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City Council
Minutes of City Council Meetings | Agenda for next City Council Meeting
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
December 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 December 22, 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.
The Mayor and Common Council recognized Pfc. Jimmy Pullen of the Westminster Police Department for his successful completion of the Drug Recognition Expert Certification Course. Mr. Chiavacci summarized the course and other highlights of Officer Pullen’s career. Mayor Dayhoff presented him with a Certificate of Recognition. Officer Pullen thanked the Mayor, Common Council, and Chief Brewer.
MINUTES:
Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Minutes of the Meeting of December 8, 2003 were approved.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Mayor Dayhoff conducted a Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 710 – Zoning Text Amendment No. TA03-4, Mixed Use Infill Zone. At the Mayor’s request, Mr. Siders summarized the Ordinance, which promotes potential development and redevelopment along the Maryland Route No. 27 corridor as the primary gateway to downtown Westminster. On December 11, 2003, the Planning and Zoning Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Common Council. There being no further comment, the Mayor closed the Hearing at 7:20 p.m. He held the Record open for ten days.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
The Consent Calendar consisted of Good Cause Waiver No. GCW03-13, sewer service for 818 Winchester Drive, and approval of the minutes of the closed session on November 24, 2003. On Motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Consent Calendar was approved.
REPORTS FROM MAYOR:
… Reported on the annual employee holiday luncheon.
… Advised that the City received a Community Legacy grant of $50,000 for Pennsylvania Avenue and a $25,000 grant of additional monies for the Home Ownership Program. The Housing and Community Development Office expects to receive an additional grant for another home ownership program.
… Commented, with Chief Brewer, on a large, successful drug sweep during the preceding week.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:
Mr. Chiavacci, the remaining Council members, and the Mayor all thanked Major Brewer
for his service as Acting Police Chief.
Dr. Wack complimented the Westminster Ballet on its performance of Tchaikovsky’s
“Nutcracker Suite.”
Dr. Wack summarized current areas of dispute between the Carroll County Regulatory
Commission (“CRC”), of which the City of Westminster is a member, and Adelphia. The three
main areas consist of Adelphia’s failure to pay fines levied for customer service violations;
Adelphia’s refusal to renegotiate its contract with regard to cable modem fees; and
Adelphia’s franchise fee underpayment. Dr. Wack outlined remedies available to the CRC
in the event resolution efforts fail.
Council President Halstad noted that the Council of Governments received an excellent
presentation on West Nile Virus from the Carroll County Health Department. He distributed
a survey on the topic.
BIDS:
President Halstad summarized three bids submitted to supply a heavy-duty truck bed
for the City’s new Ford F450 operated by the Utility Maintenance Department. Statler Body
Works, Inc. of Marion, Pennsylvania submitted the low bid, in the amount of $11,290.00.
Upon Motion by Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the bid
was accepted.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:
Council President Halstad summarized Resolution No. R03-24 – Rescission of Water
Allocation Policy. Mr. Beyard commented that abundant precipitation for the year has
obviated the need for water allocation restrictions. Mrs. Albert moved to introduce the
Resolution. Dr. Wack seconded and the Motion carried unanimously.
At Council President Halstad’s request, Mr. Beyard discussed Resolution No. R03-25 –
Center Street Annexation (No. 54). The Texas Roadhouse restaurant has agreed to annex its
property into the City. A new Pizza Hut restaurant is planned for the corner. It is not clear yet
what establishment will occupy the middle parcel. The Developer has agreed to fund up to
$85,000 for a new traffic signal at the corner. Mr. Chiavacci and Mayor Dayhoff congratulated
Mr. Beyard and Mr. Siders on the success of their efforts. Upon Motion by Dr. Wack, seconded
by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Resolution was introduced.
Mrs. Albert moved to introduce Ordinance No. 710 – Mixed Use Infill Zone. Dr. Wack
seconded and the Ordinance was unanimously introduced.
NEW BUSINESS:
County Planning Director Steve Horn presented a report concerning the origins, status, and goals of the County’s 12-month growth deferral of residential subdivision processing and approval. He noted that the County hopes that it and the municipalities can reach agreement concerning data sharing and uniform standards. The County expects to complete its work in late spring or early summer of 2004.
CITIZEN COMMENTS:
City resident Josephine Velazquez noted her displeasure with cable service and the number of arrestees being released on their own recognizance.
County resident Beatrice Wolfe requested that traffic lights be installed at the intersection of Center Street and Gorsuch Road.
Chief Brewer advised City resident Darcel Harris that he would look into her complaint about motorists failing to stop for pedestrians on Pennsylvania Avenue.
City resident Rebekah Orenstein protested the cutting down of certain trees on Main Street. Mr. Beyard explained that the State permitted removal of the trees over the objections of the City and County.
Council President Halstad adjourned the Meeting at 8:37 p.m.
Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk
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