City of Crisfield

Minutes for Public Meetings

Minutes for Regular Meeting: April 11, 2007

The Mayor and City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, April 11, 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
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 Bill Mister, Inspector; Chief Tabor and Sergeant Luedtke. (see list of others in attendance.)

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mayor Purnell requested approval of the minutes from the previous meetings. At this time, Councilman Riggin made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meetings. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.

FAIR HOUSING PROCLAMATION

At this time, Mayor Purnell read aloud the Fair Housing Act resolution. Council Vice President Anderson then made a motion to adopt the Fair Housing Act resolution. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.

1st SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. Phil Goldsborough commented that the shrubs in front of City Hall need to be replaced. Ms. Tillie Doyle advised that the Chamber has been working on the flower boxes and could re-do the shrubs for the City.

OLD BUSINESS

Mayor Purnell made reference to and reviewed the EDU Policy revision. Following a brief discussion, Councilman Riggin made a motion to approve the revised EDU Policy. Motion seconded by Councilman Dize and carried unanimously.

Mayor Purnell advised Mr. Craig Tawes, who was requesting an extension on his current EDU, to write a letter with a proposed building schedule and he would be granted an extension.

Mayor Purnell made reference to the proposed Ordinance regarding Streets and Sidewalks. He noted that this pertains only to properties that would be sold,located on major and minor collector streets or streets listed in section B2a.

Mayor Purnell requested any discussion. Councilman Lawson noted that he would like the ordinance to specify enumerated streets in the Major and Minor collectors and feeders.

Councilwoman Johnson advised that she would also like added that the sidewalk must match existing, adjacent sidewalk.

At this time, Council Vice President Anderson made a motion to adopt the Sidewalk Ordinance for first reader, with the necessary modifications. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.

Mayor Purnell noted that the next item for discussion pertained to the Small Boat Harbor. Mayor Purnell went on to review the proposed policy, He noted that the purpose of the policy was due to concern that the Small Boat Harbor would be lost, and watermen would be pushed out by developers.

Mayor Purnell noted that at the special meeting on April 3rd, only two watermen were present.

Councilman Dize made reference to the 20 year ownership policy. Mayor Purnell advised that the Ingress/Egress records could be accessed to get this information.

Mr. Cockey also made reference to rewording “watermen active in the industry”.

Councilman Lawson made reference to the term “lease”. Mr. Cockey advised that this should be Ingress/Egress Permit.

Councilman Lawson also made reference to listing the property if sold, and advised that this should be 180 days, not 30.

Mr. Dize, City Manager, posed a question concerning someone who inherits a slip but is not a waterman.

Councilman Lawson advised that there is no intent to extract from present owners or their heirs.

Councilman Lawson commented that the Small Boat Harbor was implemented in 1948, as a place for watermen. He advised that the City is not tryingto take away from them, but is following the instructions of the Comprehensive Plan, which addresses the protection of the Small Boat Harbor.

After further discussion, Councilman Lawson advised that once the final draft is prepared, all slip owners should be notified in order to obtain a copy.

Mr. Cockey advised that he would forward the changes to the City Manager.

The matter was tabled until the changes are done.

Mayor Purnell made reference to the information supplied from Mrs. Ajello, who had previously requested a waiver of Impact Fees.

After review of the material presented, Councilman Lawson made a motion to deny Mrs. Ajello’s requested waiver, noting that a 30 month construction schedule was too long. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS - APPOINTMENTS

Martin & Nenita Tyler appeared before the Mayor and City Council to request an Impact Fee waiver for proposed construction of a snowball stand to be located on the lot beside Subway. Mr. Tyler advised that the cost of the Impact Fee is almost as much as that of the proposed construction.

Mayor Purnell made reference to the conditions for waiver of the Impact Fee and advised that this does not meet any of the categories. Mr. Cockey concurred with Mayor Purnell.

Mr. Tyler noted that he had asked for consideration, following Mrs. Ajello’s request.

Mayor Purnell made reference to a request from the Art’s Council for an event application for the “Just Folks” festival to be held on July 7th at the City Dock. After a brief discussion, Councilman Lawson made a motion to approve the event application. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mayor Purnell made reference to the Joint Resolution with the County Commissioners. After review and discussion, Council Vice President Anderson made a motion to adopt the Joint Resolution. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.

2ND SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. David Corbin requested clarification regarding inherited property at the Small Boat Harbor.

Mayor Purnell advised that present owners and their heirs are not affected.

Mr. Cockey advised that to keep it simple, the only thing regulated would be Ingress/Egress renewal and sales. Inheritance would not be addressed.

Mrs. Mary Thomas inquired if the time a relative was there is included when inheritance of property is involved. Mayor Purnell advised that you would get credit for the time your relative was there.

Mr. David Thomas made reference to the ingress/egress permit process.

Mayor Purnell advised that this would apply only if the property was being sold.

Mr. Hugh Hardgrove made reference to defining Charter Captain. Mr.Cockey advised that he would spell it out.

Councilman Lawson referred back to the intent of the policy to preserve the Small Boat Harbor.

Mayor Purnell advised that he is concerned with the possible sale of the property for future use as a yacht basin. He added that the intent is only to preserve the area for watermen.

Mrs. Linda Mister made reference to sale provisions.

Mayor Purnell advised that the policy would make it difficult to sell the property without meeting the necessary criteria. He also advised that no permits of ingress/egress would be issued until the matter was resolved.

Mr. David Corbin thanked the Mayor and City Council for all of their efforts to preserve the Small Boat Harbor.

COUNCIL REVIEW AND COMMENT

Councilman Dize made reference to a lot beside City property on Broadway.

Mayor Purnell advised that this does not belong to the City.

Councilman Riggin thanked everyone for their attendance and input. He also advised that the City is trying to preserve the Small Boat Harbor for watermen.

Council Vice President Anderson thanked everyone for their attendance. He noted that it has been a struggle to resolve the Small Boat Harbor issue. He also encouraged continued public input.

Councilman Lawson made reference to property at the head of 6th Street and advised that it appears there is a drainage line collapsing He advised Mr. Dize, City Manager, to have Mr. Lord look into the matter.

Councilman Lawson made reference to the many recent obituaries of residents such as Tommy Adams and Mrs. Adeline Hinks, Election Board Supervisor. He extended condolences to their families.

Councilman Lawson made reference to the condemned houses and noted that the City is 45 days into the 60 days for taking action.

Mr. Mister noted that action had occurred regarding this matter.

Councilwoman Johnson thanked everyone for attending and for their input. She also made reference to the garbage issue and whether or not fines are being issued for cans without lids. Mr. Mister advised that fines are only being issued for trash that is not in cans.

Councilman Lawson commented that there was an editorial in the Crisfield Times about Public Works personnel throwing resident’s cans down and the lidsbeing lost.

Mayor Purnell noted that fines are not given due to lack of trash can lids,only for trash bags that are not being placed in cans. He also noted that landfill fees have decreased since the garbage regulation has been enforced. Mayor Purnell advised that Mr. Lord will have figures regarding the proposed garbage truck at the next meeting.

Mayor Purnell advised that Food Lion is moving forward. He also advised that the City is close to final approval from USDA for the loan for the 36 sewer line. He advised that Jack Paul is also working on a grant for $800K.

Mayor Purnell advised that the SRP Committee has narrowed down the list of preparers to three, who will make presentations next week.

Mayor Purnell advised that at the next department head meeting, Mr. Lord will give a presentation concerning the proposed garbage truck. He advised that diagonal parking on Main Street would also be discussed at that meeting.

Mayor Purnell noted that this would increase parking space from 16 to 30.

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