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MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

June 14, 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 June 14, 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 Westminster City Police Chief Spaulding were present. 

Minutes:

On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack, the Minutes of the Meetings of May 24, 2004 were approved as presented.

Public Hearing:

At 7:05 p.m., Mayor Dayhoff opened the Public Hearing regarding the 2004 City of Westminster Comprehensive Plan.  Mr. Siders summarized the proposed plan and indicated that the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission had approved the plan at its meeting of May 13, 2004.  Ms. Bonnie Grady and Mr. Edmund Cuemann, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce commended The Mayor and Common Council for not deleting the Westminster By-Pass from the Comprehensive Plan.  Ms. Grady and Mr. Cuemann spoke in support of resurrecting the discussion with the State Highway Administration.  Mr. Chiavacci agreed and stated that he wanted to be clear that The Mayor and Common Council support the concept of the Westminster By-Pass.  Mr. Ferguson noted that The Mayor and Common Council have scheduled a meeting with the Board of County Commissioners to discuss the proposed alternatives to MD Route 140 and the Westminster By-Pass.  Mayor Dayhoff closed the public hearing and public comment period at 7:39 p.m.

Consent Calendar

On motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Dr. Wack, the Consent Calendar was approved consisting of the acceptance of a U.S. Department of State Grant; FY 2004-05 Budget Amendment for Personnel, Compensation of Canine Handlers and the Purchase of a Police Car; and the approval of additional services for GRC, Inc. to complete service repairs for the Carroll Theater roof drains.

Reports from the Mayor:

…        Mayor Dayhoff read a proclamation proclaiming June 2004 as Homeownership Month. 

…        Noted that the City had contracted with Washington Gas Electric to provide electric service

…        Noted that Nikki Huer was named Westminster Optimist Officer of the Year

…        Noted that Westminster Union Bank and the City’s Office of Economic Development hosted a downtown seminar

…        Noted that the Antique Fire Apparatus parade was successful

…        Noted that the Memorial Day celebration was well attended

…        Noted that the Torch Run was a success

…        Noted that Summer Slam was a success on the top deck of the Longwell Parking Garage

…        Noted that the PA Avenue Community Meeting regarding lighting was successful

…        Noted that Mr. Beyard had been promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant in the MD Army National Guard

Reports from Standing Committees:

Dr. Wack noted that that Cable Regulatory Commission had rescheduled its meeting to July 25, 2004

Dr. Wack noted that the final planning for Corbitt’s Charge was on track and the celebration will encompass two days of activities.  Those dates are June 26 and June 27, 2004.   

BIDS:

Council President Halstad summarized the bid from WATEK, Inc. to complete the engineering services and design work for the new water treatment plant.  On motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mrs. Albert, the bid was approved. 

Mr. Beyard summarized the need for separate fire alarm monitoring at the Westminster Square Parking Garage.  On motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the bid of J. Randal Sprinkler and Alarm Service was approved.

Mr. Beyard summarized the need for additional funds for the sanitary sewer replacement project currently under contract with the Matricciani Company.  On motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Dr. Wack, the additional work for the sanitary sewer trunk replacement was approved. 

Mr. Beyard summarized the need for the replacement Blower No. 5 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  On motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Dr. Wack, the bid was awarded to Kaeser Compressors of Baltimore. 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

On motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Dr. Wack, the final adoption of Resolution No. R04-4 was approved. 

Mr. Halstad summarized Ordinance Nos. 714, 715 and 716 Adjustments to Water, Sewer and Special Capital Benefit Assessments.  Mr. Halstad noted that the GWDC had sent a letter supporting the increase in fees.  Mr. Beyard noted that these ordinances would reduce the percentage that redevelopment pays compared to new development.  It will be decreased to seventy five percent (75%) if the ordinances are approved.  On motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mrs. Albert, Ordinance Nos. 714, 715 and 716 Adjustments to Water, Sewer and Special Capital Benefit Assessments were approved. 

Mr. Halstad summarized Resolution No. R04-5 Adoption of City of Westminster Comprehensive Plan.  On motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Dr. Wack, the Rules of Order and Procedure were suspended to initiate immediate action on the resolution.  On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack, Resolution R04-5 Adoption of City of Westminster Comprehensive Plan was approved. 

Mr. Ruchlewicz summarized Resolution No. R04-6 Resolution of Support of Town Center Corporation Façade Improvement Program.  Mr. Ruchlewicz noted that additional funds had been made available from the State of Maryland and it was necessary to file an application with this resolution of support.  On motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the Rules of Order and Procedure were suspended to initiate immediate action on the resolution.  On motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mrs. Albert, Resolution No. R04-6 Support of Town Center Corporation Façade Improvement Program was approved. 

NEW BUSINESS:

On motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the meeting of The Mayor and Common Council of June 28, 2004 was cancelled.

On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci, The Mayor and Common Council closed the meeting immediately following all regularly scheduled items to confer with legal counsel. 

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Ms. Josephine Velazquez of 59 Pennsylvania Avenue requested the City’s assistance to hold a PA Avenue Block Party.  The Mayor and Common Council noted their support of this activity. 

Ms. Rebecca Orenstein of 64 Pennsylvania Avenue noted that vehicles on PA Avenue are starting to slow down.  Ms. Orenstein thanked the Chief for his department’s vigilance on this matter. 

Ms. Orenstein stated that The Mayor and Common Council should consider requiring recycling for downtown businesses.  Mayor Dayhoff noted that he would seek advice from other municipalities at the MML Convention. 

Ms. Beatrice Wolf of 520 Treamont Drive, Apt. C stated that the Mayor should consider giving a proclamation to Mr. Edwards on Veteran’s Day.  Mayor Dayhoff noted that if he had not already, he would during the next celebration. 

Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m. 

Shawn Siders