|
City Council
Minutes of City Council Meetings | Agenda for next City Council Meeting
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
March 22, 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 March 22, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson and Wack; Department Heads Beyard and Urban; City Attorney Walsh; and Police Chief Spaulding were present.
On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci, the Minutes of the Meeting of March 8, 2004 were approved as presented.
Public Hearings:
Mayor Dayhoff conducted a public hearing on the Amended Development Plan for the Westminster Technology Park. Mr. Siders summarized this 56.7619 acre project located near the intersection of MD Route 97(N) and Magna Way. Mr. Siders stated that this amended development plan is being presented to The Mayor and Common Council for its consideration because the approval time period had expired on the previously approved plan and Independence Way is not proposed to connect to the property located to the north of this property as previously approved. Mr. Siders stated that because the developer is proposing a new connection to MD Route 97(N), it is necessary to make extensive improvements to MD Route 97. Mr. Siders noted that the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission offered a favorable recommendation to The Mayor and Common Council for its consideration.
The Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 7:22 and closed the public record as well.
Consent Calendar
On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack, the consent calendar was approved as presented which consisted of the appointment of Bond Counsel and the February 2004 Departmental Operating Reports
Reports from the Mayor:
… Welcomed a local Girl Scout troop working on merit badge requirements;
… Provided a summary of the Economic Summit held on March 13, 2004;
… Noted that GWDC would be working on making a recommendation to The Mayor and Common Council regarding parking permits in downtown Westminster;
… Noted that the Chamber of Commerce awarded three local businesses for their excellence. Those businesses were Dean Robert Camlin and Associates, Shelter Systems Unlimited and Intellitech;
… Noted that Dr. Ecker requested a meeting with The Mayor and Common Council to discuss overcrowding at North Carroll High School;
… Noted that The Mayor and Common Council will be meeting with the Board of County Commissioners of Carroll County and the State Highway Administration to discuss proposed alternates to the MD Route 140 Corridor;
… Noted that Tony D’Eugenio had passed away and sent his condolences to his family;
… Noted that the Ward Memorial Arch is under construction at McDaniel College
Reports from Standing Committees:
Mr. Chiavacci thanked those involved in the Economic Summit.
Mr. Chiavacci noted that he wanted to keep the momentum on the “Ferguson” Plan to redevelop the MD Route 27 Corridor.
Mr. Halstad noted that the Westminster Town Center Corporation needs to determine whether or not it wants to acquire and hold property.
Mayor Dayhoff noted that he concurred with possibly declaring some of the existing City facilities in and around downtown as surplus for potential redevelopment.
Mrs. Albert thanked the staff for the monthly operating reports.
Mr. Ferguson announced that Finance Director Urban had been accepted to the Who’s Who list of Professionals.
Mr. Chiavacci congratulated the Chief on his presentation at the Economic Summit. Mr. Chiavacci noted that the City cannot possibly enforce its way out of every problem and to solve many problems will involve cooperation with the City’s residents.
Dr. Wack noted that the Carroll County Regulatory Commission would be meeting on March 25, 2004 to discuss alternative actions to enforce the Cable Franchise Agreement with Adelphia.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:
Mr. Walsh summarized Resolution No. R04-3 – Maryland Economic Development Revenue Bonds (Carroll Lutheran Village, Inc.) Series 2004. Dr. Wack asked about the economic impact of Carroll Lutheran Village on the City of Westminster. Carroll Lutheran Village President and C.E.O. Mr. Geary Milliken stated that CLV employs approximately 130 employees and has 500 residents. Mr. Milliken noted that much of the property also pays property taxes. On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack, Resolution No. R04-3 was unanimously introduced for consideration. Mr. Chiavacci noted that he would recuse himself from any discussion and vote on this matter. Council President Halstad and Mr. Ferguson noted their abstention from any vote. Mr. Halstad noted that a public hearing on this item would be scheduled to be conducted by The Mayor and Common Council at its meeting of April 12, 2004.
NEW BUSINESS:
On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack, The Mayor and Common Council unanimously accepted the Letter of Intent from Carroll Lutheran Village, Inc. Mr. Chiavacci noted that he would recuse himself from any discussion and vote on this matter. Council President Halstad and Mr. Ferguson noted their abstention from any vote.
On motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci, The Mayor and Common Council unanimously approved the Amended Development Plan and Decision for the Westminster Technology Park.
Mr. Beyard summarized the Disorderly Nuisance Proposal. Mr. Beyard stated this proposal is modeled after a statute in Manhattan, Kansas which houses Kansas State University. Mr. Beyard stated that this proposal if adopted would target nuisance properties while offering flexibility with respect to what activities must occur on site in order for a property to be designated as a nuisance. Mr. Beyard stated that this proposal is in draft form and simply provided it to The Mayor and Common Council to generate discussion and to determine if staff was pursuing an appropriate alternative to licensing.
Mr. Chiavacci stated that if this would be used as another tool for the City to target nuisance properties while not pursuing licensing then it would certainly merit further discussion.
Dr. Wack stated that he agreed with Mr. Chiavacci and noted that the procedures should be very clear.
Mayor Dayhoff noted that he had a conversation with the President of the Carroll County Landlords Association to discuss this proposal and indicated that they have some good ideas worthy of further of consideration.
Mrs. Albert stated that this proposal has merit and will have provide the City with another alternative to target nuisance properties.
Mr. Ferguson suggested that an ad hoc committee should be appointed to discuss the proposal further. Mr. Ferguson noted that the proposal is worthy of further discussion and should include a comprehensive group to consider all perspectives.
Mr. Chiavacci suggested that the Council President appoint a Committee.
Dr. Wack noted that a process should be set forth that will solve problems collaboratively when possible.
Council President Halstad noted that this proposal is a good moderate step and thought the proposal was probably 80% complete as presented.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Mr. Beyard noted that the Pennsylvania Avenue Street Lights are under design and a community meeting will be held this Spring.
Mr. Beyard noted that City staff would work to have a request for proposals distributed to implement the “Ferguson” Plan in late Spring to early Summer 2004.
Mr. Beyard noted that memorandum regarding water supplies had been distributed to The Mayor and Common Council. In that regard, Mr. Beyard stated that water reuse is very difficult and expensive but may be a viable long term solution.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
Council President Halstad welcomed former Common Council member Mr. William Haifley. Mr. Haifley spoke in support of the Disorderly House Nuisance Proposal. Further, Mr. Haifley offered his assistance to The Mayor and Common Council.
Mr. Russ Arenz, President, Carroll County Landlords Association pledged his organization’s support to working with the City to create a useful tool to target nuisance properties.
Ms. Josie O’Neil with the Carroll County Landlords Association thanked The Mayor and Common Council for its consideration in including the CCLA in its discussions of the Disorderly House Nuisance Proposal.
Ms. Peggy Dean with the Carroll County Landlords Association noted that it would be helpful to have a map that indicates areas with high concentrations of nuisance activities. The Chief indicated that would be difficult to provide at this time, however, the Westminster Police Department is updating its technology and that will assist in the appropriate assignment of staff in the future.
Mr. Joe Caelin with the Carroll County Landlords Association encouraged continued cooperation.
Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shawn Siders
|
