Regular Meeting Minutes  The meeting of the Pocomoke City Mayor and Council was held in Council Chambers on Monday,  July 22, 2024. The meeting was called to order at 6:32 pm.  Present: Mayor Todd J. Nock Brooke Cottman City Manager: John Barkley City Clerk: Melinda Stafford  Council Members: R. Scott Holland, C.L. Marshall,  Pledge of Allegiance. Prayer by Councilmember Cottman and Call to Order  Approval of Minutes from Meeting of June 10, 2024  Motion to approve the minutes made by Councilman Holland, seconded by Councilman Marshall  (passed)  Review and Approval Current Bill List  Motion to approve current bill list made by Councilman Marshall, seconded by Councilwoman  Cottman. (passed)  Ordinance No. 466 - Zoning Map Amendment  Mayor Nock scheduled wanted to second reading. Andrew explained why this amendment is not at it second reading and hearing. Due to Planning issues, the amendment hearing and reading was pushed back. The date was agreed up on is August 19th in order to give time for advertising in the  newspaper and for public knowledge. First Reading, Ordinance No.2025-0-1 Ethics  Mayor Nock introduced Ordinance No. 2025-0-1 Ethics. He also explained to the public and body the new way the City will be numbering ordinances and resolutions. City Attorney Andrew Illuminati read the proposed changes of the Pocomoke City Code aloud to the public. Second hearing will be on Infrastructure Allocation: Safe Path Project, Vote to Utilize County Infrastructure Funds Mayor Nock explains the infrastructure funds, where the funds came from. He explains that there was $96,000 from Fiscal years 2023-2024. Worcester County wanted to give those funds to a private entity, Davis Strategic. Ultimately it was discussed and the funds will not be transferred to Davis Strategic. The Mayor also stated that there are no ill feelings and hate that this has happen to Bret Davis and his company. There are 3 major concerns. roads, sidewalks, and water. There was a proposal to the council by Mayor Nock and 1ST VP, Councilwoman Marsh to use the money for roads and sidewalks. It is to repair broken streets and sidewalks within the limits of Pocomoke City. This is the opportunity for Pocomoke to save itself as explained by Mayor Nock. The Mayor introduced the Safe Path Project Road and Sidewalk Initiative. The project comes in phases. Month 1 is to notify the residents, solicit bids, and then the Council will open those bids. The project will be outsourced and not completed by Public Works. Councilwoman Cottman proactively took pictures in her district to identify the areas for improvement. Combining the $96,000 with the FY 2025 funding of $48,000, it brings the total amount for use to $144,000. Motion on the floor to approve the use of $144, 000 for the infrastructure. Councilman Marshall began a discussion regarding the use of the funds. He believes that $100,000 will not change the trajectory of the City. He wants the money to stay in the  August 19th.    City of Pocomoke in whatever form. He stated that this is the first time he has heard about this subject. Councilman Holland reiterated the same thought. Mayors' response was there was an email sent out and Counciwoman Cottman read it and did what was asked. Councilman Marshall stated he would like better communication. Councilwoman Marsh began to explain how the initial conversation began through what she believes as back door deals. Our sidewalks and roads are in Pocomoke and with this project they will stay here. There was more discussion from Councilwoman Marsh. She stated she has an issue with infrastructure money appropriated for the city being applied to private investors. After more discussion from Counciwoman Marsh, she commended the Council about beginning an Economic development committee. She does not want whomever is going to "save this town" do it on at the expense of the residents of Pocomoke City and the people who own it. If someone buys a property, its their private property and it is not the responsibility of anyone in the town to fund it. Finishing Counciwoman Marsh's comments, she cannot believe someone would try to take money for our infrastructure and give it to someone else. Councilman Holland wanted to know if they were voting on the plan or not that night and he agrees that the money should stay in Pocomoke. The Mayor responds he is seeking approval for money to be used for roads and sidewalks. We have to act for ourselves in order to get this program rolling. The process is set up to be fair to the entire Mayor makes reference to a discussion in closed session with out disclosing information. He stated that the City cannot continually watch the county meetings to find out what is going to happen to Pocomoke City. If the Worcester County Commissioners had reached out to the council of Pocomoke, back in 2023, don't forget that we didn't spend this money, the Council would have said what money. There are people who work for the city who have their eyes on all facets of information. The Mayor needs a motion from the council to utilize to use the $144,00 in infrastructure money for roads and sidewalks. Councilman Marsh made the motion to utilize roughly $144000 from the infrastructure grants from years, 2023, 2024 and future 2025 for sidewalks, and road repairs. The  city and follow the purchasing rules in the city code. The Mayor called for Order on the bench.  motion was seconded by Councilwoman Cottman. Pocomoke City/ Boys & Girls Club Community Center using the Community Block Development Program.  City Manager John Barkley gives a refresher on the Boys and Girls club to the public and the council  Comments  a. Comments from the City Council Members  1. Councilman Marshall -expanding the sidewalks and improve the crosswalks on Cedar Street, solution to the 75 acres, development plan for the docks, Winter Quarters, DHCD grant needs exploring, alleviate flooding issues in the city, establish Economic Development, and the 3. Councilwoman Marsh - Recognizing Councilwoman Cottman for being the Vice President of LESMA, Mayor Nock for becoming President-Elect for MML, City Clerk Melinda Stafford for becoming Treasurer of ESAM, also discussed her displeasement with some of the visitors to town and backdoor conversations with government entities. Complemented the Marva Theater. She also commended Mike Wyatt for all of his diligence. Bill East and John Barkley  revival of the golf course. 2. Counciwoman Cottman -None  for the same diligence.    4. Councilman Holland - Worcester County fair participation will be a good event, thanks to Bill East for answering complaint about flushing the lines, thanks to Karah for hard work on grants, and askes the public for patience while working on the lines, thank the Davis brothers for working on the fires house and Simple fiber for providing another option for internet. Thank Sarah Chapman for the Pocomoke fair and fixing up houses in the City and the work she has  done.  b.C Comments from the Mayor  1. Announces Michael Wyatt as not only Code Enforcement but also Rental Agreement Authority 2. Educated the public on the Lusby building and it can not be sold until the lien is satisfied 3. DHCD for the Dockside needs to have a conversation with the council. Anyone who wants to work with the city or speak on behalf of Pocomoke should consult the Mayor and Council. So all can work together. The Mayor extended an invitation to members of the Worcester County Commissioners. To date, there has been no response or invite. He is asking for a response to get all members together in a public setting to work together for the better of Pocomoke. He publicly asked for a meeting with the Worcester County Commissioners to lay everything on 4. Notices need to go out to the residents when there is work to be done in City. A policy needs to 5. Notices need to go out to the citizens and posted on social media. There should be a policy made in the spring. After speaking to Mike Shannon, notice to the council needs to be better as it is not fair that other vendors are able to get their information on time. The Mayor is asking for consent to sign for the event on August 10th. Consent was given by Councilwoman Marsh  and through the budget he will have an assistant to help him.  the table and work with the Council of Pocomoke City.  be created for that.  and Councilman Holland C.Comments from the City Manager  Thank you for the vote of confidence for vehicles for various departments in town. Expect an RFP for the street work in August. Capital Gains will save money and not spend additional monies. Everyone should expect uniformity from the city employees both in city hall and when the public visits city hall or  visits your house employees we are a business and will represent Pocomoke City.  d. Comments from the Audience  1. Lee Carey, great Pocomoke fair, request trash truck, generator, and town employees. Sarah will send an email to Mr. Barkley for the request. Mayor is suggesting to go ahead with the use of the trash truck. 2. Sara Chapmen, Eastern shore lanes. She was approached by the Worcester County to have it. There isa an investors meeting is happening at the bowling alley. A lot of the investors have spent millions of dollars in the city. She personally forwarded the email to Scott, CL and Brook were contacted to be a part of the meeting because they showed interest. The mayor stated that the council has always been interested. In a previous meeting, the mayor felt uninvited. Councilwoman marsh stated she was never contacted from Ms. Chapman. She also wished great success to the Pocomoke Fair. Councilman Holland addressed Councilwoman marsh stated that the entire meeting she has been belittling investors in a meeting will not bring success to the town and we are better than that.. Councilwoman 4. Councilman Holland was asked by former Councilwoman Troast about what was happening to the  The city will have to pick up the trash either after the event or during work hours.  Marsh thanked Couniclman Holland for pointed that out to her. 3. Mr. Hickman refused to come back up and make his comment.  docks. There are repairs being made for Boat Docking Event on August 17th    5. Katlin Evans, 2 riverside dr., Her employees are texting her due to an article printed asking if they still have a job. The article is about look for grant forgiveness. She is asking for transparency if something comes of this article sO she could explain this to her employees. She sent an email requesting to meet 6. Nola Tullar, 612 Walnut, stated that what she has seen tonight is division that she has never seen in a long time. It is unprofessional it is uncalled for and it is a bad look. The city has revitalized this town we have to revitalized and our reputation this has to stop. Councilman Marshall was asked to send a message to Ms. Abbott to stay in her lane. Back off they don't want Pocomoke and hopefully they will understand that. The investors have done a beautiful job look at the firehouse and Cypress Roots. We cannot put all of our eggs in a basket. She is requesting from the Council for a mortarium on new murals not in progress. We need to stop and think of maintenance and content. She will follow up with and email. Mayors' response is that he agrees with her. He is confident that Planning and Zoning can handle this. If there needs to be a closed session with Dan Brandewie, Council and the attorney, it will happen. The secret meetings, phone calls and the arguing needs to stop. Councilman Holland addresses conversation with Ms. Tullar. Councilman Holland and Councilwoman Marsh engage in conversation concerning the murals and businesses in Pocomoke City. Mayor asks Ms.Tullar to come  and negotiate her contract.  to the next meeting.  Motion to adjourn at 8:50 pm made by Councilman Marshall, seconded by Councilwoman Marsh (passed)  Approved M  City Clerk  Agenda items may or may not be considered in sequence. This agenda is subject to change to include the addition or deletion of items,  including executive/closed. session.