, et al-79.5 ac. on River Rd (Tax Map 49, Parcels 70 & 181) J&JAg-58.01 ac. on Eby Rd (Tax Map 8, Parcel 358 & 359) Tawes, Nelson, Reynolds - 56.5 ac. on Millard Long Rd( (Tax Map 31, Parcel 61) Rob &. Jeff Windsor- - 115.84 ac. on Charles Cannon Rd (Tax Map 57, Parcel 131) Rob &. Jeff Windsor - 38.383 ac. on Harry Burton Rd (Tax Map 57, Parcel 251) William Webster - 176.35 ac. on Perryhawkin Rd (Tax Map 25, Parcel 14) Patti & Phillip Renshaw - 50.238 ac. on Fitzgerald Rd (Tax Map 14, Parcel: 38) Kingston Farm, LLC-1 110.475 ac. on Old Westover Marion Rd (Tax Map 49, plo Parcel 144) Robert A. Bunting- - 118.37 ac. on West Post Office Rd (Tax Map 16, Parcel 43) Theodore A. Miller - 72.47 ac. on Brownstone Rd (Tax Map 23, Parcel 2) Douglas Vann & Deborah Ballantine-Vann 168.831 ac. on Dublin Rd (Tax Map 24, Parcel William H. Miller - 107 ac. on Follow Ditch Rd (Tax Map 34, Parcels 13 & 80) William H. Miller - 92.1 ac. on Wallace Taylor Rd (Tax Map 34, Parcels 4 & 72) William H. Miller - 53.05 ac. on Charles Boston Rd (Tax Map 25, Parcel 11) William & Michele Zacierka- - 108.82 ac. on Charles Cannon Rd (Tax Map 27, Parcel 160) GladMar Land Company, Inc - 148 ac. on Courthouse Hilll Rd (Tax Map 43, Parcels 15 &18) GladMar Land Company, Inc -213.45 ac. on Dividing Creek Rd and Worth Rd (Tax Map 43,  10)  Parcels 4, 20,37,38,45,60)  2    Boardo ofCommissioners Meting7 7-2-24 APUBLICI HEARING WILL BEI HELD ON  TUESDAY, July 2, 2024 AT 2:00 P.M. in the County Commissioners Meeting Room (Room 111), 11916 Somerset Avenue, Princess Anne, MD, to hear comments from the public Agricultural Land Preservation Easements may be sold by landowners whose land meets eligibility requirements oft the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation. For further information, please contact the Department ofTechnical & Community  regarding these applications.  Services at 410-651-1424.  Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County Charles Laird, President Somerset County Commissioners  Vice President Randy Laird asked ift there were any proponents present wishing to speak. Vice President Randy Laird askedi if there were any opponents present wishing to speak. Mr. Leatherbury advised that written comment would bet taken for 10 days, or untill Friday, July 12, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. Vicel President Randy Laird declared the Public Hearing Closed at 2:08  There were none. There were none.  p.m.  Being the meeting was running ahead of schedule, Mr. Leatherbury continued with A letter was received from Mr. Ed Goyda, Library Director, advising that Board Member Lynn Lang'st term expired and she would liket to be reappointed to af full 5-year term. Thel Library  correspondence and discussion items.  Board nominated her reappointment at their. June 12, 2024 meeting.  Commissioner Webster made a motion to reappoint Ms. Lang to a 5-year term on the Library Board ofTrustees. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. Those present voted aye;  therefore the motion carried 4-0.  Al letter was sent tol Mr.. Jessel Drewer, DTCS Director advising that Mr. Brian' Waller was appointed to serve on the Building and Plumbing Code Appeals Board for a three-year term. Under Discussion Items, Mr. Leatherbury advised of emails received from both Delegate Otto's and Senator Carozza'so offices thatt the Governor's Office of Appointments advising that the Somerset County Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board has one (1) vacant seat and (1) vacant alternate seat. Currently serving are Ms. Paulette M. Collins and Mr. John W. Cullen. Commissioner Mathies advised he may know someone: interested and will reach out tos seei ifthey  would liket tos serve.  3    Board ofCommissioners' Meeting7 7-2-24  A letter of support request was received from the City of Crisfield regarding their application for the Crisfield Rubberset and Cove Wastewater Pumping Stations Project. Their grant application, in the amount of $500,000 will be used for a shortfall and will assist with  mitigating.  Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve the letter ofs support as presented for the CityofCrisfield. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. Those present voted aye, therefore  the motion carried 4-0.  Ast the meeting continued to be ahead ofs schedule, Mr. Jesse Drewer presented the FY24 Community Development Block Grant Application and Resolution (No. 1202) for the Homeless Shelter. The grant, in the amount of $200,000 willl be used in partnership with Catholic Charities  for homeless shelter services.  Commissioner Mathies made a motion to approve the grant application and Resolution! No. 1202 as presented. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. Those present voted aye  therefore, the motion carried 4-0.  At 2:15 p.m., Vice President Randy Laird declared the Public Hearing open to receive public comment on the Second Hearing for the Blight Removal Grant (MD-20-CD-25). In State FY 22, Somerset County was awarded $310,000 CDBG grant funding for blight removal and derelict properties throughout the county. Since that time, as of. June 14th 32 blighted properties were demolished. Mr. Drewer reported that $232,098.32 was expended, with $77,901.44 to be recaptured by DHCD. A map, and list ofproperties demolished was provided. Thiss second hearing  will officially close the grant.  Mr. Leatherbury read to notice of Public Hearing into record as follows: NOTICE OF SECOND PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 2:15 P.M. County Commissioners' Meeting Room, Room 111 11916 Somerset Avenue Princess Anne, Maryland  The Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County will conduct a Second Public Hearing to provide information on the progress of Blight Removal Grant (MD-20-CD-25) which was funded under the Maryland Community Development Block Grant Program which is a federally funded program designed to assist governments with activities directed toward neighborhood and housing revitalization, community development, and improved community facilities and services. Efforts will be made to accommodate the disabled and non-English speaking residents with five  (5) days advance notice to. Jessel Drewer at 410-651-1424.    Board orCommissionersi Mecting 7-2-24  For further information, please contact the Department ofTechnical & Community Services at  410-651-1424.  Board ofCounty Commissioners for Somerset County Ralph D. Taylor, County Administrator Advertising Dates: 6/12/2024 and 6/19/2024  Vice President Randy Laird asked ift there were any proponents present wishing to speak. Vice President Randy Laird asked ift there were any opponents present wishing to speak. Mr. Leatherbury stated that written comment will be taken for 10 days, or until July 12, Next, Ms. Valerie Connelly, VP of Government Affairs & Public Relations, Mr. Tim McGaha, VP ofTechnical Service, Mr. Leroy Sverduk, VP Engineering and Mr. Matt Teffeau, Manager of Government Affairs & Economic Development of Choptank Electric Cooperative/Choptankz Fiber came forward to present a broadband Fiber update. Ms. Connelly introduced those present with her today. Also, County Engineer John Redden, EDC Director Danny Thompson were also present in the audience. Ms. Connelly began by distributing a  There were: none. There were none.  2024at 4:30 p.m. Thel Public Hearing was declared closed at 2:18 p.m,  PowerPoint handout, outlining the following information:  2021 Somerset County grants completed have included: Drive and Widdowson Lane  891 locations along Brownstone Road, Stewarts Neck Road, Arbor Acre Phase A- 309 locations east of Princess Anne along Perryhawkin, Charles Boston, Mitchell, Dublin, Harry Riggins and Fivel Bridgel Roads Phase B - 378 locations along West Post Office Road, and south towards the county line, and west to Georg Riggins Road There are 776 total locations passed with their projects, totaling $4.3 Million, noting that $2.1 Million was funded from OSB, $2.2 Million from CEC and $10,000 from Somerset County 2022 Somerset County grants completed havei included: 5141 locations alongt top and central Somerset County Itwas noted that the FY22 $5.1 Million funding will build off of the FY22 was funding with $4.6 Million from OSB and $225,000 from There is a 44%1 take rate for the Broadband service overall There have been some complications from Rail Road and water crossings, Right of Way easements that have pushed out the completion Will start at the end of thel Demo/Stewarts Neck Road buildout and the Tech Park project and runs west on Revells Neck Road to the end of  FY21 projects Somerset County and CEC date by approximately 41 months 2023 Proposed Revells Neck Road Project: 82 unserved locations tol be covered  Racoon Point  5    Board ofc Commissioners! Mccting 7-2-24 limited locations on roads running south Total Costi is $1 Million+ in County ARPA funds  Will cover all locations on roads running north off Revells Neck, with Proposed funding will bes split approximately: 50/501 between the County and Choptank, using the remaining $476,965 funding allocated to CEC Engineering in complete, and pulling of underground fiber is occurring now. Some services may be offered by the end of July. Estimated completion to offer services expected around Labor Day  Ms. Connelly explained that Choptank Fiber is thinking ahead for new builds that may happen in areas in botht the south and north ends that ares serviced by Choptank. Pricing breakdown forr residential customers was provided, ranting from $84.95 per month to $279.95 per month. She also advised that the Low-Income Access Program will be offered at $30.00 per month and voice service will also be offered. Thet next funding opportunities for 2024 and 2025 included residences with long lanes or difficuit to reach who can utilize a $1.1 OSB grant. Clarification regarding funding uses for this grant is still pending. All services providers willl have the ability to apply for this grant funding. Identifying service needs for those who have not been recognized needing service continues. Ms. Connelly completed! her presentation. anda asked ifthere were any questions. Commissioner Webster asked about pricing, and how individuals know which level to choose to accommodate their needs. Ms. Connelly explained that customers sign up for an initial 2-year contract, and are allowed tos switch plans if needed. Equipment isi included.  It was noted that there is still ar need for broadband service ini the very rural locations of the county that have fewer homes to service. That was recognized by Ms. Connelly, noting that the broadband initiative is an important initiative for the Statet to provide broadband. service to all Maryland resident locations and they are hopeful for additional grant funding opportunities to  assist with the initiatives.  Mr. Danny Thompson came forward commenting on how fortunate we were to have Choptank here, going back to providing the first letter of support approved for this county wide broadband project. He discussed the Smith Island broadband project as well, notingt the benefitsit  willl bring to thei island residents and businesses.  Vice President Randy Laird asked how broadband is being offered in the county. It was explained that the various service providers involved (Choptank, Charter and Comcast) are representing different areas of the county. It was explained that competition among providers is beneficial int the higher volume areas, buti is not sought after by providers in the more: rural areas. Thei representatives from Choptank attending today were thanked for the presentation.    Board ofCommissioners! Meeting7 7-2-24  Mr. Robert. J. McIntyre, 28001 Mt. Vernon Road, Princess Anne, MD came forward. Mr. McIntyre asked again about the work needed on Polks Road, looked at 5 or 6 weeks ago, asking when the project will be started. Mr. Leatherbury advised he will check with Mr. Barnes, Roads Director to get an answer. Thej painted area was notedt tol be at Mallory Manner to Whitelock store. Also, Mr. McIntyre expressed his concern seeing the Allen ambulance going down Polks Road, asking how the county is making out regarding the EMS program in the county. With no further business, at 2:58 p.m., the Board was advised of the need to enter into Closed Session by Authority oft the General Provisions Article oft the Annotated CodeofMaryland $3-305 (b)(1) the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an appointee, employee, or official over whom it has jurisdiction. Commissioner Webster made a motion to enter into closed session. Commissioner Mathies seconded the motion. Vice President Randy Laird and Commissioner Willing voted in favor, therefore, by show of hands the motion carried 4-0. President Charles Laird and County Administrator Ralph D. Taylor were absent from today's  meeting.  The Commissioner and Closed Session meetings concluded at 3:47 p.m.  Approved by:  Respectfully Submitted:  d  Board of County Commissioners For Somerset County  Lory E. Ebron Executive. Aide  7