TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
March 17, 2003
Councilman Carl B. Reed
Councilman John F. Ford Councilwoman Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Town Clerk Robert F. Karge, Town Attorney C. Kehoe, Christopher Drummond, Esq., Assistant Town Engineer J. Gruber, Town Planner Tom Hamilton, Economic Development Coordinator Al Bond, Chief George M. Harvey Easton Police Department and interested citizens and members of the press.
The Town Clerk, Robert Karge, called the meeting to order in the absence of President of the Council, Mr. Willey.
Upon motion by Mr. Reed, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, Mr. Ford was elected Acting President of the Council.
Mr. Ford stated that Mr. Willey’s absence was due to his son-in-law’s departure for Kuwait and he is stationed at Fort AP Hill.
The Town Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Ms. Jackson-Amis led the audience in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 3, 2003 MEETINGS
With corrections to the minutes submitted by Ms. Jackson-Amis and Mayor Butler, minutes of the March 3 meetings were approved with motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 5759 DESIGNATING A PORTION OF THE PROPOSED FIRE DEPARTMENT SUBSTATION FUNDING TO BE FINANCED WITH LONG-TERM BONDS AND AUTHORITY TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT
Mayor Butler introduced President of the Easton Fire Department Mr. Ken Bush, Mr. Mike Dickerson, Past President and Past Chief Kelly Jones.
Mr. Ken Bush discussed the need for a substation.
Mr. Ford discussed the $200,000 reduction in cost of the original estimate. Mr. Bush stated that the local contractors gave them a more realistic approach of what local prices might be.
Mr. Jensen stated that the Town is accomplishing the funding with a bond.
Mayor Butler discussed the safety issue for the east side of Easton.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the amount of the bond proposed. The Town Clerk stated that the total amount of the bond proposed is in excess of 10.5 million dollars with the largest portion to refinance outstanding debt at a lower interest rate.
Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5759, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously following a roll call vote of those members present.
APPRECIATION FOR REALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR REPLACEMENT OF END DOORS AT FIRE HOUSE
Mr. Mike Dickerson, Past President, was present on behalf of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. He thanked the Mayor and Council for reallocation of funds for replacement of end-room doors at the fire house.
PROCLAMATION FOR AMERICAN RED CROSS
No rrepresentative was present.
MR. DAVID MERCIER’S ADDRESS TO COUNCIL REGARDING PRO PEACE DECLARATION
Mr. Mercier, 32 S. Washington Street, presented a draft resolution, proclamation or statement that he would like the Town of Easton to consider drafting in reference to the war in Iraq.
Mr. Jensen stated that he is deeply disturbed by recent events and wonders if the Town Council should get involved in comment.
Mr. Ford suggested if the Council decides to take an official position on this proclamation, we wait until the President of the Council has returned. Mr. Ford discussed his concerns regarding support of the troops.
Mr. Reed stated that he is a veteran of WWII. Mr. Reed stated that he is not an advocate of war but the situation has to be stopped and we have to give the troops all the support we can when they are being called upon to do what they can do. He stated that it is a hard decision because there are so many lives involved. He asked that if we have to fight this war that we get behind the troops as true Americans.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed leading a United Methodist delegation to the offices of our representatives in the United States Senate and Congress to appeal with them to come up with other solutions to present to the President. She stated that she is concerned on a personal level. She stated that she feels that she is in a representative position and she would not take a decision until hearing from her constituents.
Mr. Ford stated that the comments represent the conflict within America. He stated that they will deliberate when the President of the Council returns and respond at the next meeting.
ORDINANCE NO. 456, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE ELECTION WARD BOUNDARIES OF THE TOWN”
The Town Attorney discussed the history of the enactment. He stated that the purpose of this ordinance is to correct an error that was realized on the previously adopted map. He stated that it moves the boundary between Ward 1 and Ward 2 in the affected area one block to the west so that Mr. Jensen is in the correct ward.
Mr. Ford discussed the wording in the Ordinance. He stated that the Ordinance refers to the intersection of Goldsborough Street and Park Lane and the map states Park Street.
Mr. Jensen stated that Park Street is correct.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 456 with the change of Park Lane to Park Street on page one, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously following a roll call vote of those members present.
COUNCIL’S CONSENSUS ON THE LAKELANDS PUD
Mr. Joseph Stevens, the applicant’s attorney, stated a five member council heard the matter two weeks ago. He requested that the consensus be postponed until Mr. Willey is present.
EXCISE TAX HB 701
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she requested to be placed on the agenda because she was in the untenable position of filing a complaint, which she did, because of the alleged violation of the Open Meetings Law, not only by the Town Council but the County Council. She requested a transcript of the proceedings. She stated that all of the deliberations made, should be made in an open forum from the beginning to the end of the deliberation process unless they are matters that are supposed to be closed. She wanted the listening public to understand that this was not an arbitrary or capricious act but an act she felt compelled by the circumstances. Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the concern and involvement of the five municipalities in the county on the onset of the deliberations about the enabling legislation. She stated that if the legislation is passed, she hopes that there is a cap so that small businesses and individual homeowners adding on their homes would not be penalized for undefined new development. She asked the Town Clerk to have an official transcript so that what actually transpired can be part of a formal record.
Mr. Ford stated that he disagreed with Ms. Jackson-Amis’ position on whether to support enabling legislation. He stated that he fully respected her position. Mr. Ford discussed her submission to the Open Meetings Compliance Board although the description of her fellow council members disturbed him in its description of her council members’ grasp of the legislation and their rationale for voting the way they did.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed her letter.
GLENWOOD AVENUE
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked that this matter be delayed until the next meeting.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $362,394.36
Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve invoices totaling $362,394.36 for payment, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously.
COMMENTS BY MAYOR BUTLER
Mayor Butler thanked Council members for passing Resolution No. 5759.
COMMENTS BY CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Harvey had the following requests for consideration:
The Acting President of the Council stated that there were no objections from the Council.
The Acting President of the Council, Mr. Ford, stated that they had a request in their packet for two parking spaces on Dover Road for the Vietnam Memorial to be cleaned on March 29. Chief Harvey stated that it was approved.
Mr. Reed commented on the awards banquet for the members of the Easton Police Department. He congratulated the Police Department for their accomplishments.
Chief Harvey thanked the Mayor and members of the Council for attending.
COMMENTS FROM ASSISTANT TOWN ENGINEER
The Assistant Town Engineer, Mr. Gruber updated on Public Works projects. He stated that the asphalt plants are expected to open next week so they can begin to work on permanent pothole repairs.
Mr. Reed discussed the collection of leaves in South Beechwood. Mr. Gruber stated that he will direct the request to the Public Works Department.
Ms. Jackson-Amis questioned if the Engineer’s Department is scheduled to meet with Mr. Paul Tischler regarding the impact fee study. She had concerns that the council was not included in these interviews. Ms. Jackson-Amis asked the Town Planner to inform the council ahead of time, some of the impact concerns and how they will be worked out with the fire department, the police and the roads particularly since the excise tax is being discussed. She stated that if the excise tax does pass, what impact it would have on the impact fees and if negotiations could take place with new developers that are in the process.
The Town Attorney stated that Mr. Glass has already met with Mr. Tischler. He stated that he is also meeting with the County Council and will have a meeting with the Town Council in the future. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she would like to sit in on some of the interviews.
Mr. Jensen discussed a burnt out building near August Street and questioned the status of the condemnation or the renovation. He discussed the residents concern regarding a street light near her house. Mr. Jensen asked the Town Engineer’s office to look at the situation.
TOWN ATTORNEY’S COMMENTS
The Town Attorney, Mr. Kehoe, updated on the Cooke’s Hope PUD amendment request. Mr. Kehoe stated that he had received a call today from John Stalford, the attorney representing the Springfield Drive residents who were opposed to the application. Mr. Kehoe stated that he informed him that he has received from Mr. Stagg’s office a revised plan that he is in the processing of discussing with his clients then he will report back. He stated that there appears to be good efforts on both sides.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Ford thanked Mr. Bond and all the volunteers for the St. Patrick’s Day event today.
Mr. Jensen congratulated the Easton Girl’s Lacrosse Team for their success during the St. Patrick’s Day Potato Race.
COUNCIL’S COMMENTS
Mr. Ford reviewed the Council’s calendar.
Ms. Jackson discussed the petition opposing the skate park being placed at Idlewild Park. Mr. Ford stated that it supports the park but not the location.
Mr. Jensen stated that Mr. Chris Delaporte was in town last week reviewing the park. He will be back to address the Council with his findings.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that the MML Legislative Committee will be holding its final meeting on March 22, 2003 regarding the 2003 General Assembly. She stated that it has asked them to weigh in on two questions and she encouraged the public to help with that. 1) Does your municipality support or oppose the use of slot machine revenue help the State of MD balance the budget and 2) if your municipality opposes the slots as a source of state revenue, do you think the MML should support slots as an organization if it were part of a legislative package that restores planned cuts and programs that benefit municipal government? She asked for community response.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the Progressive Club, a new organization, who will be recognizing retired teachers on July 19. She encouraged support.
Mr. Ford discussed Dr. Michael Scott’s demonstration at the Avalon on March 24. He stated Dr. Scott will demonstrate software as a tool to visualize traffic impacts,
Mr. Ford wished his son a happy 20th birthday and his father a speedy recovery.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Mr. Leonard Wendowski, 28545 Congressional Court, discussed the Comprehensive Plan, its length, and his desire to obtain a take home copy.
The Town Planner stated that he would take a copy to Laser Letters so they can copy the Comprehensive Plan on request.
At 8:10 p.m., Mr. Willey arrived and assumed the Presidency of the Council.
COUNCIL’S CONSENSUS ON THE LAKELANDS PUD
Mr. Ford supported the application on the condition that the sub road on the applicant’s property, in the future could be used to connect Holly Road and constructed by the applicant.
Mr. Jensen stated that he does not support the application. He stated that he did not support the annexation and thinks that when that sub division is built, people will be trapped in their sub division and the town should not be growing out there.
Mr. Reed stated that he supports the development of the land. He stated that it will have a right-in, right-out to get on Route 50 and later, may have a bypass and an overpass to connect to the Parkway.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she did not vote for the annexation as she thinks we are growing far too rapidly and does not vote to support the application.
Mr. Willey stated that he will vote for it. He stated that the applicant went back and satisfied demands placed on the earlier application and he feels that the growth will slow dramatically due to the availability of sewer hook-ups.
Mr. Christopher Drummond, the Town of Easton’s representative for this application, stated that he will prepare the Findings of Facts.
The President of the Council asked Mr. Drummond to include Mr. Ford’s conditions.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously, the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled meeting at 8:15 p.m.
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Town Clerk