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 10, 2024 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING NO. 24-10 The Council meeting of the Town of Sykesville was held on Monday, June 10, 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 Michael Spaulding, Chief of Police Kerry Kavaloski, Town Clerk Craig Weaver, Town Treasurer PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mary Kay Kanahan, Pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, introduced herself as the new pastor and gave a public comment regarding the Pride Festival. She thanked the Sykesville Police Officers who were kind and considerate to both sides. Meghan Manas, Downtown Sykesville Connection (DSC) Board President, gave a public comment to start the discussion regarding the protestors at the Pride Festival. Julie Della-Maria, Executive Director of the DSC, gave a public comment regarding the protestors at the Pride Festival. She asked for guidance or a clearer ordinance in case of future incidents. MOTION: Council Member Schofield motioned to extend the public comment time allotment to Ms. Della-Maria as she had exceeded the three minutes allowed. Council President Carter seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Link explained that she had a long debrief with staff, and she was incredibly impressed with the Sykesville Police Officer’s handling of the protestors, specifically Officer Jacobs who performed his duties in an exemplary manner for hours even with the protestors. She further explained that she would like to look  at the existing noise ordinance and see if there are changes that can be made to prevent the use of a bullhorn or speaker system in the future. Lee Hirschmann, owner of the Band Shop and sponsor of the Pride Festival, gave a public comment regarding the safety of children during the Pride Festival. There was a brief discussion about the legal definition of “obscene”; however, it was determined that “obscene” is part of the sign ordinance, not the noise ordinance. CONSENT AGENDA: I. Minutes from May 28, 2024 Council Member Schofield announced that he would be abstaining as he was not in attendance at the May 28, 2024, meeting. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to approve the item on the Consent Agenda. Council President Carter seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with Council Member Schofield abstaining. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: II. Public Hearing and Consider/Discuss/Act on the adoption of Ordinance NO. 2024-05: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ADOPTED BUDGET OF THE TOWN OF SYKESVILLE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2023, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 This ordinance was introduced at the May 28 meeting. Overall, the budget was reduced $1,227,050, mostly due to capital reductions. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to open the Public Hearing at 7:28 P.M. on Ordinance NO. 2024-05: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ADOPTED BUDGET OF THE TOWN OF SYKESVILLE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2023, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2024. Council Member Guroff seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. There were no public comments. No emails were received regarding the budget amendment. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to close the Public Hearing at 7:29 P.M. Council Member Guroff seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Council did not have any further questions or comments regarding the ordinance. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to adopt Ordinance NO. 2024-05: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ADOPTED BUDGET OF THE TOWN OF SYKESVILLE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2023, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2024. Council Member Guroff seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS • The next meeting is Monday, July 8, 2024. • We have volunteer opportunities available on the Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Crossing Guard, and Police Auxiliary. Email town@sykesville.net for more information about volunteering with the Town. • Staff Updates o Treasurer’s Report Craig Weaver, Town Treasurer, presented the May 2024 Treasurer’s Report. He announced that the state income tax was the largest revenue of the month. A portion of the Highway User Revenue was also received. Mr. Weaver also announced that he will be retiring at the end of the year. o Public Safety Report Chief Spaulding presented the Public Safety Report for the period of May 21 through June 2. There was a total of 476 reports including 12 assist other agencies, 10 community policing events, 16 foot patrols, 11 incident reports, 258 patrol checks, and 32 traffic enforcement initiatives. Mayor Link asked for consistent reporting on the Public Safety Reports of which agencies are assisted. Council Member Guroff noted the increase in mental health cases and asked if the officers need additional support for these. Chief Spaulding explained that all supervisors are trained in crisis intervention. Council Member Keenan noted that there were no reports for the Pride Festival. Chief Spaulding explained that there was a standalone for an alleged assault, but not an incident report for the overall event. The officer’s time was reported as a call for service. Chief Spaulding presented the results from Sgt. Lacy’s warrant sweep. 52 warrants were closed. Dozens of agencies were involved, and the manpower was intensive. Chief Spaulding also announced that the Special Olympics Torch Run will be held on June 11 with several Town officers, including auxiliary officers, participating and running with a local athlete. ▪ Auxiliary Police Update Auxiliary Lieutenant Jeff Queen presented his quarterly report on the Sykesville Auxiliary and Crossing Guard Unit. He explained that they are one officer down, but patrol numbers and training hours are increased.  Lt. Queen thanked the Council, Town Manager Joe Cosentini, and Chief Spaulding for the new Auxiliary vehicle. • Mayor and Council Council/Committee Reports o Council Member Dyer asked for an update on Flight Fiber. Mr. Cosentini explained that they have applied for a utility permit. He sent final comments to them recently, and the permit should be issued as soon as the comments are addressed. o Council Member Guroff announced that the Sykesville Parks and Recreation Commission will show Jurassic Park on Saturday, July 13. o Council Member Keenan announced that the DSC Green Committee is holding meet-ups at the garden every Wednesday at 7 P.M. There is a composting pilot program currently in the works. The Pride Festival occurred with several protestors, as noted earlier in the meeting. The Farmer’s Markets are up to 72 vendors. There will be a Juneteenth Festival on June 15 from 12 P.M. to 4 P.M. The mural was unveiled with coverage by WMAR and WBAL. There are volunteer opportunities with the DSC, including during Farmer’s Markets. o Mayoral Pride Month Proclamation Mayor Link read a Mayoral Pride Month Proclamation. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Council Member Grasley motioned and Council Member Dyer seconded to adjourn meeting at 7:59 P.M. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted Town Clerk Kerry Kavaloski