On Tuesday, March 5, Wes Adams, County Attorney, and Danielle Mitchell, Assistant Deputy County Attorney, held a work session on Bill 2023-12 Removal of Elected County Commissioner. The bill would create a process for removing an elected county commissioner for claims of workplace misconduct and mechanisms for filling a vacancy if a commissioner is removed.
The County Attorney briefed commissioners on the bill introduced in October 2023 and reviewed a variety of amendments made to the bill, including a provision that added harassment and discrimination as an ethics violation and required unanimous approval for a commissioner to be removed from office. Commissioners voted 3-2 to oppose the bill and end consideration on moving it forward.
· Danielle Mitchell, Assistant Deputy County Attorney, gave commissioners a legislative update on the 2024 Maryland General Assembly session.
· Tetchiana Anderson, Planner, held a briefing on Bill 2024-06 Zoning Text Amendment 22-174 MX Zone Revisions of Sections 297-106 and 297-49 that is seeking to create and incorporate “Housing for Specific Populations” into large residential developments in the Mixed Use (MX) Zoning District of Charles County, and to allow that housing to be substituted for commercial office and/or retail uses. Commissioners voted unanimously to introduce the bill and scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
· Staff held a briefing on Bill 2024-07, Zoning Text Amendment #23-176, and Bill 2024-08, Zoning Map Amendment #23-02 Aviation Business Park. Commissioners introduced both bills and scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
· Staff held briefings reviewing the general fund for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 and the county’s plan for utilizing American Rescue Plan Act funds.
· Beth Groth, Climate Resilience and Sustainability Officer, held a briefing on statewide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Approval items
- Commissioners approved:
- A review of the County’s upcoming requested Congressional Federal Earmark funding submissions for various County projects which will funding to support the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project.
- A letter supporting a request for $3.2 million in federal funding for improvements to the Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park.
- A letter in support of establishing a Veterans Treatment Court in Charles County District Court.
- A letter supporting federal funds for the Charles County Charitable Trust to create a food rescue program.
- “A request for letters of commitment to support the Charles County Resilience Authority’s Grant Proposals for the Resilience Forward—RAYC Ahead initiatives to establish urban trees in underserved communities and build capacity for the Resilience Authority Youth Corps.
- A Lease renewal between the county and the United Way of Southern Maryland.
Proclamations
Commissioners read proclamations recognizing:
- National Women's History Month
- Social Work Month
- National Deaf History Month
- National Nutrition Month
- Good Sportsmanship Month
- Irish American Heritage Month
- National Vietnam War Veterans Day
- National Agriculture Day
Viewing option of the meeting and the Commissioner Listening Session: Click Here
Next Commissioners Session: March 12-13, 2024
Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
