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The City
Council met in regular session on Monday, November 19, 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 Atkinson made a motion to approve the minutes of the
November 5, 2001 Council meeting as distributed. Commissioner Travers seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS
Planning & Zoning--Commissioner Watkins reported that the Planning
& Zoning Commission met on November 6, 2001 to discuss:
q Clifton Enterprises (Chesapeake Drive)—Herb Robinson requested approval for subdivision of
the property. The Commission voted
unanimously to give Clifton Enterprises preliminary approval of the
subdivision.
q Hattie Redmond (1214 Stone Boundary Road) Request for
a Daycare Center—The Planning Commission
recommended approval of the Special Use Permit to go to the Board of Zoning
Appeals.
q Delaware Valley Development Company (5234 Woods Road)—They are requesting rezoning of the parcel from R-1
to R-4 to accommodate a 76-unit apartment complex. The Planning Commission voted in favor of this. Commissioner Watkins made a motion to accept
the recommendation of the Planning Commission and instruct the City Attorney to
prepare the necessary documents for the required public hearing. Commissioner Travers seconded it. The motion
was passed unanimously.
Paul Kirkley to Give Council Update on Dorchester
County YMCA—Mr.
Kirkley reviewed the mission of the YMCA.
The YMCA is a non-profit charity that is organized and governed by
volunteers. They have been offering
programs and services to the community since 1986. Renovations and the addition of the pool were funded through a
State bond bill. The pool opened in the
fall of 1999. The three services most
commonly known to the public are the gym and swim, summer day camps, and those
programs that are able to symbolize a close connection between body, mind, and
spirit. There are 2400 Y’s in the
country that serve 17 million people.
Mr. Kirkley summarized their program by saying they build strong kids,
strong families, and a strong community.
They continually change to adapt to the needs of the community.
Last
year, they gave away $32,000 to allow people to have the opportunity to use the
YMCA. Currently there are 2350
members. There are two after school fun
club State-licensed programs at Sandy Hill and Maple and a nine-week day camp
for the summer. With the help of
Delmarva Community Services, they have added a camp for children with special
needs. They have several programs for
teens, dance programs, health classes, a wellness center, etc. Various local corporations have helped
finance the programs and equipment.
Bill
Watkins (CEMS)
q
Discuss ALS and BLS
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dorchester County—The County Commissioners are moving forward with the
EMS County Plan that they have been working on for 1½ years. Every participant is being asked to sign an
MOU which holds everyone to an accountability standard--the County to funding
and the companies to service. The
documents have to be signed and turned in on November 20, 2001. Mr. Watkins feels it should be done for the
City of Cambridge’s best interest. With
the current funding projection for this calendar year, a revenue between the
billing receipts and the County contribution will be approximately
$341,000. As participating in the EMS /
ALS task force billing plan proposed, our total billing receipts would be
$200,500 and the County contribution of $175,000; totaling $375,500. The more runs that CEMS makes, the more money
the City will make to offset their budget.
He believes the County is committed to get this started and recommends
the City sign both documents. Mayor Rippons suggested an addendum be added to
the MOUs to acknowledge another document will be coming to spell out the gap in
time before funding is coming from the County.
Commissioner Atkinson made a motion for the City to sign the ALS and BLS
MOUs. Commissioner Watkins seconded
it. The motion was passed unanimously.
q
Discuss Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Systems Services
Equipment Allocation and Associated Expenses—Mr. Watkins applied to the State for a grant
for three cardiac monitors. They cost
approximately $22,000 each. The State
of Maryland’s price is $9,100 each and they have offered the grant to Cambridge
at 50 percent of their cost. The
City’s contribution would be $13,650 for three monitors. However, the City will have to pay $27,300
and then they will be reimbursed one-half of that in 30 days. Mr. Watkins said this is not in his budget
at this time. If the City goes with the
county plan, there is a possibility he will have the $13,650. Historically, when you apply for something
it takes effect the next fiscal year.
This grant has to be completed by April 30, 2002. Ed Kinnamon said the City has some funding
in the contingency fund. Commissioner
Atkinson made a motion to forward the monies necessary to go forward with this
project. Commissioner Travers seconded
it. The motion was passed unanimously.
Mayor
Rippons reported that after the work session Council held with Rescue Fire
Company last week, he asked the County for a joint meeting. In lieu of a joint meeting, the County
Commissioners have requested the City Commissioners appear at the County
meeting on November 20, 2001. Mayor
Rippons will meet with Bill Watkins and Jeff Hurley to get their input before
the County meeting.
Request from Wal-Mart for Permission for Temporary
Storage Trailers—Commissioner Weldon made a motion to grant Wal-Mart permission to use
temporary storage trailers for 30 days.
Commissioner Watkins seconded it. The motion was passed unanimously.
Laura Weldon Requesting
Permission for Non-Profit Vendors to Sell Goods on City Property Without a
Permit on the Night of the Christmas Parade—Mrs. Weldon requested permission for non-profit groups to be able to
obtain a 1‑day temporary vendor permit at no charge so they can sell
items during the Christmas parade. This
would provide an opportunity for these groups to raise funds for their
organizations. According to David
Pritchett, there would be about six spaces at the Pedestrian Mall and six
spaces at Long Wharf. The organizations
should contact Mrs. Weldon for a space.
Commissioner Atkinson asked what provisions the Parade Committee would
take to be sure the food is prepared properly.
Mr. Kinnamon said when vendor permits are purchased from the City, the
purchaser is told they have to have Health Department approval. Mrs. Weldon said the Parade Committee is not
making any money from this. They are
acting as an agent for the groups to pick up vendor permits. Rob Collision said the City would have no
additional legal ramifications if they don’t charge the permit fee for these
vendors as long as they are treated the same as someone who is paying for the
permit. Commissioner Travers made a
motion to approve Mrs. Weldon’s request for permission for non-profit vendors
to sell goods without paying the permit fee.
Commissioner Watkins seconded it.
Commissioner Weldon abstained.
The vote passed 4:0 with Commissioner Weldon abstaining.
Discuss HUD Program to
Rehab Property—HUD has taken over a
property on Linden Avenue. Because they
could not sell it, the City has a chance to purchase the building for $1. Kent Pipes of The Affordable Homes Group has
asked the City to purchase the property from HUD for $1. They would pay all closing costs and all
closing costs for the City to turn the building over to them. They will rehab the house and return it to
the community at a greatly reduced cost.
The company also pays all closing costs at the time they sell the
house. The paperwork had to be
submitted by November 14th.
Mayor Rippons signed a document forwarded to HUD indicating the City’s
interest pending a vote of Council.
Commissioner Weldon has seen this program work wonders in other
communities. He feels it is a
tremendous opportunity for the City. Commissioner
Weldon made a motion to approve the City moving forward with the HUD rehab of
415 Linden Avenue as proposed by The Affordable Homes Group. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion.
The motion was passed unanimously.
First Reading of
Ordinance Regarding Membership on City Boards and Committees (majority of
members must be City residents)—Rob
Collison reported that some committees required all members be City
residents. He has drafted two
ordinances to amend the City code to provide that a majority of the members of
the Housing Board of Review and the Board of Zoning Appeals shall be residents
of the City and that members can succeed themselves. The second reading and vote will be taken next week.
Request
by Developer of Cambridge Creek / Commerce St. Property for Capital
Improvements and Other Concessions—Ned
Nabb will represent the City on this matter.
The City has received a letter from Duane Parker with the commitment
letter from First Bank Mortgage that dictates the terms that were put before
Council. The commitment letter goes
beyond what Mr. Nabb recalls was the motions and requests that were put before
Council this past summer. They
requested tax abatement for the property on Commerce Street and they were
discussing Brownfields. They developers
were asking for tax relief so they could go forward with the environmental
rehab of the property. Now they are
asking for additional concessions in the form of a resolution.
They
are asking to change the due date the first quarterly report to July 15,
2002. Supposedly, the settlement date
is tomorrow. From the notices in the
paper, it is obvious that they are moving forward. Council didn’t see any problem with the new date.
They
had the abatement to run through June 30, 2005 and the City had it contingent
on them doing certain things. The
Council had it contingent on build-out; they didn’t have a final date. Council decided to keep the language they
originally provided.
They
have the density figure of not less than 52 units. Mr. Nabb believes this figure was brought to Council but he
doesn’t actually know that it was qualified.
Commissioner Weldon said Council was talking about 52 units; not less
than 52 units. This leaves the
door open for perhaps more density than the property can handle. He feels if a number is attached, it should
be a finite number. Commissioner
Atkinson said Council discussed the height and number of units that night. Council didn’t say yes or no.
Commissioner
Atkinson made a motion to accept the resolution. The City has a vacant spot with nothing happening and now we’re
going to run them out of business.
Commissioner Bohlen said he’s not going to “give away the farm” the way
the City has done over and over in the past.
Mayor Rippons asked if Council would agree to 52 units. Commissioner Watkins said he could agree
with this. The other Commissioners
agreed. The words “not less than” will
be removed.
Mayor
Rippons said he doesn’t feel the item stating the City will provide Palisades
with a discounted contract rate for bulkhead repairs and construction needs to
be in the resolution. All the
information has already been forwarded to Palisades. He said a provision should be made that the City has already
provided consideration. He did not
enter into a contract. He told them he
would put them in contact with the foreman on site. The foreman said while he is on site, he will continue his
contract with Palisades. It does not
involve the City negotiating anything.
Mayor Rippons feels this item should be taken out of the resolution.
Mayor
Rippons doesn’t feel the City has given their unqualified support for an application
for up to 50 boat ships with the Corps of Army Engineers. Mr. Nabb feels it is too
open-ended. The second point asking for
30 slips at the City Marina might interfere with the grants the City is getting
for repairs. Locking in the slip rental
fee for 10 years would not be acceptable.
Commissioner Weldon suggested that the developer could subsidize the
expansion of the marina and then have some priority access to a portion of the
expansion but this could not be decided on tonight. Mayor Rippons suggested striking this item from the
resolution. This could be considered in
the future.
Mayor
Rippons provided Council with a cost estimate prepared by David Pritchett and
Gary Newcomb for the necessary capital improvements on Commerce Street. Mr.
Nabb pointed out that they were asking the City provide parking areas. Commissioner Weldon said the City should be
specific as to what they will provide:
the water and sewer lines as discussed, the storm water management, and
the street infrastructure itself going back to the property. Anything beyond that is subject to future
negotiation or it is Palisades’ responsibility.
Mayor
Rippons suggested it read, “The City agrees to make all necessary capital
improvements as the City deem necessary.”
Council agreed to this.
Ed
Kinnamon asked why the resolution is for a calendar year instead of a fiscal
year as they mentioned. The current resolution states through the calendar
year. Rob Collison replied the value of
the abatement was in line to end on December 31, 2003.
Mayor
Rippons summarized:
Item
No. 1—Leave it as it is. The abatement
dates were not changed. The dates that
were changed were the deadline dates for doing certain things.
Item
No. 2—There are no other points of qualification. This is simply a reporting date.
Item
No. 3—The words “not less than” will be deleted.
Item
No. 4—Stricken
Item
No. 5—Stricken
Item
No. 6—Amended to include just the first line “The City agrees to make all
necessary capital improvements on Commerce Street, as deemed necessary by the
City.”
The
provision on Paragraph 2 only takes into concept a time parameter running from
monthly to quarterly.
Commissioner
Weldon made a motion to approve the changes pending Mr. Nabb’s perusal on one
item. Commissioner Watkins seconded
it. The motion was passed unanimously.
Discuss
Cooperative Advertising in Maryland State Events Calendar—The County Tourism Department will buy a page in the
book and are asking for commitment from the City to forward $500 for
advertising. Commissioner Weldon feels
it’s a good idea to market the marina in this annual calendar. It goes to
anyone asking for travel information and is circulated in tourist
destinations. Commissioner Weldon made
a motion that the City allocate $500 to participate in the cooperative
advertisement to advertise the City marina.
Commissioner Bohlen seconded it. The ad is a full-page ad on Dorchester
County with a number of Dorchester County businesses participating. He doesn’t have the specifics on the size
for the City’s portion. Mayor Rippons
said the motion was just to advertise the marina. If there are ample spots, there are certainly other factors like
the Historic Walking Tour and Sailwinds that need to be in there. Mayor Rippons doesn’t like the consideration
that it’s relegated at this time until the City knows what they are working
with. Commissioner Weldon said it’s a
smaller ad that is part of a larger ad.
He believes it’s a photograph and a 15-word description. He will get more detail from the tourism
department. If Sailwinds wants to
promote its events venue, he is sure Sailwinds can find the $500. Mayor Rippons said he’s talking about the
Historic Tour. Commissioner Weldon said
the marina generates revenue for the City directly, and by investing some marketing
dollars in that, it’s going to be returned to us. The Historic Tour is certainly worthy of note but it can be
covered in an editorial piece that can be sent at no charge. Commissioner Weldon feels the City should
promote all the renovations at the marina.
David Pritchett said they do advertise the marina that does help to fill
it. If Council is in favor of the
advertisement, he will drop one of the advertisements that hasn’t yielded as
much attention and include this new source.
Commissioner Atkinson wanted to know why they advertise if the marina is
full. David said they fill up for
annual rentals; they can always increase transient boaters. They can double
transients. The motion was passed
unanimously.
Approve
Financial Statement for October 2001—Commissioner
Travers made a motion to approve the financial statement for October 2001. Commissioner Watkins seconded it. The motion was passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bohlen attended
the Jamboree on Friday night, which was well attended, and everyone seemed to
be enjoying themselves.
Commissioner Watkins heard a
lot of good points on the Percy Sledge concert at Sailwinds Park. He wants to compliment the group that is
doing so well with Sailwinds.
Commissioner Weldon
submitted information to the Council regarding a multi-year tax abatement that
has worked in other communities. It is
for people who have invested in their buildings by making improvements. They will discuss this at a future meeting.
Commissioner Travers thanked
David Pritchett for the outstanding job that they have done in the last few
weeks picking up leaves. They are doing
a fantastic job.
Ed Kinnamon received a
letter from Joe Sampson and Doretha Sampson (2411 Rock Dr.) regarding some
property at 2409 Cambridge Beltway.
They are requesting annexation into the City. They would like to put this forward as soon as possible and are
willing to pay the extra fees for the annexation to be done as soon as
possible. This request will be
forwarded to Planning & Zoning.
David Pritchett updated
Council on the work at the treatment plant.
It is estimated that 400 dry tons of sludge remain. Mr. Avon White has taken over the plant for
MES. He is one of their highest
regarded managers. Mr. White is
evaluating the options that the City has presented to him and will meet with
David and George Hyde this week. He
will provide Council with a written report.
David Pritchett reported
even if all the penalties are imposed on Climate Masters, builders of the
Empowerment Center, the City still owes them over $7,000. They have requested a partial payment of the
guaranteed amount they are owed ($5,000).
Commissioner Atkinson made a motion to approve the payment of $5,000
(Purchase Order 2087). Commissioner
Travers seconded it. The motion was
passed unanimously.
At David Pritchett’s
request, Commissioner Watkins made a motion to go into Executive Session after
the meeting. Commissioner Weldon
seconded it. The motion was passed
unanimously.
Jim Michael reported that
the City of Cambridge has been awarded a grant from the State of Maryland for
enhancements to Cornish Park in the amount of $50,000.
Jim Michael reported that
they have selected Scott Daniels as the Buffer Management Inspector who will be
inspecting the vegetation growth at the Hyatt.
He should be available at least four times a year to perform inspections
and monitor the project. His salary
will be totally funded by a grant.
Mayor Rippons received a
phone call from Senator Mikulski today to congratulate Cambridge on receiving a
$900,000 grant through the VA/HUD Conference Agreement. This is for the City’s DNR upgrade project
and combined sewer overflow system.
Some users of the sewer system users have spoken out about the recent
increases in costs. This $900,000 will
go a long way to keeping the costs mitigated at this time.
The legal council for the
Pine Street Committee called Mayor Rippons and supplied three days he is
available to meet with Council. Mayor
Rippons, Mr. Collison and Commissioner Watkins will meet with him next
week to discuss the occupancy of the Empowerment Center.
Mayor Rippons reported on
the information session that Hyatt held at Sailwinds yesterday. Roughly 1000 people attended.
Mr. Kinnamon, Mr. Wheeler,
and Mayor Rippons attended a LGIT conference where the City received a
recognition plaque for its work in risk management and training.
Wendell Foxwell suggested
that it should be put in the newspapers about the good things that are going on
in each ward. If someone from each ward
would write a column each month about what is going on in their wards so people
can hear about it and see what is going on and what needs to be done. If this could not be done, the information
could be compiled and given to the Mayor and the Mayor could do it. A lot of people are shut-ins and cannot
attend meetings. They are taxpayers and
are also a silent group of voters. He
hasn’t seen anything in the paper recently about the Greenlawn Cemetery Housing
Project. He would like to know what is
happening with the old BJ Linthicum building lot. With about ¾ million dollars of taxpayer’s money invested in
it, he would like to know if the fire company is going there or whether it is
being aggressively marketed to be sold.
He also has questions about the Lloyds Fire Company. He questioned what was going on with the old
MAC Center of Race Street. The people
should know what is going on if it is in litigation or if it will cost $150,000
to tear it down.
In response to Mr. Foxwell’s
questions about blacktopping the streets, Commissioner Bohlen reported that
there are several streets in his ward that are not in the best shape. However, those are areas that are going to
be worked on in the future with the sewer separation projects. It makes no sense to pave a road that you
are going to tear up again in two years.
Mayor Rippons answered the
question about the property on Race and Cedar Streets and consideration for a
site for a new fire department. Mr.
Paul Edmeades is doing a feasibility study on all sites that will be given to
Council on December 10.
Anton Ennels represents a
local music group. They would like a
noise variance on December 8th to have a benefit concert. The proceeds of the concert will be donated
to relief for the families of New York after what has happened on
September 11th. They
would like to have the concert downtown on Race Street after business
hours. They will need ½ hour for set-up
and will perform for about 1½ hours
They have invited other local groups and everyone is networking
well. Their music is called alternative
hip-hop. Commissioner Weldon made a
motion to grant a variance from the noise ordinance on December 8th
between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm in the pedestrian mall. Commissioner Watkins seconded it. The motion was passed unanimously. Mr. Ennels will contact David Pritchett to
confirm this date.
Corey Palmer came before
Council to present a business he would like to conduct in town. The services are grass cutting, power
washing, tree pruning, and yard trash removal.
The services are based on his experience. He will be seeking funding and would like to get Council’s
support. He has been to the Chamber to
their small business group but he is collecting information to go to Baltimore
because they have the funding range that he needs to get going. He has talked to a local insurance company
for insurance and bonding. Commissioner
Weldon asked Mr. Palmer to list what his funding sources are going to require
to receive a letter of support from the City.
With no further business,
Mayor Rippons adjourned this portion of the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
I
hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate account of the Council
meeting Monday, November 19, 2001, insofar as I personally am aware.
Edwin
C. Kinnamon
Clerk
& Treasurer
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