City Council
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MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

January 12, 2004

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 January 12, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.  Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson, and Wack; Planning and Public Works Director Beyard; City Treasurer Urban; City Attorney Walsh; Police Chief Spaulding; and City Clerk Taylor were present.

MINUTES:

Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Minutes of the Meeting of December 22, 2003 were approved.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

The Consent Calendar consisted of approval of building improvements to the Carroll Arts Center and approval of renaming the current Broadway Alley to “Paide Way.” On Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, the Consent Calendar was approved.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

Recognized Bob Cumberland, the new Westminster Fire Company President.

Commended Chief Spaulding and the Police Department for solving work on a recent homicide case.

Thanked staff and the Arts Council Director for their work on the swearing in ceremony of Chief Spaulding.

Wished everyone in attendance a happy New Year.

  REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Mr. Ferguson summarized the schedule for preparation of the Fiscal Year 2005
Budget.  The Budget is scheduled for adoption on May 10, 2004.  He requested his colleagues
to mark their calendars.

Mr. Ferguson reported that the Greater Westminster Development Corporation will
sponsor a “Get-to-Know the Chief” Open House on January 31, 2004 at the John Street
Quarters from 1-4 p.m.  The public is invited.

Mr. Chiavacci formally welcomed Chief Spaulding to his first Mayor and Common
Council Meeting.  Mr. Chiavacci and Council President Halstad commended the Chief for his
work and Major Brewer for holding a Community Forum to gather information about a recent
homicide.

Mr. Chiavacci complimented the Department of Finance and the Department of Planning
and Public Works, along with their staffs, for their work on the Sewer Financial Assessment.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Council President Halstad summarized Resolution No. R03-24 – Rescission of Water
Allocation Policy.  Dr. Wack moved to adopt the Ordinance.  Mr. Ferguson seconded,
and the Motion passed unanimously.

At Council President Halstad’s request, Mr. Beyard discussed Resolution No. R03-25 –
Center Street Station Annexation (No. 54).  The subdivision consists of three parcels.  Two are
unimproved and a Texas Roadhouse occupies the third.  The restaurant has agreed to annex
its  parcel into the City.  The Developer has agreed to fund up to $85,000 for a new traffic
signal at the corner.  Mr. Chiavacci and Mayor Dayhoff congratulated Mr. Beyard and Mr.
Siders for obtaining consent to the annexation.  Upon Motion by Dr. Wack, seconded
by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Resolution was introduced.

Council President Halstad announced that Ordinance No. 710 – Mixed Use Infill Zone –had been amended since its introduction to provide for modification of design standards; to delete the maximum area for coffee houses, and to add a map identifying properties for which the zone is appropriate.  Mr. Beyard explained that the Ordinance applies to the Route 27 corridor, not to Pennsylvania Avenue.  Mr. Ferguson noted that the map clarifies that the zone will only be allowed in the Route 27 corridor.  Mr. Walsh advised that changes to the map would require a text amendment.    Dr. Wack moved to adopt the Ordinance.  Mr. Ferguson seconded, and the Motion passed unanimously.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Mr. Urban advised that all employees have submitted their annual health insurance enrollment forms. 

Mr. Urban noted that several training sessions for the new Deferred Compensation took place during December and early January and that the Third-Party Administrator subsequently sent a representative to meet with employees individually. 

Chief Spaulding thanked everyone for welcoming him.  He noted that a homicide investigation closed successfully on the preceding Friday.  The Chief thanked the State Police, the State’s Attorney’s Office, Lieutenant Wayne Mann and Corporal Andrew Hundertmark.  The Chief added that three separate armed robbery and burglary cases were solved as a result of leads that came in during the homicide investigation.  He gave credit to all of the citizens who came forward with information for helping to solve the crimes.  The Chief urged citizens having information to continue to come forward.

Mr. Beyard noted that recent police raids uncovered Property Maintenance Code violations.  Two units have been condemned.  He thanked the Chief and City Police for their cooperation.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

City resident Josephine Velazquez stated her concern that emergency response vehicles drive too fast on Pennsylvania Avenue.

City resident Rebekah Orenstein requested an additional crosswalk on Pennsylvania
Avenue.  She complained that City government is functioning inadequately. 

In response to a question from City resident Tom Smith, Mr. Beyard explained that the Board of Zoning Appeals will hear an appeal on January 28, 2004 from a determination by the Zoning Administrator that clinics are not allowed in the “D-B” Downtown Business Zone.

Council President Halstad adjourned the Meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk