Work Session

WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 6, 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 Nick Rice, Director of Housing and Community Development Muir Boda, Finance Director Sandy Green, City Clerk Julie English, City Solicitor Ashley Bosche, Special Counsel Lindsey Rader CALL TO ORDER The City Council convened in Work Session on October 6, 2025 at 6:32 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. RESOLUTION • Charter Amendment - Updating the Procurement Department Chain of Command • Charter Amendment - Clarification of City Administrator, Deputy City Administrator, and Assistant City Administrator Roles Ms. Bosche explained that under the amendments, the City Administrator, with the Mayor’s approval, would determine the City’s strategic and operational needs and who reported to the City Administrator or Deputy. The update to City Code §2.12.040 aligned the Director of Infrastructure and Development under the City Administrator as well. Mayor Taylor clarified the roles of the City Administrator, Deputy, and Assistant, noting the Assistant focused on project-based initiatives. Mr. Swiger outlined the reporting structure and emphasized that the amendment allowed flexibility without repeated Charter changes. Council gave consensus to move forward with both Charter Amendment Resolutions. • Lot 10 Subrecipient Agreement Ms. Bosche explained that the subrecipient agreement had not changed since the last session and required the Mayor’s approval. The agreement included thresholds for the developer, a reimbursement scheme, and standard default provisions. If a default occurred, the City could withhold payments or terminate the agreement, and a court could require repayment in cases of fraud or breach. Council gave consensus to move forward with the agreement. • Updating SC5-1 to increase the maximum fines for misdemeanors and municipal infractions 1  Mr. Boda explained that updating SC5-1 would increase the maximum fines for misdemeanors and municipal infractions. The amendment would simplify the language in the Charter, allowing violations to be punishable by fines, incarceration, or other penalties as permitted by state law. He added that this approach would provide flexibility if state law changed. He noted a broader effort to review and modernize the City Code, updating outdated violations and penalties for clarity and consistency. Council gave consensus to move forward with the resolution. ORDINANCE • Authorizing the Issuance of Refunding Bonds for the Villages of Aydelotte Farm Project Ms. Rader explained that the City had issued special obligation bonds in 2007, restructured them in 2015 as capital appreciation bonds, and that by 2025 Lapis Advisors LP owned all bonds and requested a refunding. A bond ordinance was proposed to authorize up to $18 million in refunding bonds, payable only from incremental tax revenues and special taxes, with final details delegated to the Mayor. Council discussed risks, and administration noted that bondholders bore default risk while public improvements were already in place. Council gave consensus to move forward with the ordinance. • Updating the Department of Infrastructure and Development Chain of Command Ms. Bosche explained that this change was mentioned above with the Charter Amendment Resolutions except this would be a change to the City Code. This change stated that all department heads reported to the City Administrator, who, with the Mayor’s approval, could determine the chain of command. Council gave consensus to move forward with the ordinance. • Ordinance to appropriate lease proceeds for public safety equipment and to change funding source of the property and records department management system Ms. Green explained that the ordinance amended the General Fund budget to lease $ 511,660 in equipment, including radios and AEDs, instead of using bonds. She added that lease financing better matched the equipment’s useful life and was projected to save $84,000 in interest. Council gave consensus to move forward with the ordinance. COUNCIL DISCUSSION • Potential railing for downtown riverwalk Council discussed installing a safety railing along the downtown Riverwalk to prevent accidental falls into the water. Ms. Jackson noted past incidents involving pedestrians, seniors, and vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for public safety. They discussed potential locations, types of fencing that would allow emergency access, insurance considerations, and property ownership or easement issues. The conversation concluded with a consensus to research options, identify city-owned sections, and continue exploring feasible solutions. • Housing First Program strategy Council discussed the Housing First program changes. The program was to shift from providing permanent supportive housing to temporary supportive housing, aiming to help more individuals achieve independence and transition to permanent housing. Mr. Boda joined the conversation and 2  added that current participants would be encouraged to move on within two years, though exceptions would be made for those with disabilities or mental health challenges. Mr. Boda outlined efforts to connect participants with vouchers, appropriate housing, and support services. He explained that funding came from non-CDBG sources, with some reliance on state, federal, and local agencies. Council emphasized prioritizing previous participants if external funding failed and highlighted the importance of restructuring the program to maximize impact while maintaining flexibility for those in greatest need. The next steps included finalizing the program name and structure, getting approval from the Mayor and bringing a presentation back to work session. PUBLIC COMMENT (Agenda Items Only) The following public comments were heard: • Speaker #1 criticized the Lot 10 agreement, calling it unethical because it reimbursed a private developer with state funds despite no city benefit or tax revenue. • Speaker #2 also criticized developer subsidies, arguing they offered little city benefit and asked that funds be used for affordable housing instead. • Speaker #3 supported Councilwoman Jackson’s railing proposal. • Speaker #4 echoed Speaker #3 about the Riverwalk and proposed reviewing at a Parks Committee meeting. ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS Mr. Rice stated that it had been a whirlwind first day and thanked everyone for coming out for public comments. Mayor Taylor commented on the recent stabbing, noting that the Maryland State Police were leading the investigation and keeping the city administration informed. He also expressed support for Mr. Rice and looked forward to working with him. COUNCIL COMMENTS Ms. Jackson highlighted community events, including a Trunk and Treat and a Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner. She also expressed concern about increased violence in Salisbury, urging the community to prioritize safety. Ms. Gregory promoted a park cleanup event and welcomed Mr. Rice aboard. She raised safety concerns about a hazardous intersection, requesting an update on a past traffic study and reconsideration of a roundabout. Ms. Blake welcomed Mr. Rice and asked for an update on the comprehensive plan. Ms. Dashiell highlighted recent community efforts and resources, including neighborhood walkabouts, a brownfield cleanup project, the new Sheriff’s facility, the Salisbury Zoo expansion, the new Breeze Airlines flights, and HOPE - an organization helping residents access essential documents and services. President Doughty underscored the tour of the new Wicomico Sheriff’s Department, Trick-or-Treat Street and the upcoming MML conference. 3 ADJOURNMENT The Work Session adjourned at 8:06 p.m. _________________________________ City Clerk _________________________________ Council President