Legislative Session

LEGISLATIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 8, 2025 PUBLIC OFFICIALS Present: Interim President Angela M. Blake, Councilwoman April R. Jackson, Councilwoman Michele R. Gregory, Councilwoman Sharon C. Dashiell, and Councilwoman Melissa Holland (sworn in at 6:04 p.m.) IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Randy Taylor, City Administrator Nick Rice, Arts, Business and Culture Director Scott Roberts, Zoo Director Chuck Eicholtz, Procurement Director Michael Lowe, City Clerk Julie English and City Solicitor Ashley Bosche CALL TO ORDER The City Council convened in Legislative Session on December 8, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS/PLEDGE Interim President Blake welcomed everyone to the meeting and provided the emergency exit instructions. She then asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION - Pastor Richard Pope - Canvas Church Pastor Richard Pope from Canvas Church was called forward to provide the Invocation. SWEARING IN District 2 Councilwoman Melissa Holland, Arts, Business and Culture Director Scott Roberts and Zoo Director Chuck Eicholz were sworn in by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Mr. McAllister. COUNCIL REORGANIZATION Ms. Blake turned the meeting over to Mayor Taylor to conduct the council reorganization. Mayor Taylor went over the rules for nominations. Mayor Taylor asked for a motion and a second to accept the rules. Ms. Dashiell motioned and Ms. Jackson seconded. He asked for a Roll Call vote and each member was in favor. Ms. Dashiell nominated Ms. Jackson and Ms. Gregory nominated Ms. Blake. He closed the nominations. He asked if there were any votes for Ms. Jackson. There were two by Ms. Jackson and Ms. Dashiell. He asked if there were any votes for Ms. Blake. There were three votes by Ms. Gregory, Ms. Holland and Ms. Blake appointing Ms. Blake as council president. Mayor Taylor turned the meeting over to President Blake. Ms. Blake continued with the reorganization for vice president. She reviewed the rules for nominations. She asked for a motion and a second to accept the rules. Ms. Dashiell motioned and Ms. Jackson seconded. President Blake asked for a Roll Call vote, and all members were in favor. Ms. Holland nominated Ms. Jackson. Ms. Blake closed the nominations. She asked if there were any votes for Ms. Jackson. There were five votes by Ms. Blake, Ms. Jackson, Ms. Gregory, Ms. Dashiell and Ms. Holland appointing Ms. Jackson as Council Vice President. REVIEW OF RULES OF ORDER AND MEETING GUIDELINES President Blake reviewed the meeting guidelines, which were located on the council website. COUNCIL PROCLAMATION - Presented by Councilwoman Jackson Ms. Jackson presented a proclamation to Byron Coulbourn with I am H.I.M. State Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes then came forward with a Citation from the Maryland House of Delegates. Mr. Coulbourn spoke and thanked the community for their support. PRESENTATION AND ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Ms. English presented the legislative agenda. President Blake asked for a motion and a second to approve the legislative agenda as presented. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. CONSENT AGENDA Ms. English presented the consent agenda. Ms. Blake asked for a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 4-0. Ms. Holland abstained due to not having attended the meetings presented. • Meeting Minutes July 28, 2025 Closed Session July 28, 2025 Legislative Session July 28, 2025 Work Session August 11, 2025 Legislative Session August 11, 2025 Work Session August 25, 2025 Legislative Session August 25, 2025 Work Session September 8, 2025 Closed Session September 8, 2025 Legislative Session September 8, 2025 Work Session AWARD OF BIDS Presented by Procurement Director Michael Lowe. • Award of Bids 1. ITB 26-105 Elevated Water Tank Recoating at Salisbury University $546,700.00 2. ITB 26-102 Naylor Mill Water Extension Construction $3,968,555.00 3. ITB 26-108 Park Well 8 and 18 Rehabilitations $149,475.00 4. ITB 26-118 2 Ford F350 Trucks $202,366.00 5. ITB 26-119 International HV 515 Dump Truck $245,224.00 Ms. Blake asked for a motion and a second to approve the award of bids. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. RESOLUTIONS Presented by Ms. English • Public Art Committee Reappointment Resolution No. 3437 - Reappointment of Max Verbits to the Public Art Committee for term ending December 2028. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and April R. Jackson seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Public Art Committee Reappointment Resolution No. 3438 - Reappointment of Susan Holt to the Public Art Committee for term ending December 2028. Michele R. Gregory motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5- 0. • Public Art Committee Appointment Resolution No. 3439 - Appointment of Helene English to the Public Art Committee for term ending December 2028. Michele R. Gregory motioned and April R. Jackson seconded. The vote was 5-0. • TRUTH Committee Appointment Resolution No. 3440 - Appointment of Sophia Peters to the Truth, Racial, Unity, Transformation, and Healing (TRUTH) Committee for term ending November 2028. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. ORDINANCES Presented by Ms. Bosche • Budget Amendment for Elevated Water Tank Maintenance - Second Reading Ordinance No. 2965 - to approve a budget amendment to the City's Water Sewer Capital Project Fund to provide additional funds for Elevated Water Tank maintenance. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. • Labor Code Amendment- 1st Reading Ordinance No. 2966 - Amending Chapter 2.25 of the Salisbury City Code entitled "Labor Code" to better define material terms, clarify employer rights, redefine the duration of a collective bargaining agreement and timeline for bargaining, and to amend the terms governing arbitration. Ms. Bosche highlighted two changes in the Ordinance. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. • The North Prong Park Project - 1st Reading Ordinance No. 2967 - To accept funds awarded by the Department of Natural Resources Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Grant for the City of Salisbury's North Prong Park Project. Ms. Jackson thanked the Mayor and staff for making this project come to fruition. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENT • Speaker #1 encouraged the City Council to strengthen transparency and public engagement after the recent council vacancy appointment process. • Speaker #2 thanked staff for their professionalism but criticized the council vacancy appointment as unfair and flawed. • Speaker #3 criticized the council vacancy appointment and called for public interviews, clearer tie-breaking procedures and greater community representation. • Speaker #4 questioned the recent council vacancy appointment. He asked for a charter amendment requiring special elections. • Speaker #5 called for stronger community representation, charter reform, and special elections to ensure fair and accountable council decisions. • Speaker #6 called for a charter amendment requiring special elections to fill council vacancies with a sufficient remaining term. • Speaker #7 emphasized the need for special elections to ensure community representation and called for greater police accountability, de-escalation, and fair treatment of black residents. • Speaker #8 highlighted the disproportionate impact of policing on people of color, emphasizing the fear and trauma black families experience during routine stops. • Speaker #9 criticized the council vacancy process as unfairly exclusionary and called for stronger community policing. • Speaker #10 highlighted issues in policing, emphasizing that accountability and proper leadership was needed to prevent multiple officers from escalating situations improperly. • Speaker #11 described a recent traffic stop that escalated unfairly, leaving his children traumatized, and called for fairness, accountability, and the dismissal of charges beyond the traffic violation. • Speaker #12 praised the city’s Housing First initiative, welcomed Councilwoman Holland, and called for accountability and reform in the Salisbury Police Department to prevent over policing and ensure safety. • Speaker #13 urged the community to unite across racial and ethnic lines, called for accountability in policing, and emphasized the need for younger leaders to advocate for fairness and safety for all residents. • Speaker #14 expressed frustration over the recent council appointment and called for a special election to ensure community representation. • Speaker #15 highlighted how discriminatory policing harms black and brown residents, affecting their jobs, housing, and access to rental assistance. • Speaker #16 described the trauma her nephews experienced during her brother’s police encounter and expressed fear and concern over continued surveillance and safety following the incident. • Speaker #17 spoke about experiencing bias and discrimination similar to what happened to her cousins, highlighting the systemic obstacles faced by community leaders. • Speaker #18 addressed the white community, urging understanding of the daily challenges faced by people of color. • Speaker #19 called for police accountability, shared experiences of racial bias, and emphasized the importance of speaking up and working together to ensure fairness. • Speaker #20 criticized her District 4 representative for not being visible or engaged in the community. She shared personal experiences of police harassment, expressed frustration with racial profiling, and demanded that all council members actively walk their districts. • Speaker #21 highlighted police mistreatment of Mr. Bratton and recognized Mr. Bratton and Mr. Mitchell as dedicated, trustworthy community leaders who deserve recognition and respect. • Speaker #22 condemned systemic racism and false police harassment, calling for justice and fair treatment. ADJOURNMENT/CONVENE INTO WORK SESSION The Legislative Session adjourned at 7:41 p.m. _________________________________ City Clerk _________________________________ Council President  CLOSED SESSION SUMMARY MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2025 PUBLIC OFFICIALS Present: Council Vice President Angela M. Blake, Councilwoman April R. Jackson, Councilwoman Michele R. Gregory and Councilwoman Sharon C. Dashiell IN ATTENDANCE City Clerk Julie English, Deputy City Clerk Hannah Long, City Solicitor Heather Konyar MOTION TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION The City Council convened in Closed Session on December 1, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. The Closed Session was to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals as authorized by the State Government Article, 3-305(b)(1). Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 4-0. DISCUSSION TOPIC • District 2 Council Vacancy Ms. Blake expressed concerns over a potential conflict of interest between Ms. Jackson and a candidate during an interview. Ms. Blake asked Ms. Jackson to recuse herself from the interviews. Ms. Jackson declined stating that there was no direct communication with the candidate during the interview. Council discussed the interview process and conducted interviews with the four candidates- Jermichael Mitchell, Melissa Holland, Shawn Jester and Wayne King. After the conclusion of all the interviews, Council reached consensus in determining the top two candidates and discussed their qualifications and experience. Ms. Jackson and Ms. Dashiell supported Mr. Mitchell and Ms. Blake and Ms. Gregory supported Ms. Holland. After a recess and further deliberation, consensus was reached to appoint Melissa Holland to fill the District 2 vacancy. MOTION TO ADJOURN AND RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Ms. Blake called for a motion and a second to adjourn the Closed Session and reconvene in Open Session. Michele R. Gregory motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 4-0. REPORT TO PUBLIC Ms. Blake convened in Open Session to provide the report out. She stated that the Closed Session was to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals as authorized by the State Government Article, § 3 -305(b)(1). They interviewed the District 2 candidates: Jermichael Mitchell, Melissa Holland, Shawn Jester and Wayne King. Ms. Gregory motioned to appoint Ms. Holland as the District 2 councilmember and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 3-0 with Ms. Jackson abstaining. ADJOURNMENT The Open Session adjourned at 8:05 p.m. _________________________________ City Clerk _________________________________ Council President