Baltimore County Council Emergency Session Passes Detention Center Prohibition - February 18, 2026
Baltimore County Council Emergency Session Passes Detention Center Prohibition - February 18, 2026
The Baltimore County Council convened an emergency session on February 18, 2026, to introduce and vote on Bill 14-26, which prohibits private detention facilities in the county. The council also conducted its regular legislative session, including bill readings, appointments, resolutions, and public testimony. The emergency session was called by the county executive under Section 208e of the Baltimore County Charter.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Edwin Perez (representing Baltimore County PTA Council): Expressed appreciation for the passage of Bill 14-26, emphasizing that enforcement remains critical to protect students from fear and educational disruption caused by immigration enforcement actions.
- Ann George (resident): Raised concerns about the Baltimore County Animal Services, citing underfunding, lack of accountability, and a slow legislative response. She announced forming an ad hoc committee to revive the Animal Services Advisory Commission.
- Linda Dorsey Walker (resident): Commended the council for passing Bill 14-26 and urged the council to fix the permitting process to prevent repurposing of approved projects (e.g., self-storage to warehouses) without re-review. She also suggested using the Woodstock Job Corps site for fire training or code enforcement training.
- Jennifer Blaylock (resident): Thanked the council for passing Bill 14-26 and highlighted that administrative ICE offices can blur with detention functions, citing past litigation over poor conditions in Baltimore holding areas. She supported additional measures like the anti-masking bill.
- Danita Tolson (former detention center director of nursing, via phone): Expressed strong support for Bill 14-26, recounting the story of a nurse who was detained after coming to the U.S. to work.
- Sharon DeHoffman (resident): Requested that the council allow public comment both in-person and virtually at hybrid meetings for equitable access. Also urged finalizing the next council’s salary, distinguishing advice from formal attorney general opinions, protecting inspector generals, and holding special sessions to explain ballot amendments.
- Mary Taylor (education advocate): Criticized Councilman Crandall for lack of transparency in appointing Karen Wolf to the APFO committee, stating her own application was ignored despite extensive advocacy. She urged fairness and communication.
- Jerry Withers (resident): Supported Bill 14-26 but expressed strong opposition to recently passed bills (97-25 and 98-25) which he argued make Baltimore County a sanctuary county, putting federal funding at risk and allowing dangerous individuals to remain free.
- Stephanie Patriotes (resident): Voiced passionate support for Bill 14-26, condemning detention centers as resembling internment camps and calling for protection of immigrant and transgender communities.
- Carlos Crespo (resident): Urged the council to use resources for community needs (firefighters, teachers, homeless, veterans) rather than detention, and expressed fear in immigrant communities.
- Lisa Yeager (president, Cromwood Coventry Community Association): Expressed disappointment over a revised bill allowing hookah lounges within 50 feet of residential property (down from 200 feet), citing shootings, traffic, and property damage near Mazika hookah lounge. Councilman Catch and Councilman Marks pledged to revisit the issue.
- Amanda Norris (resident): Supported Bill 14-26 but criticized the council for acting only now on detention centers, noting that Black and Indigenous communities have long suffered from mass incarceration and family separation without emergency action.
Discussion Items
- Bill 14-26 (Detention Center Prohibition): Councilman Jones introduced the bill, describing how the Woodstock Job Corps site was suspected of being converted into a detention center. He cited a Washington Post article about $38 billion in federal spending on detention facilities and the story of a 22-year-old nursing student detained for six months. The bill prohibits permits for any facility used for involuntary detention. Councilman Urtell emphasized local tools (permits, code enforcement) to push back against federal overreach. Councilman Young argued the bill protects due process and prevents abuse. Councilman Marks noted he read about the bill online but received a supportive call from the county executive; he confirmed the Hunt Valley location is an office building, not a detention center, but will vote for the bill. Councilman Catch expressed offense at what he called one-sided testimony and a “hateful” letter from U.S. Senators, but said he would vote for the bill in the spirit of working together.
- Bill 6-26 (Zoning: Central Community Hub): Councilman Patoka explained it allows enhanced signage and wayfinding for the Pikesville Armory.
- Bill 7-26 (Local Landmarks List): Councilman Patoka recommended denying the nomination for the Larendale Club Road building after negotiations; the council voted 4-2 against forwarding it to the final landmarks list.
- Bill 8-26 (Transportation Prerequisite): Councilman Marks moved to hold over one legislative session to allow public review of proposed amendments; passed unanimously.
- Resolution 3-26 (Small Area Plan): Councilman Marks introduced amendments including library, quarry connection, fire station, and transit language; passed unanimously as amended.
- Resolution 6-26 (Property Tax Exemption): Councilman Catch moved a resolution authorizing a partial refund for a blind property owner; passed unanimously.
- Appointment of Karen Wolf to the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance Advisory Committee: Confirmed unanimously. Members praised her teaching background and service.
- Fiscal Matters 1 and 2 (contracts for helicopter services and liquid salt brine application) passed unanimously.
- Non-Competitive Contract for electronic health record system maintenance (Mitchell & McCormick Inc., $1.25 million) was noted for the record.
Key Outcomes
- Bill 14-26 passed 6-0 (emergency measure, effective immediately) — prohibits permits for private detention facilities and related services for involuntary detention in Baltimore County.
- Bill 5-26 passed unanimously — current expense budget appropriation for Manneker Interpretive Program enhancement.
- Bill 6-26 passed unanimously — zoning regulations for Pikesville Armory signage.
- Bill 7-26 failed 2-4 — the building at Larendale Club Road and Ruxton Road will not be forwarded to the final local landmarks list.
- Bill 8-26 held over to February 24 work session and March 2 final vote.
- Resolution 3-26 passed as amended — Middle River Small Area Plan adopted with amendments.
- Resolution 6-26 passed unanimously — property tax exemption for blind resident.
- Karen Wolf confirmed to APFO Advisory Committee.
- Fiscal matters 1 and 2 approved.
- Public comments received on detention center prohibition, animal services, permitting process, hookah lounge buffer, and council transparency.
Meeting Transcript
Councilman Cash. Yes, you can hear us. Okay, thank you. Yes. It's not a microphone. It's just a recording device. So you're gonna have to speak. Good evening, everyone. Good evening, Mr. Chair. Um, my name's Mike Urtell. I'm the um council chair. Um, excuse us a little bit because this is the first night that we are in these um in the planning board um office. This is not a if you've never been to a council meeting, this is not normally where we meet. We're building a new dais because we're moving to uh nine council people and we were kicked out last week um because they're doing construction, so this is our first night in the new um in the new meeting place. So um I couldn't figure out how to work my recording device for a second there. Um, so we're gonna start with um a moment of silence and the pledge. So if we want to all stand for um and I would like um I'd like to ask everyone um uh to take a moment of silence. Um one of our um civil rights giants died today, uh Jesse Jackson for yesterday, and um so a little moment of silence for for Jesse Jackson and also a very special person, uh Margaret Jones died about a week ago, and she is the mother of Councilman Jones, so um like to have a little little moment of silence for councilman Jones's mom. Thank you. Okay, thank you, everyone. Um councilman Marks, would you lead us in the pledge? Okay, nine under individual with liberty and justice for all just can't be okay. So um once again, good evening, everyone. Um, under the authority granted by section 208e of bottom of the Baltimore County Charter, the county executive has hauled the county council into emergency session for the purpose of enacting legislation. Legislative day four will now come to order. Um Mr. Secretary, did you want to just cover some housekeeping on uh what we're gonna be doing in the emergency session and and speakers and that kind of thing? Yes, uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. So uh because of the county executives uh convening of this emergency session, uh we will be introducing and voting on tonight uh legislation. Uh following that the meeting will be adjourned, as there will be no further business before the council, in which time at which time the council will then immediately go into its normal regularly scheduled legislative session. Uh the the county council will conduct that business and then following that legislative session, the council will, as we normally do, and as we said we would do on February 2nd, we will resume the normal February 17th speakers after the legislative session that have signed up. Okay, each speaker will be allotted two minutes, and um if the timer will let you know when the when your uh time is is up, and uh we will also let you know uh we will give you a very hopefully polite nudge. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Um, can you uh proceed to introduce and for the introduction and final reading of the vote on on the bill? Yes. Uh so tonight's uh bill being introduced uh at this emergency legislative session is bill 14-26. This bill is sponsored by council members Jones, Patoka, Urtel, and Young detention center prohibition. Okay, thank you, Mr. Secretary. Ms. Councilman Jones, did you want to kick this off? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Before I start, if the if the chairman don't mind, I would like to read a letter from Senators uh Van Holland and Senator Also Brooks, so we can enter it into the record. United States Senate, February 17th. Chair Urtel, Councilman Jones, Councilman Patoker, and other members of the Baltimore County Council.
openpublica.com