CITY OF SALISBURY, MARYLAND

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 10, 2000 MEETING #14

Mayor Barrie P.Tilghman                                                                                    Council President C. T. Webster
Council Vice President Joseph L. Scott                                                               Councilwoman Lavonzella Siggers
Councilwoman Rachel S. Polk                                                                            Councilman William Stacey

CONVENING - APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2000 AND APPROVAL OF
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 22, JUNE 28 AND JULY 3, 2000

The Mayor and Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Council Vice President Scott called the meeting to order (Council President Webster arrived after the meeting was called to order). The Lord's Prayer was repeated and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

On a motion by Ms. Siggers and seconded by Mr. Scott, the minutes of June 26, 2000 and the Special Meeting minutes of June 22, June 28 and July 3, 2000 were unanimously approved.

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

Mayor Tilghman presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. James Trader in recognition of his generous donation in researching the ownership of the Hastings Family Cemetery.

ADOPTION OF CHANGE IN AGENDA

Council President requested that the briefing on the "Red Light" program be discussed before Resolution No. 720 in order to accommodate the presenter from Howard County. Mrs. Polk moved to amend the agenda as requested by Council President Webster. Mr. Stacey seconded and the agenda was unanimously approved as amended.

ORDINANCE NO. 1772 - 2ND READING - BUDGET AMENDMENT TO PURCHASE
SQUAD 2 RESCUE UNIT

1772 accepting funds ($54,753) donated by the Station #2 Fire Volunteers for the purpose of assisting in the purchase of a Squad 2 Rescue Unit.

After a discussion concerning the funding for the vehicle, Ordinance No. 1772 for second reading passed unanimously.

ORDINANCE NO. 1774 - PUBLIC HEARING - 1ST READING - TEXT AMENDMENT - INCREASE IN MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS AND R-5A, R-8A AND R-10A RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

Ms. Siggers moved and Mr. Stacey seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1774 to bring it on the floor for discussion. Ordinance No. 1774, as introduced by Planning and Zoning Planner Gloria Smith, amends Section 17.32.060C and Section 17.160.060C1 by increasing the maximum building height permitted in the Neighborhood Business and R-5A, R-8A and R-10A Residential Districts from thirty-five feet to forty feet. The Planning Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to the City Council for approval of the amendments to the Salisbury Municipal Code.

After discussion, Ordinance No. 1774 for first reading passed unanimously.

BRIEFING ON "RED LIGHT" PROGRAM

Salisbury Police Chief Al Webster introduced L. Glenn Hansen from the Howard County Department of Police. Lt. Hansen highlighted the parameters of the "red light" program a program utilizing automated cameras to detect red light runners at signalized intersections as a means of reducing violations and accidents.

RESOLUTION NO. 720 - CHARTER AMENDMENT MODIFYING ELECTION PROCESS (ELIMINATING THE AT-LARGE COUNCILMEMBER AND CLARIFYING THE DATE FOR THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION)

Ms. Siggers moved and Mr. Stacey seconded to approve Resolution No. 720 to bring it on the floor for discussion. City Solicitor Paul Wilber introduced Resolution No. 720 as a housekeeping matter to delete the requirement for the election of an at-large Councilmember in SC6-7 and SC6-9 (due to results of Council/Manager referendum question) and setting the General Election date for the first Tuesday in November beginning in 2003.

Mrs. Polk expressed her concern with having to operate under another Council's budget for approximately eight months. She felt more comfortable working on the budget at the onset of their term. Mr. Webster voiced his opposition against Resolution No. 720 and indicated that primary elections should be eliminated regardless of the number of candidates. Mr. Scott preferred leaving the elections in the spring. Ms. Siggers commented that spring elections allow more daylight hours and better weather for campaigning than in the fall, plus Council has the expertise of staff to guide them through the budget process. Mr. Stacey supported November elections and appreciated the few months on Council before facing the budget process.

Comments from the public included eliminating the primary elections and considering another voting district once the census was completed.

Resolution No. 720 failed to pass on a 4-1 vote. In light of the vote, Mr. Wilber related that another Charter Resolution would need to be prepared to delete the at-large Council seat and to return to the spring election. These issues will be discussed at the next Council work session.

RESOLUTION NO. 721 - APPOINTMENT TO BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

Mrs. Polk moved and Ms. Siggers seconded to approve Resolution No. 721 to bring it on the floor for discussion. Mayor Tilghman recommended the appointment of Thomas W. Arceneaux, Sr. (previously an alternate member), with a term ending October 2002. Mr. Arceneaux's letter of interest was the only one received in response to an advertisement for two openings (one member and an alternate). Mayor Tilghman noted that she would readvertise for two alternate positions.

Mr. Webster recalled that the City Council requested a desire to interview nominees for committee appointments. Mrs. Polk moved to table Resolution No. 721. Ms. Siggers seconded and the vote was unanimous to table Resolution No. 721. Mayor Tilghman will arrange for Council to interview Mr. Arceneaux at the next work session.

AWARD OF BIDS

The following items were presented for approval by Director of Procurement & Parking Carol Turner:

• Surplus Property: Surplus Fire Engine #203
  Salisbury Fire Department Volunteers, Station #2 +$15,000.00
  
• A/C & Heating Unit - Garage (101-3220-532.70-30: Emergency Purchase
  E. T. Travis, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,500.00

Upon a motion by Mrs. Polk and seconded by Ms. Siggers, items 1 and 2 were unanimously approved.

MAYOR'S COMMENTS

Mayor Tilghman commented on the following:

• Maryland Municipal League (MML) Book project entitled Maryland's 157;
  
• items presented during her trip to Salisbury, England (spoon from Salisbury, New
  Brunswick and key to the city from the Mayor of Salisbury, North Carolina);
  
• arranging a time for MML representatives to visit Salisbury;
  
• strategic planning for the neighborhoods of Salisbury; and\
  
• Council interviewing nominees for appointments to committees in the scheduling process
  before they are confirmed in formal Council session.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS

Council President Webster commented on a need to change the existing Code in regards to housing issues, particularly cracker box houses. Mrs. Polk expressed her appreciation to the citizens for taking an active roll in attending Council meetings. Mr. Scott appreciated receiving comments from the public whether it was during the day or night. Ms. Siggers appreciated the Mayor's agreement in interviewing potential nominees for Boards and Commissions and suggested that it be made a policy. Ms. Siggers also voiced her appreciation for the water amenities at the Waterside Playground and for the fountain at the City/County Government Building.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mr. Trader urged Council to consider an advisory traffic committee. Ms. Sue Piper mentioned the need for a stop light at Snow Hill Road and Shiloh Street. Mr. Robert Ryan referred to the inability to send a message to the City Council on the City's web site (under "Contact Us"). Mrs. Carolyn Hall questioned why Officer Danny Parsons was not given a Certificate of Appreciation at the last Council meeting. Mrs. Debbie Campbell presented Council with photographs of properties in poor condition on Smith Street.

With no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

City Clerk

Council President