MAYOR AND COUNCIL
JUNE 2, 2014
Mayor Cerino called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. In attendance were Council members Liz Gross, Linda Kuiper and Samuel T. Shoge, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk and guests.
Mayor Cerino asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the Mayor and Council meeting of May 19, 2014. Ms. Gross moved to approve the Mayor and Council meeting minutes of May 19, 2014 as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Shoge and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to pay bills. Mr. Shoge moved to approve payment of the bills as presented, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mr. Bill Noll and Ms. Trena Williamson were present to request passage of a Resolution to Approve and Support the Chester River Health Foundation’s Community Investment Tax Credit Application and Project. Mr. Noll explained that if the application for Tax Credits was approved, it would provide $50,000.00 in tax credits to fund the purchase of iRound™ software to be used at all three member hospitals of Shore Regional Health; Shore medical Center at Chestertown, Shore Medical Center at Easton, and Shore Medical Center at Dorchester. Mr. Shoge moved to approve the Resolution to Approve and Support the Chester River Health Foundation’s Community Investment Tax Credit Application and Project, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Ms. Karen Emerson was present on behalf of the Kent County Historical Society to request permission for a permit for the first annual “Legacy Day” which was planned for Saturday, August 16th. Mr. Ingersoll read that the parade was scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. at Calvert Street and College Street and go to the corner of High and Queen Street. Music in the Park would take place at the corner of High and Court Streets and would play from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., with a DJ playing during breaks. There was a request to borrow the stage and trash cans from the Town. Ms. Emerson stated that she would also ask the police for support during the parade and the evening of the event. She requested that High Street be closed from Queen Street to Court Street, closing Court Street off as well. Ms. Emerson stated that the Garfield was their back-up event location in the case of inclement weather.
Ms. Emerson stated that this year’s theme would be the Uptown Club and Charlie Graves. If the event was a success, they hoped to make “Legacy Day” an annual event.
Ms. Emerson stated that she was looking into food vendors through local churches. Mr. Ingersoll went over the food vendor’s responsibilities for cleaning up after oil spills.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the noise ordinance was always in effect and thought that 10:00 p.m. would be a better time to wind down the festivities.
Ms. Kuiper moved to approve the permit for “Legacy Day” to the Historic Society of Kent County for August 16, 2014, was seconded by Mr. Shoge and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that there had been two workshops and a public hearing for Ordinance 03-2014 Budget for 2014-15. He asked if there was a motion to adopt the Ordinance. Ms. Gross moved to adopt Ordinance 03-2014 Budget for 2014-15 as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Shoge and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that Ordinance 04-2014 Water and Sewers Revision could be adopted this evening, which would generally enact an 8% increase in water and sewer bills and an increase in hook-up fees starting July 1, 2014. Ms. Gross moved to adopt Ordinance 04-2014 Water and Sewers Revision, was seconded by Mr. Shoge and passed with three (3) in favor, Ms. Kuiper opposed.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that MVA bus would be in Chestertown on July 14th and 15th, August 11th and 12th, September 15th and 16th, October 14th, November 17th and 18th and December 15th and 16th.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Solar RFP went out the previous Thursday and was sent to the eleven (11) bidders who submitted bids last year. The RFP will also go in the Kent News and on EMaryland Marketplace. The deadline for bids is July 18th.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that there were twenty-one (21) bids received for the website. He said that there was a vast range to the bids and there was more tabulation to be done. He said that average bids fell in the range of $16,000 to $30,000. There were some bids that came in lower, but those firms seemed inexperienced.
Ms. Gross stated that she wanted the website to have a flavor of the community and asked if there were any local firms on the short list. Mr. Shoge stated that there were bidders on the short list from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the D.C. Metro area.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the prepared bid opening draft was not complete because in some bids it was difficult to find the original fee or the annual maintenance fees. Copies of the draft were given to the Council with the understanding that it was not the final tabulation. Mr. Shoge stated that he would come up with some type of bid tabulation and whittle the number to ten (10) or so bidders by the next meeting. Ms. Kuiper asked that website address samples be included so they could review other sites built by the firms.
Ms. Kuiper stated that she thought all of the bids should be tabulated and the Council should pare them down together.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that Ms. Kuiper asked for an amendment increasing fines to $500.00 for noise and public disturbance, fining property owners at the same time. He said that he was not certain whether she meant the noise ordinance or the chronic nuisance ordinance. Municipal infractions were set at $100.00 in the Charter, but $500.00 was the fine for certain misdemeanors. He said that he would like to check with the Town Attorney to see how to incorporate the fines to an owner. Ms. Gross stated that she agreed in principle that the landlord should be held responsible, but perhaps the fine to the landlord should
come after the second offense. Ms. Kuiper stated that she would also like to see municipal infractions that were given listed in the newspaper.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Marina has gone from being run by a corporation under a bartering agreement to the Town having to hire individuals to run it for the present season.
Mayor Cerino stated that the Marina Charrette on May 28th was a success with over 100 people in attendance. He said that there was a PowerPoint presentation showing the challenges that were being faced in the rehabilitation of the property and then the group broke into six (5) smaller study groups to discuss different elements of the Marina. He said that he created bullet points where there was consensus on general issues and he would meet with McCrone on Thursday to give them that list. McCrone would then come up with concept plan(s), which would be posted on the website and be available in the Town Hall lobby. A public hearing would be scheduled to present the concept plans and the Council could hear feedback from the residents and then decisions would be made on the ultimate design.
Mayor Cerino stated that the Town received a letter of resignation from Mr. Ted Maris-Wolf from the Historic District Commission. Mayor Cerino stated that Mr. Maris-Wolf had taken another job and was moving out of State at the end of June. He said that the Council would have to find a replacement.
Ms. Gross stated that she had several compliments on the pothole repairs.
Ms. Gross stated that the National Music Festival was in full swing and encouraged residents to attend the events over the next two (2) weeks.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the Tea Party was a huge success. She said that Ms. Sabine Harvey did a tremendous job and has asked her to come to a Town meeting to give a wrap-up of the event. Ms. Kuiper stated that the Farmer’s Market did well on the 300 block of High Street and the Artisans were moved to Cross Street.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the Battle of Caulk’s Field will be held on August 31st.
Ms. Kuiper stated that the MML Convention was being held Sunday, June 8th through Wednesday, June 11th in Ocean City.
Mr. Shoge stated that a resident of the Calvert Street delegation mentioned a career fair and he said that he would like to pursue hosting a local career fair in Town. He suggested using co-sponsors from the community to help with the fair.
Ms. Gross asked if any of the work mentioned for Calvert Street was being implemented. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he received estimates for the speed bumps, the street signs were at the yard and the sweeper had gone down Calvert Street the Thursday after the meeting.
Mr. Shoge stated that there was a meeting scheduled with the tenants of Calvert Heights. Chief Baker stated that the first meeting would be with the residents and tenants of the Calvert Heights Apartments on Wednesday, June 11th at 6:00. He said after that he would like to have a meeting with the Council and other residents of the area. Mr. Shoge stated that Mayor Cerino was planning to attend the meeting and the rest of the Council was welcome to attend as well.
Mr. Joe Holt asked if it was possible for the Marina Charrette PowerPoint to go on the Town website. Mayor Cerino stated that it was a large file, but he would look into seeing about getting it on the website. He said that he would put the bullet points up as soon as possible.
There being no further business, Ms. Kuiper moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor