Board of Town Commissioners

BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION November 15, 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 Stephen Kline, Director of Public Works Michael Krantz, Director of Administration Lisa Moody, Director of Finance Charles Moore, Chief of Police Angela Robertson, Economic Development Coordinator Kevin Small, Director of Planning Charles Keenan, Town Counsel ABSENT: Trish Heidenreich, Director of Economic Development OTHERS: Joan Suitt, Recording Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA: The Town Administrator 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. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: The Town Administrator reported the issues with Legacy Gateway have been resolved and are working in the right direction. The Ma & Pa Trail sign will be relocated down hill and there are plans for one additional sign. The recommendation was not to mow that area and the trees damaged will be replanted. Chair Bianca commended the Town Administrator, Director of Planning, Director of Public Works and Chief of Police for their efforts in resolving the concerns. 1 The Town Administrator informed the concern of church bells ringing at 6:00 a.m. was worked out by the Chief of Police. The Town Administrator advised the last meeting in the rotunda will be the December 5th Town Board meeting because of renovations. Meeting locations will be discussed under Miscellaneous. TENATIVE AGENDA FOR TOWN MEETING (November 21, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.) Presentations: Certificates of Achievement for Police Department Explorers Program The Chief of Police advised volunteers with the Bel Air Police Explorers Post will be recognized for their many hours of service. Appearance and Beautification Committee Awards The Director of Public Works notified the annual awards from the Appearance and Beautification Committee will be presented for: • Residence • Business • House/Property Restoration Proclamation for Small Business Saturday The Economic Development Coordinator informed a Proclamation declaring November 26th as Small Business Saturday will be presented. New Business: Election of Chair and Vice-Chair The election of Chair and Vice Chair will be voted on by the Town Commissioners. Appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission Commissioner Hughes informed an application has been received from Joseph Wojciehowski whose full time residence is being established in the Town. Mr. Wojciehowski has a degree in Architecture and has worked with Historic Preservation in other areas. STAFFING UPDATE: The Director of Administration reported: • Laborer position re-posted. • Lateral Police Officer position posted. 2  • Public Relation position – applications are coming in. CALENDAR: The November and December calendar was distributed. Contact Ruth Seitler with additions/corrections. The Director of Administration informed the time for the December 13th Work Session has been changed to 4:30 p.m. The Director of Administration advised the first Town Board meeting in January has traditionally not been held and the Work Session before cancelled. The Commissioners made the decision to not meet December 27, 2022 and January 3, 2023. MISCELLANEOUS: Policy I.A.1 Town Commissioner Assign Liaison Responsibilities The Commissioners Liaison Responsibilities were distributed. New meeting location suggestions to be considered during the closure of the Rotunda The Director of Administration advised there is some availability to meet at the Armory during renovations but may need to meet virtually. The Director of Administration knows the preference for Budget Work Sessions are in-person. Chair Bianca asked for the time frame for renovations. The Director of Administration believes five months. The Commissioners prefer meeting in person. Other locations suggested: • Bel Air Library • Calvary Baptist Church • HARCO Credit Union conference room • Economic Development conference room Commissioner Hughes inquired about the new community meeting room. The Director of Administration advised it will be used for storage. The Director of Administration will contact the facilities suggested. Fiscal Year 2023 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Update 3 The Director of Finance distributed and reviewed the line items on the preliminary list of American Rescue Plan proposals for Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The Commissioners had no further questions on the projects. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Chair Bianca informed the Downtown Alliance reported this year’s BBQ Bash was the best ever. Commissioner Kahoe has concern with the entrance location of the upcoming Raising Cane’s restaurant. The Director of Planning advised they are currently doing a traffic study and looking at stormwater management. CLOSED SESSION: Commissioner Chance moved and Commissioner Kahoe seconded the motion to close the meeting under the provisions of the Maryland Open Meetings Act General Provisions Art. § 3-305(b)(8). Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca Nays: None The motion carried. The meeting reopened at 6:50 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: With no further comments, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. APPROVED: December 5, 2022 Signature on file____________ Kevin M. Bianca, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file______________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 4