June 17, 2002

The Town Council of the Town of Easton met today at 7:00 P.M.

The meeting was called to order by the President of the Council, Mr. Willey.

The following Council members were present: Mr. Jensen, Ms. Jackson-Amis and President of the Council Mr. Willey. Also attending the meeting were Chief of Police George Harvey, Town Engineer Mr. Tim Glass, Assistant Town Engineer Mr. Gruber, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Assistant Town Attorney Ms. Van Emburgh and Economic Development Director Mr. Bond.

Ms. Jackson-Amis opened the meeting with prayer. She led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to approve the minutes of June 3 with corrections submitted hereafter, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.

Lt. Frank Ford was present on behalf of the Maryland State Police. Lt. Ford stated that his role is the Regional Commander of Drug Enforcement for the State Police. He stated that it is for all eight counties and the Eastern Shore. He stated that he is present tonight to ensure the Council that the State Police and the Drug Enforcement Command is working with the Easton Police Department in any way possible to help not only the drug problem but the overall crime problem. He stated that he assumed command in August 2000 and since that time his first role has been communicating with the Easton Police Department. Lt. Ford stated that they have been fortunate in the past two years as their task force has utilized the Easton Police Department’s SWAT team and Easton’s Police Department intelligence. Lt. Ford stated that he can say that the Easton Police Department has probably helped the Maryland State Police with resources, manpower, etc., more than they have helped Easton. He stated that his main goal is to communicate and work together. He asked for any questions.

The President of the Council thanked Lt. Ford for his assurance.

Ms. Jackson-Amis introduced Mr. Kevin Morris, Director, Mid-Shore Regional Council. She stated that Mr. Morris has been working feverishly getting a lot done.

Mr. Kevin Morris discussed his background. He stated that the Regional Council was created last year. He stated that it is a regional, economic and planning agency with the intent to foster regional projects that improve the economic, physical and social well being of the region. Mr. Morris discussed the strategic planning retreat held on March 20. He stated that they had set three goals for the upcoming year which were 1) to ensure that there are proper economic development plans and infrastructure in place to make economic development conducive in the region, 2) to create a legislative forum for a more unified voice in the state legislature and 3) to diversify the local economy. He discussed projects that benefit from his organization. Mr. Morris invited the Council to visit. He stated that it is his job to collect information and understand what the community issues and needs are in order to respond to those issues. He asked for questions.

Mayor Butler asked if the Council was affiliated with the Maryland Municipal League. Mr. Morris stated that they work with them but they are not members of the Maryland Municipal League.

Mr. Morris left copies of the work plan and the bylaws.

The President of the Council brought a memo from the Mayor asking Council consideration for the appointment of Ms. Linda Cheezum to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The President of the Council asked for any questions.

Mr. Jensen made a motion to table the approval the appointment until there is a full Council.

Mayor Butler stated that it has been before the Council for two weeks and he would like to see it acted on tonight.

Ms. Jackson-Amis asked if there had been any comments from the absent councilmembers.

Mr. Jensen’s motion to table the approval of Ms. Cheezum’s appointment failed for a lack of second.

Ms. Jackson-Amis moved approval of Ms. Cheezum’s appointment, seconded by Mr. Willey and carried with Mr. Jensen voting no.

The President of the Council brought a memo to the floor from Mr. Alexander Bond requesting permission to use balloons on July 5 for the grand openings/re-openings on Washington Street between Goldsborough Street and The Historical Society. Mr. Willey clarified that this is in conjunction with the rolling ribbon cutting.

Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to approve the use of balloons, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.

The President of the Council brought a letter from Mr. Michael J. McCann, Land Engineering Manager, Pulte Homes, requesting permission to use roll-up banner on the corner of GM Giant property for summer holidays.

The Town Planner stated that the Council had previously approved the sign as he has no authority to approve an off-site banner as banners are prohibited in the Town of Easton’s Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Hamilton stated that they are asking now to continue this banner on a truck parked in front of GM Giant for several weekends.

Ms. Jackson-Amis asked that the request be tabled as there was some previous opposition, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried.

The President of the Council brought invoices totaling $301,384.51 to the floor for approval.

Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve payment of invoices, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried.

Mayor Butler discussed the activities at Moton Park in conjunction with Embracing Fatherhood 2002.

Mayor Butler discussed the upcoming MML Convention in Ocean City.

Chief Harvey stated that he had a request for a block party for July 5, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. He stated that this will take place along the Harrison Street area to have grand openings/re-openings for five businesses. Chief Harvey stated that they have a request for three parking spaces so Courthouse Deli can set up a new grill and they want traffic stopped on Washington Street at 5:30 p.m. for a street ribbon cutting.

Mr. Jensen asked if the business owners had been contacted. Mr. Bond stated that they have spoken with most businesses and so far there has been no comments except enthusiasm.

Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve the request for a block party, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously.

Chief Harvey stated that he had a request from Ms. Mary Lou Williams for May 3, 2003 between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to close Harrison Street and Dover Road to the Arts Academy to allow 450 people to come down the road behind a Dixieland band. He stated that this is their major fundraiser and they will be providing sit-down dinners both at the Academy of the Arts and the Tidewater Inn. He stated that the Police Department will be working with her to ensure their success. Ms. Wilson has agreed to notify the businesses on Harrison Street and Dover to let them know they will be closing the street.

The Town Engineer reported that Bramble will be back in town tomorrow finishing some paving which will close out their contract for this year.

The Town Engineer invited the public to help the Public Works Department by keeping an eye on the gator bags that water the trees. Mr. Glass asked residents that may have gator bags near their houses, to fill the bag a couple times a week.

Mr. Al Bond stated that Ms. Ellen General had asked him to bring up the letter that she wrote to the Council to let the Council know that she has amended Celebrate Easton to include some vendors which would be downtown businesses showcasing their product.

The President of the Council asked that the crossing guards be invited to Celebrate Easton as well.

Ms. Jackson-Amis thanked Mr. Jensen for assisting her with the affordable housing issue.

Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the session regarding the closing of the mental health facility in Talbot County, which is taking place at the Avalon Theater. She asked that this matter be addressed as it impacts the entire town. She stated that she is concerned about what may happen to the people who are not able to afford a private help for this type of problem.

Ms. Jackson-Amis clarified her remarks indicating she had a conversation about building the skateboard park. She stated that she had a conversation with a gentleman about building the skatepark and he was interested in funding it and the location that was selected was the previous Easton Utilities business office that will be utilized for something else. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she had spoken with Mr. Grunden about the site and he told her the reasons he did not think it was a good idea. She stated that Mr. Grunden brought to her attention items that she had not previously considered. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she did not want the emphasis to be on that Mr. Grunden had discouraged the use of that particular property for the skatepark but more her concern was that Master Haschen and Master Kehoe know that she has been working on that particular program.

Ms. Jackson-Amis displayed a photograph of Ms. Yonekwa Jackson, Ms. Tiara Willey and Ms. Jayana Lewis representing the Town of Easton in a jump rope competition this past weekend in Woodbridge, Virginia achieving the second place award in their double-dutch speed jumping for twelve year olds. She stated that they would like to attend the next round.

There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried, the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:30 P.M.

Town Clerk