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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

August 25, 2003   

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 25, 2003, 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; Police Chief Brewer; 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 August 11, 2003 were approved.  

PUBLIC HEARING:

        Mayor Dayhoff conducted a Public Hearing on Annexation No. 52 – Westminster Shopping Center, Resolution No. R03-11.  At his request, City Planner Siders explained that the parcel comprises 14.1779 acres and lies at the intersection of Englar Road and Maryland Route No. 140.  The City Planning and Zoning Commission recommends in favor of the annexation.  The annexation will increase City tax revenues by approximately $18,000 per year.  Mr. Siders introduced the principals of the Petitioner and its counsel, John Maguire.  Mr. Siders noted that Ordinance No. 709 would zone the Center “B” Business.  There being no further comment, Mayor Dayhoff closed the Hearing and the Record at 7:15 p.m. 

        Immediately thereafter, the Common Council took up consideration of the Ordinance and Resolution.  Mr. Chiavacci moved to Introduce Ordinance No. 709.  Mrs. Albert seconded, and the Motion passed unanimously.  Mr. Chiavacci moved for the Adoption of Resolution No. R03-11.  Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. 

CONSENT CALENDAR:

        The Consent Calendar consisted of the approval of Good Cause Waiver No. GCW 03-14 – Sewer Service to Michael’s Ridge; the approval of an appropriation of sewer benefit assessment funds; approval of the July 2003 Departmental Operating Reports; and approval of the Fiscal Year 2004 Town/County Agreement.  Mrs. Albert made a Motion to approve the Consent Calendar.  Dr. Wack seconded and the Motion carried unanimously. 

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:

        Mayor Dayhoff summarized the qualifications of Mr. Greg Goodell, whom the Mayor chose to fill a vacancy on the Westminster Historic District Commission.  Mr. Ferguson moved to approve the appointment.  Dr. Wack seconded and the appointment was approved unanimously. 

BIDS: 

        Council President Halstad advised that the City received two bids to replace five obsolete vehicles.  He summarized the bids.  Crouse Ford Sales Inc. of Hampstead, Maryland submitted the low bid for two of the vehicles and Jeff Barnes Chevrolet Olds, Inc. submitted the low bid for the other three vehicles.  The final total price for all five vehicles represents a $56,757.49 savings over the amount budgeted for the vehicles.  Mrs. Albert moved to accept the bids and Dr. Wack seconded.  The Motion passed unanimously.

        Council President Halstad summarized the three bids received for the chlorinization/dechlorination replacement project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The low bid, in the amount of $881,766.00, was received from Johnston Construction Co. of Dover, Delaware.  Mrs. Albert moved to accept the bid.  Mr. Ferguson seconded and the bid was accepted.  Mr. Beyard noted that the project would not disrupt operation of the plant.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

…Thanked staff and City Attorney Walsh for carefully reviewing the current Town/County Agreement. 

…Thanked Ms. Lori Graham and Corporal Benfer for the success of “Celebrate Local Heroes Day.”

…Reported, with Mr. Beyard, that the work on Uniontown Road would be completed by Labor Day, possibly.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

       On behalf of the Committee on Public Works, Mrs. Albert reported that parking availability on Buena Vista was being monitored in response to dissatisfaction voiced by residents.  No action is recommended at this time.  Mrs. Albert noted the Committee has concern about pedestrian safety at the intersection of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.  Acting Chief Brewer outlined measures the police will implement to ensure safety.  Mr. Chiavacci added that new safety controls also had been implemented for the crosswalks on West Main Street at McDaniel College.

       Mrs. Albert advised that she received a complaint about the presence of five basketball hoops on Crossbridge Drive. 

       Council President Halstad advised that Dr. Wack expressed an interest in representing the City as a participant in the Leadership Carroll Program of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and the Carroll Community College.  An extensive discussion ensued concerning the merits of the Program and the source of funding for the $1,000.00 fee.  Mr. Ferguson stated that he would prefer the new budget system be in place before the City pays the fee, because the new system will have a specific line item.  Mayor Dayhoff observed that the Mayor and Common Council previously agreed to absorb personally the costs of programs such as Leadership Carroll.  Mr. Urban explained that money for the program exists in the current Budget, but that there will be no specific line item until the new system is in place.  Mr. Chiavacci moved that the City fund Dr. Wack’s participation in the Leadership Carroll Program.  Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion passed.  Mr. Ferguson voted against the Motion on the basis of the lack of specificity in the current budgeting system.

       With regard to the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, Council President Halstad advised that the Board of County Commissioners has recommended that Westminster not have a voting membership.  After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed by the Common Council that the Mayor could pursue obtaining membership through channels other than the Board of County Commissioners.  Council President Halstad, Mr. Chiavacci, Mr. Ferguson, and Dr. Wack noted that they considered a letter the Mayor sent to the Commissioners on the topic as too strongly worded and that the letter did not speak for them.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

        Housing and Community Development Administrator Karen Blandford gave a presentation on a proposed application for funding from the Community Legacy Program.  The funding would cover three projects:  the Residential Façade Program; the Homeownership Program; and the Pennsylvania Avenue Target Area Street Lighting Program.  Dr. Wack moved to approve the proposed priority ranking of the three projects.  Mr. Ferguson seconded and the Motion carried unanimously.  Mr. Chiavacci moved to suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt Resolution No. R03-18 – Support of Community Legacy Plan.  Mr. Ferguson seconded and all Council members voted “aye.”  Mr. Ferguson made a Motion to Introduce and Adopt the Resolution.  Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

       Dr. Wack made a Motion to suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt Resolution No. R03-17 – Approval of Community Legacy Application.  Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.  Dr. Wack moved to Introduce and Adopt the Resolution.  Following a second by Mr. Chiavacci, the Motion passed unanimously.

        Council President Halstad summarized Resolution No. R03-19 – Annexation No. 55 – Pickett-Skirato Property.  The property comprises .516 acres on Old New Windsor Road and is adjacent to the City.  Mr. Ferguson moved to Introduce the Resolution.  Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion was approved.                       

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

        Mr. Urban announced that five surplus vehicles were sold in a public bidding process. He further advised that staff gave a briefing to the press on the new parking garages. Mr. Beyard observed that the briefing and tour of the garages was a success.

        Mr. Beyard noted that grouting of the sinkhole at Anchor and West Green would soon be complete and that resurfacing work could commence.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:                       

       City resident Debbie Redeker complained about pedestrian safety and other matters.

        City resident George Fringer stated that the City should contribute money to improve transportation services available to seniors.

        City resident Josephine Velazquez commended the Public Works Committee for its work on the Pennsylvania Avenue crosswalk.  She commented that the City should send a representative to Leadership Carroll.  City resident Ken Warren agreed.

        City resident Rebekah Orenstein urged the City Police to join the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault team (“CASA”).  Chief Brewer informed her that the City has initiated the process to join.  The Police will assign an officer on a part-time basis.

        Ms. Orenstein and County resident Beatrice Wolfe recommended that the Police enforce speed limits more rigorously.      

       Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.                                                                     

Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk