Town Council Meeting #02-05
January 20,
2005
Council President Norman Pinder convened meeting #02-05 at 7:00pm in
Town Hall. Donna Turner, Council Vice-President, Mary McCarthy, Council
Member, Royden Powell, Town Manager, Stephen Kehoe, Town Attorney,
Police Chief Ben Cohey, and Deana Ashley, Clerk, were also present.
Welcome: Citizens and guests were welcomed to the
meeting.
Review of Minutes from Previous Meetings: Minutes for the
meeting on January 6, 2005 were accepted as read by the Council members.
Mrs. Turner made a motion to accept the minutes with an amendment to
include the Goodwill Fire Company’s responsibility to pay the BOCA fees
associated with their second floor renovation permit; Mrs. McCarthy
seconded the motion. A vote was taken, members voted in the affirmative,
and the minutes were approved unanimously. (3 ayes)
Appearances:
-
Boy Scout Troop #247 –
The gentlemen appeared before the Council, on behalf of their
other troop members, to monitor the Council’s activities during a
meeting and to ask questions about the local form of government. Mr.
Pinder gave an overview of the infrastructure of the governing body
and their staff. The Scouts questioned how departments within the
Town respond to varying community needs. The Council thanked them and
their other Troop members for their participation.
-
Betty Hodges and Julia
West, Northbrook – Mrs. Hodges’ letter to the Council was read
into the record by Mrs. Turner. Mr. Powell noted their concerns about
a homeowners association and offered to facilitate a meeting with the
developer, their legal representatives and other Northbrook
homeowners. There were discussions regarding enforcement of
ordinances relating to trash pick-up, basketball courts and snow
removal with the Council and the Police Chief. The Council thanked
Mrs. Hodges and Mrs. West for their appearance.
Business: None
Maryland Municipal League: None
QAC Municipal League: Mrs. Turner reported that Sudlersville
is scheduled to host the next meeting of the league in the near future.
Announcements and Correspondence: Mr. Pinder read the
correspondence and announcements into the record.
Report of Department Heads:
Town Clerk – Ms. Ashley reported the following:
·
Water bills for the 4th quarter of 2004 were
mailed.
·
Ms. Ashley would like to draft a mailing, regarding the
imposition of the Bay Restoration Fee of $2.50 per month per residential
EDU on the April 2005 water bill, for the Council’s consideration and
distribution to residents in March.
Chief of Police –
·
Officer Kim Conley appeared to request the Council’s
sponsorship of her and Officer Conrad Meil’s participation in the Polar
Plunge to benefit Special Olympics.
Mrs. McCarthy made a motion to donate $100 per officer to the event;
Mrs. Turner seconded the motion. The Council voted unanimously to
approve the donation (3 ayes).
·
The Chief noted his report was in the Council’s books for
their review. There was nothing unusual to report.
·
He will be attending a terrorist conference in Ocean City
in March.
·
The Queen Anne’s County Narcotic Task Force has agreed to
purchase night vision equipment for the department.
·
The speed trailer is out for repairs.
Town Manager –
·
Mr. Powell discussed the proposed improvements of Front
Street. He stated that QAC must be engaged to address their interest in
the direction of traffic as it relates to the landing and marina. The
next phase of the project is to complete the engineering work and
prepare requests for proposals for the street work.
·
The Planning Commission has developed a revision to their
bylaws which will be presented to the Council at their January 31st
work session.
·
The public works agreement with Northbrook 2/3 calls for a
deposit on allocation fees of $1 million on January 31st,
2005. As a result of pending litigation, Mr. Kehoe is in discussions
with their counsel to negotiate an amendment to the agreement and the
payment requirements. The amendment will be presented to the Council at
their January 31st work session.
Citizens Forum:
·
Mary Margaret Goodwin – Ms. Goodwin asked why her recent
correspondence to the Council was not read by Mr. Pinder at the earlier
correspondence item in the agenda? Mr. Pinder noted that her letter was
received earlier by the Council and a response will be forthcoming. Ms.
Goodwin questioned the process by which capital expenditures are
approved? Mr. Powell summarized the budgetary process, including public
hearings for citizen input. Ms. Goodwin stated her concerns regarding
the cost of pending litigation and its impact on budgeted legal fees and
questioned if water/sewer charges will be increased to cover the
additional costs. Mr. Kehoe stated that the anticipated legal fees were
budgeted for and were allocated across the appropriate funds.
Motion to Adjourn: There being nothing further to discuss,
Mrs. Turner made a motion to go into closed session to seek legal
counsel; Mrs. McCarthy seconded the motion. There being no objection,
the Council adjourned to closed session at 8:02pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Deana Ashley, Clerk
