City of Crisfield

Minutes for Public Meetings

Minutes for Regular Meeting:  August 8, 2007

The Mayor and City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tawes Museum.

PRESENT

Percy J. Purnell, Jr., Mayor
Raymond D. Anderson, Council Vice President
Roger R. Riggin, Jr., Councilman
Kimberly B. Lawson, Councilman
LaVerne Johnson, Coucilwoman
Calvin Dize, City Manager
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer;


Also in attendance; Valerie Swift, Secretary; Bill Mister, Inspector; See Copy of others in attendance.

Absent from meeting – Barry Dize, Councilman

Mayor Purnell called the meeting to order with the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. At this time, he reviewed the Agenda for the evening’s meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mayor Purnell requested approval of the minutes from the Closed Meeting of July 31, 2007 and the Regular Meeting of July 25, 2007. Approval so moved by Councilman Lawson, seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.

1st SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT

 No public input was offered at this session.

Councilman Lawson made reference to 2nd Reader of the Ordinance to adopt Construction Standards and Specifications for Water, Sewer, Streets and Sidewalks as prepared by Davis, Bowen and Friedel, Inc., in January of 2007. At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to adopt for 2nd Reader an Ordinance to adopt Construction Standards and Specifications for Water, Sewer, Streets and Sidewalks.


Motion seconded by Council Vice President Anderson and carried unanimously.

Councilman Lawson made reference to Resolution 347, establishing a fee of $25.00 for the Construction Standards Booklet. Councilman Riggin made a motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Council Vice President Anderson and carried unanimously.

Councilman Lawson presented for signing, Resolution 345 Roads that Qualify for Construction of Sidewalks, which was approved at the July 25th meeting.


Councilman Lawson made a motion that this Resolution be accepted. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

APPOINTMENTS

RENEE CROFT, SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY DIRECTOR, addressed the Mayor and City Council with the background of funding and grant status concerning the proposed new library for Crisfield.

She noted that the current library is 70% undersized and that the funds that they will receive for the Planning Grant will be used for an Architect, Program Consultant and legal counsel for the status of the Corbin Library.

Mayor Purnell commented that he feels the location of the current library is the perfect spot considering the acre of woodland behind it.

Mr. Phil Goldsborough agreed that the library needs to be larger, but feels it should be in the center of town.

Mr. Ken Robolo made reference to tying the library in with other things, such as a recreational center, to be located in the town center.

EVENT APPLICATIONS

Mayor Purnell made reference to event applications for the Crab Derby parade, skiff race and boat docking contest. At this time, Councilman Riggin made a motion to approve the applications. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Anderson and carried unanimously.


SURPLUS VEHICLES

Mr. Dize, City Manager, made reference to vehicles that need to be declared as surplus; a Honda scooter, which needs a clutch and carburetor and a Chevrolet Blazer, which needs major repairs. Councilman Lawson then made a motion to
approve declaring these two vehicles as surplus. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.

PAYING FOR PAVING OF MILL LANE

Mayor Purnell made reference to the City reimbursing the Ambulance Squad in the amount of $2,600 for the paving of Mill Lane. Councilman Lawson commended Mayor Purnell and Councilman Riggin for their work in meeting with the Ambulance Squad to get this done. After a brief discussion, Councilman Riggin made a motion to pay the amount of $2600 for the paving of Mill Lane. Motion seconded by Councilman Lawson and carried unanimously.

BORROWING RESOLUTION

Mayor Purnell made reference to a resolution to borrow funds not to exceed the amount of $80,000 for 8 years for the purchase of property located at 218 Maryland Avenue. Councilman Lawson noted that this would offer a second way onto the property at Collins Street proposed for a park and boardwalk.

After further brief discussion, Councilman Lawson made a motion to accept the borrowing resolution. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.

USDA LOAN APPLICATION CHRONOLOGY

At this time, Mayor Purnell reviewed several power point slides concerning the chronology of the USDA Loan Application regarding the repair of the 36 sewer( see copy of slides). He also noted that on August 3, the City was advised by CDBG representatives that it did not receive the $800,000 Grant that had been applied for, but would still proceed with seeking bids for construction of the line by September.

Mr. Phil Johnson inquired about private options. Mayor Purnell advised that there is a possibility.

“GERALD GUT” PROPOSAL

Mayor Purnell made reference to the power point presentation concerning installing a pump and flood gates in the Gerald Gut, at a cost of $3,000.

INSPECTOR SEEKING APPROVAL TO BID OUT DEMO FOR MISC. STRUCTURES

Mr. Bill Mister, Inspector, advised that he would like approval to bid out demolitions for Forbush (Rear of Building), the City Restaurant building, the burned house at 107 Richardson Avenue and the Friedley home at 26W. Main Street.

At this time, Councilman Riggin made a motion that Mr. Mister be given approval to move forward to bid out demolition for the burned home at 107 Richardson Avenue. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Anderson and carried unanimously.

Councilman Lawson made a motion that Mr. Mister be give approval to move forward to bid out demolition for the home at 26 W. Main Street. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.

In reference to the rear of Forbush Hardware, Councilman Riggin advised that Mr. Fred McKee has stated that they will be moving forward with the necessary repairs. Councilman Lawson commented that the building has gone too long without the necessary corrections and made a motion that the owners be given twenty days to bring in a plan. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.

In reference to the City Restaurant building, Mr. Mister advised that they want to demolish the building and had rejected the offer of Mr. Phil Johnston.

Following a brief discussion, Councilman Lawson made a motion giving Mr. Mister approval to seek bids for demo or restoration. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Mike Spanhell inquired as to why the City would have to pay for the demo of these buildings. Mayor Purnell advised that the cost would be recovered through a lien on property taxes. Councilman Lawson added that this can be a losing situation. Mr. Spanhell also added that the City should padlock the doors to Forbush till the repairs are made.

Councilman Lawson advised that there is no desire to padlock the doors.

Mr. Spanhell made reference to the City’s liability.


Mayor Purnell noted that the City would contact legal counsel concerning the liability issue of the Forbush Building.

Councilman Riggin commented that various issues have been a struggle for the Mayor and Council. He advised that they are trying to work with everyone.

Councilwoman Johnson agreed that it has not been easy. She also advised that there is a workshop at City Hall on the 21st concerning Homeowners Tax Credits.


Mayor Purnell made reference to the success of the National Night Out on Tuesday.

Councilman Lawson advised that Tracey Gordy and Keith Lackie, MDOP, are working on the Critical Area Ordinance, which should be done within 90 days.

Councilman Lawson made reference to the extensive activity in the Inspection Department, which is ongoing with weed notices, etc.

Mayor Purnell reminded everyone about the SRP meeting on August 13 at 6:00 p.m. at Crisfield High School.



There being no further business for discussion, Councilman Riggin made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Vice President Anderson and carried unanimously.


Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer

Prepared by Valerie Swift, Secretary

Minutes for Public Meetings

 

Website designed by Lowershore.net.  © Copyright 2005 - 2007 by the City of Crisfield.  All Rights Reserved.