County Council of Dorchester County Open Meeting Minutes December 17,2024 The County Council of Dorchester County convened into Open Session on December 17,2024 at 5:09 p.m., in Room 110 of the County Office Building, 501 Court Lane, Cambridge, Maryland 21613. Aroll call oft the members was conducted. Present in Room 110 were: George L. Pfeffer, Jr., President; Mike Detmer, Vice President; Rob Kramer, Jr.; and, William V.) Nichols. Also present in Room 110 were: Jerry Jones, County Manager; Charles MacLeod, County Attorney; and, Irene Barnes, Executive Operations Specialist. Ricky C. Travers joined the meeting late. Upon motion by Councilman Kramer, seconded by Councilman Nichols, the Council, by a 4t to 0 vote (Councilman Travers joined the meeting late), adjourned into Closed Session at 5:10 p.m., pursuant to the following sections ofTitle 3 oft the General Provisions Article oft the Maryland Annotated Code, $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; $3-305(b)(13) to comply with as specific constitutional, statutory, orj judicially imposed requirement that prevents public disclosures about aj particular proceeding or matter; and, $3-305(b)(7) to consult with counsel to The Written Statement for Closing a Meeting under the Open Meetings Act is attached hereto. obtain legal advice. OPEN SESSION The County Council of Dorchester County convened into Open Session on December 17, 2024 at 6:05 p.m., in Room 110 ofthe County Office Building, 501 Court Lane, Cambridge, Maryland 21613. 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; Charles MacLeod, County Attorney; and, Irene Barnes, Executive Operations Specialist. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Nichols led the invocation and the pledge of allegiance. CALL FOR ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA After publication of the agenda, the item, Stormwater Management Agreement - East Coast Organics Inc. - Public Works was removed and the the following items were added: 1) Grant Submission Request - GOCPP - SFY26 State Aid for Police Protection - Sheriff's 2) Letter of Support - Healthy Food Financing Initiative - Reinvestment Fund Applications Office; and, - Elijah's General Store, LLC Upon motion by Councilman Travers, seconded by Councilman Detmer, the Council unanimously approved the amended agenda. Dorchester County Council Open Session Minutes of December 17,2024 Page No.2 FINANCIAL REPORT: CASH. AND INVESTMENTS Councilman Pfeffer reported total cash and investments as $35,554,187.14. CLOSED SESSION: SUMMARY The Council convened into a Closed Session at 5:10 p.m. on December 17, 2024 to discuss the following items pursuant to Title 3 ofthe General Provisions Article oft the Maryland Annotated 1. Notifications of recent personnel changes within the County were provided. 2. Personnel matters relating to specific individuals and positions; 3. Received legal advice from the County Attorney regarding the following: Code $3-305/b)0),(13): and (7): a. Local funding to a specific organization; b. As specific litigation settlement; Specific legislation relating to traffic laws; and, d. Requirements ofa administering an advisory board regarding the distribution of specific funds CONSENT AGENDA Upon motion by Councilman Travers, seconded by Councilman Kramer, the Council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda. County Council Open Session Minutes - December 3, 2024 Accounts Payable Disbursement Report - Week Ending December 13, 2024 Councilman Travers abstained from payments made to Simmons Center Market Amended FY25 Operating Grant Agreement - MTA - Delmarva Community 0 Request of Andrea Waters, Transportation Grants Specialist, Delmarva Community Services, Inc. Delmarva Community Transit, to accept Amendment No. 1 of the State of Maryland Department ofl Transportation FY24 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Submission - FEMA - Emergency Medical Request ofMarilyn Williams, Grants Writer, Finance, on behalfofI Debbie Wheedleton, Emergency Medical Services Manager, to submit a $405,000.00 grant application to the U.S. Department of) Homeland Security/FEMA to provide financial assistgnace for critical resources needed for emergency operations, including vehicle acquisition, with a 10% match and a performance period of two years, based on the award date, contingent upon Services FY25 Operating Grant Agreement Services - Finance the FY26 Budget FY25 SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant Submission Maryland Energy Administration - Planning & Zoning Finance Request of Marilyn Williams, Grants Writer, Finance, on behalfo of Susan Webb, Planning & Zoning Director, to submit a FY25 SolarAPP+ Dorchester County Council Open Session Minutes of December 17,2024 Page No. 3 Implementation Grant Program application through the Maryland Energy Administration, which is a formula grant to assist the County with the cost of installing and implementing SolarApp+ software required by the Brighter 0 Request of Duc Trieu, Recreation & Parks Director, to complete a FY25 FY25 Community Partnership Agreement - Moving Dorchester Forward, Inc. Request ofl Nancy Shockley, Local Management Board Coordinator, Moving Dorchester Forward, Inc., to renew the FY25 Community Partnership Agreement between the State of Maryland, acting by and through the Children's Cabinet, and Dorchester County, acting by and through Moving Dorchester Forward, Inc., effective July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 to obtain funding from the Cabinet, in the amount of $531,292.00 Tomorrow Act of Maryland Budget Transfer Request - Recreation & Parks Budget transfer Upon motion by Councilman Travers, seconded by Councilman Kramer, the Council unanimously adjourned into Legislative Session. LEGISLATIVE SESSION PUBLIC HEARING - RURAL EVENT VENUE - GUEST COTTAGE TEXT AMENDMENT BILL. NO. 2024-10 ANACT OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND: AMENDING CHAPTER 155 (ZONING), SECTION 155-50 SUPPLEMENTARY USE REGULATIONS) OF THE. DORCHESTER COUNTY CODE. FOR THE. PURPOSES OF PROVIDING FOR GUEST COITAGESASANACCESSORY USE IN THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION, AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION, AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION- RESOURCE CONSERPATIONAREA, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS, AND GENERAL BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICTS, PROVIDING FOR RURAL EVENT VENUES ASA SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE IN7 THE. RESOURCE CONSERVATION, RURAL. RESIDENTIAL, RURAL RESIDENTIAL - RESOURCE CONSER/ATIONAREA, AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION, AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION- - RESOURCE CONSERVATION. AREA, SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL, AND SUBURBAN. RESIDENTIAL = RESOURCE CONSER/ATIONAREA ZONING. DISTRICTSAND. AS A PERMITTED USE. IN THE. NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS AND GENERAL BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICTS, ACOPTACAUPAEPMETATLG: REGULATIONS REGARDING THE SAME, DEFINING TERMS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, AND. AMENDING THE TABLE OF PERMITTED USES BYZONING DISTRICT REGARDING THE SAME; PROVIDING THAT THE TITLE OF THIS BILL SHALL BE DEEMED, A FAIR SUMMARY, AND GENERALLYI RELATING TO GUEST COTTAGES. AND RURAL EVENT Ms. Barnes said aj public hearing is being conducted on Bill No. 2024-10, which was introduced at the November 19, 2024 meeting, relating to guest cottages and rural event venues in Councilman Pfeffer asked for public comments, hearing none, the public hearing was closed. VENUES. IN DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND. Dorchester County. Dorchester County Council Open Session Minutes of December 17,2024 Page No. 4 Upon motion by Councilman Travers seconded. by Councilman Kramer, the Council unanimously adopted Bill No. 2024-10, the roll call was: Pfeffer aye; Detmer aye; Kramer- aye; Nichols - aye; and, Travers - aye. INTRODUCTION - ABOLISHING BOARD OF ELECTRICAL EXAMINERS ANACTO OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND AMENDING CHAPTER 82 ELECIRICALSTANDARD) OF THE. DORCHESTER COUNTY CODE FOR THE PURPOSES OFABOLISHING THE. BOARD OF ELECTRICAL EXAMINERS AND ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT FOR. A REGISTRATION TO. PROVIDE ELECTRICAL SERVICES IN DORCHESTER COUNTY; PROVIDING THATTHE TITLE OF THIS BILL SHALL BE. DEEMED. A FAIR SUMMARY, AND GENERALLYRELATINGTO ELECTRICAL. STANDARDS IN DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND. Ms. Barnes said for introduction is legislation to amend Chapter 82 (Electrical Standards) oft the Dorchester County Code for the purposes of abolishing the Board of Electrical Examiners and eliminating the requirement for a registration toj provide electrical services in Dorchester County. Ms. Webb provided an overview oft the bill and its purpose. Upon motion by Councilman Travers, seconded by Councilman Kramer, the Council unanimously agreed to proceed with the publication ofa a public hearing. INTRODUCTION - BURIAL SITES PRESERVATION REPEAL ANACT OFTHE COUNTY COUNCIL OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND REPEALING CHAPTER 63 (BURIAL SITES PRESERVATION, OF THE. DORCHESTER COUNTY CODE INITSENTIRETY: PROVIDING THATTHE TITLE OFTHIS BILLSHALL BE. DEEMED. A FAIRSUMMARTAND: GENERALLY, RELATING TOBURIALSITESIN Ms. Barnes said fori introduction is legislation to repeal Chapter 63 (Burial Sites Preservation)of DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND. the Dorchester County Code ini its entirety. Ms. Webb provided an overview of the bill and its purpose. Upon motion by Councilman Detmer, seconded by Councilman Kramer, the Council unanimously agreed to proceed with the publication of aj public hearing. Upon motion by Councilman Travers, seconded by Councilman Nichols, the Council adjourned into Open Session. Dorchester County Council Open Session Minutes ofl December 17,2024 Page No. 5 OPEN SESSION COMMENDATIONS TOP OF CLASS-DALTON ROBINSON The Council presented a Commendation to Dalton Robinson for graduating with a class standing ofnumber one out of36 at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy's119t: Entrance Level Class for Jail and Correctional Officers. PRESENTATIONS VETERAN & MILITARY SUPPORT ALLIANCE Bruce C. Bereano, Lobbyist, introduced Eric. Johnson, Executive Director, Veteran & Military Support Alliance (VAMSA); and, Lei Ellingson, Deputy Director, VAMSA, whom presented information to the Council regarding VAMSA, and requested to be added to the agency funding request list for consideration during the FY26 Budget deliberations. ACTION ITEMS FY2026 RURAL LEGACY APPLICATION- PLANNING & ZONING Upon motion by Councilman Detmer, seconded by Councilman Kramer, the Council unanimously approved the request of Susan Webb, Planning and Zoning Director, to submit applications to the State of! Maryland for FY2026 Maryland Rural Legacy Program preservation funds, which are allocated through the Maryland Department ofNatural Resources, with the areas being submitted in the following order of priority, which is rotated annually to ensure each 1) Agricultural Security Corridor - Eastern Shore Heartland Rural Legacy Focus Area area receives equal opportunity: 2) Nanticoke Rural Legacy Focus Area 3) Harriet Tubman Rural Legacy Focus Area ETHICS COMMISSION APPOINTMENT Upon motion by Councilman Travers, seconded by Councilman Kramer, the Council appointed Matt Leonard to the Ethics Commission to fill the unexpired term of Andrew Pasden, bya4to 1 GRANT SUBMISSION REQUEST - GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF CRIME PREVENTION & POLICY -SFY26 STATE AID FOR POLICE PROTECTION - SHERIFF'S OFFICE Upon motion by Councilman Detmer, seconded by Councilman Kramer, the Council unanimously approved the request of James W. Phillips, Jr., Sheriff, to submit a FY26 State Aid for Police Protection Fund grant application though the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention & vote, with Councilman Detmer opposing. Dorchester County Council Open Session Minutes of December 17. 2024 Page No. 6 Policy, which is an annual formula grant intended for and to be used exclusively to provide adequate police protection in the subdivisions and qualiyingmumicipalities of Maryland during LETTER OF SUPPORT - HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE- REINVESTMENT Upon motion by Councilman Detmer, seconded by Councilman Travers, the Council unanimously agree toj provide a letter of support for each of the following Healthy Food Financing Initiative Fund (HFFI) - Reinvestment Fund applications submitted by David Beverley to expand the operations at Elijah's General Store, LLCin" Toddville, Maryland: 1) $200,000.00 Food Access & Retail Expansion (FARE) Fund Grant application; and, 2) In response to Councilman Pfeffer'si inquiries, Mr. Beverley explained: 1) the process oft the grant awards; and, 2) how the funding may be appropriated, for instance, zoning changes, Councilman Pfeffer noted that the letters of support do not obligate the County to provide the. July 1, 2025 to. June 30, 2026 performance period. FUND APPLICATIONS - ELIJAH'S GENERAL STORE, LLC $40,000.00 FARE Fund Technical Assistance application. permitting, hiring employees; attorney fees, website formation, etc. funding. COUNCIL'S COMMENTS Councilman Nichols: 1) thanked those that provided support to his family during a house fire; and, 2) wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Councilman Kramer wished everyone al Merry Christmas. Councilman Travers said to remember the reason for the season, Merry Christmas and Happy Councilman Detmer addressed an issue regarding the 508 funding that some fire companies have not received. Councilman Pfeffer added that this is a State issue, but a resolution is underway, Councilman Detmer: 1)commended Mr. Beverley for overcoming obstacles to serve the people ofToddville; 2) congratulated Councilman Pfeffer for being the World Coalition Chair and Second Vice President oft the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo); 3) said MACo had two big themes at the Winter Conference, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future and green energy; and, Councilman Pfeffer: 1) reiterated Councilman Detmer regarding the conference and added that there will be cuts at the State level with a $2.7 billion deficit, however, the State shall not cut disparity grants or highway user revenues. He said the conference allowed collaboration among counties to address financially burdening issues and State preemptions; 2) wished everyone a happy, healthy and safe Christmas; and, 3) thanked staff forall that they do. New Year. and the State Fire Marshal website is updated on a monthly basis. 4) wished everyone al happy holiday season and Merry Christmas. Dorchester County Council Open Session Minutes of December 17,2024 Page No. 7 PUBLIC COMMENTS Dorothy Samonisky, resident and Burial Sites Preservation Board Chairperson, highlighted her concerns regarding the following: 1) veteran support; 2) Burial Site Preservation Board disbanding; 3) EV: mandates in rural counties; and, 4) position oft the television screens in the Ashley Samonisky, resident, presented her concerns oft repealing the Burial Sites Preservation Council's Chambers. Board to the Council. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, and upon motion by Councilman Travers, seconded by Councilman Nichols, the Council unanimously the Council adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m. ATTEST: S THE COUNTY COUNCIL I 4H4 EE Jefry. CountyManager 1. - Robl absHAW William V. Nichols BE - - Approved the _day yof Jan., 2025