Board of Town Commissioners

BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION August 30, 2022 5:15 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioner Kevin M. Bianca, Chair Commissioner Mary F. Chance Commissioner Paula S. Etting Commissioner Erin S. Hughes Commissioner Donna L. Kahoe, Vice-Chair L. Jesse Bane, Town Administrator David Hughes, Deputy Chief of Police Trish Heidenreich, Director of Economic Development Stephen Kline, Director of Public Works Michael Krantz, Director of Administration Kevin Small, Director of Planning Pamela Wockenfuss, Deputy Director of Finance ABSENT: Lisa Moody, Director of Finance Charles Moore, Chief of Police OTHERS: Joan Suitt, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA: The Town Administrator called for approval of the agenda. Changes: • New Business – remove item Petition for Annexation – 304, 308, and 310 Tollgate Road. • Miscellaneous – remove item Development Regulations Revisions – Review – Chapters 2,3,5,6 and 7. The Director of Planning advised the revisions will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and then come to the Town Commissioners. The revised agenda was approved by the Town Commissioners. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: None. TENATIVE AGENDA FOR TOWN MEETING (September 6, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.) 1 Presentations: Arts Week Proclamation The Director of Economic Development informed Arts Week begins September 11th and many events have been scheduled. Jay Ellenby from Visit Harford will accept the proclamation. Presentation/Recognition – L. Jesse Bane’s Retirement The Town Administrator will be recognized for his service to the Town of Bel Air. New Business: Purchase of Patrol Vehicles and Purchase of Patrol Vehicles Accessory Packages Deputy Chief Hughes notified the costs of three 2023 patrol vehicles have been finalized. Deputy Chief Hughes advised the costs were originally $15,000 over budget and now reduced to $5,017.68 as a result of negotiations with the vendor. Each patrol vehicle accessory package will also come before the Commissioners on September 6th for a vote. Purchase of a Skid-Steer Loader The Director of Public Works advised the purchase of a Skid-Steer Loader will piggyback on a Sourcewell Government contract for $74,810.07. The amount is more than what was budgeted and a mid-year adjustment will need to be made. The 2013 Skid-Steer Loader will be auctioned utilizing govdeals.com. BGE Contract Approval – Electric and Gas Installations for Town Hall/Police Department Construction Project The Director of Public Works reported this contract with BGE is for gas and electric installation at the Town Hall/Police Department project. The Director of Public Works advised more electric and gas service is needed when expanding the size of a building. Commissioner Etting asked if this was included in the budget. The Director of Public Works notified this was included in the utilities section of the contract. 2 Verizon Wireless Cell Phone Service Contract The Director of Administration advised the contract with Verizon Wireless will not exceed $54,600.00 and is the same price as last year. The Director of Administration informed there are approximately 85-90 active lines in service and the contract gives the Town room for 15 additional lines. Operations/Administration/Finance/Signing of Checks I.E.6 Policy Deputy Director of Finance advised there will be a name change for signing checks effective September 12, 2022. STAFFING: The Director of Administration notified: • Part-time Events Coordinator – position filled. • Police Officer – ongoing interviews. Applications continue to be received. • Laborer – position remains posted. Recently 2 Laborer’s were hired. Another candidate verbally accepted and the hiring process will begin. • Public Relations – vacant. CALENDAR: The Town Administrator asked for additions/corrections to the calendar. • Board of Appeals - September 27th, meeting cancelled because of no submissions. Contact Ruth Seitler with any changes. MISCELLANEOUS: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding The Deputy Director of Finance notified the second installment of the ARPA funds were received. Update on Town Hall/Police Department Construction Project The Director of Public Works reported construction is on schedule and should be completed in May, 2023. The ceiling lights, drywall, windows, tile for the bathrooms, and interior doors have been installed. In the next couple of weeks, the exterior siding will be installed and the second floor walls painted. The Director of Public Works advised the Hickory Avenue and Lee Street sidewalk and curbing will be completed soon. 3 The Town Administrator notified for construction purposes, staff will need to vacate Town Hall in October for a short period of time. Working arrangements will be made. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS: Chair Bianca requested a trash can be placed at the Pocket Park near the Courthouse. The Director of Planning has been looking into it. Chair Bianca informed Maryland American Water Company has grant money available and would like the Town to utilize it. Discussion continued about using the funds to improve a park in Town. Commissioner Chance informed a $5,000 donation has been given by Jones Junction to purchase exercise equipment for the Bel Air Police Department. Commissioner Etting appreciates what has been accomplished at the Pocket Park and pleased the Town Hall/Police Department construction is on time and on budget. ADJOURNMENT: With no further comments, the meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m. APPROVED: September 19, 2022 Signature on file___________ Kevin M. Bianca, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 4