April 28, 2009 @ 6:30 PM
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore Office
East Park Professional Center Building, Suite # 401
East Park Drive off Belmont Avenue, Salisbury, MD
I. PRESENT:
Heather Burnham (Bivalve), Debbie Campbell (809 Camden Avenue/Salisbury City Council), Kurt Drechsler (Harbor Pointe) Jim Fineran (County Executive Office), Mary Jane Marine (Secretary WNC - Sharptown), Cindy Pilchard (Schumaker Woods/Salisbury), Connie Strott (Nutters Crossing/Salisbury), Lena Wallop (Treasurer WNC and West Side Rep/ Salisbury)and Richard E. Widdowson (114 Saratoga Street/Salisbury). Chairman Jim Ireton was absent due to vehicular accident with a deer.
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II. CALL TO ORDER:
Due to the absence of Chairman Ireton and Chairman Elect Mike Pretl, Secretary Mary Jane Marine guided the meeting. She called it to order at 6 PM.
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III. MINUTES:
By motion of Cindy Pilchard, seconded by Kurt Drechsler, with no changes, the minutes of March 24, 2009 were approved as distributed.
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IV. DISCUSSION - ONLINE POLL ISSUES:
Chairman Ireton had asked the group to make a list of issues for WNC online poll that would be included in a drop-down box to be addressed by residents of Wicomico County. The items could be selected as subjects for the Congress to focus on in the future. The following are such topics suggested by each member present with the ensuring discussion:
1. Heather Burnham: Do you live in a rural area or more populated area? The group decided that identifying the respondents home area of the County was important to the purpose and then continued discussion in terms of using zip codes for geographic location, incorporated areas, sections of the County by north, south, east and west and whether or not one considered themselves as representative of a neighborhood association or more of an individual member of a neighborhood. The type of residence and group affiliation if any, were also of interest such as single-family home, two-family, multi-family, apartments and home owners or neighborhood association.
The group decided these three questions were appropriate for the online poll:
a. Where do you live?
b. Do you consider yourself as part of a neighborhood group or an individual within your community?
c. What are some of the issues you would like the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress to address?
2. Connie Strott: Crime issues and more specifically, gangs. Along with this subject the group discussed inadequate geographic response from the County Sheriff's Office and an opposite view as an example of a recent excellent response from that department. Also, the need for more police presence and enforcement within each municipality and throughout the County
3. Cindy Pilchard: Environmental Issues: Clean water, storm-water runoff, swim- able lakes, streams and rivers. The group discussed the importance of living shore lines, planting trees and the rain barrel concept.
4. Kurt Drechsler: Code Enforcement: Rental units as compared to owner-occupied residences; maintaining properties (grass cutting, abandoned vehicles etc.), vehicular parking in front yards and on the street.
Kurt Drechsler explained the difficulty with the City Enforcement dealing with repeat offenders and the fines not being a deterrent. The discussion included the length of time for correction of a violation; the payment to the City and/or County billing and imposing liens upon the property.
The discussion went on to address the lengthy process of scheduling for prosecution of violations through the court system. That it is costly due to overtime being paid to offices waiting for the case to be heard, also inconvenience to the public, and over-load of cases scheduled before the court. It was noted that these problems have been resolved in other systems along with a one-person contact for case scheduling.
It was also noted that municipal infractions may not be a priority in cases in court as compared to other matters. Connie Strott said that some times it may take 4 to 6 months for an eviction order to occur.
Heather Burnham suggested an ombudsman person could be helpful in dealing with the regulations. She said this person could act on behalf of the residents that were not able to deal with the system on their own. The ombudsman would not be an elected official but would be paid by the municipality and/or County.
The subject further developed into a suggestion of considering an arbitration process to deal with code compliance issues, rather than loading up the court system with such matters if the issue could be resolved at a lower level.
Kurt Drechsler said the matter of establishing the amount of fines would be addressed by the City Council in the near future. It was suggested he update the WNC on the situation after that meeting. The issue expanded into a suggestion that he notify the WNC of the date for the discussion before the City Council for others from the group to be present to show support and any WNC member that would have a matter before a legislative body to notify the WNC for other members to attend to reinforce the discussion.
5. Richard E. Widdowson: Over-development. Is it adequate? Jim Fineran and Heather Burnham said there was a large attendance at the hearing before the County Council last night concerning the zoning change for subdivision activity in the County regulations. No vote was taken and the matter would be discussed further before the Council in the near future.
6. Heather Burnham: Law Enforcement. On behalf of those in her area that were not satisfied with the County Sheriff's department response to a recent incident involving vandalism of several boats. One challenge noted was the geographic area to be covered by the department.
7. Lena Wallop: Crime; with concerns of inadequate rental property management; too many residents in one home; code compliance; and, holding landlords responsible. She said in her particular situation if a violation would occur the landowner would impose a $250.00 fine in addition to what would be included in the municipal infraction process.
8. Jim Fineran: Traffic/infrastructure: The County Roads receive the bulk of its funding from the State. The State has cut funding. The roads, sewer, water pipes and the entire system are in need of funding for maintaince and upgrading. It was noted that the City also depends upon the State for funding. The possibility of limiting hours for operation of the White Haven and Upper Ferry operations were noted as well as the need for a traffic light or traffic pattern adjustment on Route 50 West by the new Royal Farms Store.
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V. WNC WEBSITE:
Debbie Campbell said that
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, of California would design a website for the WNC. Kurt Drechsler graciously volunteered to be the point person in charge of organizing material for the website. He asked about a logo, each person to submit a photo of their area to him, with a notation included descriping the photo and area where it was taken, (
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), any pictures of the WNC meetings, letters and any such items that he could use for the website and anything that would be helpful to promote the WNC.
Secretary Mary Jane Marine read the original letter formulated by the WNC Membership and Recruitment Committee into the record (See attached). The letter was complimented by the group and suggested it be updated for current use on the website.
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VI. MOVING FORWARD:
In regard to outreach, Jim Fineran volunteered to do what he could in regard to notifying media of WNC meetings, recruitment and promoting the WNC.
2009 Annual Meeting of Wicomico Neighborhood Congress to be held at the Salisbury University was discussed with those present stating that the worksheets used at the last such event at SU were very helpful. At least 70 persons attend that meeting.
Richard E. Widdowson reported that his Salisbury neighborhood was organizing its "East Main Street Association", generally covering Route 50 up to East Salisbury School, and Church Street to Civic Avenue. The first meeting is scheduled for May 14.
Kurt Drechsler added that he could make contact for anyone wishing to purchase speed limits signs or such at a reasonable price or information on building a website. He also said that one could contact the Salisbury Police or County Sheriff's Office for instructions on establishing a Neighborhood Crime Watch Program.
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VII. ADJOURNMENT:
With congratulations extended to Jim Ireton for election of Mayor of Salisbury and to Debbie Campbell for her reelection to Salisbury City Council and the notice of assignment of each person's homework of sending a photo to Kurt Drechsler, the meeting was adjourned at 7:36 PM The next meeting of the WNC is scheduled for May 26, 2009 (4th Tuesday) at 6:30 PM at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore Office, East Park Professional Center Building, Suite # 401, East Park Drive, off Belmont Avenue, Salisbury, unless notified otherwise.
Respectfully Submitted,
Secretary, Mary Jane Marine
