Mr. Ford was excused.

IN ATTENDANCE

Also in attendance were the Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Town Manager Mr. Karge, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton and Town Clerk Ms. Ruf.

CONVENING

At 7:00 p.m., the Town Clerk called the meeting to order and entertained a motion for Acting President of the Council. Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously; Mr. Wendowski’s nomination was approved to serve as Acting President of the Council.

Mr. Wendowski stated that the Fire Board scheduled for this evening was cancelled due to lack of a quorum.

Ms. Jackson-Amis opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 2008 MEETINGS

Due to Ms. Jackson-Amis’ and Ms. Scott-Taylor’s absence from the previous meeting, approval of the minutes was tabled until Mr. Ford and Mr. Jensen are present.

ITEMS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Mr. Tim McNeal asked for police surveillance near street lights during fire calls.

Mr. McNeal stated that the Fire Department plans to take delivery on the new fire truck next week. He discussed plans for the bicentennial celebration on April 19 and invited the Council to the celebration.

(Mr. Jensen arrived at 7:08 p.m.)

ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY

Mayor Willey stated that St. Michaels has asked for the VFW grounds for their annual carnival due to lack of an appropriate place in St. Michaels. The Easton Fire Department has asked that they do not have the carnival there this year due to their bicentennial celebration activities and have asked the Town to support their decision.

Mr. Wendowski stated that St. Michaels’ has two alternate sites they are considering.

Ms. Jackson-Amis asked Mayor Willey to speak to the diversity of staffing and to consider applicants that live in the town of Easton for the available position in the front office.

ITEMS BY THE TOWN MANAGER

Mr. Karge asked for approval for a Public Assembly Permit for the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. The potato race will occur on March 17 between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, permission was granted.

MR. DON BIBB TO PRESENT FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOAN APPLICANTS

Mr. Bibb discussed the Federal Home Loan Assistance Program and stated that he could include Affordable Housing applicants with his request for grants.

Ms. Scott-Taylor asked for additional information.

Mayor Willey asked Mr. Bibb to forward the application to the Council for their review.

MR. TOM ALSPACH TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING EAST/WEST CONNECTOR ROAD

Mr. Alspach asked to bring to the attention of the council information he felt important regarding whether this proposed road could accommodate traffic projections as proposed by the traffic consultant Wallace Montgomery. He stated that this report assumes that there will be no more development approved in the Town of Easton; until 2030 and the road proposed will handle the growth. Mr. Alspach stated that this is not what the Comprehensive Plan says. He discussed Priority 2 and Priority 3 areas. Mr. Alspach suggested doing the study over after doubling the projected reality of growth. He asked that the growth analysis be factored into the road analysis. Mr. Alspach asked if doing nothing is an option.

ORDINANCE NO. 523, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REPEALING, RE-CODYFING AND REENACTING CHAPTER 13A-1 THROUGH 13A-8 FOR THE RENTAL HOUSING LICENSING AND INSPECTION PROGRAM.”

Acting President of the Council Mr. Wendowski introduced Ordinance No. 523 for a first reading.

ORDINANCE NO. 526, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON RE-CODYFYING CHAPTERS 11 AND CHAPTER 13 FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE.”

Acting President of the Council Mr. Wendowski introduced Ordinance No. 526 for a first reading.

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.”

Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, Ordinance No. 527 was passed 3 to 1 with Ms. Jackson-Amis voting no.

ORDINANCE NO. 529, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON (THE "TOWN"), AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF A GENERAL OBLIGATION INSTALLMENT BOND IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($323,500) PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF SECTIONS 31 TO 37, INCLUSIVE, OF ARTICLE 23A OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND (2005 REPLACEMENT VOLUME AND 2007 SUPPLEMENT) AND SECTION 19 OF ARTICLE VI OF THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF EASTON, THE BOND, TO BE DESIGNATED "TOWN OF EASTON WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM EXTENSION BOND", THE NET PROCEEDS OF THE SALE THEREOF TO BE USED AND APPLIED FOR THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF FINANCING OR REFINANCING THE EXTENSION OF THE WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM OF THE TOWN ALONG WEST KENNEDY STREET, AND RELATED ARCHITECTURAL, FINANCIAL, LEGAL, PLANNING AND ENGINEERING EXPENSES; PRESCRIBING THE FORM AND TENOR OF THE BOND AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE THEREOF BY THE SOLICITATION OF COMPETITIVE BIDS AT PUBLIC SALE; PROVIDING FOR THE PROMPT PAYMENT OF THE MATURING PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BOND; AND GENERALLY RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF THE BOND.”

Acting President of the Council Mr. Wendowski brought Ordinance No. 529 to the floor for a first reading.

APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $1,131,497.57

Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried, invoices totaling $1,131,497.57 were approved for payment.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mr. Tim McNeal, 27 Judas Street stated that he was speaking as a citizen from Easton. He addressed the Council regarding the Fire Board meeting which was cancelled due to a lack of a quorum.

ADJOURNMENT

At 8:10 p.m., the Acting President of the Council adjourned the meeting.

______________________________________

Kathy M. Ruf, Town Clerk

PRESENT AT CONVENING

Mayor Robert C. Willey

IN ATTENDANCE

CONVENING