Salisbury, Maryland
Recent meetings
Legislative Session
The City Council unanimously approved several ordinances and resolutions. Key actions included authorizing general obligation bonds for FY2026 capital projects, adopting a revised definition of specialty shops, requiring a permit for electrical work, accepting a donation for pedestrian bridge restoration, and approving a $20,000 grant for the Pollinator Pathways Program. The council also approved first readings to purchase two properties at 303 Lake Street and 1123 Parsons Road for public purposes. All votes were 5-0. Bids for HVAC, electric repair, and generator maintenance contracts were awarded, and surplus equipment was declared.
- Approved FY2026 capital project bond authorization (5-0)
- Approved specialty shop definition revision (5-0)
- Approved electrical permit requirement (5-0)
- Approved donation for park bridge restoration (5-0)
- Approved $20,000 pollinator pathways grant (5-0)
- Approved first reading to purchase 303 Lake Street (5-0)
- Approved first reading to purchase 1123 Parsons Road (5-0)
- Approved bids for HVAC, electric repair, generator maintenance (5-0)
Work Session
Council gave consensus to move forward with ordinances for two property acquisitions and several budget and personnel changes. The body also agreed to move to a biweekly meeting schedule that combines legislative and work sessions.
- Consensus to transfer $8,834 from HazMat Special Operations to Rescue Supply for dive equipment
- Consensus to accept $18,000 grant from Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation for gear bags
- Consensus to purchase 303 Lake Street for $385,000 for Northprong Park development
- Consensus to purchase 1123 Parsons Road for $295,000 for Westside Community Center
- Consensus to reallocate six positions across departments with no additional funding
- Consensus to move to a biweekly meeting schedule combining legislative and work sessions
- Agreed to increase public comment time from three to four minutes
Legislative Session
The council unanimously adopted Resolution 3464 declaring intent to reimburse project costs for the Westside Community Center on Parsons Road, moving the project forward. Several ordinances passed on first reading, including bond authorization for capital projects, an electrical permit requirement, and a $20,000 grant for Pollinator Pathways. The consent agenda, which included a manufacturing tax exemption and Board of Appeals items, was approved on a 3-2 vote.
- Adopted legislative agenda (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda: Manufacturing Exemption for Smiths Interconnect Americas, Inc. and Board of Appeals (3-2)
- Adopted Resolution 3464 declaring official intent to reimburse Westside Community Center project costs (5-0)
- Approved Resolution 3465 for FY2020 CDBG-CV substantial amendment (5-0)
- Passed Ordinance 2979 authorizing General Obligation Bonds for FY2026 capital projects (5-0)
- Passed Ordinance 2980 first reading requiring electrical permits (5-0)
- Passed Ordinance 2982 accepting $20,000 Sustainable Maryland grant for Pollinator Pathways (5-0)
- Passed Ordinance 2983 first reading revising specialty shop definition (5-0)
Legislative Session
The Salisbury City Council met in special legislative session on March 2, 2026, and approved all agenda items unanimously (5-0). The council adopted a charter amendment changing signature requirements for disbursements, approved budget amendments for sanitation/streets and zoo staffing, and authorized reallocation of bond proceeds for the 112 W. Church Street City Hall project. Consent agenda appointments to advisory committees were confirmed. Public comments raised concerns about tree damage from the City Park water main project.
- Adopted legislative agenda (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda reappointments/appointments to advisory committees (5-0)
- Approved charter amendment changing disbursement authorization (5-0)
- Approved budget amendment for Field Operations sanitation/streets (5-0)
- Approved additional appropriations for Zoo part-time staffing (5-0)
- Approved reallocation of 2019 bond proceeds for City Hall project (5-0)
- Approved reallocation of 2021 bond proceeds for City Hall project (5-0)
Work Session
The Salisbury City Council held a work session where it gave consensus to move forward several items, including a $3 million general obligation bond ordinance for capital projects, an ordinance to take over electrical permitting from the county, and multiple resolutions on vehicle surplus, CDBG fund reallocation, and donations. No formal votes were recorded; all items received council consensus to proceed to future legislative sessions.
- Advanced FY2026 GO bond ordinance authorizing up to $3M for capital projects (consensus)
- Advanced electrical permit ordinance to make city the Authority Having Jurisdiction (consensus)
- Advanced resolution to accept and surplus two forfeited vehicles for auction (consensus)
- Advanced resolution declaring intent to reimburse up to $350,000 for Westside Community Center (consensus)
- Advanced CDBG-CV amendment reallocating $7,046.86 (meals) and $172,874.88 (Lake Street Park) (consensus)
- Advanced acceptance of $26,000 donation from Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (consensus)
- Advanced specialty shop ordinance broadening retail definition (consensus)
- Advanced acceptance of $20,000 pollinator garden grant (consensus)
Work Session
The City Council held a goal-setting session to review 2025 achievements and identify 2026 priorities. Members discussed homelessness, affordable housing, and public safety. The Council agreed to distribute an election reform survey with 3–5 questions.
- Agreed to conduct election reform survey with 3–5 yes/no questions and one comment box
- Adjusted the 2026 meeting calendar
Legislative Session
The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 3445 amending the Council Regulations and Rules of Order. Three ordinances were introduced on first reading: accepting $2,000 in grant funds for the Fire Department's SWIFT program, authorizing street closures for Tidal Health, and accepting a donation from Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation for Santa's Winter Wonderland. No final votes were taken on the ordinances. The meeting also included public comments on topics such as ranked-choice voting, sidewalk safety, and transparency.
- Adopted legislative agenda (5-0)
- Adopted Resolution 3445 amending Council Regulations and Rules of Order (5-0)
- Introduced Ordinance 2968 for grant acceptance from Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore for Fire Department SWIFT program (first reading, 5-0)
- Introduced Ordinance 2969 for road closures of Royal Street, Center Street, and part of West Vine Street (first reading, 5-0)
- Introduced Ordinance 2970 for budget amendment accepting donation from Draper Holdings for Santa Workshop Program (first reading, 5-0)
Work Session
The City Council gave consensus to amend the charter to update check signers and approved multiple ordinances, including a $5,000 AED grant and budget transfers for medical supplies and sanitation equipment. The session concluded with a discussion on housing incentives and election survey questions.
- Consensus to amend charter to update check signers (SC7-25)
- Consensus to accept $5,000 AED grant from State of Maryland
- Consensus to transfer $50,000 from surplus to medical supplies
- Consensus to amend budget for sanitation ($90,000) and streets ($30,000)
- Consensus to reallocate Paygo funds to City Park, Zoning Code, and St. Peters Main Street
- Consensus to reallocate Paygo funds for water sewer pump purchase
- Tabled tax abatement ordinance for future discussion
- Consensus to finalize election survey questions for distribution
Legislative Session
The City Council approved a charter amendment to increase maximum fines for misdemeanors and municipal infractions. The council also approved several budget amendments, road closures, and the reallocation of Paygo funds for city projects.
- Approved increasing maximum fines for misdemeanors and municipal infractions from $1,000 to $5,000 (5-0)
- Approved closing Royal Street, Center St., and a portion of West Vine St. (5-0)
- Approved $50,000 budget amendment for Salisbury Fire Department Medical Supplies (5-0)
- Approved reallocation of Paygo funds for Zoning Code update, St. Peter's Main Street, and City Park projects (5-0)
- Approved reallocation of Paygo funds for effluent filter pump (5-0)
- Approved $2,000 grant for Salisbury Fire Department SWIFT program (5-0)
- Approved $5,000 state grant for AEDs for Salisbury Fire Department (5-0)
- Approved appointment of Muhammad Khan to TRUTH committee and Amber Green to Youth Development Advisory Committee (5-0)
Work Session
City Council gave consensus to move forward with a $167,500 budget amendment for part-time zoo staffing. Council also reached consensus on resolutions and ordinances to reallocate 2019 and 2021 bond proceeds for the City Hall project at 112 W. Church Street and the auction of an abandoned vessel.
- Consensus to move forward with $167,500 for part-time zoo staffing from surplus
- Consensus to move forward with auction and transfer of ownership of abandoned vessel
- Consensus to reallocate 2019 bond proceeds for 112 W. Church Street (City Hall)
- Consensus to reallocate 2021 tax-exempt bond proceeds for 112 W. Church Street (City Hall)
Legislative Session
The Salisbury City Council voted 3-2 to reorganize its leadership, electing Councilwoman April Jackson as President and Councilwoman Sharon Dashiell as Vice President. The Council also unanimously approved a five-year Capital Improvement Plan (FY 2027-2031), multiple board appointments, and several ordinances reallocating funds for water sewer projects, the Fire Department, and the Salisbury Zoo. All votes on resolutions and ordinances were 5-0.
- Elected April Jackson as Council President and Sharon Dashiell as Vice President (3-2)
- Approved consent agenda including 14 sets of meeting minutes (4-0, one abstention)
- Re-appointed Susan Carey to Election Board (Resolution 3448, 5-0)
- Appointed Brooke Orr, Rose Rivera, and Christian Williams to Sustainability Advisory Committee (Resolutions 3449-3451, 5-0)
- Appointed Rachell Mitchell and Maria Sommer to Human Rights Advisory Committee (Resolutions 3452-3453, 5-0)
- Appointed Luis DaSilva to Historic District Commission (Resolution 3454, 5-0)
- Approved FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan (Resolution 3455, 5-0)
- Adopted ordinances reallocating Paygo funds, approving $50,000 for Fire Department medical supplies, and accepting $5,000 AED grant (Ordinances 2971-2974, all 5-0)