CITY OF SALISBURY, MARYLAND
#12 MEETING JUNE 25, 2001
PRESENT
Council President William Stacey
Council Vice President Joseph L. Scott
Councilman C. T. Webster
IN ATTENDANCE
City Clerk Brenda Colegrove, Executive Officer John Pick, City Solicitor Paul Wilber, Police Chief Al Webster, Fire Chief Stephen Brezler, Finance Director John Cawley, Director of Procurement & Parking Carol Turner, C.P.M., CPPB, Building, Housing & Zoning Director William Holland, Public Works Director John Jacobs, and interested Citizens and Members of the Press.
ABSENT
Mayor Barrie P. Tilghman, Councilwoman Rachel Polk, Councilwoman Lavonzella
Siggers
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CONVENING - ADOPTION OF AGENDA
The City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Council President Stacey called the meeting to order. The Lord's Prayer was repeated and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Webster moved to withdraw Ordinance No. 1817, approving revised Planning Department fees, from the agenda. Mr. Scott seconded and the vote was unanimous. The agenda, as amended, was approved unanimously.
APPROVAL OF SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 4, 2001 AND MINUTES OF JUNE 11, 2001 MINUTES
On a motion by Mr. Webster and seconded by Mr. Scott, the Special meeting minutes of June 4, 2001 were unanimously approved. The minutes of June 11, 2001 were unanimously approved on a motion and a second by Mr. Scott and Mr. Webster, respectively.
ORDINANCE NO. 1812 - 2ND READING - TEXT AMENDMENT TO AMEND SECTION 17.117, PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT #9, ST. ALBAN'S COMMONS, BY DELETING THE ABROGATION CLAUSE
Mr. Scott moved and Mr. Webster seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1812 for second reading. Mrs. Gloria Smith, Planner from the Planning & Zoning Department, presented the request to delete the abrogation clause from Section 17.117, Planned Residential District #9, St. Alban's Commons.
Ordinance No. 1812 for second reading passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE NO. 1813 - 2ND READING - REVISING WATER AND SEWER RATES
Mr. Webster moved and Mr. Scott seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1813 for second reading. Ordinance No. 1813, as briefed to Council by Executive Officer John Pick, increases both water and sewer rates by ten percent and also has the effect of increasing the third tier of the rate structure by an additional five cents per 1,000 gallons.
Ordinance No. 1813 for second reading passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE NO. 1814 - 2ND READING - REVISING PLUMBING PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE
Mr. Webster moved and Mr. Scott seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1814 for second reading. Building, Housing and Zoning Director William Holland reported that the revised fee schedule makes it consistent with other municipalities and keeps it in line with the increased cost of providing services.
Ordinance No. 1814 for second reading passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE NO. 1815 - 2ND READING - BUDGET AMENDMENT TO APPROPRIATE SURPLUS FUNDS IN THE PARKING AUTHORITY FUND FOR THE PARKING GARAGE EXTENSION
Mr. Webster moved and Mr. Scott seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1815 for second reading. Director of Procurement and Parking Carol Turner explained that Ordinance No. 1815 was a budget amendment in the Parking Authority Fund appropriating $1,059,557 for the garage extension project. The project is anticipated to be completed by January or February of 2002.
Ordinance No. 1815 for second reading passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 770 - APPOINTMENT TO ETHICS COMMISSION
Mr. Scott moved and Mr. Webster seconded to approve Resolution No. 770. Executive Officer John Pick presented Mayor Tilghman's recommendation of Dr. Norman C. Lyster, a retired physician, to serve on the Ethics Commission. Dr. Lyster's term would expire on September 1, 2004.
Resolution No. 770 passed unanimously.
REQUEST FOR ANNEXATION - HONEYSUCKLE DRIVE/THOMPSON PROPERTY ANNEXATION
Mr. Webster moved and Mr. Scott seconded to bring the Honeysuckle Drive/Thompson property annexation on the floor for discussion. Public Works Director John Jacobs briefed Council on the request to annex 1.3 acres located on the north side of Honeysuckle Drive opposite Rose Drive. A zoning classification of R-8A Residential has been requested upon annexation into the City (currently zoned Residential R-15 in the County). Water usage is anticipated to be 2,400 gallons per day. A cost/benefit analysis was performed with revenues of $5,412 per year exceeding the expenses of $2,729 per year.
Mr. Webster expressed that he was against any further annexations until sound decisions were made on the water and sewer situation. He referred to fifty-two other proposed projects which would require water and sewer. Mr. Stacey believed the City should be concentrating on extending services to Wor-Wic and Perdue Stadium before entertaining additional annexations. Mr. Scott opined that the fifty-two projects would put a lot of water into the wastewater treatment plant and, therefore, he was not in favor of any annexations without an agreement with the County.
Executive Officer John Pick explained that this annexation was a small project which could be served without bringing the plant to 100% capacity. Mr. Pick noted that the City has always been concerned with extending water and sewer to Wor-Wic and Perdue Stadium without assurance or an agreement with the County to allow the City to expand its wastewater treatment plant.
After further discussion, Messrs. Scott, Stacey and Webster voted against proceeding with the annexation of the Honeysuckle Drive/Thompson property.
AWARD OF BIDS
The following items were presented for approval by Director of Procurement and Parking Carol Turner:
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mr. Scott thanked the public for attending. Mr. Webster clarified his position concerning the water and sewer situation. He was leery of any additional annexations until money was placed on the table and some major modifications/improvements were made to the system.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Robert Ryan inquired if the Camden Neighborhood Association's web site, and other neighborhood associations, could be linked on the City's web page.
Mr. Robert Taylor appreciated the three Councilmembers being present tonight in order to conduct business.
Ms. Doris Gelbman apologized for the personal statements she made on May 29, 2001 which were directed toward Mr. Stacey.
Mr. William Higgins felt it was about time the water and sewer rates were increased and commented that the taxes should not have been decreased two years ago.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT WRAP-UP
Mr. Stacey apologized to the department heads for not having a quorum at last Thursday's work session and noted that a City/County water and sewer meeting was scheduled for June 28, 2001 at 6:30 p.m.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
City Clerk
Council President