BOONSBORO MAYOR AND COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016
The Mayor and Council of Boonsboro held their Regular Meeting on Monday, May 2, 2016 in the Eugene C. Smith Community Center. In attendance were Mayor Charles Kauffman, Assistant Mayor Howard Long, Council Members Janeen Solberg, Cynthia Kauffman, Sean Haardt and Barbara Wetzel. Also present were Town Manager Megan Clark and Police Chief Charles Stanford. The meeting convened at 7:00 PM with the pledge and the invocation offered by Mayor Kauffman.
· Motion by Council Member Solberg, second by Council Member Kauffman to approve the April 4, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes, the April 14, 2016 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes, the April 25, 2016 Workshop Meeting Minutes and the April 25, 2016 Executive Workshop Meeting Minutes, and motion carried.
· Motion by Assistant Mayor Long, second by Council Member Kauffman to approve the April 2016 Treasurer’s Report, and motion carried.
o General Fund Certificate of Deposit Maturity – Assistant Mayor and Treasurer Long stated 2 certificates of deposit totaling $54,835.64 had matured and he is recommending to reinvest the funds at Columbia Bank since they offer the most competitive rate. Motion by Council Member Kauffman, second by Assistant Mayor Long to approve the opening of a General Fund Certificate of Deposit at Columbia Bank in the amount of $54,835.64, and motion carried.
· Motion by Assistant Mayor Long, second by Council Member Kauffman, to approve the April 2016 Bills to be Paid Report, and motion carried.
GUESTSBettie Hull, Miss Poppy Proclamation: The Mayor presented the Proclamation to Hannah Culver, Miss Poppy 2016. Motion by Council Member Kauffman, second by Council Member Wetzel to approve the 2016 Miss Poppy Proclamation, and motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Julie Green – Stated that she and Lorena Wyand prepared food for after the meeting and thanked Mayor Kauffman for his years of service to the Town.
Laura Kirby – Inquired as why there were changes proposed to the sanitation without education for the community.
Bob Deener – Asked for a follow-up on the traffic issues on North Main Street. Council Member Haardt provided an update on issues.
Marilee Kerns – Stated she has heard from Boonsboro residents that they do not want trash containers, stating that they are impractical, hard for the elderly to transport and not going to solve the problem. She commented on the costs of sanitation and the need for education.
Rick Byrd – Stated that while he was campaigning he heard a lot of good about the new 3-way stop sign at Ford Avenue and St. Paul Street and was questioned why there was not a stop sign at Lakin Avenue. Stated that he is focusing on the traffic issues in Town.
Ginger Bigelow - Inquired about the regulations for voting in the Town and the procedure for a vacancy.
Bonnie Springs – Introduced herself and stated that she is running for Council. Stated that she decided to get involved to leave something for the youth of the community. Stated that she is concerned about the traffic in Boonsboro, the type of retail coming in to Town, noting that she has been in retail for 40 years
Barinda Golden – Stated that Mayor Kauffman is like a Care Bear and thanked him for his service.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
Assistant Mayor Long
· Stated that he attended many Town meetings and events during the month, including the Off-Track Betting Public Hearing and the Arbor Day event in Shafer Park
· Stated that he attended the South Mountain Little League Opening Day Ceremony
· Stated that he the Tri-County Council Meeting in Cumberland and the MML Board of Directors Meeting
Council Member Haardt:
· Stated that he attended many Town meetings and events during the month
· Stated that he attended the Public Hearing held by the Maryland Racing Commission regarding the Off-Track Betting
· Extended his gratitude and thank you to Mayor Kauffman
Council Member Wetzel:
· Stated she attended many Town meetings and events during the month, including the Off-Track Betting Public Hearing and the Arbor Day event in Shafer Park
Council Member Solberg:
· Stated that she attended many Town meetings and events during the month, including the Off-Track Betting Public Hearing and the Arbor Day event in Shafer Park
· Stated that she met Mayor Kauffman at the Fundraising meeting for the new Library and extended her thank you to him for his service to the Town
· Stated that she has been working on plans for Green Fest, which will be held on May 7
· Stated that she attended the ‘Godspell’ production at Boonsboro High School
Council Member Kauffman:
· Stated that she attended many Town meetings and events during the month, including the Arbor Day event in Shafer Park and the Tree Meeting in Shafer Park
· Stated that she attended the South Mountain Little League Opening Day Ceremony
· Stated that she attended the Lions Club and Leo Club Meetings, as well as the Scout Recognition
· Stated that she attended the ‘Godspell’ production at Boonsboro High School and the Talent Show at Boonsboro Middle School
Mayor Kauffman:
· Stated that he attended the South Mountain Little League Opening Day Ceremony
· Stated that he volunteered with Micha’s Backpack
· Stated that he attended the Board Meeting for the Keedysville Schoolhouse
· Stated that he attended the Arbor Day event in Shafer Park and the Eagle Scout Ceremony for Schaffer
· Stated that he attended the ‘Godspell’ production at Boonsboro High School and the Talent Show at Boonsboro Middle School
· Stated that he received a telephone call from Senator Ben Cardin thanking him for his years of service as Mayor
Police Department Report – Chief Stanford. The Police Department received 419 calls for service, which included 162 motor vehicle violator contacts for the month of April 2016. There were 2 adult criminal arrests, 1 adult traffic arrests, 0 juvenile arrests and 0 juvenile traffic arrests. Stated that the Department collected 4.05 pounds of prescription drugs through the Drug Turn-In Program for the month of April. Stated that all of the Police Department staff participated in In-Service Training during the month.
NEW BUSINESS
Police Memorandum of Understanding:Town Manager Clark stated Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore presented a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Municipalities of Washington County and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office to assist in the resolving of any possible future serious and/or disputed Police liability concerns at the May Workshop Meeting. She stated that the MOU would provide for the outside review and investigation of local criminal cases where Boonsboro Police judgement could be questioned, such as in the event of an in-custody injury or death. She stated that Chief Stanford is also recommending the approval of the proposed MOU, noting that other Washington County communities are also participating in this effort. Motion by Council Member Wetzel, second by Council Member Kauffman approve the Police Memorandum of Understanding, and motion carried.
Introduction of Ordinance 2016-02; Fiscal Year 2017 Water, Sewer and General Fund Budgets: Town Manager Clark stated that is it a Maryland law for all Municipalities to adopt their Fiscal Year Budget by Ordinance. She stated that she is recommending the Introduction of Ordinance 2016-02; Fiscal Year 2017 Water, Sewer and General Fund Budgets with the Public Hearing scheduled for May 24, 2016 at 6:30PM before the May Workshop meeting. Motion by Council Member Wetzel, second by Council Member Solberg to approve the Introduction of Ordinance 2016-02; Fiscal Year 2017 Water, Sewer and General Fund Budgets and the scheduling of the Public Hearing for Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 6:30PM, and motion carried.
Recommendation to Award Bid; Clock Tower Rehabilitation: Town Manager Clark stated that the Council reviewed the one (1) bid that was received for the Clock Tower Rehabilitation Project from Steeples Plus, Inc. at the April Workshop Meeting for the exterior tower painting rehabilitation at a not to exceed cost of $9,000 and the interior clock repair and rehabilitation for the cost of $7,000. She stated that she is recommending that the Project be awarded to Steeples Plus, Inc. Motion by Council Member Kauffman, second by Council Member Solberg to award the Clock Tower Rehabilitation Project to Steeples Plus, Inc. for the total cost of $16,000, and motion carried.
Annual Planning and Zoning Report: Town Manager Clark presented the 2015 Planning and Zoning Annual Report, in accordance with the Land Use Article Section 1-207 of the Maryland Annotated Code. She stated that the Planning Commission has reviewed the Report and is recommending its approval. Motion by Assistant Mayor Long, second by Council Member Wetzel to approve the 2015 Planning and Zoning Annual Report, and motion carried.
COMMISSION REPORTS
Public Safety Commission – S. Haardt. Meeting held on April 21, 2016. David Lehr attended the meeting to discuss the unsafe parking situation in the new Park lot near the Police Department and sport fields during sport events. Discussions included reducing the speed limit on Park Drive and Shafer Park Drive, the new 3-way stop sign at Ford Avenue and Lakin Avenue, the PSC Fiscal Year 2017 Budget, plans to discuss street issues with the State Highway Administration, the issue of people vaping and smoking in Shafer Park, ongoing traffic issues in Town, plans for National Night Out 2016, and the plans to have red curbing in Town, especially near fire hydrants, repainted.
Park Board –C. Kauffman. Meeting held on April 27, 2016. Discussions included updates on the Wagon Train event on May 22and the Fishing Derby on May 7, plans for the Independence Day Celebration on July 1, plans for the Family Movie Night scheduled for June 18 in the field behind the Police Department, the approval to purchase a 2-sided message board for $843 and additional blue metal benches for the new Park area, and the upcoming Joint Meeting with the Environmental Commission on May 25.
Utilities Commission –B. Wetzel. Meeting held on April 14, 2016. Discussions included an update on the Sewer I&I Project, an update on the proposed drying bed/sludge treatment facility options, the approval to recommend the Fiscal Year 2017 Water and Sewer Budgets to the Mayor and Council, the approval to recommend the proposed development of Battlefield Estates on Orchard Drive to the Planning Commission, an update on the Commercial meter analysis, the approval to purchase a water leak equipment trailer for $4,413.20, and the approval to purchase 125 residential water meters.
Planning Commission –H. Long. Meeting held on April 26, 2016. Discussions included the Request for Zoning Text Amendment from Jessica Renner, of 112 Lakin Avenue, to amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow 6 to 12 chickens per property, remove the required action of permission from neighbors and remove the regulations regarding the coop; the Commission agreed that there is not enough interest or need to amend the Ordinance, the approval of the Preliminary Plan for Battlefield Estates on Orchard Drive contingent upon the $1,450/EDU fee in lieu of payment for sewer mitigation, technical engineering comments being addressed and applicable agency approvals, Forest Bank and Public Works Agreement, the approval to recommend the Request for Variance of rear setback at 318 East Wing Way to the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the approval to recommend the 2015 Planning and Zoning Report to the Mayor and Council.
Economic Development Commission –J. Solberg. Meeting held on April 27, 2016. Discussions included the Shop Local Campaign, the Fiscal Year 2017 EDC Budget, the 80th Washington Monument and 225th Town of Boonsboro Anniversaries combined celebration proposal date of July 4, 2017, plans for the MML Municipal Main Street booth at the MML Convention, the motion to submit Josie’s on Main as the Town’s recipient of the National Small Business Week nomination to the Washington County EDC and Washington County Department of Business Development, upcoming CVB events, the approval to contribute $150 to assist with the cost of the shuttle bus for Girls Night Out on May 19, The next Networking Breakfast will be held at Vesta on May 20 at 7:30AM with guest speaker Town Manager Megan Clark. The next EDC Meeting will be on June 22 in the Town Annex.
Environmental Commission –B. Schmidt. Meeting held on April 12, 2016. Discussions included an update on the 2016 Farmer’s Market, the Community Garden, the scheduling of a Joint Meeting with the Park Board on May 25, 2016, and Subcommittee Reports.
Town Manager Report – M. Clark.
· Stated that Dollar General is slated to begin construction this week
· Stated that the Easterday Development construction is underway for utilities only
· Stated that AC&T will begin construction in June
· Stated that the Salt Facility, at the Yard Debris Site, will be constructed in June
· Stated that the Town Annex Retrofit Project is underway and will be completed by the June 6th Mayor and Council Meeting
· Stated that Water and Sewer Operator Jim DeGrange was named the “Operator of the Year by the Maryland Rural Water Association, and he and Superintendent Pete Shumaker attended the Annual Conference in Ocean City, Maryland