Town Council
Meeting #03-05
February 3,
2005
Council President Norman Pinder convened meeting #03-05 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 20, 2005 were accepted as read by the Council
members. Mrs. Turner made a motion to accept the minutes as read; Mrs.
McCarthy seconded the motion. A vote was taken, members voted in the
affirmative, and the minutes were approved unanimously. (3 ayes)
Appearances:
-
Mrs. Jerry Lewis,
Proposed Community Center – Mrs. Lewis appeared before the Council
to ask for their assistance in the creation of a Community Center.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are residents of Centreville who coach cheerleading
and baseball are looking for help in developing a community building
for all extracurricular activities. There is a shortage of park and
school space versus the number of leagues and participants within
Queen Anne County. There was a general discussion about the required
size of the facility; a basketball court would be sufficient and Mrs.
Lewis suggested the center could be used for year-round activities.
Mrs. McCarthy noted her concern as her children participate in these
leagues and it would be beneficial to have center based in the county
seat to facilitate these group’s needs.
Mr. Pinder suggested Mrs. Lewis meet with the Town’s Park Board,
especially Mr. Jeff Anthony, who is currently working on a similar
project in conjunction with the County. Mrs. Turner noted that local
businesses and land owners could be contacted regarding their
willingness to participate and potentially make donations. Mr. Pinder
suggested that the Council meet with the QAC Board of Education to
reinforce the Lewis’ request and ask for temporary relief for their
space needs.
The Council thanked Mrs. Lewis for her participation and invited her to
continue to visit them with her project and its needs.
Business:
-
First Reading of
Ordinance 01-05, Re: Planning Commission Membership –Mr. Powell
stated the ordinance will only be presented by Mrs. Elizabeth Brice,
Chairperson of the Planning Commission, and there will be deliberation
at a later date. Upon Mr. Pinder’s request, Mrs. Brice read the draft
ordinance into the record. Mrs. McCarthy
indicated that tonight's meeting was the first time she had seen the
ordinance, which contains language reflecting that 'the town council'
had prepared it. Mrs. McCarthy asked Mr. Kehoe if an ordinance
which was not drafted by the 3 members could be presented as a first
reading? Mr. Kehoe noted the agenda was incorrect, tonight was not
the first reading of the ordinance. Mrs. McCarthy also questioned if
ordinances can be prepared by anyone and presented to the Council?
Mr. Kehoe suggested that legislation can be drafted by anyone and
presented to them for consideration. There was a general discussion
regarding the attendance of the Planning Commission Members at the
first reading of the ordinance. Mr. Pinder asked Mr. Powell to
contact the members, to place the draft on the website and on the
front counter of Town Hall. The Council thanked Mrs. Brice for her
participation.
Maryland Municipal League: None
QAC Municipal League: None
Announcements and Correspondence: Mr. Pinder read the
announcements into the record. Mr. Pinder also read a letter from
Vivian Goldsborough, Kennard Alumni Association, Inc., in which the
Council is asked to make a donation to assist in the renovation of the
Kennard High School building. The Council discussed a similar donation
to the QAC Board of Education for the one room school at the high
school. They asked for further information in order to consider a
donation.
Report of Department Heads:
Town Clerk – Ms. Ashley reported the following:
·
The WRAS Grant was closed out with the Department of
Natural Resources. The grant was for $40,000 ($32,000 in contractual
services, $8,000 for administration).
·
The audit report should be presented to the Council for
their consideration in March.
Chief of Police –
·
The Chief noted his report was in the Council’s books for
their review. There was nothing unusual to report.
·
Employee evaluations for 2005 were completed and forwarded
to Mr. Powell.
·
A hit and run incident in Northbrook continues to be
investigated.
Town Manager –
·
Mr. Powell reported that the ads for bids to replace 5
fire hydrants on Liberty and Commerce will run in the coming days.
·
Ads for bids on landscape services, a budgeted Parks and
Recreation item, will also run in the coming days.
·
Mr. Powell has been in contact with Mr. Fabula regarding
the Town’s interest in keeping the rails at the property? On behalf of
the Council, Mr. Powell stated the Town would be interested in retaining
as much as possible. There was a general discussion regarding the tracks
and at what point they would be maintained. Mr. Pinder provided the
audience with a summary of the Town’s interest in purchasing the
railroad property, its value, and its proposed use as a meeting site.
·
Mr. Powell presented the Council with the QAC Arts
Council’s request for the “Thursday in the Park Series”. Mrs. McCarthy
made a motion to approve the request for the park use; Mrs. Turner
seconded the motion. The council voted unanimously to approve their
request. (3 ayes)
·
He reported that of the 2 Elections Board vacancies, Mrs.
Genevieve Kennedy declined to
participate for another term. Mr. Pinder suggested Mr. Richard Ferrell
as a candidate, after discussion, Mrs. Turner made a motion to nominate
Mr. Richard Ferrell to the Elections Board pending his acceptance; Mrs.
McCarthy seconded the motion. The Council voted unanimously to nominate
Mr. Richard Ferrell to the Elections Board. (3 ayes)
Citizens Forum:
·
Richard Thomas, Northbrook – Mr. Thomas appeared to
discuss his concern over the lack of street lighting and signs in the
newest area of Northbrook. He has resided in the neighborhood since
April of 2004 without street lights and is concerned about children and
general safety issues. There was a general discussion regarding how
street lights are installed and the street conditions to be met before
the Town “adopts” them. Mr. Thomas submitted a list of homeowners in
the area protesting the lack of lighting. The Council thanked Mr.
Thomas for his participation and suggested they will monitor the
processes by which street lights are installed in new developments.
·
Sveinn Storm, Commerce St – Mr. Storm suggested that
occupancy permits not be issued to until street lights are installed in
new developments. He questioned the Council regarding their intended
purchase of the railroad property and why planning and zoning rules were
waived in regards to the number of parking spaces required by the Penn
Station buildings? Mr. Pinder responded that he had concerns as well
and was looking into any negotiated arrangements. The Council assured
Mr. Storm that taxpayers will not be responsible for the paving of the
remaining property. There was a general discussion on whether a permit
was required and/or issued for the parking lot. The Council then
discussed a process by which to manage the installation of street lights
and their relation to building/occupancy permits. Mr. Storm noted
his concern over the chlorination levels in the water at Northbrook.
Mr. Powell stated that the issue is addressed as a part of the regularly
scheduled hydrant flushing.
·
Stoney Duffey, Centerville Business Park – Mr. Duffey
questioned the Council on the progress of the subdivision language
required for the Hospice project? Mr. Powell stated that it will
require legislative action by the Council.
·
Mary Roby, Northbrook – Mrs. Roby inquired about the
hydrant which is too low to function properly? Mr. Powell reported it
will be fixed along with the others out to bid.
Motion to Adjourn: There being nothing further to discuss,
Mrs. Turner made a motion to go into closed session concerning pending
litigation; Mrs. McCarthy seconded the motion. There being no
objection, the Council adjourned to closed session at 7:55pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Deana Ashley, Clerk
