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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
APRIL 14, 2003 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 14, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Ferguson, Chiavacci, and Wack; Department Heads Beyard and Urban; City Attorney Walsh; Police Chief Joneckis; and City Clerk Taylor were present.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

Mr. Chiavacci announced that the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster had entered a partnership with the Carroll County State’s Attorney to pursue jointly the abatement of nuisance activities on properties where criminal drug activity habitually occurs. Council President Halstad observed that the participation of the State’s Attorney’s Office was critical for the success of the initiative. Mr. Chiavacci thanked the State’s Attorney, Jerry Barnes, and the Lower Pennsylvania Avenue Advisory Committee for their hard work.

MINUTES:

Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Minutes of the Meeting of March 24, 2003 were approved.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Mayor Dayhoff conducted a Public Hearing on Zoning Text Amendment No. TA 03-1 – Access to State Roads (Ordinance No. 700). At the Mayor’s request, City Planner Siders summarized the Ordinance, which authorizes the granting of temporary access to State Roads in situations where the City Code prohibits permanent access. There being no further comment, the Mayor closed the record and the Hearing at 7:12.

Mayor Dayhoff next conducted a Public Hearing on Zoning Text Amendment No. TA 03-2 – Administrative Adjustments (Ordinance No. 701). Mr. Siders summarized the Ordinance and explained that it implements a provision of Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Under it, the Director of Planning may grant adjustments to certain requirements but may not authorize changes in use. There being no further comment, the Mayor closed the record and the Hearing at 7:17 p.m.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

The Consent Calendar consisted of the approval of an amendment to the Cable Intergovernmental Agreement, approval of the request by the Women’s Club of Westminster, Inc. to place a “Welcome” sign in Belle Grove Square; and approval of Good Cause Waivers No. 03-1, 03-3, 03-4, and 03-5. Mr. Ferguson and Mrs. Albert recused themselves from participation and voting due to Mrs. Albert’s and Mrs. Ferguson’s memberships in the Club. With regard to the Cable Agreement, Dr. Wack advised that the amendment clarifies some ambiguous language concerning the amount of the City’s contribution. The amendment further specifies the City’s role in approving the Carroll Regulatory Commission’s budget. Mayor Dayhoff thanked Dr. Wack for contributing to the resolution of a rather lengthy misunderstanding. Council President Halstad thanked Dr. Wack as well.

On Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Dr. Wack and duly approved, the Consent Calendar was accepted.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

… Noted that he would forward letters complaining about street intersections and cable service to the Committee on Public Safety and to Dr. Wack, respectively.

… Noted that he would forward a letter concerning payroll deductions to the Director of Finance.

… Stated that the openings of the Carroll Arts Center and Boscov’s Department Store were very successful.

… Read a Proclamation making April, 2003 Fair Housing Month.

… Read a Proclamation making April and May, 2003 the Maryland Chiefs’ Challenge Months.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Mr. Ferguson announced that the Committee on Finance would present the draft Budget for Fiscal Year 03 at a Workshop on Monday, April 21, 2003, at City Hall. He remarked that it was a particularly challenging year, citing drops in revenue from the State. Mr. Ferguson summarized the work of the Committee and voiced cautious optimism due to the current unavailability of final figures from the State. Mr. Ferguson noted that it was projected that the City would impose no tax increase and that the City could fund the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System. He thanked Mr. Urban, Mr. Beyard, and Chief Joneckis for their efforts. Mayor Dayhoff likewise thanked them and Mr. Ferguson.

Mr. Chiavacci advised that repairs to the Westminster City Playground wall will probably be made for a minimal cost.

Dr. Wack proposed that the City of Westminster approve the budget of the Cable Regulatory Commission, contingent upon it calling for a 2 % contribution from the City. In past years, the municipalities have not been approving the annual budget although the Agreement requires such approval. Council President Halstad requested that the draft budget for the Carroll Regulatory Commission be forwarded to the Common Council Members in time for consideration at the Meeting of the Mayor and Common Council on Monday, April 28, 2003.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Mr. Ferguson moved to Introduce Ordinance No. 700 – Access to State Roads, which had been the subject of a Public Hearing earlier in the Meeting. Dr. Wack seconded the Motion and it passed unanimously.

Dr. Wack moved to Introduce Ordinance No. 701 – Administrative Adjustments, which had also been the subject of a Public Hearing earlier in the Meeting. Mr. Ferguson seconded the Motion and it passed unanimously.

Council President summarized Ordinance No. 699 – Revisions to Finance Department Procedures. Mr. Chiavacci moved to adopt the Ordinance. Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

On Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed, a closed Meeting was scheduled following the end of the regular Meeting pursuant to the State Government Article, Sections 10-508 (a)(5), 10-508(a)(7), 10-508(a)(10), and 10-508(a)(14) to consider the investment of public funds, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, to discuss public security, and to discuss a matter directly related to a negotiating strategy before a contract is awarded. The Motion further contained a determination that public discussion would: (1) constitute a risk to the public or to the public safety and (2) adversely impact the ability of the public body to participate in the proposed process.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:

The Closed Meeting held at 8:35 p.m. following the regular session in City Hall was attended by Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Ferguson, Chiavacci, and Wack; and City Attorney Walsh. A unanimous vote authorized the closing of the Meeting to consider the investment of public funds, to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, to discuss public security, and to discuss a matter directly related to a negotiating strategy before a contract is awarded.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Mr. Beyard reported that funding for road overlays in the draft budget for the coming year is $350,000. Mr. Ferguson noted that he had stressed the importance of the overlay work and the money allocated for the coming year exceeds the amount allocated for the current year.

Mr. Beyard reported on the Longwell Parking Deck. The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health staff and the consulting engineer for the City have approved City plans and have determined that the cause of the accident was the erection process. Fortunately, no one was severely injured. Mayor Dayhoff remarked that the response to the accident was excellent by all involved. He further noted that Mr. Ferguson had a fruitful meeting with downtown merchants concerned about the Deck and other parking matters.

Mr. Beyard had several items concerning Estonia. He noted that Mr. Halstad made a well-received presentation on Estonia to several local business people. Mr. Beyard also announced that a former Ambassador to Estonia will attend the April 30, 2003 Community Foundation meeting. Finally, he noted that Ocean City is in the process of establishing a partnership with one of Estonia’s principal resort cities. Officials from that town will visit Westminster en route to Ocean City.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

City resident Russell Myers thanked Dr. Wack for attending a dinner at the National Guard Armory on April 6, 2003.

City resident Rebekah Orenstein stated that she would not sign permit applications for the Pennsylvania Avenue block parties if the insurance of the City or a sponsor did not cover the events. Council President Halstad and City Attorney Walsh advised her that there is no coverage under the City policy. After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that staff would examine the issue of insuring the Pennsylvania Avenue block parties and report its findings and recommendations. City resident Josephine Velazquez advocated for the continuation of the block parties on behalf of the children of the City.

Ms. Orenstein inquired about the possibility of establishing a community garden behind Dutterer Park. Mr. Beyard indicated he would look into the matter.

Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk