City of Crisfield

Minutes for Public Meetings

Minutes for Regular Meeting: August 23, 2006

The Mayor and City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tawes Museum.

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

Also in attendance; Valerie Swift, Secretary; Clarence Bell, Chief of Police; Harold W. Frock, Sr., Superintendent of Public Utilities; Richard Lord, Superintendent of Public Works; Tillie Doyle; Joe Corrado; Tim Howard; Anne Mayer; Doug & Judy Crockett; Warren Pruitt; John Schultz; Donna & Newell Volk, Valerie & Frank Guetens; Allen & Darlene Tyler; Norman Smith; Mary Paige, Margo Green-Gale; Lamount Potter; Alex Ryan; Catherine A. Brown; John P. Tawes, III; David Price; Ki Coleman; Ladell Dorman; Freddie McKee.

Mayor Purnell called the meeting to order. He welcomed those in attendance and opened the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Mayor noted that Councilman Riggin is doing well from bypass surgery he had this morning and asked that everyone keep him in their thoughts and prayers. Mayor Purnell reviewed the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Councilman Lawson noted two corrections; page 2 in the meeting of August 3, 2006 and page 4 in the regular meeting of August 9, 2006.

He then made a motion to approve the minutes from both meetings with the necessary corrections. Motion seconded by Councilman Dize and carried unanimously.

1ST SESSION – PUBLIC INPUT

Mayor Purnell noted that a Blog is now available on the City’s web page for the public to email comments and concerns to the Mayor and Council. Mayor Purnell also advised that a closed session was held yesterday concernning negotiations regarding the 1936 sewer line. He advised that findings would be presented at the next meeting.

Mrs. Catherine Brown commented that the water at her Heron Landing residence smells and tastes awful Mr. Frock advised that the Main would need to be flushed, due to the high temperatures.

Mayor Purnell also noted that one of the City’s major water well motors had burned up, but should be back on line Monday with a rebuilt motor.

Mrs. Donna Volk also complained of bad smelling water at her residence at Hammock Point. Mr. Frock advised that he would schedule weekly flushing for hydrants in cul de sac areas.

Mr. David Turco of Homes by David Edward, addressed the Mayor and Council to request clarification on the water and sewer policy.

Mayor Purnell advised that the policy establishes that the owner/builder can be granted a water & sewer allocation but it is limited to the owner living in the house. Mr. Turco advised that the County requires a letter from the City granting the EDU or they will not issue a building permit.

Councilman Lawson advised Mr. Turco to address the matter in the form of a letter to the County Planning Office, the Sanitary District and the City of Crisfield.

Mr. Tim Howard addressed the Mayor and City Council concerning the recent closed meeting. Mayor Purnell advised that they are looking at all alternatives, but have received 20 letters against going with developers. He added that it may get to the point of having to have a referendum.

Mr. John Schultz made reference to Food Lion and asked if there was any provision that if the store is not built, the property could not be sold for development.

Mayor Purnell advised that the City purchased the property from the County years ago. He advised that the extension to the agreement was due to circumstances beyond the property owners control. Councilman Lawson advised that the extension was for the purpose of funding the demolition. He advised that he was also concerned about the property being turned over for other use and had asked that that clause be added to the agreement.

Mrs. Valerie Guetens inquired about the status of the Comp Plan. Mayor Purnell advised that the Planning Commission met last week to make corrections and is moving forward. He advised that the plan should be finished soon.

Mrs. Guetens inquired as to how the City could accept any proposal without having the SRP completed. Mayor Purnell advised that an RFP for the SRP is in the works. He also advised that a developer is working on an SRP for downtown. Mayor Purnell advised that without a plan in place, no blanket approval will be granted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

MR. RANDY LAIRD, CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICIAN appeared before the Mayor and City Council to request that the City remove the bumper in the space in front of the office and replace it with two upright pipes and also have the space designated as “No Parking”.

Councilman Lawson advised that he is okay with the placement of the pipes but not for rental of the spot. During further discussion, Councilman Lawson advised Mr. Laird that the building owners need to address the issue with the Mayor and Council.

Mayor Purnell also made reference to vacant buildings on Main Street which would have been a more suitable location for the cable office.

The next item of unfinished business was the 2nd Reader of the Ordinance Increasing Sewer Charges.

At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to adopt for 2nd Reader an Ordinance increasing the City’s Sewer Rate. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Anderson and carried unanimously.

The next item of unfinished business was an Emergency Ordinance establishing the “Crisfield Fire Department” as the City’s Fire Department, for purposes of liability insurance. Councilman Lawson made a motion to adopt as an Emergency Ordinance an Ordinance establishing the Crisfield Fire Department as the City’s Fire Department. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

The next item to be addressed pertained to an extension of the Sub-Lease Agreement regarding the Somers Cove Motel for the existing operator to operate the motel another season.

At this time, Councilman Lawson requested that the matter be deferred for discussion with legal counsel.

Mayor Purnell made reference to a request for water and sewer from Irving Saltz, contingent upon his purchase of property.

Mr. David Turco suggested allowing the permit to be issued, but the connection made only when the property is purchased by the person requesting the allocation.

Mrs. Catherine Brown made reference to maintaining a record of allocations granted outside of City limits. Mayor Purnell noted that there had been approximately 25 in the past year.

Councilman Lawson suggested that the request from Mr. Saltz be tabled in order that the City consult with Mr. Cockey about rewriting the water and sewer policy.

Mayor Purnell made reference to the First Crisfield Waterman’s Festival to be held in October. He advised that the City would support the festival by participation, trash collection and clean-up, and the purchase of a tent and tickets. Councilman Lawson concurred with this support.

Mayor Purnell made reference to an item of information from the Teens of Faith. He also noted event applications for the Hard Crab Derby Parade, Religious Service and fireworks. Council Vice President Anderson made a motion to approve these events, seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mayor Purnell made reference to increasing the Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission memberships from 5 to 7 members and to eliminate the language which refers to alternate members on the Board of Zoning Appeals.

At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to accept Mayor Purnell’s recommendation for first reader. Motion seconded by Councilman Dize and carried unanimously.

Mayor Purnell advised that he would like to propose a change in the personnel policy which would increase increments of accrued vacation time so that employees would accrue 2 weeks of vacation for up to five years of service, 3 weeks from 6 to 11 years of service and 4 weeks on their 12th year of service anniversary. Mayor Purnell also advised that he would like to add 5 days of paid maternity leave, for male or female employees. Councilman Lawson advised that he would like to applaud the Mayor’s proposal. At this time, Council Vice President Anderson made a motion to accept the proposed personnel policy changes. Motion seconded by Councilman Dize and carried unanimously.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

MR. RICHARD LORD, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, presented his monthly report on Power Point. He also advised that he was obtaining information regarding an automated trash truck.

Councilman Dize noted that the area between Family Dollar and Mrs. Battle needs to be mowed. Mr. Lord advised that this would be taken care of.

Mrs. Margo Green-Gale inquired about the patching of potholes in the Housing Authority. Mr. Lord advised that they could be patched by the City by contacting City Hall with a location.

MRS. JOYCE L. MORGAN, CLERK-TREASURER, reviewed her monthly report on Power Point, presenting the expense side of the 2006-2007 Budget. Mrs. Morgan noted that the City must maintain payroll twice a month as well as weekly and annual payments. She also noted that yearly expenses are $69,000 for Pension, $33,000 for liability and property insurance and $198,000 in State and Federal loans.

Councilman Lawson commented on the small expenditure for Economic Marketing of the City.

Mayor Purnell made reference to the Job Service bus that was in the City Hall parking lot this morning and advised that only three people stopped in. He noted that the service helps people find employment as well as resume preparation, etc.

Mayor Purnell noted that the bus is due back at that location the second week in September.

Mayor Purnell also noted that he would be meeting with the Aerospace Company again on Friday.

HAROLD W. FROCK,SR., SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, presented his monthly report on Power Point. Mr. Frock reviewed the Enhanced Nitrogen Removal strategy, based on a million gallons a day. He noted that I & I will play a big factor in gallonage. He also noted that the removal of nitrogen is handled through sludge.

Councilman Lawson made reference to the issue of Nitrogen, which is still a problem with chicken houses.

2nd Session – Public Input

Mr. Warren Pruitt addressed his concerns about road width and easement issues at the Jersey Island Condo site. He advised that it appeared that the road was not wide enough to accommodate fire equipment. Mr. Bobby Goldsborough advised that the builders had agreed to widen the road.

Mayor Purnell commented that it appears that the easement infringes upon the City street.

Councilman Lawson commented that there are no standards in the City Code to address road construction, therefore the contractor goes by county standards.

Mr. Lamount Potter made reference to reducing landfill costs by recycling.

Mayor Purnell noted that recycling is also costly.

Mrs. Val Guetens suggested making recycling mandatory.

Mr. Tim Howard made reference to the effect of Food Lion on EDU’s . Mr. Frock advised that there will be six, less than when the school was in operation.

In reference to mandatory recycling, Councilman Lawson advised that this would impose an extra cost on residents. He also noted that recyclables can be taken to the transfer station.

Mr. John Tawes noted that the fire department would take aluminum cans.

Mayor Purnell commented that he was advised by his elderly neighbor that according to “Roberts Rules of Order”, old business comes before new. He also noted that the correct spelling is “Brick Kiln” Road, not, Brick Hill Road.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BY THE COUNCIL

Councilwoman Johnson advised that she appreciates the public’s patience while the Mayor and Council work on making the best decision regarding the 1936 sewer.

Councilman Lawson made reference to the need for a custodian at the Fire Department and suggested working on a way to put this in the Budget.

Councilman Dize requested that everyone keep Councilman Riggin in their prayers.

There being no further business for discussion, Councilman Dize made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer

Prepared by Valerie Swift, Secretary

Minutes for Public Meetings