City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of July 25, 2022 Havre de GraceCity of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of July 25, 2022 Department of Administration: Appointments/Reappointments: Ellen Eltgroth and Jean Johnson were reappointed to the Historic Preservation Commission and J.W. Walker was reappointed to the Street & Traffic Safety Advisory Board. EJ Millisor was sworn in as the Director of Public Works. Recognitions: Sergeant Jeffrey Cokewell and Sergeant Kenneth Terry were recognized for their promotion to the rank of Sergeant. Beautification Awards were given by the Historic Preservation Commission to Michael & Bonnie Gaborek of 313 Fountain Street, Nathanael & Mary Gordon of 310 S. Washington Street, and Lee & Phyllis Perzanowski of 624 Linden Lane. Upcoming Public Meetings: July 28 – Board of Appeals Meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers July 28 – Youth Commission Meeting, 7:00 p.m, City Hall Conference Room August 1 – City Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers Upcoming City Legislation: August 1 – Ordinance #1080 Public Works Agreement for 100 Resonance Way (Second Reading), 7:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers Upcoming Events: July 29 – Concerts in the Park, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Tydings Memorial Park July 30 – Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 100 Block of St. John Street July 30 – Golden World of Disability, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Tydings Memorial Park Department of Public Works Water Street Boat Ramp project bid opening date has been revised to August 15, 2022. Bulle Rock Parkway parcels P (Phase 1) and Parcel QA plans have been technically approved and are moving through the PWA and bonding process. Greenway Farm Phase III Road and Storm Drain and Water and Sewer plans have been technically approved and are moving through the PWA and bonding process. The Stormwater Management plans still have comments to be addressed. Waiting on proposal from JMT Consulting for design of replacement of valves and air release valves. Lane Paving – Contractor to begin resurfacing of St. James Terrace and the patching of Chapel Road from Blenheim Farm Road to Bulle Rock Parkway by end of July. Route 155 water line plans from WTP to Graceview – 90% drawings reviewed and comments sent back. MS-4 Projects: Lilly Run under design. Chesapeake Drive – Setting up a community meeting to discuss the project during the first week of August. Department of Planning: The Department of Planning is auditing open permits and notifying some residents that there may be some additional information required to close out old files. If a resident receives a letter and has any questions, we urge them to contact the department at 410-939-1800. Harford County Planning Staff is meeting with the Havre de Grace Historic Preservation Commission on August 9, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the County’s most recent historic preservation legislation. A Board of Appeals hearing is tentatively scheduled for August 18, 2022 at City Hall. Department of Finance: Pay Online – Water/Sewer, Property Taxes, and Municipal Invoices at: www.havredegracemd.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 the 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. User Benefit Bills for 21/22 will be mailed later this week. Properties with outstanding balances for 21/22 or older likely 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. If you are having trouble paying your City bill on time, 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. Department of Economic Development and Tourism: The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, through Project Restore, is providing financial support to Maryland’s existing or new businesses to help incentivize commercial investment in vacant retail and commercial properties. Project Restore provides two grant opportunities for businesses, including nonprofits, that are expanding, moving to or opening in a property that was previously vacant for at least six months: Property Assistance Grant: Provides up to $30,000 for one year to support costs associated with rent, mortgage payment or property improvements as applicable. Business Operations Grant: For businesses that generate sales and use tax, provides up to $250,000 per calendar year to support capital (property improvements, equipment etc.) and operating (staff salaries, marketing, inventory etc.) costs associated with business operations in the vacant property. Please visit https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Pages/ProjectRestore/default.aspx for additional information or to apply online for the grant. Facade & Tenant Fit-Out grant funding is available for businesses located in the downtown Main Street District. Working with the Department of Planning on updating the Economic Development & Tourism section of the City Comprehensive Plan. Submitted letter of request to the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development seeking approval to extend the downtown Main Street District from the foot of Congress Avenue to Girard Street.
