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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

April 26, 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 April 26, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.  Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson, and Wack; Planning and Public Works Director Beyard; Police Chief Spaulding; City Treasurer Urban; City Attorney Walsh; 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 April 12, 2004 were approved as presented.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

Mr. Ferguson moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of approval of the March 2004 Departmental Operating Reports; approval of the Minutes of the Closed Meeting of April 12, 2004, and authorization for the Mayor to approve the cooperative purchase of electricity based on the Committee’s recommendation.  Mrs. Albert seconded, and the Motion passed unanimously.  

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:

Council President Halstad introduced Frank Johnson, liaison to Carroll County Commissioner Julia Gouge.  On behalf of the Council of Governments, Mr. Johnson reported that a meeting would occur on April 29, 2004, to address overall concerns about growth in the County and municipalities.  He emphasized the need for information sharing and cooperation.  Mr. Chiavacci commented upon the importance of furnishing developers and property owners with timely and valid information about their ability to proceed with projects.  Mayor Dayhoff agreed with Mr. Chiavacci, noting that the City had managed its growth successfully for some time, yet growth in the County had greatly impacted the City.  Mr. Chiavacci, Mayor Dayhoff, and Council President Halstad noted their support of the discussion and thanked Mr. Johnson.

BIDS:

At Council President Halstad’s request, Mr. Beyard advised that the City Budget contains funds for the replacement of a septage facility belt filter press feed pump at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Three bids were timely received, and staff recommended acceptance of the low bid in the amount of $7,995.00 by Envirep, Inc. of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.  On Motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed, the bid of Envirep, Inc. was accepted.

Mr. Beyard next summarized a proposal from Stearns and Wheler, LLC for an extension of services approved in earlier agreements for design of the Westminster Wastewater Treatment Plant Chlorination/Dechlorination Replacement Project.  Staff recommended acceptance of the proposal, which would cost $40,497.53.  Mr. Ferguson moved to accept the proposal.  Mrs. Albert seconded and the proposal passed unanimously. 

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

…            Complimented the Police and Street Departments for coordinating safety and traffic during the Main Street Mile on April 14, 2004, in which some 525 people participated.

  …      Listed upcoming events:  the Flower and Jazz Festival on May 8, 2004; Special Olympics on April 28, 2004, at which he and Chief Spaulding would help; and Arbor Day on April 30, 2004.

…            Reported that Carroll Lutheran Village, Inc. held a very successful groundbreaking ceremony for its $67 million expansion project.  Council President Halstad and Mr. Ferguson also complimented the facility on the ceremony and project.  Mr. Chiavacci thanked the Council and City staff for their support.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Mr. Chiavacci acknowledged that the Police Department would be organizing a local “Law Enforcement Torch Run” in Carroll County to raise public awareness for Special Olympics.  Chief Spaulding indicated that the Torch Run would take place at various sites around the County, to include Westminster, On June 3.  Chief Spaulding will provide the Council with additional details when they become available. 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Council President Halstad commented that preparation of the Budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year was particularly difficult.  The Public Hearing would occur on Monday, May 3, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.  Mayor Dayhoff summarized recent changes to the draft Budget.  He noted that there is much discussion throughout the State about finding revenues.  If revenues don’t increase, it may be necessary to increase property taxes next year.   However, no increase is proposed this year.  He thanked Mr. Urban, Mr. Ferguson, Mrs. Albert, and the Department Heads for their work on the proposed Budget.

Mr. Ferguson noted that the City would have sufficient information in January or February of 2005 to project the overall picture for the 2006 Fiscal Year.  In response to a question from Dr. Wack, Mr. Urban stated that it was very unlikely that the City would see enough revenue increases in the upcoming year to escape the need to raise taxes.  Council President Halstad noted that the bottom line was that the City would not raise taxes for the 2005 Fiscal Year. 

Mayor Dayhoff remarked that, except for a $16,000 grant, the City has not received any money for Homeland Defense, even though the program has increased City expenses by some $700,000.

Mr. Ferguson moved to introduce the Budget for Fiscal Year 2004-2005 and the Capital Improvement Program.  Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.  Mr. Ferguson moved to introduce Ordinance No. 713 – Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2004-2005.  Upon Mrs. Albert’s second, the Motion passed unanimously.     

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Chief Spaulding reported that the Department monitored crosswalks for 57 hours in early April.  During 30 of those hours, no violations were observed.  During the monitoring period, 5 citations – none for crosswalk violations – and 6 warnings were written.  He noted the Police would continue to place periodic emphasis on crosswalk enforcement, particularly during those periods of moderate weather when there are more pedestrians.  The Chief further reported that the Police were using the new parking enforcement equipment.

Mr. Beyard advised that Maryland Route No. 27 would be closed at Maryland Route No. 140 at for five consecutive nights in early May in order to accommodate work requiring a large crane.  He also thanked staff for working on the relocation of sewer lines in that vicinity overnight on the preceding Saturday. 

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Council President Halstad welcomed Scout Troop 630 and asked the members to introduce themselves. 

County resident Bea Wolfe noted her displeasure at the departure of the Pennsylvania Dutch Farmer’s Market and drivers at the Town Mall.

City resident Joe Mish commended the Mayor, Mr. Ferguson, and Mr. Urban for their work on the Budget.

Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk