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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
MARYLAND OCTOBER 22, 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 22, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson and Pecoraro; Department Heads Dutterer and Joneckis; and City Attorney Walsh were present.

MINUTES:

The Minutes of the Meeting of October 8, 2001 were approved as presented, on Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and duly passed.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

The Consent Calendar was approved, on Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and duly passed, consisting of September Departmental Operating Reports and a reimbursement of legal expenses.

BIDS:

The second lowest bid of $10,355 submitted by Thomas M. Hunter Landscaping, Inc. shall be awarded the West Main Street Landscaping Contract, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by

Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed. The Hunter firm was selected due to their proven record on previous City projects.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

. . . advised of his recent trip to Baltimore City to participate in the Fall Cleanup Day with Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley.

. . . reported on his attendance at the Maryland Municipal League’s Fall Legislative Conference. The following legislative priorities were established; undergrounding of overhead utility lines, funding of sewer infrastructure upgrades and extending planning and zoning authority to more municipalities in Maryland.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance – Mr. Pecoraro reported the need to closely monitor expenses, to hold the line on spending.

Public Safety – Mr. Chiavacci advised of the ongoing study of Police Department pensions.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Lengthy discussion was held regarding the Koontz Property Sectional Zoning Map Amendment Case No. SMA 01-1. The rezoning implements the provisions of the comprehensive Land Use Plan, reclassifying existing “R-20,000” Residential zoning to “R-10,000” Residential Zoning, on a 72 acre tract located on the north side of MD Rt. 140 and west of MD Rt. 97N. An unfavorable recommendation from the City Planning and Zoning commission was based on inadequate transportation needs, which is currently being addressed by multiple transportation study plans. Mr. Walsh provided in depth legal advise in connection with the rezoning proposal. Thereafter, Council members Albert, Chiavacci and Pecoraro indicated their support of the map amendment case, authorizing staff to prepare the following documents: a favorable written decision on the rezoning request, an Ordinance to implement the granting of the rezoning, and a memo urging the Planning and Zoning Commission to insist that the developer adhere to the contents of the concept plan for development of the site presented at The Mayor and Council Hearing held on August 27, 2001. Mr. Ferguson recused himself from participating in the discussion of the rezoning proposal.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mr. Ferguson announced that the Inaugural ARC Distinguished Speaker Series, featuring Sam Donaldson, was held at the Westminster High School on October 11, 2001. All proceeds benefited The ARC of Carroll County, Inc. endowment.

On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed, the following Deeds were accepted: Deed for roads and infrastructure in Fenby Farm Phase 2, Deed and Agreement for utility easements in Section 1 of Westminster Highlands, and Deed for roads and infrastructure in Westminster Marketplace.

October 31, 2001 has been designated as the night for Halloween Trick or Treating. The Council concurred in the following policy recommended by Mayor Dayhoff:

Trick or Treating should be conducted between the hours of dusk and 8:00 p.m. and be restricted to children age 12 and under plus accompanying parents or adult guardians. Residents who wish to participate by providing treats to the children should turn on their outside light. Children are advised to wear some light colored clothing so as to be more visible to motorists and to go to homes in their immediate neighborhoods with lights. Motorists should pay particular care on the evening of October 31st with so many children walking around City streets.

A Communications Site Lease Agreement, with APC Realty and Equipment Co., LLC – Sprint and Western Maryland College, Inc. was approved, on Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed. The partnership Agreement with the City and College provides for the installation of an antenna on the College water tank owned by the City. All revenue generated by the Agreement will be equally divided between the City and College.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Town Planner Katrina Tucker announced her resignation, to be effective on November 15, 2001. Ms. Tucker has accepted a position with the City of Rockville, MD.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Attorney Clark Shaffer, representing Wyndtryst Development Corp, developer of the proposed rezoned Koontz property, briefly stated his client intends to proceed in accordance with the previously presented concept plan.

ADJOURN:

The Council President adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.

JOHN D. DUDDERAR

City Clerk