February 21, 2023 Meeting Notes:
Notes from Wicomico County Council, Feb. 21, 2023
On the Agenda: Consent Agenda….All items approved (minutes from previous meetings) Laura Hurley, Council Administrator:
All items passed (Resolutions relating to the airport, and Capital Improvement program, appointments to the Behavioral Health Council, and approved the revised Bylaws for the Wicomico County Commission for Women, and amending the FY2023 Budget Position Control Document. Andy Mitchell, Jr., Council Attorney Legislative Bill No. 2023-02 – An act to reorganize the Office of County Executive for the purpose of allocating duties and responsibilities and setting employment qualifications of the Assistant Director of Administration and the duties and compensation for a Public Information Officer and Legislative Aid – Failed.
Then the meeting was open to public comments. At least 10 people (including myself) spoke in opposition to the hiring of Dan Cox. The first person to speak was the 1st Vice-President of the NAACP. I could not get everyone’s name. Most represented themselves. Only one man spoke in support of hiring Cox. His comment was something to the effect of the fact that we don’t know Dan Cox, and Julie does, so we should trust her judgment. The only Councilman’s comment that I noted was that James Winn came to Ms. Giordano’s defense. Mr. Cannon said that they need to act in what they feel is in the best interest of the County. The Council voted 5-0 with one abstention (Winn) to reject Mr. Cox/s appointment.
Notes submitted by Mary Huebner
On the Agenda: Consent Agenda….All items approved (minutes from previous meetings) Laura Hurley, Council Administrator:
All items passed (Resolutions relating to the airport, and Capital Improvement program, appointments to the Behavioral Health Council, and approved the revised Bylaws for the Wicomico County Commission for Women, and amending the FY2023 Budget Position Control Document. Andy Mitchell, Jr., Council Attorney Legislative Bill No. 2023-02 – An act to reorganize the Office of County Executive for the purpose of allocating duties and responsibilities and setting employment qualifications of the Assistant Director of Administration and the duties and compensation for a Public Information Officer and Legislative Aid – Failed.
Then the meeting was open to public comments. At least 10 people (including myself) spoke in opposition to the hiring of Dan Cox. The first person to speak was the 1st Vice-President of the NAACP. I could not get everyone’s name. Most represented themselves. Only one man spoke in support of hiring Cox. His comment was something to the effect of the fact that we don’t know Dan Cox, and Julie does, so we should trust her judgment. The only Councilman’s comment that I noted was that James Winn came to Ms. Giordano’s defense. Mr. Cannon said that they need to act in what they feel is in the best interest of the County. The Council voted 5-0 with one abstention (Winn) to reject Mr. Cox/s appointment.
Notes submitted by Mary Huebner
Wicomico County Council Mtg. – Feb. 7, 2023-Club Notes
Referencing the Meeting Agenda,
1. All items under Consent Agenda were quickly approved.
2. All items under Council Administrator were quickly approved.
3. Council Attorney --Legislative bill 01-2023, passed
4. Public Comments:
Open Work Sessions:
1.Liquor Control Board
Possible reforms to Liquor Dispensary including bars and restaurants
access to wholesale alcohol vendors.(missed his name), High level employee of County Liquor Dispensary
and Vic Laws attorney for County Liquor Dispensary (Control Bd?) presented their opposition to changing current system.
Dispensaries, does that give incentive to legislative reduction of the Disparity Grant. Too fast. Needs to be more work, research, etc done – in general proceed more deliberately.
2.Seasonal Restaurant use of Graywater - Not sure of outcome
3.Sunday Hunting – No action was taken
4.Capital Improvement - did not stay for this
1. All items under Consent Agenda were quickly approved.
2. All items under Council Administrator were quickly approved.
3. Council Attorney --Legislative bill 01-2023, passed
4. Public Comments:
- Ashanti and Brooks – police accountability and transparency of the Police Accountability
- Task Force along with better posting of the Task Force’s meeting schedule, agendas, etc.
- Concern was expressed regarding high rent costs and affordability challenges for renters in Wico Co. Quite a few comments for and against allowing bars and restaurants access to wholesale alcohol vendors in Wico County. Seemed to be strong comments from each side and difficult to clearly see the most advantageous path. See below under Open Work Sessions.
- A few Comments for allowing Sunday Hunting in Wico County
Open Work Sessions:
1.Liquor Control Board
Possible reforms to Liquor Dispensary including bars and restaurants
access to wholesale alcohol vendors.(missed his name), High level employee of County Liquor Dispensary
and Vic Laws attorney for County Liquor Dispensary (Control Bd?) presented their opposition to changing current system.
- County Exec and Director of Admin presented for changes and asking County Council to produce a letter in support to take to MD Assembly.
- No action taken. Seemed to be confusion (and a bit of friction) related to what has happened so far, the next steps, etc. Some Council members seemed to be open to discussing a hybrid system; all wanted more clarity as to next steps, public hearings, etc.
- Council concerns expressed included: Responsibility if Liquor Dispensaries no longer had
Dispensaries, does that give incentive to legislative reduction of the Disparity Grant. Too fast. Needs to be more work, research, etc done – in general proceed more deliberately.
2.Seasonal Restaurant use of Graywater - Not sure of outcome
3.Sunday Hunting – No action was taken
4.Capital Improvement - did not stay for this
