BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS o FOR SOMERSET COUNTY - 11916 Somerset Avenue Room 111/Meeting Room Princess Anne, MD 21853 February 25, 2025 2:00 p.m. Appointments: * 2:00 p.m. Mr. Jesse Drewer, Director Planning and Zoning Bid Opening- MDEM Hazard Mitigation House Elevation Grant/617 W Main Street - Somerset County Zoning Regulation for use of Cannabis- Approval ofOrdinance Reappointment ofl Eugene "Skip" Colborn to the Planning Commission Consideration of Letter of Oppositio'SB931-Pabic Utlities-Generating Stations-Generation and Siting (Renewable Energy Certainty Act) 2:10 p.m. - Ms. Faith Redmond, Director Finance, Ms. Jessica Corbin, Accountant FY25 AMOSS Grant Award 2:20 p.m. - Dr. Tasker-Mitchell, Superintendent Somerset County Public Schools Correspondence Received: Comcast re: Xfinity Channels Sent: * Legislative Letters/Formal Approval: HB791- Property Tax Emergency Services - Letter of Support SB719 Property Tax Emergency Services - Letter of Support HB775 - Somerset County- Death of Incarcerated Individual- Notification-Letter of Support Karen M. Riggin re: Tourism Commission Appointment Discussion * 1. Westfield Property/Sale of Surplus Property * 2. Michael and Janice King - Weed Ordinance Violation Public Comments: Members of the audience who have signed up to address the Board will be permitted to do SO at this time and allotted 5 minutes. 3:00 p.m. - Closed Session- Mr. Ernest Leatherbury, Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Mr. Jesse Drewer, Ms. Jamie Manaia 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 whom it has jurisdiction; and (10) discuss public security, ifthe public body determines that public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to public security. Denotes Action Item BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY February 25, 2025 At 2:00 p.m., President Charles Laird called the Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County to open in Regular Session. Also present for today's s meeting were Vice President Randy Laird, Commissioner Eldon Willing, and Commissioner Darryl Webster. Commissioner Craig N. Mathies Sr., was 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, February 11, 2025 following a short recess, at 2:49 p.m., until 4:04 p.m., President Charles Laird, upon a motion made by Commissioner Mathies, and seconded by Commissioner Webster, opened in Closed Session by Authority ofthe 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 whom it has jurisdiction; and (10) discuss public security, if the public body determines that public discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to public security. All those present voted aye. By show of hands, the motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Craig N. Mathies, Sr., was absent from today's S meeting. Mr. Ernest J. Leatherbury, Jr., Deputy Administrator, Ms. Lory Ebron, Executive Aide, HR Director Jamie Manaia, Mr. Jesse Drewer, P & Z Director, Carolyn. J. Scruggs, Secretary of Public Safety & Correctional Services, Joseph Sedtal, Deputy Secretary Administration, ECI Warden William Bailey, J. Philip Morgan, Division of Corrections, Chasity Chronister, HR Acquisition and Recruitment, John Milligan, Ms. Pat Shrawder, Senator Carozza District Representative, ECI Citizen Advisory Committee Members Mattie Dryden, Robert Murphey, Ronnie Dryden, Warner Sumpter, and Lauren Taylor. Topics discussed: (1) Public Security (2) Planning and Zoning Office Assistant Hire. Approved: (1) Approval to hire Planning and Zoning Office Assistant President Charles Laird asked Commissioner Willing to lead those present in Devotion and the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Leatherbury presented meeting minutes for approval regarding the Commissioner and Closed Session meetings held on February 11, 2025. 1 Board of Commissioners Meeting 2-25-25 Commissioner Darryl Webster made al motion to approve the meeting minutes as presented. Commissioner Eldon Willing seconded the motion. By show ofhands, the motion carried 5-0. Mr. Jesse Drewer, Department of Technical and Community Services came forward. President Charles Laird first opened sealed bids received regarding the MDEM Hazard Mitigation House Elevation Grant for 617 W. Main Street, Crisfield MD as follows: Contractor: Bid Amount: Eastern Shore Long Term Recovery Committee Inc. $112,150.00 Mr. Drewer advised that MDEM awarded $92,000 for the elevation of the home. A 10% homeowner match is required. Mr. Drewer will review the bid and return with a recommendation. Next, Mr. Drewer explained that a public hearing was held during the last meeting on February 11, 2025 to hear public comment regarding proposed text amendments for adoption relating to Cannabis Zoning Code. The department has been working over the last two years on the ever-changing regulations pertaining to cannabis. The Board was reminded that the proposed changes are made as a result ofState legislation passed and is the most restrictive while remaining legally permissible. The Planning Commission held their public hearing in January, and have forwarded the recommendations to the Board ofCommissioners for their approval. This ordinance changes the zoning to Special Exception which will require the project to be presented to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1206 to amend certain sections oft the Somerset County Zoning Ordinance that pertain to Cannabis growing, processing and/or selling to include on -site consumption. A second was not immediately made. Commissioner Willing asked what would happen if the county chooses to not pass the Ordinance. Mr. Drewer explained that the County would not be in compliance with State Law, and could possibly open the county up to a lawsuit. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. President Charles Laird voted in favor and Vice President Randy Laird was opposed; therefore, the motion carried 3-1-0. Mr. Drewer next advised that Planning Commissioner Member Eugene Skip Colborn's five-year term will be expiring March 31, 2025. Mr. Colborn has expressed his interest to continue serving. 2 Board ofCommissioners Meeting 2-25-25 Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve the reappointment of! Mr. Colborn to the Planning Commissioner to a five-year term. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show ofhands the: motion carried 4-0. Last, Mr. Drewer presented a letter of opposition for consideration regarding Senate Bill 0931- Public Utilities-Generating Stations- Generation and Siting (Renewable Energy Certainty Act). He explained that is one of three major solar bills that the State is proposing. Mr. Drewer read the language directly from the bill, but in summary it exempts county property tax, and removes county authority and undermines the ability of our county to regulate renewable energy as we believe is in our county's best interest. MACo is also opposed. Commissioner Willing made a motion to approve the letter of opposition as presented for SB 0931. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 4-0. Ms. Faith Redmond, Finance Director, came forward at this time to discuss the FY25 AMOSS Grant distribution to our fire companies and EMS providers. The grant was received on January 13, 2025 in the amount of$301,670. Historically, the grant amount has been divided fairly equally among the 12 companies. Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to approve the distribution of the FY25 AMOSS Grant funding as done in the past. Commissioner Darryl Webster seconded the motion. By show ofhands, the motion carried 4-0. Dr. Ava Tasker-Mitchell, Superintendent and Ms. Tracie Bartemy, Somerset County Public Schools came forward. Dr. Tasker-Mitchell advised she was here to give her 100-Day Summary Plan and where she is with the Strategic Plan, which she expects to kick off in July 2025. The Strategic Plan will contain goals and objectives for our county sO we have some direction. She first advised that there were six major bucket items she was hearing from our committee members representing our community: Diverse and Quality ofStaff Innovative Learning for Students Improved access and opportunities for students Safe and Healthy learing environment Organizational effectiveness Differentiate Professional Worry The focus has been on our children's learming/multi-kid support, organizational effectiveness (streamlining), math improvement, Mental Health repurposed and professional 3 Board of Commissioners Meeting 2-25-25 learning (growth). She advised that the next steps are to plan AP score improvement in reading and math, promotion of the safety in schools, higher quality instruction and Special Education support. She noted there are 6 openings for Special Education teachers (37 total). She advised they are short on language specialists and only have one school psychologist. She would like to have more multi-tier support for our students sO they can have more access to learning. Dr. Tasker- Mitchell explained they are looking at the current positions, repurposing them to help mitigate where there were shortages in positions. Professional growth is also a focus for the teachers. Commissioner Webster questioned the mandated numbers, asking about special education teacher' s VS student ratios. Dr. Tasker-Mitchel! advised the matter is based on need and disability and they are putting together a strategy SO that the county can compete. Case loads are smaller in Wicomico sO she is trying to have a strategy to have an incentive to come to Somerset. Commissioner Webster also asked for clarification regarding the Blueprint ratio of 60/40. Dr. Tasker-Mitchell! explained that the "40" would be similar to small group instruction, and intervention and is not good for Somerset County. Currently the issue is on pause for review. Somerset would prefer more classroom time, less out. Additionally, regarding safety, Dr. Tasker-Mitchell was asked about the "Zero Tolerance" policy and ifthat is still in place and ifit has changed. A currently legislative bill addressing this was noted. She said they are not really enforcing zero tolerance. Dr. Tasker-Mitchell explained that Somerset currently follows a discipline matrix to determine the consequence. If an incident happens, it is investigated, and rated from Tier 1 to 4 with 4 being the most stringent. Ifit is proven that a child was solely acting in self-defense they would most likely not receive a punishment, sO iti is possible to happen. Dr. Tasker-Mitchell and Ms. Bartemy were thanked for coming in today, and left the meeting at this time. Mr. Leatherbury continued with correspondence and discussion items. Legislative letters that were sent in support of HB791 and SB 719 (Somerset County- Property Tax-Emergency Services Tax and HB 775 (Somerset County-Death of Incarcerated Individual-Natification were presented for formal approval. Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to approve the letter of support for HB791 as presented. Commissioner Webster seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 4-0. 4 Board ofCommissioners Mecting? 2-25-25 Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve the letter of support for SB719 as presented. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Webster made a motion to approve the letter of support for HB775 as presented. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 4-0. Ms. Flo Brotzman, SVN Realty came forward at this time to discuss the two contracts received regarding the purchase of surplus property (6.55 acres on Westfield Lane, Princess Anne MD). She advised both parties have changed their original offers. Mr. Thomton has increased his offer to $70,000, $25,000 non-refundable deposit and 15- day settlement. Mr. Thornton advises he intends to fully develop the property. Mr. Davis has increased his offer to $100,000, a $2,500 good faith deposit and settlement to occur within 30 days. No contingencies. Mr. Davis will be building with Habitat for Humanity. Following consideration of both offers, Vice President Randy Laird made a motion to accept the high bid received from Mr. Davis, in the amount of $100,000. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. Commissioner Webster abstained; therefore, by show of hands, the motion carried 3-0-1. Last, Mr. Leatherbury presented the issue of the nuisance violation charged against Michael and Janice Kingi in the amount of$500.00 which related to the mowing oftall grass located at 32135 Perryhawkin Road. Due to the circumstances of the situation, and following steps being put into place to better identify and document the property committing the violation, Commissioner Webster made a motion to dismiss the violation charge. Commissioner Willing seconded the motion. By show of hands, the motion carried 4-0. With no further business, at 2:29 p.m., the Board was advised of the need for a Closed Session. Therefore, President Charles Laird, upon a motion made by Commissioner Webster, and seconded by Commissioner Willing, opened in 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 whom it has jurisdiction; and (10) discuss public security, if the public body determines that public discussion would 5 Board of Commissioners Meeting 2-25-25 constitute a risk to the public or to public security. All those present voted aye. By show of hands, the motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Craig N. Mathies, Sr., was absent from today's meeting. Commissioner and Closed Session meetings held today concluded at 4:04 p.m. Approved by: Respectfully Submitted: Board of County Commissioners Lory E. Ebron For Somerset County Executive Aide 6