At the April 15, 2021 Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting, the Board approved the following items:
• A three-year agreement with Continental Pools, LLC. This agreement will provide daily operations and staffing of the Edward P. Thomas, Jr. and William R. Diggs Memorial Swimming Pools for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons.
• An Intergovernmental Agreement with the Maryland Environmental Service (MES). MES was created to assist municipalities, at their request, with the management of air, land, and water resources as well as to promote the health and welfare of residents and reduce waste generated and discharged into the environment. This agreement provides a tool that the City’s Department of Public Works can utilize to more efficiently deliver services related to public infrastructure and sustainability. Immediately following approval of the agreement, the Board approved the Scope of Work for Task 1 under the agreement, which includes Fishing Creek Dam Improvements and Dredging Phase 1.
• A First Amendment to the Cable Franchise Agreement with Shenandoah Cable Television, LLC (SHENTEL). The City entered into a cable franchise agreement with SHENTEL on September 21, 2020. The City has since determined an increased performance bond is appropriate. This amendment provides for a supplemental bond of $50,000.
• A resolution to amend Article V of the City Charter and an ordinance to amend Section 7 of the City Code regarding elections. As the COVID-19 health emergency continues, certain changes to the procedures in place for the 2021 Municipal Election have been recommended by the Board of Supervisors of Elections. This resolution and ordinance will allow for changes including the widespread use of mail-in voting and a single voting center for in-person early and election day voting.
• Approval of the application of a Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) on approximately 13.27 acres of the property located at 1730 North Market Street, known as the Odd Fellows Home and more recently the Banner School. The request is being made by the City’s Historic Preservation Commission. The area includes three buildings dating to 1925. The Designation Committee of the Historic Preservation Commission recommended this request as part of an ongoing effort to implement that section of the 2010 Comprehensive Plan which calls for supporting the preservation of properties and sites that possess historic or archaeological significance and contribute to the City’s heritage.
• A resolution to adopt the 2020 Comprehensive Plan. Work on the 2020 Plan began in July of 2019 and incorporated extensive input from community surveys as well as meetings with approximately 30 stakeholder and community groups, committees, and commissions. In addition, the plan was discussed during ten Planning Commission and six Board of Aldermen Workshops. The final plan adopted by the Board of Aldermen will guide decisions concerning future development and land use.
More information on all agenda items can be found on the City website under Public Meetings/Mayor and Board of Aldermen.