Board of Town Commissioners

BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION January 14, 2020 – 5:15 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioner Amy G. Chmielewski, Chair Commissioner Kevin M. Bianca – via telephone Commissioner Erin S. Hughes Commissioner Donna L. Kahoe Commissioner Patrick T. Richards – via telephone L. Jesse Bane, Town Administrator Trish Heidenreich, Director of Economic Development Steve Kline, Director of Public Works Michael Krantz, Director of Administration Lisa Moody, Director of Finance Charles Moore, Chief of Police Kevin L. Small, Director of Planning Julia Potler, Armory Events Manager OTHERS: Joan Suitt, Recording Secretary ABSENT: Aegis Representative APPROVAL OF AGENDA: The Director of Administration requested the Armory Fee Schedule be reviewed at the beginning of the agenda. The Town Administrator added to the agenda: • MML Summer Conference • Meeting with Mr. Coliano, Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company. The Agenda was approved with the changes. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity The Town Administrator received an invitation from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity from Aberdeen Proving Grounds to attend their 50th Anniversary Scholarship Gala at Martins East, Middle River, on March 21st. The Fraternity is requesting a Proclamation and anyone interested in attending please contact the Town Administrator. 2020.01.14.MIN.WorkSession Page 1 of 7 Commissioner Richards inquired about the Town’s connection to the Fraternity. The Town Administrator informed Susan Burdette did have a connection. Commissioner Richards recommends looking into what the Town spends time and money on. Chair Chmielewski will do some research. Commissioner Bianca suggested contacting Susan Burdette. Winter Wonderland Recognition(s) The Town Administrator reported Winter Wonderland was fantastic and very successful. The Town Administrator recommended Patti Parker, Downtown Alliance, Mary Chance, and a representative from the Greater Bel Air Community Foundation be recognized. The presentations will take place during the February 18th Town Hall meeting. MML Summer Conference The Town Administrator distributed information on the MML Summer Conference June 28th – July 1 and requested Commissioners and Department Heads to decide if attending. Available Dates to meet with Mr. Coliano The Town Administrator informed of dates Mr. Coliano; Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department, is available. The suggested time is 6:00 p.m. at the fire station. Dates will be sent by email for the Commissioners to decide availability. • January - 23, 24, 27, 31 • February - 4,5,6,7,10,12,14 Chair Chmielewski recommends having questions and financial numbers available for the meeting. The Director of Finance will explore. AGENDA FOR TOWN MEETING (Tuesday, January 21, 2020) Presentations: Corporal Promotions: Corporal Salvas and Corporal Maro Chief of Police advised the promotions of Corporal Salvas and Corporal Maro will be recognized at the January 21st meeting. 2020.01.14.MIN.WorkSession Page 2 of 7 New Business: Resolution No. 1141-20 Designation for Enforcement Officer for Municipal Infractions The Director of Planning distributed a process sheet for zoning code violations. The Town has a multi-step process that allows the violator to abate the violation before going to a fine. The Director of Planning reviewed the steps. The Director of Planning informed of missing items of the Town’s Code Enforcement Officer position that the State requires and the following will be added: • Giving the Director of Planning and Director of Public Works the power to write civil citations and serve same in order to be identified as Code Enforcement Officers. Two ways to proceed: 1. violator has the right to abate the violation by paying the fine or ask for a trial 2. the Town can go directly to a District Court Commissioner asking for a summons to Court Resolution No. 1142-20 Designation of Town Attorney to prosecute Municipal Infractions The Director of Planning explained when going to court, the Town would have to ask the State’s Attorney to prosecute. The Director of Planning is recommending the Commissioners designate the Town’s attorney to prosecute the case in front of a Judge. Commissioner Richards inquired if, hiring an Enforcement Officer in the future, will the Resolution need amending. The Director of Planning stated an amendment would be needed. The Town Administrator reminded any Misdemeanors would be handled by the State’s Attorney as a Misdemeanor is a crime. Resolution No. 1143-20 Bel Air Armory Fee Schedule Amendments The Director of Administration distributed the draft for the Bel Air Armory Leasing Fee Schedule and advised the Resolution has not been amended since 2017. The Director of Administration informed a change from 2020.01.14.MIN.WorkSession Page 3 of 7 the previous draft sent to the Commissioners is the increase on Individual or Business rate from $113 to $125. Julia Potler, Armory Event Manager, informed the Armory is not being utilized during the day and feels the cost is the main reason. Over the last few months, a Networking Partners group met in the Armory and their goal is spreading the word on venues. Ms. Potler developed a survey regarding appropriate rates to charge for daytime and results were $50 per hour with more flexibility in the number of hours. Ms. Potler will begin marketing and would also like to include holiday parties. Chair Chmielewski inquired about catering and clean-up. Ms. Potler can help with the catering and clean-up service fees would have to be charged. Amendments for Fee Schedule: Government or Non-Profit • Monday – Thursday events – $50/hour (3 hours minimum) • Friday – Sunday events - $75/hour (6 hours minimum) Individual or Business • Monday – Thursday events - $50/hour (3 hours minimum) • Friday – Sunday events - $125/hour (6 hours minimum) Kitchen • Remove – “Kitchen for prep and warming” fee Ms. Potler advised of not receiving requests for this service. Deposits • Security – changed to $250 – payable and received upon the balance due date Refunds • No refunds. Chair Chmielewski inquired about the lunchtime summer concerts. The Director of Administration advised that was stopped because renovations of Office Street. The Director of Administration stated Armory Park could be 2020.01.14.MIN.WorkSession Page 4 of 7 used but will have to be marketed with a possible sponsor and a food truck to bring in the audience. Commissioner Richards requested a progress up-date on the Armory in six months and the need for the Town to capture costs on janitorial. Award of Bank Financing Fiscal Year 2020 Vehicles & Equipment The Director of Finance sent proposals to 14 banks for financing Vehicles and Equipment and received only 4 responses. Harford Bank was the lowest with a 7 year rate of 1.89% and no payment penalties. There will be a $250.00 processing fee. Appointments to Cultural Arts Commission and Economic & Community Development Commission To be reviewed during Closed Session. STAFFING: The Director of Administration reported interviews continue for the Public Relations position. The Chief of Police advised the Officer attending the Academy is doing well. There are 8 applicants for dispatcher and interviews are being scheduled. CALENDAR: The Director of Administration distributed and reviewed the January, February and March, 2020 calendars. MISCELLANEOUS: Restrictive Parking at Williams Street and Bond Street Stop Signs at Williams & Ellendale plus Review of other Locations The Director of Planning informed requests have come in relating to parking: • Merchants on Bond Street want parking to increase from 1 to 2 hour limit. • Received request to eliminate parking on one side of Ellendale. The Director of Planning advised these requests can accumulate as Ordinances/Resolutions are not handled every month but does not stop 2020.01.14.MIN.WorkSession Page 5 of 7 posting the property and contacting those affected by any change in parking. The Director of Public Works advised the parking on Williams Street was posted mid-September and the decision was made to cover the signs since legislation had not been finalized. The Director of Planning notified there is a desire by staff to place a stop sign at Ellendale and Williams which would require pushing the cars back from the intersection for parking. Commissioner Hughes has spoken to several residents in the area regarding traffic piling up because of the brewery. Commissioner Richards asked if a Traffic Study was completed for the area and should some streets become one way to allow for parking. The Director of Planning has concern with one-way streets as people do not always observe them plus it forces traffic into neighborhoods. Another problem is the Ma & Pa Trail parking on Ellendale and not being able to see a child because cars are in the way. Commissioner Richards sees this part of Town being a hub of activity and questioned why a broader study was not done. The Director of Planning informed a study was completed but only for crossing Main Street. The Director of Planning discussed other possible parking areas. The Director of Planning can contact the County to come in and review the issue. Commissioner Richards recommended no other parking changes be made in the area until a broader study is made. Chair Chmielewski recommends the signs be removed and move forward with a meeting. Commissioner Hughes noted this issue will not go away and recommends public communication on what is being done and the timeline. Commissioner Richards stated it is important to seek input from the community and the no parking signs that have not been approved need to be addressed. The Director of Planning will hold off on the stop sign and contact will be made with the County, the owner of other parking locations and the Fire Department. The Commissioners want this resolved as soon as possible and made the decision to put this item on the February 3rd Town Board meeting agenda. 2020.01.14.MIN.WorkSession Page 6 of 7 LIAISON REPORTS: Commissioner Hughes reported there is an applicant to fill a vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission. Commissioner Hughes requested to review at the next Work Session. Commissioner Bianca advised the Tree Committee recently met and Mr. Becker is a wonderful addition to the committee. Commissioner Hughes informed the Planning Commission approved the Site Plan for Bel Air Assisted Living. The February meeting of the Planning Commission has been cancelled because of no submissions. Commissioner Kahoe advised the Cultural Arts Commission meets January 15th. The Board of Appeals will not meet in January. Chair Chmielewski advised the ABC Treasurer, Susan McCue, has stepped down and she was very involved with the Garden Mart. Jenny Dembeck was voted in as new treasurer and the Committee is looking for more members. ABC would like to meet with Commissioners at Alice Ann Park on April 13th to discuss clean-up of the park. The committee wants to get the neighborhood involved. CLOSED SESSION: At 6:48 p.m. Commissioner Kahoe moved and Commissioner Hughes seconded the motion to go into Closed Session to discuss appointments to the Cultural Arts Commission and Economic & Community Development Commission. The meeting reopened at 6:58 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: With no further comments, the meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m. Approved: January 21, 2020 Signature on file__________ Amy G. Chmielewski, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file______________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 2020.01.14.MIN.WorkSession Page 7 of 7