Regular Meeting Minutes The meeting of the Pocomoke City Mayor and Council was held in Council Chambers on Monday, February 18, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm. Present: Mayor: Todd Nock Council Members C.L. Marshall, Diane Downing, Brooke Cottman City Manager: John Barkley Attorney: Andrew Illuminati City Clerk: Melinda Stafford Pledge of Allegiance, Prayer by Councilmember Marshall and Call to Order Approval of Minutes from Meetings of January 14th and February 3, 2025 The Mayor asked if the minutes can provide more detail. There were a couple things talked about in the last meeting and most of what was said was extremely condensed. We need to be more intentional about making sure matters are recorded. In the meeting, the minutes are going to be a gateway for the future. That's how they'l! know what can protect you, and often times we have to go back and read things from previous time to know what they were thinking to know what their intentions were. We have to be intentional about that framework as well. Council is there any discussion. Councilman Marshall states he has none. Mayor states he will entertain a motion. Councilwoman Downing makes the motions to approve the minutes of January 14th and February 3rd, 2025. Okay, second by Councilwoman Cottman. The motion is properly made and seconded, all in favor, say aye. All those that opposed you have the same right, sO moved. Review and Approval of Current List of Bills for Payment Moving forward to item number three review and approval of the current bill list for payment. Council, is there any discussion? Councilman Marshall asks last few bills, uh, there was something a little different I've seen before, and I think it deals with wastewater Bill? Are there some? There are some testing MDE testing. Is that a standard of there? Plant testing is once per year for the next two more years. We've had it for three, and this is the last year of it. Thank you. Is there any more discussion? Motion to approve by Councilman Marshall, seconded by Councilwoman Cottman. All those in favor say aye, all those that oppose you have the same, right. Thank you, pay the bills. Invoices for Approval - Public Works, Horse Farm. Moving forward to item number four. Invoice for approval. Public Works Director Mr. East. Okay, sO the prices went up from last year. We didn't count on that. Went from 25 to 29k on two Wells, and then they got something else. We would like to do that on the Maryland well. Council. My thing is, this is something that has to be done. We understand that we're living in a world where prices are skyrocketing and everything. So, what's your recommendation? Mr. East said that's pretty much the only person around here that does it. We've called two other places, one said no, we don't do commercial, another one hasn't called us back. I'm very comfortable with the contractor who responded. We do all four wells. These are the two that are down. We did it twice a year. If I may Mr. Mayor you had two of the same invoices in your package, okay, representing each of the wells that were going to be rehabbed. The Williams and the Maryland. In support of Mr. East is there a consensus? Yes, yes. Thank you. Consensus to pay is yes. For the horse stables, Mr. Ennis got us a quote for 6132 dollars to get some windows and doors and stuff repaired there. We only had that one quote because nobody else wanted to do it. And as far as the budget. We haven't received a check yet, sO it's going to be upside down. Yes, okay. That's just for the windows and the other guys doing the installation correct? I understand, I see where we need to deposit before ordering. Yeah, he needs the money for the material, and then the labor would be the last part okay. While I'm here, we have a mixer. We're getting it rebuilt. That was not in the budget also. A new one is about eleven thousand and the rebuild. It was half. The finance director is prepared to do a transfer to cover that expense because it is very necessary. Hills will repair it. It's the middle one that went up and is not mixing up good enough. Just something we could wait on until the next meeting in March, but it pretty much needs to be done now, because it's like a four or five week wait. March 3rd, it should be fine. Thank you. Councilman Marshall states that he is looking forward to getting that horse barn back up to where it needs to be, based on our tour there. The other day was very educational. I think the City can do a little bit better there. Termination of Grant - Dockside Now, we are looking forward to working together on item number five, termination of Grant. Mr. Young. Would you like to come up? Yeah, sure. Good evening. Hello, good to see you all. Western Young, Chief Administrative Officer with Worcester County. So the current property Dockside, was acquired back in 2008 through a CBGD grant. It's been some time, and there were certain conditions that were put in that Grant that with three different restaurant owners. Riverside, Mallards and Dockside. They've been unable to meet those terms. In that time, the County has continuously been having to do Grant paperwork for terms that there's no way we're ever going to be able to meet those. We'd be doing this in perpetuity. So the ultimate request was to the State. How do we proceed on the grant terms that we're never going to be able to achieve? The terms of and one of them. The ultimate ask to the State was to get out of these Grant terms. Ultimately, the goal has been to give you all the freedom to do whatever you want with it without any strings attached. If you wanted to sell it right now, prior to this, we would need to go to the State and they're going to want a cut of that. What this lien does is, it stays for a five-year period, that's still in place like it is today. However, effective with you all signing it, the Mayor signing it, and our Commission President signing. We no longer have to do the grant paperwork, and from this date to five years, once that time period is up, there are no State strings, SO if you decide to keep it, that's great. You can decide to sell it after the five-year period. It's all yours. Try to sell it now or within that five-year period. The State's going to want their cut and the county is purely a pass-through, and it's just been from, you know, one of the first complaints I got when I came to the County back in 2020 was, we've been doing this grant paperwork since 2008, and it's ridiculous, SO that's sort of the history of this. Again, you know, the County is not saying what to do with the property. It is your property. It's just the State strings that we're looking to sever, and this seems to be the cleanest way of doing it. So, with that, I'm glad to take any questions. This is a long-standing issue, probably since 2008. It's always been a bone of contention. This conversation comes up every single year when it's time to be renewing. It's gotten a little bit better than what it was in the past, but nonetheless, this will alleviate all of that. I think this is a great thing. We've spoken with the current tenant in the restaurant. We've explained all of this to them, they're not being put out. That's not the intention of the County or the City. So Council, if you give the approval, I will sign. With the strongest approval of this, it does nothing but benefit. Councilman Marshall makes a motion that we sign this to terminate this grant and unencumber the citizens of Pocomoke for repayment, Councilwoman Cottman seconds the motion. The motion has been properly made and seconded all in favor. Use the sound aye. Those that are opposed who have the same right. Motion passes. Mr. Young, I will deliver it to you in a couple days. I appreciate it, Mr. Young. I'd like to personally thank you and Kim Reynolds, for carrying the load on this for sO long. Yeah, Kim's the one that's carrying the water for years now. So, thank you very much. Resolution No. 2025-R-9: Acceptance of Land Donation Moving forward to item number six. We're on resolution number 2025-R-9. This is a request by Joan and Susan Stevenson, who are heir and daughters of the late William B Stevenson, who acquired two properties located at the intersection of Front Street and Linden Avenue. As part of their efforts to clean up the legal descriptions, they are asking the City to accept a donation of a 0.98 and a .02 acre remnant partial. This would be adjacent to another property that they donated to the City back in 1992 that borders Bridge Street. There are wetland and floodplain conditions and borders and along Terrapin run, which is a drainage ditch. We believe it might be in the best interest to accept a donation and have more control over that drainage ditch. It can be built upon. It's a logical donation. think they did a great job of explaining it in their correspondence back on December 6th. Some great illustrations are included in the resolution for Council action. Thank you. Resolution number 2025 R-9, a Resolution of the Mayor of the Council of Pocomoke City, Maryland, to accept the conveyance of property, whereas pursuant to title. Proclamation for Mr. Norman Ennis Moving forward to item number seven Proclamation for Norman Ennis. So, it's sO long, it's two pages. So, bear with me. The Mayor read a Proclamation, honoring the life and Legacy of Mr. Norman Morrison Ennis. For this recognition, Norman loves the Pocomoke Fair, but when he got sO he wasn't able to drive, you had to go to the fairgrounds at least one time a week to check things out. So, miss Alice Jean, who is the woman who we recognize that behind every good man, there's an even better woman, SO we want to recognize you tonight, too. She states, these are my favorite flowers. Thank you. 4th Friday Street Festival Season That's a tough act to follow. Let me introduce myself to you that you might not know, I am Susan Brennen and I am a proud resident of Pocomoke City, Maryland, and I have lived here all my life, minus a couple of years of college, and I I am your new Pocomoke City Events Coordinator, and I'm just thrilled and excited to be working with each one of you. I'm just really excited to bring some great ideas to our families and to our residents of Pocomoke and just really showcase what our town has to offer, and I'm really excited to get the ball rolling in April with a couple of our events. Um, SO just thank you sO much for giving me this opportunity. We are approaching our 12th season of Fourth Fridays Street festivals in downtown Pocomoke, and in coordination with the downtown of Pocomoke Association, we would like to request that the City Council to approve the application to sell beer and wine in the event that take place on the Four Fridays April through September, starting this April. Members of the downtown Pocomoke Association have taken a class at the Worcester County Health Department and our tips certified to serve alcohol. We have always had the support from the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners and will continue to successfully and safely follow the rules and regulations, the consumption of alcohol and non-glass containers will only be allowed within the closed areas of Market Street from Front Street to 2nd Street signs with no beer and wine past this point. And we also have the assistance and support of the Pocomoke City Police Department. Money raised from beverage sales, allows the Downtown Association to host several free events to our public. It allows us to promote and beautify the downtown area while also giving back to local charities and non-profits. We hope you understand the importance of our request and approve the application. Thank you, April 5th, 2025, May 23rd, 2025, June 27, 2025, July 25th, 2025, August 22nd, 2025, in September 26, 2025. Motion to approve by Councilman Marshall, seconded by Councilwoman Downing. The motion has been probably been executed. All those in favor use the sound aye. Those that oppose you have the same right. Motion passes. Special One Day Liquor License Permit = Annual Cash Bash We've received an application for the annual cash bash and 1410 Market Street. It's going to be on March the 22nd, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 8 P.M, just need your approval with a motion to approve. Motion to approve made by Counciwoman Downing and seconded by Councilwoman Cottman. The motion has been made and properly seconded and approved. Presentation = The Nature Conservancy Good evening, everybody. Thanks for the opportunity for having us come here. So, my name is Joe Galarraga. I'm with the Nature Conservancy, Maryland, DC chapter. I have my project team college with me here as well. Liz Vandola, Nicole Carloso from Maryland, Department of Natural Resources. Id we're here today to talk to you about our NOAA funded project, um, and this opportunity for Pocomoke City, SO our project team is offering direct technical assistance to help with audit projects and Coastal Solutions at no cost to the city, sO we know there's already been some work in this area. Analysis, additional flood modeling and Community engagement, and data collection. Our project can expand the understanding of the proposed projects in Cypress Park and Beyond. As an example, there is hope to explore the longevity of proposed Solutions. Even projections beyond the year 2060, as recommended by the route report. We can see how projects can support resilience and economic Development by protecting assets in the community. The team can deliver actionable information into support, local planning efforts, and future Grant applications regarding flooding, Economic Development, and more. This could come in the form of maps that demonstrate how various policies and adaptation measures could modify flood risk, the costs and benefits of various plans and Community identified resilience goals to Anchor and planning efforts. Ultimately, the nature Conservancy wants their work to support your goals when it comes to flooding and resilience. Comments a. Comments from the City Council Members 1. Councilman Marshall - I also want to echo what Councilwoman Downing said. 2. Counciwoman Downing - I don't really have any comments. Just thank everybody for coming out, and it's good to see everybody. 3. Councilwoman Cottman - I don't have any comments b. Comments from the Mayor I think it's wonderful Community. Engagement's a wonderful thing. I will add that recently we toured the many of us always toward the city-owned properties. It was very educational and I'm pleased to say that many of our properties were in better shape than I anticipated. We were able to identify some actionable items, such as the horse barn, with these windows and a few other things around town. Mr. Barkley was key in identifying some things that that we could do better as a time they were beginning to address them. It has been a long time since I've been in the train station, but what a beautiful place. If you have the opportunity to go see it, you go. I would encourage the people with the train club to make it more accessible to the general public because we had a ball in there. We did see LGIT we were very excited that we have. I had to really talk to LGIT in a long time. That was a great thing, but moreover, I think that we have a lot of work to do in our little town, but we are capable of doing it. Definitely seeing the Armory come down is bittersweet. The Armory is coming down, as y'all can see most of it is now but you never take something away without replacing it with something better. The Armory was a place . I can speak about my experiences there. I learned how to sew there. I learned how to write a check there. I learned how to I learned my social security number there. Um, and it was a place where we had a lot of social interaction with other kids outside of the school. So, we need that same framework. I don't want to say the kids are worse off now than what we were, but it's a lot more out there. Now that it was when I was growing. You know, is it necessarily safe for us to leave our doors unlocked anymore? No way. So, we're talking about two different eras, but we're also talking about kids needing an outlet sO. I did see an email this morning where the state of Maryland, was asking for some documentations and some letters. So, hopefully in the next meeting, we will get an update on that. Council. It has been requested that we go ahead and we meet the first week in March after the meeting or before the meeting or after the meeting to start working on our fees. Historically, fees and fines have taken up most of our time during the budget. - - don't want us to keep falling behind. We thought we'd start in March. The residents want, and on a final note, which should be celebratory for all of us. About two hours before our council meeting tonight. I don't know if y'all checked your emails, but we officially have the reverter clause for the property in which the Armory now it belongs to us. No strings attached. It is ours. Finally, this started. Just to give you a timeline. This started in September of 2023. That's when we had our first meeting with the state about getting the reverter clause reversed. We got discouraged along the way. We didn't hear from them. - I was calling. I was bugging Andrew to call. I was about to get John to call, and I know you all were doing the same thing. But when we stick to something and we have a goal. We are unstoppable when we work as a team. C. Comments from the City Manager Thank you, Mr. Mayor members of council, just two things I want everybody to be aware of, not have it on their radar, who's interested in participating and that's the comprenensive plan, of course. And the coming redistricting process, these are two very publicly oriented processes that we want to bring everybody in the community into. we want to do it by committee. As they say, we want as much public. Input into the process, those two processes as we could possibly have, and we'll encourage it both online and at the various city council or other board and commission meetings along the way. So, we do have a draft of a community profile at section 2.4 of the comprehensive plan that we're going to place online for folks to take a look at. You can take a look at the different elements of it, whatever you may be interested in, or look at it comprehensively. Transportation, economic Development, environment, all the different elements that come into play here. This hasn't been updated since 2014. This is a big deal for this city because it's going to shape our vision. Salisbury University and their ESRI program to dispatch several of their planners. We've got some maps together, city planner has been very helpful, working with the county to get a lot of the base Maps ready, sO we'll be ready to roll when they give us the green light. And they'l! be here at certain city council and the Planning Commission meetings. Along the way, sO you'll hear from them as well. So those are two big projects that we just want to make sure stay out there in front of the public sO that everybody understands along the way. With the impending weather, will the Planning Commission meeting still happen if City Hall is forced to close? That's a good question. Mr. Mayor, I think Mr. Brandewie is prepared to send out a notice tomorrow. Thank you d. Comments from the Audience 1. Leah Taylor, and I'm here with the great Pocomoke Fair. I am sorry. I am the course committee chairman and - I wasn't started to be here by Sarah Chapman to ask permission to serve alcohol at a game show series that we have scheduled for the year. But I wasn't as prepared as her. I don't know if this needs to go on the agenda. Mayor Nock responds that it is, a form is needed, and it needs to be approved the county as well. So, the first thing you want to do is you want to? I - don't even know how they're doing it. Jamie Evans, Dockside Restaurant to Riverside Drive. The reason we're here tonight is the agenda. Says termination of Grants slash Dockside. Our phone's been ringing off the hook. Dockside didn't have anything to do with that Grant, nothing, and then the way this was worded with termination of Grants. People thought that we were now being kicked out of our lease. I'm requesting something from you guys, whether it be a press release or something that comes out in writing, saying that this had nothing to do with Dockside. This was the property owned by Pocomoke. That's currently a restaurant. Mayor Nock responds that people are going to talk. They're going to talk until they're blue in the face. They've been saying for years that you all are going to be kicked out. Yes, sir, and you haven't been kicked out. You know, rumors are one thing. But this is this was put in writing. Councilman Marshall states that he is sorry and does not think it's unreasonable. Mr. Evans states that going along with your Armory, the idea that they've had of taking the stones and using them as invasive flags. I think that's an awesome idea. Motion to adjourn at 7:25 pm by Councilwoman Downing, seconded by Councilman Marshall. Approved: 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. Regular Meeting Minutes The meeting of the Pocomoke City Mayor and Council was held in Council Chambers on Monday, March 3, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm. Present: Mayor: Todd Nock Council Members C.L. Marshall, Scott Holland, Brooke Cottman City Manager: John Barkley Attorney: Andrew Illuminati City Clerk: Melinda Stafford Pledge of Allegiance, Prayer by Councilwoman Cottman and Call to Order Councilman Holland makes a motion to amend the agenda. Councilman Marshall makes a motion to strike Item #6 = 75th Anniversary of Dianetics. Motion is seconded by Councilman Holland. Motion passes. Marshall = aye, Holland = aye, Cottman - aye We will now move item number seven up to item number six item number, eight up to item number seven item number. Nine up to item number eight item ten to item nine item eleven to item ten. Approval of Minutes of February 18, 2025 City Clerk Melinda Stafford informs the council that while using a transcribing service, a motion was missed in the submitted minutes. She asks that if the minutes were approved, they were to be approved with the amendment to include the motion for the Annual Cash Bash. Councilman Marshall asks what service was being used; her response was Google Transcribe. Councilman Holland makes a motion to postpone the approval of the minutes. Seconded by Councilwoman Cottman. Motion passes. Holland = aye, Marshall = aye, Cottman = aye Review and Approval of Current List of Bills for Payment Motion to approve by Councilman Holland, seconded by Councilwoman Marshall. Motion Passes. Holland = aye, Marshall = aye, Cottman = aye Public Works Invoice Approvals Public Works Director, Bill East explains that Jenkins Orchard, the lift station went down and a bypass set up to keep the sewage flowing. In order to get it fixed, he has three quotes for new pumps, and a new control panel. Hills wasn't the cheapest on the pumps. Shore-ite Controls would be the one to do the panel. The sooner we can get that done and see where he can get that pump back in case, he needs it somewhere else. Councilman Marshall asks where that station is and Councilman Holland asks who was the cheapest and Mr. East replies Hills and he lets them know that Shore-ite changes the panel. Councilman Marshall makes the motion to use Mr. East's recommendation with Hill's and to purchase of panels for the Jenkins Orchard lift station. Seconded by Councilwoman Cottman. Motion passes. Holland = aye, Marshall = aye, Cottman = aye Mr. East also has 4 quotes for roofs on the offices at the lagoon. The cheapest one is from Tiger Roofing for $9000. Pictures were submitted. The money would come from the capital in this years budget. Motin to approve made by Councilman Marshall, seconded by Councilman Holland. Motion Passes. Holland = aye, Marshall = aye, Cottman = aye Horse Fair Committee On the original published agenda, item #5 stated Horse Fair committee. The title should have stated Fair board Approvals. To fill their board, the names submitted are John Smith, Sara Chapman, Stephanie DuBrel, Dean Ennis and Alice Jean Ennis. Mayor Nock asks for any objections, none stated. At the next council meeting, they will be sworn in and need to know who their chairperson is. Melinda will go over the responsibilities of the chairperson once they are sworn in. Resolution No. 2025-R-7: Second Reading and Hearing Mayor Nock reads the resolution to amend section C-18 of the Pocomoke City Charter. The floor was open for public comments. There were none. Opened for discussion from Council. Councilman Holland wants to clarify. There's a tie. What if there is no recourse first time in the charter now? Attorney Andrew Illuminati replies correct. That if council member Downing was here, and something was split two, two. It could be whether somebody abstains or because the seats vacant or they're just not here for the night, depending on the urgency of the matter. It might not be able to be table to the next one. Usually, a tie votes available. But there could be times where actions needed. So, this would cover all those situations. It could be a one-off where someone's just not here, or it could be the seats vacant, or they have to abstain graphics or personal reasons any of that. This power would then be. The Mayor can break the tie. Now we have the vacancy, if it was time due to two people wanted to have a special election, two people didn't. You would have a special election. You have that seat vacant until it's up because your impasse, and that could be for political reasons. People are against that, it could be for personal reasons. It could be for just five reasons. That's an example of where, then you'd be down the 4-member council until the end of that term, and you can be in that position SO. It happens when some other cities recently where they've had, like, an Ethics issue. Councilman Marshall asks how many times has this happened? The reply is not since 1878 when the city was incorporated. Councilman Marshall states we didn't know that it wasn't in the charter. So, in the past, mayors had made the vote, even though our charter doesn't. I've looked at. I've done research and lived in other cities. It's about 50, 50. I know a lot of folks that do see value. He states he's on the fence about it. We've managed this far. He believes that the mayor's power and the power that the council. Or synonymous, a mayor is more of a leader of the city of performing the forefront of the city and not involved in the day-to-day and in the streets. Mayor Nock states that for him It's about down the line and more, especially about the policy that we thought was in place. This was one that we believed was in place for a very long time, and then I don't know what happened one night, and we discovered that it was when Andrew came and we looked at Bruce where we looked at Susan to break a tie and Andrew said, wait, you can't do that. Counciwoman Cottman states also think it aligns with the mayor's current ability to veto a decision that you think they would also be able to then break a tie. Andrew has point of order. Quorum. Poor business or conduct a meeting, but you cannot take a favorable vote without majority of the whole number of members elected to the council, SO if you, you can vote on it tonight, but if it's anything other than 3-0, it will fail under the charter. Now, you're also up against your 60-day rule that you continued this today, specifically for the public hearing. You have the public hearing you former closed at all of hearing. Response is yes. So, the public hearing is closed. So, you could, if you wanted to, wait until you have four of you available to continue to another specific date, the second meeting this month. Then you could vote tonight and ultimately, it failed. It can be reintroduced, but this isn't as simple as reintroducing a regular ordinance or resolution because you have to have an advertised public hearing. Councilman Marshall states he had not considered Councilwoman Cottman's point of view. That it is in line with the power of the veto. Councilman Holland states that he thinks it's important to have a tie breaker in some form because there's some things that have stipulations and timelines to adhere to. We can't always help with somebody absent because like tonight, sO you know this is part of life. Mayor Nock replies that the only other place that his mind goes in regards to this is, we also don't have anything in the charter if there is a motion that says when it can be brought back up. Other municipalities do have Charters that says, hey, you need wait three months. This can come back up in six months. We don't have any legislation that even allows us to, if we want to bring something back up, we were going to back up, but we're really not being governed under the charter. Councilwoman Cottman makes the motion to approve and seconded by Councilman Marshall. Motion passes. Holland - aye, Marshall = aye, Cottman = aye Pocomoke high School Donations Mayor Nock states we did not budget for the banners. He states that every year a donation of $500 is made to the school and they do whatever they want with it. The donation was made in September. But the city was approached to make a nomination for Senior banners. The bands are fifty dollars. He knows that some people are not going to like it, but I remember when you could call your grandmother and ask, you could call your grandfather to get 10 from him. Could have spaghetti dinner. Anything. He thinks that the banners do add a little Pizzazz to the city. But he can't see the town paying for all of these things. Councilwoman Cottman would like to clarify that the high school did not approach the city and she saw on Facebook that they were requesting donations from the community, and I thought that was something that we would be able to help out with. So that's why she wanted to discuss it, and sO she reached out to Principal Rayne, and she told me that they have 77 seniors and about half need assistance every year, sO that is about a $1925 deficit. But, however, how much of anyone gets donated is up to council. Councilman Marshalls concern is we have students going to at least five different schools that we have, well, six, really. You know, but how we're going to find those. I do believe that we should do something for the for the Pocomoke schools, is that it's our primary obligation. We've done our part with 500. Mayor Nock suggests $750 just in case, there are students from other schools that do understand this. Councilman Marshall says that's a good point when we, when we do this line item, can we do it for $1000? Under the heading of school donations. And then delineated and divvy it up? The funds will either be utilized or it will roll over to the general fund. Mr. Barley will have to talk to Miss Matthews, SO that's, that's your guide on that. He would recommend we do with those. And there's other schools that come. We've already got that in the budget, and we don't have to revisit it again. A consensus was reach and a motion will be made at the next meeting. Comprehensive Plan Update Mayor Nock has been to the meetings and has barely heard anything at the Planning and Zoning meeting. City Manager John Barkley states the community profile section, the draft of the new updated Community profile that's been placed on the City website and our Facebook page. For our citizens and our business community and our non-profit. Our community organizations to review it's got a lot of good data on it. Having to do with growth, transportation, the environment, economic Development. Finance, budgeting, and everything that goes with all of that because it all works together. This will eventually get to the council and eventually we'll become a forum for the community to come and visit with Council and with the Planning Commission as well to give their thoughts on each of the sections. Mayor Nock would like to see the Planning and Zoning Commission do work sessions concerning this. Nola Tullar stated of took the words right out of my mouth about the work session. She is going to highly recommend planning a zoning commission have a work session the city council and the mayor. So, there are things that we need to kind of reel in and the commission would really be the input from Council paid for us to, I think, to even go forward in a smart way. Ms. Tullar asked where to find legal notice for the public hearing for the planning and zoning commissioner? John replies I'II get back to you on that tomorrow since Mr. Brandewie is out of the office. Budget Work Session Dates Mayor Nock asks for dates to begin working on the budget. The consensus is to have it on the off week of the Mayor and Council meeting, Tuesdays, at 7pm. Ms. Matthew will have copies of the fees and fines available for each councilmember. Mayor Nock wants to have a meeting with all of the department heads. To know where they see the departments go, right? They also need to tell us what were some of our shortfalls, not just theirs, but all of ours? In in this budget here, and one thing or two things that they think that we all could do. In the fee schedule as well. Comments a. Comments from the City Council Members 1. Councilman Holland - Would like to have a short agenda to meet with the Fair Board on March 17th 2. Councilman Marshall = commend their Public Works requirement for everything the demolition of the Armory project. MDE showed up Bill and Mike, and that whole crew, uh, I mean, they did things the right way, and it got done. Had all paperwork in order. Strongly encourage the people who call the city of Pocomoke City, first, prior to calling the state agency because you know, we're all on the same team, and we're trying to do the best that we can do. 3. Councilwoman Cottman -install of a bus shelter on March Street and 5th, and that's going to be a big help to our community population, sO I wanted to thank our city manager, Mr. John Barkley, for all the parties he did, and collaborating with Shore Transit to make that happen. b. Comments from the Mayor It's getting to be that time when it's about to get hot out. I think we're all anticipating the warm weather. We also know that we see an influx in crime once it gets warm outside. Has Delmarva Power contacted us about adding more street lights for town. They didn't contact us last year, and it was supposed to correct me if I'm wrong. It was supposed to be a gradual process where they were coming to us, and they were asking us to pick certain spots to put these street lights, and they've only done. They only did that in one year, and we haven't seen them back. It's dark. We want number one. We want our residents to be able to see where they're from. We also want our law enforcement to be able to navigate. Also, we need to figure out where we are in the street bike process because - remember we sat down. Each council person came up with different locations that needed them, and I can remember we did a lot of quarters. - - never want us to be in a place where we've kind of done work like that for nothing. Also, something else that is coming up real soon. Our negotiated agreement with Comcast. We need to see if we're going to renew it, ultimately. What this agreement does is it keeps other cable companies up, not Dish companies, but it keeps other cable companies out. Comcast pays the city a, fee but it's coming directly from the residents, and we only get a portion ofi it. We want to renew it. It is a little bit of revenue that comes in, but is it worth it? It's a franchise agreement, where they have the sole right to provide cable. Well, we know it's common. But the last time it came up, we kind of duked it out about it. So, I think that before we really make a decision. The budget talks are something else that we were able to look into now. It is SO nice to see everyone's beautiful face tonight. Mr. Barkley. I wanted to thank you for jumping into action when I sent you that email last week concerning the Boys and Girls Club conservative. - hope that we can start having some conversation really soon about what we're going to do with the armored property. I'm excited about the direction we're moving in. I want to thank you for, for springing into action. Um, I know I can be a bit of a pain sometimes, and I know my stuff just comes up and out randomly. I feel like everybody else is kind of like moves strategically, and you, you know what to expect from them, but sometimes just spend something on you. There were questions about having a meeting on St. Partick's Day. The Mayor states that City Hall is open and it wouldn't be a normal meeting that would be moved. C. Comments from the City Manager The preliminary audit draft is out for fiscal year 2024 and we had a good year. We're carrying approximately a 1.8-million-dollar fund balance from the prior year to this this current fiscal year. So you've got 1.8 million in the bank. Investment policy usually prescribes that you have 3 months in the bank. We've got a lot more than that. That's about 1.1 million. As I'm advised, and sO it puts us in a good situation for a foundation for the budget discussions for both the current year budget and amendments and or the coming year physical. Your budget that we'll start talking about later in March. So that gives us good footing to go forward. It'll also be presented to you here in the coming weeks by them, auditing consultant. d. Comments from the Audience Stephanie Dubrel = Wanted to know why there wasn't a swearing in of the Fair Board? Mayor Nock responded that we have to specify it on the agenda. It was listed as Horse Fair and approvals. So, you're approved one meeting and sworn in at the next. 413 Laurel Street - Helen Lynch down there, right here, is thankful for the health and a continued responses due to minor and semi-serious incidents. She is appreciating the compliments from the local residents, and is thankful to the Pocomoke Police Department. Mayor Nock informs them the appropriate person to contact would be would meet to the Chief Hancock if there are issues. With all due respect, this is the legislative meeting. He can appreciate you cleaning all that trash up. So, for me to you, from one neighbor to the other, thank you. Motion to adjourn at 7:31 pm by Councilman Holland, seconded by Councilwoman Cottman. Approved: 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.