2010 Minutes
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MAYOR & COUNCIL
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 22, 2010
The regular meeting of the Funkstown Mayor and Council was held on Monday, February 22, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company.
In attendance were Mayor Robert Kline, Assistant Mayor Paul Crampton, Jr., Sharon Chirgott, Jerry Walker, Richard Nigh, Kim Ramer, and John Phillips, III.
Also in attendance were Tammy Bowers, Ethan Bowers, Tammy Duffey, Dale Hill, Gail Mongan, Edward Clopper, Barry Warrenfeltz, Ted Atkinson, Ginny Atkinson, Dave Harman, Brenda Haynes, Clerk-Treasurer; and Kelli Roser, Town Secretary.
A moment of silence was held, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by full assemblage.
Minutes
Motion was made by Councilperson Sharon Chirgott, seconded by Councilman John Phillips, III to approve the minutes. Unanimously approved.
Funkstown Fire Company Check Presentation
Mayor Robert Kline presented the annual donation check to the Funkstown Fire Company. Mr. Dale Hill, President, accepted the check on behalf of the fire company.
Waste Collection Agreement
Mr. Carl Hardcastle sold Greenscape Trash & Lawn Service to Apple Valley Waste Services of Maryland, Inc.
The current Agreement is effective July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. Pursuant to the provisions of said contract, in particular Paragraph 6, thereof, the Contractor agreed that it would not assign or sublet the work or any part thereof or the revenue sums due in payable, therefore without written permission of the Mayor and Council by proper Resolution at a duly constituted meeting.
Motion was made by Councilman Jerry Walker, seconded by Councilman Kim Ramer to approve the Addendum to Agreement. Unanimously approved.
Motion was made by Councilman Kim Ramer, seconded by Councilman Richard Nigh to approve the Resolution. Unanimously approved.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – Resolution
The Mayor and Council are desirous of entering into the Agreement with the County for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The town is eligible to receive $10,795.00 for a shovel ready project. The shovel ready project will be the redesign of the one-way entrances at the intersections of Poplar Street and Chestnut Street.
Motion was made by Councilperson Sharon Chirgott, seconded by Councilman John Phillips, III to approve the Agreement and Resolution for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Unanimously approved.
Sharpsburg Memorial Day Parade
The Town of Sharpsburg will be hosting the 143rd Sharpsburg Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. A response is requested by March 5, 2010.
The Mayor and Council will not be able to attend this year.
Bill Osborne
Mr. Osborne could not attend the meeting.
Water/Sewer Rate Comparison Spreadsheet
The clerk-treasurer prepared a water/sewer rate comparison spreadsheet for the Mayor and Council for review. The spreadsheet shows example water/sewer bills.
Recommendation to P & Z Commission
There is currently an opening on the Planning & Zoning Commission. The clerk-treasurer recommended Dave Harman to the Mayor and Council to serve on the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Motion was made by Assistant Mayor Paul Crampton, Jr., seconded by Councilman Richard Nigh to approve Dave Harman to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Unanimously approved.
Review and approval of bills
Motion was made by Councilman Richard Nigh, seconded by Councilman Kim Ramer to approve the bills. Unanimously approved.
Misc
Mr. Dale Hill thanked the Mayor and Council for an excellent job with the snow removal.
Mr. Barry Warrenfeltz stated that the town maintenance employees did an outstanding job with snow removal.
Councilman John Phillips, III stated that a meeting has been set up for Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the fire company. This will be the first Re-enactment/A Day in the Park meeting.
On March 20, 2010, the 3rd and 7th Maryland Re-enactors will be practicing at the Funkstown Community Park in the area where the re-enactment is held. This practice will be a winter drill.
Councilman Kim Ramer stated that the town maintenance employees went throughout the town and straightened all the signs on the poles that were bent.
Councilman Kim Ramer questioned if the Delegation will be attending the Re-enactment/A Day in the Park.
Assistant Mayor Paul Crampton, Jr. stated that the County Commissioners complimented the Funkstown Fire Company for doing an excellent job.
Motion was made by Councilman Kim Ramer, seconded by Councilman John Phillips, III to adjourn. Unanimously approved.
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Brenda L. Haynes, Clerk-Treasurer
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MAYOR & COUNCIL
MINUTES
JANUARY 11, 2010
The regular meeting of the Funkstown Mayor and Council was held on Monday, January 11, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mayor and Council Chambers at Town Hall.
In attendance were Mayor Robert Kline, Assistant Mayor Paul Crampton, Jr., Sharon Chirgott, Richard Nigh, Kim Ramer, and John Phillips, III.
Also in attendance were Mike Spiker, Nancy Hauswrath, Betty Mongan, Gail Mongan, Barry Warrenfeltz, Ted Atkinson, Jenny Atkinson, Julie Green, Brenda Haynes, Clerk-Treasurer; and Kelli Roser, Town Secretary.
A moment of silence was held, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by full assemblage.
Minutes
Motion was made by Councilman John Phillips, III; seconded by Councilman Kim Ramer to approve the minutes. Unanimously approved.
Mike Spiker – City of Hagerstown
The Mayor and Council invited Mr. Mike Spiker to the meeting to discuss the City of Hagerstown increasing the water rates to the Town over a five year period.
The Town currently receives a 16% reduction in the water rate as a wholesale customer. This practice will continue. The rate structure includes a restructuring of the fixed charges whereas the City will capture twenty percent of the revenue requirements through these charges and an approved five year rate plan. The change to the fixed charge will be blended over a two year period.
The unit rate has been lowered across the board in the realignment of the rate structure. This rate structure change became effective November 1, 2009. The change will reduce the projected overall percentage revenue increase to 3.6% for the Town for the remaining eight months of the fiscal year. The Town will see a projected 4.5% increase in water rates for Fiscal Year 11, and a 6.5% increase in Fiscal Years 12, 13 and 14.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding the increases, and Mr. Spiker recommended the Town call Municipal and Financial Services Group to have a rate study conducted for the Town.
Letter from St. Paul’s Church
A letter was received from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church regarding a right of way. The church is planning a renovation to their fellowship hall. One of the major phases is to handle runoff water from the building.
The water is handled through an underground pipe, which is partially collapsed, and surfaces near the property line at 16 E. Baltimore Street. Due to the amount of water handled this becomes a safety hazard to the neighbors when heavy rain or snow occurs.
Mr. Barry Warrenfeltz requested that the Town allow the church to utilize an existing easement for right of way to the water drainage pipe on Antietam Street.
The church has agreed that fees and allowances incurred by the Town will be reimbursed.
The Town Attorney will be contacted to see if the existing easement is only for the sewer line, or if other utilities can be used with the easement.
Letter from Ted & Ginny Atkinson
A letter was received from Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson regarding concerns they have with the existing water and sewer rates.
The letter states that they are being charged a rate of 33.5% more because they live outside of Funkstown limits. They would like to know what amenities they receive from Funkstown.
The letter states that in 1962 when the water lines were installed to residents outside of Funkstown limits, there was a charge for the service.
As taxpaying citizens, the letter states they deserve answers.
Assistant Mayor Paul Crampton, Jr. requested that the town clerk contact the different towns to compare the in town and out of town rates.
MML Dinner
A count was taken for the next MML Dinner to be hosted by the Town of Boonsboro. The dinner will be held on Monday, January 25, 2010, and will be held at the Boonsboro American Legion located at 710 North Main Street.
The social hour will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by the evening meal at 6:45 p.m. The menu for the evening will consist of Cheese and Vegetable Platters, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Cole Slaw, Rolls with Butter, Iced Tea, Coffee, and Pie for Dessert. The cost for this meal will be $20.00 per person.
Misc
Ms. Amy Leisure lives on West Baltimore Street between the two taverns on the block. She is concerned about all the trash and noise being generated from the two businesses. Customers stand outside and smoke.
Ms. Leisure is also very concerned about the lack of parking because the customers are not using the business parking lot, but taking up all the parking on the street.
Assistant Mayor Paul Crampton, Jr. explained that while he is very sympathetic, parking on the street is available to everyone. He suggested that the liquor board be contacted if the taverns are causing problems with excessive noise.
Mr. Gail Mongan stated that the Funkstown Lions Club will be hosting a feed on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the Funkstown Fire Company, starting at 6:00 p.m. The menu will be steamed shrimp, cold cuts, etc. The cost is $15.00 per person.
Councilman John Phillips, III would like to sign a contract with the 97th Regimental String Band for the Re-enactment/A Day in the Park event scheduled for July 17, 18, 2010.
The fee is $2,500, and is rain or shine. A deposit of $500 is required to reserve the band.
Motion was made by Councilman Kim Ramer, seconded by Councilperson Sharon Chirgott to approve $500 from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund for the deposit to reserve the band. Unanimously approved.
Councilman John Phillips, III stated that Roger and Jeff did a nice job plowing the streets during the last snow storm.
Councilman Kim Ramer stated that the City of Hagerstown is Hotel/Motel Tax Funds to host a softball tournament. Maybe the Town can do similar in the near future.
Councilman Kim Ramer stated that when it snows Roger and Jeff are cleaning certain properties.
The snow removal should be curb to curb, and not showing favoritism.
Bills
Motion was made by Councilperson Sharon Chirgott, seconded by Councilman Richard Nigh to pay the bills. Unanimously approved.
Motion was made by Councilperson Sharon Chirgott, seconded by Councilman John Phillips, III to adjourn. Unanimously approved.
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Brenda L. Haynes, Clerk-Treasurer