Baltimore County Council Legislative Day 14 - September 3, 2025

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.