La Plata public meetings in 2024

Ethics Commission

The Ethics Commission is meeting to review Election Candidate Financial Disclosure Statements. The body will also discuss training opportunities for commission members.

• Review of Election Candidate Financial Disclosure Statement
• Discussion of Ethics Commission Training Opportunities

Town Council

The Town Council will meet to receive department updates and discuss a pension plan update. The meeting also includes the approval of minutes from the December 10, 2024, session.

• Pension Plan Update discussion
• Department updates from Finance, Human Resources, Inspections and Permits, Police, Legislative Services, Planning, and Public Works

The La Plata Town Council unanimously approved the regular meeting minutes from December 10, 2024, and the closing statement from that day's closed session, with amendments correcting the attendance of the Town Attorney. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting included department updates, a pension plan discussion, and reports from council members.

• Approved Dec. 10 regular meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved Dec. 10 closed-session closing statement with amendments (unanimous)

Town Council

The Town Council will consider an emergency ordinance to amend the ARPA spending plan, a first-reading ordinance to establish tourism zones, and a second-reading ordinance amending the FY2024 budget for 2023 Series Bonds. A resolution approving the 2025 meeting schedules and a closed session on IT infrastructure are also scheduled. Public comment will be heard, and board vacancies will be discussed.

• Emergency Ordinance 24-19: Fourth amendment to the ARPA Spending Plan
• Ordinance 24-20: Establishing Tourism Zones (first reading)
• Ordinance 24-18: Amendment to FY2024 budget for 2023 Series Bonds (second reading)
• Resolution 24-27: Approving 2025 Town Council meeting schedules
• Expense Report: Budget vs Actual as of September 30, 2024

The La Plata Town Council unanimously adopted Resolution 24-27 for the 2025 meeting schedules, Ordinance 24-18 amending the FY2024 budget for 2023 Series Bonds, and Emergency Ordinance 24-19 amending the ARPA spending plan. The council declined to introduce Ordinance 24-20 on tourism zones, requesting more specific incentive language. Appointments were made to the Finance Committee and Ethics Commission.

• Adopted Resolution 24-27 for 2025 meeting schedules (unanimous)
• Adopted Ordinance 24-18 amending FY2024 budget for 2023 Series Bonds (unanimous)
• Adopted Emergency Ordinance 24-19 ARPA spending plan fourth amendment (unanimous)
• Declined to introduce Ordinance 24-20 on tourism zones
• Appointed Michael Gahan, Joseph Norris, Kathy Brandt to Finance Committee (unanimous)
• Appointed Patrick McCormick to Ethics Commission (unanimous)

Boards and Commissions

The Board of Supervisors of Elections will meet to approve previous minutes and discuss operational logistics. The meeting includes a walk-through of Election Day procedures and a discussion on post-card mailings.

• Approval of October 30, 2024 meeting minutes
• Walk-through of Election Day Procedures
• Discussion of post-card mailings (Phipps)

Boards and Commissions

The La Plata Planning Commission will consider a parking waiver application for the Charles County Public Library and introduce an amendment to its rules and procedures. The commission will also receive updates on a condominium plat, commission elections, and a county public hearing on water and sewer plan amendments.

• Parking waiver application for Charles County Public Library (for consideration and recommendation)
• Amendment to Planning Commission Rules and Procedures (introduction)
• Plat of Condominium (North Maple) update
• Planning Commission Elections update
• Board of Charles County Commissioners public hearing on proposed amendments to Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan (December 3, 2024)

The Planning Commission approved the minutes from their September 17, 2024, meeting. Members also discussed a parking waiver application for the Charles County Public Library and introduced proposed amendments to the commission's rules and procedures.

• Approved September 17, 2024, meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Deferred decision on Charles County Public Library parking waiver

Town Council

The Town Council of La Plata has canceled its regular meeting scheduled for November 26, 2024. No business will be conducted at this time.

Boards and Commissions

The La Plata Beautification Commission will hold a regular meeting on November 25, 2024. Agenda items include approving minutes from October 28, discussing a board vacancy, and receiving reports from workgroups such as Arts, Bird City Maryland, Litter Bees, and Sustainable Maryland. The meeting is primarily procedural with no major proposals or votes expected.

• Board vacancy discussion (Phipps)
• Arts Workgroup report (Wang)
• Bird City Maryland report (Wheeler)
• Litter Bees report (McConnell)
• Sustainable Maryland report (Phipps)

Boards and Commissions

The commission will receive updates from workgroups on the Train Station Museum, including Small Business Saturday and a book release, as well as historic plaques, tornado observances, and the Firehouse Museum building inspection. No votes or formal decisions are scheduled; the agenda consists of routine reports and administrative items.

• Update on Train Station Museum activities (Small Business Saturday, book release)
• Progress report on historic plaques installation
• Discussion of tornado observances planning
• Firehouse Museum building inspection update

The La Plata Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved obligating up to $2,000 to revise an existing contract for the Firehouse Museum project, which aims to reopen as a museum dedicated to La Plata's general history. The commission also approved the minutes from the September 20, 2024 meeting. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved minutes from September 20, 2024 meeting (unanimous)
• Approved up to $2,000 to revise Firehouse Museum contract (unanimous)

General

The La Plata Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on a special exception application (SE-0001-2024) for a senior living community in the Pinegrove Neighborhood C. The meeting includes procedures, staff recommendation, applicant testimony, and public comment. Following the hearing, the Board may enter a closed session to consult with legal counsel, then deliberate on the application.

• Public hearing for Special Exception SE-0001-2024, Senior Living Community, Pinegrove Neighborhood C
• Review of public notices and town staff report and recommendation
• Opportunity for public comment: written submissions due by 12:00 PM two business days prior, in-person sign-up available
• Possible closed session under State Government Article §3-305(b)(7) to obtain legal advice on the case
• Deliberations and findings of the Board following the hearing

The La Plata Board of Appeals approved the minutes from January 10, 2024, and granted a continuance for the public hearing on application SE-0001-2024 until staff reports and application records can be corrected. The board also held a closed session to consult with the town attorney.

• Approved minutes from the meeting held on January 10, 2024 (Passed Unanimously)
• Approved motion to enter closed session to consult with counsel on Case Number SE-0001-2024 (Passed Unanimously)
• Granted a continuance for public hearing SE-0001-2024 (Senior Living Community, Pinegrove Neighborhood C) until inconsistencies in the staff report and application are corrected (Passed Unanimously)

Town Council

The La Plata Town Council will consider several resolutions and an ordinance at its regular meeting on November 12, 2024. Key items include resolutions authorizing purchases of water meter setters and a vehicle for the inspections department, cleaning of the Willow Lane pump station, and creation of settling basins at Tilghman Lake Park. The council will also hold a first reading of an ordinance to amend the FY2024 budget for 2023 Series Bonds. A closed session is scheduled to obtain legal advice on potential litigation.

• Resolution 24-23: Authorize purchase of water meter setters
• Resolution 24-25: Authorize purchase of a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for inspections
• Resolution 24-24: Authorize contract for cleaning Willow Lane pump station wet well
• Resolution 24-26: Authorize creation and maintenance of settling basins at Tilghman Lake Park
• Ordinance 24-18: First reading of FY2024 budget amendment for 2023 Series Bonds

The La Plata Town Council approved four resolutions authorizing a water meter setter purchase, a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 truck for the Inspections Department, pump station maintenance at Willow Lane, and settling basins at Tilghman Lake Park. The council also introduced a budget amendment ordinance and scheduled a closed session to consult with legal counsel.

• Approved meeting agenda (passed unanimously)
• Approved minutes from the October 29, 2024 Special Meeting (passed unanimously)
• Adopted Resolution 24-23 for water meter setter purchase (4-0)
• Adopted Resolution 24-25 for Inspections Department vehicle purchase (4-0)
• Adopted Resolution 24-24 for Willow Lane Pump Station maintenance (4-0)
• Adopted Resolution 24-26 for Tilghman Lake Settling Basins (4-0)
• Introduced Ordinance 24-18 for Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Plan/Budget Amendment (1st reading)
• Approved closed session to consult with counsel on potential litigation (4-0)

Boards and Commissions

The Board of Supervisors of Elections will discuss how election‑related notices are delivered to the public. It will also review the candidate nomination packet for upcoming elections. No formal actions beyond discussion are listed.

• Methods of Town Election-Related Public Notifications
• Review of Candidate Nomination Packet
• Approval of minutes from August 29, 2024 meeting

The Board of Supervisors of Elections approved the candidate nomination packet for Gregory Sampson, Ward III, confirming his eligibility and inclusion on the ballot. They also discussed methods for publicizing the 2025 town elections, including newspaper notices, Facebook ads, and town channels. The meeting was procedural and included approval of prior minutes.

• Approved minutes from August 29, 2024 (unanimous)
• Approved nomination packet for Gregory Sampson, Ward III (unanimous)

Town Council

The Town Council will consider the second reading of an ordinance to establish a Finance Committee. The body will also discuss a contract for executive search services to recruit a Director of Planning and hold a Capital Improvement Plan work session.

• Ordinance 24-17 to establish a Finance Committee
• Resolution 24-22 to contract an executive search firm for a Director of Planning
• Capital Improvement Plan work session
• Proclamations for Municipal Government Works Month, Operation Green Light, and Small Business Saturday

Boards and Commissions

The Beautification Commission will review minutes from August and discuss workgroup reports, grant applications, and new initiatives. The public may submit written comments or listen virtually.

• Approval of August 26, 2024, minutes
• Public Space Improvement Grant Application for Christ Church Native Planting
• Public Space Improvement Grant for Clarks Run Community Garden
• New initiatives include an online shop, additional trash cans, and pet waste stations
• Next meeting scheduled for November 25, 2024

The La Plata Beautification Commission approved a $500 allocation for pollinator event signage and banner, approved a grant application for Christ Church native planting, and approved a grant for Clarks Run Community Garden with conditions requiring a planting plan. The commission also discussed new initiatives including an online shop, additional trash cans, and pet waste stations.

• Approved up to $500 for directional signs and event banner for June pollinator event (unanimous)
• Approved Public Space Improvement Grant application for Christ Church Native Planting (unanimous)
• Approved Public Space Improvement Grant for Clarks Run Community Garden with condition to provide planting plan and plant list (unanimous)
• Approved minutes from August 26, 2024 meeting (unanimous)

Town Council

The Town Council will consider a resolution to authorize the purchase of water meters. The body will also hold a first reading of an ordinance to establish a Finance Committee. A closed session is scheduled to discuss a crime trend update.

• Resolution 24-21: Water Meter Purchase
• Ordinance 24-17: Establishment of a Finance Committee
• Closed session regarding crime trend update
• Proclamations for Breast Cancer Awareness, National Code Compliance, Pedestrian Safety, and Walktober

The Town Council adopted Resolution 24-21 authorizing the purchase of water meters and advanced Ordinance 24-17 to establish a Finance Committee. The Council also reached consensus on legislative priorities, including water appropriation and police department funding. No substantive decisions were made on other matters.

• Adopted Resolution 24-21 authorizing water meter purchase
• Introduced Ordinance 24-17 to establish a Finance Committee
• Reached consensus on legislative priorities including water appropriation and police department
• Approved meeting agenda and minutes from September 24, 2024