NOVEMBER 15, 1999

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Thomas A. Gross, Sr., 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 November 1, 1999. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be approved as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held on Monday, November 1, 1999 at 8:30 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 personnel matter. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 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 November 15, 1999 of $733,373.98.

Mayor Bailey said the first item on the agenda was presentation of the audit by Bud Wallace of Wallace and Co. Mr. Wallace distributed the audit. He stated that as a result of their audit of the financial statements they have issued an unqualified opinion which was the best type of opinion that can be issued. He said there was nothing uncovered that they deem necessary to disclose and the books and records are in good shape. Mr. Wallace said there was an increase in fund equity of all funds added together of approximately $377,000. This included about $215,000 in general fixed assets of the Town, about $99,000 increase in the pension trust and a small loss in the general fund of about $14,000 and the balance in the proprietary funds (Utilities Commission etc.). He said changes in long term debt were capital leases for vehicles of approximately $60,000 and repayment of a $235,000 short term loan to Chestertown Bank. He said there was a increase in the general fund taxes received, approximately $174,000 and an increase in intergovernmental revenue (primarily grant funds) of $108,000. He said the Utilities fund was able to meet its obligations and cover its noncash expenditure for depreciation of $242,000 and also to purchase approximately $99,000 in fixed assets, leaving an excess of $90,000. He said the Town was able to meet all its obligations, to complete capital projects and have cash available for cash flow in the general fund. He said with the County collecting the property taxes funds are received once a month and this seems to be working well. He said the Town seems to provide more and more services to the citizens and with all the new projects, seems to do it with not much increase in staff. He said he thought the Town was in excellent financial condition.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions. Mr. Kirby asked about a line item under public safety, he said there was a budget of $1000 and an actual $657. He asked what it meant that the $657 was in parenthesis. Mr. Wallace said he was not sure offhand what it might be but that was a positive figure. He said he could research it.

Mayor Bailey said the next item to be discussed was the preliminary design for the Cannon Street pier. Mr. Ingersoll said the Town had a $2500 grant for the pier design and the preliminary plans that have been prepared had used only a small portion of the grant funds. He said the engineer will get the comments of the Mayor and Council before he goes further with the plans. Drew McMullen from the Sultana and Andy McCown from Echo Hill Outdoor School were present. They gave written packets of information to the Mayor and Council.

Mr. McMullen gave a history of the Sultana project, the work they have done so far and their goals for the future. He said the plans were for a publicly owned public use pier at the foot of Cannon Street that would also include leased docking space for the two private non-profit organizations, Sultana and Echo Hill Outdoor School. He said as a significant user of the pier, the Sultana group was prepared to make a significant contribution to the construction costs (up to 50%) and to the ongoing maintenance costs of the pier. He said the details in a formal lease agreement can be worked out between the Town and their group.

Mr. McCown gave a history of the Echo Hill Outdoor School and discussed their programs involving classes on ships. He said they would like to provide programs for the Town which would give a greater opportunity for families and citizens that would not ordinarily be able to get out on the river. He said they would continue to load an unload students from the foot of High Street, but use the Cannon Street pier to anchor their boats.

Mr. McMullen said that the design presented was as small as possible, a pier that goes straight out parallel with the existing pier at the marina with docking space for the ships they had discussed. He said Mr. Rielley agreed that the design of the pier straight out did not interfere with his existing pier and running his business. Mr. Bristoll said the design was an improvement. He said he felt it was important that the public have access to the pier, that there be a dinghy dock and space for temporary docking. He said he understand there were more elaborate plans for the public use facilities. Mr. McMullen said he had told Mr. Lutrell not to include more details until the Mayor and Council had an opportunity to comment and put their input into the design. Mr. Bristoll asked if 8' was wide enough for the decking. Mr. McMullen said it was for their purposes and the marina piers were 6'.

Mayor Bailey asked if the Council was ready to move to approve the preliminary plan for this portion of the dock. Mr. Bristoll moved approval of the preliminary plans for the pier subject to further drawings being submitted for the public use facilities and was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz. Mr. Gross said he would like to see the public use facilities. Mayor Bailey said that will be added to the preliminary plans. The motion carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Ingersoll said he will meet with Dick Lutrell and go over with the Council what they feel was needed on the pier, such as a dinghy dock for transients and small boat dockage for a day. He said he thought Carter Stanton should be involved as he knows what has been provided at the foot of High Street.

Mr. McMullen said he would work with their attorney on a draft of an agreement with the Town and submit it next month.

Mayor Bailey said the next item was the Rotary Club to discuss a bandstand for a town park. Mr. Jack Stenger, Chairman of the Rotary's 75th anniversary committee was present. Mr. Stenger said in the year 2001 the Rotary Club would like to give a bandstand to the Town at a location selected by the Town. He presented a mockup design, a drawing and three photographs of bandstands in other towns. He said the approximate size they had in mind would be 20' x 20', or make it longer and more shallow. He said it would have lattice around the bottom and pull out platforms for a band. Mr. Stenger said he would leave the photos, drawing and mockup with the Council for their consideration. He said they estimate the cost at around $12,000 plus some electrical work. Mayor Bailey thanked Mr. Stenger and said the Council would discuss it among themselves and get back to the Rotary Club.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll read the minutes of the meeting of the Supervisors of Elections which stated that the following candidates will appear on the ballot for the December 13, 1999 Town election:

Second Ward: Carolyn Beachy, Peter H. Bourne, Whaland Clark
Fourth Ward: James R. Johnson, J. Brian Kirby, Susan W. Pritchett

Mayor Bailey read a letter from State's Attorney Robert Strong asking that the Town sign a Resolution and map designating the drug free school zones in accordance with Art. 27, Sec. 286.D. of the Maryland Annotated Code. Mr. Strong's letter stated he would use the resolutions and maps in order to prosecute criminal cases for trafficking of control dangerous substances alleged to have taken place within 1000 feet of school property. Mayor Bailey read the Resolution asked for a motion to adopt the Resolution and map. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the Resolution and Map be adopted, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that our companion city, Chester, Nova Scotia will again send us a Christmas tree for the lobby of Town Hall. He said we will send them an appropriate gift in return.

Mr. Ingersoll said he wanted to bring up the possibility of having the Friday after Thanksgiving as a holiday for all Town employees. He said the County has had that day as a holiday for several years. He said we removed Defenders' Day in September as a holiday this year as it was not a bank or County holiday. Mr. Ingersoll was asked if the day after Thanksgiving could replace the one given up in September. He said yes and there could be a skeleton crew in the office. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that Friday after Thanksgiving be a holiday for all town employees and was seconded by Mr. Gross. Mr. Bristoll said he thought the office should be open since it was not a Federal holiday, banks and post office will be open. Mayor Bailey asked if Mrs. Mumford-Pautz wished to amend the motion. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she would not amend her motion but wished all employees to have the holiday. The vote was passed, 4 in favor, Mr. Bristoll opposed.

Mr. Ingersoll asked if the Council wished to hold the Christmas decoration contest as we have done in the past. Mayor Bailey said we have given 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards for residential, 1st and 2nd for commercial, and 1st and 2nd for apartments. The Council agreed to do the same this year and the judging was set for Sunday evening, December 19, 1999. Mayor Bailey asked the Councilmembers to submit recommendations from their wards.

Mayor Bailey said while on holidays, she asked whether the parking meters would be enforced this year for the holiday season. Mr. Gross moved that the parking meters be free from Friday, November 26, 1999 until Monday, January 3, 1999, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any question of the Town Manager. Mr. Kirby asked if there was a leash law for dogs in effect at Wilmer Park or were dogs allowed to run loose. Mr. Ingersoll said they are not allowed to run loose. Mr. Kirby said people let dogs run wild in the park. Mr. Ingersoll said have the person call him and give him the time. Mr. Kirby said it was mostly between 4 and 5 p.m. Mr. Ingersoll said Doug Crites of the Humane Society came in and said he will work on day to day problems and he will call Mr. Crites.

Mr. Kirby asked if there was ever going to be a left hand turn signal coming out of N. Cross Street onto 213 going toward the bridge. Mr. Ingersoll said the State repainted the lanes but he did not think the State promised a left turn light. He said we can write and ask about that. He said he thought the State was still assessing whether the lane placement was going to work correctly.

Mayor Bailey said the COG meeting will be on Wednesday, November 17, 1999 at noon at Howard Johnson's in Millington.

Mayor Bailey said everyone had received a resume from John Honeywell who has volunteered to serve on the Tree Committee. She said there was a vacancy on that committee since Mick Wicks moved out of town. Mayor Bailey said they will vote on this appointment at the next meeting.

Mayor Bailey asked for a motion to accept the audit for the year ending June 30, 1999. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the audit be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously. Mayor Bailey read a letter from Mount Olive A.M.E. Church which was an invitation to the second "NIA" concert to support their building fund. The concert will be on Saturday, November 27, 1999 at 6 p.m. at the Kent County High School. Mr. Ingersoll said if it had been filmed it last year, we could have Earl French run part of it for publicity. Mayor Bailey said anyone who has ideas for cable programming, please let us know.

Mr. Ingersoll read a letter from Sam Martin inviting the Mayor and Council to tour the Stam Hall building on Wednesday at noon to see the renovation work that has been done. Mr. Kirby said the time set was the same as the COG luncheon. Mr. Ingersoll said that anytime between then and Wednesday would be fine with Mr. Martin and the Councilmembers can let him know when they would like to tour the building.

Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bills. Mr. Bristoll moved that the bills be approved as presented, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:37 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.