Town Council
Work Session
March 2, 2005
Norman Pinder, Town Council President, convened a work session at 4:00pm
in Town Hall. Donna Turner, Council Vice-President, Mary McCarthy,
Council Member, Royden Powell, Town Manager, Stephen Kehoe, Town
Attorney, Chief Cohey, Police Chief Benjamin Cohey and Deana Ashley,
Clerk were also all in attendance.
Welcome: Citizens and guests were welcomed to the
meeting.
Business:
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Broadband Communications
Tower Lease – Mr. Powell presented the Council with a draft of the
agreement allowing the placement of wireless antennae equipment on the
downtown water tower to provide high speed access to homeowners and
residents. Mr. Powell suggested a $300/month fee, payable monthly,
based on a comparison with Rock Hall. Mr. Pinder asked about the
status of the RWI contract and its monthly fees? Mr. Powell noted
that he would review its status. Mrs. McCarthy stated she received
positive phone calls regarding the service. There was a brief
discussion regarding the zoning language and federal laws regarding
the placement of receipt antennae’s on homes and businesses in town
limits.
-
Tanyard Farm Manager
Contract – Mr. Powell reported that he will present the contract
for farm management to the Council at their next meeting. There was
discussion that the specifications of the contract remained the same
from the previous year.
-
Refusal of Sheaffer
Annexation at Providence Farm – Mr. Powell described a process by
which the Council must officially refuse the annexation of the
Providence Farm additional properties. There was a general discussion
about the property and its inclusion in Town and County limits. Mr.
Kehoe recommended a “bonafide” application to annex to the Town be
submitted by Mr. Sheaffer. Mr. Powell will provide the Council with
the plat depicting the property in question for their review.
-
Planning Commission
Ordinance – Mr. Powell reported that language included in Maryland
Legislative Code, Article 66B, outlines planning commission
memberships. The draft before the Council will have to be revisited
in order to conform to the requirements in 66B.
-
Ridgeview Townhomes
– Mr. Kehoe reported his understanding of the public works agreement
and the Council’s intentions to pay for the construction of the
$97,000 street extension. Mr. Kehoe noted that the PWA with Ridgeview
is not signed and that the street lighting and manhole improvements
must be addressed before the agreement is signed.
-
Landscape Maintenance
and Hydrant Replacement Bids – Mr. Powell reported on the recent
bid process which resulted in 2 bids received for each project. He
noted his concern with the pricing for the hydrant replacements and
suggested having one replaced and analyzing its cost before proceeding.
-
Easter Sunrise Attendant
– Mr. Powell presented a request for a Council Member attend the
annual Easter Sunrise services at Millstream Park. Mr. Pinder agreed
to attend on behalf of the Council.
-
Chuck’s Electrical, Town
Electrical Permit Process – Mr. Charles Lansinger appeared before
the Council to discuss the electrical permitting process. He noted
his concerns with one MDIA inspector for Queen Anne’s County, the
collection and reporting of fees for those permits, and the Town’s
ability to manage the process internally (similar to the QAC). The
Council thanked Mr. Lansinger for his participation.
Town Clerk – Ms. Ashley reported the auditors will be making
their presentation of the 2003-2004 report on Monday, March 14, 2005 at
4pm. She also requested their approval and signatures on the transfer
of funds from the general savings account to the water fund. This is
necessary as the state agency which reimburses the wastewater treatment
plant project loan monies into the general fund, not the water fund.
The Council approved and signed the check and deposit slip for the
transfer ($572,683.54).
Donna Turner – Mrs. Turner questioned the work at the Town
wharf? Mr. Powell described that old pieces of derelict bulk head were
removed. He also discussed the survey on the depth of the water
provided by the Department of Natural Resources at no cost.
Mary McCarthy – Mrs. McCarthy reported on the unanimous approval
by the Parks Board of the $8,250 bid received by Custom Lawn Service to
provide landscape service to the Town from April to October 2005.
There was then a general discussion regarding the community center
petitions circulating and the Town’s participation in the proposed
project. Mrs. McCarthy stated that the operations of the facility
should be should be a public-private
partnership. Mrs. Turner said impact fees should prioritize
projects such as the community center. Mr. Pinder agreed about
prioritization of projects and that he was not sure he was in favor of
the imposition of fees.
Mrs. McCarthy reported on her research on impact fees and the window to
assess them on the next 600 permits is closing. She stated that
previous public works agreements did not include provisions for the
repairs required for the aging sewer, roads, parks, public works and
police departments. Mrs. McCarthy has concerns that an extended
analysis would result in a lost opportunity to assess and collect those
fees for capital projects such as improvements to town hall, purchase of
additional police cars, etc.
Mrs. Turner suggested that each member make a list of the projects which
they would consider for impact fees.
Mr. Kehoe reported that an additional 10 Symphony Village permits could
be released while other litigation is pending. He stated that he would
present the Council with a draft impact fee ordinance which should
include specific recommendations of capital expenditures and language
exempting affordable housing.
Mrs. Turner made a motion to go into closed session to discuss pending
litigation with counsel; Mrs. McCarthy seconded the motion. The Council
voted unanimously to go into closed session at 5:40pm (3 ayes).
Respectfully Submitted,
Deana Ashley, Clerk
