Pocomoke City, Maryland

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

MEMORANDUM

TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

FROM: JOHN BARKLEY, CITY MANAGER JCB

SUBJECT: WEEKLY UPDATE

DATE: March 15-21, 2025

ADMINISTRATION/CITY CLERK

• Prepared agenda and documents for the 3/17 City Council closed session meeting.
• Attended the Worcester County Commissioners meeting. The County Commissioners approved design and engineering for the construction of a new Worcester County Service Center in Pocomoke City on the same site as the current WC Service Center on Walnut St.
• Hosted bid opening for the CIPP phase 2 project.
• Hosted Maryland Municipal Clerks Association Quarterly meeting.
• Drafted updated City policy and fee schedule for DPW sewer clean-out services.
• Began staff discussion regarding the process for initiating a re-zoning of the City-owned “75 acre” tract on Old Virginia Rd. to encourage quality development and the future extension of water and sewer to the corridor.
• Drafted preliminary budget estimates for the FY 2026 City Manager’s budget.
• Reviewed draft Financial Report for FY 2024.
• Responded to FOIA request in consultation with City Attorney.
• Met with a local developer to discuss opportunities for the sale of City-owned properties.
• Upcoming Meetings/Events
o 3/25 City Council Work session – FY 2026 Budget

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Economic Development
o Collecting past due CDMA dues from the downtown merchants/property owners.
o Continued the social media campaign for Women's History Month to highlight women owned businesses in Pocomoke.
o Attended a Maryland Tourism Business & Events Promotion Workshop.
o Visited the Worcester County Maryland's Coast office for the monthly Town Talk Meeting with other Worcester County tourism partners.
• Advertising
o Continued social media promotion of all City events & news.
o Events Coordinator is working on the calendar of events rack cards for 2025.
o Completed advertising contract with WBOC, paid for by Worcester County.
o Continue working on the Frugals Event advertisement design, paid for by Worcester County.
o Submitted April events to "What's Happening in Worcester County".
• Events
o Spring Festival vendor registrations & payments are rapidly coming in.
o Continued planning & preparation for the Spring Festival.
o Events Coordinator continued to promote the St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt & announced a winner.
o Hoping to plan a Community Clean-up Day for this spring.
• Grants
o FY24 Project Restore 2.0: $279,975, in progress.
 The final RFP has been approved by DHCD for the 149 Market Street project. Awaiting funds.
o FY25 Operating Assistance Grant: $10,000, in progress.
 Working with Optec Displays, Inc. on grant funded LED sign proposals.
o FY25 Downtown Building Improvement Grant: $50,000.
 Two applications received, one pending.
o FY26 Application rounds open this spring. Plan to apply for Community Legacy, Main Street Improvement, and the Facade Program.
o City Grant writer is working on an application for Pocomoke to become a designated Arts & Entertainment District, with the goal of potentially increasing the City's eligibility for

PLANNING & ZONING

• Preparing BZA minutes from 3-12-2025.
• Prepared 3/19 P & Z Commission agenda.
• Visited Hardwire site. Reviewed progress on water-sewer connections.
• Reviewing plans for Best Western interior plan changes
• Reviewing plans for Motel 6 conversion of community room.
• Researching Fairgrounds, preliminary recommendations for off-site mitigation.
• Prepared legal notice for variance application to create 5 lots off Sixth St. (Collins Property).
• Prepared legal notice for zoning amendment request for 1013 Clarke Ave. (Request for duplex).
• Reviewing sign application for Starbucks (Pylon Sign).
• Attended GIS training - Salisbury University.
• Reviewed Notice of Decision - BZA case, 117 Willow St.
• Permits
o Business license and Zoning permit - Skyn Studio, Cosmetology Services at 500 Market St. Ste 104, J. Pennewell.
o Plumbing permit - Hardwire Manufacturing Building. (new building).
o Issued Fence permit - 602 Walnut St.
o Issued Fence permit - 207 Walnut St.

POLICE

• Patrol Report
o 1 Adult Arrest (0 traffic /1 criminal)
o 27 Traffic Stops (39 total violations, 23 warnings, 14 citations)
o 5 Motor Vehicle Accidents
o 44 Foot Patrols
o 59 Business Checks
o 88 Patrol Checks
o 12 Assists to other Law Enforcement Agencies
• Crime Report
o 4/4/25 - 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.

PUBLIC WORKS

• Removed dirt away from the concrete vault behind the PW shop to make room for the new building.

• Installed new water and sewer tap on Linden Dr.

• Cleared storm drains and ditches City-wide.

• Provided regular trash removal and disposal at the regional landfill.