This morning we started off with the Invocation and Pledge followed by approval of the Consent Agenda. Next we presented Proclamations for National Public Health Week, Week of the Young Child, Fair Housing Month and National Library Week.
We also presented a Commendation to Cpl Elizabeth O’Connor for her retirement after 21 years with the Sheriff’s Office—thank you for your service!
We had no Main Agenda items, so we moved directly into County Administrator time and our first item was review of upcoming meeting agendas. Second we approved the acceptance of the Program Open Space Grant Award for $191,000 that will be used for athletic field lights in Dorsey Park. Third we approved updates to the St. Mary’s County Government Manual of Personnel Policies and Procedures—the updates suspend the use of Pandemic Policy. Fourth we approved several Budget Amendments that return state and county STS operating funds, increase the STS Capital Project funds by $31,887 to account for an increase in ADA accessible buses, and fix a previous budget amendment to match the JARC I and JARC II funding. These changes came about because of the COVID STS CARES grant funds that we were able to utilize. Our final item of business was approval of Federal Funding Request letters to our Federal Delegation—we requested Federal Funding for the YMCA, St. Jerome’s Creek Jetties, St. George’s Island Shore Erosion and Flooding, Sidewalks, the RAC, our Emergency Communications Center, and Health Department Renovations. Letters requesting support and project justification will be sent to Senator Cardin and Congressman Hoyer.
We then heard Legislative Updates from our County Attorney’s office. We approved a letter of support for HB 1062/SB 877 Criminal Law – Animal Cruelty – Petition for Costs for Care of Seized Animal.
We ended the morning with Closed Session to discuss Property Acquisition. During Commissioner Time I reminded everyone about the Recreation and Parks Easter Egg Festival this Saturday at the Fairgrounds starting at 11:30 am (hope to see you there!) and next Tuesday we will hold a Public Forum at 6:30 pm—everyone who wishes to speak will have 3 minutes! We will be gathering at 2 pm this afternoon for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the North County Farmer’s Market.
