Baltimore County Council Work Session for Legislative Day 8 - April 2, 2026

The Baltimore County Council held its second work session for the upcoming Legislative Day 8 on April 2, 2026. The meeting covered appointments, donations, contracts, and several legislative bills. No final votes were taken; most actions are scheduled for the legislative session on April 6.

Consent Calendar

• Appointment to Adult Public Guardianship Review Board: Mr. Ermer, previously introduced, will be confirmed on April 6.
• Reappointment to Board of Appeals – Sharon Bernardi (Councilman Jones): Ms. Bernardi, a former state deputy controller, committed to continued public service.
• Reappointment to Board of Appeals – Michael Stelmack (Chairman): Mr. Stelmack expressed honor in serving and requested reappointment.
• Donation to Fire Department EMS: Deputy Chief Danielle Natz presented a donation of five smart blood coolers valued at $4,500 from UM Shock Trauma to support the whole blood program.
• Donation to Cromwell Valley Park: Acting Director Brian Shepard presented an $18,000 donation from the Cromwell Valley Park Nature Council for tree treatment. Councilman Marks voiced support.
• Police Department Crash Reconstruction Training: Major Paul Borowski requested using $29,000 from a grant for two training courses.
• Multiple Property Management Contracts: Deputy Director Nicole Frenny Frock presented amendments and contracts for pest control, turfgrass, irrigation, window washing, and building automation.
• Gunpowder Sewage Pumping Station Hydraulic Contract: Miss Eichholtz presented a $282,500 contract for 90-day work.
• Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Contract: Deputy Director Tony Rustel presented a 5-year, $212,611 contract with Broadview Waste Solutions. Councilman Ketch asked about transitioning to LEDs; administration will report back.
• WIC Supplemental Appropriation: Deputy Director Lawrence Richardson presented a $236,867 federal pass-through for increased program applicants and lab renovation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill 2026 – Development Impact Fees: Six members of the public testified.
  • Dale Lute (builder): Stated impact fees can reach $30,000–$60,000, criticizing inclusion of basements and garages, and citing inconsistent calculation.
  • Tim O'Shea (builder, 41 years): Said the $6/sq ft fee on a starter home (e.g., 2,500 sq ft with garage) can exceed $30,000, urging removal of unfinished spaces from calculation.
  • Travis Omo Periola (investor/agent): Described the system as 'convoluted' with inconsistent application by permit staff, causing builders to leave the county. Suggested a simpler per-dwelling fee.
  • Ted Russell (builder): Urged a quick resolution to provide certainty for pending projects.
  • Candy Vada (single lot owner): Expressed that the impact fee placed a heavy financial burden on her family trying to build a home on a family lot, and asked for an exemption for single lot owners.
  • Sharonda Hoffman: Criticized the lack of transparency in the amendment process, noting the amendment was not posted on the website before the hearing.
• Bill 2326 – Housing for Elderly: Sean MacIntosh (Sparks resident, candidate) urged caution, stating Broadmead is cost-prohibitive and the area needs affordable senior housing and manufacturing space.
• Bill 2626 – County Charter Amendment:
  • Sharonda Hoffman: Criticized the council for not recording meetings and questioned the need for the bill, noting the fiscal note indicates no fiscal impact.
  • Sean MacIntosh: Opposed the bill, arguing voters have already decided on full-time designation and salary should be set through the budget process.

Discussion Items

• Parking Agreement with Baltimore County Revenue Authority: Director Kevin Reed presented a 10-year, $14.5 million agreement for employee and vehicle parking in Towson garages. Councilman Crandall strongly criticized the Revenue Authority for lacking transparency, receiving county funds despite profitable operations, and paying employee bonuses. Councilman Patoka requested bonus information. Councilman Crandall noted that the council had cut capital funding for a golf course restaurant but the administration used prior appropriations and shifted parking costs to operating. Director Reed stated the agreement was necessary to formalize the existing arrangement.
• Bill 2826 – Zoning: Lawn Treatment Companies in BL Zone (Councilman Ketch): Permits storage of lawn treatment chemicals in BL zones with a Commercial Rural (CR) overlay. Councilman Ketch raised concerns due to a past gasoline leak in Jacksonville. The council requested information from planning on locations of CR overlays on BL zones.
• Bill 2026 – Development Impact Fees (Councilman Marks): Marks proposed an amendment capping fees at $35,000, removing the vague phrase 'similar to the rest of the dwelling unit,' and requiring a 6-month study of fee methodology. Councilman Patoka requested data on when other counties adopted impact fees. Marks committed to posting the amendment on the website. Discussion highlighted that a 2019 law required a review that never occurred.
• Bill 2326 – Zoning: Housing for the Elderly in MLR/ML Zones (Councilman Ketch): Expands the senior overlay district to allow Broadmead to develop a satellite campus in Sparks. Ketch noted the shuttle service and reduced traffic impact. One public voice opposed, cited concerns about losing industrial land and lack of affordable senior housing.
• Bill 2426 – Final Landmarks List (Ketch/Marks): Protects a portion of the Sparks Elementary School ruins, allowing the rest for recreation. Brief.
• Bill 2526 – Zoning: Panhandle Lots in Perry Hall (Councilman Marks): Prohibits new panhandle lots in the Perry Hall area. Supported by the Perry Hall Improvement Association. One public speaker (Karen Harris) described personal issues with a proposed panhandle lot. No opposition.
• Bill 2626 – County Charter Amendment (Councilman Jones): Jones proposed removing the full-time designation for council members and the related compensation language from the voter-approved charter amendment. He argued that the role has been part-time for 70 years and full-time pay is unfair. Councilman Patoka defended the full-time designation, citing the work group recommendation and the demanding nature of the job. No consensus reached; an amended bill is expected on April 6.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments, donations, and most contracts are expected to be approved on Legislative Day 8 (April 6).
• The amendment for Bill 2026 will be posted online.
• The administration will provide information on LED bulb transition policy and locations of CR overlays on BL zones.
• Information on Revenue Authority employee bonuses will be obtained.
• Bill 2626 will be revised and voted on April 6.
• The council acknowledged the recent deaths of former Senator Paula Hollinger and community leader Bob Rameika.