Votes at a glance: commissioners schedule hearings on electrical and golf-cart ordinances, approve grants and transfer bond authority

St. Mary's County Commissioners on Aug. 22 took a series of procedural and budget-related actions: they revised local Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) grievance procedures by resolution, scheduled public hearings on two proposed ordinances (electrical services and golf-cart road designations), accepted multiple state grants for child-support operations and traffic enforcement, and authorized the transfer of private activity bond allocation authority to state agencies.

The board voted unanimously on all items recorded during the business session. Key actions included adoption of a revised ADA grievance procedure that moves appeal hearings to the county administrator or designee and aligns county language with U.S. Department of Justice guidance.

Catherine Praxton, Director of Human Resources, presented the ADA change, saying it follows Department of Justice recommendations and moves appeals to a higher-level official. "Following the DOJ recommendation, the proposed revisions ... utilize a template provided by the Department of Justice and improve the process for the complainant," Praxton said. Commissioners voted to adopt the resolution.

The county attorney's office introduced a proposed electrical services ordinance to replace the repeal of Chapter 38 of the county code, which takes effect Oct. 1. George Brown, County Attorney, said the ordinance would recreate the Board of Electrical Examiners, continue local oversight and licensing of electricians, and could include a local electrical-permit requirement; he said the state and local exams and licensing processes would continue to operate during the transition. Commissioners authorized a public hearing on the proposed ordinance, proposed for Sept. 12.

A separate proposed ordinance would designate county roads where golf carts may be lawfully operated, implementing language in legislation introduced by Delegate Morgan that limits the privilege to roads posted at 35 mph or slower. County staff described a detailed list of local roads under consideration; staff also flagged safety and shoulder-width issues on Golden Beach Road and recommended public hearing discussion. The board authorized a public hearing on the golf-cart ordinance.

Several grants and agreements were accepted: - The Fiscal Year 2018 Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement (Project US 1811) with the Maryland Department of Human Resources for the State's Attorney's Office child support division, $657,965, to support operational expenses. - School Bus Safety Enforcement Grant (Project MD 1823), $16,000, designated for overtime enforcement of school-bus stop violations. - Highway Safety Grant (Project US 1883), $42,500, for sobriety checkpoints, DUI patrols, aggressive-driving enforcement (ADAPT/Smooth Operator) and seatbelt enforcement.

Sheriff's Office and school transportation staff noted the county has five school buses equipped with red-light cameras; footage can be used to generate citations.

The board also agreed to transfer its private activity bond allocation authority back to the Maryland Department of Commerce ($1,621,059 non-housing allocation) and to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development ($3,782,471 housing allocation). Economic development staff said the allocations are bond authority, not direct funding, and the state programs can still use them for projects in St. Mary's County.

Other routine items approved included an amendment to the Family Violence Coordinating Council bylaws (meeting frequency changed from monthly to quarterly) and authorization for the commissioner president to sign an employment contract for a jurisdictional medical director. All recorded motions passed by unanimous vote of the commissioners present.

Summary of key votes (all recorded votes unanimous among commissioners present): - ADA grievance procedure resolution: approved. - Authorize public hearing on proposed electrical services ordinance (hearing proposed for Sept. 12): authorized. - Authorize public hearing on proposed ordinance designating county highways for golf carts: authorized. - Accept FY2018 Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement (child support) Project US 1811, $657,965: accepted. - Accept School Bus Safety Enforcement Grant Project MD 1823, $16,000: accepted. - Accept Highway Safety Grant Project US 1883, $42,500: accepted. - Transfer private activity bond allocations to state agencies: authorized ($1,621,059 non-housing; $3,782,471 housing). - Amend Family Violence Coordinating Council bylaws (monthly to quarterly meetings): approved. - Authorize employment contract for jurisdictional medical director: approved.

Several items introduced for public hearing will return to the board after advertised public hearings and additional staff review.