Mayor & Common Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 23, 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 September 23, 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. MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Frazier and unanimously passed, the minutes of the Council meeting of September 9, 2013, were approved. CONSENT CALENDAR: Mr. Frazier moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of the August 2013 Departmental Operating Reports. Mr. Chiavacci seconded and the motion passed unanimously. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR: Mayor Utz reported there was a MML Chapter dinner on September 19. He thanked Council members who were able to attend this event. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES: Ms. Albert reported that the Carroll Arts Council has a new Chair person. She also expressed the Arts Council’s appreciation for the support of the City Staff. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION: Mr. Chiavacci shared a letter that he received from Tom Whitcom, President of the Girl’s Jaycees softball league, suggesting the City honor Richard Michael Ridgell who was killed at the D.C. Navy Yard. He explained Mr. Ridgell was an integral part of the Jaycee softball league. During the Carroll County Recreation Council meeting, ideas were discussed as to how Mr. Ridgell could be honored. Mayor and Council agreed that naming one of the three Jaycee Fields after Mr. Ridgell would be the best way to honor him. Mr. Chiavacci suggested having a ceremony at the beginning of the softball season. Mr. Chiavacci motioned in support to approve naming one of the Jaycee fields in memory of Mr. Ridgell, Ms. Albert seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Frazier inquired if the City would have interest in purchasing the Wakefield Valley Golf Course and utilize the land for recreation activities. Mr. Chiavacci shared that he, former President Halstad, and Dr. Wack had discussed this idea in the past at various times. He shared that he feels this is a sizeable acquisition for the City and that currently does not know where the bank stands with this property. He also noted that the owner of the Golf Course has interest in rezoning this property. Mr. Frazier suggests that the City look into the details of the property and follow up with the property because he feels that this would be a good investment. Ms. Levan commented that the discussion of purchasing property can be discussed during an Executive Session if so desired. Dr. Wack shared information that he received about the fiber project and the experiences of other communities during a broadband conference he attended. He shared the success that Kansas City has had with Google. He explained the positive impact this project will have on the City by providing citizens and businesses with the fiber that they can utilize for less money than they pay now for cable. Mr. Chiavacci shared a recent experience that he encountered in his business when he was unable to provide his client with what they needed in a timely manner and needed to resort to overnight mailing. He feels that this will be beneficial to all citizens within the City of Westminster. Mr. Whitson commented that he supports the project. BIDS: Ms. Wolf read a memo from Mr. Glass stating that the FY13-14 Water Budget contained funds for facilities maintenance identified specifically for the repair of Utility buildings. Proposals were solicited and received in August ranging from $13,400.00 to $16,520.00. The apparent lowest price was from Donald B. Smith Inc. in the amount of $13,400.00. Upon motion of Mr. Chiavacci and seconded by Mr. Frazier, the bid from Donald B. Smith Inc. in the amount of $13,400.00 was accepted. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Chief Spaulding summarized questions, comments and concerns regarding the License Plate Reader (LPR) from the Mayor and Common Council meeting held on September 9, 2013, as reported by Captain Yeager. He informed the Mayor and Council that the LPR is used as a tool to reduce crime, identify persons who may have outstanding warrants, identify vehicles operating illegally, or assist in searches related to Amber or Silver alerts. Chief Spaulding explained that the LPR is an effective tool used in the identification of vehicles and criminals traveling through our community. The data gathered is automatically transferred to the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, run by the FBI and State police in Woodlawn. The LPR also assists Homeland Security. He noted that, as Chief of Police, he needs the resources to carry out the public safety mission and to make operational decisions that affect the timeliness and professional delivery of police services in the City. He feels that the LPR is an important tool to address crime in the community. Chief Spaulding added that the Carroll County Sheriff’s department is currently using the LPR and feels that this is a good investigative tool. Mayor Utz shared that downtown businesses have requested more police officers patrolling the streets as opposed to reading license plate data in their patrol cars. He also stated that he feels the LPR could provide for improved protection of citizens in City of Westminster. Mayor Utz suggested, as Ms. Wolf had previously, that the Council arrange a ride along with Deputy DeVivo from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and learn more about the LPR. Council agreed with the suggestion that a ride along to learn more about the LPR would be helpful. Upon motion of Mr. Chiavacci and seconded by Mr. Frazier, the recommendation to delay the discussion of the License Plate Reader to a future Mayor and Common Council meeting was accepted. NEW BUSINESS: Ms. Palmer summarized that the transfer of funds between appropriations proposed by the Mayor must be approved by the Common Council before becoming effective. Ms. Palmer pointed out some of the changes that were being reflected in the Budget Revision for FY13-14. Upon motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Frazier, the Budget Revision was accepted unanimously. Ms. Gruber informed the Mayor and Council that the rehabilitation of the Skate Park is in direct response to the degraded condition of the existing ramps. After careful consideration and research, American Ramp Company has been identified as an industry leader in skate park design, development and installation. Furthermore, this company holds a contract with the National Joint Powers Alliance allowing the City to purchase from a nationally, competitively bid contract ultimately ensuring the lowest possible price for the highest quality equipment. Ms. Gruber recommends the approval of the American Ramp Company contract for a maximum expenditure of $300,000 with a completion date of FY15. Dr. Wack questioned if American Ramp Company is the project manager as well as the builder. Ms. Gruber replied that this company designs and installs the skate ramps. Mr. Chiavacci questioned if $300,000 is the maximum cost, depending upon the public input as to what they want at the Skate Park. Ms. Gruber replied that is correct and is unable to state the exact amount until the design process is completed. Mr. Whitson questioned if the insurance is part of the $300,000. Ms. Gruber replied that the insurance is included in the contract. Upon motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Frazier, the Skate Park Ramp Replacement Contract was accepted unanimously. Mr. Frazier motioned, pursuant to Section 10-508-A-7 and Section10-508-A-8 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, to conduct an executive session at the conclusion of the current meeting. Mr. Chiavacci seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Ms. Gruber reported that Fallfest was September 26 to September 29 and encouraged everyone to attend. Ms. Palmer reported that the Finance Department has been working aggressively to complete the budget revisions for FY14 and will be ready to continue working on GFOA budget. Ms. Palmer also reported that the auditors were in during the week of September 16 and will return September 30. She also shared that they have done onsite testing and have conducted energy audit for the City based on energy usage and has done a second audit based on general government buildings. Those results were reported to Ms. Wolf. Ms. Palmer informed Mayor and Council that Mr. Rupp has been working on the draft financial reports and she has been working on preparing the discussion analysis. Ms. Palmer reported that the Finance Department has been working with Ms. Gruber and Mr. Miller on the implementation of the Active Net System and have changed some of the processes in the Finance department regarding recognition of the revenues. Her department has also been analyzing cashiering and looking at changes in software, change in banking processes and changing the process of cash receipting, which as a result will reduce bank fees. Finally, Ms. Palmer shared that the Finance Department is also taking a look at utility billing and identifying potential problems. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Misty Henline, 414 Baldwin Park Drive, Apt. A3, continues to encourage Mayor and Council to learn more about the License Plate Reader and to consider it for the City of Westminster. Marty Hill continues to encourage the City to do anything they can to free up water capacity so that they may receive water allocation for Bolton Hill lots. Lyndi McNulty, 195 West Main Street, shared her support for the License Plate Reader and hopes the Council will grant approval for the Police Department to utilize the equipment. Tim and Bernadette McGee, 99 W. Ralph Street, shared their concerns about an ongoing situation regarding Demario Construction. Trash is left out, and they are setting various things out for sale outside of the garage that the company is currently renting. Mr. and Mrs. McGee have spoken to Mr. Beyard and Mr. Hess several times regarding this situation and were thankful for the efforts made to resolve the problem. Mayor Utz informed Mr. and Mrs. McGee that Ms. Wolf has their information and is aware of the situation and will take the proper steps to help assist them in their situation. ADJOURNMENT: President Wack adjourned the meeting at 8:52 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Shannon Visocsky