City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing: Week of June 13, 2022 Havre de GraceCity of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing: Week of June 13, 2022 June 20th – City Hall will be closed in observance of Juneteenth Office of the Mayor: Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Commission: A meeting was recently held with stakeholders. The project is beginning to move into the final design Some ancillary work will begin in the next 12 months (to include surveying, removal of the existing bridge piles, and work on the Lewis Lane Bridge) Employee Benefits & Compensation Commission: The Employee Benefits & Compensation Commission has successfully achieved its objective and will be decommissioned. An ordinance to dissolve the Commission will be introduced at an upcoming meeting. Department of Administration: Upcoming Public Meetings: All meetings listed below will be held at City Hall. June 14, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting June 15, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. Tourism Advisory Board June 15, 2022, at 4:00 P.M. Economic Development Advisory Board June 16, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 1078 – FY 2023 Budget June 21, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. Mayor and City Council Tentatively scheduled – June 30th at 6:30 P.M. Board of Appeals meeting Job Openings: Apply/View More Information. Marine Maintenance Worker Director of Public Works Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Summer Marina Attendant City Ambassador and Trolley Driver Driver/Laborer I The Havre de Grace Police Department is Hiring The City is seeking highly qualified individuals who are interested in a career or want to continue in law enforcement. Our Police Officers are dedicated and committed to providing quality service to the community. Recruits and laterals must possess the highest personal and professional integrity, commitment, and dependability standards. Qualified applicants will undergo testing and evaluation before being considered for a future class in a certified Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission Police Academy. Recruit Police Officer $10,000 Recruitment and Retention Bonus (Paid over 5 Years) Lateral Police Officer $10,000 Recruitment and Retention Bonus (Paid over 5 Years) Police Communication Officer As the first point of contact in an emergency, communication officers play a critical role in keeping the public safe and responding to law enforcement officers. The communication officer receives calls on the City’s emergency 911 system, including emergency calls, and non-emergency calls. Performs a variety of communication duties essential to the preservation of law and order in the City of Havre de Grace, Maryland; is responsible for accurate and rapid call-taking and information dissemination, as well as dispatching police services and equipment to calls for service; works closely with other public safety agencies to include fire and EMS; must be able to respond quickly, accurately and calmly in emergency situations to get assistance to appropriate locations in the shortest time possible. If you are interested in any of those positions, you may contact the Havre de Grace Police Department, Capt. Joe Alton at (410) 939-2121 or Mr. Chris Ricci, City of Havre de Grace Human Resource Manager, at (410) 939-1800 for additional information. City Legislation: Resolutions: The following resolutions were passed at the June 6, 2022, City Council Meeting: Calendar Resolution 2022-14 concerning a Memorandum of Understanding with the Havre de Grace Green Team for Composting Calendar Resolution 2022-15 concerning a Policy to Support Renewable Energy Generation Calendar Resolution 2022-16 concerning a Policy to Reduce Electricity Consumption (Resolutions can be found at: https://ecode360.com/HA1757/documents/Resolutions/) Ordinances: The following ordinance had a first reading at the June 6, 2022, City Council Meeting: Ordinance No.1078 concerning the FY 2023 Budget (Ordinance No. 1078 can be found at: https://havredegracemd.gov/app/uploads/2022/06/2022-06-16-Public-Notice-Agenda.pdf) Appointments: No appointments were made at the June 6, 2022, City Council Meeting. We have a number of appointments that will need to be considered Proclamations and Recognitions: The Mayor and City Council issued the following proclamations at the June 6, 2022, City Council Meeting. Emergency Medical Services Week – May 15-21, 2022 Susquehanna Ministerium Association, Inc. 30th Anniversary Grace Place 30th Anniversary STAR Centre: RAGE Dance Troupe had their performances this past weekend Trolley Information: May totals: Ran 3 days, 42 operating hours, 438 riders, 351.5 miles June totals to date: Ran 6 days, 90 operating hours, 1,476 riders, 810 miles This past weekend: Ran 3 days, 42 operating hours, 550 riders, 407 miles Police Department: The Havre de Grace Police Department cautions folks to pay attention to pedestrians crossing streets, going to and leaving all of our signature special events. Please yield the right of way to pedestrians in the crosswalks and pay attention to people who might not use the designated crosswalks to get to the other side of the road. If you are a pedestrian, we can’t emphasize enough the importance of using the crosswalks versus trying to cross the street between designated crosswalks. Frequently, you are hidden by parked vehicles, your line of sight is limited, and drivers are not expecting you to step into the road and traffic. So, please use the crosswalks to avoid an accident and injuries. Along with special events comes road closures, parking restrictions, and traffic direction by police officers. Please keep your speed down, do not drive distracted, and pay attention to road closures, parking restrictions, and the police officers. We ask you not to remove barricades or sign notifications during the events. You will receive a citation and might have your vehicle towed if caught. Police officers giving you traffic directions can move the traffic quickly if drivers are patient and courteous to other drivers and follow the officers’ directions. Department of Public Works Water Street Improvements begin June 13, 2022: Living Shorelines: Are natural-based shorelines that re-establish the relationship between land and natural water bodies. They are three-dimensional consisting of shallow aquatic beds, tidal marsh, beach strands, tidal pools, and wetlands, and integrate well with the non-tidal and terrestrial ecosystems. They create a high-value plant and wildlife habitat which is easily accessed by river and bay organisms. They act as a natural defense against storm surges and other climate change impacts like sea-level rise. The lower maintenance improves water quality and creates recreational spaces for people to enjoy the outdoors and reconnect with nature. With the issuance of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ permit, the funds associated with the boat ramp and parking lot will be released by DNR to begin the RFP process to secure a contractor for the construction. Department of Planning: Tim Bourcier has been hired as the new Planning Director for the city. We thank Shane Grimm for seven years of service. Beginning July 5th, the hours for the Permits Window will be shortened to 9 A.M.- 5 P.M. 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. Property Tax Bills for 22/23 will be mailed by July 1, 2022. Annual payments are due by September 30, 2022. Semi-Annual payments are due by September 30 and December 30, 2022. 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. Spring is finally here!! Now is an excellent 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 Water/Sewer bills late payment notices were mailed on June 7, 2022. Water/Sewer Disconnect for Non Payment – June 22, 2022 If you have real estate that is subject to Tax Sale, you have until 3:00 P.M. on June 17, 2022, to pay the balance due to the City. The Tax Sale proceedings will begin on June 21 at 10:00 A.M. You will need to contact Harford County government if you owe both City and County Taxes on the property. 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. Please Do Not Put Cash in the Drop Box at City Hall. 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! Department of Economic Development and Tourism: Business Updates: Elite Comfort Solutions LLC, a leading manufacturer of specialty foam used for bedding and furniture production, is planning to expand to Maryland by establishing its first manufacturing facility in the state. The company plans to grow its foam pouring and fabrication manufacturing capabilities in a newly leased facility located in the Harford County Enterprise Zone in Havre de Grace. Elite Comfort Solutions, which is a subsidiary of diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt, Incorporated, expects to add 225 new full-time jobs within the next three years. Policy Updates: On Monday, June 6, the City Council passed two resolutions to reduce municipal energy consumption by 15% and increase renewable energy consumption by 20% over the next five years. As a Maryland Smart Energy Community member, the City of Havre de Grace plans to meet those goals by converting municipal buildings and outdoor lights to LED and prioritizing off-grid solar street lighting for newly constructed City-owned parking lots, with grant money from the Maryland Energy Administration. On Thursday, June 9, the City submitted its Sustainable Communities Renewal application. This application process occurs every five years, and the City has been a certified Sustainable Community of Maryland since 2012. First Fridays: Over 100 vendors participated in June First Fridays, including five live bands and 13 food trucks. The kid’s zone will be back on lower Pennington for July First Fridays. Harford Brew tours brought a sold-out bus full of visitors. Upcoming Events: Fridays at 7:30 P.M. June and July – Concerts in the Park- Tydings Park Saturday 8:30 A.M. – Noon – Farmers Market June 14-18 – Carnival on the Chesapeake Capital Projects Summary: Rt. 40 Water Line: Is on schedule to be completed by late fall despite delays attributed to workforce reassignment. Visitor Center Adaptive Reuse: A site survey is underway, and the preliminary design draft is being expanded upon. Design submission for review is slated to occur in the upcoming weeks. Downtown Rehabilitation Project: Conceptual design has been completed. Site survey work resumes on Wednesday, June 15th. During this portion of work, the utilities and the hardscape are captured digitally for the design process. This process will involve several weeks of field and office. The Toole Design team will meet biweekly with City representatives throughout this process. Bulle Rock Water Tower: The tower is being recoated both inside and outside. Additionally, some modifications to the structure to enhance its useful service life are being performed. Work has begun in preparation for surface treatments. The overall project is scheduled to be completed within two months, weather permitting. Water and sewer lines: Water and sewer lines in several parts of the City are being replaced and repaired, bringing much-needed improvements and upgrades to those portions of our distribution system. Currently, crews are replacing the water line on Wilson Street. After which, they will turn their attention to Green Street. The sewer line along Commerce Street has been relined, as was the sewer line behind Francis Street. The Erie Street sewer line is currently being relined and repaired, and portions of Lafayette Street are being prepared for rehabilitation. Water Treatment Plant Solids Handling Facility: Preliminary work has begun for the renovation of the solids handling facility of the water treatment plant. Improvements to this facility will enhance and improve our overall treatment process and the costs associated with the dewatering process involved with sludge removal. National Guard Pump Station: Replacement of the pump station is scheduled to begin in two months. In preparation for the replacement, submittals are currently being reviewed and adjusted accordingly to facilitate an effective and efficient replacement process. Ongoing review of engineered plans for several parcels along Bulle Rock Parkway The City is waiting on BGE to complete St. James Terrace to perform paving.
