This Tueday night is the final meeting where the new fees and tax rate will be voted on, as well as the next fiscal year budget.
Sewer and water fees are slated to go up, and the tax rates are also to be increased.
Many residents have received lower property assessments due to the housing crunch, which would have offered significantly lower tax bills.
But the Fruitland Council has discussed raising the tax rate-- which would mean property owners will not get the full benefit of the decline in assessed value.
By raising the tax rate, the city will take part of that tax reduction. Many tax bills will be lower than they have been, but not as low as they could (and should) be.
Many citizens have asked that budget cuts be made, and that rates be kept the same. Good ideas have been expressed by the citizens at the hearings-- we will see how many of them will be adopted, and whether meaningful cuts will actually be made.
The city's drug policy will receive further 'discussion', though it was supposed to have been in place 3 years ago.
Another agenda item is a lease for the Fruitland Falcon Football program-- an interesting item, since the head of that organization, Kerry Nelson, is also Chairman of the city's Recreation Commission. Though the program is good, there appears to be a significant potential for conflict of interest.
A football field was built in the city park a couple years ago, right beside the fence that separates the park from the adjacent $350,000 homes. The field now has lights, so activities and noise can go on well into the evening.
There was also a new 'Announcer's Booth' discussed at the May meeting:
"Recreation Commission Chairman Kerry Nelson came forward to endorse and present the Fruitland Falcons request to construct a two-story building at Redmen Field that will presently function as a press box and storage facility that could accommodate the addition of restrooms at a later date; he sought Council approval prior to securing architectural and engineering drawings for the project. Like the several other enhancements to the property that have occurred over the last Two (2) years, the Falcons presented their request already having the funds in place for the Fifty Thousand Dollar ($50,000.00) project that will become an asset for the City at no cost to the City."
"On a motion made by Councilor Carey that was seconded by Treasurer Ortiz and approved by a unanimous vote in favor, the Council granted pre-approval to the Fruitland Falcons for a new announcers booth at the Fruitland Recreation Park."
An Announcer's Booth-- adding a PA system to the extra traffic and noise in the area-- is a factor that needs to be considered in the final decision. Certainly the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods need to get involved before the noise and traffic get out of hand. Most will probably have little idea what's coming until it's too late.
Much of the cost of this football field has been covered by sponsoring organizations through the Falcons at no cost to the city, so the lease OK is probably a foregone conclusion. But if the Falcons raised the money to build the facilities, they may have the city over a barrel in the event of future problems.
Here's the rundown for Tuesday night:
FRUITLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2010
Council Chambers, City Hall, 401 E. Main Street, Fruitland, Maryland
The Fruitland City Council will meet in Regular Session beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Active public participation in these meetings helps assure alert, responsive city government.
STAFF MEETING
7:00 p.m. City Council and Staff will meet to review the evening’s agenda in the conference room.
REGULAR MEETING
7:30 p.m. Call to Order, Opening Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance
Adoption of Minutes, Reports: Treasurer’s, City Manager’s, Department Heads’
7:40 p.m. Unfinished Business:
1. Approve paid bills - Action Item.
2. Adoption of Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Budget and Fees. Action item.
a. Adopt Water Department Budget and Fees
b. Adopt Sewer Department Budget and Fees
c. Adopt General Operating Budget
(1) Adopt Property Tax Rate
(2) Adopt Personal Property Tax Rate
(3) Adopt Mobile Home Tax Rate
(4) Adopt Sanitation Fee
d. Adopt Water and Sewer Impact Fees
e. Adopt Capital Improvements Budget
f. Adopt Five-Year Capital Improvements Plan
3. Drug Policy - Discussion Item?
4. New Police Building – Update?
5. Tax Differential – Update?
6. Award Asphalt and Concrete needs contracts
7. Energy Contract Extension-Update?
8:15 p.m. New Business:
1. Rowens Mill – Final Plat Approvals – Brock Parker
a. Re-Subdivision of Lots 15-25
b. Re-Subdivision of Lots 37-52
2. Impact Fees – Fruitland Shopping Center (Kool Smiles & Citi Trends) – Tom Marciniec
3. Recreation Commission
a. Agreement of Lease – Fruitland Falcons Football, Inc
b. Nominations for Appointment to the Recreation Commission
4. Easton, Maryland Postal Service Processing and Distribution Facility – Discussion Item
Public Comment/General Discussion
Adjournment
The Fruitland City Council will meet in accordance with the State Open Meetings Act and the public is encouraged to attend. The above Agenda is subject to change without notice and the City Council reserves the right to go into closed session as may be necessary. For further information call 410-548-2809.
The Agenda is available for review on Lobby Bulletin Boards at City Hall, 401 E. Main Street in Fruitland, the Post Office at 201 E. Main Street in Fruitland, and on the City Website at http://www.cityoffruitland.com/
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
26 comments:
That football field was built on an existing parcel of land designated as recreational. There are already softball and baseball fields, concession stand and playground there. As far as being built adjacent to "$350,000" homes, the designated recreation parcel was there first. Anyone who bought in that development especially those boardering that recreation park knew what they were getting or they we're just plain stupid. Finally, Kerry Nelson is now Fruitland's Director of Recreation....there is no conflict of interest period. That man has done more for the kids in the community than anyone I can think of. Fruitland is lucky to have him. Go bark up some other tree.
$350,000.00 homes in fruitland area, must be an error, or over in flated prices.
I live in the Eastfields neighborhood and love the fact the football field is there and even love going over in a vacant lot some friday nights and watching football. It is great for the community and the kids. And as far as 350,000 dollars houses, if someone wants to offer me that right now, I would accept. The problem is the Fruitland Council with raising fees on top of the ridiculous taxes we already pay will eventually have no one left to charge these fees because people are going to start moving out of the city. I mean our quarterly water bills and fees was around 230, then 270, and now talking about going over 300, it is a joke.
Is that a new position, 9:24- Director of Recreation?
If you think have KN is a conflict of interest having Ray Carey make the motion was a big conflict. He's the councilperson who shows up at the rec meetings. He's the one who goes to council to represent the rec dept.
9:24 sounds likes one of KN's supporters who does whatever he ask.
Council could cut the budget by seriously looking at how over staffed they are at city hall.
Do you really need that many people working in the finance dept?
For years council was the city manager and the asst city manager the same amount. When they hire someone for the city manager position are they going to continue to do this? If you keep the asst city manager position are you going to continue to pay the same amount? This isn't right!
Greg is it right to keep robbing the taxpayers because you don't have the balls to make a decision without meeting with the city attorney? How much does each phone call or meeting cost?
There are many conversations going on between neighbors about putting homes up for sale or renting to the college. If you keep on many streets will be rentals where neighbors no longer know one another due to them moving in and out each semester. It will be cheaper for me to move less than a mile away to the county and leaving my home as a rental. The rent will pay my mortgage.
Thanks council for nothing!
10:02 No, that position has always been there. It's usually called Chairperson. Bob Janeski held it for many years. Janeski fought for everything the recreation park has. It'll be interesting to see if Nelson fights equally for the whole park or only for the football portion.
When they bought the homes, there wasn't a football field there, especially not one with LIGHTS and a PA SYSTEM.
I wonder what they will get for the empty lot right next to the field-- if I was that developer, I'd be hot.
The placement of the field wasn't very well thought-out.
The Falcon organization is a non-profit entity, and Kerry Nelson is the President of that organization.
He is also, according to 9:24, the city's Director of Recreation (since when?)
If the Falcons are going to lease space from the city, which side does Nelson represent? If there is a problem sometime in the future, which side will he be on?
Clearly this is a great youth program, but there needs to be accountability and appropriate lines of authority, so if there is a problem (and they do happen) it can be resolved.
It's a good thing Julie Brewington's farm is just outside Fruitland city limits, because she would be lighting them on fire with this tax-raising business!
10:19, FYI that "empty" lot is also designated recreational space and will one day be the location of a youth center and city pool. And maybe the "placement" of a housing development next to a recreational park is not very well thought out. The only folks having a problem with this field are the "crybaby" home owners that didn't check their survey. These parks do a thousand more times good than harm. Get over it. STFU
If Kerry Nelson is the chairman of the park commission and running the concession building and also head of the Falcons football program there is a conflict of interest. Maybe running the concession is where he is getting the money to pay for the field and lights. The park was suppose to operate from dawn to dusk as the signs say. Years ago the council turned down requests for lights on the field on Division Street. And that's next to a commercial zone. Election coming up folks!
Ladies and Gentleman, not only are your taxes and fees and assessments going up, the Fruitland Police Dept will also be doing their part by taking as much money from your pockets as they can by their stringent and strident enforcement of all the laws designed to uh, uh, protect you....have a nice day in Fruitland...Wicomico County will soon look like an abandoned gold rush town...how much in taxes and OTHER forms of income does this county think people can afford?????
It appears that the Dt (as always) had a typo in today's paper. The water/sewer increase is $20.00, not $30.00.
Fruitland, why keep putting announcements in the DT? If it's not a typo, it usually appears to late for anyone to attend meetings. Why not just post it here. At least if there's a type Joe can correct it immediately and also add updates when needed.
Everyone: I just recieved a call that said I was the talk of Fruitland. By no means is any of this about me. I have only been the Recreation Chairman for 1 month, I got that job through defalt due to Bob J resignation. If you notice the recreation agenda for this month we are dicussing softball fields. If it is perceived by the Fruitland residents that there is a conflict I will be glad to step down, although I feel I can help the rec dept but would understand. We started the Falcons to help kids who were not playing football and try to keep them focused. I can say we have had great success and you can ask anyone who is involved with the program. As for the field we have been open and transparent and have done everything that has been asked of us. I understand about the lights and PA and have worked out some of the complaints. I know first hand as my house of 22 years is right across the street. I would in no way not listen and respect the residents of Fruitland as it is my home too. Please do not make this political and tie it to the taxes and fees, these have no ties to our program. I hate the increases too and have openly discussed my thoughts at Council meetings. We work with the Police and City to minimize the traffic problems and have made changes each year. In closing do not read more into this than there is PLEASE. Thank Kerry Nelson
Has anyone else noticed the amount of 'for rent' signs in Fruitland? Every street I drive down I see at least 1.
9:24: The field may have been there first, but the GIANT FLOODLIGHTS were not! If you ride through the neighborhoods during games, it looks like the middle of the afternoon. I feel very bad for the people who bought their homes before the MASSIVE lights were even someone's brilliant brain fart. Try putting your kid to sleep with that shinning in your windows. And part of the reason the value of homes has dropped significant is due to the fact that no one wants to live in the path of those horrific lights.
I don't think anybody is bashing you, and especially not the football program, Kerry.
It's just that the way this is playing out, the neighborhood is ending up with problems that were foreseeable and avoidable. The council has done things without much consideration of their effect on the neighborhoods. Just ride down Brown St on Saturday morning (if you can). Now add a bunch more traffic, and have it at night after dark when the games are over.
10:55- the 'empty lot' referred to previously is on Nina Lane, and is 'For Sale'--it is NOT city property. I think it is currently the overflow seating for the football games (which is trespassing, but I digress).
I wonder what the developer will get for it?
It probably won't matter much longer-- the taxes and fees are running the longtime residents out of Fruitland-- it will soon be almost all rentals, and the landlords will just pass the fees on to the student renters whose parents will pay them, and to the foreigners who won't dare complain.
Complain complain complain...... Find something better to do with your time. The football field in fruitland is the BEST in the county. The kids LOVE it. Get some blinds if you dont like the lights.
This post just goes to show any good deed will NOT go unpunished. You people need to get your heads out of your ass and think about the number of kids and families those ball parks serve. It's about the kids, always has been, not some whiney ass $350,000 home owner that can't afford a $50 set of shades.
Just to set matters straight, when we looked to purchase in EastFields we were told that the only thing that was to be added to the recreation field was a walking path. We love to hear the children playing ball and have no complaints about the recreational programs. However, when you can land an airplane on Nina Lane due to the bright lights and cannot hear your television over the loud announcing and even louder music being played over the PA system, it is time for the Rec Committe to take a second look at things. Yes, we do drawn our blinds and close the windows, but the high intensity brightness of the lights shine right thru the house as well as the loud pulsating music that they play. No one, not even those who support the recreational good that the field does should have to put up with that. Lights and noise should be toned way down and cease by 9 PM.
I was at one of the Fruitland hearings about the proposed water and sewer fee increases back in May, and there was a young man there (can't recall his name), but he had some very good ideas on ways that would put the costs of the increases on the people that use the most water, without affecting the people that can afford it the least. He also spoke about the increasing number of college rentals and treating them like a business. I agree. I hope they have considered some of those ideas. If they don't, it will certainly be a statement that they just don't care and are taking care of the good ole boys.
2:35, Why should Fruitland taxpayers pay to maintain fancy fields that non-Fruitland people are enjoying. Maybe I am missing something, and if so, please excuse me. Fruitland doesn't have to have the best of everything. Just look at all the high tech equipment purchased by their public works and or water department. All these things are being financed by taxpayers that now can't afford to live there. The water and sewer increas last year was over $200 per year, this year it was going to be another $200, but they managed to get it down to $120. That amounts to a 40% increase in two years. We can live without football and such for a while.
12:01 all those rental signs you see right now are college rental houses. When college starts again...i bet 90% of those signs will be gone. But when college kids come, lots of parties and crime come
4:19-- I think the 'young man' you refer to was Richard Outten.. he did have some good ideas.
Maybe he would be a good councilman.
Election coming up in October- 3 seats-- a MAJORITY.
Get some right-minded people together and GO FOR IT!
It sounds just like the same people who move to this area and then expect seafood or poultry operations to move as not to disturb them or their property values.Its up to the homebuyer to read up on stuff like zoning laws befofe they buy.Caveat Emptor.
Since the discussion is tonight on these items, perhaps you could repost this column at the top.
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