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 17, 2024

Please refer to the following update on City operations provided to the Mayor and Council for the week of May 9 – 16, 2024: 

ADMINISTRATION

• Prepared agendas, documents, postings, and minutes for the 5/13 budget work session, and 5/6 and 5/20 Council meetings.
• Posted PC and BZA agenda notices and minutes.
• Continuing to review the draft FY25 budget.
• Working on improvements to the current live-streaming set-up for Council meetings.
• Reviewing services and costs with BoardsDocs and CivicPlus to obtain information on Council agenda management and web-based service upgrades.
• Working with USDA and Bond Counsel to close on loan funds provided to complete the Water Tower Mixers project.
• Reviewing information and cost associated with Paychex system’s various offerings.
• Posted notices and information regarding the upcoming CIPP line project.
• Issued weekly update to the Mayor and Council.

EVENTS/DOWNTOWN

• 4th Friday Street Festival: May 24th 5-8pm.
  • "May the 4th Friday Be With You" additional planning for Star Wars themed event.
  • Continued vendor solicitation & promotion. Current vendor count: 14
  • Wrote press release & PSA & sent it to all media contacts.
  • Applied for the June 28th special event permit through the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners.
• Continued social media promotion of all City events & news.
• Scheduled a Downtown Pocomoke Farmers & Flea Market ad to run in the Guide from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Assisting the Worcester County Health Dept. with their annual "Just Walk for Men's Health" event in Cypress Park on June 1st.
• Attended the monthly "Town Talk Meeting" with members of Worcester County Economic Development & Tourism, as well as other neighboring towns.
• 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.
  • FY25 Operating Assistance Grant $10,000, submitted.
  • FY25 Downtown Building Improvement Grant, due June 26th.

HUMAN RESOURCES

• Current Employment Status
  • 66 Full Time
  • 20 Part-time
• Worked with the Finance Director processing the May 2nd - May 15th payroll requirements (71 checks generated).
• Out- processed 2 employees
  • 1 EMS/Paramedic – PT
  • 1 EMS/EMT - PT
• In- processed 2 employees
  • 1 Police Officer
  • 1 EMS/EMT - FT
• Submitted monthly CES (Current Employment Statistics) information to Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Worked with the Finance Department on providing information for Employee Benefits requirements.
• Completed the review of the Pocomoke City Integra Administrative Group Employee Medical/Vision Reference Handbook for FY25.
• Continue to perform all daily functions in support of our current, retired and former employees.

PLANNING, ZONING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT

• Researched transcription software for PC and BZA minutes.
• Inspected 504 Moore Street. Property in compliance. CO issued.
• Inspected property at Golden Garden restaurant. Advised owner to obtain permit for floor repair - work in progress.
• Reviewed Notice of Decision for BZA Case (setbacks).  Sent to BZA members for final review.
• Revised Agenda sent for PC meeting.
• Issued guidance for the next steps regarding the Rental Registration Ordinance.
• Re-issued building, electric and plumbing permits for 203 Laurel St.
• Provided follow-up work on Stevenson survey.
• Attended Planning Commission meeting.
• Issued Building Permit for 146 Market Street (floor repairs).
• Continued research on City Schools enrollment and demographic trends related to the Comprehensive Plan update.
• Completed draft of Comprehensive Plan survey.
• Issued request for water/sewer information from City engineer and DPW staff.
• Met with lighting contractor to review proposals for Cypress Park lights.
• Met with Court Appointed Child Advocate to review property maintenance code violations on Bonneville property.  Referred to Code Enforcement officer.
• Issued a building violation notice to 153 Market St – gutter hanging/broken loose from building.
• Compiled a checklist for the Rental program inspections process. Submitted to the City Manager. The checklist will provide guidance to landlords.
• Met with the Discovery Museum contractor regarding issues with the timing and progress in the renovations of the building.  Contractor indicates that Discovery Museum has prevented work from being done on-site during field trips and events.
• Responded to an inquiry at 512 Bonneville Ave. regarding the interior conditions. Inspection scheduled for next week, subject to potential condemnation for unsafe/unsanitary conditions.

POLICE

• Patrol Report
  • 9 Adult Arrests (3 traffic / 6 criminal)
  • 1 DUI/DWI Arrest
  • 26 Traffic Stops (44 total violations, 24 warnings, 20 citations)
  • 6 Motor Vehicle Accident
  • 88 Foot Patrols
  • 104 Business Checks
  • 132 Patrol Checks
  • 13 Assists to other Law Enforcement Agencies
• Personnel
  • PFC. Christopher Barrs started with PD on 5/16/24. We have 2 entry level police recruit

candidates for the July class. This will put our department back to fully staffed.

• Grants
  • Applying for (PAC) Grant in order to fund 10 additional cameras citywide. This

project will be approximately $90,000.

• Additional Information
  • On 5/3/24, officers responded to the area Church Street in reference to an assault. As a result of this incident, suspect was arrested for second degree assault, reckless endangerment, and resisting arrest and transported to the Pocomoke City Police Department for processing.  Suspect was later seen by a District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance hearing. At the conclusion of the hearing, suspect was ordered to be held on no bond and later transported to the Worcester County Jail.
  • On 5/4/24, as a result of a traffic stop, suspect was charged with driving without a driver’s license and issued several citations, and later released at the scene. A licensed driver took possession of the vehicle.
  • On 5/5/24, as a result of a traffic stop, suspect was arrested for driving while impaired, and driving under the influence of alcohol, and transported to the Pocomoke City Police Department for processing.  Suspect subsequently refused to submit to an alcohol concentration test and was issued several citations and later released to a licensed driver. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
  • On 5/7/24, officers responded to the 1000 block of Clarke Avenue in reference to an assault. As a result of this incident, two suspects were arrested for second degree assault. One was released by the District Court Commissioner on his own personal recognizance. The other was ordered to be held on no bond and later transported to the Worcester County Jail.
  • On 5/8/24, officers responded to the 1800 block of Market Street in reference to a theft. As a result of this incident, suspect was arrested for theft, obstructing, hindering, and false statement to an officer, and was transported to the Pocomoke City Police Department for processing. Suspect was ordered to be held on a $500 bond and later transported to the Worcester County Jail.
  • On 5/10/24 two suspects were charged with second degree assault. Both were released upon receiving copies of a criminal summons.
  • On 5/12/24, as a result of a traffic stop, suspect was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license and issued several citations and later released at the scene. A licensed driver took possession of the vehicle.
  • On 5/12/24 officers responded to the 700 block of Clarke Avenue in reference to a vehicle that had damage from a gunshot. The complainants were extremely uncooperative with police. It is unknown at this time if the damage to the vehicle occurred in Pocomoke City limits. No one in the neighborhood reported or heard any gunfire. This location on Clarke Avenue has been under surveillance involving several gunfire incidents.
  • On 5/16/24 officers responded to Lowe’s in reference to a major theft incident involving an employee. The investigation is on-going and the total amount of loss to Lowe’s is expected to exceed $100,000. The suspect has been identified.  Worcester CBI is going to handle the investigation moving forward due to the time span and total amount of the theft.

FINANCE

• As of May 15, 2024, there were 300 past due accounts.                                                              
• 1,679 meters have been installed as of 5/15/24.                                                             
• As of 5/15/24, $36,357.83 in accounts payable has been prepared and entered for the next Council meeting.  A full bill list will be presented to Council on 5/20/24.
• Payroll was processed for pay period ending 05/15/24 in the amount of $138,094.58.
• The following property was transferred:
  • 208 Sixth St.                

PUBLIC WORKS

• Activated the sludge rake in the BNR, which caused an immediate reduction in solids numbers at

the WW Plant.

• Pulled both pumps at Tenth St. and Market St. to eliminate clogged materials.  System is working better now.
• Responded to pump problems at Econo Lodge and had to install a new pump to keep the system running.
• Working on finishing-up the compliance samples this week for the water towers project.

PAVING/POTHOLE LIST

17-May-24       Street                 

                              1205 Cedar St.

                              216 Eighth St.

                              506 Eighth 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. 

To be repaired:

Oxford St.

Front St.

Center St.