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Colmar Manor council approves permeable intersection contract, funds Walkable Watershed commitment and backs regional transportation grant
Summary
At its Feb. 18 meeting, Colmar Manor officials approved a contract to build a permeable intersection at 43rd & Newark despite a $6,000 gap between a grant and the contractor quote, authorized transfers to meet an outstanding $20,000 Walkable Watershed in‑kind commitment, and voted to support a Port Towns regional transportation grant application.
Colmar Manor's town council approved a construction contract and several resolutions during its Feb. 18 meeting, moving forward on stormwater infrastructure and regional transportation planning while allocating local funds to meet a grant condition.
The town administrator told the council the permeable intersection project at 43rd and Newark had been awarded a grant for $80,450 but the preferred contractor's quote came in at $86,400. "We received the grant for $80,450. The quote came in at $86,400," the administrator said, and requested a $10,000 transfer from unreserved funds to cover the shortfall and a small contingency. The resolution (R-06-2025) to approve the contract and the related transfer passed on a voice vote.
Council discussion focused on the funding gap and contractor selection. The administrator said Capital Hardscapes is the preferred contractor, citing their work on a similar intersection and a vendor recommendation from the paving-supplier. He also noted a contingency approach that caps incidental overages at $1,000 per instance and requires the council to return for approval if costs exceed that cap.
The council also voted to formalize a new ordinance process for right-of-way work permits. The administrator introduced Ordinance 00-04-2025 to establish a permit and fee schedule for work in town-owned rights of way (curb cuts, utility equipment, sidewalk repairs and similar work). He said the county permit should generally be obtained first and the town administrator would have authority to approve permits, with a council appeal available if a permit is denied. The administrator estimated the fee would likely be about $25; the ordinance was introduced for later adoption (first reading approved by motion).
On the Walkable Watershed program, council members approved Resolution R-08-2025 to create a budget line and transfer $18,630 from unreserved funds to meet a prior $20,000 in‑kind commitment made as part of a 2022 grant application. The administrator said only $1,370 of the commitment has been logged so far (primarily staff time and use of town hall space) and the program ends in May, leaving little time to generate additional in‑kind contributions. He described volunteer planting events and a rain‑barrel workshop as possible in‑kind activities the town could document, but recommended the transfer to ensure compliance with the grant's terms. The resolution passed on a voice vote.
Finally, the council unanimously approved a resolution (R-07-2025) supporting the town of Bladensburg's applications to the FY2026 Transportation/Land Use Connections and Regional Roadway Safety Program. The resolution authorizes the town administrator and staff to collaborate with other Port Towns administrators and Prince George's County staff on potential planning or design projects that could include pedestrian improvements, bicycle facilities or senior transit options.
All three resolutions and the contract authorization were approved by voice vote; no roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes. The council closed the meeting after a brief series of routine reports and community updates.
