Mayor & Common Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 26, 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 August 26, 2013, at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Utz; Council President Wack; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Frazier and Whitson; City Administrator and Acting City Clerk Wolf, City Treasurer Palmer; Chief of Police Spaulding, Director of Recreation and Parks Gruber, Director of Community Planning and Development Horn, Director of Housing and Preservation Services Beyard; and City Attorney Levan. Director of Public Works Glass was excused from attending the meeting. Mayor Utz recommended the reappointments of Ed Cramer, Dan Hoff and Laura Matyas to Board of Zoning Appeals. Upon motion of Ms. Albert and seconded by Mr. Chiavacci, the motion passed unanimously. MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Frazier and unanimously passed, the minutes of the Council meeting of August 12, 2013, were approved. CONSENT CALENDAR: Mr. Frazier moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of the July 2013 Departmental Operating Reports. Mr. Chiavacci seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Chiavacci moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of the Council Rules of Order and Procedure. Mr. Frazier seconded and the motion passed unanimously. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Utz reported that on August 22 he presented a 25 year service award to Steve Miller of the Utility Maintenance Department, and on August 26 he presented a five year service award to Chris Lovell of the Street Department. He also reported that on August 23 there was a Main Street Business group meeting on the Fall and Winter events. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES: Mr. Frazier questioned the progress of the Wakefield Valley trail. Ms. Gruber replied that the City is waiting on grant funding from Program Open Space and SHA. Once the funds are received the City will be able to make progress. Ms. Gruber reported that the engineering firm, Buchart Horn, has shared some numbers that allowed the City to possibly achieve porous paving as opposed to the traditional paving. The porous paving is the best option for the City at this time. Ms. Palmer reminded Council that this project is in the budget; therefore, if the City is unable to receive the grant funds this project may still be completed. Mr. Frazier inquired if it would be completed by winter. Ms. Wolf replied that she does not know if this project will be completed by winter, but the City will have the funds to have it completed and the engineer’s drawings are completed. Mr. Chiavacci questioned Chief Spaulding as to the progress of the transformer being moved to Gettysburg. Chief Spaulding replied that there is no update and that the State Police reweighed the transformer and found that it is 30,000 pounds less than previously thought. However, it still exceeds the State’s maximum weight limit. He explained that the equipment to transport the transformer needed to be relocated for another job, and he has not been notified how much longer this exercise will take. Chief Spaulding expects it to be another few weeks, if not longer. Ms. Albert reported that the water fountain at Bell Grove Square is now working and looks nice. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION: President Wack shared a letter from his neighbor who requested that he share an article, “Let’s not follow EU on Broadband Infrastructure”, with Council because she feels it may help to inform their decision on the broadband study. President Wack read a letter from Senator Pugh to the editors of the Baltimore Sun and the Wall Street Journal regarding Baltimore’s Broadband Infrastructure. Dr. Wack explained that Senator Pugh belongs to several organizations that receive substantial financial support from Verizon and Comcast. President Wack pointed out the failed initiative mentioned in the letter (e.g. Provo, Utah) had over extended. In addition, the local telephone and cable companies lobbied the state legislature to change the laws which then made it impossible for Provo to successfully execute its plan. Dr. Wack noted that Provo’s project ultimately failed because they couldn’t afford it (tens of millions of dollars up front for construction while covering huge annual operating expenses). The track the City is pursuing does not include operating expenses because the City will not be operating the network. Mr. Chiavacci added that the City may not suffer from these circumstances because Verizon and Comcast have no intention to place fiber in our community in the near future. Mr. Chiavacci commented that if the City lays fiber this would provide an opportunity for local companies to bid on operating the system, allowing the City to avoid the pitfalls outlined in Senator Pugh’s letter to the editors. He commented the City is not looking to compete with a private business. Mr. Whitson thanked Recreation and Parks Department, Police Department and Walmart for their hard work for the Shop with a Cop event. He shared that this was a successful event and he appreciates everyone’s efforts. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: President Wack explained that, due to the similarities of Resolution 13-07 and 13-08, Council will discuss and vote on the Resolutions concurrently. Ms Wolf informed Council that a letter of intent was submitted on behalf of the City, and Westminster was one of the groups selected as a ‘Maryland Smart Energy Community’. The funding amount awarded is $68,000. A requirement to be eligible to receive the funds is the adoption of Resolution 13-07 – Renewable Energy Policy, and Resolution 13-08 – Energy Efficiency Policy. The effect of these Resolutions is to commit the City to a reduction in electricity consumption of twenty percent (20%). The City has Solar Energy and geothermal projects already contained in the CIP. Ms. Wolf shared that City staff feels confident that the City can meet these reduced consumption goals and can meet the energy administration grant funding requirements. Mr. Whitson questioned if the City has the start up funds. Ms. Wolf replied that the City has the $68,000. Mr. Whitson questioned if there are any penalties if the City fails to meet the twenty percent (20%) reduction goals. Ms. Wolf replied that when she reviewed the document, she did not see a penalty. She shared that the City wanted to use a portion of these funds for a new heating system at the police department but does not know if that project will be the best use of the funds. If the City is unable to use the funds towards the heating system, then staff will find another way to utilize the funds with other projects. Mr. Chiavacci questioned if buildings purchased in the future would have to count towards the overall reduction in consumption. Ms. Wolf replied that the reduction requirement would only apply to the previously specified buildings. Mr. Chiavacci shared that he read through the information and was concerned because some of the requirements that need to be met could potentially be expensive. He inquired if staff feels confident that this could be met. Ms. Wolf confirmed that staff was confident the reduction goals could be met. Mr. Chiavacci suggested that the City could purchase renewable energy off the grid to help meet the requirements. Mr. Frazier inquired if the City could apply for more funding for other energy efficient projects after we’ve exhausted the $68,000. Ms. Wolf replied in the affirmative and noted that she feels confident more funding will be available to Smart Energy Communities in the future. Mr. Chiavacci motioned to approve Resolution 13-07 and Resolution 13-08, Mr. Frazier seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Mr. Beyard reported that the Rental Licensing Program has received 2,815 licenses, which is eight-five percent (85%). He listed the Greens is seventy-seven percent (77%), Middlebrook is seventy three percent (74%)- 20% increase over the last couple of weeks, Carroll meadows sixty-three percent (63%) , Avondale sixty-one percent (61%), Windsor View one hundred percent (100%), Bella Vita eight percent (80%), Parr’s Ridge 65%, Furnace Hills, Section 1 fifty-two percent (52%), and Fairways/ Wakefield seventy- two (72%). Mr. Beyard shared that he has researched the non-principle resident properties and have sent letters to those owners. The City has an ad out for an intern to assist with the Rental Licensing Program. Mr. Beyard reported that ten letters have been sent out for violations and that eight percent (80%) have responded to those letters. Mr. Beyard shared that he is currently working on implementing the 2012 version of property maintenance code. He shared that the Code updates will be given to the Council for their approval soon. Ms. Gruber reported that summer camp has ended now that schools are back in session and that the pool will be closed on September 2. She also reported that due to the window replacement, the recreation department has lost access to the gymnasium, therefore her department has been moving things around and reorganizing to accommodate the activities that take place in the gymnasium and to be able to deliver the same level of service. Mr. Chiavacci inquired about using the Moton Center. Ms. Gruber replied that because the Family Center offers the onsite childcare, the requirement is that parents do not leave the premises. Ms. Gruber hopes that in two months, things will return to normal. Ms. Gruber reported that Skate Park plans are under review. Ms. Gruber also shared that there has been reports of vandalism at the Whispering Meadows Park. She reassured Council that there has been an increase in patrols and steps have been taken to prevent any more vandalism to the park. She shared that neighbors have suggested installing a security light. Mr. Horn reported that the Tree Commission will be having their 21st annual tree workshop on October 4 at Carroll Community College. He also reported that the County has issued an update to their hazard mitigation plan for review and comment. Ms. Wolf reported that there are numerous downtown events coming in the fall and throughout the Holiday Season. Staff is currently focused on the Halloween parade and trick or treating. Ms. Wolf noted that she, Mayor Utz and Mr. Horn met with 46 businesses during the Business Roundtable meetings. A report containing a series of recommendations is being prepared for Council review. Ms. Wolf also reported that the handicap ramp project is well on its way and that City Staff has been successfully working through construction issues on a daily basis. CITIZEN COMMENTS: President Wack introduced Eagle Scout candidate Robert Coe from Troop 395 of Finksburg. Mr. Coe shared that he was visiting Council to inquire as to ideas for his Eagle Scout project. Mr. Whitson suggested helping with the Wakefield Valley Trail. Mr. Chiavacci suggested he assist in providing benches along the trail or doing landscaping. Mayor Utz questioned if the trail had mile markers for emergency purposes. Ms. Gruber replied that the trail does not currently have them. Mayor Utz suggested having Mr. Coe help in making Mile Markers on the Wakefield Valley Trail. Mr. Coe shared that he had spoken to Ms. Gruber about assisting in a project for the City and received Ms. Gruber’s contact information. ADJOURN: President Wack adjourned the meeting at 7:37 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Shannon Visocsky