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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
JULY 22, 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 22, 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.

MINUTES:

The Minutes of the Meeting of July 8, 2002, were approved with a name correction on Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro, and duly passed.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

Mrs. Albert moved to approve the consent calendar, consisting of the June Departmental Operating Reports and two block party permit requests. Mr. Ferguson seconded the Motion and it passed unanimously.

BIDS:

Mr. Beyard announced that two bidders submitted timely bids for the Annual Roadway Paving Contract, Contract No. R-199-C. However, due to the higher-than-estimated cost of the Uniontown Road project, a related project with greater priority, Mr. Beyard recommended that the Council reject all bids for the Annual Roadway Paving Contract and transfer those funds to the Uniontown Road project. A discussion of potential funding for retaining walls on the Uniontown Road project followed. Mr. Pecoraro moved to reject the bids for the Annual Roadway Paving Contract, Mr. Ferguson seconded the Motion, and it passed. Mr. Pecoraro moved that the Contract for the Reconstruction of Uniontown Road be awarded to Meekins Construction and that the funds for the Annual Roadway Paving Contract be transferred to the Uniontown Road project. Mrs. Albert seconded the Motion and it passed unanimously.

On Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and duly passed, bids of Jeff Barnes Chevrolet-Oldsmobile, Inc. to sell two Public Works maintenance vehicles to the City were approved.

On Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and duly passed, a bid by Stoltzfus Builders was approved to construct a 32 foot by 40 foot storage building at the Utility Maintenance Shop on Old Manchester Road.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

… Recommended consideration of adopting an Ordinance pertaining to street cuts, in view of the facts that the cuts reduce street life and other municipalities charge for them.

… Reported that he had suggested the ticket machine from the old Carroll Theater be donated by its owner to the Carroll Arts Center project.

… Introduced Frank Johnson, Council President of the Town of Mount Airy.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Public Safety:

Mr. Chiavacci stated that the Police Pension Subcommittee would be meeting on Thursday, July 25, at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Chiavacci also reported on the progress of the Space Study Committee.

Parks Board:

Mr. Chiavacci complimented both the Parks Board and Mr. Schroers on the thoroughness and efficiency of their work.

Committee on Finance:

Mr. Pecoraro noted that the Parking Committee met the preceding week and was making good progress. He further reported that he attended a meeting concerning growth with the Board of County Commissioners the preceding week.

Mr. Beyard advised that the reservoir level had declined and that the City was drawing water out of other systems.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Upon Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and duly passed, Ordinance No. 682 – Adjustments to the City’s Special Capital Benefit Assessment Schedule – was adopted, and the effective date was changed from September 1, 2002 to November 1, 2002. Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and duly passed, Ordinance No. 685 – Amendments to the City’s Property Maintenance Code – was Introduced for First Reading. The Amendments would affect the Ordinance in three ways. The first Amendment would bring the facades of owner-occupied buildings and commercial buildings under the control of the Ordinance. The second Amendment would require registration of all residential rental properties. The third Amendment would make technical changes in the requirements of agents for rental properties.

Upon Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and duly passed, Resolution No. R02-6 – Approval of Regulations Governing “Good Cause” Waivers Pursuant to Section 124-3A and 160-6F of the Westminster City Code – was Introduced for First Reading. Mr. Chiavacci stressed that the Regulations are a growth control measure, and not an invitation to growth.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

At the request of Council President Halstad, Mr. Beyard advised that the Westminster Square project was scheduled to be finished in January 2003. He also advised that bids for the Longwell Parking Garage and the Locust Lane Improvements are scheduled to be opened on August 20, 2002, at 2:00 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mount Airy Council President Frank Johnson thanked the Mayor and Common Council for the opportunity to address them concerning a letter he proposed that the incorporated municipalities send to Carroll County Government. The letter would make recommendations for controlling growth. The precise language will be discussed at a special meeting of the eight municipalities tentatively scheduled for August 13, 2002. Council President Halstad and Mayor Dayhoff agreed that Westminster would host the meeting. After extensive discussion, Mr. Chiavacci moved that Council President Halstad be appointed to work with Mr. Johnson on language that would reflect the views and concerns raised during the discussion. Mr. Pecoraro seconded, pointing out the Motion was an expression of endorsement of the concept of the letter, and the Motion was approved.

Mayor Dayhoff read a Proclamation establishing August 6, 2002, as the National Night Out on Crime. He asked all citizens and the police to support the event.

The Council President adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk