MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:35 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, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of February 7, Special Meeting of February 7, and Executive Sessions of February 7, 2000. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be approved as presented, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held on Monday, February 7, 2000 at 6:40 p.m. pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The entire Mayor and Council were present and voted unanimously to go into executive session which was called to discuss a legal matter. The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. and minutes were taken and are part of the record. Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held on Monday, February 7, 2000 at 8:20 p.m. pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The entire Mayor and Council was present and voted unanimously to go into executive session to discuss a contractual matter. The action was taken by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. and minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mayor Bailey reported that the Mayor and Council has cash on hand and in banks on February 7, 2000 of $292,502.39.

Mayor Bailey said the Chestertown Fire Company has submitted their annual report for 1999. They responded to 510 calls last year, 216 in Chestertown, 207 in the County, and 87 out of the County. During January 2000 the Fire Company had 36 calls.

Mayor Bailey read a Proclamation declaring March Red Cross Month in Chestertown. Present to accept the Proclamation were Tom Groce, Mary Ellen Williams, Michele Houstin and Rob Andrews representing the local Red Cross Chapter.

Mayor Bailey asked for an executive session following the meeting to discuss a contractual matter. Mr. Bristoll moved that an executive session be held pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey introduced Judy Berry, Project Manager for the proposed Kent County Community Center. Also present were project team members, Arlene Lee, Jeff Troester, Chip MacLeod, Faye Miller, Carl Burke, Ed Athey, Jr., Architect Tom Becker, and Mike Newnam. She said the committee was looking for information from the community and that was the purpose of the presentations to the various Town meetings. She distributed packets of information to the Mayor and Council and audience.

Mr. MacLeod reviewed the history of how the project got to this point. He stated that the agencies involved worked together to develop a plan for a center that would serve the needs of all ages, child care, after school programs, senior center, teen center, etc. He said the plan was a concept plan for a community center as it was more than a recreation center. He said the County Commissioners are seeking input from the citizens on the building and on the location for the facility. He said the County would hire a traffic consultant to evaluate the traffic needs and problems.

Mr. Becker discussed the proposed plan for an 87,000 or 88,000 sq. ft. facility which would be used for a variety of activities for all ages. He stated that a site has not been chosen for the project, however, two under consideration are parcels already owned by government entities. One site was at Worton park owned by Kent County and the other site was on Morgnec Road in Chestertown (adjacent to the 18 acre park site purchased by the Town). He said ideally the proposed building would be located where it was supplemented by outdoor lighted fields.

Mr. MacLeod discussed the financing for the project (estimated at about $10 million) as the plan was shown. He stated that the State now has a surplus of funds and are looking for one-time projects and the County Commissioners will make an appeal to the Lt. Governor next week. He said that money would be requested on a 3 to 1 match. He said if the State would provide $7.5 million, he thought the balance being raised locally. He said that agencies currently using other buildings are paying rent and they would pay rent in a new facility. He said the State would also help with operating funds and operating funds from current programs would be transferred to this facility. He said the $200,000 that the County spends today on recreation programs would be transferred to run this facility. Arlene Lee said that the Local Management Board would subsidize the operating cost for the first three years up to $100,000 a year.

Mayor Bailey said there were a couple of issues on the location. The Governor's Smart Growth issue directs new growth around existing towns and villages. She said Worton may be considered a village or town, however, Chestertown does have the largest population and the largest growth proposed around its edges. She said Worton was a central county location but Chestertown was the population center. She said the other issue was the Hot Spots program and the children in the community who need this most are in Town and transportation to a Worton facility would be a problem. She said she did not know whether Worton would meet the income criteria for State funds. Mr. MacLeod said both Chestertown and Worton were priority funding areas, designated growth areas and "no comment" areas.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions or comments. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz stated she felt that the land the County owns in Worton should continue to be used for the outdoor fields. She said she could foresee neighbors being frightened by the thought of outdoor lighted fields in an area with the nursing home, Heron Point, single family residential and a new apartment development. She said, however, she would like to have the proposed community center facility in Chestertown.

Mr. Ingersoll commented that it was a shame that you can dream up a $10 million project and be welded to two sites just because the land was free. He said he met with the group at the beginning and it has really grown in scale from where it started. He said the Morgnec Road site was not the only site in and around Chestertown. He said he did not think the County owned the land in between the land the Town bought for a park and the Upper Shore Aging's pending purchase. Mr. MacLeod said that was correct. He said it was the County's for the taking, and he understood from Mr. Ingersoll that some of the Town park land might be used.

Mr. Bristoll said he agreed that no other sites should be excluded just because of saving a couple hundred thousand dollars or less for land costs. Mr. MacLeod said they would welcome suggestions for sites.

After comments and questions from the audience, Mayor Bailey thanked the County for the presentation and everyone for their comments.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll said he made a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce on the Visitor's Center. He said that on Wednesday, he would host children from the Middle School from 9:30 to noon under a mentoring program.

Mayor Bailey said at the last meeting that Dr. Seidel was nominated to fill an unexpired term on the Historic District Commission. She asked for a motion on the appointment. Mr. Bristoll moved that Dr. Seidel be appointed to fill an unexpired term, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey asked for a motion to reappoint Dave Sandebeck and Evelyn Castillo to the Ethics Commission. Mr. Kirby moved that Ms. Castillo be reappointed to the Ethics Commission, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously. Mr. Bristoll moved that Mr. Sandebeck be reappointed to the Ethics Commission, was seconded by Mr. Clark and the vote was 4 in favor, Mr. Kirby opposed.

Mayor Bailey said that a decision needs to be made on whether or not the Town will accept the gift of a band stand from the Rotary Club. She said the decision on a location would be made after some research is done. She asked the Council if the Town wants to accept the band stand. Mr. Kirby moved that the band stand be accepted and was seconded by Mr. Bristoll. Mr. Bristoll suggested that a committee be named of several people who are deeply involved, Mark Mumford, Marge Fallaw, Chairman of the Historic District and Planning Commissions to evaluate the proper location. Mayor Bailey asked for the vote. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Mayor Bailey said the committee was an excellent suggestion. She said she would ask two from the Planning Commission, two from the Historic District Commission, and three involved citizens.

Mayor Bailey announced that on March 22, 2000 at 7 p.m. at the County Commissioners Hearing Room there will be an informational meeting about the Kent County Land Use Ordinance. On March 23 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Hearing Room the County will have a question and answer session. She said these were very important meetings and citizens and local officials need to attend.

Mayor Bailey said the Family Support Center has asked the Town for a letter of support to the legislators for their application for a $500,000 bond bill. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the Town send letters of support, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bills. Mr. Bristoll moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that due to the late hour there would not be an executive session following the meetings.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the meeting be adjourned at 9:30 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman
Stenographer

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor