TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
October 1, 2007
Ms. Maureen Scott-Taylor
Mr. Leonard E. Wendowski, Sr.
Ms. Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance were the Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Town Manager Mr. Karge and Town Clerk Mrs. Ruf.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford called the meeting to order.
Mr. Wendowski opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2007 MEETING
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried with Ms. Jackson-Amis abstaining due to her excused absence, minutes of the September 17, 2007 meeting was approved.
ITEMS FROM MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey asked the President of the Council to schedule a work session in November with the Joint Insurance Committee to address the Town’s pension plan.
Mayor Willey asked for a Closed Session after the meeting to discuss personnel issues.
(Mr. Jensen arrived at 7:06 p.m.)
The President of the Council set the Joint Insurance Committee meeting for November 13 at 6:30 p.m.
ITEMS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER
Mr. Karge asked for approval for David A. Bramble’s bid for water and sewer construction for the Clifton Industrial Park in the amount of $888,884.20.
Mr. Karge asked for approval for a pick up truck with a utility body for the Public Works Department. The low bidder was Bob Smith Automotive for $23,576.
Mr. Karge asked for approval for a one ton dump truck from Giant GMC of Federalsburg in the amount of $54,766.12. The amount budgeted for that truck was $46,000.
Mr. Karge discussed handicap ramps on Goldsborough Street. He stated that they are not ready to do this work and suggested that the amount budgeted for the ramps be used to fund the remaining balance of the one ton dump truck. Resolution No. 5918 would accomplish this transfer.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, the bid from David A. Bramble for water and sewer construction at Clifton Industrial Park was unanimously approved.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously, the bid for the pick up truck with a utility body was unanimously approved.
RESOLUTION NO. 5918 AUTHORIZING THE FINANCE OFFICER TO MAKE BUDGET TRANSFER FOR ONE-TON DUMP TRUCK FOR PUBLIC WORKS
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously, Resolution No. 5918 was approved.
Mr. Karge stated that Easton Police Department has recommended approval for the Easton High School Homecoming Parade scheduled for October 5 at 4:30 p.m.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, approval was granted for the Easton High School Homecoming Parade.
Mr. Karge discussed the letter from Mr. Rainer regarding traffic issues. Mr. Karge stated that the Easton Police Department, Mr. Hause and Mr. Friedel have recommended traffic calming measures such as painting yellow curbs for one side, no parking and stop bars versus one way traffic changes.
It was the consensus of the Council to make the changes as recommended.
Mr. Karge put a summary of the slides for the east/west connector road in the packet. The meeting is scheduled for October 9.
Upon recommendation from the Town Planner, Mr. Karge asked the President of the Council to schedule a public hearing for the PUD amendment for Belk’s Department Store. The President of the Council scheduled the Public Hearing for November 5 at 7:15 p.m.
The President of the Council discussed Ordinance No. 519. He stated that Mr. Karge was to check on capital charges for existing home sprinkler systems.
APPOINMENT OF MR. JEFF PARKS TO THE TALBOT COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, Mayor Willey’s appointment of Mr. Jeff Parks to the Talbot County Parks and Recreation Board was approved with Ms. Jackson-Amis abstaining due to the fact that she does not know Mr. Parks and does not have any information about him.
MR. DAVID AULT TO UPDATE COUNCIL ON RECYCLE TALBOT
Mr. Ault, a local attorney discussed Recycle Talbot’s activities and invited everyone to a public meeting Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Library to discuss municipalities’ current recycling efforts throughout the county.
RESOLUTION NO. 5917 APPROVING THE EASTON COMMUNITY LEGACY AREA AND APLICATION
Ms. Scott-Taylor suggested rating the projects during this evening’s meeting.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, Resolution No. 5917 with prioritizations taken by Council were approved with Ms. Jackson-Amis voting no due to questions she has regarding the projects, the submission deadline and items that have previously been funded although she does support the Community Legacy concept. Ms. Jackson-Amis also asked Mr. Bond to include active work that would include improvements on the west side.
AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 518, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REPEALING ORDINANCE 309 AND REENACTING AS CHAPTER 13B OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON ESTABLISHING A HOUSING RENTAL LICENSING AND INSPECTION PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH LICENSING FEES FOR RENTAL HOUSING.”
The Town Manager explained that the Ordinance has been amended from the previously submitted ordinance. He stated that it is now categorized as Section 13B of the Town Code instead of Section 13A due to a conflict.
The President of the Council suggested holding a Public Hearing and set the date for November 5 at 7:45 p.m. Mr. Ford stated that Mr. Don Richardson, Building Code Official would be asked to be present to answer questions.
ORDINANCE NO. 520, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF EASTON AND THE MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND FOR THE PURCHASE BY THE TOWN OF EASTON OF 5.514 +/- ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED TO THE EAST OF THE “RAILS TO TRAILS” PARK AND REFERRED TO AS THE “EASTON SPUR PARCEL”, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE AGREEMENT BY THE TOWN AND PROVIDING THAT THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR SUCH PURCHASE SHALL BE SUPPLIED BY THE EASTON UTILITIES COMMISSION.”
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously; Ordinance No. 520 was approved following a roll call vote.
DISCUSSION OF DRAFT ORDINANCE NO. 521, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE TOWN OF EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH AN INCLUSIONARY ZONING POLICY FOR THE TOWN.”
The President of the Council scheduled a Public Hearing for November 19, 2007 at 7:15 p.m. for public discussion.
Mr. Jensen will send the Council information regarding inclusionary zoning.
APPROVAL OF FOOD CONCESSIONS FOR 2007 WATERFOWL FESTIVAL, NOVEMBER 9 – 11.
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, the Food Concessions for 2007 Waterfowl Festival were approved.
LETTER FROM MR. MICHAEL A. BURLBAUGH, ELM STREET DEVELOPMENT UPDATING ON THE EASTON VILLAGE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM AND REQUESTING INFORMATION.
Mr. Burlbaugh was present to update the Council on the Affordable Housing Program and requested clarification regarding the project administrator to monitor compliance, off-site affordable housing funding escrow, new construction, off-site affordable housing renovations and agreement inquiries.
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that she would like to see an Affordable Housing Administrator in next year’s budget.
It was the consensus of the Council that the Affordable Housing Board will act as the Project Administrator.
It was the consensus of the Council that the house on West Street be renovated to help fulfill Elm Street’s agreement.
Mr. Wendowski asked that renovation be defined.
The Town Attorney suggested having Mr. Hause and Mr. Richardson provide rough estimates for renovations.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked for time to review the Ordinance and discussed her concern with a definite amount allocated for renovations. She asked that flooring be added to the list of renovations. She suggested that the agreement be satisfied.
The President of the Council asked the Town Clerk to provide copies of the Findings of Facts for Ordinance No. 461 pertaining to the Elm Street Development project.
LETTER FROM MR. JOHN ATWOOD, CHAIRMAN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGARDING PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE BOUNDARIES AND ORDINANCE OF THE PLANNED REDEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT.
Discussion occurred regarding the committee to revise the boundaries. Mr. Periconi will replace Mr. Tom Moore due to illness. The President of the Council stated that the committee was asking for patience for their recommendation.
LETTER FROM MS. CHRISTINE M. DAYTON, AIA REQUESTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO PERMIT A GROCERY STORE USE IN THE CR ZONING DISTRICT
The President of the Council remanded Ms. Dayton’s request to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and recommendation.
ITEMS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Ms. Scott-Taylor asked that Rules of the Council be reviewed to consider changing the order the councilmembers vote.
Mr. Kehoe stated that he can draft a resolution with new rules to reflect modern parliamentary procedures.
Mr. Jensen has been contacted by a constituent on Hawkes Hill Road regarding a blower purchased by Wal-Mart that is extraordinarily loud. Mr. Jensen asked for consensus from the Council to write a letter to the management of Wal-Mart asking that they be more considerate and accommodating to neighbors in the area.
The Town Attorney stated that the letter should come from Mayor Willey.
Mr. Wendowski discussed advertising on sandwich boards around town.
The Town Manager stated that it would be appropriate for the Town Planner to handle this as it is addressed in the Zoning Ordinance.
CLOSED SESSION
At 9:00 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 personnel.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled meeting at 9:29 p.m.
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Kathy M. Ruf, Town Clerk