City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing: Week of July 11, 2022 Havre de GraceCity of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing: Week of July 11, 2022 City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing: Week of July 11, 2022 Upcoming Public Meetings: July 18 – City Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m., City Hal Upcoming City Legislation: Ordinances: The following ordinances are scheduled to be heard on July 18, 2022, at the City Council Meeting: Ordinance concerning a Public Works Agreement for 100 Resonance Way: First Reading Ordinance No. 1079 concerning Repealing Chapter 25, Article XIII Employee Benefits and Compensation Commission: Second Reading Reappointments at City Council Meeting on July 18, 2022: Ellen Elgroth – Historic Preservation Commission Jean Johnson – Historic Preservation Commission J.W. Walker – Street & Traffic Safety Advisory Board Recognitions at City Council Meeting on July 18, 2022: Promoted to the Rank of Sergeant Sergeant Jeffrey Cokewell Sergeant Kenneth Terry Presentations at City Council Meeting on July 18, 2022: Historic Preservation Commission Beautification Awards Maritime Museum Exhibits Upcoming Events: Concerts in the Park, July 15, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Tydings Memorial Park Farmers Market, July 16, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 100 Block of St. John Street STAR Centre: Summer camps continue with “Junior Academy of Wizardry” for grades 1-4 and “Mixed Media Art” for ages 6-16 during the day. In the evening, Upward Harford Basketball Camp for boys & girls grades 1-6 will be running. The indoor public pickleball court will be closing at 3:00 p.m. July 11-15 to accommodate the basketball camp. Regular hours will resume on July 16. Department of Finance: Pay Online – Water/Sewer, Property Taxes, and Municipal Invoices at www.havredegrace.com. Click on the Payment Center Tab. Register as a user and you can save, store and schedule payments. Or make a one time payment using your account number and pin. Pins are located on your invoice and can be changed by request only. When making tax or water/sewer payments online, please be sure to use the account number for the type of bill for which you are trying to pay. If you enter your tax id when you are wanting to pay your water bill, the payment will be posted to your taxes. The payment always follows the account number! Sign up for Water/Sewer e-Billing at www.havredegracemd.com. Click on eBilling Registration tab located at the top of the home page. Property Tax Bills for 22/23 have been mailed. Annual payments are due by September 30, 2022. For Those properties qualified by the State, Semi-Annual payments are due by September 30 and December 30, 2022. Properties with outstanding balances for 21/22 or older may have been sold in the County’s Tax Sale. Check with City Hall (410) 939-1800 before attempting to pay your 21/22 or older real property taxes. Payments for any property in Tax Sale must be paid by cash, money order, or certified bank check and no online payments will be accepted. Water/Sewer Bills for July have been mailed. Payments are due by July 31, 2022. Call Tara Leever at City Hall, (410) 939-1800, ext. 1110 and make arrangements to pay your Water/Sewer account if you are unable to pay your outstanding bill in full. Now is a good time to check your home for water leaks. Small faucet drips and leaking toilets can increase your bill significantly. Don’t let a running toilet run up your water bill. Visit the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’S website for tips on eliminating leaks in your home and ideas on how to conserve water at: https://www.epa.gov/watersense Please Do Not Put Cash in the Drop Box at City Hall. Weekly Briefing Points Havre de Grace Police Department 2022 Hurricane Season June 1, 2022, marks the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season which runs through November 30, 2022. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects this to be another overactive season with more tropical systems than the average season, so we urge all residents to prepare now to reduce loss of life and property. We encourage our residents to individually prepare for hurricane season now and not wait until the last minute. Individual and community preparedness is essential for reducing the loss of life and property during and after tropical storms and hurricanes. Here are a few tips for preparation that are easy to do now and not at the last minute when a hurricane is fast approaching: Disaster Supply Checklist Be sure to gather the following items to ensure your family’s basic comfort and well-being in case of an emergency. Cash — Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods. Water — at least one gallon per person per day for three to seven days, plus water for pets. Food — at least enough for three to seven days, including: Non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices, food for infants and the elderly, snack food, non-electric can opener, vitamins, paper plates, and plastic utensils. Radio — battery powered and NOAA weather radio with extra batteries. Whistle – so you can be heard if needed Blankets, pillows, etc. Clothing — seasonal, rain gear/ sturdy shoes. First Aid Kit — plus medicines, prescription drugs, eyeglasses Special items — for babies and the elderly. Toiletries — hygiene items, moisture wipes, sanitizer. Flashlight and batteries. Keys. Toys, books, games. Pet care items, proper identification, immunization records, ample food and water (a gallon per day per pet), medicine, a carrier or cage, and leash. Store important documents in a waterproof fire container. Insurance papers Medical records Bank account numbers Social Security cards Deeds or mortgages Birth and marriage certificates Stocks and bonds Recent tax returns Wills Keep Your Kit Fresh Remember to replace stored food and water every six months, keep a supply of fresh batteries on hand and keep your most important up-to-date family papers in a fire and waterproof container. The Importance of Water Stocking an emergency water supply should be one of your top priorities to have enough water for yourself and your family. While individual needs will vary depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate, a normally active person needs at least two quarts of drinking water daily. Children, nursing mothers, and people who are ill need more water. For scorching temperatures, double the amount of water needed. Because you will also need water for sanitary purposes and possibly for cooking, you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. When storing water, use thoroughly washed plastic, fiberglass, or enamel-lined containers. Don’t use containers that can break, such as glass bottles. Never use a container that has held toxic substances. Camping supply stores offer a variety of appropriate containers. Plastic containers, like soda bottles, are best. Seal your water containers tightly, label them and store them in a cool, dark place. It is essential to change stored water every six months. These are just a few suggestions for supplies you may need in case you have to evacuate or are stranded in your home during a weather emergency. Feel free to add to your emergency supply list. Department of Economic Development & Tourism: The third edition of the quarterly newsletter, The Havre de Grace Business Beat, was published on Thursday, June 30 and can be found on https://www.subscribepage.com/hdgbusinessbeat. U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (all D-Md.) announced $319,200 to invest in Harford County’s travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation. This investment through the Economic Development Administration’s Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program was funded by the American Rescue Plan. The grant will fund the following projects: Electric shuttle bus with charger Transient 10′ x 100-foot boat pier at the foot of Green St. Completion of Swan Harbor Nature Trail with 5′ x 100 walking bridge (connects through the Chesapeake Industrial Park to Swan Harbor Trail) Department of Planning: Harford County Planning Staff is meeting with the Havre de Grace Historic Commission on July 12, 2022 at 7:00pm to discuss the County’s most recent historic preservation legislation;. Council President Jim Ringsaker is holding a workshop with the Department of Planning to discuss short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units on June 25, 2022 directly following the 6:00 pm public hearing. Residents are able to attend, but the meeting is not open for public comment; A Board of Appeals hearing will be held on July 28, 2022 at 6:30pm at City Hall; A Board of Appeals hearing is tentatively scheduled for August 18, 2022 at City Hall. Department of Public Works: Continuing work on the Living Shoreline. The boat ramp bids are due 7/29/22. Engineering is progressing on three stormwater projects as follows: Lilly Run through Evonik, then the elementary school and along Wilson Street – surveying is complete. Chesapeake Drive restoration. Living Shoreline at the end of Congress Ave. Currently working on having the sewer line off 155 camered by the Lock House. Completing the new water line on Wilson St. and then will move to Green St. to replace their water line. Working on upgrades to valves on the main pump station force main.
