The City Council met in regular session on August 13, 2001, in City Council Chambers.  A quorum being present, Mayor Cleveland L. Rippons called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Those Commissioners in attendance were Commissioners Bohlen, Watkins, Weldon, Atkinson and Travers.

 

Ed Kinnamon led in the Lord’s Prayer.  Commissioner Atkinson led in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Commissioner Watkins made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2001 Council meeting as distributed.  Commissioner Bohlen seconded the motion.  The motion was passed unanimously.   

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

Bid Opening – Cambridge Police Department – for 10 Desktop Computer Systems—CPD received two bids.  They were from:

§         BDS Computers, Inc. (Georgetown, DE)--$1,555.00 each (alternate $1,775.00)

§         Dell Computers (Round Rock, TX)--$906.00

 

Commissioner Atkinson made a motion to refer the bids to the Cambridge Police Department for their review.  Commissioner Travers seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

Lester Reazor (Mid-Shore Cruisers) to Request Noise Variances for August 26^th at Wawa and October 27^th at Snow’s Turn—The Cruise-In on August 26^th will be from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm.  Mr. Reazor presented Council with a petition signed by neighbors in the Snow’s Turn area showing their approval of the Cruise-In on October 27^th from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm.  Commissioner Atkinson made a motion to grant noise variances for these two dates.  Commissioner Travers seconded the motion.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

Council to Thank Ken “Mate” Leaper and Carl Anderson for Their Donations of Park Benches at Long Wharf—Neither Mr. Leaper nor Mr. Anderson were present at this time.

                       

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

None

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Traffic and Safety Issues as Requested by Commissioner Weldon—Some of the neighbors in the Water Street area have expressed their concern about the speed that cars travel on the long straight section of Water Street.  He would like the street marked with lane dividers (double yellow line) and crosswalks at the foot of High Street and Mill Street.  The same condition exists on Cedar Street all the way into Pine Street and also on High Street from Poplar Street to Washington Street.  A resident requested lane markings on Leonard Lane.  He would like to refer these items to the Traffic and Safety Committee. 

 

Commissioner Weldon would also like a left-turn lane considered on Maryland Avenue for cars turning onto Trenton Street east of the Creek Bridge.  This will alleviate some of the traffic tie-up when the bridge is opened. 

 

Discussion on Future Economic Development in Cambridge—With the recent lay-offs, the number of vacancies in retail buildings, the on-going discussions on the hospital, the Main Street Maryland application which failed in the last round, and a lot of other economic development issues, Commissioner Weldon would like Council to consider creating a committee at Council level to address economic development matters.  He would like the committee to consist of Mayor Rippons, two Council members, the Planning & Zoning Director, and perhaps a representative from the business community who would be appointed by the Mayor.  Commissioner Bohlen thinks this is a good idea.  Commissioner Watkins is interested in the committee and would like to bring businesses to Cambridge that would employ people at a higher level and encourage people to stay in Cambridge.  Mayor Rippons asked Rob Collison to prepare information for Council’s review on the formation of such a committee.  

 

Request from Planning & Zoning to Proceed With Demolition of 3 Houses—The Department of Planning & Zoning has issued Demolition Notices on 717 Washington Street, 927 Pine Street, and 800 Slacum Street.  The owners of these properties have submitted no appeal to the notices.  All are vacant structures.  Commissioner Atkinson made a motion to allow Planning & Zoning to proceed with the demolition process and the associated advertising.  Commissioner Travers seconded it. The motion was passed unanimously.

 

Public Nuisance Abatement of Boat and Structure (Planning & Zoning)—Mr. Michael stated that the property at 307 Choptank Avenue is a nuisance.  The department is requesting permission to have a vendor come in and remove a burned-out boat hull on the property.  Gateway Marina has the capability of removing this vessel at cost and billing the owner.  

 

The property at 817 Phillips Street is completely eaten up by termites and must be demolished.  Commissioner Atkinson made a motion to allow Planning & Zoning to proceed with both requests.  Commissioner Bohlen seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

Request from New Life A.M.E. Zion Church (Phillips Street) to Approve Outdoor Church Service on Saturday, August 25, 2001 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

with Amplified Music—Minister Dedra Martin requested a noise variance for their outdoor church service.  Commissioner Watkins made a motion to approve the request.  Commissioner Atkinson seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

Request from Jubilee Christian Fellowship (415 Academy Street) to Hold End of Summer Youth Rally on August 25, 2001 from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm with Amplified Music—Commissioner Travers made a motion to approve the request from Jubilee Christian Fellowship and to grant a noise variance for the Summer Youth Rally.  Commissioner Weldon seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

 

Rob Collison explained the amendment that Local Government Insurance Trust is making to their trust agreement.  Commissioner Weldon made a motion to approve the 7^th Amended and Re-Stated Local Government Trust Agreement.  Commissioner Travers seconded it. The motion was passed unanimously.

 

Last week Mr. Pritchett requested funding for repairs to the Trenton Street Sewage Pumping Station.  Mr. Kinnamon reviewed the sewer fund budget and found that there will be adequate funds to cover these emergency repairs. 

 

Commissioner Atkinson made a motion to go into regular session after the work session next week.  Commissioner Weldon seconded it.  (No vote was taken.)

 

Commissioner Atkinson made a motion to allow DPW to utilize some of this year’s paving money to mill the area in front of City Hall.  David Pritchett explained that he is considering the area in front of Rescue Fire Company straight down the side of District Court and stopping at the bridge.  This is already scheduled for paving this year.  Commissioner Travers seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

 

Commissioner Atkinson made a motion to open up a General Session next week and then move into Work Session.  Commissioner Weldon seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously. 

 

Commissioner Watkins made a motion to meet in Executive Session at 6:30 pm next week.  Commissioner Travers seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

 

With no further business, Mayor Rippons adjourned this portion of the meeting at 7:40 p.m.

 

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate account of the Council meeting Monday, August 13, 2001, insofar as I personally am aware.

 

 

                                   

                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                    Edwin C. Kinnamon

                                                                                    Clerk & Treasurer