Work Session

WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 25, 2025 PUBLIC OFFICIALS Present: Council President D'Shawn M. Doughty, Council Vice President Angela M. Blake, Councilwoman April R. Jackson and Councilwoman Sharon C. Dashiell Absent: Councilwoman Michele R. Gregory IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Randy Taylor, Acting City Administrator Tom Stevenson, Deputy City Administrator Allen Swiger, Events and Culture Manager Caroline O'Hare, Economic Development Manager Derek Jarmon, Media Specialist Jordan Ray, Procurement Director Michael Lowe, Finance Director Sandy Green, Associate Planner Zach White, Associate Planner Jennifer Jean, Police Chief Dave Meienschein, City Clerk Julie English, City Solicitor Ashley Bosche CALL TO ORDER The City Council convened in Work Session on August 25, 2025 at 6:24 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. PRESENTATIONS • Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Grant Presentation Ms. O'Hare shared that the Maryland Folk Festival received a $50,000 grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, with support from Beach to Bay Heritage Area, to fund the Folk Life stage. This year’s theme - Maryland, America in Miniature - showcases the state’s cultural heritage through music, dance, crafts, and storytelling, including Janice Curtis Green as Harriet Tubman. The grant covers artist fees, travel, lodging, staff, and equipment, promoting Salisbury as a cultural hub and boosting tourism and economic development. The festival runs September 19– 21 across four stages, with downtown businesses participating. • Presentation of Brand New Downtown SBY Website Mr. Ray presented Salisbury’s new website, downtownsby.com. The website was designed to be the central hub for residents and visitors to explore downtown events, businesses, and cultural initiatives. He explained that it replaced the outdated platform and offered an easy-to-navigate, fully functional experience. Key features included a month-by-month event calendar, a categorized business directory, and an interactive GIS portal highlighting public art and walking tours. The site allowed users to plan visits, boosted downtown engagement and tourism, and drove foot traffic to local businesses. Mr. Ray noted the website was led by the communications department and strengthened the city’s connection with the community and visitors. 1 RESOLUTIONS • Franchise Fee Negotiations Finance Director Sandy Green presented a resolution to appoint Cohen Law Group and CBG Communications for cable franchise renewal consulting. The current contract had expired and their expertise was needed for complex negotiations. Cohen Law Group was deemed the most qualified. Council gave consensus to move this forward to Legislative Session. • Annexation Introduction for Gordy Road/Beaglin Park Drive Mr. White reviewed a request to annex 0.87 acres of parcel 312 along Gordy Road to complete the Aydelotte Farms PRD, bringing several lots fully into city limits with zoning as Plan Residential Zone 7. Parcel 310 and its access easement were excluded per the owner’s wishes. After addressing questions about utilities and the property, the council gave consensus to move the annexation forward. • Annexation Introduction for Johnson Road, Parcel 269 Ms. Jean introduced a request to annex parcel 269 on Johnson Road, a 14.88-acre property currently zoned R20 in Wicomico County. The applicant requested R5A residential zoning for a development of 148 townhomes with public water and sewer. Discussions included potential policies for including affordable housing in future annexations and the benefits of connecting to city water and sewer versus having wells. It was noted that the existing home on the parcel would not be annexed. The council gave consensus to move the annexation forward. ORDINANCES • Drug Court Grant Chief Meienschein informed the Council that $5,000 in recurring funding from the Office of Problem-Solving Courts supported Wicomico Drug Court clients, helped officers perform home visits and curfew checks to assist in aid compliance, recovery, and to reduce crime. Having no further questions, consensus was given by the council to move this forward to Legislative Session. • Budget Amendment for North Prong Mr. Swiger presented an ordinance to approve a budget amendment reallocating funds to 337 Lake Street as part of the North Prong Park project. Funds would be transferred from the Unity Square streetscaping project, which was almost complete. Councilmembers expressed strong support, noting the property was an eyesore and the project had been long awaited. Consensus was given to move the amendment forward. PUBLIC COMMENT (Agenda Items Only) The following public comments were heard: • Speaker #1 urged the council to adopt an affordable housing code, noting Salisbury lacked one. Council responded that updates would come from the housing team in September. • Speaker #2 highlighted costs from failing septic systems and the need for better public education on city services and gradual tax payments. 2  • Speaker #3 was in favor of the North Prong property purchase and wanted a community-driven planning process, while addressing issues like lack of shade early in the design. ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS Mayor Taylor expressed appreciation for public comments on Carroll Street. He noted the upcoming projects: infrastructure improvements on Fitzwater Street, installation of the final floodgate on Lake Streets east side, and repairs to damaged concrete buffers, with more projects planned. COUNCIL COMMENTS Ms. Jackson praised the summer program for engaging kids from multiple communities with activities and arts, and thanked city staff and volunteers for their support. She emphasized the importance of such programs for keeping children safe. Additionally, she encouraged community support for Relay for Life, sharing personal experience as a two-time cancer survivor. Ms. Dashiell recognized Poplar Hill’s 50th anniversary, the Estonian choir performance, the Tidal Health Clinic ribbon-cutting, local cleanup efforts, and Salisbury University’s 100- year celebration. Ms. Blake congratulated Ms. Jackson on the successful program and was excited for the Westside Community Center. She shared a personal connection to Salisbury University, highlighting her grandmother’s history there. Ms. Blake encouraged plasma, blood and organ donation, and reminded everyone to drive safely as school resumed. She also applauded the Council and Mayor for allocating $1 million for infrastructure improvements in Foggy Bottom, Spring Chase, and Schumaker Manor, noting the positive impact for those communities. President Doughty attended the Governor’s sub-cabinet summer roundtable on socio- economic procurement. The new Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility would streamline resources from three offices to support historically underserved communities. ADJOURNMENT The Work Session adjourned at 7:27 p.m. __________________________________ City Clerk _________________________________________ Council President