WORK SE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
Tuesday, April 5, 2005
6:15 P.M.
Present: Mayor Lee N. Fiedler, Council Members Edward C. Hedrick, Jr., Harold L. Hendershot, Jr., and Terance J. Rephann. Councilman Elliott was absent.
Also Present: Jeffrey E. Repp, City Administrator; H. Jack Price, Jr., City Solicitor; Jeffrey Rhodes, Director of Administrative Services; Vicki Swink, Economic Development Coordinator; Kevin Hagerich, Director of Public Works; Diane Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation; Dick Rank, Recreation Manager; and Sharon S. Clark, City Clerk.
I. Public Meeting Agenda Review - Jeffrey E. Repp, City Administrator
Mr. Repp reviewed the public meeting agenda as follows:
Annexation - PUBLIC HEARING: 3 Property Annexation - Aaron Family Property, Devlin Manor, and the Turano Property; all contiguous to the City of Cumberland Corporate Lines. It is expected an ordinance will be adopted at the public meeting of April 19th for this annexation, making the annexation effective June 3rd assuming there are no petitions for referendum filed. Mr. Repp advised Council that he would be entering eight items into public record as exhibit and reviewed what those items would be.
ORDINANCES: One ordinance for adoption authorizing the execution of a Lease Agreement between the City and Craig Knippenberg for lease of a City-owned lot located on N. Mechanic Street. The lot is used for parking. Annual rent $500.00
RESOLUTION: For the extension of the City/County Enterprise Zone.
ORDERS: Mr. Repp reviewed the two (2) orders on the consent agenda and asked for questions. Orders were discussed as follows:
Order No. 24,178 Accepting the proposal of Synagro for removal and transportation of biosolids from the Cumberland Wastewater Treatment Plant to Mountainview landfill – Not to exceed $15,000.
Upon question by the Mayor, Mr. Repp explained that when Synagro renewed their sludge permit applications from the State, there were two provisions impacting the City’s sludge application program. One provision was that they are not allowed to haul sludge that is thirty days or older, and the other is an operational issue. Mr. Repp said he wrote MDE asking for clarification for which he has not as of this date received a reply.
Order No. 24,179 Authorizing the Mayor to execute an Encroachment Agreement between the City of Cumberland and Uriel E. and Beatriz Valendia, 1022 Bishop Walsh Road
II. Proposed Shopping Cart Ordinance – Councilman Rephann
Mr. Repp explained this ordinance was discussed in August of 2004 and tabled by the Mayor and City Council under the assumption the businesses would comply with the requests of the Council to put signage in their businesses and on the carts advising that the removal of them from the property is a criminal offense. None of the businesses have complied with the request. Councilman Rephann expressed the need for the ordinance and noted that there is an increased amount of carts being removed from business premises.
Mr. Repp advised upon adoption of the ordinance, non-compliance would be a municipal infraction on the store, and a criminal citation for the individual.
There was discussion of the proposed ordinance after which it was agreed there was a need for adoption of it. It was agreed to review the ordinance and place it on the agenda for adoption at a public meeting.
III. 2004-05 Parks & Recreation Presentation - Diane Johnson, Director; Dick Rank, Manager
Jointly, Ms. Johnson and Mr. Rank presented the Mayor and City Council an overview of their operation giving an update on the Comprehensive Plan for Parks and Recreation, key events in 2004, special events, and services and programs provided by the department.
Ms. Johnson said the Comprehensive Plan has been instrumental to staff, the Recreation Board, as well as the Mayor and City Council providing them with a written inventory of what they have, what direction to take, improvements needed and recreational services that need improvement. Ms. Johnson updated the Council on the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to date noting that staff is continuing to look at their programs, present needs, future trends, evaluating programs, and partnering with other organizations to improve programs.
The current Comprehensive Plan was written and printed in 2002 and plans are underway to begin updating it. Staff is looking to start the process in-house through the Recreation Board.
Upon question concerning a skateboard facility, Ms. Johnson said they have looked at one of the tennis courts at Mason Rec. for a location, but funding is the problem. She added that a key component of that is the need for support and commitment of a core group for the skateboarders such as the one they have for BMX. Commissioner Rephann advised there are two funding sources they are exploring and should know something within the next thirty days if anything will materialize. He added that if these grants do not materialize; funds are available from the Bowers Fund that could be offered in the form of a challenge grant for parents interested in the facility. Mr. Rhodes added that they are involving the Recreation Advisory Board in the budget process establishing goals and objectives for the upcoming year.
On behalf of the County United Way and Lets Beautiful Cumberland! Committees, Councilman Hendershot offered to the Recreation Board, Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments their assistance on the day of Caring and Sharing, focusing their efforts on projects that would be beneficial to them. He asked what projects they could focus on.
In closing Ms. Johnson said they are gearing up for the 2005 season.
Mr. Repp reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule and asked Council if they wanted a special session regarding Whitman Requardt’s recommendations or proceed with ordinances. Mayor Fiedler asked everyone to read the report over the next week after which there will be a decision as to the need for a special meeting or not.
IV. Executive Session:
Mr. Repp requested an executive session to discuss economic development matters. Councilman Hendershot made a motion to enter into executive session. The motion was seconded by Councilman Hedrick and unanimously accepted.
V. Adjournment:
With no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon S. Clark
City Clerk