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.
A spilled coffee edition of a Suddenly Bananas Stems
production: This information has been compiled and assembled by me from
multiple sources– no claim to original authorship is either claimed or implied.
This is for fun. 
