BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY 11916 Somerset Avenue Room 111/Meeting Room Princess Anne, MD 21853 July 30, 2024 2:00 p.m.  Appointment:  2:00 p.m.- Public Hearing Housing Rehabilitation Grant-Reallocate Funding 2:10 p.m. - Grant Agreement/Deal Island Peninsula Open Ditch Drainage  Mr. Jesse Drewer, Department ofTechnical and Community Services (DTCS) Mr. Jesse Drewer, Mr. John Redden, County Engineer, Mr. Charles Cavanaugh, Director/SW and Maintenance, Mr. Woody Barnes, Roads Director, Jenn Raulin and Christine Burns, Maryland DNR, Amanda Pollock, Center for Watershed Protection Informational- - Community Rating System (CRS) - Class 7 Determination Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board- 11 New Member and 1 Reappointment  2:20 p.m. - Mr. Jesse Drewer, DTCS  Planning Commission Reappointment Laverne Stewart Request for Release ofLiens (4) - 12366 Fitzbound Road Request for Release ofLien (1) - 9010 Millard Long Road MOU/ Somerset County and DHCD/Homestretch Grant Agreement  2:30p.m. - Mr.John Redden, County Engineer  Correspondence  Sent:  The Crisfield Heritage Foundation re: 2024-2025 Tax Exemption Request  Discussion:  1. Senior Care Grant FY25  2.P Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board Nominations - (2)  Public Comments: Members oft the audience who have signed up to address the Board will be permitted to  do SO at this time and allotted 5: minutes.  2:35 p.m. - Closed Session- Mr. Ernest Leatherbury, Ms. Jamie Manaia performance evaluation of an appointee, employee, or official over whom it hasj jurisdiction.  Authority oft the General Provisions Article oft the Annotated Code of Maryland $ 3-305 (b)(1) the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or  Denotes Action Item    BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY July3 30,2024  At 2:00 p.m., President Charles Laird called the Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County to openi inl Regular Session. Also present fort today's meeting were Vice! President Randy Laird, Commissioner Eldon Willing, Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr., and  Commissioner Darryl Webster.  Deputy Administrator Ernest J. Leatherbury Jr., and Executive. Aide Lory E. Ebron were  also present.  Closed Session Summary Report  On Tuesday, July 30, 2024 from 2:36 p.m., until 2:54 p.m., President Charles Laird, upon a motion made by Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr., and seconded by Vice President Randy Laird opened in Closed Session by Authority of the General Provisions Article of 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 Darryl Webster and Commissioner Eldon Willing voted ini favor, therefore bys show ofH hands the motion carried 5-0. Deputy County. Administrator Erest J. Leatherbury Jr., Ms. Lory Ebron, Executive Aide Ms. Jamie Manaia, HR Director, Mr. Charles Cavanaugh, Director of Solid Waste and  Maintenance were also present.  Topics discussed: (I) Acting Supervisor (2) Probationary Employee Status. Topics Approved: (1) Approval for Acting Supervisor (2). Approval to move probationary employees to  permanent employee status.  President Charles Laird asked Commissioner Willing tol lead those present in) Devotion and Mr. Leatherbury presented meeting minutes for approval regarding the Commissioner Special and Closed Session meetings held on July 9, 2024 and the Commissioner and Closed  the Pledge of Allegiance.  Session meetings held on. July 16, 2024.  Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve the minutes from the. July 9,2 2024 and July 16, 20241 meetings as presented. Commissioner Willing seconded the: motion. Vice President  Randy Laird abstained; therefore, the motion carried 4-0-1.  1    Board ofCommissioners Mecting 7-30-24  At2:01 p.m., President Charles Laird next declareda a Public Hearing opent tor receive public comment ont the substantial amendment to the Community Development Block Grant. Mr. Jesse Drewer and Mr. Casey Goldsborough, Department ofTechnical and Community Services came  forward. as follows:  Mr. Leatherbury then proceeded to formally readt the notice of publicl hearing into record  NOTICE OF SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT TUESDAYULYQ2BNA  The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners has determined that it is necessary to amend the grant awarded by the Maryland Department ofHousing and Community Development (DHCD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for the Housing Rehabilitation In accordance with our CDBG Citizen Participation Plan, we are seeking public comment on our plan toi reallocate funding from housing rehabilitation activities to the following activities:  Program.  I. Ramps/Accessiblty: -$50,000  Written comment will be accepted until August 9, 2024 via email atj drwer@somercemdus or to the Board ofCounty Commissioners Office 11916 Somerset Avenue! Room 111 Princess Anne, Maryland 21853. Contact Jesse Drewer at 410-651-1424 for additional information.  Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County Erest. J. Leatherbury, Deputy County Administrator  Mr. Drewer explained that following the Boards and CDBG approval to subrecipient $50,000 of our Housing Rehabilitation Grant Funds in partnership with Chesapeake Housing Mission for the construction of accessibility handicap ramps in the county, a public hearing must  be held for the allowance ofp public comment.  President Charles Laird askedi ifthere were: any proponents present wishing tos speak. There President Charles Laird asked ifthere were any opponents present wishing to speak. There Mr. Leatherbury advised that written comment would bet taken for 10 days, or untill Friday, August 9, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. President Charles Laird declared thel Public Hearing Closed at 2:04  were none. were: none.  p.m.  2    Boardo lofCommissioners) Mecting? 7-30-24  Next, Mr. Drewer invited. Jenn Raulin and Christine Burns with Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Amanda Pollock, Center for Watershed Protection to provide information relating to the Deal Island Peninsula Open Ditch Drainage Grant Agreement. Ms. Raulin explained they were. here today to obtain approval for an! MOUbetween DNR/Chesapeake and Coastal Service and Somerset County int the amount of $48,930 toi improve ditch drainage in Somerset County, which has been found to be backlogged. A PowerPoint presentation was  provided that explained:  Thel Deal Island Peninsula Partnership started about 12 years ago utilizing residents, resourcei managers, scientists, NGO's and planners meeting monthly as a steering committee. Various avenues for funding was also discussed. Community meetings held that discussed priority area drainage issues heldi in April Meeting was held with County representatives in. July 2023 to discuss the 2020 Challenge areas were identified regarding ditch maintenance, and the need of Thes scope of work was summarized withi iti noted thats site assessment, toi include other areas in the county and project feasibility verification explained. Aj project done int the Village of Jonestown, Caroline County was presented which will bes similar tot thej project proposed here in Somerset County. Last, a timeline ofe events noting thej project with the MOU being approved and signed today, and to officially start in September 2024 and being completed in the fall of Commissioner Mathies questioned ifo other areas ini the County willl be addressed once this projecti is completed. It was stated that information obtained will be relevant to other areas int the County, with two key areas identified for this project including Oriole and Dames Quarter. Itis thought that the Riley Road areas should bei included. Thel MOUI has been reviewed by the County Attorney andi found legally sufficient. The group presenting thei information leftt the meeting att this  2023. drainage assessment. obtaining easements.  2026.  time.  Commissioner Willing made ai motion to enteri into the MOU agreement withl DNR relating tot the Deal Island Peninsula Open Ditch Drainage Grant Agreement as presented. Commissioner  Webster seconded the motion. By show of1 hands, the motion carried 5-0.  Mr. Jesse Drewer and Ms. Mary Phillips, DTCS came forward. First, Ms. Phillips explained that they have received correspondence from the Community Rating System (CRS) program that after several years of working to obtain CRS certification, Somerset County has received a recommendation ofa Class 7 ranking that will be forwarded to FEMA. The Class 7 determination will offer ai floodi insurance rate reduction of approximately 15%, on or after April 2025 when NFIP insurance policies are issued or renewed. Mr. Drewer deferred to Ms. Phillips as this has been her primary project for several years. Ms. Phillips advised that there are 18  3    Boardo ofCommissioners! Mecting? 7-30-24  communities in Maryland, 9 counties (Somerset now being the tenth) and 9 incorporated towns that have received approval. Vice President Randy Laird asked if citizens need to sign up or do anything to receive the discount. Iti is believed that the discount will be applied automatically as insurance carriers will be notified of the County's rating. Commissioner Mathies recommended the county be proactive to ensure that insurance carriers are notified and properly providing the  discount.  Mr. Drewer next presented a reappointment request regarding the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board. Mr. Mike King term expired on September 4, 2023 and he is agreeable to serve this last and final 5-year term. If approved, Mr. Kings term will expire in September 2028. Additionally, it was noted that member Grayson Laird has submitted his resignation as he cannot continue to serve asl he willl be moving out of the county.  Commissioner Mathies made ai motion to reappoint Mr. King to serve a 4-year term on the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show ofhands, the motion carried 5-0. It was noted that a vacancy remains that will need tol be filled. Next, Mr. Drewer advised that Ms. Lavemne Stewarts term on the Planning Commission will expire in September 2024. Ms. Stewart would like to continue serving. If approved, Ms.  Stewarts term will expire in September 2029.  Commissioner Mathies made a motion to approve the reappointment ofl Laverne Stewart to another five-year term. Vice President Randy Laird seconded the motion. By show of hands,  thei motion carried 5-0.  Next, through the County's Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program, it has come to the department's attention that four CDBG grants approved in 2006, 2007 (2), and 2008 totaling $19,434.161 regarding 13466 Fitzbound Road have expired and a request fori fourl lien releases was presented. It was noted that the original request presented in 2006 led to the discovery of more work needing to be completed, resulting in multiple grants being approved. That is not how the  process is handled today.  Vicel President RandyLairdi made ai motion to approve thel President'ss signature on the four expired lien releases as presented for 13466 Fitzbound Road. Commissioner Webster seconded the  motion. By show of hands, the: motion carried 5-0.    Boardo ofCommissioners Meeting? 7-30-24  Last, ai request for lien release was presented regarding 9010 Millard Long Road for work completed under the Housing Rehabilitation Grant program in August 2010 for $4,510.00. The  five-year lien expired in 2015.  Commissioner Webster made a motion to authorize President Charles Laird to sign the lien release for 9010Millard: Long Road as presented. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show ofhands, the motion carried 5-0. Mr. Drewer left the meeting att this time.  Mr. John Redden, County Engineer came forward to present the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the DHCD Broadband Homestretch Grant int the amount of$1.1 Million. This grant funding willl bet used to connect broadband: service top properties with long lanes. The MOU was reviewed by Attorney Simpkins andi found legally sufficient.  Commissioner Willing made a motion to approve the MOU between the County and DHCD regarding the Office of Statewide Broadband-Broadband Homestretch Grant-Difficult to Serve Properties Program Agreement as presented. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. President Charles Laird and Vice President Randy Laird voted in favor. Commissioner Mathies  abstained; therefore, the motion carried 4-0-1.  Vice President Randy Laird asked about any updates regarding the Smith Island Verizon Broadband project. Mr. Redden advised he will reach out to them to obtain an update. Mr. Leatherbury continued with correspondence and discussion items.  A letter was sent to Mr. Willis Dryden, Tax Supervisor advising that the FY24-25 Tax Regarding discussion items, Ms. Sherree Marshall, Commission on Aging was available by phone (due to health issues) to present the FY 2025 Senior Care Grant in the amount of $160,000. Ms. Marshall explained that this grant will be used implement the senior program, helping seniors, based ont their income: for services, supplies and needs operated through the Health Department and Social Services. There are specific requirements that must be met. These funds are used to assist seniors tol be ablet tor remain int their homes, and not! have tos goi into nursingl homes. Commissioner Mathies made a motion to approve the President's signature on the FY25 Senior Grant Application as presented. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show of  Exemption request for Crisfield Heritage Foundation was approved.  hands, the motion carried 5-0.  Last, Mr. Leatherbury presented information regarding the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board vacancies. He advised there are two people currently interested, and possibly  5    Boarde ofCommissioners' Meting? 7-30-24  others. A decision is not needed today, however, once the interested persons have applied online, andt the Board has hadt the opportunity to review all oft ther resumes submitted, the County will need toj provide al letter of support regarding their recommendation of appointment to the State Office  ofA Appointments for Governor Wes Moore's consideration.  With no further business, at 2:36 p.m., the Board was advised of the need to enteri into Closed Session by Authority oft the General Provisions Article ofthe Annotated Codec ofMaryland $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 Mathies made a motion to enter into closed session. Vice President Randy Laird seconded the motion. Commissioner Willing, Commissioner Webster andl President Charles Laird votedi ini favor, therefore, bys show ofhandst the motion carried  5-0.  The Commissioner and Closed Session meetings concluded at 2:541 p.m.  Approved by: C  Respectfully Submitted:  Board ofCounty For Somerset County  Commissioners  Ebron Lory E. Executive Aide  Shoay&s  6