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 OFFICIAL MINUTES OF JUNE 12, 2023 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING NO. 23-11 The Council meeting of the Town of Sykesville was held on Monday, June 12, 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 Kerry Kavaloski, Town Clerk Craig Weaver, Town Treasurer PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA: I. Minutes from May 22, 2023 II. Reappointment of Alex Ries to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a three-year term expiring April 2026 III. Appointment of Brian Ball to the Historic District Commission for a three-year term expiring June 2026 MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Council Member Schofield seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS IV. Public hearing and consider/discuss/act on Ordinance NO. 2023-03 – FY2023 Budget Revision This ordinance was presented at the May 22, 2023 Council meeting. It has not changed between its presentation and this meeting. Revenues from Millard Cooper Park pavilion rentals exceeded estimates, grant revenues and ARPA revenues were reduced due to the projects not being expected to be completed by June 30, 2023. Several expense categories were revised, including Public Safety for recruitment, Public Works for replacement dumpsters, and increased fuel costs for both departments. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to open the public hearing at 7:06 P.M. Council Member Dyer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. There were no public comments. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to close the public hearing at 7:07 P.M. Council Member Dyer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Council Member Dyer noted that this budget revision is a 6.99% decrease in the overall budget. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to approve Ordinance NO. 2023-03 – FY2023 Budget Revision. Council Member Dyer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS V. Consider/Discuss/Act on Michael Baker International On-Call Professional Services Agreement and Work Order No. 1: Creation of a Unified Development Ordinance Michael Baker International was the company who assisted with the Vision 2030 Comprehensive Plan. One of the goals included in Vision 2030 is an update to the existing zoning ordinance. This firm is uniquely qualified due to their existing knowledge of the Town from their work on Vision 2030, and as such, a request for proposals was not made public. In addition, service contracts do not require requests for proposals. The total estimated cost is $162,856. The project is expected to take 18 months. The zoning update will be an overall change to the existing zoning code, though some of the zones may require minor changes. Council Member Dyer expressed concern regarding the vagueness of the suspension and termination clause. Mr. Cosentini explained that this is standard for contracts. Council Member Schofield asked if the legal review of Work Order No. 1 would amount to a significant cost. Mr. Cosentini explained that there would be some legal review, however it is not anticipated to be significant or driving the budget in this project. MOTION: Council Member Schofield motioned to approve the on-call professional services agreement with Michael Baker International and Work Order #1: Creation of a Unified Development Ordinance as presented and authorize the Mayor to sign all necessary documents. Council Member Keenan seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS • The next meeting is Monday, July 10, 2023 • We have volunteer opportunities available on the Historic District Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Police Auxiliary. Email Town@sykesville.net for more information about volunteering with the Town. • Staff Updated o Treasurer’s Report Craig Weaver, Town Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s Report for May 2023. He explained that revenues are currently over expenses by about $277,000. The income tax payments have almost reached the budgeted number. o Public Safety Report Chief Spaulding presented the Public Safety Report for the period of May 16 through June 5. There was a total of 711 reports including 23 assist other agencies, 28 community policing events, 41 foot patrols, 23 incident reports, 322 patrol checks, and 46 traffic enforcement initiatives. Council Member Schofield thanked the officers for the community policing events, and the included photographs were appreciated. Chief Spaulding announced that the Special Olympics Torch Run will be occurring on June 13, and Sykesville officers will be escorting a local athlete during the run. Chief Spaulding also announced that Governor Moore will be attending the Maryland Municipal League Police Executives Association breakfast to present Cpl. Schlaerth the Top Cop award for 2022. • Council/Committee Reports o Council Member Keenan announced that the Downtown Sykesville Connection is hosting a Juneteenth celebration on June 17. They are also starting their Hometown Heroes Banner program for veterans banners along Main Street. Applications are available on the Downtown Sykesville Connection website and are due by July 12. The Pride event was very well attended, however there was an incident with some rainbow bunting pulled down after the event. o Council Member Schofield announced that Planning Commission met on June 5 to discuss the Planned Employment Center zoning in anticipation of a plan for 47 new townhomes on the Enclave property near the Warfield Complex. o Council Member Guroff announced that the splash pad is open, the first Movie in the Park was well attended, and the next movie is The Muppets Christmas Carol. o Commissioner Dyer announced that he has put together an online safety course on August 4 beginning at 1 P.M.  o Mayor Link announced that she will be hosting a roving town hall meeting at Shannon Run Park on June 15. o Council Members Keenan and Schofield both announced that they will not be at the July 10 meeting. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Council Member Keenan motioned and Council Member Schofield seconded to adjourn meeting at 7:37 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted Town Clerk Kerry Kavaloski