Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BEL AIR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION MEETING June 11, 2024 The Board of Commissioners Work Session Mee�ng was held on June 11, 2024, at 5:15 pm. PRESENT: Commissioner Paula S. Etting, Chair Commissioner Mary F. Chance Commissioner Steven T. Chizmar Commissioner James B. Rutledge, III Commissioner Jakob D. Taylor IN ATTENDANCE: David Anderson, Media & Public Relations Specialist Edward Hopkins, Town Administrator Stephen 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 Jane Sudbrink, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER Chair E�ng called the mee�ng to order at 5:15 pm and read the roll call of commissioners. II. 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, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5-0. III. PRESENTATION A. Safe Streets for All Mr. Small introduced the Safe Streets for All program. He said that Bel Air, Havre de Grace, and Aberdeen partnered to receive this grant from the US Department of Transporta�on, which aims to achieve zero traffic deaths and injuries on town streets. He said the first step in this program is to develop an ac�on plan. The firm EXP developed this ac�on plan with next steps and presented it for the commissioners. Dan Williams, Principal, EXP Mid-Atlan�c Transporta�on, provided details on what an ac�on plan is and how it is a tool to iden�fying a path forward. He noted that his team did on-site field inves�ga�ons and it was a collabora�ve effort between the town, the police department, and the county, as well as the public. 1  Patricia Shepherd, Project Manager, introduced the presenta�on. She said the company worked closely with the three municipali�es and representa�ves from SHA. She said the ac�on plan report outlines nine intersec�ons in Bel Air and she detailed the structure of the report around these intersec�ons. Bo Yuan, Traffic Engineer, provided informa�on on each of the nine intersec�ons along with short-, mid-, and long-term solu�ons. B1 was the intersec�on at Courthouse Square at Bond Street. He listed the deficiencies of this intersec�on, including lack of visibility, exis�ng crosswalks not up to standard, exis�ng pushbuton signs are faded, and jaywalkers. Bo listed short-term (1-5 years) solu�ons such as raising and upgrading crosswalks and installing warning signs. Longer term fixes included reducing the speed limit, extending the curbs, building curb extensions, and installing bike racks. Mr. Yuan next described B2, Kenmore at South Main Street. He said the deficiencies are jaywalking, insufficient ligh�ng, outdated crosswalks, handicapped and pedestrian ramps with no crosswalk markings, and large, unhatched pavement. His suggested improvements included installing signs, lowering the speed limit during school �me, installing school crossing, installing chevron signs, upgrading crosswalks, reducing lanes, and evalua�ng the feasibility of a roundabout. Commissioner Chizmar ques�oned the poten�al traffic changes that would impact ci�zens coming out on Linwood Avenue. Mr. Yuan explained the long-term solu�on of a roundabout to ease this concern. Mr. Yuan next described B3, Main and Ellendale Streets at the Ma & Pa Trail. He said deficiencies included flashing beacons without a stop sign; the intersec�on does not clarify what pedestrians should do when crossing; Ellendale Street west and east are not aligned; the trail has a sharp turn at the car wash, which could cause bikes to fall; and there is no wayfinding sign. Ms. Shepherd explained the tables for each intersec�on with poten�al solu�ons and cost es�mates. Mr. Yuan listed improvements to the intersec�on, including upgrades to the pedestrian crossing, more flashing lights, and adding the Maryland pedestrian signal and signs that say it is state law to stop for pedestrians. Ms. Shepherd stressed the importance of educa�on at this intersec�on to clarify what the flashing beacons mean. Mr. Yuan said long-term solu�ons would be to widen the sidewalk near the brewery and realign Ellendale Street. Mr. Yuan reported on B4, Moores Mill Road and North Hickory Avenue. He said there is no sidewalk, no signals for pedestrians, and no crosswalks. He noted some enhancements have already been done. His solu�ons included installing new sidewalks and ADA ramps at the intersec�on, installing crosswalks, adding bike racks, and removing access points to the intersec�on in the long term. Mr. Yuan reported on B5, Pennsylvania Avenue at Hickory Avenue. He said there are old, outdated crosswalks and pushbutons and the entrance to the parking garage is dangerous to pedestrians. Mr. Yuan’s improvements included installing new crosswalks and pushbutons, installing curb extensions, and installing warning signs in the garage for exi�ng cars. Mr. Yuan next reported on B6, Lee Street at Hickory Avenue. He said the crosswalks are outdated, and he proposed shortening the crosswalk to make curb extensions. Mr. Yuan also suggested adding school crossing signs and installing pavement markings. In par�cular, Mr. Yuan pointed out that traffic on Lee Street and Main Street cannot see the crosswalks. He suggested installing cross hatch pavement markings to parking spaces and adding more school crossing signs. He said long-term improvements would include installing a signal to control traffic movements, installing parking space lane warnings on Lee Street, and removing trees to increase visibility. 2  Mr. Yuan next reported on B8, Gordon Street at North Main Street and North Bond Street. He said the crosswalks are outdated, the single ramp does not align with the crosswalk, having two lanes for turning onto Gordon Street is dangerous, there are many children at this intersec�on, and drivers do not yield. Mr. Small said this intersec�on received the most comments from the public. He said the public mee�ng on June 20 and 21 will be about this intersec�on. Ms. Shepherd added that this intersec�on has been determined by SHA to be a good candidate for a demonstra�on project. Mr. Yuan said proposed improvements include upgraded crosswalks, curb extensions, and lane realignment. Commissioner Chizmar expressed concern about narrowing Main Street down to one lane with the heavy influx of traffic through that intersec�on. Commissioners and Mr. Small further discussed the issue of traffic merging into one lane in that area, with Commissioner Taylor concluding that it is a ques�on of where you narrow it down to one lane. Mr. Yuan reported on B9, MacPhail Road and South Main Street. He said the crosswalks are outdated and there is no sidewalk on MacPhail Road. He recommended upgrading the crosswalks, installing new school crossing signs, and installing sidewalks. He next discussed crashes at that intersec�on, recommending that the signal �ming be changed to prevent such accidents. He also suggested installing bike lanes. Mr. Small summed up the commissioners’ concerns. These included Linwood Avenue and how it interacts with Rt. 924 and the convergence of Main and Gordon Streets. He said these concerns would be addressed at the mee�ng on June 20, to include a walk-through of that intersec�on at rush hour. Mr. Small said the ac�on plan can be adjusted based on the commissioners’ comments. Commissioner Chizmar expressed concern about the merging of three lanes to two at Courthouse and Bond Streets. Mr. Small explained this area and noted that traffic conges�on is not caused by the amount of lanes but by stoplights. He suggested keeping to two lanes. Commissioner Rutledge commented that in order to make downtown safe and keep Bel Air atrac�ve to businesses, there must be some leeway and drivers will have to slow down and be more aware. Commissioners discussed various signal op�ons. Ms. Shepherd summarized the findings. She suggested that mid- and long-term improvements are not an immediate priority. She recommended working on the short-term solu�ons first while beginning conversa�ons with SHA now to start up the necessary studies. She also suggested doing the ac�on plan in phases. Ms. Shepherd noted that the report priori�zes intersec�ons, with B2 and B9 at highest priority. Mr. Small said the mee�ng on June 20 will also include local en��es that are adjacent to the Gordon Street intersec�on. B. Maryland American Water Company J. W. Walker, Project Manager of Opera�ons VA & MD, said the company is interested in purchasing the town’s wastewater collec�on system. He said tonight’s presenta�on would explain the buyer-seller process and provide a �me frame. He summarized the company’s presence in the US and its func�ons. He showed a brief video describing the posi�ve impact to the town of Waverly, VA a�er Maryland American Water Company purchased the town’s water system in May 2022. Simon Scarlet, Sr. Manager of Opera�ons VA & MD, outlined the benefits of a wastewater partnership. He said the company invests in its staff and community. Opera�ons are run professionally in 3 order to provide quality water and wastewater services. He said all of this is underpinned by customers. Mr. Scarlet then described the financial investment into Bel Air. He said there would be a financial gain for the town, economic development work with the town, and significant infrastructure investment. Mr. Scarlet then described how the town could use the proceeds from the sale, including tax reduc�on, improvements to roads, renova�ons, and funding of important municipal services. Jeff Barton, Opera�ons Manager, Bel Air, described the investment opportunity that would come with this purchase. He said there would be a reduc�on in the town’s administra�ve func�ons, a single bill for customers, access to corporate experts rela�ng to engineering, security, and the opportunity to use purchase price funds to reduce debt. Rachel Lancaster, Director of Business Development VA & MD, outlined how the u�lity partnership process would work. She described the 4-to 6-month process of due diligence, which involves informa�on sharing, site visits, and opera�ons plans. She noted that the town is under no obliga�on during due diligence. She next described the steps of the formal writen offer, the nego�a�on process, PSC approval, and then customer integra�on. Ms. Lancaster said the �meline can take up to three years. Ms. Lancaster noted that under fair market value, selling is voluntary, it provides consumer protec�ons, and the third-party appraisals ensure transparency. Barry Suits, President VA & MD, answered ques�ons from the commissioners and staff. He noted for Chair E�ng that Cape Charles, VA is similar to Bel Air in that the company has purchased the water and wastewater of that town. In answer to Commissioner Chizmar, Mr. Suits was unsure of the number of wastewater systems the company has purchased but said it has increased in the last decade. He es�mated that 10-15% of their customers are wastewater (300,000-400,000 connec�ons) and he described the sale of wastewater management as a less emo�onal sale than the water system. He also told Commissioner Chizmar that he has not contacted the county about its water and wastewater systems. Mr. Kline asked if the company has been in touch with the county to see if the county would agree to accept the sewage and treat it. Mr. Suits said they have not been in touch yet, but believed the answer would be affirma�ve because the company already has an agreement with the county to buy water. Mr. Kline asked if he had considered construc�ng a treatment plant for the town. Mr. Suits said he has not looked at this op�on, but suspects this would be a viable possibility. Mr. Suits further discussed future wastewater issues as regula�ons change. Chair E�ng asked how rates are calculated for wastewater treatment. Mr. Suits described the process and how costs are analyzed and presented through a rate applica�on to the PSC. He also told Mr. Kline that equipment like camera trucks are usually purchased by the company during the sale process. IV. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Mr. Hopkins reported on two items. He provided a color handout of the newly painted playground at Shamrock Park done by the Lion’s Club. Secondly, he told commissioners that during the �me capsule event, one of them will need to be an emcee and one a keynote speaker. He asked them to contact Julia Potler. He described the contents of the �me capsule. 4 V. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR TOWN MEETING (Monday June 17, 2024, at 7:00 pm, Bel Air Town Hall) A. Public Hearings 1. Ordinance 827-24 Amending Bel Air Town Code Chapter 10: Boards, Commissions, and Commitees Ar�cle V: Commitee on the Elderly and Needy Ci�zens and Sec�on 10-20 Membership; Terms of Office Mr. Krantz said there are no amendments. This ordinance was introduced on June 3 and includes the name change, commitee member amount and defini�on of a quorum. Commissioner Taylor said that presuming all boards operate under Robert’s Rules of Order, the defini�on of a quorum is enumerated in Robert’s. Mr. Krantz asked if the following statement is correct: “a majority of vo�ng members shall cons�tute a quorum for transac�on of business.” Commissioner Taylor agreed with this statement because it includes “majority of voting members.” 2. Resolu�on 1231-24 Town of Bel Air Fee Schedule Amendments Mr. Krantz said the handout before the commissioners reflects their request for addi�onal clarifica�on on building permits. He said the language change was made with the support of the Department of Public Works. He said the wording now makes clear the Harford County fee and the U&O fee. Commissioners agreed that the wording was clearer. Commissioner Rutledge asked about giving residents a break on the fee for decks and club basements in order to encourage more home improvements. Commissioner Taylor agreed when considering a contractor versus a homeowner paying this fee. Mr. Kline explained that this $50 fee is for administra�ve �me spent on processing the cer�ficate and is the same price across building projects. Mr. Kline agreed to inquire for Chair E�ng what the U&O fees are for Havre de Grace and Aberdeen. She did not find the fee unreasonable. B. Unfinished Business 1. Ordinance 827-24 Amending Bel Air Town Code Chapter 10: Boards, Commissions, and Commitees Ar�cle V: Commitee on the Elderly and Needy Ci�zens and Sec�on 10-20 Membership; Terms of Office See above. 2. Resolu�on 1231-24 Town of Bel Air Fee Schedule Amendments See above. C. New Business 1. Ordinance 830-24 Amending the Code of the Town of Bel Air Chapter 145 Building Construc�on Mr. Kline said he is introducing these three ordinances next week. He said that Harford County adopted the 2021 Interna�onal Building Code in March. As with the county, the town makes changes to the code rela�ve to the town’s needs. 5 2. Ordinance 831-24 Amending the Code of the Town of Bel Air Chapter 180 Electrical Standards Mr. Kline said this is the 2021 Interna�onal Code for Electrical Standards. 3. Ordinance 832-24 Amending the Code of the Town of Bel Air Chapter 353 Plumbing and Gas Fi�ng Standards Mr. Kline said this is the 2021 interna�onal code regarding plumbing installa�on. He said Monday will be the receipt of these ordinances, with July 15 for a public hearing and vote. Commissioner Taylor asked for more details on these changes, curious as to what the commissioners will be ra�fying. Mr. Kline said once the commissioners see the actual ordinances, it will be clearer. Mr. Kline provided an example of a change where addi�onal language was added to reflect the town’s and county’s par�cular situa�ons. He confirmed for Chair E�ng that the town is adop�ng what the county is adop�ng. Mr. Kline also confirmed for Commissioner Rutledge that the county debated and adopted the code formally via county council. 4. Resolu�on 1233-24 Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Amendment Ms. Moody said she will introduce this budget amendment next week for a public hearing in July. She first listed the updates on the revenue side to include changes in savings and costs with ARPA, an increase in real estate taxes, a reduc�on in business corporate taxes, a slight reduc�on in the red-light camera program, increases in various grants, higher than budgeted police state aid, an increase in income taxes, an increase in Bel Air Armory fees, higher equipment vehicle sale proceeds, and an increase in interest on investments. Ms. Moody discussed changes in transfer from the capital reserve and noted the fluctua�ons in this account. For expenditures, Ms. Moody said projects at the armory have had higher than budgeted expenses. Ms. Moody said there has been some savings because of the removal and delay of certain projects in the Planning and Public Works Departments. She said there were also savings in salaries because of vacancies and changes in medical insurance. Ms. Moody said the legal fees were increased by $145,000. She also discussed, along with Mr. Kline, the purchase of a vehicle for the Public Works Department and a $17,000 cost for air condi�oning in the public works shop. Ms. Moody said the goal in finalizing the budget amendment is to bring down the $432,000 capital reserve. She added that it may be possible to fund certain projects through savings, like the Homestead Park playground. She also discussed good news from Chesapeake Employers Insurance. Ms. Moody received a check for $147,893, a corporate dividend due to a good workplace safety record. Ms. Moody detailed that she would like to distribute this money to employees as a bonus, with the amount based on year hired and full-�me or part-�me posi�ons. There will be a remaining $35,000 to be reserved for when needed. Commissioners were in agreement, with Commissioner Taylor no�ng that it is a literal reward earned by the employees. Ms. Moody said the bonuses must go through payroll by June 30 and she will put them into the budget amendment. 5. Live View Technologies Surveillance Trailer Lease Agreement Chief Moore reported that he is reques�ng approval for a one-year contract with Live View Technologies LVT D3 Real Time Remote Surveillance Camera Trailer system for $35,000. He detailed the rise in retail the�s in the area and the previous successful use of this system under another contract. 6 Chief Moore said this system will be posted at retail establishments that are hardest hit, as well being used during town events. He said he is working with the finance department to get this system funded either through piggy-backing or sole source. He said he would like to have the system in place in early July due to some upcoming town events. Chief Moore also pointed out for Commissioner Chizmar that it is beter to lease rather than buy because under the leasing agreement the system will be upgraded regularly. 6. Appointments to the Commitee for Seniors and Ci�zens in Need This was addressed in the closed session. VI. STAFFING UPDATE A. Review Term Expira�on Dates of Boards, Commitees, and Commissions Mr. Krantz reported that there is a laborer posi�on and a custodian posi�on posted. The custodian posi�on has generated many interested candidates, including internal candidates. Mr. Krantz said candidates are being interviewed for the police officer and police dispatch posi�ons. A part-�me inspector posi�on will be posted shortly. In answer to Chair E�ng, Mr. Krantz said he will reach out to the applicant for the Board of Ethics to determine if that person resides in the town. Chair E�ng said she would like to have the Board of Ethics posi�on on the agenda for the next work session. Commissioner Taylor said that David LaBella’s posi�on on the Board of Building Appeals expires in mid-August. Mr. Kline agreed to reach out to Mr. LaBella to gauge his con�nued interest in the board. VII. CALENDAR No items were discussed. VIII. MISCELLANEOUS A. Discuss Park Rules Signs Commissioner Rutledge and Chair E�ng requested that the marijuana leaf image be removed from the park signs. Mr. Small agreed and said the “no children under 12 without supervision” rule was also removed. He said it was replaced with “unauthorized motor vehicles prohibited except in parking areas,” which he noted was a common rule in other municipali�es. IX. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS There were no comments. X. CLOSED SESSION A. This por�on of the mee�ng will be closed under the provisions of the Maryland Open Mee�ngs Act General Provisions Art. §3-305(b)(1) and §3-305(b)(3). 7  Commissioner Taylor mo�oned to move the mee�ng into closed session. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. Commissioner Taylor read the reasons for the closed session as listed below. Mr. Krantz asked for roll call: Ayes: Commissioners Chizmar, Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5-0. Mr. Krantz said the mee�ng would not return to open session. The mee�ng closed at 7:58 pm. B. Topics of Discussion: 1. To discuss the appointment of officials to the Commitee for Seniors and Ci�zens in Need 2. To consider the acquisi�on of real property for a public purpose and maters directly related thereto. C. Reasons for Closed-Session Discussion of Above Topics 1. Because public discussion of candidates’ names, qualifica�ons, experience, and background could discourage people from volunteering for public service or compromise their privacy rights 2. Because public discussion regarding the acquisi�on of real property could jeopardize the integrity of the nego�a�on process and/or the confiden�ality of sensi�ve informa�on, or prematurely reveal legal or financial considera�ons that might prevent the board from securing property for public use at a reasonable cost. XI. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Taylor mo�oned to adjourn the mee�ng. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. All in favor. The mee�ng adjourned at 8:35 pm. APPROVED: July 15, 2024 Signature on file _____________ Paula S. E�ng, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 8