BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY 11916 Somerset Avenue Room 111/Meeting Room Princess Anne, MD 21853 November 19,2024 2:00 p.m. Appointments: 2:00 p.m. - Public Hearing- Zoning Code Text Amendment/Smith Island Cell' Tower Mr. Jesse Drewer, DTCS Bid Award - Airport Hangar Project MAA Hangar Funding Choptank Fiber Proposed Project Expansion FY25 Annual CSEA Grant 2:10p.m. - Mr. John Redden, County Engineer 2:20 p.m. - Ms. Alice Bromley, Child Services Correspondence Received: Governor Wes Moore re: Coast Smart Council Appointment Mr. Marty Koerner, PAB/ACC Chairman re: Letter of] Resignation Washington High School, Food Donations for Thanksgiving Dinner Mr. Ed Goyda, Library Director re: Board ofTrustee Reappointment Maryland Association of Counties re: 2025 Legislative Committee Nominations (Member and Alternate) Sent: Mr. Gregory Padgham, Tri County Council for the Lower Shore re: Executive Board Nominations Mr. Alex Donahue, Executive Director Public School Construction Program re: FY26 Capital Improvement Plan Ms. Cindy Stone, Director of Office of Community Programs re: Somerset County CDBG Homeless Shelter Ms. Cheryl Meadows, Executive Director Neighborhood Housing Services re: Request for Waiver of Building Grant (MD-24-CD-5): Rebudget Request Permit Fees for Affordable Housing Project - Pear Street Crisfield, Maryland Discussion 1.L Letter of Support Request/City of Crisfield Northern Crisfield Flooding Mitigation Project 2. Letter of Support Request/City of Crisfield EPA Community Change Grant Application 3. Boat Slip Sublease Request (2) 4. Boat Slip Sublease Approval Authority at this time and allotted 51 minutes. Public Comments: Members of the audience who have signed up to address the Board will be permitted to do sO 3:00 p.m. - Closed Session- Mr. Ralph D. Taylor, Mr. Ernest Leatherbury, Mr. Charles Cavanaugh Authority oft the General Provisions Article oft the Annotated Code 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; and (8) consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation. Denotes. Action Item BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY November 19,2024 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 Vicel President Randy Laird, Commissioner Eldon Willing, Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr., and Commissioner Darryl Webster. County Administrator Ralph D. Taylor, Deputy Administrator Ernest J. Leatherbury. Jr., and Executive. Aide Lory E. Ebron were also present. Closed Session Summary Report OnTuesday, November 19, 2024 from 2:24p p.m., until 3:06 p.m., President Charles Laird, upon a motion madel by Commissioner Darryl Webster, seconded by Vice President Randy Laird opened in Closed Session by Authority of 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 performance evaluation of an appointee, employee, or official over whomi itl hasj jurisdiction; and (8) consult withs staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation. Commissioner Craig Mathies Sr., President Charles Laird and Commissioner Eldon Willing votedi in favor, therefore the motion carried 5-0. County Administrator Ralph D. Taylor, Ms. Lory Ebron, Executive Aide, Mr. Charles Cavanaugh, Director of Solid Waste and Maintenance and Ms.. Jamie Manaia, HRI Director, were also present. Topics discussed: (1) Probationary to permanent employee status (2) Request for proclamation (3) Potential litigation. Topics Approved: (1) Approval to move employee to permanent status (2) Approved proclamation. President Charles Laird asked Commissioner Willing tol leadt those present inl Devotion and Mr. Taylor presented meeting minutes for approval regarding the Commissioner and Closed Session meetings held on October 22, 2024, Special and Closed Session meetings from October 29, 2024 andt thel Board of Health meeting held on October 29, 2024. the Pledge of Allegiance. Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Commissioner Eldon' Willing seconded thei motion. Bys show ofhands the motion carried 5-0. 1 Board ofCommissionersl Mectingl 11-19-24 President Laird called the! Public Hearing open to receive public comments on the zoning codet text amendment for the Smith Island Cell" Tower at 2:02 p.m. Mr. Jessel Drewer, Director of Planning and Zoning, came forward. Mr. Taylor read thet notice of public hearing into record as follows: NOTICE OF PUBLIC: HEARING Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 2PM County Commissioners' Meeting Room, Room 111 11916 Somerset Avenue Princess Anne, Maryland BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY ADOPTION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTYZONING: CODE AMENDMENTS In accordance with Section 15 of the Somerset County Zoning Ordinance, Somerset County is considering amending sections oft the Zoning Ordinance that pertain to uses, toi include regulation for use of cannabis; including but not limited to growing, processing, and selling. Further amendments include the addition ofWireless' Telecommunication: Facilities. Ther relevant sections of the Ordinance are: Section 5.7 Table of Uses, Section 'd' Commercial Uses, Section 'e' Industrial Uses, Section 5.8 Supplemental Use Regulation; and Section 17 Definitions. The Somerset County Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 7, 2024 forwarding a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for its consideration. The County Commissioners will consider allj public comment prior to makingaf final decision. Fair Summary Thep proposed changes include: Adding a new category in section 5.7(d), Commercial Uses to include the addition of cannabis growing, processing and/or selling and removing the references to cannabis in Adding a new category in section 5.7(d), Commercial Uses to include the addition of Adding use regulations for cannabis and wireless telecommunication facilities to Section Addinga definition of wireless telecommunication: facilities to Section 17, Definitions. A detailed listing of thej proposed revisions may be obtained by calling the Somerset County Department ofTechnical and Community Services at 410-651-1424, or by visiting the department website atl htps/www.somersetmuepatimesvientdeparments-n section 5.7(e) Industrial Uses. Wireless" Telecommunication. Facilities 5.8 Supplemental User regulations z/planning and zoning/planning commission.php Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County Ralphl D. Taylor, County Administrator Mr. Drewer explained that att their November 7, 20241 Planning Commission Meeting, the proposed amendment to Zoning Code that included cannabis and wireless telecommunications facilities with antennas as well as supplemental use regulations was presented. There were no proponents or opponents present to speak regarding Smith Island Antennas and Wireless Telecommunication Facilities. However, Mr. Drewer advised that this public hearing today does 2 Boardo ofCommissioners' Meetingl 11-19-24 noti include cannabis, ast thats section was tabled by thel Planning Commission duringt their meeting, and therefore was not forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for consideration at this time. Additionally, Mr. Dreweri noted that the ad was prepared andr run prior to this decision tot tablet the cannabis portion andt thati is why cannabis was included in the narrative. Thel Planning Commission' has made the recommendation tos go with Amending! 5.7(d)(3) Antenna & Wireless Telecommunication Facilities permitted by right use; changing use to permitted in the MRC Zoning District where it is currently not permitted. There were also supplemental use regulations regarding certificate of compliance with the FAA engineering information which is standard information for an antenna of that size. The complete text amendment recommendations were] provided in the agenda package for the Board's review. President Charles Laird askedi ifthere were any proponents present wishingt tos speak. There President Charles Laird askedi ifthere were any opponents present wishing to speak. There It was noted that public comment would be taken until Monday, December 2, 2024 until Next, Mr. John Redden came forward to discuss thel bid recommendation: regarding sealed bids received for the Airport Hangar Project (Harkins Contracting Inc./4,356,260.00 and David A. Bramble Inc/94,259,118.50). Both bids came in overbudget, and after review and discussion with AECOM representatives involving eight (8) alternative options, the recommendation was made to re-bid the project narrowed down to three (3) options presented in Option 8: were none. werei none. 4:30p.m. Thej public hearing was declared closed at 2:06 p.m. Alternate 1- the entire project Alternate 2- Site work only Alternate 3 - Building only Mr. Redden felt that the needed site work caused thej previous bids to come in so high. He feltt that with approval, the ad can bej placed immediately, so thatt thej project keepst moving forward, so that funding already received is not lost. Viçe President Randy Laird made the motion to go with Option 8 as recommended to re- bid thej project. Commissioner Darryl Webster seconded thei motion. Bys show ofhands, ther motion carried 5-0. 3 Boardo ofCommissioners! Meetingl 11-19-24 Continuing with the Airport Hangar Project, Mr. Reddenj presented thel letter drafted tol Mr. Ashish Solanki, Director/Office of] Regional Aviation. Assistance, regarding the grant application submitted for the New T-Hangar and Associated Apron. Mr. Redden explained that the original grant funding was $300,000. However, money that was set aside to go to another airport was not used; therefore, the amount has now increased to $529,000 to go towards the project. It was noted that the countyi is required tos send this letter to request the additional funding. Mr. Taylor brought thel last paget tot thel board's attention regarding the Statement of Sufficient. Funds (The Sponsor has sufficient funds to support the remaining project costs) whichi is estimatedi tol be approximately $4 Million. Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to authorize Mr. Taylor to sign the letter as presented to Mr. Solanki. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 5-0. Last, Mr. Redden advised that Choptank has completed their fiber project (Revels Neck Road) under budget and arer requesting to uset thei remaining. ARPA funding to expand their project by approximately 16 households in the Millard Long/Amber Lane/Kimberly Drive and Nelson Lanel Road service area. Commissioner Eldon Willing made a motion to approve the use of ARPA funding to expand Choptank's fiber project in the Millard Long area. Vicel President Randy Laird seconded the motion. Commissioner Craig Mathies abstained; therefore, the motion carried 4-0-1. Mr. Redden left the meeting at this time. Ms. Alice Bromley, Child Support Services appointment to present the FY25 Annual CSEA Grant agreement was rescheduled: for a future meeting. Mr. Taylor continued with correspondence and discussion: items. Mr. Taylor advised that retired employeel Mary Phillips served as Somerset County'sCoast Smart Council member. The recommendation was made to submit Mr. Will Comish, her replacement, toi fill the remainingt term. Vice President Randy Laird made ai motion tos submit Mr. Will Cornish tot the Governor's appointment office asl Ms. Phillips replacement. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. By show ofhands, the motion carried 5-0. 4 Board ofCommissioners! Meetingl 11-19-24 Thel Maryland Association ofCounties (MACo): 2025 Legislative Committee member and alternate appointment: request was received.. An elected official must serve as member. The Board discussed the appointment however no action was taken. Police AcoumahilyAiminstative Charging Committee Chairman Mr. Marty Koemer has unfortunately submitted his notice of resignation, effective March 31, 2025. A replacement will need to be found. It was noted that Mr. Koerner was instrumental with getting Somerset County onl board with thel Maryland Police Accountability. Act of2021 andl he willt trulyt bei missed. The Board requested a letter of gratitude be sent to Mr. Koerner for his remarkable service. Additionally, the Board requested to see the requirements needed in order to search for a new representative. AI request was received from Terrell Taylor, Community Liaison, Washington Academy and High School (WHS) for financial support to provide Thanksgiving dinner for WHS students. Mr. Terrell Taylor verbally requested $250.00: in assistance. Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to approve a $250.00 donation to go towards Thanksgiving dinner for WHS students. Commissioner Willing seconded ther motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 5-0. Mr. Taylor next reviewed sent correspondence. Regarding discussion: items, al letter ofs support request wasi received fort the CityofCrisfield Northern Crisfield Flooding Mitigation Project grant application. The project was supported by Mr. Woody Barnes and Mr. John) Redden. Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to approve thel letter of support for the Cityof Crisfield Northern Crisfield Floodingl Mitigation Project grant application. Commissioner Webster seconded thei motion. By show ofhands, the motion carried 5-0. A letter of support request was also received for the City of Crisfield Community Resilience Hub and Clean Water Initiative grant application. The project was supported by Mr. Woody Barnes and! Mr. John Redden. Vicel President Randy Laird made a motion to approve the letter of support for the City of Crisfield Community Resilience! Hub and Clean Water Initiative grant application. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. By show ofhands, thei motion to approve carried 5-0. Mr. Taylor presented thei following boat slip sublease requests received for consideration: Webster's Cove Slipi #3K Kirk Simpkins to Andrew! Benton from 11-1-24t04-1-25 5 Board ofCommissionersl Meeting! I1-19-24 Webster's Cove Slip #30 Albert DeMoss to Travis Somers from 11-1-24t03-31-25 Commissioner Darryl Webster made a motion to approve the sublease request for Webster's Cove Slip #3 to Andrew Benton as presented. Vicel President Randy Laird seconded the motion. Bys show ofl hands, thei motion to approve carried 5-0. Commissioner Darryl Webster made a motion to approve the sublease request for Webster's Cove Slip #30 to Travis Somers as presented. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. Thei motion to approve carried 5-01 by show ofhands. A discussion was held regarding approval for the sublease requests. It was noted that the Board] has previously given Mr." Taylor andl Mr. Leatherbury permission tos signt thel boat slip leases. It was felti it would make sense that Mr. Taylor andl Mr. Leatherbury also be permitted to sign off on the sublease requests. The Board concurred to allow Mr. Taylor and Mr. Leatherbury the authority to sign off on boat slip sublease requests, but asked that they be made aware of any questionable requests. With no further business, at 2:24 p.m., upon a motion made by Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr., ands seconded' by Commissioner Darryl Webster thel Board was advised oft ther needt to enter into Closed Session by Authority of 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 of an appointee, employee, or official over whomi itl hasj jurisdiction; and (8) consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending orp potential litigation. Vicel President Randy Laird, Commissioner Craig Mathies Sr., and) President Charles Laird votedi ini favor, therefore the motion carried 5-0. The Commissioner and Closed Session: meetings held today concluded at 3:06p.m. Approved by: Respectfully Submitted: Syg Gyoho Board of County Commissioners For Somerset County Lory E. Ebron Executive Aide 6