TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
February 4, 2008
Councilmember Scott R. Jensen
Councilmember Leonard E. Wendowski, Sr.
Also in attendance were the Assistant Town Attorney Ms. Van Emburgh, Town Manager Mr. Karge, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Building Code Official Mr. Richardson and Town Clerk Ms. Ruf.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, President 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 JANUARY 22, 2008 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, minutes of the January 22, 2008 meetings were approved.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Lt. Jamie McNeal presented the statistical report for January and the yearly totals. He stated that so far, January has been a record month. He discussed eight duty crews that will handle nighttime fire alarms. Lt. McNeal thanked the Council for their support.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey asked for Council approval for repairs to the roof at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department.
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, approval was granted for the repairs.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN MANAGER
Mr. Karge asked for Council approval for the following Public Assembly Permits:
April 19, Easton Volunteer Fire Department Parade; between Idlewild Park and Aurora Park Drive.
May 3, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Multi Cultural Festival at Idlewild Park.
September 6, car show adjacent to the Historical Society in Lot 3 parking lot.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, approval was granted for the Public Assembly Permits.
Mr. Karge stated that a request had been received for additional parking spaces on Dover Street just to the west of Aurora Street on the southwest side where a new carry-out food service establishment is. Mr. Dickerson and Mr. Hause have inspected the vicinity and it is narrower there. It has been suggested to put one 20 minute parking space added to the stoplight at Dover just east of the existing spaces.
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, the additional parking space on Dover Street for 20 minute parking only was approved.
Mr. Karge discussed Section 11-25 of Ordinance No. 526 that needs to be revised. He stated that the fee should not be in the Ordinance but should refer to the Schedule of Fees.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Ms. Van Emburgh stated that there will technical changes as well to the Draft Ordinances.
Ms. Van Emburgh stated that she also needs Ms. Jackson-Amis’ comments for the Findings of Facts signature page.
ORDINANCE NO. 525, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE TOWN OF EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE.”
President Ford discussed changes requested to the ordinance. He stated that there have been comments requesting the removal on the east side of Aurora Street the lots that face Aurora Street from South Lane to Talbot Street and a request to leave two parcels on the southeast corner of South Lane and Thoroughgood Lane in the PRD. He stated that the Ordinance before the Council tonight would remove those.
Mr. Jensen stated that he would be alright with the half of Aurora Street being removed from the PRD and those two lots.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to move Ordinance No. 525 as amended with those changes seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously.
President Ford thanked the participants for their work to get Ordinance No. 525 to a vote.
DRAFT ORDINANCE NO. 523, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REPEALING, RE-CODIFYING CHAPTERS 11 AND CHAPTER 13 FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENACE CODE.”
Mr. Richardson discussed the history of Ordinance No. 523 for rental housing. He stated it includes some exceptions as requested. Mr. Richardson suggested reviewing this document and allowing public comments.
Mr. Richardson stated that Ordinance No. 526 is lengthy because it is adopting the International Property Maintenance Code and is minimal property maintenance standards. He stated that the Town of Easton uses the Property Maintenance Code as its minimal livability code. He stated that this document codifies Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 of the Town Code to reorganize and make them more efficient. He discussed other modifications to the document.
President Ford questioned Certificate of Occupancies versus Rental Housing License.
Mr. Richardson stated that the license is the license to do business and to rent your property to others and the Certificate of Occupancy is related to building codes and all structures with the ability to be occupied in the Town of Easton which could obtain a Certificate of Occupancy.
The Town Manager stated that currently, all licenses expire in March.
President Ford stated that the next step would be for the Town Attorney to review and submit a Draft Ordinance to put before the public after meeting with Mr. Karge and Mr. Richardson.
Mr. Wendowski asked for legal definition for immediate family.
Mr. Jensen discussed developing a risk matrix for properties.
ORDINANCE NO. 527, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON GRANTING THE APPLICATION OF EPISCOPAL MINISTRIES TO THE AGING, INC., FOR AN AMENDMENT TO A PLANNED HEALTH CARE (HC) ZONING DISTRICT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE.”
President Ford introduced Ordinance No. 527 for a first reading.
LETTER FROM MR. MILES M. CIRCO IN REFERENCE TO THE EASTON AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED DESIGN OF THE ASHBY COMMONS AFFORDABLE TOWNHOME.”
The Town Planner stated that the Planning Commission has previously approved the units.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously, the proposed design of the Ashby Commons Affordable townhome were approved as submitted.
LETTER FROM MR. GARY POOLE, DIRECTOR SAFETY/SECURITY SHORE HEALTH SYSTEM REQUESTING PARKING WAIVER NEAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AT EASTON UNTIL THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED JUNE 15.
Mr. Karge stated that the police department had no objections.
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, the parking waiver was approved.
ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Mr. Wendowski stated that during the Main Street meeting, it was discussed that parking sliders are still a problem.
Mr. Wendowski commended the Easton Volunteer Fire Department for their Annual Banquet and for 200 years of service.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, the President of the Council adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
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Kathy M. Ruf, Town Clerk