Legislative Session — Salisbury, MD
Date: 2026-03-09

LEGISLATIVE SESSION
 MEETING MINUTES
 MARCH 9, 2026



 PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Present: President April R. Jackson, Council Vice President Sharon C. Dashiell, Councilwoman
Angela M. Blake, Councilwoman Michele R. Gregory and Councilwoman Melissa D. Holland
 IN ATTENDANCE

Mayor Randy Taylor, City Administrator Nick Rice, City Clerk Julie English, City Solicitor
Ashley Bosche
CALL TO ORDER

The City Council convened in Legislative Session on March 9, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the
Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street.
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS/PLEDGE

President Jackson welcomed everyone to the meeting and provided the emergency exit instructions. She
then asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION - Bishop Andre Alexander - New Dimensions Family Ministries

Ms. Jackson called for a moment of silence in lieu of the invocation.

PRESENTATIONS

 • Presidential Citizen Scholars - Westside Community Center

 Professor Ryan Weaver and students from Salisbury University’s Presidential Citizen Scholars
 program presented findings from their community-based research project focused on the west side
 of Salisbury, where no community center currently exists. Through surveys and outreach at local
 events, churches, and public spaces, the students gathered input highlighting strong community
 interest in arts and cultural programming, academic support, senior services, and family support
 initiatives. They emphasized the importance of increasing access to social, educational, and health
 resources, particularly for underserved and non-English speaking populations. The group also
 shared data suggesting that community centers may contribute to reductions in crime and
 improved community well-being. In response to identified healthcare gaps, the students organized
 a free community health fair at the Newton Community Center. Additionally, a separate project
 introduced an online Wicomico County Housing and Resource Guide designed to provide up-to-
 date information on housing and essential services. Council members expressed strong
 appreciation for the students’ work, noting its value in guiding future planning efforts,
 particularly as the City moved forward with developing a west side community center.

PRESENTATION AND ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
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Ms. English presented the legislative agenda.

President Jackson called for a motion to adopt the legislative agenda as presented. Angela M. Blake
motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0.
CONSENT AGENDA

Ms. English presented the Consent Agenda items. The items were as follows:
 • Manufacturing Exemption - Smiths Interconnect Americas, Inc .

 • Board of Appeals

President Jackson called for a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda. Sharon C. Dashiell
motioned and Melissa D. Holland seconded. The vote was 3-2 with Ms. Gregory and Ms. Blake
voting nay.

RESOLUTIONS

Presented by Ms. Bosche

 • Resolution Declaring Official Intent to Reimburse Project Costs – Westside Community Center

 Resolution No. 3464 - Making a declaration of official intent regarding reasonable expectation
 to reimburse from proceeds of a future borrowing project expenditures made in connection with
 a project generally identified as Westside Community Center.

 Ms. Bosche recommended revisions to clarify that the resolution included funding for the
 acquisition of the Westside Community Center property on Parsons Road. Additional language
 would specify that project expenditures included property acquisition costs, and a separate
 ordinance to authorize the purchase would be introduced at the next work session.
 Angela M. Blake motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0.

 • Approval of Substantial Amendment to FY2020 CDBG-CV Annual Action Plan

 Resolution No. 3465 - to approve the City's Substantial Amendment for Community Development
 Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds for CDBG-CV FY2020. Angela M. Blake motioned
 and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0.
ORDINANCES

Presented by Ms. Bosche

 • Authorization of General Obligation Bonds, Bond Anticipation Notes, and Refunding
 Bonds FY2026 Capital Projects
 Ordinance No. 2979 - Authorization of General Obligation Bonds, Bond Anticipation Notes, and
 Refunding Bonds FY2026 Capital Projects. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Melissa D. Holland
 seconded. The vote was 5-0.

 • Electrical Permit Ordinance - 1st Reading

 Ordinance No. 2980 - To require the acquisition of an electrical permit through the City of
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 Salisbury prior to conducting work on electrical systems, equipment or connections. Angela M.
 Blake motioned and Melissa D. Holland seconded. The vote was 5-0.

 • Accept Donation from Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore - 1st Reading

 Ordinance No. 2981 - Approving a budget amendment of the City's budget to accept and
 appropriate donated funds from the City Park Pedestrian bridge restoration. Sharon C. Dashiell
 motioned and Melissa D. Holland seconded. The vote was 5-0.

 • Pollinator Pathways

 Ordinance No. 2982 - to accept funds received from Sustainable Maryland in the amount of
 $20,000 as awarded to enact the Pollinator Pathways Program in the City of Salisbury. Sharon C.
 Dashiell motioned and Angela M. Blake seconded. The vote was 5-0.
 • Specialty Shop Ordinance - 1st Reading

 Ordinance No. 2983 - Amending 4.120 of the Salisbury City Code to revise the definition of
 "specialty shop" Angela M. Blake motioned and Melissa D. Holland seconded. The vote was 5-
 0.
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH PRESENTATION

Ms. Jackson presented Ms. Monica Brooks with a Certificate of Recognition for Women's History
Month.

Ms. Jackson highlighted the importance of recognizing women’s contributions to the council and
community, acknowledging those who had paved the way for future generations. She noted this was
the first year of the recognition and expressed a desire to expand it in the future.
PUBLIC COMMENT

The following public comments were heard:

 Speaker #1 requested his Public Art Master Plan amendment be discussed at a work session,
 emphasizing the need for broader input on public art decisions, and asked the Mayor about plans
 for Black Lives Matter Boulevard.
 Speaker #2 commended the City's snow removal team, raised concerns about impacts from the
 City Park water main project, and urged opposition to House Bill 1518 due to potential revenue
 loss.
 Speaker #3 asked whether the city had reached out regarding the Viscon Air closure, noting
 the loss of approximately 50 jobs.
 Speaker #4 encouraged stronger enforcement of housing laws, support for seniors and
 vulnerable residents, and consideration of measures like rent stabilization to help those
 struggling with homelessness and high living costs.
 Speaker #5 supported routine code inspections, commended Councilwoman Jackson for
 efficient meetings, clarified the council president’s limited role, and advocated annexing the
 west side to boost revenue and civic engagement.

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ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS

Mr. Rice provided an update noting that the Waterside Park construction had begun, the pedestrian
bridge renovations near the amphitheater were complete, and new equipment at Woodcock Park had
arrived with work expected to finish by the end of the week.

Mayor Taylor provided updates on Viscon Air’s out-of-state consolidation and efforts to secure a new
operator, tenant-requested inspections without landlord permission, progress on the Westside
Community Center, and annexation plans to increase city revenue.
COUNCIL COMMENTS

Ms. Holland commended the ACE Mentoring Program students for their outstanding unhoused
shelter project presentation and announced a Truth Committee community session at the Truitt Street
Community Center, encouraging public participation.

Ms. Gregory attended the Habitat for Humanity gala and encouraged donations. She also promoted
the Women’s Empowerment Summit at Salisbury University.

Ms. Dashiell highlighted the ACE student's presentation, noted progress at Woodcock Park, shared
airport expansion updates, and promoted Earth Day at the Zoo and the Mission of Mercy health
fair.

Ms. Blake thanked attendees for coming, emphasized the importance of community engagement,
and acknowledged the presence of many women in celebration of Women’s History Month.

Ms. Jackson expressed her excitement about the West Salisbury Community Center, highlighting its
importance for children, families, and the broader community. She noted plans for future community
improvements, including potential playgrounds, and thanked the Mayor, administration, and council
for making the project possible. She also promoted a Vietnam Veterans Day celebration at the Delmar
VFW, honoring veterans and their stories.

ADJOURNMENT

The Legislative Session adjourned at 7:11 p.m.




_________________________________
City Clerk



_________________________________
Council President




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