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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
May 10, 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 May 10, 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.
At the request of Mayor Dayhoff, Chief Spaulding presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Ms. Barbara Phillips, Ms. Virginia Stoner, and Ms. Ethel Hughes of the Women’s Fellowship of the Meadow Branch Church of the Brethren, in recognition of their donations of handmade quilts for use by children involved in accidents or other emergencies.
MINUTES:
Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Minutes of the Meeting of April 26, 2004 were approved as presented.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
Mayor Dayhoff made the following appointments, subject to confirmation:
Historic District Commission: Susan Thomas, for a three-year term.
Planning and Zoning Commission: Lori Graham, for a five-year term.
Tree Commission: Jay Bogash, for a three-year term
Board of Zoning Appeals: Gary Beard, for a three-year term; Vinnie Legge, for a three-
year term; Ed Cramer, for a three-year term, and Robin Kable as alternate, for a three-
year term.
The Mayor thanked Mr. Beard, Mr. Zendgraft, and Ms. Graham for attending. On Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the appointments were confirmed.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mr. Ferguson moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of approval of the replacement of parking meters in front of 11 East Main Street; approval of additional work for stormwater management by Century Engineering; approval of Good Cause Waivers No. GCW 04-02, GCW 04-03, and GCW 04-04; approval of a special, one-time exception for carryover leave; and approval of a proposal of audit services by Rager, Lehman, and Houck. Mr. Chiavacci seconded, and the Motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS FROM MAYOR:
… Noted that the father of Assistant Public Works Director Glass had passed away.
… Reported that he, Chief Spaulding and several others attended the Special Olympics.
… Complimented McDaniel College on the dedication of the Memorial Arch.
… Advised that Mr. Ruchlewicz would host a Main Street Seminar on May 27, 2004.
… Noted that Main Street Maryland held its annual awards banquet on April 30, 2004. The City, the Carroll County Arts Council, and Mark Ritter of United Home Savings in Westminster all received awards.
… Commented on the success of the Flower and Jazz Festival.
… Advised that the Minority Health Fair was held at the Senior Center on May 1, 2004.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:
Mr. Ferguson reported that the Electricity Purchasing Cooperative only received one bid to furnish electricity, and that the rate bid was not below the rate of the Provider of Last Resort (“POLR”). As a result, the bid was not accepted. Instead, the market would be watched and, if rates fall, the cooperative will attempt to lock in at a better rate than that offered by the POLR. The POLR rate is 40 percent higher than the current rate. The Mayor and Mr. Ferguson observed that City employees will need to conserve.
Council President Halstad noted that the Daily Record had recently published articles about the financial outlook for government and about Dr. Joan Coley, president of McDaniel College.
Mayor Dayhoff recognized Scout Troop No. 393.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:
Mr. Ferguson moved to adopt Ordinance No. 713 – Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2004-2005. Upon Mrs. Albert’s second, the Motion passed unanimously.
At Council President Halstad’s request, Mr. Beyard described Ordinances No. 714, No. 715, and No. 716. At the November 15, 2003 Growth Workshop, staff was directed to review water, sewer, and special capital benefit assessment fees as a result of previous and future upgrades to the City’s infrastructure. Staff developed a revised fee for each category based upon methodology developed by Tischler & Associates, Inc. Proposed Ordinance No. 714 would increase the water benefit assessment from $3,300 to $4,370. The increase is largely attributable to proposed projects for the water system. Proposed Ordinance No. 715 would raise the sewer benefit assessment fee from $2,750 to $4,580. The increase is recommended because of several major upgrades to the City sewer system over a period of time when the fee was not adjusted to account for the expenditures. Proposed Ordinance No. 716 would raise the special capital benefit assessment from $2,100 to $3,200. The increase is due to past and proposed significant investment in the City’s infrastructure.
Staff recommended that the fee changes not take effect until January 1, 2005. Anyone applying for a building permit before that date would be grandfathered. The proposed changes would be advertised and distributed throughout the business community, leaving ample time for public input and response. Mrs. Albert moved to introduce all three Ordinances. Mr. Chiavacci seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Dr. Wack moved to adopt the Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Budget and the 2004-2005 – 2009-2010 Capital Improvements Plan. Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mrs. Albert moved to conduct a closed meeting following the regular meeting in order to discuss potential acquisition of land, pursuant to Section 10-508(a)(3) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Council President Halstad advised that the Common Council reserved the right to reconvene following the closed session.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Chief Spaulding reported that Officer Lambert would complete his training on Thursday, May 13, 2004, and be out in the field in approximately one month.
On a matter of personal privilege, Mr. Chiavacci thanked the Mayor and Common Council for the successful bond sale for Carroll Lutheran Village, Inc.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
Mr. Beyard informed City resident Ken Warren that he would look into repairing a gap outside of 38 Pennsylvania Avenue.
City resident Lori Graham expressed appreciation for her appointment to the Planning Commission and wished all present a happy Law Enforcement Week.
City resident Rebekah Orenstein complimented outgoing Planning Commission Member Larry Wiskeman and outgoing Board of Zoning Appeals Member Romeo Valianti. Council President Halstad formally thanked them.
Chief Spaulding advised Ms. Orenstein that he would speak to a local contractor about speeding on Pennsylvania Avenue. City resident Josephine Velazquez stated that she would like a speed bump on Pennsylvania Avenue. Mr. Chiavacci advised that the lighting issue was close to being resolved and that traffic calming was also under consideration. Mr. Beyard noted that a community meeting concerning traffic calming would be held, with flyers distributed in advance.
City resident George Fringer thanked Mayor Dayhoff for meeting with him and his wife concerning public transportation and the problems experienced by them. He also noted the difficulty he encountered crossing Main Street near Carroll Street.
Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
Council President Halstad reconvened the open meeting at 8:47 p.m. Present were Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson, and Wack; Planning and Public Works Director Beyard; City Comptroller Urban; City Attorney Walsh; Housing and Community Development Manager Blandford; and City Clerk Taylor. At that time, Dr. Wack moved to approve the appropriation of $100,000 of RALF funds in accordance with the approved Fiscal Year Budget to support the Community Development Program The funds would be used for the Town Center Corporation to purchase a duplex on Union Street for rehabilitation in order to increase home ownership in the Pennsylvania Avenue area. Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:52 p.m.
Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk
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