City Council Minutes – January 21, 2020

    January 21, 2020

    Public Hearing Proceedings

    Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 1028 Amending City Code Chapter 204 Annexation Policy and Procedure, was called to order by Mayor Martin at 7pm.
    Council Members Present: CP Glenn, CM Robertson, CM Ringsaker, CM Zinner and CM Boyer. CM Martin was absent.
    Public Hearing Ordinance 1028

    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 THROUGH THE ADDITION OF CHAPTER 204, GENERALLY RELATING TO ANNEXATION POLICY AND PROCEDURE.
    No comments from citizens and no comments from Council were made.
    Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 1028 Closed at 7:03pm.

    Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 1029 Amending City Code Chapter 205 Entitled “Conditional Uses” was called to order by Mayor Martin at 7:03pm.
    Council Members Present: CP Glenn, CM Robertson, CM Ringsaker, CM Zinner and CM Boyer. CM Martin was absent.
    Public Hearing Ordinance 1029
    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 VI RO RESIDENTIAL OFFICE DISTRICT, SECTION 205-24, ENTITLED “CONDITIONAL USES” BY REVISING THE LIST OF CONDITIONAL USES.

    Roberta Scoville of 610 Chesapeake Drive, asked for the ordinance to be explained. Deputy Director Shane Grimm from the City Planning Department provided an explanation to the citizen. No comments were made from Council.
    Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 1029 Closed at 7:07pm.
    January 21, 2020
    Council Meeting Proceedings
    The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council was called to order on January 21, 2020 at 7:07 pm with Mayor Martin presiding.
    Council Members present: CP Glenn, CM Robertson, CM Ringsaker, CM Boyer, CM Zinner and CM Martin was absent.
    The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and opening prayer was given by Pastor Norman Obenshain
    CM Boyer moved to approve the Council Meeting minutes of January 6, 2020 Seconded by CM Ringsaker. Motion carries 5-0.

    Comments were made by citizens on agenda items.
    Kirk Smith of 120 S. Washington Street – Had several questions regarding the Special Event application for the Hospice Regatta 2020.
    Jeannie Vincenti Churchville MD – Standing in for Council President Vincenti

    Presentation: by Carol Zimmerman of the Havre de Grace Green Team and Craig Heron with Whiteford, Taylor & Preston L.L.P., the City’s bond counsel.

    Appointments: CP Glenn moved to re-appoint Philip Powell to the Board of Appeals. Second made by CM Robertson. Motion carries 5-0

    New Business: Budget Amendment 2020-06 CM Robertson moved to approve. Second made by CP Glenn. Motion carries 5-0
    Budget Amendment 2020-07 CM Robertson moved to approve. Second made by CM Zinner. Motion carries 5-0

    57th Annual HDG Art Show- CP Glenn moved to approve. Second made by CM Ringsaker. Motion carries 5-0

    Mardi Gras Parade – CM Zinner moved to approve. Second made by CM Boyer. Motion carries 5-0

    39th Annual Decoy Festival – CP Glenn moved to approve. Second made by CM Zinner. Motion carries 5-0

    Senator Bob Hooper Hospice Regatta – CM Robertson moved to approve. Second made by CM Boyer. Motion carries 5-0.

    Children’s Arts Festival – CM Zinner moved to approve. Second made by CM Robertson. Motion carries 5-0

    Directors Report:
    Patrick Sypolt Director of Administration: 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: Thanked the Council for the reappointment of Phil Powell to the Board of Appeals. Mr. Grimm stated that the Department of Planning will be receiving plans for the remainder of Greenway Farms, which they will be reviewed by the Planning Commission in late February.

    Mrs. Erika Quesenbery-Sturgill Director of Economic Development: On City travel.
    Mr. George DeHority Director of Finance: The current financial condition of General Fund 1, Water/Sewer Fund 9 and Marina Fund 8 were presented by Mr. DeHority.

    Mr. Tim Whittie Director of the Department of Public Works: Advertising of to modify the existing Odor-Control System at the Main Pump Station on Lafayette Street by installing a water recycling system. We are advertising for bids. Bradford Green stream restoration due to restart this week until finished. With the exception of planting which will occur in the spring.

    Chief Teresa Walter Havre de Grace PD: The Polar Bear Plunge to raise money for the Special Olympics is to take place January 24th.
    Business from Mayor Martin: The Havre de Grace Ice Festival was held over the weekend and was well attended with beautiful Ice Sculptures. The Mayor commended all involved on a job well done. Mayor Martin explained in detail the recent informational mailer received by citizens as it relates to the special election being held on Tuesday February the 4th from 7am to 8pm at city hall. The special election is to seek permission from the registered voters of the City of Havre de Grace to solicit proposals and to ascertain options to issue bonds, whether by public or private sale, and to issue such bonds and obtain necessary interim financing. This will address water distribution and wastewater collection systems capital infrastructure projects.

    Business from Council:
    Council Member Ringsaker: Had a great time at the Ice Festival. Thank you to the Green Team which he loves and supports. 13th Annual Vintage Hunting and Fishing show will be held in Level. He looks forward to the event again this year. CM Ringsaker stated he will be voting yes on the Bond Bill which he fully supports.

    Council Member Robertson: Thursday 23rd at 7pm the Youth Commission will meet at City Hall. Sons of the American Legion Squadron 47 will host their annual Valentine’s Day Dinner on February 8th with several serving times. Tickets are $37 a person. Burns Weekend is also coming up this weekend. Go on Eventbrite and look for Havre de Grace Burns Night for more detailed information.

    Council Member Zinner: Project Homeless Connect is happening this Thursday and if anyone would want to volunteer it is at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena at Harford Community College the doors open at 9am on January the 23rd. The Arts Commission is looking for Volunteers. The Historic Commission has three seats available for anyone who is interested in volunteering
    Council Member Martin: Absent.

    Council Member Boyer: Stated she is 100 percent in support of the Bond Bill. Thanked the Green Team for coming out to present tonight. CM Boyer is a big fan of Kitchen Waste Composting. She shared how this also goes to Veterans Composting which is a great community helping community reward and you can recycle pizza boxes. CM Boyer encouraged others to be a part of this.

    Council President Glenn: Shared his Warrior proud moment stating that he received an email over the weekend from Harry Miller, Project Engineer for the replacement school and he stated they are still on schedule. He said what a difference this will make on enhancing the educational experience for our students.

    CP Glenn made a public apology to the County Council for not acting on legislation they never received. An oversight on his part, but due in large to the passion he has for the residents he represents. In trying to get resolution to the water line issue, he stated the following: “We have a lot of smart people in this County and I am confident that if we can get all the respective stakeholders to the table, we can come up with a viable solution. With that said, we look forward to hearing from our Harford County counterparts.”

    Comments from Citizens:
    Joe Kochenderfer of 819 Tydings Road- Today he and his wife Sara, celebrate their 64th Wedding Anniversary.
    He thanked his lovely wife and shared with all how very much he loves her. He thanked Council for their time as he shared his feelings on this very special occasion.
    Louise Silsbee of Darlington Road – Thanked the Green Team for their contribution to Grace House.

    Adjournment: A motion was made by CP Glenn and seconded by CM Boyer to adjourn at 9:17pm. Motion carried 5-0
    Video recording of the City Council Meeting may be viewed online through Harford Cable Network.
    Respectfully Submitted by,
    Resa Laird