Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting - Minutes - October 2011

October 3, 2011

The regular meeting of the Pocomoke Mayor and Council was held in the Council Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, October 3, 2011. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M.

Present: Mayor Bruce Morrison

Council Members: Tracey Cottman, Diane Downing

Rob Clarke, Bob Hawkins, Donald L. Malloy

City Attorney William Hudson

City Manager Russell W. Blake

City Clerk Carol L. Justice

Review Minutes:

In a motion (Clarke, Cottman passed), to approve the minutes of September 12, 2011.

Review Bills:

In a motion (Hawkins, Downing passed), the bills presented to be paid. (Copy of bill list attached to original minutes).

Mr. Mike Kleger, Vice President of P.K.S. to present annual audit report for year ending 6/30/11:

Mr. Kleger stated that the purpose of his attendance was to make a formal presentation to highlight the annual audit findings. He added that the firm’s audit opinion was “a clean or unqualified opinion”, which is the highest opinion that they can render regarding the City’s audit.

Mr. Kleger explained the General Fund Revenues by source, stating that total revenues were $4,955,972. Property taxes accounted for 69.42% of the total revenue, followed by intergovernmental revenues of 20.99%. Mr. Kleger stated that the City’s financial position remains stable. The Ambulance Department continues to present a financial challenge for the City, although this year there was a great improvement. He thanked City Finance Coordinator Monna VanEss and the City staff for being well prepared for the audit again this year.

City Manager Blake stated that the City has enjoyed working with Ms. Michalik, Mr. Kleger and the staff of PKS, Inc.

Discuss letter from Delmarva Discovery Center requesting additional funding for their operations (letter dated 9/20/11):

Mayor Morrison stated that he and City Manager Blake had met with Brian Garrett of the Delmarva Discovery Center. Mr. Garrett stated that UMES is not willing to make a decision on their involvement with D.D.C. at this time due to having an interim president. The D.D.C. would like for the City to take over paying the electric bill to help them with utilities expenses.

Councilman Clarke stated that he would like to see the D.D.C. see the revenue and expense accounts before he voted so that they could give suggestions on how to cut the expenses.

In a motion (Hawkins, Malloy passed) to support the Delmarva Discovery Center’s request for their electricity expenses retro-active to July 2011 with an understanding that D.D.C. give the Council their accounts to look over to see if they could offer some suggestions regarding their expenditures.

Review of bids for demolition of vacant house at 707 Clarke Avenue:

Mayor Morrison stated that the City had received three bids to demolish the house at 707 Clarke Avenue owned by Sadoria Wallop, with the low bidder being Harry White in the amount of $10,000. The other two bidders were Beauchamp Construction Co in the amount of $12,860 and Rocky Kimbrew in the amount of $18,320.

In a motion (Downing, Malloy passed) to accept the low bid of $10,000 from Harry White to demolish the vacant house at 707 Clarke Avenue owned by Sadoria Wallop.

Resolution No. 451 authorizing the submission of 2011-2012 Community Legacy Grant Application (Emergency Resolution):

Mayor Morrison read for the record Resolution No. 451.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND APPROVING THE DESIGNATION OF A COMMUNITY LEGACY AREA AND APPLICATION AND RECEIPT OF FINANCING FOR A COMMUNITY LEGACY PROJECT(S) IN POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND TO BE FINANCED EITHER DIRECTLY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (THE”DEPARTMENT”) OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND OR THROUGH OTHER DEPARMENTS OR AGENCIES OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

In a motion (Malloy, Hawkins passed) to authorize the Mayor to sign Resolution 439 to submit Community Legacy Grant Application. Roll call: Downing, aye; Cottman, aye; Hawkins, aye; Malloy, aye; Clarke, aye.

Resolution No. 452 authorizing Mayor to sign revised agreement with Shore Bank for acquisition and renovation of property at 1500 Market Street for use as police station. (Emergency Resolution):

Mayor Morrison read for the record Resolution No. 452 which states:

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of Pocomoke City on

May 2, 2011 passed Resolution 446 regarding acquisition and

renovation of a building at 1500 Market Street: and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council now wish to revise that

Resolution based on bids received for the proposed renovation

work: and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of Pocomoke City wish to secure from Shore Bank the amount of $532,500 for the acquisition of real property at 1500 Market Street and an additional amount of $550,000 for renovation costs, and engineering, for a total maximum mortgage of $1,082,500.

In a motion (Cottman, Clarke passed) to authorize Mayor Morrison to sign revised agreement with Shore Bank for acquisition and renovation of property at 1500 Market Street.

Roll call: Downing, aye; Cottman, aye; Hawkins, aye; Malloy, aye; Clarke, aye.

Continue discussion of certain delinquent business taxes recommended to be written off:

Mayor Morrison stated that this was continued from last month’s meeting regarding one (1) business tax write-off that City Attorney Hudson was to review.

City Attorney Hudson stated that he concurred with previous decision to write off all of the delinquent business taxes.

In a motion (Cottman, Hawkins passed) to write-off all delinquent business taxes from previous meeting.

Discuss request from the Samaritan Shelter for gift certificate for their “Annual Christmas Gift Basket.”

Mayor Morrison stated that the Samaritan Shelter is requesting the City donate something for their “Annual Christmas Gift Basket”. Mayor Morrison asked Rev. Tasker if they were looking for anything in particular.

Rev. Tasker stated anything that they would like to donate would be helpful.

In a motion (Malloy, Hawkins passed) to donate four (4) rounds of golf with cart with a deadline of June 30, 2012 to the Samaritan Shelter “Annual Christmas Gift Basket.”

Review letter from Chamber of Commerce requesting use of Winter Quarters Golf Course for annual golf tournament on 10-21-11:

Mayor Morrison read a letter from Chamber of Commerce to use Winter Quarters Golf Course for their tournament.

In a motion (Hawkins, Downing passed) to allow Chamber of Commerce to use Winter Quarters Golf Course on October 21 for their annual golf tournament.

Consider request from Pocomoke High School for placement of ad in 2012 yearbook:

Mayor Morrison stated that Pocomoke High School was requesting an ad for their 2012 yearbook. He stated that in the previous years that City had a half page ad.

In a motion (Clarke, Malloy passed) to place a half page ad in the Pocomoke High School 2012 yearbook at a cost of $90.

City Manager to present summary of proposals for replacement of butterfly valves at water treatment plant:

City Manager Blake stated that this was a budget item, to replace leaking valves at the Quinn Avenue Plant. The City had budgeted $13,000 for this project; we received three bids and the low bid was $11,836.23 from Hill’s Electric of Linkwood, Maryland.

In a motion (Hawkins, Clarke passed) to accept the low bid in the amount of $11,836.23 from Hill’s Electric.

Comments from Council:

Councilman Hawkins stated that shrubbery at 10^th and Market needed to be trimmed.

Councilman Clarke stated that there are potholes at Hampshire Terrance and 804 Walnut Street.

Comments from Audience:

Rev. George Tasker stated that the new P.A. system at the bandstand in Cypress Park is very nice. Rev. Tasker also asked if there was anything the City could do concerning the house at 807 Market Street with overgrown vegetation in the front yard.

Following a motion by Councilman Malloy and seconded by Councilwoman Cottman, the Council voted to meet in a closed session at 8:17 P.M. in the Council Chambers. Present were: Mayor Morrison, Councilman Clarke, Councilwoman Cottman, Councilman Hawkins, Councilman Malloy, Councilwoman Downing, City Manager Blake, City Attorney Hudson, and City Clerk Carol Justice. Items discussed were the new Ethics Law and personnel matters. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 P.M.

The next meeting is November 7, 2011.