MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 5, 1999

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Thomas A. Gross, Sr., Mabel Mumford-Pautz and J. Brian Kirby, Police Chief Wayne Bradley, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey as if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes from the meeting of March 15, 1999. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be approved as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey called on Chief Bradley for the police report. Chief Bradley gave the report for the month of March. He also announced the basketball game between the Chestertown Police Department and the Kent County Sheriff's Department on Thursday, April 8, 1999 at 7 p.m. at the Middle School. Mayor Bailey said this game will be filmed for Channel 3.

Mayor Bailey said the Fire Company has been giving us a report each month of the fire calls they get. She read the report which stated there were 31 fire calls, 11 in Town, 15 in the County, and 5 out of the County. The total estimated property value involved in the fire calls was $4,220,000 and they logged in 338 man hours. During the first quarter they had 111, 40 in Town, 50 in the County and 21 out of the County traveling 2553 miles. She thanked the fire company for all the work they do and said the reports will be in the Town Office.

Mayor Bailey asked Lex Fry if she wished to speak on the SOS project. Ms. Fry said the Town had allowed the Family Support Center to apply for the Community Development Block Grant. She said they were informed that they were not funded in the current round but they have gotten phone calls since telling them they were partially funded. They were invited to apply in the July 1, they will be prioritized for funding in that round. She said they were requesting that the Town again allow them to be the subrecipient in the July round and pass a resolution approving that. She said they have been granted a bond issue bill and the Senate was still negotiating that bill upward. She said they have been granted operating funds for the next fiscal year as a new center in the amount of $358,000. She said those funds are tied to identification and a timely move to a permanent facility. She said they have a one time award of $150,000 from the Local Management Board and an award of $50,000 a year operating expenses for five years under a Vision program. She said the settlement for the purchase of the property was contingent on the Block Grant so they are negotiating with the sellers regarding the sale of the property. She said Delegate Conway stated they would currently receive at least $68,000 to complete the architectural preparations and that they should go forward with that and submit for full funding in July.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked what more the public and the Town do. Ms. Fry said they need to work on hard matching dollars for the Block Grant, hoping for dollars from the County and in-kind from the Town. She said she will again be looking for support letters from the Town. Mayor Bailey asked for a motion to allow the Family Support Center to again apply for a Block Grant through the Town. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the Family Support Center be permitted to submit the Block Grant application in July and that the Mayor be authorized to sign any documents necessary. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and the motion carried by a vote of 4 in favor, Mr. Gross abstained as his wife serves on the Board. Mr. Ingersoll asked whether the legislature would allow the Block Grant (Federal funds) as a match to the State bond issue funds. Ms. Fry said it was a good question and they did use that in reverse when asking for the bond bill.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the Town has been awarded Tree City USA for the 19th straight year. He said we have also received a Maryland PLANT Community which was similar to the Tree City award. He said Arbor Day ceremony would be on Tuesday, April 27, 1999 at 1:15 p.m. probably at the Court House. He said the Town would plant a new Yoshino cherry tree in the Fountain Park to replace one that has died. Mayor Bailey read and signed the Arbor Day Proclamation.

Mr. Ingersoll read a permit request from the Blue Heron to allow them to have outdoor dining on the court area between the restaurant and the Chesapeake Land Co. building. The request also included the serving of alcoholic beverages along with food service. He said all outdoor dining permits are granted on a probationary basis as long as there are no problems. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the permit be granted to the Blue Heron for outdoor dining including the alcoholic beverages and was seconded by Mr. Bristoll. Mr. Kirby asked if the serving of alcohol outside was permitted under the license. Mr. Ingersoll said he will check with Mr. Stetson. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll reported that the State Highway Administration has additional funds available for the retrofit sidewalk program. He said they have offered Chestertown $25,000 in addition to the $8500 previously committed for FY99. All money must be spent through June 30, 1999. Mr. Ingersoll said there was a lot of work to be done on Rts. 213 and 291 and we will get it done. He said there are connections to be made between the shopping centers and between the College and 291. We can paint or stripe entrances to alert pedestrians to vehicle entrances. He said we will go around the bend at Crestar Bank to have pedestrians cross the road away from the intersection. Mr. Gross asked if there were plans for the proposed sidewalks. Mr. Ingersoll said he had drawings for what the Town wanted to do in the future. He said we will do what we have plans for during the time available.

Mr. Ingersoll said that a permit request has been submitted for the Jazz Festival for Friday, September 10, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and for Saturday, September 11 from noon to 7 p.m. He said it will be the same as last year. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the permit be granted, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll said the Chester River Craft and Art group would like to have a public event on Sunday, May 16, 1999 from 1 to 5 p.m. and block 120 feet of Cannon Street along the length of the shipyard. The event will include the sale of food and beer the same as last year. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the permit be granted as requested, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll said there will be a Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage on April 24, 1999 in the Town and County. The committee has requested that the 100 North and South blocks of Water Street be blocked during the tour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents will be permitted to go in and out but it would be closed to other traffic. Mr. Bristoll moved that this be approved, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll said he has advertised for bids for the street paving work in Foxley Manor, Washington Park and the 100 block of N. Water Street. The bids are due April 16, 1999 at noon.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said there was one block of Cannon and one of Elm Street that need to be done. Mayor Bailey said that the lot at the Old Wharf was bad. Mr. Ingersoll said that was a private lot, but if the Town was moving crusher run stone and the owner requested it, we could dump a load of stone and they could pay for it.

Mr. Ingersoll asked the Council when they wished to have the budget workshop meeting. The Council agreed to meet at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 17, 199 before the regular meeting.

Mr. Ingersoll reported that lights are on at the foot of High Street. He said we got a letter from one resident who felt the lights were too bright. He asked the Council to go there at night and give him an opinion on the brightness and measures can be taken to block light from one direction, put them on timers or reduce the wattage.

Mr. Ingersoll said he would ask the Council to hold an executive session to discuss park acquisition and request to purchase surplus property. Mr. Bristoll moved that an executive session be held following the meeting pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland and was seconded by Mr. Gross who also had a personnel matter to discuss. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Mr. Ingersoll said we have been advised by the State that our bond issue has been approved for the foot of High Street in the amount of $100,000.

Mrs. Hornaday said the George Washington Garden project was a program where people can plant their own gardens. She said it was a townwide event. Mr. Ingersoll said under the Waterfront Committee report the entrance to Wilmer Park was addressed and he said he thought that would be a good place to landscape. He said he felt there should be a gate that pedestrians can pass through but vehicles cannot always get through.

Mr. Bristoll asked about the recent meeting of the Cable TV Committee. He said Falcon had sent out a notice of a rate increase and asked if the Committee had any report on this. Mr. Ingersoll reported on the meeting and said he had minutes for the Council if they wanted them. He said the Committee met with Falcon representatives, did not talk about regulating rates, but did find out they have been bought out partly by TCI and have a cable agreement with AT&T. ATT&T will push for more fiber optics and TCI will back them on upgrading older systems. It was reiterated that Falcon must rebuild the system or show proof that they will before any franchise agreement was signed. We told them Channel 3 has to be upgraded and even discussed having live meetings. Mr. Bristoll said their letter states that new rates will be effective June 1, 1999 subject to the local regulatory process. Mr. Ingersoll said there was no local regulatory process, it had been deregulated and would be illegal for us to try to regulate the rates.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she understood some work had to be done at the fountain. She also said that people arrive before 7 a.m. to set up at the Farmers' Market and some are still there after 2 p.m. She asked if the Town ever considered moving it to the other park as there was an ongoing traffic problem. She questioned vendors selling soap though the fragrances are made from fruit and vegetables but she did not see how that fits in the Farmers' Market. Mr. Ingersoll said he was not aware of people coming that early and staying that late in the day. He said Mr. McCoy does a good job of regulating the vendors at the market. Mr. Ingersoll said Mr. McCoy could come in to explain the decisions on the vendors. He said we need to let some of the areas rest because of the use. He said one vendor sodded an area they used a year or so ago which was nice, but they may need to be moved off that area to allow grass to come up.

Mr. Ingersoll said this is the 100th anniversary of the fountain (Aug. 14) and a local restoration painter will submit an estimate to us. He said the fountain will have to be tented this summer to get it ready by August 14. He said the last time it was sand blasted, some paint was put over some failing paint and the paint was coming off.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz asked about the gift of the bandstand. Mr. Ingersoll said there was a Garden Club member and her husband on the Rotary and the bandstand would not go in the Fountain Park but in Wilmer Park. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said the band director wants it in the Fountain Park. She said this was a help to the stores. Mayor Bailey said it would have to be small in order to have it fit in the park and that might not hold the band. Mr. Bristoll said we need to find out what size bandstand was being discussed, what size was needed for our summer concerts. He said he understood the Rotary was waiting for us to tell them what was needed. Mr. Ingersoll said a portable one had also been discussed.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz mentioned the Eastern Shore Association Dinner on April 20, 1999 at the Suicide Bridge Restaurant. She said the elections will be held then and everyone needs to attend.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said under our trash ordinance trash cans are required. She said no other Town allows bags to be put out and when bags are used the trash is quickly scattered by animals. Mr. Ingersoll said if the Council wants to enforce using cans we would have to announce it and give people time to get the cans. He said people have to get prepared. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz discussed grass cutting, trash clean up and window and doors that have to be secured on empty properties otherwise owners may be fined. Mayor Bailey said the Police Department will go around Town and photograph properties that are in violation and owners will be notified and fined.

Mayor Bailey said that Scott's Point Marina has requested permission to have their party until midnight on Tea Party night as they have done in the past. She said there were no problems with the event last year and it was a no cost public event. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that permission be granted as in the past, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey read a notice of a liquor license hearing for the Village Tavern to be held on April 13, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners Hearing Room.

Mayor Bailey read an invitation to the Mayor and Council from the Chestertown Arts League to their Juried Art Show from April 11 to 25 at the Gibson Fine Arts Center. The opening reception will be Sunday, April 11 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Mayor Bailey said she had some information about the UStar transportation system from Carl Burke. The service began March 22, 1999 between apartments and developments and various shopping areas. She said the schedule and costs would be in the office for anyone interested and this type of information will be at the kiosk on upper High Street as soon as we get it.

Mayor Bailey reported on an interesting report on the Economic and Fiscal Impact of Local Historic Districts in Maryland. She said copies had been distributed to the Council. She said tourism impact on Chestertown - 31,000 visitors spending $9 million; tourism impact on jobs - 133 jobs with $2.4 million in wages; tax revenue almost $300,000. She said this was a business in Chestertown's Historic District. The report said historic district properties represent 1/3 of the properties in Town and their full market value was $76,000,000. She said property values in the Historic District go up about 26.8% per year where outside the district they go up 15.4% a year. She said the investment of tax dollars in the historic district brings back revenues to the Town. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said it was not just the downtown but also the 500 bl. of High Street, College Avenue and 500 bl. of Cannon Street are neglected and she would like to see more effort to enforce owners there to meet the guidelines. Mrs. Hornaday said Garnett School has a Historic Tour and more properties up in the school area should be encouraged to improve.

Mr. Ingersoll said 400 High Street was being put up for a Smart Growth Award and they have asked the Town to support it. He said with the Council's permission he would send a letter support the award for 400 High Street. Mr. Bristoll moved that a letter of support be sent, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey read an invitation to the opening of an exhibit at the Chestertown Bank Gallery on Thursday, April 8, 1999 from 5 to 7 p.m., works by Anne Klinefelter and Joy Roth.

Mayor Bailey read a Proclamation for the MS Annual Walk on April 10, 1999 which starts at 9:45 a.m.. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz will present the proclamation on behalf of the Town. Mr. Bristoll said that on January 12 the Council discussed the Welcome to Chestertown signs proposed by the Chamber of Commerce. He said Chestertown had decided not to contribute $200 for the signs, however, we are the only Town not participating. He had a drawing of the sign and stated that Chestertown's name would be listed first here and the other towns and groups would be listed below. He said he would like to reopen the issue and moved that Chestertown contribute $200 for the sign. Mayor Bailey said the current sign viewed coming into Town from the south was shabby. She said the would like to look later at the sign coming from the north. She said she would like to see the Town join the other towns and do the project together. She asked if the Council wanted to do this. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said we need one from the north and coming in Rt. 20. Mr. Ingersoll said we could back to the State and ask for the other signs. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz seconded the motion. The vote was 3 in favor, Mr. Gross and Mr. Kirby opposed. Mayor Bailey said State Highway had already suggested some Welcome to Chestertown signs from 213 north. Mr. Gross said he would also suggest signs on 291 and Rt. 20 as one approaches the Town. Mayor Bailey said she would like to get into the State Highway program that has signs with the Maryland flags and attractions and we could have Chestertown attractions listed on Rt. 301 for example.

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

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:55 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman (Stenographer)

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey (Mayor)