CITY OF SALISBURY, MARYLAND
#8 MEETING APRIL 22, 2002
PRESENT
Mayor Barrie P. Tilghman Council President C. T. Webster
Council Vice President Joseph L. Scott Councilwoman Rachel S. Polk
Councilwoman Lavonzella Siggers
ABSENT
Councilman William F. Stacey
IN ATTENDANCE
City Clerk Brenda Colegrove, CMC, Executive Officer John Pick, City Solicitor Paul Wilber, Finance Director John Cawley, Director of Procurement & Parking Carol Turner, C.P.M., CPPB, Building, Housing & Zoning Director William Holland, Police Chief Allan Webster, Fire Chief Stephen Brezler, Public Works Director John Jacobs, and interested Citizens and Members of the Press. ******************************************************************************
CONVENING - ADOPTION OF AGENDA
The Mayor and Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Council President Webster called the meeting to order. The Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance were recited.
On a motion by Mrs. Polk and seconded by Mr. Scott, the agenda as presented was unanimously approved.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Patrick Hannon voiced his opinion for the completion of the Northeast Collector. Mr. James Trader mentioned that he would submit his comments regarding the budget in writing. Mr. Robert Taylor asked for the amount of surplus expected for this fiscal year; inquired on the status of the EPA fine; referred to an article in today's newspaper concerning the Northeast Collector; and provided Council with a copy of the advertisement for the Brittingham Farm Annexation Resolution. Mr. Palmer Gillis reiterated his association with ownership of property by the Emanuel Wesleyan Church.
CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION
Mayor Tilghman presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Ms. Deborah Collins for her perceptive observance on May 17, 2001 which resulted in the arrest of a suspect and safe recovery of a child.
Certificates of Appreciation were also presented to the following individuals for their participation in the Safe Choices Neighborhood Teams:
Student Members Community Members
Christina Harrison Joe Villacci Brenda Hooks
Lisa Henry Jason Campion Nancy Thomas
Amanda Boyd Keith Dochterman Rita Faust
Tiffany Diepold Jason Schrum Richard Hooks
Catherine Begley Stephen Gymnich Joe Butler
Lindsay Bard Greg Milburn Barbara Butler
Erik Ranson Jessica Parrot Sue Piper
Daniel Stringer David Rodriguez Maria Mitchell
James Jett Steve Blevins
Project Director Project Coordinator
Jennifer Berkman John Barris
APPROVAL OF MARCH 21, 2002 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES, MARCH 27, 2002 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES, AND APRIL 8, 2002 MINUTES
On a motion by Mrs. Polk and seconded by Ms. Siggers, the March 21, 2002 Special Meeting minutes, the March 27, 2002 Special Meeting minutes and the minutes of April 8, 2002 were unanimously approved as presented.
ORDINANCE NO. 1845 - 1ST READING - PROPOSED FY03 BUDGET AND SETTING THE DATE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
Ms. Siggers moved and Mrs. Polk seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1845 for first reading. Mayor Tilghman provided an overview of the FY03 proposed budget totaling $29,195,740 for all funds (General Fund - $17,852,000). The City Council will begin their review of the budget on April 24, 2002. A public hearing is scheduled on May 16, 2002. The constant yield tax rate public hearing and final adoption of the budget ordinance are scheduled for May 28, 2002.
Ordinance No. 1845 for first reading passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE NO. 1846 - 1ST READING - AMENDING §1.16.100C OF THE SALISBURY MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCREASE THE FINES FOR VIOLATION OF BUILDING AND ZONING CODES
Mrs. Polk moved and Ms. Siggers seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1846 for first reading. Director of Building, Housing and Zoning William Holland introduced Ordinance No. 1846 amending §1.16.100C of the Salisbury Municipal Code by increasing the fines for violation of building and zoning codes. The penalty for a violation shall not exceed $250.00 for each initial
offense and shall not exceed $500.00 for each repeat offense. Directives were also put into place as guidelines for inspectors when enforcing City codes.
Ordinance No. 1846 for first reading passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE NO. 1847 - 1ST READING - BUDGET AMENDMENT TO DEPOSIT $5,380 IN INSURANCE MONEY, AWARDED BY THE MARYLAND AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE FUND, AND TO TRANSFER $16,000 TO FUND THE PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT ANIMAL CONTROL VEHICLE
Mrs. Polk moved and Ms. Siggers seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1847 for first reading. Ordinance No. 1847, as presented by Police Chief Allan Webster, amends the FY02 General Fund budget to provide for the deposit of $5,380 from the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund and the transfer of $16,000 to fund the purchase of a new animal control vehicle. This will replace the animal control vehicle damaged in a motor vehicle accident on March 13, 2002.
Ordinance No. 1847 for first reading passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 836 - ESTABLISHING THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT AND SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Ms. Siggers moved and Mrs. Polk seconded to approve Resolution No. 836. Fire Chief Stephen Brezler and Ms. Maureen McNeill, from Salisbury University, briefed Council on Resolution No. 836 which establishes a Fire and Rescue Service Educational Endowment and Scholarship Fund. The Fund shall provide scholarships for those surviving legal dependents of the 343 members of the New York City Fire Department who perished in the line of duty on September 11, 2001; or any surviving dependent of a Maryland, Delaware or Virginia fire/rescue member killed in the line of duty; or any dependent of an active, retired, or life member of the Salisbury Fire Department.
Resolution No. 836 passed with Ms. Siggers, Mrs. Polk and Mr. Webster voting aye. Mr. Scott abstained.
RESOLUTION NO. 837 - AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF $5,900 FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND TO BUILDING, HOUSING AND ZONING TO OFFSET THE COSTS INVOLVED WITH THE TOWING OF ABANDONED VEHICLES
Mrs. Polk moved and Ms. Siggers seconded to approve Resolution No. 837. Building, Housing and Zoning Director William Holland requested that $5,900 be transferred from the City's Contingency Fund to the Vehicle Towing Account #001-2910-524.36-27 for the purpose of enforcing Ordinance No. 1841, towing and storage of abandoned, inoperable and untagged vehicles, through the remainder of FY02.
Resolution No. 837 passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 838 - CHARTER AMENDMENT AMENDING §SC12-7, CONNECTIONS, TO CLARIFY THAT THE SECTION APPLIES TO PROPERTIES INSIDE CITY LIMITS
Mrs. Polk moved and Ms. Siggers seconded to approve Resolution No. 838. City Solicitor Paul Wilber addressed Charter amendment §SC12-7, Connections, clarifying that the City will provide a sewer and water connection to all property within the City abutting sewer and water mains; that the City will determine the appropriate fee or assessment for connection to the water and sewer mains; and changing cesspools to septic tanks.
Resolution No. 838 passed unanimously.
REQUEST FOR ANNEXATION - RAYNOR DEVELOPMENT ON PEMBERTON DRIVE
Public Works Director John Jacobs provided a briefing on the proposed annexation of 72.3 acres of land located on the northerly side of Pemberton Drive opposite the Harbor Pointe Subdivision. The property is currently zoned R-15 Residential in the County and R-8A Residential zoning classification has been requested upon annexation into the City. The developers of the project are proposing to construct 260 residential units (83 single-family units, 119 townhouse units and 58 semi-detached units). Impact on existing water and sewer is expected to be approximately 65,000 gallons per day.
There was a consensus from the Council to move forward with the annexation process.
AWARD OF BIDS
Mrs. Polk moved and Mr. Scott seconded to approve the Award of Bids. The following items were presented by Director of Procurement and Parking Carol Turner:
1. Declaration of Surplus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-0-
(surplus Fire Department apparatus and equipment)
2. Contract No. 114-02 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$41,211.00
(601-4101-533.43-02; unbudgeted)
The above items were unanimously approved.
MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor Tilghman commented on the following:
- Saturday, April 20, 2002 - opening of Little League at 9:00 a.m.
- Saturday, April 20, 2002 - tour of Wastewater Treatment Plan at 10:00 a.m.
- Saturday, April 20, 2002 - introduction of the flamingos at the zoo - 11:00 a.m.
- City received cycle of grant money ($150,000) to be administered for housing rehab through Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Service in the targeted areas
- "Livability Panel" being considered to deal with the quality of life problems in the neighborhoods.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mrs. Polk noted that the Council and Administration were being asked to honor a commitment from 12-15 years ago to build the Northeast Collector, but on the other hand they were being asked to forgive the annexation agreement between the City and the Robertsons. Mrs. Polk referred to an article in the newspaper concerning the blight on Westover Drive and clarified that this was not a part of the City. Mrs. Polk asked that Administration provide an update on the parking garage dilemma (subcontractor issue). Mr. Scott invited the public to attend their budget work sessions. Ms. Siggers thanked the public for attending and extended appreciation for having a smooth Council meeting.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT WRAP-UP
Mr. Webster announced that a debate for the City Council and Mayor candidates is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. at Salisbury University. Access 26 will be televising the debate. Mr. Webster mentioned that 1) budget meetings were open to the public; 2) traffic needed to be considered when proposing annexations; and 3) a letter was sent to the Mayor asking for a date to meet to address the Northeast Collector.
With no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
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City Clerk
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Council President