PRESENT AT CONVENING

Mayor Robert C. Willey Councilmember Scott R. Jensen

President of Council John F. Ford Councilmember Leonard E. Wendowski, Sr.

Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis

IN ATTENDANCE

Also in attendance was Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Chief Blue, Assistant to the Town Engineer Mr. Hause, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Bond and Town Clerk Robert Karge.

CONVENING

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 MARCH 20, 2006 MEETINGS

Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, minutes of the April 3, 2006 meeting was unanimously approved as corrected.

EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT

Mr. Jamie McNeal was present to discuss the Fire Department’s activities. He discussed the visibility of street signs in Easton Club East and Cooke’s Hope and the necessity to have reflective signs. Mr. McNeal suggested proposed legislation. Mr. Ford suggested that a letter be forwarded from the Fire Department with the request for signs.

MR. BILL DIAL, TALBOT COUNTY EMERGENCY PLANNER TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Mr. Dial discussed concerns regarding the importance of citizens taking responsibility for themselves and to know what to do when situations get so bad that they must be evacuated. Mr. Dial stated that the only shelter in Talbot County is Easton High School. He discussed a plan to include an animal shelter and a reverse 911 notification system.

ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY

May 13 at 1:00 p.m., the American Legion is having a grand opening of their new building on Teal Drive.

Mr. Karge is running numbers on an alternative adjustment to the retail/commercial impact fees. Discussion will occur May 1 at the Council meeting.

Mayor Willey asked for an Executive Session to seek the advice of counsel.

Mr. Wendowski asked for the building permit report figures shown year-to-date.

ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE

Chief Blue was elected Chairman of the Talbot County Narcotics Task Force.

ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER

Mr. Hause stated that the east/west connector traffic study revised proposal should be ready to be distributed at the next Council meeting. He stated that the project will take approximately six months to be completed.

ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER

The Planning Commission meets this week. On the agenda will be:

· the architecture for Target

· the Wawa food market

· a proposal for a shopping center on Chapel Road on the Easton Commons site

· small PUD on N. Washington Street

The President of the Council had a request from the developers to set the public hearing for the Faison project.

ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY

Mr. Kehoe requested a Closed Session for the advice of legal counsel.

ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Mr. Bond updated on the proposal to annex the Clifton Industrial Park and the CDBG grant for that project.

Mr. Bond will bring before the Council at the next meeting, a set of requirements for Council’s consideration regarding leased space in the downtown.

ORDINANCE NO. 499, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON GRANTING THE APPLICATION OF SHORE LANDS, LLC TO REZONE PARCEL 45 ON TAX MAP 26 FROM AGRICULTURAL (A-1) TO RESIDENTIAL (R-10A)

Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried, ordinance No. 499 was defeated 3 to 2 with Mr. Jensen, Mr. Wendowski and Ms. Scott-Taylor voting no.

Mr. Kehoe will prepare Findings of Facts reflecting the Council’s vote.

APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $575,361.57

Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, invoices totaling $575,361.57 were approved for payment.

ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

Ms. Scott-Taylor discussed the rental housing inspection program and the inspections performed by MDIA.

Mr. Jensen requested Mr. Garlick’s presence at the next meeting to discuss tracking lead paint findings.

CLOSED SESSION

At 8:13 p.m., upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; the President of the Council convened the regularly scheduled meeting in Closed Session for the advice of legal counsel.

ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting at 8:46 p.m.

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Town Clerk