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MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

September 22, 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 22, 2003, at 7:00 p.m.  Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Ferguson, and Wack; Planning and Public Works Director Beyard; City Treasurer Urban; City Attorney Walsh; Police Chief Brewer; and City Clerk Taylor were present. 

            At the Council President’s request, Mr. Schroers introduced Kulliki Seise, an exchange employee from Paide, Estonia.  Ms. Seise thanked the Mayor and Council. 

Mayor Dayhoff reported that Random House had sent 240 children’s books to the Paide Library.  He introduced Robin Sutton of Random House and thanked her.  Ms. Sutton noted that Random House wishes to donate additional books.  The company also will make tours of its facilities available to Estonian visitors. 

MINUTES:

            Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Minutes of the Meeting of September 8, 2003 were approved.  

CONSENT CALENDAR:

            The Consent Calendar consisted of the approval of Good Cause Waiver No. 03-10 – water and sewer service for 37 and 39 Locust Avenue; designation of October 31, 2003 as

trick-or-treat night in Westminster; and approval of the August, 2003 Departmental Operating Reports.  Mr. Ferguson moved to approve the Consent Calendar.  Doctor Wack seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

BID:

            Council President Halstad summarized the two bids submitted for the ongoing replacement of sanitary sewer trunk lines.  The Matricciani Company of Baltimore, Maryland, submitted the low bid in the amount of $547,581.00.  On Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously approved, the Council accepted the bid of Matricciani Company.   

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

…            Thanked Mr. Schroers and the Grand Marshals for the success of the Fallfest Parade.

…            Announced that Governor Margus Oro and his wife Eve from Jogeva County, Estonia visited Westminster during the preceding week.

…            Expressed sympathy for people without electricity as a result of Hurricane Isabel and thanked everyone who responded.

…        Read a Proclamation making September 17 –23, 2003 Constitution Week.

…       Read a Proclamation honoring Barbara and Anthony Biller, owners of Intellitech, Inc., for their business accomplishments.

  REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

            Dr. Wack reported that residents in the area of West Green continued to have no electricity.  He indicated he would take a more proactive approach with the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company.  Mayor Dayhoff noted that he had spoken with the company.  He distributed a memo containing statistics about the power outages. 

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

            Chief Brewer reported that City Police will be educating the public about the new crosswalk law on September 29 and 30.  The law takes effect on October 1, 2003.  The officers will also distribute pamphlets about the law. 

            Mr. Beyard reported on the number of loads of brush hauled as part of the storm clean-up operation.  He added that a new crosswalk will soon be placed between Anchor Street and Main Street.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:                       

            Anchor Street resident Rick Blizzard noted that he has lost power three times in five years.  He requested that his neighborhood receive a utilities upgrade.  Mr. Blizzard and his wife, Rose, advised there is a strong odor of gas in the neighborhood.  Dr. Wack assured them he would have someone from Baltimore Gas and Electric speak to the residents.

            West Green Street resident Karen Loats noted that her neighborhood lost a considerable amount of food due to the power outage.  She added that the City did not communicate well enough with the residents of her neighborhood following the hurricane.

            City resident Debbie Redeker complained about the automated answering system used by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and about speeding on Main Street.

            Tom Smith of West Main Street thanked the Mayor and Police Chief for their work during the hurricane. 

            Several residents from the West Main Street area complained about underage drinking and other behavior of McDaniel College students.  Carter Clews and Rebekah Orenstein requested the Council to consider adopting a curfew ordinance.  Mr. Ferguson stated the City would explore possible measures to improve the situation.

            Bill Finch and Rebekah Orenstein stated their opposition to the Pennsylvania Avenue Residential Mixed Use Ordinance under consideration by the Planning Commission.  City resident Darcel Harris stated that notice of the hearing before the Planning Commission was sent too late.  Mr. Siders advised her that the hearing record would remain open through September 26, 2003. 

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

Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk