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 Jennifer Livesay, Town Treasurer Kerry G. Kavaloski, Town Clerk OFFICIAL MINUTES OF MAY 12, 2025 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING NO. 25-08 The Council meeting of the Town of Sykesville was held on Monday, May 12, 2025. 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 Mark Dyer, Alan Grasley, Elizabeth Guroff, Leo Keenan, Jeremiah Schofield. STAFF: Joseph Cosentini, Town Manager Kerry Kavaloski, Town Clerk Michael Spaulding, Police Chief Jennifer Livesay, Town Treasurer PUBLIC COMMENTS: Leo Keenan, 7131 Wimmer Lane, gave a public comment regarding the election and asked for the Council to look at strengthening the Town Code regarding nonpartisan elections and adding language regarding campaign financing. CONSENT AGENDA I. Minutes from April 28, 2025 MOTION: Council Member Dyer motioned to approve the item on the Consent Agenda as amended. Council Member Grasley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with Council Member Schofield abstaining as he was not in attendance at the April 28 meeting. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: II. Public Hearing and Consider/Discuss/Act on Ordinance NO. 2025-03: AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT AND APPROVE THE ANNUAL BUDGET AND SET TAX RATES FOR THE TOWN OF SYKESVILLE, MARYLAND, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 Mayor Link announced that the property tax rate remains the same as the previous year, $0.32 per $100 of assessed value. Joe Cosentini, Town Manager, announced that there is an overall decrease of 23% from the previous year, mostly due to a decrease in capital expenditure.  Expected income tax collection is based on a three-year average of previous collections. There is a buffer in case there is a decrease in income. The stabilization reserve remains fully funded at $1,000,000. There will be $100,000 used from the capital reserve fund for stormwater management improvements. The overall capital plan improvements will continue as scheduled, with funding from various grants. The American Rescue Plan Act funds will continue to be used for the pedestrian improvements on the south end of Main Street, and the balance of the funds will be used by the end of calendar year 2026. No debt and no new positions are being proposed. Council Member Schofield asked for clarification on the strategic demolition grant funding. Mr. Cosentini explained that the expenditure is anticipated, and the actual grant funding has already been received. Council President Carter announced that the Budget Book is available on the website. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to open the public hearing on Ordinance NO. 2025-03 at 7:11 P.M. Council Member Keenan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. There were no public comments. No comments were received via email. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to close the public hearing on Ordinance NO. 2025-03 at 7:12 P.M. Council Member Keenan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Council Member Schofield announced that even though there was a lot of rhetoric around the budget and tax rate, there were no public comments received at the proper time. He asked anyone who wants to make a comment about any future ordinances and especially the future budgets to come to Council meetings and give public comments. He also asked if the budgeted number for legal fees was an estimated amount, as it is lower than the amount budgeted in the FY2024-2025 budget. Mr. Cosentini explained that it is an estimated number, and as legal fees are needed, the budget can be adjusted. Council Member Grasley announced that spending can be tracked through the Treasurer’s Report, which is provided monthly and is available online. Council Member Keenan explained that the budget is very different from when he started, when staff were counting paperclips and limiting office supplies purchases in order to make the budget work. He also explained that the splash pad operating amounts can be found in a sub-budget under the Parks and Recreation line item. Council Member Schofield announced that the donation to the Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department was doubled in this budget, which is not something that would have been possible several years ago. MOTION: Council Member Grasley motioned to adopt Ordinance NO. 2025-03: AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT AND APPROVE THE ANNUAL BUDGET AND SET TAX RATES FOR THE TOWN OF SYKESVILLE, MARYLAND, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 as written. Council Member Schofield seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS: • The next meeting is Monday, May 19, 2025. • We have volunteer opportunities available as a Crossing Guard and on the Police Auxiliary. Email town@sykesville.net for more information about volunteering with the Town. • Staff Updates: o Mr. Cosentini announced that the crosswalks on Springfield Avenue were installed today. There was a comment about storm drain gaps, and Town staff will evaluate options to modify the drains to make them slightly smaller. Town staff will also place a bollard by the raised sidewalk on Springfield Avenue. The streetscape project will not be finished in time for the Farmers’ Market, so staff is working with the Downtown Sykesville Connection to move the layout temporarily. o Announcement of Election Results Mr. Cosentini announced there were 1,181 voters for a turnout of 36% For Mayor: Stacy Link received 846 votes Robert Whittaker received 323 votes Frank Robert received 2 votes Curtis Peltier received 1 vote For Council: Mark Carbone received 312 votes Elizabeth Guroff received 823 votes Gregory Hilliard received 319 votes Leo Keenan received 831 votes Alexandra Ries received 782 votes Brian Banastra received 1 vote William Bleam received 1 vote Debbie Fitzsimmons received 1 vote Alan Grasley received 2 votes Conner Hartline received 1 vote Cartnay Hatcher received 1 vote David Hohenberger received 1 vote Jesus received 1 vote Brian Murray received 2 votes DJ Pressman received 1 vote Frank Robert received 1 vote Deion Sanders - 1 vote  Donald Trump - 1 vote Karen Wright - 1 vote Mr. Cosentini thanked the Board of Election Supervisors, consisting of Trefor Evans, Carmen McEvoy, Lauren Hanratty, Carrie Brekke, and Jamie Neith, for their hard work on Election Day. He also thanked Kerry Kavaloski, Town Clerk, for her work leading up to and on Election Day. Mr. Cosentini thanked Council Member Grasley for his 12 years on Council. o Treasurer’s Report Jennifer Livesay, Town Treasurer, presented the April 2025 Treasurer’s Report. Ms. Livesay explained that the income tax revenue is still anticipated. Tree care and property maintenance for parks is over, though it is work that needed to be done. There will be a budget revision introduced at the next meeting. o Public Safety Report Chief Spaulding presented the Public Safety Report for the period of April 18 through May 4. There was a total of 496 reports including seven assist other agencies, 12 community policing events, 59 foot patrols, 256 patrol checks, and 45 traffic enforcement initiatives. He explained that incident #00049 involved theft from a motor vehicle. The term “rogue and vagabond” is what the law uses to describe actions of breaking into or attempting to break into a vehicle to steal. Incident #00056 was an assault between a resident and a FedEx drive over speeding. Chief Spaulding asked any residents who are concerned about speeding to contact the police instead of attempting to take matters into their own hands. Incident #00060 involved 12 thefts or attempted thefts from vehicles and one stolen vehicle. Sergeant Lacy identified a suspect and was able to place charges against him today. Incident #00061 involved an older male who was walking his dog and talking to children. Some parents were uncomfortable by his interactions. There was nothing in any registry to show he would be a danger to the children and no crime was committed. Council Member Guroff explained that there were concerns expressed to her during her campaign about speeding. She asked if there is anything that can be done, as it appears that nothing happens after concerns are expressed. Chief Spaulding explained that after a complaint is received, the speed trailer is used, and the patrols and traffic enforcement increases in the area. Mr. Cosentini explained that there is a grant in the now approved FY2025-2026 budget called Safe Streets for All that will be used to identify intersection and safety improvements throughout Town.  Chief Spaulding announced that there is an Open House at the Police Department on Saturday, May 17, between 2 P.M. and 5 P.M. The Health Department will be in attendance doing a drug takeback. It is Police Memorial Week. 345 names are being added to the memorial wall in Washington DC. • Council/Commission Reports o Council Member Schofield announced that there was a Planning Commission meeting on May 5. A new concept plan for the Warfield development was presented with updated percentages of use. One of the significant changes is 9.82 acres of retail and services were designated involving all property within existing Town rights-of-way. Under the Town Zoning Code, rights-of-way are not developable. There was also an increase of residential units up to 543 units shown on the plan. Consideration of the plan was postponed until the July Planning Commission meeting. In order to move forward with the assisted living facility on Parcel B, there needs to be an approved updated concept plan. If the percentages in the PEC district were changed, the Council would be asked to approve or deny the change. If the concept plan stays within the existing PEC district zoning percentages, no Council action would be needed. o Council Member Guroff announced that the Parks and Recreation Commission (SPARC) will meet on May 22, the splash pad opens on May 23, and SPARC is looking at a suggestion to engage the youth and the elderly in the community. o Council Member Grasley thanked the Council for a great eight years, and he thanked the Mayor for a great 4 years with her in charge. He wished everyone the best of luck. o Council Member Keenan announced that the first Farmers’ Market of the season is on Sunday, May 18, from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. The Downtown Sykesville Connection is applying for three grants. The Art and Wine Festival was a success. o Mayor Link thanked Council Member Grasley for his 12 years on the Council. She and the rest of the Council will miss him and his ideas and questions while on Council. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Council Member Grasley motioned and Council Member Keenan seconded to adjourn meeting at 8:02 P.M. The motion carried 6-1 with Mayor Link, Council President Carter, and Council Members Dyer, Guroff, Keenan, and Schofield voting for the motion, and Council Member Grasley voting against the motion. Respectfully submitted Town Clerk Kerry Kavaloski