TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
February 7, 2005
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance were the Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Chief Blue, Town Engineer Mr. Glass, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Karge, the Town Clerk.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council called the meeting to order. Mr. Jensen opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 19, 2005 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, minutes of the January 19, 2005 meetings were approved as written.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. Drew Jensen thanked the Mayor and Council for the contribution at the Fire Department banquet. Mr. Jensen reported on January’s activities.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey addressed the letter of resignation from Mr. Burton Wilson as an alternate on the Board of Zoning Appeals. He stated that there is a resume from Mr. William Slivka who is a potential candidate.
Mayor Willey stated that he has forwarded a copy of Talbot County’s Hazardous Response Plan. He asked if the Council wants to have a workshop on that plan.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she is continually disappointed with the fact that the Community Legacy request of the Council and the order in which we are making our recommendation seems to be overlooked at the highest levels. She stated that one of her concerns is the advocacy of one program over the other. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that the Frederick Douglass statue is a compelling project for the Community Legacy Grant. She questioned the process in Crownsville.
Mayor Willey discussed the process and stated that once it is forwarded, he doesn’t have any contact with Crownsville. He stated that he has never promoted one project over the other after the Council has approved the list.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that in the future, she thinks that somehow we should share with the funding source why we have selected the projects and why they have been put in the order submitted.
Ms. Jackson-Amis expressed her concern over the projects approved and the priority in which they were submitted and overlooked. She stated that there has to be a rationale.
Mayor Willey stated that he cannot honestly say how they make their picks.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that it is a worrisome area for her and she plans to at least try to sort out the information.
Mayor Willey expressed his disappointment regarding the Historic Cemeteries of Easton not being funded by the Community Legacy Grant.
Mr. Bond stated that this year, things went just as Mayor Willey indicated. He stated that there was no activity after the point when the grant requests were sent. He stated that in former years, there has been a review committee that may come to the town. Hopefully, this opportunity for advocacy may happen again although we weren’t given the opportunity this year.
Ms. Jackson-Amis suggested that we advocate for those things we feel are in a priority area effectively as these others do so the issues the Council wants to address, become a part of this process.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue stated that the Department has been working on budget preparation.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ENGINEER
The Town Engineer, Mr. Glass stated that the Public Works Department and the Town Engineer’s office are also working on the budget. He stated that they will be doing the annual inspection of the streets in town. Mr. Glass invited the Council to join them Thursday, February 10 at 8:00 a.m. He welcomed input and asked that specific projects be forwarded to him.
The Town Engineer stated that his office will be receiving bids for the West Kennedy Street neighborhood street improvements.
Mr. Glass updated on construction projects. He stated that they will be finishing construction on August Street and immediately begin some street and road construction on Pennsylvania Avenue between Goldsborough Street and Dover Street extended. He stated that they are working on the design for the Hammond Street area for the upcoming months.
The Town Engineer, Mr. Glass discussed a memo regarding the east/west road construction cost estimate. He stated that he feels comfortable with the numbers as presented. Mr. Glass stated that exclusive of some land acquisition, his estimated cost for the project is approximately $6.3 million.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked if any land owners have been contacted regarding acquisition of property.
The Town Engineer stated that they have not been contacted. He discussed acquisition cost estimates.
Mr. Wendowski asked the status of the Royal Farms project on Dutchman’s Lane.
Mr. Glass stated that Royal Farms submitted information to him last week. He stated that he will be looking at this during this week.
Mr. Wendowski stated that he is hopeful to have figures to discuss with the County Council at their quarterly meeting in order to move this project along.
Mr. Jensen stated that he and Ms. Scott-Taylor were at Brent Ridge subdivision today taking a look at the drainage concerns. He stated that there looks to be a serious drainage problem out there.
The Town Engineer stated that it is an active construction and some of the manholes are not adjusted to grade. He stated that the roads still need another layer of asphalt to allow people to start moving into the community which is holding water back from getting into the gutter pan. He stated that once that last lift of asphalt if put on, it will flow fine to the gutter pan. In the meantime, the developer in that area needs to be responsible for insuring that the water gets out of the street as best they can. Mr. Glass stated that they will work with the developer.
ITEMS FROM THE TOWN PLANNER
The Town Planner, Mr. Hamilton distributed information regarding residential lots that are approved and lots that are pending. He stated that an advocacy group has asked for the data and he wanted to distribute it to the Council prior to dissemination.
Mr. Hamilton stated that there are three items from the Planning and Zoning Commission that are on tonight’s agenda. He stated that the request from the Commission’s Shop at the hospital for parking spaces does not require action until they ask; this is simply a letter from the Planning Commission in support of this application.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked for a suggestion from Mr. Bond regarding the parking situation and his concerns.
Mr. Hamilton stated that the Planning Commission has reviewed the West Glenwood annexation and support the annexation. He stated that they propose the zoning as presented at the last meeting by the Town Attorney.
HISTORIC DISTRICT EXPANSION
The Town Planner stated that the final letter is from the Historic District Commission’s request to expand their District. He stated that the Planning Commission reviewed the request and forwarded a recommendation supporting that expansion. He stated that the next step in this process is to schedule a public hearing since this is an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. He asked that the public hearing be scheduled for March 7.
The President of the Council set the public hearing for the expansion of the Historic District Commission for March 7 at 7:15 p.m.
HOSPITAL COMMISSION SHOP
Mr. Wendowski asked that the hospital commission shop come before the council to discuss the addition of the 22 parking spaces and how this will be handled.
DISCUSSION OF WEST GLENWOOD ANNEXATION
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked the Town Attorney to discuss the West Glenwood annexation timeline.
The Town Attorney discussed the legal requirements for annexations. He stated that we are looking at a 90 day time frame for the annexation.
The Town Attorney stated that they would like to recommend, in case the project costs exceed the grant, to have a special tax district which would help with financing that incremental difference. Mr. Kehoe stated that there are requirements in state law as to approval from property owners and approvals from owners from a certain percentage of the overall assessed value of the property within the proposed special tax district. He stated that the Assistant Town Attorney has met with Mrs. Wilson as well as additional owners of the West Glenwood area and today the necessary consents were received.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the special tax district and stated that this should have been discussed prior to the introduction of the legislation. She stated that the constituents, who contacted her to ask about it, caught her unaware and she thought this was an imposition. She stated that she would like to be informed much earlier so there can be proper discussion and if there are questions, she can raise them herself.
The Town Attorney apologized for any inconveniences and that he did not want to hold up the annexation.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
The Town Attorney stated that he will submit for the next meeting, the Findings of Fact on 22 Plum Street PUD application.
Mr. Kehoe discussed the Adkins Avenue brief. He stated that it is scheduled for an argument with the Board of Appeals on March 9. Mr. Kehoe stated that if any members of the Council are interested in attending, he can provide more details as well as the brief.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond updated on upcoming events and the need for volunteers. He asked interested persons to contact the Welcome and Resource Center at 410-820-8822.
REQUEST FROM ACADEMY ART MUSEUM FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ONE HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE ON 106 SOUTH STREET AT THE MUSEUM’S FRONT ENTRANCE
Chief Blue stated that this area is already used generally in parking. He stated that handicapped accessibility to the Academy as well as the Waterfowl Festival building would be beneficial.
The Town Engineer stated that he suggested Mr. Brownawell forward a letter. He stated that the Academy Museum is also willing to absorb the cost to the Public Works Department for the signage, etc. Mr. Glass stated that the Academy is ADA compliant.
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously, Mr. Brownawell’s request for the installation of one handicapped parking space at the Museum’s front entrance was approved.
AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 480
The President of the Council introduced Amended Ordinance No. 480 for a first reading, “AN AMENDED ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE TOWN OF EASTON TO APPLY AN ORIGINAL ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF R-7A (RESIDENTIAL) AND CRITICAL AREA ZONING OF LDA (LIMITED DEVELOPMENT AREA) TO A PARCEL OF LAND ANNEXED TO THE TOWN OF EASTON LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF MARYLAND ROUTE 322 CONSISTING OF 30.192 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS.”
The President of the Council stated that the public hearing for the annexation is scheduled for April 4 at 7:15 p.m.
MS. PEGGY ROE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
On behalf of her family, Ms. Roe thanked the community for their support after her daughter Beth’s accident on June 12.
ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Mr. Jensen stated that Mayor Willey has received a funding source for the architectural standards project. Mr. Jensen thanked individuals responsible for their contributions.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she is hoping that the Town Attorney can create the written material for the Housing Trust Fund. She stated that it would be great to have by the next meeting.
Ms. Jackson-Amis acknowledged the generosity of the Academy Art Museum which will host the model of the Frederick Douglass rendering for public consideration on March 1 for a month. She stated that a decision will be made and rendered on April 2.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed celebrating African American History month. She stated that she would like to see a change in the community to reflect African-American employees in the management fields, heroes in the community and changes that reflect the African-American experience in a way that resonates with the children in the school so they can see their families and themselves working and enjoying the life that is touted so much in this great small town. She asked that we look to improve the effort and determine how to make a better life and opportunities for all of the citizens in this community; from housing to recreation to improve their employment and better wages.
Mr. Jensen acknowledged Mr. Richard Firth who was a great asset for the architectural standards process.
The President of the Council reviewed the upcoming important dates for the Council. Mr. Ford re-scheduled the Impact Fee workshop for Tuesday, February 15, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council’s chambers.
The President of the Council reminded those present that the next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be Tuesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. due to the observance of Presidents’ Day.
The President of the Council discussed the upcoming election. He stated that positions are open for President of the Council, Ward 2 and Ward 4. Mr. Ford stated that the voters’ registration deadline is March 30, petitions for candidates need to be into the Town office by close of business, 4:00 p.m. on April 4, the candidates name will be printed by April 7 and the town election will be Monday, May 2 with polls opening from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Easton Firehouse. Mr. Ford stated that the Council meeting will be held on Tuesday evening that week. He stated that anyone interested in running for office can pick up a petition at the Town office.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:56 p.m.
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Town Clerk