TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
May 1, 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, Rental Housing Inspector Mr. Garlick, Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Bond, Director Parks and Recreation Mr. Sviatko and Town Clerk Robert Karge.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford called the meeting to order.
Ms. Jackson-Amis opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 17, 2006 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, minutes of the April 17, 2006 meeting was unanimously approved.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. Jamie McNeal updated on the Fire Department April activities.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey discussed vandalism at the Town parks. He stated that responsible persons, when apprehended, will be prosecuted.
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; Mr. Roger Bollman’s re-appointment on the Historic District Commission was approved.
CITATIONS OF EXCELLENCE AND CITATIONS OF DISTINCTION PRESENTED FOR SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT FOR THE YEAR 2005
Ms. Jackson-Amis presented a Citation of Excellence to David Cherry and a Citation of Distinction to Christine Dayton, Architect for accurate restoration to Cherry’s after a devastating fire.
Mr. Wendowski presented a Citation of Distinction to David Willse, 15 S. Hanson Street; Charles Goebel, 206 Goldsborough Street and Grant Friedman and Giancarlo Tondin, owners of Scossa’s. Ms. Sharon Walbert, 204 August Street and Mr. Steven Hack were not present
INTRODUCTION OF MR. MIKE WALSH, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, SPORTS AND HOSPITALITY BUSINESS SEGMENT, CARL M. FREEMAN COMPANIES
Ms. Scott-Taylor introduced Mr. Walsh who is now associated with The Tidewater Inn. He discussed the proposed renovations and refurbishment planned to make The Tidewater Inn the heart of the town.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue had three items to recommend for Public Assembly Permits:
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, approval was granted for the Public Assembly Permits.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Hause updated on existing projects.
Mr. Hause stated that drainage improvements will occur on Elk Lane.
ITEMS FROM THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Mr. Kehoe asked for a Closed Session regarding the advice of counsel and the attraction and retention of existing business within the town.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond welcomed Ms. Paige Bethke, Director of Talbot County Economic Development.
Mr. Bond discussed a proposed impact fee rate adjustment that he asked the Council to look at and move forward.
Mr. Ford asked Mr. Bond to make a compelling argument of how he sees this change as an economic development tool and how leaving the current fee schedule would be an impediment.
Mr. Hamilton arrived at 7:35 p.m.
Mr. Ford stated that at the next meeting they will tell if any of these scenarios is a go or not. Mr. Ford questioned how to differentiate when the 5,000 square foot exemption comes into play.
Mr. Bond stated that it would be projects less than 5,000 square feet and would require the Town to pay from General Fund money.
RETAIL SHOPPING COMBINING DISTRICT
Mr. Bond discussed the retail combining district which is an overlay district. He stated it would include both sides of Harrison Street, both sides of Goldsborough Street, both sides of Dover Street and a little of Washington Street across from Idlewild Park. He discussed exemptions and grandfathered clauses.
The Town Attorney stated that this proposal will not be an effective mechanism to prevent the erosion of downtown retailing in Easton.
Mr. Bond advised the status of the Community Legacy Awards: The Frederick Douglass Memorial $100,000; The Façade Improvement Program $46,250; The Avalon Foundation Capital Improvement Program $15,000.
ITEMS BY THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Summer camp registration opened today.
The new signs for parks with rules are being installed by Public Works.
Easton Skatepark is now open and adult basketball league will start in June.
MR. JOHN GARLICK, RENTAL HOUSING INSPECTOR TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING LEAD PAINT
Mr. Garlick discussed lead paint laws and how they are handled in Easton. He stated that Maryland Department of Environment is responsible for all the enforcement such as fines. Mr. Garlick stated that property owners will not be able to receive a rental license until he has received a copy of the lead paint certificate. If they rent without a certificate, they can be issued a civil citation.
Mr. Garlick did 53 rental inspections with only five complaint basis.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on May 18 with the following items on their agenda:
Mr. Hamilton discussed upcoming public hearing dates:
Board of Appeals applications:
RESOLUTION NO. 5881, “A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF EASTON APPROVING AGREEMENTS WITH THE MIDDLE DEPARTMENT INSPECTION AGENCY, INC. TO PROVIDE INSPECTION SERVICVES FOR THE TOWN FOR HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEMS.”
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried; Resolution No. 5881 was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 5882, “A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REVISING THE TOWN’S LICENSE, PERMIT, INSPECTION AND REVIEW FEES.”
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried; Resolution No. 5882 was approved unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION
At 9:07 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously; the President of the Council convened the regularly scheduled meeting in Closed Session for the advice of legal counsel and the attraction and retention of existing business.
Ms. Scott Taylor and Mr. Hamilton departed the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting at 9:59 p.m.
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Town Clerk