Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. In attention were Councilmembers 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 April 2, 2001. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Mayor and Council has cash on hand and in banks of $687,637.75.

Mayor Bailey stated an executive session was held on Monday, April 2, 2001 at 8 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. Police Chief Walter Coryell was present as the meeting was to discuss the hiring of a police officer. The action of the Mayor and Council was by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. and minutes of the meeting are part of the record.

Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll introduced Ryan Grim, a cameraman who will take Earl French's place while Earl takes a leave of absence.

Mr. Ingersoll said he had a Fair Housing Proclamation declaring the Month of April as Fair Housing Month. Mayor Bailey read and sign the Proclamation.

Mr. Ingersoll requested an executive session following the meeting concerning the hiring of the liaison position for the Hot Spot. Mr. Clark moved that an executive session be held to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll reported that the Hot Spot center at College Avenue and High Street has been painted, new sheet rock put on the ceiling and new carpet will be installed tomorrow.

Mr. Ingersoll said he had a letter from the Chestertown Citizens in Action asking for information. He read part of the letter which asked for information on all costs paid by the Town of Chestertown during the Sultana weekend, specifically total funds for extra police, cleanup crews, designating no parking and closed streets, and any other expenses paid with tax dollars directly related to Sultana weekend. They also requested the amount paid to the Town Attorney Stewart Barroll for services relating to the entire Sultana Chester River Craft and Art project and Cannon Street pier to date. Mr. Ingersoll said that under the Maryland Freedom of Information Act the Town was only required to produce documents and not work up theoretical costs for any of these other items. He said other than specific information from the Attorney's bills, costs would be speculation and he asked if they Council wanted to be responsive to the questions since it would be unexact and mean research and staff time to generate answers. Mr. Ingersoll was asked if we have been asked questions of this type in connection with any other events such as Tea Party, Homecoming Parade for the high school or whatever. He said no.

Mayor Bailey said Mr. Ingersoll should do what was required by law. She said the other would be an unnecessary burden and the Town had never had any secret about the Town's support of the Sultana project and activities. She said it was budget time and the staff was very busy.

Mr. Clark said he felt they should provide documents as required by law.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said she agreed and said she did know why this would be singled out since the Town was trying to attract tourists and we must have activities to bring them here. She said the Tea Party has been a major attraction and the former administration tried for years to have Mr. Bruning submit their budget to the Town. She said that information was considered committee information and was not provided. She said the Tea Party was an ongoing event and the Sultana as an attraction was just beginning. She said she was disappointed that citizens who say they are lifetime residents of our Town continue to put so much pressure on the Mayor and Council and cost the Town government time and money. She said the Town has no secrets and everything done was open to the public.

Mr. Kirby said he could answer the question of the cost to the County. He said the County officers who were working were working their regular hours and there was no cost. He said the questions may be legitimate questions, but he felt that the important thing was that at the end of the year the Town was within budget on police overtime and other items. He said there were a number events that cost overtime. He said he felt that the Town must do what was required by law. Mr. Ingersoll said the public information act states that if someone asks for documents, you will produce them. He said there are not documents on the time and cost of someone putting up no parking signs. He said the employees would be doing their day's work just like the County officers were doing their day's work during the Sultana launch. He said when there are several thousand people in Town we must respond anyway. He said for example we cannot let a parade go through intersections without police control.

Mayor Bailey said the consensus of the Council was that Mr. Ingersoll should answer the letter in accordance with the requirements of the law.

Mr. Ingersoll read the Budget Enactment Schedule for this year. The Council agreed that the workshop meeting would be Monday, May 21, 2001 at 5 p.m. The public hearing on the budget will be June 4, 2001 at 7:30 p.m.

Mr. Ingersoll said there had been small problems with the Farmers Market. He distributed a copy of the Rules and Regulations for the Farmers Market which had new items shown in bold. He said Item 1 required a permit from the Health Department for certain hazardous foods as determined by the Health Department (a copy of the Health Department are attached to the rules). He said there would be no commercially processed food, no meats or seafood, and no arts and crafts at the market. He said he had discussed the fee with the Farmers Market manager which has been $2, and it was decided that the fee would be raised to $5. He said there are things that need to be done with the extra money, such as repairing the grass areas that are always bare. He said brick pads have been suggested for the farm market area and the fees would be used for these things and paying the manager. He said the rules stated that being a participant is a privilege and not a right and each one will sign that they have received the rules each year.

Mr. Ingersoll stated that we are still gathering information on the LEOPS program so it would not be discussed at this meeting.

Mayor Bailey said she should like to make two nominations for the Recreation Commission to be voted on at the next meeting. She said Glenn Dulmage and Orgirina Graves will be voted on at the next meeting. She stated that we will only be able to use the Garnett gym during the month in June. She said they are working on an alternative for the summer program. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz suggested that the Town check on availability of the College field house.

Mrs. Munford-Pautz reported on new businesses on upper High Street. She said she visited the Family Support Center and said she would like to the pace on educational courses stepped up, especially computer courses for job preparation.

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

Mr. Clark moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:10 p.m., was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.