Mayor & Common Council Meetings

MINUTES CITY OF WESTMINSTER Special Mayor and Common Council Meeting August 15, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster, MD 21157 YouTube Channel Link CALL TO ORDER Elected Officials Present: Mayor Becker, Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, Councilmember Hoff and Council President Pecoraro. Staff Present: City Clerk Barber, Director of Community Planning and Development Depo, City Administrator Imhulse, and City of Police Ledwell. Guest: Ms. Lindsey Rader, Bond Counsel PLEDGE OF ALLIGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE President Pecoraro led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD – CLOSED MEETING OF MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022 President Pecoraro reading the following: In accordance with the General Provisions Article, Section 3-306(c)(2) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and without objection it is noted that the minutes of tonight’s meeting reflect that Common Council met in a Closed Meeting on Monday, July 11, 2022, at 8:06 p.m. pursuant to General Provision Art., Section 3-305)(b)(1) to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals. Motion – Hoff/Gilbert Vote to Close Meeting: Yes No Abstain Absent Mr. Chiavacci Yes Mr. Dayhoff Yes Mr. Hoff Yes Ms. Gilbert Yes Mr. Pecoraro Mayor Becker The following staff members were in attendance: City Administrator Imhulse and Interim Director of Finance Gardner. The Common Council took official action during the meeting. The Closed Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Dayhoff motioned, seconded by Councilmember Gilbert, to approve the Common Council Meeting minutes of July 11, 2022, July 11, 2022 (Closed Meeting), and July 18, 2022 (Special Council Meeting). VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, and Hoff. NAYS: None. 1 PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Becker conducted a public hearing regarding the proposed issuance by the City pursuant to the Maryland Economic Development Revenue Bond Act (the “Act”) of One or More Series of Revenue Bonds in an Original Aggregate Principal Amount Not to Exceed $60,000,000 and the Loan of the Proceeds of Any Such Bonds to Carroll Lutheran Village, Inc. (“CLV”) for the Purpose of Financing, Reimbursing or Refinancing Costs of (i) the Acquisition and Improvement by CLV of Various Capital Projects at its Retirement Community Campus, (ii) the Refunding in Whole or in Part of Certain Revenue Bonds Issued by the City in 2014 for the Benefit of CLV, including, with Regard to Any Such Refunding Bonds Initially Issued on a Taxable Basis, the Possible Conversion to or Exchange of such Refunding Bonds for Tax-Exempt Refunding Bonds, and/or (iii) Reserves, Working Capital and Other Costs Permitted by the Act., beginning at 7:03 p.m. Mayor Becker noted that the Public Hearing had been published in the Carroll County Times, meeting all State of Maryland requirements. There was no one wishing to address the Mayor and Common Council at the hearing and no written comments were received. With no further comments, Mayor Becker closed the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Dayhoff motioned, seconded by Councilmember Chiavacci, to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of A) Approval of Purchase of Two Video Message Boards (VMS) through National Capital Industries, Inc., for the total of $36,300.00: (B) Approval of Purchase of Trash Compactor from Mid Atlantic Waste Systems in the total amount of $89,500.00; (C) Approval of Purchase of Two Police Vehicles from Criswell Fleet Sales of Gaithersburg, Maryland under Baltimore County Government Contract #00004505 at a total cost of $97,879.18; (D) Approval of Purchase of Insta-Value Equipment from Hydra-Stop in the not to exceed amount of $43,563.000; and (E) Approval of Purchase of Police Portable Replacement Radios (12) Motorola APX6000 Model 2.5 portable police radios and desk chargers from Motorola Solutions Inc., at a total cost of $68,419.68. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. REPORT FROM MAYOR Mayor Becker noted that on July 26, 2022, she attended a presentation highlighting the Maryland Stroke Smart initiative that brings awareness to the potential signs of a Stroke. Mayor Becker noted that she and fellow Councilmembers attended the many National Night Out events throughout the City of Westminster on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Mayor Becker thanked the Department of Recreation for all their many events held in July in honor of Parks and Recreation Month and the Department of Public Works Streets Division for all the clean up after the recent storms. Mayor Becker closed by noting that on Saturday, August 20, 2022, the City of Westminster would be welcoming the new students from McDaniel College to downtown Westminster. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES There was no report from the Finance Committee and Technology Committee. Councilmember Dayhoff, on behalf of the Arts Council, noted that starting on September 9, 2022, though November 18, 2022, the Arts Council will be sponsoring a Black American Film Festival. Councilmember Hoff, on behalf of the Economic and Community Development Committee, noted that the Committee will meeting on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. at the City Administration Building. 2 Council President Pecoraro noted that the City’s new Finance Director will be starting on August 16, 2022. Councilmember Gilbert, on behalf of the Personnel Committee, noted the City’s current open positions and encouraged those interested to go to the City’s website for additional information on how to apply. Councilmember Chiavacci, on behalf of the Public Safety Committee, noted that the Westminster Police Department has implemented the IAPro software system to follow legislative mandates from the State of Maryland effective July 1, 2022. Councilmember Chiavacci also noted that the Westminster Police Department sponsored National Night Out events in five (5) Westminster communities. Councilmember Chiavacci closed by noting the many partnership events held held in the month of August that the Westminster Police Department participated. Councilmember Chiavacci, on behalf of the Public Works Committee, noted the following: crosswalks were upgraded at Center Street; Public Works responded to twenty-seven calls for service from the storm that took place on July 12, 2022, and collected over 50 tons of brush; Two storm water catch basins at Median Court and Burning Tree Court were rebuilt; Provided assistance to the Recreation and Parks Department in preparation, execution, and cleanup of the Kids Ninja Warrior event; County Board of Commissioner approved just under $1.5 million in grant funds to support the City’s PUREWater Westminster Project. Councilmember Dayhoff, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Committee, noted the upcoming City of Westminster Fall Fest scheduled for September 22 – September 25, 2022. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION Councilmember Dayhoff noted that he attended the Billy Live Talent Show at the Carroll Arts Center. Councilmember Dayhoff noted he also attended Dr. Darcel Harris’s Grow Mission event in the City. Councilmember Gilbert opened her comments by congratulating the winners of the recently held primary election. Councilmember Gilbert thanked the Recreation and Parks Department for the amazing job in putting together all the activities held in July 2022. Councilmember Gilbert closed her comments by addressed her concerns regarding not have a Mayor and Common Council Meeting since July 11, 2022. Councilmember Hoff noted the great National Night Out events that were held throughout the City on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS Adoption of Resolution 22-02 Councilmember Dayhoff motioned, seconded by Councilmember Gilbert moved to adopt Resolution 22-02 authorizing the City to issue revenue bonds in one or more series in the original aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60,000,000 and to loan the proceeds thereof to Carroll Lutheran Village, Inc. for the purpose of financing, reimbursing or refinancing costs of undertaking certain capital projects, refunding in whole or in part certain outstanding revenue bonds, funding reserves, and/or paying other costs and expenses permitted by the Maryland Economic Development Revenue Bond Act. Bond Counsel Rader provided the Mayor and Common Council with overview of the proposed Resolution 22-02 and the issuance of revenue bonds. Councilmember Chiavacci stated he would recuse himself from the vote on this issue as he does business with the entity. 3 VOTE AYES: Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, Councilmember Hoff, and Council President Pecoraro NAYS: None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to be discussed by the Mayor and Common Council. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to be discussed by the Mayor and Common Council. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS City Administrator City Administrator Imhulse provided an updated on the City of Westminster Pool project. City Administrator Imhulse provided details to the Mayor and Common Council on the upcoming Westminster Welcome scheduled for Saturday, August 20, 2022, where new students from McDaniel College will be visiting downtown Westminster. City Administrator Imhulse noted that the Department Reports will be reported on at the next Mayor and Common Council Meeting to be held on Monday, August 22, 2022. CITIZEN COMMENTS President Pecoraro advised that residents may submit any comments to the following email address: comments@westminstermd.gov. He noted that all emails received would be shared with the Mayor and Common Council. Dr. Darcel Harris, 66 Pennsylvania Avenue, thanked the City of Westminster Administration and Police Department for their assistance in the Grow Mission program. ADJOURNMENT President Pecoraro announced that the next meeting would be on August 22, and the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. He adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. to go into the Closed Meeting. Respectfully Submitted, Douglass A. Barber, MMC City Clerk Full audio version is available on www.westminstermd.gov Adopted by the City of Westminster Common Council on September 12, 2022. 4