Howard County

The meeting agenda for the Howard County Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) and State Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board (APAB) includes action items such as the election of the Chair and Co-Chair, and updates on the Commercial Solar Facility Policy. Action items also involve providing advisory comments on proposed commercial solar facilities on three properties: Ziegler property (HO-96-05-E), Garratt property (HO-86-01-E), and Andreas Farm, LLC property (HO-90-23-E). Discussion items include general program updates and an update to the Rules of Procedure. Public comments are allotted for 15 minutes.

The meeting included program updates and committee reports on several initiatives. The Food Access program, Roving Radish, provided over 600 meals, facing challenges with communication and transportation. The Workforce Development program anticipates 100 youth participants in a hybrid summer program. HoCo Scholars served over 90 students, with high participation in Ellicott City and North Laurel. The Getting Ahead program graduated 37 adults and 13 youth, with plans for a Spanish-speaking group starting in July. The Building Youth Resilience/Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program served 42 youth in BYR and 7 youth in PRP, noting challenges in securing bilingual therapists. The Mental Health/LCT discussion focused on provider self-care, preventing hospitalization overstays, and managing increased referrals for 18-21 year olds with dual diagnoses. A Board Engagement/Community Plan Discussion with Due East identified three priority areas: education/training, resource coordination, and behavioral health access. Recommendations included restructuring the agenda to align with the community plan and disbanding the NOFA committee. Announcements included HCPSS reopening plans, Voices for Children policy preparation regarding marijuana cards, and updates from the Department of Social Services, Police Department, DCRS, and States Attorney Office.

The meeting included agency updates detailing expanded school-based mental health services by HCPSS, a pause on housing applications by the Community Action Council due to a large queue, upcoming fundraising and equity training by Voices for Children, and partnership efforts by the Department of Recreation and Parks to assess program barriers. Program updates covered the Summer food support project serving over 400 residents and a 6-week food and fun program. The Behavioral Health Report highlighted technical assistance provided for reviewed cases, connection of a youth to resilience programs, and statistics on the usage of the Behavioral Health Roadmap. Significant investment increases were noted for S.T.R.I.V.E.S Behavioral Health, including funding for provider training and evidence-based practices. Key discussion points centered on Priority 3, focusing on increasing support for early intervention services, ensuring cultural competency among providers, addressing a lack of resources for young children, and developing county-wide policies on expulsions. The Board also discussed the Kojo Institute's PEEEC framework for advancing organizational equity across various departments, including challenges in establishing targets and ensuring accountability.

This document provides a detailed overview of Howard County's Adequate Public Facilities Act (APFO), a crucial mechanism for implementing the county's Comprehensive Plan. It explains the APFO's testing procedures for allocations, schools, and roads, which pace development based on the General Plan, 'PlanHoward 2030'. The plan highlights APFO's effectiveness in managing growth, planning infrastructure, and supporting school development, while also discussing recent policy changes aimed at further aligning development with long-term strategic objectives.

The meeting addressed two action items: the approval of the April 25, 2022, minutes and a request for the exchange of land under easement for unencumbered land concerning the Oakdale Farm, LLC (Mariani) property. The request involved encumbering 5.85 acres adjacent to the north and releasing 2.8 acres adjacent to previously released lots, resulting in more acreage being placed into the preservation program. Discussion items included a review of the Howard Soil Conservation District's BMP Grant Program, where suggestions were made regarding applicant commitment to other cost share programs, potential upfront funding, and input on project approvals. Program updates covered the O'keefe and Spence properties, representation of the Barrow project at the MALPF meeting, and the deadline for Agricultural Innovation Grant applications. Public testimony raised concerns about a property owner wishing to trade rocky ground for good ground under separate easements and another property owner inquiring about dedicating land adjacent to a graveyard for expansion.