Mayor and City Council
City Hall Conference Room
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
6:15 P.M.
Present – Mayor Lee N. Fiedler, and Council Members Floyd “Pete” Elliott, Edward C. Hedrick, Jr.; and Terance J. Rephann.
Absent – Councilman Harold L. Hendershot; City Solicitor, Michael Cohen
Also Present – Jeffrey E. Repp, City Administrator; Jeffrey Rhodes, Director of Administrative Services; Kathy McKenney, Historic Planner; Kevin Hagerich, Director/Public Works; William Herbaugh, Fire Chief; Charles Hinnant, Police Chief; and Sharon S. Clark, City Clerk.
I. Public Meeting Agenda Review – Jeff Repp, City Administrator
The meeting agenda was reviewed as follows:
Ordinance – Mr. Repp explained this ordinance authorizes him to declare emergencies for employees to be able to work beyond the sixteen (16) hour time period. Clarification was given to Mayor Fiedler that presently there is flexibility only for snow emergencies and this would not provide authority for other emergencies such as water main breaks, sewer main breaks, etc.
Consent Agenda - Discussed as follows:
1. Authorizing the City Administrator to execute an Agreement between the City of Cumberland and the State Highway Administration for use of salt domes
Mr. Repp explained this agreement allows the City the use of the State Highway salt domes in the event the City would run out of salt. He said there have only been a few instances in the past where this would have been needed.
2. Authorizing the City Administrator to approve additional costs incurred with the installation of the Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server - $2,262.50
3. Approving a Historic District Tax Incentive Program tax credit for the property located at 81 Baltimore Street owned by Global Marketing Systems, Inc. - $32,204.50
Mr. Repp explained items numbers three and four were for historic district tax credits and turned the discussion over to Ms. Kathy McKenney. Ms. McKenney advised these were the first two projects impacted by the new program. She pointed out that she has added information to the recommendation clarifying the utilization of the credit and pointed out that in these two cases the assessment freeze was for four years as opposed to the old program where the freeze would have been for ten years.
Ms. McKenney reviewed the two projects on the agenda for approval of the credit. She advised one application has been received in the newer historic zone.
4. Approving a Historic District Tax Incentive Program tax credit for the property located at 115 Hanover Street owned by Frank Fotia & Patricia Hilton - $2,789.60
5. Approving appropriation transfers for Fiscal Year 2005-2006
Mr. Repp advised this order was for the annual re-appropriation of funds from the previous fiscal year which will allow the auditors to finalize the audit. He further advised the audit will be on the agenda for approval at the meeting of February 6. At the request of Councilman Rephann, Mr. Repp reviewed the transfers for both revenues and expenses.
II. FY 2008 Governor’s Capital Budget -
Mr. Repp reviewed the Capital Budget showing funding for the City for Program Open Space, Community Parks and Playgrounds, Ridgedale Storage Tank Replacement, and ENR projects explaining each of the programs.
ENR Project - $14,000,000 with the total project cost $39,000,000 over several years mostly being refunded by the Bay Restoration Grant. Mr. Repp explained the funding sources for this project as well as the status of it. Councilman Elliott asked if the City was ahead of a lot of cities in the State. Mr. Repp said the City was in the top 25% in the sense that we got involved quickly with the concern for the potential of running out of flush tax funds due to all the projects state-wide.
Program Open Space - $251,500 The City received permission for funding the Craft House at the Constitution Park making it the first project to be completed, with additional funds to be used for constitution park paving and paving of the parking lot, resurfacing the mason recreation tennis courts, and the possible construction of an additional rest station at mason recreation, and a concession at constitution park.
CSO - $600,000 The City is targeting the Evitts Creek Pump Station and Evitts Creek Water Shed. The next phase will be replacing the sewer line from the station over the railroad. The total project cost is estimated to be $5,550,000. Mr. Repp also reviewed additional funding sources for the project.
Community Parks and Playgrounds - $125,000 Improvements at Constitution Park.
Ridgedale Reservoir Replacement – $100,000 - Funding to help with replacing the existing reservoir with a concrete storage tank. The total cost of this project is over $3,000,000
DNR - $50,000 – These funds were requested to conduct a recreational use study of the Potomac River and facilities recommendations. It is expected the study will recommend another boat ramp.
III. Howell Trucking Contract Extension Request -
Mr. Repp advised a request had been received from Howell Trucking for the first of two one-year option year renewals. He reviewed reasoning provided by Howell for an increase in the amount $13,044 including a new labor contract, workers compensation increase, associated fringe benefits increases due to wage increase, fleet insurance increase, and State of Maryland licensing increases. Mr. Repp stated he felt the increase was reasonable and recommended granting the extension. There were no questions, and Mr. Repp advised he would ask the City Attorney to prepare the necessary documents for the next meeting.
IV. Off-Duty Vehicle Policy -
Mr. Repp reviewed the off-duty vehicle policy previously discussed by Council and asked for questions. Being none, he said he would proceed with placing the policy on the agenda for adoption by the Council.
V. South End Mural Grant Project – Councilman Rephann
Councilman Rephann reviewed that with the Virginia Avenue Corridor Redevelopment Plan’s goal being to create a new image/vision for the community, to develop a public program to enhance the visual quality of properties within the corridor; wall murals for selected areas would create interest and fit that plan. He advised the wall mural cost is $8,000, for which there is a possibility of obtaining $4,000 in grant funding. The remaining funds will come from private donations. He said there have been private donations and efforts are on-going for raising funds for the project.
In explaining the process, Councilman Rephann said the theme is “Recapturing the Spirit of the Avenue”. Photographs, paintings, will be submitted by residents and will be posted by City staff will scan images collected and post them on the City’s web site. A Mural Committee will select eight or ten murals and a vote will be taken for final selection. The mural will be done in the summer with the artist interpreting the painting. Councilman Rephann asked the Mayor and Council for a commitment for funding in an amount not to exceed $4,000.00.
It was agreed to support the project providing a letter of commitment at this time with funds being disbursed as needed via Mayor and Council order.
VI. Cumberland Fire Department – New Fire Engine Request
With the need to purchase a new Fire Engine previously discussed, Mr. Repp made recommendation for funding. Funding suggestions included, with anticipated savings of $955,000 available for re-allocation to existing or new projects, use of bond issue funds for both this purchase and the road improvement project. With the expected time for receiving a new fire engine being between eight and twelve months, it was agreed to proceed. Mr. Repp recommended using $600,000 of the savings for the road improvement project. It was agreed to proceed with the re-allocation of funds for the projects.
Mr. Repp advised it would require the adoption of an ordinance and resolution for re-allocation of the funds to provide authorization for use of the funds for these projects. It was agreed, and he said he would proceed to have the necessary documents prepared for adoption by Council.
VII. Administrative Session -
Mr. Repp requested an Administrative Session to address personnel and real estate issues. Councilman Elliott made a motion to go into Administrative Session. The motion was seconded by Councilman Rephann and unanimously approve.
VIII. Adjournment -
With no further business, the Work Session adjourned at 6:44 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon S. Clark
City Clerk