City of Crisfield
Minutes
The Mayor and City Council
met in regular session on Wednesday, March 12,
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
Also in attendance; Valerie Swift, Secretary; Stephen Evans; Doug
Crockett;John Phoebus; Sue Sterling; Alex Ryan; Richard Crumbacker;
Pat Reese; LamountPotter; Ladell Dorman; Norris Howard; Eddie Heath;
Margo Green-Gale; Pat Carson;Pat Stackhouse.
Mayor Purnell called the meeting to order, opening with the Lords?
Prayer
and the Pledge of Allegiance.
At this time, Mayor Purnell reviewed the agenda for this evening?s
meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
After review of the minutes from the Regular Meeting of February 27,
2008,
Councilman Lawson made a motion that they be approved. Motion
seconded by
Councilman Dize and carried unanimously.
1ST SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT
No public input was offered at this time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS ? SICK LEAVE POLICY
Mayor Purnell made reference to the proposed addition to the City
Personnel
Sick Leave Policy.
At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to adopt the addition
to
the policy.
Motion seconded by Council Vice President Anderson.During
discussion, Councilman Atkins inquired if the purpose of this
addition was to reduce fraudulent use of sick time. Mayor Purnell
advised that it was to prevent taking benefits with you when you
leave. Councilman Atkins noted that it is not hard to obtain a
Doctor?s excuse.
Mr. Cockey noted that due to HPPA regulations, it may be hard to
get a release of information in order to review excuses, but he
would look into the matter.Without further discussion, the motion
carried unanimously.
EDU RESOLUTION
Councilman Lawson made reference to the proposed resolution and
advised that its? purpose was to provide continuity in filing of
records.
At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to accept the EDU
Resolution for adoption at this evenings meeting. Motion seconded by
Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Purnell made reference to requests for EDU Extensions for
Calvary Estates and Harbour Lights. He noted that they are paying
their monthly bills and that they have provided signed requests. No
action required as this is policy.
Mr. John Phoebus, appeared before the Mayor and Council to
request an amendment of Chapter 87 of the City Code ? Pool Halls and
Billiard Rooms. He advised that his client, Mr. Tom Farina, would
like to open a Billiard Room at Harborside Lighthouse Restaurant,
but the Code restricts this, along with the sale of alcohol, as well
as being open on Sunday. Mr. Phoebus also advised that the planned
hours of operation are 5-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday,
and 5-12 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Council Vice President Anderson noted that if serving alcohol,
food must also be available.
Mayor Purnell made reference to dealing with loitering. Mr.
Phoebus advised that the tables would be located on the 2nd floor,
which should deter loitering, but there would also be personnel
available to prevent it.
Councilman Dize noted that children accompanying their parents
would be unacceptable. Mr. Phoebus advised that he doesn?t see it as
part of the business plan.
Councilman Lawson made reference to the economic side of the
issue and Mr. Farina?s attempt at a business model. He stated that
Mr. Farina has always operated a peaceful establishment.
Councilman Lawson went on to state that in order to protect
against loiterers and riffraff, licenses should be granted only to
those applicants who have a 50% or more investment in the real
estate of the property to be used, tables should be rented on an
hourly basis and Billiard Rooms would have to pay amusement taxes.
Mr. Phoebus noted that Mr. Farina has his liquor license.
Mayor Purnell also noted that the renewal would have to be
changed to annually, not every four years.
Mr. Cockey noted that any change would require a public hearing
with a first and second reader.
Councilman Lawson made reference to a positive experience he had
encountered at a sport?s bar establishment in Salisbury. At this
time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to work with Mr. Cockey before
the next meeting to craft the proposed law. Motion seconded by
Councilman Atkins.
During discussion, Councilwoman Johnson advised that she feels
Mr. Farina runs a good establishment and should be given a chance.
Motion carried unanimously.
REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF WATER AND SEWER HOOK UP
FEES
Mr. Stephen Evans appeared before the Mayor and City Council to
request a waiver from the water and sewer hook-up fees for a second
floor apartment at 215 W. Main Street.
Mayor Purnell advised that there is no cost to the City for
installing water and sewer on the 2nd floor.
Mayor Purnell commented that the fee could be waived as it
concerns a Historic building.
At this time, Councilman Lawson commented that Mr. Evans has
taken an historic property and refurbished it rather than
tearing it down. Councilman Lawson then made a motion that the
water and sewer hook-up fee be waived for the 2nd floor unit, as
there is no cost to the City for installation.
Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.
REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF IMPACT FEE
Mayor Purnell made reference to a request for a waiver of the Impact
Fee from John and Diane Davis, who are demolishing and replacing the
existing fire damaged dwelling.
Mr. Cockey noted that according to 454E-1D of the Ordinance
pertaining to Impact Fees, under ?debilitated property?, would allow
them to waive the fee. After a brief discussion, Councilman Dize
made motion to table the request for further information. Motion
seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.
RFP FOR VACANT PROPERTIES
Mayor Purnell presented for information RFP?s for vacant City
properties. He requested that the Council review the list and make
any additions. Councilman Lawson suggested that no more than 50% of
the property be disposed of in this way, with 50% for high-end
development.
INTRODUCTION OF MARGO GREEN-GALE
Mayor Purnell introduced Mrs. Margo Green-Gale, who was appointed at
the last meeting, as a member of the Housing Authority Commission.
2ND SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT
Mr. Ladell Dorman stated that with regards to the billiard tables,
he feels that Mr. Farina should be able to have them, but through a
Special Exception, which would be used for each instance. Mrs. Pat
Carson commented that Mr. Farina has a good idea and it would give
young adults a place to go. Mr. Lamount Potter stated that he had
tried to operate a billiards room before and commented that the
doors should be open for anyone trying to operate this type of
business, not just those with money. Mayor Purnell commented that
this will be a hard decision for the Council. Mr. Pat Stackhouse
commented that he operates a similar business in another location
and has no problem.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ? MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Councilwoman Johnson thanked Mr. Potter for speaking out concerning
the pool table issue. Councilman Lawson made reference to the RFP
for the proposed Library and the disparity of locations in the City,
with suggested locations such as the Mac Center and Legion property
and Whittington Primary. He advised that a community consensus is
needed as far as the location.Councilman Dize made reference to the
pool table issue and commented that the City should allow people to
run their own business. He added that he is not for or against it.
Councilman Dize also suggested that for the months of June, July and
August, the Mayor and Council meet only once a month. Councilman
Atkins made reference to the ambulance squad issue and the loss of
ALS providers. He suggested implementing a task force with the Mayor
and Council, County Commissioners and both Princess Anne and
Crisfield Ambulance Squads.
Mayor Purnell advised that he has met with the County
Commissioners concerning the possibility of a county wide EMT-Paramedic
force. He advised Councilman Atkins that he concurs that a task
force should be assembled.
Mayor Purnell noted and presented awards that the City had
received from the American Planners Association and the Governor?s
Citation for the City?s Comprehensive Plan. Councilman Lawson
requested adjournment into a Closed Session to obtain legal counsel.
With no further business in the Regular Session, Councilman Dize
made a motion to adjourn into a Closed Session. Motion seconded by
Councilman Atkins and carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce L. Morgan,Clerk-Treasurer
Prepared by Valerie Swift, Secretary
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