Councilman Dick Ladd

Councilman Dick Ladd Anne Arundel County Council Fifth District May 2014 Article

We are a matter of days away from the start of our Fiscal Year 2015 budget review process. As you read this, County Executive Neuman’s budget proposal will have been released. I expect the budget will be based on a respectable revenue increase along with some sort of tax rate reduction.

Concurrent with our budget deliberations, the Council will consider two bills affecting the “Watershed Protection and Restoration Program” (aka the Storm Water Management Program) appeal process. Bill 18-14 extends the date for appealing one’s storm water remediation fee for Fiscal Year 2014 from August 15, 2013 to June 30, 2014. It also waives any interest and penalties that might otherwise be imposed against an unpaid remediation fee for Fiscal Year 2014 upon appeals filed before June 30, 2014.

Bill 19-14 changes the date for submitting an appeal for correction of annual storm water remediation fees for Fiscal Year 2015 and beyond from August 15th to September 30th of each billing year.

I expect both of these bills will be enacted. The changes should help any of you who live in an older (often waterfront) community zoned R-1 but with smaller lots. Sec. 13-7-104(c) (3) of Anne Arundel County Code allows these residential R-1 (Tier 2) property owners to apply for a lower residential Tier 3 rate for 2014 or to apply for it for Fiscal Year 2015 later this year. Sec. 13-7-104 has the details of the appeals process which appears to be working well. About half of the 300+ applications received to date have been disapproved; roughly 100 have been approved; and the balance is still being evaluated.

Starting July 1, 2014, a storm water tax credit program will be available to grant credit for up to 50% of the applicable fee for sites with remediation practices that functionally satisfy the 2000 MDE residential storm water guidelines. Generally, homes built after 2000 had to comply with that standard. Additionally, restoration grants may be available to non-profit organizations undertaking larger scale, storm water management “best practice” projects. The County is also exploring a residential homeowner fee reduction/cost-share program for installation of appropriate storm water management “best practices”.

While many Severna Park, Arnold and Broadneck neighborhoods have storm water runoff catch basins in their neighborhood streets, older communities may rely on swales along their residential streets. Without periodic maintenance, these swales can fill up and stop holding or catching storm water runoff over time. We can place your address on a list for evaluation and possible remediation based on conditions subject to availability of funds.

Two non-legislative issues need mentioning. First, enforcement of Code regarding temporary signs has been and remains problematic, especially along College Parkway and other major roads. Working with the County Executive there will be selective, mid-week, roadside trash pickup, which will include illegal signs, pending evaluation and implementation of other solutions to the sign problem.

Second, BGE contractor crews are out vigorously trimming trees along its power lines. There are new “blue sky” trimming standards allowed by the Maryland PSC to remove growth over the power lines. This trimming, along with new, addressable power distribution management devices being installed on our poles within the “smart meter” roll out, is focused on improved distribution system reliability – fewer power outages and quicker restoration. BGE’s policy is to have its contactor notify a homeowner when and if, in their opinion, a tree on their property needs to be trimmed or removed. Tree removal outside of BGE’s easement will be done only with owner approval. BGE is very willing to discuss the pros and cons of their distribution system reliability/maintenance options but burying the power lines is not a cost effective option within existing rate structures. Clearly, those discussions can only occur within a small window of time before the trimming starts by using the contact information provided by the contractor. I will gladly facilitate those discussions as needed and requested.

Please continue to reach out to me and give me the benefit of your thoughts on any matter important to you and your family.