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 MARCH 11, 2024 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING NO. 24-05 The Council meeting of the Town of Sykesville was held on Monday, March 11, 2024. 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 Elissa Levan, Town Attorney PUBLIC COMMENTS: Paul Thompson, 7435 Springfield Avenue, asked for an update regarding the work being done along Springfield Avenue. Joe Cosentini, Town Manager, provided an update during his staff updates. CONSENT AGENDA: I. Minutes from February 26, 2024 II. Reappointment of Richard McCullough to the Historic District Commission for a three-year term, expiring March 2027 MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Council Member Dyer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: III. Consider/Discuss/Act on Resolution NO. 2024-03: Adoption of the Carroll County Hazard Mitigation Plan Mr. Cosentini presented this item. He explained that the County recently implemented their Hazard Mitigation Plan. If the Town adopts the plan as well, it opens up several grant opportunities. There is no funding component as part of the adoption of the Hazard Mitigation Plan.  Council Member Dyer asked about the redactions to the plan. Mr. Cosentini explained that there are several issues and items that are redacted, but none that pertain to Sykesville. Council Member Grasley asked if adoption of this would open the Town up to having the County review our projects. Mr. Cosentini explained that the County already has review opportunities for many of the Town’s projects regardless of adoption of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Council Member Schofield asked if there would be another table top exercise for the Town’s emergency plan. Mr. Cosentini and Chief Spaulding have been discussing holding another table top exercise. Council Member Dyer asked Chief Spaulding to ensure the Town’s emergency plan is looked at once a year to ensure it is up to date. MOTION: Council Member Keenan motioned to approve Resolution NO. 2024-03: Adoption of the Carroll County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Council Member Schofield seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. IV. Consider/Discuss/Act on Linear Trail Equipment Purchase Mr. Cosentini presented several items that will make up the new area next to the basketball court and swing set along the Linear Trail. The goal was to find a natural and quiet option to add seating to the area that will blend in with the equipment that is already in the area. There is a lead time of 8- 12 weeks for ordering. Maintenance would be similar to any other bench. The lifespan of the equipment is 10-12 years with proper maintenance. Council Member Schofield asked if this project is grant funded, and Council President Carter asked what the remaining grant funds will be used for. Mr. Cosentini explained that it is grant funded through a Department of Natural Resources grant, and the rest of the funding will go towards concrete, landscaping, and possibly new swings. Mayor Link asked about the possibility of having natural ground cover under the fort instead of concrete. Footers could be poured to hold the fort, and mulch or another ground cover could be used. Council Member Schofield asked if using natural materials would help with the Town’s Sustainable Maryland designation. Mr. Cosentini will have to look into it, but it may offer some points towards the designation. MOTION: Council Member Guroff motioned to approve the purchase of equipment for improvements along the Linear Trail from Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds in the amount of $29,022.28. Council Member Keenan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. V. Consider/Discuss/Act on Central Avenue Stormwater Project  Mr. Cosentini explained the this work would tie in to the current stormwater work on Springfield Avenue. The goal of the project is to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff on property owners at least somewhat. Funding is from the American Rescue Plan Act. There will be an inlet added at the low point of Central Avenue, about 100 feet from Springfield Avenue, to catch water from the north flowing down Central Avenue. Pipes underground would connect to the state storm water pipes on Springfield Avenue. The same contractor that is doing the state work would do this work, and they would be able to do the work concurrently. The work is scheduled to be done by summer, and one lane would remain open at all times. Council Member Guroff asked about the impact on a future trail crossing over Central Avenue. Mr. Cosentini explained that since most of the work will be underground, it would have little impact. MOTION: Council Member Dyer motioned to approve the bid from Bright Construction Group in an amount not to exceed $80,000. Council Member Keenan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS: • The next meeting is Monday, March 25, 2024. • We have volunteer opportunities available on the Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Crossing Guard, and Police Auxiliary. Email town@sykesville.net for more information about volunteering with the Town. • Staff Updates o Town Manager’s Updates ▪ Mr. Cosentini announced that there has not been a lot of work happening on Springfield Avenue. They have finished the work that required the full closure and now are working on final clean up items at the south end. They will continue working their way north up Springfield Avenue. The contractor is aware that all equipment needs to be out of Millard Cooper Park by Memorial Day. ▪ Mr. Cosentini announced that the work on Main Street continues. BGE was in storm mode recently, so they have been unable to stabilize the poles. Work has started at the south end of Main Street, and they will work their way north as well. o Treasurer’s Report Craig Weaver, Town Treasurer, presented the February 2024 Treasurer’s Report. Revenues exceeded expenditures by $606,000. Expenses are tracking as expected, and there is nothing out of the ordinary to report with expenses. Mr. Weaver did announce that the Treasurer’s Reports are available on the Town’s website under the Treasurer page.  Council Member Schofield thanked the Town for its strong fiscal policies which allows for projects like the stormwater on Central Avenue. He also asked if projections of revenues are available to start thinking about the potential of lowering taxes. o Public Safety Report Chief Spaulding presented the Public Safety Report for the period of February 19 through March 3. There was a total of 528 reports, including eight assist other agencies, three community policing events, 30 foot patrols, seven incident reports, 297 patrol checks, and 33 traffic enforcement initiatives. Chief Spaulding explained several questions that were sent to him by email. Incident #00036 involved the burglary of a shed, and there are no suspects. Incident #00037 involved glass being maliciously broken in the park. Sergeant Schlaerth and APO Haley picked up the glass; there are no suspects. Incident #00039 was a catalytic converter stolen during the day; there are no suspects or witnesses. Council Member Dyer asked if residents should be engraving their VIN numbers on their catalytic converters. Chief Spaulding said it could possibly help. Chief Spaulding announced that the Police Department had their annual awards banquet, and PFC Morgan Hoppa was named Officer of the Year. APO Haley was named Auxiliary Officer of the Year. Lieutenant Kilgore was named Supervisor of the Year, and Auxiliary Lieutenant Queen was awarded the Chief’s Commendation. ▪ Auxiliary Police Quarterly Report Auxiliary Lieutenant Queen presented the quarterly statistics for the auxiliary police squad. • Council/Committee Reports o Council Member Dyer announced that the Town has been approached by Antietam Cable, also known as Flight Fiber, for another Town wide internet option. o Council Member Schofield announced that there was not a Planning Commission meeting in March. The next meeting is scheduled for April 1. o Council Member Guroff announced that the Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for March 29 in Millard Cooper Park. A park clean up is scheduled for April 20, location to be determined. And the Skate Jam is scheduled for April 27 in South Branch Park. o Council Member Grasley announced that the Historic District Commission met on February 28. o Council Member Keenan announced that there is a garden planning session on March 23, and there is a Couture Kaleidoscope event coming up at ACTS at Fairhaven. The Department of Housing and Community Development portal is open for grants, and volunteer opportunities are always open.  o Council Member Schofield announced that he will not be at the meetings on April 22 and May 27. Council President Carter will not be at the March 25 meeting. Council took a five minute recess at 8:09 P.M. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned and Council President Carter seconded to go back into open session at 8:16 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. CLOSED SESSION: The meeting is proposed to be closed pursuant to the General Provisions of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Section 3-305(b): (8) To consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation. MOTION: Council President Carter motioned and Council Member Schofield seconded to go into closed session at 8:17 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. Those in attendance were: Mayor Link, Council President Carter, Council Members Dyer, Grasley, Guroff, Keenan, and Schofield, Town Manager Joseph Cosentini, Town Clerk Kerry Kavaloski, and Town Attorney Elissa Levan. Items discussed were: • Pending Litigation – Warfield Lawsuits – action MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned and Council Member Guroff seconded to go back into open session at 8:56 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Council Member Grasley motioned and Council President Carter seconded to adjourn meeting at 8:57 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted Town Clerk Kerry Kavaloski