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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
OCTOBER 8, 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 October 8, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Chiavacci, Ferguson and Pecoraro; Department Heads Beyard, Dutterer and Joneckis; and City Attorney Walsh were present.

MINUTES:

The Minutes of the Meeting of September 24, 2001 were approved as presented, on Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and duly passed.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

The Consent Calendar was approved, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and duly passed, consisting of a minor budget amendment, August Police Department Operating Reports and two street sidewalk use permits.

BIDS:

Mr. Beyard reported that the lowest base bid of $1,360,000 to renovate the Carroll Arts Center, exceeded the budget by approximately $300,000. Arts Council officials Sandy Oxx and David Max presented a plan to reduce the scope of the project, primarily by deleting proposed uses of the second floor of the facility. Thereafter, on Motion or Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the following actions were taken: (1) reject all bids and authorize re-advertising of the project, limited to the original seven bidders only, (2) issue an addendum to bidders outlining the phasing and changes to the project to reduce costs, and (3) delay the bid opening until December 4, 2001.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

. . . observed a moment of silent prayer for the safety and well-being of military personnel engaged in the “War on Terrorism” attacks on military installations in Afghanistan.

. . . advised that Fallfest 2001 was a great success, and expressed his gratitude to all the people that made it happen.

. . . announced that the City has been awarded the “Sterling Tree City USA” designation, by the National Arbor Day Foundation, for participating in the Growth Award program for 10 years.

. . . joined President Bush in the October 7, 2001 National Fallen Firefighters memorial service held at the National Fire Academy in Emmittsburg, Maryland, to honor the 101 firefighters who lost their lives in 2000.

RESOLUTIONS:

On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Rules of Order and Procedure were suspended, to allow the simultaneous Introduction and Enactment of Resolution No. R01-10. Thereafter, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, Resolution No. R01-10 was Enacted, content of which follows:

RESOLUTION NO. R01-10

RESOLUTION of The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster

SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF PROJECT OF THE CARROLL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL, INC., REGARDING RENOVATION OF CARROLL THEATER LOCATED AT 91 WEST MAIN STREET, AND AUTHORIZATION OF EASEMENTS.

WHEREAS, the Carroll County Arts Council, Inc., (“Arts Council”) has received funding by Act of the General Assembly of Maryland through a bond Bill, and the Arts Council’s Board of Directors has deemed it to be in its best interest to accept the bond Bill Funds (the “Grant”) made available by the Board of Public Works of the State of Maryland (“BPW”) in conjunction with a grant application made to the Maryland Historical Trust (“Trust”), to finance, in part, the costs of the renovation of the Carroll Theater; and

WHEREAS, The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster has entered into a long term lease for the Arts Council to utilize City property and improvements located at 91 West Main Street (“Premises”) for the Project; and

WHEREAS, funding and approval of the Project by the BPW and the Trust may require a Deed of Easement with respect to the above-referenced City-owned Premises; and

WHEREAS, the Project is intended to serve the citizens of Carroll County and the City of Westminster

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster that it does hereby support the Project and submittal of a grant application by the Carroll County Arts Council, Inc.; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster that it approves and authorizes the grant of a Deed of Easement for the Premises as may be requested by the BPW or the Trust in connection with the Project; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster that the Mayor is authorized and directed o execute, attest and deliver a Deed of Easement and such other documents related thereto, in connection with the aforesaid Project, subject tot eh recommendation of the Director of Planning and public Works and the City Attorney; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster that Resolution No. R01-10 shall become effective upon its passage and approval.

INTRODUCED THIS 8TH DAY OF OCTOBER , 2001.

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John D. Dudderar, City Clerk

PASSED THIS 8TH DAY OF OCTOBER , 2001.

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John D. Dudderar, City Clerk

APPROVED THIS 8TH DAY OF OCTOBER , 2001.

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Kevin E. Dayhoff, Mayor

Approved as to form and

Legal sufficiency this 1st

day of October , 2001.

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John B. Walsh, Jr., City Attorney

for the City of Westminster

Prior to any discussion regarding Annexation Resolution No. R01-11, Council President Halstad recused himself from participation, thereby avoiding any conflict of interest. Local attorney, David Bowersox, presented the request to have the 92.8-acre Room’s Mill property, located on the

south side of MD Rt. 140 at Hughes Shop Road annexed into the City. The property will contain a reliable source of public water, developed by the contract purchaser, John Cugle. Mr. Cugle stated

his intent to restore the old mill and outbuildings as useable structures. Consultant, Martin Hackett,

requested R-10,000 Residential Zoning on the property, with the intention of future rezoning to the

N-C Neighborhood Commercial Zone. On Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and

unanimously passed, Annexation Resolution No. R01-11 was Introduced for First Reading.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Design No. 3 (plain design) was chosen for the new City flag, on Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, with the understanding that the word “Maryland” will be added to the flag design.

A Memorandum of Understanding between Interfaith Housing of Western Maryland, Inc. and The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster was approved on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed. The Agreement provides guidelines for implementing home ownership programs using grant funds totaling $580,000 obtained by Interfaith Housing of Western Maryland, Inc.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mr. Ferguson conveyed his concern for the well being of Thomas Beyard, a member of the Maryland National Guard activated for active duty status in the U.S. Army for about 24 days starting October 17, 2001.

A closed meeting was scheduled to immediately follow the regular session on Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and unanimously passed, to discuss personnel matters and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice, as authorized in Section 10-508 (a)(1) and 10-508 (a)(7) of the State government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:

The closed meeting held at 8:45 p.m. following the regular session in City Hall was attended by Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Chiavacci, Ferguson and Pecoraro; Department Heads Dutterer and Joneckis, and City Attorney Walsh. A unanimous vote authorized the meeting to discuss personnel matters and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice; as authorized in Section 10-508 (a)(1) and 10-508 (a)(7) of the State Government Article of the Annotated code of Maryland.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Chief Joneckis advised of the receipt, again this year, of the Maryland Chiefs’ Challenge Award plaque for promoting the increased use of vehicle safety belts.

ADJOURN:

Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

JOHN D. DUDDERAR

City Clerk