Talbot County Council Meeting Highlights, Tuesday, July 12, 2022

These highlights only reflect the business items covered from the Council’s approved agenda. To view the complete County Council meeting, please visit: Talbot County Meeting Videos – Talbot County, Maryland (www.talbotcountymd.gov).

All Council members were present with Council member Price arriving at 6:35 p.m.

Introduction of Martha Sparks, Talbot County Finance Director – Council welcomed Martha Sparks as the County’s new Finance Director.  Ms. Sparks began employment with Talbot County on July 6, 2022.  She received an MBA for Wilmington University and a B.S. Degree in Accounting from Wesley College.  Additionally Ms. Sparks is a graduate of the Academy of Excellence in Local Governance from the University of Maryland, School of Public Policy.  Ms. Sparks has worked in local government for the past eight years and has furthered her government knowledge by working with the Maryland Municipal League and Maryland Association of Counties.  She and her family have lived in Talbot County for 24 years. Ms. Sparks stated, “I love the community I live in and I’m excited to bring my professional knowledge and skills to work for my home county as its new Finance Director.  Thank you for the opportunity to do so.”  Council members welcomed Ms. Sparks.  Council member Divilio stated, “First and foremost welcome home.  Thank you for stepping up for this opportunity.”

Request from Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism to Apply for and Accept Grants from the Maryland Rural Economic Development Fund – Cassandra Vanhooser, Director, Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism requested Council approval to submit the following applications to the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund which will be administered locally by Maryland’s five regional councils and specifically for our area to the Mid-Shore Regional Council (serving Caroline, Dorchester and Talbot counties):

Goldsborough Neck Road Culvert Improvement Project – $1,000,000

Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe Master Plan Phase II Pre-Development and Implementation Costs – $750,000

Strategic Plan for Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism – $125,000

Development and Implementation of Minority Ventures Program – $100,000

Feasibility Study for Talbot County Visitors Center – $50,000

Feasibility Study for Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry (Matching funds for Economic

Development Administration Grant Application) – $25,000

A sub-committee of the County’s Economic Development Commission will be reviewing and ranking all grant proposals.  The final list of projects will be presented to the County Council for review and action at their July 26^th meeting.  Upon motion by Council member Divilio, seconded by Vice President Lesher and unanimous consent, Council approved submitting letters of support for the six projects presented.

Public Hearings:

Resolution No. 330, A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE TALBOT COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWER PLAN FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDING OR MODIFYING THE TALBOT COUNTY CAPITAL PROJECT FOR FISCAL YEARS 2023 AND 2024 TO ADD A NEW CAPITAL PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1.5 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SOUTH WELL FOR THE TOWN OF EASTON was brought forward for a public hearing.  Brennan Tarleton, Acting Planning Officer, noted the Planning Commission reviewed Resolution No. 330 and by a vote of 5-0 found it to be consistent with the County’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan.  Ray Clarke, County Engineer, noted the Public Works Advisory Board recommended the Council approve Resolution No. 330 by a vote of 3-0.  Upon motion by Council member Pack, seconded by Council member Price the Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 330 which will take effect immediately.

Resolution No. 331, A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE TALBOT COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWER PLAN FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECLASSIFYING AND REMAPPING TWO PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 29659 MATTHEWSTOWN ROAD (MARYLAND ROUTE 328), EASTON, MARYLAND, SHOWN ON TAX MAP 26 AS PARCEL 45 AND LOCATED ON CAMAC STREET, EASTON, MARYLAND, SHOWN ON TAX MAP 26 AS PARCEL 186, FROM “W-2” AND “S-2”, PLANNED WATER AND SEWER SERVICE IN 3 TO 5 YEARS, TO “W-1” AND “S-1”, IMMEDIATE PRIORITY STATUS was brought forward for a public hearing. Brennan Tarleton, Acting Planning Officer, noted the Planning Commission reviewed Resolution No. 331 and by a vote of 5-0 found it to be consistent with the County’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan.  Ray Clarke, County Engineer, noted the Public Works Advisory Board recommended the Council approve Resolution No. 331 by a vote of 3-0.  Following the public hearing and questions by the Council, the written record will remain open until Friday, July 15, 2022.  Resolution No. 331 will be eligible for vote on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.  Council member Price commented, “The impact fee developers pay does not begin to cover the impact to the County for services such as public schools and public safety.  These are on-going expenses to the taxpayer.”  County Manager Stamp noted the County is working with TischlerBise, Inc. on updating the County’s impact fee structure.

Resolution No. 332, A RESOLUTION TO PLACE QUESTIONS ON THE BALLOT AT THE 2022 GENERAL ELECTION TO AMEND SECTION 207 OF THE CHARTER OF TALBOT COUNTY TO INCREASE THE COMPENSATION OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL FROM $14,400 PER ANNUM TO $25,000 PER ANNUM, WITH THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $1,000 PER ANNUM AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE COUNCIL MAY SET, BY RESOLUTION, COMPENSATION OF COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL DIFFERING FROM THAT SET FORTH IN SECTION 207; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH RESOLUTION SHALL REQUIRE AT LEAST A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE OF THE COUNCIL, BE ADOPTED PRIOR TO THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER, AND TAKE EFFECT COMMENCING WITH THE FORTHCOMING COUNCIL TERM was brought forward for a public hearing.  Vice President Lesher introduced an amendment to Resolution No. 332 which would set the future County Council’s salary at $19,200 per annum beginning in 2022.  Following discussion about establishing an appropriate salary for future County Councils based on inflation, time commitment and duties involved, Council member Price proposed an amendment to Vice President Lesher’s amendment to set the salary at $23,000 per annum with the Council President to receive an additional $1,000 per year.  The motion was seconded by Council member Divilio and passed by a vote of 3-1-1 as follows:

Mr. Callahan – aye

Mr. Divilio – aye

Mr. Lesher – nay

Ms. Price – aye

Mr. Pack – abstain

Following a motion by Council member Divilio, seconded by Council member Price, Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 332 as amended. Council member Price stated, “The last time the Council’s salary was adjusted was 20 years ago.  Talbot County is the lowest paid Council in the State of Maryland.  While this is a part-time job, it does entail a lot of work.  I ask the public to consider what is the value to somebody who dedicates their time, family life, and job to serve as a Council member?”  Council member Pack commented, “To serve as a Council member is not about showing up every other Tuesday for a Council meeting.  It involves many hours of reading documents, speaking with constituents and staff members, responding to e-mails, serving on various boards and committees and serving the public. It’s not a part-time job – the public expects you to be responsive at all times. It’s not about the money, but about what the money says that the position is worth.”

Eligible for Vote:

FY23 Capital Enabling Legislation was brought forward for third reader:

Bill No. 1501, A BILL TO AMEND BILL NO. 1474 TO AMEND THE APPROPRIATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO AIRPORT ROAD was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1502, A BILL TO AMEND BILL NO. 1418, TO AMEND THE APPROPRIATION FOR A CAPITAL PROJECT FOR THE CONNECTION OF BAR NECK AND FAIRBANK COMMUNITIES TO THE REGION V (TILGHMAN) WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1503, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY BRIDGES was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1504, A BILL TO AMEND BILL NO. 1478 TO AMEND THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE EXPANSION OF BROADBAND TO UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED AREAS OF TALBOT COUNTY was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1505, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE A STUDY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE 911 DIVISION COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH (CAD) SYSTEM was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1506, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY ROADS was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1507, A BILL TO AMEND BILL NOS. 1361, 1332, 1307 AND 1267 TO AMEND THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE MAPPING AND EVALUATION AND REHABILITATION OR REPLACEMENT OF COUNTY CULVERTS was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1508, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE DESIGN, RENOVATION/CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICES AND OTHER WORK AREAS FOR THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOR TALBOT COUNTY, MARYLAND was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1509, A BILL TO AMEND BILL NO. 1484, TO AMEND THE APPROPRIATION FOR A CAPITAL PROJECT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES STATIONS  was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1510, A BILL TO AMEND BILL NOS. 1457, 1422, 1335, AND 1317 TO AMEND THE APPROPRIATION FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND UPGRADES FOR GOLDSBOROUGH NECK ROAD AND AIRPORT ROAD was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1512, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE A CAPITAL PROJECT FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AN EMERGENCY GENERATOR FOR THE MARTINGHAM SANITARY DISTRICT was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1513, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1515, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE RESURFACING/REPAVING OF THE ST. MICHAELS SCHOOL PARKING LOT was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1516, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RENOVATION OF THE ST. MICHAELS BRANCH OF THE TALBOT COUNTY FREE LIBRARY was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1517, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STORAGE FACILITY FOR THE TALBOT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1518, A BILL TO AMEND BILL NOS. 1082 AND 1285 TO AMEND THE APPROPRIATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TUNIS MILLS BRIDGE was brought forward for vote and approved by a vote of 4-1 with Council member Divilio voting nay.

Bill No. 1519, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE COUNTYWIDE WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No. 1520, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF A SUN SHADE STRUCTURE FOR AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM AND PLAYGROUND FOR THE WHITE MARSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

Bill No.1521, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF A SECURITY FENCE FOR THE WHITE MARSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was brought forward for vote and unanimously approved by Council.

County Manager’s Report:

• Board and Committee Appointments – Mr. Stamp requested the reappointment of Samantha Martinez to the Talbot Family Network Board of Directors which was unanimously approved by the Council.

• Request from Parks and Recreation to Purchase Flooring Mat System for Ice Rink – Mr. Stamp requested Council approval to purchase a mat system from American Arena in the amount of $55,000 using FY23 contingency funds.  This is an unanticipated and emergency procurement for the ice rink in order to get through the 2023 season.  The piping that runs throughout the ice rink floor is over 40 years old and is failing.  A full replacement of the ice rink floor will be requested as part of the FY24 budget.  Council voted unanimously to approve the procurement request as outlined and to seek proposals for full replacement of the ice rink floor.  Council member Divilio commented “We are fortunate the floor lasted as long as it did.  Thank you Mr. Peper for saving the ice for this season with this temporary fix.”
• Request from Department of Administrative Services for Sole Source Purchase of Human Resource Information System (HRIS) Software from ADP – Mr. Stamp requested Council approval to procure the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) software package from ADP in the amount of $51,828.69.  There are sufficient funds in the FY23 budget for the procurement which will provide more effective and efficient accessibility to employee records and information for data analysis, reporting and budgeting. This is an expansion of our existing system and will improve our processes by leveraging technology. Council voted unanimously to approve the procurement request as outlined.
• Request from Roads Department to Purchase Truck with Utility Body – Mr. Stamp requested Council approval to purchase a 2023 International CV515 4×4 truck with utility body at a price of $151,393 from Beltway International, LLC of Baltimore.  The County would utilize the 2023 Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement.  It will take approximately 1 year for the truck to be delivered. Council voted unanimously to approve the procurement request as outlined.
• Request from Hog Neck Golf Course to Purchase Garage Doors and Heat Pumps for Pavilion – Mr. Stamp requested Council approval to purchase and install 9 garage doors from First Choice Garage Doors in the amount of $72,855 for the Hog Neck Golf Course pavilion. There are sufficient funds in FY23 Capital Outlay for Hog Neck Golf Course for the purchases.  The procurement of heat pumps for the pavilion is still being analyzed and scoped appropriately for the size of the project. Council voted unanimously to approve the procurement request as outlined.
• Request from Department of Corrections to Apply for and Accept Grant from the Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC) for Examination and Treatment Grant – Mr. Stamp requested Council approval to accept grant funding in the amount of $352,194 from the Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center’s Examination and Treatment Grant program for the Talbot County Department of Corrections.  This is a two-year grant and the DOC will be partnering with the Talbot County Health Department for services to enhance the Medication for Opioid Use Disorder program to address chronic opioid use.  Council voted unanimously to approve the acceptance of grant funds as outlined.
• Request for Letter of Support for Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund Entrepreneurship Grant Application for Workboat Repair Program – Mr. Stamp requested Council approval for a letter of support for a grant application in the amount of $100,000 to the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund Entrepreneurship Grant program for an application to create a Workboat Repair Program.  Talbot County proposes to partner with Dorchester County on the program to offer grants to assist commercial watermen with funds to assist with boat repairs and upgrades.  To qualify for this program, each applicant must hold a commercial fishing license and own his/her/their own boat that is used for fishing, charters and/or tours.  This will be a reimbursement type grant with commercial watermen paying 25% of the repairs and the grant reimbursing 75% which will meet the required match for the grant.  Council voted unanimously to send a letter of support for the grant application.

The Council’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 6 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.