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 25, 2024 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING NO. 24-06 The Council meeting of the Town of Sykesville was held on Monday, March 25, 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, and Council Members Alan Grasley, Elizabeth Guroff, Mark Dyer, Leo Keenan, and Jeremiah Schofield. ABSENT: Council President Anna Carter STAFF: Joseph Cosentini, Town Manager Police Lieutenant Shawn Kilgore Kerry Kavaloski, Town Clerk PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA: I. Minutes from March 11, 2024 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: II. Consider/Discuss/Act on a Request to Paint on Storm Drains – Girl Scout Troop 1633 Mayor Link invited Girl Scout Troop 1633 to describe their project. Troop 1633 explained that they are going for their Bronze Award and would like to stencil messages about the storm drains leading to the waterways and to not dump anything down the drains. Council Member Grasley asked what type of paint would be used; outdoor paint would be used for the stenciling. Council Member Schofield asked the Troop why they found this project important; answers included saving the animals, less littering, and improving the Chesapeake Bay grade. MOTION: Council Member Guroff motioned to approve the storm drain stenciling by Girl Scout Troop 1633 in the Hawk Ridge neighborhood. Council Member Schofield seconded the motion.  Council Member Grasley asked if anyone from Hawk Ridge has reached out regarding the stenciling. Joe Cosentini, Town Manager, explained that no one has contacted the Town, and the stenciling will all be within the Town’s rights-of-way. The motion carried unanimously. III. Presentation by Flight Fiber Tony Heaton, Brian Hartman, and Ed Brinkley from Antietam Broadband were in attendance to present their product, Flight Fiber. Flight Fiber is an internet option who are expanding their area and are hoping to expand through Sykesville. They are working through the permitting process now. They presented their speeds and options and explained that they are working on figuring out what works best for home usage. Antietam Broadband will do a full press release, including construction videos, yard signs, door hangers, and mailings. The Town will work with Antietam Broadband to ensure the information is available on the Town website as well. IV. Consider/Discuss/Act on Millard Cooper Park Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation Contract Mr. Cosentini explained that this project was before the Council in November 2023, however, at the time, the Council rejected the one bid that was received, and staff rebid the project with alternative materials as an option. Three bids were received. Mar-Allen Concrete Products, Inc. was the low bidder with their wooden option at $70,760 and included a composite material for an increased price of $87,940. Council Member Keenan noted that most of the funds are grant funds, however the Town does have a $7,705 match for the project. Mayor Link explained that she sent information to Mr. Cosentini regarding a bamboo material that she would be interested in considering for the alternative material. Council Member Schofield expressed concern over the use of plastic composite materials and the potential of chemicals leeching into the ground from the bridge. Staff will reach out to Mar-Allen Concrete Products, Inc. to find out details regarding the alternative material they are proposing, and if it does not match the intent of the Council, they will be asked to source a different alternative material. Council Member Guroff expressed interest in having the trails upkept more often once the bridges are replaced. Mr. Cosentini explained that once the bridges are replaced and the actual trail is identified, as there have been additional trails created by people using them over the years, the upkeep will be similar to the Linear Trail. Council Member Grasley asked if the project would return to the Council for approval if additional funds are required for alternative materials. Mr. Cosentini explained that if the cost of the alternative materials impedes  what the Town plans on doing staff will return to Council for additional approval. Mr. Cosentini further explained that he is planning for the project to be completed prior to the opening of the splash pad. MOTION: Council Member Schofield motioned to award the Cooper Park Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation Project to Mar-Allen Concrete Products, Inc. at a cost of $87,9400 and further approve the remaining grant funds of $28183.40 to be used for repair and maintenance on the remaining pedestrian bridges along the trail at Cooper Park. The motion carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS: • The meeting scheduled for April 8, 2024, has been cancelled. The next meeting is Monday, April 22, 2024. The Council may schedule a budget workshop during the month. • 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 Report Mr. Cosentini announced that he followed up after the public comment at the last meeting regarding conflicts with the work on Springfield Avenue, and there were some small service line conflicts with a few places along Springfield Avenue, however the project is not expected to be delayed from the conflicts. o Public Safety Report Lt. Kilgore presented the Public Safety Report for the period of March 4 through March 18. There was a total of 470 reports, including 11 assist other agencies, nine community policing events, 11 foot patrols, 12 incident reports, 245 patrol checks, and 32 traffic enforcement initiatives. Council Member Guroff thanked PFC Hoppa for her identification of a mental health issue versus a criminal issue in call # 2024CFS2525. Lt. Kilgore echoed her thanks and praise of PFC Hoppa. Mayor Link announced the police are on the case of someone who is not cleaning up after their dog in the Fountain Park. It is an offense that could incur a ticket, and waste stations are available near the area. • Council/Committee Reports o Council Member Dyer announced that the Enlase channel is going away, and Marquis TV is increasing in price by $1. o Council Member Schofield announced the Planning Commission will meet on April 1 at 7 P.M. o Council Member Guroff announced the Sykesville Parks and Recreation Commission (SPARC) will meet on March 28. The  Easter Egg Hunt is on March 29 in Millard Cooper Park, Spring Cleanup is on April 20, and the Skate Jam is on April 27. o Council Member Grasley announced that the Historic District Commission will meet on March 27 to review three applications. o Council Member Keenan announced that the Downtown Sykesville Connection had a Garden Planning workshop, their Couture Kaleidoscope show, Art and Wine will be on May 4, and volunteers are always needed. He also announced that a news release will come out on March 26. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned and Council Guroff seconded to take a five minute recess at 8:18 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned and Council Member Keenan seconded to go back into open session at 8:20 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 Member Grasley motioned and Council Member Schofield seconded to go into closed session at 8:21 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. Those in attendance were: Mayor Link, 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 – no action MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned and Council Member Dyer seconded to go back into open session at 9:05 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Council Member Grasley motioned and Council Member Dyer seconded to adjourn meeting at 9:06 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted Town Clerk Kerry Kavaloski