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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
July 12, 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 July 12, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, and Ferguson; Assistant Streets and Utilities Director Glass; Police Chief Spaulding; City Treasurer Urban; City Attorney Walsh; and City Clerk Taylor were present.
MINUTES:
Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, the Minutes of the Meeting of June 14, 2004 (open and closed sessions) were approved as presented.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Mayor Dayhoff conducted a Public Hearing on Annexation No. 54 – Center Street Station. At the Mayor’s request, Mr. Siders explained that proposed Resolution No. 03-25 would annex 5.4521 acres of land located at the intersection of Cranberry Road and Center Street. The property, which will be zoned “B” Business, has received a favorable annexation recommendation from the Planning Commission. There being no further discussion, Mayor Dayhoff closed the Public Record and Hearing at 7:05 p.m.
Mayor Dayhoff next conducted a Public Hearing on Annexation No. 44 – International Senior Housing. Mr. Siders summarized the proposal: Resolution No. R04-2 would annex 8.4841 acres located at the intersection of Center Street and Gorsuch Road, of which 6.9421 acres would be zoned R-10,000 and 1.5339 acres would be zoned “B” Business. The County Commissioners have granted a waiver as to the latter zoning. The Planning Commission recommends in favor of the annexation. Attorney Clark Shaffer introduced representatives of the Shelter Group, Developer of the project, and noted that the property is well-suited for annexation. Mr. Shaffer requested that the effective date of the annexation be December 31, 2004. County resident Beatrice Wolfe complained that traffic is already hazardous at the intersection. Mayor Dayhoff closed the Public Record and Hearing at 7:13 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mr. Chiavacci moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of approval of the May 2004 Departmental Operating Reports; authorization of expenditures for John Street; approval of Good Cause Waiver No. GCW04-05; and approval of an Entry Agreement, Waiver of Compensation, and Agreement to Execute Deed of Donation to the State Highway Administration of the Maryland Department of Transportation. Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
BIDS:
Council President Halstad summarized bids received to purchase leak detection equipment. Of the three bids submitted, the apparent low bid was from Fluid Conservation Systems, Inc. of Milford, Ohio in the amount of $35,000.00 Upon Motion by Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the bid was accepted.
Council President Halstad summarized a bid by Nextira One, LLC, the City’s current service provider for the City’s phone hardware, to provide a new server and voice mail upgrades. Mr. Urban explained that acquiring the items from any other vendor would require the City to replace the entire system and cost considerably more. As a result, he concluded that the transaction qualified as a sole source procurement. Upon Motion by Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed, the bid of Nextira One, LLC, in the amount of $67,373.99 was accepted.
Council President Halstad summarized the two bids received for the Annual Roadway Paving Contract. Charles J. Miller, Inc. of Hampstead, Maryland submitted the apparent low bid in the amount of $729,960.00. Mr. Siders advised that the expected completion date of the work was November 15, 2004. Mr. Chiavacci pointed out that the bid amount was $20,000 less than the amount reserved in the City Budget. He complimented Mr. Ferguson and staff for increasing the amount of work in the current year in order to save additional work costs in succeeding years. Mr. Ferguson moved to accept the bid. Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS FROM MAYOR:
… Noted that Mayor Indrek Kivimae of Paide, sister city to Westminster, enjoyed a very successful visit to Westminster.
… Advised that the Maryland Municipal League Convention went well and included a good presentation by Mayor Kivimae and Mr. Beyard.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:
Mr. Ferguson complimented the Mayor on his success in obtaining the State’s
agreement to place a hazard beacon at the crosswalk on Railroad Avenue and Emerald Hill
Lane.
Mayor Dayhoff observed that Dr. Wack did an excellent job with the Corbit’s Charge
Commemoration. The Mayor also complimented the Westminster City Band on its
collaboration with the Westminster Fire Company in the construction of 40 John Street.
Mr. Chiavacci encouraged those present to attend the Sunday Concerts in the Park.
He also thanked Chief Spaulding and the Fire Company for an educational brochure
concerning terrorism and detecting suspicious activity.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:
Upon Motion by Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, Resolution No. R03-25 – Annexation No. 54 was adopted.
Upon Motion by Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, Resolution No. 04-2 – Annexation No. 44 was adopted with an amendment making the effective date of the Annexation December 31, 2004.
Council President Halstad summarized proposed Ordinance No. 718 – Parking Facilities in the Central Business Zone and Downtown Parking Area. The Ordinance provides for a twenty-five percent reduction in the number of spaces required or a payment-in-lieu fee in downtown areas delineated on a map. With the opening of the parking garages, parking has become adequate. The Greater Westminster Development Corporation supports the Ordinance. Mr. Ferguson noted that the Ordinance benefits both the City and business owners, especially from Longwell to Bond Street. Mr. Chiavacci moved to introduce the Ordinance. Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Spaulding summarized proposed Ordinance No. 717 – Parking in Cul-de-Sacs. The Ordinance would amend Section 155-21 of the Westminster City Code to allow nose-in parking in certain cul-de-sacs, alleviating a shortage of space in those areas. Upon Motion by Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Ordinance was introduced.
Council President Halstad summarized proposed Ordinance No. 719 – Disorderly House Nuisances. The Ordinance had been discussed at a meeting of the Mayor and Common Council on March 22, 2004. Subsequently, Council President Halstad met with a group of interested persons to discuss and revise the Ordinance. The Greater Westminster Development Corporation has passed a resolution indicating its agreement in principle with the Ordinance. The Ordinance would apply to several kinds of infractions, e.g., criminal, zoning, and animal control. The City would prosecute offending owners or occupants only if the conciliation process established in the Ordinance fails. In response to questions from Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Chiavacci, Mr. Siders and Chief Spaulding explained that information will be actively shared among Departments. Mrs. Albert moved to introduce the Ordinance. Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Council President Halstad summarized Resolution No. R04-6 – Reimbursement of Expenditures – New Water Treatment Plant. Upon Motion by Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mrs. Albert and unanimously passed, the Resolution was introduced.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Siders summarized a Deed for the City to accept water, sewer, and related infrastructure in the Meadow Ridge subdivision. Upon Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, the Deed was accepted.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
Chief Spaulding reported that the F.B.I. invited the Westminster City Police Department to send one officer to the 11-week National Academy. He added that it is an honor to be invited. Mr. Chiavacci congratulated the Chief.
In response to a question from Council President Chiavacci, Chief Spaulding reported that local governments are becoming more involved in Homeland Security. Mayor Dayhoff asked the Chief to have educational information about terrorism and identification of potential terrorists posted on the City website.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
President Bob Cumberland of the Westminster Fire and Hose Company thanked Chief Spaulding for conducting a joint training session in June. He observed that interaction between the Fire Company and Police Department has increased considerably in recent months. President Cumberland added that the Fire Company is establishing a system to track various weapons used by terrorists.
City resident George Fringer complained about the lack of public transportation. He noted that landlords do not consistently enforce their leases. Mr. Fringer also reported that he is writing a column about Westminster during the 1940’s and encouraged the sharing with him of memories from that era.
City residents Deborah Edwards and Ken Warren and County resident Beatrice Wolfe complained about a lack of accessibility on City streets and sidewalks. Ms. Edwards agreed that she would furnish a list to the Mayor of inaccessible locations.
City resident Josephine Velazquez thanked the Mayor and Common Council for helping with the third annual Pennsylvania Block Party, which would occur on Sunday, July 18, 2004.
City resident Rebekah Orenstein complained about dumping of white goods and other items behind houses on Pennsylvania Avenue. Chief Spaulding encouraged residents to call the Police when they see such things. Ms. Orenstein thanked the police for their work on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Mayor Dayhoff welcomed Megan Wilkes of the Westminster Eagle.
Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk
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