Chairperson Ball and members of the Howard County Council:

The League of Women Voters of Howard County request consideration of the following on the FY2008 capital project number M0537, Belmont Conference Center Howard Community College project. The County Executive requests $5,020,000 of County paygo funds supplemented with $2.2 million of Howard Community College donations for the acquisition, design and renovation for the preservation and restoration of the Belmont Conference Center over two fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

Acquisition: the Howard Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. currently owns the 68.25 acre parcel. The Foundation Board's focus according to the Belmont Inn and Conference Center Master Plan, February 2007 page 4, is raising private funds for Howard Community College. The Foundation provides a vehicle for borrowing funds but does not manage the Belmont property.

This capital project would, if adopted by the Howard County Council, provide $4.4 million for acquisition consisting of $2 million from County Recreation and Parks Capital Project N3961 Belmont Renovation and $2.2 million from Howard County Recreation and Parks Parkland Acquisition Programs, N3103.

Howard County would provide $4.4 million to Howard Community College so that the Community College could become the owner of record for the 68.25 acre Belmont parcel by reimbursing the Foundation the cost of the parcel.

Transparency of Public Process: The adopted FY2007 Howard County Capital Budget included a Recreation and Parks Project Belmont Renovation with $ 2 million paygo funds appropriated. This was a three-year project to make improvements to the buildings and grounds of the Belmont Mansion property to help sustain the economic viability of the Belmont property and preserve its natural and historic features for the benefit of Howard County citizens and visitors, as well as, enhance the culinary and hospitality curriculum for Howard Community College.

The proposed FY 2008 Howard County Capital Budget documents dated January 24,2007 retained the Recreation and Parks Belmont Renovation project. The same document presented the Howard Community College capital project Belmont Conference Center: M0537 requesting $5.2 million for land acquisition with funding from bonds $2.6 million and grants $2.6 million. The justification was the College's recently completed master planning process and the enabling the larger community to enjoy the estate's resources. The College has integrated its existing Culinary and Hospitality Management programs into Belmont's ongoing operations. The project schedule notes the FY2007 $2 million paygo funds allocated under the Recreation and Parks Project N3961.

The County Council has the Planning Board's March1, 2007 letter to the County Executive. The Planning Board recommended No Funding for Project M0537 Belmont Conference Center. The Board stated it was reluctant to encourage the County to move in any direction until Maryland Historical Trust easement restriction issues are resolved and the College issues the Belmont Master Plan. The Planning Board stated it was uncertain as to how Belmont fitted into the College's Master Plan or if the County would be Belmont's best steward. The Planning Board noted the operational impact of Belmont on its neighbors. "That allowing Belmont to operate as a government use as a matter of right evades such conditions established through previous zoning decisions". The Board also stated "... a subsequent Howard Community College purchase would permit expansion at will without consideration of the impact and intensity of use on surrounding communities."

The Howard County Council has the County Executive's April 2,2007 FY 2008 budget letter. The County Executive states within the letter his inclusion of $2.2 million of County funds for the purchase of the Belmont property covering half the cost of the property with $2.2 million match by private donors. The County Executive also states that he allocated $2.8 million for renovations and improvements of existing structures on the property and no funding is provided for any new construction on the Belmont property. This proposal was made under capital project M0537, Howard Community College. The project expenditures were increased from $5.2 million to $7.2 million. In addition, the Recreation and Parks Belmont Renovation Project N3961 was zeroed out and the $2 million FY07 appropriation was transferred into the M0537 Project.

Tonight the Howard County Planning Board is reviewing this capital project. The League regrets that the County Council hearing on the Operating and Capital Budget for the Community College is occurring at the same time the Planning Board is meeting. We know the County Council will await the Planning Board recommendation.

Transparency of Howard Community College process: The Howard County Community College can state the purpose of the Howard Community College Educational Foundation Inc. The Foundation can provide a list of its members and reasons why it utilized its assets to purchase the Belmont parcel. The League expects that there is a rational for seeking to reimburse the Foundation for the purchase price and that there are probably other examples where the Foundation has been reimbursed by the Community College for purchases made by the Foundation.

The Howard Community College "The Belmont Inn and Conference Center" Master Plan February 2007 was easily secured by the League on April 25. On the inside cover is a list of members of the College community who prepared and provided input to the Master Plan including a list of the consultants. A survey and numerous meetings gathered community input. No details regarding the survey or community meetings are provided in the Master Plan document but the League is certain the College could provide them. The Master Plan has a needs assessment and market study and 9 planning and design objectives. Specific facility conditions and proposed facility projects are discussed. A site analysis and needs assessment is included. A master plan for site development discusses phases of site development, land use and access and vehicular circulation solutions. The last chapter list recommended projects, phases and cost estimates. The League has not had the opportunity to understand the details of the Master Plan. The Howard Community College in exercising its responsibility to the community and government officials can and will explain the need and economic viability of what is proposed in the Master Plan

The League has specific positions for the County to accelerate acquisition of land for recreation and parks. The League has a position to have government to be involved in the preservation of historic sites and utilizing tools to provide protection for the historic resource. The League has a position that in the development of property there needs to be environmental and sustainable balance. It is based on these positions as well as the League principle "that democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizens right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible" that the League prepared this testimony.

Based on all of the above, the League suggests to the County Council that more detailed questions need to be asked and answered regarding acquisition. In fact acquisition could be delayed a year. Funding to support restoration, preservation and renovation for Belmont Mansion and other existing structures should be supported

The essential stewardship policy for the Belmont property has to be answered. The League cannot support a capital budget project that determines stewardship without public discussion and community input. The League suggests that the Howard County Community College in partnership with County Government create a community planning process similar to the model used by Howard County Recreation and Parks Department in planning for regional or community parks. Stewardship safeguards for the surrounding communities and the natural environment of the parcel have to be crafted and adhered to. The Howard County Community College's Master Plan provides a foundation for discussion within that planning process.

Sincerely,

Grace Kubofcik,
Co-President
Howard County League of Women Voters