OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Calvert County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - May 6, 2025

County Commissioners & Boards — Tuesday, May 6, 2025
BodyCalvert County, Maryland
SessionCounty Commissioners & Boards
DateTuesday, May 6, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:23:50

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good morning, everybody.

0:03

We welcome you to the May 6th, 2025 meeting of the Calvert County Board of Commissioners.

0:07

At this time, I'd like to ask Pastor Everhart if he would come forward and give us an invitation, please.

0:15

Good morning, Commissioners.

0:17

Thank you for serving our county.

0:19

We're blessed to live in this county.

0:20

And Administrator Willis.

0:23

Sorry, it was almost like you were doing one, two, three eyes on me there.

0:28

That's how he is always.

0:29

If it whatever works, you clicked up on that.

0:34

Let's pray together as we start.

0:35

Father, we just praise you this morning for uh who you are and what you've done.

0:38

We thank you for the way that you're working here in Calvert County.

0:41

We thank you for these leaders uh and the way that they serve our county.

0:44

May you bless them uh today as they serve, bless them tomorrow, and may we continue uh to seek you, uh seek you first, because they're the the the kingdom of God is at hand, and I pray you just go before us this week.

0:56

Uh we give you honor and praise for all that's said and done here this morning in Christ's name.

1:00

Amen.

1:00

Amen.

1:11

I'm God.

1:20

Thank you, Pastor Everhart.

1:22

We appreciate you coming in.

1:23

Pastor Everhurt comes to us from the Life Church in Huntingtown.

1:26

Thank you very much.

1:28

Um next thing on the agenda is to approve the agenda as presented, or are there any corrections or additions to that agenda?

1:35

I don't believe so, sir.

1:36

Move that we approve and adopt the agenda submitted.

1:40

I'm going to second.

1:41

Thank you.

1:42

I motion second to approve the agenda as presented.

1:46

Although any discussion on that motion hearing none, all those in favor say aye.

1:49

Aye.

1:51

Motion passes.

1:52

And uh just so everyone knows Commissioner Cox is out of town, but he has joined us via Teams.

1:58

So he is watching, and Commissioner Cox, if you have something to say, you might have to yell at me to make sure I notice you.

2:06

Thank you, Mr.

2:07

President.

2:08

Absolutely.

2:09

How's the weather down there and wherever you are?

2:12

80 degrees and sunny, sir.

2:14

There you go.

2:17

So the next item on agenda is public service announcements.

2:20

I do have a couple today.

2:23

First of all, most importantly, is tonight is our public hearing for our FY26 operating budget.

2:29

Uh it'll be at 7 o'clock right here in this commissioner's hearing room.

2:33

Uh and you can follow that by Zoom.

2:37

You can come in person, you can call in whatever way best works for you.

2:42

Uh copies of the budget can be viewed at Calvert County Maryland.gov slash budget.

2:47

Uh hard copies are available in the public libraries, or you can contact the Department of Finance on budget and get a copy there.

2:54

The meeting will be streamed live on Comcast Channel 99 and 1070 HD on the Calvert County YouTube channel at www.youtube.com slash Calvert County Gov.

3:08

So next there's going to be a countywide event on May, Monday, May 19th, hosted by the Calvert County Fire Department on the harmful effects of vaping on youth.

3:18

It's uh free.

3:20

Uh it's entitled is Experts Discuss Harmful Effects of Vaping on Youth.

3:25

The event will be held at Calvert High School from 6 30 to 8 15 with doors opening at 6 o'clock.

3:31

And their goal is to educate parents and community members about the dangers of vaping nicotine and THC.

3:36

Uh legal issues related to cannabis and how to talk with teens about substance abuse.

3:42

Uh we strongly encourage parents and caregivers, educators and concerned residents to attend for more details.

3:49

You can contact Jane Dodds at Jane.gov or call 410535-5400 extension 336.

4:04

And there is a sidewalk construction project going on in St.

4:08

Leonard Town Center this week.

4:09

Just be aware if you're walking in that town, that there could be uh pedestrian issues and areas that you need to avoid.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████25%
Mental Health Awareness█████████████████████21%
Parks and Recreation████████████12%
Personnel Matters████████████12%
Procedural██████████10%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Public Safety█████5%
Animal Welfare████4%
Public Health██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Calvert County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - May 6, 2025

The Board of County Commissioners held its regular meeting on May 6, 2025, opening with an invocation, approval of the agenda, and public service announcements. The meeting included three proclamations, an award for leadership graduates, appointments to the Board of Appeals, approval of consent items, and new business items on housing bonds and Business Appreciation Week. Commissioner reports covered community events and safety concerns. The Board recessed into executive session. A public hearing on the FY26 budget was scheduled for that evening.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved five consent items unanimously: FY2026 Gun Violence Reduction Grant, Local Warrant Apprehension and Absconding Grant, Community Grant Fund, Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network/Overdose and Drug Awareness Coordinator Grant (all Sheriff's Office), and a lease for Calvert Advanced Life Support Unit, Inc.

Proclamations

  • National Water Safety Month (May 2025): Aquatics staff presented drowning statistics (nearly 250,000 global deaths annually, more than double Calvert County's population; drowning is leading cause of death for children ages 1-14). Calvert County runs one of the largest Red Cross learn-to-swim programs in Maryland. Commissioners urged vigilance around water. Proclamation approved.
  • National Economic Development Week (May 12-16, 2025): Economic Development staff and local business owners (Lord Calvert Bowling Center, Cruis and Tikis, Spooky Solomon's Ghost Tours, Alley Catcat Boutique, Rod and Reel Resort) spoke. Commissioner Hart emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses. Proclamation approved.
  • Children's Mental Health Awareness Week (May 4-10, 2025): Local Behavioral Health Authority and partners announced the Spring into Wellness Behavioral Health Fair, suicide prevention art contest winners, and the Chalk the Walk event with over 70 partners. Discussion on resources, school collaboration, and reducing stigma. Commissioners expressed support. Proclamation approved.

Awards

  • Leadership Academy Graduates: 18 county employees recognized for completing the inaugural leadership training program (September 2024 through February 2025). Certificates awarded.

Appointments

  • Board of Appeals: Appointed Thomas Briscoe as full voting member and Sonya Wagner as first alternate (one vacancy remains). Unanimous approval.

New Business

  • 2025 On-Behalf-of-Bonds Program: Director Jennifer Moreland reported that Calvert County's FY2025 housing bond allocation is $4.3 million. To date, 42 loans totaling $14,753,229 have been issued to income-eligible residents under the Maryland Mortgage Program, with interest rates below average FHA loans. Motion to authorize the board president to sign the letter to the Maryland Department of Commerce passed unanimously.
  • 2025 Business Appreciation Week Plans: Kathy McAdams detailed events: citation for Radio Shack (40+ years), Humane Society anniversary (50 years), ribbon cutting for Fresco Studios, 15 business visits (theme: Business of Tourism), AI workshop (65 already registered), and after-hours at Mully's. Commercial vacancy rate reported at 3.6% (below Maryland average). Discussion on economic development and business recruitment. No formal vote needed; Board gave direction.

Commissioner Reports

  • Commissioner Grasso: Update on North Beach First Friday, farmers market, appreciation for Sheriff's Office at a funeral, promotion of Hospice of Chesapeake's Boots and Bling fundraiser on May 9.
  • Commissioner Cox: Requested prayers for the Brady family.
  • Commissioner Arlen: Reported Big Kahuna Cruises ribbon cutting (May 1), retirement of Ricky Wheems, vehicle break-ins and a robbery in Dunkirk (suspects from outside county), and a story about Brian Brady (brain cancer advocate). Announced brain cancer walk on May 30 at Horseman Farm.

Key Outcomes

  • All three proclamations approved unanimously.
  • Leadership Academy graduates recognized.
  • Board of Appeals appointments approved unanimously.
  • Consent agenda approved.
  • On-Behalf-of-Bonds authorization approved.
  • Business Appreciation Week plans received and supported.
  • Motion to recess into executive session (personnel, legal advice, pending litigation) approved.
  • Public hearing on the FY2026 Operating and Capital Budget scheduled for 7:00 p.m.; budget is balanced with no tax increases.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning, everybody. We welcome you to the May 6th, 2025 meeting of the Calvert County Board of Commissioners. At this time, I'd like to ask Pastor Everhart if he would come forward and give us an invitation, please. Good morning, Commissioners. Thank you for serving our county. We're blessed to live in this county. And Administrator Willis. Sorry, it was almost like you were doing one, two, three eyes on me there. That's how he is always. If it whatever works, you clicked up on that. Let's pray together as we start. Father, we just praise you this morning for uh who you are and what you've done. We thank you for the way that you're working here in Calvert County. We thank you for these leaders uh and the way that they serve our county. May you bless them uh today as they serve, bless them tomorrow, and may we continue uh to seek you, uh seek you first, because they're the the the kingdom of God is at hand, and I pray you just go before us this week. Uh we give you honor and praise for all that's said and done here this morning in Christ's name. Amen. Amen. I'm God. Thank you, Pastor Everhart. We appreciate you coming in. Pastor Everhurt comes to us from the Life Church in Huntingtown. Thank you very much. Um next thing on the agenda is to approve the agenda as presented, or are there any corrections or additions to that agenda? I don't believe so, sir. Move that we approve and adopt the agenda submitted. I'm going to second. Thank you. I motion second to approve the agenda as presented. Although any discussion on that motion hearing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion passes. And uh just so everyone knows Commissioner Cox is out of town, but he has joined us via Teams. So he is watching, and Commissioner Cox, if you have something to say, you might have to yell at me to make sure I notice you. Thank you, Mr. President. Absolutely. How's the weather down there and wherever you are? 80 degrees and sunny, sir. There you go. So the next item on agenda is public service announcements. I do have a couple today. First of all, most importantly, is tonight is our public hearing for our FY26 operating budget. Uh it'll be at 7 o'clock right here in this commissioner's hearing room. Uh and you can follow that by Zoom. You can come in person, you can call in whatever way best works for you. Uh copies of the budget can be viewed at Calvert County Maryland.gov slash budget. Uh hard copies are available in the public libraries, or you can contact the Department of Finance on budget and get a copy there. The meeting will be streamed live on Comcast Channel 99 and 1070 HD on the Calvert County YouTube channel at www.youtube.com slash Calvert County Gov. So next there's going to be a countywide event on May, Monday, May 19th, hosted by the Calvert County Fire Department on the harmful effects of vaping on youth.

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