Board of Town Commissioners

BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION October 12, 2022 3:30 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 ABSENT: Commissioner Donna L. Kahoe OTHERS: Joan Suitt, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Chair Bianca called for approval of the agenda. Commissioner Chance moved and Commissioner Hughes seconded the motion to approve the agenda as written. Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes and Bianca Nays: None Absent: Commissioner Kahoe The motion carried. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: The Town Administrator met with the Director of Finance regarding the next Fiscal Year budget. The Directors were asked to begin looking at their requests with numbers and submit as soon as possible. The Town Administrator thought the Fall 2022 MML Conference was positive and informative. 1 The Volunteer Appreciation dinner is October 13th and the Director of Administration will welcome volunteers and Chair Bianca is the keynote speaker. During the next Work Session, the Fire Department will make a presentation to inform Commissioners and staff about fire safety and electric vehicles in the parking garage. The Town Administrator requested the Commissioners and staff to identify topics to discuss during the next Commissioner Retreat to be scheduled in January or February. TENATIVE AGENDA FOR TOWN MEETING (October 17, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.) Presentations: Proclamation for Economic Development Week The Director of Economic Development notified the Proclamation is given each year to recognize Economic Development Week that begins October 24th. The Director of Economic Development reminded about the Town’s annual awards on October 27th at the Armory from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eagle Scout Recognition The Town of Bel Air will recognize three Eagle Scouts and present them with a certificate. New Business: Resolution 1193-22 - Holiday Parking - Temporarily suspending parking fines and meter rates on all public streets, in the Town of Bel Air, from November 24, 2022 through January 1, 2023 The Director of Administration distributed a draft of Resolution 1193-22 for holiday parking. Dates have been changed and will specifically pertain to vehicle parking in metered spaces on all public streets. The garage and Town lots are not included. Approval of Contract for Market Study The Director of Economic Development reviewed the contract for the Market Study and a meeting with the contractor will be scheduled after approval. Chair Bianca asked about the timeframe for the study. The Director of Economic Development believes four months. Reappointments to Board of Appeals 2 The Director of Planning informed of the following recommended reappointments to the Board of Appeals: • Richard Gerety • Rob Preston • Brendan Hopkins Reappointment to the Tree Committee Chair Bianca recommends reappointment of Wayne Merkel to the Tree Committee. STAFFING UPDATE: The Director of Administration notified: • Temporary Parking Enforcement – position posted • Laborers – 2 new hires to begin next week. CALENDAR: The Director of Administration advised Ruth Seitler has emailed the October/November/December calendars. MISCELLANEOUS: Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 Update The Chief of Police distributed an update on Police Accountability and discussed: • Outcry for police reform. • Meetings held with Harford County Coalition of Justice and community members supporting police reform. Developed a citizen survey “Harford County Police Community Survey on Public Safety and Law Enforcement.” The Chief notified the results of the survey for Town Police looked good. • Maryland legislators “reformed” law enforcement legislation. The Police Accountability Act abolished the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights. • Eliminated LEOBR – a tool for law enforcement leadership to guide/discipline/and remove officers. • Additional mandates of the legislation were examined. Outdoor Dining Temporary Use Permits 3 The Director of Administration reported Harford County approved Outdoor Dining Temporary Use Permits for another year and asked the Commissioners to discuss the Town’s approach. The Director of Planning distributed the checklist on the Town’s Temporary Use Permit that explains instances and conditions to be addressed. The Director of Economic Development recommended reviewing this permit further during the Commissioner Retreat. The decision was made for the Director of Administration to draft the Resolution and place it on an agenda for a November Town Board meeting. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS: Chair Bianca advised resurfacing of Shamrock Park was approved and the contractor is waiting until March for completion because of weather conditions. The contractor is willing to place two concrete pads to make the park handicapped assessable but there is no path to get to the pads. Chair Bianca reached out to a local foundation for a donation and a letter will be sent requesting funds. Commissioner Hughes inquired about the Town’s small triangle piece of property near the firehouse. The Director of Public Works has not heard back from the person interested in buying and advised they will need to have the property surveyed. ADJOURNMENT: With no further comments, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. APPROVED: November 7, 2022 Signature on file_____________ Kevin M. Bianca, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 4