The first half of the meeting ran a mere 45 minutes. Since it was so short, you may be led to believe that things must have gone pretty well.

Because they certainly did not!!

Billy votes against the agenda. One of our readers contacted Billy about this bad habit and received this reply that was then shared with us:

Lori Depies is before the council to ask the council to renew the contract for the external auditor. All vote yes.

One County Executive appointment. Ray Barnes has been chosen to be the Chief Administrative Officer (yah!)! Well, well, well, Tony has words to say about all this! He was going to withhold his precious vote, but he didn’t want to set a bad precedent for future County Executives when it comes to them being able to chose their CAOs (what?), so instead he will pontificate. He sincerely hopes that Mr. Barnes can find it in his heart to work with this council in a non-adversarial way. Not sure what he is talking about since we have seen Mr. Barnes be nothing but respectful. Probably has something to do with a difference of opinion. Any hoo, he is confirmed with only Billy saying a very loud and annoying no.

Billy wants a workshop on council staffing and the budget. (See above I guess.)

Three First Readings:

-Tony’s OTB bill

–Veteran’s Advisory Council

-Interagency Internal Audit Authority

Public hearings coming soon.

Then we are off to the drama of the evening. Bill 17-21- Permitted Uses in MXD.

Tony has an amendment that strikes out an earlier amendment. Jerry suggests that they table the bill and have another workshop. You know since it’s kind of crazy that amendments are being put forth that get rid of previous amendments. Kirby agrees! But then starts rambling on about the 3rd Floor and how this is an easy fix.

M.C. and Jessica also agree. The process is bad if amendments are made to correct earlier amendments. Well, now hold on there ladies, but this is all anti-job talk! Billy explains to us all that we aren’t talking about developers we are talking about 2,700 jobs (a number that most members of the council have never even heard before this evening) and we should just pass the bill and fix it later because 2,700 jobs! Tony doesn’t want the past brought up anymore. No more negative talk about the Young BOCC, because apparently it is irrelevant. Tony wants assurances that if he tables this bill, the scary “3rd Floor” will work with Jefferson Technology Park. “Stop the Bleeding,” he says! Billy then jumps in and says, “What’s really interesting is there is someone with 2,700 jobs.” Now wait a minute, weren’t we told there would be thousands of jobs with the original Jefferson Technology Park?  WHOOPSIE!  There we go bringing up the past again!

Kirby kinda agrees, but there’s other developers out there who are upset over all this and guess what? They want amendments too! Jessica points out that his conversation just proves that they need another workshop. Bud chimes in that the developer contacted him because he felt he wasn’t being heard. Bud also wishes everyone would stop living in the past.  He also hopes that the “3rd Floor” will work together to find a solution. Bud advises everyone to vote for it, let the developers hash it out amongst themselves, and then we’ll fix it all nice and pretty.

M.C. DISAGREES. She begins by saying she hasn’t been a part of all of these behind the scenes talks. Billy then rudely interjects: “You are Mrs. Behind the Scenes, you are the least transparent person up here!”

She also points out that these “projected” 2700 jobs are not a reason to pass a bill that nobody understands. Billy then says that is isn’t about developers, it’s about jobs. He then uses a Trumpism: “Frederick County First.” Seriously, folks we can’t take much more of this guy. He tells M.C. that she can’t pander to developers. (!) To which she replies that this is all this bill does! Jerry wants to hear more from the biggest stakeholders-the people that actually live in Jefferson Technology Park. Billy tries to argue that this isn’t really important because the developer representative to the HOA already spoke to the council, as though that’s an accurate view!

Tony won’t pull his amendment, but he hopes this whole discussion has woken up the “3rd Floor”! Tony then decides to bash his primary opponent, Steve McKay, by dissing his comment on the bill, it was rambling or something. Keep it classy Tony! Amendment passes 4-3, but not the way you think. Jerry, M.C., and Kirby voted against it.  Jessica has a question about the bill. A representative from the administration is there to answer, but she wants it in writing since they are not talking about the bill anymore this evening.  Jerry says, “See how nice the administration is.” Billy replies, “Depends who is asking the questions.” Jerry retorts, “Be Nice!” We love you, Mr. Donald! But, Billy is the direct opposite of nice.

Bunch of public hearings on at 7:00. We’ll let you know what happens when we can get to it!