Baltimore County Council Meeting – June 3, 2026: Tribute to Astronaut Reed Wiseman and Legislative Business
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Baltimore County Council Meeting – June 3, 2026: Tribute to Astronaut Reed Wiseman and Legislative Business
The Baltimore County Council met on June 3, 2026, beginning with a moment of silent meditation and the Pledge of Allegiance led virtually by NASA astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reed Wiseman, a native of Cockeysville and graduate of Dulaney High School. The meeting featured a special tribute to Commander Wiseman, followed by regular legislative business including confirmations, bill readings, fiscal approvals, and the swearing-in of a new council member.
Tribute to Commander Reed Wiseman
- Council members and County Executive Kathy Klausmeyer delivered remarks honoring Commander Wiseman for his leadership of the Artemis II lunar flyby mission, which set the record for human distance from Earth. Wiseman recounted his journey from mowing lawns and working at the 911 call center to becoming an astronaut, and emphasized the importance of public education, teamwork, and inspiring future generations.
- The council presented a proclamation (Resolution 18-26) and the county executive presented a citation and a Baltimore County flag. Wiseman acknowledged his father Bill Wiseman, who was present, and thanked the council for recognizing his crew—Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.
- The council unanimously approved Resolution 18-26 honoring Commander Wiseman and the Artemis II crew.
Consent Calendar
- The journal for the meeting of May 21, 2026, was approved unanimously.
- Bills 38-26 through 56-26 (with the exception of certain bills listed separately) were enrolled as passed by the council and signed by the executive.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Anita Bass (Local President, Union Local 4538) thanked Councilmen Young and Patoka for attending an Apple rally and supporting workers.
- Scott Pappas congratulated new Councilman Mangione, thanked the council for paving German Hill Road in full rather than patching it, and expressed appreciation for the pavement work.
- Fred Homan spoke critically, citing a UMBC poll showing 63% of the public never or only sometimes trusts local government. He questioned the council’s vetting of the interim county executive regarding support for the Inspector General, alleged that the administration spent $6.6 million on a golf course clubhouse (Rocky Point) without council approval and in violation of a ground lease, and challenged the council to explain how checks and balances work. He spoke beyond the three-minute limit and was asked to conclude.
- Jeffrey Budnitz thanked the council for the charter amendment regarding the Recreation and Parks Board, calling the amendments “knocked it out of the park” and expressing full support.
Discussion Items
- Introduction of Bills: Bill 67-26 (sponsored by the chair) was introduced, concerning zoning regulations for uses in the DR5.5 zone event venue.
- Appointment Confirmations: The council confirmed two reappointments to the Police Accountability Board: Renee M. Streb and Peter J. Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick requested independent counsel for the PAB and noted a need for more diversity, particularly Latino representation.
- Final Readings and Votes:
- Bill 39-26 (Personnel Law) passed as amended (unanimous, 6-0). Amendments struck certain dollar amounts and Section 7.
- Bill 57-26 (Fire Department Current Expense Budget) passed unanimously.
- Bill 58-26 (Local Share Private Pre-K) passed unanimously.
- Bill 59-26 (Housing Choice Voucher Program) passed unanimously; a council member verified that additional federal funds would help current voucher holders afford rising rents, not expand the program.
- Bill 60-26 (ENOUGH, current expense budget) passed unanimously.
- Bill 61-26 (County Charter Board of Recreation and Parks) passed as amended (unanimous). Amendments added an advisory role on recreation, nature, open space, arts, and culture, and removed a two-term limit for board members.
- Bill 62-26 was extended (unanimous) at Councilman Patoka’s request.
- Bill 63-26 (Employees Retirement System, repeal clarification) passed unanimously.
- Fiscal Matters: Fiscal matters 1 through 4 and 6 through 24 were approved unanimously after being read by the secretary. (Fiscal matter 5 was withdrawn.)
- Resolutions: Resolution 16-26 (Harmony Garden PUD) was postponed to the next meeting. Resolution 17-26 (non-local fund expenditure through the Board of Education) was approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous passage of all bills and fiscal matters voted on, including the charter amendment for the Recreation and Parks Board (which will go to voters).
- Confirmations: Renee M. Streb and Peter J. Fitzpatrick were confirmed to the Police Accountability Board (both unanimous).
- Swearing-In: Nino Mangione was sworn in as council member for District 3, filling the vacancy left by Councilman Catch. Mangione was selected by the Republican Central Committee and appointed by the county executive. Council members welcomed him and noted his experience in state government.
- Directives: No formal directives were issued; the council expressed appreciation for public input and proceeded with regular business.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Uh legislative day 13 will now come to order. Um I'd ask you to please pause uh for a moment of silent meditation. Thank you. Um we want to begin tonight uh by welcoming uh NASA astronaut and Artemis II commander Reed Wiseman, who is joining us virtually from Houston. There he is on the screen. Commander Wiseman, we are so glad you're here, and we would be very honored if you could lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance tonight, if you would. I would love that. First, let's make sure you can hear me okay. Can you hear me all right? We can we can hear you uh perfectly. All right. At least if I can't be there in person, I'm there in cardboard format. Uh let us let us begin here. Uh I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic. For which it stands. Liberty. Thank you, sir. Okay. So we're taking things a bit out of order because it's not often that we get to have a national, in fact, global hero join us in this uh in our historic uh council chamber. Uh once again, we wanted to welcome NASA commander Reed Wiseman. As anyone on the planet is probably aware, Reed is a native of Baltimore County. Uh he grew up in Cockysville, and he is a class of 93 graduate of Delaney High School, Go Lions. Uh Reed was uh raised by uh two great parents, and we are honored to have his dad Bill Wiseman here with us today. To join the celebration. So um before before being selected to NASA's astronaut program in 2009, Reed graduated from uh Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earned a master's degree from Johns Hopkins, and had a distinguished career as a naval aviator, including as a test pilot uh right here in Maryland at the uh Pax River Naval Air Station. Um as an astronaut, Reed was part of Expedition 4041, the 4041 crew to the International Space Station from May through New November of 2014. In 2023, Reed was selected as the commander of the Artemis II mission in April. Commander Wiseman and his crew of pilot Victor Glover, uh Michelin's mission specialist Christina Cook, and Michelin specialist Jeremy Hanson completed a 10-day lunar flyby mission. This mission also set the current record for the human distance from Earth during that flyby around the moon. Uh no one had no one until this crew. Had ever been to the dark side of the moon, and now we have. Oh, if you want me to tell you all about my trip, we're gonna need two or three sessions here. I know it's late at night up there in Baltimore. Um first, it's uh it's great to know that my dad is there in the audience. I don't see him on the screen, but I know he's there. Uh and uh and he's kind of back in a place that means a lot to him. It's a place uh that that chamber you're in right now, uh means a lot to me. I worked at the 911 call center when I was uh between my freshman and sophomore years as a college student. Before that, I mowed lawns. I don't I don't know if I mowed any of your lawns, but there's a high chance I mowed one of your lawns at some point. Um and then uh I did want to highlight that written on the wall behind you is uh is just a great phrase. Uh equality and liberty under law is the foundation of a government of free people, and I love that you sit there under that and uh and and look at that every time you gather in that chamber. The more I have lived this life, I'm 50 years old, the more I've realized that it it does take true leadership, it takes commitment from the people, uh, and it takes a very strong government to set objectives to set a vision and to set goals for this nation. And this nation sets those girl goals for the whole world. So uh what you're doing here really matters, and I appreciate getting to talk to you. Um I was I was proud that you highlighted my crew. Uh Victor Glover, Christina Cook, Jeremy Hanson. You actually misspoke and said Michelin specialist, Jeremy Hanson, and I thought of Michelin star restaurants, and it was actually quite fitting because Jeremy, this was his first flight, and uh you couldn't tell. He he just hit the ground running hard when we were up there.
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