DFCAR LAND.  City of Cambridge Council Meeting Minutes Council Chambers - 305 Gay Street August 26, 2024, 6PM  Notice to Citizens: The City Commissioners are conducting the city business inj person. The commission meeting is open to the public. Citizens may also observe the meeting by going on-line to Town Hall Town Hall Streams Citizens may call in their public comments by calling into the meeting at 410-228-5808 or citizens may participate in the meeting by logging into the meeting by calling 6504793208: and entering the meeting number and password: Meeting  Number 2554 0828 8146; Password 5808. Council Present: Mayor Stephen Rideout  Commissioner Laurel Atkiss Commissioner Lajan Cephas, Commission President Commissioner, Jameson Harrington Commissioner Sputty Cephas (Virtual) Commissioner Brian Roche Acting City Manager David Deutsch Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson Attorney. Andrew C. Meehan, MacLeod Law Group LLC Present on behalfgfCily. Attorey Patrické Tbomas) Chief of Police Justin Todd Finance Director Perry Peregoy  Also Present:  Agenda  Mayor Rideout opened the meeting with a moment of silence. He discussed a matter that is coming up as part oft the November elections. In addition to electing Council Members, State representatives and sO forth, on the November ballot there will be proposed Charter change amendments to the County Charter. He would like everyone to take a moment to learn more about the proposed changes that he considers significant and important. In his opinion they are changes that Dorchester County desperately needs to come into the 21"century. Hewould like everyone to spread the word about these changes sO there can be a significant vote in  November in favor of these changes.  Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Stephen Rideout.  1/Page  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, August 26, 2024    Motion made by Commissioner Atkiss to approve the agenda as presented and second by  Commission President Lajan Cephas. Approve 5-0 vote.  Presentations from the Approved Guests  Hotelier Presentation - Tauhid Islam, Pinnacle Hospitality Group  Mr. Islam thanked City Council for having him present. He represents Pinnacle Hospitality Group. It is a boutique and development management company based out of the Eastern Shore ofl Maryland. He is the owner and founder of Pinnacle Hospitality Group. He worked for Choice Hotels for about 20 years. Mr. Islam provided background information on himself and his history with hotels. He has two hotels in Ocean City. One is the Hampton on Route 50 and the other, the Cambria, on 1* Street. The Cambria has a rooftop restaurant. Mr. Islam explained why he choose Cambridge, his vision, and the process with CWDI. Commission President Lajan Cephas thanked Mr. Islam for presenting to the public. Mr. Islam stated that he has created some initial drawings and would be happy to share at a later date. Commissioner Roche also thanked Mr. Islam and stated that he is glad that the RFP process has made it to Council. Mr. Islam noted that the hotel will be unique in character. The idea is to have a rooftop restaurant and conference center. Commissioner Atkiss stated that there is an adage that says, "al home without al heart is nothing but walls, roofand floor." She saidi litis nice to hear Mr. Islam speak about his buildings, that they have a heart in them as well. She said that is definitely something that the City needs when moving forward with projects in Commission President Lajan Cephas reminded everyone that CWDI Board are volunteers. She thanked Angie, Frank, Dion, and Shay for the time they have spent with this project. Mr. Islam shared a video of the concept he is going for. Delegate Tom Hutchinson shared that he met Mr. Islam about four weeks ago. He visited one of Mr. Islam's properties in Rehoboth Beach and said that Mr. Islam builds beautiful properties. Mayor Rideout stated that Mr. Islam made a presentation to Council a few weeks ago and Mr. Islam wanted the community to know more abouti it. Mayor Rideout said that he hoped that everyone would find it helpful as  Cambridge.  part of the process moving this forward.  Consent Agenda  3. Meeting Minutes, August 12, 2024, Regular Session  4. Crystal Wyatt, Property Manager of Meadows of Cambridge is seeking to hold "End of Summer Event" on Tuesday. August 27, 2024, from 61 p.m.-8 p.m., at. Meadows of Cambridge Apartments. Requesting noise variance from 6j p.m.-8 p.m. Please see application for details. 5. BobLawrence is seeking to hold "Kids' Fishing Derby" on Saturday August 2, 2025, from 7 Motion made by Commissioner Atkiss to adopt the consent agenda as presented and second  a.m.-2p p.m. at Long Wharf. Rain date of Saturday August 9, 2025. by Commission President Lajan Cephas. Approve 5-0 vote.  2/Page  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, August 26, 2024    Ordinances for First Reading-1 None Ordinances for Second Reading- None Old Business- None New Business  Tax Increment Financing_TIE)  Acting City Manager David Deutsch provided an administrative memo on Tax Increment Financing (TIF). In the past several months there have been mentions ofa a' TIF in relation to the Cambridge Harbor Project. To seriously consider the creation of a TIF district, the City needs to first establish a' TIF policy. Earlier, it was thought that an ordinance would be needed; however, based on State lawi it would: require a resolution. Mr. Deutsch recommended Council Motion made by Commission President Lajan Cephas to direct the City Attorney to prepare aresolution establishinga' TIF policy and second by Commissioner. Roche. Approve 5-0 vote. Mayor Rideout stated that he read the Bowic TIF policy and found it very complete. He thought it was an excellent idea and is delighted that the City is moving in that direction. Not  direct the City Attorney to prepare ai resolution establishing a TIF policy.  only will it help the City and Council, but developers as well.  Meetings  P-Beandof-Appealh-mectingwibehaeon-fuelayhwp-28P4at6-pam-at-Counei Planning & Zoning meeting, Tuesday, September! 3, 2024, at 61 p.m. at Council Chambers, 305 City Council Regular Meeting - September 9, 2024, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers, 305 Gay Traffic & Safety meeting will be held on Thursday September 12, 2024, at 1 p.m. (Virtual Historic Preservation meeting will be held on Wednesday September 18, 2024, at 6 p.m. at City Council Regular Meeting-S September 23, 2024, at 61 p.m. at Council Chambers, 305 Gay Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson stated that the Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for tomorrow will be rescheduled to another date due to unforeseen circumstances regarding  Chambers,385GaySaret,Cambnadge,MD-21613 Gay Street, Cambridge, MD: 21613 Street Cambridge, Maryland 21613 Meeting) tietomtmcleae  Council Chambers, 305 Gay Street Cambridge, Maryland 21613  Street Cambridge, Maryland 21613  an member on the board. The new date will be announced later.  Public Comment- No one from the public commented.  Deparment/Division Head Reports  3Page  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, August 26, 2024    Acting City Manager David Deutsch introduced Brian Herrmann, Director of Planning. This is his first day working for the City of Cambridge. Mr. Herrmann is present along with his spouse. He stated he is amazed by how beautiful the City is. Hei is looking forward to working Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson provided an administrative memorandum regarding the General Elections in October. The location of the elections will be 447 Race Street. The venue offers enough space and parking and is easily accessible to everyone in the City. Absentee ballot application forms were posted on Friday. To obtain an absentee ballot application, citizens can go online to 2024 General Election Cambridge, MD Finance. Director Perry Peregoy did not have anything to report on at this time. Police ChiefJustin Todd did not have anything to report on at this time.  with the City of Cambridge. Council welcomed Mr. Hermann.  Choosecambroge.com,  City Manager Comments  Acting City Manager David Deutsch reminded everyone that at thel last meeting he mentioned the two new staff members and their arrival dates. Brian Herrmann is present today and City Manager Glenn Steckman will begin his role next Wednesday. Mr. Deutsch stated that this will be his last Council meeting and thanked Council for the opportunity to serve them again in this capacity. He also thanked. Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson along with the rest Mayor Stephen Rideout thanked Mr. Deutsch as well for his hard work and guidance, in addition to helping find the new City Manager, Glenn Steckman. Council also thanked Mr.  oft the staff.  Deutsch for his work. Commissioners' Comments  Commissioner Sputty Cephas thanked. Mr. Deutsch for his time in Cambridge. He also noted that he attended the Portia Johnson-Ennels Internship Program Ceremony congratulating the Commissioner Atkiss congratulated Commissioner Sputty Cephas on the Portia Johnson- Ennels internship program and how well it has evolved. She said it was amazing to see the second group of interns participate this year. On Friday, New Beginnings had their end of summer/beginning of school year kick off. CPD came out and cooked hotdogs and burgers. Children who attended were provided with backpacks and school supplies. Dr. Theresa Stafford, who worked sO hard to get the program launched, was honored. Commissioner Atkiss also thanked Dorchester Center for the Arts forl helping fund her program that enables Commission President Lajan Cephas thanked Mr. Deutsch for the time he has spent here in Cambridge. She welcomed the new Director of1 Planning, Brian Herrmann. She noted that the amount of money that has been spent on litigation regarding CWDI is $34,000.  interns this past Wednesday.  her to work with New Beginnings.  4IPage  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, August 26, 2024    Commission President Lajan Cephas would like to know when litigation will end and when will it be decided that Special Counsel is no longer needed. It was obvious that there were struggles in the beginning; however, with the great work of Delegate Tom Hutchinson this projecti is moving in the right direction. She thinks thatiti is important to save some oft the tax or ARPA money. She would like to discuss in an upcoming mecting whether this process Commissioner Harrington stated that since he is not running for election again, hei is free to speak his mind. He said that hei is not going to sit here and falsely praise CWDI and give them thanks that they are not due. Commissioner. Harrington stated that CWDI has been unhelpful at best and antagonistic at worst. It took a third party and their dediçation to Cambridge to Commissioner Roche welcomed the Planning Director and noted that Cambridge has a comprehensive plan that the Cityi is supposed tol be revising. Hei is looking forward to it. He isl looking forward to the new City Manager starting work and thanked Mr. Deutsch for all his work. Despite the ups and downs of the waterfront project, he is excited to see the progress that is being made. Hes noted that Eastern Shore Land Conservancyis hostinga Tax Increment Financing workshop for elected officials and candidates on September 18h from 5j p.m.-7p p.m. Motion made by Commissioner Atkiss to hold a closed Session pursuant to Md. Code Ann $3-305(b)(1); to discuss personnel matters affecting specific individuals over whom the City Council has jurisdiction and second by Commissioner Harrington. Approve 5-0 vote. Council went into closed session at approximately 7:11 p.m. following the public  could end the funding for litigation.  get the City to this point.  at the Packing House.  exiting from Council Chambers.  Closed Session  Mayor Rideout, Commissioner Atkiss, Commission President Lajan Cephas, Commissioner Harington, Commissioner Roche, Acting City Manager David Deutsch, Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson, and Attorney Andrew C. Meehan (Present on bebalfofCily Attorey Patrick Tbomas) were present for the entirety of the closed session. Commissioner Sputty Mayor, Council, Acting City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Mr. Mechan discussed personnel matters affecting specific individuals over whom the City Council has jurisdiction.  Cephas was present virtually for the entirety of the closed session.  The following items were discussed during closed session.  1. Discussion of compensation adjustment regarding a specific employee. Staff will conduct a study to add clarity and possible solutions. 2. Withdrawal oft the nomination ofa member to a specific board. Council approved with a 4-0 vote to withdraw the nomination of a member to a specific board with Commission President Lajan Cephas abstaining.  Action Taken:  5Page  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, August 26, 2024    3. The nomination ofar member to specific board.  Council approved with a 5-0 vote to nominate a member to a specific board. 4. Discussion regarding thej procedure and practice of closed sessions, and City Attorney to investigate possible changes regarding this matter.  information. Action Taken:  Council reconvened in open session at approximately 8:05 p.m.  Open Session  Mayor Rideout stated that during the closed session, Council discussed personnel issues. As As part of this matter, Council asked the City Attorney to investigate possible changes in resolutions or legislation regarding personnel matters. Furthermore, Mayor Rideout stated that he withdrew as one of the City representatives on the team, that under the bylaws of CWDI, need to meet with two representatives ofCWDI. Commission President Lajan Cephas will be Mayor Rideout's replacement as the other member on the two-member committee along with  Commissioner Atkiss.  Adjourn  On a motion by Commissioner Atkiss and a second by Commission President Cephas the With no further business, Mayor Stephen W. Rideout adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m. Ihereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate account of the Council meeting on  meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. Approved by a 5-0 vote.  Monday,August26; 2024, insofar as. Ij personally am aware. ok  Stephen W. Rideout Mayor  City Commission meetings are conducted in open session unless otherwise indicated. Pursuant to the. Maryland Open Meetings Act, all orap portion ofthe Commission meeting may be held in closed session by vote ofthe Commission. Please note that the order of agenda items is subject to change and that meetings are subject to audio and video  recording.  6IPage  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, August 26, 2024