City of Crisfield
Minutes for Public Meetings
Minutes for Regular Meeting: January 10, 2007
The Mayor and City Council met in regular session on Wednesday,
January10, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in 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 R. Cockey, City Solicitor
Mayor Purnell called the meeting to order, opening with the
Lord’s Prayer
and the Pledge of Allegiance. At this time, the Mayor reviewed
the agenda for to-
night’s meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
At this time, Mayor Purnell requested approval of last month’s
minutes.
Councilman Dize noted that he would like the motion made by
Councilman Lawson,
regarding the denial of the Handy’s rezoning, to be re-worded.
At this time,
Councilman Dize made a motion to approve the minutes from the
meeting of Decem-
ber 13, 2006 with the noted correction. Motion seconded by
Councilman Riggin and
carried unanimously.
First Session of Public Input
PAT CARSON noted that the City of Crisfield Web Page needs to be
up-
dated.
CATHERINE BROWN noted that she is still having problems with her
water at Heron Way and also had not received the names of the
testing com-
panies. Mr. Dize advised that he would obtain these for her.
OLD BUSINESS
RESOLUTION AND FINDING OF FACT RE: HANDY’S REZONING
DENIAL.
At this time, Mr. Cockey reviewed the Finding of Fact and Resolution
regarding the denial of the request for rezoning from Handy’s
International. Mr.
Cockey advised that this was a pre-determined process and that the
30 day period for
appeal begins when the Resolution is adopted. He advised that to
appeal, Handy’s
must go to Somerset County Circuit Court for the Judge to review the
old evidence.
Councilman Lawson advised that he is okay with the documents as
presented.
With no further discussion, Council Vice President Anderson made a
motion
to approve the previous denial and Finding of Fact document, as
presented. Motion
seconded by Councilman Lawson and carried unanimously.
1936 SEWER – BORROWING RESOLUTION
Mayor Purnell advised that the City is not close to an agreement
with the
developer and needs to move forward.
Mr. Fred McKee made reference to a letter he had delivered from
Crisfield
Associates, which stated that they feel they could complete
negotiations with
the Mayor and Council in a short order.
Councilman Lawson advised that negotiations are not closed, but the
City has
been waiting four months for a decision and needs to start loan
application pro-
cedures.
At this time, Mayor Purnell read aloud the letter from Crisfield
Associates.
He advised that the Mayor and Council will leave the door open for
negotiations
but need to begin negotiating for a loan.
Councilwoman Johnson concurred with the Mayor, adding that she
doesn’t
want to burden the tax payers either.
After further discussion, Councilman Lawson made a motion that the
City Manager, with the Mayor and Mr. Cockey, move forward with the
USDA
Loan Application process and that this motion not preclude any
further discussion
with Annemessex Trading Company. Motion seconded by Councilwoman
John-
son and carried unanimously.
At this time, Mayor Purnell read aloud the Borrowing Resolution for
borrowing of funds for the rehab of the 1936 Sewer in the amount of
$1,500,000.
for forty years on a fixed rate loan from USDA.
Mr. Dize also noted that the loan may be reduced substantially.
At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to adopt the Borrowing
Resolution, as presented. Motion seconded by Council Vice President
Anderson
and carried unanimously.
Mr. Dize also noted that the interest rate will change in April.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Mr. Calvin Dize, City Manager, presented his monthly report,
highlighting
its contents. He also noted a change in the policy regarding
take-home vehicles.
Mayor Purnell made reference to the Armory/Salvation Army Youth Club
and advised that the City is trying to control heat usage. He also
made reference to
leasing office space there to defray expenses.
Mayor Purnell also made reference to Chief interviews which began
Tuesday
and will continue on Friday. He noted that well qualified
applications had been
received. Mayor Purnell advised that the two new patrolmen started
Police Academy
today. He also noted that a new officer had been hired with plans to
hire another
local officer in the Spring.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
ACTING CHIEF ERNEST LEATHERBURY, JR., presented the monthly
and yearly stats for the Crisfield Police Department. A/Chief
Leatherbury noted that
he has been focusing on nuisance crimes and drugs as well as
increasing foot patrol.
He advised that the Department had conducted two successful search
and seizures and
three criminal interdictions. Chief Leatherbury also thanked Mr.
Rick Lord for his
help.
Councilman Lawson thanked A/Chief Leatherbury for his service. He
asked
that the Chief submit in writing what has been implemented and what
he would like
to see focused on in the future.
BUILDING INSPECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. William Mister,
Inspector, presented his monthly report, highlighting
its contents. He noted that building construction has decreased and
his department
is now focusing on property maintenance and clean-up issues and
building a
data base in the Inspection Department.
Councilman Lawson made reference to the Planning Commission’s
recommendations in the Council’s packet. Mr. Mister advised that
these
could be considered at the next meeting. 2ND SESSION
PUBLIC INPUT There was no Public Input offered during
this session.
QUESTION AND ANSWERS MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Councilwoman Johnson commended A/Chief Leatherbury on the
outstanding
job he had done for the Crisfield Police Department. She also made
reference to
the work done by the Mayor and Council regarding a decision
concerning the
36 Sewer. She advised that the City needs to move forward, but is
still open
for discussion with the developer.
Councilman Dize advised that he hates to see A/Chief Leatherbury
leave
and commended him on his fine job.
Councilman Dize also advised that he would like to propose that the
second monthly meeting be for Department Heads only. He advised that
he
had discussed this with the Mayor and other council members, who
concurred.
Mayor Purnell advised that they would finish this month with a
regular
meeting and receive public comment.
Councilman Riggin also commended A/Chief Leatherbury on the fine
job that he had done.
Council Vice President Anderson also expressed his appreciation to
A/
Chief Leatherbury . He also noted that he enjoys working with the
Department
Heads. Council Vice President Anderson also noted that he would be
working to
upgrade conditions at the Housing Authority
Councilman Lawson made reference to the fine job done by Reynolds
Excavating on the Food Lion property. Councilman Lawson also made
reference
to the right-of-way improvements at the Water’s Edge property and
commented
that they look good. He also made reference to litter around town as
well as
the large amount of shopping carts from all stores in the Housing
Authority.
Councilman Lawson commended Mayor Purnell on the start up of the
Marina Commission. He also noted the need to revamp the City’s Web
Page.
Councilman Lawson thanked those service organizations that helped
make
Christmas brighter for those less fortunate.
He also made reference to moving forward with the 36 Sewer.
Mayor Purnell inquired of Mr. Rick Evans regarding the status of
Food Lion. Mr. Evans advised that Mr. Reynolds has been paid for the
demo,
and Food Lion was to go to the architects after the Holidays, with
construction
to begin early in the Spring and the store opening in October or
November.
There being no further business for discussion, Councilman Lawson
made a
motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Vice President Anderson and
carried
unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer
Prepared by Valerie Swift, Secretary
Minutes for Public Meetings
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