Pocomoke City, Maryland

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

FROM: JOHN BARKLEY, CITY MANAGER JCB

SUBJECT: WEEKLY UPDATE

DATE: MAY 10, 2024

 

Please refer to the following update on City operations provided to the Mayor and Council for the week of May 3 – 9, 2024: 

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

• We just received notice of an award for the Cypress Park Lighting Project to be included in the FY2025 Maryland Community Parks and Playgrounds (CPP) award round.  CPP received over 75 applications for just over $14.4 million total.  More details to follow. 
• Prepared and posted agenda and provided Council packet for the 5/6 meeting of the Mayor and Council.
• Prepared and posted agenda and working on set-up for virtual access for the Budget Work session scheduled for 5/13.
• Attended the Annual Maryland Rural Water Association Annual Conference in Ocean City, May 7th – 9th and provided remarks in honor of Dominic DiLegge at the MRWA Awards Luncheon.
• Reviewed lease agreements and renewal provisions with Dockside and Discovery Museum.
• Reviewed MOU with the Volunteer Fire Company.
• Worked with HR Director to finalize an employment offer to a candidate for the City Clerk position.
• Followed up with Davis Strategies to provide details regarding intranet connection for City facilities.
• Reviewed draft purchase contract with MS Shore Properties, LLC (Chapman) to be presented in a future closed session.
• Thanks to our Events/Downtown Coordinator for taking the time and effort to invite all of the organizations that have requested funding from the City to the 5/13 Budget Work session.
• Working with the Finance Director to implement Paychex Flex Time program, a cloud-based time and attendance system designed to automatically track time and attendance for all employees once the initial payroll reporting database is established.
• Working on improvements to the live streaming of M&C meetings in response to reports of audio and visual problems experienced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVENTS/DOWNTOWN

 

• Events/Downtown
  • 4th Friday Street Festival: 5/24 from 5 – 8 pm.
  • "May the 4th Friday Be With You" additional planning for Star Wars themed event.
  • Continued vendor solicitation & promotion. Current vendor count: 8
  • Inviting more food/dessert vendors. Current count: 3
  • Continued social media promotion of all City events & news.
  • Programmed Rt. 13 highway signs to promote the Circus at the Fairgrounds on 5/19.

 

• Reached out to all the organizations requesting donations from the City to invite them to the Budget Meeting on 5/13.

 

• Grants
  • FY24 Project Restore 2.0 application in review with DHCD.
  • FY24 Downtown Building Improvement Grant ($50,000, in progress).
  • FY24 Operating Assistance Grant ($10,000, in progress).
  • Finalized FY25 Operating Assistance Grant ($10,000).
  • Spent the week gathering data & information to apply for grant funds for digital signage on the highway entering the downtown, and to promote events & other news. Submitted grant application to DHCD on 5/7.
  • Participated in a zoom meeting with the new DHCD Director to discuss former & future Community Legacy Grants.
  • Assisted DHCD in tracking down paperwork from past grant awards to successfully close out 7 grants dating back to 2018-2021.

 

HUMAN RESOURCES

 

• Employment Status
  • 64 Full Time
  • 22 Part-time
• Reviewed and completed all Integra 2024 FSA enrollment information.
• Received and reviewed the Certificates of Liability Pool Coverages from Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT).
• Reviewed the final copy of Integra's Quote Analysis for 2024 - 2025 Contract Year.
• Received, reviewed and discussed with Avon-Dixon the Pocomoke City Integra Administrative Group Employee Medical/Vision Reference Handbook effective:  July 1, 2024 (Plan Year 2024 -2025).
• Continue to prepare and plan for employee health care open enrollment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCE

 

 

 

•           Sewage Hauler receivables for the week totaled $23,129.04.

•           5 water utility accounts were disconnected.

•           1,656 new water meters have been installed as of 5/8.

•           Requested $84,000 reimbursement from Worcester County for share of the EMS ambulance cost.

•           Sent final items needed to close out Pump Station project with USDA and processed final reimbursement request in the amount of $107,607.31.

•           Requested reimbursement from CDBG to close out Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in the amount of $16,558.20.

•           As of 5/7, $144,058.75 in accounts payable was approved by Council and payment processed.

•           As of 5/8, $7,051.40 in accounts payable has been prepared and entered for the next Council meeting.

•           The implementation of the Paychex time and attendance system is in progress.

•           The following property was transferred:                                                            

            2104 Groton Road       

 

PUBLIC WORKS

 

• Responded to a report of a water leak in Butler Village located on the fire line.  Contacted the HOA and explained the responsibilities for repairs and maintenance.
• Continuing routine checking and clearing of all stormwater management areas, drains and ditches.
• Maintaining grass and weeds in all public spaces around town and providing bulk weed pick-up service.
• PW crew has been working with the contractor to provide the pits required for the installation of the new water meters.
• Paving projects will focus on patching of the numerous potholes around town.  Council members are welcome to report any problem areas in their respective districts.  A list will be provided to the Council members within the next week.  Below is a short list of areas that will be addressed:

 

PAVING/POTHOLE LIST

 
 
 

10-May-24

 

Street

 
 
 

 
 

1205 Cedar St.

 
 

216 Eigth St.

 
 

506 Eigth St.

 
 

201 Fourth St.

 
 

803 Fourth St.

 
 

107 Fourth St.

 
 

709 Fourth St.

 
 

Fifth St./Dudley Ave.

 
 

Fourth St./Bonneville Ave.

 
 

206 Maple St.

 
 

404 Second St.

 
 

110 Front St. (completed)

 
 

Snow Hill Ln./Payne Ave.

 
 

208 Tenth St.

 
 

814 Fourth St.

 
 

Fourteenth St./Princess Anne Ln.

 

 

 

 

PLANNING, ZONING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT

 

• Meetings
  • Provided Board packet and conducted BZA meeting on 5/8 (Variance approved for 4 ft. setback at dwelling located on Lot 2, at the corner of Cedar and Seventh Street, zoned R-2), to allow for new single family home construction. Minutes being prepared from BZA meeting.
  • Prepared agenda packet for PC meeting on 5/15.
  • Provided minutes for March BZA and PC meetings and posted on the City website.

 

• Inspections/Permits
  • Researched information for two lots in White Oaks for building constraints as requested by owners.  Possible wetland indications to be addressed.
  • Working with Worcester County on final approval of Library Construction Plans.
  • Inspected footer placement at 812 White Oak Lane.
  • Continuing periodic inspections and progress updates at the Discovery Museum. Weather has been a factor that has hindered progress on the masonry work.
  • Processing Starbucks final plans and permits. Researched process for additional street lights (in the area between Lowes and the Holiday Inn) and coordinated review of Starbucks building plans with the Fire Marshall.
  • Conducted follow up inspection at 103 Linden Avenue for code compliance.  Issued memo and letter, and assigned property maintenance code violation follow up to Code Enforcement officer.
  • Issued demolition permit for 116 Sixth St. 6/1.
  • Issued demolition permit for 701 Seventh St. 6/10.

 

• Violations
  • Issued weed violation notice to 132 Market St. involving vegetation growing on building.  The building is expected to be sold in mid-May.
  • Working to resolve code violations at 507 Cedar St. after several discussions with the tenant and landlord.  Inspection to be scheduled.
  • Issued violation notices to 618 Market St. and 121 Sixth St. for indoor furniture placed in outside areas.
  • Coordinated removal of grass and weeds at 10 properties in violation of City Code and worked with Finance to issue invoices for the cost of the work.

 

• Other Projects
  • Drafted and delivered Comprehensive Plan survey to Pocomoke School officials and City water-sewer staff regarding long term planning.
  • Reviewed proposal from Nature Conservancy Team regarding possible study of Sea-Level Rise and impacts.
  • Contacted Rauch regarding award of contract for DNR funded Flood Study.

 

POLICE (4/25-5/2)

 

• On 4/25 as a result of a traffic stop, driver arrested for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol.  Driver was transported to the Pocomoke City Police Department for processing and subsequently refused to submit to an alcohol concentration test. Driver was issued several citations and later released to a sober driver. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
• On 4/27 officers responded to the 2100 block of Old Snow Hill Road in reference to a theft.  As a result of this incident, a suspect was arrested for theft, transported to the Pocomoke City Police Department for processing, and later released on a criminal citation.
• On 4/27, as a result of a traffic stop, driver, was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license, issued several citations, and later released at the scene. A licensed driver took possession of the vehicle.
• On 4/27, officers responded to the area of Moore Street in reference to a disturbance.  As a result of this incident, suspect was arrested for contributing to the detrimental conduct of a child and transported to the Pocomoke City Police Department for processing.  Suspect was later seen by a District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance hearing and was released by the District Court Commissioner on personal recognizance.