Town Council Meetings

Town of Sykesville Dear 7547 Main Street, Sykesville, MD 21784 Town House p: 410.795.8959 f: 410.795.3818 Stacy Link, Mayor townofsykesville.org Joseph Cosentini, Town Manager Craig Weaver, Town Treasurer Kerry G. Chaney, Town Clerk OFFICIAL MINUTES OF MAY 10, 2021 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING NO. 21-08 The Council meeting of the Town of Sykesville was held on Monday, May 10, 2021. Mayor Shaw called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. via Zoom.us. Mayor Shaw led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. PRESENT: Mayor Ian Shaw, Council President Alan Grasley, and Council Members Anna Carter, Mark Dyer, Leo Keenan, Stacy Link, and Jeremiah Schofield. STAFF: Joseph Cosentini, Town Manager Police Chief Michael Spaulding Kerry Chaney, Town Clerk Jana Antrobus, Executive Assistant Derek Shreves, Public Works Director Craig Weaver, Town Treasurer PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA I. Minutes from March 22, 2021 II. Minutes from April 12, 2021 III. Appointment of Ted Ludvigsen to fill the unfinished term of Ed Cinkole on the Planning Commission Council Member Link asked how much time is left on Ed Cinkole’s term for the Planning Commission. About three years is the remaining term length. MOTION: Council Member Link motioned to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Council Member Carter seconded. The motion carried unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS I. Public Hearing on the Constant Yield Rate MOTION: Council President Grasley motioned to open the public hearing on the Constant Yield Rate. Council Member Keenan seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously. There were no comments from the public. MOTION: Council President Grasley motioned to close the public hearing on the Constant Yield Rate. Council Member Keenan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. II. Public Hearing on Ordinance NO. 2021-03 FY2022 Budget, Tax Rate, and CIP MOTION: Council President Grasley motioned to open the public hearing on Ordinance NO. 2021-03 for the FY2022 Budget, Tax Rate, and CIP. Council Member Link seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. There were no comments from the public. MOTION: Council President Grasley motioned to close the public hearing on Ordinance NO. 2021-03 for the FY2022 Budget, Tax Rate, and CIP. Council Member Schofield seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. III. Consider/Discuss/Act on Ordinance NO. 2021-03 for the FY2022 Budget, Tax Rate, and CIP Joe Cosentini, Town Manager, explained that there is a slight increase in revenue that is offset by an increase in the sanitation budget for dumpsters. The Town has also received a $5,000 grant from LGIT to be used towards the Police body worn cameras. The money saved will be shifted to the outfitting of the new police car. The total CIP amount will not change. Council Member Schofield noted that he is open to increasing the amount for design and engineering for Comprehensive Plan deliverables. He would like the amounts to be reviewed by the Council for approval before changes. Mayor Shaw recommended the public be involved in comments for any design and engineering. Council Member Carter noted that the tax rate is remaining the same even though the Constant Yield rate is lower, and the required newspaper posting said a tax increase. MOTION: Council President Grasley motioned to approve Ordinance NO. 2021-03 for the FY2022 Budget, Tax Rate, and CIP. Council Member Dyer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS • The next meeting is May 24, 2021. This will be held via Zoom. • We have volunteer opportunities available on the Historic District Commission, SPARC, Board of Zoning Appeals, Police Auxiliary, and Crossing Guard. Email town@sykesville.net for more information about volunteering with the Town. • Staff Updates o Joe Cosentini, Town Manager announced the Comprehensive Plan is scheduled to be before the Council for consideration on June 14. The Town did receive comments from the State and are incorporating them into the Plan now. o He also announced the year end budget revisions will be on the May 24 agenda. o The Town received guidance from the Maryland Municipal League regarding the American Rescue Plan. It is over 150 pages and is available to Council for their review. o Election Results ▪ For Mayor: • Stacy Carole Link 519 (elected) • Ian Shaw 408 ▪ For Council: • Al Grasley 508 (elected) • Elizabeth Guroff 461 (elected) • Leo J. Keenan, III 507 (elected) • William Keith Mathis 449 • Frank Robert 424 o Treasurer’s Report Craig Weaver presented the April 2021 Treasurer’s Report. He explained that more Highway User Revenues were received, although not all of the funds have been received yet. The General Obligation Bond was paid off on April 30, 2021 in the amount of $277,000. The Town has no debt. MOTION: Council President Grasley motioned to approve the April 2021 Treasurer’s Report. Council Member Carter seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. o Public Safety Report Chief Spaulding presented the Public Safety Report for the period of April 5 through May 3. There was a total of 815 reports, including 11 assist other agencies, one community policing event, 37 foot patrols, 28 incident reports, 516 patrol checks, and 71 traffic enforcement initiatives. The traffic incident on Second Avenue was a resident who stepped into the road to slow down a car that they thought was traveling too fast. The resident was struck on the hand by the passing vehicle. The vehicle was located by the residents, and the driver was  approached. Police were called, but no charges are being pressed either against the motorist or against the resident who struck the vehicle. Chief Spaulding explained that the number of suicides and overdoses do not appear to be part of an increasing trend. In each incident, the mobile behavioral health unit is called, a CIT referral for treatment is given, and the behavioral health guide is distributed. Chief Spaulding asked for thoughts for a fallen officer from the Delmar Police Department. Corporal Keith Heacook lost his life while responding alone to a domestic call. • Council/Committee Reports o Council Member Schofield announced that he does not have an update from Raincliffe Home Owners’ Association or the MML Legislative committee. He thanked Mayor Shaw for the work he has provided to the Town. o Council Member Carter announced the Historic District Commission met on April 27 to review three applications. The next meeting is May 25. Council Member Carter also thanked Mayor Shaw. o Council President Grasley announced there was a Merchant’s meeting on April 30. Joe Cosentini attended and answered many questions from the merchants. There is no meeting in May. Council President Grasley thanked Mayor Shaw for all his hard work. o Council Member Dyer announced that Ed Cinkole retired from the Planning Commission. The County has submitted their comments to the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan will be before the Council on June 14. Council Member Dyer also announced a veteran’s nursing home with 120 beds has been proposed just outside Town limits. He also thanked Mayor Shaw for his efforts. o Council Member Link announced that the next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting is May 27. She thanked Mayor Shaw as well. o Council Member Keenan announced the Farmers’ Market begins on May 15. The Game on Main is on May 22, and the Let Freedom Ring Parade is on July 3. The Schoolhouse Garden planting is May 8 and the Main Street garden planting is May 15. Council Member Keenan thanked Mayor Shaw for his work over the years. o Mayor Shaw announced the Gate House has a new brochure and new content on their website. Staff is working on floor repairs at the Schoolhouse. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Grasley motioned and Council Member Link seconded to adjourn meeting at 7:43 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted Town Clerk Kerry Chaney