Crisfield council hears $12M in active grants, approves application for $7.3M wastewater earmark and authorizes emergency loan application

City staff told the Crisfield Mayor and Council that the city has roughly $12 million in current grant funding tied to capital projects and has applied for additional grant rounds totaling about $12 million more.

"So at the end of the day ... we have grants totaling $12,000,000," the mayor said, explaining those totals in the context of a $4,000,000 city operating budget. Jennifer (speaker 6) walked through individual awards and applications, including three Department of Housing and Community Development armory grants ($250,000 each), a $406,000 armory contract for waterproofing and mold remediation, business‑façade grants, a business incubator earmark tied to the National Park Service and multiple water and wastewater grants and loans from MDE, USDA and other sources.

Jennifer and engineering staff also described funding for tide gates and stormwater pumps (MDE and FEMA funding and required matches), Jersey Island wastewater pumping station funding (MDE loan with principal forgiveness) and multi‑source funding for Cove and Rubber Set pump stations. She noted the city must avoid double‑counting matches and loans when presenting totals.

On the council’s agenda was a request to apply for a $7.3 million congressional earmark to finance a full wastewater treatment plant upgrade. Jennifer said the city’s total wastewater need is roughly $7.3 million and that the council could request $5.35 million in congressional/USDA funding with a 25% match; staff said they would phase alternatives if full funding is not awarded. After discussion, Councilor Jason (speaker 10) moved to apply for the $7.3 million earmark and the motion passed by voice vote.

Separately, Treasurer Joyce (speaker 2) requested authority for the mayor and treasurer to apply to a bank for emergency loan funds not to exceed $150,000 (possibly adjusted to $180,000) to replace sand filter media and address urgent wastewater treatment needs that cannot wait for grant reimbursement. Joyce explained the city is spending additional chemicals to compensate for the failed filter and that delaying repairs could lead to MDE compliance problems. The council authorized the mayor and treasurer to submit the loan application; the bank's loan committee will set terms and the council will vote on final loan terms at a subsequent meeting.

What's next: Councilors will receive an itemized list of equipment for the earmark application; staff will submit the earmark and the emergency loan application and return to council for formal approval of loan terms once the bank responds.