Sunday, November 8, 2009

A Fuller Discussion on “The Bricks” – Part 3

Due to illness and travel, posting of the remainder of this series was delayed. We apologize for any inconvenience.

(Editorial Note: Debbie Campbell works for a financial network that funds affordable housing of various economic models throughout the country. Terry Cohen’s prior legislative advocacy efforts included programs focused on increasing economic self-sufficiency of women, families and lower income individuals.)

Below this post are the first two installments that chronicled the timeline of events concerning “The Bricks,” a property in the Church Street area accepted by the city as a donation. A number of citizens have expressed concern that $1.8 million dollars of state money may be spent on less than 10 units of affordable rental housing units and question whether governments should be landlords. Others are concerned about putting more rentals into a neighborhood already distressed by a serious lack of homeownership and job opportunity.

In our efforts to promote meaningful discussion on these issues, rehabilitation of the Bricks has moved forward without what we believe to be the requisite oversight and transparency by elected representatives that citizens expect and deserve. The timeline picks up after the October 6, 2008, work session where consensus was not taken on how to move forward with the Bricks.

October 7, 2008 – Daily Times article reports on October 6, 2008, work session (“Bricks to become temp housing”), erroneously stating that “The City Council agreed that they want to see ‘The Bricks’ turned into temporary housing to prepare low-income renters for homeownership.” No consensus was taken by Council President Smith to that effect, and one council member actually expressed concern about “incubators” (housing intended to prepare residents for the next step in self-sufficient housing).

December 17, 2008 – City administrator emails copies of proposed Bricks RFP and Lease Agreement to council with a request for comments by December 30. (NOTE: The request to supply this information to council was where the October 6, 2008, work session ended, not with a consensus to move the RFP forward. For differing reasons, neither of us had seen the email with the documents. If we had, we would have supplied comments or at least responded that we had none. Either way, it was our belief that Council President Smith would bring the RFP and lease for discussion and consensus prior to any official action, since council had not acted as a body on it yet.

Post December 17, 2008 – We heard nothing for months, but given the long lapses of information to council on the Bricks previously, this did not seem all that unusual. However, come summer, the silence did seem odd and inquiries resumed.

June 12, 2009 – Campbell emails Mayor Ireton and asks for a status report on the Bricks because an update on the Bricks is scheduled for a CSAFE neighborhood meeting. No response was received.

June 25, 2009 - Campbell emails Mayor Ireton again for an update on the Bricks. Mayor Ireton responds he will check with City Administrator John Pick and have him follow up.

August 4, 2009 – Assistant City Administrator LorĂ© Chambers sends email to Council President Smith and Vice President Comegys about mapping revitalization plans for Church, including the Bricks, advising that Homes for America, Inc. is “proceeding with environmental assessment.” Mayor Ireton and City Administrator John Pick are copied on email. Mayor Ireton adds to email and asks that the email thread be copied to council.

August 4, 2009 – Chambers forwards email to three remaining council members, with copies to the mayor and Pick. Campbell sends a “Reply All” email to Chambers requesting that an update on the Bricks be put on a work session agenda. (Smith and Comegys accidentally not included on this email because they were not on recipient list of one sent by Chambers.) Chambers emails reply only to Campbell that she will ask Pick to get the update on an upcoming work session agenda.

August 8, 2009 – Chambers makes update presentation on the Bricks at CSAFE neighborhood meeting.

Post August 8, 2009 – The Bricks does not come to a work session agenda. The next council hears about the Bricks, a request comes in September 25, 2009, to place a resolution on the September 28, 2009, legislative session agenda as an “emergency item” to allow Homes for America to submit a grant application to the state on behalf of the City for funding predevelopment costs on rehabilitating the Bricks.

As you can see from this installment, the summer of 2009 was the first real indication for council as a whole that something was moving with the Bricks and that it was Mayor Ireton who started the information sharing after he received Councilwoman Campbell’s inquiries.

In our next post on the Bricks, we’ll start with the September 25, 2009, request to add the Bricks as an “emergency item.” This was when we learned what had transpired while council as a body received no updates.

Monday, November 2, 2009

A Fuller Discussion on “The Bricks” – Part 2

(Editorial Note: Debbie Campbell works for a financial network that funds affordable housing of various economic models throughout the country. Terry Cohen’s prior legislative advocacy efforts included programs focused on increasing economic self-sufficiency of women, families and lower income individuals.)

In our previous post (below) on “The Bricks,” the Church Street area property that the City accepted as a donation, we started a timeline of what was considered in making that acceptance. Although we are both strong supporters of affordable housing, we had a variety of concerns about what was proposed by the Tilghman administration.

This is a building in need of serious rehabilitation in a neighborhood desperately in need of the stability that comes from home ownership and business. What would be its most beneficial use and using what public-private model? What would be the best use of taxpayer dollars and should any be involved? How could we limit or eliminate liability for the City?

In this installment, our timeline picks up in October 2008:

October 6, 2008 – Daily Times pre-work session article

October 6, 2008 – Work session on how to move forward with the Bricks.

Assistant City Administrator Loré Chambers did the presentation and informed us she met with Homes for America, Inc., in May of 2008 for ideas on what to do with the building. (Homes for America, Inc., is a non-profit developer of affordable housing, which has done other projects in Salisbury.)

Mrs. Chambers presented three options to council:
1. Turnkey project turned over to a developer
2. Long-term lease for a company to manage
3. Combination of one and two, similar to Mitchell Landing (the only city-owned affordable housing complex, 24 units started as new construction about 20 years ago).

She covered specifics about the condition of the building and said that the administration wanted council to approve Option 3. (NOTE: Council took no action.)

Homes for America, Inc., provided cost estimates in the range of $1.8 million. Mrs. Chambers said that a representative from the Department of Housing and Community Development had visited the site and felt it was a $2 million project. The building would have to be reconfigured in order to accommodate about 10 units.

The council still had not reached consensus about how to proceed or what the best and highest use of the property would be.

While it was good to learn the costs and ideas associated with the concept the administration was pushing, it drove the focus away from a richer discussion about options for the Bricks. Instead of considering possibilities such as a mixed use of residential and commercial, government use rolling over into private sale, selling outright to a for-profit enterprise or non-profit, etc., the discussion centered around a long-term, city-owned affordable housing complex with a price tag of $1.8 million as if it were an actual proposal.

Although we raised important issues about liability and other logistical considerations, Council President Smith asked Mrs. Chambers if the matter was time-sensitive. Mrs. Chambers said “no” but that the administration wanted to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP).

Campbell said it would be helpful to see the RFP and lease being proposed.

Council President Smith typically takes a straw vote poll to establish if consensus was reached to take a next interim step or to move something forward.

That did not happen.

Smith closed by asking the administration to get the documents back to council and said, “That’ll push it right along.”

In our next post, we’ll pick up the timeline from this point since October 6, 2008 was the last time council met to discuss the Bricks until council learned in late September 2009 that a contract to move ahead with development of “The Bricks” and two change orders had been signed by Mrs. Smith in her capacity as council president.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

A Fuller Discussion on “The Bricks” – Part 1

(Editorial Note: Debbie Campbell works for a financial network that funds affordable housing of various economic models throughout the country. Terry Cohen’s prior legislative advocacy efforts included programs focused on increasing economic self-sufficiency of women, families and lower income individuals.)

As noted in today’s Daily Times, we are presenting a full discussion on “The Bricks” since Op-Eds have been limited to 500 words. The discussion is multi-faceted, so we were only able to touch on a few highlights in the newspaper space allowed.

Our first post on “The Bricks,” a property located at 502 E. Isabella St. (intersection with Church Street) provides some earlier background and timeline information to help citizens understand the discussions about what to do with the property and the context for later events. Because the information is extensive, additional posts will follow either today, tomorrow, or both, to make for more digestible reading.

Both of us are committed to stimulating sustainable affordable housing efforts, as demonstrated in many council discussions, such as ensuring affordable housing needs are addressed in annexation agreements. Like growth, however, how and where affordable housing is developed is critical to its success.

For example, we asked questions about zoning standards in November 2007. The issue of parking for nine apartment units still has not been properly vetted.

Prior to November 2007 – Various discussions, including administration talks with then-property owner Gee Dunsten about property donation and Cathedral of Love about making the building affordable housing (discussions as noted by then-Mayor Tilghman at November 26, 2007 legislative meeting).

November 5, 2007 – Council discusses donation of the Bricks at its work session. General discussion about City’s role in ownership, working with developers and/or non-profit agencies, and zoning questions, including setbacks and parking.

November 26, 2007 – Council unanimously passes Resolution 1598 as amended. The amendment, moved by Campbell and seconded by Cohen, stated that the City “will endeavor to partner with a housing nonprofit for renovation, management and ownership."

The amendment, which opened up options for the City to put the Bricks into an ownership opportunity for a private entity, passed with votes of support from Campbell, Cohen and Smith. Campbell and Cohen raised possibilities of working with Salisbury Neighborhood Housing (SNHS) and/or Habitat for Humanity, either to create an “incubator” for home ownership in the Church Street area or placing it in their ownership for rental or ownership opportunities. (Editorial note: ownership opportunities would include, for example, owner-occupied condo units, with or without commercial space on the first floor.)

Shields and Comegys abstained from voting for the amendment. Shields raised concerns about SNHS, and Comegys said council was there to accept a donation, not discuss what was planned for the building.

April 11, 2008 – Appraisal puts value of the Bricks, now in City ownership, at $227,000.

October 6, 2008 – The Daily Times publishes pre-council work session article, stating that then-Mayor Tilghman said the building could serve as transitional homes for first-time homebuyers who might later move into Habitat for Humanity homes.

(Note: In an email dated September 29, 2009, Assistant City Administrator stated that Habitat does not have an active role in the project. Therefore, it is speculated that individuals from the project might be eligible for home ownership through Habitat or SNHS, but there is no current plan in place nor does there appear to be any meaningful discussions yet held for encouraging that to happen.)

In our next post, we’ll start with the October 6, 2008, work session discussion. Please feel free to call us or email us with any questions using the links and contact information on the right side of this web page.

"The Bricks" Information Coming at Noon

In coordination with our Op-Ed in today's Daily Times, we will be posting more information about the Church Street area property known as "The Bricks" at noon today. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes early morning readers.

Thank you for your patience.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Debbie Campbell's Full Comment to the Daily Times

"Against my objections and the caution of countless citizens, the council majority has been determined to borrow and spend for years. They did so with little regard for the burden being placed on the average taxpayer. As an example, millions of dollars in developer reimbursements (subsidies) were paid for with borrowed money - adding the additional expense of interest.

"Meaningful operating cuts that will result in long-term savings need to be
made. At the same time we must maintain our infrastructure and provide
core services at the most efficient level possible. We need to create a 5-year budget forecast to use as a road map and live within our means as a community.

"As the economy rebounds we need to pay down debt and rebuild the financial
strength of the city."

Special Trash Pickup Sept 14 thru Sept 18

This week, on your regular trash pickup day, the city will collect large
items that would normally require paying an additional fee, such as
furniture and the like. No appliances, automotive stuff or construction
waste. To take advantage of this twice yearly offer, Salisbury Public Works
must be notified of your request. Just call (410) 548-3170 and leave a
message before your trash pickup day comes to get on the list. Put your
stuff on the curb the night before and breathe a sigh of relief as it leaves
your life the next morning.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Debbie Campbell Press Conference



Debbie Campbell held a press conference Thursday, September 10, 2009 in the lobby at the Government Office building.

Debbie Campbell on Bill Reddish Show

Debbie Campbell is interviewed by WICO Morning Show host, Bill Reddish. Hear the interview in it's entirety. Click Here

Thursday, September 10, 2009

COUNCILWOMAN DEBBIE CAMPBELL RESPONDS TO POLITICAL ATTACKS

SALISBURY, MD – Salisbury City Councilwoman Debbie Campbell held a press conference this afternoon to respond to the baseless, manufactured, charges lobbed at her by political detractors:

“In an attempt to put some of this foolishness to rest, I am here today to answer questions regarding this matter. I have decided to stand up for myself and refute the false accusations and half-truths that the Daily Times feels are worthy of multiple front page stories. I am confident that my answers will allow the public to gain a better understanding of the lengths to which some groups will go to avoid honest, civil debate AND to prevent meaningful change for Salisbury and her citizens.”

Campbell responded to false allegations that she was in possession of a surveillance by categorically stating:

“I do not have this surveillance tape in my possession. I have never seen this tape. I do not even know that such a tape exists.”

Campbell attributed these malicious and fabricated attacks to a desire to intimidate her and put a stop to positive change for Salisbury and her citizens:

“Are we getting close enough to substantive, positive change in Salisbury that those who oppose reform have nothing left but to resort to these types of attacks?”

Today, Laura D'Alessandro of the Daily Times contacted Campbell and accused her of lying and criminal conduct. Campbell responded to the allegation:

“According to her (D'Alessandro), Mark Tyler of the Salisbury Police Department claims to have handed over the tape to me. Let me be perfectly clear about this. Mark Tyler never gave me any tape at any time whatsoever. I have not seen the April 3, 2009 memo in which Capt. Tyler allegedly makes the statement, though my attorney has requested a copy from the reporter. Because I have not seen the memo, or heard Capt. Tyler make such a statement, I can only hope that the reporter is mistaken, or has misinterpreted the memo, because it would have very, very serious implications if a member of the police department misrepresented the truth concerning an investigation or official police matter.”

Campbell, serving her second term as a Salisbury council member and representing District 2, was reelected by a 2 – to – 1 margin this past spring. During her tenure on council she has been a relentless advocate for her constituents, particularly in the areas of crime, neighborhood blight, lower taxes, and financial accountability.

To view a copy of Campbell’s prepared remarks as well as the supporting documents, Click Here

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Cohen on Reddish Monday Aug 17



Terry Cohen will be a guest on The Morning Show with Bill Reddish on WICO 1320 AM at 8:10. Many topics will be covered.

Monday, July 13, 2009

CITY OF SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

Meeting #14 July 13, 2009 6:00 p.m.
City/County Government Office Building Room 301
Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.

6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:06 p.m. CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION – Mayor James Ireton, Jr.
• Recognizing the Maryland Municipal League-Police Executives
Association “2009 TOP COP” award recipient
• Recognizing Wicomico EXILE award recipients

6:15 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove

• June 22, 2009 minutes 1a
• Resolution No. 1801- accepting Maryland Energy Administration EmPower Energy Grant funds 1b
6:20 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Internal Services Director Pam Oland 2

6:30 p.m. MANUFACTURING EXEMPTION REQUEST – Internal Services Director Pam Oland
• Delmarva Printing, Inc. 3

7:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING – Attorney Skip Cornbrooks 4
• Ordinance No. 2080 - amending Chapter 15.32, Plumbing Standards,
of the Salisbury Municipal Code to adopt fats, oils and grease regulations

7:30 p.m. ORDINANCE – Attorney Skip Cornbrooks 5
• Ordinance No. 2081 - 1st reading – reallocation of 2003 Series A
Infrastructure Bond proceeds

7:45 p.m. RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick
• Resolution No. 1802 - amending the tax deferral plan awarded to Salisbury Housing II, LLC for Gateway Village, to reflect a change in the name of the ownership entity 6a

• Resolution No. 1803 – accepting funds awarded through a grant from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention for the Church Street/Doverdale CSAFE areas 6b

8:15 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS

8:30 p.m. ADJOURN

Copies of the agenda items are available for review in the City Clerk’s Office
Room 305 - City/County Government Office Building 410-548-3140
or
on the City’s web site
www.ci.salisbury.md.us

The City Council reserves the right to go into closed session as
permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland 10-508(a)

Proposed agenda items for July 27, 2009 (subject to change)
• Resolution – supporting Community Legacy application (Downtown Master
Plan design)
• Public Hearing – reallocation of bond proceeds Ordinance
• Ordinance No. 2080 – 2nd reading – amending Chapter 15.32, Plumbing Standards,
of the Salisbury Municipal Code to adopt fats, oil and grease regulations

Friday, July 10, 2009

COHEN CORRECTS AND CLARIFIES DAILY TIMES ARTICLE REGARDING CHIEF WEBSTER

PRESS STATEMENT BY
TERRY E. COHEN, SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
JULY 10, 2009

COHEN CORRECTS AND CLARIFIES
DAILY TIMES ARTICLE REGARDING CHIEF WEBSTER

The Daily Times today did another disservice to the citizens of Salisbury by crafting a front-page of alleged news out of the newspaper’s speculation about vague rumors. This drains time, resources and attention away from important work and issues of the City, including crime, blight, and problems at the wastewater treatment plant.

Today, I hope to correct and clarify information about actions of which I have direct knowledge in an effort to maintain the public trust with transparency to the greatest possible degree allowed by law.

First, I did not collaborate with Council Member Debbie Campbell on any document concerning Salisbury Police Chief Alan Webster. I cannot speak for what Councilwoman Campbell may or may not have done, but can only speak for my own actions.

I wrote (under my own signature alone) and hand-delivered to Mayor Jim Ireton a letter reporting concerns raised in a meeting with constituents about crime, law enforcement and quality of life issues. The letter also addressed other citizen complaints. It included issues raised at the Mayor’s Crime Task Force open meeting, which I attended in June. I advised the Daily Times reporter of these facts.

Some details in the letter constitute personnel issues. Therefore, I cannot answer questions about them or provide more about the letter’s contents than the information above.

Second, I simply did my job as an elected representative of the people of Salisbury to inform the mayor of constituent issues and complaints concerning law enforcement and one or more city employees, as well as my own concerns based on this information. An elected representative relaying such concerns to the elected chief executive officer who administers operations and staff is a normal process of government. It is the mayor’s job, by charter, to decide what, if any, action is needed.

I cannot speak for what Mayor Ireton has or has not done with my letter, or will or will not do with it. Mayor Ireton is the only person to whom I’ve provided the letter. Again, by charter, it is his decision what, if anything, is to be done next regarding the information.

In the future, if there is newsworthy action or information concerning personnel or operations that can be provided to the public within the limits of the law, I trust that will be provided. Until then, I look forward to returning my attention to the important job I have of representing the citizens of Salisbury and working on their behalf.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Cohen on Reddish

Councilwoman Terry Cohen on WICO 1320 AM at 8:05 a.m. Monday

Terry Cohen will be Bill Reddish's guest on WICO 1320 AM at 8:05 a.m. Monday, June 8.

Cohen was cleared of any ethics violation, as was Councilwoman Debbie Campbell, by the Salisbury Ethics Commission in an opinion released Friday, June 5. The commission held a hearing last Wednesday on a citizen's complaint concerning votes and discussion involving council members' health insurance and found no wrongdoing by either councilwoman in the performance of her official duties.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Budget Detail and Comparison Analysis Available Here

In one of his first acts in office, Mayor Jim Ireton had the large Budget Message book put on the City's website at www.ci.salisbury.md.us.

As before, we are placing the planned year's Budget Detail Report and Next Year/Current Year Analysis reports on our website. These reports offer the level of detail needed for a fuller understanding of the proposed budget.

Please contact us if you have any questions. The public hearing on the FY2010 budget will be held at the Monday, May 11, council legislative session, beginning at 6 p.m., along with the public hearing on the Constant Yield Tax Rate.

Please attend this important meeting so that the council will know your feelings, concerns and questions on the budget that will affect you not only for the year it covers, but also budget years to come.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Today's Work Session Has Meaty Agenda

The briefing packet for today's work session is now up on our site for download. You will find a link on the right side of this page as you scroll down. More discussion will take place on funding Urban Salisbury. Impact fees and the Comprehensive Plan for the City are also on the agenda. Since a special meeting will be held first today at 4:30 p.m. to hear a claim on a water bill, the work session itself will start later, perhaps enabling more of the public to attend.

The meeting will be held in Room 305, the conference room beside the city clerk's office, in the Government Office Building downtown.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Public Hearing Rescheduled

Public Hearing Rescheduled


The City of Salisbury Department of Community Development wishes to announce that the Public Hearing concerning the draft of the new 5-year Consolidated Plan and the 2009 CDBG Action Plan has been rescheduled. The hearing, which was originally scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers (Room 301) of the City / County Government Office Building, will now be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. The time frame and location remain the same.

The draft Consolidated Plan and 2009 CDBG Action Plan are expected to be ready for public review by April 20, 2009. Another notice will issued when the documents are completed and the 30-day public comment period begins.

Contact: Deborah J. Stam
Director of Community Development
(410) 334-3031
April 1, 2009

Monday, March 23, 2009

Bill Reddish Asks About The WWTP

During the interview this morning Debbie Campbell was asked unanticipated questions by the host, Bill Reddish. To clarify further, we offer the following for your information.

March 13, 2009 Stover Group Proposal

March 16, 2009 Memo Request Stover

E. Stover's Resume


The e-mails that accompanied the letters are provided as context.

From: John Pick [mailto:jpick@ci.salisbury.md.us]
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:55 PM
To: ALL City Council Members; Barrie Tilghman
Cc: Brenda Colegrove; Lore Chambers; James Caldwell; Pamela Oland; Karen Reddersen; Chip Messick
Subject: WWTP Consultant Services

All – As you are aware we have been experiencing difficulties in getting all of the new components of the waste water treatment pant operating as they were designed. Since the last work session update, we have continued working with the design engineer, the construction manager and the contractor to resolve these problems. We have come to a point, however, that we feel it is necessary to bring in a specialized consultant to help us specifically with the biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes because the design engineer is apparently unable to make any further progress in determining how to fix this problem and because we have a deadline by which this process needs to be working in order for us to be in compliance with our permit. Accordingly, we have retained the services of Dr. Enos Stover, of Oklahoma State University, who is a specialist in this field and who has submitted a proposal to consult with us on this problem. Attached is a copy of the memo from Public Works requesting that we retain Dr. Stover’s services. Attached also are copies of Dr. Stover’s proposal and his resume. Retaining Dr.Stover’s services would qualify as specialized professional services under Section SC 16-3 (3) of the Charter allowing exceptions to competitive bidding for this type of service. Public Works is confident that this cost can be charged to the loan we received from MDE on this project and they are working with MDE to determine if it qualifies for grant funds. As you can see, Dr. Stover estimates this work to cost approximately $20,000. John

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Debbie S Campbell [mailto:debbiescampbell@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:20 PM
To: John Pick; ALL City Council Members; Barrie Tilghman
Cc: Brenda Colegrove; Lore Chambers; James Caldwell; Pamela Oland; Karen Reddersen; Chip Messick
Subject: RE: WWTP Consultant Services

Why would we be paying for the services? Wouldn’t this be the responsibility of the design engineer firm?

Debbie

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: John Pick [mailto:jpick@ci.salisbury.md.us]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 7:24 AM
To: Deborah S. Campbell; ALL City Council Members; Barrie Tilghman
Cc: Brenda Colegrove; Lore Chambers; James Caldwell; Pamela Oland; Karen Reddersen; Chip Messick
Subject: RE: WWTP Consultant Services

Debbie -The design engineering firm, O’Brien & Gere (OBG) may be responsible for this cost. OBG has been advising the City on start-up and we have temporarily suspended that effort from them. John

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Debbie S Campbell [mailto:debbiescampbell@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 8:50 AM
To: John Pick
Subject: RE: WWTP Consultant Services

John –

When was this decision made? Was it in writing? If so, I would like a copy. Who made the decision to suspend OBG? What is the state compliance deadline? Is the new contractor taking the place of OBG? In the absence of OBG who is managing the project? Thank you n advance for your prompt response to these questions.

Deb

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: John Pick
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 9:11 AM
To: James Caldwell
Subject: FW: WWTP Consultant Services

Jim – please see Ms. Campbell’s questions below. I know the answer to most but I’m not sure about the compliance deadline. John

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: John Pick [mailto:jpick@ci.salisbury.md.us]
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 3:26 PM
To: Deborah S. Campbell
Cc: ALL City Council Members; Barrie Tilghman; Brenda Colegrove; Lore Chambers; James Caldwell; Paul D. Wilber
Subject: FW: WWTP Consultant Services

Debbie – please see the following e-mail from Jim Caldwell in response to your follow-up questions concerning the additional WWTp consultant services. John

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: James Caldwell
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 1:48 PM
To: John Pick
Cc: pwilber@webbnetlaw.com
Subject: RE: WWTP Consultant Services

The decision to recommend a contract with a specialist to assist in plant startup was made on March 13, 2009 during a conference call including Public Works, City Attorney and Aqualaw. The City Attorney and SPW staff had conducted a phone interview with Dr. Stover on March 12th. The City Administrator was briefed on March 16th prior to the submittal of the memo of request to the Internal Services Department.

The decision to suspend the efforts of OBG relating to the Nutrient Removal Process startup was made on March 17th. This decision was a result of a conference call involving SPW staff, City Attorney and Aqualaw. A copy of the notice to OBG is attached. It is pointed out that the notice to OBG only impacts their startup advice for the Nutrient Removal Process. OBG remains fully engaged with all other services of the design engineer in their construction phase contract. Also, Arcadis (Construction Dynamics Group) remains fully engaged as the Construction Manager

The plant discharge permit for Nitrogen at a level of 6.6 mg/l will become effective May 1, 2009. We have verbally asked MDE for an extension of this date and will be formalizing this request immediately.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Campbell on Reddish

Debbie Campbell will be on WICO 1320 AM the Bill Reddish morning show at 7:40 a.m. WICO 1320 AM

Friday, March 20, 2009

Sunday, March 15, 2009

City Council Work Session

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
MARCH 16 2009
430PM
CONFERENCE ROOM 305
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

Special Meeting
Ordinance No 2075 2nd reading amendment of the FY09 City Marina Fund budget and the FY09 General Fund budget to appropriate funds for the increased costs of managing the Marina

Closed Session
Acquisition of property as permitted under the Annotated code of Maryland Sections 10-508(a)(3)(8)Wilber

Work Session
Presentation Environmental Policy Task Force - Dave Nemazie
Parking meter rates - Pam Oland
Briefing parking arrangement at Brew River Restaurant - Pam Oland
COPS grant - Chief Allan Webster
Amendments to health insurance plan - John Pick
General discussion/upcoming agendas

Monday, March 2, 2009

March 2 Council Work Session to Be Rescheduled

Tonight's work session is canceled and will be rescheduled, but as usual, the agenda appears below and the briefing packet is available for download via the links at right.

Please use all due caution when out and about today, whether driving or walking.

City Council Work Session - Monday March 2

MARCh 2 2009
430PM
CONFERENCE ROOM 305
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

Closed Session Paul Wilber
To consult with legal counsel on pending litigation as permitted under the Annotated
Code of Maryland Sections 10-508(a)(7)(8)

Open Session
Briefing on pavement maintenance study Jim Caldwell/Infrastructure Management
Services

Energy Management Plan - Karen Redderson Dick Anderson

Briefing on Lemmon Hill Standpipe Jim Caldwell

Change order on Isabella Street Shoreline Protection project Jim Caldwell

Marina discussion John Pick/Jim Caldwell

General discussion/upcoming agendas

Monday, February 23, 2009

City Council Meeting

CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
February 23, 2009
6:00p.m. Government Office Building Room 301


600pm CONVENE LORDS PRAYER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
604pm ADOPTION OF AGENDA

606pm CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION Mayor Barrie P Tilghman
Cops for Kids Christmas Collection Program

615pm CONSENT AGENDA City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
February 9 2009 minutes la
Resolution No 1754 reappointment of Jane Youngk to the Marina Committee for a term ending January 2011 1b

618pm ORDINANCE City Attorney Paul Wilber
Ordinance No 2074 lSt reading FY09 Marina Fund budget amendment to appropriate funds for the increased costs of managing the Marina 2

630pm RESOLUTION City Administrator John Pick
Resolution No 1755 adoption of FY2010-2014 Capital Improvement Plan 3

650pm PUBLIC COMMENTS

700pm ADJOURN

Monday, February 16, 2009

Debbie Campbell on Reddish

Debbie Campbell will be on the morning show with Bill Reddish tomorrow morning at 7:20 a.m. The show is broadcast on WICO 1320 AM

City Council Work Session

FEBRUARY 17, 2009
CONFERENCE ROOM 305
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING


4:30 p.m. Impact fees – Jack Lenox

5:00 p.m. Budget analyst position – Pam Oland

5:20 p.m. Mid-year financial report – John Pick/Pam Oland

5:50 p.m. Proposed City financial policies – John Pick/Pam Oland

6:20 p.m. Marina Fund budget amendment – Pam Oland/Jim Caldwell

6:40 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas

6:45 p.m. Adjourn

Sunday, February 8, 2009

City Council Meeting Agenda

6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:06 p.m. PRESENTATION – Mayor Barrie P. Tilghman
• Berni and Jim Greene
6:11 p.m. BRIEFING – Director of Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance
Tom Stevenson
• September 1990 oil spill into the Wicomico River
6:20 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
• January 26, 2009 minutes 1a
• Resolution No. 1753 - appointment of Thomas Elliott to the 1b
Marina Committee for a term ending January 2011
6:22 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Director of Internal Services Pam Oland 2
6:30 p.m. ORDINANCE – City Attorney Paul Wilber
• Ordinance No. 2073 – 2nd reading – FY09 General Fund budget 3
amendment to budget the receipt of lease purchase proceeds and the
corresponding purchase of vehicles and equipment
6:35 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS
6:45 p.m. ADJOURN

Cohen on Reddish

Terry Cohen will be on the morning show with Bill Reddish at 7:40 a.m. on WICO 1320 AM

Monday, February 2, 2009

City Council Work Session Today

City Council Work Session
Monday February 2, 2009
4:30pm Room 305
Government Office Building

Closed session
• Consult with legal counsel/potentiallitigation as permitted under the Annotated Code of
Maryland Sections 10-S08( a(7)(8)

Open session - immediately following closed session

• PAC 14 discussion

• Briefing on Station #2 feasibility study - Fire Chief See
(Council received a copy of the feasibility study through the City Administrator's
January 22, 2009 memo)

• Performance measures - John Pick/Lore Chambers

• Policies on annexation funds - John Pick

• General discussion/upcoming agendas

• Adjourn

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Campbell On Reddish

Debbie Campbell on Bill Reddish morning show tomorrow at 7:40 on WICO 1320 AM

Monday, January 26, 2009

City Council Agenda for Monday Jan 26, 2009

6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

6:06 p.m. PRESENTATION – Ms. Pam Baker (Barbacane, Thornton and Company)
• FY08 audit and financial statements

6:30 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
• January 12, 2009 minutes 1a

• Resolution No. 1751 - approving Rental, License and Service 1b
Agreements between the City of Salisbury and Premier Election
Solutions for the City’s 2009 Primary and General Elections

• Resolution No. 1752 - reappointment of Joe Vignale to the Building 1c
Board of Adjustments and Appeals for a term ending January 2014

6:32 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Director of Internal Services Pam Oland 2

6:45 p.m. ANNEXATION – Mr. Keith Hall

• Resolution No. 1728 – adoption of Leonard Lane/Michel Real Estate 3a
Partnership, LLC Annexation Plan

Resolution No. 1729 – adoption of Leonard Lane/Michel Real Estate 3b
Partnership, LLC Annexation

7:00 p.m. ORDINANCES – City Attorney Paul Wilber

• Ordinance No. 2071 – 2nd reading - FY09 General Obligation Bonds 4a
($3.82 million Sewer Fund projects – odor control at the north and
south side pump stations, diminutors/comminutors for north and south
side pump stations, upgrading DP&L lift station and costs of issuance)

• Ordinance No. 2073 - 1st reading – FY09 General Fund budget 4b
amendment to budget the receipt of lease purchase proceeds and the
corresponding purchase of vehicles and equipment

7:45 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS

8:00 p.m. ADJOURN

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

FY2008 Audit Presentation on Jan. 26



The FY2008 Audit will be formally presented to the Salisburry City Council at its Monday meeting January 26, 2009. The meeting takes place at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of the Government Office Building downtown.

The presentation will be done by the city’s new audit firm of Barbacane, Thornton and Company.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

The meeting will also be aired live on Comcast cable public access channel PAC14. For those without cable, PAC14 provides live streaming video of its programming on its website, http://www.pac14.org .

The audit is available for download on the City’s website,http://www.ci.salisbury.md.us, by clicking on the links at right on the home page.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Debbie Campbell on Reddish

Councilwoman Debbie Campbell will be on the morning show with Bill Reddish, Monday January 12 at 7:40am. WICO 1320 AM. The topic will be the audit and other issues.