Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BEL AIR BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS TOWN HALL MEETING JUNE 30, 2025 The Board of Town Commissioners Town Hall Mee�ng was held on June 30, 2025, at 5:15 pm. PRESENT: Commissioner Paula S. Etting, Chair Commissioner Steven T. Chizmar Commissioner James B. Rutledge, III Commissioner Jakob D. Taylor IN ATTENDANCE: David Anderson, Media & Public Relations Specialist Stephen Kline, Director of Public Works Michael Krantz, Director of HR & Administration Angela Robertson, Director of Economic Development Kevin Small, Director of Planning Jane Sudbrink, Recording Secretary ABSENT: Commissioner Mary F. Chance 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Chizmar mo�oned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. Commissioner Taylor moved to amend the agenda. He asked to strike item VI. B. CDWG Contract for For�net Network Switches because it is no longer necessary for the board to take ac�on on that item. Chair E�ng seconded the mo�on, sta�ng that the dollar figure does not rise to the amount necessary for the board’s considera�on. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the amendment to the agenda. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4–0. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the agenda as amended. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4–0. IV. PUBLIC HEARING A. Ordinance 842-25 Amending Town Code, Chapter 165, Ar�cle VII, Sec�on 165-53.H(2)(a)[1][d] Revising the Required Distance Between Cannabis Dispensaries There was no public comment and the public hearing opened and closed at 5:17 pm. 1 V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Ordinance 842-25 Amending Town Code, Chapter 165, Ar�cle VII, Sec�on 165-53.H(2)(a)[1][d] Revising the Required Distance Between Cannabis Dispensaries Commissioner Chizmar mo�oned that Ordinance 842-25, revising Town Code, Chapter 165, Ar�cle VII, related to distances between cannabis dispensaries be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. Commissioner Chizmar commented that he was in favor of requiring the maximum distance between dispensaries. He said the town s�ll needs to determine what a dispensary business entails and he preferred “to see us crawl before we walk and run,” and the requirement could always be changed in the future. Commissioner Taylor concurred that it is not wise to invite a prolifera�on of dispensaries in the town limits. He said this is the most prudent ac�on and the best policy choice, to the degree that the state has permited the commissioners to make such choices. Chair E�ng agreed. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on Ordinance 842-25. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4–0. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Dell Marke�ng Contracts for PowerEdge R450 Servers and Dell PCs Commissioner Rutledge mo�oned that the proposals from Dell Marke�ng to purchase two PowerEdge R450 Servers and five Pro Slim Plus Personal Computers in the combined amount of $16,679.47 be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Taylor seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz said this is a purchase of equipment facilitated by the IT Department. He confirmed for Commissioner Taylor that this purchase was tenta�vely budgeted for FY26 but they were able to budget it in �me for FY25. There was no public comment. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote for approval of the purchase of two PowerEdge Servers and five personal computers from Dell Marke�ng. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4–0. VII. MISCELLANEOUS A. Discussion of the Reloca�on of the District Court Chair E�ng said she asked this topic to be put on the agenda so that the commissioners could discuss it publicly. She said the state has purchased proper�es on Marketplace Drive in an�cipa�on of moving the district court to that area. She noted that in doing so, the state removed several proper�es from the town’s tax roll. In addi�on, Chair E�ng said this move would be disrup�ve to the town’s downtown economy, which relies on the presence of the district court. She said the state is s�ll nego�a�ng for the Walgreens property. Chair E�ng said that she has reached out to Senator James, the state’s atorney, and the sheriff’s department to gauge their feelings on the mater. Chair E�ng said she believes the district court should remain in Bel Air with a satellite court on Route 40 to serve the other 2 half of the county. She pointed out that Bal�more County has numerous satellite courts to serve its county populace. Chair E�ng said she also reached out to the mayors of Havre de Grace and Aberdeen, and to Route 40 business associa�ons. She stated that she felt it unwise to abandon a large building in town that also houses other state services. She opened the discussion to the other commissioners. Commissioner Taylor agreed with Chair E�ng. He said the “saving grace” is that the state is currently in a “dire financial situa�on.” The project is not very far along in the process and the financial straits are slowing the process even further. He agreed with contac�ng the local delega�on as well as Route 40 business representa�ves who could act as key lobbyists. He said it is important to develop a new plan with a new satellite loca�on, which would require a strong momentum behind it and bipar�san support. Chair E�ng said that this proposed satellite court would serve ci�zens of the en�re county. Commissioner Taylor said that losing the court building would hurt the town’s economy, and reloca�ng the building on Route 24 would isolate it from the walkable, commercial infrastructure in town. He expressed his concern for the impact on the smaller businesses in town, as well as the impact of having a large, unoccupied building. He said the state could give it to the county or it would become a “zombie property” opera�ng at only 30 to 40 percent. Commissioner Taylor stated that the reloca�on of the district court is a “bad idea” for the town and the county. He said the commissioners should take a firm stance that the town opposes this plan and then present an alterna�ve. He said that he is aware that county representa�ves also feel nega�vely about the reloca�on. He said it would be best for the commissioners to endorse any leter that the county dra�s as well as dra�ing their own on behalf of the town. He said that when the local delega�on hopefully picks up this cause and lobbies the state, they needed to be armed with as much local support as possible that demonstrates this plan is harmful and the alterna�ve is beter. Commissioner Taylor said there is a lot of support across party lines for nega�ng this planned district court move. Chair E�ng added that the state’s posi�on is to make areas more walkable and the loca�on on Route 40 is not a walkable area. She said moving the court would destroy the close-knit, walkable community that has built up around the courthouse in town. Commissioner Rutledge said he supported Chair E�ng and Commissioner Taylor for all the reasons they had ar�culated. He said this cause must be bipar�san. He noted that the issue of walkability would be a strong argument, ci�ng reduc�on of the carbon footprint and the issues of traffic. He said keeping the district court in town would be a “win win” for the state’s policies. He noted his experience with satellite courts in Bal�more County and said Harford County would benefit from a such a court. Commissioner Rutledge said that he did not think the state would lose money by pulling out of the project and could sell the proper�es it has so far acquired. He also felt that it is very important to get support from all interested par�es, including feedback from the state’s atorney’s office and district judges on how they would do their workload with a satellite court. Commissioner Chizmar agreed with his fellow commissioners. He expressed his distress at the court leaving downtown and noted that the county has already proposed a satellite court. He, too, cited walkability and the carbon footprint as state mandates that could affect the reloca�on of the court to Route 24. He suggested that Chair E�ng also contact the Harford County Bar Associa�on. She agreed and asked commissioners and department heads for further sugges�ons on who to contact. Chair E�ng described her posi�ve experience with satellite courts in Bal�more County. 3  Commissioner Chizmar suggested the message from the town should indicate how keeping the district court in Bel Air would be advantageous to the state and the town and how the move would result in a great loss to the town. Ms. Robertson listed the other organiza�ons that occupy the district court in town, as follows: assessments and taxa�on, general services, human resources, juvenile services, labor licensing and regula�ons, natural resources, parole and proba�on, public defender’s office, rehabilita�on services, fire marshal, and veterans’ affairs. Commissioners agreed that Chair E�ng should reach out to these organiza�ons as well. Chair E�ng noted that it is mutually beneficial to have these organiza�ons so close to the district court. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was no public comment. IX. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS Commissioner Taylor described the excellent celebra�on of the 50th anniversary of the Bel Air Farmers’ Market. He said it was very well atended and included local elected officials. Commissioner Taylor said it was good to see those people recognized who have contributed so much to the farmers’ market. Commissioner Taylor said he will be proposing “simple one- to two-sentence legisla�on” on July 15 regarding the loca�on of sheds on corner lots. He explained the current restric�ons and said he received feedback from a local ci�zen along with guidance from Mr. Small and Mr. Hopkins. Commissioner Taylor said he is proposing to allow construc�on of a 6-foot shed off the right of way on a corner lot facing a street provided that the shed is s�ll behind the front façade of the house. He said the proposed legisla�on preserves the aesthe�cs but s�ll allows ci�zens to improve their proper�es. Commissioner Rutledge described the dedica�on ceremony of the Harford Chabad. He said it was an honor to deliver the proclama�on and support the dedica�on. Commissioner Rutledge said there was a large turnout with numerous moving presenta�ons. He noted that Rabbi Schusterman was very excited to be in Bel Air. In addi�on, he said that Rabbi Schusterman expressed his deep apprecia�on for Chief Moore’s support and encouragement. Commissioner Rutledge said he felt fortunate to have this growth and improvement on that sec�on of Broadway and Chair E�ng agreed. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Taylor mo�oned to adjourn the mee�ng. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. All in favor. The mee�ng adjourned at 5:47 pm. APPROVED: July 21, 2025 Signature on file _____________ Paula S. E�ng, Chair Board of Town Commissioners 4 Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 5