OFCAE  City of Cambridge Council Meeting Minutes Council Chambers - 305 Gay Street July 8, 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 TownHaisweamscom. 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 082 8146; Password 5808. Council Present: Mayor Stephen Rideout  Commissioner Laurel Atkiss Commissioner, Jameson Harrington Commissioner Sputty Cephas Commissioner Brian Roche (Virtual) Acting City Manager David Deutsch Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson City Attorney Patrick Thomas Special Counsel Tim Maloney (Virtual) Chief of] Police Justin Todd Finance Director Perry Peregoy  Commissioner Lajan Cephas, Commission President (Virtual/In Person)  Also Present:  Agenda  Mayor Rideout opened the meeting with a moment of silence. He asked fora moment to reflect about ourselves, friends, and family that we care about, and what we can do to help  them ift they are in trouble.  Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Sputty Cephas.  1/Page  City of Cambridge Meeting Minutes Regular Session, July 8, 2024    Commissioner Sputty Cephas made a motion to move agenda item number 9, Council Compensation Committee Appointments, after the closed session and second by Mayor Rideout stated that the City received an opinion from the Open Meetings Act Compliance Board, which requires him to read a portion ofit. Mayor Rideout would like to Motion made by Commissioner Harrington to add Open Meeting Act Compliance Board Opinion underNew Business and second by Commissioner Sputty Cephas. Approve 5-Ovote. Motion made by Commissioner Sputty Cephas to approve the amended agenda as presented  Commissioner Atkiss. Approve 5-0 vote.  add that to the agenda under New Business.  and second by Commissioner Atkiss. Approve 5-0 vote.  Presentations from the Approved Guests  Richard Colburn, Historian for CambridgDonchste. American Legion Post 91 Mr. Richard Colburn provided a copy of a letter that was sent to the Governor from the American Legion. At the time oft the letter Mr. Colburn was the Historian, now hei is about to become the newly elected Commander of American Legion Post 91. Mr. Colburn had some concerns regarding the new fishing pier. DNR has not communicated with the American Legion. There were unauthorized vehicles parkingi in the American Legion parking lot to utilize the fishing pier. In the past, American Legion had to hire a towing company and CPD was frequently called to the area in reference to vehicles in their parking lot. Mr. Colburn stated that he would like to seear new pier at the Visitor's Center or near the boat ramp at Cambridge Harbor. American Legion is in support of the fishing pier, however, just not in favor of Commissioner Roche thanked Mr. Colburn and stated that from his knowledge, the City has not received any communication from DNR regarding the fishing pier. Commissioner Roche asked Mr. Colburni if he would send him an electronic copy oft thel letter. Commissioner, Atkiss  rebuilding the new fishing picr at its existing location.  also thanked Mr. Colburn for bringing the conversation before Council.  Consent Agenda  3. Meeting Minutes June 10, 2024, Regular Session. 4. Meeting Minutes, June 27,2024, Special Called Meeting.  5. Apostle Milton Walls is seeking to. hold "Community BBQ" on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 12.p.m. to! 5p.m. on the corner of] Race and Cedar Street. Rain date of Saturday. July 27, 2024. 6. Teresa Randall is seeking to hold "Yard Sale" on Sunday. July 28, 2024, from 8 a.m. tol p.m. 7. Bruce McWilliams is seeking to hold 75th Annual Cambidge-Dorcheste: County Christmas Parade" on Saturday December 7,2024, from 5p p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Downtown Cambridge 8. Letter of Support for Eastern Shore. Land Conservancy, Eastern Shore Trail Network.  on the comer of Race and Cedar Street.  area. Road closure from 4 p.m. to 10j p.m. Please see map attached.  2IPage  City of Cambridge Meeting Minutes Regular Session, July 8, 2024    Motion made by Commissioner Sputty Cephas to approve the consent agenda as presented  and second by Commissioner Atkiss. Approve 5-0 vote.  Ordinances for First Reading- None Ordinances for Second Reading- None  Old Business  Mayor Rideout stated that earlier in the meeting Commissioner Sputty Cephas asked to take up the matter regarding the Council Compensation Committee Appointment: after the Closed Session. However, Commissioner Sputty Cephas would like to change the order of! business. Motion made by Commissioner Atkiss to take up the matter of Council Compensation Committee Appointment and second by Commissioner Harington. Approve 5-0 vote.  Council Compensation Committee Appointments  At the June 10, 2024, City Council meeting the commissioners were presented with a comparative study by Special Projects Coordinator Cheryl Hannan of various council compensation arrangements in other cities throughout the state ofl Maryland. At that time, the commissioners expressed varying opinions on cell phones and other options to separate personal communication from that of1 their elected responsibilities. Staff recommends Council appoint a representative for each ward to serve on this committee and return to Council with Commissioner Atkiss would like to appoint Ellen Jordan Michaels for Ward1. Commission President Lajan Cephas would like to appoint Dion Banks for Ward 2. Commissioncr Harrington would like to appoint Chuck McFadden for Ward 3. Commissioner Sputty Cephas would like to appoint Wyrita Myster for Ward 4. Commissioner Roche would like to appoint Carlos Estin for Ward 5. Motion made Commissioner Sputty Cephas to appoint Ms. Michaels, Mr. Banks, Mr. McFadden, Ms. Myster, and Mr. Estin to serve on the Council Compensation Committee  recommendations.  and second by Commissioner Atkiss. Approve 5-0 vote.  Downtown Traffic] Lights  Acting City Manager David Deutsch spoke regarding the removal of the traffic lights downtown. City Engineer Carl "Bucky" Jackson provided a Council agenda report for Council. A pilot study was conducted: Phase 1: Spring/Gay Streets intersection; Muir and Race Streets intersection; Muse and Gay Street intersection - Turn off traffic lights, install three-or four-way stop signs, install crosswalks. (Completed Feb. 19, 2024.) Phase 2: High/Glasgow and High/Locust Turn off lights, install three-way stop signs, move stop bars to increase visibility, install crosswalks. (Completed March 15, 2024.) Phase 3:  3/Page  City of Cambridge Meeting Minutes Regular Session, July 8, 2024    Gay/Poplar/Race - Turn off lights, install three-way stop signs, reconfigure lanes, and move Staff requested direction from Council to permanently remove downtown traffic lights and Motion made by Commissioner Atkiss to direct staff to remove downtown traffic lights and keep stop signs and second by Commissioner Harrington. Approve 5-0 vote.  stop bars to increase visibility. (Completed April 15, 2024.)  keep stop signs.  New Business  Open MeetingAct Compliance Board Opinion  Findings of the Opening Meetings Act Compliance Board in response to a complaint filed concerning the City Councii on January 8, 2024, closed session regarding property classification. Mayor Rideout was not in agreement with the findings, however he read the Compliance Board Opinion. Mayor Rideout stated the following finding: Act: $3- 305(d)(2), failing to prepare a written closing statement; S 3-306(c)(1), failing to prepare sufficiently detailed minutes of the closed session; and S 3-306(c)(2), failing to prepare a sufficiently detailed public summary of the closed session. Council signed a copy of the opinion and will forward: it to the Compliance Board. 180MCB094.pdf minamatoseesw Mayor Rideout asked the. Acting City Manager ifit could be posted on the City's website.  Meetings  Traffic & Safety meeting will be held on Thursday. July 11, 2024, at 1 p.m. (Virtual Meeting) Historic Preservation meeting will be held on July17,2024, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers, 305 City Council Regular Meeting -July 22, 2024, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers, 305 Gay Street Planning & Zoning meeting, Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 6 p.m. at Council Chambers, 305  ctiebcmmastasp Gay Street Cambridge, Maryland 21613 Cambridge, Maryland. 21613 Gay Street, Cambridge, Maryland. 21613  Public Comment  John Hanson (President of HOA for Long Boat Estates, F&S Drive) thanked Council for having streetlights placed in a few intersections coming out ofLong Boat. First concern is the tree buckling within the sidewalk area in Long Boat Estate that he brought to Council's attention in April of 2023. There are over twenty locations where the sidewalk has begun to buckle. There has been a tripping accident, requiring the individual to seek medical attention. Mr. Hanson stated that the homeowners believe iti is the City's fault since they approved this change. Code Enforcement: is citing property owners fort the sidewalks. Mr. Hanson aiso talked about the sewage overflow and asked about the status of the pump. Mr. Hansona and thel Board would also like tol have water testing done for] Jenkins Creek. Lastly, Mr. Hanson has a concern  4IPage  City of Cambridge Meeting Minutes Regular Session, July 8, 2024    regarding the cars racing through the subdivision. He would like to have police presence and  more enforcement. Deparment/Dvision Head Reports  Finance Director Perry Peregoy did not have anything to report. Chiefof Police Justin Todd did not have anything to report. Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson did not have anything to report.  City Manager Comments  Acting City Manager David Deutsch stated that the Finance Department has merged two systems that are managed by the Accounting Department. One was the General Fund, and the other was MUC. He would like to thank Finance. Director Perry Peregoy and team for their hard work. Forinformational purposes only, the City received funding of $125,000 from Maryland's Energy Administration for planning to determine microgrid feasibility and' benefit  for Cambridge. Commissioners' Comments  Commissioner Atkiss attended the Maryland Municipal League (MML) Summer Conference at few weeks ago. She attended different classes along with other Council members. The conference empowers all the municipal leaders. She applauded Commission President Lajan Cephas and Commissioner Harrington for completing the Academy of Excellence. She would like to commend the kids from the Firecracker Triathlon. Lastly, she encouraged everyone to have tough conversations with their families and self about having affairs in order, because the heartache, time, and energy saved before this becomes imperative is priceless. Commission President: Lajan Cephas did not have anything to report.  Commissioner Harington thanked the City Staff for all their hard work. He commended Commissioner Sputty Cephas echoed Commissioner Atkiss' comment regarding Commission President Lajan Cephas and Commissioner Harrington for completing the Academy of Excellence for MML. Commissioner Sputty Cephas mentioned that he was appointed to the Board of Directors for MML as the Vice President for District 1 and that he would be serving as the President for the Eastern Shore Association of Municipalities (ESAM). Commissioner Roche congratulated Commissioner Harington, Commissioner Atkiss, and Commissioner Sputty Cephas. He thanked Finance Director Perry Peregoy for his work.  Skipjack Nathan on their 30th anniversary.  Closed Session  Motion to hold a closed session pursuant to Md. Code Ann., General Provisions $3-305(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters affecting specific individuals over whom the Council has  5IPage  City of Cambridge Meeting Minutes Regular Session, July 8,2024    jurisdiction and Md. Code Ann., General Provisions $3-305(b)() and (8) to obtain legal advice from, and consult with, the City Attorney and the Special Counsel regarding separate pending  litigation.  Commissioner Sputty Cephas made a motion to goi into closed session pursuant to. Md. Code Ann., General Provisions S 3-305(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters affecting specific individuals over whom the City Council has jurisdiction and pursuant to Md. Code Ann., General Provisions S 3-305(b)(7) and (8) to obtain legal advice from, and consult with, the City Attorney and the Special Counsel regarding separate pending litigation. Commissioner Atkiss seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The open session adjourned at  approximately 7:03 p.m.  Council went into closed session at 7:04 p.m.  Mayor Rideout, Commission President Lajan Cephas, Commissioners Atkiss, Harrington, and Commissioner Sputty Cephas, and Acting City Manager David Deutsch were present for the entirety of the closed session. Commissioner Roche was present virtually for the entirety of the closed session. Special Counsel Tim Maloney, City Attorney Patrick Thomas, Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson, and Chief of Police Justin Todd were each present for a During the first part of the closed session, the City Council received advice from Mr. Maloney regarding the pending litigation involving CWDI. Following the receipt of legal advice, the Commissioners voted unanimously to direct Mayor Rideout to sign a proposed agreement regarding CWDI and directed Mr. Maloney to have further discussions regarding another Mr. Thomas and ChiefTodd then joined the closed session. ChiefTodd briefed the Council onap personnel matterinvolving specific City employees, and the Council received legal advice from Mr. Thomas regarding the same. Following the discussion, the Commissioners unanimously directed Mr. Thomas and Mr. Deutsch to undertake steps to protect the City's Mr. Thomas then provided. legal advice regarding thej pending opioid litigation. After receiving legal advice from Mr. Thomas, the Commissioners unanimously directed Mr. Thomas to advise the City's counsel in the opioid litigation that the City does not wish to add additional Lastly, Mr. Deutsch provided an overview of the candidates for the vacant City Manager Motion made by Commissioner Atkiss to reconvene in open session and second by  portion of the closed session.  matter related to CWDI. Mr. Maloney then left the closed session.  interests regarding the personnel matter.  defendants.  position. The Commissioners took no action. Commissioner Sputty Cephas. Approve 5-0 vote.  6IPage  City of Cambridge Meeting Minutes Regular Session, July 8, 2024    Council reconvened in open session at 9:27 p.m.  Adjourn  Onamotion by Commissioner: Sputty Cephas and a second by Commissioner Harrington the With no further business, Mayor Stephen W. Rideout adjourned the meeting at 9:28 p.m. Ihereby certify shat the foregoing is a true and accurate account of the Council meeting on  meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m. Approved by a 5-0 vote.  Monday,July6,2024,1 insofar as I personally: am awarc. pr  Stephen W. Rideout Mayor  City Commission meetings are conducted in open session unless otherwise indicated. Pursuant to the. Maryland Open. Meetings Act allora 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.  7IPage  City of Cambridge Meeting Minutes Regular Session, July 8, 2024