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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

May 24, 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 24, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.  Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, 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 Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Minutes of the Meeting of May 10, 2004 (open and closed sessions) were approved as presented.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

Mr. Chiavacci moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of approval of amendments to the fee structure for parking meter bags and stands; approval of the April Departmental Operating Reports; and approval of the appointment of special counsel.  Dr. Wack seconded, and the Motion passed unanimously. 

BIDS:

Council President Halstad summarized bids to furnish 14 trash receptacles for downtown.  Staff recommended acceptance of the apparent low bid by Victor Stanley, Inc. of Dunkirk, Maryland in the amount of $7,524.00.  Upon Motion by Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the bid was accepted.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

…        Described the Torch Run to be held June 3, 2004, in conjunction with the Special Olympics.

  …      Noted that Mr. Ruchlewicz would host a Main Street Seminar on May 27, 2004 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

…         Reported that Mr. Ruchlewicz attended the National Main Street Convention in New Mexico.

…         Advised that the Chesapeake Antique Fire Apparatus Parade would take place on May 29 and that the Memorial Day Parade would occur two days later, on May 31.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Council President Halstad welcomed Eric Vohr and Greg Guenthner of the Carroll County Times.

Mrs. Albert reported that the Pennsylvania Avenue Lighting Committee met on May 20, 2004 for a briefing on the tentative design and schedule.  A public meeting will take place in June.  Mr. Chiavacci noted the importance of the project and the need for it to move forward expeditiously. 

Mr. Chiavacci advised that contractors for Wakefield Overlook at Carroll Lutheran Village had met with representatives of the police and fire departments to ensure that safety requirements were being met. 

At Mr. Chiavacci’s request, Fire Company President Cumberland explained that the Company’s Insurance Service Office rating had improved from 5-9 to 5-8.  As a result, the insurance premium would be reduced.  Council President Halstad and Mr. Chiavacci commended the Fire Company and the Department of Public Works.

Dr. Wack advised that the Cable Commission would meet on May 27 and that a productive meeting with Adelphia had taken place. 

Dr. Wack thanked Mr. Beyard and Mr. Bloom for responding swiftly to a complaint about conditions around a Civil War marker. 

Dr. Wack summarized the commemoration of Corbit’s Charge scheduled for June 26 and June 27, 2004.  Among other things, the event would include an encampment, a ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on June 27, and expanded displays and music.  Dr. Wack thanked Mr. Ruchlewicz and those volunteering to help with the event.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:     

At Council President Halstad’s request, Mr. Walsh summarized Resolution No. R04-4, which would allow the reimbursement by debt proceeds of funds expended on various public improvement projects listed on Attachment A to the Resolution.   Mr. Walsh explained that the Resolution in no way committed the City to borrowing funds.  Mr. Chiavacci observed that the process was typical.  Dr. Wack moved to introduce the Resolution.  Mr. Chiavacci seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mayor Dayhoff announced the reappointment of Joseph Barley to the Tree Commission.  Upon Motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously approved, the reappointment was confirmed.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Chief Spaulding noted that, at the ceremony following the Torch Run, some of the Special Olympics athletes would be sworn in as special police officers.

Council President Halstad reported that he, the Chief, and Mr. Beyard met with the Disorderly House Ordinance Committee.  Landlords and citizens also participated.  Mr. Beyard advised that the current draft of the Ordinance is on the City website.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

City residents Doris and George Fringer complained about the lack of public transportation.  Mayor Dayhoff responded that he would contact the Chief of the County Bureau of Aging. 

City resident Joe Mish complained about the intersection at West Main Street and Old New Windsor Road.  Mayor Dayhoff responded that he and staff were studying the situation.

City resident Lori Graham thanked the City for supplying flowers for boxes on West Main Street.

City resident Rebekah Orenstein suggested various traffic calming measures on Pennsylvania Avenue.  Mr. Chiavacci advised her that traffic calming measures for the area are in the planning stages and that citizen input is desired.

Ms. Orenstein complained about City expenditures for legal fees.

Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk