Mayor & Common Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL MEETING FEBURARY 24, 2014 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 February 24, 2014, at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Utz; Council President Wack; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Frazier and Whitson; City Administrator and Acting City Clerk Wolf, Deputy Chief of Police Stevens, Director of Recreation and Parks Gruber, City Treasurer Palmer, Director of Community Planning and Development Horn, and City Attorney Levan were present. Director of Public Works Glass and Chief of Police Spaulding were excused from attending the meeting. MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci and unanimously passed, the minutes of the Council meeting of February 10, 2014, were approved unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR Upon motion of Mr. Frazier and seconded by Mr. Chiavacci, the Consent Calendar, consisting of the January Departmental Operating Reports and approval to Request and Accept Standard Grants for Westminster Police Department, was approved unanimously. Regarding the Departmental Operation Reports, Mr. Chiavacci noted that most departmental expenditures were at roughly 50 percent while the water and sewer fund was roughly 30 percent. Ms. Palmer replied that the expenses carry over each year and the accounting adjustments are done at the end of the year. She also noted that more projects will be undertaken in the spring, and therefore, the expenditure amounts will increase accordingly. Ms. Wolf reminded Mr. Chiavacci that the City has also completed a number of energy conservation projects which may be yielding a resultant decrease in expenditures within the water and sewer accounts. She added that the budget for the Waste Water Treatment Plant had been over estimated and that may also be contributing to the lower percentage of expenditures. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Utz reported that he had the pleasure of taking Mr. Jake Yingling, a resident of the City and former State Delegate, to a Speaker Society event in Annapolis on February 12. He then reported he attended the Legislative Reception for Carroll County residents in Annapolis on February 17. Finally, on February 22, Mayor Utz shared that he was a judge for the Westminster’s Got Talent Show at the Carroll Arts Center. He commented on a job well done by the Parks and Recreation Department. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEE Mr. Frazier shared that he wrote a letter to the Editor of the Carroll County Times about the ongoing City water issue. He feels that the hook up from the waste water treatment plant to Performance Food Group was a great project for the City, and he would like to see the City do the same for other major businesses. Mayor Utz agreed with Mr. Frazier and noted that the City would need to consider how much would be required to support this effort in the Capital Budget. Dr. Wack also noted his agreement with Mr. Frazier’s position. Ms. Albert expressed her concerns about a lack of directional signage at the Air Business Park. She explained that while looking for a business recently, she found the signage to be very confusing as to where to go for that business. Mr. Horn agreed with Ms. Albert. He suggested that the City contact the property management and make a suggestion for additional directional signage on site. President Wack read a letter that the Finance Committee received from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) regarding the City’s Budget Appreciation Award. He congratulated the Mayor, Ms. Wolf and Ms. Palmer for a job well done and thanked them for their hard work. Ms. Wolf shared that the comments were very complimentary this year and that Ms. Palmer and her staff had done an outstanding job. President Wack reported that the City will be receiving 98% of a completed package for the design for the fiber project and that the City may then put it out for bid. Finally, Dr. Wack reported his recent attendance at Westminster Elementary School where he read “The Cat in the Hat” for the Women’s Club celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION Mr. Chiavacci shared that he has received positive and negative feedback from citizens about the City’s snow removal efforts. He commented that the City continually makes prudent financial decisions as to how far to go with local snow removal efforts and that the City is already over budget for snow removal this winter season. Ms. Wolf explained the complications of the snow removal process and the need to also clear storm drains in a timely fashion. Mr. Frazier complimented how well the City does with snow removal. Mayor Utz complimented the Public Works crew on a job well done staying on top of what needs to be done next due to winter weather conditions, such as patching the pot holes. Mr. Chiavacci then congratulated Ms. Palmer on the Budget Presentation Award received from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS Dr. Wack informed the Mayor and Common Council regarding a recent court case in the District of Columbia where the FCC’s authority to support municipal broadband efforts was challenged by private industry. The telecommunications industry lawsuit attempted to block local broadband projects by requiring state legislatures to pass laws forbidding municipalities from building broadband networks. The FCC prevailed in the case. Since the underlying issue in this case concerns the City’s ability to proceed with a broadband project, Dr. Wack requests Mayor and Common Council support for Resolution 14-01, “Statement in Support of the FCC Restoring and Preserving Local Authority to Build Networks”. Mr. Frazier questioned how legislation passed by the State would affect the City’s efforts to build a fiber optic network. Dr. Wack replied that the purpose of the Resolution is to discourage state-imposed barriers to municipal fiber initiatives. Mr. Chiavacci noted that local broadband providers have not shown an interest in laying fiber in the City of Westminster; and therefore, by proceeding with this project, the City is not competing with private businesses. Upon motion of Ms. Albert, seconded by Mr. Whitson, approval of Resolution 14-01, Statement in Support of the FCC Restoring and Preserving Local Authority to Build Networks, was approved unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Ms. Wolf summarized that in November 2009 Mayor and Common Council entered into a CDBG grant agreement with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The funds were used for Union Crossing Phase I with a partnership between the Mayor and Common Council and Episcopal Housing, Inc. In October 2013, additional funds were granted to the Mayor and Common Council, and an amendment to the grant agreement was approved for Union Crossing Phase II. Union Crossing Phase II will be a partnership between the Mayor and Common Council, and Habitat for Humanity Carroll County, with Habitat for Humanity using grant funds to build five new townhomes on Union Street. Ms. Wolf added that 40 families have been interviewed for these homes, and Habitat for Humanity expects to have the homes completed by November 2014. It was noted that unexpended funds from the grant will remain available to Habitat for Humanity for other projects. Mr. Chiavacci inquired if all of the homes had been sold as part of Phase I. Ms. Wolf replied that the project went well the first time and that all the homes had been sold. Ms. Albert commented that she was amazed by the amount of applicants that Habitat for Humanity had received. Upon motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mr. Whitson, approval of Community Development Block Grant Sub-recipient Agreement between the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster and Habitat for Humanity Carroll County, Inc. was approved unanimously. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Ms. Gruber reported that she had the privilege of judging the Westminster’s Got Talent show. She complimented the hard work of the Parks and Recreation Department and has discussed what her department would like to improve next year’s event. Ms. Gruber also shared that she would like to present ideas to MML about expanding the program around the state. Ms. Gruber then reported that the Parks and Recreation Department is continuing to plan for the Celtic Canter on March 15 and now has 300 runners. Finally, Ms. Gruber reported that at the next Council meeting she will present to Mayor and Council a Resolution for Westminster to become a Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) City. This initiative is being promoted by MML. Ms. Palmer commented that the Finance Department received the budget award for not just one person but the whole team. Ms. Palmer shared that she will be applying for reimbursement funds through FEMA as a result of recent snow storms. Major Stevens reported that the Westminster Police Department will have three new recruits starting on March 3 who will be going through training for six months at the Maryland State Police Academy. Ms. Wolf continued Ms. Gruber’s discussion on wellness. One of the things City has struggled with is the increase in health care costs and how to improve employee health through incentives. Ms. Wolf informed Mayor and Council that the City is considering a points system with employees to reduce their health insurance premiums. Dr. Wack commented that employees who participate can save a substantial amount of money in comparison to those who don’t. Ms. Albert suggested consulting with Healthier Carroll County and possibly partnering with them to utilize their resources. Ms. Wolf reported that training on the new recording system for the Council meetings is to take place on March 4th. The recording of the meetings will be posted on the City’s website. Ms. Wolf also reported that the new webpage is still in progress and is still working towards an April 1 launch date. ADJOURNMENT President Wack adjourned the meeting at 7:45 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Shannon Visocsky