End of Year Report 2011

8/3/2019 End of Year Report 2011

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Howard County CouncilCOUNCILMEMBERS

George Howard Building3430 Courthouse Drive

Ellicott City, Maryland 21043-4392

Council Member Calvin Ball’s Report to the Citizens of Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, and Jessup

Dear Neighbor,

It has been a true pleasure to serve you for the past five years. As a new year begins, I wanted to celebrate withyou some of the triumphs we have experienced in District Two and throughout the County over the past two

years. For your convenience, I have highlighted some successes below and I look forward to continuing toserve our community in the years to come.

Education Advocated for funding towards the additions, renovations and improvements to Bellows SpringElementary School, Hammond Elementary/Middle School, Oakland Mills High School, Phelps Luck Elementary School, Stevens Forest Elementary School, Talbott Springs Elementary School, ThunderHill Elementary School, Mayfield Woods Middle School, Oakland Mills Middle School, HammondHigh School and Howard High School.Supported funding toward the arts and completion of the Hammond HS Dance Studio.Advocated for the State Highway Administration to conduct a study of the pedestrian crossing abutting

Howard High School. After much concern for the safety of our students and pedestrians at thisintersection, my request resulted in SHA modifying the signal and extending the hours from 4:00pm to6:00pm five days a week to assist with after-school pedestrian crossing. This ensures our students andall traveler’s remain safe.Participated in the 1st annual Men’s Only Blitz on Student Achievement identifying the importance of

promoting academic excellence among African American male students.Dedicated to welcoming back our students, administrators and teachers to begin a new school yearincluding Bellow Springs Elementary School, Waterloo Elementary School, Jeffers Hill ElementarySchool, Talbott Springs Elementary School, Thunder Hill Elementary School, Mayfield Woods MiddleSchool, Howard High School, Long Reach High School and Oakland Mills.Supported local school events including the School Girls Unite Summit, Read Across America Day,

Battle of the Books, graduations, middle school achievement expos, black student achievementprograms, mock job interviews, book fairs, spelling bees, and much more. Schools visited include:Bellows Spring Elementary School, Deep Run Elementary School, Jeffers Hill Elementary School,Phelps Luck Elementary School, Talbott Springs Elementary School, Thunder Hill Elementary School,Waterloo Elementary School, Mayfield Woods Middle School, Oakland Mills Middle School, LongReach High School, and Oakland Mills High School.Focused on sharing the history and importance of government and public service with our 5th gradestudents during Simulated Congressional Hearings at several elementary schools including Jeffers Hill,Phelps Luck, Rockburn, Talbott Springs, Thunder Hill and Waterloo.

Mary Kay Sigaty, ChairpersoDistrict

Courtney Watson, Vice ChairpersoDistrict

Calvin BaDistrictGreg FoDistrict

Jennifer TerrasDistrict



Motivated our Long Reach and Oakland Mills High School American Government students bydiscussing the role of the legislative branch, the importance of the County Council and my position asCouncil representative.Honored the Day of the Girl at Oakland Mills Middle School September 22, 2011.Partnered with our schools to support the Dads of Great Students program, emphasizing the importanceof male involvement in the school system. Schools participating in this program include: BellowSprings Elementary School and Talbott Springs Elementary School.Supported funding towards the construction of Howard Community College’s Campus Parking Garage,

Health Sciences Building, as well as HCC’s Safety, Compliance and Facility Renewals.

Public Safety

Collaborated with the State Highway Administration, Howard County Fire and Rescue Services andmany other county and state agencies to secure land and funding to build a fire station along Route 1near Route 175 to better protect the Jessup, Elkridge, and Ellicott City communities. Additions willreduce response time and help save the lives of our residents.

Collaborated with our Police for speed enforcement within Rockburn Park as speeding continues to be aconcern expressed to my office.

Fought for funding towards improvements on Marshalee Drive at Avalon to improve pedestrian safety.Enhancements include a traffic control signal along with pedestrian crosswalks, push buttons and

pedestrian signals.Joined forces with our Department of Public Works to initiate a construction project to help withstanding water and drainage issues along Sybert Drive in Ellicott City. The project included theinstallation of curbs, gutters, storm drain pipes and inlets along Sybert Drive between Parkvale Rd andMeadowbrook Ln.

Supported funding towards a construction project to replace a failing water main along MeadowridgeRoad from Rt1 towards Old Stockbridge Drive.

Supported funding a program of applying polymer asphalt emulsion over the existing surface of roads toprovide an impervious new wearing surface. This extends the useful life of existing roads, delaying thecost and need for complete resurfacing.

Advocated for funding to improve Montevideo Road to help alleviate traffic in the coming years.

Supported funding towards the addition of police officers including 14 recruits, six lateral officers andfour Middle School Resource Officers, three of which will begin their post in late January. Supported efforts to increase the number of satellite offices throughout our communities which allowsbeat officers to get to know neighbors and the needs of the community. We are currently working toidentify a satellite location for our Elkridge community.Supported efforts to work with the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County ensuring victimsreceive necessary assistance during incidents.Dedicated to ensuring the safety of our residents and motorists through proper maintenance of our streetlights. My office regularly monitors the effectiveness of lights throughout District Two and reportsoutages to BG&E. If you know of a street light outage, click here to file a report with BGE.Advocated for the safety of our residents through appropriate installation of traffic calming devices such

as school flashers, curb bump-outs, traffic signals, and pedestrian crossing signals and supported fundingfor these improvements at locations including: Avalon Drive at Marshalee and Route 108 at Shipley’s

Grant and curb bump-outs and school flashers near Oakland Mills Middle and High School.Supported the “Better Together” Enhancing the Long Reach community and attended board meetings to

assist in their efforts to improve our neighborhood, spread community awareness and protect ourneighbors.Dedicated to the safety of our residents and creating a walkable community. Supported installations of sidewalks throughout the County including along Rt 1 at the intersection of Meadowbrook Rd and onRoute 1 at Troy Hill.

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Dedicated to ensuring the safety of our roads. Supported improvements some of which include milling,paving, concrete repairs, and crack sealing. Roads that have experienced these improvements include:

o Alderleaf, Allen, Antrim, April Brook, Aspen Dale, Aspern, Barrington, Bellwart, Benson,Besthold, Billow, Birchmere, Bird Race, Black Star, Blade Green, Blithaire, Blueberry Hill, BluePool, Branch Wood, Brightfield, Brightlight, Brightlink, Brightmeadow, Brightridge,Brightwind, Brightwood, Bright Dawn, Broken Timber, Bronze Bell, Brothers Partnership,Broken Wing, Buckskin, Burn Mountain, Butterfield, Candy Root, Canyon Head, Casey,Catchfly, Chatfield, Chatterbird, Cloudleap, Coltsfoot, Cooperhawk, Corncockle, Cornerstone,

Crestfield, Cross Hive, Crystal Park, Crystal Springs, Crystal View, Dark Hawk, Davis, DawnWhistle, Debbie, Deep Earth, Deep River Canyon, Deer Season, Devlon, Distant Rock, DriedEarth Boulevard, Drystraw, Dry Barley, Dry Stone, Each Leaf, Eaglebeak, East Glen, Elko, EmaEmberend Terrace, Falling Leaves, Falls, Falls, Fetlock, Fire Cloud, Five Fingers, Flagflower,Flamepool, Flicker, Flight Feather, Foreland, Forest Meadow, Forever Green, Four Foot,Foxcroft, Foxtail, Freedom, Freelark, Glad Rivers Row, Goldamber,Gold Sunset, Golden Sky,Goldenstraw, Goldfinch, Glenmar, Golden Bell, Golden Leaf, Good Hunters, Grassy Garth,Graywing, Gray Sea, Greathead, Green Tree, Green Tree, Grimes Golden Court, Grommet,Halflight, Hayshed, Heatherland, High Meadow, High Tor, Hill Fall, Hillmont, Hillrise,Honeycomb, Hunt Chase, Hunting Horn, Jena, Jumping Field, June Apple Court, Lambskin,Lark Brown, Lightspun, Little Foxes, Long Meadow, Long Sky, Luckpenny, Margrave Mews,

Marioak, Mayfield Avenue, Meadow Creek, Meadowsweet, Milk Shed, Millstream, Millwheel,Mitzy, Montgomery, Moon Glass, Morning Breeze, Morning Calm, Morningside, Nettlebed,New Grange, New Prospect, Nightshade, Nightwind, Night Roost, North Slope, Oak Bush,Oldstone, Old Buggy, Old Dobbin, Old Stockbridge, Old Waterloo, Oldfield, Open Meadow,Painted Rock, Painted Yellow, Patuxent Oak, Phelps Luck, Pine Bark, Pirch, Queen Maria, QuietTimes, Red Barn, Red Lake, Rising Sun, Roan Stallion, Rockbridge, Rockcress, Roland,Roundtree, Rustling Bark, Saddle, Saddle Ridge, Sanctuary, Sea Light, Sea Water, SewellsOrchard Drive, Scotch Pine, Sheerock, Shepherdess, Shinleaf, Short Wheel, Sidelong, SilverArrows, Silver Trumpet, Smokehouse Court, Soft Thunder, Somerville, Spurr, Stairtop, StarburnSteel Flower, Stonecutter, Stormdrift, Summer Cloud, Summer Hollow, Summer Rambo Court,Sunderland, Sunrise, Sweetwind, Tall Trees, Thelo, Thornfree Court, Three Apple Downs,

Thurso, Tide Rock Square, Tides Ebb, Tilted Stone, Treefrog, Treetop, Twelvemonth, TwentyYear Chase, Ulm, Village, Watermill, Well Water, Whistling Pines, Whitebark, Windrow,Watercress, Wetbanks, White Mane, Wild Apple, Wild Wing, Wildwind, Wind Dance, WildLilac, Window Latch, Windysun, Wingborne, Winter Moss, Winter Pasture, Wood Staff,Woodchase, Woodcrest, Wooded Glen, Woodloo, Worn Mountain, Yellowrose, Young Buck,and Youngsea.

FY12 Budget Over several years, my office has worked diligently to support the appropriation of funds in support of organizations and projects throughout Howard County. You will find some of the FY11 and FY12 budget

projects discussed below.Community Service Partnership Grants. Supported funding to assist community organizations intheir operating costs. Specifically: $1,285,240 in funding for Grassroots Crisis Intervention, an integralorganization helping those in need in Howard County; $655,230 in funding towards the CommunityAction Council, a dedicated organization that runs the Howard County Food Bank and helps those inneed; $455,940 in funding to help domestic violence victims; $112,200 in funding to benefit the Arc of Howard County so that those with intellectual or developmental disabilities receive the services theymay need; $116,000 in funding to benefit Bridges to Housing Stability, an organization that remainsdedicated to ending homelessness in Howard County; funding towards the Howard County AutismSociety to help with their mission to raise awareness and assist those impacted across the autismspectrum and funding to the Korean American Association and FIRN.



Recycling. Supported initiatives to provide recycling containers to our residents throughout ourcommunities. These efforts continue to reduce budgetary costs and decrease waste to the landfill.Electric County Vehicles and Plug-in Station . Secured funding for the use of electric vehicles in ourcounty fleet operations and the creation of the County’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle and electric vehiclecharging station at the Dorsey Building in District 2. This is equipped with five, 240V charge outlets forresidents and County employees to use. Dorsey Run Road Phase B Water Main. Supported funding for the construction of a water main andrelocation of a sewer within proposed Dorsey Run Road from existing Dorsey Run Road to Montevideo.

The project will enable the installation and relocation of the utilities prior to the construction of the road.Dorsey Run Road Extension. Supported funding for the extension of Dorsey Run Road from MDRoute 103 to MD Route 175 to increase connectivity in Jessup and Elkridge.Dorsey Run Road Improvements. Supported funding to reconstruct Dorsey Run Road to four lanesfrom MD Route 175 south to the railroad crossing.Meadowridge Road Main Rehabilitation. Supported funding for the replacement of a water main inMeadowridge Road between US Route 1 and MD Route 100.Miller Branch Library. Supported funding to construct an additional public library to serve theresidents of Ellicott City and beyond.Montevideo Road Improvements. Advocated for funding to make adjustments and alignments in twophases. Phase one will relocate the connection to US1 to be directly across from Port Capital Drive.

Phase two will improve the section of the road from Dorsey Run Road to the end of the relocation.Old Columbia Road Water and Sewer Project. Supported funding towards a project for the designand construction of 550 linear feet of water main and 250 linear feet of low pressure sewer in OldColumbia Road west of Harding Road.Route 175/Oakland Mills Road Interchange. Supported funding towards a project to design andconstruct a new MD175/Oakland Mills Road interchange and the re-alignment of Oakland Mills Roadthrough the proposed Blandair Park.Snowden River Parkway Improvements. Support funding towards a project to study the addition of athird lane to Snowden River Parkway, in each direction, from Oakland Mills Road to MD108.US Route 1 Corridor Revitalization.

o Supported funding towards a project to design and construct transportation improvements along

the US1 corridor. The first project will be the reconstruction of US1 from MD175 to MontevideoRoad.

o Supported funding towards a project for the design and reconstruction of approximately 2,500feet of US1 from MD175 to Montevideo Road. These improvements will be the first Countycapital project to implement the Route 1 Corridor Improvement Strategy which includes a newroadway typical section. FY12 funding is for design and land acquisition.

US29/Brokenland Parkway Water Main Replacement. Supported funding towards a project for thereplacement of 1,000 LF of 30-inch diameter water main and construction of 2,400 LF of 36-inch watermain to parallel the existing main. This is a major water supply which studies revealed prematurefailures of the prestressing wires. The capital project will replace the affected portions of the pipelineand provide protective measures against future failures.

Lincoln Drive at Cedar Villa Park Drainage. Supported funding for a project to eliminate thefreezing of runoff on Lincoln Drive and Cedar Avenue.Montgomery Road Safety Improvements. Supported funding for the improvement to MontgomeryRoad west of Landing Road.Marshalee Drive Improvements. Supported funding for the design and construction of MarshaleeDrive to a minor arterial standard from relocated Montgomery Road (Near MD Route 103) toMontgomery Road (near Marshalee Woods) including the intersection with existing Montgomery Road.Montgomery Road Improvements. Supported funding to improve a portion of Montgomery Roadbetween Marshalee Drive and US Route 1.Old Montgomery Road at Brightfield Road Improvements. Supported funding for improvements tothe intersection of Old Montgomery Road and Brightfield Road.



Dalton Drive Sewer Extension. Supported funding for construction of sewer to serve homes on DaltonDrive.

Recreation & Parks and Environmental Initiatives

Advocated for funding towards Blandair Regional Park (Phase I and II), a 298-acre regional park to belocated in District 2 off Route 175 between Tamar Drive and Thunder Hill Road. Included in thisproject will be the restoration of the exterior of the Blandair Mansion.

1. Phase I of this project will include three synthetic turf, multi-purpose fields as well as a

playground, picnic shelter, comfort-station and a parking lot. It will also be connected by paved pathways to the County’s existing pathway system to enable pedestrians and bicyclists to accessfacilities without having to drive. The sports fields and other recreation facilities will provide amuch-needed venue for youth and citizens to be active outdoors.

2. Design work for Phase II is currently underway and will most likely include two baseballdiamonds as well as tennis courts, a playground, shelter and comfort station.

3. FY12 funding will include continued restoration of mansion and outbuildings and startconstruction of Phase II and begin design of Phase III.

Supported funding to acquire an additional 5 acres, rehabilitate an 1820 historic house and design andconstruct a 106-acre Regional Park at MD100 and US1 in District 2 (Troy Hill Park).Supported funding towards a project to establish a fund for County-wide park land acquisition and

related expenses. This allows the County to move quickly to acquire land which becomes available andsatisfies one or more of the following objectives: addresses State and County Greenway objectives,protects sensitive natural resources threatened by development, acquire additions to existing parksand/or satisfies park and open space needs.Supported funding for a project to repair an eroding stream channel within Meadowbrook Park.Supported funding to study the use of solar energy installation for Fire Stations to help conserve non-renewable energy sources and reduce energy cost.Dedicated to innovative green technologies and supported funding to create a construction project toinstall solar panels at the former New Cut Landfill. Energy generated from the panels offset electricaluse at Worthington Elementary School by 90 percent, saving the school system countless dollars.

Legislative Leadership Co-sponsored legislation requiring the Environmental Sustainability Board to review potentialenvironmental impacts of the CSX Intermodal facility being proposed at the two sites in Howard Countyand to submit a report to the Council. Also requiring the County Executive to provide appropriatecounty resources to support this effort. (See Council Resolution CR79-2011)Sponsored legislation to provide a property tax incentive for construction of residential buildings that areenvironmentally friendly. (See Council Bill 55-2011)Sponsored legislation that protects individuals from housing and employment discrimination based upongender identity. (See Council Bill 54-2011)Sponsored legislation to authorize the Department of Police to impound commercial vehicles withmultiple outstanding parking violations who are parking within residential neighborhoods. (See Council

Bill 51-2011)Co-sponsored legislation to implement the Settlement Downpayment Loan Program. (See CouncilResolution CR147-2011)

Community Involvement and Initiatives I am committed to serving our community and maintaining awareness of what is happening in ourneighborhoods. I invite all my constituents to write in or contact my office to keep me informed of all thingsimpacting our district so that we can work together and provide meaningful experiences for everyone. Listedbelow are ways that I have been working diligently to best serve my constituency.

Honored our first responders and the victims and survivors on the 10th

anniversary of the 9/11 attacksduring the Remembrance Ceremony.



Toured the Workforce Development Center to identify ways we can collaborate to help those who areunemployed in this difficult economy secure employment.Supported funding towards Howard County’s Economic Development Authority which provides

financial assistance to local businesses looking to grow or to entrepreneurs as they begin their businessventures in Howard County.Advocated for funding to the Tourism Council to support their efforts in attracting visitors to HowardCounty. Visitors are patrons to our local establishments which further benefits our local economy.Sponsored events that raise awareness in our communities. Events include:

o Financial Literacy/“Money Matters Fair”. Initiated, in partnership with many organizationsincluding Howard Community College, the Howard County Library, Howard County PublicSchool System and makingCHANGE to host our annual “Money Matters” FREE to attendees toeducate residents on the importance of fiscal responsibility and financial empowerment.Exhibitors discuss the savings, investments, retirement options, real estate and much more. Thesixth annual event has been scheduled for Saturday, March 31, 2012 10am-1pm at the EastColumbia Library Branch.

o Men’s Health Fair. Initiated Howard County’s annual Men’s Health Fair FREE to attendeeswhich educates residents on the importance of personal health and fitness. Organizations offerscreenings such as: KEY (Kidneys, Evaluate Yours), prostate, glaucoma, blood pressure, andBMI as well as fitness demonstrations, diet consultations and much more. This event has been

going for three years with the next event scheduled for June 2, 2012.o 5K Run for the Homeless. Partnered with Mid-Maryland Baptist Association to create the 1st

annual 5K Run to help end homelessness. Sponsored the event and secured donations so thatadditional proceeds would benefit the Route 1 Day Resource Center.

Created informative newsletters, The Calvin Ball Bulletin, which expanded in 2011 into several editionsto meet community demands.

o Traditional Newsletter. Supports local events, programs, initiatives and boards andcommissions vacancies occurring throughout District Two and Howard County. Area eventsinclude: Green initiatives, GreenFest, Howard County Men’s Health Fair and Financial Literacy

Fair (Initiated by Councilman Ball), National Night Out, Come Home to Howard CountyHousing Fair, Coat Drives and Community Blood Drives. Programs and initiatives include the

Equal Business Opportunity Initiative, FREE tax preparation, FREE Weatherization Program,Preschool and Child Information Fairs, Reverse Mortgage Counseling, Human Service GrantAssistance and much more.

o Legislation Newsletter (Created in 2011). This newsletter is an effort to engage the publicmore in the County’s legislative process and to give the community additional avenues to have avoice and stay informed as to what is occurring legislatively in the County. It identifieslegislation currently under consideration by the County Council, the outcome of recently votedupon legislation by the County Council and legislation currently under consideration by theHoward County Delegation, when in session.

o Construction Newsletter (Created in 2011). Often, constituents have contacted my office toinquire as to what construction is happening within the district and any anticipated completion

dates. This led to the creation of this newsletter which highlights projects happening throughoutthe district. Examples include the update on the Rt29/Rt175 exit closure, traffic light installationat Avalon Drive, traffic light installation at Shipley’s Grant, Rt1 sidewalk improvements, I-95lighting improvements, Rt29 widening project, and the Rt175 storm drain rehab.

Social Media. Initiated an official facebook page to share information with my constituents andHoward County residents where I regularly post programs and services that may be of interest as well asthings happening real-time including weather updates and office closures. Click here to “Like Me” on

Facebook.Neighborhood Associations. Committed to community involvement. As a previous board member andcommunity organizer on the Oakland Mills Village Board, I value the input of the community. To bestserve our district, my office maintains regular contact with our communities and their respective

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neighborhood associations to stay informed on concerns, issues and suggestions. Organizations includeCedar Villa Heights, the Greater Elkridge Community Association, New Colony Village, Long ReachVillage Board and Oakland Mills Village Board.Grand Openings/Ribbon Cuttings. Dedicated to supporting business and job creation within DistrictTwo and Howard County. Celebrated the openings of the Ancile, Dresner Group, Gantech, GreenValley Market, Robinson Nature Center, SECU at Columbia Crossing, Walgreens at Thunder Hill Rd, acontract Post Office at Feldman’s Pharmacy, The Vertical Connection, and grand re-opening of AIDABistro and the African Art Museum.

Volunteering and the Spirit of Giving Back. Dedicated to assisting the residents of District Two andHoward County. Volunteered at many events including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, theCommunity Action Council’s annual Turkey Distribution event and the 25

th Annual Putnam CountySpelling Bee.

It has been an honor and a privilege to represent you and your neighbors residing within District Two of Howard County, MD for the past five years! I remain committed to our community and will continue to fighton your behalf to ensure the most important issues and concerns of our residents are addressed.

I invite you contact my office at (410) 313-2001 and speak with either myself or my Special Assistant,Kimberly Pruim to share your thoughts and suggestions for our neighborhoods.

All the best,

Dr. Calvin BallHoward County CouncilDistrict 23430 Court House DriveEllicott City, MD [email protected]

“There is nothing to make you like other human beings so much as doing things for them.” Zora Neale Hurston

mailto:[email protected]



Documents

End of Year Report 2011