Baltimore County Council Legislative Day Nine - May 1, 2026
Baltimore County Council Legislative Day Nine - May 1, 2026
The Baltimore County Council convened on Thursday, May 1, 2026, for Legislative Day Nine. The meeting began with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the approval of the journal from April 6, 2026. Councilman Patoka paid tribute to Laurie Feinberg, a legendary Baltimore City planner who recently passed away. The council introduced and voted on several bills, approved fiscal matters, and heard public testimony.
Consent Calendar
- The journal for the meeting of April 6, 2026 was approved by unanimous voice vote.
- Bills 2026-2326, 2426, and 2526, previously passed by the council and signed by the county executive, were enrolled.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Eric Rockle expressed frustration with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) for conducting studies on transit-oriented development without public awareness. He urged the council to require after-meeting information sessions or press releases when county officials meet with state or federal agencies, so the public can stay informed.
- Anita Bass, union president of Local 4538 representing Towson Apple workers and Baltimore County Public Library workers, asked about a promised council audit of the Baltimore County Public Library following the loss of 14 part-time librarians. She requested an update on whether the audit had been conducted and what the results were.
- Sharonda Hoffman voiced disappointment over Apple’s departure from Towson and asked the council for a plan. She also raised concerns about a bill changing signage height limits in the Essex revitalization area from 75 feet to 100 feet, questioning why the change was pursued through legislation rather than standard permits and whether the executive director of the Essex CDC had been consulted. She noted the bill was sponsored by Councilman Marks for an area in Essex.
Discussion Items
- Bill 28-26 (Zoning – BL Zone – Lawn Treatment Company): Sponsored by Councilmen Ketch and Marks, this bill permits storage but not sales of lawn treatment products. Councilman Ketch explained that he reviewed federal and county controls and was satisfied with the requirements. The bill passed unanimously.
- Fiscal Matters 1–7: The council considered seven contracts, including with People Encouraging People Inc., Law Offices of Lisa M. Harris LLC, Institute for Community Alliance, NV5 Consultants Inc., Bodie Selmark Forensics Incorporated, and Baltimore County Revenue Authority. Councilman Marks questioned Deputy Director Richard Richardson about the first contract, which places individuals discharged from state hospitals into apartment complexes. Richardson clarified that residents are stabilized and receive therapy; management can contact the county if issues arise. Following discussion, the council approved all seven fiscal matters unanimously.
- Resolution 13-26 (Maryland Rural Legacy Plan Applications): Councilmen Catching and Marks were added as co-sponsors. The resolution was approved unanimously.
- Resolution 14-26 (Property Tax Refund for Blind Person): Sponsored by Councilman Catching, this resolution authorized a partial property tax refund for Diane L. Handley. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 15-26 (Acceptance of Donation for Fire Department): This resolution, to accept a monetary donation from Lawrence M. Rivetts for the fire department, was introduced for first reading only.
Key Outcomes
- Bill 27-26 (WIC Budget) was passed unanimously.
- Bill 28-26 was passed unanimously.
- Fiscal Matters 1–7 were approved unanimously.
- Resolution 13-26 and Resolution 14-26 were both approved unanimously.
- Resolution 15-26 was introduced for first reading; no vote taken.
- Councilman Marks confirmed he had a productive conversation with Sharonda Hoffman after her testimony and looks forward to working with her.
- The meeting adjourned with a reminder for public safety.
Meeting Transcript
Do we not have pad here? Thursday Thursday. Good evening, everyone. Um legislative day nine will now come to order. Um asked everyone to stand. Um please pause for a moment of silent meditation and then we'll do the pledge. Uh Councilman Patoka. Do you have something for yes? So uh would ask everyone to keep the uh Feinberg Cello family in their thoughts. Laurie Feinberg passed away last week. Laurie was uh just legendary as a planner in Baltimore City. Uh she led um she led urban design for Baltimore City, a graduate of Carnel Cornell, and she was part of city planning uh during the time when it was one of the best planning organizations uh in the country, and much of it was due to Laurie's great work, and unfortunately Laurie passed away at a young age, and there was a great celebration in the Oak and Shaw Greens, a celebration of life just yesterday. So if everyone could keep Laurie and her family in in their thoughts, I appreciate it. Thank you, Councilman Pato. Okay, thank you, everyone. Uh Councilman Jones, could you lead us in the pledge today? Yes, sir. Thank you. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which you stand, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Right. That was wonderful. Is there a motion to approve the journal for the oh and and we also have a special birthday up here on the dais. Um councilman Young is 43. I wasn't gonna say that. But um, but that's a good age to be other three others the other of your colleagues don't like to tell what our birthdays are anymore. Yeah, being the youngest element. Well, happy birthday, Councilman Young. Thanks, Council will bring even more you absolutely. Uh is there a motion to approve the journal for the meeting of April 6th, 2026? No move. Okay, all in favor? Aye. Okay, journal is approved. Uh next we have enrollment of bills, bills 2026, 2326, 24, 26, and 2526 were passed by the council, signed by the county executive, and are hereby enrolled. Uh Mr. Secretary, will you now read all bills for introduction? Certainly, Mr. Chairman, uh, and members of the council. Uh these initial bills for introduction only this evening are the budget package bills as well as the borrowing ordinances. They are as follows. Bill 3826, property tax, bill 3926, personnel law of Baltimore County, Bill 4026, the employees' retirement system, Bill 4126 annual budget and appropriation ordinance of Baltimore County, Bill 4226, refuse disposal borrowing ordinance, Bill 4326 community college borrowing ordinance, 44 bill 4426 public works borrowing ordinance, bill 4526 parks for preservation and greenways borrowing ordinance, bill 4626 school borrowing ordinance, bill 4726, agricultural and rural land preservation borrowing ordinance, bill 4826, community improvement project borrowing ordinance, bill 4926, waterway improvement program borrowing ordinance, bill 40, uh bill 5026, operational buildings borrowing ordinance, uh, and that's those are the those are the this uh the borrowing bills. Uh the next bill is Bill 5126, which is a current expense budget bill health management associates grant. Bill 5226 is sponsored by Councilman Marks, County Charter, Charter Review Commission membership technical update, Bill 5326, sponsored by Mr. by Chairman Hertel, miscellaneous provisions and offenses, dangerous weapons prohibited, Bill 5426, sponsored by Councilman Marks, designation of design review areas, Cowanton Ebenezer Commercial Revitalization District, Bill 55-26 is sponsored by Councilman Jones, zoning regulations, uses permitted in the ML zone service garages, and Bill 56-26 is also sponsored by Councilman Jones. Zoning regulations, uses permitted in the RC2 zone, natural burial grounds. And again, these are all for introduction this evening. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Um we will now move on to final reading and vote of bills. Uh Mr.
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