(1/2023) On Monday December 5th, the new County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and the new County Council consisting of Mason Carter, Steve McKay, Jerry Donald Kavonte Duckett, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Renee Knapp, and myself were sworn into office at the Weinberg Center. We held our first meeting on Tuesday December 6th where we elected officers of the Board. I was elected as President of the Board and Kavonte Duckett was elected as our Vice President.
The Council held a workshop on December 13th where we discussed several items. One item discussed was the declaration of surplus for an out lot on the Oakdale Elementary School property from the Board of Education. This property was given back to the County as the BOE did not have use for it and there is a need for the property by the county to complete the Lake Linganore Boulevard extension. A public hearing was held, and no comments were received. This will be voted on at the December 20th meeting of the council.
We were scheduled to hear amendments to plumbing ordinances in the county code, but that item was pulled as it was determined additional work was needed before bringing it to the council. We discussed a proposal to merge the Frederick County Mental Health Advisory Council and the Frederick County Substance Abuse Council into a new council which would be the Frederick County Behavioral Health Advisory Council. Frederick County Health Director, Dr. Barbara Brookmyer briefed the council on why this was desired. The council will take it up at the meeting on December 20th.
The council received an update from Anne Bradley on the County’s preservation of agricultural properties in the county. She reviewed many programs that are being used in Frederick County to make help farmers preserve their properties so that they can only be used for agriculture purposes. She reviewed that the county’s goal is to preserve 100,000 acres in the county by 2040. She stated that the county should meet that goal before then.
The Council also discussed which boards that council members wished to serve on. There are over 50 various boards and commissions in which a council member can serve. Each member will give their preferences and they will be forwarded to the County Executive for her to make decisions. Once she has made recommendations, the council will then receive them back for approval. The council also discussed and consented to cancel our January 3, meeting as several council members will be attending a state meeting out of town.
Wrapping up, I am honored to serve as the Council President, and I forward to serving our great county. I always love to hear from the public and you can reach me by email at byoung@frederickcountymd.gov. I wish everyone a Merry Christy, Happy Hanukkah and a great and prosperous New Year!
