CAN Notes – Dorchester County Council Meeting – February 4, 2025

Live stream: https://townhallstreams.com/stream.php?location_id=153&id=65392

Attendees: George Pfeffer, President; Mike Detmer, Vice President; Rob Kramer, Jr; William Nichols; Ricky Travers; Jerry Jones, County Manager; Irene Barnes, Administrative Specialist; Charles MacLeod, Attorney

Open Session

Closed Session

Reconvene into Open Session:  6:06 PM.

Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance

Financial Report: General Fund Cash on Hand – General Fund has $32,945,917.14 on hand.

Closed Session Summary –  Mr. Pfeffer reported on the closed session which covered a personnel matter.

Consent Agenda – The consent agenda was approved.

  • County Council Open Session Minutes – January 21, 2025
  • Accounts Payable Disbursement Report – Week Ending January 31, 2025
  • Administrative Office of the Courts – AY2025 Courthouse Security Funding – Circuit Court
  • Request to Advertise for Proposals – Towing Services – Public Works
  • Letter of Support – FY25 Educational Facilities Master Plan – Dorchester County Public Schools
  • Cooperative Agreement – Noxious Weeds – Maryland Department of Agriculture

 Proclamation(s)

  • National Outdoor Show Month – February – introduction of Miss Outdoors, Little Miss Outdoors and Little Mr. Outdoors.

Presentations

  1. Blackwater Wildlife Refuge Update by Marcia Pradines, Project Leader –

The Refuge was established in 1933. In 2024, the refuge planted 49 acres of corn,150 acres of clover and 12 acres of millet for wildlife; very dry conditions have made results okay, not great; avian flu a problem but they haven’t had as many ducks and geese as usual (but did test one Great Blue Heron which was positive); planning 100 acre marsh restoration; 883 acres sprayed to control phragmites and some other invasive grasses; created 27,000 feet of firebreak in the forest area, covering one-third of the area.  Two acquisitions: 150-acre easement in Wicomico County, 460 acres purchased right across from Visitor Center. Their money comes from hunting permits, no tax dollars involved. 1500 muskrat trapping units awarded, some new trappers, to manage population growth; 4176 deer hunting permits, 1200 bow hunting (Sept – Jan). They’re encouraging lead-free ammo, have workshops and $25 or $50 gift cards available. University of Delaware did a deer survey indicating 62-70 deer per square mile, but they have no previous data to frame this finding. New parking lot at Key Wallace Drive for snakehead fishermen, and Visitor Center restoration is planned.

    • Detmer complained that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages 36,000 acres and the county only gets $50K in taxes annually; he complimented their proactive approach to wildlife management.
    • The refuge draws many visitors to the area, who spend money here.

 

  1. Cambridge Resiliency Initiative by Larry White, P.E. – (a FEMA approved and funded Flood Mitigation Project) requesting approval of tie-in to six properties in Dorchester County. Background: by 2050 a two-foot sea level rise is anticipated, including intense storms with 5” rain in an hour, 15” over 24 hours. They propose two sites for tie-in: Pinks Pond and Bellevue Ave. Proposing Living Shoreline, which differs from hard infrastructure like levees in that it  absorbs energy, but they need greater elevation, so they’re planning an embankment with Living Shoreline on the water side (FEMA loved this). Designed for overtopping, the berm will look like a sand dune. They have $1.7M for Phase I, Design, which is 30% complete and have applied for $1.6M for Phase II. The project will ask for citizen input in June, after design drawings are completed. The Army Corps of Engineers discovered that some NJ projects survived Hurricane Sandy and they’re basing their plans on those. Trying to blend in with existing shoreline, though there will be rip-rap at Pinks Pond. The road (Hambrooks Blvd) will have to be elevated 4 feet. Great Marsh Park will become a stormwater management center with an embankment. They will excavate the park and put in pervious material to absorb water. They will have ongoing maintenance to keep the infrastructure up. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is also funding habitat restoration along with the living shoreline.
    • Detmer: will this reduce recreational use at Great Marsh Park? No, their goal is to have water drain off overnight or in a couple days max.
    • Travers: has this idea been tested? Yes, they found a San Francisco project like this, but this design hasn’t been done a lot; cutting-edge engineering.
    • Travers: yes, the Army Corps promised ten years ago that Rooster Island would come back if they carried out a planned project, but it did not.
    • Travers: have they talked to the residents about a 7’ berm and a 4’ raised road? No, waiting on Council approval, but Mr. White says people will be able to see over the berm.
    • The Council is not willing to approve the county tie-in until the project talks with property owners.

Legislative Session: 911 fee increase to $2 per month – approved

Action Items:

  1. Wild Goose Chase (a bike race) at Blackwater on September 14thapproved
  2. Earmarks discussion: The County Manager Jerry Jones was asked to create a list of possible expenditures to be provided to the state legislators.
  3. Poll confirmation – approved
  4. Approved submitting a grant application for $489k for a sewer pump upgrade.

Council comments:

Mr. Travers: loss of a long time Fire Department member.

Mr. Detmer: meeting of Choptank Solar and Storage Co tomorrow at Packing House 4-7. He then reiterated his concerns about decommissioning solar installation; suggested bond. He announced that 1099s coming from Comptroller’s office have printing error.  More and more concerned about state budget deficit – the numbers are bad and they’re going to get worse. He encourages people to be informed. Raise property taxes 10%? No, but that’s what they’ll have to consider.

Mr. Pfeffer: the state is pushing $3.5 – 4M in expenditures onto Dorchester County to help balance the state budget.  The county takes in $36M, schools get $26M and want more because the Board of Education has a $10M deficit largely because of the Blueprint for Excellence expenses. In 2008, the county had to lay people off and now they have no fat to cut. The sheriff’s department costs $6M; the EMS $5M – can’t get any savings there. He says if they refuse to pay the money the state wants, the state will impound county tax receipts.

Public comments

  1. Kathleen Abbott: Miss Outdoors Dorchester will be chosen February 21-22
  2. Sharon Smith: Dorchester County residents need to send messages of concern to our state delegations and governor about the budget crisis. Mr. Pfeffer says the Big 8 (Central MD counties) don’t want to touch Blueprint.
  3. Morgan Tolley asks for state contact information to be placed on county website.
  4. Bucky Jackson: we have too many schools for the number of students, so close some schools.
  5. Nichols expressed at length about his unwillingness to increase taxes; tells a story about an 87-year-old woman who can barely afford to remain in her home; can’t do anything that would affect elderly.

Adjournment  – 7:48 PM

Notes submitted by Richard Bearman & Sharon Smith, Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods (CAN)

Download (PDF, 3.11MB)

Unofficial Notes Dorchester County Council Meeting January 21, 2025

Recorded Live stream: https://townhallstreams.com/stream.php?location_id=153&id=64105

Present: George Pfeffer, President; Mike Detmer, Vice President; William Nichols; Ricky Travers; Jerry Jones, County Manager; Irene Barnes, Administrative Specialis

Absent: Rob Kramer, Jr; Charles MacLeod, Attorney

The Open Session of the meeting was called to order at 6:06 PM. 

Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance  

Calls for Additions/Deletions to Agenda

  • There were two additions to the agenda –approved 

Financial report: General Fund has $36,322,216.66 on hand.

Closed Session Summary §3-305(b): (1), (13), (7) & (3) V.

  • Pfeffer reported on the closed session summary.

Consent Agenda

  • County Council Open Session Minutes – January 7, 2025
  • Accounts Payable Disbursement Report – Week Ending January 17, 2025
  • The consent agenda was approved.

Legislative Session

  1. PUBLIC HEARING – ABOLISHING BOARD OF ELECTRICAL EXAMINERS The state licenses electricians and the County sees no need to be redundant.  Joe Foster spoke in favor.  Passed
  2. PUBLIC HEARING – BURIAL SITES PRESERVATION REPEAL – including appointment of a Board to regulate burial sites.  Dorothy Samonisky spoke in opposition: Dorchester County has been burying people since 1669; there are many private burial sites, and construction occasionally unearths graves and remains; she asks policy to be extended two years. Ashley Samonisky spoke in opposition: protection of private sites is required and should have serious teeth; outsiders are coming in and building summer houses on top of private burial sites.

Mr. Pfeffer asked why a non-profit entity couldn’t protect burial sites; the Samonisky’s indicated it wouldn’t have the necessary authority. Deborah Wooten asked for clarity as a church and cemetery board member; she was assured this action would not affect established church cemeteries.

Mr. Detmer stated he would vote to repeal Chapter 63 because it was too difficult to keep a board filled and staffed but noted that improved mapping and an extension of the statute of limitations was desirable. Dorothy Samonisky asked whether realtors would be required to reveal the presence of private burial sites to potential buyers.  This question was not answered but Mr. Detmer stated that affiliation with County government is a detriment to the functioning of the board (apparently the prior board had a history of highly adversarial meetings, and the issues were often kicked upstairs to the County Council).

Mr. Travers proposed a one-year trial to see if the board could remain filled and handle matters effectively.  General agreement that County staff were taxed to the max.  Pfeffer challenged the Samonisky’s to keep the Board filled and effective.

Motion not to repeal was approved. Travers’ motion to have a one-year trial period was passed by the board. 

  1. INTRODUCTION OF BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 144 – Community Reassessment and Repair Fund – Bill introduction approved by board.

Proclamations:

  • Burn Awareness Week (Feb 2-8, 2025)
  • Human Trafficking Awareness Month (January 2025)
  • National Outdoor Show Month (February 2025)

Action Items:

  • FY25 Program Open Space Update – Recreation & Parks -approved
  • Request to Sole Source – Pool Services – Recreation & Parks -approved
  • Event Request – Cubmobile Derby April 13– Boys Scots of America Del-Mar-Va Council -approved
  • Poll Confirmation -approved
  • Stormwater Management Agreement – Public Works -approved
  • County wishes to purchase Camp Thebdara to add to Parks & Rec -approved 

Council’s Comments:

Jerry Jones expressed his fears about the state pushing responsibilities back onto counties due to its deficit.  This was then reiterated by each of the Council members in turn; The Department of Education Blueprint was cited as a particular offender – an excellent program but one that was put into effect without a fiscal note, so an unfunded mandate. Mr. Nichols went into great length regarding his unwillingness to add 1 cent to County taxes. The state was accused of expecting Dorchester to pick up an additional $2.5 M whereas Council members saw their jobs as primarily assuring staff would be competitively compensated so other counties wouldn’t be poaching them (Travers).

Egypt Road Solar was reported to have borrowed $67M from the Bank of Canada and the concern is that it would go out of business before the solar panels would be decommissioned, leaving that to the County (Detmer).  The state budget is a self-inflicted disaster (Detmer).  $3.5M will have to be found in new money (Pfeffer).

The Maryland Department of Agriculture announced the first presumptive positive case of  H5 avian influenza [(HPAI) A(H5N1)] in a commercial broiler farm in Dorchester County. Direct any comments, questions or concerns to the MD Dept. of Agriculture.

Public Comments:

  • Someone suggested increasing taxes for foreign nationals owning property in Dorchester County.
  • Someone suggested State of Maryland employees located in offices in Dorchester County should be charged more. Pfeffer: County has an agreement with the State to provide an office.
  • A question about the Rte. 50 plowing responsibility by the State was answered.
  • An attendee is thankful for the Council approving recent plan and will follow up.
  • A concern mentioned about snow goose falling from the sky however no hunters around.   

Adjournment: 7:21 PM    

Minutes submitted by Richard Bearman. Edits and additions by Kim Miller.

 

Unofficial Notes on CWDI Board Meeting – JAN 15, 2025 – 4 PM

Unofficial Notes on CWDI Board Meeting
JANUARY 15, 2025, 4:00 PM
DORCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Attendees: Angi Hengst, President; Frank Narr, Treasurer; Natalie Chabot, City Appointee; Michael J Frenz, State Appointee; Tim Crosby, County Appointee; Gaver Nichols, City Appointee (virtual); Glenn Steckmann, City Manager; Jerry Jones, Dorchester County Manager; Lajan Cephas, Mayor (audience); Sputty Cephas, Ward 4 Commissioner (audience)

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL & CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM

Ms. Hengst affirmed that a quorum was reached after roll call.

II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion raised to approve Agenda and seconded. Approved by all board members present 8-0.

 III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

November 20, 2024 – Regular Meeting

Motion raised to approve November Regular Meeting Minutes and seconded. Approved by all board members present 8-0.

 IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A.OCC: Angie Hengst

  1. Promenade Groundbreaking – December 19, 2024
    • Hengst talked about the groundbreaking ceremony for the Promenade on the waterfront that occurred in December 2024.
    • Encouraged citizens to view the progress that has already been completed.
    • Hengst emphasized CWDI’s community-first approach to developing Cambridge Harbor by securing permanent, public access along the waterfront.
  1. 2025 planning for public information session(s)
    • There was a discussion of having a public information session in the near future.
    • No date has been set when this will occur.
    • Tim Cosby referred to the survey that was taken by Cambridge residents in 2022. He emphasized the importance of outreach to the community.
  1. Possible community events
    • Hengst said the waterfront property is available for community events if anyone wishes to schedule something in that space.
    • Anyone interested in scheduling an event should contact CWDI.
    • CWDI will be planning a community event sometime in the future.

  B. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Frank Narr

  1. YTD November Financial Statements
    • Sale of land to Yacht Maintenance brought in much needed revenue.
    • Yacht Maintenance needs another 1.5 acres. Possibly more income for CWDI in 2025.
    • City had promised more ARPA funds to CWDI. Mr. Narr said it was $200,000. He asked Glenn Steckmann if the money would be forthcoming and how much it would be. Mr. Steckmann said he had wanted to bring a check to the meeting but the financial director is out ill. He did not state what the ARPA sum was going to be.
    • FYI – Will be available on Cambridge Harbor website. In the future
  1. December Expenditures Report to City/County Work
    • Ongoing design work done by Lew Oliver Inc on infrastructure and other details.
    • Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is still on the table
    • FYI – Will be available on Cambridge Harbor website in the future.
  1. Payment to General Contractor – Promenade
    • Contractor has not been paid for any work done on Promenade as yet.
  1. 2025 Operating Budget Draft
    • Looking for monetary assistance from the city or the county, if possible.
    • Will be able to cover costs for the next month.
    • FYI – Will be available on Cambridge Harbor website in the future.
  1. 2024 Financial Audit & Form 990 Preparation
    • Coming up soon
  1. 2025 Authorized Check Signers
    • Check signers will be Angie Hengst, Frank Narr or Natalie Chabot.

C. PLANNING COMMITTEE: Frank Narr

  1. Promenade Update
    • Work continues on the Promenade.
  1. Planning & Zoning Work Session Meeting 01/15/25

NOTE: Refer to townhall streams for recording of this meeting. In addition,  official minutes have been posted on choosecambridge.com

    • CWDI shared the “Horizontal Infrastructure” of the Cambridge Harbor site (parking/roads/streetscape).
    • “Underground utilities” and “above ground” streets, parking, sidewalks, and the layout of boat ramp (etc.) were included.
    • Members of CWDI in attendance at P & Z meeting
    • Presented by Frank Narr, CWDI Planning Committee Chair; joined by Design Team:
      • Ed Johnson, Network Realty Partners. Development consultants since CWDI inception.
      • Ian Lockwood, Livable Transportation Engineer with Toole Design (joined virtually)
      • Ken Usap, Principal/Engineer with Morris & Richie Associates. He has institutional knowledge of this site and has been with project for quite a long time.
  1. Lew Oliver Design Meetings
    • The infrastructure design phase continues with Lew Oliver, Inc.

D. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Angie Hengst

  1. Shay Resignation
    • Hengst read Shay Lewis-Sisco’s resignation letter. Ms. Lewis-Sisco is now the Ward 2 Commissioner on the City Council and will no longer serve on the CWDI board.
  1. Election of New Officers (Board Action Required)
    • Hengst agreed to extend her position of President for another year.
    • Frank Narr will continue as Treasurer.
    • Natalie Chabot will now include duties as Secretary.

 Motion raised to approve New Officers and seconded. Approved by all     board members present 8-0.

  1. Committee Assignments/RMM Board Appointment
    • Hengst stated the assignments of board members to the various CWDI committees.
    • Hengst said that if City Manager and Dorchester County Manager would like to join a committee they would be welcome to do so.
  1. Bylaw Revisions
    • The City Council voted on the bylaw revisions for the CWDI Charter. Changes were approved in a city council work session in November 2024.
    • CWDI has accepted these changes and they are being made to the Charter.
  1. Proposed Board Meeting Schedule
    • Wednesday, March 19 @4pm
    • Wednesday, May 21 @4pm
    • Wednesday, July 16 @4pm
    • Wednesday, September 10 @4:30pm
    • Wednesday, November 12 @4:30pm

V. PUBLIC COMMENT

Alison Kennedy

    • Question: Is Lew Oliver the “Master Developer”? Answer: No. This is the design phase. The project is not ready for development. Question: Why is Lew Oliver doing the infrastructure? Isn’t this the job of the “Master Developer”?
    • Answer: It can be but it doesn’t have to be.
    • Question: Is Lew Oliver following the BCT Concept Design?
    • Answer:
    • Question: In the financial documents stating upcoming operational costs; CWDI has $148,000 for projects. CWDI asked the city and county for monetary help. Is CWDI taking into consideration the owed ARPA funds?
    • Answer: No because the ARPA figure is an unknown. Looking for any financial help the city/county can provide.
    • Comment: The 2022 survey that CWDI conducted through BCT Design asked about “condos” on the waterfront. The people that took the survey were not in favor of condos at the waterfront at all. However, they were okay with apartments above shops/stores/restaurants at the waterfront.

David Stevens

    • Commented that he resided in Easton for several years and now lives in Cambridge. He has seen the positive benefits of the Avalon Theatre on the community of Easton. He would like to see a similar establishment at the waterfront in Cambridge.
    • Stevens is fully in favor of putting the YMCA at the waterfront.

New Cambridge Resident 

    • Newly retired and new to Cambridge. She is out seeing what is happening in the city. She is retired from the Environmental Protection Agency. She is in favor of CWDI being environmentally conscious with all aspects of the project, including green products for building.

Mill St Resident

    • Previous work in city planning on the East and West coasts. Stated that attempts to plan the waterfront without first observing how the waterfront is now used, will not work.
    • Mill St resident has observed that the playground and picnic area next to the Sailwinds building is well used. She suggested that perhaps a coffee cart should be placed down at the site for the families that use the playground.
    • This could then be extended to having food trucks available in the same area.
    • One successful addition would lead to more ideas and would progress organically from the first addition of the coffee cart.

Alison Kennedy 

    • Building on the previous comment, there are numerous new and exciting temporary art installations that could enhance the waterfront area and attract people.
    • Drone Light Shows – there are shows that “tell a story”. Cambridge could do a story in the sky about Harriet Tubman or the Life of a Waterman.
    • Art installations that go into the water – Hong Kong Harbor currently has 2 large inflatable yellow Rubber Duckies anchored there to “make people happy”.
    • These shows could be seen from the bridge and could celebrate things that are uniquely Cambridge.
    • Pleasing to children and adults.

Lajan Cephas

    • Remembers a carnival that used to come to Cambridge when she was a child.

Sputty Cephas

    • Liked the comments that welcomed all residents to the waterfront to enjoy it.
    • Past conversations about the waterfront have catered to a certain group of people.
    • He likes the idea of food trucks offering different types of food in the waterfront area.

VI. NEW BUSINESS / BOARD MEMBER OPEN COMMENTS

No new business

VII. ADJOURN 5:30 PM

Notes taken by CAN member, Alison Kennedy

Photo by Kim Miller – Cambridge Creek

CAN Public Meeting Jan 30th @ 6 PM Dorchester County Historical Society 1003 Greenway Dr.

Join Us

We are excited to announce that Chief Justin Todd of the Cambridge Police will be joining us as a guest speaker at the CAN Public Meeting on Jan 30th at 6pm to discuss the 2024 crime statistics and the new initiatives put in place this past year.
Mark your calendars and don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Chief Todd!

Enjoy some croissants with toppings to celebrate National Croissant Day!

The meeting will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person (links below):
https://www.youtube.com/@whcpstudio4716
https://www.facebook.com/WHCPRadio/videos

Join CAN for FREE at https://CambridgeCAN.org

CAN Unofficial Notes Dorchester County Council Meeting – 17Dec2024

Present: George Pfeffer, President; Mike Detmer, Vice President; Rob Kramer; William Nichols; Ricky Travers; Jerry Jones, County Manager; Charles MacLeod, County Attorney; Irene Barnes, Administrative Specialist

The Open Session of the meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM followed by the invocation and pledge.

Two additions and one deletion from the agenda were approved.

Financial report: General Fund has $35,554,XXX on hand. Mr. Pfeffer reported on the closed session summary. The consent agenda was approved.

Legislative Session:

  1. Rural Event Venue – Guest Cottage Text Amendment was approved
  2. Introduction – Abolishing Board of Electrical Examiners was approved. Public meeting to be scheduled.
  3. Introduction – Burial Sites Reservation Repeal was introduced.

Mr. Kramer presented a commendation for Dalton Robinson, police officer.

Joe Candella, Board President; Eric Johnson, Executive Director; and Lei Ellingson, Deputy Director gave a presentation of VAMSA, Veteran & Military Support Alliance. VAMSA provides resources and support to veterans and military in Dorchester County through a partnership with For All Seasons. VAMSA has its 501(c)(3) since 2023. All services are offered free of charge.

FY2026 Rural Legacy Application (P&Z) was approved.

The Ethics Commission Board appointment was approved. Two additions to agenda were approved; one requests a letter of support

Council comments: Mr. Nichols thanked the many people who helped his grandson who lost everything in a fire. Mr. Kramer & Mr. Travers wished us all a Merry Christmas. Mr. Detmer congratulated Mr. Pfeffer on his election to Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) leadership and noted that state mandates for education and energy goals were problematic.

Public comments: Dorothy Sandinsky had comments about VAMSA, burial sites, and solar.

The meeting adjourned at 7:07 PM.

Minutes submitted by Richard Bearman.