Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BEL AIR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWN HALL MEETING MARCH 17, 2025 The Board of Commissioners Town Hall Mee�ng was held on March 17, 2025, at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Commissioner Paula S. Etting, Chair Commissioner Steven T. Chizmar 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 Charles Moore, Chief of Police Angela Robertson, Director of Economic Development Kevin Small, Director of Planning Elizabeth Thompson, Town Counsel Pamela Wockenfuss, Deputy Director of Finance Jane Sudbrink, Recording Secretary ABSENT: Commissioner Mary F. Chance Commissioner James B. Rutledge, III 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 Taylor mo�oned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the agenda. Ayes: Commissioners Chizmar, Taylor, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 3-0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Chizmar mo�oned that the minutes of the Board of Commissioners mee�ngs held on February 25, 2025, open and closed sessions, and March 3, 2025, be approved as submited. Commissioner Taylor seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the approval of the minutes for February 25, 2025, and March 3, 2025. Ayes: Commissioners Chizmar, Taylor, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 3-0. 1 V. PRESENTATION A. Municipal Ci�zens’ Academy Gradua�on Mr. Hopkins provided background and impetus for the academy. He said that people o�en do not fully understand municipal government and that government is not the enemy. Instead, Mr. Hopkins said, government has processes in place to help ci�zens, the commissioners, and town staff. He noted that issues arise when people do not understand how the town operates, which can cause a level of misinforma�on and divisive arguments. He then described the academy as an eight-week session where the six atendees met with the commissioners and department heads. They learned about how legisla�on is passed and how each department is run. Mr. Hopkins noted that he made sure the class was an open process for the atendees and the department heads. He described it as an engaging eight weeks and hoped that the atendees would spread the word so that a larger class can be held in the fall. Chair E�ng presented cer�ficates to the following graduates: Amy Biondi, Mark Magness, Mike Motley, Timothy S�elper, and Tara Woodfin. William Gibbons did not atend the gradua�on. Chair E�ng thanked all the par�cipants. She noted the confusion about government processes for the people who live in town, as well as those who live outside of town but s�ll have “Bel Air” in their mailing address. Commissioner Taylor said the academy is a wonderful ini�a�ve. He stated that commissioners and staff strive to ensure a transparent government and this is reflected in the academy where any town resident can sign up for the course and meet the department heads and the commissioners. Commissioner Chizmar said he echoed his colleagues’ words and added that he appreciated everyone’s efforts toward this program. He encouraged the par�cipants to tell others about the academy and to also consider volunteering for one of the town’s commitees or commissions. Chair E�ng said there is an opening on the Historic Preserva�on Commission for a town resident. VI. PUBLIC HEARING A. Resolu�on 1246-25 Bel Air Armory Fee Schedule Amendments The public hearing opened and closed with no public comment at 7:17 pm. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS B. Resolu�on 1246-25 Bel Air Armory Fee Schedule Amendments Commissioner Taylor mo�oned that Resolu�on No. 1246-25, increasing the Bel Air Armory’s Leasing Fee Schedule individual and business hourly lease rates by ten dollars and changing the Wednesday before Thanksgiving rate to equal the Thursday through Sunday individual or business rate for all lessees be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. Commissioner Taylor noted that this resolu�on sets usage fees for the armory. He also noted that the armory remains the best “get” in town. Mr. Krantz agreed that the fees are s�ll quite compe��ve because the armory’s ul�mate mission is to be a community center. 2  Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on Resolu�on 1246-25. Ayes: Commissioners Chizmar, Taylor, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 3-0. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Reappointment to the Economic and Community Development Commission 1. Todd Boyle Commissioner Taylor mo�oned that the reappointment of Todd Boyle to the Bel Air Economic and Community Development Commission for a term of three years, effec�ve immediately, be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. Commissioner Taylor said Mr. Boyle is an asset to the commission, and he adds an important perspec�ve as a town resident and town business owner. He shared that Mr. Boyle can be counted on to speak his mind and he enriches the value of the conversa�on. Ms. Robertson said Mr. Boyle provides a lot of good feedback and she appreciates his service to the commission. There was no public comment. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the reappointment of Todd Boyle to the Bel Air Economic and Community Development Commission for a term of three years. Ayes: Commissioners Chizmar, Taylor, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 3-0. B. Reappointment to the Tree Commitee 1. Marion McCarron Chair E�ng mo�oned that the reappointment of Marion McCarron to the Bel Air Tree Commitee for a term of three years, effec�ve immediately, be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. Chair E�ng said that Ms. McCarron has been on the Tree Commitee for “years and years,” likely since its incep�on. She said Ms. McCarron atends every mee�ng, is involved in the tree giveaway, and is a delight to work with. There was no public comment. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the reappointment of Marion McCarron to the Bel Air Tree Commitee for a term of three years. Ayes: Commissioners Chizmar, Taylor, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 3-0. IX. MISCELLANEOUS A. Discuss Harford County Adequate Public Facili�es (School Capacity) Legisla�on Chair E�ng said that Commissioner Chizmar was contacted by Council President Vincen�’s office regarding poten�al changes in adequate public facili�es (APF) legisla�on. Commissioner Chizmar advised that Mr. Vincen�’s office informed him that the general topic of discussion regarded the county’s APF ordinance in comparison to those of the municipali�es. Commissioner Chizmar said the council is in the midst of a study to determine whether changes need to be made. Chair E�ng noted that currently the town’s APF percentage is the same as the county’s so if the county makes a change so, too, might the 3 town. Commissioner Chizmar stated that based on his informa�on, the discussion is only about school capacity. Commissioner Taylor provided background. He said the council had considered lowering the school capacity percentage about a year ago but decided to conduct a study first in order to have the correct numbers. Commissioner Chizmar and Chair E�ng said they would like to get a copy of this study, par�cularly because they would like to understand the county’s defini�on of APF and to see the county’s most recent numbers. Mr. Small said that he, too, has been contacted about the town’s APF ordinance. Ms. Thompson reported that SB840 had a provision in it that would set the APF cap back to what the town was before the recent legisla�on change by the commissioners. She said this provision would encompass the county and the town. Ms. Thompson confirmed for Commissioner Taylor that it would be 110% with the abu�ng language added back in to the town’s legisla�on. X. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Bush Declara�on will be celebrated this weekend. Events in Bel Air include a Meet and Greet with descendants of the men who signed the declara�on on March 21 at Liriodendron Mansion. The Bush Declara�on Celebra�on will be on March 22 at the armory, where there will be a reading of the document by a re-enactor of Col. Aquila Hall. Historic sites throughout Harford County that are related to the Bush Declara�on will open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday as part of the Passport to History program. Passports may be picked up at the Historical Society of Harford County or at any public library branch. An Evening with the Ain’t Misbehavin’ Big Band, a 20-piece ensemble performing hits from the 1930s to the 1970s, will be on March 26 at the armory. Dunnigan’s: Bel Air’s Premiere Speakeasy event will be on April 5 at the armory. This event is a “casino” night hosted by the Downtown Alliance. On April 5 there will also be an earth day event at the Williams Street trailhead of the Ma & Pa Trail sponsored by Harford County Climate Ac�on and Harford County Parks and Recrea�on. Volunteers will cut back invasive vines on the trail. The annual Kite Fes�val will be on April 12 on the athle�c fields at Rockfield Park with free kites while supplies last. The rain date will be April 13. The Cultural Arts Commission will meet on March 19. The Commitee for Seniors and Ci�zens in Need will meet on March 26. The Historic Preserva�on Commission will meet on March 27. The Planning Commission will meet on April 3. The Board of Town Commissioners will meet on April 1 for a work session and April 7 for a town hall mee�ng. The Tree Commitee will not meet on April 9 because members will be at the opening day of the Farmers’ Market on April 12 to hand out free trees. XI. PUBLIC COMMENTS Alix, 22 Tolchester Lane, encouraged everyone to get involved in the Bel Air community. She said people in town are so welcoming. She listed her numerous ac�vi�es in the town and stressed the importance of working in the community and being a part of it. XII. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS Commissioner Taylor provided legisla�ve updates on four per�nent bills in Annapolis. He said tonight is crossover night, which tradi�onally marks the three weeks un�l the end of the session. He noted that a bill not passed out of its chamber of origin by this �me is unlikely to become law. He said tomorrow the senate will hear house bills and vice versa in the house. Commissioner Taylor said both chambers must agree to the language before a bill is signed into law. 4  SB430: Commissioner Taylor said this bill has not moved in the senate or the house and it is unlikely that it will make the crossover deadline. He said it does not even have a commitee vote. Commissioner Taylor noted that the governor’s housing bill also did not make crossover and was subsequently resurrected but, he said, this bill will probably not become law, at least not in its current status. He said it does not have the poli�cal capital behind it and is subject to the tension over the budget. He said it also has numerous “mechanical problems” for municipali�es. SB891: Commissioner Taylor referred to this bill as the ADU bill and he said it looked close to making it out of the senate, but it fell just short of the necessary votes to get it out of commitee. He said a heavily amended version of the bill in the house will now go over to the senate. Commissioner Taylor surmised that the house version will likely become law. He said the cross file is HB1466. MML said the house version of the bill is just about what they would be willing to accept. HB1255: Commissioner Taylor said this bill will not cross over likely due to the late hearing date. He suggested coming back with this bill next year to get it pre-filed and with a senate cross file. SB342: Commissioner Taylor said this bill involves coun�es and municipal corpora�ons’ forms of elec�ons. Specifically, Commissioner Taylor said this bill would apply the provisions of the federal Vo�ng Rights Act of 1965 to coun�es and municipali�es regarding their modes of elec�on and the outcomes they produce. He said the bill engendered significant debated on the senate floor before it was passed. In par�cular, senators of smaller coun�es felt that the at-large method of elec�ng county commissioners could be seen as running afoul of this act if candidates were not adequately representa�ve of a community’s demographics. Commissioner Taylor noted that the Town of Bel Air has an at-large form of elec�on and this law would apply to all municipali�es. He said there is no house cross file yet. He stated that several lawyers in the senate also had concerns related to municipali�es and their ability to keep their elec�on format. In sum, Commissioner Taylor said this bill seeks to codify federal law at the state level, but it only applies to local elec�ons and not state legisla�ve districts. He said there will be more discussion, but he worried about the vulnerability of local government to lawsuits because of this bill. He confirmed for Ms. Thompson that MML is opposed to this bill. XIII. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Taylor mo�oned to adjourn the mee�ng. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. All in favor. The mee�ng adjourned 7:41 at pm. APPROVED: April 7, 2025 Signature on file _____________ Paula S. E�ng, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 5