Page 5 - 08.11.2025 Council Packet

Reg. Session 07.28.25

Ms. Ellie Marks, West View, advocated for her new neighborhood and seconded what everyone else
previously stated. She expressed the importance of advocating for children, families, and four-legged
friends.

Mr. Troy Purnell stated the Town needed to spend the money as the Town had the money needed
for the project in the bank. He stated it should not be too expensive, to which Councilmember Knerr
asked if he had a sense of cost.

Mayor Tyndall reminded those in attendance that Old Ocean City Boulevard was a Maryland State
Highway and that that entity was primarily responsible. He also explained that the initial challenge
was determining if easements existed or needed to be put in place. They would need to be secured
prior to the sidewalks being implemented. The easements were also not contiguous.

Mr. Widdowson exclaimed that a “wait and see” method with the state was not the correct move. If
the state wouldn’t complete the project, the Town needed to move forward with the project.
Ms. Melissa Esham, Sunlight Lane, discussed the overall safety of the area due to speed and
distracted drivers and asked the Town to look at the area as a whole.

Councilmember Green discussed the study the Town completed in 2011 and suggested the Town
pursue a new engineering route. This would allow for the Town to gather further information instead
of waiting and seeing. Mayor Tyndall believed moving forward with engineering services would get
the ball rolling with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), as the Town was in good
standing with them. Councilmember Nichols stated this reminded her of Flower Street’s sidewalk
initiative, and it took 10 to 15 years for that initiative to come to fruition. She suggested the Town
review the process from Flower Street.
Councilmember Knerr agreed with Councilmember Green’s assessment. He exclaimed that public
safety was the number one priority of the Town and was in support of utilizing Impact Fees to make
this project happen. Vice President Burrell circled back to the easements being the number one
issue, so the Town needed the help of the residents. He asked the residents to do what needed to be
done in order to facilitate this project.
Councilmember Orris asked Ms. Saleh what the current amount was in the Impact Fee fund. Ms.
Saleh stated it was a little over $1 million, but would email him the exact amount during the next
business day. Councilmember Orris was interested to know why or how the sidewalks weren’t
implemented to begin with. Ms. Bohlen noted that the areas along Old Ocean City Blvd. that were
newly developed were made to install sidewalks; the remainder of developed properties were pre-
existing development and sidewalks were not required at that time. He agreed with Councilmember
Green and supported him in making a motion.

Mayor Tyndall inquired if the first step should be to send letters to the property owners, and Ms.
Bohlen informed him that the Town needed to figure out what information had previously been
obtained. Mr. Latchum recommended the survey be sent out first because the engineering services
could prove to be useless if the survey results were not in favor. He suggested letting DBF provide
the Town with a quote for the survey cost. Mayor Tyndall stated that if the quote was under
$10,000, then Ms. Bohlen could action the payment, and the Council was in support of this. Ms.
Bohlen reminded the Mayor and Council, as well as the public, that Old Ocean City Boulevard was a

08.11.25 Council Packet Page 5 of 140