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, September 12, 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 with the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. At this time, Mayor Purnell reviewed the agenda for this evening’s meeting.


APPROVAL OF MINUTES


Mayor Purnell requested approval of the minutes from the Regular Meeting of August 22, 2007. Approval so moved by Councilwoman Johnson, seconded by Council- man Riggin and carried unanimously.

1st SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT

No public input was offered at this time.


OLD BUSINESS

Mayor Purnell made reference to the first item of unfinished business – The Planning Commission’s Recommendation for the SRP. He reviewed each item from the power point.


At this time, Mayor Purnell asked for public comment.

Mr. Pat Reese, Jr. advised that he disagrees with the recommendations and feels that nothing should change until the SRP is complete. He stated that restricting building height to 35’ in the TM district will stifle the growth of the City and force future generations to move away from Crisfield.

Mr. Phil Johnson commented that the 35’ came from old fire fighting tactics. He commented that he understands item #1 but feels the other three are putting the horse before the cart. He also commented that the 35’ restriction is a hindrance. Mr. Johnson commented that the Mayor and Council should make the decision, not the Planning Commission.

Mr. Ladell Dorman commented that the purpose of the 35’ restriction was to give the City control over the way buildings are built. Variances would be available for construction over 35’ but developers would have to give back to the community through construction of affordable housing, infrastructure upgrades, etc.

Mrs. Valerie Guetens made reference to the comment about children leaving Crisfield to find work and stated that there are no skilled workers here to fill jobs if they were available. She stated that the height of buildings is irrelevant to that. She advised that she feels the location of Crisfield is what makes it undesirable for large businesses, but commented that small cities are in bad shape everywhere.

With no further comment, Mayor Purnell asked that the Council move forward with a decision concerning the recommendation.

Council Vice President Anderson suggested tabling the 35’ restriction and made a motion to that effect. The motion died due to lack of a second.

Mayor Purnell requested that each item be reviewed and commented on by the Council.
#1 Delay any commitments to private property owners or developers (ie.rezoning, land swap, right of way abandonment) until the SRP is completed.

At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to accept recommendation #1. Motion seconded by Councilman Dize and carried unanimously.

#2 Revise the “TM” Tourist Maritime Zoning District to eliminate multi-family and condos as a special exception use (delete section 12-59A(1)(3)and(4). This will make the zone consistent with the stated purpose of the district.
Councilman Lawson requested that this be tabled to consult with legal counsel.

#3 Amend the schedule of District Regulations to limit the height permitted in the “TM” Tourist Maritime District to 35 feet (currently 75 feet).
Councilwoman Johnson commented that she agrees with Council Vice President Anderson that the height should be negotiable.
At this time, Council Vice President Anderson made a motion to table recom- mendation #3. Motion seconded by Councilman Dize and carried unanimously.

#4 Amend the “I-1) Light Industrial District to eliminate Section 112-47A(10) Hotel, Motels, and Conference Centers.
At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to adopt recommendation #4. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.
Councilman Lawson noted that the tabled items would be addressed at the next meeting.
The next agenda item pertained to discussion regarding the rezoning request for the proposed Wellington Cove Project.
At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to table the request until the completion of the SRP. Motion seconded by Councilman Dize and carried unanimously.
The next agenda item concerning discussion regarding a request for ingress/egress rights for the transfer of slip 132 B at the Small Boat Harbor, from Wright Townsend to Anthony O’Brien.
At this time, Mayor Purnell advised that Mr. O’Brien should be contacted to be present at the next meeting.
Councilman Riggin then made a motion to table the issue and advise Mr. O’Brien to appear. Motion seconded by Council Vice President Anderson and carried unani- mously.
The next agenda item pertained to discussion regarding a proposed Loitering Ordinance. Mayor Purnell reviewed the purpose of the Ordinance, summarizing that it is a deterrent for crowds and a tool to allow the police department to move people along.
After a brief discussion, Councilman Riggin made a motion to adopt the Loitering Ordinance for first reader. Motion seconded by Councilman Lawson and carried unanimously.
Mayor Purnell reviewed the status of the 36 sewer bid, noting that there is a pre-construction meeting this Friday, with the bid opening the following Friday.
Mayor Purnell made reference to the status of the Handy’s Rezoning case, and advised that the Judge had ruled in their favor. Councilman Lawson made reference to meeting with Mr. Cockey, City Attorney, as to whether or not the City would appeal.

NEW BUSINESS - PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE


At this time, Mayor Purnell presented Mr. Steve Marshall and Ms.Valerie Mason a certificate of appreciation for their hard work in making this an extremely successful Crab Derby celebration.

Mayor Purnell presented the next item of business; a request for an EDU, from John Schultz for Scott Tawes, to place a single family dwelling on a lot on Wynfall Avenue.

At this time, Councilman Lawson made a motion to grant the requested EDU. Motion seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.

2ND SESSION OF PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. Rick Evans commented that it was contradictory to adopt #1 of the Planning Commission’s recommendations, deny Mr. Phil Johnson to speak up about it, but ap- prove an EDU for a single family dwelling.

Mr. Phil Johnson urged the Mayor and Council not to raise City taxes due to the cost of the SRP.

Mr. Pat Reese, Jr., commented that all of the Planning Commission’s recommendations should be tabled until the SRP is completed.

Mr. Kenneth Rebro commented that there needs to be a way to attract big business here.

Mr. Pat Reese, Sr., made reference to the motion concerning recommendation #1 and commented that this means a motion should not be made on the other recommenda- tions.



MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORT


Councilman Dize thanked the Chamber for a wonderful Crab Derby.
Councilman Riggin thanked everyone for attending this evening’s meeting and advised that the City is trying to do the right thing. He stated that he had no plans to hurt anyone.

Council Vice President Anderson thanked this evening’s speakers.
Councilman Lawson addressed Mr. Rebro and advised that EDC is trying to attract big business. He made reference to broadband becoming available up and down the US 13 corridor, but added it may be cost prohibitive to small business.

Councilman Lawson advised that the City is working on an Industrial Park and is still taking input for the SRP.

Councilman Lawson also commended Virginia Townsend and Bonnie Crockett, Co-Chairladies of the Crab Derby and made reference to obtaining major sponsorship dollars for this year’s events.

Councilwoman Johnson advised that she appreciates tonight’s comments and reiterated Councilman Riggin’s comments that she is not there to hinder anyone’s plans. She added that the SRP is a plan for control.

Mayor Purnell made reference to a recent meeting with Secretary Skinner concerning the money that the City was not granted for the 36 sewer. He advised that this was a positive meeting and that Secretary Skinner has indicated that he would reconsider. Mayor Purnell also noted that a decision should be rendered concerning the Industrial Park grant funding in two weeks.

There being no further business for discussion, Council Vice President Anderson made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Riggin and carried unanimously.


Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Joyce L. Morgan, Clerk-Treasurer

Prepared by Valerie Swift, Secretary

 

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