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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
JULY 23, 2001
QUORUM:
A Meeting of The Mayor and Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of July 23, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson and Pecoraro; Department Heads Beyard, Dutterer and Joneckis; and alternate City Attorney John F. McCabe, Jr. were present.
MINUTES:
The Minutes of the Meeting of July 9, 2001 were approved as presented, on Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and duly passed.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci, and duly passed, the Consent Calendar was approved, consisting of June Departmental Operating Reports, an employee extended Leave of Absence, and several temporary street closings for special events.
BIDS:
Whitney, Bailey, Cox and Magnani, LLC of Baltimore, Maryland shall be awarded the Engineering Services bid for the Downtown Parking Deck contract, on Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, based on the negotiated fee of $126,000. An additional sum of $1,200 was appropriated to supplement funding of the project, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed.
On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed, the negotiated bid of $24,070 submitted by Whitney, Bailey, Cox and Magnani for Preliminary Engineering Services for retaining wall replacement at the City Park was accepted.
The following actions were taken in connection with awarding the Annual Roadway Paving Contract, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed: award the contract to the low
bidder, Charles J. Miller, Inc., in the amount of $134,054.75 and transfer $70,000 in excess funding of the Cranberry Road paving project, to augment funding for the current annual paving contract.
On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the low bid submitted by local contractor, Thomas, Bennett and Hunter, Inc., in the amount of $348,896 was accepted, to construct the Wakefield Community Trail - Phase 2A project. The award of the contract is contingent upon State Highway Administration approval.
Action was deferred on the bid for Renovations to the Clock Tower, on Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro, and unanimously passed. The sole bidder on the project, GRC General Contracting, Inc., submitted an excessive bid of $91,359.40, when compared to the architect's estimate of construction cost to be $25,000. Contract documents will be reviewed to determine possible alternative courses of action to complete the project.
The only bid of $28,399, received from Jeff Barnes Chevrolet - Oldsmobile, Inc. to furnish a one-ton truck for the Street Department was accepted, on Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci, and unanimously passed.
On Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed, the only bidder, Crouse Ford Sales, Inc., shall be awarded the $65,313.00 contract to furnish three 2002 Ford police interceptor cruisers.
REPORTS FROM MAYOR:
. . . read a Proclamation declaring August 7, 2001 as Westminster's National Night Out on Crime, and presented the Proclamation to Chief Joneckis. Mayor Dayhoff and Chief Joneckis reviewed the various programs and activities to be held in numerous neighborhoods, involving participation of citizens, police and elected officials, observing the 18th Annual National Night Out on Crime event.
. . . advised of his appointment to the Maryland Municipal League Legislative Committee by League President Mayor David C. Harrington.
. . . announced the ribbon cutting for completion of the West Main Street reconstruction project to be held on August 13, 2001 at 10:00 a.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Mr. Halstad reported that the work session to discuss annexation issues has been scheduled for Saturday, September 22, 2001 at 9:00 a.m., the meeting place thereof to be announced at a later date.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Westminster Rotary Club President, Robert M. Burk, presented a $1,000 check to the City, and pledged an additional $3,000 donation in the future. The Mayor and Council gratefully accepted the contribution, to be used to purchase swing sets in the Bishop's Garth Park.
Council President Halstad advised of the interest of an individual to build a 68,000 square foot ice rink within the Westminster area.
United Home Savings president, Mark A. Ritter, presented his appeal of the denial of Sign Permit No. 998, due to non-compliance with the Downtown Standards for Renovation. Mr. Ritter stated he requested the sign to be placed on the rear upper level of the Longwell Building, located at 77 E. Main Street, since the direct customer access to his office is the rear entrance to the building from the parking lot. On Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed, the sign permit appeal of Mr. Ritter was granted. The Mayor and Council discussed the merits of updating the Downtown sign regulations versus continuing to use the existing appeals process, if necessary. Economic Development Specialist Stanley Ruchlewicz was requested to review the current sign standards.
Chief Joneckis narrated a Police Community Education video showing the Department's extensive involvement in Community-based programs. The video was produced by students at the County Career and Technology Center, and highlighted over twenty events and activities primarily promoting public safety and drug abuse issues.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
The inquiry of Buena Vista Drive resident, Jesse Lockard, regarding the poor condition of Gorsuch Road was referred to the County Roads Department.
Parrs Ridge resident, Ralph Hooper, commented on several matters, and was assured by Chief Joneckis that his dealings with the Police would be handled privately.
ADJOURN:
The Council President adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
JOHN D. DUDDERAR
City Clerk
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