TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
August 21, 2006
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor Ms. Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance was Chief Blue, Assistant to the Town Engineer Mr. Hause, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Bond and Town Clerk Robert Karge.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford called the meeting to order.
Ms. Wendowski opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENSUS ON THE REQUEST OF THE FAISON DEVELOPMENT FOR A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION. THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS LOCATED BETWEEN SUNFLOWER DRIVE, PAPER RUN ROAD AND CHAPEL ROAD JUST WEST OF THE CHAPEL EAST SUBDIVISION AND JUST EAST OF THE APPLEBEE’S AND BOB EVANS RESTAURANTS.
Mr. Ford advised upon request of the developer, the consensus has been tabled until September 7.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2006 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, the minutes of the August 21, 2006 meetings were approved as written.
ITEMS BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Mr. Jensen updated the Council on the Fire Department’s activities.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey reminded the Council on the September 8 workshop at 5:30 p.m. to meet with the bond underwriters.
Mayor Willey asked for a Closed Session to discuss a personnel issue.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue recommended approval for the following Public Assembly Permit Applications which will use the same route:
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, approval was granted.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER
There will be a September 5 work session regarding the east/west connector road.
The base is in for the rails-to-trails behind Cadmus behind Idlewild Avenue to Dutchman’s Lane. Paving will be accomplished between August 28 and August 30.
A stream restoration has been completed near Glenwood Avenue.
Handicapped ramps on Washington Street are in the Capital Budget and will be replaced shortly.
Discussion occurred regarding the historic lights.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
Mr. Hamilton stated that the Planning Commission met last Thursday. They have forwarded a recommendation for a zoning map amendment to reclassify the old Cannery Square Apartments to include in the overlay zone of the Planned Redevelopment District.
The President of the Council set a public hearing for September 18 at 7:15 p.m.
Mr. Hamilton stated that the Target elevation plans have been approved. They are real closed to breaking ground.
Mr. Hamilton discussed upcoming Planning and Zoning projects:
The Board of Appeals will meet tomorrow with the following projects on their agenda:
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Mr. Kehoe asked for an Executive Session for 1) the advice of legal counsel; 2) possible pending litigation; 3) a proposal to attract or retain business.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond updated on three ongoing projects:
LETTER FROM MR. JOHN A. ATWOOD, CHAIRMAN CONCERNING THE REQUEST BY MR. CARL WOOTERS FOR THE TOWN TO VACATE ASHBY LANE
The Town Planner, Mr. Hamilton stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission forwarded a recommendation. However, that right of way is the only access to an alley. When the Ashby Commons subdivision plat is recorded, there will be a second access to that alley in which time the alley could be vacated.
Mr. Hause stated that he has spoken with Mr. Talbot Bone of Easton Utilities. Mr. Bone stated that it would be best if the Council would defer that decision until the other roadway is built due to an overhead power line.
The Town Attorney stated that historically, there is a public hearing notifying the surrounding property owners and then if the Council determines there is no reason to keep the street as a public street, it would be closed. Then, typically, half of the street would go to the property owner on one side, the other half would go to the property owner on the other side.
Mr. Douglas Collison, the applicant’s attorney discussed this being step 1 in a long process.
ORDINANCE NO. 504, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON ADOPTING THE 2005 NFPA 70 NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE AS THE ELECTRIC CODE FOPR THE TOWN OF EASTON
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried, Ordinance No.504 was passed unanimously following a roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 505, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (“PUD”) ZONING DISTRICT APPROVED BY ORDINANCE NO. 458 UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE.”
The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 505 for a first reading.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $750,510.28
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, invoices totaling $750,510.28 were approved for payment.
ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Ms. Jackson-Amis thanked Mr. McNeal, Talbot County Emergency System and Ms. Judy Moody and Jean with the Red Cross for their assistance this weekend with Talbot County citizens that reside on Brickyard Lane.
Ms. Jackson-Amis extended her condolences to the family of Lt. Wade Roche of the Easton Police Department.
MR. TOM MOORE, 17 N. AURORA STREET ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING TATOO PARLOR
Mr. Moore asked for clarification regarding whether there should be a Zoning Board Appeals Hearing regarding the tattoo parlor due to the fact there was only two favorable votes instead of three.
The Town Attorney stated that there was failure to receive a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission but the Board of Appeals makes the final decision.
MS. BONNIE CODRINGTON, 122 S HARRISON ST
Ms. Codrington stated that she has been away and asked what the status is on the Fasion Development.
The President of the Council stated that the applicant has asked that the consensus be tabled until the next upcoming meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 8:04 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously; the President of the Council went into Closed Session to discuss advice of legal counsel, pending litigation and the attraction and retention of business.
MML BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECEPTION
Mayor Willey asked Council consensus to host a reception at the Tidewater for the MML Board of Directors Retreat on September 8 at 5:00 p.m.
It was the consensus of the Council for the Mayor to proceed with the reception.
Ms. Scott-Taylor advised that the Tidewater Inn was recently awarded a Historic Designation.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:53 p.m., upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
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Town Clerk