TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
September 18, 2006
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor Ms. Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance was Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Chief Blue, 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. Scott-Taylor opened the meeting with a quote from President Theodore Roosevelt and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, the minutes of the September 5, 2006 meetings were approved with an amendment as submitted by Ms. Jackson-Amis.
CORRECTION OF MINUTES OF JULY 17, 2006
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, the corrected minutes of the July 17, 2006 meetings were approved as submitted.
ITEMS BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Mr. Drew Jensen was present on behalf of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department with the August monthly report.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey showed the plaque received for the Mayor and Council from the Easton Police Department’s 100th Anniversary Celebration.
Mayor Willey stated that he will be in Annapolis Wednesday pushing very hard to have two bills included on the MML agenda for the upcoming year. One item is the issue of tax differential and the option for an arbitrator if the parties cannot reach a decision. The other bill has to do with the increase for state aid for the police department.
Mayor Willey requested an Executive Session to discuss real estate.
MEMO FROM MAYOR REGARDING APPOINTMENT TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Mayor Willey asked for Council favorable consideration for the appointment of Mr. Pete Lesher to the Historic District Commission.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed Ms. Minarick’s concern regarding her desire to be re-appointed. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that Ms. Minarick has been an asset to the Commission and the community.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked that the Ordinance be amended for an additional Commissioner or Mr. Lesher be appointed in a consulting capacity or another time or to allow Ms. Carol Minarick to continue to serve.
Ms. Scott-Taylor made a motion to approve Mayor Willey’s appointment of Mr. Pete Lesher to the Historic District Commission seconded by Mr. Ford and carried with Mr. Jensen and Ms. Jackson-Amis voting no.
ITEMS BY CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue discussed the Easton Police Department’s 100th Anniversary Celebration held September 16th.
Chief Blue asked for Council approval for the following Public Assembly Permits:
September 21, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Talbot County Courthouse grounds (tentatively upon approval from Talbot County) Bruce Butler to host a peace vigil that honors the United Nations International Day of Peace.
October 28, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Thompson Park, Main Street Easton’s Annual Treat or Treat.
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried the Easton Police Department’s request for Public Assembly Permits was approved.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
Mr. Hamilton stated that the Planning Commission will meet Thursday at 1:00 p.m. to discuss four applications for three projects:
1) 4 lot residential subdivision on South Washington Street
2) 10 unit single family development on Clay Street
3) St. Mark’s Methodist Church, 6,792 square foot addition which requires a Special Exception approval.
DISCUSSION OF BUILDING PERMITS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked how many building permits have been issued and what the ratio is of the regular building permits compared to the affordable housing building permits.
The Town Planner stated that there are 250 units in the total project of which 25 units have to be affordable. The location is to be determined by the planning group and not in one locality. To date, there are approximately 12 to 15 building permits that have been issued at the Village of which two are affordable units. No permits have been issued for them due to the fact that they are in the second phase of the development which was not recorded at the time. There are two off site affordable housing units on West Street that went before the Historic District Commission for review.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
The Town Attorney asked for a Closed Session to receive Advice of Legal Counsel.
Discussion occurred regarding the rental inspection ordinance.
Mr. Wendowski discussed the status of the Knox Box ordinance. Mr. Kehoe stated that he will check with the Fire Department.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond asked for a Closed Session to discuss business retention.
TOWN POLICY ON TRASH PICKUP
Mayor Willey reiterated the Town of Easton’s policy on trash pickup from landlords and contractors.
TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGES
The President of the Council discussed the safety at the crosswalk at Federal Street and keeping the lights on at Washington and Goldsborough Street.
ORDINANCE NO. 506, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING SECTION 201, TABLE 2.1 OF THE TOWN OF EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, Ordinance No. 506 was passed unanimously following a roll call vote with Ms. Jackson-Amis abstaining.
RESOLUTION NO. 5892, “A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF EASTON APPROVING THE INSTRUCTIONS, APPLICATION, AND INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS FOR THE EASTON AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM.”
Discussion occurred regarding the point system.
The Town Attorney discussed involuntary relocation criteria. The Town Attorney suggested approving the Resolution and inserting the clarification that losing a point can be modified due to hardship situations.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5892 with the two lines deleted seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried with Mr. Wendowski voting no.
LETTER FROM JOSEPH A. STEVENS, ESQ., STEVENS & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C. WITHDRAWING APPLICATION FOR A COMMERCIAL PUD FOR EXISTING LOT 3 IN THE EASTON COMMONS SUBDIVISON.
Mr. Jensen stated that it does not seem like a good idea to let the applicant withdraw after a straw vote.
Mr. Hamilton stated that by the applicant withdrawing, they have the ability to resubmit the application.
Mr. Kehoe stated that Mr. Ford’s comments regarding the project not being in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan should be transmitted back to the Planning and Zoning Commission. He stated that most people find that being able to have dialogue with the developer and the Council is beneficial.
LETTER FROM MS. DIANE MIZELLE, 112 HUGHLETT STREET REQUESTING “CHILDREN AT PLAY” SIGN ON HAYWORTH STREET
The President of the Council stated that it would be valuable for the public to hear from the Assistant to the Town Engineer and Chief Blue on this matter. He stated that they will bring the topic up at the next meeting.
INVOICES TOTALING $385,254.46
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, invoices totaling $385,254.46 were approved for payment.
DISCUSSION OF ELM STREET AFFORDABLE HOUSING AGREEMENT AT RATCLIFFE VILLAGE AND OFF SITE
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that residents of Brickyard Lane had contacted her regarding affordable houses at Ratcliffe Village and wondered how far along those houses were. She stated that she would like to have Elm Street come in and tell where they are and assess the actual number of permits and give us a plan how they will execute this phase of their agreement. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that residents had been to the Ratcliffe development and have been told that there will be no affordable housing. It was the consensus to have a representative from Elm Street address the Council regarding the time frame they intend to build out the project with the affordable houses on site and off site.
EASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Members of the Council expressed congratulations for the Easton Police Department’s 100th Anniversary commemoration.
RESOLUTION NO. 5891 REGARDING TAX ABATEMENTS
The President of the Council stated that this resolution will be brought to the floor for discussion at the next meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 8:33 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously; the President of the Council went into Closed Session to discuss advice of legal counsel, real estate and business retention.
The President of the Council closed the Executive Session at 9:45 p.m.
Ms. Scott-Taylor departed the meeting at 9:38 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:45 p.m., the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
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Town Clerk