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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
FEBRUARY 25, 2002 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 25, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson and Pecoraro; Department Heads Beyard, Dutterer, and Joneckis; City Attorney Walsh; and City Clerk Taylor were present.

At the request of Council President Halstad and Mayor Dayhoff, Mr. Beyard introduced Brigadier General Warner I. Sumpter, Brigadier General (Ret.) Ed Clark, Lieutenant Colonel Todd Ostheller, Major Mark Fischer, and Sergeant Major Douglas Freburger, all from the Maryland Army National Guard. Mayor Dayhoff read a letter thanking them for their attendance and presented them with commemorative plates, cups, and pins from Westminster. The Generals then presented The Mayor and Common Council with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve State Chair’s Award, in recognition of the City’s support of its employees in the National Guard and Reserve.

MINUTES:

The Minutes of the Meeting of February 11, 2002, were approved as presented on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and duly passed.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and duly passed, the Consent Calendar was approved, consisting of 1) January departmental operating reports and 2) the appointment of Special Counsel, Matthew P. Mellin, of the law firm of Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC, regarding the Police Pension Review.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

… Noted that he has been working actively at the General Assembly

… Reported that he and Mr. Chiavacci attended the Westminster City Police Annual Awards Ceremony during the week of February 18.

… Advised that he and staff are sending letters to the State requesting that it not reduce the funding for certain revitalization programs and for the Allied Nursing Facility at the Carroll Community College.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Public Safety:

Mr. Chiavacci commended the Police Department for its successful community-policing program.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES: (Continued)

Public Works:

Council President Halstad noted that he would like to have the Parking Committee appointed by March 11, 2002.

Mayor Dayhoff stated that he sent a letter to Adelphia concerning the problems the City has been experiencing with cable service. The letter requests a full refund for internet service for February, 2002. Mr. Pecoraro informed the members that the Town Manager of Hampstead and Chair of the Cable Regulatory Commission, Ken Decker, has arranged a meeting with some of the corporate officers at Adelphia to discuss the problems.

Council President Halstad remarked that the Historical Society is seeking a bond from the General Assembly for renovation work on East Main Street. The Council agreed that the Mayor should write a letter supporting passage of the bond bill and perhaps testify in its favor.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Mr. Beyard presented updated plans for the Longwell Parking Deck and Locust Lane projects. He and his staff anticipate that the design will be complete in April and the projects will be bid in June. Construction will require approximately nine months. The Mayor and Common Council discussed various issues associated with the projects, including use of outdoor tables and dumpsters, maintenance, and parking during construction. Mr. Beyard thanked his staff for their work and advised that he would move forward on the projects.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Mr. Beyard reported that the water level at the City Reservoir has improved by one percent. Additionally, the State has issued the City a permit for the Roop’s Mill well.

Mr. Beyard noted that the City Historic District Commission has issued Tyler Donegan a tax credit for historic architecture in conjunction with the Westminster Square project, and that the State Highway Administration is committed to fixing the problems on West Main Street, like loose bricks, by June first.

In response to a question from Mr. Chiavacci, Mr. Beyard updated the members on research and planning for new city office space.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Mr. Frank Wanken, of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, informed the Mayor and Common Council that he would be retiring effective February 28, 2002. He stated that working with the City has been a pleasure over the years.

County resident Beatrice Wolf expressed concern about the proposed Windy Hills subdivision off of Sullivan Road. Mr. Beyard advised that the Maryland Department of the

CITIZEN COMMENTS: (Continued)

Environment is studying the negative impact the development might have on the water supply of the City. The owners may have to reduce the number of lots in the proposed subdivision.

ADJOURN:

The Council President adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk