City Council
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MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

August 9, 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 August 9, 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. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, the Minutes of the Meeting of July 26, 2004 were approved as presented.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

            Dr. Wack moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of approval of  Good Cause Waiver Number GCW04-8 – Martin Property.  Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

            REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

…            Complimented everyone who assisted with the second annual Local Heroes Day.

  …      Noted the success of National Night Out and the Charles Street Community Meeting during the preceding week.

…            Announced the opening of Office Depot at Westminster Crossing on Thursday, August 12, 2004.

  REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

           Council President Halstad noted that Diane Jones, Director of the Carroll County

  Children’s Chorus, wrote an editorial for the Carroll County Times about the Chorus’s very

successful trip to Estonia.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:     

            Council President Halstad summarized Ordinance No. 720 – Center Street Annexation Zoning.  On Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Ordinance was adopted.

Council President Halstad summarized Ordinance No. 721 – International Senior Housing (Westminster Mews) Zoning.    Upon Motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Ordinance was adopted.

At the Council President’s request, Mr. Urban summarized Resolution No. R04-7 – Eighth Amended and Restated Local Government Insurance Trust Agreement.  The Trust will close its Health Benefits Pool.  Although the City is not a member of the Pool, it will receive a portion of the aggregate surplus of the Pool.  The City’s share of $91,240.00 will be credited against the City’s premium in installments of slightly more than $30,000 each for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007.  On Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Resolution was introduced.

NEW BUSINESS:

            Mrs. Albert made a Motion to meet in closed session immediately following the regular meeting.  The Motion was made pursuant to Section 10-508 (a)(3) and (7) of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland to consider a matter that concerns the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, and to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice.  Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Mr. Urban reported that he received 10 responses to his Request for Information concerning the City’s future Integrated Financial and Human Resources Systems.  The Request for Proposals will be issued in November 2004.

Chief Spaulding advised that the National Night Out on August 3, 2004, was very successful.  He thanked the Mayor and Council members who attended.

Chief Spaulding reported that the Police Chiefs and State’s Attorney met to resolve uncertainty about the legal status of certain motorized conveyances on public roads.  It was agreed that vehicles not meeting the State Code definition of “motor scooter” or “moped” cannot lawfully be driven on public roads because there exists no provision for their registration.  He noted that riders in violation will be given a 45 day grace period during which the police will only issue warnings and educational materials.

  Mr. Beyard distributed postcards of Westminster that Mr. Ruchlewicz developed on behalf of the Downtown Westminster Main Street Program.

Mr. Beyard advised that the City received about 15 letters from members of Voce Viaggio, the children’s chorus that had recently toured in Estonia.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

In response to comments by City resident Ron Herion, Mr. Beyard advised that he would explore the possibility of obtaining a warrant under the Maryland Uniform Traffic Code for a three-way stop sign at the intersection of Colonial and East Green Streets.

Chief Spaulding advised City resident Doris Fringer that he would look into her complaint that City Police had not responded to a call from her.  George Fringer complained about landlords’ inconsistency in enforcing lease terms.

City resident Rebekah Orenstein complained about City government.

            Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk