Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BEL AIR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TOWN HALL MEETING SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 The Board of Commissioners Town Hall Mee�ng was held on September 15, 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 IN ATTENDANCE: David Anderson, Media & Public Relations Specialist Catherine Butrim, Economic Development Coordinator Edward Hopkins, Town Administrator 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 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 Taylor 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 Taylor mo�oned that the minutes of the Board of Commissioners mee�ngs held on August 26, 2025, open and closed sessions, and September 2, 2025, be approved as submited. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. Commissioner Rutledge mo�oned that the work session minutes of August 26, 2025, be amended on page 6, first paragraph, fourth line to read, as follows: “He noted that the board has the authority to approve this project although it will not be binding precedent because…” Commissioner Taylor seconded the amendment. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on approval of the amendment to the minutes of August 26, 2025. Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5–0. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the approval of the minutes for August 26, 2025, and September 2, 2025, minutes as amended: Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5–0. 1 V. PRESENTATION A. Bel Air Police Department Promo�on of Bret Sperl to Officer First Class Chair E�ng recognized the well-earned promo�on to officer first class of Bret Sperl. She said that Officer First Class Sperl joined the Police Explorers program in 2013 and remained in the program un�l he was aged 21. She then reported that he enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 2019 and described his exemplary service as a Marine. When Officer First Class Sperl le� the Marine Corps in 2023 he was hired by the Bel Air Police Department and graduated from the Bal�more County Police Academy in 2024. Chair E�ng said that Officer First Class Sperl has performed the du�es of police officer with poise and exper�se that belie his short tenure, including over forty criminal arrests and more than 190 traffic stops. She said he is a cer�fied police instructor and has completed advanced training for Standardized Field Sobriety Tes�ng. Chair E�ng described how Officer First Class Sperl represents the very best of the police department through his deep-rooted sense of duty, his calm demeanor under pressure, and his commitment to community service. Chief Moore recalled his first memories of Officer First Class Sperl and knew then that he stood out as an explorer because of his leadership quali�es and his discipline. Chief Moore described Officer First Class Sperl’s excep�onal quali�es like his courage, politeness, drama-free demeanor, and humility. He said that Office First Class Sperl represents the town in the best possible image and thanked him for his high performance and keeping the town safe. VI. PUBLIC HEARING A. 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 Chair E�ng opened and closed the public hearing at 7:12 pm with no public comment. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. 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 mo�oned that Ordinance No. 846-25, revising Town Code, Sec�on 165-53. G, Performance Standards, Sec�on 165-104 Defini�ons and Table 3-5 of the Permited Use Tables be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Chizmar seconded the mo�on. Mr. Small reported that the town currently has no defini�on or use category for short-term rentals (STRs), and thus they are prohibited in town. He defined an STR and then described how this ordinance was dra�ed, with consulta�on and revisions from the Planning Commission, the Economic and Community Development Commission (ECDC), and the Board of Town Commissioners. He said the commissioners determined that STRs would be best located in business districts and excluded from residen�al zones. 2  Commissioner Rutledge thanked town staff, Mr. Small, the Economic Development Department, the Planning Commission, and the ECDC for allowing him to present the bill and providing him with comments. He thanked his fellow commissioners for their work and discussion on this ordinance. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the approval of Ordinance 846-25: Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5–0. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolu�on 1258-25 Opioid Li�ga�on Setlement Authoriza�on with Seven Opioid Manufacturers: Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus. Commissioner Chizmar mo�oned that Resolu�on No. 1258-25, authorizing the town administrator, special counsel, and staff to execute and deliver opioid li�ga�on setlements with seven opioid manufacturers: Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus, in their en�rety, as recommended by special counsel, be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. Mr. Krantz provided background on the opioid li�ga�on. He said that Resolu�on 1113-18 was passed in 2018 authorizing the town to enter into an agreement to retain law firms to pursue opioid li�ga�on. In September 2025 the state of Maryland tenta�vely joined a na�onal opioid setlement with the above seven generic manufacturers. He noted that the state did not par�cipate in the setlement with Indivior. Mr. Krantz reported that Maryland’s es�mated poten�al share for the setlements is approximately $12 million. He described how these seven manufacturers gravely contributed to worsening the opioid crisis resul�ng in significant financial costs to the state and the town. Commissioner Rutledge said this is a small step forward in a long and tragic history that has affected our friends, neighbors, and rela�ves. He noted that the amount of money allocated to the town may seem small, but it is an important moral victory and it has brought these manufacturers to heel. Commissioner Rutledge said he fully supports adop�ng this setlement. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the approval of Resolu�on 1258-25: Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5–0. B. Interna�onal Full Size Dump Truck Purchase Commissioner Chance mo�oned that the quote of Freightliner Western Star of Elkton, 189 Belle Hill Road, Elkton MD 21921, for a 2026 Freightliner 108SD Plus with a Cummins L9 360 HP Engine along with other selected op�ons in the amount of $127,827 be accepted by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Rutledge seconded the mo�on. Mr. Kline said this purchase will replace unit #22, a 2013 interna�onal dump truck. He said this purchase will piggy-back on a Sourcewell contract. Mr. Kline reported that $265,000 were allocated in the FY26 streets budget for this purchase. He predicted that the town will receive approximately $10,000 in the resale of the 2013 truck on GovDeals. He then explained that the truck will be primarily used for snow removal and the hauling of construc�on materials. Mr. Kline then listed the items that will soon be purchased for the up-fi�ng of the truck, including a snow plow, a salt spreader, and hydraulics. 3 Commissioner Chizmar clarified that the upfi�ng purchases are not included in today’s cost and will be an addi�onal expense. Mr. Kline agreed and said he hopes that the final cost will be $9,500 under the total budgeted amount of $265,000. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the approval of the purchase of a 2026 Freightliner Dump Truck: Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5–0. C. Ford F550 Small Dump Truck Purchase Commissioner Taylor mo�oned that the bid of Apple Ford, Inc., 8800 Standford Boulevard, Columbia, MD for a 2026 Ford F550, diesel, single axle dump truck in the amount of $77,457.90 accepted by Bal�more County, be also accepted by the Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Chance seconded the mo�on. Mr. Kline said that an essen�al duty of the Public Works Department is snow and ice removal on forty-one miles of streets in the town. He listed the vehicles used for this duty and said this new truck purchase will replace vehicle #8, a 2015 Ford F550. Mr. Kline said the purchase will be a piggy-back on a Bal�more County contract with Apple Ford. He predicted that the town will receive approximately $6,000 from the sale of the 2015 truck on GovDeals. Mr. Kline then described the specific uses of this type of truck on the town’s smaller streets. He noted that there will also be an addi�onal cost for the up- fi�ng to include a plow, a salt spreader, and hydraulics. Chair E�ng asked about the lead �me for these purchases. Mr. Kline replied that it can take from six to nine months to receive the vehicle a�er it is ordered. He noted that the department’s current fleet will be sufficient for this year’s snow and ice removal. Commissioner Taylor thanked the Finance and Public Works Departments for their work and for ensuring these purchases are under budget. Mr. Krantz asked for a vote on the purchase of a F550 small dump truck: Ayes: Commissioners Rutledge, Chizmar, Taylor, Chance, E�ng. Nays: None. Mo�on carried 5–0. IX. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS The town is s�ll accep�ng applica�ons for the fall session of the Municipal Ci�zens Academy scheduled to begin on September 24 and con�nue for eight weeks. The annual Community Collec�on drive will be on September 20 in the Bel Air High School parking lot. The event is hosted by the town in partnership with Harford County government, Harford County Public Schools, and the Bel Air Lions Club. The 19th annual Harford County Wine Fes�val, hosted by the Rockfield Founda�on, will be at Rockfield Manor on Churchville Road on September 27. The event is sold out. Sign-up for Fall Dance Lessons is ongoing and the lessons will begin on September 29 at the armory. It is a six-week course that will run through November 10. The next monthly First Fridays celebra�on is on October 3. It is hosted by the Downtown Alliance and takes place in the parking lot at 121 S. Main Street. LASOS, Inc. will host its 16th annual Bingo Night fundraiser on October 4 at the armory. A Living History Performance featuring Colleen Webster portraying English novelist, Jane Austen, will be held on October 7 at the armory. The Town of Bel Air’s 2025 municipal elec�on will be on November 4. Two seats are up for elec�on. The deadline to file as a candidate is September 19. The deadline to register to vote is October 14. The Board of Appeals will meet on September 16. The Cultural Arts Commission will meet on September 17. The Commitee for Seniors and Ci�zens in Need will meet on September 24. The Historic Preserva�on 4 Commission will meet on September 25. The Planning Commission will meet on October 2. The Board of Town Commissioners will meet September 30 and October 6. Commissioner Taylor said the St. Margaret Fall Fes�val will be September 19 and 20. X. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was no public comment. XI. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS Chair E�ng said she received an email from the Bel Air Recrea�on Commitee sta�ng that the Fes�val for the Arts was a successful, well-run event. Commissioner Chance noted and appreciated the hundreds of volunteer hours and the tremendous work of town staff that made this event a success. Commissioner Taylor said he atended the so� opening of Raising Cane’s and said he was most impressed with the enthusiasm of the staff. He reported that tomorrow is the grand opening. He commended Commissioner Chizmar for the successful 100-year celebra�on of the 300 block of Broadway this Saturday. Commissioner Taylor said that the Appearance & Beau�fica�on Commitee distributed cer�ficates to all the homeowners. Commissioner Taylor recognized the assassina�on of Charlie Kirk. He stressed that as an elected official, he must give voice to the pain that the community is feeling, as well as the distress that those who value freedom of speech and discourse are experiencing. He also recognized that, as an elected official, the threat of violence to his person is ever-present. He encouraged the town and the na�on to not run away from people they may disagree with, rather they should try to understand why they hold different views. Commissioner Taylor commented that there is so much more that unites us than divides us and suggested roo�ng out violence by having a conversa�on and talking with each other. He said there will be a private vigil tomorrow at Shamrock Park. Commissioner Chance said she feels very sad for the country, which has suffered from many assassina�ons going back hundreds of years. She felt that the country has not learned its lesson to put guns down and accept that others may have differences of opinion. Commissioner Chance said violence is not the answer no mater one’s poli�cal affilia�on. Commissioner Rutledge thanked Commissioners Taylor and Chance and said he supported and appreciated their commentary. Chair E�ng expressed her sadness at the loss Mr. Kirk’s family and friends must be experiencing. XII. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Rutledge mo�oned to adjourn the mee�ng. Commissioner Chance seconded the mo�on. All in favor. The mee�ng adjourned at 7:40 pm. APPROVED: October 6, 2025 5  Signature on file _____________ Paula S. E�ng, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_____________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 6