Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BEL AIR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWN HALL MEETING JANUARY 21, 2025 The Board of Commissioners Town Hall Mee�ng was held on January 21, 2025, at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Commissioner Paula S. Etting, Chair Commissioner Mary F. Chance Commissioner Steven T. Chizmar Commissioner James B. Rutledge, III Commissioner Jakob D. Taylor (via telephone) 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 David Hughes, Deputy Chief of Police Angela Robertson, Director of Economic Development Kevin Small, Director of Planning Elizabeth Thompson, Town Counsel Jane Sudbrink, Recording Secretary 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 Chizmar seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the agenda. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5-0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Chizmar mo�oned that the minutes of the Board of Commissioners mee�ngs held on December 10, 2024, open and closed sessions, and December 16, 2024, be approved as submited. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. Commissioner Chizmar asked for a change on page 2, first paragraph of the December 10 open mee�ng minutes. He said the minutes should reflect that Chair E�ng also atended the impact fee mee�ng along with Commissioner Chizmar and Mr. Hopkins. In addi�on, Commissioner Chizmar said that “Delegate Vincen�” is incorrect and should read “Council Member Vincen�.” Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the approval of the minutes for December 10, 2024, and December 16, 2024, as amended. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5-0. 1 V. PRESENTATION A. Recogni�on for Mike Blum for the 2024 Bel Air Christmas Parade Chair E�ng read the cer�ficate of apprecia�on for Mike Blum. The cer�ficate described his hard work on the Christmas Parade for the past fi�een years, and it expressed the commissioners’ deep apprecia�on and sincere honor to recognize Mr. Blum. Mr. Blum said he appreciated these kind words but said he would not be able to do the Christmas Parade without the help of Mr. Kline, Chief Moore, Angela Robertson and her staff, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Krantz, the commissioners, and everyone in town who supports the parade. He also thanked the many volunteers and expressed his delight in bringing the joys of the season to a wonderful town. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolu�on 1244-25 Harford County 2023 Amended Annual Growth Report Commissioner Rutledge mo�oned that Resolu�on No. 1244-25 outlining the amended 2023 Harford County Annual Growth Report be accepted by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Chance seconded the mo�on. Ms. Thompson read the background of this resolu�on in the ini�al absence of Mr. Small. She stated that in June and December of each year Harford County completes a growth assessment on school popula�on as required by statute. The town’s Adequate Public Facili�es standards restricts development where enrollment exceeds 110% of state rated capacity. Ms. Thompson said the growth report is submited to the Board of Town Commissioners for acceptance and is used by the Planning Commission to determine residen�al development during the next six months. Commissioner Rutledge said that based on this growth report, Homestead-Wakefield Elementary School is at 117% capacity, which is expected to decrease by school year 2025-26 when the new school building is completed. He said all other town schools are opera�ng under 110% capacity and will con�nue to do so. Mr. Small confirmed these percentages and projec�ons are correct and said the June growth report should reflect the percentage decline for Homestead-Wakefield. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote for acceptance of Resolu�on 1244-25. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5-0. B. Rockfield Manor Sprinkler Design Contract Commissioner Chance mo�oned that the proposal of KCI, 936 Ridgebrook Road, Sparks, MD, to provide engineering services to design a sprinkler fire protec�on system for Rockfield Manor House in the amount of $47,572.00 be accepted by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. Mr. Kline provided background on this contract. He described Rockfield Manor and its purpose as an events venue, the Rockfield Founda�on and its lease agreement with the town, and the planned addi�on to the Rockfield Manor building. Mr. Kline said that in compliance with the interna�onal fire code, the expansion requires the installa�on of a sprinkler system in the old and new por�ons of the 2 building. Mr. Kline said that KCI Technologies, a professional engineering firm specializing in work with historic structures, has an exis�ng contract with Howard County and the city of Gaithersburg, and will design the sprinkler system. He described the numerous du�es KCI will perform under this contract, including design plans for the sprinkler system, coordina�on with local fire authori�es to ensure code and standards compliance, assistance with permi�ng, and conduc�ng a final review. Commissioner Rutledge asked about the �me sensi�ve nature of this project and expressed his concern that he did not yet know the final cost of the sprinkler system. Mr. Kline said KCI will complete its job in four to six weeks so the cost should be known by then. Mr. Kline said the founda�on has a July deadline for comple�on of the en�re project. In answer to Commissioner Rutledge, Mr. Kline said that the sprinkler system must also be installed in the older por�on of the building because the back wall of the building consists of flammable materials, as per county inspectors. Mr. Hopkins noted that all costs will be split 50-50 between the town and Rockfield Founda�on. He said that Rockfield Founda�on will present an update on the project at the next work session. He said that the founda�on was only made aware mid-project that the building would need a sprinkler system and they brought this issue to Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Kline in August/September. Mr. Hopkins said the town may have to front the costs, but it will get reimbursed. Commissioner Chizmar asked if a risk assessment was conducted with and without the sprinkler system in the building. Mr. Kline said that the need for the sprinkler system is guided by the interna�onal fire code and the town must adhere to this code. Mr. Kline reflected that the sprinkler system should have been incorporated by the engineers of the project and he is not inclined to overlook any codes regarding health and safety. Chair E�ng noted that codes have changed and now the en�re building must have a sprinkler system. Mr. Kline assured commissioners that he will work diligently with KCI to come up with the cheapest alterna�ves that s�ll meet fire code. He noted that the water will come from Ewing Street. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the award of contract to provide engineering services to design a sprinkler system for Rockfield Manor House. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5-0. C. Policy II.F.3 Amendment to Classifica�on/Classified Posi�ons & Personnel Table Commissioner Chizmar mo�oned that revised Personnel Policy II.F.3 en�tled Classifica�on – Classified Posi�ons & Personnel Table, including the removal of the Senior Planner posi�on and the addi�on of Deputy Director of Planning posi�on in the Planning Department be adopted by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz said this is a change to the town’s classified posi�ons and personnel table He said the Planning Department will have the addi�on of a Deputy Director of Planning posi�on and the elimina�on of the Senior Planner posi�on. Mr. Krantz reported that it is also a change in pay grades from P-19 to HM-20. He said these changes need to be in place for when he adver�ses and recruits for a Deputy Director of Planning. Chair E�ng noted that the town is not adding a posi�on, it is changing a posi�on so there is a net zero increase in personnel. Commissioner Rutledge was in full support of this upgraded posi�on in order to assist Mr. Small in his responsibili�es in the Planning Department. 3  Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on amendment to the personnel policy – classifica�on and posi�ons table, Policy II.F.3, elimina�ng the Senior Planner posi�on, and adding the Deputy Director of Planning posi�on. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5-0. VII. PUBLIC ANNOUNCMENTS Harford County Restaurant Week is a ten-day celebra�on that will run through January 26. More than forty establishments will be par�cipa�ng. The opening recep�on for the Starving Ar�sts Exhibi�on at the Harford Ar�sts’ Associa�on gallery in the Armory Marketplace will be on January 25. The exhibi�on will run through March 2. The Bel Air Police Department and the Bel Air Lions will host Explorers Bingo Night on January 31 at the armory. All proceeds benefit Police Explorer Post 9010. The Family Fun Series at the Armory will begin on February 1 with the Instrument Pe�ng Zoo hosted by the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra. February 8 will be Jazz for People Who Are Shorter Than Me. The final, sold-out February 15 show will be Mayhem Magical Circus. Winter dance lessons at the armory will begin February 24 and registra�on is now open for Intro to Salsa and the Bachata and/or Beginner Cha- Cha. The Commitee for Seniors and Ci�zens in Need will meet on January 22. The Historic Preserva�on Commission will meet on January 23. The Board of Town Commissioners will hold a work session on January 28 and a town hall mee�ng on February 3. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was no public comment. IX. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS Commissioner Chance asked Mr. Small to express her apprecia�on for Laura Bianca-Pruet’s work last week on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. She felt that the commissioners did not allow her enough �me to present and discuss her work. Mr. Small assured Commissioner Chance that he would relay her sen�ments to Ms. Bianca-Pruet. Commissioner Rutledge and Chair E�ng congratulated the Bel Air Police Department on their selec�on and subsequent par�cipa�on in the recent inaugura�on. Deputy Chief Hughes thanked them for their support. X. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Chance mo�oned to adjourn the mee�ng. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. All in favor. The mee�ng adjourned at 7:37 pm. APPROVED: February 3, 2025 Signature on file _____________ Paula S. E�ng, Chair Board of Town Commissioners 4 Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 5