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Minutes of the City of Westminster Council Meeting for December 8 2008

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Minutes of City of Westminster Council Meeting

December 8, 2008

A meeting of The Mayor and Common Council was held in the John Street Quarters of the Westminster Fire Company, 28 John Street, Westminster, Maryland, on the evening of December 8, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. President Pro Tem Albert; Mayor Ferguson; Council Members Wack, Pecoraro, and Utz; City Administrator Wolf; Director of Planning, Zoning, and Development Beyard; Recreation and Parks Director Schroers; Director of Public Works Glass; City Treasurer Unger; Major Stevens; City Attorney Walsh; and City Clerk Taylor were present. Council President Chiavacci and Chief Spaulding were excused from attending.

Mayor Ferguson made the following statement:

THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL HAD SCHEDULED A PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT ON TWO PROPOSED ORDINANCES, ORDINANCE NOS. 796 AND 797. THESE ORDINANCES DEAL WITH PROPOSED ADJUSTMENTS IN SEWER CHARGES AND WATER RATES FOR METERED SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CITY TO USERS WITHIN THE CITY AND IN SURROUNDING AREAS OF THE COUNTY. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT HEARING WILL NOT BE CONDUCTED TONIGHT AND NO TESTIMONY WILL BE RECEIVED. A NEW HEARING DATE WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR EARLY NEXT YEAR.

IN PREPARATION FOR THE SCHEDULED HEARING, STAFF HAS DETERMINED THAT CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS AND CLARIFICATIONS WILL HAVE TO BE MADE TO THE RATE CONVERSION MODEL WHICH THE CITY DEVELOPED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ITS EXPERTS, THE MUNICIPAL AND FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP. AS A RESULT, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REVISE AND ADJUST THE RATES AND CHARGES PRESENTLY PROPOSED IN 796 AND 797. INDEED, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, NEW ORDINANCES WILL BE PREPARED. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE TO ANYONE WHO HAS TAKEN THE TIME AND EFFORT TO APPEAR HERE TONIGHT. STAFF IS PASSING AROUND A SIGN-UP SHEET SO THAT ANYONE WHO WISHES TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE UPCOMING HEARING CAN BE NOTIFIED.

WE ARE SURE THAT YOU CAN APPRECIATE THAT THE CITY WISHES TO TAKE THE TIME AND EFFORT NECESSARY TO INSURE THAT ANY NEW RATES AND CHARGES WILL BE DEVELOPED WITH GREAT CARE AND ATTENTION.

YOUR PATIENCE AND ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER IS APPRECIATED.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO LEAVE NOW INSTEAD OF STAYING FOR THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE MEETING IS WELCOME TO DO SO. THANK YOU.

Mr. Schroers introduced Fallfest Board member Lori Graham, who presented checks from the proceeds of the 2008 Fallfest to the following charities: the Rape Crisis Center, the Mission of Mercy, the Carroll County Youth Services Bureau, and the Westminster Lions Club.

Greater Westminster Development Corporation members Toni Pomeroy and Lyndi McNulty presented awards to several participants in the 2008 Holiday Parade. The winners were the Wish Group for best float; Gizmos Old Ford Pickup for best vehicle; Mason Dixon Bernese Mountain Dogs for best animal entry; Westminster Ridge’s float for “Just for Fun;” Boys and Girls Club for best children’s entry; and North Carroll Community School for the Committee’s Choice Award. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Silvia’s Acorn, the Monumental Drum and Fife Corps, and Harry’s Main Street Grille.

MINUTES:

Mr. Utz moved to approve the minutes of the November 24, 2008 meeting. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR:

Mayor Ferguson reported on the success of the recent Holiday House Tour, which featured 14 residences and two buildings at McDaniel College. properties. He thanked Historic Planner Tim Rogers, the Streets Department staff, and all who worked on the tour. Mrs. Albert commented that some of the proceeds would be used to repair and refurbish the City Clock.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Mr. Pecoraro announced that the Tri-Street Area Committee would meet the next evening. The meeting would focus on traffic issues. He noted that the Committee would meet again in January to adopt recommendations.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Mr. Pecoraro moved to suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to introduce and adopt Ordinances 798 (Modifications to General Fee Ordinance) and 799 (Peddlers’ and Solicitors’ Fees). Mr. Utz seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Beyard summarized the two Ordinances, which follow up on recently adopted Ordinances 791 – 795 concerning City fees. Upon Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Utz and unanimously passed, Ordinances 798 and 799 were adopted. Mr. Pecoraro complimented staff on the great amount of work they put into the group of Ordinances.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Mr. Schroers presented a revised version of the Commitment of Intent with the Fallfest Committee concerning the City concession stand/community building. He advised that a new provision allows the City to occupy the building in times of need and that the Fallfest Committee has approved the provision. Mr. Pecoraro made a Motion to approved the agreement. Dr. Wack seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mr. Beyard summarized proposed Good Cause Waiver No. GCW08-4, which would allow connection to the City water system of the dwelling at 110 North Cranberry Road. It was determined by the Carroll County Health Department that the existing well has become contaminated. Mr. Pecoraro moved to approve the Waiver. Dr. Wack seconded and that Motion passed unanimously.

Dr. Wack moved to cancel the December 22, 2008 meeting due to the holidays. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Ms. Wolf reported that she attended the recent Maryland Municipal Carroll County Chapter dinner and also a Maryland Managers meeting at which the problematic state of the economy was discussed.

Major Stevens reported on the coordination with the Sheriff’s Office of holiday patrols.

Mr. Unger briefly reported on the status of the audit.

Mr. Schroers thanked Ms. Graham and Ms. McNulty for all of their work on the holiday events. He also noted that the City Skate Park ramps are 90% complete.

Mr. Glass announced that the final pipe for the Medford Quarry Pipeline had been laid that day. He further announced that testing on the new Water Treatment Plant was completed successfully and that the plant would start operating 4-6 hours per day at first.

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Westminster Fire Company Dan Plunkert reported that the Fire Company would host a breakfast for the public with Santa Claus on December 20, 2008. He added that tickets for the Company’s May raffle are now available.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Greater Westminster Development Corporation Board member and City resident Lori Graham thanked the Police Department for inviting her to participate in the recent “Shop with a Cop” day.

County resident Beatrice Wolfe thanked the Fire Company for assisting her during a stroke in February 2008.

Ms. McNulty thanked everyone who helped with the Holiday Parade.

President Pro Tem Albert adjourned the meeting at 8:02 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk