Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Friday, December 05, 2003

20030904 September 4th, 2003 Carroll County MML Quarterly Chapter Meeting Minutes

20030904 September 4th, 2003 Carroll County MML Quarterly Chapter Meeting Minutes - Dutch Corner Restaurant, 3154 Main Street, Manchester, Md.

CARROLL COUNTY CHAPTER
Maryland Municipal League, Inc.



*Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker President CC Chapter MML
1034 S. Carroll Street, Hampstead, Md. 21074 Telephone: (410) 239-7408
*New Windsor Mayor Sam Pierce Vice President CC Chapter MML
P. O. Box 609, New Windsor, Md. 21776 Telephone: (410) 635-6575
*Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff Secretary - Treasurer CC Chapter MML
P. O. Box 1245, Westminster, Md. 21158-1245 Telephone: (410) 857-4208

September 4th, 2003
Quarterly Chapter Meeting Minutes
Dutch Corner Restaurant, 3154 Main Street, Manchester, Md.
6:30 pm Social hour
7:00 pm Welcome – Manchester Mayor Chris D’Amario
Invocation - Manchester Councilmember Mary Minderlein
Introductions - MML Chapter President Haven Shoemaker
7:10-7:45 pm Dinner
7:45 pm Business Meeting

Attendance:
There were 24 in attendance:
Manchester: Mayor Chris D'Amario, Councilmembers Steve Bankert, Mary Minderlein and Dan Riley
Mt. Airy: Mayor James S. Holt, Councilmembers Peter Helt and David Pyatt.
New Windsor: Mayor Sam Pierce, Councilmembers Ed Palsgrove and Charlotte Hollenbeck.
Sykesville: Mayor Jonathan Herman, Councilmembers Jeannie Nichols and Debby Ellis and Town Manager Matt Candland
Taneytown: No representatives in attendance
Union Bridge: Mayor Bret Grossnickle
Westminster: Mayor Kevin Dayhoff, Councilman Robert Wack.
Hampstead: Mayor Haven Shoemaker, Councilmembers Wayne H. Thomas and Chris Nevin.

Carroll County: Carroll County Emergency Management Coordinator William Martin, Administrator of the Carroll County Office of Public Safety Buddy Redman.
Carroll County Municipal Liaison Frank Johnson
Maryland Municipal League Executive Director Scott Hancock and Liaison Candice Donoho
_____

1. Treasurer's Report - Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff

The Treasurer’s report was given by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff and accepted. The MML CC Chapter Treasury has a total of $3,062.07 in it at present – however, the balance, after the $2,000.00 in outstanding checks recently written for the MML CC Chapter Scholarship are cashed, will be $1,062.07 in the account.

2. Discussion of the future of the Annual MML Scholarship.

MML Executive Director Scott Hancock and MML Liaison Candice Donoho gave a presentation on the 12-year old MML Chapter Scholarship Program. The MML Board of Directors has recently re-directed funds that had helped to support the Chapter Scholarship Program, in order to support a new academic fellowship/intern scholarship program initiative, which will create a partnership with the University of Maryland School of Public Affairs and the MML.

The MML Board of Directors is encouraging individual MML Chapters to continue self-funded scholarship programs and to develop scholarship program criteria that best fit the needs and desires of our respective chapters.

In the past, the Carroll County MML Chapter has assessed the Carroll County member municipalities a total of $1,500 to add to the $1,000 annual contribution from the MML. We then distributed five scholarships of $500 each at the annual June joint Carroll County/Frederick County Chapter meeting in Mt. Airy.

After thoughtful discussion, it was agreed to continue our own self-funded scholarship program within the Carroll County Chapter.

It was moved by Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols and seconded by Hampstead Councilman Chris Nevin to sponsor two $1,000 scholarships for Carroll County students who reside within the corporate boundaries of a Carroll County Municipality and to bill the eight municipalities for the $2,000. The motion passed unanimously.

The purpose of the scholarship is to increase public awareness of municipal government in Carroll County and to foster interest and research in municipal government, to recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to public service, and to provide needed financial support for students pursuing studies leading to a career in government or public service.

Particulars as to how the MML Carroll County Chapter will adapt and implement the Scholarship Program will be discussed after the first of the year. Meanwhile, the Treasurer was directed to assess the eight municipalities pro-rata for the $2,000 for the scholarships.

Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols will continue as Chair of the Carroll County MML Scholarship Committee. Anyone who would like to work on the Scholarship Committee should contact Councilwoman Nichols.

2. Presentation by Carroll County Emergency Management Coordinator William Martin and Administrator of the Carroll County Office of Public Safety Buddy Redman

Bill Martin and Buddy Redman gave a general overview of the Carroll County Emergency Operations Plan. They also discussed the GIS Enhanced Base Mapping Project and other issues involving our current 911 system. Bill Martin discussed his background in the fire service and emergency response and shared some insights as to his plans in his new position with the Carroll County Office of Public Safety. The report was followed by questions and answers.

3. COG Report

Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols discussed that Emergency Services issues in Carroll County were comprehensively discussed and reviewed in the May 29, 2003 COG meeting. The meeting was well attended and everyone seemed to get a great deal of value out of the meeting. The next COG meeting will be held on September 18, 2003 at 7 PM.

4. Carroll County Commissioner Report - Frank Johnson, Municipal Liaison

Frank Johnson discussed various issues and gave a thorough overview of the many initiatives presently being undertaken by the Board of Commissioners. They included but were not limited to: State Roads and county transportation issues; billboards; the Commissioners upcoming Legislative Package which will include a Transfer Tax (growth paying for growth); the deferral process; adequacy standards; the growth task force - which will next meet on September 17, 2003. A question and answer period followed which included discussions of impact fees; schools and parks; senior citizen developments; fire and EMS service and roads and libraries.

5. MML Remarks - MML staff member Candace Donoho, MML Executive Director Scott Hancock

Scott Hancock extended regrets from MML President Mark Frazer who could not attend due to an unexpected commitment. This year's MML Theme under the leadership of President Frazer is Information Technology. The MML has hired a full time Information Technology expert. Every municipality now has a page available on the MML website for announcements.

Candace Donoho was recently given a significant and prestigious promotion to Carroll County MML Liaison. Candace Donoho discussed the recent municipal budget survey and the impacts of state budget cuts on municipalities state-wide. She also discussed the work of the MML Legislative Committee and the upcoming MML Fall Conference. This year's fall conference includes many more workshops and seminars than past fall conferences and attendance is expected to be the best ever. Washington DC Mayor Anthony Williams is the scheduled luncheon speaker.

6. Open discussion and Other Business

Buddy Redman asked that each municipality establish an emergency contact person.

Adjournment

The next meeting is in New Windsor on December 4th, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. for Social time; Dinner at 7:00 p.m.; Meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff,
MML CC Chapter Secretary/Treasurer

20031204 Class projects puts McDaniel students on the front lines of a biological attack by Jamie Schmidt for the Carroll County Times


20031204 Class projects puts McDaniel students on the front lines of a biological attack by Jamie Schmidt for the Carroll County Times

Class projects puts McDaniel students on the front lines of a biological attack

By Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

December 4th, 2003


Westminster city officials gathered and spent several hours discussing how to respond to a biological attack. The plan unrolled like a Tom Clancy novel, including road barriers, hotlines, shelters, press releases, volunteers and preparing a hospital for infected patients.

However, there was no real infectious outbreak, and the officials were actually McDaniel College political science students - although the real officials attended, to observe and question the students' research.

The students convened in a mock round table Wednesday night attended by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff, Westminster fire company chief Kevin Utz and Larry Leitch, health officer at the county's Health Department, among others.

The students' teacher, Volker Franke, assistant professor of political science and international studies, said that one student came to him earlier Wednesday worried about presenting a plan to men and women who thought about emergency response for a living.

Franke consulted Dayhoff in designing the exercise.

"He gave me a list of people he told me he would want to hear from, and I assigned the roles of the responders to the students," he said.

Students then had to interview everyone to learn about the roles they would have to play. Howard "Buddy" Redman Jr., director of emergency management for the county, spoke to several students about his responsibilities managing manmade disasters and attacks.

"It is interesting to have others interested in what you do," Redman said. "I have been working in emergency management for 27 years, and for the first 25, we were there but people didn't think about us as much."

Student Farzin Farzad said that he gained an enormous admiration for Tom Beyard, Westminster's director of planning and public works, after learning about his responsibilities.

Franke said that he wanted the students to understand their roles before he gave them a pretend scenario: plague bacilli released during a sold-out performance at the Joseph Myerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore.

During the roundtable, as students threw out plans, Dayhoff piped up that the students should consider recommending that the mayor declare marshal law.

"With the hurricane, I ordered everyone off the streets at 6," Dayhoff said. "If I did it for a hurricane, I'd sure as heck do it for this."

Utz piped up that he immediately wanted to know the names of every person who attended the symphony hall. Bob Cumberland, longtime Westminster volunteer fire company member, told students to remember the fire company's mutual aid agreements - that it was okay to ask for help.

"Let's look to Pennsylvania to assist," he said.

In the last 12 weeks, Franke's students discussed and studied the threats on the United States that developed over the past decade and examined changing global security requirements. Franke said that he was impressed how the students worked together in their culminating project for the semester.

"Preparing is hard," said student Danielle Goodnow. "You get a great amount of respect for what people do."

*****

WestGovNet: Colleges and schools McDaniel College, Dayhoff Kevin Dayhoff press clippings, Colleges and schools McDaniel College Dr. Franke Fall BioTerrorism Simulation Exercise,

KevinDayhoffNet: Colleges and Universities McDaniel College, Dayhoff press clippings, Colleges and Universities McDaniel College Dr. Franke Fall BioTerrorism Simulation Exercise


NBH: McDaniel College Franke Fall BioT Sim Ex, Colleges and Universities McDaniel College, Dayhoff press clippings

Sunday, November 30, 2003

20031110 Westminster Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes

20031110 Westminster Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes

City Council

Minutes of City Council Meetings Agenda for next City Council Meeting

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

November 10, 2003

http://www.westgov.com/citygovernment/minutes/111003.asp

QUORUM:

A meeting of The Mayor and Common Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of November 10, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Albert, Chiavacci, Ferguson and Wack; Department Heads Beyard and Urban; City Attorney Walsh; and Acting Westminster City Police Chief Brewer were present.

Minutes

On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the Minutes of the Meeting of October 27, 2003 were approved as presented.

Public Hearing:

Mayor Dayhoff conducted a public hearing on the City of Westminster’s Public Housing Agency Plan. Ms. Karen Blandford summarized the federally mandated five-year plan. Ms. Blandford indicated that the requirements stipulate that the plan be updated annually and the document is not a strategic planning document. Ms. Blandford stated that the Section VIII program in the City of Westminster serves 289 families. Ms. Blandford stated that graduates of job training programs would not be eligible for assistance unless their children are under three years of age. Council President Halstad requested that a provision be included to ensure that recent graduates, within six months of graduation be eligible for assistance. Ms. Blandford advised The Mayor and Council that a timing provision could be included but staff’s recommendation would limit the time restriction to four months of graduation. Mayor Dayhoff requested that Ms. Blandford and Mr. Walsh work together to define “Government Action.” Ms. Blandford advised that would occur.

Ms. Josephine Velazquez indicated her concern with the program and the potential for loopholes that could be created to abuse the program. Ms. Blandford addressed the plans on how to combat program abuse.

The Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 7:28 and closed the public record as well.

Consent Calendar

On motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mr. Chiavacci, the consent calendar was approved as presented which consisted of the acceptance of a sanitary sewer easement at the Carroll County Agriculture Center, Good Cause Waiver No. GCW 03-11 and Job Reclassifications.

Reports from the Mayor:

… Noted that he attended the Maryland Municipal League Legislative Conference.

Reports from Standing Committees:

Mrs. Albert indicated that she is working with the residents of Manchester Avenue to resolve parking related concerns of the business and residential community.

Mr. Ferguson indicated that BGE had a very successful meeting with the residents of West Green Street.

Mr. Ferguson noted that he had received a complaint about taxicab operators in Carroll County.

Mr. Chiavacci congratulated Mr. Ferguson for being the Westminster Rotary Club Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

Dr. Wack noted that BGE representatives were able to address many concerns of the residents on West Green Street and would follow up with those that required more investigation.

Mr. Halstad deferred his time to Mr. Frank Johnson, Special Assistant to Commissioner Gouge to discuss the County’s growth initiatives.

Mr. Johnson outlined the County’s growth initiatives to date and discussed in length Carroll County’s development deferral process.

Mr. Halstad announced that Mr. Steve Horn, Planning Director and Mr. Steve Powell, Chief of Staff, Carroll County Government would attend the December 22, 2003 meeting of The Mayor and Common Council to further discuss the County’s growth initiatives.

Mr. Ferguson noted that he attended the Carroll County Landlords Association meeting and States Attorney Jerry Barnes gave an overview of the Nuisance Abatement law as outlined in the Annotated Code of Maryland. Mr. Ferguson indicated that many of the members of the Carroll County Landlords Association own property in Westminster.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Mr. Halstad summarized Resolution No. R03-10 – Annexation No. 53 “Arnold Property.” Mr. Chiavacci inquired about the result of the Public Hearing. Dr. Wack indicated that there was some concern on behalf of the community but overall the applicant had sufficiently addressed many of the site specific concerns. Mr. Chiavacci requested staff to work with the developer and the community to ensure that all parties are involved in the site planning process. On motion of Dr. Wack, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, Resolution No. R03-10 – Annexation No. 53 “Arnold Property” was unanimously adopted.

On Motion of Mr. Chiavacci, seconded by Mrs. Albert, Ordinance No. 712 – Arnold Property “R-10,000 Residential Rezoning” was unanimously introduced for consideration.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Mr. Urban stated that the 2003 Annual Audit was completed in October 2003. The City expects include General Fund Contributed Assets in the 2004 Audit.

Mr. Beyard reminded The Mayor and Common Council of the Planning and Growth Session scheduled for Saturday, November 15, 2003 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at McDaniel College.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Ms. Josephine Velazquez, 59 Pennsylvania Avenue, commended the Westminster Police Department for its prompt response to her report of a party at a property near her home.

Mr. Erik Horgos, Westminster, Maryland, indicated his support of the infill annexation of the Arnold Property. Mr. Horgos expressed his concern with the proposed layout of the development.

Council President Halstad adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

SHAWN SIDERS