Legislative Session

LEGISLATIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES JULY 14, 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 Ms. Jackson via Zoom, Mayor Randy Taylor, Acting City Administrator Tom Stevenson, Police Chief David Meienschein, Colonel Howard Drewer, City Clerk Julie English, City Solicitor Laura Ryan CALL TO ORDER The City Council convened in Legislative Session on July 14, 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 introduced Acting City Administrator Tom Stevenson and council intern Murtaza Aqil. He then asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION - Pastor Greg Morris - Parkway Church of God Pastor Greg Morris from Parkway Church of God was called forward to provide the Invocation. PROCLAMATION - Mayor Randy Taylor • Retirement of Master Police Officer Milton Rodriguez Chief Meienschein presented Master Police Officer Milton Rodriguez with the Governor’s Citation, recognizing 29 years of dedicated service with the Salisbury Police Department. A Certificate of Retirement was also presented, honoring his professionalism, devotion to duty, and mentorship of younger officers. In addition, a shadow box display of his awards and badges was given. Chief shared a lighthearted story about Rodriguez. The Salisbury Police Department expressed appreciation for Rodriguez’s distinguished career and extended best wishes for his retirement. 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, noting that the Public Hearing was removed and moved to the next meeting. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Angela M. Blake seconded. The vote was 5-0. CONSENT AGENDA Ms. English presented the Consent Agenda item. The item was as follows: • Manufacturing Exemption - Perdue Foods, LLC(2024) President Doughty called for a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda. Angela M. Blake motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. AWARD OF BIDS Procurement Director Michael Lowe presented the Award of Bids. • Award of Bids 1. ITB A-26-102 Citywide Pavement Resurfacing 2. ITB A-26-101 Citywide Concrete Repair and Placement 3. ITB A-25-112 On Call Sewer Line Cleaning and CCTV Inspection 4. ITB 26-104 Ambulances for Fire Department 5. ITB 26-103 Sanitation Truck The vote was 5-0. DECLARATION OF SURPLUS Procurement Director Michael Lowe presented the Declaration of Surplus. • Declaration of Surplus 1. 2 Service Weapons Salisbury Police Department President Doughty called for a motion and a second to approve the Declaration of Surplus. Angela M. Blake motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. RESOLUTIONS Presented by Ms. English • Election Board Resolution No. 3415 - Appointing Stephen Feliciano to the Election Board for term ending July 2031. Michele R. Gregory motioned and Angela M. Blake seconded. The vote was 5-0.  • Friends of Poplar Hill Board of Directors Resolution No. 3416 - Re -appointing Jeanna Mears to the Friends of Poplar Hill Board of Directors for term ending July 2028. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. PUBLIC HEARING Ms. English noted for the record that the Public Hearing was removed from the agenda and rescheduled for the next meeting. ORDINANCES Presented by City Solicitor Laura Ryan • Budget Amendment to increase funding for Attorney Fees for Special Counsel - 2nd Reading Ordinance No. 2944 - approving a budget amendment of the FY26 General Fund budget to appropriate additional funds required for legal services. Angela M. Blake motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Budget Ordinance - Naylor Mill Water Main Extension - 2nd Reading Ordinance No. 2945 - authorizing a budget amendment to appropriate funds for water main infrastructure needed to accommodate future growth in the area of Naylor Mill Road and Jersey Road. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Acceptance of BJAG Grant Funding from GOCCP 1st Reading Ordinance No. 2946 - to accept funds received from Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services through the Byrne-Justice Assistance Program for the purchase and installation of camera and cellular gateway equipment. Michele R. Gregory motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENT The following public comments were heard: Speaker #1 shared that Habitat for Humanity had helped 27 families with home repairs and secured $660,000 in new grant funding. She added that they were seeking licensed contractors and requested to share program details at a future Work Session. Speaker #2 expressed disappointment at being banned from a local restaurant. He thanked the Council for the opportunity to share his voice.  Speaker #3 noted the City Council could not adopt planning commission rules under state law. He recommended the commission adopt its own rules, reference state rules, and remove unrelated provisions. Speaker #4 asked about RFP 25-103 for Waterside Park improvements. Mayor stated that the project would be rebid, with results expected by mid-August. ADJOURNMENT/CONVENE INTO WORK SESSION The Legislative Session was adjourned at 6:47 p.m.  CLOSED SESSION #1 MEETING MINUTES JUNE 16, 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, Special Counsel Reena Patel MOTION TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION The City Council convened in Closed Session on June 16, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. The Closed Session was to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on pending litigation and to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation as authorized by the State Government Article, § 3-305(b)(7) and (8). April R. Jackson motioned and Angela M. Blake seconded. The vote was 5-0. Topic of discussion was the lawsuit filed against the City involving Lots 1, 11 and 15. DISCUSSION TOPIC • Lawsuit filed against the City involving Lots 1, 11, and 15 Ms. Patel provided an overview of the recently filed lawsuit against the city and the associated development project. After discussion and a better understanding of the current situation, Council advised Ms. Patel to await further court and developer actions before determining next steps. MOTION TO AJOURN AND RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION April R. Jackson motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. REPORT OUT TO PUBLIC - COUNCIL PRESIDENT DOUGHTY President Doughty immediately convened in open session to provide a report out. He stated that the Closed Session was to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on pending litigation and to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation as authorized by the State Government Article, § 3-305(b)(7) and (8). ADJOURNMENT/MOTION TO CONVENE IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION The open session adjourned at 5:57 p.m.  CLOSED SESSION #2 MEETING MINUTES JUNE 16, 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, LGIT Attorney Victoria Shearer MOTION TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION The City Council convened in Closed Session on June 16, 2025 at 8:11 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. The Closed Session was to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on pending litigation and to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation as authorized by the State Government Article, § 3-305(b)(7) and (8). Angela M. Blake motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. The topics of discussion were the lawsuit filed against the City regarding Marina Landing and possible litigation regarding Lot 10. DISCUSSION TOPICS • Lawsuit filed against the City regarding Marina Landing Ms. Shearer provided an overview of the complaint, the legal process, and an upcoming deadline to file a response with the court. Councilmembers and the Mayor discussed the history of the project, the existing agreements, and possible next steps. • Possible litigation regarding Lot 10 Ms. Bosche provided an update on Lot 10 and the related parking lot agreement. Council discussed possible action and reviewed the risks and costs associated with litigation. Next steps could not yet be determined. MOTION TO AJOURN AND RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION President Doughty called for a motion and a second. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and April R. Jackson seconded. The vote was 5-0. REPORT OUT TO PUBLIC - COUNCIL PRESIDENT DOUGHTY President Doughty immediately convened in open session to provide a report out. He stated that the Closed Session was to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on pending litigation and to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation as authorized by the State Government Article, § 3-305(b)(7) and (8). ADJOURNMENT The open session adjourned at 8:57 p.m. _________________________________ City Clerk _________________________________ Council President