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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
JUNE 9, 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 June 9, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, and Wack; Department Heads Beyard and Urban; City Attorney Walsh; Police Chief Joneckis; and City Clerk Taylor were present.
MINUTES:
Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Minutes of the Meetings of May 12 and May 19, 2003 were approved.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Mayor Dayhoff conducted a Public Hearing on Resolution No. R03-9 – Administrative Adjustment Procedures. At his request, Mr. Beyard explained the procedures and the need for them. In response to a question from City resident Rebekah Orenstein, Mr. Beyard explained that the new procedures will not allow the granting of use variances.
Mayor Dayhoff closed the Hearing and record at 7:10 p.m.
Mayor Dayhoff conducted a Public Hearing on Community Development and Housing Needs. At his request, Ms. Blandford explained that the City is applying for a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $318,916 for three programs: the Seniors Keep in Touch Program; the Boys and Girls Club; and outreach and organization of the “PATA” – Pennsylvania Avenue Target Area. Ms. Blandford gave a power point presentation concerning the three programs. In response to a question from Dr. Wack, she explained that matching funds would come from outside sources. City resident Rebekah Orenstein remarked that the employee paid from the PATA funds should speak Spanish.
The Mayor closed the Hearing and the record at 7:30 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
The Consent Calendar consisted of the approval of Good Cause Waiver Nos. GCW 03-7, 03-8, and 03-6; Approval of Redistribution of Budgeted Funds in Account No. G18.13003; Approval of April Departmental Operating Reports; and Redistribution of Funds for Emergency Procurement of Downtown Parking Materials. With regard to the final item, Mr. Beyard explained that the City was offered a $5,000 grant by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development in Main Street Improvement Funds. Staff recommended the grant be accepted and that $5,000 in matching City funds be redistributed in order to purchase parking materials before June 30, 2003.
Mrs. Albert moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Mr. Chiavacci seconded and the Motion carried unanimously.
BIDS:
Council President Halstad summarized the three bids received to supply downtown trash receptacles. On Motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, the Mayor and Common Council accepted the bid of Victor Stanley, Inc. of Dunkirk, Maryland, in the amount of $9,983.96.
At Council President Halstad’s request, Mr. Beyard summarized the next bid, which concerned the Chlorination/Dechlorination Replacement Project at the Westminster Waste Water Treatment Plant. The City received a proposal from Stearns and Wheler, LLC to provide additional design services for the Plant. The Company would develop a “SCADA” software package for $23,350.00. Mrs. Albert moved to accept the bid. Dr Wack seconded, and the Motion carried unanimously.
At Council President Halstad’s request, Mr. Beyard summarized a proposal from Dean Robert Camlin and Associates to design a three story multipurpose community center at 25 Union Street. The proposal constituted an extension of previous agreements between the parties dated August 1, 2001 and June 3, 2002. Staff recommended acceptance of the proposal for fiscal year 2003-2004, in the amount of $43,515.00. Upon Motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, the proposal was accepted.
Council President Halstad summarized three bids submitted to replace the photocopier in the Finance Department. Mr. Urban explained that the existing copier is extremely old and outdated. He recommended that the Mayor and Council accept the bid of Eicholtz Company to supply a Mita KM-4030 digital copier in the amount of $9,700.00. On Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously approved, the bid was accepted.
REPORTS FROM MAYOR:
… Noted that the Carroll County times published a good article about Mari Taalmann, who is working for the City as part of the Westminster/Paide Partnership City program.
… Advised that the Memorial Day Parade and other events were canceled due to rain.
… Along with City Economic Development Administrator Ruchlewicz, described a train excursion from Hagerstown to Westminster scheduled for Sunday, June 22, 2003. Several businesses and restaurants would open especially for the event.
… Announced that he attended an Emergency Preparation Drill on June 3, 2003.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:
Mrs. Albert advised that the Public Works Committee looked into three intersections as a result of concern expressed by a Park Avenue resident. After talking with Chief Joneckis and Mr. Beyard, the Committee recommended: 1) that Meyers Alley not be made one way at this time, but that traffic there be monitored; 2) that no change occur at the intersection of West Main and Maryland Route 31, as the reopening of Uniontown Road will alleviate current left turn difficulties at that intersection; and 3) that difficulty in making a left turn onto West Main Street off of Liberty Street requires no further action as it has been alleviated by adjusting the timing of the traffic light. Following Mrs. Albert’s report, it was agreed that Mr. Beyard would write to the citizens summarizing the Committee’s conclusions and thanking them for their input.
On behalf of the Public Safety Committee, Mr. Chiavacci reported that Sergeant Kowalczyk received an Optimists Club award based on his quick reaction to a potentially devastating fire at the Stewart N. Dutterer Flower Shop, Inc. He thanked owner Lori Graham for recognizing the Sergeant’s work. .
Council President Halstad announced that the inaugural meeting of the Council of Governments occurred at Carroll Community College. Mr. Buddy Redman, Jr., Administrator of the County Office of Public Safety, made a presentation on emergency preparedness. He also announced that the County will have hired an emergency management coordinator before the next meeting – September 18, 2003. Prior to September 18, the County will distribute an emergency management plan to each municipality. In turn, each municipality is encouraged to acquire templates of such plans. Additionally, a countywide list of emergency contacts will be distributed and Mr. Redman will prepare a list of gaps in existing emergency services.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:
At the request of Council President Halstad, Mr. Beyard summarized Resolution No. R03-10, Annexation No. 53 – Arnold Property. The City received a Petition to annex 8.1796 acres located at the end of Chase Street. The Petitioner will not need a waiver of zoning from the County. Council President Halstad introduced a principal of the Petitioner, Mr. Robin Ford, and his attorney Clark Shaffer. In response to an inquiry from Mr. Chiavacci, Mr. Beyard stated that he could see no downside to the development of the property. Mr. Chiavacci moved to Introduce the Resolution and to accept the Petition. Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Beyard summarized Resolution No. R03-8, Annexation No. 52 – Westminster Shopping Center. The City has received a Petition to annex the Shopping Center, which consists of 14.1779 acres at the intersection of Englar Road and Maryland Route 140. The Petitioner will not need a zoning waiver from the County. Mr. Beyard introduced Bradley Cedardahl, a representative of the Petitioner and its attorney, John Maguire. Mrs. Albert moved to Introduce the Resolution and to accept the Petition. Mr. Chiavacci seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Council President Halstad summarized Resolution No. R03-8 – Authorization to File Community Development Block Grant Application, which had been the subject of a Public Hearing earlier during the Meeting. Doctor Wack moved to suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure in order to adopt the Resolution. Mr. Chiavacci seconded and the Motion passed. Mrs. Albert moved to adopt the Resolution. Mr. Chiavacci seconded, and the Resolution was adopted unanimously.
Dr. Wack moved to Introduce Resolution No. R03-9 – Administrative Adjustment Procedures. Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mrs. Albert moved to cancel the Meeting of June 23, 2003, because it would coincide with the Maryland Municipal League annual convention. Doctor Wack seconded and the Motion carried unanimously.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Mr. Urban advised that the Maryland State Retirement System has concluded that the City has a negative accrued liability of $1,091,099.00 with which to fund the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System. The money can be used for an annual credit in funding the new system for several years. Mr. Urban and the State were working out the details.
Mr. Urban noted that he had an upcoming meeting with the City auditors to prepare financial statements in compliance with GASB 34. He further reported that he had distributed packets to the Mayor and Common Council concerning the new deferred compensation Plan. The Plan will not be affected by the fact that it will not be finalized before July 1, 2003. Finally, Mr. Urban noted that he attended the Government Financial Officers’ Conference and identified there some 19 companies as possible candidates to replace the City’s Finance/Human Resources software.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
Mr. George W. Murphy of Sykesville complained about the overgrown condition on property adjacent to the Ellsworth Cemetery. Mr. Beyard observed that he did not think the City owned the property but that he would visit it with Mr. Murphy to make certain.
City resident Debbie Redeker complained that motorists frequently fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
Mr. Chiavacci advised City resident Rebekah Orenstein that the Housing and Community Development Office would help with planning for the Pennsylvania Avenue Block Parties. Ms. Orenstein thanked the City. Mr. Beyard informed Ms. Orenstein that the Board of Education has approved use of some property near Dutterer Park as a community garden.
Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk
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