City of Crisfield
Minutes for Public Meetings
Minutes for Regular Meeting:
July 26, 2006
The Mayor and City Council met in regular session on Wednesday,
July 26, 2006 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
Barry Dize, Councilman
LaVerne Johnson, Councilwoman
Calvin Dize, City Manager
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer
Robin Cockey, City Solicitor
Also in attendance; Valerie Swift, Secretary; William Mister,
Inspector;
Clarence Bell, Chief of Police; Harold W. Frock, Sr., Superintendent
of Public
Utilities; Rick Lord, Superintendent of Public Works.
Others in attendance; See copy attached.
Mayor Purnell called the meeting to order. He welcomed those in
attendance
and opened with the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Purnell reviewed the agenda as presented on Power Point.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
At this time, Mayor Purnell requested approval of the minutes from
the meet-
ing on July 12, 2006. Council Vice President Anderson made a motion
to approve
the minutes from the regular meeting held on July 12, 2006 as
written. Motion
seconded by Councilman Lawson and carried unanimously.
1ST SESSION – PUBLIC INPUT
Mr. Bobby Goldsborough addressed a problem with tall grass and weeds
in
the field at Crisfield High School. Mr. John Dize commented that the
field belongs to
Parks and Recreation and suggested that Mr. Mister, Inspector, speak
with Mr. Page
Hurley, Director.
Mr. Mister commented that it is sometimes difficult to trace
ownership of
properties when issuing weed violation letters.
NEW BUSINESS
Robert Aswell, scheduled to appear re: Density Issues, was not
present.
Mayor Purnell made reference to agenda item “ Discussion on New
Development”
and reviewed, along with a power point presentation, several points
in order
to help residents understand how the City’s revenue is distributed.
He noted that
residents want improved services, streets, police protection as well
as updated infra-
structure. He advised that citizens do not want a tax increase.
Mayor Purnell also
made reference to determining how much development is acceptable.
The Mayor went on to review the budget chart over a five year period
and
noted that the City has incurred a $1,000 per month increase in
street lighting as well
as a substantial increase in insurance. Mayor Purnell advised that
development must
be considered to offset these costs, not 100% development, but
transitionally to meet
expectations.
Mayor Purnell made reference to the next agenda item “Discussion on
Performance
Bond for ADC Builders. Mr. Dize noted that a performance bond is a
requirement for major contractors which protects the City if the
contractor does
poor quality work or goes bankrupt. He advised that ADC Builders had
a bond
for work they did installing a 10” water line from 4th and Cove to
the former
Mrs. Paul’s property. Mr. Dize advised that the job has been
completed and engineers
Davis, Bowen and Friedel have certified that ADC has meet
specifications.
Mr. Dize advised that it is costly for ADC to continue to maintain
the bond.
After further brief discussion, Councilman Lawson made a motion that
the
ADC Builders performance bond be released as they have met all
required specifications.
Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.
Mayor Purnell went on to address the next agenda item; “ A Draft of
the
MOU between the Department of Planning and the City of Crisfield”.
After a brief discussion, it was determined that this matter would
be tabled
until the August 9th meeting with a motion made by Council Vice
President Anderson,
seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Mayor Purnell made reference to the first item regarding the 1936
sewer line.
He noted that he was accompanied by Mr. Dize and Mr. Frock to USDA
in George-
town last week, and was advised that the City is not eligible for
any grant funding
for repair of this sewer line. Mayor Purnell made reference to
borrowing funding
from a local bank at 5% interest or from USDA at 4%. The Mayor noted
another
solution would be the increase in front footage of .95 per foot as
discussed at the last
meeting. Mayor Purnell also made reference to the previously
discussed offer from
Shaw and Associates as well as a second offer from another party.
Councilman Lawson made reference to the need to hold a work session
concerning options regarding the 1936 sewer.
Mayor Purnell noted that the second offer was from Crisfield
Associates.
Mayor Purnell advised that a decision needs to be made regarding the
1936
sewer as soon as possible. He also noted that the City realizes that
there is I & I in
other areas of the City as well.
The next order of business was a decision regarding the fence
request from
Messick and Andrews.
Mr. Andrews appeared before the Mayor and Council to review his plan
for
the fence.
At this time, Councilman Riggin reviewed the items to be included in
a
Public Works Agreement with the City of Crisfield and M & A
Construction.
Councilman Riggin noted that stormwater runoff, both inside and
outside of the fence
must be addressed. He advised that the area must be piped. Concrete
must meet
State specifications. Councilman Riggin went on to advise that two
10 foot sections
of fence in the area of the sewer manhole must be removable for
maintenance of the
sewer line as well as a 10 foot section of removable fence at the
water main.
Councilman Dize inquired if sidewalk could be constructed out to the
beach
Area. Mr. Andrews advised that this could be addressed.
Councilman Riggin also noted that if the Water’s Edge property is
transferred
to another owner, the land on which the fence is located will always
belong to the
City.
After further discussion, Councilman Riggin made a motion to approve
the
request from Messick and Andrews to construct a fence on City
property at the
Water’s Edge site, with a Public Works Agreement prepared by City
Attorney
Cockey, which will include the items previously addressed. Motion
seconded by
Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.
The next item for discussion regarding the ambulance squad agreement
and
funding was addressed by Councilman Lawson, who reviewed information
from the
slide presentation of the last meeting. He noted that the County had
prepared an
agreement to be signed by the City. Councilman Lawson reiterated
that the City
and County would be contributing $57 ,000 each, for a total of
$114,000 toward paid
personnel for the Ambulance Squad.
After further brief discussion, Councilman Lawson made a motion that
the
City enter into and sign the agreement to fund $57,000 for funding
of paid ambulance
personnel. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Anderson and
carried unani-
mously.
Mayor Purnell made reference to the next agenda item; “ a decision
regarding
a rezoning request for the Handy property from I-2 to TM.” The Mayor
noted that
this rezoning is no guarantee for a condo project or that water and
sewer will be avail-
able. The consideration is only for rezoning at this time. Mayor
Purnell also noted
that the properties of Southern Connection and Ithaka have already
been rezoned.
Mr. Cockey noted that rezoning requirements must be met, with a
finding of
facts and the necessary public hearing.
Mr. Steve Marshall, Chairman of the Planning Commission, noted that
the
re-zoning recommendation was made to the previous Mayor and City
Council but
the public hearing was somehow overlooked.
Councilman Lawson advised that he understands the Planning
Commission’s
Recommendation, but is concerned with the need for guidelines for
the Commission
in that the City Code does not address density if the zoning
changes. He commented
that finding from the Torti Gallas study indicates that the public
wants more open
space. Councilman Lawson advised that if the rezoning is done, there
needs to be a
guideline for property development. He therefore feels that it is
premature to make a
decision regarding the rezoning request. Mr. Marshall noted that
Handy’s did not
provide any plans for development but wanted the option of rezoning.
He added that
he also feels guidelines are needed.
After further discussion, Mr. Cockey advised that the decision could
be de-
ferred until the SRP process is completed. At this time, the Council
concurred that
the decision be deferred. Councilwoman Johnson also noted that
Handy’s paid their
rezoning fees.
Mayor Purnell made reference to the next item concerning the opening
of the beach at Brick Kiln. He noted that the lease between the City
and the Ameri-
can Legion has been completed and signed, the City has received
permission from
our insurer to clean the property up and will be meeting with an
insurance representa-
tive on Monday. Four tandem loads of sand have also been offered for
the beach,
which will hopefully be open by August 10th.
Councilman Riggin made reference to the proposed extension of the
pier at
Brick Kiln. He noted that extension will be done in a “T”
construction 246 feet long
and 359 feet wide.
Mayor Purnell made reference to the burning permit issue from last
meeting.
Mr. Mister, Inspector, noted that all permits will be submitted to
the police
department after they are issued. He advised residents to contact PD
to check on
permits and for enforcement. Mr. Mister advised that prohibiting
burning is still
under review.
Mrs. Murial Ryan suggested that recreational fires versus the
burning of
“bad” trash be considered differently.
Mayor Purnell commented that Mrs. Guetens has a legitimate
complaint.
Councilman Lawson made reference to controlled burns done by the
Crisfield
Fire Department. Mr. Phil Goldsborough noted that the department
obtains the neces-
sary permits. He added that the department has extinguished illegal
fires in the past.
After further brief discussion, Mayor Purnell requested that the
matter be
tabled until the next meeting.
Mayor Purnell addressed the next agenda item, “Revision of Impact
fees re:
Single Family Dwellings” and requested that Mr. Cockey review this
matter.
Mr. Cockey advised that according to the Attorney General and
Maryland
Municipal League, this is a “murky area” but revision can be done to
encourage af-
fordable housing. Mr. Cockey advised that he will draft such an
ordinance to achieve
this goal.
Councilman Lawson made reference to the agreement with the Sanitary
Dis-
trict which is due for renewal next year and advised that
arbitration is needed as the
City receives no impact fee when a water and sewer connection is
made outside of the
City. He advised that this disparity should be considered when
granting water
and sewer allocation requests for property outside of the City, but
no fees are being
paid to the City. Councilman Lawson commented that real estate
listings for property
outside City limits feature public water and sewer as an amenity.
Mr. Cockey noted that the City cannot charge impact fees outside of
the City,
but does not want to extend services without receiving taxes.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
JOYCE L. MORGAN, CLERK-TREASURER, presented her monthly
report
highlighting various areas through power point. Mrs. Morgan reviewed
anticipated
revenues for 06-07. She advised that she would review expenses at
the next meeting.
HAROLD W. FROCK, SR., SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES,
presented his monthly report highlighting various areas through
power point. Mr.
Frock reviewed I & I findings through use of the flow meter for
Somerset Avenue A
and B and the 1936 sewer line, which must be replaced, as it is
failing. Mr. Frock
noted that the inflow of salt water is hard on equipment at the
treatment plant.
RICHARD LORD, SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, presented
his monthly report, highlighting various items through power point.
Councilwoman
Johnson commented on all of the tasks handled by the Public Works
Department.
2nd Session – Public Input
Mr. Ray Handy addressed the Mayor and Council concerning the cost of
Front
Footage at Heron Way and inquired if it will ever decrease. Mayor
Purnell advised
that this was done through a 40 year loan.
Mrs. Morgan advised that front footage assessment is based on the
actual
number of feet of sewer line on each property.
Mr. Eddie Heath inquired about the proposal from Crisfield
Associates in
reference to the 1936 sewer.
Mayor Purnell advised that it will be presented at the next meeting.
He ad-
vised that the City is looking at every option possible and that
there is a potential for
multiple developers to participate.
Mayor Purnell advised that the City is still collecting info from
other town’s
regarding their SRP’s and that the City hopes to advertise for an
RFP in September.
He advised that the City is concerned about the waterfront and
business district and
service to all residents.
Dr. H. DeWayne Whittington made reference to looking into the
negative
impact created when rental properties are subdivided. Mayor Purnell
stated that free
enterprise is hard to control.
Mr. Steve Marshall addressed the Mayor and City Council on behalf of
the
Chamber of Commerce. He advised that he would like to see a strong
partnership
formed and noted that the recent Clam Bake was one of the most
successful. Mr.
Marshall invited the Mayor and City Council to attend the Chamber
meetings, held
on the 2nd Thursday of each month.
Mayor Purnell noted that he had also heard favorable comments
concerning
the Clam Bake.
A member of the audience (not on attendance list) inquired if the
marina
at the Tangier Sound Condo development is private. Mayor Purnell
advised that the
marina is private, but a certain number of slips could be rented.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Councilman Dize advised that he is glad to see the attendance at
tonight’s
meeting and advised that meetings will be kept public to encourage
input.
Councliman Riggin commended the Public Works’s Department’s work
with
the Chamber at the recent Clam Bake.
Council Vice President Anderson extended his offer of assistance to
anyone
who might need it.
Councilman Lawson requested that a meeting concerning the 1936 sewer
be scheduled before the next regular meeting.
Councilman Lawson made reference to the fire damaged house on
Richard-
son Avenue. Mr. Mister advised that this property is in litigation.
Councilman Lawson noted that those who had signed up to serve on the
Citi-
zens Committee would be contacted within the next 60 days.
Councilman Lawson also advised that specifications for curb, gutter
and side-
walk are needed for the Planning Commission and Building Inspector.
Councilwoman Johnson also thanked those in attendance for their
participation. She also advised that she would be resigning from the
Planning Commission.
Councilman Lawson thanked the community Church groups for their
support.
He thanked Mr. Joe Corrado for investing in Crisfield. He also
thanked the Chamber
of Commerce for their positive effect and all of their work on the
Clam Bake.
There being no further business for discussion, Council Vice
President made a
motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Lawson and carried
unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer
Prepared by Valerie Swift, Secretary
Minutes for Public Meetings
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