City Council Meeting Minutes November 4, 2019

    November 4, 2019

    Public Hearing Proceedings

    Public Hearings on Charter Amendment Resolution No. 284 and Ordinance 1025 Amendment 205, Zoning Article I Section 205-3 “Parking for single family dwellings” was called to order by Mayor Martin at 7pm.

    Council Members Present: CP Glenn, CM Robertson, CM Ringsaker, CM Boyer and CM Martin. CM Zinner Absent.

    Charter Amendment Resolution No. 284

    A RESOLUTION BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF HAVRE DE GRACE, MARYLAND ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION ARTICLE XI-E, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND, AND THE HAVRE DE GRACE CITY CHARTER SECTION 19 AMENDING CITY CHARTER SECTION 17 CHANGING THE TERM OF THE MAYOR FROM TWO YEARS TO THREE YEARS TO BECOME EFFECTIVE AT THE NEXT MAYORAL ELECTION SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE CITIZENS OF HAVRE DE GRACE

    Comments from citizens:  

    Kirk Smith – 120 South Washington Street

    Joe Kochenderfer – Tydings Road

    Public Hearing on Charter Amendment Resolution No. 284   Closed at 7:08pm

    Ordinance 1025

    AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY PROVIDED BY THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION ARTICLE XI-E, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND, AND CITY CHARTER SECTIONS 33 AND 34 AMENDING THE CITY CODE CHAPTER 205: ZONING, ARTICLE I, GENERAL PROVISIONS, SECTION 205-3, BY REVISING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PARKING FOR SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS ON EXISTING LOTS OF RECORD PRIOR TO MARCH 15, 1982.

     

     

    Comments from citizens: None

    The public hearing for Ordinance 1025 was closed at 7:11pm

    November 4, 2019

    Council Meeting Proceedings

    The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council was called to order on November 4, 2019 at 7:11 pm with Mayor Martin presiding.

    Council Members present: CP Glenn, CM Robertson, CM Ringsaker, CM Boyer and CM Martin.  CM Zinner Absent

    The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and opening prayer was given.

    CM Martin moved to approve the Council Meeting minutes of October 21, 2019.  Motion carries 5-0.

     

    Comments from citizens on agenda items:

    Kirk Smith – 120 South Washington Street

    Presentations:  Nathan Swartz and Mike Samson, CPA with Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC – Presented Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Statements.

     

    Appointments:

    Youth CommissionCM Robertson moved to re-appointed two members of the Youth Commission – Dena Cardwell and William Howard Jr, seconded by CP Glenn. Motion carries 5-0.

    Independence Day Commission- CP Glenn moved to appoint Kim Fillinger to the Independence Day Commission, seconded by CM Ringsaker. Motion carries 5-0

    Cultural Exchange Commission – CM Boyer moved to appoint Wanda Boker and Vicki O’Keefe to the Cultural Exchange Commission, seconded by CM Martin. Motion carries 5-0.

    Oaths of Office Mayor Martin conferred the oath of Office to Kim Fillinger, Wanda Boker and Vicki O’Keefe; In addition, Mayor Martin and Chief Walter introduced newly hired Police Officer Vincent Thrappas and Mayor Martin conveyed the Oath of Office to him.

    Old Business:  An update on the Warren Street Sewer Line Project was presented by Department of Public Works Chief Joe Conaway.

     

    New Business:

    Special Events – A motion was made by CP Glenn (second by CM Ringsaker) to approve the HDG Duck Drop to be held on December 31, 2019 starting at 10 pm.  Motion carries 5-0.

     

    Directors Report:

    Patrick Sypolt- Director of Administration: Mr. Sypolt provided dates of upcoming events in Havre de Grace which are available on the tourism website at www.explorehavredegrace.com.

    Mr. Shane Grimm: Deputy Director of Planning– The Department is still very busy evaluating and making proposed changes to City Codes.

    Mrs. Erika Quesenbery Sturgill: Director of Economic Development– Thanked the Havre de Grace Economic Development Advisory Board for visiting the various businesses that opened this year to present them with a special City certificate.

    Mr. George DeHority: Director of Finance– gave the current financial condition of General Fund 1, Water/Sewer Fund 9 and Marina Fund 8.

    Joe Conaway: DPW Chief- gave an update on the Capital Paving Project.

    Chief Teresa Walter: – No shave November proceeds, proceeds to be donated to Zero, in honor of Council President Glenn.

     

    Business from Mayor Martin

    Mayor Martin congratulated Lyons Pharmacy on celebrating 125 years of business in our beautiful City on October 22, 2019.

    Mayor Martin was happy to be a part of the dedication ceremony conducted on October 29, 2019 at the Concord Point Storm Water Management Pond.

    Mayor Martin was happy to announce the Veterans Only Parking, in special locations around the City, as a “Thank you for your service”.

     

    Business from Council: 

    Council Member Martin:  CM Martin asked that we please remember to take part in Toys for Tots. Also the Holiday Tree Jubilee will be held December 5th through the 7th.

    Council Member Boyer:  CM Boyer announced the next Tree Commission meeting will be held on November the 21st and volunteers are needed to assist in collecting information.  Also on November 25th at 6pm, the Street and Traffic Committee will meet.

    Council Member Ringsaker: CM Ringsaker announced the next Wage and Benefit Meeting will be held November 20th at 7:30pm.

    Council Member Robertson: CM Robertson announced the Budget and Finance Committee will meet on November 5th at 5:30pm; The Youth Commission will meet November 28 th at 7pm. Also November 4th to 8th, is National Veterans Small Business Week.

    Council President Glenn:  CP Glenn’s challenge to Havre de Grace, please take time out to say… Thank You for Your Service, to a Veteran no matter where you may be.

    CP Glenn announced the Public Input Session regarding the Water and Sewer findings and commission report will be held on November the 14th.

    CP Glenn also announced the public input session regarding traffic changes on Canvasback Drive in Grace Harbor will be held November 20th at 6:30pm in the Council Chambers

    CP Glenn is happy with how well construction is moving forward on the replacement school and how he is looking forward to the “long – awaited” ribbon cutting ceremony.

     

    Comments from Citizens:

    Jack Hirschfield – No address given.

    Kirk Smith – 120 South Washington Street

    Adjournment:  

    A motion was made by CP Glenn to adjourn at 8:49 pm. Motion carries 5-0

    Video recording of the City Council Meeting may be viewed online through Harford Cable Network. https://hcn.viebit.com/player.php?hash=rIa7veCq6HYM