Dayhoff Carroll

Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org Westminster Md Online - The Winchester Report, by Kevin Earl Dayhoff: Runner, writer, artist, fire and police chaplain Mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist, and artist Westminster, Hampstead, Manchester, Taneytown, Union Bridge, Mount Airy and Sykesville in Carroll Co, Maryland... and Frederick Co. Westminster Fire Dept., Firefighters, police officers, Carroll Co Sheriff's Office, Md St Police. Chaplain duties, Religion, Grace Lutheran Ch.

Showing posts with label Westminster Council Mtgs. Show all posts

Monday, November 22, 2010

Westminster Common Council meeting agenda for November 22, 2010

AGENDA for the CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND Mayor and Common Council Meeting of November 22, 2010

http://www.scribd.com/doc/43676656/AGENDA-for-the-CITY-OF-WESTMINSTER-MARYLAND-Mayor-and-Common-Council-Meeting-of-November-22-2010

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/11/westminster-common-council-meeting.html

Labels: People Martin Pat, Westminster Council Mtg Agenda, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster Issues open transparent, Westminster PZ Nborhood Pres Overlay Zone

At this point, e-mail requests and phone calls for the following information pertaining to this evening’s meeting have gone unanswered:

I hope you can help me with a couple of housekeeping and file maintenance items for a possible newspaper article for Explore Carroll or my website…

Is the “amended version one of Ordinance No. 818 Sectional Zoning Map Amendment No. SMA 10-1 and Accompanying Written Decision – “Belle Grove Square Neighborhood and Willis Street Neighborhood” available on the city’s website? If not, may I have a copy of it?

May I have a copy of the transcript of the November 8, 2010 public hearing on SMA 10-1?

Are the minutes from the October 14, 2010 Planning and Zoning meeting posted on the website? I do not seem to be able to find any of the PZ minutes for 2010 posted? (http://www.westgov.com/citygov/citygov_pandz_minutes.html) May I have a copy of the October 14, 2010 PZ meeting minutes?

May I have a copy of the letter notifying the Willis Street residents about the November 8, 2010 public hearing for the proposed zoning changes?

May I have a copy of the letter notifying the Willis Street residents of the Monday, November 15, 2010 community meeting?

Thanks a lot for your time.

For more information, please see:

20101109 Soundtrack: Proposed Westminster Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone worksheet Nov 09, 2010 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/11/proposed-westminster-neighborhood.html

Planning and Zoning on Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Westminster%20PZ%20Planning%20Zoning

20080000 Westminster Community Visions Survey http://www.scribd.com/doc/40463409/2008-Westminster-Maryland-Community-Vision-Survey

Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission: link on Westminster city website - http://www.westgov.com/citygov/citygov_pandz.html

Ordinance 816 – Zoning Text Amendment 10-3 would amend the text of Chapter 164 of the Westminster City Code on Scribd: http://www.scribd.com/doc/41609339/Ordinance-816-%E2%80%93-Zoning-Text-Amend-10-3-to-amend-Westminster-City-Code-Chap-164

Westminster Council Mtgs on Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Westminster%20Council%20Mtgs

Westminster PZ Nborhood Pres Overlay Zone on Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Westminster%20PZ%20Nborhood%20Pres%20Overlay%20Zone

Westminster Govt on Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Westminster%20govt

Also see:

The Westminster city SMA 10 1 Staff Report and Recommendation

http://www.scribd.com/The-Westminster-city-SMA-10-1-Staff-Report-and-Recommendationn/d/41650007

The Westminster city staff report and recommendation for the proposed Zoning Text Amendment and Sectional Map Amendment…

Ordinance 816 – Zoning Text Amend 10-3 to amend Westminster City Code Chap 164 (http://www.scribd.com/doc/41609339/Ordinance-816-%E2%80%93-Zoning-Text-Amend-10-3-to-amend-Westminster-City-Code-Chap-164) would amend the text of Chapter 164 of the Westminster City Code by adding a new article VIVD to create a “Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone.”

The proposed 164-45.31 proscribes, “An application for zonal classification in the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone may be made only by a Sectional Map Amendment.”

A Sectional Map Amendment for the inclusion of the Belle Grove Square and Willis Street neighborhoods was filed simultaneously by the mayor and council on September 30, 2010. (See [20100930 SMA10-1-Belle Grove Square and Willis Street Neighborhood.] City of Westminster Sectional Zoning Map Amendment – SMA#10-1)

Section 164-45.25 introduces, “The Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone (NP Zone) is intended to provide for the preservation of the historic character and physical setting of the city’s traditional neighborhoods by promoting residential uses and directing more intense uses to other suitable locations.

“The Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone is a mapped zone which is superimposed over properties included in the R-7,500 residential zone and R-10,000 residential in certain traditional residential neighborhoods. Once properties are included in the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone, any development or use of such properties are subject to its provisions.”

A public hearing notice document was placed on the city’s website, dated September 30, 2010 that indicated that the Westminster mayor and common council would hold a public hearing on November 8 on Zoning Text Amendment No. ZTA 10-3 which was subsequently introduced at the October 11 common council meeting as Ordinance 816. The Ordinance is sponsored by councilmembers Greg Pecoraro and Dr. Robert Wack.

20100930 Ord 816 ZTA10-3-NhborhoodPresOverlayZone

Westminster Planning and Zoning Public Hearing Notice for ZTA 10-3 and SMA 10-1 http://www.scribd.com/doc/40396022/Westminster-Planning-and-Zoning-Public-Hearing-Notice-for-ZTA-10-3-and-SMA-10-1

Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission agenda for Oct 14 2010 http://www.scribd.com/doc/40396820/Westminster-Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-agenda-for-Oct-14-2010

October 11, 2010 Westminster MD council meeting http://www.scribd.com/doc/40426182/October-11-2010-Westminster-MD-council-meeting

2009 City of Westminster zoning map

http://www.scribd.com/doc/40428551/2009-City-of-Westminster-zoning-map

Mayor and common council public hearing notice for Nov 8 2010 for proposed zoning changes http://www.scribd.com/doc/40431257/Mayor-and-common-council-public-hearing-notice-for-Nov-8-2010-for-proposed-zoning-changes

Links for the City of Westminster 2009 Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted on September 28, 2009. http://www.westgov.com/citygov/citygov_complan.html http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/10/city-of-westminster-2009-comprehensive.html http://www.scribd.com/doc/40464024/Links-for-the-City-of-Westminster-2009-Comprehensive-Plan

(a) 2008 Westminster Community Visions Survey

(b) 2009 Comprehensive Plan

(d) Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission

(e) A public hearing notice was posted in the local newspaper of record

(f) October 14, 2010 agenda

(g) The October 11 common council meeting

Ordinance 816 – Zoning Text Amend 10-3 to amend Westminster City Code Chap 164

http://www.scribd.com/doc/41609339/Ordinance-816-%E2%80%93-Zoning-Text-Amend-10-3-to-amend-Westminster-City-Code-Chap-164

zoning, historic, preservation, Westminster, Maryland, Carroll County, planning and zoning commission, Willis Street, hearing, Ordinance, Chapter 164

Chap 164 Art 6 28 R10000 pdf sdosm Westminster City Code Chap 164 ARTICLE VI R-10,000 Residential Zone (§ 164-28 — § 164-33) http://www.scribd.com/doc/41615744/j-Chap-164-Art-6-28-R10000 This document delineates how Chap 164 with respect to how the zoning code for R-10,000 of the Westminster City Code reads…

(h) Ordinance 816 – Zoning Text Amendment 10-3 would amend the text of Chapter 164 of the Westminster City Code

(i b) 2009 Westminster zoning map found in Chapter 54

(j1) (See Chap 164 ARTICLE VI R-10,000 Residential Zone (§ 164-28 — § 164-33)

(j2) (See Westminster City Code Chap 164 ARTICLE VII R-7,500 Residential Zone (§ 164-34 — § 164-39.)

(k) (See [20100930 SMA10-1-Belle Grove Square and Willis Street Neighborhood.] City of Westminster Sectional Zoning Map Amendment – SMA#10-1)

(l) A public hearing notice was placed on the city’s website, on or about October 12, that indicated that the Westminster mayor and council will receive the public’s input on Zoning Text Amendment No. ZTA 10-3 and Sectional Zoning Map Amendment No. SMA 10-1 on November 8, 2010.

(m) The Westminster city SMA 10 1 Staff Report and Recommendation

http://www.scribd.com/The-Westminster-city-SMA-10-1-Staff-Report-and-Recommendationn/d/41650007

Also related:

“Possible zoning changes to shape downtown area” Tuesday, October 26, 2010 By Brett Lake, Advocate Staff Writer

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/advocate_of_westminster/news/article_108bc134-e10b-11df-ad2e-001cc4c002e0.html

The effort to upgrade Westminster’s downtown area continues to push forward and changes may soon be coming downtown after a series of zoning amendments were approved by the Westminster Planning Commission… http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/advocate_of_westminster/news/article_108bc134-e10b-11df-ad2e-001cc4c002e0.html

“WESTMINSTER: Arts, preservation zoning process moving forward” Tuesday, November 9, 2010 By Peter Panepinto, Times Staff Writer

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_8c0edeba-ebc2-11df-b4be-001cc4c002e0.html

The Westminster Common Council approved two text amendments Monday night for the Arts and Culture Overlay Zone and the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone.

More than 30 Westminster-area residents attended Monday night's meeting at city hall to oppose or support the proposed text amendments. The city's next step is to adopt zoning map amendments for each text amendment that was passed. The zoning map amendments were introduced Monday night… http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_8c0edeba-ebc2-11df-b4be-001cc4c002e0.html

“Zoning places assisted-living facility in limbo” Saturday, November 13, 2010 By Peter Panepinto, Times Staff Writer http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_41af73fc-eed8-11df-9f06-001cc4c002e0.html

Pat Martin intended to open an assisted-living home at 170 Willis St. in 2012, but his plan has been halted because of a zoning map amendment that would prevent any businesses from opening in the Westminster neighborhood.

"This would totally kill my plans for opening the facility," said Martin, a local remodeling contractor.

Martin purchased the old Weller property in 2000 with plans to restore it. He got the idea to open an assisted-living home from a friend who works in the health field in 2005.

But the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone, introduced in October, is designed to preserve the historical and residential aspects of the Willis Street and Bell Grove Square neighborhoods. The Westminster Common Council approved an amendment at the last council meeting that moved the map amendment forward. More than 30 residents attended the meeting, and most said they weren't given notice on the overlay zone or how it would impact the neighborhood… http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_41af73fc-eed8-11df-9f06-001cc4c002e0.html If you go: What: Informational meeting on Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone When: 7 p.m. Monday Where: Westminster City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_41af73fc-eed8-11df-9f06-001cc4c002e0.html

Further context:

Carroll County Times: Westminster MD’s Disregard for open government: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/07/carroll-county-times-westminster-mds.html

20080611 Carroll County Times editorial: No agenda is sign of poor government: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/06/20080611-carroll-county-times-editorial.html

Westminster Issues open transparent on Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Westminster%20Issues%20open%20transparent

Westminster Council Mtg Agenda on Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Westminster%20Council%20Mtg%20Agenda

Westminster Council Mtgs Mins on Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Westminster%20Council%20Mtgs%20Mins

20101122 sdosm MCC Agenda.

zoning, historic, preservation, Westminster, Maryland, Carroll County, planning and zoning commission, Willis Street, hearing, Ordinance, Chapter 164

on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/43676656/AGENDA-for-the-CITY-OF-WESTMINSTER-MARYLAND-Mayor-and-Common-Council-Meeting-of-November-22-2010" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">AGENDA for the CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND Mayor and Common Council Meeting of November 22, 2010

Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster Council Mtg Agenda, Westminster PZ Nborhood Pres Overlay Zone, Westminster Issues open transparent, People Martin Pat

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/11/westminster-common-council-meeting.html

Labels: People Martin Pat, Westminster Council Mtg Agenda, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster Issues open transparent, Westminster PZ Nborhood Pres Overlay Zone

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

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Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.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/

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Proposed Westminster Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone worksheet

November 8, 2010 Kevin Dayhoff http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/11/proposed-westminster-neighborhood.html

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Westminster%20PZ%20Planning%20Zoning

My worksheet for the November 8 2010 Westminster mayor and common council discussion of the proposed Westminster Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone… Find an accompanying set of documents here: http://www.scribd.com/document_collections/2712718

Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zones to be considered by the Westminster mayor and common council on November 8, 2010.

As a result of the feedback from Westminster residents in the development of the (a) 2008 Westminster Community Visions Survey and the (b) 2009 Comprehensive Plan, the city of Westminster is continuing to move forward with a series of zoning changes and enhancements.

According to the city of Westminster website, “The State of Maryland requires comprehensive plans to be updated every six years. The 2009 Comprehensive Plan Update began in October 2007 followed by the coordination of the first Westminster resident survey in the summer of 2008.

“The City hosted a series of community workshops in the fall of 2008 that offered residents the opportunity to voice their ideas about the future of their community. In the winter of 2009, the planning staff combined the results of the survey and the feedback from the workshops, to create the 2008 Community Vision Report.

One the zoning enhancements being considered is Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone for properties currently zones R-7,500 and R-10,000, which arguably comprises the bulk of where folks live in Westminster.

Recently, the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zones came before the (d) Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission in the form of two specific legislative initiatives which include: Zoning Text Amendment No. ZTA 10-3 – “Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone” and Sectional Zoning Map Amendment No. SMA 10-1 – “Belle Grove Square Neighborhood” and “Willis Street Neighborhood.”

(e) A public hearing notice was posted in the local newspaper of record [for the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission to put on its (f) October 14, 2010 agenda a public hearing for proposed zoning changes in two historic Westminster neighborhoods.

The purpose of the public hearing on October 14 to hear citizen comments and subsequently deliberate for approval or disapproval of Zoning Text Amendment No. ZTA 10-3 and and Sectional Zoning Map Amendment No. SMA 10-1.

The ad noted, “The proposed text and sectional map amendments are available for public inspection at Winchester West, 56 West Main Street, Westminster, MD during normal business hours in the office of the Zoning Administrator.”

A public hearing notice document was also placed on the city’s website, dated September 30, 2010 that indicated that the Westminster mayor and common council would hold a public hearing on November 8 on Zoning Text Amendment No. ZTA 10-3 which was subsequently introduced at (g) the October 11 common council meeting as Ordinance 816. The Ordinance is sponsored by councilmembers Greg Pecoraro and Dr. Robert Wack.

(h) Ordinance 816 – Zoning Text Amendment 10-3 would amend the text of Chapter 164 of the Westminster City Code by adding a new article VIVD to create a “Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone.”

This indicates that once Ordinance 816 - Zoning Text Amendment 10-3 is approved; all of Westminster that is currently zoned R-7,500 and R-10,000, according to the (i b) 2009 Westminster zoning map found in Chapter 54; are eligible to be placed under the provisions of the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone. (j1) (See Chap 164 ARTICLE VI R-10,000 Residential Zone (§ 164-28 — § 164-33.) (j2) (See Westminster City Code Chap 164 ARTICLE VII R-7,500 Residential Zone (§ 164-34 — § 164-39.)

However, a specific area can only be placed into, and thereafter subject to the provisions of the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone by way of a Sectional map Amendment according to “Procedure” section, 164-45.31, of the proposed changes in Chapter 164.

Moreover, under the “Inclusion of Additional Neighborhoods section, 164-45.32, of the proposed changes, “The city will partner with its Historic District Commission … to identify additional traditional residential neighborhoods for potential inclusion in the Neighborhood Preservation Zone as an integral component of an overall preservation plan for Westminster.

“This important work not only helps to implement the city’s comprehensive plan by focusing attention on the perseveration and improvement of the city’s traditional residential neighborhoods, but also by initiating a dialog among city government and its residents about the look, feel and character of Westminster.”

Section three of the proposed Ordinance 816 indicates, “City staff shall focus city programs, including but not limited to residential façade loans… and related historic programs and rehabilitation programs of the city, to properties included in the Neighborhood Preservation Zone.”

The proposed 164-45.31 proscribes, “An application for zonal classification in the Neighborhood Preservation Overlay Zone may be made only by a Sectional Map Amendment.”

A Sectional Map Amendment for the inclusion of the Belle Grove Square and Willis Street neighborhoods was filed simultaneously by the mayor and council on September 30, 2010. (k) (See [20100930 SMA10-1-Belle Grove Square and Willis Street Neighborhood.] City of Westminster Sectional Zoning Map Amendment – SMA#10-1)

(m) For an in-depth understanding of the city’s zoning initiative see the staff report and recommendation for the proposed Zoning Text Amendment and Sectional Map Amendment which may be found here: http://www.scribd.com/The-Westminster-city-SMA-10-1-Staff-Report-and-Recommendationn/d/41650007

Documents cited:

2008 Westminster Maryland Community Vision Survey http://www.westgov.com/citygov/CommunityVision.html http://www.scribd.com/doc/40463409/2008-Westminster-Maryland-Community-Vision-Survey

Westminster Planning and Zoning Public Hearing Notice for ZTA 10-3 and SMA 10-1 http://www.scribd.com/doc/40396022/Westminster-Planning-and-Zoning-Public-Hearing-Notice-for-ZTA-10-3-and-SMA-10-1

Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission agenda for Oct 14 2010

http://www.scribd.com/doc/40396820/Westminster-Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-agenda-for-Oct-14-2010

October 11, 2010 Westminster MD council meeting http://www.scribd.com/doc/40426182/October-11-2010-Westminster-MD-council-meeting

2009 City of Westminster zoning map

http://www.scribd.com/doc/40428551/2009-City-of-Westminster-zoning-map

Mayor and common council public hearing notice for Nov 8 2010 for proposed zoning changes

http://www.scribd.com/doc/40431257/Mayor-and-common-council-public-hearing-notice-for-Nov-8-2010-for-proposed-zoning-changes

Links for the City of Westminster 2009 Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted on September 28, 2009.

http://www.westgov.com/citygov/citygov_complan.html

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/10/city-of-westminster-2009-comprehensive.html

http://www.scribd.com/doc/40464024/Links-for-the-City-of-Westminster-2009-Comprehensive-Plan

(a) 2008 Westminster Community Visions Survey

(b) 2009 Comprehensive Plan

(d) Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission

(e) A public hearing notice was posted in the local newspaper of record

(f) October 14, 2010 agenda

(g) the October 11 common council meeting

(h) Ordinance 816 – Zoning Text Amendment 10-3 would amend the text of Chapter 164 of the Westminster City Code

(i b) 2009 Westminster zoning map found in Chapter 54

(j1) (See Chap 164 ARTICLE VI R-10,000 Residential Zone (§ 164-28 — § 164-33)

(j2) (See Westminster City Code Chap 164 ARTICLE VII R-7,500 Residential Zone (§ 164-34 — § 164-39.)

(k) (See [20100930 SMA10-1-Belle Grove Square and Willis Street Neighborhood.] City of Westminster Sectional Zoning Map Amendment – SMA#10-1)

20101021 sdosm Neighborhood Preservation Zone

Agenda for the Westminster MD mayor and Common Council meeting for November 8, 2010

Labels: Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster PZ 2009 Comp Plan, Westminster PZ Nborhood Pres Overlay Zone, Westminster PZ Planning Zoning
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Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.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/

Friday, January 29, 2010

And the point is…

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/10a4hp or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/359334499/westminster-dir-tom-beyard-watches-as-city

Westminster planning director Tom Beyard on the left, watches the mayor and council members as the new Westminster city attorney Elissa Levan on the right, explains a point; at the January 25, 2010 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council at Westminster City Hall in Westminster Maryland.

January 25, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff

[20100125 MCC TBB Elissa Levan] Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff photos, Westminster city attorney Elissa Levan, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster govt, Westminster Planning Dir Tom Beyard

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2010/01/and-point-is.html http://tinyurl.com/y9hfakp

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

Westminster dir Tom Beyard watches as city attorney Elissa Levan explains a point http://tinyurl.com/y9hfakp http://twitpic.com/10a4hp http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/359334499/westminster-dir-tom-beyard-watches-as-city

*****

Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.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/

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The new year means a new city attorney in Westminster

Last Monday was the second meeting of the Westminster mayor and common council for Westminster’s new attorney, Elissa Levan of the law firm of Funk & Bolton.

Folks have asked where my story appeared on the new attorney. It may be found here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3801/attorneys/ 1/12/10 http://tinyurl.com/yeqxmcb or here: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year-means-new-city-attorney-in.html http://tinyurl.com/yeqxmcb

Posted below is the original copy I filed, before it was edited for length, for the newspaper:

January 26, 2010 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year-means-new-city-attorney-in_27.html http://tinyurl.com/yb3b77p

Photo caption: Westminster appoints new city attorneys. New Westminster city attorney Karen Plumer Ruff (right) looks up to follow the discussion at the Westminster Common Council meeting last Monday as Elissa Levan (left in the background) studies her meeting notes. Seated beside Ms. Levan is the Westminster director of planning Tom Beyard. Picture by Kevin Dayhoff [20100111 MCCmtg (15)d]

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/zyn29 or here; http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/355686994/elissa-levan-karen-plumer-ruff-funk-bolton

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Elissa Levan Karen Plumer Ruff Funk & Bolton appted new Westminster city attorneys http://tinyurl.com/yb3b77p http://twitpic.com/zyn29

~~~~~

The new year means a new city attorney in Westminster

Elissa Levan and Karen Plumer Ruff of the law firm of Funk & Bolton appointed to be the new Westminster city attorneys

By Kevin Dayhoff for the Westminster Eagle January 12, 2010

The new year for Westminster city government will begin with new municipal attorneys for the first time in 30 years.

At the first meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council for 2010, the city announced the appointment of Elissa Levan and Karen Plumer Ruff to take the place of Westminster city attorney John Walsh who retired last December after serving the city for over 30 years.

In the meeting the council voted to authorize the Westminster mayor Kevin Utz to execute a letter of engagement, dated December 23, with the law firm of Funk & Bolton, with offices in Baltimore, Annapolis, and Chestertown, to represent the town.

A city press release, noted that the process for finding a new attorney began last November. Westminster council president Damian Halstad said that the city had sent out a request for proposals for legal services and received six responses. “We interviewed all of them and it was really, I think, an impressive crew. I think we hired – um … we made an excellent choice,” said Halstad.

Halstad introduced both attorneys who were in attendance for the council meeting. “We welcome them and look forward to a long relationship because we sure don’t like interviewing lawyers. The last one we kept for what, 30 years. So ah, that would make me 78, when they retire, and that would be fine.”

Councilman Greg Pecoraro responded when Halstad asked if there were any questions by saying “… it was a very good process as you mentioned. I was pleased that everyone was able to participate. I think that we did have a difficult choice to make…”

“It was helpful to go through it for learning. I mean you learn things when you go through the interview process... This firm … and ah, Ms. Levan and Ms. Ruff had read our comprehensive plan. They had a lot of good questions for us. And they just knew - I think they knew the most about the city. And that goes a long way towards winning over a prospective employer. We were all impressed,” said Halstad.

The firm’s web site notes that “Funk & Bolton, P.A. is a Mid-Atlantic-based law firm practicing primarily in five areas: commercial litigation, insurance regulation, government relations, local government law, and creditors' rights.

“We provide counseling, litigation and legislative services to insurers, other financial services companies, health maintenance organizations, managed care organizations, health plans, dental plans, counties, municipalities, businesses, and trade associations.”

According to the city press release, “With eleven attorneys, this firm is the most experienced of its kind, providing representation to numerous municipal corporations, counties, and other public entities in the state of Maryland, including the cities of Bowie, College park, Church Hill, Rock Hall, St. Michaels, Upper Marlboro, and Forest Heights.”

The release explained that Levan will be designated the city attorney and that Ruff will serve to “provide backup representation… Levan will have the overall responsibility of coordinating the legal services to the city.”

Funk & Bolton announced in April 2009 that Levan had “rejoined the firm after a year as a Maryland Assistant Attorney General. Ms. Levan is a member of the Local Government Practice Group in the firm's Baltimore office. With over 20 years of experience, Ms. Levan will resume her practice of counseling Maryland municipalities and public entities.”

Levan’s web site bio indicates that she “has been representing governmental clients since 1992, when, after a few years at other firms, she joined Levan, Schimel, Belman & Abramson, P.A. in Howard County (later, a regional office of Miles & Stockbridge, P.A.)

“Since then, Ms. Levan has provided advice and counsel to a diverse group of Maryland municipalities, including several of the largest jurisdictions in the State, the Cities of Bowie, and College Park, and many smaller towns, such as the Town of Church Hill on the Eastern Shore.

“She has recently been designated as the town attorney for the Town of Chesapeake Beach. She also spent a year in the Office of the Attorney General, representing the twenty-four Maryland sheriffs and their sworn deputies.”

Her bio also indicates she “has also provided general representation to private sector businesses, including several not-for-profit entities, such as the Corridor Transportation Corporation.

“Ms. Levan has been active for many years in the Maryland Municipal Attorney's Association and served, among other capacities, for several years as its liaison to the Maryland Municipal League's Legislative Committee. She has also been a member of the Maryland State Bar Association's Local Government and Administrative Law Sections, for both of which sections she has served on the governing Councils. She is currently completing her term as Chair of the Administrative Law Section (2008-09).

“She is a Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation. Ms. Levan was previously a member of the Board of Directors of the Baltimore-Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce and for several years chaired its Public Affairs Group, which undertook legislative education and advocacy functions for the Chamber.”

Levan is a 1985 graduate, with distinction, from University of Michigan. She was awarded her J.D. from George Washington Law School, where she graduated with honors in 1988.

Ruff’s Funk & Bolton web site bio indicates that she “began her career practicing in the area of zoning and land use law at Zanecki, Lally and McDonough, in Prince George's County, Maryland. In 1989, she joined the Howard County firm of Levan, Schimel, Belman & Abramson, P.A. (later, a regional office of Miles & Stockbridge, P.A.)

“For the past twenty years, Ms. Ruff has provided advice and counsel to a diverse group of Maryland municipalities, including the City of Bowie, the City of College Park, the Town of Church Hill, the Town of Edmonston and the Town of St. Michaels.

“Additionally, from 1998 until 2002, Ms. Ruff was the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Annapolis. Ms. Ruff has also served as counsel to the Annapolis Board of Appeals. Ms. Ruff has been a member of the Maryland Municipal Attorney's Association of the Maryland Municipal League for many years. She has served as President and Secretary. Ms. Ruff is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Anne Arundel County Bar Association.

Ruff earned her J.D from Catholic University of America in 1987, and graduated with a B.A. cum laude, from LaSalle University in 1984.

Halstad later indicated that Funk & Bolton will charge the city a rate of $150.00 per hour which is a slight increase over the $125.00 an hour charged by the previous city attorney.

A review of past court cases and council minutes of other municipalities throughout the state indicates that both attorneys have an extensive background in all aspects of municipal law ranging from zoning and land use law to immigration law enforcement.

After the meeting, the two attorneys then got right to work as the mayor and council convened a closed meeting to discuss property acquisition and emergency response procedures for the city.

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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/

Friday, January 15, 2010

New year means a new city attorney in Westminster

Levan and Ruff retained to take place of longtime attorney John Walsh

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/y5men

By Kevin Dayhoff Posted http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3801/attorneys/ 1/12/10 http://tinyurl.com/yeqxmcb

Read the entire article here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3801/attorneys/

20100112 SCE New year means new city attorney Wster Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Dayhoff photos, Dayhoff photos Wster gov't, Dayhoff writing essays, Dayhoff writing essays Westminster, Westminster Council Mtgs
[20100111 MCCmtg (15)csm2] http://twitpic.com/y5men

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year-means-new-city-attorney-in.html http://tinyurl.com/yeqxmcb

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

Levan and Ruff Funk & Bolton retained to take place of longtime Westminster attorney http://tinyurl.com/yeqxmcb http://twitpic.com/y5men

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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/

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Main Street businesses decry public safety isues

Westminster Eagle Westminster city council report:

Main Street businesses decry public safety issues

The use of surveillance cameras to be investigated

November 23, 2009 By Kevin Dayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/11/main-street-businesses-decry-public.html

The number one topic of recent discussions with downtown Westminster businesses was public safety, say Westminster officials.

The discussion and feedback come at a time when the flagging national economy continues to hurt local businesses and the city budget remains in dire straights.

Westminster Mayor Kevin Utz presented the Common Council with a number of recommendations that resulted from five Main Street roundtable discussions held by Westminster officials in the last two months.

The feedback from the Westminster Main Street businesses was the highlight the Westminster mayor and Common Council meeting last Monday.

“We have asked 35 businesses to attend five Main Street Roundtables over the past two months and I would like to summarize the discussions and put forth a series of recommendations for your consideration,” said Utz.

Utz then comprehensively reviewed a summary of the business roundtable findings and four recommendations.

A copy of the summary was given to the Westminster Eagle by Westminster city administrator Marge Wolf.

It reveals that the “business owners (have) requested more police presence, particularly when the stores are closing for the evening. The businesses owners would like to partner with the police department, reporting questionable activities and observations.”

“We need to have our residents and citizens feel comfortable being on Main Street,” said Utz as council members looked-on and nodded in approval.

As a result: “An officer has been assigned to patrol the Main Street area from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Additional officers will be assigned to patrol the area when businesses close.

“In addition, the (Westminster Police Department) will develop strategies to familiarize the merchants with both Command staff and patrol officers and will investigate the use of camera in strategic locations to assist the patrol officers,” Utz read from the report.

In a related problem, Utz noted that “The City of Westminster is also the County Seat for Carroll County and as such provides a wide range of social services in our town.

“This fact, coupled with the fact that the churches in the area are very magnanimous in providing additional services to this client group, results in groups of clients congregating in public areas.”

The recommendation offered at the meeting was that the “Mayor will convene a Roundtable with area church representatives to discuss possible solutions to this problem.”

Business owners also said at the roundtable discussions that many of the local shopkeepers “are not the property owners and, as group, they feel the landlords do not maintain the properties to even code standards.

“The rents are not affordable for most small businesses and the landlords are not willing to work with small businesses. Small businesses have special funding needs and need special assistance. The business owners supported the rental licensing of apartments as an avenue to improving properties to code standards.”

It was recommended that the city initiate “a revolving loan program … to provide low-interest loans to new businesses or businesses expanding in the Main Street area.”

The program would be undertaken by the Westminster Town Center Corporation, an organization developed a number of years ago to advance business interests in the city.

In addition it was recommended that city officials “Continue the work on the more stringent building maintenance code and maintain the timetable for implementation on July I, 2010.

“The Code Enforcement Officer will focus on the Main Street area in a concentrated effort to maintain not only the appearance but the health and safety standards in our Code.”

Marketing the downtown businesses was also the focus of concern: “The Roundtable participants offered a number of suggestions for increased activity on Main Street, including additional activities and events.

“The need for a solid marketing plan to promote the Westminster image was supported by a number of the participants.”

It was recommended that the city “Fund a marketing study for Main Street and consolidate our various promotional budget items into one line item to fund those marketing activities. Develop one brand and one coherent message to promote our downtown.”

It was not discussed at the meeting how the “marketing study” would be funded or whether or not the study would be done in-house or if an outside agency might be hired to do the job.

The final recommendation was that city officials “Continue the Main Street Roundtables on a monthly basis. Convene additional Roundtables with the property owners and church representatives to discuss various concerns expressed by the business owners.

“Continue to pursue the development of the Route 27 Corridor, former Westminster Inn, Stocksdale property and former Ain't that a Frame location to jumpstart the Main Street area and provide a destination for visitors and tourists.”

Look for updates to this and other stories about Westminster city government on our website, http://www.explorecarroll.com/.

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