Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:45 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 and executive session of July 10, 2000. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be approved as submitted, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held on Monday, July 10, 2000 at 8:05 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. The meeting was called to discuss a contractual and a personnel matter. The Mayor and Council voted unanimously on the contractual matter. The vote on the personnel matter to hire a reserve police officer was 4 in favor and one abstention. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Minutes were taken and are part of the record.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Mayor and Council has cash on hand and in banks on July 17, 2000 of $413,759.93.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll said he had the Sultana and Echo Hill agreements to be discussed and asked that the Council hold an executive session following the meeting. Mr. Bristoll moved that an executive session be held following the meeting pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland to discuss the contractual matter. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz. Mr. Kirby said he had a personnel matter he would like to discuss and asked that it be included in the executive session. The vote on the motion and amendment was unanimous.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had met with a regional representative for Charter Communications. He said following his conversation with Chris Fenger (formerly with Simmons Cable), Mr. Fenger attended a meeting in St. Louis and talked to an east coast manager for Charter. The east coast manager sent the representative in today to discuss what would happen between now and the rebuild of the system in the next year and a half. Mr. Ingersoll said he asked them for additional technicians to make needed repairs until the rebuild. He said some organizational changes are being made and the head of the Middletown area office, who is more of a technician, will be running this area. Mr. Ingersoll said he reiterated to Charter that we would not sign a franchise agreement until we see the specifications and a performance bond for the rebuild. Mr. Bristoll said the Town asked that a mailing be done to all customers stating the options and services and he did not think it had been done. Mr. Ingersoll said he will follow up on that as he did not think it had been done.

Mr. Ingersoll said we are holding off on the street paving due to the high costs of oil. He said we are preparing areas with concrete curb and gutter to make the job smoother when the paving work is done.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions. Mr. Bristoll asked if the band stand committee had met. Mr. Ingersoll said not since the location was decided. Mr. Bristoll said he would suggest they meet and get started since the Rotary Club was told they would get further information from us.

Mr. Bristoll asked what was going on at the intersection of Rt. 213 and 291. Mr. Ingersoll said the State Highway was putting brick patterned concrete around each of the islands and will keep landscaped areas in the middle and either drop the middle or plant lower growing plants. He said they showed him samples of the concrete but not the entire plan for the intersection. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she saw a handicapped person who seemed very pleased using the sidewalk and ramps on Washington Avenue. She said it all worked well. She complimented Mr. Ingersoll on his hard work following up on her lists of work to be done in the third ward.

Mayor Bailey stated that a community meeting would be held on Tuesday, July 18, 2000 at Bethel AME Church at 6:30 p.m. She said this was an important meeting for people to attend to submit ideas for grant projects for the coming year for the Vickers Park area. She said this area was formerly called the Hot Spots Area. He said Hot Spots was an unfortunate term that labels a section of town and the people who live there and the area will now be called the Vickers Park area. She said the meeting was open to anyone in Town with ideas and problems and things that can be done to improve the community.

Mayor Bailey announced that a public economic development meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2000 at 2 p.m. in the County Commissioners Hearing Room. The appraisal session will be sponsored by the Maryland Economic Development Commission, Maryland Technology Development Corporation, the Kent County Economic Development Board and the Kent County Commissioners. She said the objectives of the group are to focus on strategic plans to strengthen Maryland's business climate, create, retain and attract jobs and aggressively market Maryland's advantages and opportunities.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions or comments. There being none, she asked the Council to review the bills. Mr. Bristoll moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mr. Bristoll moved that the meeting be adjourned at 7:57 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman
Stenographer