Pocomoke City, Maryland

 

OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

FROM: JOHN BARKLEY, CITY MANAGER JCB

SUBJECT: WEEKLY UPDATE

DATE: JUNE 28, 2024

 

Please refer to the following update on City operations provided to the Mayor and Council for the week of June 21-27, 2024: 

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

• Supported City Clerk in providing 6/27/24 M&C Agenda, packet and website postings.
• Attended the Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the Davis Strategic Simple Fiber Data Center.
• Attended the Annual MML Conference in Ocean City.  Thank you to the Mayor and City Council for allowing me and members of staff to participate in this signature event.
• Met with CivicPlus for a final discussion of the pending contract for website and meeting management, rental registration program, and code updates.  Installation of the rental registration program through CivicPlus will begin on July 1, 2024.
• Worked with IT on installation of audio mixer in Council Chambers to improve sound quality.  Sound should be much better for the listening public beginning in July.
• Worked with County Tourism to prepare for visit from DHCD Secretary Jake Day along with Federal, State and County officials for a tour of the downtown area.
• Attended Juneteenth celebration hosted by the Sturgis One Room School House.
• Worked with City Attorney and Finance Director to finalize Emergency Ordinance to accept MDE funds for CIPP Line grant.
• Finalized draft for advertisement of the Economic Development Director position, with interviews anticipated to be held in July.

 

CITY CLERK

 

• Attended MML summer conference Tuesday, met with vendors and other municipal officials.
• Attended ESAM meeting and dinner, reelected Treasurer for 2-year term.
• Attended Municipal Clerks Meeting and Luncheon, collaborated with other clerks from around the State.
• Distributed meeting items and completed 6/3/24 meeting minutes.
• Attended meetings and provided town notarizations for Police Department new employees.

 

CODE ENFORCEMENT

 

• Held routine progress meeting with the contractor at Discovery Museum.  Project is progressing on schedule and on budget.
• 3 citizen complaints received and addressed.
• Issued notice to 101 Market St. with concerns over vacant and abandoned building.
• Issued violation notice to 205 Clarke Ave. for a dangerous building with health and safety issues.
• Issued violation notice to 403 Market St. for a dangerous building with health and safety issues.

 

DOWNTOWN/EVENTS

 

• 4th Friday Street Festival
  • Continued planning & preparation for the "Enchanted Carnival" theme with Public Works & event sponsor, Enchanted Florist.
  • Closed vendor registration. Final vendor count: 29
  • The band originally scheduled cancelled due to health reasons. Hired a new musician in their place.
• Met with Cypress Roots owners & the Worcester County Liquor License Administrator to discuss how the Downtown Assoc. & brewery can collaborate on 4th Friday alcohol sales.
• Created the event map & vendor layout & sent it to all participants involved.
• Changed the highway signs to promote the event & fireworks.
• Concerts in the Park
  • The Praise in the Park on 6/20/24 was extremely well attended with great community feedback.
  • Designed advertisement for the 7/18/24 Concert in the Park.
  • Created a Facebook event & sent out invites for the 7/18/24 concert.
• Continued social media promotion of all City events & news.
• Attended the Maryland Municipal League Conference on 6/25/24 to promote Pocomoke City in the Main Street Maryland hall.
• Led a walking tour with DHCD Secretary Jake Day, his staff, and members of Worcester County Government to show the projects that have taken advantage of DHCD grant funds & projected future projects.
  • Provided Pocomoke gift bags for visiting DHCD staff.
  • Coordinated breakfast and tour logistics for all attendees.

 

• Grants
  • FY24 Project Restore 2.0 application: submitted, awaiting announcement.
  • FY25 Operating Assistance Grant application: submitted, awaiting announcement.
  • FY25 Downtown Building Improvement Grant, awaiting announcement.
  • FY24 Downtown Building Improvement Grant $50,000, in progress.
  • FY24 Operating Assistance Grant $10,000, in progress.
    • 3 mural proofs will be provided from the artist.

 

FINANCE

 

 

 

HUMAN RESOURCES

 

• Employment Status
  • 67 Full Time
  • 19 Part-time

 

• In-Processed 2 new employees
  • Police Department - 2 Police Academy Cadets
• Out-Processed 2 employees
  • Police Department - Police Officer
  • EMS - 1 EMT (FT)

 

• Provided logistical support for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development visit to Pocomoke.
• Attended the MML Conference
• Received the new medical. vision & dental cards for (FY2025).  Reviewed each card to verify proper coverages for all current and retired employees.
• Provided support to the Finance Department on the June 13th - June 26th payroll. (71 checks generated)
• Attended City Council Meeting
• Continued to perform the daily HR responsibilities in support of the Cities current, retired and former employees

 

PLANNING

 

PC

• Revised PC agenda sent out for posting.
• Attended Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, June 26.
• Conducted reviews of final site plans for new library, Drawbridge Villa Townhouse project, and Southern Fields 14 lot subdivision. Referred to Planning Commission for discussion.  No changes.

 

Permits

• Reissued building permits for 512 Young St (Single Family home renovations).
• Issued electric permit for 511 Linden Ave/Dollar General Store (electric upgrades).
• Issued electric permit for 1298 Dorchester Ave. (new SF Home).
• Issued plumbing permit for 1298 Dorchester Ave. (new SF Home).
• Issued electric permit for 1405 Snow Hill Ln. (service upgrade).
• Issued home occupation and business license for owner of 203 7th Street. Physical fitness trainer.

 

Additional Matters

• Attended meeting with Jacob Day, DHCD Secretary including Snow Hill Round Table.
• Participated in Zoom meeting on final software selections for the rental registration program.
• Researched land disturbance complaints on 825 Ocean Highway (Econo Lodge).

 

POLICE

 

Patrols

• 11 Adult Arrests (5 traffic / 6 criminal)
• 1 Handgun Arrest
• 19 Traffic Stops (23 total violations, 13 warnings, 10 citations)
• 2 Motor Vehicle Accidents
• 66 Foot Patrols
• 85 Business Checks
• 98 Patrol Checks
• 4 Assists to other Law Enforcement Agencies

 

Personnel

• In lieu of termination, Corporal Tyler Gillespie has chosen to resign effective 6/25/24.  An internal investigation is pending and may result in dismissal as well. Once this matter is closed, PD will provide more information.  
• PTL. Jason Gilliam is on 240 hours of mandated field training and is doing an excellent job.
• PD has an applicant ready to hire for the January entry level class.

 

Grants

• Awaiting notification on the Police Accountability and Violence Crime Reduction Grant. This amount is $145,000 that would add an addition 8 cameras city-wide that contain 4 lenses each, which would be equivalent to 32 additional cameras.

 

Additional Information

• On 6/20/24, as a result of a traffic stop, suspect was charged with driving without a driver’s license.
• On 6/21/24, as a result of a traffic stop, suspect was charged with driving without a driver’s license.
• On 6/22/24, as a result of a traffic stop, suspect was arrested for driving on a suspended driver’s license and possession of a handgun in vehicle.
• On 6/23/24, as a result of a motor vehicle accident, suspect was charged with driving an uninsured vehicle.
• On 6/24/24, as a result of a traffic stop, suspect was charged with driving on a suspended out of state driver’s license.
• On 6/24/24, officers responded to the 2100 block of Old Snow Hill Road in reference to a trespassing complaint. As a result of this incident, suspect was arrested for trespassing.
• On 6/24/24, officers responded to the 2100 block of Old Snow Hill Road in reference to a disturbance. As a result of this incident, suspect was arrested for public intoxication.
• On 6/24/24, suspect was charged with assault second degree and trespassing.  This arrest was a result of an ongoing investigation.
• On 6/25/24, suspect was charged with assault second degree.  This arrest was a result of an ongoing investigation.
• On 6/25/24, as a result of a traffic stop, suspect was charged with driving without a driver’s license.
• On 6/25/24, officers responded in reference to a wanted person. As a result of this incident, suspect was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant.

 

PUBLIC WORKS

 

• Working on a plan for improved dock maintenance, including trash and debris, life rings, and general maintenance of the dock structure.  Researching funding opportunities through DNR (Waterway Improvement Grant), etc.
• Cleaned out the main pump at the WW Plant to improve flows.
• Had a transducer (flow monitor) fail at the main WW Plant pump station. All three pumps got air bound but got it replaced and station is back on line.
• Had a problem with the floats at the Broad St. pump station.  Pulled and cleaned them and they are back on line and functioning with no issues.