TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
February 20, 2007
Ms. Maureen Scott-Taylor Ms. Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance were the Town Manager Mr. Karge, Asst. Town Attorney Ms. Van Emburgh, Chief Blue, Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Bond, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton and Town Clerk Mrs. Ruf.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford called the meeting to order.
Mr. Jackson-Amis opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 5, 2007 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously with corrections as submitted by Ms. Jackson-Amis, minutes of the February 5, 2007 meetings were approved.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. C. Eugene Butler was present to report on the Fire Department’s activities.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey stated that the east end and west side neighborhoods will hold their clean up day on March 31. Public Works will provide a garbage truck.
There will be a public meeting at the Firehouse on the east/west connector road on February 21 at 7:00 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m.
Mayor Willey asked for consideration for his re-appointments of the Board of Canvassers for the upcoming election.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, the appointments of Mr. Louis Dorsey, Ms. Bonnie Chase and Mr. Glenn Daubach as members of the Board of Canvassers were approved.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked for itemized data for Town of Easton jobs that have been available, who was hired for those positions, when they were hired and raises that occurred. She asked for jobs, dates of hire, persons terminated and raises for a specified period of time. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she will submit her request in writing.
Ms. Scott-Taylor asked to be copied on her request for job data.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN MANAGER
Mr. Karge asked the Council to table the memo that was included in the packet regarding the 457 Plan.
Mr. Karge asked for consideration from the Council to accept the bids for the new 2007 Mid Mount Mower and new 2007 2WD pickup truck. He stated that the low bid was not accepted due to the specifications submitted.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked for a list of the persons that sit on the Joint Insurance Committee.
The Town Manager stated that the Committee is comprised of Mayor Willey, the Town Manager, Ms. Nancy Adams, Mr. Grunden, Mr. Moeller, and Ms. Petro, the HR Director of Easton Utilities and Chief Blue.
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, approval was granted to accept the bids as submitted by Mr. Dickerson, Superintendent of Public Works.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue stated that he has two requests for public assemblies they are recommending for approval:
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, the Easter Egg Hunt was approved.
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski, approval was granted as recommended by Easton Police Department.
MEMO FROM 1ST SGT. HROBAR REGARDING REQUEST FROM T.W. BUILDERS, INC. FOR EXCLUSIVE USE OF LOT 8 (330 BLOCK OF E DOVER STREET) DURING RENOVATION AND A LETTER OF COMPLAINT FROM ST. MARK’S CHURCH REGARDING THE LACK OF PARKING DUE TO CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION TAKING PLACE IN THIS AREA
Chief Blue stated that after review, 1st Sgt. Hrobar’s recommendation would be to let the contractor continue using Lot 8 for construction purposes during the duration of this project.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, 1st Sgt. Hrobar’s recommendation was approved.
Chief Blue stated that Easton Police Department could be lenient with the ladies volunteering at St. Mark’s Thrift Shop from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. until the project is completed.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
Mr. Hamilton reported on the two applications coming before the Planning and Zoning Commission in March.
Mr. Hamilton discussed the items that were heard at the last Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. He stated that he would like to submit the findings and supplement his report with written letters from the Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The President of the Council set the following Public Hearings:
Clifton Industrial Park: March 5; 7:45 p.m.
Brooks Drive: March 19; 7:15 p.m.
Schwaninger/Spencer Farm Annexation: April 16; 7:15 p.m.
Amend Ord. 508: April 2; 7:15 p.m.
Ms. Scott-Taylor asked that sketch plans for Spring Drive be forwarded to her.
The Town Planner stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission discussed holding their meetings during the evening and they voted 4 to 1 to keep meetings during the day as is now scheduled.
MR. HUGH E. GRUNDEN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, EASTON UTILITIES TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING WASTEWATER FACILITY
Mr. Grunden announced that the Town of Easton enhanced nutrient wastewater treatment facility is now on line and most environmentally friendly. He discussed the state of the art facility which should be adequate thru 2030. Mr. Grunden discussed capacity and upcoming plans for the ribbon cutting and grand opening in April.
MR. TOM NEWNAM, COMMUNITY LIASON FOR DAVID A. BRAMBLE, INC. TO DISCUSS ROUTE 50 THIRD LANE EXPANSION PROJECT
Mr. Newnam discussed the project overview. He stated that it is a total of 1.72 miles and described the widening project. He stated that a ½ signal will be placed at Idlewild Road. Mr. Newnam introduced Mr. Mike Kiel the Project Engineer for State Highway Administration. The project schedule will begin Monday, February 26. Hours of work will be 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mr. Newnam discussed his duties as liaison.
MR. JOE MINARICK, EAST END NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING EAST END ZONING
Mr. Minarick discussed the East End’s request to amend the Zoning Map and the Planned Redevelopment District boundaries in the East End to encourage home ownership.
The President of the Council remanded Mr. Minarick’s request to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their review and recommendation.
LETTER FROM MR. DANA GIBSON REQUESTING BUDGET ALLOWANCE FOR CURB AT RESIDENCE
Mr. Gibson asked that a curb be considered in the upcoming budget to alleviate traffic turning in his yard.
The Council asked that Mr. Gibson’s request be forwarded to the Assistant to the Town Engineer for review.
ORDINANCE NO. 509, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON GRANTING THE APPLICATION OF ELM STREET DEVELOPMENT, INC. TO EXPAND THE PLANNED REDEVELOPMENT (PR) OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE”
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, Ordinance No. 509 was passed 3 to 2 with Ms. Jackson-Amis and Mr. Ford voting no.
DISCUSSION OF AVALON THEATRE
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that there may be some discussion of selling the property and she is asking that this not be considered.
Mayor Willey advised that no such discussions were occurring.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked that the Council be given the opportunity to review the contract when it is be re-negotiated.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $816,450.23
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, invoices totaling $816,450.23 were approved for payment.
MR. JENSEN REQUESTS PERMISSION TO REPRESENT TOWN AND TESTIFY IN OPPOSITION OF SENATE BILL 628
It was the consensus of the Council for Mr. Jensen to represent the Town of Easton and testify against Senate Bill 628 during the Legislative Session.
WARD III AFFORDABLE HOUSING MEETING
Mr. Wendowski will hold Ward III Affordable Housing informational meeting March 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hospice House on Idlewild Avenue.
AUDIT REPORT
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously; the Audit Report as presented by Mr. Tom Heseltine, CPA, Clifton Gunderson LLP was accepted.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:57 p.m., upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
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Kathy M. Ruf, Town Clerk