The City Council met in regular session on Monday, October 29, 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 Travers made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 22, 2001 Council meeting as distributed.  Commissioner Weldon seconded the motion.  The motion was passed unanimously.   

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

Proclamation for National Family Caregivers Month—Ed Kinnamon read the proclamation, Mayor Rippons signed it, and it was presented to Carolyn Cannon.

 

Proclamation for National Hospice Month—Ed Kinnamon read the proclamation, Mayor Rippons signed it, and it was presented to Bud Hankins.

 

Award Bid for Furnishing & Delivering One New 2001/2002 Regular Cab ¾ Ton Pick-Up Truck (DPW)—Commissioner Atkinson made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Department Works to award the contract to the low bidder, M&L GMC & Volvo Truck Center in the amount of $19,635.50.  Commissioner Weldon seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

Award Bid for Furnishing & Delivering One New 2001/2002 20-Cubic Yard Rear End Garbage Packer (DPW)—Commissioner Atkinson made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Department of Public Works to award the contract to M&L GMC Volvo for $73,127.00.  This bid was the second lowest bid; the lowest bidder was also M&L GMC Volvo with a difference of only $23.16 in the bids.  Commissioner Travers seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

                       

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Resolution for Granting a Tax Abatement for Real Property Taxes for Palisades, LLC (Modification)—Ned Nabb reported that this resolution requests a quarterly report as required by the Circuit Court.  Last week it was stated that the report would be a monthly report.  Commissioner Atkinson made a motion to pass the resolution (Resolution 01-020) granting a tax abatement for real property taxes for Palisades, LLC.  Commissioner Travers seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.  This is a modification to Resolution 01-015 passed on August 6, 2001.

 

Introduction of Annexation Resolution for Area East of Cambridge on Route 50—Rob Collison reported that the City has received petition and consent for annexation from a number of property owners.  It appears the City will have a sufficient number to attempt to annex the property out to Oak Hill Road, just past the Cambridge Inn on the south side of US Route 50 east of MD Route 16.  The City will proceed with the formal preparation of the meets and bounds descriptions of that area.  The only other issue is the small pocket of about four properties along Woods Road that were never annexed into the City.  The expense of extending the water and sewer lines will be discussed next week.  Mayor Rippons said that the City has received several requests for annexation.  Some of the requests are rather large areas.  Annexation issues will be discussed on the third Monday in November.  Rob Collison will discuss the legal constraints and David Pritchett will outline some of the funding mechanisms and what it will cost the City to allow the properties into the City.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Request From Wal-Mart to Set Up Lawn and Garden Merchandising Area in Their Parking Lot in the Spring of 2002—Rob Collison reported that last year the Planning and Zoning Office sent Wal-Mart a letter stating that this year they would have to apply for a variance from the parking requirements because they will be eliminating some of their required parking spaces.  He suggested referring the request to the Planning and Zoning Department so they can prepare the necessary documentation for the Board of Zoning Appeals.  Commissioner Travers made a motion to refer the request to Planning and Zoning.  Commissioner Weldon seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

Approve Financial Statement for September 2001—Commissioner Watkins made a motion to approve the financial statement for September 2001.  Commissioner Travers seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

 

Commissioner Bohlen complimented the organizers of the Veterans Recognition Day event at Sailwinds Park and the Dorchester Elks Lodge 223 for their parade.

 

Commissioner Watkins thanked the organizers of the Elks Parade, which was a huge success.

 

Commissioner Weldon stated that two more young people from our community represent Cambridge with the Ravens Marching Band.  They are Darian Cornish and Scott Cheesman from Cambridge South Dorchester High School.

 

Commissioner Atkinson reported that fall clean-up has been completed.  The citizens disposed of 24 tons of trash making a total of 59 tons between the spring and fall clean-ups.  He thanked all the folks who contributed and the employees of the Department of Public Works for picking it up.

 

The City had six court cases on October 24 for people who have been issued citations for various housing violations.  All parties were found guilty.  Commissioner Atkinson asked the press to publish the names.

 

Commissioner Atkinson thanked the press for the excellent coverage of the Veterans Recognition Day at Sailwinds Park this past Saturday.

 

Commissioner Travers thanked the Department of Public Works for the excellent job they did picking up the trash in the Fifth Ward on Saturday morning.  They removed four tons of trash.

 

Commissioner Weldon made a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel following the meeting.  Commissioner Bohlen seconded it.  The motion was passed unanimously.

 

Mayor Rippons enjoyed the Elks Parade on Saturday.  He was impressed with the number of people who participated in and attended the parade.  He congratulated the Elks for their efforts in producing this successful event.

 

 

With no further business, Mayor Rippons adjourned this portion of the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

 

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate account of the Council meeting Monday, October 29, 2001, insofar as I personally am aware.

 

                                               

Edwin C. Kinnamon

Clerk & Treasurer