City Council
Minutes of City Council Meetings | Agenda for next City Council Meeting

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
FEBRUARY 24, 2003     

          A special meeting between The Mayor and Common Council and representatives of the State Highway Administration was held in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of February 24, 2003, from 5:00 until 5:45 p.m.  Mayor Dayhoff; Council Members Albert, Ferguson, Chiavacci, and Wack; City Attorney Walsh; City Planner Siders; and City Clerk Taylor were present.  In attendance from the State Highway Administration were Mark Crampton, Assistant District Engineer; Jamaica Kennan, Project Engineer; Carmeletta Harris, Project Manager; Alvaro Sifuentes, Project Engineer; and Raymond Moravec, Project Engineer.  The State Highway representatives made a presentation of possible future changes to Maryland Route 140 in Westminster.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk

REGULAR MEETING

QUORUM:

A meeting of The Mayor and Common Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of February 24, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council Members Albert, Ferguson, Chiavacci, and Wack; Department Head Urban; City Attorney Walsh; Westminster City Police Chief Joneckis; City Planner Siders; Assistant Director of Streets and Utilities Glass; and City Clerk Taylor were present. President Pro Tem Albert presided over the meeting in the absence of the Council President.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

The Mayor and Common Council held a special presentation of the Maryland Route 27 Town Center Plan. At the request of Mrs. Albert, Mr. Siders introduced J. Richard Kuzmyak from the Governor’s Office on Smart Growth who, along with other State representatives, City staff, and citizens, participated in a four-day charette to outline a development and redevelopment strategy that would help the Maryland Route 27 Corridor become the primary gateway to downtown Westminster. A Smart Growth grant from the Governor’s Office funded the project. Mr. Kuzmyak introduced Clarence Eng from Design Collective, the consultant who drafted the Plan. Mr. Eng summarized the recommendations in the Plan. Generally, the Plan would expand the uses and atmosphere of Main Street down Route 27 towards Tuc Road. The goal would be achieved through increases in retail space, housing, parking, and open areas.

One of the charette participants, Mr. Jacob Yingling, noted that the project would require several years to come to fruition, but that the planning and work should begin now. Mr. Chiavacci encouraged those present to attend an upcoming discussion of future alternatives for Maryland Route 140 by the State Highway Administration, in view of the connection between the two projects. The Council thanked the State representatives, consultants, and charette participants.

MINUTES:

Mr. Chiavacci proposed that the phrase “based on this compromise” be added to the Minutes for February 10, 2003, to the discussion of the Roberts-Norris Rezoning under Unfinished Business. Dr. Wack moved that the Minutes be approved as amended. Mr. Chiavacci seconded the Motion and it passed unanimously.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

On Motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci unanimously passed, the Consent Calendar was approved, consisting of: 1) approval of maintenance work on the Westminster Municipal Swimming Pool; 2) approval of January 2003 Departmental Operating Reports; and 3) Parade/Demonstration Permit approvals.

BIDS:

Mr. Siders reported that the City received three bids to make improvements to the Comfort Station at the City Playground. His Department recommended approval of the bid from Naylor Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. Although not the lowest bid, it was under the budgeted amount and featured the use of vandal-proof equipment. On Motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, the contract was awarded to Naylor.

Mr. Siders reported that the City received two bids for the purchase of a 12-Yard Rear Loader Garbage Packer. The Department of Public Works recommended that the lower bid, by RMS, be approved. Dr. Wack moved to approve the bid by RMS. Mr. Chiavacci seconded the Motion and it passed unanimously.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

… Complimented Carol Baublitz and the rest of the Recreation Office on the success of the Fallfest Gala held on February 15, 2003.

… Advised that he attended the Liberty Reservoir Agreement reaffirmation by Carroll County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County.

… Commended Jeff Glass, Larry Bloom, Wayne Reifsnider, Tom Beyard, and all of the street crews for their excellent work clearing the streets during the most recent snowfall.

… Noted that snow removal during the last storm cost the City approximately $63,000 and advised that, since the Governor had declared a state of emergency, the City would work with the Maryland Emergency Management Association to seek reimbursement from the federal government.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Mr. Ferguson noted that, following the recent storm, a crack appeared in the roof of the Carroll Arts Center. The crack closed by the time the City cleared the roof of snow and no structural damage has been detected. He thanked the City workers.

Mr. Chiavacci reported on the progress of the initiatives that resulted from the work of the Pennsylvania Avenue Committee. With regard to nuisance abatement for properties having habitual criminal activity, a meeting with a State’s Attorney would occur in the few weeks to discuss court actions under State law. As to the zoning initiative, Mr. Chiavacci recommended that staff be directed to draft an Ordinance providing for administrative approval of variances. By consensus, the Common Council directed staff to do so. Turning to the subject of property maintenance, Mr. Chiavacci reported that the City received registration forms from 99 percent of the landlords. The Assistant City Planner was preparing a database. He commended staff on their success.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

At the request of Mrs. Albert, Mr. Siders explained changes made to the draft Decision for Local Map Amendment No. LMA 02-1 – Frizell’s Final Addition (also known as the Roberts-Norris Rezoning). Pursuant to direction given to staff at the preceding meeting of the Mayor and Common Council, the redrafted Decision contained a discussion of the impact of the rezoning on school capacity and a requirement that the Developer build the entire extension of Church Street but barricade the south end of the property. Because the extension would be completed, the City would not need to hold a bond for any future construction. Dr. Wack moved to adopt the Decision and the Amended Plan. Mr. Ferguson seconded the Motion and it passed unanimously. Dr. Wack then moved to adopt Ordinance No. 697 – Roberts-Norris Rezoning. Mr. Ferguson seconded, and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Albert requested comments on Resolution R03-3 – Election to Participate in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System, which was on the Agenda for Final Adoption. Mr. Chiavacci read a Memorandum from Council President Halstad in support of adoption of the Resolution and then moved to adopt it. Dr. Wack commented that he also supported adoption of the Resolution. He seconded the Motion, and it passed unanimously.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Chief Joneckis announced that, in connection with the work of the Pennsylvania Avenue Committee, four people would travel to Hagerstown the next day in order to learn about that City’s Safety Committee and Nuisance Abatement program. The group would also visit the Child Advocacy Building in Hagerstown. He also noted that the Scholarship Committee had awarded a dance scholarship to Clarissa Velazquez of Pennsylvania Avenue and would award a second scholarship in the near future. Lastly, Chief Joneckis advised that the Golf Tournament at Wakefield Valley Golf Club would occur on July 23 rather than on July 16.

Mr. Siders reported that he was drafting a Resolution to rescind Resolutions R02-1 and R03-1 because the Governor lifted the State restrictions on water use. The City’s Drought Emergency Plan will govern any future water shortages.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Ms. Karen Loats of West Green Street commented that she was displeased with the snow removal work on her street.

President Pro Tem Albert adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk