TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND

October 7, 2002

PRESENT

Mayor C. Eugene Butler                                           Councilman Scott R. Jensen

Council President Robert C. Willey                               Councilman Carl B. Reed

Councilman John F. Ford                                              Councilwoman Moonyene Jackson-Amis

IN ATTENDANCE

Town Clerk Robert F. Karge, Town Attorney C. Kehoe, Town Engineer Timothy W. Glass, Assistant Town Engineer J. Gruber, Town Planner Tom Hamilton, Capt. David Spencer, Easton Police Department, Economic Development Coordinator Alexander M. Bond, and interested citizens and members of the press.

CONVENING

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. Reed led the audience in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2002 MINUTES

Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously.

EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC. REPORT

Mr. Jimmy Prettyman briefed the Council on the Fire Department’s September activities.

ORDINANCE NO. 448, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REPEALING AND REENACTING WITH AMENDMENTS CHAPTER 6 OF THE TOWN OF EASTON (BUILDING CODE) TO ADOPT THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (2000 EDITION) AND THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE FOR ONE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS (2000 EDITIONS).”

Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 448, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

ORDINANCE NO. 449, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REPEALING AND REENACTING WITH AMENDMENTS CHAPTER 13A OF THE TOWN OF EASTON CODE (PROPERTY MAINTENANCE) TO ADOPT THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE/2000.”

Mr. Ford made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 449, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 450, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING SECTION 505.2B OFF-STREET PARKING, AND SECTION 601.3 CR ZONING DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS OF THE TOWN OF EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE.”

Mr. Ford made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 450, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

ORDINANCE NO. 451, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING SECTIONS 510.3 PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (PUD), DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS OF THE TOWN OF EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE.”

Mr. Ford made a motion to table Ordinance No. 451 and send it back to the Planning and Zoning Commission with suggested considerations. There was no second.

Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to deny Ordinance No. 451 and send it back to the Planning and Zoning Commission with the opinions expressed by the Council members to be included in the letter to the Commission, seconded by Mr. Ford as long as it is clear that he would like the Planning and Zoning Commission to take the matter back up immediately. Ms. Jackson-Amis’ motion was carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

APPROVAL OF FOOD CONCESSIONS FOR 2002 WATERFOWL FESTIVAL

Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve the food concessions, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON PROPOSED CABLE TELEVISION TARIFF REVISIONS

At 7:17 P.M., the President of the Council opened the Public Hearing.

Mr. Grunden, President and CEO, Easton Utilities, presented their Cable Restructuring and Digital Launch plan. He discussed the procedure and Charter requirements.

Mr. Grunden presented the proposed changes, the restructuring and digital launch, the customer impact and rate comparisons, revenue impact and a timeline of implementation.

Mr. Grunden discussed the tier lineups and the proposed broadcast services.

Mr. Grunden stated that the broadcast basic of 15 channels is going to be offered at $9.95. He stated that Tier 1 will be raised by $2.00 to $19.95 with an additional 17 channels; Tier 2 with an additional 31 channels will be $29.95; digital basic will be an additional $14.95; Sports and Information Tier another 13 channels will be an additional $3.95. He discussed bundling of channels and savings passed onto customers. He stated that 54% of the customers will see a decrease in their monthly charge.

Mr. Grunden discussed the comparisons to other cable companies.

Ms. Jackson-Amis questioned what the $9.95 programming is. Mr. Grunden stated that this is the broadcast basic which is 15 channels.

Ms. Jackson-Amis questioned the increase of 41% in 3 ½ years. Mr. Grunden stated that what is not recognized is that the rates effected were discussed since 1999 but had been in effect since 1995 so it is more appropriate to say that it was a 41% increase in a 7 ½ year period with a 47% increase of channels.

Mr. Jensen questioned how adding a la carte channels would work. Mr. Grunden discussed the procedure.

The President of the Council asked for audience comments.

Mr. Jim Koste, Hughlett Street, questioned what is included in various groups.  Mr. Grunden stated that a list would be forwarded in the mail with the various offers. Mr. Bill Russell discussed options.

The President of the Council stated that the record would be left open for public comments until 4:00 p.m. on Friday.

There being no further comments, the President of the Council closed the Public Hearing at 7:42 P.M.

Resolution No. 5788, “A RESOLUTION OF THE EASTON TOWN COUNCIL APPROVING THE REHABILITATION OF HOUSING IN EASTON, MARYLAND TO BE FINANCED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (THE “DEPARTMENT’) OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (THE “ADMINISTRATION”).

Mr. Reed made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5788. Mr. Ford stated that the Council understands the time constraints that the Housing Authority is working with as the request needs to be submitted by October 16. Mr. Ford asked that Mr. Bibb be asked to come before the Council to explain this application and afford the Council to ask questions. Mr. Ford seconded Mr. Reed’s motion to approve. The President of the Council stated that the Easton Housing Authority will be asked for a quarterly update on their fiscal activities. Mr. Reed’s motion was carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

RESOLUTION NO. 5789 IN SUPPORT OF THE WELLNESS COMMUNITY DELMARVA FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO OBTAIN FUNDING

Mr. Ford made a motion to support the Wellness Communities’ efforts to raise funds but he asked that the motion incorporate language to the effect that the Town of Easton supports organizations like the Talbot County Hospice and the Wellness Community in their efforts to assist families with Cancer patients seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

COMMENTS REGARDING GLENWOOD AVENUE PROJECT

The Town Attorney briefed on the West Kennedy Street annexation project. He stated that the Department of Housing and Community Development has responded that they will approve the County’s application for Block Grant for that project which may remove the last financial obstacle for that project.

The Town Attorney stated that the same process is going on now for the Glenwood Avenue project although it is not anywhere as far along as the Glenwood Avenue project. He stated that the next step in the process is the preliminary engineering study which Rural Development requires. He stated that we may have to proceed with a block grant. Mr. Glass stated that the engineering report will be forthcoming.

Ms. Jackson-Amis questioned what it would take to connect the water in that area. The Town Attorney stated that you cannot reimburse yourself with a federal or state grant for money you have already spent. Mr. Kehoe stated that if money is spent, it will not be recovered from the Federal Government but the possibility can be explored.

UPDATE ON SKATEBOARD PARK

The Town Attorney advised that Mayor Butler instructed the Town Engineer and himself to come back with recommendations for a location. The Town Attorney stated that the Town Engineer is looking at possible sites.

The Town Engineer stated that they are trying to find a site as close to the Rails-to-Trails as possible with access to neighborhood streets. He stated that they are actively working on that.

Mayor Butler discussed the Town of Millington’s skateboard park closing.   

Ms. Jackson-Amis asked if the YMCA would own the facility if it was located on their property and would it be necessary to have a membership. Mayor Butler discussed leasing YMCA property.

Mr. Dan Brasington discussed sites for the skate park. He asked that more time be given to study the options.

The Town Engineer stated that he will put together a list of possible sites.

Mr. Brasington discussed plans for the park study walk.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Butler discussed the upcoming Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast which will be held November 1 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Gold Room at the Tidewater Inn.

POLICE DEPARTMENT’S COMMENTS

Capt. Spencer was present on behalf of the Chief of Police who is in Minneapolis receiving an award recognizing Easton Police Department’s Deter and Detect operation.

Capt. Spencer displayed new safety devices for use instead of flares. He stated that they were purchased with block grant funds.

Capt. Spencer had requests for three public assembly permits.

1)      October 11, Homecoming Parade from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., commencing on Dover Street

2)      October 24, Christ Church’s Annual Fall Sale, requests parking waiver for volunteers October 21 thru 25 on South Street.

3)      October 31, First Baptist Church, Fall Festival at the Lowe’s Parking Lot, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with game booths and light refreshments.

Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to approve the public assembly permits, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ford discussed a memo regarding the 2002 Chief’s Challenge Campaign. Capt. Spencer discussed the Campaign.

Mr. Jensen discussed Lieutenant Wright’s presentation to the Chapel Farms Homeowner’s Association

TOWN ENGINEER’S COMMENTS

Mr. Glass stated that they are currently working on the northern section of the Rails-to-Trails by the North Easton Sports Complex.

He discussed the Locust Street and South Street areas between Higgins and Aurora Street and South Street and Talbot Street with new curb, gutters, sidewalk and paving.

Mr. Glass discussed the Notice of Award for the Dover Street reconstruction project which they anticipate getting started in March. He discussed the new streetscape.

Mr. Jensen discussed trees lost in the drought at Chapel Farms.

Mr. Ford asked how the tree inventory is withstanding the current drought. The Town Engineer stated that the Town lost approximately 5% of the trees.

COUNCIL’S COMMENTS

Mr. Ford stated that he would like to see another workshop scheduled for re-districting.

Mr. Jensen discussed the Easton Block Party last weekend. He commended Mr. Al Bond for a job well done.

Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed contacting MML for a participant for the re-districting workshop.

The President of the Council scheduled the re-districting workshop for the Council on October 17, 7:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously, the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting at 8:16 p.m.

______________________________

Town Clerk