Baltimore County Council Legislative Day 16 - September 10, 2026
Baltimore County Council Legislative Day 16 - September 10, 2026
The Baltimore County Council convened on September 10, 2026, for its sixteenth legislative day. The meeting included the approval of four appointments, detailed consideration and amendments of four bills, passage of fiscal items and contracts, and votes on several resolutions. The council also introduced five new resolutions for future consideration.
Appointments
- Trisha Sokolowski was appointed to the Advisory Committee for Public School Capacity (unanimous voice vote). Councilman Marks highlighted her three decades in education.
- Robert Gearham was appointed to the Design Review Panel (unanimous). Councilman Patoka praised his firm's portfolio.
- Paul De Tabirzy was appointed to the Baltimore County Revenue Authority (unanimous). He expressed his honor to serve.
- Mr. Locker was appointed Acting Director of the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (unanimous). Councilman Patoka joked about TMDLs; all members expressed confidence.
Discussion on Bills and Amendments
Bill 68-26: Zoning Regulations – Smoke Shops
Sponsored by Councilmembers Ertell, Marks, and Patoka, this bill aimed to regulate smoke shops. Thirteen amendments were considered and voted on individually before final passage. Key amendments:
- Sales threshold definition: Changed from revenue to less than 30% of total linear display area (passed 7-0).
- Grandfather clause: Proximity standards do not apply to smoke shops operating before October 1, 2025 (passed 7-0).
- Vape shop exemption: Removed state-licensed vape shops from the definition (passed 6-1; Councilman Crandall dissented, citing health concerns).
- Nicotine replacement therapy: Required smoke shops to stock at least one type of FDA-approved cessation product (passed 7-0; Councilman Mangioni expressed reluctance but voted aye).
- State law definition cross-reference: Adopted state definition of tobacco product (passed 7-0).
- Hardship extension: Allowed smoke shops to apply for a one-year extension of the grace period under certain conditions (passed 7-0).
- Proximity additions: Extended 1,000-foot prohibitions to health department clinics and daycare centers (passed 7-0).
- Lighting and signage relocation: Moved requirements to the sign regulations (passed 7-0).
- Non-conforming use transfer: Prohibited transfer of non-conforming smoke shop status to a new owner or lessee (passed 7-0).
- School definition: Clarified that schools refer to K-12, not colleges (passed 7-0).
- On-site consumption separation: Excluded hookah lounges and vapor lounges from the smoke shop definition (passed 6-1; Councilman Marks dissented).
- Permitted zones: Allowed smoke shops in the BL zone (passed 7-0).
- Technical correction: Repealed inconsistent term “tobacco shops” in RAE2 zone (passed 7-0).
Bill 68-26 as amended passed unanimously (7-0).
Bill 69-26: Zoning Regulations – Housing for the Elderly in DR Zones
Sponsored by Councilman Ertell, this bill permitted senior housing in a DR55 zone. An amendment corrected the boundary from York Road to Osler Drive and clarified density and setback requirements (amendment passed 7-0). The bill as amended passed unanimously.
Bill 70-26: Zoning Regulations – Automotive Parts Sales Facility
Sponsored by Councilman Ertell, the bill adjusted parking requirements for a specific property. An amendment simplified the bill by removing a new definition and modifying existing uses (passed 7-0). The bill as amended passed unanimously.
Bill 71-26: Zoning Regulations – Union Hall in ML Zone
Sponsored by Councilman Marks, the bill allowed union halls in the Manufacturing Light zone and permitted catering events. An amendment adding catering events passed 7-0. The bill as amended passed unanimously.
Fiscal Items and Contracts
- Fiscal Matters 1–11: A package of 11 contracts and land sales, including contracts with Prime Care Medical, KCI Technologies, TDA Consulting, Shannon Baum Signs, Waterfront Partnership, Redgate Holdings, HVAC maintenance, Paradigm Software, and two land purchases (from Ellen Lewis/Ann Bartlett and the Benedictine Sisters). Passed unanimously.
- Non‑competitive contracts: 10 contracts were announced, including cell phone record compliance agreements with Verizon ($78,821.60 est. 5-year), AT&T ($378,000 est.), T‑Mobile ($550,168.32 est.), Sprint ($1,860 est.), and others for jail management software, fire department LUCAS devices, gate valve actuators, and laundry equipment. Accepted without objection.
Resolutions
Resolution 232-26 – Approval of the 2025 Baltimore County Code
Passed unanimously.
Resolution 242-26 – Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Easements
Passed unanimously.
Resolution 252-26 – General Assembly Inspector General Oversight of Baltimore County Public Schools
Sponsored by Councilmembers Marks, Mangioni, Crandall, and Patoka, the resolution encouraged the state legislature to expand inspector general oversight to the school system.
- Councilman Mangioni supported, expressing disappointment that a similar bill failed in the 2025 session.
- Councilman Jones opposed, arguing that existing oversight (state inspectors, auditors) is sufficient and that a future county IG should focus on county government, not duplicate efforts.
- Councilman Young opposed, stating the resolution was not well thought out and lacked understanding of implementation needs.
- Councilman Patoka supported, praising the council’s ability to engage in civil discourse and independent thought.
The resolution passed with one dissenting vote (Councilman Young). Councilman Jones had earlier stated his opposition but his vote was not recorded in the transcript.
Resolution 262-26 – Encouraging DNR to Work with Friends of Jerusalem Mill
Sponsored by Councilmembers Marks, Crandall, and Patoka, the resolution urged the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to continue lease discussions with the volunteer group. Passed unanimously.
Introduction of New Resolutions
Five resolutions were introduced for future deliberation:
- Resolution 27-26: Amendment to the growth tier map (4122 Suite Air Road).
- Resolution 28-26: Extension of sanitary sewer system in Middle River area.
- Resolution 29-26: PILOT amendment at Turner Station Preservation LLC.
- Resolution 30-26: Endorsement of Lutherville Station Transit-Oriented Development.
- Resolution 31-26: Review of traffic calming policies in rural areas.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned with no public speakers registered.
Meeting Transcript
Turn my mic on. Sorry. Good evening, everyone. Legis let legislative day sixteen will now come to order. I'd ask that you all please pause for a moment of silent meditation and especially keep those. Um, I know it's been a week or so now, but um Nepal has had a really uh profound tragedy over there with the flooding, and I know they're still finding survivors. Um, so keep all those people uh in your thoughts and also those who have uh passed away and uh you know a lot of the trauma that it's it's causing that whole region. Um so I'd asked asked for uh silent meditation for the nation of Nepal. Okay, thank you. Um Councilman Mangioni, would you lead us in the pledge tonight? Regions to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands for nation under God, individual liberty of justice for all. Well, thank you, everyone. Um is there a motion to approve the journal for the meeting of August third? Is there a second? Okay, we have a motion and a second. All in favor. Okay, journal is approved. Uh next is enrollment of bills. Bill sixty-seven twenty-six was passed by the council, signed by the executive, and was is hereby enrolled. Uh, Mr. Secretary, will you now read all bills for introduction? Certainly, Mr. Chairman. Uh the first there are five bills for introduction this evening. The first is Bill eighty-four twenty-six. Uh, this is at the request of the administration and also sponsored by council members Mangioni and Young. Commercial House parties prohibition. Bill eighty-five dash twenty-six, also at the request of the administration, advisory committee on animal services. Bill eighty-six dash twenty-six at the request of the administration. Uh, current expense budget body armor. Bill eighty-seven dash twenty-six, sponsored by councilman marks, zoning regulations, uses permitted in the business major or BM zone schools, and Bill eighty-eight-26, also sponsored by Councilman Marks. Notice of limited exemption or waiver warehouses. Yes, sir. Yes, certainly. And I um also wanted to um just I'm sure everybody can see them on screen, but uh, councilman Patoka and Councilman Younger are with us tonight uh virtually. Um so we're all here, but they're just in the virtual world tonight. Um we have our uh first up, we have an appointment to the advisory committee for public school capacity. Uh Miss Trisha Sokol Sokolowski. Sakolowski. Is that correct? Okay. Um and this is Councilman Marks' um appointment. I know Mrs. Sokol. Sakalowski was here last work session. Uh is she here tonight or one? Okay. Well, either way. Either way, um, did you want to say anything else, Councilman Marks, before we motion to approve? I think she's eminently qual.
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