Date: September 10th
Time: 10:00 AM

At 10:00 am, Senator McKay convened the meeting of Georges Creek Task Force Executive Committee. Senator McKay shared that he had emailed the Allegany Soil Conservation District but had not yet received a response. He also indicated that he is working to identify the correct person at MDE that will review the draft report and provide comment.

Elizabeth Stahlman provided a draft report for the Task Force based on interviews with Allegany County Department of Emergency Services and Department of Public Works. Senator McKay provided several actions that could be taken by the legislation, and additions and corrections to the document were made and are attached hereto.

Senator McKay shared with the group that he did attend the Allegany County Commissioners Meeting and provided an informational update regarding the Georges Creek Task Force. McKay also indicated that he would reach out to Roger Bennett to determine if a letter from the Delegation would support having the cost-shared waived for the Army Corps of Engineers to perform engineering services related to Georges Creek. In addition, he indicated he wanted to reach out to Linda Puffenbarger, District 6 Engineer, for MDOT-SHA District 6.

Other discussions were had around UPRC and general needs related to sewer infrastructure and wastewater treatment.

Senator McKay spoke with individuals that were involved in the 1996 Task Force. Craig Alexander, Midland, indicated he would prepare a document with information that could be used by the Georges Creek Task Force.

Scott Shoemaker shared information about various NRCS programs that could potentially be utilized after flooding. He did not yet have a local NRCS contact but was able to find information about some of the programs available online which he shared with the Executive Committee.

Action Items

1. Tri County Council will make edits to draft report and send to the Executive Committee and the Mayors of the Georges Creek towns.
2. Mayor Coburn will convene the Towns meeting to get input from the other elected officials and administrators (if already done, written notes from meeting should be provided to Executive Committee for inclusion in report).

Expectations from Georges Creek Task Force Report

• Concise, 4 to 5 pages – “This is what needs done”
• For the Western Maryland Delegation to take to Annapolis: Needs specifically related to Legislation, Policy, and Funding
• Responsible party for carrying out recommendations – Western Maryland Delegation
• Recommendations with a statewide implication could be pursued as a District 1 Pilot initiative.

The next meeting was scheduled in one month.

Executive Committee Members:
Gov. Wes Moore, Sen. Mike McKay, Del. Jim Hinebaugh, Mayor Jack Coburn, John Kirby, Scott Shoemaker, and Bill Valentine.

Tri County Council for Western Maryland will attend the meetings as note-taker and will be responsible for compiling the report.

Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Stahlman
Executive Director, Tri County Council for Western Maryland

Next Meeting

October 8 at 10 AM