La Plata, MD – On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, the Board of Commissioners received an update from the Maryland Department of Health on how county nursing homes are being impacted by COVID-19. Dr. Howard Haft, executive director at Maryland Primary Care Program of the Maryland Department of Health, shared the latest numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in Charles County, that more than 370 individuals have been tested at skilled nursing facilities, the state’s contact tracing will begin soon, and information on the Governor’s Roadmap to Recovery.
Department of Emergency Services Director Michelle Lilly provided an overview of the Emergency Operation Center’s (EOC) work. She also shared a plan for personal protective equipment protection decontamination and reuse of N95s and eye protection has been developed for county first responders. There were also 2,000 cloth face masks donated from the community for first responders.
Budget Work Session
The Board of County Commissioners held a budget work session to review the fiscal 2021 General Fund Operating Budget. Fiscal and Administrative Services staff also provided information on the Enterprise Funds, Special Revenue Funds, fiscal 2021 New Position List, and fiscal 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Projects. County Commissioners also provided their budget proposals and future considerations. A motion was approved for a budget proposal from Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins, Esq. on the Volunteer Lawyer Program at the Charles County Legal Clinic.
Briefings
• Department of Community Services provided a presentation on the Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List, which is planned to open, for the first time in eight years, at the end of June. The application process will be conducted online and details will be provided shortly for those who may require assistance.
• Department of Planning and Growth Management and County Attorney’s Office provided a presentation on the Rental Housing Work Group Report. A rental licensing program was discussed with next steps to include developing a fiscal analysis, drafting and distributing targeted rental housing survey to community stakeholders, and holding one or more community listening sessions.
• Deputy County Administrator Deborah Hall and Department of Emergency Services Director Michelle Lilly provided a briefing on the New Normal Task Force. The task force is working to develop a safe and gradual plan to operate Charles County Government.
Approval Items
Commissioners approved the following items:
• A budget transfer request of $100,000 to account for the Material Recovery Facility’s increased tipping fee to process the county’s single stream recyclables.
• A budget transfer request of $58,000 to provide funds for organizational assessment services for potential reorganization of the Department of Planning and Growth Management and the optimum placement of the Tourism Division.
• A budget transfer request of $106,480 to cover the cost of Maryland Department of Transportation’s invoice for the Cobb Island Bridge construction costs.
• A change order request of $164,233.18 to cover the reconciliation of prevailing wages for the Mattawoman Wastewater Treatment Plant’s Closed Loop Project.
• An agreement with the National Park Service, which permits Charles County to manage, operate, and maintain Marshall Hall’s day use boat ramp, public restrooms, pier, and parking lot; and design and construct a stone jetty.
• A federal funding certification and agreement for the county to request direct payment from the State of Maryland, which are allocated from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund as created in the CARES Act.
Next Virtual Public Hearings: Tuesday, May 19, 6 p.m.
• Proposed Bill 2020-04 Zoning Text Amendment # 19-153 Business Park (BP) Zone
If you wish to speak during the meeting, a call-in option is available. Please call 301-885-2779 to register to speak during the public hearing. Registration to speak will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. on May 19, 2020. If you are registered to speak, you will be called to speak during the meeting between 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. If you are not available to speak when you are called, we have the right to move onto the next caller. For more information, visit BoardDocs.
Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.