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).
The Talbot County Council held their regularly scheduled meeting on October 12 with all Council members present.
Update from Talbot County Sheriff’s Office – Sheriff Gamble provided an update to the Council on various items and projects as well as budget impacts. As part of the Talbot Goes Purple initiative, the Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Shore United Bank to develop a substance use disorder resource toolkit for those affected by, and suffering from, substance abuse. More information can be found at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Teen Court, a problem-solving court where youth under age 18 who are first time offenders for non-violent offenses are sentenced by a jury in a mock-court system comprised of their peers, will get underway in October 2021. The Sheriff’s Office coordinates the grant for the Teen Court with support from the County. As of October 1st, several police reform initiatives took effect which have resulted in an in-flux of Public Information Act (PIA) requests to the Sheriff’s Office for access to personnel records. Sheriff Gamble is working with the Attorney General’s office on guidance in responding to the PIA requests. Other impacts from the police reform legislation include: no-knock search warrants being more difficult to obtain; effective July, all K-9 dogs being allocated a $10,000 “retirement” from the county of service for veterinary care; body camera policies being analyzed and updated; Officer Bill of Rights will expire and a Police Accountability Board will be appointed by the Council. Sheriff Gamble stated that the Sheriff’s Office has remained busy during the pandemic answering over 38,700 calls for service and handling over 8,200 traffic stops. Out of those calls for service and traffic stops, the Sheriff’s Office has only received two complaints both of which were fully investigated and found to be non-sustained.
President Chuck Callahan thanked Sheriff Gamble and his deputies for their service to the County and noted that the Council “appreciates everything you do for us to protect our citizens.”
“This Council has been a great public safety Council and you truly have stepped up to make the Sheriff’s Office competitive with recruitment and retention efforts,” stated Sheriff Gamble.
Presentation of Meritorious Conduct Award to Corporal Cory Willey – Sheriff Gamble presented Corporal Cory Willey with a Meritorious Conduct award for his initiative and outstanding performance as a Talbot County Sheriff’s Deputy on August 5, 2021 responding to a domestic violence situation and preventing loss of life.
In presenting the County Council’s Certificate of Recognition to Corporal Willey, Vice President Pete Lesher stated that, “the Council recognizes and thanks you for your outstanding service.”
Introduction of Administrative Resolution:
ADMINISTRATIVE RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF TALBOT COUNTY SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NON-PROFIT, TAX-EXEMPT ENTITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS PARK ON THE TUCKAHOE was read into the record and adopted by the Council by a vote of 5-0. The purpose of the Administrative Resolution is to establish a non-profit, tax-exempt entity for the development and fundraising efforts for the Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe. The tax-exempt entity will work closely with the County in their efforts to fundraise for the park. Cassandra Vanhooser, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, and Preston Peper, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that they have presented the Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe Master Plan to the public as well as to the Town of Queen Anne and welcome additional input and feedback. “What this does is allows the committee to take this idea to granting organizations and seek their support,” noted Council member Corey Pack.
Continuation of Public Hearings:
Resolution No. 304, A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE TALBOT COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWER PLAN TO REVISE CHAPTER THREE – AMENDMENT PROCEDURES
A public hearing was held on Resolution No. 304 which addresses amendment procedures to the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan. The Public Works Advisory Board recommended the Council approve Resolution No. 304 by a vote of 5-0. The Planning Commission found that Resolution No. 304 was consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan and recommended approval by a vote of 5-0. The public was afforded the opportunity to comment on the resolution. Upon motion by Mr. Lesher, seconded by Mr. Divilio, Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 304 which will take effect immediately.
Resolution No. 306, A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE TALBOT COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWER PLAN TO RECLASSIFY AND REMAP CERTAIN REAL PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 1004 S. TALBOT STREET (MARYLAND ROUTE 33), ST. MICHAELS, MARYLAND 21663 AND SHOWN ON TAX MAP 32 AS PARCEL 148 AND LOCATED AT 1006 S. TALBOT STREET (MARYLAND ROUTE 33), ST. MICHAELS, MARYLAND 21663 AND SHOWN ON TAX MAP 32 AS PARCEL 75 FROM “S-3” FUTURE PLANNED AREA FOR SEWER SERVICE A PERIOD OF 6-10 YEARS TO “S-1” IMMEDIATE PRIORITY STATUS
A public hearing was held on Resolution No. 306 which amends the Talbot County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan to reclassify and remap property located at 1004 S. Talbot Street and 1006 S. Talbot Street in St. Michaels from “S-3” future planned area for sewer service to “S-1” immediate priority service. The Public Works Advisory Board recommended the Council approve Resolution No. 306 by a vote of 5-0. The Planning Commission found that Resolution No. 306 was consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan and recommended approval by a vote of 5-0. The public was afforded the opportunity to comment on the resolution. Upon motion by Mr. Lesher, seconded by Ms. Price, Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 306 which will take effect immediately.
Public Hearing:
Resolution No. 308, A RESOLUTION TO RESCIND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 281, A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE TALBOT COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWER PLAN (THE “PLAN”) TO RECLASSIFY AND REMAP PORTIONS OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF TRAPPE, MARYLAND, ASSOCIATED WITH THE LAKESIDE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (THE “LAKESIDE PROJECT”) (FORMERLY KNOWN AS “TRAPPE EAST”), FURTHER DESCRIBED AS TAX MAP 54, PARCEL 304; TAX MAP 55, PARCELS 14, 15, 17, 19, 44, 65, 83, AND 85; AND, TAX MAP 59, PARCEL 4, THE TOTAL AREA CONSISTING OF EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE ACRES, MORE OR LESS (THE “PROPERTY”), FROM “S-2” AND “W-2” (AREAS WHERE IMPROVEMENTS OR EXTENSIONS TO EXISTING, OR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW COMMUNITY, MULTI-USE, OR SHARED SANITARY FACILITIES ARE PROGRAMMED FOR PROGRESS WITHIN THREE TO FIVE YEARS) TO “S-1” AND “W-1” (AREAS SERVED OR TO BE SERVED BY COMMUNITY, MULTI-USE, OR SHARED SANITARY FACILITIES WHICH ARE EXISTING, UNDER CONSTRUCTION, OR HAVE IMMEDIATE PRIORITY STATUS); TO AMEND THE PLAN TO ADD CERTAIN WATER AND SEWER CAPITAL PROJECTS RELATED TO THE LAKESIDE PROJECT AND EXISTING SYSTEMS FOR THE FISCAL YEARS 2020 THROUGH 2030; AND, TO AMEND THE PLAN TO UPDATE THE NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION IN THE PLAN RELATIVE TO THE LAKESIDE PROJECT AND EXISTING SYSTEMS, as amended, WITHOUT PREJUDICE
A public hearing was held on Resolution No. 308. Dan Watson, original petitioner for Petition 21-01, presented his case for the requested rescission of Resolution No. 281, outlining concerns with the proposed Lakeside development including current water quality issues in the waterways surrounding the Lakeside development and the Trappe Wastewater Treatment Plant, oversight of the Wastewater Treatment Plant by Maryland Department of the Environment, as well as inflow and infiltration issues within the current Trappe Wastewater Treatment Plant service area. Mr. Watson called several individuals to testify including Mike McConnel, Eugene Lopez, Matt Pluta, Choptank Riverkeeper, Shore Rivers and Dr. Jim Smullen. Council instructed staff to coordinate a future date with Mr. Watson to allow him to complete the presentation of his case. The public hearing was opened to the public and approximately 16 additional individuals spoke about Resolution No. 308 and their concerns regarding the Lakeside development project. The public hearing on Resolution No. 308 will be continued to a later date to be determined. To view the public hearing please visit the Talbot County government website: Talbot County Council Meeting 10 12 2021 (granicus.com)
Council Discussion of Public Hearings for Numbered Resolutions – Mr. Pack requested Patrick Thomas, County Attorney, provide clarification regarding public hearings on numbered resolutions and draft a proposal for Council’s consideration. Council concurred with the request.
County Manager’s Report:
· Board and Committee Appointments
· County Manager Clay Stamp asked for the following appointment approvals:
Upper Shore Aging Board of Directors – Reappointment of Bill Shrieves to the Upper Shore Aging Board of Directors. The Council unanimously approved the appointment as presented.
· Request from Department of Public Works – Recommendation on Bid No. 15-23, ST. MICHAELS PHASE V SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM REPLACEMENT/REHABILITATION AND GRACE STREET PUMP STATION REPLACEMENT ENGINEERING SERVICES (Amendment No. 17) – Department of Public Works requested Council approval to increase the engineering services agreement with RAUCH, Inc. by $183,375 for additional design, inspection and construction administration services required to oversee construction of recently identified sewer system repairs and for pump station replacements within the St. Michaels sanitary sewer system. Approval will be contingent on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Rural Development providing funding for the work and County approval of the loan/grant package from USDA. Council unanimously approved the request as submitted.
o Request from Department of Public Works – Recommendation on Bid No. 17-09, ST. MICHAELS PUMPING STATION #3 UPGRADE/REHABILITATION – TALBOT COUNTY, MARYLAND (Change Order No. 21) – Department of Public Works requested Council approval to award Change Order #21 to Schummer, Inc. in the amount of $1,286,105 for pump station replacements and upgrades within the St. Michaels sanitary sewer system to include Pump Stations #1, #2 and the Rio Vista Pumping Station. Approval will be contingent on USDA/Rural Development providing funding for the work and County approval of the loan/grant package from USDA. Council unanimously approved the request as submitted.
· Request from Department of Public Works to Submit Reimbursement Request for Region II (St. Michaels) Wastewater Treatment Plant ENR Operation and Maintenance Funding – Department of Public Works requested Council approval to accept a grant in the amount of $42,921 from the Bay Restoration Fund for operation and maintenance of the Region II Wastewater Treatment Plant for FY22. Council unanimously approved the request as submitted.
· Request from Roads Department to utilize $300,000 in Highway User Revenues to Purchase Hot Mix Asphalt for Additional Paving of County Roads in FY2022 – Roads Department requested Council approval to use $300,000 in Highway User Revenues to purchase additional hot mix asphalt this FY22 to pave County roads. Council unanimously approved the request as submitted.
The next legislative meeting of the County Council will be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at 6 p.m.
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