PRESENT

Mayor Robert C. Willey

Council President John F. Ford

Councilmember Leonard E. Wendowski, Sr.

Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor

IN ATTENDANCE

Also in attendance were Town Manager Mr. Robert F. Karge, Town Attorney Mr. Christopher B. Kehoe and Town Clerk Mrs. Kathy Ruf.

CONVENING

President of the Council Mr. Ford called the Special meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.

MEETING

Mr. Kehoe stated that the purpose of the meeting was to request formal endorsement from the Town Council to hire a lobbyist to amend Senate Bill 750 and House Bill 1219. The lobbyist would ask that it be amended to make it clear that the purpose of the legislation is to allow an emergency room to locate in Queen Anne’s County without going through the Certificate of Needs Process but the same legislation cannot be used to permit a hospital in a neighboring county to relocate without going through the public review process that is part of the Certificate of Need procedure. Mr. Kehoe stated that the costs for the lobbyist would be jointly shared with Talbot County.

Mr. Karge stated that advice had been received that time is of the essence.

Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously by those members present, approval was granted to hire a lobbyist as negotiated and that the Council is supportive of the lobbyist efforts to amend legislation Senate Bill 750 in a manner the Mayor and President of County Council or County Manager Mr. Andy Hollis feels best meets the goals described; any amendment to the Certificate of Need Process should be tailored to facilitate obtaining an emergency room facility in Queen Anne’s County and should be written carefully to make it clear that it cannot be used by any hospital in any adjoining county as a way to relocate to Queen Anne’s County without going through the Certificate of Need Process.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously of those members present, the President of the Council adjourned Special Council Meeting at 5:11 p.m.

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Kathy M. Ruf, Town Clerk