Federalsburg public meetings in 2023
22 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Town Council
The Council will meet to hear an update from GMB Engineering regarding pending projects. The agenda also includes a discussion regarding the sale or lease of a garbage truck.
- Discussion on pending projects with Peter Bozick of GMB Engineering
- Discussion regarding the sale or lease of a garbage truck
- Closed session request for personnel matters
Workshop Meeting
The Mayor and Council will hold a workshop meeting to swear in Councilmember Williamson and discuss the appointment of department heads. The agenda also includes a resolution regarding an easement agreement for a cell tower on the Town Water Tower.
- Swearing in of Councilmember Williamson
- Resolution No. 2023-09: Easement Agreement with EIP Holdings II, LLC for cell tower on Town Water Tower
- Discussion regarding the sale or lease of a garbage truck
- Appointment of Department Heads
The Mayor and Council approved a lease agreement for a cell tower on the town water tower. The council also appointed several department heads and named Councilmember Sewell as President Pro Tempore.
- Approved easement agreement with EIP Holdings II, LLC for cell tower (5-0)
- Appointed Kristy Marshall as Town Manager
- Appointed Michael McDermott as Chief of Police
- Appointed Lyndsey Ryan as Town Attorney
- Appointed Sandra Smith as Town Clerk
- Appointed Councilmember Sewell as President Pro Tempore (4-0)
- Approved November 6, 2023 meeting minutes (5-0)
- Entered closed session for personnel matter; no decisions made
Town Council
The Federalsburg Town Council will meet to discuss the lease of a garbage truck and an update on ARPA funding. The agenda also includes discussions regarding the Culpepper Wood Preservers MDE application.
- Discussion on Lease of Garbage Truck
- Discussion on Culpepper Wood Preservers – MDE Application
- Update on ARPA Funding
- Proclamation for Municipal Government Week
The Town Council approved the minutes from the October 23, 2023 meeting. Discussions were held regarding a garbage truck lease and a wood-drying kiln application, but no final decisions were reached on either item.
- Approved October 23, 2023 meeting minutes (4-0)
- Tabled discussion on Bigg Tyme Trash Company lease agreement
- Requested informational meeting with MDE and Culpeper Wood Preservers regarding industrial kiln application
- Approved motion to enter closed session for personnel matters (4-0)
Workshop Meeting
The Mayor and Council of Federalsburg will hold a workshop meeting to discuss the sale or lease of a garbage truck and receive an update on the 115-117 N. Main Street property. The agenda also includes approval of previous minutes, public comment, councilmember action items, and a possible closed session for personnel matters and legal advice.
- Update on 115-117 N. Main Street property
- Discussion on sale/lease of garbage truck
- Public comment period
- Councilmember action items
- Request for closed session for personnel and legal matters
The Mayor and Council agreed to lease the town's garbage truck to Big Time for use within Federalsburg. The council also approved the amended minutes from the October 2, 2023 meeting. No action was taken during the closed session regarding personnel matters.
- Approved amended October 2, 2023 minutes (4-0)
- Decided to lease town garbage truck to Big Time for use within town
- Entered closed session for personnel matters (4-0); no action taken
Town Council
The Federalsburg Town Council is holding its regular October meeting. The agenda includes swearing in new councilmembers, an update on the Federalsburg Judy Center Early Learning Hub, and action items from councilmembers and the mayor. The council may also enter a closed executive session for legal advice.
- Swearing in of new councilmembers
- Update on Federalsburg Judy Center Early Learning Hub by Heather Harding
- Action items from Councilmembers James, Williamson, Sewell, Hammond, and Mayor Abner
- Possible executive session for legal advice
Mayor Abner swore in Darlene M. Hammond, Brandy R. James, and Debra V. Sewell as new town council members. The council held a closed session for legal advice, though the Mayor reported no action was taken. Other business consisted of community updates and public comments.
- Swore in Darlene M. Hammond, Brandy R. James, and Debra V. Sewell as town council members
- Approved motion to enter closed session for legal advice (4-0)
- Approved motion to return to regular meeting from executive session (4-0)
Workshop Meeting
The Mayor and Council will discuss the Everest-AT&T water tower lease and other updates from engineering and police departments.
- Everest-AT&T Water Tower Lease
- Veterans Parade Request on November 4th
Town Council
The Mayor and Council of Federalsburg will meet to approve previous minutes and election judges. The body will discuss a small business loan request for Crazy Cousin’s Cookies and may enter an executive session for personnel matters.
- Discussion on small business loan request for Crazy Cousin’s Cookies
- Approval of election judges
- Request for executive session regarding personnel matters
The Town Council approved the amended minutes from the August 21, 2023 meeting. The council discussed a small business loan request for Crazy Cousin’s Cookies and invited the owner to a future meeting. A closed session was held to discuss personnel matters.
- Approved amended August 21, 2023 meeting minutes (5-0)
- Invited Crazy Cousin’s Cookies owner to September 18, 2023 meeting to review budget and business plan
- Approved motion to enter closed session for personnel matters (5-0)
Workshop Meeting
The Mayor and Council of Federalsburg will meet to discuss a resolution regarding compensation for the Mayor and Council. The body will also review lease and rental agreements and a donation request.
- Resolution to increase compensation for the Mayor and Council
- Revised Everest Tower Lease Agreement
- Marina Rental Request
- Hay Day Donation Request
The Mayor and Council approved a resolution to increase annual compensation for the incoming Mayor and Council members. The body also approved the addition of two handicap parking spaces on Maple Avenue and denied a funding request for the Hay Day Event.
- Approved increase of Mayor's compensation from $5,000 to $8,000 per year (4-1)
- Approved increase of Council members' compensation from $2,000 to $5,000 per year (4-1)
- Approved addition of 2 handicap parking spaces on Maple Avenue in front of Walk in Faith Thrift Shop and Church
- Denied request to contribute funds to this year's Hay Day Event
- Approved August 7, 2023 meeting minutes (5-0)
- Approved motion to enter closed session for personnel matters (5-0)
Town Council
The Federalsburg Town Council is discussing a draft resolution to increase the annual compensation of the mayor and council members, effective after the next election. Other items include ongoing negotiations over the lease of the Everest water tower and public concerns about late-night disturbances by minors.
- Draft Resolution: Increase Mayor's salary from $5,000 to $10,000 annually
- Draft Resolution: Increase Council members' salary from $1,500 to $5,000 annually
- Everest Water Tower Lease negotiations ongoing
The Mayor and Council declined a request for a permanent water bill waiver for the Federalsburg Activity Center. The body also requested a draft resolution to increase the Mayor's stipend to $8,000 and Council members' stipends to $5,000 per year.
- Approved amended July 24, 2023 minutes (5-0)
- Requested draft resolution to increase Mayor stipend to $8,000 and Council stipends to $5,000
- Denied Federalsburg Activity Center request for water bill waiver
- Approved motion to enter closed session for legal advice (5-0)
Town Council
The Mayor and Council of Federalsburg will meet to discuss compensation regarding the Everest Water Tower lease. The agenda also includes a request for an executive session to address a personnel matter.
- Discussion of compensation for Everest Water Tower Lease
- Request for Executive Session regarding a personnel matter
The Council unanimously approved the June 20, 2023, meeting minutes. Members discussed a proposal to increase the Mayor's annual compensation to $10,000 and Council members' to $5,000, pending further research. No action was taken during a closed session regarding personnel matters.
- Approved June 20, 2023 minutes (5-0)
- Tabled Everest water tower lease pending revised language and additional bids
- Tabled compensation increase resolution pending research on other local towns
- Approved stormwater management waiver for Bob Rauch (reported from Planning and Zoning)
Town Council
The Mayor and Council of Federalsburg will meet to discuss compensation regarding the Everest Water Tower lease. The agenda also includes a request for an executive session to address a personnel matter.
- Discussion of compensation for Everest Water Tower Lease
- Request for Executive Session regarding a personnel matter
Town Council
The Town Council will hold a public hearing and take action on Ordinance No. 2023-01 regarding the general and enterprise budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. The ordinance also proposes specific real property and business personal property tax rates.
- Adoption of FY 2023-2024 General and Enterprise Budget
- Real property tax rate of $.88 per $100 of assessed value
- Business, railroad, and utility property tax rate of $1.65 per $100
- Quarterly waste collection fee of $53.94 for residential properties
- Appointment of Planning Commissioners
Town Council
The Town Council will hold a public hearing and take action on a proposed real property tax increase. The meeting also includes the adoption of the 2023-2024 general and enterprise budget.
- Public hearing and action on Proposed Real Property Tax Increase (Constant Yield)
- Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-01 for FY 2023-2024 budget with a $.88 per $100 real property tax rate
- Establishment of a $53.94 quarterly waste collection fee for commercial properties
- Ordinance No. 2023-03 to amend rental housing licensing and inspection requirements
- Resolution No. 2023-07 adopting an election plan and district map for the 2023 election
Town Council
The Town Council will hold a public hearing regarding an $860,000 Community Development Block Grant for sanitary sewer pump stations. The agenda also includes a review of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget and a resolution concerning a two-district map for municipal elections.
- $860,000 Community Development Block Grant for Sanitary Sewer Pump Stations
- Resolution 2023-07: Municipal Election Two District Map
- AMI Water Meter Project Update
- Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget Review
Town Council
The Town Council will review draft amendments to the rental housing ordinance and receive an update on the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget and real property tax rate. The meeting also includes discussions regarding trash collection and cell tower lease contracts.
- Review of draft text amendments for Town Code of Ordinance Section 158 Rental Housing
- Contract for residential trash collection with Bigg Tyme Trash, LLC
- Contract for cell tower lease sale with Everest Infrastructure Partners
- Community Development Block Grant 2023 funding cycle discussion
- Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget update and real property tax rate review
Town Council
The Federalsburg Town Council will review the draft Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget and discuss ARPA funding for Community Development Block Grants. The Council will also consider a $248,124 bid from Bigg Tyme Trash for residential trash collection.
- Accept bid of $248,124 from Bigg Tyme Trash for residential trash collection
- Review and possible text amendment to Town Code Chapter 158 regarding rental housing
- Fiscal Year 2023-2024 draft budget update and review
- Discussion of Community Development Block Grant with ARPA funding
- Presentation by Scott Stewart of Stewart-Amos Sweeper Company
Town Council
The Town Council will hold public hearings on three resolutions to amend the town charter regarding election dates, candidate residency requirements, and term lengths. The Council will also take action on a landscape bid for Marina Park Wetlands and a cell tower lease sale.
- Resolution 2023-01: Reducing candidate residency requirement from three years to one year
- Resolution 2023-04: Changing election date from September to November and establishing legislative districts
- Marina Park Wetlands Project: Accepting $172,974.42 bid from Unity Landscape
- Cell Tower Lease Sale: Accepting $310,000 offer from Everest Infrastructure Partners
- Discussion regarding McConnell Property Easement
Town Council
The commission will conduct a preliminary site plan review for a commercial/retail development at 523 S. Main Street. The meeting also includes a review of the Comprehensive Plan.
- Preliminary Site Plan Review: 523 S. Main Street (Commercial/Retail Development)
- Comprehensive Plan Review
Town Council
The Mayor and Council will hold their monthly business meeting, including approval of minutes, public comment, and several action items. Key business includes reviewing a request for proposal for residential trash collection, bid results for the 115-117 N. Main Street project and the Marina Park Wetlands project, and updates on the Small Business Revolving Fund and the FY 2023-2024 budget.
- Charter Election Amendments
- Residential Trash Collection - Review Request for Proposal
- 115-117 N. Main Street Project Bid Results
- Marina Park Wetlands Project Bid Results
- Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget Update
Town Council
The Town Council will introduce three resolutions to amend the town charter, including reducing the residency requirement for candidates from three years to one year, moving elections from September to November, and extending the mayor's term to four years. They will also discuss a cell tower lease, the 2022 annual report, capital projects, town debt, and a wetlands project deadline extension.
- Introduction and public hearing date for Resolution 2023-01: reduce candidate residency from 3 years to 1 year
- Introduction and public hearing date for Resolution 2023-02: move election from September to November, establish legislative districts, extend mayor term to 4 years
- Introduction and public hearing date for Resolution 2023-03: reduce candidate residency to 1 year, change first council meeting from October to December
- Cell tower lease request for qualifications and bid proposal
- Marina Park Wetlands Project – extend due date
Town Council
The Federalsburg Town Council will hold a special meeting to discuss proposed election reform and election districts. The agenda also includes various action items for the Mayor and Council members.
- Proposed Election Reform Discussion
- Proposed Election District Discussion
- Mayor and Council Action Items
Town Council
The Town Council will consider a $125,000 ARPA/CSLFRF drawdown to support water and sewer expenses for the new Federalsburg Health Center, and discuss a revision to the employee sick leave policy. Other items include setting a strategic planning session date and adjusting meeting dates due to federal holidays.
- ARPA/CSLFRF drawdown of $125,000 for Choptank Community Health water and sewer expenses
- Revision to town policy on employee recovery of unused sick leave
- Request for qualifications for professional engineering services
- Request for qualifications for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) water meter replacement
- Interim town manager designation policy update