LA PLATA, Md. – On Tuesday, Feb. 12, Deputy County Administrator Deborah Hall provided a briefing on the National Citizen Survey (NCS) results and the NCS Community Livability Report to the Board of Commissioners. Within responses received, 70 percent rated Charles County has an excellent or good place to live and 8 in 10 gave positive ratings to their neighborhoods as a good place to live. Residents identified cost of living and employment opportunities as priorities and safety as a key focus area for the community. The Board of Commissioners, along with the County Executive Leaders, will gather for a progressive retreat on Feb. 26 and survey results will be used to inform and develop the Board’s goals and objectives.

Recognitions

  • Commissioners recognized Black History Month in February and presented a proclamation to the Historic McConchie One-Room School Organization. Black History Month celebrates the many achievements and contributions made by African Americans to our economic, cultural, spiritual, and political development.  View photo in Flickr.
  • Commissioners also presented a 100th birthday citation to Cecilia Evelyn Yates at Sagepoint and then visited the Board of Education for state recognition of the Charles County High Schools represented at the Maryland State Theatre Festival.
  • In celebration of Job Shadow Day, the Commissioners were joined at the meeting today by local high school students, Ja’len Nicholson, Darius Dantzler, Danaisha Proctor, Jakob Moorehead, and Aqsa Siddique.

Open Session Briefings

  • Attorney Sue Greer, with Law Offices of Sue A. Greer, and a Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department representative, provided a resolution and request for a public hearing to approve the issuance of bonds by the fire department, in order to purchase of pumper truck. The Waldorf Fire Department received approval from the Board of Fire and Rescue Commissioners and the Board of County Commissioners set the public hearing for Tuesday, March 5 at 6 p.m.
  • College of Southern Maryland President Dr. Maureen Murphy presented the college’s State of the College, which included the college’s emphasis on workforce development, and several building and program additions and enhancements.
  • The United States Census Bureau presented a briefing on the 2020 Census and the county Planner Amy Blessinger presented a resolution, which would establish a “Complete Count Committee” for Charles County. The committee would focus on strategies to ensure a high response rate from Charles County residents for the 2020 Census. Commissioners will vote on the proposed resolution at the next meeting on Feb. 26. Residents who are interested in employment opportunities related to the upcoming census can visit https://2020census.gov/jobs for more details.
  • Deputy County Administrator Deborah Hall provided a briefing on the overview of County Administration, which includes the Media Services Division, Central Services Division, and Internal Audit Office.
  • Department of Public Works provided an overview of the department, which includes Buildings and Trades Division, Environmental Resources Division, Operations and Maintenance, Public Facilities, Roads Division, Technical Support, and Utilities Division.
  • Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland provided a briefing on the organization and their efforts with workforce and business development, agricultural development, transportation, regional planning, heritage tourism, and veteran support.

Approval Items

Commissioners approved a budget transfer for the funding needed to cover a change order for a wet-well replacement and the anticipated site grading and SCADA antenna improvements for the Cliffton Pump Station #4 capital project.

General Assembly Legislation Update

Acting County Attorney Danielle Mitchell provided an update and requests for approvals for the 2019 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session. To date, approximately 2,300 bills have moved forward so far and hearings are forthcoming.

  • House Bill 389: Requested by Swan Point Development Company, LLC to establish a resort complex license in the county and authorize the Board of License Commissioners to approve licenses with specific provisions. A letter support was provided by the Board of County Commissioners.
  • House Bill 388: Requested by the county’s alcohol enforcement officer to allow licensees or their designee to legally secure their licensed unoccupied premises from the outside. A letter of support was provided by the Board of Commissioners with a requested amendment to the bill that seeks to clarify the intent of the legislation.
  • House Bill 438: Requested by the Board of License Commissioners to require certain license holders to obtain a golf course privilege if they desire to sell, serve, or allow alcoholic beverages to be consumed on the golf course. A letter of support was provided by the Board of Commissioners.
  • House Bill 400: Requested by the Board of License Commissioners to exclude holders of a state-issued manufacturer’s license from the Off-Sale License Quota, which benefits distilleries and breweries in the county and allows these businesses to sell directly to consumers with a license and permit. A letter of support was provided by the Board of Commissioners.
  • House Bill 366: Requested by Delegate Carol Krimm to establish a commission to study non-emergency medical transportation funding.
  • Senate Bill 634: Requested by Senator Adelaide Eckardt which authorizes an electric cooperative to construct, maintain, or operate, or allow others to do so, at communication facilities along, on, under, or across certain property under certain circumstances. Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” Bowling (District 1) requested a letter of support and the Board decided to revisit this at a later time.
  • House Bill 1051: Requested by Delegate C.T. Wilson to establish procedures for landlord tenant repossession for Failure to Pay Rent.
  • Senate Bill 845: Requested by Senators Arthur Ellis, Guy Guzzone, Cheryl Kagan, Benjamin Kramer, Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, Obie Patterson, Douglas Peters, Paul Pinsky, Jim Rosapepe, Mary Washington, and Craig Zucker to require the Maryland Department of Transportation to promptly undertake all steps necessary to complete the design, engineering, and National Environmental Policy Act process and secure a record of decision for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project and requires the Governor to include the project in the annual state budget for certain fiscal years.
  • Senate Bill 866: Requested by Senators Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jack Bailey, and Arthur Ellis to make modifications to the College of Southern Maryland budget process.

Next Commissioners Meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 26, beginning at 9 a.m.