Showing posts with label Westminster Council Meeting Notes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Westminster Council Meeting Notes. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Feb. 11, 2019 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council


Feb. 11, 2019 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council

Feb. 11, 2019

What a difference a month makes. A month ago there was standing room only at the Jan. 14, 2019 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council. Monday, in the middle of the snow storm, there were less than 10 folks in the audience and the meeting lasted 15 minutes. I am not quite sure if that is a record or not – but if it is not a record, it is close to it.


Agenda for the CITY OF WESTMINSTER Mayor and Common Council Meeting Monday, February 11, 2019 at 7 pm

Council Chambers of City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster, MD

The weather was bad. It had snowed and rained freezing rain for the last 24-hours. Most of staff did not attend the meeting – as per the request of Ms. Matthews.

1.   CALL TO ORDER The meeting began at 7 p.m.

2.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A)  Mayor and Common Council Meeting of January 14, 2019

B)  Mayor and Common Council Meeting of January 28, 2019

Approved.

3.   CONSENT CALENDAR

A)  Approval – Standardized Public Works Agreements and other Development-related Documents – Mr.
Mackey

Approved

4.   REPORT FROM THE MAYOR

No report.

5.   REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

A)  Arts Council – No report.

B)  Economic & Community Development Committee

Ben Yingling had Ms. Matthews deliver a report on the city’s water re-use initiative.

C)  Finance Committee – No report.

D)  Personnel Committee – No report.

E)  Public Safety Committee – No report.

F)  Public Works Committee – No report.

6.   COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION – none.

7.   ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS

Adoption - Resolution No. 19-05 of the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster, amending the adopted Water and Wastewater Allocation Policy for 2018-2024 – Mr. Mackey

The resolution was adopted.

8.   UNFINISHED BUSINESS9. NEW BUSINESS

A)  Approval - Annexation Agreement A-1121 for Parcels 1 and 5 of the EOB and DASY properties – Mr. Mackey

Brooks Leahy attended the meeting with Mark and Dave Bollinger.

10. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

The only report was Westminster Fire Company President Jamie Petry’s report for the fire department.

11. CITIZEN COMMENTS


13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:15.
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Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun
Westminster Fire Dept. and MTA Lodge #20 Chaplain and PIO
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
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Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Quick informal Westminster mayor and Common Council Feb. 12, 2018 meeting notes by Kevin Dayhoff


Peggy Bair (in the left picture,) and Lori Graham (in the right picture,) were presented with a token of appreciation by Westminster Mayor Joe Dominick at the Feb. 12, 2018 Westminster Common Council meeting, for their years of service on the Westminster Planning Commission. Kevin Dayhoff photo

CITY OF WESTMINSTER
Mayor and Common Council Meeting
Monday, February 12, 2018 at 7 pm
Council Chambers of City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster, MD

Westminster Common Council meeting on Monday, February 12, 2018 at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane.


I have not attended a Westminster mayor and Common Council meeting for a while. Of course, I am always thinking of running for office again. I really enjoyed working for the City of Westminster.

However, at this evening’s meeting, Westminster Planning Commission members Peggy Bair and Lori Walsh Graham were being recognized. Neither were reappointed.

Bair had served since 1989 and I appointed Graham in 2004.

I wanted to go to the meeting and pay my respects to these two great Westminster citizens who have given of their time so selflessly for the benefit of the greater community. Both individuals took time away from their families to contribute to Westminster and Carroll County and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

Council President Dr. Robert Wack began the meeting began at 7 p.m. with the pledge to the flag and a moment of silence.

In attendance were council members Yingling, Chiavacci, Wack, Mayor Dominick, Becker, and Pecoraro. Finance Director Palmer was not present. Assist. Chief Ledwell represented the police department. City Administrator Barb Matthews, Planner Bill Mackey. Public Works Director Jeff Glass, Housing Director Cindy Valenzisi and Shannon Visocsky.

There were about 11 citizens in attendance.

Mayor Dominick presented an award to Peggy Bair and Lori Graham for their work on the planning commission.

There was a Window Display Presentation - Matthew Kohn of Kohn Creative.

The City of Westminster Mayor Dominick then held two public hearings on two ordinances:

Proposed Ordinance No. 886 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 164, “Zoning”, of the Westminster City Code, Article VIII, “B Business Zone”, § 164-41, “Uses Permitted”; Article VIII B, “D-B Downtown Business Zone”, § 164-45.8, “Uses Permitted” and § 164-45.9, “Special Exceptions”, Article IX, “C-B Central Business Zone”, § 164-47, “Uses Permitted” And § 164-48, “Special Exceptions”; Article VIII A, “C-C Central Commerce Zone”, § 164-45.2, “Uses Permitted”, and § 164-45.3, “Special Exceptions”; and Article VII A, “Mixed Use Infill Zone”, § 164-39.2, “Uses Permitted”, to permit the operation of tattoo parlors as of right or, in some cases, by special exception. – Mr. Mackey

Proposed Ordinance No. 888 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 7, “Boards And Commissions”, Article II, “Planning and Zoning Commission”, to provide for the appointment of an alternate member to the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission and to make housekeeping changes to other provisions of Chapter 7, Article II. – Mr. Mackey

Consent calendar.

A) Proposed acceptance of Deed regarding Parcels E, F, G and H on Plat of Phase 4A Lots 101-111 Windy Hills Farms to provide for water resource protection areas related to City’s water system – Mr. Mackey

B) Authorization to Terminate Lease with Fallfest Inc. for the David S. Babylon Jr., Community Building

REPORT FROM THE MAYOR

Mayor’s report commented that he is still working on formulating future plans for the city.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

No report from Councilmember Yingling.

Councilman Chiavacci reported on the latest developments with the public safety committee.

Councilwoman Dr. Becker reported that she had met with Matthews about the Wakefield Valley initiative.

Council President Dr. Wack commented upon aspects of the Wakefield Valley property. He also mentioned a recent article in Carroll magazine. Dr Wack also reported that soon, he will again testify in Congress about legislation involving municipal fiber infrastructure.

COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION

No additional comments from the council members

BIDS
A) Water and Sewer Rate Study-Ms. Matthews

City Administrator Matthews reported upon a bid for a water and sewer rate study. It was determined that the Municipal and Financial Studies Group will be awarded the bid for approximately $39,000.

A lengthy discussion followed about the possibility of the city pursuing not upgrading the Waste Water Treatment Plant because the cost has escalated so greatly.

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS

The council adopted 886, 887 with non-substantive adjustment to change processing to dispensary.

A) Adoption of Ordinance No. 886 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 164, “Zoning”, of the Westminster City Code, Article VIII, “B Business Zone”, § 164-41, “Uses Permitted”; Article VIII B, “D-B Downtown Business Zone”, § 164-45.8, “Uses Permitted” and § 164-45.9, “Special Exceptions”, Article IX, “C-B Central Business Zone”, § 164-47, “Uses Permitted” And § 164-48, “Special Exceptions”; Article VIII A, “C-C Central Commerce Zone”, § 164-45.2, “Uses Permitted”, and § 164-45.3, “Special Exceptions”; and Article VII A, “Mixed Use Infill Zone”, § 164-39.2, “Uses Permitted”, to permit the operation of tattoo parlors as of right or, in some cases, by special exception. – Mr. Mackey

B) Adoption of Ordinance No. 887 - An Ordinance regarding Local Zoning Map Amendment No. LMA 18-01, approving an application for the establishment of a Medical Cannabis Overlay District upon certain property located in the City’s P-I Planning Industrial Zone and adopting the accompanying written decision. – Mr. Mackey

C) Adoption of Ordinance No. 888 - An Ordinance amending

Mr. Pecoraro motioned to approve Ordinance 888 to add an alternate on the planning commission with additional amendments. A lengthy discussion followed about various dynamics of the amendment and the workings of the various boards and commissions in the city. It was subsequently motioned by Pecoraro to postpone the adoption of the amendment. That motion was seconded by Becker. The motion passed.

D) Resolution No. 18-01 – Amending the City’s Participation in a Cigna Prescription Drug Plan for the City’s Medicare Eligible Retirees. – Ms. Childs

Resolution 18-01 was adopted.

There was no unfinished business
12. NEW BUSINESS

A) Motion to Hold Executive Session Immediately Following Regular Meeting

Motion to close the meeting by Pecoraro to discuss the potential purchase of property. The motion was seconded and passed.

Dr. Glass, the director of public works reports on various projects in the city.

Housing director Cindy Valenzisi gave a brief report…

Mr. Tim Bangerd with the Westminster Fire Dept. report: He commented upon the recent annual banquet, Top responder Bobby Schwartzman was the top responder for 2017. The department presented awards to Tevis, Baugher’s, Bollinger Insurance, and Pritt’s, for their past support of the fire company.

Bangerd provided commentary about the impact of the new Maryland safety and sick leave, on the fire department.

Bangerd commented upon the county fire and EMS services enabling legislation that is before the Maryland General Assembly.

Mr. Mackey with the planning department commented that the next meeting will take place at the fire department for the discussion about the proposed Public Hearing on ZMA 17-01 for BERAL, LLP at 625 Baltimore Blvd.

Reports by Major Ledwell about recent events in the city.

No questions for Ms. Matthews.

Citizen comments.

A citizen commented upon using natural plants to ameliorate challenges of the costs of the Wastewater Plant.

Craig Giles commented upon a vacant home in his neighborhood. He wants the water turned-off. The house has been vacant for 7 months. 1119 Singer Drive.


The meeting was recessed at 8:27 p.m. for the purpose of conducting a closed meeting.
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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
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My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Sunday, August 16, 2015

Westminster Mayor Utz recognizes Superintendent John A. Rawlings, Sr., for 30-years of service to the city



Westminster Mayor Utz recognizes Superintendent John A. Rawlings, Sr., for 30-years of service to the city http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2015/08/westminster-mayor-utz-recognizes.html

My story on the August 10, 2015 meeting of the Westminster Mayor and Common Council got bumped at the very last minute for space limitations. Please find it on my community website, www.kevindayhoff.org - Westminster Maryland Online: everything that is great about Westminster, Carroll County Maryland.

And he ran my picture of Superintendent John Rawlings in the Carroll Eagle section of the Baltimore Sun Sunday edition, August 16, 2015.

John Rawlings is awesome… Westminster councilman Greg Pecoraro and Tony Chiavacci, Westminster council president Dr. Robert Wack, Westminster Mayor Kevin Utz, Westminster Police Chief Jeff Spaulding, Westminster councilwoman Dr. Mona Becker and Suzanne Albert.

The Westminster mayor and common council are doing some good things for our community. Read my article here: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2015/08/broad-range-of-topics-discussed-at.html

Read all my articles in the Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/search/dispatcher.front?Query=Kevin+Dayhoff&target=all

Please enjoy.

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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Broad range of topics discussed at the Westminster mayor and common council meeting Monday night

Ting, the Westminster broadband technology project, to begin residential installations soon


At the meeting of the Westminster Common Council Monday night, August 10, 2015, Westminster officials had a wide range of issues on the agenda. From left to right: Dr. Mona Becker, Tony Chiavacci, Council President Dr. Robert Wack, Westminster Mayor Kevin Utz, Suzanne Albert, and Greg Pecoraro.



Westminster Mayor Kevin Utz, (L) recognizes Superintendent John Rawlings, Sr., for 30-yrs of service to the city at Mon night’s council http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2015/08/at-monday-nights-meeting-of-westminster.html

Westminster Mayor Kevin R. Utz, on the left, recognizes Superintendent John A. Rawlings, Sr., for 30-years of service to the city at Monday night’s council meeting as Westminster Police Chief Jeff Spaulding and Finance Director Tammy Palmer look on. August 10, 2015 by Kevin E. Dayhoff

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

At the meeting of the Westminster Common Council Monday night, Westminster officials had a wide range of issues on the agenda; including an employee recognition, new trucks and equipment purchases, a new playground equipment initiative, and an update on the city’s fiber technology project.

The meeting began with a mayor and common council recognition of the city’s wastewater superintendent John A. Rawlings, Sr., for thirty-years of service.

With his wife and family present, Westminster Mayor Kevin R. Utz acknowledged how Rawlings and his department have saved the city a “great deal of money over the years” by their diligence, and innovative management approaches to an ever-increasingly complex aspect of government. Westminster councilwoman Mona Becker, a professor of environmental studies at McDaniel College agreed; reporting how she takes her environmental geology and chemistry classes to the treatment plant for field trips.

This was followed by a progress report on the Westminster Ting fiber technology initiative, by Valerie Bortz, the Westminster Ting city manager.

“Exciting things are happening,” said Bortz as she reported that the city’s fiber project is “getting ready to go live this week.” Bortz reported that soon Ting will begin making scheduled fiber installations in homes in Westminster.

Bortz also reported that the city recently was given a 2015 Community Broadband Innovative Partnership of the Year award by The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA.) According to a recent release found on the city’s Ting broadband fiber web page, “NATOA is a professional association for local governments … [to] help these communities get better access to telecommunications and broadband Internet services. These awards are intended to recognize people, towns, companies and initiatives each year that advanced the cause of broadband deployment and adoption in local communities.”

A discussion among the councilmembers ensued about continued efforts to get the word out about the broadband fiber initiative. It was noted that there remain many questions about “What is Ting;” how does it bring value to the city and what does it means to Westminster citizens.

In a recent e-mail interview with Westminster councilmember Tony Chiavacci, he noted, “As far as the value. There is a lot. True high-speed internet access … not what we currently have; but gig service - is going to be as important in the future as electricity and roads are to us today.

“We feel this project puts us many years ahead of most of the rest of the nation and it will position Westminster to be on the front of this technology. The hope is by us being out in front, we will attract business and individuals to Westminster that need this level of service, and cannot get it elsewhere. Thus, providing high paying jobs opportunities, increasing the average income, and pushing property values up in our area. As well as allowing people to work where they live versus commuting out of the area every day.”

With Ting, “you are driving a Ferrari instead of a Chevette,” said Chiavacci at the council meeting.

Jeff Glass, the city’s public works director then presented several equipment and truck bids for the council’s deliberation and approval. Glass also asked for the approval of this year’s annual roadway resurfacing and paving contract. This past winter was hard on Westminster’s streets and the councilmembers are anxious to begin addressing the roadway repairs and improvements.

Abby Gruber, the director of recreation discussed with the mayor and council a project to rebuild the aging playground equipment at Dutterer Park. According to a release by Gruber, after an upcoming planning session, on “October 9, 2015, volunteers from The City of Westminster, The Boys & Girls Club of Westminster, and Habitat for Humanity, along with BGE will build a great new place for kids to play in one day. The project is in partnership with KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit dedicated to giving kids the childhood they deserve by bringing play to those who need it most.”

In other news, Utz reported that the Wakefield Valley golf course task force recently held its first meeting to develop long term planning for the use of the large property at the west end of town that will be transferred to the city in the near future.

There were no ordinances or resolutions – or old business to discuss and after departmental reports the meeting adjourned after a little over an hour. 
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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Westminster MD Mayor and Common Council Meeting of January 12, 2015


Westminster MD Mayor and Common Council Meeting of January 12, 2015



AGENDA CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND Mayor and Common Council Meeting of January 12, 2015

My running rough notes from the meeting – Kevin E. Dayhoff January 13, 2015

Update, Heather Cobun has published a well-written and informative article in the Carroll County Times about the council meeting. Find the article here: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/ph-cc-westminster-meeting-011315-20150112,0,2701792.story

Westminster selects fiber network operator

Toronto-based Ting began as mobile service provider, expanding to fiber networks

By Heather Cobun, Times Staff Writer

9:59 p.m. EST, January 12, 2015

Some areas of Westminster could see high-speed Internet by the spring if the pilot phase of the city's fiber network stays on schedule.

The Mayor and Common Council voted unanimously Monday to select Toronto-based Ting, a subsidiary of Tucows Inc., as its Internet network operator. The firm will devise a fee structure and manage a fiber optics network being built by the city, which will retain ownership of the network. Though the fee structure has not been set, Ting officials hope to keep the price under $90 a month.

The city budgeted $6.3 million in the current fiscal year for network construction.

"From the very beginning, it was obvious that they understood what we were trying to do," said Council President Robert Wack. "We got a lot of feedback from other responses that was questioning to flat-out skeptical."


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This was a really good meeting. Lots of exciting things happening and everyone seems to working well together – at least as far as the public face of the mayor and council and department heads. This is in stark contrast with the openly hostile disagreements aired publicly at the county state of the county event Tuesday morning January 13, 2015.

There appears to have been a reception before the meeting. I think that maybe it was for the broadband initiative.

Lots of folks here. Roy Chiavacci, Sam Greenholtz, Lisa Breslin, Missy Wilcox, Lyndi McNulty…

This is the first council meeting that I have attended for some time. Many of the positions have changed…. Some have not… Tammy Palmer is the finance director, Jeff Spaulding is the police chief. Steve Horn is the planning director, Marg Wolf is the city administrator, attorney Elissa Levan, public works director Jeff Glass, recreation and parks director Abby Gruber, and … …

1.   CALL TO ORDER: Council president Dr. Robert Wack brought the meeting to order at precisely 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.

2.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2014 Motioned and approved,

3.   PUBLIC HEARINGS No public hearings

4.   CONSENT CALENDAR Motioned and approved.

Approval of November 2014 Departmental Operating Reports

Approval of 4th Amendment to LaserCraft Agreement – Chief Spaulding

Approval of Delta Plus Licensing Agreement – Chief Spaulding

5.   REPORT FROM THE MAYOR Welcome the new council member. Attended the NAACP breakfast. Meetings with the county commissioners

6.   REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES and 7.   COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION

Paul Whitson attended the NAACP breakfast.

Suzanne Albert Welcomed the new council woman.

Tony Chiavacci mentioned a positive meeting with Mayor Utz, Chief Spaulding and the new State’s Attorney Brian DeLeonardo... 

Dr. Becker… NAACP breakfast, the Civil Rights tour…

8.   BIDS

Approval of the selection of the broadband network services operator—Dr. Wack

A discussion of the history and the initiative. Unique approach. Interviewed all the folks back in October.

Right from the very beginning, it was clear that Ting Fiber … they were interested in a partnership.

“We’re thrilled with the opportunity… It makes sense that the municipality own the infrastructure… Customer service a strong point. We have a unique business model in that we specialize in going to places where the customer service is poor and we are nicer.

9.   ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS None.

10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None

11. NEW BUSINESS

Approval of the establishment of a Broadband Policy Group

Mayor’s announcement of a policy group… Barbara Biller, Sam Greenholtz, Jason Stambaugh, Mark Krider, Davis…. et al. It was approved.

APPOINTMENT OF BROADBAND POLICY COMMITTEE

Tonight is the culmination of six month’s concerted effort by the city to bring the most expansive infrastructure project in our area to fruition. This project will bring jobs, allow for telecommuting, encourage technology startups and broaden business markets and will be the first open access gigabit municipal broadband network in the Mid-Atlantic region. The President of the Common Council, Dr. Robert Wack, was the visionary on this project and he convinced the Common Council that this investment in a broadband network would result in a diversity of services and competition which will provide the best quality and pricing for City residents. Dr. Wack will provide more detail on this project later in the agenda.

To assist the City with this Broadband network project by providing advice and guidance as we move to connect every residence in the City to the network, I am asking Council for a motion to approve the appointment of a Broadband Policy Committee composed of the following residents and business owners with specialized knowledge of the broadband community:

Barbara Biller
Samuel Greenholtz
Josh Kohn
Jason Stambaugh
Mark Krider and
Patti Davis

This Committee will provide advice and guidance to the City as we move forward with the implementation of this city-wide project.

Presentation of Financial Statements and Audit Report – Tricia Bush, McGladrey LLC

A report on the financial statements and audit report…

Auto Zone @ 140 Village Shopping Center; Public Works Agreement (A-1087)—Steve Horn

Cactus Willys will be razed and replaced with an Auto Zone. Motioned and approved…

Weis Market Gas-N-Go; Public Works Agreement (A-1088)—Steve Horn Motioned and approved…

12. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Jeff Glass Hyde’s Quarry

Abby Gruber various events; working through minimum wage increased… Jacob’s latter exercise equipment.

Finance Director Tammy Palmer RFP for a new auditor and working on the budget… Assessment lagging.

Jeff Spaulding new Main Street police officer. Mike Beaumont… Spends 40-hours a week working with the businesses… Working on the heroin challenges in the community. The polar plunge.

Steve Horn – reminding folks to clean the sidewalks

Elissa Levan no report

Marg Wolf budget issues.

5 pm Wednesday at Calvert House for a legislative reception.

13. CITIZEN COMMENTS 7:45 pm There were no citizen comments.

14. ADJOURNMENT: We adjourned at 7:45 p.m.


It was a good meeting. Lots of new and exciting approaches and initiatives. 
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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
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Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Thursday, October 29, 2009

News brief: Westminster to get fed stimulus grant, names arts task force

Westminster to get fed stimulus grant names arts task force http://tinyurl.com/ygpgt76

Photo caption: Westminster director of public works Jeff Glass explains
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/nd594 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/226742793/westminster-director-of-public-works-jeff-glass

Westminster director of public works, Jeff Glass, explained the Westminster water department water meter replacement initiative at the Monday, October 26, 2009 meeting of the Westminster MD mayor and Common Council meeting at Westminster city hall. October 26, 2009 photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20091026 CowMCC Mtg (11)eGlass]

Westminster to get federal stimulus grant and names arts and culture task force

By Kevin Dayhoff

Westminster announced at last Monday night’s mayor and Common Council meeting, that skillful navigation of a “sea of paperwork” enabled the city to double a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – “ARRA” federal stimulus funds, to replace aging water meters throughout town.

Westminster director of public works, Jeff Glass, explained at the meeting that last May the city applied for a grant 2009 in the amount of $400,000 for water meter replacements.

The grant application process was complicated. “To our credit we met the deadlines… To our credit others did not,” explained Glass. As a result, “the City’s grant was increased to $821,200 which is sufficient to install ‘wireless’ read capable meters for the remainder of the City’s meter inventory and cover all costs associated with the project such as required advertisement etc...,” said Glass with visible pride.

The bidding process was performed in August and September; and the Maryland Department of the Environment signed off on the project on October 13. Glass presented the council with a proposal to approve a winning bid from Ben Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. in the amount of $817,139.19 to complete the water system upgrade.

Just before the council voted to approve the project, council president Damian Halstad said that the grant will “go a long way in our budget process… It is always nice to ask for $400,000 and get $800,000.”

Under new business councilman Greg Pecoraro gave a detailed six-month status report on the findings of the Tri-Street Advisory Committee.

The committee had been established by the city “on August 25, 2008 to address neighborhood issues and concerns in the area of Pennsylvania Avenue, Union Street and West Main Street, with the objective of creating an action plan for improvement,” explained Pecoraro.

One of the recommendations acted-on by the council at the end of Pecoraro’s report was “under the goal of building economic vitality.

“The report recommended the creation of a task force of representatives from the City, Carroll County Arts Council, Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee, property owners, artisans and others, to be called the ‘Arts and Culture Task Force,’ to develop an ‘arts, culture and small business overlay zone’ for the Tri-Street neighborhood. The report urged the task force to focus on the Carroll Arts Center as a critical anchor in the Tri-Street neighborhood.”

For more, read the Nov. 1 edition of the Carroll Eagle http://www.explorecarroll.com/

Read the Westminster press release on the water meter replacement project pasted below:

MEMORANDUM

TO: The Mayor and Common Council

FROM: Jeffery D. Glass, Director of Public Works

DATE: October 21, 2009

RE: Water Meter Replacement Project- ARRA Stimulus Funds

The Department of Public Works applied for a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Funds) in May 2009 in the amount of $400,000 for water meter replacements.

Due to the complicated nature of requirements and stringent deadlines, a number of applicants were culled from the initial applications. This decrease in applicants provided an increase in available funding available to the City.

As a result, the City’s grant was increased to $821,200 which is sufficient to install “wireless” read capable meters for the remainder of the City’s meter inventory and cover all costs associated with the project such as required advertisement etc.

This project was put out to bid on August 12th, 2009. Three bids were received, opened and read aloud on September 8th, 2009. The bids ranged from $817,139.19 to$1,043,752.00 with one bid disqualification. The apparent low bidder was Benjamin Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. This bid was reviewed by staff and found to be complete and acceptable for forwarding to MDE for review.

The City received a letter of confirmation from MDE on October 13 2009, which acknowledges the review and approval of the project, which in general terms provides the green light to proceed. The next step is to provide the notice of award to Ben Franklin, the low bidder

I recommend The Mayor and Common Council accept the bid of Ben Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. in the amount of $817,139.19 to complete the Water meter Replacement Project. This action will allow Notice of Award, and Contractual Documents to be executed.


20091026 sdosm d4 Westminster to get fed stimulus grant
*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Monday, October 5, 2009

Budget woes dominate Westminster mayor and council meeting

To the left, please find an image of my news brief on the meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council on Monday, September 28, 2009. The news brief appeared in the Carroll Eagle on Sunday, October 4, 2009 on page 3.

Oct. 4, 2009 p3 Carroll Eagle Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/kcern Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/budget-woes-dominate-westminster-mayor.html http://tinyurl.com/ydumjah

http://twitpic.com/kcern Westminster Eagle News Brief: Budget woes dominate Westminster mayor and council meeting http://tinyurl.com/ydumjah

Below, please find the news brief as it was filed. The “long version” of my article on the meeting has not, as yet, been posted on
www.explorecarroll.com. Hopefully it will be posted on Monday, October 5, 2009… If not, I’ll post it here on the blog…

Westminster Eagle News Brief: Budget woes dominate Westminster mayor and council meeting

Westminster Eagle – http://www.explorecarroll.com/

September 28, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

Westminster City Hall - The meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council last Monday began with plenty of smiles, but the mood quickly turned somber as a discussion on budget woes dominated the balance of the evening.

Mayor Kevin Utz conducted a public hearing on the 2009 Comprehensive Plan for Westminster. Later in the meeting the council voted to adopt the plan after more discussion of how proud the council and staff were to have received such good feedback from the state on how well the plan was developed and written.

Council president Damian Halstad brought up “Budget Amendment No. 1” for adoption. Utz explained “this reduction in the budget came as a direct result of the governor’s reduction in highway user revenues…”

Other council member joined-in as it was explained that the state Board of Public Works recently voted to not send $818,000 in revenue due the city from taxes collected by the state designated for the city’s coffers – in order to balance the state budget.

A press release describing the budget amendment explained, “The State of Maryland reduced the Highway User Revenues from $747,580 to $74,758 and Police Aid from a budgeted $400,000 to $254,826.”

City administrator Marge Wolf said that she expects the state to withhold an additional $329,000 from the city in January.

According to the press release: “Among the cuts approved by the Common Council were cancellations of the paving contract, technology purchases and a police vehicle which totaled $267,950 in capital expenditures; diversion of the $100,000 contingency reserve to operating accounts…

“… conversion of $215,000 of Union Street property proceeds to operating accounts; reduction of departmental operating budgets by $155,086; revision of the take home vehicle policy to institute a partial employee payback of costs by $15,768; and captured $65,000 in savings from reduced tipping fees.”

Wolf tried to put a bright face on a bleak picture at that by remarking that “this is not the best of times, but it doesn’t mean we don’t have good projects underway.”

As if on cue, Lori Graham, representing the business community, gave a report on the “Midnight Madness,” downtown business celebration held in conjunction with Fallfest. She also gave an update on plans for the upcoming community ‘electric’ Christmas parade.

“The community has its share of problems but we still come together to do good things,” said Graham.

Want to learn more about the recent meeting of the Westminster mayor and council meeting? For a longer version of this story go to http://www.explorecarroll.com/.

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Dayhoff Media Westminster Eagle, MD State Budget, People Graham-Lori, Westminster Council Meeting Notes, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster Finance Budget, Westminster Mayor 2009 Utz Kevin
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/