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.

Campbell on Reddish

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

Salisbury Crime Statistics

Maryland Crime Stats for 2007

Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reports
FBI Crime Reports

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

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

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

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

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

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

Campbell On Reddish

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

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

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.

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.

Campbell on Reddish

Debbie Campbell will be the guest of Bill Reddish on his morning show. Tune in to WICO 1320 AM at 7:40 tomorrow morning.

City Council Work Session Agenda

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
- - - - - - - - - - -
DECEMBER 1, 2008
CONFERENCE ROOM 305
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
4:30 p.m. Briefing on Library space study – Tom Hehman/Melanie Hennigan
(Grimm & Parker)
5:15 p.m. Budget amendment for the Water Plant for require chemicals – Jim Caldwell
5:40 p.m. Council discussion – expectations regarding MUNIS reports
6:10 p.m. Council discussion – Building, Permitting & Inspections, Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance and any other departments with records retention schedules relating to the use of property or compliance of property
6:40 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas
7:10 p.m. Adjourn
The Council reserves the right to convene in Closed Session as permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland 10-508(a)

Debbie Campbell Volunteers

Debbie Campbell will be at Giant Foods this morning, 9am until Noon. Debbie will be ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. Come on out and help fill the kettle.

Campbell on Reddish

Debbie Campbell will be on WICO 1320 AM at 7:40am Tuesday November 18.

Salisbury City Council Agenda for November 3, 2008

Work Session to be held in Conference Room 305 at the Government Office Building.

4:30 FY07 Bond Ordinance amendment - Pam Oland

5:00 Take home vehicle policy - John Pick

5:30 Records Management and Retention Policy - Brenda Colegrove/Kim Nichols

6:00 Update on Delmarva Power lift station - Jim Caldwell

6:30 Accepting donation of Anderson property located on Anne and Short Streets - John Pick

6:55 General discussion/upcoming agendas

7:00 Adjourn

The Council reserves the right to convene in Closed Session as permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland 10-508(a)

Campbell on Reddish

Debbie Campbell will be a guess on the Bill Reddish Morning Show. WICO 1320 AM at 7:40 a.m.

Campbell and Cohen Advance Take-Home Vehicle and Service Bids Policies

Campbell is also happy to report that the take-home vehicle policy is finally coming back to council for review and expresses guarded optimism that there will be significant reform that will equate to meaningful savings. Campbell is on record as supporting take home cars for police officers living within the metro core, but has been opposed to the liberal take home car policies in other departments and for those living outside the area...sometimes outside Wicomico County and even the state of Maryland.

“Councilwoman Cohen and I have been working to ensure that representations made at budget time to take other contracts for goods and services out for competitive pricing will be realized within the next month and will result in additional savings,” Campbell added.

Cohen Pushes for Greater Accountability and Effectiveness in Marina Management

As directed by the city council, the city administration is preparing to issue a new RFP (Request for Proposal) for management of the Port of Salisbury Marina, which has consistently had losses – often around $50,000 – annually. As a boater/sailor with knowledge of different marinas, Councilwoman Cohen has pushed for greater accountability and effectiveness in marina operations.

“Some say we should sell the marina, which is certainly an option, but not likely to happen soon in today’s volatile downturn economy,” Cohen remarked. “I see the potential in the marina, even given some of the obstacles it faces.”

Cohen recently made a tour of the marina and contacts with those familiar with it. She has made recommendations for changes to the RFP and is in the process of reviewing the revised version. The city administration is hoping to put it out to the public in the first week of November.

“With the right approach, personnel and contract requirements, we can realize that potential and both leverage the marina as a public asset and relieve the taxpayers of ongoing losses,” Cohen explained.

Campbell Promotes Fiscal Responsibility for Taxpayers

Another of Councilwoman Campbell’s efforts has been focused on a revisit of the current budget to reduce spending in response to the volatile financial times facing our taxpayers. The suggestion to go back and offer budget amendments to cut costs was advanced at the Goal Setting Session earlier this month and again at the work session held on October 20th.

“The response from the council majority has been less than supportive,” said Campbell, citing remarks that reducing spending in the current fiscal year is the job of the administration.

“To date, there has been no offer by the administration to revisit the budget in response to these tough economic times, either at the Goal Setting Session or since that time. The council has the authority to make budget amendments. If the administration doesn’t act upon the suggestion in the next few weeks then I believe that we (the council) owe it to our taxpayers to take a second look in order to see if there are areas where cutbacks can be made,” Campbell added.