Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BEL AIR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWN HALL MEETING MARCH 18, 2024 The Board of Commissioners Town Hall Mee�ng was held on March 18, 2024, at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Commissioner Paula S. Etting, Chair Commissioner Mary F. Chance Commissioner James B. Rutledge, III Commissioner Jakob D. Taylor David Anderson, Media & Public Relations Specialist IN ATTENDANCE: 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 Kevin Small, Director of Planning Elizabeth Thompson, Town Counsel Jane Sudbrink, Recording Secretary ABSENT: Commissioner Steven T. Chizmar I. CALL TO ORDER Chair E�ng called the mee�ng to order at 7:00 pm and read the roll call of commissioners. II PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Chance mo�oned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Taylor seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Chance mo�oned that the minutes of the Board of Commissioners mee�ngs held on February 27, 2024 (work session and closed session) and March 4, 2024 (town hall mee�ng) be approved as submited. Commissioner Taylor seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. 1 V. PRESENTATION A. Commemora�ng Economic and Community Development Commission’s 50th Anniversary Commissioner Taylor first recognized Gil Kennedy, Donna Dickey, Billy Kelly, Jay Ellenby, and Chair Chris Street of the Economic and Community Development Commission. He presented on the fi�y-year history of this commission. Commissioner Taylor said it was established in March 1974 and has contributed to the town’s growth and prosperity through its work in housing, business development, parks, streetscapes, beau�fica�on, events, and public improvement projects. The commission has played a pivotal role in providing advice and guidance to the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Taylor listed just some of the commission’s involvement in important projects, such as the establishments of the Farmer’s Market, the Downtown Alliance, the Bel Air Annual Awards, and the Christmas Parade. He congratulated the commission on its commitment to create sustainable economic progress in town while enhancing the community’s well-being. Commissioner Taylor said each member brings a unique perspec�ve to the commission and it is an honor to work with them. He presented a cer�ficate of recogni�on to the commission members. VI. PUBLIC HEARING A. 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 said the Appearance and Beau�fica�on Commitee has not consistently met the minimum of 9 members for the past few years. He emphasized that this lower membership has not adversely impacted the commitee’s ability to fulfill its purpose and goals. The commitee would like to change its membership from a minimum of 9, maximum of 12 members, to a minimum of 5, maximum of 9 members. Mr. Krantz said staff recommends that Ordinance 825-24 be approved by the commissioners. There was no public comment. The commissioners did not comment. The public hearing closed at 7:07 pm. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. 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. Commissioner Taylor mo�oned that 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, be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on Ordinance 825-24. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolu�on 1226-24 Accep�ng the 2023 Planning Commission Annual Report Commission Taylor mo�oned to lay this resolu�on on the table un�l the Planning Commission has fully reviewed the report. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote to 2 lay Resolu�on 1226-24 on the table un�l the Planning Commission has reviewed it. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. 1. Public Comments There was no public comment. B. Overhead Garage Door Repair and Maintenance Contract Commissioner Chance mo�oned that the unit price bids submited by Overhead Door Company of Bal�more, Inc., under Town of Bel Air Bid No. DPW-030624 for On-Call Overhead Garage Door Repair Services be u�lized by the town to perform maintenance and repairs to all facility overhead garage door systems be accepted by the Board of Town Commissioners for an amount not to exceed fi�y thousand dollars in a single budget year. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. Mr. Kline described the contract. He said the town has 37 overhead garage doors across various municipal facili�es. The doors require scheduled maintenance and emergency repair to ensure uninterrupted opera�ons of essen�al town services. Maintenance and repair costs have escalated significantly, necessita�ng a more efficient approach to repairs. Public Works ini�ated Bid No. DPW- 030624 to solicit bids for on-call repair services. Overhead Door Company of Bal�more was the only bidder. Mr. Kline noted that having on-call repair services will minimize down�me, ensure safety and smooth opera�ons, and extend the life�me of the doors. 1. Public Comments There was no public comment. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the overhead garage door repair and maintenance contract. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. C. Red-Light Camera Contract Commissioner Rutledge mo�oned that the Board of Commissioners approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Howard County, MD for con�nued partnership with the Regional Automated Enforcement Center and approve an agreement with American Traffic Solu�ons, doing business as (dba) Verra Mobility, to con�nue the town’s Automated Red Light Enforcement Program. Commissioner Chance seconded the mo�on. Chief Moore recounted the history of this contract. Since April 1999 the town has been involved in a red-light enforcement program created by the Howard County Police Department. Chief Moore noted that con�nuing with the project will benefit public health, safety, and welfare through the preven�on and reduc�on of traffic crashes. Chief Moore said Howard County re-bid the project this year and selected American Traffic Solu�ons, Inc. dba Verra Mobility as the provider of cameras and processing services. The town would like to piggyback on this contract for all four red-light camera sites. He said the contract is for a one-year period, with six renewal periods. Chief Moore said the program con�nues to posi�vely impact the crash rate at these intersec�ons, and approximately 8,000 cita�ons are issued per year. Chief Moore outlined the annual costs of the program totaling to $201,435.56. He said the town collected $564,605.00 in revenue as a result of the program. 3 1. Public Comments There was no public comment. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote to con�nue the town’s automated red-light enforcement program. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. IX. PUBLIC ANNOUNCMENTS Chair E�ng made the following announcements. Tickets are s�ll available for the Ain’t Misbehavin’ Big Band show at the armory on March 20. The closing celebra�on for Harford County’s 250th celebra�on will take place on March 23, also at the armory. Bells Across Harford will follow at noon. The Town of Bel Air will be celebra�ng its 150th anniversary this spring. The town is asking ci�zens to light homes and businesses in green throughout April. On April 11, Ring a Bell for Bel Air will take place to mark the date the town was incorporated. The Then and Now showcase at the armory will take place on Saturday, April 27. A concert with the Bel Air Community Band and Chorus will follow this event. Town offices will be closed on Friday, March 29 in observance of Good Friday. Ci�zens can s�ll sign up for Spring Dance Lessons at the armory un�l March 31. The Cultural Arts Commission will meet on March 20. The Board of Commissioners Work Session will take place on March 26 followed by a Town Board Mee�ng on April 1 where the Town Administrator will present the FY25 budget. X. PUBLIC COMMENTS Wayne Goddard, 128 N. Bond St, Bel Air, complimented the Public Works Department and the Police Department for their hard work, grace, poise, and professionalism over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. XI. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS Chair E�ng also congratulated the Police Department for doing excellent work during the St. Patrick’s Day events and extended the same congratula�ons to the Public Works Department. Chair E�ng said that she atended the Bel Air Elementary Patriots Program event, along with Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, and Chance. She said there were 277 patriots this year, with 35 students having completed all the requirements. Their reward will be a walking tour of Bel Air in May. She noted that the children prefer learning about the town they live in and are interested in local government. Chair E�ng atended the Tree Commitee last week as liaison. She commended the members’ knowledge of trees, par�cularly na�ve species, and said she is glad to be the liaison. Commissioner Taylor seconded Chair E�ng’s comments on the Patriot Program and said it was great to see young people get excited about their country and be involved in their community. Commissioner Rutledge remarked on the demonstra�on of harmony amongst the commissioners and public this evening. He commented on Principal Skopak’s excellent work with the Patriot Program and noted the extensive representa�on (county execu�ve, state’s atorney, fire department, sheriff’s office) and the outstanding speaker. Commissioner Chance “ditoed” everyone’s remarks and said the Patriot Program event was great. 4 XII. ADJOURNMENT The mee�ng adjourned at 7:26 pm. APPROVED: April 1, 2024 Signature on file _____________ Paula S. E�ng, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 5