City of Crisfield
Minutes for Public Meetings
The Mayor and City Council met in regular session on Wednesday,
November,14, 2007
The Mayor and City Council met in
regular session on Wednesday, November,14, 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; Bill Mister,
Inspector; Mike Tabor, Chief of Police; (see sign in sheet for
others in attendance)
Mayor Purnell called the meeting to order with the
Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. At this time, the Mayor
reviewed the agenda for the evening’s meeting.
PRESENTATION TO AUSTIN COX SR.,
AND JUNIOR
Mayor Purnell presented Mr. Austin Cox, Sr. and Mr. Austin Cox,
Jr., with a proclamation and Keys to the City recognizing Austin Cox
Mechanical’s 60th Anniversary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
After review of the minutes from the Regular Meeting of October
24, 2007, Council Vice President Anderson made a motion that they be
approved as written. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and
carried unanimously.
FIRST SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT
Mr. Elmer Barkley made reference to the disrepair of Asbury
Avenue. Mayor Purnell advised that Councilman Lawson was
chairman of a Street Committee and would be looking at every
street in Crisfield to plan for paving over the next several
years. Councilman Lawson added that future plans include
installing storm drainage under streets.
DECISION CONCERNING MAKING 2ND STREET ONE-WAY
Mayor Purnell made reference to the public hearing held earlier
and requested action from the Council as to what they wanted to do.
At this time, Council Vice President Anderson made a motion that the
matter be tabled and reviewed for input before a decision is
rendered. Mayor Purnell advised that this could be reviewed at a
work session at City Hall and a decision made at the next meeting.
Motion seconded by Councilwoman Johnson and carried unanimously.
Councilman Lawson advised that he would like to offer some
suggestions concerning the 2nd meeting in November and December;
that the November 28th meeting be a work-session, held at City
Hall, with no Department Heads and that the December 26th meeting be
cancelled. After a brief discussion, it was also determined that the
December 12th meeting would be a combined Mayor and Council and
Department Head meeting.
At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion that
the November 28th meeting be a work session held at City Hall and
that the December 26th meeting be cancelled. Motion seconded by
Council Vice President Anderson and carried unanimously.
DECISION REGARDING SUBDIVISION
REQUEST 107-109 RICHARDSON AVE
Mr Rick Evans appeared before the Mayor and City
Council concerning his request for subdivision of the property at
107-109 Richardson Avenue. Mayor Purnell made reference to granting
the request, but then having the burned house remain standing.
Mr. Evans expressed concern that once it was down, the EDU’s would
be eliminated. Mr. Bill Mister advised that under the revised
Ordinance, EDU’s can be retained.
Mayor Purnell suggested that the Council consider granting the
subdivision with a contingency clause that the house must be torn
down.After further discussion, Councilman Lawson advised that he
would poll the Council for input and have Mr. Cockey prepare a legal
document, with the contingency clause.
Mr. Evans added that demolition plans are for the 2nd or 3rd week in
December.
UPDATE – 36 SEWER
Mayor Purnell inquired of Mr. Dize, City Manager if
he was confident on awarding the 36 sewer construction bid. Mr. Dize
advised that this was correct. Mayor Purnell advised that a motion
was needed to award the contract to American Paving, in the amount
of $923,519.
At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to
accept the bid from American Paving, as per the documents held and
read aloud by Mr. Dize, City Manager. Motion seconded by Councilman
Riggin and carried unanimously.
Mayor Purnell also presented a funding update
concerning the 36 Sewer noting the award from CDBG for $200K, and
$300K from MDE, for a total of $500K to date.
NEW BUSINESS
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BOND 2008
SERIES A
Mayor Purnell presented an Ordinance for Public
Improvement Bond 2008, series A and advised that this was the final
stage for borrowing money from USDA.At this time, Councilwoman
Johnson made a motion to adopt for 1st reader, Public Improvement
Bond 2008 Series A. Motion seconded by Councilman Lawson and carried
unanimously.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BOND ANTICIPATION NOTE 2007
SERIES A
Mayor Purnell presented for 1st reader, Public
Improvement Bond Anticipation Note 2007 Series A. Councilwoman
Johnson made a motion to adopt for First Reader, Public Improvement
Bond Anticipation Note 2007 Series A. Motion seconded by Councilman
Dize and carried unanimously.
WORKMEN’S COMP RENEWAL UPDATE
Mayor Purnell advised that the Workman’s Comp
insurance premium had been reduced by $140K, thanks to the efforts
of City Employees and Landmark Insurance.
COPS IN SCHOOL
Mayor Purnell made reference to the issue concerning
Cops in School and requested that Chief Tabor review the Power Point
presentation.(copy attached)
Councilman Lawson thanked Chief Tabor, Mrs. Morgan
and Mrs. Evans for keeping the City out of Department of
Justice sanctions. He advised that this was an example of improper
administration of a grant. He also noted that the workman’s comp
windfall would take care of the shortage for Cops in School.
Mrs. Morgan advised that this would be a line item.
PROPOSED PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ORDINANCE
Mr. Bill Mister, Inspector, presented a draft of the
proposed Ordinance, for the Mayor and Council’s review and advised
that this would provide for a more current, uniform code.
Councilman Lawson advised that this was a good idea.
EVENT PLANNER POSITION
Mayor Purnell made reference to the need for a full
time Event Planner which would be paid through the City and the
Chamber. Councilman Lawson advised that this is an excellent
proposal, but he is concerned with the cost to the City if an event
was unsuccessful. He advised that a MOU is needed. After a brief
discussion, Councilman Lawson made a motion that the Mayor act as
liaison between the City and the Chamber to explore an M.O.U. for
this position, by the end of December and that the position be
advertised for in the new year. Motion seconded by Council Vice
President Anderson and carried unanimously.
Mrs. Morgan also noted that a Board of Directors
would be needed to review events.
Mayor Purnell requested that Councilman Lawson
prepare the document and be the go-between for the City and the
Chamber. Councilman Lawson agreed, with the Mayor working as well.
Mr. Elmer Barkley inquired if other groups would
have to go through this person to hold events. Mayor Purnell advised
that this person would fill the gaps between the annual events.
INDUSTRIAL PARK ANNOUNCEMENT
Mayor Purnell advised that he had received a call
that the City had received a $1.3M CDBG Grant for the Industrial
Park. He advised that the land for the park would be annexed into
the City.
2ND SESSION PUBLIC INPUT
Mr. Shanley Jackson expressed concern over the
upcoming 36 sewer replacement installation.
Mr. Doug Crockett commended Chief Tabor on the fine
job he is doing.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Dize advised that he had nothing to
report.
Councilman Riggin thanked everyone for attending.
Council Vice President Anderson noted that he had
missed some meetings due to health issues. He invited the community
to the annual Pride Lodge Thanks giving dinner this Sunday.
Councilman Lawson noted that the curbing on Somerset
Avenue is almost finished.
Mayor Purnell noted that the City is obtaining bids
on putting lights on the two water towers.
Councilman Lawson made reference to meeting with the
State Highway Administration concerning lighting for Hinman Lane. He
also noted that the SRP Planner will be scheduling a public hearing
in January and urged public participation.
Councilwoman Johnson thanked Mr. Shanley Jackson for
his comments and advised that he was welcome to attend construction
meetings. She also thanked the City employees for all of their hard
work.
Mayor Purnell also advised that there are SRP review
packets at City Hall. There being no further business for
discussion, Council Vice President Anderson 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
Minutes for Public Meetings
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