City Council

WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES MAY 12, 2025 PUBLIC OFFICIALS Present: Council President D'Shawn M. Doughty, Council Vice President Angela M. Blake, Councilwoman April R. Jackson, Councilwoman Michele R. Gregory and Councilwoman Sharon C. Dashiell IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Randy Taylor, City Administrator Andy Kitzrow, Deputy Chief Chris O'Barsky, Deputy Chief Chris Truitt, Events and Culture Manager Caroline O'Hare, City Clerk Julie English, City Solicitor Ashley Bosche CALL TO ORDER The City Council convened in Work Session on May 12, 2025 at 6:41 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. ORDINANCE • Funds from the Maryland State Arts Council - Presenting and Touring Grant Events and Culture Manager Caroline O'Hare reported that the City was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Maryland State Arts Council to support roster artist Charm City Junction, who will return this year to host a square dance event. Council gave consensus to move this item forward to Legislative Session. • Budget Amendment for Surplus Radio Sale Deputy Chief Truitt reported that the recent sale of surplus radios, microphones, and belt clips totaled just under $19,000. He requested the funds be allocated to the medical supplies account to purchase new video laryngoscopes, which would allow all six transport units to be outfitted in compliance with upcoming state requirements. Council gave consensus to move this forward to Legislative Session. • Budget Amendment for Surplus Heart Monitor Sale Deputy Chief Truitt explained that several surplus heart monitors were sold on GovDeals for just over $6,000. He requested the funds be allocated with $2,141 to the vehicles account and $4,000 to the building account. He added that the funds would help offset recent unexpected costs, including repairs to a fire marshal’s vehicle and replacement of the entry door at Fire Station One. Council gave consensus to move this forward to Legislative Session. • Accepting Grant Funds from DNR for Boat Motor 1  Deputy Chief Chris O'Barsky informed Council that last year a 50/50 grant was awarded for a new motor for the 16’ skiff, and this year a grant was received for a smaller motor for the 14’ johnboat. Originally this year's grant was a 50/50 grant, but the state later covered the full cost of $2,156, which would be reimbursed to the City. Council agreed to move this forward to Legislative Session. • Accepting Grant Funds & Grant Agreement from Tidal Health for the REACH Grant for SWIFT/MDCN Deputy Chief Chris O'Barsky explained that the $74,740 was subgranted funds to support partial salary and benefits for the SWIFT community paramedic, continuing the ongoing grant funding for the program. Council moved this item forward to Legislative Session. COUNCIL DISCUSSION PUBLIC COMMENT (Agenda Items Only) There were no public comments. ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS Mr. Kitzrow announced that he would be transitioning to a new career path with the Town of Easton. He invited everyone to Third Friday and wished all mothers a Happy Mother's Day. Mayor Taylor addressed public comments regarding crosswalks, emphasizing that the intent was not anti -Pride or anti-LGBTQ, but to ensure government neutrality and avoid viewpoint discrimination. He had discussions with community members and expressed hope that a community-based design approach would help move the issue forward constructively. COUNCIL COMMENTS Ms. Jackson announced the NAACP would host Dr. Steven Leonard of TidalHealth to discuss the new Church Street facility. She also reported on a successful homeless feeding program hosted by VFW 10159 and hoped to continue it monthly. Ms. Dashiell shared updates including SU’s upcoming centennial celebration, the ongoing comprehensive plan focus groups, the HOPE program’s growing outreach and recent community resource fair, Breeze Airways beginning flights from Salisbury to Orlando starting October 1st, and the need to address both rental and homeownership options in affordable housing, with a request for a future work session. Ms. Gregory reported a meeting with the Green Team, noting they were seeking data from department heads. She also highlighted the upcoming Third Friday event with the theme “Paw Prints” and mentioned a fundraiser hosted by Atlantis Tattoo benefitting the Salisbury Zoo. Ms. Jackson raised the issue of affordable and attainable housing, noting that while the City frequently addresses the topic, there was limited development in the County. She emphasized the need for revitalization of existing affordable housing developments and encouraged the County to pursue additional projects to ensure housing remained both affordable and sustainable for families. Ms. Blake highlighted the reopening of Mitchell Landing and River’s Edge senior housing after 2 renovations. She emphasized that while council had supported new housing developments, delays in administrative permitting had discouraged developers and contributed to potential litigation. After a rebuttal from the Mayor, Ms. Blake again reaffirmed her opposition to remove the Pride crosswalk, stating she would personally work to preserve it. President Doughty thanked the public for attending and encouraged continued engagement. He noted the need for better follow-through on the CANVAS program and crosswalks. He pointed out that a 50- unit affordable housing project had been delayed and stressed that the four million dollars in state grant money for Lot 10 needed to be used correctly, or it could hurt chances for future funding. ADJOURNMENT / CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION #1 The Work Session was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. _________________________________ City Clerk _________________________________ Council President 3