On Tuesday, August 19, The Board of County Commissioners attended to some administrative housekeeping at the morning meeting.Text amendments were made to the Department of Land Use and Growth Management’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, wording the documents more appropriately for current practices.
Other departmental funding issues were quickly handled. During final discussion, Commissioner Raley mentioned impending budget problems and said, “We need to look at what we can do now [to prepare].”
The BOCC adjourned their morning session and resumed back at the Chesapeake Building for a 6:30 p.m. Public Forum where they heard from St. Mary’s County residents with an array of concerns.
One speaker brought up issues of incorrect and unobtainable data of property taxes. The disorganization, he suggested, could be causing the county a loss due to property owners being under or over taxed as a result of the misinformation.
A Hollywood resident addressed the desire for better dissemination of information through the Human Services Department, relating that those in need often do not have internet access or adequate resources to obtain available assistance.
Another family spoke to the board after being recently told that they could not continue to hold large yard sales at their property. A homebuilder who has suffered in the ailing economy said he has been holding frequent sales “to survive” and does not understand why he had been ordered to cease and desist or why he has been threatened with a $500 fine, finding no definitive ordinances about allowable size or frequency of private yards sales.
A good deal of time was spent hearing from parties concerned with youth football in St. Mary’s County. SMYFL Director, Patrick Murphy spoke to the board, filling them in about the leagues beginning and mission and his concerns about the current and future seasons. The influx of kids registering to play football after the Pigskin league dissolved has increased the registrations for Murphy’s league and created additional costs for equipment. He told the board, “All we’re asking is for a chance to show what we can do.”
The BOCC questioned Department of Recreation and Parks Director, Phil Rollins, who was in attendance, about the county’s ideas for SMC youth football. Rollins said, “We want to work with Patrick and SMYFL”, after commending their program. He suggested that an R & P Sports Coordinator serving as the league director would “provide sustainability and accountability” and create a longstanding youth football endeavor. The different leagues caused what Rollins called, “too much confusion and competition” and he stated that the county is hoping to have a proposal on how to best handle the youth football program by the end of the year, in place for the 2010 season.
Issues of equipment were discussed as well. Commissioner Russell made reference to the “children in the sandbox deal” that led to the county locking up the equipment and other members of the board suggested looking into relocating the disputed gear, so that other active teams and the county could utilize the space. Several meetings are pending on the issue.
Before they adjourned for the evening, the board thanked those who came to speak and reminded the audience that the next public forum will be held Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. at the Chesapeake Building.