TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
November 18, 2002
Council President Robert C. Willey Councilman Carl B. Reed
Councilman John F. Ford Councilwoman Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Town Clerk Robert F. Karge, Town Attorney C. Kehoe, Town Engineer Timothy W. Glass, Assistant Town Engineer J. Gruber, Town Planner Tom Hamilton, Chief George M. Harvey, Easton Police Department and interested citizens and members of the press.
The Mayor and Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Council President Willey called the meeting to order. Mr. Jensen led the audience in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Upon motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Mr. Jensen, minutes of the November 4, 2002 meeting were unanimously approved.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. Barry Slaughter was present on behalf of the Fire Department and had nothing to report.
LETTER FROM EASTON LIONS CLUB REQUESTING PERMISSION TO USE TOWN’S VACANT LOT FOR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE SALE
Upon motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, approval was granted for the Lions Club to use the Town’s vacant lot between the Superfresh and VFW for their Annual Christmas Tree Sale.
AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 453, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE EASTON TOWN CODE ETHICS PROVISION TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF A GIFT FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FROM TEN DOLLARS ($10) TO TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($25).”
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, Amended Ordinance No. 453 passed unanimously following a roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 5794 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND TOWN CLERK TO EXECUTE AND SUBMIT THE SPECIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MINI-GRANT APPLICATION
Upon motion by Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Ford, Resolution No. 5794 was approved unanimously following a roll call vote.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $449,375.76
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried, invoices totaling $449,375.76 were unanimously approved for payment.
COMMENTS FROM MAYOR BUTLER
Mayor Butler wished everyone a thankful Thanksgiving.
COMMENTS FROM CHIEF HARVEY
Chief Harvey had the following requests for approval:
Mr. Ford made a motion for approval of Chief Harvey’s recommendations, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.
TOWN ENGINEER’S COMMENTS
Mr. Glass stated that the Town of Easton took delivery on a new trash truck today. He thanked the Council for keeping the fleets up to date. The Town Engineer reported on the continued work on South Street. He stated that Talbot Street will be reconstructed next between Harrison and Hanson Street. The Town Engineer reported that the finishing touches are being completed on the northern extension of the Rails-to-Trails. Mr. Glass reported that the Public Works Department is putting out two leaf vacuum trucks. He stated that leaves will be collected on the bulky trash routes. Mr. Glass reported on the installation of colonial streetlights on South Street. He reported that trash collection is scheduled for the entire town on November 29.
The President of the Council discussed the Talbot County Library’s request for lighting. The Town Engineer stated that he had responded to the Library stating that there is adequate lighting. With regards to the crosswalk, he reported that he does not think there is a pedestrian/vehicular conflict large enough to warrant putting in a mid-block crosswalk. He discussed other owners installing the lights at their cost.
Assistant Town Engineer, Mr. Gruber, reported on the draft of the preliminary engineering report for West Glenwood. He estimated the costs to be approximately $300,000.
PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE NO. 452, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON ESTABLISHING BOUNDARIES FOR THE ELECTION WARDS OF THE TOWN.”
At 7:22 p.m., the President of the Council opened the Public Hearing.
The President of the Council stated that the purpose of the redistricting is to adjust the election wards to reflect the population information derived from the 2000 Census. He discussed the procedure for the Public Hearing.
The Town Attorney discussed the background and preparation of the districts. He stated that the population of the Town of Easton has increased by approximately 25% over the last ten years although the growth and population of the Town has not been uniform throughout the election wards.
The Town Attorney stated that Census data from the year 2000 has been used in the redistricting.
Mr. Kehoe stated that several months ago, the Council instructed the Town staff to prepare a town map with proposed wards with population equality and regular ward boundaries while trying to maintain the Town of Easton’s Ward IV as a ward with the majority African American population. He discussed the district boundaries as they stand now and the way they would be after the proposed re-districting. He stated that it shows the Wards almost with equal population with a difference in less than 2%. Mr. Kehoe stated that the re-districting will give a more workable proposal for the community in terms of being able to identify where you live in relationship to what ward you will be voting in. He stated that although the African American population of the town has declined slightly percentage wise, the population in real numbers has increased; nonetheless, Ward IV still remains with a majority of its inhabitants African American.
Comparisons were discussed regarding the re-districting that was accomplished in 1987 in relation to the 2000 census.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed her concerns regarding re-districting and the concern of equal population versus having the opportunity to elect an official representing the people in a particular area.
Discussion occurred on the proposed Elm Street Development. The Town Attorney stated that future development is not considered. He stated that you use the census data that you have.
Mr. Ford discussed the priorities of the proposed re-districting and the necessary guidelines.
Mr. Kenney discussed the technical process used to re-draw the wards. He stated that all the data used for calculations was from the census bureau.
Mr. James Kenny Camper, representing the NAACP, Talbot County, and Mr. Walter Black were present. Mr. Camper commended the Council for their accomplishments in 1987. Mr. Camper discussed changing the deviation to accomplish 63% African American population in Ward IV. He stated that this came from working from the ACLU and their map expert.
Ms. Doreen Getzinger, Talbot County, member of NAACP, representing the ACLU of Maryland tonight discussed her concerns regarding the African American population decreasing in Ward IV. She presented a map with approximately 60% African American population in Ward IV that was drawn by ACLU’s demographer. She stated that they are willing to work with the Town.
At 8:02 p.m., the President of the Council closed the Public Hearing. He stated that he will leave the public record open until Friday, November 22 for written comments.
COMMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
Mr. Willey asked for a short Executive Session after the regularly scheduled meeting for advice of counsel.
COMMENTS FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond reported on the Economic Development workshop that was recently held. He discussed a new market that allows investors to receive tax credits.
COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL
Mr. Ford wished the entire town a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
Mr. Jensen asked everyone to have a great Thanksgiving.
Mr. Reed echoed previous Council comments.
Ms. Jackson-Amis applauded Ms. Bertha Wilson’s recent accomplishments. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she has recently graduated from the Local Government Institute Academy for Excellence.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. H. Hoyt Heinmuller, Hanson Street, thanked the Council for supporting the Lions Club’s Annual Christmas Tree Sale. Mr. Heinmuller invited everyone to Easton’s Old Tyme Holiday Parade scheduled for December 7. He stated that present this evening is members from the West Side Association requesting rolling radar down Port Street and at Glenwood before and after the school closes.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 8:13 P.M., upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously, the Council convened into Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried, the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled at 8:22 p.m.
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Town Clerk