Talbot County, Maryland

08/14/2024

Category: County Council

The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on August 13, 2024, at 5 p.m.; all Council members were present.

Public Safety Complex

Construction of the Public Safety Complex, future home of the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Services continues at the Marys Court building located in Easton.

The Public Safety Complex project was originally divided into three phases: Phase I, building renovation; Phase II, Sally Port building addition; and Phase III, completion of site work and construction of a new garage and storage building.

As efforts progressed on Phase I, the County was advised of issues with HVAC units within the building. As a result, Council approved Change Order No. 5 in the amount of $1,835,330.60 in March 2023. Since the HVAC issue, the County has modified the overall phasing of construction to reduce costs. Working with Davis, Bowen, and Friedel, Inc. and Willow Construction, LLC, the construction of the garage and storage building portion of Phase III has been eliminated, and site work is being incorporated into Phase II.

During the August 13 Meeting, the Department of Public Works requested Council approval of Change Order No. 8 which solidifies the proposed changes to scope. The change order totals $2,866,613.92, an estimated $1,626,300 of which includes the construction of the Sally Port. The change order also includes $110,000 of contingency funding.

As stated by County Engineer, Ray Clarke, “The Public Safety Complex should be substantially complete by May 13, 2025, allowing the Department of Emergency Services to move into the building. With the proposed Airport Runway Project underway, the Sheriff’s Office needs to be relocated to the Public Safety Complex before January 2025.” The Talbot County Sheriff's Office is expected to move to the complex later this year.

Council unanimously approved the Change Order request.

Other Business

• An amendment to Bill No. 1577 was introduced by Council President Chuck Callahan, Council Vice President Pete Lesher, and Council Members Dave Stepp and Keasha Haythe. The amendment incorporates the draft Amendment to Road Transfer Agreement between the County and the State Highway Administration and the draft Road Inspection and Contribution Agreement between the County and Shore Health System as exhibits to Bill No. 1577.. A public hearing for Bill No. 1577 is scheduled for Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room. The amendment and the draft agreements are available to the public on the County website.
• Bill No. 1578, introduced by Council, recommends changes to the Talbot County Code to establish new electrical permit procedures and increased fines for violations and delete certain outdated language. The changes were recommended by the Board of Electrical Examiners. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room.
• A public hearing was held for Resolution No. 361, which proposes to amend the Talbot Family Network Bylaws to allow for the Treasurer to assign a designee in their absence. Following the public hearing, Council unanimously approved the resolution which will take effect immediately.
• A public hearing and subsequent vote was held for Bill No. 1576, which will authorize financing for the final loan under the U.S.D.A. Rural Development for the St. Michaels Sewer Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $88,000, which reflects a portion of a change order from the contractor, Schummer, Inc., for road improvements and extension of a sewer line on Canton Street in St. Michaels. The amount was paid for by the Town of St. Michaels and has been received by Talbot County. Once the funding for the loan has been secured, it will be used to pay off the loan in order that the grant funds included in the change order can be obtained. Following the public hearing, Council moved the bill to Third Reader and subsequently approved the bill unanimously.
• The Department of Public Works requested recommendations to award design services for two road improvement initiatives. One, for road widening and drainage improvements to Black Dog Alley to Wallace-Montgomery in the amount of $347,152.70. Two, for new culvert design under Chapel Road near the intersection of Klondike Road to Davis, Bowen, and Friedel, Inc. in the amount of $117,500. Both projects have been seen as priorities to improve road safety and reduce flooding on roads. Council unanimously approved both requests.

The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room located in the South Wing, Talbot County Courthouse, 11 North Washington Street, Easton.  The meeting is open to the public.

council highlights public works