Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS September 18, 2023 The regular meeting of the Board of Town Commissioners was called to order on Monday, September 18, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Town Hall, 39 N. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, Md. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Kevin M. Bianca, Chair Commissioner Mary F. Chance Commissioner Paula S. Etting Commissioner Erin S. Hughes Commissioner Donna L. Kahoe STAFF PRESENT: Edward Hopkins, Town Administrator Stephen Kline, Director of Public Works Michael Krantz, Director of Administration Charles Moore, Chief of Police Angela Robertson, Director of Economic Development Kevin Small, Director of Planning Pamela Wockenfuss, Deputy Director of Finance David Anderson, Media & Public Relations Specialist Elizabeth Thompson, Town Counsel Joan Suitt, Recording Secretary ABSENT: Lisa Moody, Director of Finance APPROVAL OF 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Kahoe moved and Commissioner Etting seconded the motion that the minutes of the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners held on August 29, 2023 and September 5, 2023 be approved as submitted. Commissioner Etting moved to amend the motion to remove “Etting concurred” on paragraph 1, page 3 of the August 29, 2023 minutes. Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca 1 Nays: None The motion carried. PRESENTATION: Proclamation September 2023 National Preparedness Month Chair Bianca advised to raise awareness for the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies, the month of September is observed as National Preparedness Month. The Town of Bel Air urges our citizens to be prepared by learning their risks and responses, planning, and building a supply kit that will be ready for emergencies. Chair Bianca stated the Town of Bel Air has top-tier first responders, including police, fire, EMS and the Harford County Department of Emergency Services, all prepared to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice. The Town has built a strong and enduring relationship with the Harford County Department of Emergency Services and can count on their support in a crisis. On behalf of the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners, Chair Bianca proclaimed the month of September, 2023 as National Preparedness Month. Certificate of Appreciation for Harford County Department of Emergency Services Chair Bianca advised the Harford County Department of Emergency Services is there 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist and protect the citizens of Harford County with the 911 Center, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials Response Team, and Technical Rescue Team. Chair Bianca stated the Bel Air Police Department, Department of Public Works and our volunteer fire and EMS providers work closely with Emergency Services as they respond to day-to-day calls for service, handle major incidents that require cooperation with allied agencies, and prepare for all manner of emergencies. Chair Bianca recognized and thanked the Harford County Department of Emergency Services for actively working with the Town to be prepared and recover from any disaster. On behalf of the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners, Chair Bianca presented Mike Brunicke, Deputy Director of the Harford County Department of Emergency Services, with a Certificate of Appreciation. On behalf of the County Executive and Director Ayers, Mike Brunicke thanked the Town of Bel Air for their great relationship in helping to prepare for major events in the Town. Commissioner Chance had the opportunity on many occasions to go to the Emergency Services Operation Center during actual emergencies. The Town of Bel Air was represented during those emergencies and saw all emergency services staff working together 24/7. The general public never knows what is going on during those emergencies and these recognitions are not enough to say thank you. 2 PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NEW BUSINESS ITEMS: None. NEW BUSINESS: Resolution 1210-23 Holiday Parking – Temporarily suspending parking fines and meter rates on all public streets, in the Town of Bel Air, from November 23, 2023, through January 1, 2024 Commissioner Chance moved and Commissioner Hughes seconded the motion that Resolution No. 1210-23, temporarily suspending parking fines and meter rates in all metered spaces on public streets in the Town of Bel Air, from November 23, 2023, through January 1, 2024, be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners. Mr. Krantz, Director of Administration, notified metered parking will still be enforced at the garage and other public municipal lots around Town. Chair Bianca stated this is a great holiday tradition and glad to be able to do this again. Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca Nays: None The motion carried. Resolution 1211-23 Extending the use of Temporary Tent Permits and Temporary Use Permits, Due to COVID-19, in the Town of Bel Air Through March 31, 2024 Commissioner Hughes moved and Commissioner Kahoe seconded the motion that Resolution No. 1211-23, extending the use of temporary tents and temporary uses, due to COVID-19, in the Town of Bel Air, through March 31, 2024, be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners. Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca Nays: None The motion carried. Force Main Sewer Line Design Contract Commissioner Kahoe moved and Commissioner Etting seconded the motion that the unit prices of KCI Technologies, 1352 Marrows Road, Suite 100, Newark, Delaware 19711 as provided to and accepted by Howard County Government under Contract No. 4400004865, be utilized by the Town to enter into a contract to design and provide construction drawings to replace the Force Main for the Gateway Drive Sanitary Sewer Pumping Station in an amount not to exceed $65,000.00 be accepted by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners. 3 Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca Nays: None The motion carried. Reappointment to the Board of Election Judges - Elaine Millard Commissioner Etting moved and Commissioner Chance seconded the motion that the reappointment of Elaine Millard to the Bel Air Board of Election Judges for a term of four (4) years, effective immediately, be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners. Mr. Krantz, Director of Administration, advised Ms. Millard has served during several elections and is highly recommending her reappointment. Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca Nays: None The motion carried. Appointment to the Appearance and Beautification Committee - Margaret S. Lucas Commissioner Kahoe moved and Commissioner Etting seconded the motion that the appointment of Margaret S. Lucas to the Bel Air Appearance and Beautification Committee, for a term of four (4) years, effective immediately, be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners. Mr. Kline, Director of Public Works, informed Ms. Lucas has been attending the meetings of the Appearance and Beautification Committee (ABC) for at least 10 years as the Liaison for the Downtown Alliance. Ms. Lucas requested to become a member of ABC and the Committee is in favor. Commissioner Hughes extended her thanks to Ms. Lucas for always stepping up for the Town in so many ways. Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca Nays: None The motion carried. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair Bianca acknowledged the staff of the Department of Public Works, Economic Development, Police Department, Bel Air Recreation and all volunteers for their efforts during the Bel Air Festival of the Arts. Chair Bianca notified the children also enjoyed the new playground at Shamrock Park. Chair Bianca shared: • September 22nd – Ribbon cutting Town Hall/Police Department, 11:00 a.m. and welcomed all to attend. 4  • September 23rd – Harford County Wine Festival, at Rockfield Manor. Unfortunately, tickets have been sold out. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND LIAISON REPORTS: Commissioner Etting informed the meeting of the Elderly and Needy Citizens Committee on September 26th has been cancelled due to several members having conflicts. The meeting will be rescheduled. Commissioner Etting advised the Planning Commission meets October 5th at 6:00 p.m. Commissioner Etting stated the Bel Air Festival of Arts was great and thanked everyone involved in the event. Commissioner Etting attended the “Beatles” event at the Tower Restaurant on Saturday and was impressed with the number of people enjoying themselves in the Town. Commissioner Etting notified Bel Air, Maryland was rated the best suburb for first time homebuyers. Commissioner Chance attended the Economic Development Commission meeting last week and is amazed at the amount of work being done. Commissioner Chance gave credit to the Commission, Ms. Robinson and Economic Development staff for their hard work in bringing events and improvements to the Town. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:22 p.m. APPROVED: October 2, 2023 Signature on file________________ Kevin M. Bianca, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_______________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 5