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).
Council members Callahan, Price, and Divilio were in attendance. Council member Lesher was present through a conference call. Council member Pack was absent.
I. Request from Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS) for FY22 Categorical Budget Transfers – Sarah Jones, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, Talbot County Public Schools
TCPS requested approval from the Talbot County Council for an amendment to its FY22 budget. TCPS did not request any additional funds but asked to make budget category transfers, seeking approval to use its available funds to align three expense categories in which they have current savings with the three other categories from which it would like to make prepayments or where it foresees cost overruns. TCPS reduced its original FY23 budget request to balance with the County’s approved budget in a variety of ways, which included prepayment of certain FY23 costs in the current year. Additional spending authority is needed for Transportation to allow TCPS to prepay bus lease payments that would normally have occurred in FY23. Additional spending authority is needed for Fixed Charges, both to prepay TCPS FY23 Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) contribution, which TCPS removed completely from its FY23 budget, and to cover health insurance increases. Finally, additional spending authority is needed for Special Education because there is a cost overrun in FY22. TCPS can cover these costs due to savings in Mid-Level Administration and Instructional Salaries caused by staff vacancies, and through savings in Operations due to mild weather and the availability of grant funds to cover certain expenses.
Council voted unanimously to approve the FY22 categorical budget transfer request from TCPS.
II. Introduction of Legislation:
A BILL TO AUTHORIZE TALBOT COUNTY, MARYLAND (THE “COUNTY”) TO BORROW NOT MORE THAN TWENTY FOUR MILLION NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($24,900,000) IN ORDER TO FINANCE AND REFINANCE (A) THE ACQUISITION, RENOVATION AND/OR CONSTRUCTION OF A TALBOT COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING AND (B) THE ACQUISITION, RENOVATION AND/OR CONSTRUCTION OF A TALBOT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FACILITY AND TO EFFECT SUCH BORROWING BY THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF ONE OR MORE SERIES OF ITS GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS PAYABLE FROM AD VALOREM TAXES TO BE LEVIED BY THE COUNTY; EXEMPTING THE BONDS FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 19-205 AND 19-206 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND; AUTHORIZING THE CONSOLIDATION OF SEPARATE SERIES OF BONDS INTO ONE OR MORE BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE REFUNDING OF SUCH BONDS AND RELATING GENERALLY TO THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF SUCH BONDS FOR SUCH PURPOSES
Acting County Finance Director Ken Davis and Angela Lane presented information about the bond bill which authorizes the County to borrow up to $24,900,000 for the Talbot County Health Department facility and the Talbot County Public Safety building. Both projects are included in the County’s FY23 Budget.
Bill No. 1522 was introduced by President Callahan, Vice President Lesher, and Council members Divilio and Price. The public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room.
III. Public Hearings:
Council held public hearings on Bills No. 1501-1521, FY23 Capital Enabling legislation as follows:
Bill No. 1501, A BILL TO AMEND BILL NO. 1474 TO AMEND THE APPROPRIATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO AIRPORT ROAD
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
Bill No. 1503, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY BRIDGES
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
Bill No. 1505, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE A STUDY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE 911 DIVISION COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH (CAD) SYSTEM
Bill No. 1506, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY ROADS
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
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
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
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
Bill No. 1511, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE ACQUISITION/CONSTRUCTION OF A TALBOT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FACILITY
“This legislation provides a path forward to remove our health department from an aging and inadequate facility. While this department’s vital roles are largely invisible to the public most of the time, we recognized their vital role through the pandemic,” commented Council Vice President Pete Lesher.
Bill No. 1512, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE A CAPITAL PROJECT FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AN EMERGENCY GENERATOR FOR THE MARTINGHAM SANITARY DISTRICT
Bill No. 1513, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES
Bill No. 1514, A BILL TO AMEND BILL NO. 1489 TO AMEND THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TALBOT COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER
“We have a limited time before the Sheriff’s office must vacate its current quarters in the Talbot County Business Center, and I want to thank the Sheriff for his work in selecting the best available new location. I’m sorry we have to do this at all, but we will get a win in the end by pulling emergency services together with the Sheriff in one public safety center,” added Council Vice President Pete Lesher.
Bill No. 1515, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE RESURFACING/REPAVING OF THE ST. MICHAELS SCHOOL PARKING LOT
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
Bill No. 1517, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STORAGE FACILITY FOR THE TALBOT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bill No. 1518, A BILL TO AMEND BILL NOS. 1082 AND 1285 TO AMEND THE APPROPRIATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TUNIS MILLS BRIDGE
Bill No. 1519, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE COUNTYWIDE WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
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
Bill No.1521, A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF A SECURITY FENCE FOR THE WHITE MARSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Upon motion by Council member Divilio, seconded by Council member Price, the Council voted to move Bill No. 1511 and Bill No. 1514 to third reader and to accept Council member Pack’s absentee ballots for Bill No. 1511 and 1514.
The Council voted unanimously to approve Bill No. 1511.
The Council voted unanimously to approve Bill No. 1514.
Bill Nos. 1501 – 1510, 1512, 1513 and 1515-1521 will be eligible for vote on July 12, 2022.
County Manager Clay Stamp and the Council thanked Ken Davis for his dedication and service to the County as he moves on.
IV. Council Discussion of Proposed Text Amendments:
- Application by Zach A. Smith, Esq., Armistead, Lee, Rust & Wright, P.A., 114 Bay Street, Easton, Maryland, on behalf of Jerry and Susan Davis to amend the Talbot County Code Section 190-48.3 “Expansion and major modification of nonconforming uses.”
Zach Smith proposed a text amendment be submitted to the Planning Commission for consideration of a change to the Talbot County Code. Mr. Smith explained that if approved, the text amendment gives the County the ability to consider reasonable expansions for smaller buildings. Talbot County Acting Planning Officer Brennan Tarleton reported that these nonconforming uses do come up for consideration in the County from time to time. Council member Price asked for the County Planning Commission to consider the addition of language about limits to the size of expansions in this text amendment.
President Callahan, Vice President Lesher and Council members Divilio and Lesher moved that the proposed text amendment be forwarded to the Planning Commission for their review and recommendation back to the Council for consideration of a bill introduction.
- Application by Brendan Mullaney, Esq., MDSW Law, 100 N. West Street, Easton, Maryland, on behalf of Rolles Range Partners LLC, to amend the Talbot County Code Section 190-78. “INN” to permit the operation of historic inns within historic structures in the RC and CP Districts. The allowance for up to 12 bedrooms is consistent with uses permitted in the RCA in other counties throughout the State and would ensure that historic structures and properties can generate enough revenue to be maintained for future generations.
Mr. Lesher asked for an opinion from the Talbot County Historic Preservation Commission on the proposed text amendment.
President Callahan, Vice President Lesher and Council members Divilio and Lesher moved that the proposed text amendment be forwarded to the Planning Commission for their review and recommendation back to the Council for consideration of a bill introduction.
V. County Manager’s Report:
Board and Committee Appointments:
Animal Control Board – Mr. Stamp requested the reappointment of Mary Newcomb to the Animal Control Board which was approved unanimously by the Council.
Economic Development Commission – Mr. Stamp requested the reappointment of Reza Jafari and Debbie Walsworth to the Economic Development Commission which was approved unanimously by the Council.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board – Mr. Stamp requested the reappointment of David Fisher to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board which was unanimously approved by the Council.
Weed Control Committee – Mr. Stamp requested the reappointment of John Swaine, III to the Weed Control Committee which was unanimously approved by the Council.
VI. Announcements:
Mr. Stamp announced County Offices will be closed on Monday, July 4 for the 4th of July holiday.
Council member Price reported on the 15 road trips she has taken with Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) this spring in her role as President of the MACo Board of Directors and her recent participation in the Maryland Municipal League Conference in Ocean City. She reported it was a great opportunity to interact with all of the municipalities.
Council member Divilio shared information from Mary Kay Verdery, Grants Administrator, on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds available to Talbot County residents. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is working collaboratively with the county governments and nonprofit agencies to help Maryland renters avoid eviction, maintain safe and stable housing and move into new housing if they are currently homeless. Talbot County received $2,439,498 in the first round of ERAP funding which started July 1, 2021 and will continue until September 30, 2022. Talbot County received the second round of ERAP funds in the amount of $1,678,514. These funds must be fully disbursed by December 31, 2022. The ERAP funding is used to provide prospective and arrears rental/utility assistance, other housing-related costs, housing stability services, and administrative costs. For more information, contact the Neighborhood Service Center at nsctalbotmd.org or call 410-822-5015.
The Council’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at 6 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
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