TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
October 17, 2005
Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance was Chief Blue, Assistant to the Town Engineer Mr. Hause, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Al Bond Economic Development Coordinator, Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe and Mrs. Ruf for the Town Clerk.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford called the meeting to order.
Mr. Wendowski opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 3, 2005 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; minutes of the meetings were approved as written.
PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION FOR CHARACTER COUNTS
Mayor Willey presented a proclamation to Ms. Susan Luby and Ms. Linda Evans for National Character Counts Week October 16 through October 22.
REQUEST TO AMEND AGENDA TO INCLUDE AN ISSUE RELATED TO ADKINS AVENUE DEED OF OWNERSHIP
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked that this matter be added to the agenda for discussion. Mr. Ford stated that this will be discussed after the Impact Fee Rate Schedule.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. Drew Jensen reported on the Fire Department’s monthly activities.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey stated that a representative from Mid-Shore Mediation will be present during an upcoming meeting to discuss their services.
Mayor Willey received two letters to be forwarded to the Council. One changes the street direction and routing of automobiles and the other letter is concerning zoning classification.
ITEMS BY CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue asked for approval for six public assembly permits:
Chief Blue recommended approval.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously, permission was granted for the public assembly permits.
Chief Blue asked for parking allowances for the Maryland African American Heritage Preservation Conference at the Historical Society as requested by Ms. Jackson-Amis. Chief Blue asked for reserved parking for approximately 50 spaces Thursday through Friday for half of Lot 3 and other spaces behind the Police Department. On Saturday, all 50 spaces will be reserved with a placard to determine participants.
Mr. Wendowski made a motion to approve Ms. Jackson-Amis’ request seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Hause advised that leaf collection began today and will continue until the end of December following the scheduled bulk route.
Mr. Hause granted an extension to the contract for the W. Glenwood project past the November 1 date.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
Mr. Hamilton brought to the floor a letter from Mr. Clark of 9 Choptank Avenue requesting rezoning. He asked that this be forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their review and recommendation.
The President of the Council referred the matter.
The Planning and Zoning Commission’s agenda for October 20:
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
The Town Attorney asked for an Executive Session to discuss real estate and potential litigation.
LETTER FROM MS. DOROTHY M. WHITCOMB, WOMEN & GIRLS FUND REQUESTING PERMISSION TO HANG BANNER OCTOBER 20 THROUGH NOVEMBER 4 AT TALBOTTOWN FOR BOUNTIFUL’S HOLIDAY KICK-OFF BENEFIT
Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to grant approval for the sign seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE NO. 493, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A LICENSE AGREEMENT TO ALLOW AN ENCROACHMENT FROM 118-120 TALBOT LANE INTO THE THIRTY (30) FOOT RIGHT OF WAY KNOWN AS TALBOT LANE TO CONTINUE.”
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously following a roll call vote, Ordinance No. 493 was approved.
RESOLUTION NO. 5866 APPROVING THE COMMUNITY LEGACY APPLICATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $791,000
There are five projects included in the application:
1) Acquisition of the Moton School.
2) Fred Douglass monument, $200,000 for construction of the monument.
3) Upper story gap financing for redevelopment.
4) Easton Façade improvement project – matching grant for $75,000.
5) Avalon Theatre two year capital improvement plan – request for $36,000 for carpeting.
Mr. Jensen ranked the projects for submission.
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously Resolution No. 5866 was approved for passage.
MEMO FROM AL BOND REGARDING IMPACT FEE RATE SCHEDULE
Mr. Bond presented a review of the fees implemented by the Tischler study. He suggested altering the fees to make them more absorbable. Mr. Bond discussed residential fees calculated according to the amount of persons and the amount of bedrooms in a dwelling.
The Town Attorney discussed Maryland Law as it relates to impact fees.
Mr. Bond is to present more data at the next Council meeting regarding his calculation for impact fees.
CONCERNS RAISED REGARDING THE DEED TRANSFER OF ADKINS AVENUE
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed concerns raised recently regarding Shore Health System and University of Maryland Medical System for negotiations of a fine state of the art hospital in our region. She stated that the South Easton Neighborhood Association is asking the Council to recognize this significant change in circumstances involving Adkins Avenue and the deed to donate the street should be revisited and specifically, the Town should hold off issuing a deed until a final resolution is going to move in the near future. South Easton Neighborhood Association also is asking the Council to consider the purchase of the H & G Restaurant where construction is proposed for a new medical facility geared to emergency services.
The Town Attorney stated that the legislation passed by the Town Council with regard to the closure of Adkins Avenue provides that the street will not be closed nor will there be a deed for the street until the Shore Health System has its funding in place and the building permit issued by the Town which would be the very last thing undertaken before the start of construction. Mr. Kehoe stated that it is not settled whether Shore Health System is going to proceed with the emergency care facility on South Washington Street.
The Town Attorney suggested inviting someone from Shore Health System to address the council and discuss those negotiations and where they are in terms of their planning.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed Adkins Avenue being returned to the town in its original condition if the hospital is not using the property for the specified arrangements.
The Town Attorney advised that the deed has not been written and stated that he would research the conditions of the ordinance.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $1,413,570.25
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, invoices totaling $1,413,570.25 were approved for payment.
ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Mr. Jensen asked that rate controls be discussed in an upcoming meeting.
Mr. Wendowski asked for an update for the number of units in the current stream due to the fact that Easton Utilities has increased their water and sewer allocations by 329. Mr. Wendowski asked for an update for the new plant to make sure it will last the projected life span.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked the public to allow the process for the WaWa project to move forward.
Mr. Ford asked the Town Clerk and Town Attorney to write a memo regarding the impact the town’s tax structure has to provide the services for the citizens and outline the process should the council deem it appropriate to change the Town Charter.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously following a roll call vote, the President of the Council convened into Executive Session at 8:59 p.m. for matters of real estate, the advice of counsel and potential litigation.
At 9:18 p.m., the President of the Council closed the Executive Session and reconvened into Regular Session.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:18 p.m., the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
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Town Clerk