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    City Council Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019

    1. Havre de Grace
    2. City Council Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019

    August 19, 2019

    Public Hearing: Ordinance 1023: AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION ARTICLE XI-E, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF THE MARYLAND ANNOTATED CODE, AND CITY CHARTER SECTION 33 AND 34, AMENDING THE CITY CODE SECTION 67: ETHICS

    Citizens Comments: 

    Mr. Joe Kochenderfer- Tydings Road: Mr. Kochenderfer asked for several items of the Ordinance to be clarified. 

    Mrs. Mary Manguse:  Otsego St. Mrs. Manguse stated she has thirty years of experience reviewing documents such as the Ethics Ordinance and also expressed the uncertainty of areas throughout the Ordinance. She also wanted clarification on the process of how to file a complaint to the Ethics Commission. 

    The public hearing closed at 7:14pm. 

    The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council was called to order on August 19, 2019 at 7: 14 p.m. with Mayor Martin presiding and the following Council Members present: Council Member’s, Glenn, Robertson, Ringsaker, Zinner, Boyer and Martin.  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Martin and the opening prayer was led by Pastor Mary Whitehead. A motion was made by Council Member Boyer and seconded by Council Member Zinner to approve the council meeting minutes of the August 5, 2019.  Motion carried 6-0. 

    Comments from citizens on agenda items:  None 

    Recognitions: 

    A Business Recognition as presented to  Joe Dougher of Caribbean Refinishing North. 

    Presentations: 

    Mr. Steve Gamatoria:  Mr. Gamatoria presented the Water and Sewer Report. – See attached. 

    There was a consensus from the dias that council should set several dates to listen to the public. 

    Mrs. Melissa Meadows: Hidden Heroes Program: Mrs. Meadows requested that we play a video about Hidden Heroes and asked the Mayor and City Council for support to designate Havre de Grace as a Hidden Heroes City. 

    Justina Crawford and Grace Zaczek- both a Hidden Hero asked for support to designate Havre de Grace as a Hidden Heroes City so other caregivers such as themselves can locate support services. 

    Appointments: 

    A motion was made by CM Boyer and seconded by CM Martin to approve the re-appointment of Jeff Andrews to the  Tourism Advisory Board; motion carries 6-0

    A motion was made by CP Glenn and seconded by CM Martin to approve the re-appointment of Jeff Carhart  to the Board of Appeals. Motion carries 6-0

    A motion was made by CM Robertson and seconded by CP Glenn to approve Tynia Scott to the Youth Commission.  Motion carries 6-0

    Oath of Office: 

    Mayor Martin administered the Oath of Office to Tynia Scott

     New Business: 

    A motion was made by CM Ringsaker and seconded by CM Martin to approve the Oktoberfest, 2019 @ Community Pavilion at Frank J. Hutchins Park; October 12, 2019. Motion carries 6-0. 

    A motion was made by CM Martin and seconded by CP Glenn to approve Holly Jolly First Friday, December 6, 2019- Downtown HDG; Motion carries 6-0

    A motion was made by CM Robertson and seconded by CM Martin to approve  Budget Amendment 2020-01- motion carries 6-0

    A motion was made by CM Robertson and seconded by CP Glenn to approve  Budget Amendment 2020-02- motion carries 6-0

    Directors Report:

    Patrick Sypolt:  Director of Administration: 

    The unveiling kicks-off the first annual multi-day event; The Waterfront Festival. Running on Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th ; the Waterfront Festival celebrates the past, present and future culture of our waterfront and surrounding waterfront areas. Enjoy steamed crabs and other seafood, live bands, food trucks, beer garden, vendors, entertainers, artisans, games, contests, exhibits, crafts, a kid zone, land and water demonstrations, youth fishing derby, a mermaid, boat cruises, hands-on learning opportunities and more. Located at Concord Point Park and Hutchins Park. This event also extends into the downtown area with a crab soup contest among the restaurants and special in-store promotions from all of our participating merchants. (There will be a tram to shuttle folks between the venues and downtown.) The Waterfront Festival is sponsored by the Havre de Grace Alliance.

    The Tidewater Marina was recently recertified as a Maryland Clean Marina. Tidewater has participated in the Maryland Clean Marina Program since the earliest days of its inception. Stewardship of the environment and the resource that is so important to Havre de Grace plays a major role in their day-to-day operations. Tidewater has been a Maryland Clean Marina since 2001. The Maryland Clean Marina initiative employs a multi-pronged approach to help keep local waters free of harmful chemicals, excess nutrients, and debris. Re-certification as a Maryland Clean Marina is achieved every three years for marinas active in the program.

    On Saturday, August 24th, there will be a North Park Loop Trail Weed Cutting and we are looking for volunteers and hiking enthusiasts to help the  Trail stewards of the North Park Loop Trail. The stewards will be meeting at McLhinney Playground off of Locust Road at 8:30 a.m. and plan to work for approximately three hours along the railroad leg of the Trail, from Hatem Bridge to the Vulcan Quarry. The work will entail the removal of weeds, bushes and overhanging vegetation. The sort of tools useful for this work includes weed eaters, grass trimmers, bushwhackers, loppers, grass whips, hedge shears, hand nippers, flat shovels and other vegetation removal tools. Tools should be brought by participants and clearly marked. Gloves, water and insect repellant are useful.

    The rain date for this event is Sunday, August 25th at 8:30 a.m. If you would like to help improve the Trail and get some exercise while venting your frustration, we hope that you will join us for a morning workout. Please contact Frank or Sharon Duncan at fduncan0@msn.com or call 410-746-5229 if you desire more information. It takes a village to raise a child and to maintain a trail.

    The City is taking applications for vendors to participate for the upcoming Oktoberfest to be held on October 12th, 2019. Applications can be obtained at the HdG Visitor Center or by calling 410-939-2100.

    Shane Grimm: Deputy Director of Planning: 

    The Board of Appeals is meeting on Thursday, August 22nd to hear a variance for a screened in porch.  The hearing will be in Council Chambers starting at 7pm.

    Mrs. Erika Quesenbery Sturgill: Director of Economic Development

    The State of Maryland passed last year a polystyrene ban for food and other containers which will be going into effect in rolled in phases. Aside from prompting restaurants to switch to recyclable containers, it has also prompted industries to shut down and move out of state. Havre de Grace will be among those feeling that pinch when Dart Container Corporation closed their facilty on Clark Lane in the Havre de Grace Industrial Park in the first quarter of 2020. They are also going to shut down their much larger Hampstead distribution center and consolidate both into a new facility they are building in Delaware. The letter states, “While the state of Maryland’s ban was not the core reason to move operations to Delaware, elected officials decision to ban some of our products did not encourage us to keep our distribution centers and jobs in Maryland.” Between the Hampstead and Havre de Grace facility there are about a total of 90 people employed, the lion’s share being at the Hampstead facility.

    We are also awaiting further details and authorization to announce the location of 5the generation industrial construction company with an office and fabrication plant here in Havre de Grace, likely by the next council meeting.

    George DeHority- Director of  Finance 

    Mr. DeHority gave a financial report and stated the audit will begin next week. 

    Tim Whittie- Director of Public Works

    Mr. Whittie gave an update on DPW Projects. 

    Corp. Ken Terry : Police Department 

    No Report 

    Business from Mayor Martin 

    Fireworks rescheduled date  is this Saturday, August 24 in conjunction with the waterfront festival.
    On Saturday, at 3:00 p.m. we will have the unveiling of a beautiful metal sculpture entitled, “Big Fish School of Fish” by artists Thomas Sterner. The sculpture is located at the compass rose, adjacent to the promenade at Concord Point Park. As the name implies, the big fish is made up of life- sized fish and symbolizes teamwork and visually represents the power of many things coming together to make an impressive result. It can also symbolize the moments in time that connect to create the history of Havre de Grace. Again, the unveiling is at 3:00 p.m.

    Dumpster Day will be September 14, 2019 from 8:00 A.M – Noon

    Business from Council:  

    Council Member Robertson:

    The Havre de Grace Office of Economic Development Advisory Board will meet this Wednesday, August 21, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Havre de Grace City Hall, in Council Chambers. Prior to the meeting there will be a ribbon cutting for another new business in Havre de Grace – Ad Hoc Research Associates, LLC, at 203 Market Street. This business began at the GroundFloor on Route 40 and has through a Prime contract with the US Army expanded with their test and evaluation, risk mitigation simulation, data reduction analysis tools and extensive cyber analytics capacities. And they are a recipient of a CECOM G6 Support Award here in Havre de Grace.

    CM Robertson thanked everyone who attended the Legion Crab Feast. 

    The Youth Commission will meet this Thursday and they are soliciting a new youth member. 

    Council Member Zinner:

    CM Zinner stated she and other elected officials and staff toured the National Guard site on Friday.  The new armory building is impressive and believes it will boost moral. 

    CM Zinner congratulated the Soroptomist on a successful Art Show. 

    The Independence Day Commission will now meet on the 4th Monday of the Month at the Police Department. 

    As a reminder, the Arts Commission meets on the 4th Tuesday of the Month and the Historic Preservation Commission meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the Month. 

    Council Member Boyer: 

    CM Boyer announced on August 21st, the Green Team will host Green Drinks at Coakleys and the Street and Traffic Advisory Board will meet on August 26th. 

    CM Boyer commends Officer Mel Adams for his most recent youth initiative; 70 bikes, 80 helmet, and many clothing items were provided to the Youth in our community. 

    CM Boyer stated she will be working the gate at the Waterfront Festival and is looking forward to a great weekend. 

    Council Member Ringsaker:

    CM Ringsaker asked for prayers for his daughter as she is undergoing  a new surgical procedure in Philadelphia to correct scoliosis. He encourages parents to check their children as screenings are often missed. 

    Council Member Martin:

    CM Martin extended prayers to the Ringsaker Family as CM Ringsakers daughter is having surgery to repair scoliosis. 

    Business from Council President Glenn:

    CP Glenn along with other elected officials and staff met with Comptroller Peter Franchot on August 7th to discuss the City’s ongoing efforts to pursue the Auditorium and Gymnasium. A feasibility study will be required to determine what is needed to get the building to ADA compliance. CP Glenn has reached out to CM Curtis Beulah. 

    CP Glenn announce several Warrior Proud moments. 

    CP Glenn along with other elected officials and senior staff met with Delegate Johnson. Key topics that were discussed were the Electric Trolley, the Health Care Commission, Harford Memorial Hospital. Overall the dialouge with Delegate Johnson was positive and very enlightening. 

    Comments from Citizens: 

    Peter  Ianniello: 2000 Level Road- Mr.  Ianniellois using a wildlife scatter device that will deter the birds away from his property. He owns a winery and proper notifications to the neighbors and to the Police Department have been made. 

    Camay Murphy- 564 Green St. Mrs. Murphy stated she may need additional funding for the Ernest Burke Statue. 

    A motion was made by CM Martin and seconded by CM Ringsaker to adjourn at 10:28 pm. Motion carries 6-0