Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BEL AIR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION MEETING AUGUST 12, 2025 The Board of Commissioners Work Session Mee�ng was held on August 12, 2025, at 5:15 pm. Note: No YouTube video was recorded of this mee�ng due to technical difficul�es. PRESENT: Commissioner Mary F. Chance Commissioner Steven T. Chizmar, Vice Chair Commissioner James B. Rutledge, III Commissioner Jakob D. Taylor IN ATTENDANCE: David Anderson, Media & Public Relations Specialist Catherine Butrim, Economic Development Coordinator Stephen Kline, Director of Public Works Michael Krantz, Director of HR & Administration Lisa Moody, Director of Finance Charles Moore, Chief of Police Kevin Small, Director of Planning Jane Sudbrink, Recording Secretary ABSENT: Commissioner Paula S. Etting, Chair I. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Chizmar called the mee�ng to order at 5:16 pm and read the roll call of commissioners. II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Chance mo�oned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. Commissioner Taylor mo�oned to amend the agenda by striking sec�on XII because a closed session discussion was no longer required. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on to amend. Vice Chair Chizmar asked for a vote on the agenda as amended. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 4–0. IV. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Mr. Krantz reported on behalf of Mr. Hopkins who was out of the office. 1. Mr. Krantz said that town staff had a pre-construc�on mee�ng with the firm that will be razing of the two derelict buildings across from Independent Brewing Company. He said the tear-down should commence next week. 2. Mr. Krantz said new AEDs have been installed in Shamrock Park and Homestead Park, as well as two in Rockfield Park. He said these installa�ons also contain stop-the-bleed kits and Narcan. Mr. Krantz said these installa�ons are connected to the county’s 911 system so that emergency services will be 1 alerted that AEDs and Narcan are available for those in cardiac arrest or who are overdosing in that area. He said that a future loca�on for an AED may be in the pocket park on Bond Street and that QR codes may be placed on all of the installa�ons. Mr. Kline and Chief Moore confirmed for Vice Chair Chizmar that none of the over ten AEDs in town have been tampered with. V. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR TOWN MEETING (Monday, August 18, 2025, at 7:00 pm, Bel Air Town Hall) A. Public Hearing 1. Ordinance 843-25 Verizon Cable Franchise Agreement Renewal Mr. Krantz said that this is the final public hearing regarding the renewal of this agreement. He said the commissioners will also be asked to vote on this ordinance so that the renewal can be signed. Mr. Krantz confirmed that the agreement has not been altered since the last board mee�ng and that Verizon has been no�fied of the imminent vote and signing. 2. Ordinance 844-25 Amending Town Code Chapter 50: Finance and Taxa�on, Ar�cle I. Financial Maters § 50-3: Assessments for Services and Improvements and Abatements of Nuisances Mr. Small reported that that Ms. Thompson introduced this ordinance in July. He said that the Board of Commissioners, town staff, and town counsel are responsible for protec�ng town rights and maintaining fiscal responsibility. Maryland law permits recoupment of li�ga�on expenses through enactments. In reference to the town, Mr. Small said this ordinance is a change in legisla�on that will allow the town to be en�tled to reimbursement of atorney’s fees, expert witness fees, costs of li�ga�on, and court costs. He noted that it is fiscally responsible on the town’s part to seek reimbursement of these expenses. 3. Ordinance 845-25 Amending Town Code Chapter 165 Comprehensive Plan and Development Regula�ons, Part 2. Zoning, Ar�cle X. Accessory and Temporary Uses, B. Residen�al Districts Commissioner Taylor summarized that the ordinance is to permit a corner-lot owner to install a shed in the backyard. B. Unfinished Business 1. Ordinance 843-25 Verizon Cable Franchise Agreement Renewal 2. Ordinance 844-25 Amending Town Code Chapter 50: Finance and Taxa�on, Ar�cle I. Financial Maters § 50-3: Assessments for Services and Improvements and Abatements of Nuisances 3. Ordinance 845-25 Amending Town Code Chapter 165 Comprehensive Plan and Development Regula�ons, Part 2. Zoning, Ar�cle X. Accessory and Temporary Uses, B. Residen�al Districts 2 C. New Business 1. Ordinance 846-25 Amending Ar�cles VII, XIV, and Atachment 1 of the Development Regula�ons in Chapter 165 of the Town of Bel Air Code to Establish a Use Category and Performance Standards for Short-Term Rentals, and to Revise the Defini�ons of Short-Term Rental and Accessory Dwelling Unit Commissioner Rutledge referred to the most recent dra� of this legisla�on. He said that he intends to introduce this ordinance next Monday for recep�on. He then summarized the current dra� form of the ordinance. Commissioner Rutledge referred to the permited use table. He said that the legisla�on transi�ons from the “current regime” where short-term rentals are not allowed in the town and are not a permited use to where they are permited through a special development regula�on in specific zoning districts. Commissioner Rutledge noted that short-term rentals are s�ll not permited in residen�al zones. He noted that the bill has been “trimmed down” and referred to paragraph (2)(k) for the specific performance standards (owner located in the county, owner contact informa�on, no signage, license from town). He also referenced [2][a] for guidelines regarding short-term rentals (reviewing agency may consider parking; rental criteria; and structure, capacity, and loca�on of unit). Commissioner Rutledge also specified the rental �me change that now must be 28 con�nuous days or less. He noted these revisions are aimed at business districts while prior legisla�on referring to residen�al zones was removed. Commissioner Rutledge expressed his desire for this legisla�on to pass and thanked the commissioners, Mr. Small, and Mr. Krantz for their support. Commissioner Chance voiced her apprecia�on for Commissioner Rutledge’s work on this legisla�on and felt it will enable more people to come and enjoy the town. 2. Purchase of Patrol Vehicles by the Bel Air Police Department Chief Moore said he will be presen�ng for approval the purchase of four marked, 2025 AWD-drive SUV vehicles in the amount of $186,076 and another vehicle for $46,500. Chief Moore said these new vehicles will replace four others in the fleet. He noted that one of the new vehicles has no replacement because it is designated for the newly hired officer. Chief Moore said the purchase will piggy-back on a state of Maryland purchase order. He reported that there are sufficient funds in the FY26 budget for this purchase and said the total cost came in $33,000 lower than what was budgeted. Chief Moore said he will soon follow-up with a purchase request for the accessory packages for the vehicles. He told Vice Chair Chizmar that two vehicles are ready for pickup and the accessory packages should be ready for purchase within the month. VI. COMMISSIONER LIAISON REPORTS Commissioner Chance said the ribbon-cu�ng for Rockfield Manor was a wonderful event and she was pleased that they are reopened for business. Commissioner Rutledge said the Historic Preserva�on Commission is con�nuing to work hard on their proposed legisla�on of changes to the incen�ve �ers. He noted that the members all have different backgrounds, intellects, and inputs resul�ng in a “great synergy” amongst the members. He said that members will soon come before the board at a work session to garner input for their legisla�on and answer ques�ons. 3 VII. STAFFING UPDATE A. Review Term Expira�on Dates of Boards, Commitees, and Commissions Mr. Krant said the pos�ngs for laborer and police officer have come down and both departments are ac�vely recrui�ng for these posi�ons. He said no other jobs are currently posted. Mr. Krantz and commissioners then discussed applicants for various boards. He said an applicant for the Planning Commission is not a town resident but may be eligible for another board. He said an applicant for the Board of Ethics will be put on the agenda for considera�on at the next work session mee�ng (in a closed session). Mr. Krantz said applicants for the Board of Appeals and the Tree Commitee will also be put on the agenda for a closed session discussion. Mr. Kline said he will contact Greg Adolph to confirm his con�nued interest on the Board of Building Appeals tomorrow. Commissioner Chance confirmed for Vice Chair Chizmar that there is an applicant interested in joining the Commitee for Seniors and Ci�zens in Need, although all posi�ons are filled at seven members. Mr. Krantz said that town code permits adding another member to the board, but this would result in an even number. Commissioner Rutledge said the risk of deadlock on this commitee is slim and felt it best to encourage anyone who wants to volunteer for the town. Commissioners agreed and Vice Chair Chizmar added that not all members of this commitee must be town residents. VIII. CALENDAR Mr. Small said there is no Board of Appeals mee�ng scheduled for August and the Planning Commission also did not meet in August. IX. MISCELLANEOUS A. Cultural Arts Commission Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2025 Ms. Butrim presented on the ac�vi�es of the Cultural Arts Commission for 2025. She said that for the last fi�een years it has received funding in the amount of $8,350 directed toward a marke�ng account and a public art account. She first listed event par�cipa�on and sponsorships that included Living History with Colleen Webster, sponsorship of the Plein Air Fes�val Quick Draw compe��on, the performance of Ain’t Misbehavin’ Big Band, Urban Line Dancing classes, and armory rental sponsorships. For public art projects, Ms. Butrim said the budget offsets costs for arts-related nonprofits and public art projects. She said that this year the commission purchased a sculpture to be installed in Alice Anne Park, funded installa�on of the Litle Free Art Gallery, and presented the first annual Bel Air Spring Art Exhibi�on that showcased art from local town schools. Ms. Butrim expressed her apprecia�on for Commissioner Chance as liaison, and Commissioner Chance commended the commission’s and the Economic Development Department’s hard work. Commissioner Taylor, Mr. Kline, and Mr. Small discussed the placement and size of the sculpture for Alice Anne Park, with Mr. Kline confirming that the Public Works Department will construct the base. Mr. Kline added that Mr. Anderson is wri�ng an ar�cle about the work of the Appearance and Beau�fica�on Commitee and the Cultural Arts Commission. 4 X. STAFF COMMENTS Ms. Butrim said that the Upper Chesapeake Chorus will be celebra�ng its 50th anniversary in September. Ms. Butrim highlighted the chorus’ volunteerism and its numerous performances at town events over the years. She asked for the commissioners to present a proclama�on to the chorus either at its performance on August 17 as part of the Summer Concert Series or at a town hall mee�ng in September. Commissioners agreed that it would be best to present the proclama�on this Sunday, and Ms. Butrim said she would prepare the proclama�on. Mr. Kline expressed his concern regarding the high temporary occupancy fees that the county charges—nearly $1,000 plus the town’s $85 administra�ve fee—for large tents at events. He par�cularly was troubled about how this high cost affects nonprofits. He cited recent examples where he felt the excessive cost will take away from the nonprofits’ earnings, including United Methodist Church, Fes�val for the Arts, and Rockfield Manor. He asked that commissioners reach out to Harford County Government and discuss giving some sort of “pass” to nonprofit organiza�ons who “are trying to do something good for the community.” Mr. Kline explained for Commissioner Taylor that the town’s fee is a pass-through and is the charge for processing the permit. He said that he has discussed this issue with Mr. Hopkins and they considered waiving the town’s fee for nonprofits but would also like the county to consider a waiver. Mr. Kline confirmed for Commissioner Taylor that the inspec�on takes only one hour. Mr. Small confirmed for Vice Chair Chizmar that town code has a carveout for nonprofits regarding signs and temporary use permits. Vice Chair Chizmar stressed that the town must have a good defini�on for a nonprofit. Commissioner Rutledge said the county’s fee is a revenue source for the county budget and suggested approaching the county with an offer of a significant reduc�on rather than a waiver. Vice Chair Chizmar said he will reach out to Council Member Tony Giangiordano. Mr. Kline was also concerned about the town’s responsibility if an en�ty does not know about the tent inspec�on. Commissioner Chance did not like heavy fees on nonprofits and ques�oned the county’s ac�ons par�cularly when they are trying to promote visi�ng Harford County. Chief Moore detailed recent ac�vi�es of the police department that show how they are keeping the town safe. He said that in March 2025 there were burglaries at American Design and Build that were �ed in with other burglaries that spanned several states. He said that the department’s inves�gator used numerous inves�ga�ve tac�cs and tools that resulted in two arrests. Chief Moore said that Offline Footwear & Vintage store was robbed on July 11 and this resulted in stolen merchandise and destruc�on of property. He said that the department’s inves�gator used social media correspondence and worked with a police department in Pennsylvania to lead to arrests in that case. Chief Moore said that Officer Rhodes tracked a group of juveniles on bikes to the parking garage where he was able to seize the bikes and make juvenile referrals. Chief Moore cau�oned against chasing these juveniles with vehicles and he assured commissioners that the department con�nues to monitor the situa�on. XI. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS Commissioner Taylor spoke on last week’s successful Na�onal Night Out. He commended the Bel Air Police Department’s demonstra�ons and said there was a great turnout. Commissioner Taylor said the 5 ribbon-cu�ng event for Rockfield Manor was “spectacular” and he was gladdened that the “cultural cornerstone of the town” had reopened. 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 6:19 pm. APPROVED: September 2, 2025 Signature on file _____________ Paula S. E�ng, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 6