DICAR  LAND-  City of Cambridge Council Meeting Minutes Council Chambers - 305 Gay Street September 9, 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 6504 4793 3208 and entering the meeting numberand; password: Meeting  Number 2554 082 8146; Password 5808. Council Present: Mayor Stephen Rideout  Commissioner Laurel Atkiss Commissioner Lajan Cephas, Commission President Commissioner, Jameson Harrington Commissioner Sputty Cephas Commissioner Brian Roche City Manager W. Glenn Steckman III Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson City Attorney Patrick' Thomas Chief of Police Justin' Todd Director of Planning Brian Herrmann Finance Director Perry Peregoy Housing Program Manager Eddie Crosby Program Specialist Gavin Woolford  Also Present:  Agenda  Mayor Rideout opened the meeting with a moment of silence to recognize the teachers, administrators, and students returning to school, as well as their parents. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Roche. second by Commissioner Atkiss. Approve 5-0 vote.  Motion made by Commissioner Sputty Cephas to approve the agenda as presented and  1IPage  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, September! 9,2024    Presentations from the Approved Guests - None  Consent Agenda  2. Meeting Minutes, August 21, 2024, City-County Joint Meeting 3. Meeting Minutes, August 26, 2024, Regular Session  4. Captain Antoine Patton, CPD is seeking to hold "Hispanic Festival" on Sunday October 13, 2024, from 12p.m. to 51 p.m. at Cedarand Race Streets. Rain date of Sunday October 20, 2024. 5. Christina Wingate-pence, Executive Director ofl Main Street is seeking to hold the following a. "Mistletoconi Main" on Saturdayl December 14, 2024, from 10a.m. to 5p.m. onl Poplar Street. Road closure from 9 a.m. to 6p p.m. Please see application for details. b. "Motownon Main" on Saturday March 8, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Poplar Street. Road closure from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please see application for details.  Please see application for details.  events:  6. Housing Program Grant Funded Projects  Motion made by Commissioner Sputty Cephas to approve the consent agenda and second by  Commission President Lajan Cephas. Approve 5-0 vote.  Ordinances for First Reading-None Ordinances for Second Reading  ORDINANCE NO. 1240 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND CONTINUING THE TEMPORARY JUVENILE CURFEW WITHIN THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE ENACTED PURSUANT TO ORDINANCENO.1207 AND EXTENDED PURSUANTTO ORDINANCE NO.1 1229, AS AMENDED, FOR AN ADDITIONAL PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS; PROVIDING THATTHETITLE OFTHIS ORDINANCE SHALL BEI DEEMED A FAIR: SUMMARY AND GENERALLY RELATING' TO CURFEWS IN" THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE. City Attorney Patrick Thomas read Ordinance No. 1240 for Second Reading.  Motion made by Commissioner Sputty Cephas to go into public hearing and second by Shay Lewis-Sisco (Wood Duck Drive) asked for details about the effectiveness of the curfew from ChiefTodd, ift that report could be shared with the public. She shared that while working in the: school system, some middle school students who participated in an afterschool program provided feedback regarding the curfew, stating that they were in favor of the curfew. Ms. Lewis-Sisco noted that when the curfew was first introduced, shel had been strongly opposed  Commissioner Atkiss. Apptove 5-0 vote.  to it for various reasons.  2Page  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, September 9, 2024    Motion made by Commissioner Sputty Cephas to close the public hearing and second by Commissioner Sputty Cephas stated that he also had some conversations with some of Cambridge's youth. One young person stated that "the curfew doesn't bother me because I am not out oft the house." Another young person who has been on a rocky road to this point stated that "the curfew is actually something that causes him to think twice." Should he goout with the risk of being caught or take the chance and whatever happens, happens. Commissioner Sputty Cephas stated that he is in support of the curfew. Commissioner Sputty Cephas asked Council whether this is something that should be reviewed annually, longer Commissioncr) Harrington stated that he is ins supportofrevicwing: the curfew annually. Things change, and this would give Council an easy option ifs something needed to be modified. Commissioner Roche commented that at first it seemed like the curfew was a punitive tool when originally described by CPD. However, it has been complementary to our efforts for Community Policing. Commissioner Roche stated that it was a good proposal by CPD. Commissioner Atkiss commented that the ride-alongs with the patrol officers since she has been in office have shown her that it is a very effective tool with which to start conversations on the street with youth who might otherwise put up a front or would not want to taik to officers. She observed that there have been great steps moving forward in using it. Annual re- evaluation is great because shei is hoping for good progress and there might not necessarily be Mayor Rideout asked whether it should be a report back more often than once a year? Or ChiefTodd stated that he can always provide an update to Council on the curfew whenever Council would like him to. The curfew has been an effective tool for CPD. It has reached some youth and CPD does not see as many youth out during the curfew period as before. Youth crime is down during the period from around 10 to11 p.m. to 6 a.m. There is less juvenile crime than was occurring during 2022 and 2023, when it was a real crisis. Commissioner Sputty Cephas suggested that the Police Advisory meeting report might add a Motion made by Commissioner Sputty Cephas to adopt Ordinance 1240 and second by Commission President Lajan Cephas. Approve 4-1 vote with Commissioner Harrington  Commissioner. Atkiss. Approve 5-0 vote.  term, permanently or removed, ifr necessary?  ar need for this structure in the future.  should CPD be giving the Council a report every couple of months?  line regarding the statistics of the curfew.  opposing. Old Business- None New Business  3Page  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, September 9, 2024    Department ofTransportation Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant  Grant Coordinator Steffanie Malkus provided a report regarding a Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Pilot grant. The RCP Program focuses on improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, etc. The City will be requesting funding fora a planning grant. Funding will be used to developa a ready-to-implement plan detailing how to connect existing bike/pedestrian trails to five (5) Cambridge hubs, including the Packing House, Pine Street Revitalization Neighborhood, Cambridge Harbor, Main Street, and thel Hyatt. Thel budgeti is stilli int the preliminary stages, but the funding request willl bei forapproximately $1 million. DOT requires a 20% match. The City will match $200,000  tod develop this ready-to-implement trail expansion plan. DHCDState Revitalization Program Applications  Grant Coordinator. Steffanie Malkus provided a report regarding the Maryland. Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) State Revitalization Program applications. The City has received notification of applications received for funding under the State Revitalization Programs, including the Community Legacy, Maryland Façade Improvement, Seed Community Development Anchor Institution, and Strategic Demolition Fund. Staff requested Council approve moving forward with all applications. Additionally, staff recommended a Local Government Resolution. Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson stated that he had seen the letter from DHCD, and a Local Area Resolution would be acceptable; however, al letter ofs support could be written as well. Ift the City does not act within forty-five days, then DHCD assumes support. Mr. Hesson asked Council that if they have any issues with the revitalization program applications within the City, they should be expressed so staff can write a letter of nonsupport. No action was taken by Council.  Enough Act Grant Proposal  Mayor Rideout stated that he and Grant Coordinator Steffanie Malkus on behalf of the City have been meeting with a group ofindividuals; nonprofits and other government agencies to try to pull together the grant proposal that is due September 20*. Mayor Rideout prepared a memorandum that explains the ENOUGH Act Grant. Since the Cityi is one of the applicants, Commission President Lajan Cephas moved that the Mayor be authorized to sign the ENOUGH Act grant application on behalf of the Commissioners of Cambridge, any community! Memorandum ofUnderstanding required to accompany the grant application, and that the Mayor or designated commissioner be authorized, after consultation with the City Manager and timely notice to the Commissioners, to commit the City to undertake steps aimed at developing a successful community plan to obtain state funding to address child poverty through the ENOUGH Act and second by Commissioner Sputty Cephas. Approve 5-0 vote.  he asked for a vote from Council to approve or deny.  Meetings  4IPage  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, September 9, 2024    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, 6 p.m. at City Council Regular Meeting - September 23, 2024, 6 p.m. at Council Chambers, 305 Gay Planning & Zoning meeting, Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 6 p.m. at Council Chambers, 305 City Council Regular Meeting October 7, 2024, 61 p.m. at Council Chambers, 305 Gay Street Cambridge, Maryland 21613 (No Council meeting 2n4 Monday in October due to. Indigenous  Meeting) tegtomgiesp  Council Chambers, 305 Gay Street Cambridge, Maryland 21613  Street Cambridge, Maryland: 21613 Gay Street, Cambridge, MD 21613  Peoples Day) Public Comment  Luke Loy (Travers Street) stated that he looked at the past meeting minutes and hei is not sure that he saw that the Acting City Manager! had verified the veracity ofapplications for both City Council and Mayor. Mr. Loy stated that he was a former contracting officer for the Federal Government and rules and regulations have meaning. The code is very specific regarding persons that can vote for City Council and persons that can vote for Mayor. In the Historic District, many residents have second homes and might be caught quite unaware that they cannot vote. in the local election. Mr. Loy would like the City to remind residents that ify your second home is in Cambridge, then you cannot vote in local elections. He would like this information placed on the City website or at least as an addendum to the next meeting. Mr. Loy continued to express his concern regarding this matter. He asked ifit could be put in the code of Charter that funds should be necessary for the Council or City Manager to direct hiring an investigator if residency becomes a conflict, since it is an Election and doesn'tcost alotofmoney to: run for office in the City. However, since we are in conflict with CWDI and there is no tracking on where CWDI moncy is going, he would like to know if the City has CWDI candidates on Council or running for Mayor because he has a big bone to pick with them. Mr. Loy stated that individuals had moved since the last Election. For instance, Commissioner Roche moved and one of the other former Council members moved midstream. People were very upset that a Special Election was needed since this was: a cost to the City and it wasn't like Commissioner Roche stepped up and said he would pay since he was moving to Ward 5. Mr. Loy continued to express his concerns regarding Elections and Shay Lewis-Sisco (Wood Duck) commented on Mr. Loy's comment regarding applicants running for office. She is the City appointee to CWDI. She was appointed back in September of2022. Unfortunately, there were comments at the last board meeting about CWDInotl being responsive to Council. Ms. Sisco stated that she cannot speak for the entire board, however, she can speak on her service toi the CWDI board and responsiveness to the Council. Whenever there was an issue, she sought to understand what the issue was. She has very clear guidance that she provides to CWDI and Council, especially regarding appointing new: members to the CWDI board. When appointed, she was not given any documentation regarding the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or transfer agreements to understand the City's position on some oft thei issues. Those documents were provided tol her by the Executive team at the time issues  moving during the term of office.  5Page  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, September9,2024    arose. Furthermore as Mr. Loy pointed out, she stated that she is not running for the City's Commissioner seat for CWDI. She has a bank account that she is more than willing to share with anyone that wants to see it. She is very grateful that the City has a responsive leadership who reached out to her on two occasions. She thanked Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson for reaching out to her by email and phone call. She also thanked ChiefTodd for his responsiveness regarding speeding in the Cattail Crossing Development. She also thanked the Traffic and Safety Committee and Mayor Rideout along with the new Director of Planning  Brian Herrmann, who was at the Cornish Park event this past Saturday.  Deparment/Division Head Reports  Director of Planning Brian Herrmann stated that getting up to speed has been challenging,  however he is really excited about being with the City. Finance. Director Perry Peregoy did not have anything to report.  ChiefTodd thanked Council for their support oft the curfew and it's continuation for another year. He thanked the community members and thel businesses stepping up as we enter the fall and winter season with Truck or Treat and Thanksgiving dinner and noted that the number  ofindividuals calling and wanting to help is greatly appreciated.  Housing Development Presentation  Eddie Crosby, Housing Program Manager, and Gavin Woolford, Program Specialist,provided an update on Housing Development. Mr. Crosby provided information on the Cambridge Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and its support, including construction of new homes on Douglas Street near Cornish Park. There also is future construction coming on Chesapeake Court and School House Lane. This construction is a part oft thel Homcownership Works Pilot Program. Gavin Woolford stated that the City of Cambridge will be hosting a homebuyer education course, partnering with Salisbury NHS, on October 12th and 19+h from 10 a.m.-2  p.m. at the Packing House. City Manager Comments  City Manager Glenn Steckman thanked the Mayor and Council for hiring him. He is looking forward to a very long tenure in Cambridge. Mr. Steckman will ask Executive Assistant' Tyasia Johnson to schedule meetings with each of the Commissioners. Atl his previous job he used to work on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. so residents who felt the need could come in. He asked if there any constituent groups that Council thinks Mr. Steckman needs to meet with Council should arrange for that and share it with the community. Mr. Steckman stated that he is very optimistic person. With 25 years of management background, he has dealt with and  managed numerous situations with cities.  Commissioners' Comments  Commissioner. Atkiss would like to applaud the West End Sewer project that has been moving  6Page  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, September 9, 2024    along. She also has heard from residents some. relief ofs some oft the issues they have been experiencing. She praised the Dorchester Moving Forward event. Commissioner Atkiss would like to see more of our community come out and support events like that and noted that there is always opportunity for mentoring or volunteering to help the City work the way Commission President Lajan Cephas also attended the Dorchester. Moving Forward event. She asked if City Hall could invite someone from Behavioral Health to be a presenter by the end of this month sO they could give a demonstration on how to administer Narcan. Commission President Cephas expressed that it is extremely important to know how to do that. She said thati iti is important that we: save. lives and participate in or engage in the crisis we are experiencing. She also would like to thank Commissioner Roche for always being Commissioner Harrington would like to thank Dorchester County Economic and Tourism Department for bringing back an event that used to take place in Cambridge. Commissioner Sputty Cephas stated that unfortunately he was unable to attend the ribbon cutting for Cornish Park due to: attending the funeral service ofMr. Monroe Smith. Mr. Smith was pillari in this community, and this was a tremendous loss. Commissioner Cephas continues to hold our young people in his thoughts and prayers as they are in school. Commissioner Sputty Cephas also thanked. Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson for alll his hard work and Commissioner Roche thanked Commission President Cephas for her remark. Connecting Community Grants is a physical connection to ensure that children or anyone thati is mobility- impaired would be able to commute anywhere they need without having a vehicle. He noted that the 411 Kitchen ribbon cutting is scheduled for Thursday September 12*, 5:30 p.m. at the Packing House. The Packing House creates opportunities to leamn about the art ofcrafting  itn needs to.  committed to connecting communitics.  welcomed City Manager Glenn Steckman.  food to go into the restaurant business and food preparation.  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 7:05 p.m. Ihereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate account of the Council meeting on  meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Approved by a 5-0 vote.  Monday, Septepber9,2 2024, insofar as I personally am aware.  Stéphen W. Rideout Mayor  Eb  7IPage  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, September 9, 2024    City Commission meetings are conducted in open session unless otherwise indicated. Pursuant to the. Maryland Open. Meetings. Act, all ora portion ofthe Commission. meeting may be held in closed session by vote oft the Commission. Please note that the order of agenda items is subject to change and that meetings are subject to audio and video  recording.  8IPage  City of Cambridge, Meeting Minutes Regular Session, September 9,2024