Mayor & Common Council Meetings

MINUTES CITY OF WESTMINSTER Mayor and Common Council Meeting November 28, 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 (via-Zoom) and Council President Pecoraro. Staff Present: City Clerk Barber, Director of Housing Services Brown, Director of Community Planning and Development Depo, Deputy Director of Public Works Dick, Director of Recreation Gruber, City Administrator Imhulse, City Attorney Levan, Chief of Police Ledwell, and Director of Finance Rodgers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE Council President Pecoraro led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. UPDATE FROM MCDANIEL COLLEGE Associate Vice President of Alumni & Parent Engagement Heidi Reigel from McDaniel College provided an update on the college initiatives, events and activities taking place at the college. STATEMENTS FOR THE RECORD STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD – CLOSED MEETING OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022: Council President Pecoraro noted 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, November 14, 2022, at 9:19 p.m. pursuant to General Provision Art., Section 3-305(b)(1) to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, 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 – Chiavacci/Gilbert Vote to Close Meeting: Yes No Abstain Absent Mr. Chiavacci Yes Mr. Dayhoff Yes Mr. Hoff Absent Ms. Gilbert Yes Mr. Pecoraro Mayor Becker There were no staff members in attendance The Common Council took no official action during the meeting. The Closed Meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m. PRESENTATIONS Quarterly Update from Westminster Fiber Network – Ms. Vickie Slinkman of Ting Internet Ms. Vickie Slinkman of Ting Internet presented a quarterly update on TING. Public Art at Wakefield Valley Park – Mr. Tom Sterner Mr. Tom Sterner, presented his ideas and thoughts for Public Art at Wakefield Valley Park. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Dayhoff motioned, seconded by Councilmember Gilbert, to approve the Mayor and Common Council Meeting minutes of October 24, 2022, Mayor and Common Council Meeting minutes of November 14, 2022, Mayor and Common Council Work Session Meeting minutes of November 14, 2022, and Mayor and Common Council Closed Meeting minutes of November 14, 2022. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Gilbert motioned, seconded by Councilmember Chiavacci to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of the following: A) Approval of the October 2022 Departmental Operating Reports. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. REPORT FROM MAYOR Mayor Becker noted and highlighted the many meetings and events she participated in during the month of November 2022. Mayor Becker highlighted and thanked all involved in putting together the Miracle on Main event held on Saturday, November 26, 2022. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES Councilmember Dayhoff, on behalf of the Arts Council, noted the numerous programs being offered by the Arts Council and highlighted the Festival of Wreaths program. Councilmember Dayhoff encouraged everyone to visit the Carroll County Arts Center’s website for additional information and details on all the upcoming programs and events being held and scheduled at the Arts Center. Councilmember Hoff, on behalf of the Economic Community Development Committee, noted their next meeting would be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. Council President Pecoraro, on behalf of the Finance Committee, noted their next meeting would be held on Monday, December 5, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. Councilmember Chiavacci, on behalf of the Public Safety Committee, noted that the Westminster Police Department staff have been conducting applicant interviews for the grant-funded Body-Worn Camera Coordinator position. Councilmember Chiavacci noted that on December 5, 2022, Chief Ledwell will attend the first Carroll County Police Accountability Board meeting. Councilmember Chiavacci, on behalf of the Public Works Committee, noted the Department of Public Works assistance with Miracle on Main event held on Saturday, November 26, 2022 Councilmember Dayhoff, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Committee, noted that a Recreation and Parks Committee meeting agenda will be forthcoming. Councilmember Dayhoff noted his appreciation to the City staff on their hard work in putting together the Miracle on Main Street event. Council President Pecoraro, on behalf of the Technology Committee, noted their next meeting has been rescheduled from Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 3:00 p.m., to sometime after the first of the year. 2 COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION Council President Pecoraro was so pleased that Ambassador Kristjan Prikk was able to preside as the Grand Marshall for the Miracle on Main Street Parade event held on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Council President Pecoraro noted how great and festive the downtown looked for the event with the lights in trees and music along the parade route. Councilmember Chiavacci noted the Miracle on Main Street event held on Saturday, November 26, 2022, and how it was such a great event. Councilmember Chiavacci thanked City Administrator Imhulse for her vision of having the trees lit and the speaker system (music) added to the downtown corridor. Councilmember Dayhoff noted he was happy to see the opening of Covalent Spirits and looks forward to seeing more businesses opening in that the area. Councilmember Gilbert echoing sentiments stated earlier by other Councilmembers regarding the Miracle on Main Street event. Councilmember Hoff noted he enjoyed the wonderful parade and that Westminster’s Main Street looked great. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Adoption of Ordinance 947 – Amending Chapter 14 “Elections, Section 14.1.1, Board of Elections,” to alter the composition of the Board of Elections by reducing the size of the Board from six members to three. Councilmember Chiavacci motioned, seconded by Councilmember Gilbert to adopt Ordinance 947, an Ordinance of the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster amending Chapter 14, “Elections, Section 14.1.1., Board of Elections,” to alter the composition of the Board of Elections by reducing the size of the Board from six members to three. There was no discussion. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. BIDS Award of Contract for Police Emergency Generator Replacement to Eastern Sales and Engineering from Baltimore, Maryland in the amount of $289,500.00 Councilmember Gilbert motioned, seconded by Councilmember Dayhoff to award the contract with Eastern Sales and Engineering from Baltimore, Maryland for the Police Emergency Generator Replacement in the amount of $289,500. Deputy Director of Public Works Dick provided the staff report on the item. City Administrator Imhulse and Deputy Director of Public Works responded to questions of clarification given by the Common Council on the item. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to be discussed by the Mayor and Common Council. 3 NEW BUSINESS Waiver of Procurement Process and Award of Sole Source Purchase from Seal Analytical in the amount of $48,525.00 for an Auto Analyzer to be used at the Water Reclamation Facility Lab Councilmember Dayhoff motioned, seconded by Councilmember Chiavacci to authorize the waiver of the procurement process and award of a sole source purchase from Seal Analytical for an Auto Analyzer to be used at the Water Reclamation Facility Lab in the amount of $48,535.00. City Administrator Imhulse provided the staff report on the item. There was no discussion on the item. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. Note: The discussion of the Approval of Sole Source Contract with Herman Restoration LLC to rehabilitate the historic Durbin House window sashes, sills, and frames in the amount of $43,308.00 was removed from the meeting agenda. Approval of Keller Brothers Change Order No. 3 (WMP-002) for the Community Pool Project in the amount of $3,294.40 Councilmember Dayhoff motioned, seconded by Councilmember Gilbert to approved and authorize the Change Order No. 3(WMP-002) with Keller Brothers for the work identified through the approval for the Community Pool Project in the amount of $3,294.40. Director of Recreation and Parks Gruber provided the staff report on the item. There was no discussion on the item. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. Approval of Sole Source Contract with Desmond Design Management for a Downtown Parking Study in the amount of $38,750.00 Councilmember Chiavacci motioned, seconded by Councilmember Dayhoff to authorize the approval and award of a sole source contract with Desmond Design Management to conduct a Comprehensive Downtown Parking Study in the amount of $38,750.00. Director of Community Planning and Development Depo provided the staff report on the item. City Administrator Imhulse and Director of Community Planning and Development Depo responded to questions of clarification on the item. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. Note: The Mayor and Common Council did not have a Closed Meeting on Monday, November 28, 2022, as previously noted on the agenda. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS City Administrator City Administrator Imhulse thanked all the employees involved for their work in all the preparation for the Miracle on Main Street event. City Administrator Imhulse noted all the positive feedback she has received on the new additions in the downtown and in the City for the holiday season. City Administrator Imhulse noted that the lights in the trees in the downtown will remain up through March 2023 4 Finance Director of Finance Rodgers reported that the auditors were on-site this week and anticipated completing the FY22 Audit by the end of December. Public Safety Department Chief Ledwell reported that the department purchased a 2023 Dodge Durango and that the vehicle was wrapped verses painted. The department was very pleased with the outcome, and the vehicle looks great. Community Planning and Development Director Depo reported that on November 17, 2022, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved Site Development Plan S-21-11 to construct a 40,000 square foot medical center at 404 Malcolm Drive, Westminster, Maryland. Director Depo noted that the Holiday Market opened on Saturday, November 26, 2022, and will be open on the following Saturdays: December 3rd, December 10th, and December 17th, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Director Depo closed his report by providing information on the Small Business Saturday Passport Project. Housing Services Director Brown noted and welcomed the City’s new Code Enforcement Officer Mr. Ryan McGuirk. Recreation and Parks Department Director Gruber provided an in-depth overview of the Miracle of Main Street event held on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Director Gruber noted that she believes it was the largest crowd for the event since 2015. Director Gruber closed by noting that Santa would be on the library lawn from Noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3rd, December 10th, and December 17th. CITIZEN COMMENTS Council 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. Mr. Tom Sterner, 235 Leppo Road, addressed the Mayor and Common Council regarding having the sprouts sculpture located at 45 West Main Street lighted. Mr. Sterner would assist the City in applying for grant funds for the project. Ms. Heidi Reigel, 108 Bond Street, addressed the Mayor and Common Council, she thanked the Department of Public Works for their quick response to a recent watermain break. ADJOURNMENT Council President Pecoraro announced that the next meeting would be on December 12th, and the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. He adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m. 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 December 12, 2022. 5