Legislative Session

LEGISLATIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES JUNE 9, 2025 PUBLIC OFFICIALS Present: Council President D'Shawn M. Doughty, Council Vice President Angela M. Blake, Councilwoman April R. Jackson, Councilwoman Michele R. Gregory and Councilwoman Sharon C. Dashiell IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Randy Taylor, City Administrator Andy Kitzrow, City Clerk Julie English, City Solicitor Ashley Bosche CALL TO ORDER The City Council convened in Legislative Session on June 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS/PLEDGE President Doughty welcomed everyone to the meeting and provided the emergency exit instructions. He then asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION - Pastor Keith Conkle - Canvas Church Pastor Keith Conkle from Canvas Church was called forward to provide the Invocation. PRESENTATION AND ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA City Clerk Julie English presented the legislative agenda. President Doughty called for a motion to adopt the legislative agenda as presented. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. CONSENT AGENDA Ms. English presented the Consent Agenda items. The items were as follows: • Meeting Minutes for Approval December 9, 2024 Legislative Session December 16, 2024 Special Meeting 1  December 16, 2024 Work Session January 13, 2025 Work Session January 13, 2025 Legislative Session January 27, 2025 Special Meeting January 27, 2025 Work Session January 27, 2025 Legislative Session May 12, 2025 Legislative Session Angela M. Blake motioned and April R. Jackson seconded. The vote was 5-0. RESOLUTIONS • Youth Development Advisory Committee Resolution No. 3401 - appointing Peyton Hudson for term ending June 2028 April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Human Rights Advisory Committee Resolution No. 3402 - appointing Kelly Martinez for term ending June 2027 Angela M. Blake motioned and April R. Jackson seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Human Rights Advisory Committee Resolution No. 3403 - appointing Sophia Peters for term ending June 2027 Angela M. Blake motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Human Rights Advisory Committee Resolution No. 3404 - re-appointing Demetria Marshall for term ending June 2027 Angela M. Blake motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. • T.R.U.T.H. Committee Resolution No. 3405 - appointing Carileigh Jones for term ending June 2029 April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. ORDINANCES • FY2026 Budget Ordinance - 2nd Reading Council discussed two position changes within the budget: reclassifying the vacant Deputy Director of Infrastructure Development to an Assistant City Administrator and adding a Media Specialist position to the Clerk’s office. Concerns were raised about the necessity and cost of the Media Specialist position with some members noting that interns and existing communications staff could handle the work. Ms. Blake had concerns of communication between Council and Administration. After Council discussion, prompted by Ms. Dashiell, the ordinance was amended. The amendment included removing the Media Specialist position and approving the Assistant City Administrator position. Ordinance No. 2935 - appropriating the necessary funds for the operation of the government and administration for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, establishing the levy for the Genral 2 Fund for the same fiscal period and establishing the appropriation for the Water and Sewer, Parking Authority, City Marina, and Storm Water Funds April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 3-0. • FY2026 Water Sewer Rates-Mayor Level - 2nd Reading Ordinance No. 2936 - to amend Water and Sewer rates to increase by 6% and making said changes effective for all bills dated October 1, 2025 and thereafter, unless and until subsequently revised or changed. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 4-0. • FY2026 Fee Ordinance - 2nd Reading Ordinance No. 2937 - to set fees for FY2026 and thereafter unless and until subsequently revised or changed. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Funds from the Maryland State Arts Council - Presenting and Touring Grant - 2nd Reading Ordinance No. 2938 - authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the Maryland State Arts Council for the purpose of accepting grant funds in the amount of $5,000 and to approve a budget amendment to the grant fund to appropriate these funds for expenses associated with strengthening collaborative efforts between Maryland-based touring artists and the Maryland Folk Festival. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Accepting Grant Funds & Grant Agreement from Tidal Health for the REACH Grant for SWIFT/MDCN -2nd reading Ordinance No. 2939 - authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Tidal Health for the purpose of accepting Sub-Granted Funds in the amount of $74,740.00 to be used for partial salary and benefits of the SWIFT Community Paramedic April R. Jackson motioned and Angela M. Blake seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Accepting Grant Funds from DNR for Boat Motor - 2nd reading Ordinance No. 2940 - authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the Department of Natural Resources Waterway Improvement Fund (WIF) Grant for the purpose of accepting grant funds in the amount of $2,156, and to approve a budget amendment to the grant fund to appropriate these funds for the Salisbury Fire Department Angela M. Blake motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Budget Amendment for Surplus Heart Monitor Sale - Second Reading Ordinance No. 2941 - approving a budget amendment of the FY2025 general fund budget to appropriate $6,141.38 to the Salisbury Fire Department operating budget after the City received $6,141.38 in proceeds generated from the auction sale of surplus heart monitors Angela M. Blake motioned and April R. Jackson seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Budget Amendment for Surplus Radio Sale - Second Reading Ordinance No. 2942 - approving a budget amendment of the FY25 general fund budget to appropriate $18,984.60 to the Salisbury Fire Department's operating budget after the City received $18,984.60 in proceeds generated from the auction sale of the portable radios and accessories 3  Angela M. Blake motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Ordinance to Amend Title 5 of the Salisbury City Code (Chesapeake Franchise Agreement) - 1st reading Ordinance No. 2943 - amending Title 5 of the Salisbury City Code, entitled "Business Licenses and Regulations," to add Chapter 5.23 to authorize and govern a gas franchise agreement Michele R. Gregory motioned and Angela M. Blake seconded. The vote was 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENT The following public comments were heard: Speaker #1 felt the Media Specialist position was unnecessary, questioned reimbursements, and asked for better budget oversight. She praised the hometown hero banners but suggested they be displayed downtown. Speaker #2 argued that a part-time council member did not need a full-time PR person. Speaker #3 urged the council to review and repeal Ordinance 1961, arguing it discriminated against families and students by limiting unrelated residents in a rental, and created unnecessary barriers to housing in the city. Speaker #4 asked for better transparency, and clearer, more responsible city spending. Speaker #5 criticized the last-minute budget changes and urged proper council oversight on issues like water/sewer rates and the “4-2” occupancy law. Speaker #6 urged residents in critical need of home repairs to contact Habitat for Humanity. Speaker #7 believed that social media tasks could be handled by interns or existing staff rather than creating a paid position. Speaker #8 criticized the street sign that was made for Captain Bryan Lewis and the Mayor’s absence during the street renaming, asking for a public apology. The Mayor explained he missed the ceremony due to a family emergency and offered a public apology. ADJOURNMENT/CONVENE IN WORK SESSION The Legislative Session was adjourned at 7:18 p.m. _________________________________ City Clerk _________________________________ Council President 4