OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Regular Meeting of the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners - August 5, 2025

County Commissioners & Boards — Tuesday, August 5, 2025
BodyCalvert County, Maryland
SessionCounty Commissioners & Boards
DateTuesday, August 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:06:50

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

At this time, I'd like to ask Reverend Dana Jones if you would come up and give us an invitation, please.

0:12

Let us pray.

0:14

Gracious Creator, we come this day in Thanksgiving.

0:18

Thankful for our lives and thankful for being citizens of a great nation, great state.

0:26

And God, we give you particular thanks for this place we call Calvert, our home that has carved into each of our hearts a special meaning and a special purpose.

0:38

Now this day, as our leaders gather.

0:42

We pray for them and we pray for wisdom from above.

0:47

We pray for power and the strength to discern that which is within your will.

0:54

And we ask for carriage that they might make the difficult decisions that basically serve the whole.

1:03

And so, God, this day we thank you.

1:07

We praise you, and we move forward, praying that all that is done this day in this assembly will glorify you.

1:16

We ask this in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

1:21

Amen.

1:26

To the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:32

One nation, under God.

1:40

Thank you, Reverend Jones, my classmate.

1:43

Always like to brag on Reverend Jones.

1:47

We won't say when we went to school here in Coward County, but we did go to school here in Coward County.

1:51

And Reverend Jones comes to us from Mount Olive Church right here in Fred Rodick on Dares Beach Road.

1:56

Always remember.

1:57

73.

1:57

Always remember.

2:00

It's a privilege and a pleasure to have you with us this morning, Reverend Jones.

2:06

First item on the agenda is to approve the agenda.

2:08

Are there any corrections or additions to the agenda as presented?

2:11

I have none.

2:12

I moved we approve and adopt the agenda submitted.

2:14

Second.

2:15

I have a motion and a second that we approve the agenda.

2:17

Is there any discussion on that motion?

2:19

Hearing none.

2:19

All those in favor say aye.

2:21

Aye.

2:21

Opposed.

2:22

Motion carries.

2:23

I do have some public service announcements today.

2:26

First of all, we want to welcome our new deputy county administrator, Mr.

2:29

Stephen McGivons.

2:31

Stephen comes to us from local government where he served for 30 years in the finance department and uh retired from that position, but decided he wasn't done.

2:41

So after an exhaustive search and lots of interviews, uh Stephen certainly rose to the top, and his first day was yesterday.

2:49

So we all want to welcome you.

2:51

We look forward to working together and serving our citizens.

2:54

Thank you.

2:55

Appreciate it.

2:55

Absolutely.

2:56

Welcome.

2:57

Welcome.

2:57

Wow.

2:58

Thank you.

3:00

And uh yesterday, some of you may know we had an incident at the Southern Branch Library in Solomon's.

3:07

Um here that's created some stir around about citizens concerned about safety at libraries.

3:15

Uh I just want to tell you that it's the first instance I think that we've ever had in uh in this regard at a public library.

3:22

You should not be scared to go to a library.

3:24

This was a random act carried out by an individual that had some issues, and that uh could have happened anywhere in Calvert County, just the day and age that we live in.

3:36

It's just unfortunate that it happened in our public library where people should feel safe.

3:41

Um the sheriff, the gentleman was apprehended.

3:45

Uh he is incarcerated currently in our jail.

3:48

Uh the sheriff is going to increase patrols around the Southern Library.

3:52

Um, but unfortunately, excuse me, the world that we live in today, these uh incidents occur.

3:59

And uh, you know, you hear it on TV all the time where there are something that happens and they interview people and they say it's such a peaceful, quiet community.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Health██████████████████████████26%
Animal Welfare████████████12%
Community Engagement███████████11%
Economic Development█████████9%
Public Safety████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Agricultural Planning███████7%
Mental Health Awareness█████5%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Regular Meeting of the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners - August 5, 2025

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting on August 5, 2025, starting at 10:00 a.m. The meeting included proclamations, an award, appointments, consent items, new business for additional school resource officers, an ethics code update, a Board of Health presentation on opioids, a work session on animal ordinance revisions, public comment, and commissioner reports. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Opening & Public Service Announcements

  • The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor Hancock and the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was approved unanimously.
  • Commissioner Hart welcomed new Deputy County Administrator Stephen McGivins.
  • A random incident at the Southern Branch Library was addressed; the suspect was apprehended and incarcerated. Increased patrols will be implemented. The injured individual is expected to fully recover.
  • National Night Out (August 5) was promoted; 12-13 community events scheduled.
  • Town Center surveys for Owings, Huntingtown, and St. Leonard were announced, due August 25, 2025.n- August is Animal Shelter Month with free adoptions at the Linda L. Kelly Animal Shelter. Otter, a 13-year-old doodle, was featured as the animal of the week.

Proclamations

  • National Farmers Market Week (August 3-9, 2025): Caroline Trossback (agricultural development specialist) and multiple vendors expressed support for farmers markets. Commissioner Hance emphasized the importance of farmers markets for local economy and rural character. The proclamation was signed unanimously.n- Black Busines Month (August 2025): Julie Oberg (Economic Development Director) and representatives from the Calvert County Minorty Business Alliance (CCMBA) spoke in support of black-owned businesses. The proclamation recognized the 20th anniversary of CCMBA. It was signed unanimously.

Award

  • Thurman Gray Memrial Scholarship Educational Award: Presented by Par and Recreation Director Bob Branham to Ella Gibson, a graduating senior from Calvert High School planing to attend West Virginia University for wildife and fisheries. The scholarship recognizes academic excelence and community involvement.

Appointments (all approved unanimousy)

  • Polce Accountability Bard: Appointed Susa Justic as chair; reappointed Bra Cedar and Lesie Paker; appinted Anthoy Green and James Johnson. Thanked Mr. Wilson Perrin for services.
  • Adminstrative Charg Committee: Reappinted Edward Bayr and Stacy Stump.
  • Polce Accountability Trial Bard: Reappinted Honable Larry Lapsen as retired judge member.

Consent Caledar (approved unanimousy)

  1. Histric Preservation Tax Cred 2025-01 – Hampton Column Repair.n2. Smal Busines Developent Center Memrandum of Understanding for FY2026.n3. State and Local Government Cybersecurity Program Grant for Technology Services.n4. Local Warrant Apprehenion and Absconding Grant Program Award for Sherif's Office.n5. TinkBig Network Easement for Public Works.

New Busines: Additional School Resource Officers

  • Sherif Rick Cox and Colonel Payne presented a memo to add two new School Resource Officers (SROs) in FY2026, funded by the Calvert County Board of Education, at a fiscal impct of $207,167.03 (salaries, benefs, and associated costs). The goal is to eventualy have an SRO in every school. Commisioners expreed ful support for the program, noting the positive impact of SROs on mentoring and school safety. The motion carred unanmously.

Old Busines: Ethics Code Update (House Bil 834)

  • Emily Shrieves (Constituent Services Specialst) presented the ordinance to implement Chapter 370 of Laws of Maryland 2024, which requires public disclosure of ethics commission recomendations to expel a commissioner and alows removal for confict of interest. A public hearing on July 15, 2025, received one comment. The commission recomended adoption. The board unanmously adoptd the ordinance.

Board of Health: Opioid Overdose and Narcan Presentation

  • The board convened as the Board of Health. Dr. Teneza Mora and Jennifer Moreland (Community Resources Director) presented data on opioid-related deaths and Narcan (naloxone) distribution.
    • Nationally, opioid deaths peaked at 80,000 in 2023; nearly a million total since 1999.
    • In Maryland, from July 2024 to June2025, there were 1,360 drug overdose deaths; 80.6% (1,097) involved infantyl.n - In Calvert County, fatal opioid overdoses decreased sgnificantly since 2019, with a 56% reduction in 2024 compared to the previous year.
    • The health department distributed over 3,900 Narcan kits in FY2025 (over 2,000 already in FY2026).
    • Commissioners discused challenges in tracking non-fatal overdoses, the high volume of Narcan distribution, and the need for continued investment in treatment and prevention. Dr. Mora emphasized that Narcan is an emergency measure and that long-term recovery requires treatment linkage.
  • The Board of Health meeting was adjourned, and the board reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners.

Work Session: Animal Ordiance Revision

  • April Cole (Deputy Dirctor of Anmal Services) presented proposed changes to Chapter 7 of the County Code (animals). Key changes include:
    • Distinctions between commercial and residential animal licensing.
    • New “animal fancier” license for owners with more animals than standard limits, with exemptions for hunting dogs, farm dogs (herding/guardian), and barn cats on agricultural property.
    • Commercial licenses for businesses; no fee for nonprofit rescues.
    • Emergency preparedness plan requirement for businesses (minimum staffing and contact info).
    • Updates to align with state law on inhumane confinement of roosters (effective Jan 2027).
  • Commissioners raised questions about renewal process, online licensing, and exempting farms. Staff indicated future plans for online licensing and reminders. The board authorized staff to advertise for a public hearing on the ordinance. Motion carred unanimousy.

Public Comment

  • Myra Gowins: Spoke in favor of the board listening to citizens and respecting the fragility of the county, referencing the 2019 coalition that worked with the government. She thanked the commissioners for their unanimous vote on a prior issue. No other public comments were made in person or online.

Commissioner Reports

  • Commissioner Cox expressed condolences to the Wilson family, promoted National Night Out, and welcomed Stephen McGivins.
  • Commissioner Hart echoed condolences, emphasized safety after the library incident, thanked law enforcement, and encouraged support for farmers markets and small businesses.
  • Commissioner Grasso welcomed Stephen, promoted National Night Out and local businesses.
  • Commissioner Ireland stressed safety in Solomon's, condolences to Larry Wilson's family, and encouraged participation in town center surveys.
  • Commissioner Hance repeated announcements, encouraged survey participation, and promoted National Night Out and farmers markets.
  • The board then recessed into executive session for legal and personnel matters.

Key Outcomes

  • Approval of Agenda (unanimous)
  • Proclamations for National Farmers Market Week and Black Business Month (unanimous)
  • Appointment of members to Police Accountability Board, Administrative Charging Committee, and Police Accountability Trial Board (unanimous)
  • Consent Calendar approved (5 items, unanimous)
  • New Business: Addition of 2 School Resource Officers for FY2026, funded by school board (unanimous)
  • Old Business: Adoption of Ethics Code Update (House Bill 834) (unanimous)
  • Board of Health: No vote required; presentation accepted.
  • Work Session: Authorized to advertise for public hearing on Animal Ordinance Revision (unanimous)
  • Public Comment: One speaker.
  • Commissioner Reports: No formal votes.
  • Executive Session: Adjourned public meeting to enter closed session at 12:00 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

At this time, I'd like to ask Reverend Dana Jones if you would come up and give us an invitation, please. Let us pray. Gracious Creator, we come this day in Thanksgiving. Thankful for our lives and thankful for being citizens of a great nation, great state. And God, we give you particular thanks for this place we call Calvert, our home that has carved into each of our hearts a special meaning and a special purpose. Now this day, as our leaders gather. We pray for them and we pray for wisdom from above. We pray for power and the strength to discern that which is within your will. And we ask for carriage that they might make the difficult decisions that basically serve the whole. And so, God, this day we thank you. We praise you, and we move forward, praying that all that is done this day in this assembly will glorify you. We ask this in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God. Thank you, Reverend Jones, my classmate. Always like to brag on Reverend Jones. We won't say when we went to school here in Coward County, but we did go to school here in Coward County. And Reverend Jones comes to us from Mount Olive Church right here in Fred Rodick on Dares Beach Road. Always remember. 73. Always remember. It's a privilege and a pleasure to have you with us this morning, Reverend Jones. First item on the agenda is to approve the agenda. Are there any corrections or additions to the agenda as presented? I have none. I moved we approve and adopt the agenda submitted. Second. I have a motion and a second that we approve the agenda. Is there any discussion on that motion? Hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carries. I do have some public service announcements today. First of all, we want to welcome our new deputy county administrator, Mr. Stephen McGivons. Stephen comes to us from local government where he served for 30 years in the finance department and uh retired from that position, but decided he wasn't done. So after an exhaustive search and lots of interviews, uh Stephen certainly rose to the top, and his first day was yesterday. So we all want to welcome you. We look forward to working together and serving our citizens. Thank you. Appreciate it. Absolutely. Welcome. Welcome. Wow. Thank you. And uh yesterday, some of you may know we had an incident at the Southern Branch Library in Solomon's.

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