Council approves façade grants, marine repairs, public-safety grant applications and appoints Board of Education member

The Council on April 16 approved multiple grant applications and procurement actions during the consent and action items portion of the meeting. Airport Director Steve Nuwer was authorized to submit an FAA FY24 reimbursement grant related to a multi-year airport tree removal project. Sheriff James W. Phillips was authorized to apply for four FY25 GOCCP grants to fund: sex offender compliance and enforcement ($9,674); a domestic violence unit overtime program ($20,000); a Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network Overdose and Drug Awareness Coordinator ($55,641); and police recruitment/retention gym memberships ($11,250). The Council also agreed to provide a letter of support for Delmarva Community Services'9 application to the Federal Transit Administration Low or No-Emission Program for $161,000 with a $24,150 local match to convert 14 buses to propane.

On marine facilities, Public Works Director Dave Edwards requested DNR Waterway Improvement Fund support and the Council approved a $5,000 grant submission for Ragged Point Boat Ramp and Marina repairs and issued a notice to proceed to Spedden Marine Construction, LLC for repairs at a cost of $4,900 to replace and remove damaged poles. The Council awarded a two-year tar & chip road services contract to American Paving Fabrics, Inc.; awarded marine portable toilets to Sussex Sanitation at $1,320 per month from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2024; and awarded marine facility trash dumpster service to Republic Services at $6,154.83 per month under a three-year contract for June 1 to Sept. 30 each year.

In other business the Council approved a Cooperative Agreement with the Maryland Department of Agriculture for the control of noxious and invasive weeds for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025; declared April 27, 2024 as Celebrate Trails Day; and adopted Resolution No. 661 to appoint Talibah Chikwendu to the Board of Education for District 2 (roll-call unanimous). The minutes record an abstention by Councilman Ricky C. Travers on vouchers that included payments to Simmons Center Market; other consent motions were approved as presented.

What happens next: Each grant application will follow the respective agency'9s review processes. The Ragged Point repairs were authorized to begin with Spedden Marine Construction under the approved contract amount; county staff will manage procurement contract tasks and grant submissions.