LA PLATA, Md. – On Tuesday, Sept. 14, County Administrator Mark Belton, Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, Department of Planning and Growth Management, Department of Human Resources, County Administrator’s Office, County Attorney’s Office, and Economic Development Department provided an update on Goal 2:

Institutional Governance and Policy in the Commissioners Goals and Objectives. The presentation included the smart county concept, automated technology, information and data programming/cybersecurity, equitable program funding, streamline services and comprehensive zoning review, diversity and cultural competency, employee engagement, citizen engagement, and county branding. The presentation also provided updates on legislation, governance leadership, resource stewardship, and Buy Local/ Minority Business Enterprise.

Open Session Briefings 

• Charles County Health Officer Dr. Dianna E. Abney and Department of Emergency Services Director Michelle Lilly provided an update on COVID-19 in Charles County. County Attorney Wes Adams proposed an amendment to the renewed local state of emergency and County Commissioners approved this amendment. There are a variety of vaccination clinics in the community, which include mobile pop-up clinics, schools, congregate living facilities, churches, and vaccines for the homebound.

Residents can make their own vaccination appointments and walk-ins are accepted. For a list of county vaccination clinics, visit the Department of Health’s website. For a list of pharmacies and other vaccination clinics available, visit the State of Maryland’s website. University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center provided an update on current COVID-19 hospitalizations and staff COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

Chief of Media Services Jennifer Harris provided an update on the county’s communications efforts, which are focused on informing residents about the importance and availability of COVID-19 vaccinations. Charles County Public Schools Director of School Safety and Security Jason Stoddard provided an update on the schools’ COVID-19 contact tracing process and case statistics.

• Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services Director Jenifer Ellin and Chief of Budget Jacob Dyer provided a presentation on the 2021 Bond Issue. The proposed bond size is $70 million.

Approval Items
Commissioners also approved:
• A request to introduce and set a public hearing for Bill 2021-08 Zoning Text Amendment concerning flex space and permitting flex space in the Business Park Zone.

• A fiscal 2021 budget transfer request of $65,060 to correct the existing overrun for fiscal 2021 due to contract vendor’s yearly closeout of fiscal 2021 invoices.

• A fiscal 2022 budget transfer request of $40,000 to cover the increase in cost of the fiscal 2022 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan that the Program Open Space Grant does not cover.

• A fiscal 2022 budget transfer request of $40,000 to replenish the fiscal 2022 Park Repair and Maintenance Project Budget that was reduced to support the Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan.

• A fiscal 2021 intercategory budget transfer request by the Board of Education of $60,000 to support the additional expense incurred for athletic transportation costs associated with spring playoff games.

• Support for the request for regional funding to support Food and Agriculture Regional Members (FARM) and to make FARM a permanent policy committee.

• An Agricultural Deep Cooperator Permit Request from Schlagel Farms.

• A letter of support for Friends of Chapman State Park’s grant application for a Mount Aventine project.

• A letter of support for Municipal Village of Port Tobacco Seed Grant application to the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium.

• The Change Order #50, Change Order #51, and Change Order #52 for the Mattawoman Infiltration and Inflow Design Contract.

• An agreement for Pilot Affordable Senior Housing.

Proclamations
• National Preparedness Month
• National Hispanic Heritage Month
• National Recovery Month
• National Suicide Prevention Week
• Direct Support Professionals’ Week
• Constitution Week
• Diaper Need Awareness Week
• Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Day
• Car Free Day

Recognition
• Employee Length of Service- May to July 2021
• Top Performer Second Quarter- April to June 2021

Appointments
• Reappoint Linda Stansbury and Rachell Andrews-Mobley and appoint Miriam Jordan, Nancy Tucker, Lenny Proctor, Cheryl Robinson, Margaret Mason, and Kimberly Berger to the Area Council on Aging.

• Reappoint Vesselina Stoytcheva to the Library Board of Trustees.

• Reappoint Laurie Cangelosi, George Hawley, Marilyn Ragin, Olga Roberts and appoint Jeanette Rodriguez Boulware, and Jonathan Lee for the Commission for Veteran Affairs.

• Appoint Katherine Heichler, Michael Wilson, Rebecca Michela, Mohamed Mughal, and Donald Zimmer as members to the Interfaith Commission.

• Appoint Willie Stinson as District 4 member; David Amisva as the District 3 member; Dane Patterson as the District 2 member; and William Johnson as the at-large member to the Compensation Commission.

Public Hearing
County Commissioners also provided a virtual public hearing on Community Block Grant projects, Angels Watch and United Way of Charles County COVID Rental Assistance Program. The record is closed and the final report was provided.

County Commissioners and Charles County State Delegation provided a virtual public hearing on 2022 State Legislative Proposals. There were 32 proposed legislative proposals. There will be a follow-up work session on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

Next Commissioners Session: Sept. 21, 2021 (held virtually)

Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.