Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BEL AIR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION MEETING October 1, 2024 The Board of Commissioners Work Session Mee�ng was held on October 1, 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 Taylor mo�oned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Chance 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. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT 1. Mr. Hopkins and Chief Moore reported on the town’s assistance to those in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene via Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). Mr. Hopkins said the sheriff’s department will provide ten personnel and the town’s police department will provide four personnel. Chief Moore said ac�va�on will commence October 1 with a return date of October 13. Chief Moore expressed his pride in his force and thanked Mr. Hopkins and the commissioners for their support. Chief Moore said he would keep the commissioners informed and said there will be a family liaison to assist the staff’s families while they are in North Carolina. Commissioner Chizmar asked about dona�ons. Mr. Hopkins said that EMAC provides a manual with instruc�ons on what to pack. Chief Moore added that his department will ensure that they have the necessary supplies. Mr. Hopkins said he would work with Mr. Anderson to broadcast for the public what dona�ons the first responders will need and what the residents will need. Both Chief Moore and Mr. Hopkins cau�oned that necessi�es during a crisis are very specific and warned against dona�ng money to possible scams. 1  2. Mr. Hopkins said the conference room has become much busier since the renova�on of town hall. He said that Kris�ne Reinhardt will manage the calendar for this room and to contact her for reserva�ons. 3. Mr. Hopkins said that Senate Bill 1099 goes into effect today, requiring the co-loca�ng of Narcan in public AED boxes. He said that Bel Air is already compliant by having Narcan in all its AED boxes. Mr. Hopkins said the remaining step is to post signs that indicate Narcan is in the boxes. 4. Mr. Hopkins said he met with Mr. Small and Mr. Kline in prepara�on for demo permits for 128 N. Bond Street and the Pete’s Cycle loca�ons. Dates for the demos will be forthcoming in the next few weeks. 5. Mr. Hopkins discussed a civil suit against Kroger Industries/Harris Teeter. The suit has been setled and Bel Air will receive approximately $6,000 in opioid res�tu�on monies. Mr. Hopkins said there was ample evidence to prove that these corpora�ons distributed opioids resul�ng in overdoses, but the burden of proof is much higher in the civil suit against Target. A�er informed discussions with Ms. Moody, Mr. Krantz, Ms. Thompson, and Chief Moore, Mr. Hopkins elected not to enter in this civil suit; the reward was not worth the risk. Regarding the Kroger Industries/Harris Teeter suit, he said that Aberdeen received approximately $8,500, the county $435,677, and Havre de Grace received $8,400. 6. Mr. Hopkins said the proclama�on for the groundbreaking of the Chabad with be a first for the town. He described the groundbreaking ceremony and said the proclama�on will be presented at next week’s town hall. 7. Mr. Hopkins said he, Mr. Kline, and Chief Moore atended a mee�ng with the Lions Club regarding the next town derby. The tenta�ve date will be May 18, 2025. Mr. Hopkins reported that some town businesses expressed concern with the reduc�on in business during the derby. Mr. Hopkins was unsure how to resolve this issue. He said a possible solu�on would be to move the derby to earlier in the day. 8. Mr. Hopkins said he met with County Execu�ve Cassilly’s Veterans Commission. He reported that next year the army will celebrate its 250th anniversary. The commission asked to conduct a parade through town. Mr. Hopkins advised the commission on the complicated logis�cs of conduc�ng a parade. He told the commission that all dates are reserved for June except for June 18, 2025. Mr. Hopkins said that the parade would likely close Main Street and start at the courthouse and end at the armory. 9. Mr. Hopkins said that Mr. Kline received a leter from the Maryland Department of Planning that stated Bynum Pond has been transferred from the Department of Natural Resources to the county. He said that there will be an opportunity for a public hearing in eight to ten months. In reply to Commissioner Chance, Mr. Hopkins said the pond will probably fall under Paul Magness’s department. 10. Mr. Hopkins reported that he and Ms. Moody received a leter from MDOT with revised highway user revenues for FY25 at $703,280 and for FY26 at $788,680. Mr. Hopkins said these numbers are es�mates and he will get specific numbers at a later date. 11. Mr. Hopkins said that the county has put together a PFAS work group and Mr. Kline is a member. Mr. Hopkins said he would like to have a PFAS report for the commissioners at every other work session. He noted that only a limited amount of water in the town comes from an affected area in the county (the Bynum well). 2  12. Mr. Hopkins said he would like to follow up on Chair E�ng’s previous sugges�on about resuming the town and county quarterly mee�ngs. Chair E�ng said these mee�ngs should include the county and the three municipali�es. Mr. Hopkins and Chair E�ng agreed to reach out to the county and mayors to gauge interest. He noted the number of issues like PFAS and Governor Moore’s fair housing that cross jurisdic�onal boundaries. Chair E�ng and Mr. Hopkins discussed the op�ons for food and drink that would fall within the budget. 13. Mr. Hopkins reported that Judge Mahoney would like to come before the commissioners at the next work session to present on the circuit court adult drug program. He said they have had some moderate success and Judge Mahoney is interested in partnering with the town on this program. IV. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR TOWN MEETING (Monday, October 7, 2024, at 7:00 pm, Bel Air Town Hall) A. Presenta�ons 1. Senior Officer Rick Krause to be awarded “Do Good Heroes” Chief Moore said this is a na�onal award from the Na�onal Life Group. Chief Moore said Senior Officer Krause will be presented with a $1,000 check to be donated to a charity of his choice—a child cancer program. 2. Cer�ficate of Recogni�on to Priscilla “Penny” Jindra Mr. Krantz said Ms. Jindra has re�red a�er eighteen years as an elec�on judge for the town. He said during that �me she helped preserve the integrity and efficiency of the town elec�ons. He said the commissioners will extend their gra�tude in the form of a cer�ficate of recogni�on for her hard work. 3. Cer�ficate of Recogni�on to Rabbi Schusterman for the Groundbreaking of Harford Haven Chabad Already discussed under Town Administrator’s Report. B. Public Hearing 1. Ordinance 833-24 Amending Chapter 165. Comprehensive Plan and Development Regula�ons, Part 2. Zoning, Ar�cle II. Administra�on and Enforcement § 165-17. Economic and Community Development Commission Regarding Membership Mr. Krantz said this ordinance was introduced at the last work session. He said it is to edit the membership language for this commission so that the town code and charter are in alignment. C. Unfinished Business 1. Ordinance 833-24 Amending Chapter 165. Comprehensive Plan and Development Regula�ons, Part 2. Zoning, Ar�cle II. Administra�on and Enforcement § 165-17. Economic and Community Development Commission Regarding Membership 3 D. New Business 1. Resolu�on 1239-24 Holiday Parking – Temporarily suspending parking fines and meter rates on all public streets in the town of Bel Air from November 28, 2024, through January 1, 2025 Mr. Krantz presented the dra� resolu�on for free parking on all metered spaces and public streets during the above period. Ms. Robertson thanked the commissioners for their support of this resolu�on because it encourages the community to shop locally. She said placards and bows will be placed on the meters to adver�se the free parking period. 2. Resolu�on 1240-24 Amending Resolu�on 1225-24 Restric�ve Parking Zones 1. Mr. Small explained the three parking amendments under this resolu�on. First, he said the Neighborhood Transporta�on Management Program Commitee recommends that an area of Franklin Street that meets Broadway be changed from parking by permit to prohibited parking. He said the rest of the street will remain as-is. In answer to Commissioner Taylor, he said this recommenda�on is a result of turning issues—large vehicles, like snow plows, have difficulty turning onto Franklin Street with cars parked on both sides. He clarified for Commissioner Chizmar that the majority of the remainder of the street will remain parking by permit. Mr. Small said this measure was precipitated by the Gordon Street detour that has drivers using this por�on of Franklin Street. 2. Mr. Small said the second por�on of the resolu�on proposes removing parking on both sides of MacPhail Road from the entrance to Upper Chesapeake Hospital’s emergency room to Tollgate Road. Mr. Small said that area is hazardous with interrupted visibility. He further stated that the hospital has completed construc�on, and, as per its original proposal, would like parking removed from MacPhail Road as well. Mr. Small said the hospital will install bike lanes in that area. Commissioner Taylor asked how many cars park in that area. Mr. Small said about seventy cars park there but noted that 600 parking spaces on the hospital campus are not obligated. Mr. Small cau�oned that without the parking, there is the possibility that cars may speed down that por�on of the road, possibly resul�ng in future ac�ons to calm traffic. 3. Mr. Small said he is proposing legisla�on to allow quicker turnaround parking in front of the police department on Hickory Avenue. Mr. Small said he would like to set aside two parking spaces specifically reserved for people who have business with the police department only. He proposed two 15-minute spaces. He also suggested having the parking spaces simply be reserved for the police department only. Commissioners agreed with the second op�on, with Commissioner Taylor no�ng that police emergencies may take longer than fi�een minutes. Mr. Small informed the commissioners that these are resolu�ons, thus they will be introduced and passed without a requirement for a public hearing. Commissioner Chizmar was sa�sfied with the police department resolu�on but suggested contac�ng the homeowners of 105 Broadway and 83 Broadway in case they would like to comment on the por�on of the resolu�on that involves Franklin Street. Chair E�ng and the commissioners agreed that it would also be prudent to contact Schimunek Funeral Home regarding the por�on of the resolu�on involving MacPhail Road. Mr. Small noted that there is no on- street parking alongside the funeral home. 4  Mr. Small clarified for Mr. Krantz that it will be two resolu�ons, one for restric�ve parking and one to eliminate a parking by permit area. Mr. Krantz said there will be an op�on for public comment, and the commissioners are not obligated to vote on the resolu�on that evening. 3. Purchase of Sewer Pick-up Truck with Crane Mr. Kline said this pick-up truck will be used exclusively by the sanitary sewer sec�on of the department for troubleshoo�ng sewer backups in town. Mr. Kline said the truck bed will contain boxes for tools and generators. He said the current truck is a 2014 model with only 70,000 miles on it but it also has 13,000 idle hours. Mr. Kline said the crane is a new addi�on and will be a safety feature for li�ing out 3,000-pound pumps. He said the purchase piggybacks on a contract with Apple Ford via Bal�more County at a cost of $101,000. Mr. Kline assured commissioners that the budget correctly accommodates for the cost of the crane. 4. Patrol Vehicle Purchase Chief Moore said he is proposing to purchase three 2025 all-wheel drive SUV police interceptors at a cost of $139,037 to replace three older vehicles. Chief Moore said two of them will be marked vehicles for patrol. The other vehicle will be for command posi�on. He said this purchase will piggyback on a state of Maryland contract with Apple Ford. Chief Moore noted that this cost is well under budget, with the original proposed price at $169,500. 5. Patrol Vehicle Accessory Package Purchase Chief Moore listed the contents of the accessory package for the three vehicles, including light bar, grill lights, sirens, and so on. He said this purchase will cost $64,322, under the budget allotment of $78,000. Chief Moore said the packages will be purchases from Global Public Safety Corpora�on GPS via a piggyback with a Prince George’s County government contract. V. STAFFING UPDATE A. Review Term Expira�on Dates of Boards, Commitees, and Commissions Mr. Krantz said the town has hired two part-�me dispatchers. In addi�on, he said that a laborer started today and another laborer hire is in process. Mr. Krantz said the part-�me events staff posi�on at the armory remains open. Commissioners and Mr. Krantz then discussed the upcoming open posi�ons on the commitees. Commissioner Rutledge confirmed that Vaughn Lewis has resigned from the Historic Preserva�on Commission and his posi�on must be filled by a town resident. In answer to Chair E�ng, Mr. Krantz said he would adver�se for this opening on the website and social media. Commissioner Chance said that Jeanne Close on the Cultural Arts Commission will be reapplying as will Peg Lucas. Chair E�ng said she would contact Mike Simini on the Tree Commitee to determine whether he will reapply. Commissioner Chizmar said that Greg Adolph will be re�ring from the Board of Appeals but has agreed to stay on as an alternate if needed. Commissioner Chizmar and Mr. Small said that Pat Richards, the current alternate, may be interested in filling that posi�on. Commissioner Taylor said he would contact Kristy Sudbrink about reapplying to the Appearance and Beau�fica�on Commitee. And, Commissioner Chance said she would contact Debra Hanley about reapplying to the Commitee for Seniors and Ci�zens in Need. 5 VI. CALENDAR Mr. Krantz said that Ruth Seitler published the December 2025 calendar but it is tenta�ve. Chair E�ng reminded everyone that tomorrow is Coffee with a Cop at Newberry Café and Bakery. VII. MISCELLANEOUS A. Verizon Franchise Agreement Update Mr. Krantz said that a resolu�on several months ago had been passed that gave authority to the town administrator to engage in nego�a�ons for redoing the Verizon agreement for cable services. Mr. Krantz said the agreement has been extended twice, the last un�l March 31, 2025. He said there is a dra� in process that is quite extensive with numerous changes. Mr. Krantz said the preference is to have another long-term agreement, and said the town is using legal aid to properly nego�ate this franchise agreement. Mr. Krantz said when the agreement is adequately dra�ed with the necessary language, there will be a public hearing. Commissioner Taylor asked about Verizon’s interests. Mr. Krantz replied that Verizon would prefer a short-term agreement, under five years rather than the ten- to fi�een-year contract of the past due to changing technologies. He also confirmed for Commissioner Taylor that he does not see a significant change in the town’s percentage. Mr. Hopkins said the town has retained a specific law firm that has exper�se in this area for nego�a�ons. B. Audit Policy for Town of Bel Air Partner Organiza�ons Ms. Moody presented on the audit policy by answering ques�ons forwarded to her by Commissioner Taylor. She said only the fire company and the Bel Air Recrea�on Commitee would fit under the parameters for an audit, which they provide already. She said for compila�ons and reviews, the Boys and Girls Club, LASOS, and the Historical Society fit under this category. Ms. Moody listed the reports these organiza�ons already provide and noted that these new parameters would not require the organiza�ons to do any more than what they already do. Ms. Moody said the Army Alliance would fall under balance sheet/income statement. The town pays bills on behalf of the Bel Air Farmers Market so that organiza�on would also provide a balance sheet/income statement as would the Harford Ar�sts Associa�on (the town provides marke�ng money). Ms. Moody said the Harford Educa�on Founda�on would not need to provide documenta�on with a dona�on of $1,000. Ms. Moody believed that this system is more palatable for those organiza�ons that do not have high funding amounts. Ms. Moody explained for Commissioner Chizmar that the deadline for providing documenta�on—no later than 180 days a�er the organiza�on’s fiscal year ends—accommodates for different fiscal year end dates, something that is not possible with the current language. She also confirmed for Commissioner Chizmar that the organiza�ons must provide the reports first before funding, a policy that is unchanged. Ms. Moody agreed to make these internal policy changes and contact the Army Alliance. C. Cultural Arts Commission Annual Report Ms. Robertson presented a summary of the annual report for FY24. She said the commission receives $8,350 annually through the town budget. Ms. Robertson said this fund is divided between two 6 accounts, marke�ng and public art, which are then divided into two programs, the Performing and Visual Arts Sponsorship Program and the Public Art Sponsorship Incen�ve Program. Ms. Robertson then listed the accomplishments under the marke�ng account, such as sponsorships to local arts-related nonprofits (Authors and Ar�sts, Ballet Chesapeake, Harford Educa�on Founda�on’s Plein Air, and Art Exhibit). Ms. Robertson listed events planned by the commission itself, like A Living History performance and a big band dance event. Ms. Robertson listed other uses of the marke�ng fund, such as branded shopping bags at the Bel Air Fes�val of the Arts. Ms. Robertson said the public art account is used to support public arts projects and to fund the Public Art Sponsorship Incen�ve Program for local businesses wishing to add public art to their property. Commissioner Chance commended the Cultural Arts Commission for their efforts and hard work. D. PFAS Task Force, Harford’s Public Water Tests Safely Below EPA Limits Mr. Kline said he has joined the Harford County drinking water task force. He said the task force had its first mee�ng last month and it was comprised of representa�ves from Harford County government, the public school system, and privately owned water providers. Mr. Kline said the goal of the task force is to coordinate and align efforts to remove PFAS and ensure �mely public responses, including the building of a website. Mr. Kline provided key points from the mee�ng. He noted that the representa�ves from the county were very professional and had already taken care of the problem in the county’s wells, while other jurisdic�ons con�nue to work on the issue. Mr. Kline said the American Water Company did not atend the first mee�ng, but said it is important to make sure this organiza�on remains involved. Mr. Kline said another mee�ng will be held this Thursday, and his goal is to provide the commissioners with the minutes from each mee�ng. Mr. Kline said that Bel Air and Havre de Grace are less of a concern because most of the drinking water comes from rivers not wells and PFAS does not get into rivers. Mr. Kline said the deadlines are that PFAS will have to be tested in wells by 2027 and treatment and removal of PFAS will have to occur by 2029. When American Water performs these services, consumers will have to absorb the cost. Mr. Kline noted that the town has PFAS at 4 parts per trillion, which is a low level. Mr. Kline said that Fallston Middle and High Schools have high levels because they are located near a fire house. Commissioner Chizmar asked about lawsuits regarding PFAS, specifically that American Water would file its own suit. Mr. Kline said there was not much discussion of the lawsuits but noted that Aberdeen and Havre de Grace are par�es to these lawsuits in an effort to recoup funding to mi�gate PFAS removal. Mr. Kline felt that it will not be a major endeavor to treat the system for PFAS. He told Commissioner Chizmar that American Water has remained vague regarding its strategy and plan for PFAS. He said he would con�nue to reach out to American Water and keep the commissioner informed. E. Discuss Sign Regula�ons Regarding Branded Construc�on Materials and Equipment Mr. Small presented a slide of a banner put up by a developer as a safety shield for workers and also as an adver�sement. Mr. Small says the town considers this banner a sign and it meets code. Mr. Small explained the code requirements. He said that on any property in town, up to a 24-sq-� sign may be placed on a construc�on site displaying the architect, lender, and anyone related to the project and this does not require a permit. The property is also en�tled to another temporary sign, but that requires a 7 permit. Mr. Small said that the county allows three signs but they are limited to 16 sq � each. Havre de Grace allows for a 32 to 50 sq � sign for no more than 90 days. Aberdeen allows for one banner between 12 and 24 sq � depending on the zone. Mr. Small explained that signage that is part of the construc�on is allowable. He said the debris shield falls in between the defini�on of construc�on materials and a straight banner for adver�sing. He told Chair E�ng that a silt fence is different because it is an integral, required part of construc�on, thus signage is allowable. He said the debris shield is a safety measure only and it does not have to have adver�sing. Mr. Small discussed the “unintended consequences” that may occur with the code as writen and construc�on zones and adver�sing. He said the Harford Mall project, a larger project, could atach safety banners to its work area ci�ng safety measures, but it would not be possible to regulate the content of the signage on these banners. Chair E�ng noted that these construc�on projects are finite, but she did not want this issue repeatedly occurring in town. Mr. Small said he does not have an issue with signage on construc�on projects because these projects are temporary and some signage is required because the en�ty provided funding. Mr. Small said the code could be changed to add safety and security to signage regula�ons. Commissioners and Mr. Small then discussed at length the signage issue. Mr. Small explained the difference between images and letering on a sign. He said signage that is atached to the interior of a building is not a viola�on. Commissioner Chizmar noted that they cannot regulate content of signage, although Mr. Small said the commissioners could declare that any graphics/signage related to construc�on is exempted from the code regula�ons. Chair E�ng urged further discussion. Mr. Hopkins advised to not delay discussion because Raising Cain’s and the Harford Mall projects will soon commence with construc�on fencing. In answer to Commissioner Taylor’s ques�on about the town’s counterparts, Mr. Small said that only the county has regula�ons for construc�on sites. Mr. Small said he can dra� a document for the commissioners that states safety and security graphics are exempted from signage requirements on construc�on sites but asked about the required 24-sq-� sign size requirement. Commissioner Chizmar said the signage must be related to the construc�on project. Mr. Small said the commissioners can legislate this but they ul�mately cannot control the messaging. Commissioner Rutledge said these projects have already been approved and he did not want to add more cost hurdles. Consequently, he did not have a problem with the banner or fencing, which will come down a�er the project is finished. He said complaints can come from a variety of mo�va�ons and he does not want to be the arbiter of mo�va�ons. Mr. Small summarized by no�ng that the commissioners agree that signage associated with construc�on will be exempt. Commissioner Rutledge added that anything that cons�tutes an adver�sement for another loca�on not germane to the project is prohibited. Commissioner Chizmar said the signage does not have to be related to safety and security. A�er more discussion, commissioners and Mr. Small agreed to not regulate along safety and security measures either because it becomes too difficult to define those parameters. 8 VIII. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS Commissioner Chance congratulated the Rockfield Founda�on for a very successful, well-organized, and impressive wine fes�val. She said over 3,000 people atended the event and thanked the police department for their efforts at the fes�val. Commissioner Taylor congratulated Ms. Robertson on another successful ribbon cu�ng at Evolve Wellness on Ellendale Street. He also thanked Mr. Krantz for his dedica�on to resolving the elec�on issue. Commissioner Taylor remained hopeful that this issue would be setled successfully at the next session of the general assembly. Mr. Krantz said his preference is to con�nue to rely on the Harford County Board of Elec�ons as he has done in the past but he is looking into other op�ons as a precau�on. Chair E�ng also remarked on the success of the wine fes�val. She read a leter from Wayne Goddard, Chair, Harford County Liquor Control Board, who complimented the fes�val, and, in par�cular, the efforts of Chief Moore and his department. IX. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Taylor mo�oned to adjourn the mee�ng. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. All in favor. The mee�ng adjourned at 7:36 pm. APPROVED: October 21, 2024 Signature on file _____________ Paula S. E�ng, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 9