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City Council
Minutes of City Council Meetings | Agenda for next City Council Meeting
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
February 23, 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 February 23, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson, and Wack; Planning and Development Manager Siders; Assistant Streets and Utilities Director Glass; City Treasurer Urban; City Attorney Walsh; Police Chief Spaulding; and City Clerk Taylor were present.
MINUTES:
Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Minutes of the Meetings of January 19 and February 9, 2004 were approved.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
The Consent Calendar consisted of conditional authorization to join an Electricity Purchasing Cooperative; approval of January Departmental Operating Reports; and approval of the allocation of the remainder of the cost of an electric seat. At the Council President’s request, Mr. Urban summarized the request for conditional authorization to join the Cooperative. Commercial electricity rates will become deregulated in June 2004, so the Chamber of Commerce has established a Cooperative in order to obtain the best possible rates. In response to a question from Mr. Chiavacci, Mr. Urban explained that members of the Cooperative must remain in it through the request for proposal process. However, the members may solicit individual proposals during that time and have no obligation to purchase energy through the Cooperative. The Mayor indicated that several questions need to be answered; the legislation authorizing such cooperatives is lengthy and complex.
Upon Motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, the Consent Calendar was approved.
REPORTS FROM MAYOR:
… Praised the Carroll County Children’s Chorus and the Estonian Group “Rondellus” for their concert the preceding Sunday.
… Noted that a meeting took place on February 17, 2004 to address the needs of the Spanish-speaking community and that the meetings would continue on a monthly basis.
… Announced the following upcoming meetings: an Economic Summit on March 13, 2004 and a meeting with the Board of County Commissioners on March 24 to discuss future improvements to Maryland Route No. 140.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:
Mr. Ferguson commended Mr. Glass and his staff for quickly resolving a
rain-related problem at the Carroll Arts Center.
Mr. Chiavacci complimented the Recreation Department on its many successful
programs and noted that the second annual Fallfest Gala would occur on April 5, 2004.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Michael L. Fowler, of the Constellation Energy Group, summarized work completed on infrastructure in the area of West Green and Anchor Streets. He noted that a written report would be submitted. Mr. Ferguson thanked him for his involvement.
At Mayor Dayhoff’s invitation, Mr. Fowler explained that Baltimore Gas and Electric Company encourages commercial customers with monthly bills above a certain amount to look closely at purchasing energy alone rather than through a cooperative, in order to avoid subsidizing smaller members of the cooperative.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Mr. Urban gave a synopsis of the City’s corporate credit card policy. He briefly discussed a report of the activities of the Finance Department during the preceding year.
Chief Spaulding noted that 13 local residents started the Citizens’ Academy program on February 19, 2004. He further reported that the Police Department Received $16,000 through Homeland Security for personal protective equipment.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
City resident Lori Graham noted that several Paide – Westminster T-Shirts were sold at the concert of Rondellus and the Children’s Chorus.
Council President Halstad adjourned the Meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk
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