City Council
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MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

July 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 July 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; 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 July 12, 2004 were approved as presented.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

            Dr. Wack moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of approval of the June 2004 Departmental Operating Reports.  Mr. Chiavacci seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

BIDS:

            Council President Halstad summarized bids received to sell the City a portable asphalt milling/trenching, recycling machine with transport trailer for the Street Department.  On Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the bid of Asphalt Zipper of Pleasant Grove, Utah in the amount of $55,950.00 was accepted.

            Council President Halstad summarized bids received for a replacement vehicle for the Streets Department.  Bob Davidson Ford, Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland, submitted the apparent low bid, in the amount of $21,613.84. Upon Motion by Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the bid was accepted.

            REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

…       Noted that the asphalt milling machine would make street work more efficient.

  …            Commented on the success of the Pennsylvania Avenue Block Party.

…       Read a Proclamation making Tuesday, August 3, 2004 National Night Out.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

At the request of Mr. Ferguson, Sandy Oxx, Executive Director of the Carroll County Arts

Council, presented a report on the activities of the Arts Council.  Ms. Oxx stated that she would

provide the Mayor with a written copy of the report.  Mr. Chiavacci noted a recent article about

the relatively low level of crime in Carroll County.  He complimented the Press for articles

concerning an upcoming community meeting about possible gang activity in the City.

Mr. Chiavacci complimented staff on the success of the Concerts in the Park series.

Dr. Wack reported that he has received many compliments about Chief Spaulding and

the Police Department since the Chief’s arrival.  Council Halstad also complimented the Chief

and his staff.

Dr. Wack thanked staff and volunteers for their work on the Corbitt’s Charge Anniversary

Commemoration.

Dr. Wack advised that Adelphia and the Cable Regulatory Commission have settled

certain disputes through 2002.  However, litigation remains a possibility as to disputes arising

after 2002, including Adelphia’s refusal to honor its contractual commitment to renegotiate.

Council President Halstad reported that he had the opportunity to meet with the Sixth

Duke of Westminster, England and present him with souvenirs from the City.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:     

Council President Halstad summarized Ordinance No. 720 – Center Street Annexation Zoning.  The Ordinance will zone the recently-annexed property “B” Business.  On Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Ordinance was introduced.

Council President Halstad summarized Ordinance No. 721 – International Senior Housing (Westminster Mews) Zoning.  The Ordinance will rezone recently-annexed property as follows:  6.9421 acres into the City’s “R-10,000” zone and 1.5339 acres into the City’s “B” Business zone.  Mr. Beyard noted that a covenant between the Church of the Open Door and the Board of Education stipulates that the business-zoned portion can only be used for medical businesses or establishments that will otherwise serve the residents of the senior housing to be built on the residentially-zoned portion.  Upon Motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Ordinance was introduced.

Mrs. Albert moved to finally adopt Ordinance No. 717 – Parking in Cul-de-Sacs.  Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Council President Halstad summarized Ordinance No. 718 – Parking Facilities in the Central Business Zone and Downtown Parking Area.  Mr. Beyard noted that the Greater Westminster Development Corporation supports the Ordinance as a redevelopment tool.  He also noted that the Finance Department will adjust the maintenance fee annually.  Mr. Chiavacci moved to finally adopt the Ordinance.  Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Chiavacci moved to finally adopt Ordinance No. 719 – Disorderly House Nuisances.  Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Common Council adopted Resolution No. R04-6 – Reimbursement of Expenditures – New Water Treatment Plant.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Chief Spaulding reported that a meeting concerning possible gang activity would occur the following night at Union Memorial Baptist Church.  He also announced that Captain Kozak was retiring after 27 years in law enforcement, 23 of them with the Westminster Police Department.

Mr. Beyard advised that a presentation of State Highway proposed options for improvements to Md. Route No. 140 would take place at the Fire Hall at 7:00 p.m. on July 28, 2004.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

City resident Lori Graham reported that Local Heroes Day would occur on August 8, 2004 in Dutterer’s Park from 1-4 p.m. 

City resident George Fringer thanked everyone who contributed information for his column in a local newspaper.  He complained about landlords’ inconsistency in enforcing lease terms.

County resident Beatrice Wolfe complained about new traffic lights on Center Street.

City resident Josephine Velazquez thanked everyone who helped her with a block party on Pennsylvania Avenue. She and City Resident Joe Mish complained about cable television service.

City resident Rebekah Orenstein complained about City government and a local nonprofit organization.

Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk