SPECIAL MEETING                                                                                                    MARCH 27, 2002

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

City Clerk Brenda Colegrove, CMC, Executive Officer John Pick, City Solicitor Paul Wilber, Public Works Director John Jacobs, and interested Citizens and Members of the Press.

Councilwoman Rachel Polk
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NORTHEAST COLLECTOR

The Mayor and City Council convened in special session at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Council President Webster called the meeting to order. Mr. Webster reported that Mayor Tilghman requested the meeting in accordance with §SC2-4 of the City Charter. Ms. Siggers announced that Councilwoman Polk was not in attendance due to her mother’s surgery.

Councilman Stacey referred to Resolution No. 825, passed by the City Council on March 11, 2002, requesting the Mayor to refrain from action in respect of the Northeast Collector until the Council had reviewed pertinent prior actions and decisions of the City and consulted with the Mayor, and requesting the Mayor to provide information to Council and the public. Mr. Stacey related that Administration had been gathering information and a meeting was held on

March 21, 2002. Mr. Stacey read two letters he sent to the Mayor dated March 22 and

March 25, 2002 concerning the Northeast Collector and provided a brief synopsis of Phase 2 and Phase 3. Copies of the letters and synopsis are attached and made a part of these minutes. Mr. Stacey indicated that he signed a $588,000 check to the County not knowing it was for work on Phase 3. There was nothing provided to indicate that it was for Peggy Neck Branch. On March 24, 2002, he sent a letter to Finance Director John Cawley requesting backup material on that check.

Mayor Tilghman related that she called this meeting to discuss the allegations of misappropriation of funds which were made during last week’s meeting. The Mayor provided historical documentation to defend the allegations. A copy of the material provided is attached and made a part of these minutes. Mayor Tilghman pointed out that there were four instances in

which the City Council was told that the Northeast Collector Road bond issuance included the road portion, the crossing of Peggy Neck Branch and the stormwater portion.

Mayor Tilghman explained the particulars of the $428,000 appropriation as follows:

    *    $131,408 - engineering services for Phase 2 road work
    *    $3,691 - engineering services for Phase 1 road work
    *    $292,950 - construction of Peggy Neck Branch, City's portion of Middleneck
          Drive, stormwater management and removal of existing Peggy Neck culvert.

Mayor Tilghman mentioned that there was a question on whether this should have been reflected as a budget line item. She requested that Mr. Wilber, Mr. Cawley and Mr. Pick look into this to determine if this should be done in the future.

Mayor Tilghman read a statement concerning the charges of misappropriation of bond monies. A copy of her statement is attached and made a part of these minutes.

Highlights of the comments/questions received included:

*    concern that a Council president would sign a check without knowing what it was for;
*    tired of the arrogance and disrespect;
*    asked for clarification on the engineering work on Peggy Neck Branch Crossing and the actual amount
      appropriated for that work;
*    reference to §SC7-4 of the Charter - no public money expended without having been appropriated by Council
     (doesn't exempt bond issuances) and State law requires same;
*    asked for a breakdown of the $292,950 appropriation;
*    no mention of Northeast Collector in this year's budget;
*    need to get a plan in place and move forward - concern with the delay when the funding
      and legislative tools were in place;
*    reference to a March 20, 2002 memo from Administration - confusion with the presentation
      today vs. the statement in the Executive Officer's memo regarding the bond proceeds;
*    all the meetings should have been public rather than having closed meetings;
    questioned if an apology was forthcoming from Mr. Stacey in regards to statements
      made on a local radio show;
*    inquired if the annexation question from last Thursday's meeting had been addressed
      by the City Solicitor; and
*    communication flow needs to take place between Administration and the City Council.

Mr. Stacey related that this issue began on December 10 when the City Council did not receive the whole story. In his opinion, it was the responsibility of every Councilmember to ask questions to all parties involved (checks and balance system). Because questions were asked, the Council was finally getting answers, and it was now time to move forward and complete Phase 2. In his opinion, the bond issuance should have included monies for Phase 2 and 3.

Mr. Scott related that he and Mr. Webster went to see the property and determined that Phase 2 needed to be completed before Phase 3. However, he was in favor of both phases with the emphasis on completing Phase 2 first.

Ms. Siggers opined that all this information had previously been provided to Council - none of it was brand new material. She expressed concern that a Council president would sign a check blindly. Ms. Siggers suggested that the closed session meeting tapes be released to the public.

With no further discussion, the Special Meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m.
 

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City Clerk
 

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Council President