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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
MARCH 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 March 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.

MINUTES:

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

PUBLIC HEARING:

A Public Hearing was held on Annexation No. 46: Roop’s Mill Property. David K. Bowersox, Esquire, represented the contract purchaser, Westminster Land Resources, L.L.C. At the request of Mr. Bowersox, the following persons spoke in support of the annexation: Mr. Dean Camelin of Dean Robert Camelin and Associates, Inc.; Mr. Mark W. Eisner of Advanced Land and Water, Inc.; and Mr.Marty Hackett of CLSI, Inc. Westminster residents Ms. Constance Humphrey, Mr. Dave Humphrey, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Long, Virginia Stoner, and Matthew Rupphalt expressed concern about traffic and water availability. At the close of the hearing, the record was held open for further public comment pending County consideration of the City’s request for a zoning waiver.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

On motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and duly passed, the Consent Calendar was approved, consisting of waivers for good cause from the annexation requirements of Ordinance No. 677. The property owners will be required to sign Irrevocable Declarations of Intent to Request Annexation.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

… Reported that he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Westminster Square on March 22, 2002. Mayor Dayhoff thanked Mr. Chiavacci and Mr. Ferguson for attending the ceremony as well..

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Planning and Zoning:

Mr. Ferguson noted that the Mayor and Council have been invited to a private viewing of the Isaac Atlee house in New Windsor, a fund-raising event for the Historical Society. He encourage the Mayor and Council to support the project.

Public Safety:

Mr. Chiavacci stated that the study of retirement benefits for police was nearing completion and that the recommendations would be presented to the Mayor and Common Council at the April 8, 2002 meeting.

Finance:

Mr. Pecoraro observed that budget cuts will likely have to be made and that it may be time for the City to examine its tax rate. In response to a question by Mayor Dayhoff, Mr. Pecoraro affirmed that concerns about the sufficiency of the rate are not solely the result of the current economic situation. Mayor Dayhoff remarked that the the current rate is lower than it was ten years ago.

NEW BUSINESS:

City Arborist, Brian Adams, presented a proposal to remove certain trees and prune others to enhance the appearance of City Hall. He also proposed activities for the observance of Arbor Day on April 23, 2002. On Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci, and duly passed, the proposal of Mr. Adams was approved.

Mr. Beyard advised that a lease for space on the water tower at Western Maryland College had been negotiated with AT&T. He summarized the terms. On Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mrs. Albert, and duly passed, the Agreement was approved.

Mr. Beyard introduced a request that the Mayor and Common Council consider annexation of property outside the City known as the Naganna Property. The property consists of 146 acres. It is not included on the list of properties under consideration for annexation, but the owner requested the Mayor and Common Council to consider it. Michael Preston, Esquire, Mr. Mark Eisner, Mr. Louis Segal, and representatives of NVR Homes all spoke in favor of annexing the property. After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed by consensus that staff would study the advisability of going forward with the annexation process, from the standpoint of the City, and that the issue would be addressed at the Meeting on April 27, 2002.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Council President Halstad reported that the City Reservoir is 65% full.

Mr. Dutterer remarked that work on the budget and the various funds is progressing.

City Planner Shawn Siders commented that the Renovators’ workshop on March 2, 2002 was very successful. Mr. Chiavacci thanked Ron Schroers and the staff of Recreation for their efforts. He also thanked the Westminster Jaycees, Ron Schroers, and Valerie Westbrook for the success of the Easter Egg Hunt, which was attended by 600 children and 800 adults.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

County Resident Jim Maola thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to play in the Municipal Band at various parades and events.

County Resident Beatrice Wolf asked that the problems associated with growth be taken into consideration when requests for annexation are considered.

ADJOURN:

The Council President adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk