Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BEL AIR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWN HALL MEETING November 4, 2024 The Board of Commissioners Town Hall Mee�ng was held on November 4, 2024, at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Commissioner Paula S. Etting, Chair Commissioner Mary F. Chance Commissioner James B. Rutledge, III Commissioner Jakob D. Taylor IN ATTENDANCE: David Anderson, Media & Public Relations Specialist Charles Dawson, Deputy Director of Public Works Edward Hopkins, Town Administrator 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 ALLIEGANCE III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Chance mo�oned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Taylor seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the agenda. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Rutledge mo�oned that the minutes of the Board of Commissioners’ mee�ngs held on October 15, 2024, and October 21, 2024, closed and open mee�ngs, be approved as submited. Commissioner Chance seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the minutes of October 15 and October 21, 2024. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. 1 V. PRESENTATION A. Cer�ficate of Recogni�on to Rabbi Schusterman for the Groundbreaking of Harford Haven Chabad Chair E�ng read the cer�fica�on of recogni�on, which acknowledged the groundbreaking of this new facility and the sacrifice and commitment of those who worked to realize this center. She noted that the Jewish community has been a part of Harford County since 1955 and this cer�ficate recognized this historical occasion and offered welcome to Bel Air. Rabbi Schusterman said that this project has been in progress for a long �me. He thanked the commissioners and the Bel Air community for being so welcoming. VI. PUBLIC HEARING A. Ordinance 834-24 Amending Sign Regula�ons for Construc�on Sites Wayne Goddard, 128 N. Bond Street, thanked the commissioners for introducing this legisla�on. He said the intent of this legisla�on—fencing signage—supports the usage of safety-fence screening while construc�on is underway. At the same �me, it allows signage that illustrates the project, which will be beneficial to the community and will eliminate unnecessary specula�on. He noted that several contractors use safety barriers as adver�sements. He asked that the commissioners favorably vote for Ordinance 834-24. The public hearing closed at 7:07 pm. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Ordinance 834-24 Amending Sign Regula�ons for Construc�on Sites Commissioner Rutledge mo�oned that Ordinance 834-24, revising Town Code Chapter 165, Ar�cle XV related to signs be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Chance seconded the mo�on. Mr. Small briefly described the issues behind the ordinance. He noted the difficulty of regula�ng signage at construc�on sites, par�cularly when dealing with construc�on materials, barriers for safety, and security screens. He said the ordinance proposes to amend two parts of the code so that limits on construc�on-related signs on commercially zoned proper�es would be removed. Mr. Small said that residen�ally zoned proper�es would retain the exis�ng restric�ons. Commissioner Taylor said this ordinance brings policy in line with prac�ce. He said it is good for the town and the stakeholders and thanked staff for coming up with a sa�sfactory solu�on in a short period of �me. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote to approve Ordinance 834-24. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. 2 VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Appointment to the Board of Appeals 1. Patrick Richards Commissioner Taylor mo�oned that the appointment of Patrick Richards to the Bel Air Board of Appeals for a term of three years effec�ve immediately be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. Mr. Small said that Mr. Richards is currently the alternate on the Board of Appeals. He noted Mr. Richards’s previous experience with the town as a commissioner and as a member on the Planning Commission. There was no public comment. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the appointment of Patrick Richards to the Board of Appeals. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. B. Reappointment to the Cultural Arts Commission 1. Jeanne Close Commissioner Chance mo�oned that the appointment of Jeanne Close to the Bel Air Cultural Arts Commission for a term of three years effec�ve immediately be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Taylor seconded the mo�on. Ms. Robertson said that Ms. Close has served on this commission for many years and is currently the chair. Commissioner Chance said that Ms. Close has done an outstanding job as chair and is effec�ve at keeping projects moving along. There was no public comment. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the appointment of Jeanne Close to the Cultural Arts Commission. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. C. Appointment to the Historic Preserva�on Commission 1. Sean Campbell Commissioner Rutledge mo�oned that the appointment of Sean Campbell to the Bel Air Historic Preserva�on Commission for a term of three years effec�ve immediately be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Chance seconded the mo�on. Mr. Small said Mr. Campbell’s resume shows a lot of experience on historical proper�es. Commissioner Rutledge said that the commission is fortunate to have found a candidate who is qualified and a town resident. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote the appointment of Sean Campbell to the Historic Preserva�on Commission. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4-0. 3 IX. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Elec�on Day 2024 is on November 5. Polls will be open in Harford County from 7 am to 8 pm. On November 7 at the Klein’s Shop-Rite in Fes�val Celebrity Baggers (Commissioner Chance) will be there to help bag groceries. This event is part of Help Bag Hunger and a percentage of gross receipts from all of Klein’s Shop-Rite stores will be donated to the Empty Stocking Fund. The Harford County Veterans Family Resource Fair will be on November 9 at the armory. The fair provides informa�on on VA claims, health and wellness, housing and employment opportuni�es, and veteran discounts. The Historical Society of Harford County’s annual lecture is on November 9 at the historical society headquarters. Dr. Amy Rosenkrans will discuss American Revolu�onary war hero, Marquis de Lafayete and his travels in Harford County. All town offices will be closed on November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Interested par�es can s�ll register as parade par�cipants in the town’s annual Christmas Parade un�l November 25. The 34th annual Christmas Celebra�on will be on December 8 with a parade, holiday concert, and Christmas tree ligh�ng. The Appearance and Beau�fica�on Commitee will meet on November 11. The Tree Commitee will meet on November 13. The Economic and Community Development Commission will meet on November 14. The Board of Town Commissioners will hold a work session on November 12 and a town mee�ng on November 18. Winter Wonderland needs volunteers to help at the armory on Saturdays. Vendors are also invited to sign up for the Winter Wonderland Market on December 7. Holiday lights on Main Street will go on star�ng on November 30. Chair E�ng reported that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has issued a statewide ban on open burning. This ban will remain in effect un�l the state has received adequate precipita�on. Mr. Hopkins explained this ban in more detail and the reasons for the cau�on. He noted that town code allows for fire pits, but Maryland law supersedes town code. He said the police would be the enforcement authority and speculated that a warning will be issued first. Mr. Hopkins also said that fines from the Department of Natural Resources are steep. X. PUBLIC COMMENTS Rabbi Schusterman, 445 Choice Street, asked for clarifica�on regarding construc�on signage. Mr. Small confirmed that he could erect a sign of any size at his site as long as it is on the frontage and related to the building project. Mr. Hopkins clarified for Rabbi Schusterman that closed charcoal grills are also part of the burn ban. Ms. Robertson said that the Christmas in Bel Air website was launched on November 1. She said this website contains informa�on on all the events happening in Bel Air during the holiday season. Ms. Thompson said the Harford County Bar Associa�on raises funds every holiday season for a nonprofit that does good works. This year, the associa�on has decided to work with the police department’s Shop with a Cop Program. She said this program raises funds for police officers to take children out to buy Christmas presents. Ms. Thompson said that $2,000 have been raised so far and contribu�ons will con�nue un�l December 19. XI. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS Commissioner Taylor congratulated the Economic Development Department for a successful awards ceremony. He also said that last week Bel Air hosted a delega�on of college students from Hungary. Mr. Hopkins and Commissioner Taylor fielded numerous ques�ons during their visit to town hall. 4 Commissioner Taylor said the delega�on was very interested in learning about local governance in Bel Air and many of their interests and needs were universal. He said it was a great moment of cultural exchange. XII. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Taylor mo�oned to adjourn the mee�ng. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. All in favor. The mee�ng adjourned at 7:30 pm. APPROVED: November 18, 2024 Signature on file _____________ Paula S. E�ng, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 5