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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
MAY 21, 2001

QUORUM:

 

The Biennial Organizational Meeting of The Mayor and Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of May 21, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.Mayor Yowan; Mayor-elect Dayhoff; re-elected Council Member Halstad; holdover Council Members Albert and Pecoraro; newly elected Council Member Roy L. Chiavacci; Department Heads Beyard, Dutterer and Joneckis; and City Attorney Walsh were present.

 

Mayor-elect Dayhoff read the following statement, requesting that it be made a part of the public record:

 

On this occasion, I'd like to take this opportunity to sing the praises of the wonderful leadership bestowed upon the City of Westminster, for many years, by Mayor Ken Yowan. It is only fitting that our focus at this point in time be upon Mayor Yowan - a consummate gentleman whose collegial, friendly, competent and professional leadership should be an example for us all.

 

History will smile broadly upon Mayor Yowan as he joins the ranks of the many community leaders before him who maintained a tradition of excellence in Westminster government.Names such as Mayor Joseph Mathias, and Mayor Leroy Conaway, Police Chief Sam Leppo and my father-in-law, Council President David Babylon, quickly come to mind when one thinks of examples of excellent community leadership.

 

Mayor Yowan first moved to Westminster with his wife, Joy and two sons in 1975.He was attracted to, and immediately fell in love with, Westminster's small town quality of life.He jumped in with both feet and quickly got involved.In the following years Mayor Yowan served the City of Westminster for 20 years; over 5 years on various committees, 8 years on City Council and 6 1/2 years as Mayor.

 

In 1977 and 1978 he worked on a committee that promoted the expansion of Carroll County General Hospital.In 1983 he successfully ran for the Westminster City Council and served for three years until August of 1986 when his job required him to relocate.

 

He missed his adopted hometown greatly and within three years he was able to return to Westminster and immediately resume a leadership role by chairing the Westminster Downtown Task Force in 1990.

 

In 1991 he successfully returned as a Westminster City Council Member and was subsequently elected Council President in 1993.Ken Yowan became Mayor of the City of Westminster in November of 1994 when his predecessor vacated that office.He was reelected Mayor in 1997.

 

I have seldom run across an elected official who creates such an atmosphere of goodwill, with such a quiet competence and consummate professionalism.I think the community owes an enormous debt of gratitude to the leadership and accomplishments of such a great man.Seldom do we have, in this short existence we have on the planet, the opportunity to serve with a community leader of such stature.I'm sure our community joins me in taking this opportunity to thank Mayor Ken Yowan for his many years of selfless dedicated service.May God bless you and your family as you enjoy a well deserved retirement.

 

 

Mr. Pecoraro read a Governor's Citation from Governor Parris Glendening, acknowledging the many years of dedicated public service of Mayor Yowan.

 

Mr. Halstad presented Mayor Yowan a signed and framed photograph of the Legislative Body, and read the following Resolution:

 

WHEREAS, Kenneth A. Yowan began his career in public service as Chairman of the City of Westminster's Zoning Board of Appeals in 1979, and

 

WHEREAS, he was subsequently elected and served as a City Councilman from 1983 to 1986, briefly left the State, and returned to win reelection to the Council in 1991, serving as President of the Council, and

 

WHEREAS, in 1990 he Chaired the City's Downtown Task Force, whose work was the foundation for much of Westminster's subsequent revitalization, and

WHEREAS, he succeeded to the Office of Mayor of Westminster in 1994, and was elected to a full term in 1997, and

 

WHEREAS, throughout his career, he has been an exemplary public servant and a visionary leader for the City of Westminster, and

 

WHEREAS, Kenneth A. Yowan has decided to retire from his office as Mayor of Westminster, and

 

WHEREAS, Monday, June 12, 2001 will mark the last day of his term of office as Mayor, now, therefore,

 

BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, in recognition of his distinguished service to the Citizens of Westminster, we express our deepest gratitude to Kenneth A. Yowan for his service, his leadership, and his friendship; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council are pleased to confer upon Kenneth A. Yowan title of Mayor Emeritus of Westminster.

 

 

Signed at City Hall, this

Twenty-first day of May,

in the year Two Thousand One.

 

 

KEVIN E. DAYHOFF

Mayor

 

 

DAMIAN L. HALSTAD

President of the Council

 

Mayor Yowan expressed his sincere appreciation for the recognition and memorabilia, further stating that it was a great honor to serve the City and work with his colleagues on the council and City staff.

 

Clerk of the Circuit Court of Carroll County, Larry W. Shipley, administered the Oat6h of Office to newly elected Mayor Dayhoff, re-elected Council Member Halstad, and newly elected Council Member Chiavacci.

 

On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert, Mr. Halstad was nominated for President of the Council.Mr. Pecoraro Moved to close the nominations and declared Mr. Halstad Council President by a unanimous vote.

 

Mr. Pecoraro was nominated as Council President Pro Tem, on Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed.

 

Mr. Halstad advised that the new Council Committee assignments will be delayed, to allow participation of the pending appointment of a new Council Member.

 

ADJOURN:

 

The meeting was adjourned by the Council President at 7:25 p.m.

 

 

JOHN D. DUDDERAR

City Clerk

 

 

 

 

Westminster City Hall
P.O. Box 710, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane,
Westminster, Maryland 21158-0710
410-848-9000
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