Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BEL AIR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2024 The Board of Commissioners Work Session Mee�ng was held on February 27, 2024, at 5:15 pm. PRESENT: Commissioner Paula S. Etting, Chair (conference call) Commissioner Mary F. Chance Commissioner Steven T. Chizmar Commissioner James B. Rutledge, III Commissioner Jakob D. Taylor (arrived 5:46 pm) IN ATTENDANCE: David Anderson, Media & Public Relations Specialist Edward Hopkins, Town Administrator Steven Kline, Director of Public Works Michael Krantz, Director of HR & Administration Lisa Moody, Director of Finance Charles Moore, Chief of Police Angela Robertson, Director of Economic Development Laura Bianca-Pruett, Planner II Elizabeth Thompson, Town Counsel Pamela Wockenfuss, Deputy Director of Finance Jane Sudbrink, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Chizmar called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. Mr. Krantz read the roll call of attendees as listed above. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Hopkins said the Fire Presenta�on that was previously listed on the agenda was cancelled and will be rescheduled. Commissioner Rutledge mo�oned to approve the agenda as amended. Commissioner Chance seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz asked for roll call. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. III. PRESENTATION A. Request to Amend I�nerant Dealer and Peddler Map Regarding 332 Bal�more Pike Paul Thompson, Architectural Design Works, 298 Canterbury Rd, Bel Air, provided background on his request. He said that he received approval from the Planning Commission to construct a small, one-story building on the property. Since then, he has struggled to get SHA approval to install two-way access on and off the site. The required changes from the administra�on would diminish the size of the building. Addi�onally, the adjoining property owner will not give him access because the property is a pending sale and the bank will not allow it. 1  David Taylor, Civil Engineer, described the unusual layout of the property, saying it is very narrow and half of it is composed of a stream and woods. He described how the property cannot meet the code for zone B-3A because of these constraints. Ms. Thompson interjected that the Board of Commissioners does not have jurisdic�on over the issues they presented. Mr. Taylor said that he was providing background only to explain why they are asking for a revision to the peddler map. Mr. Thompson explained that in an effort to help the property owner pay for taxes, they are asking for an approval for a food truck while they work through their development issues. Ms. Thompson said the commissioners can address the food truck on the property only. Mr. Thompson confirmed for Commissioner Chizmar that the only thing preven�ng them from installing the food truck is that the loca�on is not on the peddler map. He said the intent is to have the truck parked there and have an adjacent picnic area. Commissioner Rutledge noted that this mee�ng is a work session only where the commissioners receive informa�on and do not vote, although he was in favor of learning more. He felt that the commissioners would need input from the Planning Commission and was concerned about customers pulling in and out of the lot. Mr. Thompson said he expects customers would be walk-ups, and in answer to Ms. Thompson, these customers would conceivably come from the Howard Park neighborhood. He further discussed how people could park in the rear and go back out onto Route 1. Ms. Thompson stressed that this issue should be for the Planning Department. She urged them to submit a request to the department formally asking the commissioners to expand the i�nerant map to include their property. Ms. Thompson said several things were in play here that would need to comply with code, like SHA, outdoor dining, and a food truck. The expansion of the peddler map does fall under the board’s purview, but first the requested use must be addressed by the Planning Department. Mr. Thompson said that he had gone to Kevin Small ini�ally, who told him to go to the Board of Commissioners for the map expansion approval first. Ms. Thompson asked that they email her at Stark & Keenan and Ms. Bianca-Pruet in the Planning Department summarizing the situa�on. She would contact them a�er March 6 when Mr. Small returns. B. Maryland Estonia Exchange Council (MEEC) Sister City of Narva, Estonia 1. Sr. Vice President Barbara Tower Ms. Tower presented on the ten years of partnership between Bel Air and Narva, Estonia. She first presented a map of Estonia and the surrounding area. She described the history of Estonia and its struggle to become an independent, democra�c country star�ng in 1918. Ms. Tower then described the history of the partnership, which developed through the Maryland Estonia Exchange Council (MEEC). The partnership explores such things as interna�onal coopera�on, business links, healthcare, and cultural exchanges. Narva officially became a partner city in 2014 when the partnership was signed via Skype. Ms. Tower described the layout of Narva, including its popula�on, na�onali�es, and economics. She said that the years 2015-2019 were the heyday of the partnership. During this �me, the mayor from Narva visited Bel Air. An important library connec�on was developed and HIV/AIDS workshops were conducted in Narva by nursing students from Harford County. The pandemic and the numerous mayors of Narva have challenged the partnership. 2  Ms. Tower said future ini�a�ves could include a business linkages recep�on to be held at the armory, a mental health conference to be held in Pärnu, Estonia in 2025, and a visit from one of the commissioners to Narva this summer. She also suggested exploring a possible rela�onship with the town of Rakvere (pop. 15,000), which is a clean energy city focused on music and the arts. Ms. Tower asked, at the minimum, that the chair and commissioners send a leter of congratula�ons to the recently elected mayor of Narva, Jaan Toots, and reconvene the partnership commitee. Commissioners Chance and Chizmar thanked Ms. Tower for her excellent presenta�on and will consider her sugges�ons. Chair E�ng agreed to dra� the leter. IV. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Mr. Hopkins did not present a report. V. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR TOWN MEETING (Monday, March 4, 2024, at 7:00 pm, Bel Air Town Hall) A. Public Hearing 1. A. Ordinance 824-24 Amending to Ar�cle II of the Development Regula�ons in Chapter 165 of the Bel Air Town Code 2. Resolu�on 1222-24 Amending Resolu�on 1180-22 Amending Bel Air Armory Lease Fee Schedule Sec�on VI. Deposits b. Security Deposit. Increasing the Security Deposit from $250 to $500 B. Unfinished Business 1. Ordinance 824-24 Amending to Ar�cle II of the Development Regula�ons in Chapter 165 of the Bel Air Town Code 2. Resolu�on 1222-24 Amending Resolu�on 1180-22 Amending Bel Air Armory Lease Fee Schedule Sec�on VI. Deposits b. Security Deposit. Increasing the Security Deposit from $250 to $500 3. Ordinance 825-24 Amending Bel Air Town Code Chapter 10. Boards, Commissions, and Commitees Ar�cle IV. Appearance and Beau�fica�on Commitee § 10-14. Membership; terms of office; quorum Mr. Krantz confirmed that the commissioners will decide at this upcoming town hall mee�ng whether or not to vote on Ordinance 824-24 and Resolu�on 1222-24. He said Ordinance 825-24 will not have a public hearing then, but he recommended the board allow public comment at the mee�ng for the upcoming vote. 1. Public Comment C. New Business 1. Fence Installa�on Contract Mr. Kline described the two fencing projects, both budgeted in FY24. The first will be constructed at Rockfield Manor behind the barn and in front of the garage area. It will be decora�ve but is also a safety 3 measure. The second fence is a security fence to be constructed at the public works yard to hold cars in confinement. Mr. Kline said this contract will piggy-back on a contract through Harford County with P&H Fencing. He had budgeted $30,000 and the total is $30,240. Commissioner Rutledge appreciated that this fence contract ensured public safety. a. Public Comment 2. Red Light Camera Contract Chief Moore said that this contract has been in place since April 1999. He said it is a red-light enforcement program in partnership with Howard County Police Department through the Regional Automated Enforcement Center, under American Traffic Solu�ons or Verra Mobility. The 2016 contract was re-bid and will be through Verra Mobility again. The town proposes to piggy-back on Howard County’s contract again. The contract will be for a one-year period, effec�ve February 2024, with six yearly renewals. Chief Moore listed the four sites of the red-light cameras. He also described the costs associated with the cameras. This past year, the town issued 8,000 cita�ons. Although the costs for the cameras totaled $201,435, the town collects $564,000. Most important, Chief Moore said, the program saves lives. Commissioner Chance wished there could be more cameras in town. a. Public Comment VI. STAFFING UPDATE A. Review Term Expira�on Dates of Boards, Commitees, and Commissions Mr. Krantz discussed his handout that listed the upcoming or current vacancies on the Appearance and Beau�fica�on Commitee, Board of Ethics, Cultural Arts Commission, Planning Commission, and Tree Commitee. He noted that the three vacancies in the Appearance and Beau�fica�on Commitee may be lessened via Ordinance 825-24. Chair E�ng and Ms. Bianca-Pruet clarified that the Tree Commitee does not have a vacancy because Deanna Harkins is now on that commitee. Mr. Krantz said he would make the correc�on. In answer to Commissioner Chizmar, Mr. Krantz said there is now a master spreadsheet on the town’s website for all the commitees and commissions, as well as an online applica�on. Commissioner Chizmar asked if openings could be put on Spotlight. Mr. Krantz agreed to work on that with David Anderson, along with including a blurb on social media to cast a wider net. Mr. Krantz provided a staff update. The town is seeking a part-�me computer network support specialist, part-�me senior planner, full-�me accoun�ng clerk, and full-�me laborer. The police officer, police dispatcher, and part-�me procurement officer posi�ons closed and interviews are being conducted. VII. CALENDAR Ms. Robertson confirmed that there is no Economic Development Commitee mee�ng in April. Chair E�ng will be atending the Maryland Mayor’s Associa�on Conference. The Chocolate and Wine Fes�val sold out. 4 VIII. MISCELLANEOUS A. Discuss Approval of Leter Regarding Cer�fied Local Government Educa�on and Training Grant Joint Applica�on with Harford County Ms. Bianca-Pruet said that every year the town is awarded a non-compe��ve grant through the Maryland Historical Trust for educa�on for the town’s historical commission, staff, and commissioners. She said no money is exchanged, rather most of the trainings are through the state. This year, the town will be joining with the county to do a training (Commissions, Assistance, and Mentoring Program) offered by the Na�onal Alliance of Preserva�on Commissions. The alliance would like a leter from the chair sta�ng that the board supports and agrees to be part of this grant and supports the county’s applica�on for this grant. Ms. Bianca-Pruet said there is an addi�onal $500 in training if the town applies with the county. She said the applica�on is due on February 29. Commissioner Chance asked how the money is split between the town and the county. Ms. Bianca-Pruet said the training is done together as a group fee. Chair E�ng said she will be glad to sign the leter as long as three out of five of the commissioners support it. Ms. Thompson counseled that the leter is just confirming the town is in support of the county’s applica�on; it does not bind the town. All commissioners said they supported it. Chair E�ng said she would sign the leter tomorrow evening. IX. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS Commissioner Taylor said he greatly appreciated and valued the presenta�on from Ms. Tower. Mr. Hopkins said he communicates regularly with Ms. Tower and will pass on the feedback. X. CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Chizmar read the reasons for the closed session as listed below. Commissioner Taylor mo�oned to move the mee�ng into closed session and also read the reasons for the closed session. Commissioner Chance seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz asked for roll call: Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5-0. All in favor. Mo�on carried. Mr. Krantz stated that the mee�ng would not return to open session. The mee�ng closed at 6:24 pm. A. This mee�ng will be closed under the provisions of the Maryland Open Mee�ngs Act General Provisions Art. § 3-305(b)(7). B. Topic of Discussion: 1. To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice regarding fee in lieu of open space C. Reason for Closed-Session Discussion of Above Topic 1. Because public discussion of confiden�al informa�on and legal strategies can compromise the atorney-client privilege and inhibit the ability of the public body to receive candid and uninhibited legal guidance 5 XI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Taylor mo�oned to adjourn the mee�ng. Commissioner Chance seconded the mo�on. The mee�ng adjourned at 6:49 pm. APPROVED: March 18, 2024 Signature on file _____________ Paula S. E�ng, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 6