Mayor & Common Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 9, 2012 QUORUM: A meeting of the Mayor and Common Council was held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster, Maryland on the evening of April 9, 2012, at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Utz; Council President Halstad; Council Members Chiavacci, Frazier, and Wack; City Administrator and Acting City Clerk Wolf, City Treasurer Ehlers; Deputy Chief of Police Stevens, Director of Public Works Glass, Interim Director of Planning, Zoning, and Development Horn, and Director of Recreation and Parks Schroers; and City Attorney Levan were present. Councilman Whitson and Chief of Police Spaulding were excused from attending. Mayor Utz read a proclamation declaring the week of April 8th through April 14th as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Communications Supervisor Brenda Roper, Communications Specialists Joseph Skinner and Wendy Rembowski were recognized by the Mayor and Deputy Chief Stevens. Mayor Utz also read a proclamation announcing that April 2012 is Fair Housing Month MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Frazier and unanimously passed, the minutes of the Council meeting of March 26, 2012 were approved. CONSENT CALENDAR: Dr. Wack moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of the Storm Water Management Agreement for Susquehanna Bank. Mr. Chiavacci seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Utz reported that he attended the Easter Egg Hunt at City Hall on April 7th. He added that many children and their families enjoyed the activities that the Recreation and Parks Department had available to them. He also visited the Annual Peep Show at the Carroll Arts Center. He noted that that event has drawn a lot of people to downtown Westminster. Finally, he reported that, earlier in the day, he attended a McDaniel College baseball game where he presented a proclamation declaring April 9 th through April 15th as NCAA Division III Week in Westminster. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES: Dr. Wack reported that the Mayor and Common Council have the first draft of the FY2013 budget, which will be discussed in detail later in the meeting. He congratulated all those who worked on developing the budget to make it work even with the significant hit to the revenues that was projected the City would take in the coming year due to the lowered reassessments on property values. He continued to say that the budget, which is smaller than last year, is balanced without drawing too drastically on reserves. He added that the City is ahead of schedule on its capital projects. Mr. Chiavacci reported that he attended the police department’s annual award ceremony. He also reported that he received information back from a group that he asked to take a look at what could be done to the athletic field at City Park. He stated that it was not possible to put two fields there. The County needs a turf playing field somewhere and the City wants it at City Park since it would be an economic venture. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: City Attorney Levan summarized the changes to Ordinance No. 832, which would amend Chapter 16 “Peace and Good Order” of the City Code, repeal and reenact with amendments Article V “Miscellaneous Offenses”, clarify the nature of certain nuisance conduct the City intends to prohibit, remove and revise obsolete or antiquated provisions, and provide procedures for enforcement. Ms. Levan recommended the introduction of Ordinance No. 832. Upon motion of Mr. Chiavacci and seconded by Mr. Fraizer, Ordinance No. 832 was unanimously introduced. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Horn explained Public Works Agreement A-1078 is for McDaniel College’s Scott Bair Stadium renovations. He explained that the college is moving forward with its plans to replace the stadium and have already removed the existing stadium structure including, the grand stand, press box, restrooms, seating, etc. The new facility will increase spectator seating from just fewer than 1,000 to over 1,400. Mr. Horn explained that the PWA provides the necessary assurances and protections for the City of Westminster that project will be constructed in accord with the conditions approved with the plans. He stated that it has been reviewed and approved by legal counsel and requested that the Mayor and Common Council approve the Scott Bair Stadium Renovation Public Works Agreement. Upon the motion of Mr. Fraizer and seconded by Dr. Wack, the PWA was passed unanimously. Mayor Utz presented the Common Council the City’s proposed FY2013 budget. He explained that the General Fund is primarily funded through property assessment taxes, which have decreased significantly. When property taxes decrease, the City’s revenue decreases too. He stated that the budget review will begin with the General Fund, which is divided into departmental operating revenue and priority capital projects. Priority capital projects are funded by the property tax that was increased in 2009. Mayor Utz stated that when Mayor and Common Council approved the increase, they identified priority projects for a three-year period. The capital project fund has also decreased because of the declining assessment tax base. It was agreed in 2009 that the increase would be reviewed each year. He explained that the City has reduced the number of employees, revised the way business is done, and reduced costs. Mayor Utz announced that he is requesting a reduction in the property tax rate by one cent. He went on to say that the departmental budget operating costs will reflect the decrease in General Fund revenues and the steps taken to balance the budget. He added that the budget was developed with the latest information available. Mayor Utz stated that when elected, he asked the Council to make sure that the City was self-sufficient in case funding at the State and County level were cut. He went on to say that the City does not have to worry about funding from the State and County; it is a bonus if the City receives anything from them. Tax revenues that the City could get from the State or County would be Community Legacy funds, State Aid, Highway User funds, and Project Open Space. He stated that the City is looking to undertake three new initiatives: the City Park turf field project, exploration of installing wireless Internet infrastructure, and implementation of the rental licensing program. Mr. Ehlers presented the Mayor and Common Council with budget information for FY2013, as well as FY2014 and FY2015 projections based on information that the City is aware of. He reminded the audience that the budget is a draft and is still in development until May. The full FY2013 draft budget presentation can be found on the City’s website. Ms. Wolf stated that at the April 23rd Mayor and Common Council meeting the Water and Sewer Funds will be reviewed. The budget hearing will be held on May 7 th at the John Street Quarters. The budget and tax rate are set to be approved on May 14 th. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Sue Hoffman, executive director at Tender Care Pregnancy Center announced that, in addition to their locations in Hanover and Gettysburg they are expecting to open a new facility in Westminster at 95 Carroll Street in June 2012. Adam Orenstein of 133 East Main Street addressed his concerns on public safety issues on Main Street especially at 136 East Main Street (Jones Manor), which has a history of code violations and police activity. He stated that according to CrimeReports.com, there have been three major crimes committed in the past week in the 100 block of East Main Street, including theft, assault, and sexual assault. He explained that he is concerned for his family and is hoping that the landlord licensing help to improve the situation. Noah Patton, junior at McDaniel College, stated that working as an intern in the Planning, Zoning, and Development Department for the City of Westminster gives him the ability to see both sides of the current issues going on between the city residents and students. Most of the residents on Pennsylvania and Hersh Avenues have lived there long before the students moved in and they have a right to not be disturbed by parties. Mr. Patton and his constituents feel that unless an understanding can be reached, this issue will further alienate the student body from the citizens of Westminster, which neither party wants to happen. Some of the student body feels that the residents think they are snotty, rich, and stuck up. Students hear snide remarks because they are McDaniel students and it makes them feel unwelcomed. The students, however, do not do much to help dissuade their neighbors of the opinions with the numerous misdemeanors committed and frequent partying at night. It does not give residents any reason to love McDaniel students at all. He indicated that the students want a better relationship with the town and the college. Mr. Patton reviewed results of a survey he conducted of 200 McDaniel College students regarding their relationship with downtown Westminster. He revealed that only 20% of the respondents shop at the downtown merchants, 8% stated that they prefer to spend time in downtown Westminster, and 64% of surveyed students rated their downtown experience as neutral and below. These are not the results the City wants. The City would love the influx of revenue. Mr. Patton informed the Mayor and Common Council that he and his constituents have discussed the issues at hand and have come up with some possible solutions. He suggested that Carroll Transit Systems (CATS) increase their frequency around the college and educate the students of the low cost transportation option between downtown Westminster and the college. He recommended increasing the promoting of McDaniel College and Downtown Westminster events. This would increase students at City events and city residents as McDaniel events (i.e. sporting or music venues). Finally, Mr. Patton proposed the creation of a student commission, a sounding board for the City for issues with the college student population. This commission could also bring the suggestions and opinions of the students to the City when it comes to community issues. They could also work with the City to promote events, lobbying the students. Mr. Patton indicated the possibility that this commission could be set up by next school year. Eric Deller, a senior at McDaniel College, stated that an open forum was recently held at the college where students could voice their opinions. He stated that he brought up the idea to Dr. Casey of having a shuttle system for students that would run from the campus to downtown Westminster, mainly the bars. He continued to say that the reason there are parties and social gathering off campus is due to the students feeling like they do not have a safe environment to drink, be social, and relieve stress on campus. He stated that it was also proposed to Dr. Casey that a place be created on campus where it is socially acceptable to have a party for students of drinking age. He concluded by saying that he is hoping that Dr. Casey will seriously take their points and suggestions in consideration and move forward with them. Lyndi McNulty of 195 West Main Street thanked Councilman Wack and Chief Spaulding for their participation and performances at the Rock Ball. She added that all money from the event will be donated locally to nonprofits. ADJOURN: President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:00 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Elizabeth L. Fahey