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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
APRIL 8, 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 April 8, 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 25, 2002, were approved as presented on Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro, and duly passed.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

… Read a Proclamation declaring the week of April 2 through April 8 “Army

National Guard Week” in Westminster, in conjunction with the deployment of troops from Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 110th Field Artillery, 29th Division as part of Operation Noble Eagle of the country’s homeland defense operation. 

… Introduced Sergeant First Class Elizabeth McClain and Lura L. McCormick, Family Readiness and Support Volunteer of the Maryland National Guard, 29th Division.

… Read a Proclamation declaring the months of April and May 2002 “The

2002 Maryland Chiefs’ Challenge Months,” to promote proper use of lap and seat belts and child safety seats.

… Noted that he attended a ceremony on April 6, 2002, in connection with

the deployment of troops from the 29th Division of the Maryland National Guard.

… Advised that the Main Street Mile, a run sponsored by the Westminster

Road Runners Club, would take place on April 10, 2002, at 7:00 p.m.

… Distributed information about the drought restrictions imposed by

Governor Glendening on April 5, 2002.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Finance:

Mr. Pecoraro reported that the Budget Committee would meet on April 10, 2002, to review departmental budget requests and to formulate recommendations. It would be necessary to cut over two million dollars. He suggested that the Mayor and Common Council might want to consider increasing the City tax rate and consider other methods of increasing revenue as well.

Public Safety:

Mr. Chiavacci presented a pension enhancement proposal for the Westminster City Police. The enhancement would consist of a Defined Contribution Plan under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the proposal, the City would contribute five to nine percent of annual base pay to the Plan for each officer, depending on the officer’s years of service. Matthew Mellon, attorney and consultant, provided further details of the proposal. By consensus, the Mayor and Common Council members agreed that a draft ordinance adopting the proposed plan would be presented at the April 22, 2002 Mayor and Common Council meeting. Mr. Chiavacci thanked Finance Director Dutterer, City Attorney Walsh, Chief Roger Joneckis, and consultant Matthew Mellon for their work on the project.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Council President Halstad reported that the reservoir level was seventy-four percent.

Mr. Beyard advised that the County Planning Department staff recommended waiving County zoning restrictions on the Roop’s Mill property if the City annexes it. However, County staff is also requesting that Rockland Road be extended.

Mr. Beyard noted that the State and City have two similar, but not identical, sets of drought restrictions in place. The City restrictions were adopted on November 12, 2001, and the State restrictions on April 5, 2002. Mr. Beyard recommended that the City restrictions be rescinded and the State restrictions adopted in their place, in order to prevent confusion. It was agreed that a draft Resolution adopting the State restrictions and rescinding the City restrictions would be presented at the April 22, 2002 meeting.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Ruth Offenstein of Parr’s Ridge inquired when the City would begin working on the sidewalk on Uniontown Road near Parr’s Ridge. Mr. Beyard replied that he expected to request bids during the next month and hoped for work to begin in July or August.

Council President Halstad thanked Maria Blackburn, a reporter from “The Sun” newspaper and wished her well in her new assignment. Ms. Blackburn introduced Athima Chansanchai, the reporter newly assigned to cover Westminster.

ADJOURN:

The Council President adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk