La Plata Ward 4 Update

This is an update to my February 6, 2024, podcast – FY 25 Budget ProcessMy Ask:  Review the draft FY 2024 Attend our Council meetings – in person, virtually (Microsoft Teams), or watch on YouTube. Links are in the Notes.  Email me at djenkins@townoflaplata.org with your questions and comments. Thanks again for listening and for your interest and engagement with your Town!  Town Council Meeting Agendas This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

Hi and welcome again to this latest episode of La Plata Ward 4 Update Podcast.  This is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast, and my companion La Plata Ward 4 Video Update on YouTube. A pause to update you about recent Council meetings/ activities, and related issues.References: Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget Process Polls says Marylanders want more homes, in more places, to fit budgetsGreater Greater Washington Poll Results PresentationThis concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

There are many concerns and comments about growth in La Plata and Charles County, including if recent construction on MD 488 in the town or the county. This is outside the Town boundary, beyond and further east of Kings Grant. This construction is the last St. Charles neighborhoods – Piney Reach and Wooded Glen. The St. Charles Master Plan link is provided. This episode is a comparison of development in La Plata and Charles County.  The source for this episode is the Maryland Department’s planning annual reports from La Plata and Charles County planning commissions. The most recent and published reports are from 2022. Links are provided below.References:St. Charles Master Plan Charles County Planning Commission 2022 Annual Report La Plata Planning Commission 2022 Annual ReportThis concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

 This episode is a follow-up to my podcast, La Plata’s Infrastructure – Water, posted in July 2023. That provided background and detailed information about the Town’s water supply system and current status.  The intent here is to provide facts and context in response to myths and rumors about La Plata’s ability to provide water to existing and new developments.  La Plata Ward 4 Video Update - Development Capacity Analysis, April 2023This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

Consistent with the Town’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan GOAL #16: Continue to make La Plata a very walkable community (Page 16), The Town of La Plata was awarded two grants for the construction of the La Plata Bikeway running from Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School on Willow Lane, along MD 6 Charles Street, adjacent to the Agricopia subdivision, adjacent to MD 488, to Radio Station Road to Laurel Springs Regional Park. The two grants: $1.44 million from the MDOT Transportation Alternatives Program $385,500 from the MDOT Bikeways Program.  The link to my La Plata Ward 4 Video Update of this project.MY ASK/CALL TO ARMS: There will be a follow-up podcast/episode on the Town’s FY B25 budget process following our April 09, 2024, Town Council Regular Meeting - Budget discussion focusing on General Funds, and April 16, 2024, Town Council Regular Meeting - Budget discussion focusing on Enterprise Funds.  I ask for your participation and engagement in the budget process and other important Town issues. Your input is important, from the bottom-up for change.This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

This is the first of a series of podcast episodes following the development of the Town’s FY 2025 budget. FY 25 year starts July 1, 2024, and ends June 30, 2025.  The process started with a Town Council Budget Work Session, on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.  The January 30, 2024, session outcomes were Understanding of the Town’s current financial standing The long-term budget outlook for the Town Department Directors communicate department priorities Elected officials establish priorities and communicate budget goals  Meeting agenda: Presentation by Town Treasurer:  FY23 Financial Overview FY24 mid-year budget review Presentations by the Department Directors. This January 30th budget work session will be followed by additional Town Council work sessions and public hearings. Calendar of events for the preparation of the Town's Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget. FY 25 starts July 1, 2024, ending June 30, 2025. DATE EVENTTuesday, January 30, 2024 -  Budget work sessionWednesday, February 07, 2024 -  Budget worksheet available to Department Directors.Friday, February 23, 2024 -  Deadline for all Department Directors to complete FY 2025 budget worksheet(s) for review by the Town Manager and Treasurer.Monday, March 04, 2024 – Thursday, March 14, 2024, The Town Manager and Treasurer meet with Department Directors to aligntheir budgets with service priorities and available resources.Friday, March 22, 2024 - The Town Manager transmits the Proposed Budget for FY 2025 to the Council.Tuesday, April 09, 2024 -  Town Council Regular Meeting - Budget discussion focusing on General Funds.Tuesday, April 16, 2024 -  Town Council Regular Meeting - Budget discussion focusing on Enterprise Funds (Water, Sewer, Stormwater Management, Trash/Recycling)Friday, April 12, 2024 - 1. Publication of notice of public hearing on Constant Yield TaxRate scheduled for April 23, 20242. Publication of notice of public hearing on Fee Schedule3. Publication of notice of public hearing on Financial PlanBudgetTuesday, April 23, 2024, Town Council Regular Meeting - 1. Public Hearing and Public Comment on Constant Yield Tax.2. Discussion of fee schedule.3. Discussion of any outstanding budget items.4. Introduction of Ordinance for FY 2025 Tax Rates.Tuesday, May 14, 2024, Town Council Regular Meeting - 1. Public Hearing and Public Comment on FY 2025 FeeSchedule.2. Public Hearing and Public Comment on FY 2025 FinancialPlan Budget3. Introduction of Ordinance adopting the FY 2025 Fee Schedule.4. Introduction of Ordinance adopting the FY 2025 Financial PlanBudget.5. Adoption of Ordinance for FY 2025 Tax RatesTuesday, May 21, 2024 Town Council Regular Meeting - Adoption of Ordinances for FY 2025 Fee Schedule and Financial Plan Budget.This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

 I have talked about fiscal impacts from development in a previous Oct 22, 2023, podcast The Need for Fiscal Analysis, and La Plata Ward 4 Video Update, Fiscal Impact Analysis Examples, February 2023.  I want to talk about this again, given the ongoing development of Pinegrove, which includes two commercial/office development areas, both located on the north side of Roswick Road. One site is 22 acres (Parcel P), while Parcel Q is 82 acres, proposing retail/office space, and residential units.This is an opportunity to diversify our tax base, reducing dependency on residential growth for needed tax revenues. This is a goal from our 2022 Strategic Plan: “Strategically grow the geographic property and economic tax base with a balance of residential, commercial, and industrial growth.” References:  Podcast - The Need for Fiscal AnalysisVideo - Fiscal Impact Analysis ExamplesDATE EVENTTuesday, January 30, 2024 -  Budget work sessionWednesday, February 07, 2024 -  Budget worksheet available to Department Directors.Friday, February 23, 2024 -  Deadline for all Department Directors to complete FY 2025 budget worksheet(s) for review by the Town Manager and Treasurer.Monday, March 04, 2024 – Thursday, March 14, 2024, The Town Manager and Treasurer meet with Department Directors to aligntheir budgets with service priorities and available resources.Friday, March 22, 2024 - The Town Manager transmits the Proposed Budget for FY 2025 to the Council.Tuesday, April 09, 2024 -  Town Council Regular Meeting - Budget discussion focusing on General Funds.Tuesday, April 16, 2024 -  Town Council Regular Meeting - Budget discussion focusing on Enterprise Funds (Water, Sewer, Stormwater Management, Trash/Recycling)Friday, April 12, 2024 - 1. Publication of notice of public hearing on Constant Yield TaxRate scheduled for April 23, 20242. Publication of notice of public hearing on Fee Schedule3. Publication of notice of public hearing on Financial PlanBudgetTuesday, April 23, 2024, Town Council Regular Meeting - 1. Public Hearing and Public Comment on Constant Yield Tax.2. Discussion of fee schedule.3. Discussion of any outstanding budget items.4. Introduction of Ordinance for FY 2025 Tax Rates.Tuesday, May 14, 2024, Town Council Regular Meeting - 1. Public Hearing and Public Comment on FY 2025 FeeSchedule.2. Public Hearing and Public Comment on FY 2025 FinancialPlan Budget3. Introduction of Ordinance adopting the FY 2025 Fee Schedule.4. Introduction of Ordinance adopting the FY 2025 Financial PlanBudget.5. Adoption of Ordinance for FY 2025 Tax RatesTuesday, May 21, 2024 Town Council Regular Meeting - Adoption of Ordinances for FY 2025 Fee Schedule and Financial Plan Budget.This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

 In this episode, I want to talk about my hopes for what Pinegrove can be. See my previous two videos on La Plata Ward 4 Video Update on YouTube, the first dated March 14, 2022, an overview of the project, followed by Pinegrove Update, December 3, 2023, a summary of construction to date.   The following discussion is based on the developer’s approved Master Site Development Plan (MSDP) and attached project narrative. Please note: “This Master Site Development Plan depicts the generalized nature of the development. Future refinements and revisions may occur at the time of preliminary subdivision/ final site plan, subject to review and approval” by the Town of La Plata.” Approval is by the Town Planning Commission.  I highlight specific elements from the MSDP/ narrative and provide my comments. These don’t reflect the view of the Town of La Plata. References:La Plata Ward 4 Video Update:Pinegrove Update, December 2023Pinegrove aka Heritage Green Update, March  2022An example: Greenleigh This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

This is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast and the companion La Plata Ward 4 Video Update on YouTube. This episode is about recent Town staff and Council actions.  I hope all enjoyed the Christmas season and look forward to 2024!  Welcome to David Winkler, new Ward 1 Council member, who took office on November 28, 2023, to complete the term of the late Council member James Goldsmith.  Jim will be missed.  I thank the Town staff for their continuing and steady effort behind the scenes to keep the town infrastructure running and keeping us safe! DATE EVENTTuesday, January 30, 2024 -  Budget work sessionWednesday, February 07, 2024 -  Budget worksheet available to Department Directors.Friday, February 23, 2024 -  Deadline for all Department Directors to complete FY 2025 budget worksheet(s) for review by the Town Manager and Treasurer.Monday, March 04, 2024 – Thursday, March 14, 2024, Town Manager and Treasurer meet with Department Directors to aligntheir budgets with service priorities and available resources.Friday, March 22, 2024 - The Town Manager transmits Proposed Budget for FY 2025 to the Council.Tuesday, April 09, 2024 -  Town Council Regular Meeting - Budget discussion focusing on General Funds.Tuesday, April 16, 2024 -  Town Council Regular Meeting - Budget discussion focusing on Enterprise Funds (Water, Sewer, Stormwater Management, Trash/Recycling)Friday, April 12, 2024 - 1. Publication of notice of public hearing on Constant Yield TaxRate scheduled for April 23, 20242. Publication of notice of public hearing on Fee Schedule3. Publication of notice of public hearing on Financial PlanBudgetTuesday, April 23, 2024 Town Council Regular Meeting - 1. Public Hearing and Public Comment on Constant Yield Tax.2. Discussion of fee schedule.3. Discussion of any outstanding budget items.4. Introduction of Ordinance for FY 2025 Tax Rates.Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Town Council Regular Meeting - 1. Public Hearing and Public Comment on FY 2025 FeeSchedule.2. Public Hearing and Public Comment on FY 2025 FinancialPlan Budget3. Introduction of Ordinance adopting the FY 2025 Fee Schedule.4. Introduction of Ordinance adopting the FY 2025 Financial PlanBudget.5. Adoption of Ordinance for FY 2025 Tax RatesTuesday, May 21, 2024 Town Council Regular Meeting - Adoption of Ordinances for FY 2025 Fee Schedule and Financial Plan Budget.This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

The source of this episode is a podcast called Go Cultivate!, produced by Verdunity, consultants in community planning, civil engineering, and engagement. This August 2023 podcast focuses on their work in Texas and around the country with observations about suburban growth and its consequences. La Plata and Charles County are experiencing this growth now, so I believe it's a relevant and important issue. References:Go Cultivate!The Need for Fiscal Impact, October 2023 Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) Continued: The Need for Fiscal Impact AnalysisNational Association of REALTORS 2023 Community & Transportation Preferences SurveyThis concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

Hi and welcome again to this latest episode of La Plata Ward 4 Update Podcast.  This is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast and the companion La Plata Ward 4 Video Update on YouTube. I want to talk about the Navy Facility in Indian  Head and its implications for La Plata.At the November 14, 2023, County Commissioner meeting, representatives from IH, County EDC, the Chamber of Commerce’s Military Alliance, the Town of Indian Head, and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM)  discussed pending expansion at IH due to their unique capabilities to produce needed explosive resulting from the demands of world events – Ukraine, Middle East.  There is a possible initial expansion of 200-400 employees in the next 5 years, with the potential for additional growth.  All the partners stressed the need for continued collaboration. There is and will be significant economic impact on the Town of Indian Head, the County, and La Plata.  This is really about placemaking, a key element of economic development. It’s not just attracting businesses and jobs. This means having a walkable community, with diverse housing, shopping, recreation/parks, and other community amenities, to attract and retain employment! Work where you live is smart growth and reduces out commuting and traffic, and keeping and spending money here in La Plata, and the County.References:Downtown La Plata DevelopmentLa Plata Town Plans - 2020 Comprehensive PlanTown 2022 Strategic Plan This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

Over the years, La Plata has developed many plans and studies/analysis to improve the downtown and adjacent areas. Selected policies and action items are highlighted from  the  studies.With all these plans, what progress has been made? What else can or should the Town do?  My view: Some progress has been made, due to re-building from the tornado – La Grange Avenue, Centennial Street extension to US 301, and Talbot Street extension from US 301 to Washington Avenue. But we can do more – YES! Be a full Main Street member? Business incentives? Façade improvement program (like Leonardtown) Need more civic infrastructure – full engagement by the town, business community and residents.We have the plans (more than enough), but now need incremental projects, events, to build success and progress to then fully engage our community to make La Plata a place to live, visit,  and shop, not just to drive through.  I will be posting a video  on YouTube (La Plata Ward 4 Video Update ) showing the status of downtown La Plata projects, recommended from these studies.Thanks again for listening. Email me at djenkins@townoflaplata.org with your questions and comments.This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

La Plata’s development pattern does not generate enough revenue/taxes to pay for services and infrastructure. There’s a gap between tax revenues needed to provide Town services and amenities, and the actual maintenance and other costs to pay for these services now and in the future, as town growth continues.  There is a need to be fiscally sustainable so that service costs align with what citizens and businesses are willing and able to pay for now and in the future. There is also a need to re-evaluate the town’s dependency on residential development to fund infrastructure. We need to diversify our tax base, despite limited land area. The right kind of commercial and industrial (do we really need another gas station/car wash, storage?!) development demands fewer services than residential housing.  References:La Plata Town Council October 10, 2023 Meeting /Discussion 23:54 - 39:15 YouTube VideoVerdunity Fiscal Analysis Background/Examples Tate Texas:Strong Towns Article Fiscal Analysis/Fiscal Sustainability Policy La Plata Ward 1 Vacancy ProcessThis concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

This is podcast number 50!  WOW – hard to believe! So, I will do a modified AAR - what went right, what went wrong, and how to improve my podcast review of my podcast.  I used this process during my Army career (38 years, USA, MD/VA NG). I will modify this and discuss What Went Right and How to improve.  Email your know your comments and ideas to djenkins@townoflaplata.org.Thanks! La Plata Ward 4 Video UpdateThis concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

As you know I have been a member of Strong Towns for several years. I’ve talked about Strong Towns on this podcast, the most recent posted August 24, 2023 – Strong Towns – Local Conversations, The Next Step, and the first Strong Towns – New Thinking about La Plata’s Growth posted May 22, 2022.  Please again note that the views expressed here are mine and do not represent the view of the Town.  This discussion is from a September 8, 2023, Strong Town blog post 10 Things Every Elected Leader Should Know About Building Strong Towns This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

This is another podcast about the Town’s infrastructure, what they do, and their future planning.  This episode is about public safety - the La Plata Police Department, a critical component of any community.  The source of this podcast is from the Police Chief and their 2022 accreditation report by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). A reminder that at the Town Council’s last meeting (the last Tuesday) each month, each department (Operations, Planning, Finance, Human Resources,  Legislative Affairs, and Police Department)  all provide a monthly update of their respective activities. These monthly reports are available from each meeting agenda. A link is provided in the podcast notes.  References:La Plata Police Department; CALEA Assessments ReportsNew La Plata websiteTown Council Meetings  This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

This episode is about the Town Planning Commission and Ex parte communications. The Town Council representative to the Planning Commission is Councilwoman Bryant-Ward, Ward 3.  Source:  Planning Ethics & Ex Parte Communications, Maryland Planning Commission Association (MPCA) Conference, November 7, 2019, Presentation by: Robert McCord, Esq. Secretary, Maryland Department of Planning; Town Planning Department.References:Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA)Planning Commission Education Course Town of La Plata Planning Commission Town of La Plata Board of Appeals This concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

This is a follow-up to my August 13, 2022, podcast – Strong Towns – A New Thinking About La Plata’s Growth. This update is timely, given the continued development in and adjacent to La Plata during the past year.  Full disclosure: I’ve been a Strong Town member for two years, following their blog and podcasts. Strong Town provides what I believe is a needed nuanced perspective about growth!  Also, the views and opinions are mine, as one Town Council member, and do not reflect to views and opinions of the Town. Reference Links:Strong TownsLocal ConversationsStrong Towns AcademyHistory Teacher Steps Up and Starts the Conversation for Change in Bloomington, IllinoisThis concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

This is the next podcast in the series about growth in and adjacent to La Plata, and its impact on our infrastructure. The first in this series, La Plata Development, was posted on July 6. The Town’s water system followed this, posted on July 17, followed by the sewer system on July 26,   The source of these podcasts is La Plata’s Director of Operations, and the staff, who operate these services. These are enterprise services, funded through user fees and state/Federal grants and loans.  This podcast is about La Plata’s stormwater management system. References:La Plata Code of Ordinances - Chapter 167-Stormwater ManagementThis concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!

I want to interrupt the infrastructure podcast series and provide facts in response to recent misleading statements about the County having approval authority for projects within the Town limits.References:Maryland Manual On-Line - Local Government/MunicipalitiesLa Plata, Maryland - Code of OrdinancesThis concludes this latest La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update. I hope you find this podcast informative and useful. Let me know what you think. I look forward to your questions and comments. My email address is djenkins@townoflaplata.org Talk to you soon!