TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND

January 22, 2003

PRESENT

Mayor C. Eugene Butler                                           Councilman Scott R. Jensen

                                                                                    Councilman Carl B. Reed

Councilman John F. Ford                                              Councilwoman Moonyene Jackson-Amis

IN ATTENDANCE

Town Clerk Robert F. Karge, Town Attorney C. Kehoe, Assistant Town Engineer J. Gruber, Town Planner Tom Hamilton, Chief George M. Harvey, Economic Development Coordinator Al Bond, Easton Police Department and interested citizens and members of the press.

CONVENING

Due to the excused absence of the President of the Council, The Town Clerk opened the meeting and asked for nominations for an Acting President of the Council from the members of the Council.

Mr. Jensen made a motion to nominate Mr. Ford as Acting President of the Council, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously.

The Mayor and Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Ms. Jackson-Amis led the audience in prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

REPORT FROM EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.

Mr. Jim Prettyman distributed a list of line officers and administrative officers for 2003. 

RESOLUTION NO. 5799 AUTHORIZING THE TOWN CLERK TO MAKE BUDGET TRANSFER FOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Upon motion by Mr. Reed, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis, Resolution No. 5799 was passed unanimously following a roll call vote.

MEMO FROM TOWN ATTORNEY REGARDING LETTER FROM MR. RONALD B. LEE ESQ. REPRESENTING BYRAN GROUP CAPITAL, LLC PROPOSING A LOT LINE REVISION

The Town Attorney stated that he had spoken with one of Mr. Lee’s associates and they will be back with a specific proposal to indicate why the land they are proposing is useful for their development project.

MEMO FROM TOWN ENGINEER REGARDING TALBOT COUNTY COURTHOUSE RENOVATIONS, PARKING SPACE USE FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY

The Town Engineer stated that Talbot County is requesting use of those spaces for a 17 month period. Mr. Jensen made a motion to grant the use of Federal Street parking spaces on the south side adjacent to Federal Street for a staging area during the renovations at the Talbot County Courthouse subject to issues set forth and Chief Harvey reporting back to the Council. The Acting President of the Council directed coordination with the State’s Attorney as well as notifying Judge Horne. Permission was granted unanimously with the stipulation that Judge Horne will be contacted regarding prisoner transport.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 6, 2003 MEETING

Upon motion by Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, minutes of the January 6, 2003 meeting were approved without dissent

LETTER FROM MS. TISH NANCE SPROSON, TREASURER, WORSHIP WITHOUT WALLS, INC., REQUESTING WAIVER OF APPLICATION FEE FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMIT FOR RENOVATIONS AT 330 E DOVER STREET

Ms. Sproson was not present. Mr. Reed stated that he did not feel he had enough information to act on this. Mr. Ford made a motion to lend support for Worship Without Walls but to deny the request of Worship Without Walls for waiving the building permit fee, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried with Ms. Jackson-Amis opposing. She asked that the request be sent back with a request for more specificity.

MEMO FROM TOWN ATTORNEY REGARDING WEST KENNEDY STREET BALLOTING

Mr. Kehoe briefed on the proposal of extension of water and sewer service to the residents to W. Kennedy Street neighborhood to the north of town through a combination of a long-term low interest loan from the Federal Department of Agricultural Rural Development service as well as a state grant for road improvements. He discussed the arrangement requiring the approval of 2/3 of the property owners and the owners of 2/3 of the assessed property. Mr. Kehoe stated that more than 2/3 of the owners have consented to the agreement. He stated that he will proceed with preparing for the documents for submission to the Council for annexation and setting forth a special tax district.

The Town Attorney briefed on the Special Tax District.

DISCUSSION OF HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION

Ms. Jackson-Amis requested that this discussion be adjourned until all Council could be present, preferably at the next meeting. The President of the Council invited the community for comments.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF PENSION OPTIONS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS

Ms. Jackson-Amis read a prepared statement responding to constituent inquires and concerns stemming from the insurance/pension issue raised during the two previous Council meetings.

Mr. Jensen stated that if the Town is going to consider any additional benefits, the possibility of a full-time Mayor should be considered.

Mr. Ford stated that it had been expressed that the fellow council members have no interest in pursuing a pension concept at this time. Mr. Ford stated that the President of the Council, if he so desires, can schedule the requested workshop.

LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN JOHN ATWOOD, PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGARDING THE WATER TOWER REPLACEMENT NEAR SOUTH CLIFTON

The Town Planner stated that the Planning Commission had recommended the water tower placement and that it is in conformity with the Comprehensive Plan but suggested that the Council may want to consider a public hearing in order to hear citizens’ concerns.

Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to hold a public hearing on this matter, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.

The Acting President of the Council set the Public Hearing for February 3, 2003 at 7:45 P.M.

APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $578,102.90

Upon motion by Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, invoices totaling $578,102.90 were unanimously approved for payment.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Butler stated that he believes the time has come for a full-time Mayor. He stated this did not effect his decision to seek re-election as his main concern was his age.

Ms. Jackson-Amis asked for the Mayor’s consideration for the appointment of Mr. George Wilson. She stated that she does not know if he would be interested in serving but it may be worth the Mayor’s time to speak to him. The Mayor stated that he will reply to her memo.

CHIEF OF POLICE’S COMMENTS

Chief Harvey discussed the Department’s ability now to count cars and their speeds by computer. He discussed monitoring Goldsborough Street.

Ms. Jackson-Amis questioned what the requirements are for publicizing information regarding sex-offenders in the community.

Chief Harvey discussed the procedure.

TOWN ENGINEER’S COMMENTS

Mr. Glass discussed the upcoming road show scheduled for Friday, January 24.

Mr. Glass asked for Council’s approval for a No Parking Zone on Glenwood Avenue Ext. He stated that there are currently no restricted parking signs for the sides of the street.

The Town Attorney stated that this would require a resolution.

The Town Engineer stated that there would be a contractor cleaning out the storm drains and getting the leaves out next week.

The Town Engineer discussed the survey to solicit improvements provided to contractors regarding the Building Permit Department.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR’S COMMENTS

Mr. Al Bond stated that the Town of Easton has received a matching grant for $4,700 that should pay to replace the outdoor mall maps in the downtown area.

COUNCIL’S COMMENTS

Mr. Jensen asked for an update on impact fee discussions. The Town Attorney stated that the County Council is exploring the idea of re-opening the impact fee study on a joint basis with the County and Town. Mr. Kehoe stated that he has not been able to contact Mr. Tischler. He stated that he will contact him and report back regarding Mr. Tischler’s willingness to do that.

Mr. Jensen discussed the wastewater treatment facility and the rule that no one project shall use more than 20% of the wastewater capacity. The Town Attorney clarified that he believes that this is a tariff of the Easton Utilities Commission.

Mr. Jensen asked the Town Engineer to direct his concerns to Mr. Grunden. Mr. Glass stated that he will report back to the Council.

Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the county’s desire to pass an excise tax in this area. She stated that she hopes that the Town Council would have some discussion regarding the impact and suggest a position.

The Acting President of the Council suggested discussion of the excise tax be put on the Agenda of the Joint Meeting with the Talbot County Municipalities and the County Council.

PARK BOARD CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS

Mr. Daniel Brasington invited everyone to the upcoming Park Board meeting Monday, January 27, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. He stated that discussion will occur on the proposed skate park sites.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Mr. Jensen discussed the Mayor’s Task Force for the Black & Decker closing. He discussed the recent meeting held with local business people and stated that there seemed to be a perception of an anti-development climate. He discussed upcoming Comprehensive Plan hearings and suggested trying extra hard to reach compromise with one another.

Mr. Ford echoed comments. He discussed roundtable comments and stated that as a community we need to spend our resources determining what we want and find the best developer and the best development application to suit those needs.

Mr. Reed agreed with the positions and stated that it is time to tell developers what we want and how we want it.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS

Mr. Al Silverstein, 7233 Francis Street, present representing Talbot County Chamber of Commerce. He discussed a recent poll with their membership regarding retired elected officials. Mr. Silverstein stated that with 93 responses back, 10% of their membership, all the answers were that this is not the appropriate time for this action. He offered the Chamber’s help.

Mr. Harvey Burgone, 529 South Washington Street, distributed information regarding the improvement of neighborhoods.

The Town Planner stated that the Draft Comprehensive Plan should be available on the Town of Easton’s website. He stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a Public Hearing as obligated by State Law. He discussed an informative workshop to explain what the Comprehensive Plan says.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously, the Acting President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled meeting at 8:32 p.m.

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Town Clerk