The Mayor and City Council met Tuesday evening, January 20th, 2025 for their regular bi-monthly meeting, taking action on several financial and legislative matters, approving new appointments, and hearing public comment on transparency, governance, and city operations.
Appointments and Permits
Following procedural approvals, the Council conducted several swearing-in ceremonies. Dominique Bias was sworn in as Pocomoke City Finance Director. Nola Tullar and Harold White, Jr. were sworn in to the Planning and Zoning Commission, while John Haynie, Lendora Bonneville, and Sylvia Fletcher were sworn in to the Pocomoke City Elections Board.
The Council unanimously approved a one-day permit for the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company to host a Cash Bash on March 28, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., allowing for the sale of beer, wine, and liquor.
Engineering Services Renewal
Council members unanimously approved the renewal of GMB for on-call engineering and Planning and Zoning support services. City Manager Brandy Matthews explained that GMB will provide “at least 20 hours a month” of planning and zoning support, along with assistance from Planning and Zoning attorney Erica Witz, until a qualified Planning and Zoning director is hired.
Discovery Museum Loan Forgiven
One of the most notable actions of the evening was the Council’s unanimous vote to forgive the Discovery Museum’s promissory note in its entirety.
Mayor Nock said, “We never want to be in a state space where we hinder the operations of any of our nonprofits here in town.”
Councilman Marshall voiced strong support for the decision, stating the Discovery Center is “definitely the biggest tourist troll in the city of Pocomoke,” drawing “15 to 17,000 visitors… a year.” He added, “The city needs it. Not only the city, but the region needs it.”
Zoning and Infrastructure Ordinances Approved
Following a second reading and public hearing, the Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2026-03, which amends the city zoning code to prohibit the keeping of lodgers, roomers, or boarders by resident families in R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential zoning districts.
Mayor Nock read the ordinance into the record and noted it was intended to address resident complaints regarding property owners renting rooms for profit in residential neighborhoods. The change had been recommended by the Planning Commission.
The Council also unanimously approved Ordinance 2026-07, authorizing a general obligation installment bond not to exceed $463,000 for the Water Tank Mixers Project. Matthews explained the funding will support the installation of tank mixing and THM removal equipment in city water towers, along with related engineering and financing costs, as part of efforts to improve water quality and infrastructure reliability.
Public Comment and Council Discussion
During public comment, Commissioner Caryn Abbott questioned what she described as a perceived “pay raise” for council members, stating it appeared to be “greater than a 50% increase in your checks without a vote that I know of.” She asked whether the increase was a travel stipend and requested clarification on its use, as well as information on appointments to the Ethics Committee.
Nola Tullar expressed concern about what she described as a decline in transparency, stating the city had moved from transparency into what she called a “witch hunt” that she said was “dividing this city” and harming morale.
A representative from emergency services, later identified by Matthews as Chief McCready, provided a detailed update on preparations for an upcoming winter storm. He urged residents to prepare with food, water, flashlights, and warm clothing, to keep house numbers visible, and to avoid parking vehicles in the street to allow emergency access. He also warned against using external heating sources indoors due to carbon monoxide risks.
Travel Stipend and Governance Concerns
Councilman Holland addressed several public concerns, clarifying that the increase in compensation was a “travel stipend,” not a pay raise. He said the stipend totals “$550 per council member,” increasing the annual travel budget from $3,000 to $7,000 per member.
Holland also stated he “didn’t appoint anybody” to the Ethics Committee and raised concerns about the bill list review process and travel approvals, noting that not all bills were reviewed by Council and that recent travel had not been voted on in the same manner as in the past. He abstained from voting on the bill list as a result.
Holland also announced that Pocomoke City has been designated an “aspiring Main Street community in Maryland,” crediting the work of Economic Development Director Karah Lacey.
Grants, Budget Policy, and Infrastructure Issues
Mayor Nock announced that the city did not receive an $800,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, explaining that discussions over the project’s location led the grant to be viewed as a “finish line” rather than a “starting line.” He expressed confidence that future funding opportunities would be successful.
Nock also discussed potential changes to how the city supports nonprofits, suggesting a shift from direct donations to a grant-based process that would encourage organizations to reinvest funds into community events and services.
The Mayor addressed resident concerns regarding a recent letter about potential lead in water service lines. Matthews clarified the letter was issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment as part of new water regulations and was sent to approximately 1,700 residents whose service lines have not been confirmed as replaced. She stated that while the city can test water, responsibility for replacing unverified service lines currently rests with homeowners.
Regarding an upcoming bridge painting project, Mayor Nock urged that vehicular access remain open to protect downtown businesses, citing past infrastructure disruptions that significantly harmed local commerce. Matthews added that the State Highway Administration would be evaluating Market Street for potential utility issues during the project.
Before adjourning, Mayor Nock briefly raised the state’s upcoming Time to Care Act, scheduled to begin in January 2027, which provides paid family and medical leave. Matthews confirmed the city is aware of the legislation as part of the state’s broader FMLA implementation.
The Council then adjourned into closed session to consult with staff and consultants regarding pending or potential litigation.
