Mayor & Common Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL MEETING JULY 22, 2013 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 July 22, 2013, at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Utz; Council President Pro Tempore Albert; Council members Chiavacci, Frazier and Whitson; City Administrator and Acting City Clerk Wolf, City Treasurer Palmer; Chief of Police Spaulding, Director of Public Works Glass, Director of Recreation and Parks Gruber, Director of Community Planning and Development Horn, Director of Housing and Preservation Services Beyard; and City Attorney Levan were present. Council President Wack was excused from attending. Mayor Utz read a proclamation declaring August 6, 2013 as National Night Out throughout neighborhoods in Westminster. Chief Spaulding thanked him for the recognition and explained what the event entailed. MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, the minutes of the Council meeting of July 8, 2013 were approved. CONSENT CALENDAR: Mr. Frazier moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of the June 2013 Departmental Operating Reports, Public Works Agreement (PWA) A-922 (Amendment) – Meadow Branch Industrial Park, and PWA A-1010 (Amendment) – Bolton Hill Section I, Phase IV. Mr. Chiavacci seconded and the motion passed unanimously. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Utz reported on his and Chief Spaulding’s attendance at a Street Summit meeting with Human Services Programs of Carroll County to discuss providing in-kind services. Chief Spaulding accepted the position of committee member in case the group needs to meet in time of a crisis. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES: Mr. Frazier proposed the City discontinue grass clipping collection in order to promote ‘grasscycling’ within the City. He explained that this method decreases the need for lawn watering and fertilization, which is better for the environment and uses less water. Ms. Wolf stated that she and staff would research the option and report back to the Council. Mr. Chiavacci asked if the change was primarily for financial or ecological purposes. Mr. Frazier clarified that the grass clippings would serve as mulch and would save the residents time, money and water and produce less polluted runoff. Ms. Albert reported that the increased signage produced immediate positive results in the alley behind Willis Street. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: President Pro Tempore Albert summarized and requested approval of Resolution No. 13-06 – Approval of a Project to Raise Funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Westminster. Upon motion of Mr. Farzier and seconded by Mr. Chiavacci, Resolution No. 13-06 – Approval of a Project to Raise Funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Westminster was approved unanimously. Mr. Horn summarized Resolution No. 13-07 – Planned Regional Shopping Center (PRSC) Zoning District – Text Amendment, stating that it includes allowing animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and kennels in certain zoning districts where it is not currently specifically allowed. The Planning and Zoning Commission met to review the request on June 25, 2013, and found the amendment to be consistent with the original intent of the PRSC zone. The proposed Text Amendment would be complementary to and supportive of allowed uses in other similarly zoned shopping center districts. President Pro Tempore Albert requested a motion to introduce Resolution No. 13-07. Mr. Chiavacci motioned to approve the resolution, Mr. Frazier seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Finally, President Pro Tempore Albert summarized and requested a motion to introduce Resolution No. 13-09 – To Submit an Application for Community Legacy Funding. Ms. Wolf explained that the funds were for façade improvements to Downtown businesses and the City has already received applications that would use the $150,000 requested. Mr. Whitson asked if the funds were from the State or Federal level; Ms. Wolf clarified that the funds were being requested from the State. Mr. Whitson motioned to approve the introduction of Resolution 13- 09, Mr. Chiavacci seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Horn summarized the Windy Hills Farms (Phase II) Open Space Deed included a 12 acre+/- parcel of land off of Sullivan Road that was being offered to the City to protect source water quality along the Hull Creek. Owning the property would prohibit development and control runoff into the ground water supply. Mr. Frazier asked what would happen to the land if the City did not accept the deed. Mr. Horn stated that it may be made available to property owners later, but protective easements would be put into place. Mr. Frazier asked what level of maintenance would be required on the land. Mr. Glass explained that the area would be left in its natural state and would not require any maintenance on the City’s part. Upon motion of Mr. Whitson, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci, the Windy Hills Farms (Phase II) Open Space Deed was accepted unanimously. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Mr. Beyard updated the Mayor and Council on the status of the Rental Housing License Program. He stated that with the fee increase beginning on August 1st, his department has continued working to send out reminder letters to those property owners who have not yet registered their rental units. A follow up mailing was sent to Section 8 landlords who must be in compliance with all laws. As a result, if a property remains unregistered, all rent payments will be abated as an incentive to those landlords who have not registered their properties. In addition, extensive outreach was conducted through homeowner’s associations throughout the City for properties listed as non-principal in State tax records and City utility billing account information. To date, 2,531 licenses have been issued. Ms. Gruber reported that many of the activities scheduled for the July Recreation and Parks Month celebration had to be relocated due to weather conditions. Staff has been updating the Facebook page with any last minute changes to notify as many anticipated attendees as possible. The family movie was rescheduled for Friday, July 26 th and she thanked the Westminster Fire Department for use of John Street Quarters to relocate the magician from Locust Lane. She then reported that the metal ramps initially researched to replace deteriorating wood structures at the skate park did not fit the City’s needs. She is continuing investigation into the best course of action, which may include concrete as the next viable option. Mr. Chiavacci added that with the metal structures, the increased noise may disturb local residents. Ms. Albert asked if injuries were an issue with the metal structures. Ms. Gruber explained that the surface temperature of the metal could cause burns, whereas concrete was more forgiving and the material used for sidewalks skaters already use. Ms. Palmer reported that the auditors completed initial testing and the Finance Department responded well to changes. She requested department heads complete incoming questionnaires and return to the auditing firm as soon as possible. She added that payroll changes went smoothly. Chief Spaulding reported on an attempted residential robbery July 22nd in which a suspect forced entry into a home and confronted the resident; both fled the home. No injuries were reported and nothing was taken from the home, but the suspect has not yet been found. WPD is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect and are trying to locate witnesses. To date, four residential robberies or attempted robberies have been reported, down from 11 this time in 2012. Mr. Horn reported that the Board of Zoning Appeals would meet again regarding the Holy Apostles Church on August 1st. Mr. Glass reported that the MDE meeting for reviewing the Water Capacity Management Plan was rescheduled to August 1st. He also reported that the Sawgrass water tank reconditioning project was almost finished; all that is left is to wait for the paint to cure and the time it takes to refill the 2 million tank at 100 gallons per minute. Finally, Mr. Glass described the area in which the ADA ramp work will be conducted as Longwell Avenue to Route 27 from East Main Street to Distillery Drive and the area contained therein. Ms. Wolf stated that the City received the Town/County Agreement on July 22 nd which included a total of $1,002,817 in funds; in addition, $12,897 would be allocated to Roads. The NPDES fees of $16,570 would be deducted from the total funds received. The Agreement will be made available for approval at the August 12th Council meeting. Ms. Wolf then reported on the Stormwater Management Fee meeting among the eight County municipalities. She said that the municipalities decided to contact MML for technical and legal advice before meeting with County Commissioners. Mayor Utz added that Tom Devilbiss gave factual information to assist in the decision to contact MML. ADJOURN: President Pro Tempore Albert adjourned the meeting at 7:36 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Samantha H. Parthree