On Tuesday, Oct. 1, Charles Rice, Planning Director, Cathy Thompson, Assistant Chief of Planning, Department of Planning and Growth Management, and Kelly Robertson-Slagle, Director, Economic Development led a briefing on Bill 2024-(07) Zoning Text Amendment #23-176 Aviation Business Park and Bill 2024-(08) Zoning Map Amendment #23-02 Aviation Business Park. The amendments would rezone certain properties around the Maryland Airport to either Aviation Business Park Zone or the Light Industrial Zone. The Commissioners received the Planning Commission’s recommendation and voted to schedule a Public Hearing on Oct. 29, 2024.
Commissioners also held a work session on the 2025 Preliminary State Legislative Proposal Package. The session, led by Danielle Mitchell, Assistant Deputy County Attorney, sought to finalize further the package of legislative proposals to be sent to Annapolis during the 2025 Maryland General Assembly Session starting in January. Commissioners approved seven legislative proposals, including a proposal to bring a ferry to Indian Head.
· Jacob Dyer, Acting Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services, shared a briefing on the Sheriff’s Office Retirement Plan (SORP) Fixed Income Assets. The consultant presented several recommendations to support the further diversification of investments for the fund. Commissioners voted to accept the recommendations.
· Jacob Dyer, Acting Director, and TaTanya Bowman, Assistant Chief of Budget of the Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, presented a briefing on the 2024 Charles County bond issue. The presentation proposed a bond size of $73 million to support the County’s Capital Improvement Program. Commissioners voted to set a public hearing for Oct. 29 at 6 p.m.
· Fredina James, former Local Care Team Convener; Laura Gustafson, Deputy Director; Jessica Gross, Local Management Board Specialist; and Sapreen Khalaifeh, Local Management Board Supervisor, Department of Community Services, held a briefing on the Summer Youth Employment Program during fiscal 2025.
· Sam Drury, Deputy Director, and Elena Gilroy, Mallows Bay Operations Manager, Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism, provided a briefing on updates on the Mallows Bay Visitors Center Feasibility Study.
- Jenifer Ellin, Acting Deputy County Administrator, Renesha Miles, Chief Equity Officer, and Doria Fleisher, Community Engagement Coordinator, held a briefing on an update regarding Collaborative Community Improvement Projects. Presenters recommended that the Equity Emphasis Area located in the Bryans Road/Indian Head area be selected as the pilot community for this project. Commissioners voted to approve this area as the selected community.
- Charles Rice, Planning Director, and Tetchiana Anderson, Planner III, Department of Planning and Growth Management, led a briefing on Proposed Bill 2024-06 Zoning Text Amendment 22-174 Mixed-Use Zone. The revision would incorporate housing for “specific populations” into the Mixed-Use Zone and allow this type of residential use to replace commercial uses. The Commissioners voted to hold an additional public hearing at a date to be determined.
Approval Items
Commissioners approved:
- A budget amendment increase of $80,580 to pay for the procurement of a stake body truck that was ordered but has not yet been received.
- A fiscal 2025 intercategory budget transfer request of $1.5 million for the Charles County Board of Education.
- A budget amendment request of $172,250 and a change order of $172,245.21 for the Mattawoman Flow Equalization Basin project.
- A request for funds of up to $1,000 for the Interfaith Commission Clergy Breakfast.
Viewing option of the meeting and the public hearing: Click Here
Next Commissioners Session: Oct. 8-9
Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
