WORK SE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
Tuesday, February 8, 2005
6:15 P.M.
Present: Mayor Lee N. Fiedler, Council Members Floyd Pete Elliott, Edward C. Hedrick, Jr., Harold L. Hendershot, Jr., and Terance J. Rephann.
Also Present: Jeffrey E. Repp, City Administrator; H. Jack Price, Jr., City Solicitor; Kevin Hagerich, Director of Public Works; Jeffrey Rhodes, Director of Administrative Services; Raquel Ketterman, Community Development Specialist; Jay Oliver, Community Development Manager; and Sharon S. Clark, City Clerk.
I. Public Meeting Agenda Review:
Mr. Repp reviewed the public meeting agenda as follows:
Reports:
Routine:
1. Personnel Activity Report submitted by April Howser, Human Resources Officer, for the period January 23 through February 5, 2005
2. Report of Permitting and Code Enforcement submitted by Jeffrey Rhodes, Director of Administrative Services, for the period January 7 through February 3, 2005
Public Hearing: 2005 CDBG – Past Accomplishments/Needs Assessment
Raquel Ketterman, Community Development Specialist, updated the Council concerning changes in the program, explaining this year they were required to develop a new 5-Year Plan. She reviewed their goals for the new plan and explained what they have been doing in preparation of developing it. She then reviewed the time schedule for the entire process.
Mr. Hendershot asked about their review of the Cumberland Housing Authority’s 5-Year Plan. Ms. Ketterman said they are in the process of dissecting their plan in order to put it in the City’s format, and explained that for each 5-Year Plan the Public Housing Authority’s information gets plugged into the City’s. He asked if the closure of one of their developments was part of their plan. She said it was, and that it would be done within the five years.
There were no further questions.
Ordinances and Charter Amendment Resolutions:
Ordinance: (3 Readings)
1. Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a deed to transfer City-owned surplus property located at 107-113 Blaul Avenue in the City of Cumberland to the Living Stone Church of the Brethren.
This ordinance authorizes the transfer of the deed to Living Stone Church for this property.
Orders: (Consent Agenda)
Item No. 1 Accepting the proposal of Allegheny Power as a sole source for the purchase of three transformers - $7,345.00
Item No. 2 Authorizing the execution of a LLEBG Grant Agreement by and between the City of Cumberland Police Department and the U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs - $10,431.00
Item No. 3 Accepting the proposal of Gwin Dobson and Foreman, Inc. to conduct a Desktop Study to address Lead and Copper Rule Regulatory Requirements - $8,750.00
Item No. 4 Accepting the proposal of Consolidated Electric Company, Inc. to perform the Wills Creek Pumping Station Upgrade - $11,199.00
Item No. 5 To rescind M&CC Order No. 24,153 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an Agreement between the Mayor and City Council of Cumberland and County Commissioner of Allegany County for consolidation of dispatch services.
Mr. Repp reviewed each of the eight (8) points in the agreement to be executed after which there was some discussion. Further explanation of several points in the agreement was given at the request of Ms. Linda Golden. Mayor Fiedler also reviewed potential savings to the City as a result of this consolidation (between $170,000 and $240,000 per year).
II. BULK ITEM PICKUP PROGRAM:
Mr. Repp reviewed a draft of a flyer that is to be mailed the end of February to all City customers explaining the program, fees, and prohibited items. A copy was provided to the Mayor and Council.
In addition, he explained that the fee for the pickup would be put on the Utility Bill if you are a customer in good standing; however, if you are a tenant or someone not responsible for a utility bill you would need to pay the fee in advance of the pickup. A report will be generated approximately two weeks prior to the collection date for Howell Trucking identifying pickup locations and items to be collected. Howell will be required to return the report to the City with documentation of pickup.
Upon question, it was noted that the property owner would ultimately be responsible for anything at the property. However, it was explained that if an individual put items at the curb without scheduling a pickup it would become a nuisance issue and they would be in violation of the Nuisance Code and dealt with through that process.
Mr. Repp asked for Council’s concurrence with the fee schedule.
Councilman Hendershot questioned several items that were not listed in the flyer. It was agreed all items could not be listed. If an item is in question, the individual should inquire about it at the time of scheduling the pickup with the Public Works Department. It was felt that Hot Water Tanks should be listed. Councilman Hendershot asked if the City could pickup and store hazardous items until the County collection days for those items. Mr. Repp said the City does not have a facility suitable to store those types of items.
With no further questions concerning the program or fee schedule, Mr. Repp said there would be an order on the agenda for the next meeting adopting the fees for bulk pickup. It was also noted that this program is replacing the spring clean-up program.
III. MARYLAND AVENUE PROPERTY DONATION:
A request was received from Mr. Donald Parsons for the City to assume ownership of a lot which is assessed at 1,120 and is located at the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Central Avenue. Mr. Repp identified the parcel, and said staff’s recommendation is to accept the donation of this property given the fact that we own other properties there making this parcel valuable to the City.
Mr. Hendershot made note that the lot being discussed is the parklet area, consisting of mostly city-owned land with the exception of this lot. The parklet was developed by the Let’s Beautify Cumberland Committee and has now been adopted by the Cumberland Garden Club.
IV. LEGAL SERVICES – CATV FRANCHISE RENEWAL:
Regarding the cable franchise renewal process, Mr. Repp said he had received two proposals from legal firms who have experience in this process. He recommended retaining the services of Funk & Bolton who is a Maryland firm and has experience working with Atlantic Broadband on the eastern shore. The process was reviewed and it was agreed for Mr. Repp to proceed to retain Funk & Bolton.
V. Executive Session:
Mr. Repp requested an executive session for the purpose of discussing contractual matters, board and commission appointments, and legal issues involving litigation. Councilman Elliott made a motion, seconded by Councilman Hedrick to hold an executive session. The vote unanimously carried.
VI. Adjournment:
With no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 6:38 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon S. Clark
City Clerk