City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week  of October 4, 2022 

    City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing
    Week  of October 4, 2022 

    Department of Administration 

    Mayor’s Office

    • City Hall will be closed on October 10th for Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day. 
    • Official Signing of the Charter between the City of Havre de Grace and Mumbles, Wales, was held on October 3 at the Council Meeting.
    • Hurricane Ian is yet another reminder of the voracity of such weather events; Citizens should take this opportunity to review (1) storm preparation and evacuation planning, (2) insurance policies, and (3) security of important documentation.

    Upcoming Public Meetings/Hearings

    • October 6, 6:30 p.m. – Board of Appeals, City Hall Council Chambers
    • October 11, 7:00 p.m. – Historic Preservation Commission, City Hall Conference Room

    City Legislation

    The following legislation was acted on at the Council meeting on October 3, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall:

    Resolutions

    • Resolution concerning Establishing the Truck Traffic Workgroup – passed.
    • Resolution concerning a Lease Agreement for Installation of Historical Artifacts at 115 Market Street – passed.

    Ordinances

    • Ordinance No. 1084 concerning an Extension of a Temporary Moratorium on Short-Term Rentals (Second Reading) – passed
    • Ordinance No. 1085 concerning Amending Chapter 25, Article VIII Youth Commission (Second Reading) – passed
    • Ordinance No. 1086 concerning Amending Chapter 205 Zoning as it pertains to Accessory Dwelling Units – second reading/adoption scheduled for November 7
    • Ordinance No. 1087 concerning Amending Chapter 205 Zoning as it pertains to Lot of Record – second reading/adoption scheduled for November 7
    • Ordinance No. 1088 concerning an Agreement with the Havre de Grace Green Team for the Food Forest at Todd Park – second reading/adoption scheduled for October 17
    • Ordinance No. 1089 concerning a Tax Waiver for 1830 Pulaski Highway – second reading/adoption scheduled for October 17 

    Presentations 

    • October 12, 7:00 p.m. Archeological Society (Bill McIntyre) will give a presentation in the City Hall Council Chambers on the Concord Point Lighthouse site. It will be recorded and available on the City’s website.

    Job Openings 

    • PD Dispatchers
    • Driver/ Labor

    Upcoming Events

    • October 3-28 – Double Bogey Film Shoot begins at various locations – The first scene will be shot in the 400 Block of Bourbon Street on October 7.
    • October 7 – First Friday, 5:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Downtown
    • October 8 – Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 100 Block of St. John Street
    • October 8 – Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride Festival, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Concord Point Park
    • RESCHEDULED – Out of the Darkness Walk, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Tydings Memorial Park Rescheduled for November 5, 2022, walk to begin at 8:30 a.m.

    Police Department

    Fall Season

    • Fall is officially here, and it is getting dark outside earlier.  Whether you are going for a nice walk in the cool evening air or attending one of our signature special events, please consider wearing reflective clothing or some color so you may be more visible to vehicle drivers.

    New Police Recruits

    • The Police Department has hired two new people who are currently attending the Police Academy.  Those two officers will attend the Academy for approximately six months and, upon graduation, complete the required 12-week Field Training Officer. 

    We Are Hiring 

    • Even with the good news of hiring two new people to join our Police Department, we still need to hire additional personnel to fill our vacancies.  Here is how you go about applying:
    • If you are interested in pursuing a career in Law Enforcement, the Havre de Grace Police Department seeks folks who want to work in our great city with amazing people, serving our wonderful community.
    • We are looking for those of you with no law enforcement experience but who are willing to attend a Police Academy to become a certified police officer for the Havre de Grace Police Department.
    • We also have positions available for those currently certified police officers who want to lateral over to the Havre de Grace Police Department.
    • Likewise, for those who are not interested in becoming a police officer but want to help our community, we have positions available for Police Communications officers (PCO).
    • Whether you want to be a police officer or a police communications officer, please get in touch with Capt. Joe Alton, at 410-939-2121 or go to the City of Havre de Grace Website for complete information.

    Department of Public Works 

    • The Wilson St. waterline is nearly complete – contractors are awaiting the weather to clear up before they backfill, seed, and straw.
    • St. James Terrace paving was just completed.
    • DPW is short-staffed due to holiday leave, sickness, and normal turnover. We’re currently seeking several positions to fill at the Marina, Driver/Laborer and Storm Water Coordinator.
    • An RFP is out for a concrete sidewalk from Harris Field to Otsego/Juniata Bus Stop.
    • DPW is currently awaiting the 10% concept drawings for the Downtown Restoration Plan from Toole Design. 

    Department of Planning

    The Department of Planning is seeking input from citizens and business owners for its 2023 Comprehensive Plan.  We ask that you please visit our Envision HdG website and look through our StoryMaps project.  Each page tells a story about the City, with the goal of inspiring readers to suggest input to guide the future of the City.  We look forward to everyone’s participation!

    Upcoming meetings:

    • The Board of Appeals is meeting on October 6, 2022, at 6:30 pm at City Hall.
    • The Planning Commission will meet on October 24, 2022, at 6:30 pm at City Hall.
    • For 2023, the Board of Appeals is tentatively scheduled to meet on the first Thursday of every month.  The Planning Commission will meet on the second Monday of each month.
    • Meeting agendas can be found on the City website when available.

    Department of Economic Development & Tourism

    • A mandatory pre-proposal meeting was held on October 3 to answer questions pertaining to the construction of a public pier at the foot of Green Street. The final RFPs are due to the city on Friday, October 21st, by 2 pm.
    • Economic Development Week in Maryland is October 24 – 28, 2022.
    • The Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm in Council Chambers. The monthly meetings are “workshop” sessions with the intent to address current development projects and events.  For the next six months, the EDAB will focus on the Comprehensive Plan/Envision Havre de Grace, the Downtown Restoration Plan, and the return of the Martha Lewis Skipjack.
    • The Tourism Manager attended the Maryland Motorcoach show in Salisbury, MD, on September 26 – 27.  The Tour Operators are excited to be back on the road and interested in bringing tours to the City of Havre de Grace.
    •  We are recruiting volunteers to work at the Visitor Center on the weekends; if you are interested, please contact Lauri at 410-939-2100.
    • Planning for the upcoming Christmas Holiday Season has begun! Individuals and non-profits are encouraged to participate; please call  Lauri at 410-939-2100 for additional information.