MINUTES
WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING
June 8, 2005
The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, June 08, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Resident Trooper Eric Funk,
3 citizens, and 2 press.
Commissioner Joe Magluilo was strolling along the River Walk in San Antonio, TX and therefore, was absent.
The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to approve the town meeting minutes of May 25, 2005. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0-1, with Commissioner Zimmerman abstaining.
2. RESOLUTION 2005-03 FOR KIM LONG
The Burgess and Commissioners congratulated Ms. Kim Long, who was named National Middle School Counselor of the Year. Ms. Long is a Walkersville resident and has been a counselor for 22 years at Governor Thomas Johnson Middle School.
3. CITIZENS QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
None
4. NPDES – TOWN’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR NATIONAL POLLUTION DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
Mr. Miller explained the town’s plan and report to MDE required for a permit for discharges from municipal storm sewer systems. The report includes the town’s plans for Public Education and Outreach, Public Participation, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, Construction Site and Post-Construction Runoff Control, and Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to approve the Town’s Report for National Pollution Discharge Elimination System for submission to MDE. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
5. REQUEST FOR CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTORS SHOOTING BLANKS
Commissioners reviewed a request from the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company, to allow one of their camping group carnival ground renters to have a Civil War re-enactors demonstration using rifles and firing blanks during daylight hours of June 11.
Commissioner Sam Eyler made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to allow the re-enactors to shoot blanks no longer than 30 minutes, no canon fire, and notify the GVAA Softball commissioner. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Ms. Hauver went over the documents for Sun Meadow Phase 4 Public Works Agreements, Letter of Credit and easement documents. Commissioner Schildt questioned that commissioners had not received the entire set of documents for review prior to voting. Ms. Hauver noted that the documents were standard form documents created by the previous planner and the town attorney and approved by the commissioners, so that individual review for each development would not be required. Further, the completed documents had been reviewed by the town attorney and approved prior to going on the agenda.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to approve the Public Works Agreements, Letter of Credit and Easement documents for Sun Meadow Phase 4. The motion passed by a vote of 3-1, with Commissioner Schildt opposed.
Not ready for release.
Ms. Hauver informed commissioners that the Sun Meadow Phase 1 and 2 developer, Frank Smerbeck, has not completed the forestation requirements for that portion of the development. Burgess Whitmore recommended pulling the two Letters of Credit in the amounts of $64,000 each and hire a contractor to plant the required trees and if funds are available, to pay Frederick County $34,000 of forestation credits owed by Smerbeck.
Commissioner Chad Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to redeem the letters of credit , hire a contractor to handle the required plantings, and if remaining funds available, pay $34,000 owed to Frederick County by the developer. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Commissioner Schildt asked the outcome of the inspection of the alley and trash brought to staff attention at the last meeting. Trooper Funk noted that the trash is contained in trash bags. Ms. Rollins stated that a violation had not been documented.
Commissioner Schildt asked if the Lynch sidewalk was yet fixed. Two letters of notification have gone out to the property owner. If there is no response by the 15th , the town will replace the sidewalk and bill the owner or place lien on the property.
Commissioner Eyler stated that the crossing at the railroad tracks on Glade Road needs a walkway connecting the end of the sidewalk in front of Roderuck’s. Lots of people walk there and the current situation is unsafe. Mr. Miller and maintenance staff will put down a temporary walkway of stone and gravel, possibly concrete at a later date.
Commissioner Weddle noted that the speed bump on Glade Blvd. needs to be moved around to other locations – that it is not a permanent fixture for Glade Blvd.
Commissioner Weddle made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sam Eyler, to move the speed bump before the next town meeting. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Trooper Funk recommended moving the speed bump to Challedon Drive and then to Diamond Drive.
Commissioner Sam Eyler made a motion, reluctantly seconded by Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman, to consider making a permanent speed bumps. The motion failed by a vote of 1-3, with Commissioners Weddle, Zimmerman, and Schildt opposed.
Mr. Miller would like to purchase another 8-foot piece of speed bump to prevent people from avoiding the bump by going around the ends and over the cable. Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to authorize staff to purchase another 8-foot piece of speed bump. The motion passed by a vote of 3-1, with Commissioner Schildt opposed.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated that the stormwater pond at the self storage facility looks terrible and a letter needs to be sent instructing them to mow it.
Commissioner Zimmerman also noted that Commerce Drive has large potholes. Burgess Whitmore stated that Commerce Drive is a private road and the responsibility of the banks and nursing home in the Walkersville Business Center.
Ms. Rollins notified commissioners of the Program Open Space funds allocated to the town through Frederick County, in the amounts of $34,600 for Creamery Park Restroom, and $66,563 for a section (Phase 1) of the Heritage Farm Park Multipurpose Trail. These amounts represent 75% of the total project costs, with the Town contribution 25%.
Ms. Rollins brought §C3-3, C3-4, C3-17, and C3-18 of the Town Charter to the attention of commissioners. These sections include the residency requirements for running for office of Burgess and Commissioner in the amounts of 5 and 3 years respectively. In light of the recent court decision for the City of Frederick, she asked for direction for changes from the commissioners. Commissioners decided to not alter the Charter at this time.
Mr. DePaola asked commissioners for permission to spend equipment budget funds for a new roller in the amount of $12,000. Commissioner Don Schildt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chad Weddle, to purchase the roller for $12,000. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Burgess Whitmore reported that negotiations are ongoing with the county for bulk trash pickup sponsored by the town, with the county waiving tipping fees on the pickup. The town’s trash contractor has agreed to do bulk trash pickup for $1,500. Burgess Whitmore would like to schedule two pickup dates, one in Fall and one in Spring.
The Vietnam memorial stone has been placed at Memorial Park and looks wonderful.
Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Don Schildt, to hold a Closed Personnel meeting for the purpose of discussing staff evaluations and raises for FY 2006. The motion passed by a vote of 3-1, with Commissioner Schildt opposed.
Commissioner Schildt noted that the Memorial Day service was very well attended and the best ever, with the elementary school children reading their essays, the Vietnam veterans raising their flag, the Boy Scouts color guard and placing of the wreath and posting the American flag. He stated that the only disappointment was that there was no press coverage, chastising the News-Post and Gazette reporters in the audience.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Sincerely,
Gloria Long Rollins
Town Manager