UPDATED: Sussex County Council Approves Updated Dewey Beach MOU & Temporary Home for Dewey Beach EMS Unit
UPDATED – 04/08/25 – The Sussex County Council discussed with members of the Sussex Conservation District issues regarding sediment and stormwater regulations. County Administrator Todd Lawson told the Council that recent and more frequent run-off events have raised concerns – however sediment and stormwater regulations fall under DNREC’s authority.
The Council had two presentations during the morning session – one from President and CEO of Beebe Healthcare, Dr. David Tam who spoke to the Council about housing and healthcare. The other presentation was from Kevin Roche or FACETS Consulting who discussed a Delaware Fire Service Financial Review. A final presentation to the County Council is expected in June.
The Council approved an updated Dewey Beach Memorandum of Understanding. County Administrator Todd Lawson told the Council that Dewey Beach received 7 bids from 7 contractors – all higher than expected. The town accepted a bid for the 2nd phase of the construction – which includes the EMS facility – which the County was contributing $1-million towards. However the bid accepted from Costello Construction of Maryland was for $1.6-million – and County staff recommended that the County increase its contribution to $1.5-million and extend the least to 30 years. The Council approved the updated MOU with a unanimous vote. In a related move – with the demolition of the Dewey Beach parking enforcement building – EMS Unit 114 has been left homeless. EMS Deputy Director Rob Mauch brought the Council a least agreement for a temporary home for the unit – at a property on Rehoboth Avenue at Church Street until the new Dewey Beach Town Hall and Public Safety Building is completed. The Council approved that least agreement.
Human Resources Director Karen Brewington announced the first quarter Employee Recognition Awards. She told the Council that there were 39 submissions – and three employees were recognized. Anthony DiGiuseppe – Engineering Tech IV, Christin Scott – Planner II and Heather Watson – Library Assistant II.
There were four public hearings during the afternoon session – two Change of Zone applications for Parkada Investments, LLC, which were approved by the Council. Two Conditional use applications – No. 2468 on behalf of Richard H. Bell,III for a mobilization yard for the storage of soil and materials from the Park Avenue Relocation project and No. 2556 on behalf of William Melton for a professional office on a property on Old Mill Road in Ocean View – were both deferred by the Council.
The County Council does not meet on April 15th or 22nd. They are next scheduled to meet on April 29th.
===========================================================================
ORIGINAL STORY – 04/07/25 – The Sussex County Council will meet Tuesday in Georgetown. There will be two presentations before the Council – one from President and CEO at Beebe Healthcare, Dr. David Tam and the other on the Delaware Fire Service Financial Review. County Administrator Todd Lawson will have a presentation and discussion on sediment and stormwater regulations as well as an update on the Dewey Beach MOU relating to the new Town Hall/Police Department/EMS facility that was approved in January 2024. The Council will also hear from EMS Deputy Director Bob Mauch on a lease for a temporary home for EMS Unit 114 in Dewey Beach now that construction is underway for the new facility. During the afternoon session, Council will hold 4 public hearings on two Change of Zone and two Conditional Use applications.
The Sussex County Council meeting begins at 10am in the County Administration Building on The Circle in Georgetown.
CLICK HERE FOR THE COUNCIL AGENDA
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PACKET