TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
November 6, 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 prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 16, 2006 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, minutes of the October 16, 2006 meeting were approved as written.
ITEMS BY THE EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT.
Mr. Drew Jensen was present to report on the Fire Department’s activities and updated on engine replacement.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey stated that 43 rental housing inspections were accomplished in the month of October; close to the 50 per month goal.
Mayor Willey discussed vandalism at the parks and stated that perpetrators will be prosecuted.
A policy will be drafted for meeting room fees.
The Town Attorney will look into the possibility of appointing high school seniors to the Parks and Recreation Board.
Mayor Willey discussed a meeting with State Highway Administration regarding Route 50 improvements and Route 322.
MEMO FROM MAYOR WILLEY REGARDING RE-APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, Mr. Charles Whitehead was re-appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term, Mr. Dan Swann was re-appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a five-year term and Mr. Edward Pinder was re-appointed to the Parks and Recreation Board for a six-year term.
ITEMS BY CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue recommended approval for the following Public Assembly Permit:
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, the Public Assembly Permit as recommended by Chief Blue was approved.
ITEMS BY ASSISTANT TO TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Hause briefed on the State Highway Administration meeting with District Engineer Richard Lindsey and discussed the trash and leaf pickup schedule.
Mr. Hause advised that the tree planting November 13.
(Ms. Jackson-Amis arrived at 7:14 p.m.).
Royal Farms construction and Dutchman Road improvements were discussed.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
The Planning Commission meeting will be held November 16 with the following on their agenda:
Mr. Jensen asked Mr. Hamilton to speak with the construction contractors at WaWa and asked them to be more sensitive of the neighboring residential community.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Mr. Kehoe stated that the Affordable Housing Board is making progress on a Draft Ordinance to be presented to the Council relatively soon.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond advised that the State recently presented a check for $850,000 to the Town of Easton to help underwrite the water and sewer service for the Clifton Industrial Park for the annexation. He stated that Talbot County has agreed to finance a Special Taxing District which will cover the remainder of the costs.
ITEMS BY THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Parks and Recreation is taking registrations for Youth and Adult Basketball Leagues. Games start in December.
Lights at Matthewstown Run Park are being installed this week.
Mr. Sviatko advised that he is applying for a Playtime Grant.
North Easton Park’s activities have concluded. The port-a-potties at Moton Park and North Easton Park and the bathroom at Idlewild Park will be locked and have the water turned off.
REQUEST FROM CHESAPEAKE CLASSIC CAR CLUB TO USE PARKING LOT ON NORTH HARRISON STREET THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH FOR A MONTLY GATHERING OF CLASSIC CARS BEGINNING APRIL 7, 2007 THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2007.
Mr. Dickie Maxwell, President Chesapeake Classic Car Club was present to answer any questions. Mr. Maxwell stated that there are approximately 40 cars.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously, approval was granted for the Chesapeake Classic Car Club to use the parking lot on North Harrison Street May through October.
RESOLUTION NO. 5893, “A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REPEALING AND REENACTING, WITH AMENDMENTS, ARTICLE VII OF THE EASTON TOWN CHARTER TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFICES OF TOWN MANAGER, TOWN FINANCE OFFICER AND TO REDEFINE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF TOWN CLERK.”
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked the Town Attorney for a process for the search for the Town Finance Office and the Town Clerk.
Mr. Ford asked that the three positions be publicly advertised.
Mayor Willey stated that he would like to add the Police Chief and Town Engineer to the request to advertise for if those positions should become available; any of the executive level positions.
Mayor Willey stated that there will be a resolution stating that there will be advertising for the positions with interviews from qualified applicants.
Mr. Karge stated that currently in the Town Charter there exist provisions for the appointment of the positions by the Mayor. The Handbook has various provisions that require that certain steps should be taken to appropriately fill positions.
Mr. Kehoe stated that the search process could be started now.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that these are two different issues.
Ms. Scott-Taylor made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5893 seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried with Ms. Jackson-Amis voting no.
The President of the Council directed the Town Attorney to prepare a resolution outlining the practices for the next meeting.
RESOLUTION NO. 5894, “A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF EASTON SUPPORTING MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSWORKS PROGRAM FINANCING CHEZ LAFITTE GALERIE & SALON.”
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, Resolution No. 5894 was approved.
CONSENSUS ON THE REQUEST FOR A ZONING MAP AMENDMENT FILED BY BILL STAGG OF LANE ENGINEERING, INC., ON BEHALF OF ELM STREET DEVELOPMENT REQUESTING THE TOWN EXPAND THE PLANNED REDEVELOPMENT (PR) OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT TO INCLUDE THE PROPERTY AT TAX MAP 103, PARCEL 756. SUBJECT PROPERTY CURRENTLY IS IMPROVED WITH THE CANNERY SQUARE APARTMENT COMPLEX.
Mr. Jensen stated that he is in favor of the zoning map amendment.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that she supports the zoning map amendment.
Mr. Wendowski stated that he supports the project.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she is not in favor of the project.
Mr. Ford stated that he cannot support this zoning change.
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING REVIEW REQUEST FOR EXCESS FREIGHT RAILROAD PROPERTY.
Mr. Hamilton discussed the location of the property. He stated that Easton Utilities needs this piece of property to put a pressure main system in to go out to the new sewage treatment plant. This is a re-submittal due to the expiration of the previous transmittal. They are checking with the consistency with the Comprehensive Plan.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously, the review request was sent to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review.
LETTERS OF CONCERN REGARDING USE OF BIO DIESEL FUEL
Mr. Hause discussed the use of bio diesel fuel. Mr. Hause suggested staying with the current grade of fuel used now until more of these fuels are used by local areas. He stated we could consider when a new public works facility is available. Mr. Hause stated that if we had a motor pool using the bio diesel we could look at this due to bulk delivery. Mr. Hause advised that Easton Utilities Commission is currently running a test program with bio diesel fuel in some vehicles.
Mr. Ford suggested getting statistical data from Easton Utilities and the Airport.
DISCUSSION OF DRAFT RENTAL HOUSING INSPECTION PROGRAM
Mr. Ford asked the Council if they support a stepped up inspection program.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that there are a lot of things included in this draft that will raise a red flag with landlords.
Mayor Willey suggested looking at the ordinance already in place and comparing it with the draft ordinance.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that there should be some measure to keep the tenants from being impacted.
Mr. Ford asked the Town Attorney to compare what is in place compared to what is being proposed.
Mr. Jensen discussed the neglect of commercial, historical buildings.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:20 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.
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Town Clerk