City of Crisfield

Minutes for Public Meetings

Minutes for Regular Meeting: May 9, 2007

The Mayor and City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, May 9,
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

Also in attendance; Valerie Swift, Secretary; (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, Council Vice President Anderson made a motion to approve the minutes

from the regular meeting of April 25th and the Public Hearing of May 2nd. Motion

seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.

1st SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. David Price requested that the Mayor and Council postpone voting

on the Sidewalk Ordinance. He advised that he had not been able to obtain a copy

and would like to pass it on to settlement attorneys.

OLD BUSINESS

RECOMMENDATION FROM SRP COMMITTEE

Mr. Dan Kuebler presented a Power Point presentation regarding the process

by which the SRP Committee had come up with their recommendation for a team to

prepare the SRP. He also recognized all of the members who had made the process

possible. Mr. Kuebler advised that the Committee was recommending the team of

Redman Johnston Associates to prepare the SRP.

Councilman Lawson noted that 25 packets were sent out to various planners.

Mr. Kuebler noted that 12 firms responded initially, with five in the final submission

and three in the final elimination.

Mr. Bill Buttrill also commented that there was no restriction on who SRP

packets were sent to.

At this time, Mayor Purnell offered up a round of applause to the SRP Com-

mittee for their dedication and efforts.

Councilman Lawson commended the 22 citizens who had stayed with the

process from the beginning to the end. Mr. Kuebler also praised the group for

remaining confidential throughout the series of meetings.

Mrs. Catherine Brown noted that Mrs. Alex Ryan, a dedicated member of

the Committee, had worked with the group until she had fallen ill with cancer.

Councilman Dize commended the Committee on their efforts and advised

that having an SRP will help guide City Government in their decisions.

After further brief discussion, Councilman Lawson made a motion to

accept the SRP Committee’s recommendation to hire Redman Johnston, LTD

to perform SRP services and at no time, relieve the SRP Committee of their

duties of being the steering committee to oversee the SRP process.

Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.

Mr. Kuebler noted that the cost of the project was $185,000.

Mayor Purnell noted that the planner would be coming into town

in the next few weeks and would be holding public meetings to obtain citizen

input in order to develop a ten year projection for the City.

Councilman Lawson also noted that the contract includes performance

maps and a time line.

Mayor Purnell also read aloud a letter from the Chamber of Commerce

supporting the SRP and committing up to $50,000 to its’ funding.

2ND READER SIDEWALK ORDINANCE

At this time, Mayor Purnell presented for 2nd Reader an Ordinance

Amending Chapter 95, Section 9, mandating sidewalk construction or re-

construction upon the sale of a property.

Mayor Purnell noted that this only applies to the sale of properties.

He advised that he understands that the requirement may make properties

harder to sell, but this would be a method to fill gaps where sidewalks did

not exist and have sidewalks in poor condition repaired.

Councilman Riggin made reference to the concerns of David Price.

Mrs. Joyce Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer, made reference to forwarding the

Ordinance to a Realtor Committee. Mr. Price advised that this would not work.

Councilman Lawson noted that when realtors call for tax figures, they

would be advised. Mr. Price commented that this would not work.

Mayor Purnell commented that the proposed Ordinance had been

available on Power Point at the last three meetings.

At this time, Councilman Riggin made a motion to approve the

Ordinance for 2nd Reader. Motion seconded by Council Vice President

Anderson.

Councilman Lawson commented that he is concerned about Section

B-1 but agrees with the Ordinance. Mayor Purnell advised that B1 has not

been changed and is the current law. Councilman Lawson commented that he

wants to make sure that Mr. Mister, Inspector, has the regulations that apply

to streets.

The motion on the floor carried with ayes from Councilman Riggin,

Councilman Dize and Council Vice President Anderson. Councilman Lawson

noted that he was opposed. Councilwoman Johnson noted that she was

abstaining from the vote.

ADOPTION OF SMALL BOAT HARBOR POLICY

Mayor Purnell made reference to the adoption of the Small Boat Harbor

Policy. After a brief discussion, Councilman Lawson made a motion to adopt

the Small Boat Harbor Policy. Motion seconded by Councilman Dize and

carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS - APPOINTMENTS

CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION OF “CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR WATER, SEWER AND STREETS”

Councilman Lawson requested that a meeting concerning the adoption

of construction standards and specifications for water, sewer and streets be held

this Friday, May 11th at 9:00 a.m. with Mr. Mister, Inspector, Mr. Frock,

Superintendent of Public Utilities, Mr. Dize, City Manager, Mr. Lord, Super-

intendent of Public Works, Councilman Riggin, Jason Loar and any other

interested parties.

Councilman Lawson advised that the target period to get this

adopted would be 6 to 8 weeks, to be hand in hand with the SRP.

ANNEXATION RESOLUTION

At this time, Mr. Mister, Inspector, presented an Annexation Resolution

for the proposed Bent Branch Annexation of Mr. Tom Farina. He advised that

Mr. Farina has all of the necessary documentation and will also have a letter

of comment from the City Planner, Mr. Jakubiak.

Mr. Farina advised that the project would be developed in phases. He

also advised that he would be requesting a waiver of the impact fee as he is

paying for the installation of water and sewer, roads, curb, gutter sidewalk and

lighting.

Mayor Purnell advised that no decision can be made until the property

is annexed, which must be reviewed and considered.

Councilman Lawson advised that he likes the plan of developing in

phases. He also advised that it is fair to expect discussion concerning the waiver

of impact fees.

Mr. Bobby Goldsborough, member of the Planning Commission, advised

that the Commission had acted favorably on Mr. Farina’s request, but the plan

as presented tonight, was different from what they had acted upon.

RESOLUTION – AUDIT CONTRACT EXTENSION

Mayor Purnell advised that the City needs to make a decision whether or

not they want to extend the contract of Mr. Scott Tawes, Auditor, or place it out

for bids.

After a brief discussion, Councilwoman Johnson made a motion to

extend the contract for the auditing services of Mr. Scott Tawes for four years.

Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.

EVENT APPLICATION

Mayor Purnell presented an event application request for Sportcast

USA Distance Surf event to be held May 18, 19 and 20 as well as September

14, 15, 16 and October 5,6 and 7.

Approval so moved by Councilwoman Johnson, with a note to verify

all of the dates requested. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried

unanimously.

RETIREMENT ASSET STUDY

Mayor Purnell made reference to the City’s retirement plan and advised that

the City is looking into alternative ways to provide a retirement benefit package

equivalent or better than the current.

2ND SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. David Price advised that he felt that the City should have postponed

voting on the sidewalk ordinance.

Mr. Arnold Ajello inquired about ingress/egress at the Small Boat Harbor.

He also inquired as to the ownership of sidewalks. Councilman Lawson

advised that there is a 50’ right of way. He made reference to working on the

adoption of specs for sidewalks.

Mrs. Margo Green Gale made reference to being forced to make sidewalk

repairs several years ago and inquired when it stopped being the property owner’s

responsibility.

Councilman Lawson commented that at that time, administration moved

prematurely to force sidewalk replacement.

Mrs. Catherine Brown made reference to the need for a new Shore

Transit Schedule.

Mr. Phil Goldsborough made reference to the Small Boat Harbor and

advised that transfers of property are recorded with a Bill of Sale, not a deed.

MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION

Councilman Dize apologized for being unable to attend the Mayor’s

Prayer Breakfast. He also made reference for the need to consider implementing

a Recreation Committee.

Mayor Purnell noted that Budget Workshops will begin next Tuesday.

Councilman Riggin thanked everyone for attending and commended the

SRP Committee on their hard work.

Council Vice President Anderson also thanked the SRP Committee

and encouraged them to keep up the good work.

Councilman Lawson made reference to the Budget in 1994 when he

was a Councilmember and there was no money available for funding of items

such as a Recreation Fund. He commented that with a larger tax base, things

like this can be discussed.

Mayor Purnell noted meeting with the County Commissioners regarding

dual taxation. He advised that it looks like money will be coming back to the

City. The Mayor also made reference to a meeting with John Griffin in Annapolis

regarding the Marina. Mr. Griffin advised that the State has no plans to lease the

Marina.

Councilwoman Johnson commented that she had nothing to add or report

as the “men have said it all”.

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