Board of Town Commissioners

BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION November 9, 2021 5:15 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioner Amy G. Chmielewski, Chair – arrived 5:25 p.m. Commissioner Kevin M. Bianca Commissioner Erin S. Hughes Commissioner Donna L. Kahoe Commissioner Patrick T. Richards L. Jesse Bane, Town Administrator Rachel Deaner, Deputy Director of Finance Trish Heidenreich, Director of Economic Development Stephen Kline, Director of Public Works Michael Krantz, Director of Administration Charles Moore, Chief of Police Patti Parker, Community & Public Relations Manager Kevin Small, Director of Planning ABSENT: Lisa Moody, Director of Finance OTHERS: Joan Suitt, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA: The Town Administrator called for additions/corrections to the Agenda. The Director of Administration requested Employee Benefits - Classification/Classified Positions & Personnel Table be added under Miscellaneous. The Commissioners approved the Agenda with the addition. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: The Town Administrator informed the Commissioners are invited to the Christmas Open House at Rockfield on December 14th at 6:00 p.m. The Town Administrator notified the new Commissioners will meet with each Department Head and dates will be coordinated. The Town Administrator advised the Commissioners’ Retreat will be scheduled on a Saturday morning during January, 2022. The Town Administrator requested the Commissioners and Department Heads to check their calendars and provide available dates. 20211109.MIN.WorkSession Page 1 of 5 TENATIVE AGENDA FOR TOWN MEETING (November 15, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.) Presentations: The Director of Administration will coordinate the dates for Commissioners Elect and Department Heads to meet. Recognition of Outgoing Commissioners The Director of Administration advised the outgoing Commissioners will be recognized. Outgoing Commissioners Parting Addresses Outgoing Commissioners will have the opportunity to speak. Swearing-in Ceremony of Commissioners Elect The Commissioners Elect will be sworn in by James Rilley, Clerk of the Court, Harford County. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair The Town Counsel will call for nominations from the Commissioners for Chair of the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners. The new Chair will call for nominations of Vice-Chair. New Business: Policy 1.E.6 Signing of Checks Amendment The Deputy Director of Finance advised the amendment is to remove the names of outgoing Commissioners from the policy and add the names of the Commissioners Elect. Sanitary Sewer Root Control Contract The Director of Public Works informed the sewer root control process treats roots caused by street trees and prevents back-ups. The Town will piggyback on the City of Baltimore. Board of Appeals Reappointment The Director of Planning advised Greg Adolph is interested in being reappointed to the Board of Appeals. Mr. Adolph has indicated this will be his last term. 20211109.MIN.WorkSession Page 2 of 5 Cultural Arts Commission Reappointment The Director of Economic Development notified Jeanne Close has been on the Cultural Arts Commission for eighteen years and spearheaded the Bobcat Sculpture at Bel Air High. The Director of Economic Development advised Ms. Close is interested in reappointment. Planning Commission Reappointment The Director of Planning stated Peter Schlehr is a long time member of the Planning Commission and is interested in being reappointed for another term. STAFFING UPDATE: The Director of Administration reported: • Part-time File Clerk – interviews scheduled • Computer Support Specialist – interviews scheduled, start date in January • Dispatcher – posted internally • Laborer, Equipment Operator, Construction Work – hiring process being completed. The Director of Administration welcomed Sandy Saunders who will temporarily work in the Planning Department. CALENDAR: The November and December, 2021 calendar was distributed. Contact Ruth Seitler with additions/corrections. The Director of Public Works advised the Appearance and Beautification Committee will not meet in December. MISCELLANEOUS: Policy I.A.1 Town Commissioner Assign Liaison Responsibilities The Director of Administration advised there are Boards, Commissions and Committees the Town Commissioners sit on as a Liaison and report back to the Town Board and staff. The Commissioner assignment will be finalized before the end of November. Chair Chmielewski notified the Commissioner for the Rockfield Foundation sits on their Board as a member. The Rockfield Executive members make that decision during their January meeting. Chair Chmielewski stated the Rockfield Executive team decided to keep her on board as a public person. 20211109.MIN.WorkSession Page 3 of 5 Town of Bel Air Fee Schedule Review The Director of Planning advised this is the start of discussions on the Fee Schedule. The following were reviewed: • Tattoo permits – no longer required and needs removed. • Food truck permits – no longer required and needs removed. • Cost when coming before the Board of Appeals – to include the cost of the hearing, advertising, and Court Recorder. • Decks, fence, and sheds – problem with residents not getting permits. After being notified, the residents come in to get the permit but are not subject to the violation. Frequent times, residents have completed the project wrong and ask for forgiveness. The Director of Planning and the Director of Public Works recommends anyone who has to apply for a permit as a result of a Notice of Violation should be required to pay more. The Director of Public Works notified some residents are repeat offenders. Employee Benefits – Classification/Classified Positions & Personnel Table The Director of Administration informed this Table outlines each position, pay-steps and grade. The Director of Administration advised there are 2 staff members assigned as part-time Dispatchers that accounts for about $32,000. The Director of Administration is recommending allocating this money to specifically hire a pool of part-time Dispatchers to cover Friday/Saturday nights and fill in during vacations/absences of full-time Dispatchers. This is not a budget increase but will decrease overtime cost. The Chief of Police advised it takes at least six months to train dispatchers and feels this is a good recommendation. The Chief believes there is a good possibility of using dispatchers from the County. The Director of Administration will add the policy change to the Agenda for the November 15th meeting. The Town Administrator advised the Town has to look at liability. If there is a loss of life or massive property destruction, the number of hours the Officers and Dispatchers have worked will be scrutinized. 20211109.MIN.WorkSession Page 4 of 5 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Chair Chmielewski informed the Rockfield Board met and are looking for more members. The Rockfield balance sheet was sent to the Town Commissioners. Chair Chmielewski advised the Wine Fest was a huge success and Rockfield thanked DPW staff and Explorers for their outstanding help during the event. Commissioner Hughes reported the Planning Commission had no submissions at their November meeting. There were discussions on the Comprehensive Plan feedback received during the recent meeting at the Armory and the opinions of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Bianca advised the Tree Committee will meet tomorrow. The Committee measured the Champion Trees within Town and the list will be updated in a publication. ADJOURNMENT: With no further comments, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Approved: November 15, 2021 Signature on file____________ Amy G. Chmielewski, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file______________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 20211109.MIN.WorkSession Page 5 of 5