REGULAR
MONTHLY MEETING
TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 3, 2002
7:30 P.M.
The
regular meeting of the Mayor and Council of Federalsburg was held on Tuesday,
September 3, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mayor and Council Meeting Room. Those in attendance were Mayor Fluharty and
Councilmembers Bee, Ballas, Happersett, and Wheatley. Also in attendance were town staff, local
citizenry, and Robert Greenleaf, Caroline County State’s Attorney.
The
meeting was called to order by Mayor Fluharty, who lead the group in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
A
motion was made by Councilmember Bee seconded by Councilmember Happersett and
unanimously passed by a vote of five to zero, approving the minutes of the
August 5, 2002 Regular Monthly meeting.
OLD DENTON ROAD
STORM STREAM POLLUTION
CONTROL PROJECT – BID AWARD
A
motion was made by Councilmember Ballas, seconded by Councilmember Wheatley and
unanimously passed by a vote of five to zero, to accept the bid from Kenster
Shoreline Improvements, Inc. in the amount of $34,681.00, for the Old Denton
Road Storm Stream Pollution Project.
Conway
Gregory advised the FY-03 approved budget request for this project was
$5,000.00. However, in a memorandum
dated February 26, 2002, Conway requested that the $15,000 budgeted for this
project in FY-02 be carried over into the FY-03 budget. In reducing the Grants Department budget
requests to help balance the Town’s operating budget, Conway trimmed this
budget item to $5,000 in hopes there might be additional funds for this
project. This, however, was not the case
with the current state budget and projected shortfall in state revenues. For this reason, Mr. Gregory respectfully
requested that the Mayor and Council allow this budgeted item to be increased
from $5,000 to $9,482.75. This request
is predicated upon the assumption that one or more other grant funded projects
may come in under the town’s cash match budget.
If this is the case, it will allow this item to be balanced at the end
of the fiscal year. If this does not
happen, this issue of amending the budget can be addressed near the end of the
fiscal year late in the spring of 2003.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT REQUEST
FOR PREAUTHORIZED PAYMENT
In a letter dated August 26, 2002, Rural Development is requesting that the Town participate in their PreAuthorized Debit (PAD) Program. Rural Development has implemented a new, expanded, easier method for making loan payments. The PAD payment process eliminates the need to write a check saves the expense of mailing the payment and allows the certainty of when the payment will be applied. The PAD process is a payment method in which the Town would authorize funds to be withdrawn electronically from the Town’s bank account on the exact day that the installment is due. The town currently has four loans with Rural Development. The town has been advised by Rural Development representatives since the town has an existing loan/grant application on file with Rural Development the town would be required to go to the PAD System with any new loans and at that time would then be required to go with the PAD System on all the existing loans.
By unanimous consensus, the Mayor and Council agreed not to do the PAD Process until such time that we receive additional monies from Rural Development. The reason for this decision was based upon the fact that the Mayor and Council do not approve access to the Town’s financial accounts by other agencies.
A
motion was made by Councilmember Bee, seconded by Councilmember Happersett and
unanimously passed adopting Proclamation No. 2002-020, proclaiming September
16, 2002 to be FREEDOM’S ANSWER DAY.
This primary goal of the Freedom’s Answer campaign is to produce the
largest voter turnout in an off-year election, to show the world that American
democratic principles and ideals won’t succumb to terrorist activities.
A DAY OF REMEMBERANCE
PROCLAMATION
A
motion was made by Councilmember Bee, seconded by Councilmember Happersett and
unanimously passed Proclamation No. 2002-021, proclaiming September 11th
as a day of memorializing, and eternally remembering the men, women, and
children who suddenly died without cause, on that tragic day.
GRAY SMITH ALS WALK/RUN
Councilmember
Bee advised that over the last two years, of the ALS walk/run has raised over
$40,000 and he encouraged everyone to take a part in the walk/run again this
year. The cost to register early is
$15.00 and $20.00 if you register the day of the race. The race/walk will be held on Saturday,
September 28, 2002 at the marina.
PUBLIC CONCERNS:
Heather
Hutson, Manager of Federal Manor Apartments, thanked the Mayor and Council,
Federalsburg Police Department, Public Works Department, Betty Ballas, Betty
Happersett, local businesses, Wendy Garner for all their help and support with
the 2nd Annual Neighborhood Watch Night Out. Mrs. Hutson gave a special thank you to
Councilmember Betty Ballas for all the support and hard work she brings to the
annual event. She stated that there was
only one draw back, which was there was no advertisement of the event in the
paper. She said Kent Smith attended the event and there was only one
picture with a small caption in the paper that told about the entire
event. Mrs. Hutson has sent a letter to
the newspaper and solicited the support of everyone to help Wendy Garner, Main
Street Manager, get better participation for municipal events. The Mayor and Council thanked Heather Hutson
and Federal Manor Apartments for all their help and funding of the Neighborhood
Watch Night Out.
Greenridge Road/Vernon
Avenue
Mr. Timothy Foley came before the Mayor and Council asking for their help with speeders on Greenridge Road and drug deals, littering and excessive traffic at the corner of Greenridge Road and Vernon Avenue. His main concern was with the speeding because there are several children in the area and he is concerned that someone may get hit by a vehicle. He said there are drug deals, open liquor, and public urinating in the area. He has talked with Chief Nagel and there is only so much the police can do. Therefore, he is soliciting the support of the Mayor and Council. He said during the past month the traffic has increased in the area. People are open with what they are doing. He personally has gone over to vehicles and asked them to turn down their loud music to no avail. He wants something done before someone gets hurt. There are older people in the area and he is voicing concern for them.
Mr.
Foley was advised that Chief Nagel brought this concern to the Mayor and
Council at last month’s regular monthly meeting and recommended speed bumps,
which may cut down on the speeders.
However, speed bumps make it bad for all the residents. Mr. Foley stated that the speeders have been
fined, however, they go to court and nothing happens but a fine and they are
back on the street. Robert Greenleaf,
Caroline County States Attorney, advised Mr. Foley to give him the name of the
persons he was referring to and he would check into the case. Mr. Greenleaf also stated the town might want
to contact Denton Police Department because they have purchased video cameras
for surveilance. They purchased three cameras, two monitors and a DVD recorder
with Hotspots money and Mr. Greenleaf thought that the cost was approximately
$20,000. They were using these cameras
to make their cases in court. This is
giving the edge back to the citizens.
Heather Hutson stated the police could purchase the equipment with the
HUD grant money that Federal Manor has.
Councilmember Ballas, who is also Federalsburg’s Hotspots Coordinator,
will contact Denton to take a look at their system. Heather also stated that if the Police
Department were to conduct more surveilance in the Greenridge Road and Vernon
Avenue, then the HUD Grant could also pay for some of the overtime.
The
Mayor and Council authorized increased police patrols on Greenridge Road and
Vernon Avenue.
In
other areas of town, Heather Hutson stated she has witnessed people on the Hike
and Bike Trail under the bypass smoking and she detected the odor of drugs.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Chief Nagel reported all the events went well for the month of August. The number of arrests was up for the month of August. William Hering asked Chief Nagel if there were any police concerns regarding parking at 202 South Main Street. Chief Nagel advised he would work with Mr. Hering in regard to the parking situation.
Steve Parks advised that Police Caution tape should be placed where they are rehabbing the radio station, because there are children playing in the area.
Steve
Dyott, Public Works Director, reported the following:
1. Public Works will be pouring
hot mix this week.
2. The streetlights in the
Federalsburg Industrial Park have been repaired. There was a lighting strike that had burned
up some of the wires.
3. Steve reported that the
State of Maryland has a level 2-drought restriction in efect. He reported that the town did have about six
inches of rain, which will help the grass grow, but it is still well below the
town’s normal level.
4. There are some improvements
being made in the marina. The town has
received a grant and public works is in the process of installing lights in the
bathrooms, a light for the flagpole, new planking on the dock, and sealer on
the parking lot over the next two months.
Steve
Dyott, Public Works Director, asked the Mayor and Council to think about which
street/road the Mayor and Council would like to pave during this fiscal
year. The Mayor and Council requested
Mr. Dyott to prioritize the streets so that they can make a decision.
The
State of Maryland has imposed a water ban.
Steve Dyott reported that the water at the car wash on Old Denton Road
was turned off because they are not suppose to be operating unless they recycle
40 percent of their water, or they are reducing their usage by 10 percent. The Town does not have current telephone
number for the owner, however, Mr. Dyott will continue to try to contact the
owner to advise him of the water ban situation.
Susan Runnels questioned if the ban ment that they could not wash down
the senior league ball field. Mrs.
Runnels was advised the ban would prohibit them from washing down field.
Steve
Dyott was asked to find out who owns the ditch behind the Koski warehouse in
the Caroline Industrial Park. The grass
has grown up in the area, which is creating a visibility problem for traffic. Donald Nagel and Cary Malkus were asked to
determine what could be done.
Mrs.
Susan Runnels questioned when the ladder at the marina would be repaired or
replaced. She said there is a board
busted and she is concerned that someone may get hurt. She asked if the ladder could is not
replaced, would the town at least replace the busted board? Steve Dyott said he would check the
ladder. Mrs. Runnels also voiced her
concerns about theVFW Marina Boat Ramp and thework that needs to be done to
make repairs. She was advised that this
work would be done in the spring of 2003.
Heather
Hutson questioned who was responsible for locking the bathroom doors at the
marina. She said the doors were open on
September 3rd. Mrs. Hutson
was advised that the police lock the bathroom doors and that Chief Nagel would
be advised that they were not locked.
Councilmember
Bee thanked the Public Works Department for taking care of the washout on
Reliance Avenue in a timely fashion.
Steve
Dyott advised that he received an estimate cost of $300 to move the Santa Claus
out of the triangle and $300 to move it back during the Christmas Holiday. The building is not made to be moved from
place to place and it would not hold up very long. There were several options discussed
regarding where to locate the Santa Claus House and what to do with it, if the
Town decides to keep in the same location at the triangle. The Mayor and Council discussed three options
in regard to the Santa Claus House: (1) Move the house back and forth; (2) Move
the house one time; or (3) Decorate the house so that it is pleasing to the eye
with shrubbery, etc.
A
motion by Councilmember Happersett seconded by Councilmember Ballas and
unanimously passed by a vote of five to zero to allow the Santa Claus House to
remain located at the triangle off West Central Avenue and to decorate around
it with shrubbery and make it more pleasing to the area.
Wendy Garner, Main Street Manager, reported the following activities for the month of August 2002:
ü The next YMCA Founder’s
Campaign Committee meeting is scheduled for Sept 12th. Current pledged total is $96,042. Wendy said she hopes the location of the YMCA
will be announced at the October Meeting.
ü The progress report for
Habitat for Humanity house project at 322 Park Avenue – exterior and interior
wall framing complete; next Saturday building of the roof frame will
begin. Foundation work will begin soon
on the site next door to this property.
ü The September/October 2002
issue of Town of Federalsburg Newsletter is completed and has been distributed.
ü The next Federalsburg
Historical Society meeting will take place on September 10th. The organization is preparing to submit
Articles of Incorporation. Research is
being done for a Historical Marker in Town, possibly between the East Central
Avenue bridge near the Marshyhope Creek and Charles Long’s office where sign
lists it as the first parcel of land deeded in this area. The organization is also sponsoring the Hobby
Fair and Hobby Monument rededication on Saturday, October 5th at
Federalsburg Elementary School. Wendy
has been doing research on the Hobby Fair from the 1930’s and the dedication
ceremony in 1934 and she hopes to prepare a Program. They encourage anyone with collections or
hobbies to display their items. Public
Works restorating the Monument and will reattach the cast bronze plaques and
add a new one that is being produced for this year’s ceremony.
ü The Caroline County Tourism
Advisory Committee will be interviewing a number of applicants Thursday for a
part-time position. We have received the
brochure rack and most of the slots have been filled. Wendy has requested other information for
inclusion. The Caroline County
Accommodations Brochure has been completed and distributed; this includes our
two Bed & Breakfasts.
ü The Blood Bank of
Delaware/Eastern Shore will hold their Blood Drive on October 23rd
from 12 to 7 PM across from Town Hall.
Mercantile Bank has graciously allowed the Bloodmobile to park in their
lot beside the Town’s lot.
ü The Federalsburg Guide to
Town Services has been distributed to numerous Town locations for the public to
pick up. The Visitor’s Guide is being
printed in house and has been distributed so far to several locations.
ü Several things will take
place in Town on September 11th
in memory and honor of last years’ 9/11 events: the church bells will
ring at 8:45 AM in memory of the time the first plane hit the World Trade
Center last year and at 10:30 the Fire Alarm will go off in memory of the
second Tower’s collapse. Numerous
churches will be open from noon to 1 PM in the event people would like to go
somewhere quiet to reflect. From 7 to 8
PM, there will be a Remembrance Service at the Fire Hall to honor those who
lost their lives a year ago and to pay tribute to those who serve our community
today - The Federalsburg Police Department and VFC.
ü A Business Meeting is
planned for September 18th from 7:30 to 9 A.M. at the Town Hall. J.O.K. Walsh and the Caroline Economic
Development Corporation have been invited to speak besides those listed on the
agenda. Letters have been sent or
delivered to all known area businesses.
ü A new business has planned a
grand opening on Thursday, September 5th.
CPK Kids is a thrift shop for the entire family and will include
furniture, household items, and clothing.
It is not a consignment shop. The
Ribbon cutting ceremony is to take place at 10 AM at 107 N. Main Street with
Kent Smith to take photos.
ü Wendy Garner also commended
the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Department for being very active in the
community. She said Federalsburg has the
fastest response time for anyone in the county.
Councilmember
Bee, Mayor and Council liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission, reported
the following:
1. There was a proposal by
ShoreGood Water Company to open a new Water Bottling Company in the new
expansion of the Federalsburg Industrial Park.
The Commission accepted this proposal based on the site plan presented. Bob
Breeding, General Contractors, is the construction company and they hope to get
started very soon.
2. It was brought to the
attention of the Commission that there was a mistake in the Zoning
Ordinance. On page 78, reference is made
to the C-2 District, and there is no C-2 District. This section references the location of bus
terminals and car washes. The Commission
discussed this matter and considered changing it to put bus terminals and car
washes in the ID-1 District. The Mayor
and Council requested recommendations from the Commission for them to review
the C-2 District and give them their recommendations.
3. Mr. Doug Ramey, member of
the Planning and Zoning Commission was sent a letter about his three
consecutively missed meetings, and he was also asked to contact Kristy
Marshall, Planning and Zoning Secretary, by the August meeting to advise
whether or not he wished to remain a member of the Commission. Since Mr. Ramey did not attend the August
meeting the Commission will discuss possible suggestions for a new member at
their next meeting.
4. The Commission has scheduled
a Public Hearing to receive public comment on the Urban Renewal Plan on
Tuesday, September 24th, 2002 at 7 p.m. The Commission requested that all members of
the Mayor and Council attend, if possible.
5. The Commissions next meeting
has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 7 p.m.
ACTION ITEMS
A motion was made by Councilmember Ballas, seconded by Councilmember Wheatley and unanimously passed by a vote of five to zero, approving the Travel, Mileage and Meal Policy.
Mrs.
Susan Runnels questioned who pays for the lights at the basketball court at the
Federalsburg Marina. She was advised
that the town pays for the lighting at the basketball court. She questioned why the town could not pay for
the electric for the ball fields? She
advised that the electric is a large amount of their cost, which they have to
pass on to the teams. Mrs. Runnels was
advised that this was part of the original agreement that the ballfields pay
for the electric. She was advised that
the basketball court is open to the public.
The leagues have primary time at the ball fields. Mrs. Runnels asked the Mayor and Council to
consider reducing the deposit required or paying the full cost. The Mayor and Council agreed to have Shirley
check into this matter.
Ms. Karen Hartz, Character Development Coordinator, sent a letter to the Mayor and Council advising that she is in charge of establishing a program in the County that will build character in young people by giving them the lessons and experiences they need to become healthy, moral and resilient. She invited the Mayor and Council to attend the Character Leadership Council as a founding member. Their first meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 110 of the Health Department. The Mayor and Council appointed Councilmember Betty Ballas to represent the Mayor and Council.
Richard Colburn, Town Manager, reported a pre-construction meeting would be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2002 to discuss the paving of the Federalsburg Industrial Park Road Entrance.
Federalsburg Marina Bridge
Mayor Fluharty advised during the Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Departments Carnival at the Federalsburg Marina, he tried to get people not to drive over the bridge and they just kept ignoring the signs that are posted to enforce the 4000 pound limit or cars only. Mayor Fluharty recommended that the bridge be closed to all traffic.
A
motion was made by Councilmember Ballas, seconded by Councilmember Wheatley and
unanimously passed by a vote of five to zero, to close off the Federalsburg
Marina Bridge to all vehicle traffic until it has been repaired.
A motion was made by Councilmember Wheatley, seconded by Councilmember Ballas and unanimously passed by a vote of five to zero, to adjourn at 10:00 p.m.
Submitted
by,
Shirley
A. DeShields
Clerk/Treasurer