MINUTES
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:45 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 December 7, 1999. Mr. Bristoll moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.
Mayor Bailey stated that an executive session was held on December 7, 1999 at 8:10 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 legal matter. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. and minutes were taken and are part of the record.
Mayor Bailey stated that the Mayor and Council has cash on hand and in banks of $733,590.70.
Mayor Bailey said the first thing on the agenda was a presentation from Sultana and Echo Hill. She said Drew McMullen and Joyce Smith were present for Sultana. Mr. McMullen said that Nick Biles was also present for Echo Hill. Mr. McMullen said he had provided the Council with copies of the proposed lease for the Sultana and Echo Hill use of the proposed pier. He said if the Council was ready for a presentation they would proceed. Mr. Bristoll said they had just received the document and had not had time to review it. He said he thought a presentation at that point would waste their time and the Council should evaluate it before they hear the presentation. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz agreed. Mayor Bailey said she also thought Mr. Barroll should review the proposal also. Mr. McMullen said Mr. Lutrell's plan showing the public use areas was not ready yet and it should be ready for the next meeting.
Mrs. Mumford-Pautz said Beth VanHouten had written a long letter regarding the pier and she should be made aware that there will be further discussions on this at the next meeting. Mayor Bailey said we will let her know that it should be on the January agenda. Mr. Bristoll said the letters on the use of the pier from Sultana and Echo Hill were excellent and he thought copies should be sent to Ms. VanHouten to help answer her letter. Mr. Kirby said he was going to bring up the same point Mr. Bristoll made and that the letters had addressed most of the points discussed by Ms. VanHouten. He suggested sending the letter to everyone in the 100 block of High Street and on Front/Water Street who would be impacted in any way. He said it would address some of the concerns that she and some of the other residents would also have. Mr. Bristoll suggested that Mr. McMullen send the letter to the newspaper and have it printed like Ms. VanHouten did with her letter. Mr. McMullen said they would do that as an answer to her. Mayor Bailey said the presentation would be done at the next meeting.
Mayor Bailey called on the Town Manager for his report. Mr. Ingersoll said the most important matter was the results of the election. He read a section from the Charter that stated that the Board of Supervisors of Elections shall determine the vote cast for each candidate or question and shall certify the results of the election to the Town Manager who shall record the results in the minutes of the Council. Mr. Ingersoll reported from the minutes of the Board of Supervisors of Elections meeting at 5:00 p.m. on December 14, 1999. The total vote count for the December 13, 1999 election including absentee ballots: For the Second Ward - Carolyn Beachy, 14 votes, no absentees for a total of 14; Peter H. Bourne, 81 ballots, 3 absentees for a total of 84; Whaland
Clark, 97 votes, 5 absentees for a total of 102. The winner was Whaland Clark. For the Fourth Ward - James R. Johnson, 59 ballots, 2 absentees for a total of 61; J. Brian Kirby, 82 votes, 2 absentees for a total of 84; Susan W. Pritchett, 30 votes, no absentees for a total of 30. The winner was J. Brian Kirby. There were no names on the write-in votes. Mr. Ingersoll said that was the official final count and he was duly recording this and the minutes of the Board of Supervisors of Elections into the minutes of the Council.
Mr. Ingersoll commended Betty Needles, Chairman, and George Johnson and Hilda Hopkins, Board members for all their work. He said the election process went smoothly after some criticisms from the last election were worked out.
Mr. Ingersoll said that as far as we know every department is ready for Y2K. He went over the readiness of each department. He said the phone system in the Town Office has been changed and we will be able to have phone service with a hand held set even if the electricity is out. He said we will be able to handle any emergencies such as occurred during hurricane Floyd.
Mr. Ingersoll said the beautiful Balsam fir tree in the lobby was that sent by our companion city, Chester, Nova Scotia. He said the Beautification Committee will decorate the tree on Thursday. He said we will be sending a book "Seasons of the Chesapeake" to Chester, Nova Scotia as their present.
Mr. Ingersoll said he would like to ask the Council to hold an executive session following the meeting to discuss a hiring and a personnel matter. Mr. Bristoll moved that an executive session be held following the meeting pursuant to Sec. 10-508 of the Annotated Code. Mr. Gross said he would not be able to attend as he had another commitment. Mr. Ingersoll said the meeting should not take more than 5 minutes. Mr. Gross seconded the motion and it carried by unanimous vote.
Mayor Bailey said she would like to reappoint Jane Scott to the Tree Committee. She said she will ask for a vote on that appointment at the next meeting.
Mayor Bailey read a letter from the Lions Club about the deaths of the Schelperts and the Hecks in the EgyptAir Flight 990 plane crash. The Lions Club requested permission to plant two trees in Wilmer Park with markers in memory of the two couples. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that permission be granted for the planting of the trees with any help from the Town Manager and Town crew that may be needed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.
Mayor Bailey reminded everyone that the Christmas decorations will be judged on Sunday evening, December 19, 1999
Mayor Bailey said she had a request from Orgirina Graves for $200 to provide a DJ and refreshments for a Christmas Dance for the participants in the summer recreation program. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the expenditure be approved, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mayor Bailey read a statement from the Chester River Ministerial Association regarding public support of a rally to be held on January 9, 2000 at 3:00 p.m. at Garnett School. Mr. Tom Truitt was present and stated that the time had been changed to 4:30 p.m. and the statement had been amended. He gave the Council the amended statement regarding the outrage of citizens about the recent shooting in Georgetown. He asked if the Town would add its name as a supporter. Mr. Gross said he felt that as a Town that would not be appropriate but he would add his name individually. Mr. Bristoll agreed as did the rest of the individual Councilmembers and the Mayor.
Mayor Bailey presented a gift to Mr. Gross who was leaving the Council. She thanked him for his ideas and his interest and concern for the community. Mr. Gross thanked everyone, said it had been a great learning experience for him, and added that he would be back.
Mrs. Mumford-Pautz discussed problems in her neighborhood such as door-to-door soliciting. She said there are many agencies who are there to help those in need and door-to-door soliciting by individuals was against the law and should not be done.
Mrs. Mumford-Pautz gave a list of residential areas decorated for Christmas and asked that the judging committee look at them.
Mrs. Mumford-Pautz discussed an accident that day at the intersection of Rt. 20 and Rt. 291. She asked that the Police Department check out a driver for Domino's Pizza who had temporary Delaware tags and asked whether that was legal.
Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bills. Mr. Gross moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.
Mr. Bristoll moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:10 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.
Submitted by:
Joan Merryman
Stenographer
Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey
Mayor