20070108 Westminster Council Meeting Minutes

Minutes of City of Westminster Council Meeting

http://www.westgov.com/citygovernment/minutes/010807.asp

January 8, 2007

QUORUM:

A Meeting of The Mayor and Common Council was held in City Hall at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane on the evening of January 8, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Ferguson; Council President Chiavacci; Council Members Albert, Wack, Utz, and Pecoraro; City Administrator Wolf; Acting Director of Planning and Public Works Glass; Police Chief Spaulding; Director of Recreation and Parks Schroers; City Treasurer Unger; City Attorney Walsh; and Manager of Housing and Community Development Ehlers were present.

Mr. William C. Gereny, President of Water Depot Inc. and Vice President of Subsurface Technologies Inc. presented donations in the respective amounts of $5,000.00 and $2,500.00 to assist with the rehabilitation, construction, and sale of housing at 59, 61, and 63 Union Street. Mayor Ferguson recounted that Mr. Gereny and his attorney met at length with Mayor to discuss the City’s affordable/workforce housing projects and to express Mr. Gereny’s support. The Mayor and Council thanked Mr. Gereny for his generosity. The Mayor observed that the funds would help greatly with the projects.

Mayor Ferguson read the following Memorial Resolution in honor of the late Randy Rager and requested that it be placed on the permanent records of the City:

RANDY E. RAGER

WHEREAS, On January 6, 2007 our community suffered the loss of one of its finest citizens and local professional businessman, and

WHEREAS, Randy Eugene Rager was a highly respected and accomplished certified public accountant widely known for his wise council, personal and professional integrity, and significant contributions to his chosen profession, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rager was the managing principal and president of Rager, Lehman & Houck, a Westminster based public accounting, audit, and business advisory firm, and

WHEREAS, in addition to the many contributions Mr. Rager made to his firm and his profession, he was also known for his many civic and volunteer activities in our community, including Bonds Meadow Rotary Club, Rotary District 7620, Carroll Hospital Center, Union Mills Homestead Foundation, Carroll Community College, the Community Media Center, St. John Catholic Church development committee, and many others, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rager and his firm has for many years provided audit services to the City of Westminster and his advice and guidance has been an invaluable resource for city staff and elected officials, and

NOW THEREFORE, Be it resolved that The Mayor Common Council of Westminster express heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Rager’s wife, Margaret, and to his children, Maggie, Sam, and Ally in the sudden and unexpected loss of their beloved husband and devoted father, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an original of this Memorial Resolution be delivered to Mrs. Margaret Rager and to Maggie, Sam, and Ally Rager as an expression of the high esteem in which Randy Rager was held by the City of Westminster, his colleagues, and his countless friends and the sense of loss felt by his passing, and that a copy of this Memorial Resolution be placed upon the permanent records of the City of Westminster as a lasting tribute to the memory of Randy E. Rager, and

NOW THEREFORE, Let it be known that by affixing their signatures below, The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster acknowledge the loss of a valued friend, colleague, and citizen who shall be sorely missed.

Signed this 8th day of January, 2007

_________________________________ ______________________________

Thomas K. Ferguson, Mayor Roy Chiavacci, Council President

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Suzanne Albert, Councilwoman Gregory Pecoraro, Councilman

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Kevin R. Utz, Councilman Robert Wack, Councilman

Dr. Wack moved to approve the Resolution. Mr. Utz seconded and the Resolution was

unanimously approved.

MINUTES:

Mrs. Albert moved to approve the minutes of the Meeting of December 11, 2006. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

BIDS:

Mr. Schroers presented staff’s recommendation that bids recently received to resurface the basketball court At City Park be rejected. He asked that the project be re-bid to retain the existing poles and to replace the fencing. Upon Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the bids were rejected.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Mr. Pecoraro reported that the water level rating remains green.

Dr. Wack reported that the budget season for the City is underway. He also requested that anyone experiencing problems with e-mail during the transition from Adelphia to Comcast report them to the Cable Coordinator.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Mr. Walsh summarized proposed Ordinance No. 757, which would amend the Elections Chapter of the Code to make technical corrections. Mr. Pecoraro moved to introduce the Ordinance. Mr. Utz seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Council President Chiavacci summarized proposed Ordinance No. 758, which would prohibit tattoo parlors and eliminate “specialty shops” as a permitted use in the Downtown Business, Central Business, and Central Commerce districts. Upon Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Ordinance was introduced.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

With regard to the proposed Amended Development Plan for Wakefield Valley, Mr. Pecoraro observed that the decision drafted by staff denying the request clearly reflects the Council’s reasoning. He made a Motion to adopt the Decision. Mr. Utz seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Glass reported that the City received a low bid for construction of the Cranberry Water Treatment Plant from Conewago Enterprises in the amount of $8,429,406. This represents a significant decrease from the first round of bids received. Mr. Glass requested the Common Council to approve a “Letter of Intent to Award” to the Maryland Board of Public Works as the next step in the project. Dr. Wack moved to approve the letter. Mr. Utz seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

Manager of Housing and Community Development Ehlers requested the Common Council to authorize Mayor Ferguson to execute a purchase agreement for 19 Hersh Avenue as part of the City’s ongoing program to provide housing ownership opportunities. The owner is willing to sell the property for $20,000.00 below the appraised value. As with previously acquired properties, the project would have a fiscally neutral impact on the City. Mrs. Albert moved to authorize the Mayor to execute the contract. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Albert moved to hold a closed session immediately following the regular meeting pursuant to section 10-508(a)(3) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland in order to discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Chief Spaulding announced that the Police Department hired a new Administrative Captain, Nancy Yeager, who is a 25-year veteran of the Howard County Police Department.

Ms. Wolf reported that she, the Chief, the Mayor, and Mr. Walsh attended a county-wide meeting on emergency preparedness for an influenza pandemic. She further reported that, at the request of the Greater Westminster Development Corporation, lighting on City streets would be studied.

Mr. Schroers advised that the tot lot at Whispering Meadows would be installed soon.

Council President Chiavacci recognized Chris Cull, the new President and C.E.O. of the Westminster Fire Company.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

On behalf of a local chapter of the Sierra Club, Mr. Dan Andrews asked the City to become involved in efforts to stop global warming. Dr. Wack offered to work with the club.

Greater Westminster Development Corporation President Lori Graham reported on recent activities of the organization.

City resident Rebekah Orenstein requested the City to consider implementing inclusionary zoning. Council President Chiavacci asked Ms. Wolf to look into Howard County’s requirements for affordable/workforce housing.

Mayor Ferguson advised Amjad M. Waince, owner of the Little Jay’s Store on Pennsylvania Avenue, that they would meet to discuss parking for the store.

Council President Chiavacci adjourned the meeting at 8:05 P.M.

Laurell E. Taylor,

City Clerk