Agenda for the Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting of September 28, 2009

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Agenda for the Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting of September 28, 2009

AGENDA http://www.westgov.com/citygov/citygov_council_agendas.html

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of September 28, 2009

1. CALL TO ORDER

T-3 Presentation by the Kiwanis Club

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF AUGUST 24 (CLOSED SESSION) AND SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

3. PUBLIC HEARING:

2009 Comprehensive Plan for Westminster

4. CONSENT CALENDAR:

August 2009 Departmental Operating Reports

Third Amendment to Parking Lease Agreement No. A-590 – Albion Parking Lot

2009 Justice Assistance Grant Program

5. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

6. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution No. R09-8 – Adoption of 2009 Comprehensive Plan for Westminster

7. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. None as of September 24, 2009

9. NEW BUSINESS

a. Budget Amendment No. 1

10. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

11. CITIZEN COMMENTS

12. ADJOURN

Westminster Council Mtg Agenda: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/search/label/Westminster%20Council%20Mtg%20Agenda http://tinyurl.com/y9whz9a

Westminster Council Mtgs: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/search/label/Westminster%20Council%20Mtgs http://tinyurl.com/y95zket

Below are PDF files of the City Council Meeting Agendas & Minutes. All links will open in a new window.

Agendas Minutes View Video
September 28, 2009
September 14, 2009
August 24, 2009 August 24, 2009
August 10, 2009 August 10, 2009
July 27, 2009 July 27, 2009 July 27, 2009
July 13, 2009 July 13, 2009
June 22, 2009 June 22, 2009
June 8, 2009 June 8, 2009
May 18, 2009 May 18, 2009
May 11, 2009 May 11, 2009
May 4, 2009 May 4, 2009
April 27, 2009 April 27, 2009
April 13, 2009 April 13, 2009
March 23, 2009 March 23, 2009 March 23, 2009
March 9, 2009 March 9, 2009
February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009
February 9, 2009 February 9, 2009
January 26, 2009 January 26, 2009
January 12, 2009 January 12, 2009
December 8, 2008 December 8, 2008
November 24, 2008 November 24, 2008
November 10, 2008 November 10, 2008
October 27, 2008 October 27, 2008
October 13, 2008 October 13, 2008
September 22, 2008 September 22, 2008

20090928 Agenda MCC Meeting of Sept 28 2009

http://twitpic.com/jgvsy Agenda for the Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting of September 28, 2009 http://tinyurl.com/y9whz9a

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Agenda for the Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting of September 28, 2009

*****

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Governor to be in Westminster for Capital For A Day Friday, April 24th

Governor to be in Westminster for Capital For A Day Friday, April 24th

... Friday, April 24th Governor O’Malley, Lt. Governor Brown, and the entire O’Malley Administration will be coming to Westminster for “Capital For A Day” (CFAD).

This will be our first CFAD of the 2009 schedule, and we have moved it up a little earlier than expected, but are really looking forward to spending the day in Carroll County.

The Governor was invited to join the new USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack at an event at a local farm, and so we have decided to make the entire day a CFAD event.

The Governor’s schedule will be as follows, and we would like you to join him at any events that you are interested in attending.

Friday, April 24th Capital For A Day in Westminster:

What: GOVERNOR TO PARTICIPATE IN CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CREP) AGREEMENT SIGNING AND TREE PLANTING PRESS EVENT WITH USDA SEC. TOM VILSACK

When: 11:00am to 12:00pm

Where: Farm of Richard Soper, Jr and family, 523 Warfieldsburg Road, Westminster 21157

What: GOVERNOR - MAIN STREET WALK AND LUNCH

When: 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Where: Main Street, downtown Westminster

What: GOVERNOR TO HOLD CABINET MEETING

When: 1:30pm to 3pm OPEN TO ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PUBLIC AT 2:15pm

Where: Location TBD- either McDaniel or Carroll Community College

The Cabinet meeting is closed for the first 30 minutes, while the Governor goes through a normal cabinet meeting agenda with the Secretaries.

Then around 2:15 pm, it is open to the public for the Mayor, Commission President Gouge, and Senator Haines to give brief comments and for a Q and A with elected officials and the Cabinet members. So the Cabinet meeting agenda would look like this:

CABINET MEETING:

1:30 to 2pm Closed Cabinet meeting with Governor

2:15 to 2:30pm Presentation of Local Issues to Governor and Cabinet- Mayor Ferguson, Commissioner Gouge, and Senator Haines (5 minutes each)

2:30pm to 3pm Questions and Answers with All Elected Officials and Proclamation of “Capital For A Day”

In addition to this meeting, the Cabinet members will also be spending the entire day with their local counterparts in city and county government in Carroll County.

They are encouraged to meet in the morning with your local staff, to have working lunches downtown that day, and to do any press events in town that you feel would be good ideas for them to see/tour/visit.

20090424 SDOSM Gov to be in Westminster for Capital For A Day

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net   http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ www.westgov.net 

Arbor Day Activities and Tree City USA for Westminster

Arbor Day Activities and Tree City USA for Westminster

City of Westminster
56 West Main Street
Westminster, MD 21158
Phone (410) 848-9000
Fax (410) 848-7476
Press Release
Contact: Tim Rogers
Phone: 410-848-4628

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Arbor Day Activities and Tree City USA for Westminster

In commemorating Arbor Day, the City of Westminster Tree Commission has undertaken projects to enhance the tree canopy, landscaping, and appearance of downtown Westminster.

Among the many projects is a scheduled installation of three Cherry Trees at Belle Grove Square Thursday April 2, 3:30 pm, where Mayor Tom Ferguson will read an Arbor Day proclamation, declaring Arbor Day and Westminster’s dedication to it. The trees are replacements for other trees that were in poor health and that posed a threat to safety. The remaining trees have been inspected for safety issues as well as pruned, if necessary.

Another three replacement trees will be installed on Willis St. in cooperation with the Parkview condominium association—again due to health issues. Another 11 street trees will be installed on West Main, Pennsylvania Ave, and John St, replacing trees that were previously removed or had died.

Over 120 large shrubs (Bottlebrush Buckeye) were installed along the Wakefield Valley Trail. These plants will eventually provide shade for the trail, provide habitat for wildlife, and reduce the mowing necessary in that area.

The activities are coordinated by the Westminster Tree Commission, a group of local volunteers charged with overseeing the City’s robust urban tree canopy program. Thanks to the efforts of the Tree Commission and the City’s grounds maintenance staff, Westminster achieved Tree City USA (Arbor Day Foundation) designation for the 21st consecutive year in 2008. Only five other municipalities in Maryland have earned this distinction more often than Westminster.

If you have any questions about the event, or if you want to participate on the Tree Commission, please contact Tim Rogers, Natural and Cultural Resources Planner, at 410-848-4628.

20090331 Arbor Day Activities and Tree City USA for Westminster
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Westminster Eagle: “Westminster mayor says MML convention spending was worth it” By Katie V. Jones

Westminster Eagle: “Westminster mayor says MML convention spending was worth it” By Katie V. Jones

Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/ 9/17/08

As for a $1,500 dinner bill, Ferguson is adamant that he picked up the expenses for the meal. "I paid for that," Ferguson said of the meal, adding, "The city doesn't pick up a dime for me and my wife to go [to the convention]. I pay for my registration and our hotel."

------

Westminster Mayor Tom Ferguson this week defended sending 15 appointed and elected officials to the Maryland Municipal League Convention this past summer despite a price tag of $19,000 and a dinner bill that totaled $1,500.

The four-day convention held in Ocean City offers symposiums and seminars dealing with a variety of issues and subjects pertinent to municipalities, Ferguson said.

The governor and his cabinet also attend one day, hosting roundtable meetings to allow discussions about such topics as transportation and the environment, he said.

"There is no way I can put a dollar value..." on the event, Ferguson said. "It is an opportunity to have interaction with peers around... Maryland... to pick up new ideas."

The issue of the expense was raised in a story that appeared in the Carroll County Times.

Ferguson said the convention is typically attended by council members, the mayor and department heads. This year, three additional people attended because Larry Bloom, superintendent of Westminster's street department, was honored as the MML employee of the year, Ferguson said. Bloom's wife and his immediate boss, Jeff Glass and his wife, attended the event.

"It is quite an honor and one he clearly deserves," Ferguson said of Bloom. "It speaks well of the city and him personally to get that type of recognition."

As for a $1,500 dinner bill, Ferguson is adamant that he picked up the expenses for the meal.

"I paid for that," Ferguson said of the meal, adding, "The city doesn't pick up a dime for me and my wife to go [to the convention]. I pay for my registration and our hotel."

*****

Related: Recent Westminster Eagle and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Be critical of spending, but MML has been worthwhile
Published September 17, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
There has been a fair amount of discussion of late regarding published accounts of the June trip by 15 appointed and elected officials from Westminster...

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2008/09/recent-westminster-eagle-and-sunday_23.html

20080923 Recent Westminster Eagle and Sunday Carroll Eagle columns

NBH: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/60014.html

20080917 Westminster mayor says convention spending worth it KJones

20080622 Who to call in the city of Westminster for services

20080622 Who to call in the city of Westminster for services

Who to call in the city of Westminster for services

Who to Call

http://www.westgov.com/general/directory.asp

Retrieved June 22, 2008

DIRECTORY OF SERVICES

Call 410-848-9000 or 876-1313 (Baltimore line) if you wish information about a topic that is not listed and the City Hall operator will direct you to the appropriate department. All telephone numbers in this directory have a 410 area code.

Emergency
Fire, Police, Ambulance, and Rescue	911
Westminster Police Department	848-4646 or 876-3100 (Baltimore line)
Water, Sewer Emergency	848-9001 (848-4646 after business hours)
Public Works Emergency	848-9001 (848-4646 after business hours)
Animal: licenses, strays, dead animals, complaints, animal shelter (Humane Society)	848-4810
Applications
Board of Zoning Appeals, variances and special exceptions, zoning ordinance text amendments, and zoning map amendments (City Clerk)	848-4938
Sign permits, sidewalk use permits, utility permits, site plans, preliminary plans and final plats (Planning)	848-9002
Assessments (Carroll County Office)	857-0600
Boards and Commissions Activities(Director of Planning and Public Works)	848-9002
Budget (Finance Department)	848-3255
Building Permits (within City).	848-4938
City Clerk	848-4938
City Hall	848-9000 or 876-1313 (Baltimore line)
(TDD)	857-8290
Code Violations	848-1687
Neighborhood Revitalization	848-2261 or 876-6322 (Baltimore line)
Community Police Programs	848-4646
Drug and Crime Hot-line	857-TIPS (8477)
Economic Development	848-2261 or 876-6322 (Baltimore line)
Elections and Voter Registration (City Clerk)	848-4938
Fax Numbers
(City Hall)	876-0299
(Planning and Public Works)	857-7476
(Police)	848-4230
Finance Department
(Accounts Payable)	848-9174
(Budget Information)	848-3255
(Employee Benefits)	848-2702
(General Information)	848-3255 or 876-1313 (Baltimore line)
(Payroll Department)	848-9025
(Personal Business Tax)	848-9025
(Real Estate Tax)	386-2971 (Carroll County Collections)
(Water/Sewer Billing)	848-2916 or 848-2752
Fingerprinting Appointments	848-4646
Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization	848-2261 or 876-6322 (Baltimore line)
(TDD)	848-9214
Human Resources (Personnel)	848-6043 or 876-1313 (Baltimore line)
TDD)	848-9214
Leaf Collection (Public Works)	848-9077
Library, Carroll County Public, Westminster50 East Main Street Branch,	848-4250
Licenses and Permits: peddling and soliciting, distribution of handbills, picketing, parades, and taxicabs (City Clerk)	848-4938
Mayor and Council Activities (Mayor's Secretary)	848-2362
Motor Vehicle Administration	950-1682
Neighborhood Watch (Police)	848-4646
Parking Permits (Police)	848-4646
Parks and Recreation	848-6962 or 876-1313 (Baltimore line)
Personnel (Human Resources)	848-6043 or 876-1313 (Baltimore line)
(TDD)	848-9214
Planning	848-9002
Police	848-4646 or 876-3100 (Baltimore line)
(TDD)	911
(Emergency)	911
Post Office (Westminster).	848-4780
Public Works
(Administration)	848-9001
(Emergency)	848-9001 (after business hours, call 848-4646)
(Maintenance Building)	848-9077
Recreation and Parks	848-6962
Recycling (Public Works)	848-9077
Refuse Collection (Public Works)	848-9077
Schools (County Board of Education)	848-8280
Senior Center (Westminster)	848-4049
Special Refuse Collection (Public Works)	848-9077
Street Lights (Public Works)	848-9001
Tax Billing
(Real Estate)	386-2971
(Personal Business Tax)	848-2702
TDD (City Hall, hearing impaired only).	857-8290
Utilities
Electric (Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.)	685-0123 or 1-800-699-0123
Gas (Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.)	685-0123 or 1-800-699-0123
Water, sewer (City water billing)	848-2916 or 848-2752
Utility Problems: sewer stoppages, water meters, Water Leaks	848-9001
Water Leaks	848-9001
Wastewater Treatment Plant	848-4380
Water Treatment Plant	848-7040
Weeds, trash, debris, abandoned vehicles on private property (Code Inspection).	848-1687
Zoning Administrator	848-9002

20080211 Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting Agenda for February 11, 2008

Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting Agenda for February 11, 2008

Home >> City Government

City Council

City Council Members | Minutes of City Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of February 11, 2008

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

Reappointment of Jay Voight to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 28, 2008

3. CONSENT CALENDAR:

Sidewalk Encumbrance 172 East Main – Jeff Glass

Mandatory Water Testing – Jeff Glass

Change Order – Annual Paving Contract – Jeff Glass

4. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

5. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

6. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Ordinance No. 775 – Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Dealers – Chief Spaulding

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. None as of February 7, 2008

8. NEW BUSINESS:

a. Medford Quarry Emergency Pipeline Construction Agreement - Jeff Glass

9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

10. CITIZEN COMMENTS

11. ADJOURN

UPCOMING SPECIAL MEETING: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2008 – STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION ROUTE 31 FOLLOW-UP MEETING, COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING ROOM 03-04 AT 7:00 P.M.

20070909 Westminster Common Council Meetings Information

Westminster Common Council Meetings Information

Updated September 09, 2007

For posts and information about Westminster Common Council meeting agenda on “Soundtrack” click here: Westminster Common Council Mtg Agenda

For posts and information about Westminster Common Council meeting minutes on “Soundtrack” click here: Westminster Common Council Meeting Minutes

For other things – all Westminster, on Soundtrack:

Westminster City Public Works Solid Waste Management

Westminster Advocate

Westminster Annual Main Street Mile

Westminster businesses

Westminster City Employees

Westminster City Finance

Westminster City Government

Westminster City Hall

Westminster City Planning and Zoning

Westminster City Public Works

Westminster City Public Works Street Department

Westminster Common Council Meeting Minutes

Westminster Common Council Meeting Report

Westminster Common Council Mtg Agenda

Westminster Councilman/Mayor Dayhoff

Westminster Eagle

Westminster events

Westminster Fire Department

Westminster Flower and Jazz Festival

Westminster matters

Westminster Municipal Band

Westminster Police Department

Westminster Profile

Westminster Road Runners Club

Westminster Rte 140

Carroll County Regional Airport

Estonia Paide Westminster Maryland Sister City Partnership

Humor Westminster City Government

Elections History Westminster

Elections 20070514 Westminster Councilmatic Election

Elections 20050509 Westminster Mayoral Election

Elections 19990510 Westminster Councilmatic Election

Elections 20010514 Westminster Mayoral Election

GWDC Greater Westminster Dev. Corp.

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20070307 The dreaded winter four letter “S” word is back

WBAL Snow Advisory for Carroll County

March 7^th, 2007

Good morning - before you venture outside, be aware that the dreaded winter four letter “S” word is back. Hopefully for its last hoorah of the winter.

The Westminster City Street Department is already at work… true to form. No surprise here. I can only imagine they are getting a little tired of this.

I’m tired of winter. Spring can come anytime now.

_____

Issued at: 4:07 AM EST 3/7/07, expires at: 12:30 PM EST 3/7/07

Snow advisory remains in effect until 7 pm est this evening for northern central and western maryland, the district of columbia northern and northwestern virginia, and much of the eastern west virginia panhandle, A strong clipper weather system moving into the appalachian mountains early this morning will cross the mid atlantic today. Light snow will begin during the early morning hours and will begin to affect the morning commute.

1 to 3 inches of snow is expected today in the advisory area. Snow will end around nightfall.

A snow advisory means that periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.

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20070214 Westminster tattoo parlor ban draws heat

Westminster tattoo parlor ban draws heat

Writing for the Baltimore Examiner, Kelsey Volkmann has an article in the February 14th, 2007 edition of the paper on the recent Westminster Common Council vote to ban tattoo parlors in Westminster.

I totally agree with Lori Graham and Stan Ruchlewicz, especially when one considers all the empty store fronts in Westminster of the last year or so…

Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner, Feb 14, 2007 3:00 AM

http://www.examiner.com/a-564423~Westminster_tattoo_parlor_ban_draws_heat.html

Westminster - Critics lambasted Westminster’s new ban on downtown tattoo shops as anti-business.

“Restricting the types of businesses that can move downtown makes no sense to me,” said Lori Graham, the sole member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission to vote against the ban. Graham is president of the Greater Westminster Development Corp., a nonprofit that works to stimulate economic development.

[…]

… Stan Ruchlewicz, Westminster’s economic development administrator, said he wants to attract “cool shops that are youth-oriented because that’s where the market is.”

“What we need is to get some shops that people will come shop through the generations,” he said. “It’s our comic book and skateboard shops that are keeping downtown alive. By allowing tattoo parlors out on the highway, you have youth shopping out on the highway.”

Read the entire article here.

20070212 No Tattoo Parlors In Downtown Westminster wjz

Feb 12, 2007 11:16 pm US/Eastern

No Tattoo Parlors In Downtown Westminster

http://wjz.com/topstories/local_story_043215028.html

No big surprise here… For more news and video – go to WJZ’s web site

Kathryn Brown Reporting

(WJZ) The Westminster City Council approved an ordinance banning new tattoo parlors from opening in the downtown area.

The proposed zoning amendment would ban tattoo parlors from downtown, but allow them in about 70 percent of the town's commercial land.

Supporters of the ban say the parlors don't fit the city's plan for its historic Main Street, but students at McDaniel College argue that banning the shops might drive away other businesses that cater to students. And some downtown business leaders say a restrictive ordinance doesn't make sense when there are vacant store fronts on Main Street.

© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

20070118 Dr. Robert Wack cited as Carroll Hospital Center Physician of the Month

Westminster Eagle News briefs 01/19/07 Wack cited as Carroll's Physician of the Month

Robert Wack, M.D., director of hospital-based pediatrics at Carroll Hospital Center, was selected as the hospital's Physician of the Month for December.

Affiliated with Carroll Hospital for nine years, Wack is also a member of the Westminster Common Council. He was nominated for the hospital honor by a fellow physician.

Each month, Carroll Hospital Center recognizes the patient care achievements of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and certified nurse anesthetists.

For information on how to nominate a Carroll Hospital Center employee, call 410-871-6899.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=978&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1242153&om=1