TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
January 17, 2006
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance was Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Chief Blue, Assistant to the Town Engineer Mr. Hause, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Al Bond Economic Development Coordinator, and Kathy Ruf for the Town Clerk.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford called the meeting to order.
Ms. Maureen Scott-Taylor opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 3, 2005 MINUTES
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, minutes of the January 3, 2006 meetings were unanimously approved.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. Jamie McNeal was present to report the Fire Department’s monthly activities.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis, Mr. Edward Pinder’s appointment to the Park Board was carried unanimously.
ITEMS BY CHIEF BLUE
Chief Blue stated that a route for a walk in April for muscular dystrophy is being finalized.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Hause updated on ongoing projects. Easton Club East’s curb is progressing. Mr. Hause stated that the RFP for the police department addition will be forthcoming.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
The Town Planner stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission will be electing officers and will be sending the Zoning Ordinance back to the Council for approval. Mr. Hamilton stated that the following applications will be reviewed at the February meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission:
1) WaWa
2) Sonic Restaurant
3) Shopping Center PMR application on the Easton Commons site with a grocery store major anchor.
4) Warehouse Flex building at Easton Technology.
MS. ELIZABETH WATSON TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING EASTON’S HERITAGE AREA AND AVAILABLE FUNDS
Ms. Watson discussed targeted investment zones and how much money can be brought into the region with grant money. She asked the Mayor and Council to send a letter jointly signed by their Chairman, Al Silverstein to the state saying this is an amendment to the targeted investment zones with a list of heritage related projects the Town would like to see accomplished.
MR. HUGH GRUNDEN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, EASTON UTILTIES TO DISCUSS WINTER UTILITY BILLS
Mr. Grunden commented on the recently rendered utility bills. He discussed the rising cost of oil and record gas prices and the impact of the hurricanes and what it did to the productive capacity of the gulf. Mr. Grunden stated that for each unit of energy Easton Utilities customers’ use, they’ve seen a significant price in those unit costs which have resulted in historically high energy bills. Mr. Grunden stated that $.70 of every dollar collected on an electric bill goes to wholesale suppliers; $.80 of every dollar collected for gas bills goes to someone else as well. He stated that conservation is key and financial assistance is available which is administered by the Neighborhood Service Center.
Mr. Grunden updated on the wastewater treatment facility construction project.
MR. ROGER BOLLMAN, CHAIRMAN EASTON HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING 2005 ANNUAL REPORT
Mr. Bollman discussed what was accomplished in 2005 and the Historic District’s plans for 2006. Mr. Bollman stated that the Historic District supported the Londonderry project and its inclusion as a non-contiguous member in the Historic District Commission.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM SHORE HEALTH SYSTEM TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING ADKINS AVENUE
Mr. John Murray from Miles and Stockbridge was present on behalf of Shore Health System and introduced Ms. Deidra Bell, CFO. He stated that the hospital will be borrowing over 30 million dollars and will finance the project with tax exempt bonds.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked for open discussion regarding this matter and proper public notice before a vote.
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried with Ms. Jackson voting no, the Council authorized the Mayor to sign a waiver for the right of reentry of Adkins Avenue while there is outstanding debt.
PUBLIC HEARING TO OBTAIN THE VIEWS OF CITIZENS ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING NEEDS AND TO OFFER CITIZENS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW AN APPLICATION FOR THE EXTENSION OF WATER AND WASTE WATER SERVICES TO THE CLIFTON INDUSTRIAL PARK WHICH THE TOWN OF EASTON PROPOSES TO SUBMIT TO THE STATE PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 1, 2006.
At 8:26 p.m., the President of the Council opened the public hearing.
Mr. Bond discussed a request for annexation by business owners of Clifton Industrial Park. He stated that there are significant capital improvements that need to be made. Mr. Bond discussed an Economic Development Community Development Block Grant and the necessity to retain jobs in the community. He stated that this grant is a critical piece of putting together enough benefit to the property owners at Clifton Industrial Park for the project to go forward. He stated that this is not the only hurdle. Annexation would require 25% of the property owners to agree to be annexed and would require a special taxing district to be in place. He stated that 66% of the property owners have to agree to it and also 66% of the assessed value has to agree to it. Mr. Bond stated that the real decision lies in the hands of the people that own property in Clifton Industrial Park. He asked that the resolution be amended to authorize the submittal of an application for Community Development Block Grant funds up to $1,000,000. Mr. Bond stated that jobs will be created and at least 200 jobs will be retained by this project moving forward. He stated that the state has said that there is funding available. Mr. Bond stated that the question tonight is whether or not we apply for the grant. He stated that the special taxing district is allocating $56,000.
The President of the Council invited public comments. There were none. He stated that the public record would stay open until the close of business Friday for public comments.
RESOLUTION NO. 5872 AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS UP TO $1,000,000
Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5872 seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.
Resolution No. 5873, “A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REPEALING AND REENACTING, WITH AMENDMENTS, ARTICLE VI SECTION 11 OF THE EASTON TOWN CHARTER TO ALLOW THE EASTON TOWN COUNCIL TO SET AN ANNUAL TAX RATE ON REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE TOWN OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO TAXATION AT A RATE UP TO SEVENTY CENTS PER ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS OF ASSESSED VALUATION.”
Resolution No. 5874, “A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REPEALING AND REENACTING, WITH AMENDMENTS, ARTICLE VI SECTION 11 OF THE EASTON TOWN CHARTER TO ALLOW THE EASTON TOWN COUNCIL TO LEVY TAXES ON REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE TOWN IN ORDER TO PAY PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON NOTES AS WELL AS BONDS OF THE TOWN REGARDLESS OF LIMITATIONS ON PROPERTY TAX RATES.”
The President of the Council scheduled a public hearing for February 6 at 7:15 p.m., to allow comments from the community on Resolutions 5873 and 5874.
ORDINANCE NO. 494, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON GRANTING THE APPLICATION OF THE ARTERY GROUP, LLC TO ESTABLISH A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (“PUD”) ZONING DISTRICT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE.”
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, Ordinance No. 494 was approved for passage with Mr. Wendowski voting no.
ORDINANCE NO. 496, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE EASTON TOWN CODE TO REVISE THE PROVISIONS REGARDING THE PARK BOARD’S POWERS AND AUTHORITY.”
The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 496 for a first reading. Ms. Jackson-Amis asked that it be amended to include input by the Park Board regarding their department’s finances. The Town Attorney will amend the ordinance.
CONSENSUS ON THE REQUEST OF SHORE LANDS, LLC (FORMERLY PASSYN & PASSYN LLC) FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED EAST SIDE OF MARYLAND ROUTE 328 (MATTHEWSTOWN ROAD) AND SOUTH OF BLACK DOG ALLEY. THE PROPERTY IS OWNED BY SHORE LANDS, LLC (FORMERLY PASSYN & PASSYN) AND INCLUDES A TOTAL OF 79.014 ACRES (ACREAGE INCLUDES A PORTION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY OF MD ROUTE 328). THE REQUEST IS TO RECLASSIFY THE PROPERTY FROM A-1 (AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT) TO R-10A (RESIDENTIAL).
The consensus of the Council was to grant the request of Shore Lands, LLC for an amendment to the Zoning Classification with the conditions that the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations be approved and in place before the rezoning takes effect. Mr. Jensen and Mr. Wendowski were not in favor of the amendment.
The President of the Council set a workshop to discuss the subdivision regulations for February 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council’s Chambers with the public hearing for February 21 at 7:15 p.m.
REQUEST FROM ATELIER 11, LTD, FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR APPLICATION FOR STATE TAX CREDITS FOR MCDANIEL HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, a letter will be drafted from the Mayor and Council in support of the McDaniel House applying for State Tax Credits.
REQUEST FROM UPPER SHORE AGING, INC. FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT REGARDING THE COUNTY’S PLANNED PROJECT TO RENOVATE THE TALBOT COUNTY SENIOR CENTER
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; the Council approved supporting the planned project to renovate the Talbot County Senior Center.
PROPOSED HOLIDAY SANITATION PICKUP FROM MIKE DICKERSON, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Mayor Willey stated that Mr. Dickerson redrafted the holiday sanitation pickup due to problems over the holiday.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $642,944.95
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried, invoices totaling $642,944.95 were unanimously approved for payment.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR JOHN WHITE, ESQ.
The Memorial Service for Mr. John White will be Thursday, January 19 at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Church. The Town Attorney stated that Mr. White was a pillar in the Town of Easton and served in many capacities; for years as the Chairman on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Kehoe asked that a Proclamation honoring his life be presented to his survivors.
CONSENSUS ON THE PRESERVE AT EASTON
Mr. Ford stated that the applicant has asked that a consensus not be taken until the February 21 meeting as they are reconsidering some options.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
The President of the Council asked if there was any one present to address the Council. There were none.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:36 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled council meeting to go into a Closed Meeting to discuss real estate matters and for the advice of counsel.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting at 9:52 p.m.
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Town Clerk