Stephens City Council declares two vehicles surplus, approves joint public-safety meeting and honors firefighters

Stephens City — The Stephens City Town Council on Feb. 5, 2019 voted unanimously to declare two retired town vehicles surplus, authorize a joint public-safety meeting with Middletown to discuss concerns about a Frederick County fire and EMS study, approved routine minutes and committee reports, and presented lifesaving awards to two firefighters.

The meeting opened at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Michael Diaz presiding. Vice Mayor Jason Nauman moved to approve the minutes of the Jan. 5, 2019 council meeting; the motion carried with a recorded roll-call showing Councilmembers Ronald Bowers, Linden Fravel Jr., Joseph Hollis, Jason Nauman, Regina Swygert-Smith and Kelly Thatcher voting aye; there were no nays or abstentions.

Town Treasurer Steve Rickards reported that late tax-bill notices have been mailed and payments are being received, and Sgt. Scott Baber said police call volume has risen. Fire Chief John Jones told the council the fire department has been busy; Chief Jones presented the Joseph Hollis Lifesaving Award to firefighters T.J. Vaught and Lowell Murray for their response and advanced lifesaving procedures during a Dec. 9, 2018 cardiac-arrest call. All present applauded.

Public Safety Committee Chair Jason Nauman reported that Sgt. Baber is finalizing a body-camera policy and that the committee reviewed vehicle needs for fire operations. The committee recommended declaring the Town's 2008 Ford Crown Victoria and the 2004 Ford Explorer surplus so arrangements can be made for transfer or disposal. Councilwoman Regina Swygert-Smith moved to declare the two vehicles surplus; the motion carried with the same recorded unanimous roll-call noted above.

Nauman also said the committee has concerns about conclusions reached in a Frederick County Fire and EMS study and asked the council to approve a joint meeting with the Town of Middletown to discuss those concerns. Council approved the joint meeting by the same recorded vote.

Planning Commission Chair Linden Fravel Jr. reported a special-use permit application for the former Sandy Pallett site proposing an auction house that would handle tractor and equipment parts, repairs and both live and internet auctions. The Planning Commission recommended involvement by the building inspector, the health department and the fire department as part of its review. The Board of Zoning Appeals elected Wiley Dembeck as chair.

Councilman Joseph Hollis moved to approve committee minutes and reports; council consented. With no calendar adjustments or additional council comments and Town Manager Mike Majher absent, Councilman Fravel moved to adjourn; the motion carried unanimously and the meeting ended at 7:22 p.m.

Next steps: the Town will arrange disposal/transfer for the surplus vehicles and schedule the joint public-safety meeting with Middletown to review the Frederick County study findings.