Sunday, June 29, 2008
Terry Cohen on Reddish Show
Terry Cohen will be on Bill Reddish's show tomorrow morning. Monday June 30th at 7:40AM on WICO 1320 on your AM dial.
Friday, June 27, 2008
City Council Agenda June 30, 2008 Special Meeting
A Special Meeting of the City Council will be held Monday, June 30, 2008 at 6:00PM in room 301 of the Government Office Building.
6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:06 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING – Assistant City Administrator Loré Chambers 1
• Resolution No. 1668 - increasing water and sewer rates
6:30 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING – Assistant City Administrator Loré Chambers 2
• amending parking permit and meter rates (Ordinance No. 2058)
6:50 p.m. RESOLUTION – Assistant City Administrator Loré Chambers 3
• Resolution No. 1661 – accepting 2009 CSAFE funds
7:00 p.m. ADJOURN
6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:06 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING – Assistant City Administrator Loré Chambers 1
• Resolution No. 1668 - increasing water and sewer rates
6:30 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING – Assistant City Administrator Loré Chambers 2
• amending parking permit and meter rates (Ordinance No. 2058)
6:50 p.m. RESOLUTION – Assistant City Administrator Loré Chambers 3
• Resolution No. 1661 – accepting 2009 CSAFE funds
7:00 p.m. ADJOURN
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sharing Constituent Concerns Over Sewage Spills
Whether the incidents are called “Sanitary Sewer Overflows,” “waste water spills” or “sewage accidents,” last week’s double environmental hit to the Wicomico River from the Salisbury Waste water Treatment Plant (WWTP) has all of us concerned. Many constituents have contacted each of us.
To the best of our knowledge, reports from the city to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) have been filed on time and the MDE is due to issue some position statement on the incidents soon. Just to assist the public in staying informed about the issue, we are publishing the emails we’ve sent to City Administrator John Pick (cc’d to others in the city government) with our questions about these recent spills and safeguards at the WWTP in general.
June 17, 2008 (after the first spill) --
John,
This sounds like a similar problem to the last spillage problem that happened. Is it? When will we know the root cause of the problem?
What are the costs associated with the first response, clean up and any repair for both this one and the last one? By contract, who is accountable for the problem and the associated costs, for this and the last spill? What safeguards are being put into place to lower the risk of this happening again?
Thank you,
Terry
Terry E. Cohen, Member
Salisbury City Council
410.845.0296
June 19, 2008 (after the second spill) --
John -
My constituents are infuriated by yet another spill. They are raising many
questions about how this could happen, who is going to take responsibility,
and what taking responsibility really means. Please provide me with copies
of whatever plans were in place to safeguard against/control spillage during
construction. I would also like to know to what degree those plans were
followed and any additional details that can be provided.
Thank you.
Debbie
June 24, 2008 (follow up) –
John,
I would like copies of the reports on last week's spills that the city provided to MDE, as well as any communications from MDE concerning the spills.
Will this information answer the questions I raised last week after the first spill (besides the one you answered stating that these incidents were "unique" events in terms of root cause)?
Citizens are very anxious for answers, as I know you can appreciate, especially concerning what steps are being taken to prevent additional incidents and about accountability.
What is the water sampling schedule and is it showing levels of improvement to indicate an approximate time period when the water activity bans will be lifted?
Thank you in advance for your follow up.
Terry
Terry E. Cohen, Member
Salisbury City Council
410.845.0296
To the best of our knowledge, reports from the city to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) have been filed on time and the MDE is due to issue some position statement on the incidents soon. Just to assist the public in staying informed about the issue, we are publishing the emails we’ve sent to City Administrator John Pick (cc’d to others in the city government) with our questions about these recent spills and safeguards at the WWTP in general.
June 17, 2008 (after the first spill) --
John,
This sounds like a similar problem to the last spillage problem that happened. Is it? When will we know the root cause of the problem?
What are the costs associated with the first response, clean up and any repair for both this one and the last one? By contract, who is accountable for the problem and the associated costs, for this and the last spill? What safeguards are being put into place to lower the risk of this happening again?
Thank you,
Terry
Terry E. Cohen, Member
Salisbury City Council
410.845.0296
June 19, 2008 (after the second spill) --
John -
My constituents are infuriated by yet another spill. They are raising many
questions about how this could happen, who is going to take responsibility,
and what taking responsibility really means. Please provide me with copies
of whatever plans were in place to safeguard against/control spillage during
construction. I would also like to know to what degree those plans were
followed and any additional details that can be provided.
Thank you.
Debbie
June 24, 2008 (follow up) –
John,
I would like copies of the reports on last week's spills that the city provided to MDE, as well as any communications from MDE concerning the spills.
Will this information answer the questions I raised last week after the first spill (besides the one you answered stating that these incidents were "unique" events in terms of root cause)?
Citizens are very anxious for answers, as I know you can appreciate, especially concerning what steps are being taken to prevent additional incidents and about accountability.
What is the water sampling schedule and is it showing levels of improvement to indicate an approximate time period when the water activity bans will be lifted?
Thank you in advance for your follow up.
Terry
Terry E. Cohen, Member
Salisbury City Council
410.845.0296
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Helping the Historic District Commission Move Forward
By Councilwoman Debbie Campbell
Recently, a scathing ruling in a court case against Salisbury’s Historic District Commission (SHDC) drew renewed focus on how the city can improve the way that the commission reviews applications and renders decisions, as well as raising other issues. (Click here to see the actual judges’ opinion. Salisbury_v_Leer)
Prior to these latest criticisms, the council has heard concerns regarding the “hoops” that owners of historic buildings are forced to go through, even for small repairs that routinely come before the commission for approval.
I believe that the preservation of historically significant homes, buildings and landmarks is important to maintaining the character and identity of a community. I am supportive of making it as easy as possible for owners to complete repairs and improvements that support historic preservation. The right tools and guidelines will also make the commission members’ work easier and more effective.
Over 18 months ago, I suggested that repairs that are routinely approved should simply require a permit and inspection for compliance. An example of such repairs would be removing plywood or salt-treated porch flooring and replacing it with tongue-and-groove flooring that would be in keeping with what was original to the building. Unfortunately, there has been no further discussion or change to make it easier to achieve preservation and protect historically significant buildings.
Last week I asked several questions about the Salisbury Historic District Commission of the Mayor and Mr. Pick. Mr. Pick, the city administrator, advised me that the Mayor would provide answers. The answers have not been provided. Yesterday I raised the questions again. I am sharing the email exchange so that the public will know the questions and the reasoning behind them.
June 17th –
John –
I am interested in the City making sure that the SHDC has the tools
needed to make decisions that will benefit preservation of historically
significant homes in historic neighborhoods while improving the process for Salisbury's residents of historic districts. To that end, answers to the following questions will be very helpful. What is the current status of the SHDC's new guidelines for decisioning? I remember that they were in draft a while ago. Have they been finalized? It is my understanding the Dept. of the Interior no longer recognizes that alphabetical or numerical ranking system, rather a significant of non-significant (or something similar) ranking.
I also wonder if this determination is given at the time of hearing or if an inventory is conducted and all houses classified accordingly so that owners will know whether or not they need to apply for approval for improvements/repairs.
When is the next meeting of the commission?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Regards.
June 19th --
Debbie - the Mayor has stated that she will respond to your questions.
John
June 23rd -
Mayor/John -
I still haven't received a response and I believe that we may have a
commission meeting soon. If we have not adopted guidelines and addressed
the deficiencies, I think that the meeting should be postponed until we do.
It would be unfair to the applicants, the historic neighborhoods, and the
commission members to conduct meetings without the appropriate written
guidance. Please send a response regarding the current status per my e-mail
of last week.
I would also like to know what measures have been taken to address the
highly objectionable behavior by the Chair, as articulated by the judge.
Regards.
Debbie
Tomorrow (Wednesday) the commission will convene to consider more than a dozen applications. I close with this question: How is it possible that answers to such basic questions haven’t been provided, yet we are moving ahead?
Recently, a scathing ruling in a court case against Salisbury’s Historic District Commission (SHDC) drew renewed focus on how the city can improve the way that the commission reviews applications and renders decisions, as well as raising other issues. (Click here to see the actual judges’ opinion. Salisbury_v_Leer)
Prior to these latest criticisms, the council has heard concerns regarding the “hoops” that owners of historic buildings are forced to go through, even for small repairs that routinely come before the commission for approval.
I believe that the preservation of historically significant homes, buildings and landmarks is important to maintaining the character and identity of a community. I am supportive of making it as easy as possible for owners to complete repairs and improvements that support historic preservation. The right tools and guidelines will also make the commission members’ work easier and more effective.
Over 18 months ago, I suggested that repairs that are routinely approved should simply require a permit and inspection for compliance. An example of such repairs would be removing plywood or salt-treated porch flooring and replacing it with tongue-and-groove flooring that would be in keeping with what was original to the building. Unfortunately, there has been no further discussion or change to make it easier to achieve preservation and protect historically significant buildings.
Last week I asked several questions about the Salisbury Historic District Commission of the Mayor and Mr. Pick. Mr. Pick, the city administrator, advised me that the Mayor would provide answers. The answers have not been provided. Yesterday I raised the questions again. I am sharing the email exchange so that the public will know the questions and the reasoning behind them.
June 17th –
John –
I am interested in the City making sure that the SHDC has the tools
needed to make decisions that will benefit preservation of historically
significant homes in historic neighborhoods while improving the process for Salisbury's residents of historic districts. To that end, answers to the following questions will be very helpful. What is the current status of the SHDC's new guidelines for decisioning? I remember that they were in draft a while ago. Have they been finalized? It is my understanding the Dept. of the Interior no longer recognizes that alphabetical or numerical ranking system, rather a significant of non-significant (or something similar) ranking.
I also wonder if this determination is given at the time of hearing or if an inventory is conducted and all houses classified accordingly so that owners will know whether or not they need to apply for approval for improvements/repairs.
When is the next meeting of the commission?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Regards.
June 19th --
Debbie - the Mayor has stated that she will respond to your questions.
John
June 23rd -
Mayor/John -
I still haven't received a response and I believe that we may have a
commission meeting soon. If we have not adopted guidelines and addressed
the deficiencies, I think that the meeting should be postponed until we do.
It would be unfair to the applicants, the historic neighborhoods, and the
commission members to conduct meetings without the appropriate written
guidance. Please send a response regarding the current status per my e-mail
of last week.
I would also like to know what measures have been taken to address the
highly objectionable behavior by the Chair, as articulated by the judge.
Regards.
Debbie
Tomorrow (Wednesday) the commission will convene to consider more than a dozen applications. I close with this question: How is it possible that answers to such basic questions haven’t been provided, yet we are moving ahead?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
New Figure on Attorney Funding Obtained
At the June 9 council meeting adopting the FY09 budget, in response to an inquiry by Councilwoman Terry Cohen, a list of "other attorney" payments was provided at the table showing a balance of approximately $1,500 in that account that would be eligible for transfer by the mayor to pay for the city attorney's services.
However, in an email from City Administrator John Pick, dated June 12, the council was given a corrected balance figure of $6,000 from Director of Internal Services Pam Oland. The reason for the revised balance came as the result of Ms. Oland's review of the bond counsel's May bill. Ms. Oland stated, "...fees related to the reallocation of the 1999 bond should actually go to the water and sewer fund...."
This indicates that funds are available to pay for responsibly managed city attorney services through the end of this fiscal year. We hope this information answers questions received from constituents.
However, in an email from City Administrator John Pick, dated June 12, the council was given a corrected balance figure of $6,000 from Director of Internal Services Pam Oland. The reason for the revised balance came as the result of Ms. Oland's review of the bond counsel's May bill. Ms. Oland stated, "...fees related to the reallocation of the 1999 bond should actually go to the water and sewer fund...."
This indicates that funds are available to pay for responsibly managed city attorney services through the end of this fiscal year. We hope this information answers questions received from constituents.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Special Work Session Monday June 16, 2008 GOB Room 305
4:30 p.m. Further discussion – Brewington Glen/Brown Farm Annexation – Chris Jakubiak
5:00 p.m. Introduction of Snow Hill Road/Shore Up annexation – Matt Hedger
5:30 p.m. Presentation – PAC14 proposal to establish a subscriber fee – Mike Goodson
6:00 p.m. Policy on PILOTs for affordable housing complexes – John Pick
6:30 p.m. Amendments to Council’s Regulations and Rules of Order – Council President Smith
6:55 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas
7:00 p.m. Adjourn
5:00 p.m. Introduction of Snow Hill Road/Shore Up annexation – Matt Hedger
5:30 p.m. Presentation – PAC14 proposal to establish a subscriber fee – Mike Goodson
6:00 p.m. Policy on PILOTs for affordable housing complexes – John Pick
6:30 p.m. Amendments to Council’s Regulations and Rules of Order – Council President Smith
6:55 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas
7:00 p.m. Adjourn
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Debbie Campbell on Reddish
Debbie Campbell will be on Bill Reddish show tomorrow morning, June 16 at 7:40am. Tune in to WICO 1320 on your AM dial.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Councilwoman Cohen on WICO at 7:40 a.m.
Councilwoman Terry Cohen will be Bill Reddish's guest on the "A.M. Salisbury" Show at 7:40 a.m. Monday morning on WICO AM1320. The discussion will preview the meeting Monday night, including the budget, water and sewer increases, and three public hearings, among many items on the agenda.
Monday, June 9 Salisbury City Council Meeting Has Full Agenda
The Council will meet Monday night with a full agenda, including the adoption of the FY09 Budget and the first of two-steps in the resolution establishing the water and sewer rates. In addition, three public hearings are on the schedule.
The public is encouraged to attend and to make comment. The agenda appears below.
AGENDA
Meeting #11
JUNE 9, 2008
6:00 p.m.
City/County Government Office Building
Room 301
6:00 p.m.
CONVENE - LORD'S PRAYER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:08 p.m
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
· May 27, 2008 Minutes
6:10 p.m.
AWARD OF BIDS – Director of Internal Services Pam Oland
6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
· approving a service and lease agreement between the City of Salisbury
and the Wicomico County Board of Elections (Ordinance No. 2055)
· bond Ordinance amendment (Ordinance No. 2056)
· rental registration amendments (Ordinance No. 2057)
7:00 p.m.
BUDGET – Council President Louise Smith
Ordinance No. 2053 – 2nd reading – adoption of FY09 budget
7:30 p.m
ORDINANCES – City Administrator John Pick
· Ordinance No. 2054B – 2nd reading – FY08 budget amendment
appropriating funds for Municipal Buildings
· Ordinance No. 2054C – 2nd reading – FY08 budget amendment
appropriating funds for Debt Service & Other Uses
· Ordinance No. 2054D – 2nd reading – approving an amendment of the
FY08 General Fund budget to fund the City’s share of a joint project
with the County for preliminary work for a mixed-use development
project in downtown Salisbury with the Library as a key component
8:00 p.m.
RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick
· Resolution No. 1661 - accepting 2009 CSAFE funds
· Resolution No. 1662 - endorsing request for legislative action by
Maryland Municipal League
· Resolution No. 1663 - modifying Resolution No. 1415 related to the
special sidewalk assessment for the Eireann Mhor subdivision
· Resolution No. 1664 - authorizing mayor to sign a memorandum of
understanding with Wicomico County for the City to perform billing
functions related to County parking tickets
· Resolution No. 1665 - appointment to Recycling Advisory Committee
· Resolution No. 1666 - reappointments to Traffic and Safety Advisory Committee
· Resolution No. 1667 - accepting state grant funds awarded through the
Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention to enhance
community policing efforts in the designated CSAFEII area
· Resolution No. 1668 – increasing water and sewer rates
8:45 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
9:00 p.m.
ADJOURN
The public is encouraged to attend and to make comment. The agenda appears below.
AGENDA
Meeting #11
JUNE 9, 2008
6:00 p.m.
City/County Government Office Building
Room 301
6:00 p.m.
CONVENE - LORD'S PRAYER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:08 p.m
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
· May 27, 2008 Minutes
6:10 p.m.
AWARD OF BIDS – Director of Internal Services Pam Oland
6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
· approving a service and lease agreement between the City of Salisbury
and the Wicomico County Board of Elections (Ordinance No. 2055)
· bond Ordinance amendment (Ordinance No. 2056)
· rental registration amendments (Ordinance No. 2057)
7:00 p.m.
BUDGET – Council President Louise Smith
Ordinance No. 2053 – 2nd reading – adoption of FY09 budget
7:30 p.m
ORDINANCES – City Administrator John Pick
· Ordinance No. 2054B – 2nd reading – FY08 budget amendment
appropriating funds for Municipal Buildings
· Ordinance No. 2054C – 2nd reading – FY08 budget amendment
appropriating funds for Debt Service & Other Uses
· Ordinance No. 2054D – 2nd reading – approving an amendment of the
FY08 General Fund budget to fund the City’s share of a joint project
with the County for preliminary work for a mixed-use development
project in downtown Salisbury with the Library as a key component
8:00 p.m.
RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick
· Resolution No. 1661 - accepting 2009 CSAFE funds
· Resolution No. 1662 - endorsing request for legislative action by
Maryland Municipal League
· Resolution No. 1663 - modifying Resolution No. 1415 related to the
special sidewalk assessment for the Eireann Mhor subdivision
· Resolution No. 1664 - authorizing mayor to sign a memorandum of
understanding with Wicomico County for the City to perform billing
functions related to County parking tickets
· Resolution No. 1665 - appointment to Recycling Advisory Committee
· Resolution No. 1666 - reappointments to Traffic and Safety Advisory Committee
· Resolution No. 1667 - accepting state grant funds awarded through the
Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention to enhance
community policing efforts in the designated CSAFEII area
· Resolution No. 1668 – increasing water and sewer rates
8:45 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
9:00 p.m.
ADJOURN
Monday, June 2, 2008
Councilwomen on WICO Monday Morning
Councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen will be guest's on Bill Reddish's "AM Salisbury" show on WICO 1320AM at 7:40 a.m. The focus of the discussion will be the city budget. The city council convenes in Room 305 of the Government Office Building at 4:30 p.m. Monday for a work session, followed by a budget session. Council is scheduled to hear and discuss the second reading and adoption of the FY09 Budget on June 9 at the regular Monday night, 6 p.m., legislative session.
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