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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
JULY 8, 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 July 8, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Pecoraro, Ferguson, and Chiavacci; Department Heads Beyard, Dutterer, and Joneckis; City Attorney Walsh; and City Clerk Taylor were present. In a brief ceremony, the Mayor and Common Council raised the new Westminster City Flag. The Mayor presented a copy of the new Flag to the parents of Daniel Schaeffer, who assisted in designing the flag.

MINUTES:

The Minutes of the Meeting of June 10, 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 Ordinance No. 682 – Adjustment to Special Capital Benefit Assessment Fees. At the request of the Mayor, City Planning and Public Works Director Beyard presented the background and a summary of the proposed Ordinance. The Ordinance increases Special Capital Benefit Assessment fees and will take effect on September 1, 2002. There being no further comment, the Mayor closed the Hearing at 7:10 p.m., stipulating that the record would remain open until July 17.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and duly passed, the Consent Calendar was approved, consisting of the May Departmental Operating Reports and a Request for a Block Party Permit.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

… Noted that the Maryland Municipal League had a successful annual convention.

… Commented that recent block parties and concerts in the Park were well attended.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Public Safety:

Council President Halstad announced that the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative Committee met twice. The next meeting would occur on July 7, 2002, and would focus on law enforcement.

Mr. Chiavacci advised that the ad hoc subcommittee studying law enforcement pension enhancement met on June 20, 2002, and would meet again on July 25, 2002. The subcommittee includes 10 members of the Westminster City Police Department.

Mr. Chiavacci further reported that the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention awarded approximately $3,000 to the Westminster City Police Department to conduct a citizen police academy consisting of nine two-hour sessions.

Committee on Finance:

Pursuant to subsections 10-508(a)(1), (3), and (7) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Mr. Pecoraro moved to conduct a closed session following the regular meeting to discuss the acquisition of real property and personnel matters and to obtain legal advice. Mr. Chiavacci seconded the Motion and it was passed.

Mr. Pecoraro announced that the committee studying downtown parking would meet on July 9, 2002.

Mr. Pecoraro expressed disapproval of the County Commissioners’ recently revived assertion that the towns are the cause of uncontrolled growth. The numbers squarely refute that assertion. Westminster has an average approval rate of 90 building permits per year. He urged those representing Westminster to express the strongest possible opposition whenever the Board of County Commissioners implies that the towns are at fault with regard to growth management.

Mr. Pecoraro observed that the space study is underway and that he would furnish an update at the next Meeting of the Mayor and Common Council.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and unanimously passed, the Council adopted Ordinance No. 684 – Zoning of Roop’s Mill Property.

Upon Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Council adopted Ordinance No. 679 – Zoning with Restrictions, Conditions and Limitations.

Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and unanimously passed, the Council adopted Ordinance No. 683 and Resolution No. R02-5 – amendments to Sections 160-12 and 160-13 of the Water Code and the City’s Drought Management Plan, respectively. Mr. Chiavacci requested that a document explaining the City’s water use restrictions be made available to the public.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Mr. Beyard presented the proposed Good Cause Waiver Regulations for Water and Sewer Service. He summarized the Regulations and explained that they will apply primarily to non-annexable properties. It is intended that granting of waivers will be the exception rather than the rule. The properties must be identified as W-1/W-3 or S-1/S-3 on the Carroll County Master Plan for Water and Sewerage. Mr. Pecoraro complimented Mr. Beyard and Mr. Walsh for their work on the Regulations. Mr. Walsh stated that he would draft a Resolution approving the proposed Regulations for the Council to consider on July 22, 2002.

NEW BUSINESS:

Administrator of Housing and Community Development, Karen Blandford, presented a request by the Union Street United Methodist Church, the Westminster Community of Shalom, and Ms. Blandford’s Office for a Revolving Loan Assistance Fund grant in the amount of $45,000 to establish a new Community Center on Union Street. She introduced Deborah Simms, director of the Westminster Community of Shalom, and Reverend Hinson of the Union Street United Methodist Church, who summarized programs and activities they anticipated offering at the Center. Many programs at the Center will focus on the youth of the community. Mr. Chiavacci moved to commit $50,000, Mr. Pecoraro seconded the Motion, and it passed unanimously.

Mr. Beyard summarized the trip he and City Recreation Administrator Schroers took to Estonia. The National Guard began the program several years ago; Maryland has been the most active participant.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:

Pursuant to Section 10-508(a) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, a closed meeting was held at 10:30 p.m. in City Hall. In attendance were Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, and Pecoraro; Department Head Beyard; City Attorney Walsh; and City Clerk Taylor. A unanimous vote authorized the meeting to discuss land acquisition, to discuss a personnel matter, and to obtain legal advice pursuant to subsections 10-508(a)(1), (3), and (7) of the State Government Article. Mr. Beyard, Mr. Walsh, and Ms. Taylor left the meeting prior to the discussion of the personnel matter.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Police Chief Joneckis reported that he met with Reverend Hinson concerning the proposed Community Center. Chief Joneckis also noted that the Crown Victoria police cars were undergoing repair work and that Random House had contributed $1,000 for the Canine Unit.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

With assistance from Rebekah Orenstein, five young residents of the City read a letter expressing their enthusiastic gratitude to the Mayor, the Common Council, and several City employees for facilitating four block parties on Pennsylvania Avenue. The readers were Ashley Miller, Megan Warren, Martha Harris, Hakeem Wilson, and Dominique Wilson.

The Council President adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk