Work Session

WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 2, 2026 PUBLIC OFFICIALS Present: Council President April R. Jackson, Council Vice President Sharon C. Dashiell, Councilwoman Angela M. Blake, Councilwoman Michele R. Gregory and Councilwoman Melissa D. Holland IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Randy Taylor, Deputy City Administrator Allen Swiger, Fire Chief Rob Frampton, Special Counsel Lindsey Rader, Assistant Director of Field Operations Jordan Mann, Zoo Director Chuck Eicholz, Assistant Zoo Director Jamie Nichols, City Clerk Julie English and City Solicitor Ashley Bosche CALL TO ORDER The City Council convened in Work Session on February 2, 2026 at 7:32 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. PRESENTATION President Blake called forward Chief Frampton to present the Salisbury Fire Department's Year End Report. • 2025 Year End Report of SFD Chief Frampton noted overall call volume increased 2.6%, with fire calls slightly down and EMS calls continuing to increase. They were still understaffed and had not been keeping pace with demand. Fewer out-of -district responses occurred due to improved coverage elsewhere, and outreach with nursing facilities reduced non-emergency calls. Outside units still assisted the city frequently, highlighting service gaps. The department reported strong outcomes, including a 24% cardiac arrest resuscitation rate and nearly $ 13.5 million in property saved through fire prevention and response. Programs also reduced opioid calls, expanded fall prevention outreach, and supported police through tactical medic services. The department expected new apparatus, expanded EMS capabilities such as whole-blood administration and field ultrasounds and continued community initiatives. Council members thanked him for sharing and asked follow-up questions on Narcan distribution and equipment updates. RESOLUTION 1  • Abandoned Vessel-Authorization for City Auction and Transfer of Ownership Ms. Mann presented a resolution authorizing the auction and transfer of ownership of an abandoned vessel at the marina. She reported approximately $7,000 in delinquent fees was equal to the vessel's value and noted coordination with the owner's family and possession of the title. Council gave consensus to move the resolution forward. • Amending Resolution No. 2972 – Reallocation of 2019 Bond Proceeds for 112 W. Church Street (City Hall) Ms. Rader reviewed resolutions and ordinances to reallocate remaining proceeds from the 2019 and 2021 bond issuances (listed below) toward the acquisition and improvement of 112 West Church Street (City Hall). She explained the amendments were required to update prior authorizing legislation and allow reallocation of unused funds. • Amending Resolution No. 3117 – Reallocation of 2021 Tax-Exempt Bond Proceeds for 112 W. Church Street (City Hall) This resolution was explained and given consensus with the previous resolution. ORDINANCE • Amending Use of 2019 Bond Proceeds to Add 112 W. Church Street – City Hall Project This ordinance was explained and given consensus with the previous resolutions. • Amending Ordinance No. 2675 – Reallocation of 2021 Tax-Exempt Bond Proceeds for 112 W. Church Street – City Hall This ordinance was explained and given consensus with the previous resolutions. • Additional Funds Request for Part-Time Zoo Staffing Mr. Eicholz requested to amend the FY2026 budget to provide additional funding for part-time staffing to maintain operations, including animal care, maintenance, guest services, and education programs. He explained the request primarily supports existing personnel and seasonal hires, with a total appropriation of $167,500 funded from surplus. Council gave consensus to move the ordinance forward. COUNCIL DISCUSSION • Election Reform and Appointment Process Council discussed election reform and the appointment process. Council generally agreed that the appointment process should be addressed first, including reviewing options used by comparable municipalities, costs, timelines, and public input, with a work session planned to evaluate alternatives. Broader election reform was viewed as a separate issue for future consideration, potentially for public review or to be placed on a ballot. Ms. Dashiell suggested reviewing models from other municipalities regarding vacancy appointment procedures. Key considerations identified included determining the number of days remaining in a term that would trigger an appointment or election, establishing a process for breaking tie votes, and defining the role and format of public input. Council agreed to conduct individual research and reconvene at the March 2  2 work session to further develop a preferred approach. • Receivership Properties Update The Mayor discussed that a limited number of properties across the city remain stagnant due to lack of ownership action, accumulated taxes, or insufficient investment. He clarified that receivership tolls already exist and focus would be on identifying appropriate applications and refining internal processes. Council expressed support for recommitting to review and fine tune the approach, recognizing its potential effectiveness in addressing abandoned or boarded properties. • Tax Abatement Follow up Ms. Bosche gave an update on tax abatement follow-up noting that a letter has been prepared for the Wicomico County delegation on behalf of the Administration, signed by the Mayor. The letter included proposed legislation to mirror previous provisions and requested cross-filing in both the House and Senate. Council acknowledged the action on record, and Ms. Blake agreed to serve as point of contact for follow-up once the letter is sent. • Fire Service Agreement Update Chief Frampton gave an update on the fire service funding arrangement with the County. Administration provided historical context on prior agreements and funding levels, noting that since the expiration of the last agreement in 2022, negotiated funding has increased significantly. Chief Frampton reported ongoing participation in county budget discussions and an upcoming meeting with the County Executive. It was noted that entering into a new formal fire service agreement may limit future funding flexibility, and that continued collaboration and partnership with the County was the current approach. Council expressed appreciation for the update and acknowledged the progress made. • Disparity Grant Update Council discussed the disparity grant and potential City allocation toward after-school programs, addiction services, and homelessness. Staff highlighted ongoing County partnership efforts and a banded funding model for fire departments, noting Salisbury’s high call volume positions it for additional funding. Appreciation was expressed for the Fire Chief’s readiness-based cost model and recent success in securing increased funding. Mayor Taylor, at the request of Ms. Blake, presented Ms. Jackson and Ms. English with their 10 years of service certificates. PUBLIC COMMENT (Agenda Items Only) • Speaker #1 suggested that Council follow standard legislative procedures and noted that the recent interest was in the appointment process, not election reform. • Speaker #2 recommended respectful, fact-based discussion on voting reforms. • Speaker #3 expressed support for ranked-choice voting but emphasized it should be decided by voters as a ballot initiative. • Speaker #4 suggested that the council to put ranked-choice voting on the ballot so voters can decide. • Speaker #5 urged keeping receivership properties affordable, highlighted the benefits of new home construction, and stressed the need for more down payment assistance.  • Speaker #6 suggested replacing speed bumps with speed cameras to protect emergency vehicles and generate revenue, and emphasized that council dialogue reflects community collaboration. • Speaker #7 praised the fire department as the city’s best investment. • Speaker #8 criticized rising city costs and raised concerns about water/sewer expenses, litter fines, and inconsistent street cleaning. • Speaker #9 praised the new fire service agreement as a win, noted past agreements were poor and mentioned ballot questions were restricted. ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS Mr. Swiger thanked city crews for their snowstorm work, highlighted upcoming zoo and Valentine’s events downtown, and reminded everyone to be safe on Sunday for the Superbowl. Mayor Taylor thanked the field crews for handling water main breaks and invited Council to a Friday pizza party with the crew. COUNCIL COMMENTS Ms. Dashiell expressed concern over Councilwoman Gregory’s viral video and media interviews, criticized Councilwoman Blake for misusing police resources, and emphasized the importance of respectful, responsible, and productive council conduct. Ms. Jackson honored local Black leaders for Black History Month, highlighted their own long tenure on city council and offered prayers for victims and first responders involved in a recent Parsonsburg fire. Ms. Holland attended a Truth Committee and NAACP event, thanked staff and Field Operations, requested a future discussion on the rules of order and shared updates on upcoming town hall and Green Team meetings. Ms. Gregory thanked emergency responders, highlighted Salsbury’s inclusion in the Banner Cities program, and encouraged council members to engage fourth graders in the “If I Were Mayor” essay contest. Ms. Blake reported that the Bike & Pedestrian and Human Rights committees are recalibrating their goals and initiatives and noted ongoing positive developments in city programs. ADJOURNMENT The Work Session adjourned at 9:17 p.m. _________________________________ City Clerk _________________________________ Council President