On Tuesday, April 21, the Board of Commissioners received an update from the Maryland Department of Health on how county nursing homes are being impacted by COVID-19. Dr. Howard Haft, executive director at Maryland Primary Care Program of the Maryland Department of Health, shared that 120 nursing home residents in Charles County have tested positive for COVID-19 and the state is currently working to create a new statewide reporting system across all nursing home facilities with standardized data.
Department of Emergency Services Director Michelle Lilly provided an overview of the Emergency Operation Center’s work, including continued daily coordination with local and state affiliated agencies. She also reported 52 individuals who are county first responders, career and volunteer fire and EMS, and law enforcement who are in quarantine and 12 in isolation. The department has received 201 homemade masks from residents to be used by public service personnel in the county.
Budget Work Session
The Board of County Commissioners held a budget work session to review the fiscal 2021 General Fund, CARES Act Analysis, and Governmental Capital Improvement Program. County Commissioners also provided their fiscal 2021 budget proposals on the Governmental Capital Improvement Program. The Fiscal 2021 Budget Public Hearing will be held virtually on Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m. Residents can view the public hearings on Charles County Government Television (CCGTV) which airs on Comcast Channel 95 and Verizon Channel 10 or at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov. Residents without internet access may call 301-645-0570 to listen to the meeting.
Briefings
Approval Items
Commissioners approved the following items:
Proclamations
Commissioners approved:
Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
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Department of Emergency Services Director Michelle Lilly provided an overview of the Emergency Operation Center’s work, including continued daily coordination with local and state affiliated agencies. She also reported 52 individuals who are county first responders, career and volunteer fire and EMS, and law enforcement who are in quarantine and 12 in isolation. The department has received 201 homemade masks from residents to be used by public service personnel in the county.
Budget Work Session
The Board of County Commissioners held a budget work session to review the fiscal 2021 General Fund, CARES Act Analysis, and Governmental Capital Improvement Program. County Commissioners also provided their fiscal 2021 budget proposals on the Governmental Capital Improvement Program. The Fiscal 2021 Budget Public Hearing will be held virtually on Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m. Residents can view the public hearings on Charles County Government Television (CCGTV) which airs on Comcast Channel 95 and Verizon Channel 10 or at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov. Residents without internet access may call 301-645-0570 to listen to the meeting.
Briefings
- Department of Community Services and Department of Planning and Growth Management staff briefed the Commissioners on the Homeless Shelter Work Group, which works to identify the most appropriate strategy for delivering homeless shelter services, including consideration of a permanent shelter location.
- Department of Public Works staff provided an update on Billingsley Road safety improvements.
- Department of Public Works and Scott Law Group provided a briefing on a zoning request for the property of Mallard’s Pond to allow a higher density on the property and approval of the zoning classification placed upon the property by the Town of La Plata. Commissioners deferred the request and asked that staff contact the Charles County Public Schools for additional information before voting on the request.
- Department of Public Works provided a briefing on a request to prohibit heavy commercial vehicle parking on streets in the Kingsview neighborhood. Commissioners tabled the request.
Approval Items
Commissioners approved the following items:
- A budget amendment increase of $115,000 to increase available funds in the Business Development Load Fund to address current needs of businesses that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
- A budget amendment increase of $40,600 to cover EnerGov permitting credit card fees and a contingency transfer of $31,600 to cover EnerGov permitting credit card fees within the Inspection Fund.
- A budget transfer request of $1.4 million to fund COVID-19 Hazard Pay for career first responders.
- The revised fiscal 2021 budget calendar.
- Revisions to the State and Local Legislative Package Process/Guidelines Standard Operation Procedure.
- The Commissioner Committee Assignment List.
- A letter of support for the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary War Route, an organization supported locally by the Maryland Veterans Museum, for their Maryland Humanities Grant program application.
Proclamations
Commissioners approved:
- A proclamation declaring April 19-25 as National Volunteer Week in Charles County and recognized the service and commitment of the county’s first responders and volunteer fire and emergency services volunteers.
Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
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