Board of Town Commissioners

BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION October 15, 2019 – 5:15 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioner Susan U. Burdette, Chair Commissioner Amy G. Chmielewski – arrived 5:32 p.m. Commissioner Philip L. Einhorn Commissioner Patrick T. Richards – via telephone L. Jesse Bane, Town Administrator Steve Kline, Director of Public Works Michael L. Krantz, Director of Administration Lisa M. Moody, Director of Finance Charles Moore, Chief of Police Angela Robertson, Dept. of Economic Development Kevin L. Small, Director of Planning ABSENT: Commissioner Brendan P. Hopkins Trish Heidenreich, Director of Economic Development OTHERS: Joan Suitt, Recording Secretary ABSENT: Aegis Representative APPROVAL OF AGENDA: The Town Administrator requested additions/corrections to the Agenda. The Agenda was approved by the Commissioners as written. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR: None. AGENDA FOR TOWN MEETING (Monday, October 21, 2019) Presentations: Student Achievement Award Anna Perry from Bel Air Elementary School will receive a Student Achievement Award. Eisenhauer’s Chesapeake Harley Davidson of Darlington Chief Moore informed when purchasing the Harley Davidson motorcycle from Eisenhauer Chesapeake Harley Davidson in Darlington, they offered to donate another. The Town will recognize the company for its generous gift. 2019.10.15.MIN.WorkSession Page 1 of 6 Proclamation for Economic Development Week Ms. Robertson reported the week of October 20th – 26th is Maryland Economic Development Week and a Proclamation will be presented. Public Hearing: Ordinance No. 794-19 – Amendments to Development Regulations The Director of Planning advised the public hearing on Ordinance No.794-19 amendments will be held. Unfinished Business: Ordinance No. 794-19 – Amendments to Development Regulations The Commissioners will vote on Ordinance No. 794-19. New Business: Resolution No. 1137-19 Utility Locator/Temporary Use & Occupancy Fee Amendment The Director of Planning reported in the past the Town would give development projects a temporary Use & Occupancy permit to bridge the gap for an additional 30 days for minor things. Currently almost every developer is asking for a temporary U&O when major portions of the project have not been done. The staff is proposing to increase the fee from $30.00 to $200.00 to make sure things are not done casually and the increase can be backed up with the number of hours needed for staff to review the project. Commissioner Richards wanted confirmation that this amount will reimburse the Town the amount of hours needed for the process. The Director of Public Works advised there are occasions when projects are looked at several times. The Director of Planning stated there are other municipalities that do not allow temporary U&O. Commissioner Richards wants to make sure there will be no additional fee. The Director of Public Works explained language has been added for the utility locator marking. The fee is $35.00 per inspection for commercial; not residential. The Town was unaware the reinspection fee allowed is only $15.00 and this change will correct the fee schedule. 2019.10.15.MIN.WorkSession Page 2 of 6 Resolution No. 1138-19 Free Parking in Garage and Main Street The Director of Administration reviewed the draft for Resolution No. 1138- 19 suspending parking fines/meter rates in the Bel Air Parking Garage and on Main Street from Thanksgiving, November 28, 2019 through December 31, 2019. The Commissioners agreed on the Resolution. Contract for Chesapeake Sensory Plaza Construction Project The Director of Planning stated the Sensory project is mostly funded through a grant from the National Recreational and Parks Association seeded by Maryland American Water. The total amount contracted is $121,000 to install all the equipment purchased separately. Also, there was an engineering/surveying fee. Another grant was received by Greater Bel Air Community Foundation and additional foundations may be contributing. The Town will take money from the Active Open Space – Fee in Lieu to cover additional costs. The Director of Planning advised there is a small gap of about $15,000 that the Town has to make-up. The design will look like the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Commissioner Richards asked where the $15,000 will come from. The Director of Finance informed that is being explored and she will notify. STAFFING: The Director of Administration reported the following:  Construction Worker II – application withdrawn.  Part-time Crossing Guard – being posted.  Part-time Parking Enforcement – interviews pending.  Police Officers – entering Harford County Academy. CALENDAR: November 18, 2019 Town Hall Meeting/Welcome Farewell Reception The Director of Administration advised during the Town Board meeting on November 18th the new Commissioners will be sworn-in and a reception will follow after the meeting. The first order of business will be to elect the Chair and Vice-Chair. 2019.10.15.MIN.WorkSession Page 3 of 6 Added to Calendar: October 24th – Harford County Health Conference 8:00 a.m. Harford Community College. October 30th – Tavern meeting 9:30 a.m. MISCELLANEOUS: Armory/Armory Marketplace Financial Report The Director of Finance distributed the summaries of the Armory and the Armory Marketplace Revenues and Expenses by fiscal years. The Director of Finance reviewed the summary on the Armory that shows fiscal year rental revenue and operating expenses but does not include capital expenses. The second page of the summary excludes salaries. The Director of Finance stated the summary on the Armory Marketplace includes rental revenue, BGE reimbursement, utilities/maintenance. Commissioner Richards inquired why are these separated. The Director of Finance prefers keeping them separate due to separate fee schedules and no salaries connected to the Marketplace. Commissioner Richards requested the financials be looked at during budget time and another time during a fiscal year. The Director of Finance informed it has been looked at historically during the Commissioner Retreat. Discuss Amendments to Policy 1.A.3 Chair’s Duties re: Voting and Conducting Meetings The Director of Administration distributed the draft for voting and conducting meetings. Commissioner Einhorn recommends anyone running for office should be informed of what is expected of the position prior to the election. The Director of Administration advised this draft represents the important guidelines under Robert’s Rules of Order. The Director of Administration reviewed the language for Chair responsibilities and method of voting and debate. Commissioner Richards inquired where do we ask for the abstention? The Director of Administration suggested inserting an abstention after the motion is seconded and that person remain silent. The Director of Administration also informed a person can pass under a roll call and come back for the vote. 2019.10.15.MIN.WorkSession Page 4 of 6 Commissioner Richards feels after someone abstains that person should not say anything more. Commissioner Richards recommends having Mr. Keenan examine the draft and come back with thoughts. The Director of Planning thought it would be better to examine this further with the new Town Board and recommends a Commissioner obtain legal advice after the motion is seconded. Alice Ann Park Path Project Update The Director of Planning informed the budget item for the Alice Ann Park:  Trail enhancement  Construct a paved pedestrian connection to Lester Way  Upgrades to park – tree cleaning and site amenities  Opening the park to make it more inviting The Director of Planning stated other parks in Town are hubs (where everyone goes) and the trails/sidewalks lead to the parks. The Director of Planning advised the survey has been received and the design of the project will be completed. He will then come back to the Commissioners to see what is important and then bid it out. The Director of Planning stated the park will be finished in several phases. Commissioner Richards recommends looking for grant money. The Director of Public Works advised some of the work can be completed by his staff. Commissioner Chmielewski informed of visiting the park and talking with some neighbors. Commissioner Chmielewski stated the large dead tree, bamboo and weeds/bushes need to be removed to open the park. The Director of Planning will design a plan and bring it back to the Commissioners. Mr. Coningsby, who had concerns for the project, will be contacted by letter. Town Election Update The Director of Administration advised the ballot has been completed and 700 copies were ordered. The ballot image will be posted in the newspaper, website and linked to the recent Aegis article. 2019.10.15.MIN.WorkSession Page 5 of 6 First Responder Tax Credit Commissioner Richards informed the First Responder Tax Credit is a request from Mr. Coliano, Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company. Commissioner Richards inquired if a tax break is given to our police and employees. The Director of Finance advised there is a resident rebate for all employees (owner occupied) living in the Town. In Charter 806, the Town extends a benefit to firemen of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department but has not been updated since 2002. The Director of Finance advised other Charter amendments are being considered and this can be discussed during the process. The Director of Administration noted the benefit would be more flexible to increase/decrease by not including it in the Charter. Chair Burdette stated this has been brought to the Board in the past and is concerned that some volunteers only serve 10 hours per month while our employees are full time. Statistics were requested on the number of calls/hours given to the Town of Bel Air. The Commissioners will discuss this in the future. LIAISON REPORTS: Commissioner Einhorn asked about the woman who reported something in the road causing a flat tire. The Director of Public Works informed she hit the curb where State Highway brought the curb out at Gordon Street. The Director of Public Works advised this person will be given the information; that it is a State issue. ADJOURNMENT: With no further comments, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Approved: October 21, 2019 Signature on file ________________________ Susan U. Burdette, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file _____________________________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 2019.10.15.MIN.WorkSession Page 6 of 6