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. Kavaloski, Town Clerk DRAFT OFFICIAL MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2023 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING NO. 23-02 The Council meeting of the Town of Sykesville was held on Monday, January 23, 2023. Mayor Link called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Town House Council Chambers. Mayor Link led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. PRESENT: Mayor Stacy Link, Council President Anna Carter, and Council Members Alan Grasley, Elizabeth Guroff, Mark Dyer, Leo Keenan, and Jeremiah Schofield. STAFF: Joseph Cosentini, Town Manager Police Chief Michael Spaulding Police Lieutenant Shawn Kilgore Kerry Kavaloski, Town Clerk Craig Weaver, Town Treasurer PUBLIC COMMENTS: Robert Barker, resident of Brandenburg Circle, gave a public comment regarding clogged storm drains and tree limbs hanging low on the Linear Trail. He offered to trim the branches if Public Works could take care of the limbs. CONSENT AGENDA: I. Minutes from January 9, 2023 II. Resolution NO. 2023-02 allowing alcohol at DSC events MOTION: Council Member Keenan motioned to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Council Member Grasley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: III. Gate House Update Presentation – Adrienne Smith Adrienne Smith, Gate House Curator, presented information regarding the operation of the Gate House Museum. She explained that visitation has increased over the past years, which is measured through a sign-in sheet  and a daily staff count. She explained her plan for the exhibits in the coming years and other updates to the building itself. IV. Consider/Discuss/Act on the introduction of Ordinance NO. 2023-01 for FY2023 Budget Revision Joe Cosentini, Town Manager, explained that this ordinance is a standard mid-year revision to the approved budget. It contains an overall increase of $246,279. Revenue increased from more than expected real estate taxes, funding received from the State Aid for Police Protection grant, and funding from other various grant sources, interest, and Highway User Revenues. Expenditures increased for the newsletter, holiday decorations, legal services, and building maintenance for the Post Office. Another increase is the Town’s portion of the Historic District Commission guideline update, which will be offset with grant funding. Funding changes within the Public Safety category are mainly due to fluctuations in staffing. MOTION: Council Member Schofield motioned to introduce Ordinance NO. 2023-01 for FY2023 Budget Revision. Council Member Dyer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS • The next meeting is Monday, February 13, 2023 • We have volunteer opportunities available on the Historic District Commission and Police Auxiliary. Email town@sykesville.net for more information about volunteering with the Town. • Openings are available on the Town’s Board of Election Supervisors! If you are interested, please email town@sykesville.net and include your address. • Staff Updates o Joe Cosentini, Town Manager ▪ Main Street work began ahead of schedule. The crews provide regular updates as well as monthly meetings at the Town House. There were some small storm water concerns, particularly with drainage and water pooling on Main Street, but there is currently no delay on completion expected. There was a concern voiced about parking on Main Street, particularly about contractors parking across from South Branch Park instead of in front of the stores. State Highway Administration has been alerted to the railing on the bridge connecting Main Street and South Branch Park. ▪ The Maryland Municipal League summer conference dates have been announced, and if any of the Council is interested in attending, they should let Joe or Kerry know to ensure they are registered and have hotel rooms available. o Treasurer’s Report Craig Weaver, Town Treasurer, presented the December 2022 Treasurer’s Report. He explained that currently the Town is $94,000 over budget, however large revenue payments are expected in January. A large payment was made to State Retirement, including the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System payment.  o Public Safety Report Chief Spaulding announced that the escapee from the Central Corrections Facility is in custody. He gave a briefing the Town’s response to the escapee once the facility alerted Chief. The Central Corrections Facility is not within Town limits and is run by the Department of Corrections. Chief Spaulding will be meeting with the facility administrator to discuss procedures for the facility and escapes, along with alerting Town police. Chief Spaulding then presented the Public Safety Report for the period of January 3 through January 16. There was a total of 419 reports including eight assist other agencies, six community policing events, 19 foot patrols, eight incident reports, 220 patrol checks, and 21 traffic enforcement initiatives. Chief Spaulding explained that the gentleman in incident no. 23-SPD-00002 was trying to be nice, but it came off wrong, the death in incident no. 23-SPD-00007 was natural causes, and the marijuana in incident no. 23-SPD-00008 was seized and destroyed. Council Member Guroff asked about mental health and behavioral health trainings. LT Kilgore explained that there are classes and programs available, however, the classes are at Carroll Community College, and it is not possible to get a class or program in Town. Mayor Link gave a Sykesville shout-out, a “Syke-out” to Cpl. Schlaerth and Officer Pichardo for returning to the Schoolhouse Road neighborhood to discuss an arrest that had been made which resulted in the person resisting arrest. • Council/Committee Reports o Council Member Keenan announced that there will be a Downtown Sykesville connection presentation at the next Council meeting. They have created a pamphlet of events. o Council Member Grasley asked if Ordinance NO. 2023-01 can be added to the website. Mr. Cosentini explained that it will be added the next day. o Council Member Guroff asked if it would be possible to get a summary of the proposed changes that could affect the Town in the new Governor’s proposed budget. Mr. Cosentini explained that there will be limited direct impact to the Town. o Council President Carter announced that there is a Historic District Commission meeting on Wednesday, January 25, and there are openings on the Commission. o Council Member Schofield announced that the Planning Commission will meet on February 6. He also announced that the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) conducted an internal investigation based on the lack of grant funding comment from the Secretary of the DHCD. The incoming Governor has appointed the former Mayor of Salisbury as his Secretary of DHCD. Mayor Link will be meeting with him soon. Council Member Schofield also asked if there was an update on a timeline for the trashcan issue on Oklahoma Avenue. Mr. Cosentini does not have a timeline for it yet.  o Mayor Link announced that there will be a Council retreat on February 4. She also announced that the If I Were Mayor… essay contest has begun, and if any fourth- grade classes are interested in participating or having a visit from the Mayor, to get in touch with her. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Council Member Grasley motioned and Council President Carter seconded to adjourn meeting at 8:34 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted Town Clerk Kerry Kavaloski