Board of Town Commissioners

BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION September 27, 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 Edward Hopkins, Town Administrator Trish Heidenreich, Director of Economic Development Stephen Kline, Director of Public Works Michael Krantz, Director of Administration Lisa Moody, Director of Finance Charles Moore, Chief of Police Kevin Small, Director of Planning Charles Keenan, Town Counsel OTHERS: Joan Suitt, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Chair Bianca called for approval of the agenda. Commissioner Kahoe moved and Commissioner Etting seconded the motion to approve the agenda as written. Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe, and Bianca Nays: None The motion carried. PRESENTATION: Harford 250 Committee Presentation by Jackie Seneschal and Carol Deibel Carol Deibel notified Harford 250 Project is planning a Harford County Celebration March 2023 – March 2024 that will be good for Harford County and the Town of Bel Air. During this time, the public will better understand where we came from and where we are headed. The celebration will inspire county residents by educating, engaging, and uniting the past and seeking a positive path to the future. Events: 1  • Opening Event – 250 Years of Community – March 31 – April 1, 2023, APGFCU Arena at Harford Community College. There will be performances, community and nonprofit booths, art displays, food, and drink. • Fall Event – August 19, 2023 – History of Sports at Ripken Stadium. Sports highlights, IronBirds game, and fireworks. • Closing Event – Celebrating the Future - March 23, 2024, at the Reckord Armory, Bel Air, Md. Youth performance, public art, and county-wide ringing of bells. Ms. Deibel informed of working with Visit Harford and other local tourism groups. Jackie Seneschal appreciates the Town of Bel Air’s contribution to the event and brought stickers to place on doors for advertising. Ms. Seneschal would like the Town of Bel Air to put together a 10’ x 10’ booth to celebrate the Town during the opening event. There is no charge for the booth and applications will be available the beginning of October. During the Fall event, all sports will be highlighted to include hunting and horse racing. Sponsors are needed for the fireworks. Ms. Seneschal requested names of those who may have interest in helping to highlight sports. The closing event at the Armory will celebrate the future of Harford County. During the closing event, the committee is asking the entire county to sound bells and sirens at noon. Ms. Seneschal reviewed various sponsorship levels for the celebration. Ms. Deibel notified several non-profit organizations will work together to get the word out and work the events. The Town of Bel Air can help with raising awareness of the event, give names of anyone who may want to make a presentation, or help during each event. Elected officials are encouraged to help. Learn more about the events at Harford 250 website, www.harford250.org. Chair Bianca is looking forward to celebrating the Town and Harford County. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: The Town Administrator attended the funeral service for Wayne Dougherty, former Mayor of Havre de Grace, Councilman and served at the Harford County Sheriff’s Department. The Town Administrator recommends orchestrating the room to have Staff and Commissioners together at the table for effective communications. 2 The Town Administrator advised of not being available for the October 11th Work Session because of participating in the MML Fall Conference. Chair Bianca needs to check his schedule and will email his availability. TENATIVE AGENDA FOR TOWN MEETING (October 3, 2022, at 7:30 p.m.) Public Hearing: Ordinance 810-22 Amending Chapter 246 of the Bel Air Town Code Entitled Historic Preservation The public hearing will be held on Ordinance 810-22 that was received by the Commissioners on August 15, 2022. The Director of Planning reviewed changes to the Ordinance and will email the final copy to the Commissioners and the Director of Administration. Unfinished Business: Ordinance 810-22 Amending Chapter 246 of the Bel Air Town Code Entitled Historic Preservation The Commissioners will vote to approve amended Ordinance 810-22 – Historic Preservation. Final Decision of the Board of Town Commissioners — Appeal by Michael R. McCann, Esq. on behalf of Appellants, twelve (12) taxpayers of the Town of Bel Air, from the May 25, 2022, decision of the Board of Election Judges. The Director of Administration notified this item will be discussed during Closed Session. New Business: Resolution 1191-22 Update Town of Bel Air Flood Mitigation Assistance Plan (FMAP) The Director of Public Works advised the Town’s Resolution for flood mitigation assistance needs to be updated. MEMA has changed their name to Maryland Department of Emergency Management. Resolution 1192-22 2021 Annual Growth Report The Annual Growth Report is completed twice per year but was received a few days ago from Harford County. The Director of Planning stated this will not affect any development approvals in the Town because other attendance areas adjoin them. Percentages: 3  • Homestead/Wakefield – currently operating at 113.8% and will grow 15% by the 2024-2025 school year. • Bel Air Elementary – will likely operate over 110% by the 2023-2024 school year. • Bel Air Middle – will be over capacity at 112% by the 2024-2025 school year. On-Call Painting Contracts The Director of Public Works advised the on-call painting contract is for two companies and will not exceed $75,000. This contract will allow staff to contact the companies without obtaining estimates and be helpful in emergency situations. Referral of Annexation to the Planning Commission — 304, 308, 310 Tollgate Road and Portion of Property Tollgate Marketplace The Director of Planning stated this annexation was before the Commissioners several months ago and found a portion of Tollgate Marketplace is not completely in the Town. The Director of Planning advised that portion of Tollgate Marketplace is now part of this annexation. During the October 3rd meeting, the Commissioners will be accepting the petition and referring it to the Planning Commission. Signatures need to be verified that over 25% of property owners have petitioned the Town to annex. Town Staff will prepare a Resolution and an annexation report will go out to Harford County and the State of Maryland. The Planning Commission will establish zoning and do all the research. The Director of Planning notified the properties are currently zoned B-2 in Harford County and the Resolution will come back to the Commissioners for approval. STAFFING UPDATE: The Director of Administration notified: • Laborer - presented offer, verbally accepted and background checks begin. • Parking Enforcement Officer – posting for a temporary Parking Enforcement Officer to fill in while our regular employee recuperates. The Chief of Police informed of three Police Officer vacancies and applications are being processed. CALENDAR: 4 The October, November, and December 2022 calendars were distributed. Contact Ruth Seitler with additions/corrections. Cecil-Harford Chapter MML Quarterly Meeting Commissioner Hughes informed the Cecil-Harford MML quarterly meeting is October 20th at 6:00 p.m. in Chesapeake City. Please contact Ruth Seitler to RSVP. MISCELLANEOUS: The Chief of Police advised the Consolidated Transportation Program group met to discuss traffic priorities in Harford County. Delegate McComas invited the Bel Air Police Department to make a presentation. During the presentation, the Chief informed about pedestrian safety and addressed lowering flashing signals for better sight and the concerns with the intersection of Pennsylvania and Bond. The Chief stated they seem attentive. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS: Commissioner Etting informed the Elderly and Needy Citizens Committee needs more members. The Director of Administration inquired if the Scout looking for an Eagle project was contacted by the Committee. Commissioner Etting advised Fran Johnson mentioned a project. The Director of Planning will attempt to contact the Scout. Commissioner Etting advised Rowan Glidden gave numbers of fifty-five and older group: • 20% in Town • 15% in State Poverty level: • 11 - 12% in Town • 6.7% in Harford County Commissioner Etting attended the Burns Alley meeting on September 22nd where people were objecting to the project. The decision was made to discuss this at another Work Session. CLOSED SESSION: At 6:45 p.m. Commissioner Chance moved, and Commissioner Kahoe seconded the motion to close the meeting to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice regarding the Appeal of the Bel Air Board of Elections Judges decision on May 25, 2022, because public discussion of names, plans, 5 concerns, or issues could violate an individual’s rights or protections regarding due process or confidentiality. Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe, and Bianca Nays: None The motion carried. The meeting was reopened at 7:38 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Approved: October 17, 2022 Signature on file_______________ Kevin M. Bianca, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file______________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 6