MAYOR AND COUNCIL
JUNE 6, 2022
Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Tim O’Brien, Tom Herz, Jose Medrano and Meghan Efland, W. S. Ingersoll (Town Manager), Jennifer McCann (Town Clerk) and guests.
Mayor Foster asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Mayor and Council meeting of May 16, 2022 or the budget workshop of May 23, 2022. Ms. Efland to approve minutes of the Mayor and Council meeting of May 16, 2022 and the budget workshop of May 23, was seconded by Mr. O’Brien and carried unanimously.
Mayor Foster stated that operating funds on hand was $1,928,573.08.
Mayor Foster asked for a motion to pay the bills. Mr. Herz moved to approve payment of the bills as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Efland and carried unanimously.
Mr. Herz asked Chief Dixon if the officers have all the training necessary should an incident occur at any of the schools. Chief Dixon stated that he thought the department was as prepared as they could be. He said that he did collaborate with the schools regarding security, and they would act in an appropriate manner should any incident occur.
Mr. Ben Tilghman was present on behalf of the Public Arts Committee to request approval of the locations of fourteen (14) of the twenty-four (24) sculptures being donated to the Town and to seek approval of the Council’s agreement on finalizing and signing a contract for the sculpture’s installation using Materials Installation, Inc.
Mr. Tilghman stated that to date he has pledges of $250,000.00 (with $55,000.00 already in hand) for the installation and maintenance of the artwork.
Mr. Tilghman showed the areas of installation for the artwork which would include Wilmer Park, Bailey Park, Fountain Park, Carpenter Park, Remembrance Park, the Cerino Center, Gateway Park, the High Street crossing of the Rail Trail, the Kent County Library (parking side entrance), Garnett Elementary, Sumner Hall, the Kent County Arts Building, the former Chestertown Bank location directly across from Garfield Center, and in the privately owned pocket park at 105 Cross Street. Mr. Tilghman stated that works of art will have been installed in every ward after the second wave of installation is completed, with a main focus on the downtown area (where the Arts and Entertainment District is located).
Mr. O’Brien moved to approve the Public Art Committees recommendation for the placements of the public art displays as presented, was seconded by Mr. Herz and carried unanimously.
Mr. Tilghman stated that they would like to contract with Materials Installation Concepts, LLC. out of Philadelphia for the maintenance and installation of the artwork, including preparation of the artwork before installation and conservation afterward.
Mr. Ingersoll suggested paying Materials Installation as the work was done, using the donations given for that purpose. Mr. Tilghman would provide a contract to the Town following that process and the Town attorney could review it.
Mr. Herz moved to support the Public Arts Commission recommendation to contract with Materials Installation Concepts, LLC for the Woicke Collection using funds donated for that purpose pending final approval of the documents, was seconded by Mr. O’Brien and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll asked for a motion to adopt Ordinance 02-2022 Budget for Fiscal Year 2023.
Mr. Herz stated that prior to acting on Ordinance 02-2022, he would like to move to create a capital fund to be used for capital projects using $500,000.00 of the general fund surplus funds presently on hand, was seconded by Mr. O’Brien and carried unanimously
Mr. Herz stated that the capital fund could mimic the Utilities fund capital funds for capital projects or if times are leaner so the work required could be done.
Mr. O’Brien moved to adopt Ordinance 02-2022 Budget for Fiscal Year 2023, was seconded by Ms. Efland and carried unanimously.
Mayor Foster stated that he would like to see interim budget updates given to the Council.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had a permit request for RiverArts to hold a 10th anniversary street fair on September 11, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. that requested street closures for vendors and pedestrians, and the waiving of the open container law during the event. Ms. Efland recused herself from the application. Mr. Herz moved to approve the permit to host the 10th anniversary celebration on September 11, was seconded by Mr. Medrano and carried with four in favor, Ms. Efland recused.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that there was a permit request for the Juneteenth Block Party on June 17th in the downtown and in Wilmer Park on Saturday, June 18. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Friday event will take place along High Street. Ms. Efland moved to approve the Juneteenth events scheduled for Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18 as submitted, was seconded by Mr. O’Brien and carried unanimously.
The Council moved the next Council meeting to Tuesday, June 21st in observance of Juneteenth.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Multi-Street Paving Project bid opening was held on Friday, May 23rd. There was only one bid received from David A. Bramble, Inc. for a total of $913,995.00. Mr. Ingersoll read the bid minutes into the record. Mr. Ingersoll asked that the bid be approved with the condition that unit pricing be taken into consideration as the project moves forward. He said that this was an estimated cost of 5,700 tons of asphalt at $160.00 per ton with an inclusion that there would be price adjustments based on the fuel costs at the time the work was done.
Mayor Foster stated that he asked the Kent County Commissioners if they would help to pave some streets and he said that they agreed. Mr. O’Brien stated that if there was an opportunity to pare down the contract they could then discuss which streets need paving the most.
Mr. Herz moved to approve the multi-street paving bid from David A Bramble, Inc. in the amount of $913,995.00, with the understanding that the project would be done in segments, with each segment considering the impact of the fuel costs before the work was performed, was seconded by Ms. Efland and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that Kent Attainable Housing was interested in purchasing 136 Prospect Steet from the Town. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the request was made in letter form asking for the right of first refusal before Mr. Minch passed away last year. He said that he would recommend selling this piece of property to Kent Attainable Housing for $15,000 since it was to be used to build low and moderate income housing. He pointed out that the previous project done with Kent Attainable on College Avenue had a lot price of $15,000 also but included water and sewer laterals already in place to the lot. The Prospect Street lot did not have the advantage of water and sewer service lines to the property yet and would be an additional cost to Kent Attainable. Mr. Medrano moved to authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement of sale with Kent Attainable Housing for the sale of 136 Prospect Street at $15,000.00 for low and moderate income housing, was seconded by Ms. Efland and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that he was waiting on the final contract revisions for the Recycling Program and pickups should begin soon.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that he met with Garden Club and worked on an updated MOU identifying their work responsibilities in Fountain and Memorial Parks and the Town’s responsibilities. Mr. Herz moved to authorize the Mayor to update and sign the 2022 update to the 2001 MOU with the Chestertown Garden Club, was seconded by Ms. Efland and carried unanimously.
Mayor Foster asked for a motion to appoint Jeffrey Coomer to the Tree Committee. Ms. Efland moved to appoint Mr. Coomer to the Tree Committee, was seconded by Mr. Herz and carried unanimously.
Mayor Foster stated that he would like a motion to appoint Kate Dowd to the Public Arts Committee. Mr. Herz moved to appoint Kate Dowd to the Public Arts Committee, was seconded by Mr. O’Brien and carried unanimously.
Mayor Foster stated that the Tea Party was a tremendous success.
Mayor Foster stated that several years ago, the Town transferred the Armory to the College in anticipation of the College making renovations to the building. He said that once Covid hit, everything came to a halt, but there was now progress being made and the President of the College was researching a hospitality facility that he would like to build at the Armory site. He said that an architect has been hired and reports are being generated regarding modifications to the building in the way of environmental and zoning issues.
Mayor Foster stated that shuttle the Council endorsed through Kent County had begun service and was running from Chestertown to Rock Hall. They were looking to expand into Galena.
Mayor Foster asked for ward reports.
Mr. O’Brien stated that he met with Elizabeth Watson and selected a template that they would implement for the Strategic Plan. He said that the Council will be able to work directly with Ms. Watson to avoid any questions or concerns of public meetings taking place in violation of the public meetings act.
Mr. O’Brien stated that he would bring forth a draft MOU proposal to send to the Commissioners for IT work. Mr. Herz stated that he has also been in contact with Scott Boone.
Mr. Herz stated that Tea Party was great, and he drafted a letter to the Tea Party Committee thanking them for their good work.
Mr. Herz stated that he was thinking about hosting a Hurricane Preparedness meeting for residents.
Mr. Medrano thanked the Tea Party Committee for a great event.
Mr. Medrano stated that he attended a Fatherhood Initiative at Big Mixx, with a group who met the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Jamie Barrett’s barber shop. He said that he looked forward to attending additional sessions.
Ms. Efland stated that the Tea Party Planning Committee wanted to thank the town crew, police department and Kent County Emergency Services for their work during the festival.
Ms. Efland stated that she attended Shore River’s First Friday event and said that it was a great night and enjoyed by all.
Ms. Efland stated that the National Music Festival is taking place June 5th through June 18th in Town.
Ms. Efland stated that Scott Boone helped with some IT issues during the Tea Party as there were issues with Wi-Fi for vendors.
Ms. Efland stated that he MML Conference was next week and most of the Council would be in attendance.
There being no further business, Ms. Efland moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m., was seconded by Mr. O’Brien and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer McCann David Foster
Town Clerk Mayor