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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:  Called to order at 6:07 PM

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Closed Session Summary

Mr. Pfeffer reported on the closed session, covering a personnel matter and legal advice.

Consent Agenda

The Consent Agenda was approved.

• County Council Open Session Minutes – February 18, 2025
• Accounts Payable Disbursement Report – Week Ending February 28, 2025
• Intradepartmental Budget Transfer Request – Emergency Medical Services
• Request for Proposals – Mowing Services – Public Works
• Stormwater Management Agreement – Public Works
• Surplus Request – Vehicles/Equipment – Public Works
• Letter of Support – FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending – Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay –
• Economic Development
• Letter of Support – Maryland Historic Trust Grant Application – Cambridge Woman’s Club

Commendations: Pageant Winners – National Outdoor Show – Miss National Outdoor Show, Little Miss Outdoor Show, and Little Mister Outdoor Show were given commendation letters.

Presentation: FY 2026 Annual Transportation Plan.  Grant application from Delmarva Community Services. Andrea Watters, Grant Specialist.  The grant application is for the following amounts.

• Operating funds for public transportation totaling $1,577,377, of which $394,344 is requested from local funds.
• Transportation of the elderly and disabled totaling $334,218, of which $83,554 will be local.
• ADA funds totaling $55,556, of which $5,566 will be local.
• Preventive maintenance for the buses totaling $50,000, of which $7,500 will be local.
• Propane conversion totaling $77,000, of which $11,550 will be local.

Legislative session:

Public Hearing  – 911 Fee Increase  – Bill No. 2025-2

AN ACT OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND PURSUANT TO MD. CODE ANN., PUBLIC SAFETY § 1-311 TO AMEND CHAPTER 85 – EMERGENCY TELEPHONE CHARGE, § 85-1 OF THE DORCHESTER COUNTY CODE BY INCREASING THE 911 FEE FOR DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND TO $2.00 PER MONTH.

Vice President Detmer engaged the council in discussing how the 911 emergency telephone fee is collected by the telephone service providers, forwarded to the State Public Services Commission, and then sent back to the counties based on the location of the phone account owner. Mr. Detmer explained that the Dorchester County fees did not seem reasonable. The most recent detailed data provided by the PSC is from 2021, and there is no apparent way to audit the money trail. Inquiries will be made. The bill had a second reading to raise the fee to $2 per line and was moved and approved.

Action items:

• Bid Award – County Towing Services – Public Works. Public Services requested a competitively bid contract for county towing services – Approved.
• Interdepartmental Budget Transfer Request – Finance – Approved transfer of $51k
• Renewal Request – Medical Services Contract – Corrections – Approved for ~$1.278M/yr.
• Mosquito Control Budget Agreement – Maryland Department of Agriculture – Approved for $497,750.
• Chesapeake College requested to use their fund balance to engage a 10-year facilities master plan consultant, not to exceed $242,550. Approved 4 -1 Mr. Detmer nay.
• Request to send a letter from the county to the state legislature opposing the solar bill SB 931. Mr. Pfeffer and Mr. Detmer journeyed to Annapolis last Friday to meet with the legislature to discuss county priorities. Approved.
• Received feedback that the Congressionally Directed Spending Projects (earmarks) that were approved and forwarded at the last meeting and were returned for not meeting the requirements of the request. The three projects were: rehabilitating sewer lines and pumps stations, design and study of a potential Hoopers Island Causeway, and moving the Dorchester County Department of Health operation to Race Street. The projects must map to a grant program for which the county is qualified. The county will seek other possibilities.
• For All Seasons requested a letter of support for an earmark to acquire property at 111 East Dover Street, Easton, to expand services. – Approved.
• Delmarva Community Services requested the county release the lien placed on 709 Church Street, Cambridge. This was one property in the 2018 agreement allowing DCS to acquire properties, renovate them, and sell them. The property is ready for sale. – Approved.
• Policy amendment to collect real property taxes annually rather than biannually when a property is transferred. Approved.
• Request from CWDI to rebate taxes paid earlier on abated properties. Approved.
• Letter of support for the sheriff’s department grant application. Approved.

Council Comments:

• Mr. Travers commented on the brush fires that have occurred in the county in the last three days, including at Blackwater National Wildlife Park. Asked that the county manager and county attorney press the Board of Education to complete a land transfer agreement for a parcel on Glasgow Street.
• Mr. Detmer thanked the firefighters who have been fighting the brush fires. It appears that the solar bill SB931 will be significantly amended.
• Mr. Pfeffer announced that several county charter changes on last year’s ballot as referendum cannot be implemented because the county did not advertise them correctly. The county will seek alternative means to achieve its goals.

Public Comments

• Laurel Atkiss encouraged citizens to stay involved in local matters, especially the CWDI development of Cambridge Harbor.
• Terri Robbins asked and was assured that the boat races would occur.

Adjournment: 7:20 pm

Notes taken by  Sharon Smith, CAN. Edited by K. Miller.

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.

2. 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 14^th – approved
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)

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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. 

3. 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.

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.