Westminster Council meeting minutes for August 11 2008

Westminster Council meeting minutes for August 11 2008

http://www.westgov.com/citygovernment/minutes/081108.asp

Approved August 25, 2008

City Council

Minutes of City Council Meetings Agenda for next City Council Meeting

Minutes of City of Westminster Council Meeting

August 11, 2008

QUORUM:

A meeting of The Mayor and Common Council was held in the John Street Quarters of the Westminster Fire Company, 28 John Street, on the evening of August 11, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Ferguson; Council President Chiavacci; Council Members Albert, Wack, Utz, and Pecoraro; City Administrator Wolf; Chief Spaulding; Director of Public Works Glass; Director of Recreation and Parks Schroers; City Attorney Walsh; and City Clerk Taylor were present. Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Beyard and City Treasurer Unger were excused from attending.

Robin Ford, the developer of the King’s Overlook subdivision, presented the City with a check in the amount of $35,000 for renovation and expansion of the tot lot at King’s Park.

Mayor Ferguson presented a Proclamation to William Ehmann commending him for the award of his Eagle Scout Badge after some fifty years of lost paperwork establishing that he had completed the requirements was found through the efforts of his family. The Mayor next presented Mr. Ehmann with a full-sized flag of the City.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

Mr. Schroers introduced the Ad Hoc Committee for renovations to the Westminster Skate Park: Steve Vogel, Bob Lloyd, Jim Marks, Brice Foxwell, Bryan Vana, and Kate Engel. Mr. Schroers added that several of the students and staff at the Career and Vocational Technology had been actively and enthusiastically involved in the planning and design of the center. Mr. Marks and Mr. Vogel summarized the history of the Skate Park and presented the plan for its renovation. They further thanked the students and staffl. Ms. Engel, Principal of the Center, thanked the Mayor and Common Council for the giving students the opportunity to help with the planning and renovations. She noted that they were quite eager to return to school in the fall and resume work on the project. Council President Chiavacci thanked everyone for their involvement and added that he looked forward to the ribbon cutting in the spring. He commended the Committee members for their expertise and dedication.

MINUTES:

Mrs. Albert moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of July 28, 2008. Mr. Utz seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Council President Chiavacci announced that he requested Mr. Pecoraro and Mrs. Albert to serve as the chair and vice-chair, respectively, of the recently re-formed Pennsylvania Avenue Committee. Mr. Pecoraro indicated he would meet with Ms. Wolf the following week to discuss the Committee’s schedule. He remarked that he was pleased by the number of people interested in participating.

Mrs. Albert thanked Mr. Glass for working to resolve the security lighting problems at the Westminster Cemetery.

Mr. Utz thanked Chief Spaulding and his staff for the National Night Out the preceding Tuesday.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Ms. Wolf summarized Resolution No. R08-9, which would approve submission of an application to the Department of Housing and Community Development of the State of Maryland for funding under the Main Street Improvement Program and the Maple Street Initiative. The funding would consist of $12,000 Main Street Improvement funds for new trash receptacles and $15,000 in Maple Street Initiative funds for a “Paint Up, Fix Up” residential façade improvement program. Dr. Wack moved to adopt the Resolution. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Council President Chiavacci asked Ms. Wolf to convey the congratulations of the Mayor and Common Council to Mr. Beyard for receiving his Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

Ms. Wolf reported that a meeting with the auditors for the annual audit would take place the next morning.

Chief Spaulding announced that the police would be conducting their first sobriety checkpoint in the City.

Mr. Schroers noted that Fallfest would take place between September 24 and September 28.

Mr. Glass announced that well drilling on the Gesell property began the preceding Wednesday. So far, one well is yielding 250 gallons per minute.

With regard to the road repaving contract, Mr. Glass noted that the bid opening had been rescheduled for September in the hopes that the price of asphalt would improve.

President and C.E.O. of the Westminster Fire Company gave a report on the number of calls responded to in July.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

City resident Gerald Sheeler spoke in favor of imposing a curfew on minors. He also expressed concern about the expense of obtaining peace orders.

City resident Debbie Hawke asked that consideration be given to increasing the fine for illegal parking in handicapped spaces. Council President Chiavacci responded that the Police Chief and the Public Works Committee would make a recommendation at the next regular meeting.

Council President Chiavacci adjourned the meeting at 8:03 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk

20080811 Westminster Council meeting minutes for August 11 2008