During a briefing held at the Maryland Airport in Indian Head, significant developments were discussed regarding the airport’s future. Kelly Robertson-Slagle, Director of the Charles County Economic Development Department, Taylor Yewell, Chief of Business Development, and Sheil Patel, Director of Operations at the Maryland Airport, led the session.
Sheil Patel announced the airport’s plans to establish an on-site flight school and its ongoing participation in community activities. Future infrastructure enhancements, including several hangar projects, were also outlined. However, any runway expansion would be at least five to eight years away, requiring approval from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In other significant developments, the Charles County Commissioners revisited and reversed their previous decision regarding the establishment of July 5, 2024, as a county holiday. Initially voting against the holiday on June 11, Commissioner Vice President Ralph E. Patterson II motioned for reconsideration after discovering that July 5 had been recognized as a county holiday in 2019. The Commissioners then voted to approve the holiday for 2024.
Neighborhood Nuisances Discussed for Fourth of July
On June 26, the Commissioners convened a special session to address potential neighborhood disturbances during the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations. Representatives from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the La Plata Police Department outlined their plans to monitor and respond to any nuisance complaints from residents. No legislative measures were enacted during this session.
Briefings and Plans
Several other important briefings were held during the session:
- Docket 90 Amendment PDZA #24-90(23): Heather Kelley, Planning Supervisor, and Charles Rice, Planning Director, presented an amendment to the Villages of Wooded Glen & Piney Reach Master Plan. The amendment proposes relocating a planned middle school from the Villages of Wooded Glen Neighborhood 3 to the Villages of Piney Reach Neighborhood 2, among other changes. Commissioners unanimously agreed to schedule a public hearing for September 17 at 6 p.m.
- Blue Zones Initiative Proposal: Dr. Dianna Abney, Charles County Health Officer; Julie Kosteas Brown, Healthcare Consultant; and Margaret Brown, Vice President of Business Development at Blue Zones, discussed a new health and economic stability initiative. The first phase will involve a comprehensive study to provide a detailed analysis of community health and economic conditions.
Actions on Boards and Commissions
The Commissioners made several appointments and reappointments to county boards and commissions:
- Board of Fire & Rescue: Reappointed Quincy Cobey.
- Sheriff’s Office Disability Review Board: Appointed Anupa Mukhopadhyay as the attorney.
- Board of Social Services: Reappointed Kathryn Young and Jacqueline Marshall Hall, and appointed Anthony Wilson, Kerwin Wilson, and Keeon Johnson as citizen members.
- Homeowners Association Dispute Review Board: Appointed LaTonya Rogers as an at-large member.
- Board of Appeals: Reappointed Jennifer Walker and Cynthia Ybanez-Casares as at-large members.
Budget Approvals and Transfers
Several budget-related items were approved:
- Planning & Growth Management: A transfer of $251,000 in salary savings for office renovations at the County Government Building during fiscal year 2025.
- Inspection & Review Fund: A budget amendment increase of $210,000 for credit card budget support.
- Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism: A transfer of $209,000 in salary savings for new building furniture and IT equipment, and $70,000 for electrical work at Mallows Bay.
- Animal Shelter Capital Improvement Project: An increase of $3,685,000 due to delayed litigation.
- Community Options Wavier Program: A transfer of $65,610 from part-time savings to cover higher-than-expected case manager oversight costs.
- Charles County Public Schools: A transfer of $3,531,000 from the La Plata High School capital project to the TC Martin capital project, with funds to be returned in July.
- Board of Education: Approval of interagency budget transfers and the Fiscal Year 2025 budget.
- Commissioner Expense Policy: Approval of a proposed revision.
- Community Support Funds: Approval of $267 for name tags and tablecloths for the Commission for Veterans Affairs.
Next Meeting and Contact Information
The next Commissioners session is scheduled for July 9-10. Citizens with special needs can contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711 or Relay Service TDD at 800-735-2258.