Public Meetings - Baltimore County, Maryland

The Baltimore County Council held a work session on September 11, 2025, to discuss several legislative items ahead of the September 15 legislative session. Key topics included approval of qualified individuals for supervisor of assessments, multiple contracts for services, housing affordability agreements (PILOTs and loans), zoning amendments, and the critical redistricting map for the council expansion from seven to nine districts. Public testimony was heard on numerous items, particularly the redistricting map. Consent Calendar - Approval of five qualified candidates for Supervisor of Assessments (personnel matter, names confidential). - Contracts: Easter Locks (preventive door maintenance, $291,515.73), Johnson Controls (HVAC controls amendment, $454,916.66), CCMI (prevailing wage compliance, $1.8M over 5.5 years), and two auto rental contracts (Sterling and Towson Economy, $50,000 total). - Supplemental appropriations: Opioid restitution funding for Quick Response Team ($100% no match), cold case DNA testing ($30,000 donation), AIDS case management grant ($449,999). - Resolutions: Melvin Park PILOT (20-year, 79 affordable units), Turner Station Preservation loan ($495,000, 30-year) and PILOT (10-year), Towson revitalization zone extension, and Pikesville Sustainable Community designation. Public Comments & Testimony - Bill 6325 (CCC overlay first floor apartments): Brad Croner (administration) and Chris Mudd spoke in support, citing market shifts and need for housing flexibility. - Bill 5225 (demolition delay): Phoebe Evans Latocha (LPC chair) requested withdrawal for more time and input from Maryland Historic Trust. Brad Croner proposed friendly amendments to close loopholes and require council vote within 45 days. - Bill 5425 (zoning map notice correction): Pat Keller (Perry Hall Improvement Association) opposed, arguing it bypasses public input; recommended referral to Board of Appeals. Roland Patterson raised due process concerns. - Redistricting (Bill 5525): Over 30 speakers testified. Positions varied: - Supporters of the original 2-0 or amended 2-1 map: Charlotte Wood, Sen. Charles Sydnor (step forward but needs more), Roland Patterson (NAACP – move in right direction but still dilutes), Linda Dorsey Walker (argued for Woodlawn district), Asia Johnson (Greenlee – supports keeping Essex/Middle River together), Tamara Gunter (Greenlee – opposes commission map, supports original 5525), Janette Barnett (Greenlee – supports new map), Patricia Fallon (Hanover Road – supports, but needed more time), Asa Johnson (Middle River – supports cohesive east side), George White (supports Woodlawn map), Al Barnes (Randallstown – supports Woodlawn map and east side BIPOC), Sheila Lewis (urged use of commission map), Cheryl Gottlieb (criticized closed process, supports commission map), Sam Weaver and Karen Wynn (Essex/Middle River water groups – keep waterfront communities together), Kathy Wolfson (Gaithersburg area – appreciates keeping area in one district, but wants more time), Pam Ecker (Boring – supports 5525), Jordan Harburger (Jews United for Justice – urges time and fairness), Shawn MacIntosh (disappointed process, suggests blending maps), Jason Glenn (Woodlawn – strongly opposes amendment, decries gerrymandering), Danny Blount (criticized original expansion process), Selena Joyner and Michael Joyner (support original map, ask for time), Janice Washington and Aaron Barnett (Woodlawn – support Woodlawn C plan, ask for more time), Owen Anderson (Catonsville – supports 3-1-5 map), India Artis (Villanova – opposes Woodlawn inclusion due to property values), Al Mendelssohn (supports 5525), James Woods (supports Woodlawn map), Neil Posner (supports 5525 as drawn). - Critics of the original or amended map: Sen. Ben Brooks (commission map is fairer, calls for east side BIPOC), Susanna Berrios (Latino community – map lacks east side diversity), Maureen Wambui (immigrant community – map packs west side, ignores east), Mildred Boyer (supports Woodlawn map), Keith Dorsey (opposes amendment, calls for Woodlawn district). Discussion Items - Supervisor of Assessments: Procedure explained; no questions. - Contracts: Questions on prevailing wage impact (Councilman Young sought follow-up; cost to contractor was $407,000 in FY25 for 52 projects; budgeted at 1% of project cost). - Housing PILOTs: Melvin Park – 79 units affordable (30% of site); Turner Station – 34 units, all affordable at ≤60% AMI, comprehensive renovations. - Towson Revitalization Zone Extension: Two long-stalled projects; minor addition. - Bill 6325: Removes prohibition on first-floor apartments in CCC overlay if within 1,000 feet of retail. - Bill 5225 (demolition delay): Councilmembers Patoka and Marks engaged with administration and LPC on friendly amendments to require council vote within 45 days. - Redistricting (Bill 5525): Chair Ortell and Councilman Patoka outlined the updated 2-1 map (two majority Black districts, one BIPOC plurality district). Councilman Jones and Young proposed delaying the vote by two weeks to allow public review. Councilman Marks noted the commission's map was 4-3, not a supermajority. Debate on transparency, timing, and compliance with Voting Rights Act. - Other bills: Bill 6425 (extend wastewater appeal window to 365 days), Bill 6525 (historic preservation appeals – reintroduced, work in progress), Bill 6625 (LPC meetings – requiring in-person; chair expressed concerns), Bill 5325 (floodplain ordinance – update enactment date), Bill 5425 (zoning map correction – alternative process), Bill 5925 (zoning exceptions for Sudbrook Lane school), Bill 6025 (RO zone uses for hair braiding on Liberty Road), Bill 6125 (revitalization property tax credit for Owings Mills and Woodlawn), Bill 6225 (hookah lounge security personnel requirement). Key Outcomes - Most items are scheduled for final approval at the September 15 legislative session. - On redistricting (Bill 5525), no vote was taken; Councilman Jones and Young requested a two-week delay for public review of the amended map. The council did not commit to that request, but debate indicated possible further amendments. - The administration will discuss prevailing wage concerns with Councilman Young before the vote. - Technical amendments were noted for Turner Station resolutions (location and termination date corrections). - Bills 6525 and 6625 (historic preservation) remain under negotiation; withdrawal or further revisions are possible. - Bill 5225 demolition delay will be refined with Maryland Historic Trust input.

The Baltimore County Council held its 14th legislative day on September 3, 2025, beginning at approximately 7:00 PM. The meeting included approval of appointments, final readings and votes on several bills, fiscal matters, resolutions, and a public comment period. Key actions included passage of a voluntary security camera registration program (Bill 43-25), a charter amendment to create a Department of Agriculture (Bill 49-25), and a charter amendment establishing an Inspector General appointment board (Bill 50-25). A resolution urging state legislation to extend the Inspector General's oversight to Baltimore County Public Schools (Resolution 40-25) passed 6-1. Consent Calendar - Approval of journal: Motion carried unanimously for the meeting of August 4, 2025. - Appointments: Three reappointments to the Animal Hearing Board were confirmed unanimously: Cynthia Draban (voted 7-0), Michelle Shelley Silwick (unanimous), and Amanda Serafini (unanimous). Public Comments & Testimony Several members of the public spoke after the formal agenda concluded. Topics included redistricting (Bill 55-25), code enforcement issues on Glen Falls Road, and Inspector General oversight of BCPS. - Erica Ma (teacher and parent): Expressed support for Resolution 40-25 (IG oversight of BCPS) and thanked the council for passing it. Represented herself and mentioned TABCO board support. - Scott Katerides (teacher, 27 years): Supported IG oversight, citing fraud/waste concerns and inefficiencies in BCPS financial management. Suggested transferring existing school system auditors to the IG's office as done in Prince George's County. - Linda Dorsey Walker: Defended the Woodlawn redistricting map (Bill 55-25), arguing it adheres to legal requirements and had four public hearings, unlike alternative maps. - Sharonda Hoffman: Criticized the redistricting process, alleging packing of Black voters and lack of transparency. Urged the council to use mapping tools for public input. - Danny Blount: Called for transparency and integrity in the redistricting process. - Mary Harvey and Linda Sumeski: Described prolonged code enforcement failures regarding a property (Rancho Sosa) with unpermitted fill, large parties, and environmental violations. Urged enforcement timelines and action. - Peter Richkis: Opposed Bill 55-25, stating it packs Black voters into two districts and dilutes minority influence elsewhere. - Tiffany LaShawn Frempong (Board of Education member): Argued that Resolution 40-25 is redundant due to existing audits (23 external audits since 2020). Stated BCPS internal audit office is independent and public reports are available. - Fred Homan: Raised concerns about the Inspector General's handling of a whistleblower complaint and a lawsuit settlement with a former employee, alleging lack of transparency. - John Brewington (pastor): Supported Bill 55-25's Woodlawn map, citing adherence to redistricting rules and creation of a second majority-Black district. Discussion Items - Bill 43-25 – Voluntary Security Camera Registration Program: Councilman Jones sponsored. Allows residents to voluntarily register cameras facing public spaces to aid police. Passed unanimously. - Bill 44-25 – Commercial Film Production in Residential Zones: Councilman Marks sponsored. Requires a use permit for commercial film production in residential zones. Passed unanimously. - Bill 45-25 – MD 43 Overlay District Prohibited Uses: Councilman Marks sponsored. Clarified and expanded prohibited uses, with amendments adding grandfathering for uses established before September 1, 2020, and exemptions for trucking facilities under certain conditions. Councilman Jones expressed concern about putting businesses out of work. Passed as amended (unanimous). - Bill 48-25 – Solar Facilities on Prime Farmland: Councilman Catch sponsored. Prohibits solar panels on prime/productive farmland for projects over 1 MW. Grandfathering amendment for projects with final non-appealable approval before effective date. Passed. - Bill 49-25 – County Charter: Department of Agriculture: Sponsored by Catch, Marks, Jones. Establishes a Department of Agriculture. Amendment encouraged local food production to address food insecurity. Several council members praised the farming community's advocacy. Passed (unanimous). - Bill 50-25 – County Charter: Inspector General Appointment Board: Councilman Patoka sponsored. Creates an independent seven-member board to appoint/reappoint the IG. Amendments included residency requirement (Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MSA), grounds for removal, and option for law school faculty instead of solely HBCU faculty. Councilman Jones voted against the HBCU amendment but supported the final bill. Passed (6-1 on amendment; final bill 7-0). - Fiscal Matters: Contracts for easements, senior assisted living services, snow removal, and youth programs approved. - Resolutions: - Resolution 38-25 (PILOT with Towson Owner LLC): Amended technically; passed. - Resolution 39-25 (PILOT with Holiday Heights MD TCLP): Passed. - Resolution 40-25 (IG Oversight of BCPS): Councilman Marks argued BCPS lacks independent oversight; Councilman Jones opposed, stating current oversight sufficient. Passed 6-1 (Jones nay). - Resolution 41-25 (Property tax refund for blind resident): Passed. Key Outcomes - Approved appointments: Cynthia Draban, Michelle Shelley Silwick, and Amanda Serafini to the Animal Hearing Board (all unanimous). - Passed bills: 43-25, 44-25, 45-25 as amended, 48-25 as amended, 49-25 as amended, 50-25 as amended. - Passed fiscal matters: Contracts and easements (items 1–6 and 8). - Passed resolutions: 38-25, 39-25, 40-25, 41-25. - Referrals: Councilman Jones promised to follow up on code enforcement complaints from speakers. - Next steps: Bills introduced for future readings: 42-25 through 46-25. Charter amendments (49-25 and 50-25) will go to voters in November 2025.