Legislative Session

LEGISLATIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 2, 2026 PUBLIC OFFICIALS Present: Council President Angela M. Blake, Council Vice President April R. Jackson, Councilwoman Michele R. Gregory, Councilwoman Sharon C. Dashiell and Councilwoman Melissa D. Holland IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Randy Taylor, Deputy City Administrator Allen Swiger, City Clerk Julie English and City Solicitor Ashley Bosche CALL TO ORDER The City Council convened in Legislative Session on February 2, 2026 at 6:36 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS/PLEDGE President Blake welcomed everyone to the meeting and provided the emergency exit instructions. She then asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION - Pastor Greg Carlson - Park Seventh Day Adventist Pastor Greg Carlson from Park Seventh Day Adventist was called forward to provide the Invocation. PRESENTATION AND ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA City Clerk Julie English presented the legislative agenda. President Blake called for a motion and a second to adopt the legislative agenda as presented. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. AWARD OF BIDS Presented by Procurement Director Michael Lowe • Award of Bids 1. ITB A-26-109 SPD Vehicle Upfitting 2. ITB A-26-111 Pump and Electric Motor Repair Services 3. ITB A-26-113 WWTP Magnesium Hydroxide 4. ITB A-26-116 Carbon Source and Use Reduction Program WWTP President Blake called for a motion and a second to approve the Award of Bids. Melissa D. Holland motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. RESOLUTIONS Presented by Ms. English • Youth Development Advisory Committee Reappointment Resolution No. 3446- Reappointment of Amber Green to the Youth Development Advisory Committee for term ending January 2029. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Truth, Racial, Unity, Transformation, and Healing (TRUTH) Committee Appointment Resolution No. 3447 - Appointment of Muhammad Khan to the TRUTH committee for term ending January 2029. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Resolution to Amend SC7-25 - 1st Reading Charter Amendment Resolution No. 2026-1 - to amend SC7-25 of the charter of the City of Salisbury to change the signatures and authorization requirements for disbursements. Michele R. Gregory motioned and April R. Jackson seconded. The vote was 5-0. PUBLIC HEARING Presented by Ms. Bosche • Updating SC5-1 to increase the maximum fines for misdemeanors and municipal infractions - 2nd reading President Blake directed anyone wishing to comment during the public hearing to stand and be sworn in by the City Clerk. No members of the public were sworn in. Ms. Bosche opened the public hearing at 6:48 p.m. Charter Amendment Resolution No. 2025-3 - to amend SC5-1 of the charter to increase the maximum fine for misdemeanors and municipal infractions from $1,000 to $5,000 in accordance with newly updated state law. Having no comments, the hearing was closed at 6:49 p.m. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. ORDINANCES Presented by Ms. Bosche • Grant Acceptance - 2nd Reading Ordinance No. 2968 - Approving a budget amendment of the grant fund budget to accept $2,000 in grant funds from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore from the Salisbury Fire Department's SWIFT program for patient transportation costs. April R. Jackson motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0.  • Tidal Health Road Closures - 2nd Reading Ordinance No. 2969 - for the closing of Royal Street, Center St. and a portion of West Vine St. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Melissa D. Holland seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Budget Amendment Bless Our Children Donation for Santa's Winter Wonderland - 2nd Reading Ordinance No. 2970 - approving a budget amendment of the City's FY26 budget, accepting a donation from Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation for the Santa Workshop Program. Michele R. Gregory motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Reallocate Paygo funds from completed Water Sewer Capital Projects - 1st reading Ordinance No. 2971 - authorizing the Mayor to reallocate Paygo funds from completed Water Sewer Capital Projects to provide additional funding for the effluent filter pump. April R. Jackson motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Reallocate Paygo Funds from Completed Capital Projects - 1st reading Ms. Dashiell requested additional information regarding the city park projects. Mr. Swiger explained that the funding supports phase one of the City Park Master Plan, which includes updating lighting along the park paths, upgrading infrastructure, and completing the pedestrian bridge, which was expected to be put out for bid soon. He also confirmed that the St. Peters Main Street project was primarily a construction effort involving milling and paving. Ordinance No. 2972 - to reallocate Paygo funds from completed General Capital projects to provide additional funding for Zoning Code update and the St. Peter's Main Street and City Park projects. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Medical Supplies Budget Transfer Request -1st Reading Ordinance No. 2973 - approving a budget amendment of the FY2026 General Fund Budget to appropriate an additional $ 50,000 to the Salisbury Fire Department's Medical Supplies Account. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Acceptance of State Grant for AEDs - 1st Reading Ordinance No. 2974 - authorizing the Mayor to enter into the contract with the Maryland Institute from Emergency Medical Services Systems for the purpose of accepting Grant Funds in the amount of $5,000.00, and to approve a budget amendment to the Grant Fund to appropriate these funds for the Salisbury Fire Department. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Sanitation & Streets Budget Amendment - 1st Reading Ordinance No. 2975- approving a budget amendment of the FY2026 general fund budget to appropriate funds to the department of Field Operations budget. April R. Jackson motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENT • Speaker #1 reported that rental assistance funding was exhausted, but critical home repair programs still had limited funds available and residents were encouraged to apply.  • Speaker #2 gave an overview of ranked-choice voting, its benefits for voter representation and inclusive elections. • Speaker #3 spoke against ranked-choice voting, saying it’s unnecessary for local nonpartisan elections and citing that only 18 U.S. jurisdictions used it in 2025. • Speaker #4 spoke in favor of ranked-choice voting, noting its use in cities nationwide. • Speaker #5 recommended council to adopt ranked-choice voting to increase voter impact, ensure majority-supported winners, and reduce divisive local politics. • Speaker #6 reviewed past Salisbury election changes and recommended ranked-choice voting or a runoff. • Speaker #7 expressed curiosity about tree up lighting times due to wildlife concerns and suggested council provide educational resources on ranked-choice voting to inform both members and the public. • Speaker #8 voiced support for ranked-choice voting. • Speaker #9 spoke in support of ranked-choice voting, highlighting its potential to increase civic engagement. • Speaker #10 spoke in support of ranked-choice voting, noting that it allowed voters to vote for candidates they like rather than against others. • Speaker #11 noted the need to restore state enabling legislation for the Neighborhood Housing Tax Credit, discussed the county disparity grant, and expressed skepticism for ranked-choice voting. • Speaker #12 criticized the lack of transparency about ranked-choice voting on the agenda and questioned unused funds from the 2019 and 2021 city bonds. 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