CITY OF SALISBURY, MARYLAND
#8 MEETING April 28, 2003
PRESENT
Mayor Barrie P. Tilghman* Council President Lavonzella Siggers
Council Vice President Joseph L. Scott Councilwoman Rachel S. Polk
Councilman Michael Day Councilman C. T. Webster
* left at 8:30 p.m.
IN ATTENDANCE
Assistant City Clerk Mary Church, Executive Officer John Pick, City Solicitor Paul Wilber, Police Chief Allan Webster, Public Works Director John Jacobs, and interested Citizens and Members of the Press.
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CONVENING - ADOPTION OF AGENDA
The Mayor and Council met in a regular session at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Council President Siggers called the meeting to order. The Lord's Prayer was repeated and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Webster moved and Mrs. Polk seconded to amend the agenda as follows:
1. remove the Award of Bids - no items to be awarded;
2. remove Resolution No. 965, utilizing unobligated water and sewer capital improvements funds for engineering services - did not receive.
The above amendments passed unanimously.
The agenda, as amended, passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF APRIL 14, 2003 MINUTES
Mrs. Polk moved and Mr. Webster seconded to amend the April 14, 2003 minutes as follows:
• Resolution No. 961 (accepting grant funds for Weed and Seed Initiative) - include that Police Chief Allan Webster would provide the quarterly Weed and Seed report to the Council (same report that is provided to Wicomico Partnership of Families and Children) and to reflect in the report those individuals with overtime hours;
• Resolution No. 946 (extension of water and sewer to Sassafras Meadows) - include that a representative from Sassafras Meadows clarified that no negative comments were made by any Council member during a previous work session about residents from Gateway Village.
The amendment passed unanimously.
The April 14, 2003 minutes, as amended, were unanimously approved.
ORDINANCE NO. 1876 - 2ND READING - APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO OFFSET A PROJECTED OPERATING DEFICIT IN THE MARINA FUND AND TO PROVIDE FOR SLIP RENTALS FOR TWO CITY-OWNED WATER CRAFT
Mrs. Polk moved and Mr. Webster seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1876 for second reading. Executive Officer John Pick addressed the appropriation of funds to offset a projected operating deficit in the Marina Fund and to provide for slip rentals for two city-owned water craft. The funds of $14,040 will be used to pay salaries, taxes, insurance for the Assistant Dock Master, marina workers, miscellaneous operating expenses, and $2,500 for slip rentals through the end of FY03.
After discussion, Ordinance No. 1876 was passed unanimously with Ms. Siggers’ vote being contingent upon Mr. Pick providing a breakdown of the true expenditures (accounts to show the funds for each item without putting several items under one account).
ORDINANCE NO. 1877 - 1ST READING - PROPOSED FY04 BUDGET AND SETTING THE DATE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
Mrs. Polk moved and Mr. Webster seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1877 for first reading. Mayor Tilghman provided an overview of the FY04 proposed budget totaling $31,139,800 for all funds (General Fund - $18,883,000) to include, for the first time in seven years, a tax increase of .052 cents per $100 of assessed property value. The City Council will begin their review of the budget on April 29, 2003. A public hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2003, and the budget adoption on May 27, 2003.
Mr. Kenneth Holland asked why his property taxes were going up and why homeowners had to pay more taxes whenever the City needed money. Mayor Tilghman stated that by State regulation, municipalities have only two ways to gain monies - State aid and property taxes. She explained that the City has an austere budget this year because of the present economic climate. Mr. Webster mentioned that the City would be looking at business licensing to offset some of the property taxes.
Mr. Scott showed concern for businesses like Pepsi that do not use the sewer system, but still have exorbitant water/sewer bills.
Mrs. Polk noted that the budget is one of the most important items the City works on every year. She hoped that the proposed budget showed what was absolutely needed and not just a wish list.
Ordinance No. 1877 for first reading passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 964 - ACCEPTING EQUIPMENT AWARDED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ARMY OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAM
Mrs. Polk moved and Mr. Webster seconded to approve Resolution No. 964. As presented by Police Chief Allan Webster, Resolution No. 964 accepts equipment awarded through a grant from the Department of Army Office of National Drug Control Policy Technology Transfer Program. The equipment will enhance the capability of investigators to gather audio evidence for the prosecution of criminal cases in court, to include court authorized phone taps.
After discussion, Resolution No. 964 passed unanimously.
MANUFACTURING EXEMPTION REQUEST - MANUFACTURING SUPPORT INDUSTRIES, INC.
Mr. Scott moved and Mr. Webster seconded to approve a manufacturing exemption request for Manufacturing Support Industries, Inc. Finance Director John Cawley recommended that Manufacturing Support Industries, Inc. be granted an exemption from personal property tax for equipment purchased in 1999. The company would benefit from the exemption over the next 3 years saving them $9,059. Mrs. Polk requested that Mr. Cawley provide the figures on past exemptions granted by the Council to show that the City has been friendly to businesses.
The exemption for Manufacturing Support Industries, Inc. passed 4 to 1, with Mr. Webster voting nay.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Tilghman commented on the following:
• Site visit with the Harbor Pointe residents on Tuesday, April 29, 2003;
• Friends of the Bandstand sponsoring a concert at Salisbury University with the Public Community Band and Randy Lee Ashcraft performing on May 18 at 4:00 p.m.;
• “Municipal Government Night” held during “Municipal Government Week” at Parkside High School with City employees explaining what their jobs are within the City and children from various schools displaying posters to show their views of an ideal City;
• Maryland Municipal League sponsored the “If I were Mayor” contest for fourth graders in the State; Mrs. Polk, as Chairman of the Communications Committee, had over 1800 essays submitted;
• thanked the City Department Heads, intern Kathy Livingston and Salisbury University for all of their support and hard work.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mr. Webster thanked Access 26 for televising the meeting, and the past members of the Access 26 Board who supported Access 26. Mr. Scott referenced the budget and the possibility of raising taxes. Mr. Day mentioned that the Zoo would be looking at their Master Plan, Farmer’s Market located downtown, and that the Park & Flea was doing well. Mrs. Polk mentioned that her last child was graduating from school and that she was concentrating on the budget for 2004.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT WRAP-UP
Ms. Siggers commented on the following:
• new microphones for Council Chambers;
• Salisbury Festival;
• house on Second Street - Station #2 not being able to respond;
• 4/29/03 joint meeting with Wicomico County Council and City Council in Room 301 - Fire Station #2;
• concerns of watchdesk web site;
• Council beginning budget process on 4/29/03 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 305;
• 5/21/03 - 6:15 p.m. work session on licensing and inspections in Room 305.
At the request of Council President Siggers, Mr. Harold Scott gave an update on Station #2 and the fire on second street.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
CITY OF SALISBURY, MARYLAND
CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
APRIL 28, 2003
TIME & PLACE: 8:47 p.m., Room 301 - City/County Government Building
PURPOSE: Personnel issue
VOTE TO CLOSE: Unanimous
CITATION: Annotated Code of Maryland Section 10-508(a)(1)
PRESENT: Mayor Barrie Tilghman, Council President Lavonzella Siggers, Council Vice President Joseph Scott, Councilman Michael Day, Councilwoman Rachel Polk, Councilman C. T. Webster, Assistant City Clerk Mary Church
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At 8:47 p.m. in Room 301 of the City/County Government Building, Mr. Scott moved to convene in Closed Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel issue as permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland Section 10-508(a)(1). Mrs. Polk seconded and the vote was unanimous.
Mr. Webster briefed Council on a personnel issue. After discussion, upon a motion and a second by Mr. Scott and Mrs. Polk, respectively, the closed session adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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Assistant City Clerk
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Council President