Legislative Session — Salisbury, MD
Date: 2026-02-09

LEGISLATIVE SESSION
 MEETING MINUTES
 FEBRUARY 9, 2026



 PUBLIC OFFICIALS

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

 IN ATTENDANCE

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

The City Council convened in Legislative Session on February 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 Blake welcomed everyone to the meeting and provided the emergency exit instructions. She
then asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

INVOCATION - Rev. Dr. Vaughan Hayden - Trinity United Methodist

Rev. Dr. Vaughan Hayden from Trinity United Methodist Church was called forward to provide the
Invocation.

PRESENTATION AND ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Ms. English presented the legislative agenda.

President Blake called for a motion and a second to adopt the legislative agenda as presented. Michele
R. Gregory motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0.


CONSENT AGENDA

Ms. English presented the consent agenda. The items were as follows:

 • Meeting Minutes

 October 6, 2025 Closed Session #1
 October 6, 2025 Closed Session #2
 October 27, 2025 Closed Session
 October 27, 2025 Legislative Session
 October 27, 2025 Work Session
 November 10, 2025 Legislative Session
 November 10, 2025 Work Session
 November 24, 2025 Legislative Session
 November 24, 2025 Work Session
 December 1, 2025 Closed Session
 December 8, 2025 Legislative Session
 December 15, 2025 Legislative Session
 December 15, 2025 Work Session
 December 15, 2025 Special Legislative Session
 Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 4-0. Melissa D.
 Holland abstained.

 Ms. Holland motioned to reorganize the Council and Ms. Jackson seconded. Ms. Gregory
 questioned the validity of the reorganization. Ms. Bosche responded that it was a proper motion.
 The vote was 3-2 in favor. Ms. Blake and Ms. Gregory voted nay. Ms. Blake turned the meeting
 over to Mayor Taylor to conduct the council reorganization. Mayor Taylor read the rules for
 nominations. He then asked for a motion and a second to accept the rules. Ms. Dashiell motioned
 and Ms. Holland seconded. He then opened the floor for nominations. Ms. Gregory nominated
 Ms. Blake, and Ms. Holland nominated Ms. Jackson. Mayor Taylor then closed the nominations.
 He asked if there were any votes for Ms. Blake - there were two, Ms. Blake and Ms. Gregory. He
 asked if there were any votes for Ms. Jackson - there were three, Ms. Jackson, Ms. Holland and
 Ms. Dashiell. Having three votes, Ms. Jackson was appointed as the new council president.
 Mayor Taylor then turned the meeting over to President Jackson.

 Ms. Jackson conducted the reorganization for vice president. She reviewed the rules for
 nominations and asked for a motion and a second to accept the rules. Ms. Blake motioned and
 Ms. Dashiell seconded. President Jackson opened up the floor for nominations. Ms. Gregory
 nominated Ms. Blake, and Ms. Dashiell nominated herself. Ms. Jackson closed the nominations.
 She asked if there were any votes for Ms. Blake - there were two, Ms. Blake and Ms. Gregory.
 She asked if there were any votes for Ms. Dashiell – there were three, Ms. Dashiell, Ms. Jackson,
 and Ms. Holland. Having three votes, Ms. Dashiell was appointed as the new vice president.


RESOLUTIONS

Presented by Ms. English

 • Election Board Re-appointment

 Resolution No. 3448 - re-appointment of Susan Carey to the Election Board for term ending
 February 2032. Angela M. Blake motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-
 0.

 • Sustainability Advisory Committee Appointment

 Resolution No. 3449 - Appointment of Brooke Orr to the Sustainability Advisory Committee for
 term ending February 2029. Michele R. Gregory motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The
 vote was 5-0.
 • Sustainability Advisory Committee Appointment
 Resolution No. 3450 - Appointment of Rose Rivera to the Sustainability Advisory Committee
 for term ending February 2029. Angela M. Blake motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded.
 The vote was 5-0.

 • Sustainability Advisory Committee Reappointment

 Resolution No. 3451 - re-appointment of Christian Williams to the Sustainability Advisory
 Committee for term ending February 2029. Angela M. Blake motioned and Sharon C.
 Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0.

 • Human Rights Advisory Committee Appointment

 Resolution No. 3452 - appointment of Rachell Mitchell to the Human Rights Advisory Committee
 for term ending February 2028. Angela M. Blake motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The
 vote was 5-0.

 • Human Rights Advisory Committee Appointment

 Resolution No. 3453 - appointment of Maria Sommer to the Human Rights Advisory Committee
 for term ending February 2028. Michele R. Gregory motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded.
 The vote was 5-0.

 • Salisbury Historic District Commission Appointment

 Resolution No. 3454 - appointment of Luis DaSilva to the Salisbury Historic District
 Commission for term ending February 2029. Angela M. Blake motioned and Michele R. Gregory
 seconded. The vote was 5-0.

 • FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan

 Resolution No. 3455 - adopting a Capital Improvement Plan for the five -year period beginning
 FY 2027 and ending FY 2031. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Melissa D. Holland seconded.
 The vote was 5-0.
ORDINANCES

Presented by Ms. Bosche

 • Reallocate Paygo funds from completed Water Sewer Capital Projects - 2nd reading

 Ordinance No. 2971 - authorizing the Mayor to reallocate Paygo funds from completed
 Water Sewer Capital Projects to provide additional funding for the effluent filter pump.
 Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 5-0.

 • Reallocate Paygo Funds from Completed Capital Projects - 2nd reading

 Ordinance No. 2972 - to reallocate Paygo funds from completed General Capital projects to
 provide additional funding for the Zoning Code update and St. Peter's Main Street and City
 Park projects. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Angela M. Blake seconded. The vote was 5-0.

 • Medical Supplies Budget Transfer Request -2nd Reading
Ordinance No. 2973 - approving a budget amendment of the FY 2026 General Fund Budget to
appropriate an additional $50,000 to the Fire Department's Medical Supplies Account. Sharon
C. Dashiell motioned and Melissa D. Holland seconded. The vote was 5-0.

• Acceptance of State Grant for AEDs - 2nd Reading

Ordinance No. 2974 - authorizing the Mayor to enter into the contract with the Maryland Institute
for Emergency Medical Services Systems for the purpose of accepting Grant Funds in the amount
of $5000.00, and to approve a budget amendment to the Grant Fund to appropriate these funds for
the Fire Department. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was
5-0.

• Additional Funds Request for Part-Time Zoo Staffing - 1st reading

Ordinance No. 2976 - amending the fiscal year 2026 annual budget to provide additional
appropriations for the Salisbury Zoo Part-Time staffing needs. Michele R. Gregory motioned
and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 5-0.

• Amending Ordinance No. 2675 – Reallocation of 2021 Tax-Exempt Bond Proceeds for 112
W. Church Street – City Hall - 1st Reading
Ordinance No. 2977 - Ordinance Amending And Supplementing Ordinance No. 2675, Passed By
The Council On July 26, 2021, Approved By The Mayor Of City Of Salisbury (The “City”) On
July 26, 2021 And Effective On July 26, 2021 (“Ordinance No. 2675”), In Order To (1) Authorize
And Empower The City To Use And Apply A Portion Of The Principal Amount Of The
$8,965,000 City Of Salisbury Tax- Exempt Public Improvement And Refunding Bonds Of 2021
Issued On September 1, 2021 (The “2021 Tax-Exempt Bonds”) To The Project Identified Herein
As “112 W. Church Street – City Hall,” And (2) Identify Such Additional Project As A “Project”
For All Purposes Of Ordinance No. 2675 (As Amended And Supplemented); Providing That This
Title Is A Fair Statement Of The Substance Of This Ordinance; Authorizing Certain City
Officials To Take Certain Actions In Connection With The Transactions Contemplated By This
Ordinance; Providing That The Provisions Of This Ordinance Shall Be Liberally Construed; And
Otherwise Generally Relating To The Use Of Proceeds Of The 2021 Tax-Exempt Bond.
Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Angela M. Blake seconded. The vote was 5-0.

• Amending Use of 2019 Bond Proceeds to Add 112 W. Church Street – City Hall Project -
1st Reading
Ordinance No. 2978 - Ordinance Amending And Supplementing Ordinance No. 2554, Passed By
The Council On August 26, 2019, Approved By The Mayor Of City Of Salisbury (The “City”)
On August 27, 2019 And Effective On August 27, 2019 (“Ordinance No. 2554”), As Amended
And Supplemented To Date, In Order To (1) Authorize And Empower The City To Use And
Apply A Portion Of The Principal Amount Of The $ 11,225,000 City Of Salisbury Public
Improvement Bonds Of 2019 Issued On October 8, 2019 (The “2019 Bonds”) To The Project
Identified Herein As “112 W. Church Street – City Hall,” And (2) Identify Such Additional
Project As A “Project” For All Purposes Of Ordinance No. 2554 (As Amended And
Supplemented); Providing That This Title Is A Fair Statement Of The Substance Of This
Ordinance; Authorizing Certain City Officials To Take Certain Actions In Connection With The
Transactions Contemplated By This Ordinance; Providing That The Provisions Of This
 Ordinance Shall Be Liberally Construed; And Otherwise Generally Relating To The Use Of
 Proceeds Of The 2019 Bonds.
 Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Melissa D. Holland seconded. The vote was 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT

The following public comments were heard:

 • Speaker #1 thanked Council for her appointment to the Human Rights Advisory Committee.
 • Speaker #2 shared historical information about Salisbury’s Riverwalk railings, congratulated
 newly appointed councilmembers, and noted that a recent Open Agenda episode provided
 information on ranked-choice voting.
 • Speaker #3 raised concerns about Paygo budget adjustments, requested information on zoo
 funding, and commented on project costs.
 • Speaker #4 encouraged the Council to pursue an educational session on ranked-choice
 voting and suggested exploring alternative avenues for public input.
 • Speaker #5 asked for clarification regarding housing code enforcement standards, raised
 safety concerns about property maintenance, and requested information on police presence
 and university police jurisdiction.
 • Speaker #6 reflected on positive community collaboration while urging civility in public
 discourse.

ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS

Mr. Rice thanked the Council for approving the CIP, highlighted the Waterworks Department’s $34
million funding for the Paleo Water Plant replacement, and noted ongoing grant applications to
support infrastructure projects.

Mayor Taylor emphasized that residents were encouraged to communicate with the Mayor’s office
via email, phone, or the city website on any issue.
COUNCIL COMMENTS

Ms. Dashiell provided updates on airport operations and encouraged community participation in
providing March meals for the Hands and Hearts Ending Homelessness shelter.

Ms. Blake highlighted recent council achievements, including progress on low-income and
multifamily housing initiatives, tax abatements, the receivership program, bond reallocations for City
Hall, and planning for youth and adult homelessness programs.

Ms. Gregory announced the free adult dental clinic through Eastern Shore Mission of Mercy,
highlighted volunteer opportunities, and referenced a related scholarship contest.

Ms. Holland reported attending her first Green Team meeting and requested a work session on rules
of order and a review of which items require work sessions versus legislative meetings.

President Jackson expressed commitment to teamwork and citizen engagement and announced the
National Vietnam War Veterans Day event at the VFW.

ADJOURNMENT
The Legislative Session adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
 CLOSED SESSION SUMMARY
 MEETING MINUTES
 FEBRUARY 2, 2026



 PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Present: Council 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

Human Resources Director Meg Caton, City Solicitor Ashley Bosche and City Clerk Julie
English (present at the end of the Closed Session)
MOTION TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION

The City Council convened in Closed Session on February 2, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the
Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street.
The Closed Session was to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline,
demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or
officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel matter that affects one or
more specific individuals as authorized by the State Government Article, 3-305(b)(1). Specifically, the
Council convened in Closed Session to evaluate the performance of the City Clerk. Michele R.
Gregory motioned and Melissa D. Holland seconded. The vote was 5-0.
DISCUSSION TOPIC

 • Council to evaluate performance of City Clerk

 Human Resources Director Meg Caton to summarized the City’s Evaluation Process for all
 City employees. Council Members reached consensus that Council would conduct quarterly
 evaluations and an annual evaluation of the City Clerk. The Human Resources Director would
 meet with the City Clerk to present her/him with the evaluation. If the City Clerk had
 questions about the quarterly and annual evaluations, the HR Director would refer those
 questions to City Council. Once consensus had been reached about the evaluation process, the
 Council Members discussed the performance of the City Clerk. The City Clerk then joined the
 meeting at which time Councilwoman Holland informed the City Clerk accordingly.

MOTION TO ADJOURN AND RECONVENE IN OPEN

SESSION REPORT TO PUBLIC

Ms. Blake convened in Open Session to provide the report out. She stated that the Closed Session was
to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation,
removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this
public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals
as authorized by the State Government Article, § 3 -305(b)(1).
ADJOURNMENT
The Open Session adjourned at 6:31 p.m.




_________________________________
City Clerk



_________________________________
Council President