Baltimore County Council Legislative Day 8 - April 8, 2026
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Baltimore County Council Legislative Day 8 - April 8, 2026
The Baltimore County Council convened on April 8, 2026, for Legislative Day 8. The session opened with a moment of silence for recently deceased community leaders (Senator Paula Hollinger, Bob Ramatka, and Linda Rundell) and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council approved the journal, enrolled several bills, and introduced seven new bills. Key actions included the confirmation of three appointments, passage of multiple bills (including a contentious development impact fee bill), and handling of fiscal matters and resolutions. Public testimony addressed the need for a crisis stabilization center and the future of the Animal Services Advisory Commission.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tony Torsch, director of the Daniel Carl Torsch Foundation, urged the council to establish a crisis stabilization center in Baltimore County for individuals in drug, alcohol, or mental health crises. He noted that currently, residents are often transported out of county (e.g., to Anne Arundel County) because no such facility exists locally, and he referenced a $50,000 county study completed in January 2025. Torsch emphasized that a modest facility would reduce ER visits and improve outcomes, and he asked council members to consult with first responders. Council members expressed support and noted ongoing county efforts, including a tour of Frederick County's facility.
- Ann George, animal advocate, addressed the inactive Animal Services Advisory Commission (ASAC), which has not met since June 2022. She proposed forming an ad hoc advisory committee to review the commission's mission, composition, and effectiveness, noting that recommendations from two prior consultant reviews were never implemented. George invited council members to suggest qualified participants for the committee. Councilman Patoka voiced strong support for her efforts and praised her dedication.
Discussion Items
- Bill 20-26 – Development Impact Fees (Councilman Marks): This bill sought to update the county's impact fee system. Extensive debate centered on amendments. Councilman Catch proposed an amendment with a $12,000 minimum fee and $30,000 maximum; after a failed modification to lower the minimum to $10,000 and $5/sq ft above 2,000 sq ft, the original amendment was defeated. Councilman Marks offered an amendment with no floor, a $30,000 cap (originally $35,000, lowered via suspension of rules), and technical changes (definition of occupiable space, exception for lots created before July 1, 2020, and a study requirement). This amendment passed on a 4-3 vote (Urtel, Marks, Young, Jones in favor; Crandall, Patoka, Catch against). The bill as amended then passed by the same 4-3 margin. Council members expressed differing views on the impact of fees on homebuyers and the need for infrastructure funding.
- Bill 23-26 – Zoning: Housing for the Elderly in ML and MLR Zones (Councilman Catch): Permits Broadmead retirement community to expand onto adjacent land. A technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously.
- Bill 24-26 – Final Landmarks List: Sparks School Site (Councilmen Catch and Marks): Added the ruins of the first agricultural school in the U.S. to the landmarks list. An administration-supported amendment narrowed the designation to the school site and ruins, excluding surrounding open space (for potential park use). The amendment and bill passed unanimously.
- Bill 25-26 – Zoning: Residential Performance Standards for Panhandle Lots (Councilman Marks): Extended the prohibition on panhandle lots in the Perry Hall area, supported by the Perry Hall Improvement Association. Passed unanimously.
- Bill 26-26 – County Charter: Council Compensation and Redistricting (Councilman Jones): Seeks to remove the clause "for compensation only, considered full-time" from the recent charter amendment and to prevent mid-cycle redistricting. Councilman Jones argued the clause allows part-time work for full-time pay; Councilman Patoka defended the full-time nature of the job and the work group's recommendation. A motion to approve was made and seconded, but the council proceeded to fiscal matters without a recorded vote, leaving the bill's status unresolved.
Key Outcomes
- Bill 20-26 passed (4-3) as amended with a $30,000 cap and no minimum fee.
- Bills 23-26, 24-26, 25-26 passed unanimously.
- Bill 26-26 was moved and seconded but not voted on.
- Fiscal Matters 1-8 (various contracts and purchase orders) were approved on a 6-1 vote (Crandall dissenting).
- Fiscal Matter 9 (contract with Baltimore County Revenue Authority for employee parking subsidies) was deferred to the next meeting (April 20, 2026) with a work session on April 14, after concerns about Revenue Authority bonuses and transparency.
- Resolutions 10-26 (grant acceptance for fire department), 11-26 (donation for beech leaf disease treatment at Cromwell Valley Park), and 12-26 (property tax exemption for a blind individual) all passed unanimously.
- Resolution 13-26 (Rural Legacy Plan applications) was introduced for future consideration.
- Appointments: Robert Ermer to the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board, and Sharon Bernardi and Michael Stelmack to the Board of Appeals were all confirmed unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Like a bunch of fools. Oh, it's back. Good point. Good evening, everyone. Uh legislative day eight will now come to order. Um standing. Um I could ask everyone to um uh please pause for a moment of silent meditation, and uh councilman Marks and I are gonna cover this because um about week and a half, two weeks ago we had two uh Baltimore County legends uh pass away. Um one was uh Senator uh retired Senator uh Paula Hollinger from the the uh district, I think it was still District Eleven back then, and um Paula was a big part of a lot of different legisl really important legislation over the years. Um kind of a legend on the on the west side of the in the whole county. Um Paula passed away, and then on the east side, David. Did you want to talk about uh Bob Bob Ramatka, who was not uh uh an elected, but a big part of a lot of um important milestones in on the east side yeah, okay, and is and Councilman Patok has one too. Well, thank you. Um, as the chairman mentioned, um, we lost uh last month. Mr. Makka was really a Titan. Um transformational leader in the post-war history of the East Side. Um legacy can be seen all throughout the East Side, Alger Baltimore County, uh, the Franklin's Borough Medical Center. Um I think all of us here had a relationship with him. He's a friend to many, many people. I personally will miss my many talks with him. So link back Kennedy political clubs that existed throughout the east side sixties. Councilman, thank you, Mr. Chair. Also asked if everyone could think about family of Dean Rondell. Dean is the president of the Sudbrook Park Association. He's also on the Pikesville Armory Foundation, been a champion for a number of causes in Pikesville and the area surrounding. And unfortunately, his wife Linda passed away uh this week. And so uh they both have been, you know, just he's they've been at each other's side for decades, and both have been uh really advocates for our community. So if you could think about the Rundell family, I'd appreciate it. Thank you, Councilman. We'll have a quick moment of silence. Could you lead us in the pledge? Yes, sir. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. For the safety of our heroic astronauts. Any other human being has reached in our solar system. And I think we're all proud of each and every one of them, but particularly our Baltimore County native. Read Wiseman. Thank you, Councilman Marks. Is there a motion to approve the journal for the meeting of March 16th, 2026? So move. Okay. So we have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Okay. The journal is approved. Next is enrollment of bills, bills 1526, 1626, 1726, and 2126 were passed by the council, signed by the executive, and are hereby enrolled. Bill 1926 was returned unsigned by the county executive and is also hereby enrolled.
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