Mayor and Council of Smithsburg, MD Regular Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 5, 2019

Transcription

1 Mayor and Council of Smithsburg, MD Regular Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 5, 2019 The regular meeting of the Smithsburg Mayor and Council was held on Thursday, March 5, 2019 at 7:00 PM with Mayor Jack Kesselring and Council Members Nathaniel Smith, Dennis Wenthe, Donald Souders, Cassandra Weaver and Richard Hetherington present. Also in attendance was Clerk/Treasurer Justine Keadle and Town Manager Debra Smith. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Hetherington. Guest: Kira Hamman, President of Smithsburg Library Advisory Board. The boards role is to keep the town connected to the library and would like to see a liaison appointment back to the board. The board helps to keep the library open during town events such as Smithsburg Days, Christmas lighting and Halloween. The Smithsburg Library Advisory Board meets on a quarterly basis. Agenda Approval: On a motion by Council Member Souders, Council unanimously approved the agenda. Consent Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Council Member Souders, to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2019 Mayor and Council meeting, February 26, 2019 Work Session meeting and the February 28, 2019 Special Session as submitted. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of Council. Approval of Executive Minutes: On a motion by Council Member Souders, to approve the minutes of the February 26, 2019 Executive Session and to leave the minutes open. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of Council. Approval of Treasurers Report: On a motion by Council Member Wenthe to approve the Treasurer s report as presented. Motion passed by a unanimous vote of Council. MAYOR S REPORT: (1) Met with the Fire Department and SEMS a few times. (2) CPR and AED trained all town staff. (3) Met with the principal of the high school. It s important to have a good relationship with the school. (4) Still working on the field upgrades at Veterans Park. (5) Met with Clerk Treasurer and spring sports teams regarding field usage. (5) Met with Dan Divito regarding the bio mag upgrade to increase EDU s for upcoming development. TOWN MANAGER S REPORT: Debra Smith reported the following: (1) An employee meeting held on February 4 th. Minutes provided to everyone. (2) Held the mowing contract pre-bid meeting. (3) CPR Training was provided to all staff by Mayor Kesselring who is an authorized American Safety & Health Institute Instructor. (4) Town Clerk and the Mayor met with sports group representatives and set the field use calendars for the season. All information regarding sports field usage and calendars is now on the website home page. (5) Met with new MDE area representative. Reviewed the water transmission line project and the need for an ArcGIS system and training to input all of the town s infrastructure. Mr. Sierra to look into providing the necessary software and training to the town. (6) Continuing to work with ARRO Engineering to complete the Notice of Intent and all required documentation for the Sediment Control Permitting for the Water Transmission Line Project so that construction can be approved to start. Also would like to thank Randy Dick for assisting with corresponding with the Storm Water and Sediment Control staff. (7) Public Works has completed the construction of the salt storage facility. Also want to thank Brian Semler and his son-in-law for giving the town 3-days of free labor to help Public Works with the construction. (8) Prepared and submitted to Council, appointed officials and all commission members the annual Ethics Financial Disclosure report which is to be returned by April 30 th. (9) MML Summer Conference training Grant available to Smithsburg and offers up to two grants covering the cost of registration and 3 nights lodging. Grants must be submitted by April 5 th Page 1 of 5

2 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Police Chief Report: Chief Knight submitted the following report: (1) There were 195 calls for service during the month of February with 0 adult arrests and 0 juvenile arrests. (2) A total of 17 premise checks were conducted. (3) The Department patrolled a total of 2,431 miles this month and did 11 hours and 25 minutes of foot patrol. (4) The Department assisted Washington County Sheriff s Dept. 11 times, Maryland State Police 4 times, Smithsburg EMS 3 times, Smithsburg Fire Department 1 time and PA State Police 1 time. (5) There were 88 Park checks. (6) 56 speed camera violations. (7) Officers Dove, Munson and Morales completed Inservice Training at HCC. Chief Knight, Officer Dove and Sue Parks completed CPR and AED training. Public Works Report: Jeff Long submitted the following report: (1) Completed quarterly water testing for haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes results haven t returned from the lab at the time of this report. (2) All of the towns diesel generators were load tested and all semi-annual maintenance was competed. (3) Attended C.P.R training provided by Mayor Kesselring. (4) Monthly bacteriological samples were collected by Fredericktown Labs for testing, all results were good. (5) Cleaned up after three snow events during the month. (6) Installed a roof over the road salt storage area. (7) Completed the new breakroom area at Town Hall. (8) Attended the pre-bid conference for the Towns mowing contract. (9) Met with M.E.C and Steve Welly at the reservoir to discuss control options for the water storage tanks. (10) Finished removing the Christmas lights from the large trees in Veterans Park. (11) Replaced the screens on the air vents of the storage tanks at the reservoir. (12) Thawed several frozen water services. (13) Mid Atlantic utilities is continuing test boring for the new water main transmission line along Wolfsville Road and S. Main St. (14) Water usage for the month was 8,523,750 gallons. Sewer flow for the month was 9,262,000 gallons. Zoning Administrators Report: Randy Dick, Zoning Administrator submitted the following: (1) Planning meeting held on February 12, 2019 (2) Next Planning Commission meeting will be on March 12, (3) Public Hearing for the Neighborhood Commercial to be held on March 7, (4) Assisted Public Works with Miss Utility notifications and grading approval for transmission line project. On a Motion by Council Member Souders to approve all departmental reports. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of Council. COMMISSION REPORTS Smithsburg Community Activities Committee-No meeting held in February. Parks Commission-Council Member Wenthe stated the next meeting will be March 11 th. Planning Commission Public Hearing for commercial area on Geiser to be held on March 7 th by the Zoning Appeals Board. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION REPORTS: SEMS Report -The following report was submitted by Ward Fleger (1) 138 Calls for February Of these there were: 25 Sick Person/Diabetic Emergency/Abdominal Pain, 33 Ground level falls and traumatic injuries, 17 Chest Pain/Cardiac events, 16 Motor Vehicle Crashes, 15 Respiratory Distress, 6 Unconscious/Fainting/Syncope, 3 Overdose/Psychiatric, 6 Strokes, 4 Event Standby, 4 Seizure/Convulsions, 6 Cardiac Arrest, 3 Life Line Alarms (2) Of the 138 calls, there were 102 calls in Smithsburg, Leitersburg, Mount Aetna, Hagerstown and Cascade/Pen Mar, 21 calls in Franklin County, 2 calls in Adams County and 13 calls in Frederick County. (3) Will be conducting extrication training with Company 7 on March 16 th. Ward Fleger stated that 8 EMS companies in the County have asked to be absorbed into the County due to lack of funding to pay staff. SEMS could close as early as September if things don t change. Council Member Weaver encouraged SEMS board to reach out to the County Commissioners individually regarding the situation. Ward Page 2 of 5

3 Fleger stated that a FIRE/EMS tax is unavoidable to maintain facilities and will keep the Town up to date on the situation. Smithsburg Fire Co-The following report was submitted by Danny Gibson (1) There were 31 calls for service in the month of February and most were EMS support calls. Discussion was held regarding the $30, request for 10 sets of turn out gear that was presented at the January Work Session. Town Manager Debra Smith and Mayor Kesselring inquired with the County in regards to obtaining gear from the County s Turn Out Gear (TOG) Replacement program. Danny Gibson stated that the turn out gear that they received a bid for included more gear than the basic jacket, pants, rubber boots and one set of gloves from the County. Council Member Hetherington inquired as to why the Fire Department did not previously participate in the County gear program. Danny Gibson stated that the Fire Company wants to maintain its own entity and own the gear which is black in color and the County s gear is brown. Once you join the program the gear becomes property of the County. Council Member Weaver inquired if all the fundraisers were viable. Danny Gibson stated that tickets are sold out for events and that the only thing that could affect fundraiser events is if stipulations are put on long guns to be raffled. Mayor Kesselring clarified how the County s TOG Replacement program works which includes a $4,000 initial buy in and 4 sets of out dated turn out gear to the County in exchange for 4 new sets. He stated he would like to see a line item created in the Town s budget for Fire and EMS. CITIZENS COMMENTS/CONCERNS: Paul Gyurisin, 13 W. Water Street-Expressed concerns about the recent egging and vandalism in Town. Asked if the spare cruiser could be placed around Town as a deterrent. Town Manager Debra Smith stated she would make contact with Randy Dick to follow up on the clean up of the vandalism and Mr. Gyurisin a copy of the police sector map he requested. Dale Fishack-Thanked the Town for the time they worked together while he was Fire Chief. Presented a plaque to the Mayor and Council for their support to the Fire Company. Joseph Jefferson-Stated his concerns over the possible conflict of the bike race coming through town during the Smithsburg Days event and the possibility of not receiving approval for his event. Requested to change the route of the race to begin at the high school and head down N. Main Street to Rowe Road and then loop around to end back at the high school. This would eliminate bike traffic in down town. Mr. Jefferson also inquired into the future dates of Smithsburg Days and any possible future conflicts for the bike race. Mayor Kesselring stated he would like to see the race continue but is concerned about parking and traffic due to both events occurring on the same date. Council Member Hetherington expressed his concerns in regards to the safety of riders and drivers with unmanned intersections and the cyclists crossing into both lanes. Council Member Souders stated we had an agreement to meet prior to and after the bike race to address any concerns. Terri Callamari, 25 W. Water Street-Expressed her concerns over the vandalism in Town and hopes that the Town will be diligent with having it cleaned up by Spring. Inquired if the town could change the name of the meeting from Mayor and Council meeting to Town meeting maybe more people would attend. Also inquired why Smithsburg school zone speed limit is 20 mph when the rest of the County is 25 mph and why is on during the weekends. Council Member Hetherington stated the cameras are not running on the weekends. They run from 6am to 8pm Monday-Friday. Council Member Souders stated that our school zone and cross walk are on a hill unlike other school areas and that we may be in the process of lowering the speed limit through-out town. Leigh Zahm, 113 Sherri s Way-Expressed his concerns over the possible commercial development at Geiser Way and it the proposed businesses go out what could possibly come in to replace them 5 to 10 years down the road. CONSENT AGENDA: (items reviewed in detail at the previous work session) 2019 Mowing Bid Approval recommendation to award to the lowest bidder of J&M Lawn Service for $ per week for the mowing season of April through November (26 weeks). FY20 ARC Grant Application re-submission of a grant application to fund the upgrade of E. School Lane. Page 3 of 5

4 Smithsburg Days Financial Support Request request for $3,000 to fund events fireworks display on June 14 th. Appointment of BZA Alternate Member approval of Fred Hartley to become an Alternate Member of the BZA. On a motion by Council Member Souders, to approve the consent agenda items as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of Council. OLD BUSINESS: Town Hall Tower State Grant Agreement Update-Jefferson Boyer was present to answer questions regarding the grant agreement. Discussion was held regarding verbiage in the agreement that appears to hold the beneficiary, the Town, at the same terms as the grantee, The Historical Society. Town Manager Debra Smith stated the Town should not be held financially responsible under the terms of the agreement for the tower project and that the Town attorney recommended the Town not to sign the agreement as currently written. This could affect the Town in obtaining future grants from the state should a default occur under the terms of the agreement. Council Member Hetherington inquired what would happen if the Town decided not to sign the grant. Jefferson Boyer stated that the Historical Society would then become responsible for the $12, that the grant was for. On a motion by Council Member Souders to approve the agreement with recommended changes in the language proposed and prepared by the Town s attorney. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of Council. NEW BUSINESS: Tour of Washington County Bike Race through Smithsburg-On a motion by Council Member Souders to approve Mr. Jefferson s request to begin and end the bike race at the high school with the stipulation that it is to be reviewed by the police Chief to make sure all safety concerns are met. Chief Knight has the authority to alter or change the route if concerns aren t met. Mr. Jefferson is to come back at the January Work Session to do a recap of the event and put in his request for Motion carried by a unanimous vote of Council. Read Aloud 21-Day Challenge Proclamation-Mayor Kesselring read the Proclamation for Read Aloud Month. It asks the citizens to recognize the importance of reading aloud for 15 minutes each day. On a motion by Council Member Weaver to move forward with the proclamation as read and signed by the Mayor. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of Council. Proposed March 26, 2019 Work Session: Antietam Cable Franchise Agreement Expiration/Renewal Review of the Audit Proposal Bids Review of Accounting Proposal Bids Review of Trash and Recycling Proposal Bids COUNCIL MEMBER REMARKS: Council Member Hetherington-No additional comments. Council Member Weaver-Attended the Longest Table Event at the Smithsburg Library. Sat with some of the members of Tabitha s Table and their work is impressive and admirable. Encourage citizens to check them out. The event talked about poverty, mental health and other community issues. Agreed that we should appoint someone to the Smithsburg Library Advisory Board as the liaison. Thanked the citizens for watching the live stream and for attending the meeting. Thanked the Fire Company and SEMS. Reminded everyone that Smithsburg Days is holding a bingo at Beavercreek Country Club. Rich Sneckenberger stated the information for the bingo can be found at Page 4 of 5

5 Council Member Souders-Great job to the snow removal crew. Thank Fire and EMS for their work and that we support them and what they do. We have had preliminary discussions on funding and hope that other municipalities will follow suit. Council Member Smith-Thanked everyone for coming out. It s important to be educated on all issues. We appreciate your support. Council Member Wenthe-No additional comments. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM Respectfully submitted, Justine Keadle, Clerk/Treasurer Page 5 of 5