Public Meetings - Charles County, Maryland

The Charles County Planning Commission held its regular meeting on November 3, 2025, at 5:11 PM. All seven members were present. The meeting included approval of prior meeting minutes, a detailed presentation on the capital improvement program project portfolio, discussion on project prioritization, staffing, and a member suggestion on public trash cans. The meeting concluded with the director's report and adjournment. Consent Calendar - Approval of the Agenda: Motion made and seconded; passed unanimously by voice vote. - Approval of the October 6, 2025 Minutes: Motion made (with incorporation of the summary of decisions); seconded; passed unanimously. Commissioner Murray noted he was not present for the October 20 meeting and abstained from voting on those minutes. - Approval of the October 20, 2025 Minutes: Motion made (with incorporation of the summary of decisions); seconded; passed unanimously. (Commissioner Murray recused himself from the vote.) Chairperson’s Comments - Chairman Williams indicated no comments. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public were signed up to speak. Discussion Items - Capital Improvement Program Project Management Overview – Britta Hurtling, Chief of Capital Project Management (Department of Public Works), presented an overview of the capital services portfolio. Key points: - Project Portfolio: 89 total projects managed by her division (23 roads, 15 bridges, 11 sidewalks, 18 NPDES stormwater projects, 15 vertical, 7 miscellaneous). Many projects are not yet fully funded and are held in “parent” accounts. - Project Phases: 42% in planning, 34% in design/permitting, 16% in construction or construction procurement, 8% in closeout. She noted that only 16% were in construction, up from 9% earlier in the year. - Staffing: Currently 5 project managers with a sixth being hired. The division has requested additional staff and expects to onboard four more over the next six months. Commissioner Murray questioned why self-funded staffing (at an estimated $200/hour burden) cannot be expanded more rapidly given the backlog; Hurtling acknowledged the need but noted decisions on positions are not hers alone. - Prioritization: Completed a weighted criteria matrix for sidewalk projects (over 50 identified) and plans to apply similar methods to other programs. For FY27, 17 new project requests were submitted with justification forms; scoring is underway. - Questions from Commissioners: Commissioner Wedding asked about total budget for the projects; Hurtling did not have the figure but offered to provide funded project totals. Commissioner Murray inquired about administrative burden on projects; Hurtling explained previous accounting was spread across multiple line items, and now staff time is charged directly to projects. She estimated $200/hour for staff cost including overhead. Commissioner Hackett asked for more detail on specific projects to inform the commission’s CIP review. Hurtling noted her division executes projects, does not initiate them, and suggested stakeholders could present the reasons for new requests. Commissioner Bossert clarified that her role starts at design/permitting, not planning. He also asked about NPDES projects; Hurtling confirmed her group handles pond retrofits and stream restorations, not wastewater treatment plant improvements (that falls under another chief). Commissioner Earl asked about bridges; all 11 are vehicular bridges for replacement or repair, not new bridges. He also asked about plans for new county access bridges; none are currently proposed except possibly a structure on the final phase of Western Parkway. Commissioner Bossert asked about the Western Parkway timeline; Hurtling stated the second-to-last phase construction will begin in December 2025 or January 2026, with the final phase procurement in summer 2026, completing the parkway by 2028. - New Business – Commissioner Murray raised a suggestion to require fast-food and carry-out businesses to provide and maintain trash cans to reduce roadside litter. He stated that many restaurants in La Plata have removed them. Chair Williams noted this could be addressed through site plan conditions. Director Rice agreed to look into existing regulations. Director’s Report - Charles Rice, Director of Planning and Growth Management, reminded the commission of upcoming items: - November 17, 2025: Work session on the encroachment zoning text amendment (record open until 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 6). - November 17, 2025: Public hearing on the data center zoning text amendment (staff report and materials posted online). Key Outcomes - Approvals: Agenda and minutes for October 6 and October 20, 2025, were approved unanimously (with Murray abstaining on October 20). - Staff Direction: Staff will provide further data on funded project totals, average project timeline from planning to closeout, and administrative cost percentages. - Suggestion for Future Briefings: Commissioner Bossert requested a future presentation on wastewater treatment plant capacity and upgrades; Director Rice indicated they would arrange for appropriate staff. - Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by motion and voice vote (unanimous) at approximately 6:30 PM.

The Charles County Board of Appeals convened on October 28, 2025, to address two special exception applications. The board approved a special exception for Mona Recycling with eight enumerated conditions. The board also began hearing a case for a new surface mining operation by Percante Inc. on Poplar Hill Road, which was continued to a later date. Consent Calendar - Unanimously approved the meeting agenda for October 28, 2025. - Unanimously approved the meeting minutes from September 23, 2025. Old Business: Mona Recycling Special Exception - Background: The applicant, represented by attorney Steve Scott, presented updates on proffered conditions from the September 23, 2025 hearing. - Presented Proffers: Capping daily truck trips at 80; constructing 16-foot noise berms; no operations on weekends or federal holidays; operating only with valid MDE permits; paving a 400-foot entrance road; limiting stockpile heights to 70 feet; discontinuing use of a private roadway; and recording a restrictive covenant. - Board Discussion: The board conditioned approval on the covenant being recorded prior to any building permits. - Key Outcomes: The special exception was approved unanimously with conditions. New Business: Percante Inc. Surface Mining Special Exception (Docket 1476) - Application: A request to allow surface mining on a property at 14935 Poplar Hill Road, adjacent to Malcolm Elementary School. - Staff Report: Staff recommended approval with 11 conditions, including a 12-foot berm and a 300-foot buffer near the school during sessions. - Applicant's Case: Proposed hours of Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, 200 truck loads per day, a 10-10-10 mining system, and a commitment to mitigate well impacts for neighbors. - Board Questions: The board extensively questioned the applicant on truck routes, well mitigation, noise, and safety. Public Comments & Testimony - The public hearing was opened due to large turnout. The following spoke in opposition: - Scott Haney (Principal, Malcolm Elementary): Raised safety and health concerns, citing a recent drowning at a mine. - Renee Brooks (Neighbor): Berms do not protect her home. - Ernest Hepler Jr. (PhD, Noise Expert): Reported problems at the applicant's other site. - Armin Nicholas (Engineer): Criticized the reclamation plan and air quality impacts. - Danielle Jones (Nurse Practitioner): Detailed children's health risks. - Christopher Charney (Resident): Cited MDE violations and well issues. - Michelle Wade (Realtor): 10-30% property value loss. - Joseph Newman (Resident): Map showed multiple existing mines in area. - Levi Harrell (PTO President): Incompatible with school zone. Key Outcomes - Mona Recycling: Special exception approved. - Percante Inc. (Docket 1476): Hearing continued. - Deadlines: Extended for several dockets. - Adjournment: Meeting adjourned.

The Charles County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, with Commissioner Patterson absent. The board approved four routine administrative items, received briefings on flood-prediction technology and the northern county water supply, and voted to enter closed session. Commissioner Comments and Minutes - Commissioners congratulated the Chamber of Commerce on its annual event, held Sunday, and praised it as a showcase for Southern Maryland. - Approval of the October 7, 2025 meeting minutes was postponed; the October 21, 2025 minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote. Approval Items - Approved lighting the courthouse in teal for Alzheimer's awareness. - Approved updates to the Standard Operating Policy for disposition of county real estate. Property Acquisition Chief Sarah Guy said the policy had not been updated since 2012; changes update responsible departments, clarify nonprofit donation procedures, and establish processes for deposits and settlements in sealed-bid or auction sales. - Approved a new Standard Operating Policy for acquisition of county real estate. Ms. Guy said no countywide acquisition policy had existed before; the new policy covers fee-simple purchases, easements, partial takes, and grant funding requirements. - Approved a letter of support for Newcastle Development Group (referred to in the presentation as Newcastle Management Group) for a HUD grant application for 252 residential units at 2500 Old Washington Road. Economic Development Director June Chandler said the project uses a new middle-income program, with 50% of units rent-restricted at 120% of average median income, and is the team's second large-scale project in the county. Briefing: Flood Prediction Technology from SAS - Martin Harris of DPW introduced SAS; he said the session was informational, with no current contract or relationship between SAS and the county. - SAS representatives described a flood-analytics platform using a digital twin of the terrain, existing sensors, rainfall, soil moisture, groundwater, and storm drainage data to predict where, when, and how much flooding will occur up to six hours in advance. They said the model runs a nowcast every six minutes and a future cast every ten minutes. - Accuracy cited: more than 90% for predicting the next reading at individual sensors; 65-70% for full inundation mapping because weather forecasts add variability. - The platform can also model proposed developments or capital projects to show potential stormwater impacts, project costs, and return on investment. - Commissioner discussion included calls to make this an inclusive effort with the Resilience Authority, to demonstrate cost-effectiveness before committing funds, and to connect the tool to adequate public facilities ordinance reviews, site plans, and the county comprehensive plan. - Staff said they would explore grant and state funding options and return with cost and next steps; no formal action was taken. Briefing: Northern Charles County Water Supply Program - Jason Groth, Planning and Growth Management director; Alicia Froyland, engineering supervisor; and a Hazen and Sawyer consultant (introduced as Chris Ramo; the speaker identified himself as Chris Warner) provided the update. - County systems rely mainly on groundwater from the Magothy and upper/lower Patapsco aquifers. Maryland permits allow drawdown to only 20% of the total aquifer level, called the "80% management level." Water levels are declining, but the presenter said the county is not "running out of water"; the concern is state-permitted capacity and long-term sustainability. - In response to a commissioner's question about dry private wells, Mr. Groth said public wells can contribute but many other factors cause well failures, and he suggested installing monitoring wells in rural areas to better understand future impacts. - Short-term supply: the WSSC/Waldorf interconnection will increase purchased water from the current 1.4 million gallons per day (MGD) to an additional 5 MGD. Design is underway; construction is anticipated in 2027-2028, with the line active before 2030. - Long-term supply: the county is studying an Upper Potomac River intake near Marshall Hall, planned for 5-10 MGD, with potential implementation in the 2030s depending on cost, affordability, and continuing studies. - Emerging option: Maryland's 2025 legislation opened a possible path for a managed aquifer recharge demonstration facility; the county is evaluating it but continues to advance the river intake plan. - Staff introduced a public landing page and story map to communicate the water supply program. Commissioners praised the clarity of the presentation and the effort to counter misconceptions. New Business and Closed Session - A commissioner reported that the Tri-County Council is moving funding to the Thomas Stone Historic Site to support tourism through the National Park Service; a presentation to the board is expected. - The board voted to enter closed session pursuant to the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Code to receive legal advice and updates on a potential litigation settlement, a potential property acquisition, and commissioner committee assignments. Key Outcomes - Unanimous approvals: courthouse lighting, real-estate disposition SOP, real-estate acquisition SOP, and HUD letter of support. - October 7 minutes postponed; October 21 minutes approved. - Flood-prediction briefing: no vote; staff to explore funding and coordinate with the Resilience Authority. - Water supply briefing: no vote; update received; staff will continue design and studies. - Closed session authorized by motion and voice vote.

The Charles County Board of Commissioners held a joint public safety meeting on October 28, 2025, to hear from first responders, law enforcement, school system, health department, and the Sante Group regarding mental health crisis response. The meeting focused on the potential expansion of mobile crisis services in the county, coordination among agencies, and funding strategies. The forum was led by Commissioner President Collins and included a roundtable discussion with Sheriff Barry, Dr. Abney (Health Department), Jason Stoddard (School Safety), La Plata Police Chief Bill Smith (via phone), State's Attorney Tony Covington (online), Delegate Edith Patterson, and representatives from the Sante Group. Consent Calendar - Approval of October 7, 2025 Minutes: A motion was made and seconded; all commissioners voted aye. Approved. - Blue Crabs Stadium Naming Rights: Acting Deputy County Administrator Daniel Mitchell presented a request from Crabs on Deck LLC to exercise naming rights under Section 8.3 of the concession agreement. A specific motion was made and seconded; all commissioners voted aye. Approved. Staff will prepare a press release for the name announcement. Discussion Items - Sante Group Presentation on Mobile Crisis Team: CEO Michelle Grigsby Hackett and Director of Advancement Libby Jones presented data on the Southern Maryland Crisis Response Program. Key metrics: In FY25, the program saved an estimated $5.97 million by diverting 1,300 individuals from emergency rooms (saving $1.95M), over 1,000 emergency petitions ($3M savings), and over 200 criminal justice diversions ($600K). The Charles County residents make up 56% of dispatches for the regional team (shared with St. Mary's County). Response times averaged under 60 minutes; a dedicated Charles County team could reduce these to around 15 minutes. Client satisfaction in Charles County was 100% (based on 21 surveys). The team anticipates a 68% annual increase in calls with 911 integration, projecting 200 dispatches per year by year three. A hybrid regional model was suggested: a Charles County team during peak 16-hour periods and shared overnight coverage. - Sheriff Barry's Remarks: He highlighted three concerns: increasing juvenile involvement in serious crime, prevalence of handguns tied to drug activity, and the impact of mental health challenges. He noted that from September 2023 to September 2024, his office responded to 404 incidents with a mental health nexus (330 requiring emergency evaluations). He expressed support for a dedicated mobile crisis team to allow warm handoffs and reduce officer time on mental health calls. - Dr. Abney (Health Department): Emphasized the shortage of mental health providers in the county, especially those accepting patients with little insurance or Medicaid. She noted that while a mobile crisis team would help, the lack of long-term providers remains a critical gap. - Jason Stoddard (School System): Stated that school psychologists and counselors do not provide therapy, and there is a shortage of community mental health providers for students and educators. He reported a dramatic increase in assaults on teachers by young students (second grade and below). He noted that a mobile crisis team would have limited direct integration into schools due to legal constraints, but could help address trauma brought to the classroom. - La Plata Police Chief (via phone): Indicated that his department deals with many mental health crises, including from the hospital and a new recovery center. He supported the mobile crisis team as a complement to existing crisis intervention training. - Commissioner Bowling: Stressed the need for coordination via MOUs among all agencies, and for shared funding. He noted the state already contributed $500,000, and suggested splitting costs among the county, school system, sheriff, DES, health department, and town. He emphasized that a dedicated mobile crisis team would save each agency money in the long run. - Commissioner Stewart: Asked Sheriff Barry how the mobile crisis team would work operationally. The sheriff explained it would not reduce call volume but would allow warm handoffs, reducing time spent on scene and hospital visits, and hopefully address chronic issues. - Commissioner Coates: Raised the shortage of mental health providers and asked about a pipeline with College of Southern Maryland (CSM) to develop workforce. - Delegate Patterson: Offered to arrange a site visit in Baltimore to study wraparound programs. She confirmed the $500,000 state grant is encumbered and available until May 2029, and assured that the funds would not be taken back. - Funding Discussion: St. Mary's County secured additional BHA funding (approx. $350K) for the regional team, making St. Mary's calls a priority starting January 2026. Charles County's current funding for the regional team ends in December 2025. The Health Department identified $200,000 (including $92K already expended) that can be reallocated for fiscal year 2026. A grant application under HB/SB 599 was submitted last Friday. Key Outcomes - Directive to Staff: Commissioner President Collins directed staff from Emergency Services, Health Department, and Sante Group to follow up on funding gaps, MOU drafts, and report back to the commissioners before the end of 2025 to ensure continuity of services. The goal is to avoid a lapse in mobile crisis response for Charles County when the current regional funding runs out. - Next Steps: A future agenda item will include a staff directive that outlines a collective funding approach, including sharing costs among county government, school system, sheriff's office, and other partners. Commissioners will also explore using funds from the opioid lawsuit settlement if data supports it. - Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:00 PM (after the transcript ends).

The Charles County Board of County Commissioners convened on October 21, 2025, to address routine approvals, public briefings, and scheduled presentations. The meeting began with a roll call (Commissioner Patterson absent), approval of prior minutes deferred, and announcements regarding upcoming sessions and a rescheduled public hearing on commissioner term limits. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (October 7, 2025): Deferred because Commissioner Stewart had not reviewed them and was not present at the prior meeting. Item moved to later in the afternoon. - Waiver of Permitting Fees for the Resilience Authority: Commissioners unanimously approved a waiver for permitting fees for the Resilience Authority, similar to prior waivers for fire and rescue volunteer companies. The Resilience Authority had received approximately $5.7 million in grants, with an operating budget of just under $500,000 (mostly from county environmental and watershed fees) and a $50,000 special projects fund used for grant match requirements. Commissioners approved the waiver motion unanimously. - Community Support Funds for Historic Preservation Commission Award Ceremony: Ky Carpenter, Historic Preservation Planner, requested $461.30 from the community support account to pay for a public event permit and sanitation services for the October 4 awards ceremony. The request was approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were taken during the formal session; public testimony was not part of the agenda for the morning session. Discussion Items Mobile Crisis Teams Update - Michelle Lilly (Director of Emergency Services) and Donna Brennan (Assistant Director, Local Behavioral Health Authority) briefed the board on mobile crisis team options. The current regional team (shared with St. Mary's County via Sante) will see St. Mary's prioritized due to secured funding. Option 1 continues the regional model with Charles contributing additional funding. Option 2 would establish a Charles County-specific team under Sante with 24/7 coverage, a deputy director, and 911 dispatch linkage, at an estimated cost of $1,047,000 annually. - Commissioners raised concerns about insufficient data on call volume and cost savings, the absence of direct coordination with the Sheriff's Office (though staff noted Sheriff's Office representatives were on the planning team), and funding feasibility given tight budgets. Commissioner Bowling noted that the Sheriff's Office had not been directly consulted; staff clarified that a Memorandum of Understanding is pending. Commissioner Collins requested data on actual calls and cost comparisons between current shared service and a county-specific team. Commissioners directed staff to bring the Sheriff's Office to next week's public safety briefing for further discussion, along with data from Sante on cost savings and diversion metrics. No vote was taken; the board will revisit the topic. Biannual Health Department Report - Dr. Abney (Health Officer) and Amber Starn (Director of Community Health and Evaluation) presented a comprehensive update on health department activities. Key statistics included: - Respiratory activity: High flu season peak last winter; current activity sloping off. - Vaccine recommendations: All adults 65+ and those with chronic conditions urged to get flu and COVID vaccines. - Dental services: 2,562 patients, 404,250 services (515 children, 1,060 adults). - School health: 182,900 nurse visits, oral and vision screenings for thousands of students. First school-based health clinic at Indian Head Elementary opening in December. - WIC caseload: 4,845 in FY26 (up from 4,679 in FY25). - Behavioral health: Syringe services program (open 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at health department); 2,690 Narcan kits distributed in FY25; 690 people trained in overdose response; 784 fentanyl and 1,416 xylazine test strips distributed. - Environmental health: 878 food inspections, 361 animal bite investigations, 121 pool inspections; avian influenza (H5N1) detected in wild vultures in La Plata area (low public risk). - Community resource day held October 18; cooking classes, chronic disease self-management programs, and Walk Charles County events ongoing. - Commissioners praised the department's breadth of services and asked about expanding access to personal hygiene items (currently available at libraries). Annual Update on Docket 90 – St. Charles PUD (Lenar) - Mark Anderson (VP, Land Development, Lenar), Rick Barnes (Barnes Engineering), and Matt Winman (Division President, Lenar) presented the annual update on the St. Charles planned unit development. The PUD comprises 9,000 acres with five residential villages, commercial/industrial sites, and donated school sites (eight elementary, two high schools, one middle school site pending). - Development updates: Highlands community (734 home sites) nearly complete; Parklands active adult community (1,001 home sites, 35% complete); Horizon community (1,092 home sites) just starting, first closings expected winter 2025. - Housing affordability: Lenar proposed reducing garage massing requirements that mandate 40-foot wide homes, allowing 30-foot wide homes with two-car garages to reduce costs by $40,000–$50,000 per home. They are working with the Charles County Affordable Housing Work Group on zoning text amendments. Commissioners expressed support for exploring zoning changes but raised concerns about construction quality, drainage/landscaping complaints, and the need for transparent reporting of issues and resolutions in annual reports. - Building Homes for Heroes: Lenar partnered with the nonprofit to donate a home to a wounded veteran (Petty Officer Amoasi). The home featured a “next gen” layout with a separate in-law suite, allowing multi-generational living. - Commissioners discussed the possibility of tax credits or subsidies to help teachers, police officers, and county employees afford homes. Commissioner Coates noted a state affordable housing grant opportunity (LITEC) and asked Lenar to explore participation. - Environmental and infrastructure concerns were raised, including drainage and parking issues related to narrower lots. Lenar noted a 93% positive customer satisfaction rating and an 11-day average ticket resolution time. Key Outcomes - Minutes Approval: Deferred; will be revisited. - Resilience Authority Permitting Fee Waiver: Approved unanimously. - Historic Preservation Commission Funding: Approved unanimously. - Mobile Crisis Team: No vote; further discussion scheduled for the week of October 28, 2025, alongside the Sheriff's Office public safety briefing. Staff to provide additional data on call volumes, cost comparisons, and Sante's metrics on cost savings. - Health Department Report: Accepted; no action required. - St. Charles PUD Update: No formal action. Commissioners directed Lenar to work with county staff on zoning text amendments to allow narrower single-family homes and explore affordable housing grant opportunities (LITEC). Lenar encouraged to include complaint-resolution data in future annual reports. - Closed Session: The board moved into closed session at approximately 10:30 a.m. to discuss a public safety matter, lease renewal, property acquisition, and appointments. The board will return to open session at 3:00 p.m.

The Charles County Board of Commissioners convened on October 21, 2025, for an afternoon work session and an evening public comment session. The afternoon session featured briefings from the Military Alliance Council (MAC), an internal audit of commissioner expenses, and updates from the Commission on Individuals with Disabilities, the Commission for Women, and the Board of Fire and Rescue. The evening session included public comments on data centers, flooding, and governance issues, followed by commissioner responses. Consent Calendar - The board unanimously approved the appointment of Vatoya Smith as chair of the compensation commission and approved a six-month lease renewal with United Way for a property on La Plata Road (November 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026). Public Comments & Testimony - Kimberly Ross (Waldorf): Expressed deep concern over the public health and environmental implications of data centers, citing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane, noise, and thermal heat. She asked if any longitudinal health studies had been conducted and how the centers would reconcile with the county's green energy policies. - William Ho (Windsor Manor HOA President): Reported ongoing safety hazards including an unfenced pond, lack of sidewalks on Southampton, and significant flooding impacting 13 homes. He urged the board to pressure the developer to fulfill long-promised repairs and safety improvements before transitioning the community to the homeowners. - Angela Parker (Virtual): Strongly criticized the board for a lack of transparency regarding Commissioner Coates' conduct, the resulting $2 million+ in legal fees, and the County Administrator's leave. She alleged misuse of the county credit card by Commissioner Collins and opposed the proposed Office of Community Engagement as a duplication of commissioner duties. - Joseph Mank (Virtual): Supported county staff and requested that a legislative proposal for an attendance requirement for commissioners be revisited. He encouraged the board to consider term limits as a step toward improving public trust and transparency. Discussion Items - Charles County Military Alliance (MAC) Update: The MAC celebrated its 10th anniversary. Chair Steve Mitchell and Executive Director Pam Frank highlighted the Indian Head Division’s critical national security role, noting 225 patents in 20 years and over $500 million obligated in infrastructure projects in the last three fiscal years, with an additional $1.5 billion planned. They discussed the impact of the federal shutdown on working capital funds vs. appropriated funds. Recommendations included supporting a Transportation Corridor Resiliency Study and investments in Workforce 2030. - Audit of Commissioner Business Expenses (FY25): Senior Internal Auditor Johnny Coleman presented the annual audit of commissioner expense accounts. Total spending included $5,085.33 on lodging, $3,386.96 on meeting events, $14,412 on special projects, and $223.27 on mileage. The audit found full compliance with policy but noted the SOP was revised based on a prior year observation to require stricter documentation from non-profits receiving special project funds. - Commission on Individuals with Disabilities: Marqueza Whittington and Mary Francis Keenan presented. The commission submitted a memo arguing that the county’s affordable housing plans did not specifically address the needs of the 12.1% of residents with disabilities. A community survey identifying barriers for residents with disabilities is currently underway. - Commission for Women: Chair Caprice James reported on 2024 activities, including supporting women-owned businesses, donating 100 purses to shelters, and monitoring state legislation on maternal health and equal pay. The commission raised concerns about the lack of a birthing center in Charles County and disparities in maternal health. A roundtable with Comptroller Brooke Larman is planned for November 20th. - Board of Fire and Rescue: Chairman Lynn Gilroy detailed critical challenges, including massive cost increases for apparatus ($2.5M ladder trucks, $1.5M pumpers) and station construction costs surpassing available funding by over 100%. Building projects for Densville Station 15 (new pole barn) and Waldorf EMS are stalled or on hold. A significant discussion arose regarding a reform task force proposed by Commissioner Collins. Mr. Gilroy expressed frustration at feeling uninformed about progress, which County Administrator Deb Hall corrected on the record, confirming that ongoing weekly meetings with volunteer leadership are happening and significant progress is being made. Commissioner Bowling highlighted the need to fund infrastructure and support volunteers with tax credits and childcare to avoid a costly fully paid career department. Key Outcomes - Appointments and Contracts Approved: Vatoya Smith appointed to the Compensation Commission. United Way lease renewal approved. - Data Centers: Commissioners collectively stressed that independent public health studies and robust environmental mitigation are essential before any decisions. Commissioner Bowling announced a planned site visit to Loudoun County to assess real-world impacts. Commissioner Collins stated the board has not made a definitive decision and noted a Zoning Text Amendment allows for public input and a Sierra Club position paper has been received. - Fire and Rescue Reform: The board acknowledged a communication gap between the Board of Fire and Rescue and volunteer leadership. Staff confirmed they are actively working with volunteers on structural reforms, centralizing accountability as requested by Commissioner Collins. - Governance and Transparency: Commissioner Stewart will submit an agenda request to change the SOP to allow more commissioners to attend Wall Street bond rating meetings. Public requests for commissioner attendance requirements and term limits were noted for future discussion. - Windsor Manor Development: Commissioners committed to keeping pressure on the developer to address flooding, fencing, and sidewalk issues through county staff and inspectors before the community turnover.

The Charles County Compensation Board met on October 21, 2025. Roll call showed Commissioners Lyons, Muta, and Smith present; Commissioner Savannah joined by phone later and was sworn in; Commissioner Bellow was not present. The board had a quorum. It reviewed the prior 2021 compensation report, confirmed resources and scope for its current review, and planned department briefings, a public hearing, and report deadlines. Consent Calendar - The board approved the agenda as presented by motion and second. - The board accepted the meeting minutes as presented by motion and second. Public Comments & Testimony - Renata Rhodes, a La Plata resident, joined by phone and identified herself; no formal comment was provided. - The board discussed public comment procedures and agreed to hold a public comment/sign-up period at its November 18, 2025 in-person meeting, with a press release to be reviewed at the November 4 meeting and issued the next day. Discussion Items - Review of 2021 report: The previous report covered only county commissioner salaries and identified the need for earlier appointment, clearer legal language, and better data access. - Scope confirmation: The board is reviewing compensation and is still confirming whether benefits will be included alongside monetary compensation; HR has been contacted about benefits provided to the boards. - Resources: The board considered the 2021 report’s sources — county code, budget, prior-year reports, salaries of other Maryland counties with similar positions/population, public input, and commissioner input. The board attorney agreed to compile historical commissioner pay over the last 10 years, current 2025 population estimates for surrounding jurisdictions, and the Charles County budget in advance of presentations. - Cost-of-living data: Commissioner Muta requested that cost-of-living/inflation information be included. Members noted differences among the county’s 1 percent employee COLA this year, the state rate of 2.9 percent, and general inflation estimates of about 3 percent. - Standardized questions: The board passed a motion to create a standard set of questions for all department/fiscal briefings so comparable information is collected. Commissioners Lyons and Muta were assigned to draft the questions, with other members contributing. - Swearing-in: New board member Shalomar Tally-Ferry Savannah was sworn in. - Attendance policy: The chair reminded commissioners that, with six meetings scheduled, only one absence is allowed; members should email the clerk promptly about extenuating circumstances. - Timeline: The board reviewed 2021 minutes showing a November 30 public hearing and a December 14 report deadline, though the resolution had said December 1. Key Outcomes - Motion passed to develop a standardized list of questions for department briefings. - Agreed to hold a public comment period from approximately 6:00–6:30/7:00 p.m. on November 18, 2025, followed by that evening’s regular meeting; November 25 will be a working session to compile the report. - Agreed to bring a draft press release for the public comment period to the November 4 meeting for approval and to send it out the next day. - The board attorney and clerk will continue scheduling board/department briefings. - The board adjourned on a motion and second after the chair urged the group to maximize the five-week window for reviewing 10 boards.

The Charles County Animal Matters Hearing Board convened on October 21, 2025, at [time not specified] to hear four citations involving alleged animal control violations. The board reviewed evidence, heard testimony from animal control officers, complainants, and respondents, and issued findings and orders for each case. One board member abstained from voting on the first case due to absence at the prior meeting. Meeting Opening and Approval of Minutes - The board approved the minutes from the previous meeting by voice vote, with three members (Karen Williams, William Johnson, and Sergeant Cooney) abstaining because they were not present at that prior meeting. - The chair noted that proceedings were recorded electronically. Case 1: Citation 7509 – Animal Control v. Mary Wood (Dog: Callie) - Incident: On September 25, 2025, at 11440 With Comico Oaks Place, Charlotte Hall, the respondent's dog, Callie (adult black-and-white Catahoula Leopard Dog), bit guest Pete Ropeshaw on the face and jaw, causing multiple puncture wounds. The attack occurred inside the owner's home while the victim was sitting on a couch. - Testimony: Animal Control Officer [name not stated] testified that the owner acknowledged prior unprovoked aggression toward men and two previous bite incidents (an Amazon driver in March 2024 and a SMECO worker in July 2024) that did not result in board action because victims did not file. Mary Wood testified she had engaged a trainer post-incident and expressed surprise, but the board noted the prior bites and questioned her ability to manage the dog. - Vote: Motion passed (3 ayes, 0 noes) finding violations of: - §230-10A (individual license): $0 fine (license obtained after citation). - §230-12.5 (dangerous and vicious): $500 fine, with $400 held in abeyance for 12 months. Dog declared dangerous and vicious. All abatements (E1–E8, G) ordered except F. - Outcome: $100 due within 30 days; animal control will inspect compliance. Case 2: Citation 7527 – Animal Control v. Tammy Sue Robertson (Dog: Nala) - Incident: On September 7, 2025, at 7170 Patients Place, Port Tobacco, respondent's pit bull-type dog, Nala, ran loose and attacked a leashed dog (Rusty) in the driveway of Sky Stone Street. No injuries to Rusty. A prior similar incident had occurred the previous year. - Testimony: Victim Sky Stone Street testified this was the second time and that dogs from Robertson frequently roam. Robertson admitted the dog escaped while on a leash that got tangled, and she searched for over an hour; she accepted full responsibility. - Vote: Motion passed (3 ayes, 0 noes) finding violations of: - §230-10A: $50 fine. - §230-12 (at large): $50 fine. - §230-12.5 (potentially dangerous): $400 fine, with $300 held in abeyance for 12 months. Dog declared potentially dangerous; no abatements ordered. - Outcome: $200 total due within 30 days. Case 3: Citation 7531 – Animal Control v. Akira Marie Brown (Dog: Tonka) - Incident: On October 5 or 6, 2025, at 2734 Hammock Court, Bryans Road, Brown's Doberman Pinscher-type dog, Tonka, attacked a leashed dog (Draco) while it was being walked on the sidewalk behind Brown's townhouse. Draco suffered multiple bite marks on the neck, front legs, and mouth, requiring veterinary care. - Testimony: Victim Stephanie Graves testified that Tonka had previously growled at her dog. Brown testified Tonka escaped through a screen door she thought was latched; she took responsibility and obtained a license after the incident. The dog is neutered and had interacted with the victim dog before without issue. - Vote: Motion passed (3 ayes, 0 noes) finding violations of: - §230-10A: $0 fine (license obtained). - §230-12: Not in violation (at large charge dropped). - §230-12.5 (potentially dangerous): $100 fine. Dog declared potentially dangerous; no abatements ordered. - Outcome: $100 due; Brown paid immediately. Case 4: Citation 7538 – Animal Control v. Haskell Nicholas Campbell Jr. (Dog: Kane) - Incident: On October 6, 2025, at 115 Pender Drive, La Plata, respondent's male, unneutered Cane Corso dog, Kane, allegedly bit Dominic Thompson (victim not present). The victim's aunt, Alita Johnson, testified she saw two small puncture wounds on the victim's buttocks after he said Kane bit him. Kane had previously bitten a trash removal employee on August 21, 2025, and was under quarantine then but was not up to date on rabies vaccination. - Testimony: Animal Control Officer Donald Murphy testified Kane had multiple prior bite reports and was impounded. Johnson testified Kane ran loose regularly and she had to install a $20,000 fence for safety. Campbell claimed the victim was familiar with Kane and that he did not believe a bite occurred; he had not gotten the rabies shot. The board noted that because the victim did not appear and animal control never spoke to him, the evidence for this incident was weak but proceeded with the citation. - Vote: Motion amended to potentially dangerous; passed (3 ayes, 1 abstention) finding violations of: - §230-10A: $50 fine. n - §230-12 (at large): $50 fine. - §230-9A (rabies vaccination): $150 fine. - §230-12.5 (potentially dangerous): $250 fine. $350 of $500 total held in abeyance for 12 months. All abatements ordered (except F) under §230-12.5. - Outcome: $150 due within 30 days; also $295 animal care fees to be paid by noon October 22, 2025 to reclaim Kane or the dog becomes county property. Discussion on Prior Incidents Not Resulting in Citations - After the fourth case, the chief of animal control explained that whether a bite report leads to a citation is at the officer's discretion on a case-by-case basis. Officer Murphy of the prior incident had been aware of the first bite but chose not to issue a citation. Adjournment - The board voted to adjourn without further business.

The Charles County Planning Commission met on October 20, 2025, to conduct routine business, including the approval of a subdivision revision for the Horizon neighborhood, a briefing on a proposed zoning text amendment for data centers, and a briefing on a proposed zoning text amendment to expand accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The commission voted to approve the Horizon revision and scheduled a public hearing for the data center ZTA for November 17, 2025. Consent Calendar - Agenda approved as written. Roll call: Kevin Wedding (present), William Murray (absent), Dawood Abdur Rahman (present), Jeffrey Bossert (present), Samaya Hackett (present), Ryan Segretarski (present). Motion by member, seconded, carried unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public signed up to speak during the meeting. Discussion Items 1. Horizon Neighborhood Revision No. 2 (PLREV 250006) - Staff planner Melissa Hively introduced the item. The revision proposes changes to street layouts, updates to the resource protection zone (RPZ), minor lot line adjustments, and introduction of a smaller single-family lot design for 39 lots (3.5% of total) as a market test for more affordable housing. No change in total lot count (1,092 lots). The applicant's representatives (Steve Scott, Rick Barnes, Pat Wackerly) explained key revisions: relocation of Orbit Street to avoid height restrictions near a transmission line, updated wetland/stream delineation modifying the RPZ, and refined road design for Pinwheel Drive (urban major collector with 18-foot lanes, hiker-biker path, and sidewalk). The applicant accepted all staff conditions. - Questions from commissioners focused on traffic impacts (no change to state-approved intersection), stream crossing design (culverts, not bridges), and affordable housing details. The smaller lots are 4,200 sq ft vs. typical 5,500 sq ft; house sizes were not specified but expected to reduce price point. Commissioners expressed support for affordable housing efforts. - Motion to approve with staff recommendations and conditions carried unanimously. 2. Briefing on Zoning Text Amendment 25-187 (Data Centers) - Joint presentation by Economic Development (Director Jim Chandler, Chief Mark Thompson) and Planning staff (Charles Rice). The draft ZTA aims to permit data centers in specific zones: Business Park, General/Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, PUD industrial areas, and Low Density Residential (RL) with restrictions. Highlights include minimum 30% open space, 200-foot setbacks from property lines, 400-foot from residential buildings, noise/vibration studies, architectural requirements, priority for non-potable water for cooling, and a public hearing requirement for RL-zoned parcels adjacent to high-voltage power infrastructure. Eligible zones cover <2% of county land. The state’s power grid constraints and lessons learned from Loudoun County were discussed—noise, water use, and electrical demand are mitigated through smart design. Economic benefits include high property taxes, recordation taxes, construction (up to 5,000 jobs) and permanent jobs (500 at average $100k salary). Workforce development partnerships with College of Southern Maryland and Charles County Public Schools were mentioned. - Commissioners raised concerns: maximum facility size (no limit, but open space/setbacks constrain development), power availability (utility load studies required), water strain (non-potable water priority), and job opportunities for locals. The county anticipates one or two large facilities, not a proliferation. The ZTA does not permit data centers in rural/agricultural zones. Commissioners also asked about future modular nuclear power (acknowledged as 10+ years away) and site abandonment provisions (not yet addressed). - The commission voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing for November 17, 2025. 3. Briefing on Zoning Text Amendment 25-189 (Accessory Dwelling Units) - Presented by Joel Binkley (Planning Supervisor) and Devin Parker. The state’s House Bill 1466 (2025) requires jurisdictions to adopt ADU laws by October 2026. Charles County’s draft ZTA would eliminate the current requirement for equivalent storage space (a disincentive) for detached ADUs, allow internal ADUs in new townhome subdivisions (limited to one floor, subordinate in size), and set standards: minimum 300 sq ft, maximum 1,000 sq ft or 75% of primary dwelling (whichever smaller) on lots under 3 acres; 75% on larger lots. Height limit 24 ft, maximum 2 bedrooms, one off-street parking required for lots ≤1 acre. No minimum lot size. ADUs limited to zones permitting single-family detached dwellings. Septic and sewer regulations remain unchanged (separate septic required in rural areas). HOAs can still prohibit ADUs. Expected impact: 1-2% of annual building permits (9-18 units per year). Demographics: host family members (elderly/young adults), minimal traffic/school impact. This is a short-term action from the county’s affordable housing plan. - Commissioners commended staff for progress, requested input from the housing authority on unit conditions, and asked about sharing well water in rural areas (staff will check). No formal action taken; staff will return for a public hearing in December 2025 after briefing the county commissioners. Key Outcomes - Horizon Neighborhood Revision No. 2: Approved unanimously with staff conditions. - Data Center ZTA (25-187): Public hearing scheduled for November 17, 2025. Staff to return with work sessions in late 2025/early 2026. - ADU ZTA (25-189): Briefing only; staff will seek commissioner authorization and schedule a planning commission public hearing for December 2025, aiming for spring 2026 adoption. - Other: Director’s report noted potential briefing on CIP at next meeting (November 3); St. Charles annual update postponed to October 21. - Meeting adjourned at [time not specified].