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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
MAY 13, 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 May 13, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Ferguson, Chiavacci, and Pecoraro; Department Heads Beyard, Dutterer, and Joneckis; City Attorney Walsh; and City Clerk Taylor were present.

MINUTES:

The Minutes of the Meetings of April 22, and May 6, 2002, were approved as presented on Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro, and duly passed.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Mayor Dayhoff conducted a Public Hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2002 Public Housing Administration Plan. The Office of Housing and Community Development Manager, Karen Blandford, explained that the federal government requires a five-year housing plan to be submitted every year. She noted that the Plan remained virtually unchanged from the preceding year. The Public Hearing and record were closed at 7:15 p.m.

BIDS:

On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and duly passed, the following two bids were accepted: 1) a bid by Miller Flooring Company, Inc., to install a new maple floor in the Longwell Municipal Center for $43,675; and 2) a bid by Buchart-Horn, Inc./BASCO Associates to assist the City in documenting its future office, public meeting, and related space needs for the next twenty years, at a cost of $35,000.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

… Read a Proclamation declaring the Week of May 12th to be National Police Week and May 15th to be Police Officers’ Memorial Day.

… Introduced City Arborist Brian Adams to present a report concerning Westminster City staff’s assistance with tornado damage clean-up in La Plata, Maryland. Mr. Adams described the work in LaPlata and added that staff was very proud to be a part of the effort. Mayor Dayhoff thanked Mr. Adams and the other staff members who assisted, including Steve Strawsburg, Jr., Boyd “Corky” McClain, Mike Cool, and Donald Hann.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Public Safety and Economic Development and Community Affairs:

Council President Halstad presented a Joint Committee Report entitled “Lower Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative.” The Report summarizes recommendations for the economic development and neighborhood revitalization of lower Pennsylvania Avenue, which will be funded in part by a $75,000 grant from the State Office of Smart Growth. An Advisory Committee of clergy, residents, business owners, and others would be appointed and requested to provide preliminary recommendations by September 1, 2002. Mr. Chiavacci, Mr. Pecoraro, and Mayor Dayhoff thanked Mr. Beyard and staff for their work on the Initiative. Council President Halstad requested his colleagues to submit suggestions for appointees to the Advisory Committee before May 23, 2002.

On behalf of the Public Safety Committee, Mr. Chiavacci withdrew Ordinance No. 681, “City of Westminster Police Supplemental Retirement Plan,” from consideration. Mr. Chiavacci noted that City Police Chief Joneckis would furnish names of officers to assist in the formulation of an alternative Retirement Plan for sworn police officers.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Finance Committee Chairman Pecoraro moved to enact Ordinance No. 680, establishing the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2002-03. Mr. Ferguson seconded the Motion, and it was unanimously passed.

On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the General, Water, and Sewer Budgets for Fiscal Year 2002-03 and Capital Improvement Program to 2008 were approved. Department Heads and staff were thanked for their hard, prompt work.

Mr. Beyard presented a Special Capital Benefit Assessment Study and proposed Ordinance No. 682, which would increase the special capital benefit assessment on new construction. Upon Motion by Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and duly passed, Ordinance No. 682 was introduced for First Reading.

Mr. Beyard introduced a Joint Petition for Annexation and Zoning for Ridge Terrace/Windsor Overlook (Annexation No. 49) and Resolution No. R02-4. He advised that the Annexation Petition was the first to be submitted since the adoption of Ordinances 677 and 678, which make annexation a precondition to the City’s furnishing water and sewer services. Mr. Ferguson moved to accept the Joint Petition. Mr. Pecoraro seconded the Motion, and it was unanimously approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

On Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and duly passed, the Council approved a Deed of Easement and Deed of Relinquishment for Westminster Bond, also known as Frock’s Farm. The Deed provides for the location of new water line easements.

Upon Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and unanimously passed, the Council voted to cancel the Meeting scheduled for Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2002.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Mr. Dutterer expressed gratitude towards his staff, especially Dale Taylor, for their work on the Budget.

Mr. Beyard commended his staff for their work in La Plata, especially City Arborist Brian Adams for coordinating many of the workers. Mr. Beyard also noted that bids for the Uniontown Road project are due June 12, 2002, that the City’s proposed Drought Plan will be sent to the Maryland Department of the Environment, and that staff will be applying for a State grant for the development of a Smart Code, especially as it relates to the lower Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Mr. Jack Norris, of 112 Willis Street, complimented the Mayor, City Council, and Police Department for their successes in revitalization and control of crime. He also remarked that the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative is very important, in light of the Arts Council theater project.

Ms. Lisa Breslin, a County resident, remarked that she and other residents of Ridge Road are pleased with the recent City Ordinances pertaining to annexation.

Ms. Rebecca Orenstein, a city resident and former Council member, observed that she felt the City Police should receive LEOPS or a similar program by July.

Mr. Carter Clews of West Main Street concurred with Ms. Orenstein and added he would like the Police to patrol his neighborhood 24 hours per day.

Ms. Beatrice Wolf, a County resident, suggested that the City place notices in the newspapers reminding the public of the restrictions on outdoor water use.

The Council President adjourned the meeting at 8:52 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk