MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:42 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., W. Whaland Clark, Mabel Mumford-Pautz and J. Brian Kirby, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes of the meeting of January 3, 2000 be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey announced that the Mayor and Council has cash on hand an in banks on January 18, 2000 of $314,188.10.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll said that the figure just read by the Mayor had been reduced by $450,000 this week as the Town settled on the park property. He said all of the funds except $50,000 will be reimbursed within two weeks. He said the property between the new Chestertown Landing project and Rolling Road was purchased from Kent and Queen Anne's Hospital for an open park. He said we had $100,000 of funding from Kent County. He said in twenty years we will look back and be glad that we put aside some land for green space and public recreation.

Mr. Ingersoll said the Environmental Review was done for the SOS project. There was a finding of no significant impact on removing the buildings at the former Barker's corner and replacing them with a Family Support Center. He said that clears the way for the release of the $440,000 and they want to settle by March 15. Mayor Bailey thanked Mr. Ingersoll for all the work he did on getting the grant through. Mr. Ingersoll said that Linda Walls from Just Cause also helped with the environmental report.

Mr. Ingersoll said he had some notes on the Cannon Street pier but he would hold those until the discussion of the pier at a meeting to follow at the close of the regular meeting.

Mr. Ingersoll said the Chamber of Commerce's Neighborhood Business Development Program Grant was denied by DHCD. The grant was for $150,000. He said they gave four reasons for denying the grant. He said it was an important cog to having the Visitor's Center but we will proceed with other grant sources. He said the Council has decided that at least two thirds or three quarters of this project will be funded by grant before we start using Town funds or funds from the hotel taxes. Mayor Bailey said one of their reasons for denial was they thought this could be funded from another sources so she will start tracking down other sources.

Mayor Bailey asked for a vote on the reappointment of Jane Scott to the Tree Committee. Mr. Bristoll moved that Jane Scott be reappointed to the Tree Committee, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey announced reappointments for vote at the next meeting. She said reappointments to the Ethics Commission are Dave Sandebeck and Evelyn Castillo and reappointments to the Historic District Commission are Kees deMooy, Robert Tyson, Paul Boertlein and Patsy Hornaday. She said the Council had been given a resume from Marsha Fritz whom she would like to appoint to the Planning Commission to fill Whaland Clark term. She said the Council will vote on these appointments at the next meeting.

Mayor Bailey stated there will be a COG luncheon on Wednesday, January 19, 2000 at noon at P. E. Pruitt's in Rock Hall. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz will attend for Chestertown.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she wanted to go back to the reappointments. She said there appears to be names missing. She said she wants to review the Historic District Commission members and Ethics Commission. She said she would like to have the names brought up on February 7 and vote at the following meeting. Mr. Bristoll asked why. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she would like to have some discussion with the Mayor before she votes. Mayor Bailey she will get together with Mrs. Mumford-Pautz to discuss the reappointments.

Mayor Bailey said the Eastern Shore Legislative Dinner will be Tuesday, January 25, 2000 at Annie's Steak House beginning at 6 p.m. She asked that the Council let the office know who would like reservations.

Mayor Bailey said the first Beautification Committee Town and Trowel lecture will be Sunday, January 23, 2000 at 2 p.m. at the White Swan Tavern.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any further questions or comments before the meeting to discuss the pier. There being no further business, she asked for a motion to pay the bills. Mr. Bristoll moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the meeting be adjourned at 7:50 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor