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City Council
Minutes of City Council Meetings | Agenda for next City Council Meeting
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
MAY 12, 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 May 12, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson and Wack; Department Heads Beyard and Urban; City Attorney Walsh; and Westminster City Police Chief Joneckis were present.
Minutes
On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wack, the Minutes of the Meetings of April 28 and May 5, 2003 were approved as presented.
Consent Calendar
On motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the Consent Calendar was approved consisting of an emergency procurement of Sewer Root Cutting Equipment.
Reports from the Mayor:
… Noted that the Westminster Flower and Jazz Festival was extremely successful.
… Read a Proclamation making the week of May 15, 2003 National Police Week
… Read a Proclamation making the May 4, 2003 International Firefighters’ Day
… Read a Proclamation making the week of May 5, 2003 National Public Service Week
Reports from Standing Committees:
Mrs. Albert noted that she is working on traffic flow at three locations and will have a report in June.
Mr. Ferguson read excerpts from a letter dated May 6, 2003 from the Carroll County Landlords Association which alluded to pending legislation in front of The Mayor and Common Council for landlord licensing. Mr. Ferguson denied the existence of such legislation and was troubled by the accusations in the letter.
Mr. Halstad noted that he concurred with Mr. Ferguson.
Mr. Ferguson noted that he would be meeting with downtown merchants on May 15, 2003 at 5:15 p.m. in the BB&T Board Room.
Mayor Dayhoff noted that he concurred with Mr. Ferguson with respect to the Carroll County Landlords Association.
Mayor Dayhoff also thanked Mr. Ferguson for his work with the Parking Committee.
Mr. Chiavacci stated that he is also distressed by the letter sent by the Carroll County Landlords Association and this undermines the cooperative effort to this point.
Mr. Chiavacci noted that the Public Safety Committee will be meeting on Friday, May 16, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. in the Westminster City Council Chambers to discuss the issuance of Parade and Demonstration Permits. Mr. Chiavacci invited the public to attend and provide its input.
Mr. Wack concurred with the sentiment of his colleagues towards the letter that was distributed by the Carroll County Landlords Association.
Council President Halstad introduced Mr. Frank Johnson, Inter-governmental Liaison with the Board of County Commissioners of Carroll County. Mr. Johnson outlined current activities of the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Johnson announced that the Carroll County Council of Governments will be meeting on May 29, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at Carroll Community College.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:
At the request of Council President Halstad, Mr. Urban summarized Ordinance No. 703 – Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2003-04. On motion of Mr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, Ordinance No. 703 was approved.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Mr. Ferguson provided a summary of the FY 03-04 Water, Sewer, General and Housing budgets. Mr. Urban indicated that $47,000 had been redirected from engineering and design for Ralph Street to preliminary engineering services for West Green Street. On motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mrs. Albert, the Water, Sewer, General and Housing budgets for FY03-04 and the six year Capital Improvements Program were approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
Council President Halstad announced that the Biennial Organization meeting of The Mayor and Common Council would be held on Monday, May 19, 2003.
At the request of Council President Halstad, Mr. Beyard summarized the deed acceptance for Plat One of Section One of Squire Village and the Plat of Section Two Squire Village for the water and sewer lines in this County subdivision. On motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Wack, the deed was accepted.
Chief Election Judges Nancy Smelser and Susan Thomas submitted the 2003 election results for the Westminster Common Council:
STATEMENT OF RETURN OF ELECTION
To the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster
We the undersigned Judges and Clerk of the Biennial Municipal Election, held in the City of Westminster, Maryland on Monday, May 12, 2003 between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. for the election of three Council Members to serve on the Common Council for the City of Westminster for four years commencing on the third Monday of May, 2003, do hereby certify that the polls were opened at 7:00 A.M. and closed at 7:00 P.M. on this 12th day of May, 2003, and that at said election the number of votes cast was 578, and of that number those cast for the candidates for the respective offices was and is as follows:
FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS: NUMBER OF VOTES:
Suzanne Albert 326
Thomas K. Ferguson 379
Robert D. Miller 124
Joseph D. Mish, Jr. 238
Josephine Velazquez 148
Robert Wack 369
And it appearing that
THOMAS K. FERGUSON, ROBERT WACK, AND SUZANNE ALBERT were the three candidates who received the highest number of votes cast for Common Council, we do hereby declare that they will hold office for the four years.
And we do further certify that the above statement is correct in all and every respect, and that notice has been given to the candidates of their election.
Witness our hands this 12th day of May 2003.
________/s/_______________________ _________/s/__________________
CHIEF JUDGE CHIEF JUDGE
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Chief Joneckis noted that he attended the Delaware Community Foundation Fundraiser on May 1, 2003 which supports a Carson Scholarship in all schools in Delaware. The Chief introduced Mr. Tom Sullivan who is helping to organize the Westminster Police Department’s golf tournament.
Chief Joneckis announced Local Heroes Day will be held in Westminster on August 17, 2003 at Dutterer’s Park.
Mr. Beyard announced that Mari Taalman from Tallinn, Estonia is now employed by the City of Westminster. Mr. Beyard encouraged all to visit the Recreation Department and welcome Mari.
Mr. Ferguson inquired about the City’s water status. Mr. Beyard indicated the City is in the Green condition in the City’s Drought Management Plan. Mr. Beyard also indicated that the Medford Quarry is in the final phases of design and financing.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
Ms. Debbie Redicker of 165 West Main Street indicated that it is difficult to cross intersections with heavy traffic in Westminster. Ms. Redicker is opposed to Landlord Licensing.
Minister Cameron of the Baptist Church in Union Bridge offered her services to develop and support activities and services for African American Youth in Westminster and Carroll County.
Ms. Lori Graham of 118 Pennsylvania Avenue thanked Councilman Ferguson for his remarks regarding the Carroll County Landlords Association letter.
Mr. Ken Warren of 69 Pennsylvania Avenue thanked Councilmen Ferguson and Wack for their cooperation. Mr. Warren urged The Mayor and Common Council to address the release of detainees with local judges.
Mr. Warren also urged the City to establish a local transit system which runs a regularly scheduled route through Westminster which is cost effective.
Ms. Rebecca Orenstein of 64 Pennsylvania Avenue indicated that she was shocked with the letter sent by the Carroll County Landlords Association. Ms. Orenstein inquired about the status of seeking insurance through the City’s insurance provider for two block parties on Pennsylvania Avenue. The Mayor and Common Council were still investigating to what extent the City would have to be involved for the block parties to be covered by the City’s insurance provider.
Ms. Rose Blizzard commended the City in its efforts to seek new and diverse businesses to Main Street. Ms. Blizzard indicated that some storefronts are offensive to families and should not be allowed to display offensive materials in storefronts.
Council President Halstad acknowledged Boy Scout Troop No. 393. Mr. Don Myers with the troop introduced Mr. Jason Comegna and Jeffrey Lewis who are working on merit badges.
Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
- Shawn Siders
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