City Council
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MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
JANUARY 14, 2002

QUORUM:

A Meeting of The Mayor and Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of January 14, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson and Pecoraro; Department Heads Dutterer and Joneckis; Assistant Director of Streets and Utilities Jeff Glass; and City Attorney Walsh were present.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Finance Chairman Pecoraro presented an overview of the available revenue sources to pay debt service on the estimated annual cost of $215,206, in connection with the sale of the $2.6 million “Westminster Infrastructure Bonds, 2002 Series A” to fund construction of the proposed Longwell Parking Garage. The following funding sources were identified; various existing parking related revenues in the Parking Memo Fund totaling $186,000; Special Capital Benefit Assessments in the amount of $100,000; and future supplemental funding from parking garage revenues and the sale of existing parking lot properties no longer needed.

Mayor Dayhoff proceeded to conduct the Public Hearing on Bond Ordinance No. 676. Greater Westminster Development Corporation President, Dr. Ethan Seidel, reaffirmed the organization’s support of the project, to further promote the economic development of the Downtown area. Mr. Chiavacci, Liaison Member of the Parks Board, noted the positive impact of Bond Ordinance No. 676 to provide additional parking for the Board’s Downtown projects. No other persons offered comment at the Hearing, which Mayor Dayhoff adjourned and closed the record thereof at 7:15 p.m.

MINUTES:

The Minutes of the Meeting of December 10, 2001 and Special Meeting of January 7, 2002 were approved as presented on Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and duly passed.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and duly passed the Consent Calendar was approved, consisting of Technology and Work Place Violence policy amendments in the Employee Handbook and November Departmental Operating Reports.

BIDS:

The bid for construction of an additional storage building at the Maintenance Shop shall be awarded to local contractor, K.C. Donovan Construction Company based on the low bid of $25,150, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

. . . noted his sadness to report the death of former Mayor and City Manager of Taneytown and Maryland Municipal League Past President, Neal W. Powell on January 13, 2002.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Public Works:

On Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, the following Committee Report was approved: remove “No Parking” signs to allow parking along the south-southwest side and around the cul-de-sac of Marhill Court in the Furnace Hills subdivision.

Planning and Zoning Commission:

Liaison Member Mr. Ferguson complimented City Planner, Shawn Siders, for his presentation of the Carroll County Master Plan for Water and Sewerage at the recent meeting of the Commission.

Parks Board:

Liaison Member Mr. Chiavacci reported that he was very impressed by the work of the Board.

Public Safety:

Chairman Chiavacci advised that the committee is working with a new consultant in the continuing effort to study options to improve employee retirement benefits.

Finance:

Chairman Pecoraro reviewed the content of the memo dated January 3, 2002 outlining the schedule for the 2002-2003 Budget preparations and Public Hearing process.

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS:

The following actions were taken regarding Bond Ordinance No. 676, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed: enact the Ordinance and authorize the Mayor to execute the Commitment Letter in connection therewith.

NEW BUSINESS:

On Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and unanimously passed, the Deed for roadbeds and infrastructure in Stoneridge Overlook, Section One, Phase One was accepted.

The following reappointments to the Space Study Committee were approved, on Motion or Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed: Mr. Chiavacci, Chair; Mr. Pecoraro, Mr. Beyard, Mr. Dutterer, Mr. Halstad, ex-officio and Mayor Dayhoff, ex-officio.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Jeff Glass reported that the raw water reservoir is a little less than 50% full.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

County resident Beatrice Wolf stated that she is opposed to the idea of changing the name of Western Maryland College. Western Maryland College administrator, Dr. Ethan Seidel, responded by advising that the present name of Western Maryland College doesn’t identify the location and convey the quality of the institution.

Benjamin Seher, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 420, attended the meeting to fulfill merit badge requirements.

ADJOURN:

The Meeting was adjourned by the Council President at 8:00 p.m.

JOHN D. DUDDERAR

City Clerk