MINUTES
The Mayor and City Council met in regular session on Wednesday,
April, 9, 2008 at 6:00 P.M. in the meeting room in City Hall.
PRESENT
Percy J. Purnell, Jr., Mayor
Raymond D. Anderson, Council Vice President
Kimberly B. Lawson, Councilman
Barry Dize, Councilman
LaVerne Johnson, Councilwoman
Mike Atkins, Councilman
Calvin Dize, City Manager
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer
Robin Cockey, City Solicitor
Also in attendance; Valerie Swift, Secretary; See sign in sheet for
others.
Mayor Purnell called the meeting to order with the Lord’s Prayer and
the Pledge of Allegiance.
At this time, Mayor
Purnell reviewed the agenda for this evening’s meeting.
READING OF PROCLAMATION
At this
time, Mayor Purnell read aloud the Fair Housing Proclamation
designating April as Fair Housing Month in Crisfield.
Council Vice President
Anderson made a motion to adopt the Proclamation.
Motion seconded by Councilman Dize and carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor
Purnell requested approval of the minutes from the last meeting. At
this time, Councilwoman Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes
from the regular meeting of March 26, 2008. Motion seconded by
Councilman Dize and carried unanimously.
1ST SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT
Jeneen Hess made reference to non-profit organizations not
having to apply for pool table license.
Mayor Purnell advised that residences or non-profits don’t have
to apply for pool table license.
Mr. Cockey advised that the City’s authority is based on the
regulation of businesses.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – PROPOSED BILLIARD ORDINANCE
Mayor
Purnell made reference to the Billiard Ordinance. Mr. John
Phoebus requested that a modification be made to 87-4 that the
age limit not restrict underage employees from other parts of
the business. He asked that “on the premises of a business where
sale of games of pool or billiards may
occur” be changed to “in the room” and “place of business” be
changed to “room”.
Councilman Atkins commented that the Ordinance regulates pool
tables,not restaurants .
Mayor Purnell commented that the reason for such attention to
legislation of the Ordinance is to prevent the problems such as
the ones experienced at the former “tighty’s”, which caused some
of the businesses on Main Street to close .
Mr.
Cockey also noted that in keeping with the format of the
proposed Ordinance, items 7, 8, and 9 under §87-2 should be
changed to C ,D and E .
A
lengthy discussion followed, after which time, Councilman Lawson
advised that the Ordinance needs to be put to rest .
Councilman Dize advised that he needs time to think about the
revision requested by Mr. Phoebus. Councilman Atkins and
Councilwoman Johnson concurred.
With no action the matter was tabled at this time, for further
review.
REQUEST FOR WATER AND SEWER ALLOCATION
Mr.
Henry Wilson appeared before the Mayor and Council to follow up
on a request for a water and sewer allocation for a lot on N.
First Street, in order to place a single-family manufactured
home.
Councilman Lawson advised Mr. Wilson that his concern was that
this was a buildable lot. At this time, Councilman Lawson made a
motion to grant Mr. Wilson’s requested water and sewer
allocation. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried
unanimously.
CAROL DRYDEN RE: KAYAK BUSINESS
Carol Dryden appeared before the Mayor and City Council concerning
subleasing a portion of Brick Kiln for her kayak rental business.
Mayor Purnell inquired if she would need a building. Ms. Dryden
advised that when she operated at the park, she used only a rack,
with locked chains across the kayaks. Mayor Purnell advised that the
City would have to contact the Legion for legal permission.
Councilman Atkins and Councilman Lawson expressed their concerns
that this is not a secure location.
After further discussion, Councilwoman Johnson made a motion that
the request be approved, contingent upon Legion approval. Motion
seconded by Council Vice President
Anderson and carried unanimously.
Mrs. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer advised that she would also check into
the need for a Trader’s License.
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM
LGIT
Mayor Purnell made reference to the letter from Local Government
Insurance Trust, who handle the City’s liability insurance, advising
the City to remove the curb stop from in front of the cable office
and also eliminate the parking spot from the same location. This
recommendation came about as a person had fallen over the curb stop
.
Councilman Lawson commented that this all stems from a business in
an improper location, without proper access .
At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to recommend moving
the curb stop and place a pole barrier to prevent the parking spot
from being used .
During discussion, Councilman Atkins suggested painting “no parking”
in the spot instead. Motion seconded by Councilman Dize and carried
unanimously.
EVENT APPLICATION
Mayor Purnell made reference to a request from the Art’s Council to
hold a “Just Folks” festival on Saturday, July 5th, 10:30 a.m. to
3:00 p.m. They have provided a copy of their Liability Insurance
certificate .
Approval so moved by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Council Vice
President Anderson and carried unanimously.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Purnell made reference to the 36 sewer construction and noted
there would be a change for inclusion of a lot. He noted that
American Paving is moving 50 to 60 feet per day, and one side should
be done in two to three weeks .
Mayor Purnell made reference to the proposed paving of Somerset
Avenue and advised that it would begin at Ward’s Crossing to the
Baptist Church .
Mayor Purnell also noted that last year the City had budgeted $140K
for paving this area, but the cost had increased by $9,000 over the
winter. Mayor Purnell advised residents to call the City if they see
an area that they feel needs to be paved.
2ND SESSION PUBLIC INPUT
Lamount Potter made reference to the comments concerning Tighty’s
and stated that he feels the reason that business’s closed on Main
Street, was because of the closing of Mrs. Paul’s. He also made
reference to the proposed Pool Ordinance, B, 1 & 3 and asked that
the City consider changing this because he does not feel that
anyone
underage should serve alcohol .
Ladell Dorman made reference to the Young Sailor School that is held
in the summer, versus the requested kayak operation. Mayor Purnell
advised that public disclosure is needed when the sailing school is
in operation .
Mr.
Austin Cox inquired as to where the kayaks would be launched. Mayor
Purnell advised that they would launch from the beach .
Mr.
Phil Goldsborough commented that the City could lease the lost
parking space to Charter.
Mr. Bobby Goldsborough made reference to the two year residency
requirement for the billiard license and advised that this
discourages business. Council Vice President Anderson advised that
this is required by the liquor licensing board.
Mrs.
Lisa Battle Thomas addressed the Mayor and Council concerning
property on Maryland Avenue next to Collins Street. She advised that
she has been trying to purchase a piece of this property for 10
years .
Mayor
Purnell advised that this is a valuable piece of property and to
sell it, the City would have to advertise as surplus and subdivide.
He advised that at this time, the City is focusing on establishing a
public park there, which is the intent of the Comp plan. Mayor
Purnell advised that the design for the park is not completed yet.
Mrs.
Margo Green-Gale inquired as to why residents were displaced from
Collins Street years ago .
Mayor
Purnell advised that in 1978, the CDBG program offered a way for
owners of ubstandard housing to have their home sold and demolished
and they would be relocated in the Housing Authority .
Mr. Austin Cox commended American Paving on their fine work. He also
suggested posting a detour sign so people could cut through the
Marina.
MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL’S REPORT
Councilman Atkins commented that City government wants to encourage
businesses to prosper. He advised that a lot of effort has been put
into the Pool Ordinance. He encouraged more public input .
Mayor Purnell commented on Mr. Potter’s suggestion to leave alcohol
out of the pool room. Mr. Potter commented that his previous plans
were for pool and games, no alcohol.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business for discussion, Councilman Lawson
made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Vice President
Anderson and carried unanimously .
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer
Prepared by Valerie Swift, Secretary
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