The Talbot County Council held a meeting on Tuesday, May 23 with Council Members Callahan, Stepp, and Mielke in attendance. Council Members Lesher and Haythe were absent.
Proclamation: National Boating Safety Week – May 20 – 26, 2023 – Members of the Coast Guard Flotilla 21 – 03 and Division 21 of the Chesapeake Eastern Shore received a proclamation recognizing this week as “National Boating Safety Week”. The proclamation specifically urges citizens to practice safe boating habits, avoid using alcohol and drugs when operating a boat, and always wear a life jacket while boating.
Proclamation: National Gun Violence Awareness Day – June 2, 2023 – Leadership of the MD Upper Shore Chapter and volunteers from Moms Demand Action accepted a proclamation recognizing “National Gun Violence Awareness Day”. The day is recognized to honor the birthday of Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot and killed at age 15, in January 2013. On June 2, 2023, people across the country will wear orange to raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors.
The Maryland Upper Shore Chapter of Moms Demand Action will host a “Be Smart” gun safety and awareness event in Easton on June 4, 2023. For more information: Attend Wear Orange 2023 Easton Event | Everytown for Gun Safety
Proclamation: National Emergency Medical Services Week – May 21 – 27, 2023 – Members of the Department of Emergency Services, led by Brian LeCates, Director, received a proclamation honoring National EMS Week, celebrating the essential care and hard work of everyone in the emergency system.
“EMS is much larger than just the folks riding around in the ambulance…it starts at the 911 dispatchers providing pre-arrival instructions all the way through to the hospital with the nurses and physicians in the emergency department,” mentioned LeCates. “It’s important to celebrate the entire system, the team, that makes up emergency services.”
Clay Stamp, County Manager, also commented, “Talbot County is recognized as a leader in the state of Maryland for having a comprehensive EMS system, that starts with community awareness and engagement through the Paramedic Foundation in placing AEDs throughout the county, and learning CPR with the CPR marathon every year.”
The Council held a public hearing on proposed FY2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects in coordination with Talbot County.
St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP), located at 29533 Canvasback Drive in Easton, is seeking $465,000 in CDBG grant funds to partially fund a 1,920 square foot expansion to their facility that provides food, shelter, clothing, financial help, and comfort to individuals and families in need. A copy of the CDBG application can be found on the County’s website. Grant applications are due to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development on June 7, 2023. Talbot Interfaith Shelter (TIS) withdrew their proposed application.
Following the public hearing, Council approved an Administrative Resolution authorizing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) SFY24 application for the St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) construction project located at 29533 Canvasback Drive, Easton, Maryland 21601.
There was also a public hearing on Bill No. 1530. If passed, the bill would amend Chapter 190 (Zoning, Subdivision, and Land Development) of the County Code regarding the expansion of structures used for nonconforming uses. Bill No. 1530 incorporates language required by the Maryland Critical Area Commission as a condition of its approval of Bill No. 1525, which the County Council approved on September 27, 2022. Bill No. 1530 will eligible for vote on June 13, 2023
Other Business:
- Bill No. 1529, AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE 2023-2024 ANNUAL BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE was brought forward for vote. Martha Sparks, Director of Finance, brought forth proposed amendments for the Council’s consideration; the amendments were discussed during budget deliberations on May 16, 2023.
- Amendments to the General Fund show an increase in grant revenues, a decrease in transfers from the development impact fund and a corresponding increase in General Fund reserves. Changes in expenditures included: decreases in Sheriff salary (due to an overestimation); increases to Circuit Court; and increases to miscellaneous expenses. The net effect of these changes was 0, leaving the overall budget number the same.
- For Capital Projects, there was an additional request for White Marsh Elementary School’s roof project. Funds requested for Emergency Service’s CAD project were reduced to only include funds needed for FY24. There was also a request to add funds to the TCFL St. Michaels branch library expansion and renovation. The overall net effect of the changes to the Capital Fund is a decrease of $400,600. Due to changes in transfer amounts, the Development Impact Fund received a $274,000 increase.
- Bill No. 1529, as amended, was unanimously approved by all Council members with Council members Haythe and Lesher voting by absentee ballot.
- The final budget can be viewed here: FY 2024 Proposed Budget – Talbot County, Maryland (talbotcountymd.gov)
- Council unanimously approved the appointment of Donna Haddaway as an alternate member to the Animal Control Board and Donald Ewing, Sr. to the Board of Electrical Examiners.
- Terry Kokolis, Director, Department of Corrections, and Cindy Green, Captain, Department of Corrections, requested approval to extend two service contracts for the Corrections facility, one for inmate medical and mental health services from Wellpath TM, and the other for inmate meals from Trinity Food Services Group. There are sufficient funds in the budget for both contracts.
- Ray Clarke, County Engineer, asked Council for permission to apply for and accept grant funding from the MD Department of Natural Resources Watershed Improvement Program to assist with the acquisition of a dredged material placement site.
- The Town of Oxford and Talbot Thrive requested a letter of support for their grant coapplication to the “2023 Kim Lamphier Bikeways Program” from the Maryland Department of Transportation for design of a bike trail from Oxford’s Causeway Park to the County owned Oxford Conservation Park.
- Council President Chuck Callahan asked Patrick Thomas, County Attorney, to draft a resolution to move the County Council’s meeting start time to 5 p.m. Once the resolution is presented, the Council can decide if they would like to move the start time or keep it to the current time of 6 p.m.
The next legislative meeting of the County Council will be held on June 13th, 2023. On Tuesday, June 6th the County Council will be meeting with elected officials from the municipalities at 5:00 p.m. in the Talbot Count Free Library – Easton Branch. The meeting is open to the public.
From left: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Vice Flotilla Commander, Auxiliary Flotilla 21-03 of Easton, MD, Reed Carey; Council Member Lynn Mielke; Petty Officer First Class, United States Coast Guard, Executive Petty Officer of USCG Station Oxford, Bryant Gooch; U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Division Commander, Division 21 Chesapeake Bay Eastern Shore, Thomas Stokes; and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla Commander, Auxiliary Flotilla 21-03 of Easton MD, Edward Burke.
Leadership of the MD Upper Shore Chapter and volunteers from Moms Demand Action accept proclamation for National Gun Violence Awareness Day from Council President Chuck Callahan.
From left: Director of Emergency Services Brian LeCates, Emergency Services Advisory Board Member Debbie Timms, UM Shore Medical Center at Easton Emergency Department, MSN, RN Jakisha Downing, EMS Chief Matt Watkins, Captain Ben Diefenderfer, Lt. Jackie Reiss, Paramedic Olivia Santos, EMT Trey Pritchett received a proclamation for National Emergency Services Week. The theme for 2023 is “Where Emergency Cares Begins”.
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