1
00:00:05,359 --> 00:00:15,599
Good evening. I would like to call the
town council meeting of February the

2
00:00:09,679 --> 00:00:18,960
12th, 2026 to order at 7:12 p.m.
>> I would like to move Greg Dodson

3
00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:24,600
administrate the meeting due to
technical difficulties with Zoom.

4
00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:24,600
» I second the motion.

5
00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:32,239
So, I guess we'll call for the vote
then. So, all in favor say I.

6
00:00:31,359 --> 00:00:34,480
» I. I.
>> I.

7
00:00:32,559 --> 00:00:40,079
» Any opposed?
>> Motion carries.

8
00:00:36,079 --> 00:00:45,840
» Thank you. Good evening, everyone.
I would like to note for the record that

9
00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:53,840
the mayor is absent this evening. also
that council vice president Healey uh is

10
00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:59,280
present on via zoom but due to technical
difficulties cannot run the meeting

11
00:00:55,840 --> 00:01:02,320
tonight. So I will step in and run the
meeting.

12
00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:05,920
Next we would like to start with the
pledge of allegiance.

13
00:01:04,320 --> 00:01:11,159
Um
we're going to ask Mr. Bowen to lead us.

14
00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:20,560
» To the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for which it

15
00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:25,759
stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice

16
00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:29,000
for all.
>> Thank you.

17
00:01:30,799 --> 00:01:38,960
» Approval of the agenda.
>> Move to approve the agenda.

18
00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:43,840
Second.
>> Any discussion?

19
00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:46,880
All those in favor?
>> I I

20
00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:50,119
» Any oppose?
Thank you.

21
00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:58,960
Next, we have uh next item is the
minutes from January 14th and February

22
00:01:57,119 --> 00:02:04,240
the 5th. Uh can I get a motion to
approve the minutes from January the

23
00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:09,520
14th town council meeting as submitted?
Move to approve the January 15th

24
00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:11,360
meetings meeting minutes.
>> Is there a second?

25
00:02:10,399 --> 00:02:14,319
» Second.
>> Any discussion?

26
00:02:12,879 --> 00:02:18,720
» All in favor?
>> I.

27
00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:23,440
» Any oppose? Thank you. Request for a
motion to approve the minutes from

28
00:02:20,239 --> 00:02:27,520
February the 5th town council work
session as presented.

29
00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:30,800
» So moved.
>> Second.

30
00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:34,720
» All in favor?
>> I.

31
00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:39,680
» Any oppose? Thank you.
Okay, moving on to business items. Our

32
00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:45,400
next item includes the annual election
of the town council vice president.

33
00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:55,920
Is there a motion to elect a town
council vice president?

34
00:02:53,440 --> 00:03:02,040
» I move to nominate Mickey Hmel for the
position of vice president town council

35
00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:02,040
effective immediately.

36
00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:12,519
Is there a second?

37
00:03:14,959 --> 00:03:20,239
» Is she
>> I'm sorry. Yes. Councilwoman Healey

38
00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:28,720
second that motion.
>> All right. Thank you. Any discussion?

39
00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:33,200
All those in favor of council member
Mickey Hmel

40
00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:38,560
becoming the vice president of the
council, please signify saying I.

41
00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:44,239
» I.
>> Any oppose?

42
00:03:40,799 --> 00:03:48,239
Thank you. Effective immediately, I am
turning the meeting over to the new

43
00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,760
elected vice president.
>> Thank you, Greg.

44
00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:53,920
» You're welcome.
>> unorthodox role of role of how we're

45
00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:59,120
going tonight.
Um, all right. So, next up on the agenda

46
00:03:55,840 --> 00:04:04,080
is the contract award for the flower box
replacement. We went over this last week

47
00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:09,840
at the work session. Um, we didn't have
any other questions. Um, so we're good

48
00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:14,519
to entertain a motion for approval to W
let me make sure I get this exactly

49
00:04:11,519 --> 00:04:14,519
right.

50
00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:23,479
So many papers. uh Wes Incorporated in
the amount of $178,434.

51
00:04:23,840 --> 00:04:27,680
» So move.
>> Is there a second?

52
00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:30,400
» Second.
>> All in favor?

53
00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:36,160
» I.
>> All opposed.

54
00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:41,280
» All right. Motion carries.
>> All right. [clears throat] Um the next

55
00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:44,280
bit we have is the council of sheriff's
report.

56
00:05:03,199 --> 00:05:10,560
We're still catching up. [laughter]
Last time I didn't turn the mic on and

57
00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:16,240
they were hollering at me. So once
again, good evening. Um,

58
00:05:13,840 --> 00:05:21,520
everyone received a copy of the town
report.

59
00:05:17,919 --> 00:05:29,600
Um, during the month of January, we
responded to 67 calls for service,

60
00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:32,880
and we had 639 self-initiated activities
to include follow-ups for

61
00:05:31,039 --> 00:05:40,160
investigations, patrol checks, and
traffic stops. Some of the cases we had

62
00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:45,440
of note, um, on the 21st, we had a theft
and runaway. That's the one that we've

63
00:05:43,199 --> 00:05:51,520
seen quite frequently in the town
reports. Um that juvenile has since gone

64
00:05:48,479 --> 00:05:56,800
to Shelton camp. Um and has quieted down
in there for the time being. I'm not

65
00:05:54,320 --> 00:06:01,520
sure what's going to happen with that
after the fact, but um it's been

66
00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:06,400
peaceful for the deputies not having to
respond out there every day. So, um, we

67
00:06:04,319 --> 00:06:13,280
had a few DUIs,
um, several assaults,

68
00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:18,560
and, uh, we did have a couple frauds.
Um, a lot of them having to do with cash

69
00:06:16,319 --> 00:06:22,240
apps. So, just trying to remind
citizens, keep an eye on your cash app

70
00:06:20,319 --> 00:06:27,039
stuff and things like that. All of your
online stuff is very vulnerable. Uh,

71
00:06:25,280 --> 00:06:32,080
majority of the frauds we see have to do
with a lot of these new apps. Um, not

72
00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:37,759
that I make any money from them, but I'm
a big uh fan of Zel.

73
00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:43,680
I've never had an issue personally with
Zel watch. I will tomorrow now. But um I

74
00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:47,840
do see a lot of issues with the cash
apps and uh even the Apple Pay, which is

75
00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:56,520
also very secure, but they're able to
crack those two. So, um any questions

76
00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:56,520
from the council?

77
00:06:57,280 --> 00:07:02,479
» Uh seeing none. Thank you.
>> Okay. All right. I'll be here till the

78
00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:07,000
end if anyone has any questions or needs
to speak with me. So, thank you for your

79
00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:07,000
time.

80
00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:13,199
» Next, we have the town administrator's
report.

81
00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:16,960
» I'm almost [snorts] afraid. Good
evening, uh, council. Linda Vasala, town

82
00:07:15,199 --> 00:07:20,800
administrator. Just a couple of quick
items from January. Uh, starting with

83
00:07:19,039 --> 00:07:25,440
the Chesapeake Beach Water Reclamation
Treatment Plant. I do provide an update

84
00:07:22,639 --> 00:07:30,479
each month. Um, we have had a little bit
of trouble getting copies of the

85
00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:34,479
finalized budget. We did get the top
budget. We were seeking rollup numbers.

86
00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:39,120
When I wrote this report, we did have
that information and we recently got

87
00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:42,639
that information. So, we are uh meeting
as a team right now to go back through

88
00:07:41,039 --> 00:07:46,800
and make sure we understand what those
numbers look like and how it may or may

89
00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:49,759
not impact our budget. U, I think I
mentioned uh during our budget

90
00:07:48,319 --> 00:07:52,160
presentation that when we put our
numbers together, we were a little

91
00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:57,360
concerned we weren't going to have them.
So, we made adjustments internally

92
00:07:53,840 --> 00:08:01,120
accordingly. Um, so I will by the time
we come to work session in March, we

93
00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:06,319
should have some pretty solid numbers
for you. I think we're going to be okay,

94
00:08:02,639 --> 00:08:10,960
but until we've looked at that, um, I'm
not going to give you 100% on that one.

95
00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:13,919
Our FY26 budget update, we are doing
very well. Um, Joanne will talk to you a

96
00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:17,039
little bit about the treasures report
here in a minute, but we are still

97
00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:23,280
tracking very positively. We're paying
very very close to our expenditures and

98
00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:27,599
the revenue lines coming in and um the
tax differential discussion will be

99
00:08:25,199 --> 00:08:29,919
happening on February 24th. Mayor Benton
will be down with the county

100
00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:35,039
commissioner. So, we'll have some
information hopefully from the county

101
00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:38,560
with that and we have not yet got gotten
the constant yield information and as

102
00:08:36,719 --> 00:08:43,279
soon as I get that I will send it over
to you.

103
00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:48,399
um that will be part of the final budget
uh approvals.

104
00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:52,160
And then uh for the 27 planning, I
mentioned we're coming back for two

105
00:08:50,399 --> 00:08:56,320
presentations next month. We'll have
your during the work session, we will

106
00:08:54,080 --> 00:09:02,720
have the CIP, so the capital improvement
plan presentation. We will have the

107
00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:05,839
council budget presentation.
And if you have items that you would

108
00:09:04,399 --> 00:09:09,440
like for us to include in that pleas
presentation, please get them to me and

109
00:09:07,839 --> 00:09:13,120
we'll make sure they're in there. and we
still have time to take any other

110
00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:17,680
adjustments or questions that you have
and we can get that updated. And we will

111
00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:22,279
also be doing a discussion in work
session about the recommended fee

112
00:09:19,279 --> 00:09:22,279
schedule.

113
00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:30,560
And with that, uh, that's kind of the
50,000 foot view. We do every month

114
00:09:27,839 --> 00:09:36,000
provide you an update on our open IRBs
and contracts. Um, nothing really new to

115
00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:39,519
update here with the exception of the
award tonight. So, we're we're doing

116
00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:43,880
pretty well. So with that, that is the
end of my report unless you have any

117
00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,880
questions.

118
00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:51,040
» All right, seeing
no questions, have to check on Zoom for

119
00:09:49,279 --> 00:09:56,440
Mary.
All right, next up we have marketing and

120
00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:56,440
communication.

121
00:09:59,360 --> 00:10:05,519
» Hello everybody. Kevin Schmidt,
communications director. Exciting start

122
00:10:03,519 --> 00:10:11,680
to this meeting. appreciate everyone's
patience as we [clears throat] uh

123
00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:16,399
creatively problem solve. Uh you have my
report uh for the month. A couple

124
00:10:14,079 --> 00:10:23,440
standouts uh that I'd like to mention.
Our open call for farmers market vendors

125
00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:28,079
is out right now. Um we look forward to
a bunch of returning vendors and perhaps

126
00:10:25,519 --> 00:10:32,959
some new exciting ones. Uh they can
register online. It's been promoted on

127
00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:40,959
our website in our newsletter.
um on our social media pages and open

128
00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:45,760
applications are till March 9th. Uh I
believe we have five election judges

129
00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:50,640
now. Um it might it may be great to have
an additional one just in case. We do

130
00:10:48,160 --> 00:10:57,920
need five total. Um so those
applications are also still ongoing. Um

131
00:10:54,240 --> 00:11:05,440
and then as far as events, we have one.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And then as far as

132
00:11:00,959 --> 00:11:09,680
as far as events, um we have uh the
animal Valentine's and the Bayside

133
00:11:07,519 --> 00:11:16,640
History Museum. Animal Valentine's on
Saturday and the Bayside History Museum

134
00:11:12,560 --> 00:11:22,560
uh on Sunday here at town hall. So,
thank you for your time. Any questions?

135
00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:26,959
» Yes. You mentioned about the five
election judges and maybe a six. Why

136
00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:30,640
would you need a six judge?
>> Uh I haven't we haven't

137
00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:34,480
graded the applications yet. We've just
received them. So, I don't know if we

138
00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:38,000
cap it at five or maybe we want to have
an extra in the tank just in case

139
00:11:36,399 --> 00:11:41,120
availability becomes an issue.
>> All of those applications will come to

140
00:11:39,519 --> 00:11:46,079
council.
>> Yeah, but I'm just wondering why we

141
00:11:42,560 --> 00:11:50,000
would need an extra person to add it.
>> Normally, it's five, correct?

142
00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:54,079
» We have a total of five. The application
um process was open, I believe, through

143
00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:59,600
the end of this week.
>> Okay. So maybe I think what I'm hearing

144
00:11:57,440 --> 00:12:00,959
is that we only received five
applications

145
00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:03,760
» to date.
>> Two days.

146
00:12:01,839 --> 00:12:05,760
» Okay. And when when are we closing
again?

147
00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:09,040
» I believe it's Friday, sir. I'll double
check the date on that.

148
00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:13,680
» Okay.
Maybe we blast it out again. Maybe add a

149
00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:20,279
few days to it and see what happens and
go from there

150
00:12:16,079 --> 00:12:20,279
since we still have some time.

151
00:12:20,560 --> 00:12:27,600
the we the only we can certainly do that
and we'll do that. Um just a reminder we

152
00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:32,560
have to have them appointed by April
1st. So we'll have something for you.

153
00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:34,160
» If we need to extend a week we could we
could bring it to the regular council

154
00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:36,800
meeting.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I get it.

155
00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:40,639
» Got it.
>> Yep. Thank you.

156
00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:43,200
» Absolutely.
>> All right. Thank you, Kevin.

157
00:12:41,839 --> 00:12:45,920
» Thank you.
>> All right. Next is planning zone

158
00:12:44,959 --> 00:12:48,920
planning and zoning and code
enforcement.

159
00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:59,440
Good evening, council. Rick Crump,
planning zoning director. Um, we had a

160
00:12:57,519 --> 00:13:04,959
report in front of you. As usual,
January's for planning zoning, code

161
00:13:01,680 --> 00:13:09,120
enforcement is our slowest time of the
year,

162
00:13:06,959 --> 00:13:16,880
colder it gets, the few things we have
happen enforcement wise with properties.

163
00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:24,399
We did have a plan commission this month
that the final approval for the Flynn's

164
00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:29,040
Arcade that will be opening shortly
and board of appeals. We had several

165
00:13:27,519 --> 00:13:33,440
short-term rentals that were also
approved. Other than that, it was a

166
00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:41,720
relatively slow slow month just catching
up on

167
00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:41,720
filing and closing out internal things.

168
00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:46,440
» Any questions?

169
00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:51,880
» All right. Thanks, Rick.
>> Thank you.

170
00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:56,120
» Next, we have public works.

171
00:13:58,639 --> 00:14:05,279
» Everyone, for the record, Donnie Bowen,
Department of Public Works. Um, for

172
00:14:03,839 --> 00:14:09,760
anybody who's been in the area, I think
the words of the month this month are

173
00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:14,079
snow, ice, and cold temperatures. So,
public works been hard uh hard at it

174
00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:17,839
with that. Um, I'd like to take a minute
to thank my crew. They were out. They've

175
00:14:15,839 --> 00:14:22,480
been out working hard during the storm
to keep the roads clear. Um crews worked

176
00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:25,839
around the clock during the storm and
then we had the ice hit after we got the

177
00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:28,639
snow pretty much gone. You know, we had
two or three inches of ice on top of

178
00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:32,959
that. So, it made it pretty difficult,
but uh I think they did a pretty good

179
00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:37,120
job. We kept the roads open. Um the
mayor did authorize bringing in some

180
00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:41,680
contract help to clear the parking
areas, um the public sidewalks and the,

181
00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:45,440
you know, shoulders to try to get as
much parking available as we could with

182
00:14:43,519 --> 00:14:49,040
the amount of snow we had.
Um, like I said, that that was uh I

183
00:14:47,519 --> 00:14:53,440
think the crew overall did a great job.
We brought on like three additional two

184
00:14:51,519 --> 00:14:58,639
Bobcats and a little mini skid steer
which helped with the sidewalk. So, I

185
00:14:55,760 --> 00:15:01,760
think that worked out well. Um, K&H did
provide some help out front here in

186
00:15:00,079 --> 00:15:05,360
front and went a little further. So,
they did the whole strip along in front

187
00:15:03,839 --> 00:15:11,199
of Second and Third Street pretty much
for us. So, that was kind of nice of

188
00:15:07,839 --> 00:15:15,040
them. Um, we also responded to several
calls um over the weekend, over the last

189
00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:20,240
couple weeks with frozen pipes. As you
can imagine, most of those probably did

190
00:15:17,199 --> 00:15:24,000
uh 15 or 20 frozen pipe calls. Most of
them were under the residents crawl

191
00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:26,560
spaces and it just required us to cut
the water off so they could do the

192
00:15:25,279 --> 00:15:31,040
repair and then we came back out and cut
the water back on for them. Um, we did

193
00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:35,279
have one water main break that did
require after our shutdown in the Burn

194
00:15:33,839 --> 00:15:41,199
Oaks townhouse subdivision. We had a
saddle that did break and uh that one we

195
00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:43,680
had to wait on Miss Utility for probably
three and a half hours to get there

196
00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:47,760
because it was electric in the area. So,
we had to wait to get it marked. It was

197
00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:51,120
a Friday night and it took um we we only
had the water off about an hour and a

198
00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:55,759
half though total just the water shut
off time. But it take a little bit like

199
00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:59,519
I said we found it about um resident
called in found about 4:00 in the

200
00:15:58,079 --> 00:16:03,040
evening, we had to wait till about 8
8:30 before we could start digging and

201
00:16:01,199 --> 00:16:06,959
uh by 11:00 we were kind of wrapped up
with it. So,

202
00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:10,240
um you have my report. Does anybody have
any questions on any anything else?

203
00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:12,880
» The uh Burn Oak saddle, was that one of
the new ones or was that one of the old

204
00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:15,600
ones?
>> That was the old one.

205
00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:18,480
» Yeah, like whenever Burns was built, I
can't remember exactly off top of my

206
00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:21,040
head, but that was original saddle.
>> Okay. I remember at some point we were

207
00:16:19,839 --> 00:16:24,560
going through replacing those. I didn't
know if we got to that section. Every

208
00:16:22,959 --> 00:16:28,880
year it seems like when it gets cold, I
mean, we haven't had a winter like this

209
00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:33,839
for five or six years, thank God. But,
uh, but for some reason over there, um,

210
00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:36,240
San Francisco and there we lose them
when to the cold weather.

211
00:16:35,199 --> 00:16:39,759
» Yeah, I remember that one up in San
Francisco a few years back.

212
00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:42,800
» But it is supposed to be 60° next
Wednesday. So, come on. Looking forward

213
00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:48,399
to that.
>> And we'll start back on the normal

214
00:16:44,720 --> 00:16:51,880
saddle work next week, maybe.
>> Any other questions?

215
00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:59,600
No,
>> thank you. Did I think Mary has some

216
00:16:56,079 --> 00:17:05,199
» She does. I I have it.
>> She says she would she would like to

217
00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:12,480
thank Department of Public Works for all
the long hours and good work. I saw the

218
00:17:08,799 --> 00:17:18,400
contractors. It keeps And they really It
keeps flipping down. Oh, and they really

219
00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:24,600
helped and I know you helped a lot of
people as well. Great job to everyone.

220
00:17:21,360 --> 00:17:24,600
» Thank you.

221
00:17:25,039 --> 00:17:28,400
» Again, from all of us, thank you and
your crew, Donnie, for all the hard

222
00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:35,480
work.
>> I'll let them know. Thanks.

223
00:17:31,360 --> 00:17:35,480
» All right, Joanne.

224
00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:55,440
Good evening everyone. Thanks for having
me here. A treasures report is through

225
00:17:53,200 --> 00:18:01,520
January 31st.
Um the most uh significant items to me

226
00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:08,480
are 75%
collection on the property tax revenue.

227
00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:13,200
That's pretty good for for this year.
And then the other thing I'd like to

228
00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:18,080
point out is we're into our second
quarter of the water and sewer billing

229
00:18:15,360 --> 00:18:26,240
and that has gone flawlessly.
We um we were down an employee, we hired

230
00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:32,320
a new employee and there's been like no
no lapse in service as far as the water

231
00:18:29,120 --> 00:18:37,280
and sewer billing. So that's good.
And then the other item I'd like to

232
00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:42,480
mention, and Kevin's too gracious to say
it, but I know Donnie and his crew do a

233
00:18:39,679 --> 00:18:47,440
lot, but also Kevin went out and uh
personally dug out. There was a couple

234
00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:52,080
older people that needed help and he
went out and dug them out. So, got to

235
00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:58,720
give him kudos, too.
But, um, if you have any questions, you

236
00:18:54,559 --> 00:19:04,400
can always reach out to me and I'll be
more than helpful. Any

237
00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:05,679
questions?
>> Thank you.

238
00:19:05,120 --> 00:19:08,799
» Good.
>> Thank you, Dan.

239
00:19:06,559 --> 00:19:11,799
» Thank you,
>> Bill.

240
00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:28,480
Good evening, council. Uh, Phil
Ashworth, director of waterfront parks.

241
00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:33,919
Nothing really to add to my report. Um,
just want to have you know, all the

242
00:19:31,120 --> 00:19:38,320
events for 2026, both along the
waterfront and the nature center. Um,

243
00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:42,320
it's a long list of events and we'll be
very busy this year. And a few ones that

244
00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:47,919
I'm kind of excited about, the nature
center, especially Easter will be a lot

245
00:19:44,559 --> 00:19:51,760
of fun. But, um, other than that, we're
just kind of resetting for the upcoming

246
00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:56,480
season. It's kind of the time of year
where we just kind of press reset and

247
00:19:53,600 --> 00:20:01,039
get ready. And um yeah, I'd also like to
thank u my staff for helping clear the

248
00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:04,960
boardwalk and bike path and everything
along the waterfront. It's good. I

249
00:20:03,039 --> 00:20:08,200
appreciate it.
Any questions?

250
00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:11,960
» All right. Thanks, Phil.

251
00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:17,679
» All right. [clears throat]
With the reports done, we'll move into

252
00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:22,640
public comment. Um since we're having a
few technical difficulties, I'll ask is

253
00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:26,400
there any public comment here first?
Okay, seeing none, I'll go to if there's

254
00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:30,159
any public comment. Um, for those on
Zoom, if you can, can you please put it

255
00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:35,200
in the chat and then Stacy will get it
over to us.

256
00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:39,000
I'll give that a few minutes if people
need time to type up.

257
00:21:19,360 --> 00:21:25,039
There's nothing in the chat, I think.
>> Okay. [snorts]

258
00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:29,520
All right. So, with that, we'll move on
to mayor and council reports. Um, Mary,

259
00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:35,919
if you wanted to start typing up your
report, um, so Stacy can read it and

260
00:21:32,799 --> 00:21:39,720
then we'll start here with in house. Uh,
Greg, would you like to start?

261
00:21:41,919 --> 00:21:48,880
» Thank you all for joining online. Uh,
Mary, sorry we couldn't hear your voice

262
00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:56,080
tonight. Um,
Mickey, congratulations on being the VP.

263
00:21:53,280 --> 00:22:02,960
And Donnie, thanks. Kudos to you and
your crew. Um, and I am so glad that we

264
00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:07,600
moved to get the contractor to do the
sidewalks.

265
00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:12,640
um
because uh I love hearing from my

266
00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:17,039
constituents, but
not so much when it comes snow and ice

267
00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:21,520
removal.
So, uh especially when they were seeing

268
00:22:19,919 --> 00:22:26,400
our neighbors get their stuff cleared
out in the next town. So, thank you for

269
00:22:24,720 --> 00:22:30,625
getting a contractor, whether that was
you, a lender, or the mayor, whoever did

270
00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:34,400
it. Thank you guys.
[clears throat]

271
00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:40,799
And um
hopefully next time they can probably

272
00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:47,280
clear the path along the boardwalk.
Uh there were a lot of people walking

273
00:22:43,520 --> 00:22:52,400
out in the street and
not everyone likes to slow down for

274
00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:57,760
people and it makes it a little unsafe.
So, if we could in addition to getting

275
00:22:55,280 --> 00:23:02,640
the sidewalks cleared on the main
street, if we could work on that

276
00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:07,440
pathway, I know that boardwalk itself is
another story, but if we could at least

277
00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:13,760
clear the path, the back path, that
would be a big help. Other than that,

278
00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:20,200
thank you to everyone on staff. Uh,
everyone continue to be safe out there

279
00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:20,200
and we'll see you the next time.

280
00:23:24,240 --> 00:23:27,240
Michelle,

281
00:23:27,280 --> 00:23:35,760
» good evening everyone. I'm a little bit
tired because I spent every morning this

282
00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:40,159
morning um with the safe nights program
if you haven't heard about that at all

283
00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:45,360
saints. So serving breakfast and then I
spent most of the week on Capitol Hill

284
00:23:42,159 --> 00:23:50,000
as well um talking about the importance
of federal statistics. So um please bear

285
00:23:48,720 --> 00:23:56,320
with me.
Um so last work session we spent kind of

286
00:23:52,799 --> 00:24:02,559
a lot of time talking about agendas and
whose agenda napapolis and etc. And I I

287
00:24:00,320 --> 00:24:07,600
really like to emphasize that we should
be spending more time talking about our

288
00:24:04,720 --> 00:24:11,840
agenda. Um and that's expressed through
our town's budget and that's also

289
00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:15,840
expressed through our shared priorities
which we are still going to discuss. So

290
00:24:14,400 --> 00:24:21,360
I'm really excited to have that
opportunity. Um, I've said it before and

291
00:24:19,120 --> 00:24:26,559
I want to say it again now. I I'm very
uncomfortable making big decisions

292
00:24:23,440 --> 00:24:30,799
without the public's input. So, um, my
job isn't really to guess what people

293
00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:34,799
want. It's to hear you and then to kind
of go to bat for you. So, I can't

294
00:24:32,960 --> 00:24:39,360
promise that you'll always get exactly
what you want or how you want it or when

295
00:24:37,520 --> 00:24:43,279
you want it. But, I can promise that
I'll represent your interests. But, if I

296
00:24:41,679 --> 00:24:48,720
don't know what they are, then I'm
flying blind. So, I've set up a

297
00:24:45,120 --> 00:24:52,720
dedicated town council phone number. So,
that's separate from my personal line.

298
00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:58,200
So, if you have a concern or a question
or a priority, you can call me at

299
00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:58,200
2026885529.

300
00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:05,760
That's my direct line, so please feel
free to use it. Um, speaking of working

301
00:25:03,679 --> 00:25:11,200
together, I'm excited to announce we're
establishing a blackbox theater citizens

302
00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:16,240
task force and a finance subcommittee.
So, thank you so much to the constituent

303
00:25:13,200 --> 00:25:20,640
who is online who called me um wanting
to know how he can serve uh his

304
00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:25,600
community. This would be a fantastic way
for you to do that. Um and there are

305
00:25:23,360 --> 00:25:29,840
other direct ways to get involved. So,
uh this is about how we shape our local

306
00:25:27,679 --> 00:25:35,200
culture and how we manage our resources.
So, if you have questions about that, um

307
00:25:32,320 --> 00:25:38,960
please reach out to me. I want to say
finally so you know the mayor last time

308
00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:42,880
mentioned several upcoming bills that
are coming through Annapolis and you

309
00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:48,559
need to know that these conversations
actually start much

310
00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:55,120
way before you ever see like a draft
bill. Um so uh there is a draft bill

311
00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:59,200
coming up. It's HB502.
Um that would require members of

312
00:25:56,799 --> 00:26:03,360
condominiums and HOAs to complete
specific training on their

313
00:26:01,520 --> 00:26:09,279
responsibilities. So, if you live in an
HOA or a condo, this affects your

314
00:26:06,080 --> 00:26:13,520
leadership and your community directly.
So, here are a couple ways to stay ahead

315
00:26:11,279 --> 00:26:18,000
of this stuff. There's software that's
called Fast Democracy. It's a free tool

316
00:26:15,919 --> 00:26:22,559
that you can use to track bills like
HB502 the second that they're

317
00:26:20,159 --> 00:26:26,880
introduced. And then once you see a
bill, you don't need to just watch it.

318
00:26:24,720 --> 00:26:31,679
You can go ahead and participate in a
hearing. You can contact your Southern

319
00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:35,760
Maryland delegation or you can call me.
Um, so you can set up an appointment

320
00:26:33,520 --> 00:26:39,039
here at town hall. We'll sit down, look
at the facts, and we can make sure that

321
00:26:37,360 --> 00:26:46,120
the town's moving in the direction that
you want it to go. Thank you.

322
00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:46,120
» Thank you, Alan.

323
00:26:47,360 --> 00:26:54,880
» Yeah. Um, [clears throat] a couple
things.

324
00:26:51,039 --> 00:26:59,120
Um, one, I went to an event back
January, January 17th. It was the, uh,

325
00:26:57,279 --> 00:27:02,720
winter sewing event at the nature
center.

326
00:27:00,559 --> 00:27:08,480
um
very cold, blustery, rainy day. It

327
00:27:05,360 --> 00:27:16,240
wasn't exactly the perfect day to be
doing things like that, but um I don't

328
00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:22,000
know how many um uh milk cartons were
were done, but um

329
00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:26,880
there was a handful of people there
enjoying themselves. I know I I think I

330
00:27:25,039 --> 00:27:30,000
did like three or four of those things
that uh you know that we'll have some

331
00:27:28,799 --> 00:27:37,840
plants that are going to be planted
around town. Um it was a great event

332
00:27:33,679 --> 00:27:42,640
despite the uh despite the weather and
um I would encourage everyone to take

333
00:27:40,080 --> 00:27:47,840
advantage and and go see this nature
center because I um been been out there

334
00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:53,760
with some of the new exhibits and
everything and and it really looks good.

335
00:27:50,720 --> 00:28:00,640
Um, second thing I wanted to mention,
and Donnie, I didn't want to do this

336
00:27:55,200 --> 00:28:06,960
during your presentation, but uh,
you guys, uh, waterfront crew, y'all did

337
00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:14,720
a bangup job, uh, with the snow and and
ice and, you know, the weather. Um it

338
00:28:10,960 --> 00:28:20,720
was two weeks of subf freezing and and
the ice hung around forever and ever and

339
00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:26,640
um people fell including myself on it
and but one observation I would like to

340
00:28:24,559 --> 00:28:31,520
make is I look at this little I look at
this town our town and the resources

341
00:28:29,440 --> 00:28:36,720
that we have
and

342
00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:43,760
I don't know I I drive in and out of DC
four times a day and I drive on DC

343
00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:49,039
streets. I drive on Slum Parkway. Um, I
can honestly tell you, unbiased opinion

344
00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:55,200
here, but I can honestly say this town
handled handled the weather, handled

345
00:28:51,679 --> 00:29:02,960
that snow, the storm aftermath better
than I've seen DC do it and the US Park

346
00:28:58,720 --> 00:29:08,799
Service on Sutland Parkway because that
it it just, you know, these roads were

347
00:29:05,039 --> 00:29:14,000
clear for the most part very quickly.
took a while to get some of the other

348
00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:19,039
snow and stuff out of certain areas, but
um

349
00:29:15,760 --> 00:29:23,679
yeah, I this town handled it handled it
so much better than many other areas

350
00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:27,210
that I seen in my travels up and down
the road.

351
00:29:25,679 --> 00:29:31,760
Um
[snorts]

352
00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:36,480
finally, uh congratulations Mickey. Um I
know you will serve this town well in

353
00:29:33,520 --> 00:29:42,880
this position for this coming year. So,
um, and Mary, hate to see you go, but

354
00:29:40,159 --> 00:29:49,200
we'll enjoy you here on council still,
just not as the, um, vice president. So,

355
00:29:47,039 --> 00:29:54,159
um,
with that, I I think that's all I have.

356
00:29:52,720 --> 00:29:57,320
» Thank you, Alan. Stacy, did you want to
read Mary's?

357
00:30:00,159 --> 00:30:09,600
» She just added one more. Um, [laughter]
she says, "Congratulations to Mickey. I

358
00:30:06,720 --> 00:30:15,320
enjoyed my time as VP. I am also happy
to pass the baton."

359
00:30:12,320 --> 00:30:15,320
Uh,

360
00:30:16,240 --> 00:30:23,440
it's it's like not
she thanked everyone for coming out.

361
00:30:21,200 --> 00:30:27,919
Happy Valentine's Day. She said, "I'll
be long- winded next month when I'm

362
00:30:25,120 --> 00:30:31,919
there in person." And she thanked Donnie
again for doing a fantastic job on the

363
00:30:29,840 --> 00:30:37,200
roads. All
right. Thank you, Mary. All right. Um,

364
00:30:34,799 --> 00:30:41,200
thank everybody joining us on Zoom for
the unorthodox little bit of meeting we

365
00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:45,600
had today. Thank everybody here in
person. Um, thanks everybody on staff,

366
00:30:43,919 --> 00:30:50,640
not just Donniey's crew, Phil's crew,
and Kevin um, for shoveling. And I'd

367
00:30:48,559 --> 00:30:54,720
like to thank the residents who got out
and shoveled and kept up with their

368
00:30:52,640 --> 00:30:58,799
shoveling um, and then also helped their
neighbors and anybody else who they saw

369
00:30:56,399 --> 00:31:02,559
that needed help shoveling. Um I was at
work and somebody helped Becky shovel

370
00:31:00,640 --> 00:31:06,480
out her car just from up the street just
came down and helped her out. So um

371
00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:10,480
we're a nice little community here of
people helping each other out. So that

372
00:31:08,320 --> 00:31:15,919
really makes me happy
with that. Um a reminder this Sunday is

373
00:31:13,279 --> 00:31:19,840
the first lecture of the this year's
museum lecture series for the Bayside

374
00:31:17,679 --> 00:31:27,200
History Museum. It'll be here starting
at 1. Yes, one. Um so I'll be here.

375
00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:30,720
We're going to change up the layout this
year since we have all the new AV. Um,

376
00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:34,720
they're not going to have to move the
chairs. We're going to face it this way

377
00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:40,799
instead of at the screen. So, we'll try
that layout out. And with that, I am

378
00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:46,519
done. And I would entertain a motion to
close. Oh, go ahead, Greg.

379
00:31:43,519 --> 00:31:46,519
» Yeah.

380
00:31:56,399 --> 00:32:05,480
No, that's just a subcommittee of the
Blackbox Citizens Task Force. That's

381
00:32:01,440 --> 00:32:05,480
independent of the town council.

382
00:32:06,880 --> 00:32:14,039
» Okay. Good. All right. With that, I'd
entertain a motion to adjurnn the

383
00:32:11,039 --> 00:32:14,039
meeting.

384
00:32:16,720 --> 00:32:20,320
» Is there a second?
>> Second.

385
00:32:18,960 --> 00:32:24,320
» All in favor?
>> I. All opposed.

386
00:32:22,720 --> 00:32:28,647
» All right. Meeting is adjourned. Thank
you all for joining us.

387
00:32:27,120 --> 00:32:30,667
» Only if you want to.
>> [laughter]