City of Crisfield
Minutes
The Mayor and City Council met in regular session on Wednesday ,
February 13, 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
Calvin Dize, City Manager
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer
Robin R. Cockey, City Solicitor
Also in attendance; Valerie Swift, Secretary; Bill Mister,
Inspector; Pat Carson; Ladell Dorman; Doug & Judy Crockett;
Dr. Mike Atkins; Scott & Melanie Tawes; Alex Ryan; Richard
Crumbacker and Liz Holland.
Mayor Purnell called the meeting to order, opening with the
Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Purnell requested approval of the minutes from last month’s
meeting for the January 23rd Closed and Regular meeting.
Council Vice President Anderson made a motion to approve the
minutes as written. Motion seconded by Councilman Dize and
carried unanimously.
1ST SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT
No public input was offered at this time.
AUDIT REPORT
Mr. Scott Tawes, CPA and Auditor for the City of Crisfield,
presented the Audit Report for the City of Crisfield for Fiscal Year
ending June 30, 2007. Mr. Tawes reviewed the Audit through
power point and noted that the City had received an
Unqualified Opinion, which is the highest that can be received.
At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to accept the Audit as
presented by Mr. Tawes. Motion seconded by Council Vice
President Anderson and carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Cockey, City Solicitor, made reference to the State of
Maryland’s new requirement concerning Fluoride. He advised that
there is no consent order with the Sanitary District. Mr. Cockey
advised that the State standards will not be retroactive for old
wells, but any new well would have to comply with these standards.
He advised there has been no agreement signed for a consent order
with the Sanitary District.
NEW BUSINESS
REQUEST FOR WATER & SEWER ALLOCATION
Mayor Purnell made reference to a request from Wesley W. Townsend,
Sr., for a water and sewer allocation to place a single family
dwelling at 26726 Johnson Creek Road. Mr. Dize, City Manager, noted
that the EDU was for a mobile home, and that they are aware they
have to pay the $5,500 hook up fee.
At this time, Councilman Lawson proposed an Ordinance for First
Reader which would require a permit whenever an EDU is granted,
specifying the date, name of project, location, number of EDU’s, use
of EDU’s. A gold City Seal would be applied to the permit when
completed and hook-up fees are paid. This would be used for EDU
requests in the City and County and a master list would be filed in
the City records at City Hall.
Councilman Lawson asked that the Council adopt this in principal
and also requested that any hook-up fees be abated until the
Ordinance is adopted. Mrs. Morgan also noted that the County is
holding occupancy permits until the hook-up fees are paid.
After further discussion, Councilwoman Johnson made a motion to
approve the EDU request of Mr. Townsend. Motion seconded by Council
Vice President Anderson and carried unanimously.
REQUEST FOR EDU EXTENSIONS
The next item for discussion was a request for extension of EDU’s
from; Ball Park Subdivision – 4, Harbor’s Edge – 61, Harbor
View – 40 and Water’s Edge – 50. Mrs. Morgan noted that they have
been paying their monthly water and sewer bill.
After reviewing the extension requests, Councilman Lawson advised
that he would like to have original signatures by the principle
owner, on these requests.
Mayor Purnell advised that signatures could be obtained, but no
approval is needed as it is a set policy.
AIRPORT EXPANSION PLAN REJECTION
The next item for consideration pertained to the rejection of the
plan for airport expansion, by the County Commissioners.
Councilman Lawson noted that there is no screaming need to expand
at this time and made a motion to accept the position of the County
Commissioners as our own and adopt the rejection of the expansion
but continue to the acquisition of runway property, for safety.
Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.
REQUEST FOR IMPACT FEE WAIVER
The next item for consideration was a request for a waiver from
Impact Fees from Somerset Community Services to place a home at 15
W. Main Street. Councilman Lawson expressed concern that it might
compromise the area’s historical qualities.
At this time, Councilman Dize made a motion to table the request
for further discussion with Mr. Sandy Atkins, Director, concerning
the type of home, not who will be living there. Motion seconded by
Council Vice President Anderson and carried unanimously.
EVENT APPLICATION REQUESTS
The next items for consideration were event application requests for
the Elks Organizational day parade; Approval so moved by Councilman
Lawson, pending receipt of liability coverage. Motion seconded by
Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.
The next event application for consideration was for use of the
depot for a wedding rehearsal and wedding of Susan Carson, on June
20 and 21. Applicants have provided proof of liability insurance
coverage. Approval so moved by Councilman Lawson and carried
unanimously.
LETTER FOR APPROVAL RE: HB 591
Mayor Purnell made reference to the letter on power point for Sheila
Hixson reference property taxation HB 591. Councilman Lawson
made a motion to approve the letter as written. Motion
seconded by Councilman Dize and carried unanimously.
COUNCILMEMBER VACANCY
Mayor Purnell made reference to filling the position of Councilman
Riggin who had resigned. Councilman Dize made a motion that the
position be filled. Motion seconded by Council Vice President
Anderson and carried unanimously.
At this time, Councilman Dize made a motion to appoint Mike
Atkins to fill the position. Motion seconded by Council Vice
President Anderson and carried unanimously.
Mayor Purnell note that Dr. Atkins would be sworn in at the next
meeting.
INFO – MARYLAND AVENUE WELL
Mayor Purnell made reference to the cost to repair the Maryland
Avenue well in the amount of $59,476.78.
Councilman Lawson stated that this is an example of refurbishment
of an old well versus a new well, which would be much more costly.
He thanked Mr. Frock, Superintendent, for his attention to the
matter.
2ND SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT
Mr. Ladell Dorman inquired if the EDU extensions pertained to those
outside of the City, also. Councilman Lawson advised that this was
correct. Mr. Dorman advised that due to the controversy about those
at Cullen Parkway,he is afraid the EDU’s will be lost.
Councilman Lawson commented that the City has been denied the
County hook up fees in that area. Mayor Purnell advised Mr. Dorman
to bring in any letters that he had received concerning the EDU.
Mr. Dorman also made reference to Councilman Lawson’s draft
ordinance and inquired if it would be retroactive. Councilman Lawson
advised that it would only pertain to new requests.
Mr. Dorman made reference to the proposed house for 15 W. Main
Street and inquired if the SRP would establish the architectural
standards. Councilman Lawson stated that they may already be
established in the SRP. Mayor Purnell made reference to offering
them a different location for the house.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Council Vice President Anderson welcomed Dr. Atkins to the Council.
Councilman Dize welcomed him also, and reminded everyone no to
forget former Councilman Riggin’s contributions and behind the
scenes work.
Mayor Purnell also welcomed Dr. Atkins onboard.
ADJOURNMENT
With there being no further business for discussion, Councilman
Lawson made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Dize 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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