The Chesapeake Beach Town Council on Oct. 16 authorized staff to prepare and negotiate a design-build contract with Schiavo (Schiavo/Schabel) Contracting and Paddock Pools to replace the town's water park and waived competitive procurement requirements, voting 5–1 in favor.

Council members debated whether the final, signed contract should be returned to the full council for public review before the mayor signs it. Several council members said they want the document presented in an open meeting before execution; others said the normal award-and-authorization process followed by staff, the town attorney and an independent owner's representative provides sufficient protections.

"I would like the council to to know the contract and to have it presented in the public and to have a vote on the opinion of the council, on that particular contract prior to it being signed," Councilmember (unnamed in transcript) said during the discussion. The amendment that would have removed the mayor's authority to sign prior to council review failed for lack of a second.

Why it matters

The water park has been closed and repeatedly raised in public comment throughout the meeting. Restoring the park is a high-profile, high-cost project the council has positioned as a priority. The council's vote both authorizes staff to complete negotiations with the original site's builder and makes a formal procurement finding that a waiver of competitive bidding is in the town's interest.

What the council approved

The motion the council approved directed staff to prepare and negotiate a design-build contract with Schiavo Contracting and Paddock Pools for a replacement water park and set a maximum not-to-exceed price in the motion text as stated during the meeting. The motion text also included a procedural waiver under the town procurement code: "pursuant to letter j of section c 7 23 of the town's procurement code, waive the competitive procurement requirements for the waterpark rebuild project." The mayor read the legislative findings into the record, saying Paddock had "unique technical knowledge of the structure and its historical issues" and that using the original builder would reduce demolition and allow reuse of infrastructure.

Council members and staff said the project will continue to include review by the town attorney and the engagement of an independent owner's representative to oversee construction quality and contract compliance. The council previously discussed and added language about hiring an owner's representative and reserving execution authority pending the town attorney's review and the representative's engagement when an amendment was moved during the meeting.

Public comment

Several residents urged the council to move quickly. Longtime resident Sheryl Henley said, "The water park is something that we can all use so I urge you to support it, and let's get it, whatever approved, the contract, answer all the questions so that we can get started and look forward to opening in 2027." Dozens of former employees and community members also told the council the park is a core summer amenity and training ground for local youth.

Discussion highlights and clarifications

- Councilmembers pressed for clarity on whether the council would vote to "approve the expenditure" (award/authorization) before the contract is signed. The town attorney explained the common municipal practice: councils vote to award or approve a not-to-exceed expenditure and then authorize the mayor or staff to sign subject to final terms and attorney review.
- Multiple council members asked that the final contract be brought back for public review; a separate amendment to strike the mayor's authority to sign prior to a public council review failed for lack of a second.
- Several speakers emphasized the role of an independent owner's representative (project manager) to review bids, inspect work daily or at agreed intervals, review invoices and provide on-site quality assurance. Town engineering and public works staff said the project budget includes funds for a project manager.
- Council members noted the town had previously contracted Paddock for design work (a $60,000 task was described during the meeting) and that design costs overall could be substantially higher; one council member referenced a figure the town engineer acknowledged ("300" in the record) while discussing realistic design costs. The council said those estimates would be validated by third-party review.

Formal action (summary)

- Action: Authorize staff to prepare and negotiate a design-build contract with Schiavo Contracting and Paddock Pools for the Chesapeake Beach Waterpark revitalization project; waive competitive procurement under the town's procurement code; authorize the mayor to execute the contract upon town attorney review.
- Vote: 5 in favor, 1 opposed. (Motion carried.)

What happens next

Staff will continue negotiations guided by the council's findings and the mayor's direction. The town attorney will review final contract form; council members requested the contract be presented publicly prior to final execution. Staff and the council also said they will hire and rely on an independent owner's representative to monitor construction and verify installation and testing standards.

Ending

Council members and many residents said they wanted to see the water park rebuilt quickly and with protections in place to ensure value and quality. The council's vote gives staff a clear negotiating mandate but left an open path for the full council to review the final contract before signing, depending on the timing of attorney review and the owner's representative engagement.