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

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

September 8, 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 September 8, 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 Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Minutes of the Meeting of August 25, 2003 were approved.  

CONSENT CALENDAR:

            The Consent Calendar consisted of the approval a parking agreement between Alexaris, LLC and the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster; approval of a lease agreement pertaining to 56 West Main Street between the Max Group, Inc. and the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster; and approval and acceptance of a Local Law Enforcement Block Grant.  Mr. Ferguson moved to approve the Consent Calendar.  Mr. Chiavacci seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

…        Read a Proclamation making September, 2003 Disabled American Veterans’ “Forget-Me-Not” Month and presented it to William Rau, III.

  …       Read a Proclamation making September, 2003 Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

  …       Read a Proclamation making September, 2003 National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

…        Noted that Fallfest would take place September 25-28, 2003, with the parade on September 21, and that the N.A.A.C.P. Freedom Fund Banquet would be held on October 17, 2003.

…         Announced the appointment of a Community Focus Group to meet with finalists for the Chief of Police position as a representational cross-section of the community, and read a press release.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

            Mr. Ferguson noted several businesses that had recently made significant investments in improvements to their properties.  He requested the Mayor and staff to consider venues and opportunities for recognizing such businesses, both for their achievements and for their value to the community as a whole.  Other Council members concurred.  The Mayor noted that he would follow up.

            Mr. Chiavacci advised that an inspection was made of the crosswalks at the intersection of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.  As a result, Mr. Beyard had been requested to add a crosswalk from near the Rexall Drug Store to the side of the street containing the auto transmission shop. 

Dr. Wack reported that a recent financial audit disclosed that Adelphia underpaid its franchise fees by some $225,000 during the past two years.  The Cable Regulatory Commission is considering remedies, which will include recovery of the money.  He further reported that poor customer service continues to be a problem with Adelphia. 

            Mayor Dayhoff complimented Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Beyard for their diligent efforts to secure a lease for parking spaces from Alexaris, LLC.  Mr. Beyard advised that the 30-35 additional spaces would be available for up to eleven years under the agreement and that the spaces would benefit users of the Carroll Arts Center, among others. 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

            Council President Halstad summarized Ordinance No. 709 – Zoning of Westminster Shopping Center.  Mr. Ferguson moved to Adopt the Ordinance.  Dr. Wack seconded and the Motion carried unanimously. 

            City Housing and Community Development Administrator Blandford presented a request for her agency to apply to become a Housing and Urban Development (“H.U.D.”)-certified housing counseling agency.  For the past three years, the Office of Housing and Community Development has provided housing counseling in individual sessions and in four-hour seminars.  It has also conducted a nine-month Mutual Homebuyers Club.  The Office would like to continue the services with H.U.D. certification.  In response to a question from Mr. Chiavacci, Ms. Blandford stated that there is no downside to applying for certification.

            Following the discussion, Dr. Wack moved to suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure.  Mrs. Albert seconded, and the Motion carried unanimously.  Mr. Ferguson moved to Introduce and Adopt Resolution No. 03-20 – Application to Become a H.U.D. (Housing and Urban Development) Certified Housing Counseling Agency.  Following a second by Mrs. Albert, the Motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

            On Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, a closed session was scheduled to follow the regular meeting in order to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice pursuant to Section 10-508(a)(7) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:                       

            City resident Judy Smith complained about the number of police on evening shifts and about the expense and time consumption of trips to Westminster’s Partner City – Paide, Estonia.  Chief Brewer explained how the shifts are set up and how they patrol during the school year.  Council President Halstad and Mr. Beyard advised her that the National Guard and the Community Foundation pay for travel to Paide.  The City does not pay for the trips.

            City resident Debbie Redeker also complained that there are not enough police.

            City resident Kevin Alt observed that he is in favor of landlord licensing.

            City resident Rebekah Orenstein complained that City officials are not responsive to citizens’ concerns.  Several Council Members voiced their disagreement.

Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk