City of Crisfield
Minutes for Public Meetings
Minutes for Regular Meeting: February 28,
2007
The Mayor and City Council met in regular session on Wednesday,
February 28, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tawes Museum.
PRESENT
Percy J. Purnell, Mayor
Raymond D. Anderson, Council Vice President
Roger R. Riggin, Jr., Councilman
Kimberly B. Lawson, Councilman
Barry Dize, Councilman
LaVerne Johnson, Councilwoman
Calvin Dize, City Manager
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer
Robin R. Cockey, City Solicitor
Also in attendance; Valerie Swift, Secretary; Bill
Mister, Inspector;
Rick Lord, Superintendent of Public Works; 1st Sergeant Rudy
Hancock; See sign in
sheet for others in attendance.
MAYOR’S WELCOME, INVOCATION AND READING OF AGENDA
Mayor Purnell called the meeting to order, opening with the Lord’s
Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Purnell went on to review this evenings’ agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Purnell requested approval of the minutes
from the previous months’ meetings.
At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to approve the
minutes from the regular meeting of February 14, 2007, as
written. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried
unanimously.
1st Session of Public Input
Mike Milbourne and Frederick Gerald, III, of the Downtown
Businessmen’s Association presented the Mayor and City Council with
a “We Love Crisfield” pin and a letter.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Purnell made reference to a request for an extension for a
water and sewer allocation from Craig Tawes, who had received an
allocation in May of 2006.
Mr. Tawes has advised that his construction of a single family
dwelling will be delayed due to the County’s permitting process.
Mr. Cockey advised that granting the extension is a discretionary
matter for the Mayor and City Council.
Mayor Purnell advised that the request be deferred and that Mr.
Tawes reapply for the allocation, when he gets ready to build, prior
to the May 6, 2007 deadline.
Councilman Lawson noted that the allocation must be in place for Mr.
Tawes to obtain his building permit.
Mr. Dan Kuebler commented that one year allocations are
unreasonable, given the length of time involved in obtaining wetland
permits, etc.
Mayor Purnell noted that he does not want some allocations to set
idle, preventing others from being able to get allocations.
NEW BUSINESS - APPOINTMENTS
MRS. DENISE AJELLO appeared before the Mayor and City
Council to request a waiver of Impact Fees. She advised that she is
planning on tearing down the block building behind the former
“Tighty’s” restaurant and would be planting a temporary garden there
until a new building was constructed.
Following a brief discussion, Councilman Lawson advised Mrs. Ajello
that the waiver would be contingent upon the time frame in which the
new building was erected. Mayor Purnell advised Mrs. Ajello to come
back with a plan and construction schedule. The matter was tabled at
this time.
Mr. Cockey noted that a waiver may be granted at the discretion of
the Mayor and City Council with the condition of a time-table for
new construction.
MARTIN & NENITA TYLER, appeared before the Mayor and City
Council to request a water and sewer allocation for their lot
located beside Subway, parcel 409.
Mr. Mister noted that Mr. & Mrs. Tyler have applied for a Building
Permit which, is subject to review by the Critical Area Commission.
After further brief discussion, Councilman Lawson made a motion
that, subject to building permit approval, Mr. Tyler be granted one
EDU at a fee of $5,500 for water and sewer, for construction of a
new building on the site. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and
carried unanimously.
The next item of new business was an Event Application request from
the Pride Lodge for their annual Organization Day Parade to be held
on Sunday, April 22nd. Councilman Dize then made a motion to approve
the Pride Lodge event application. Motion seconded by Councilman
Riggin and carried unanimously.
Mayor Purnell made reference to a recent meeting of the Mayor and
City Council with the Town of Princess Anne, regarding Double
Taxation. (see PPT)
He made reference to the sharing of County revenue with
municipalities.
Mr. Fritz Gerald expressed his concern that if the City receives
this money, County residents may be subject to a tax increase.
Mayor Purnell advised that this works in other counties. He added
that lack of this revenue stagnates growth.
After further discussion, Councilman Lawson made a motion that Mayor
Purnell appoint a committee to work with Princess Anne to make a
presentation to the County Commissioners. Motion seconded by Council
Vice President Anderson and carried unanimously.
Mayor Purnell advised that the committee would consist of Councilman
Lawson, Councilman Dize, Councilwoman Johnson and Mr. Calvin Dize,
City Manager. He advised that they would need to meet and prepare
for a meeting with the County Commissioners on March 20th.
OLD BUSINESS
mayor Purnell made reference to the 2nd Reader of Ordinance 572
Infrastructure Bond 2007 Series A. Council Vice President Anderson
made a motion to adopt the Ordinance for 2nd Reader. Motion seconded
by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.
FOLLOW UP ON ABANDONED HOUSES
Mr. Bill Mister, Inspector, presented a Power Point regarding the
three derelict houses; 26 W. Main Street, 18 W. Main Street and 237
N. Somerset Avenue and the notification procedures that had been
followed for each house.
He advised that he had received no reply from the owner of 26 W.Main
Street. He also advised that he had received a renovation
application from the owner of 18 W. Main Street, for which he will
be given a time frame.
Mr. Mister noted that the house at 237 N. Somerset needs to be
demolished, as a hole in the roof has resulted in severe water
damage.
Councilman Lawson noted that the cost of demolition will be an
encumbrance to the City and cited the need for a Community
Redevelopment Association that would work to save historic homes.
Councilwoman Johnson inquired if property owners would be notified
of a decision to demolish. Mr. Mister advised that they would be
notified.
Mayor Purnell inquired of Mr. Cockey if it is legal to advertise
these properties in order to help out the property owners. Mr.
Cockey advised Mayor Purnell against this.
Mr. John Schultz commented that these properties have been in the
same condition since 1988 and that the City should pass an Ordinance
that these properties be maintained, then if the City has to do the
work, the cost is placed on the tax bill.
Mr. Cockey noted that if the lien goes through the State, the City
would not have to wait for a tax sale to file the lien.
Mayor Purnell noted that the bottom line is that the City does not
have the money to make the repairs. He suggested giving thirty days
to allow interested buyers to contact the property owners.
At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion that within 60 days,
and no response from the property owner, the City move forward with
demolition.
Motion seconded by Council Vice President Anderson and carried
unanimously.
Mr. Mister noted that these areas had been targeted as they are on
the main corridor. He advised that he would be working his way
around other areas in the future.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
1st Sergeant Rudy Hancock presented the Police Department Report,
highlighting its’ contents. He made reference to the drug issue and
noted that on February 9th, Crisfield Police Department made its
largest seizure of drugs.
Mayor Purnell also noted that Mr. Tabor would be sworn in as Chief
of Police at noon this coming Friday.
CLERK-TREASURERS’ REPORT
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer, presented her monthly report and
advised that she would be reviewing Profit and Loss with previous
year comparison.
PUBLIC WORKS
Richard Lord, Superintendent of Public Works, presented his monthly
report, highlighting its’ contents.
Mr. Lord brought in for demonstration, the 96 gallon can that the
City would like to implement with its residents. Mayor Purnell made
reference to using the cans on a volunteer basis at first.
Mr. Lord noted that the lowest cost he had obtained for the can
was$58.00. Councilman Lawson commented that the cost for the truck
which would use this particular can is $300,000.
A lengthy discussion followed regarding the excessive cost for
processing the garbage that is collected weekly as well as the
number of residents who do not follow collection regulations. Also
discussed was the need for residents to dispose of their hypodermic
needles properly to prevent injury to collection personnel.
Councilman Lawson suggested that the last two weeks in March be
warning weeks, to notify violators, then the first week in April,
fines will be issued, delivered by a police officer.
Councilman Riggin noted that this notification will be on Chanel 8,
as well as a story for the Crisfield Times.
Mr. Dan Kuebler suggested coordinating a clean up to coincide with
Earth Day on April 21st.
Mr. Lord concluded his monthly report. Mayor Purnell commended him
on the work he had done regarding the armory situation.
Mr. Fritz Gerald also suggested that the City accept the offer from
developers to replace the 36 sewer and use CDBG funds to purchase
the new automatic garbage truck.
Mr. Lord also added that he is looking into a recycling station for
the City.
QUESTION AND ANSWERS MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Councilman Dize thanked everyone for attending tonight’s meeting.
He also reminded everyone about the fine job done by Acting Chief
Ernie Leatherbury.
Councilman Riggin encouraged input from those in attendance and also
thanked 1st Sgt. Rudy Hancock for the fine job that he had done.
Council Vice President Anderson thanked everyone for attending and
urged public input to help the community to work together.
Councilwoman Johnson also thanked everyone and urged them to keep up
the input.
Councilman Lawson made reference to the recent Public Hearing for
Eugene Evans and noted that he now wants to do something different.
Councilman Lawson also noted that he was unable to attend the recent
Ambulance Squad banquet, but advised that discussion is still needed
about the future funding of fulltime emergency personnel. Councilman
Lawson also made reference to a recent EDC meeting at ECI. He
commented that even though many were against it, 20 years later, ECI
has proven to be a viable employer utilizing services in the
community.
Councilman Lawson invited all to attend the March 8th meeting
regarding the Comp Plan, which is the stepping stone to the SRP. He
also thanked everyone for their input at this evenings’ meeting.
Mayor Purnell noted that the RFP for the SRP had been released to
approximately 24 planners. He advised that 5 planners thus far, have
toured the City and more have called.
There being no further business for discussion, Council Vice
President Anderson made a motion to adjourn, Seconded by Councilman
Riggin and carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer
Prepared by Valerie Swift, Secretary
Minutes for Public Meetings
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