City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of September 6, 2022 Havre de GraceCity of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of September 6, 2022 Department of Administration Proclamations: The following proclamations were presented at the City Council Meeting on 9/6: Havre de Grace Arts Week National Recovery Month Junior All Star Softball Team Appointment: Rylee Grode was appointed to the Youth Commission at the City Council Meeting on 9/6. Upcoming Public Meetings: September 9 – Water & Sewer Commission Meeting, 3 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers September 13 – Cultural Exchange Commission Meeting, 7 p.m., City Hall Conference Room September 13 – Historic Preservation Commission Meeting, 7 p.m., City Hall Conference Room City Legislation: The following legislation was introduced at the City Council Meeting on 9/6: Calendar Resolution concerning Recognition of Property at 501 St. John Street as a Living War Memorial (adopted with amendment) Calendar Resolution concerning a License Agreement for a Replacement Sign at 328 St. John Street (adopted) Calendar Resolution concerning a License Agreement for a Walkway at 262 Lewis Street (adopted) Calendar Resolution concerning Annexation of 1633 Pulaski Highway (adopted) Charter Resolution concerning Annexation of 1633 Pulaski Highway: First Reading (Public Hearing will be 10/17/22 at 7 p.m.) Ordinance No. 1081 concerning a Tax Waiver for 1828 Pulaski Highway: Second Reading (adopted) Ordinance No. 1082 concerning Creating a Process for Establishing Legislative Priorities and Positions: Second Reading (adopted) Ordinance No. 1083 concerning a Temporary Tax Waiver for Habitat for Humanity Properties: Second Reading (adopted) Ordinance No. 1084 concerning Extension of Temporary Moratorium on Short-Term Rentals: First Reading (Public Hearing will be 9/19/22 at 7 p.m.) Ordinance No. 1085 concerning Amending Chapter 25, Article VIII Youth Commission: First Reading (Public Hearing will be 9/19/22 at 7 p.m.) Language Ratified in Resolution 2022-22 – Establish Legislative Priorities and Positions for the 2023 Session of the Maryland General Assembly (As Amended) Upcoming Events: September 9 – Waterfront Festival with Lighted Boat Parade, 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Concord Point Park/Moore Family Homestead September 10 – Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 100 Block of St. John Street September 10 – Children’s Art Festival, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Tydings Memorial Park September 10 – Waterfront Festival with Fireworks, 1 p.m.-7 p.m., Concord Point Park/Moore Family Homestead September 11 – 11th Blessing of the Animals & Pet Expo, 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Concord Point Park September 11 – 2nd Sunday Hymn Sing, 5 p.m.-6 p.m., Tydings Memorial Park Police Department Back to School School is back in session. This means there is an increase in school buses, pedestrian foot traffic, and parents taking their children to school. Please pay attention to school buses that are stopped to pick up and drop off children. Do not overtake and pass a school bus when its lights are activated. Upcoming Events The Waterfront Festival is this Friday, September 9th, and Saturday, September 10, 2022. Fireworks are also scheduled for Saturday evening, which means an increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Please pay attention to road closures and the directions given by police officers while attending the event. Following directions, the signs, parking, road closure, etc. will reduce the risk of injuries or accidents. We want everyone attending to enjoy the event and go home safely. The Susquehanna River Running Festival will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon, with a series of running events beginning at 8:00 a.m. from Millard Tydings Memorial Park. Road closures will start at 7:00 a.m. and continue until the conclusion of the event. Union Avenue will be closed during the race. However, the Police Department will make every attempt to allow drivers to cross over Union Avenue, throughout the race, depending upon the location of the runners at the time. Again, safety for race participants, and drivers is paramount, so please be patient, and we will make every attempt to assist you while the race is in progress. The 2nd Annual Susquehanna Wine & Seafood Festival is also on Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Concord Point Lighthouse. There will be road closures in the festival area, so please be mindful of the signs, directions, barricades, and instructions related to the event. We Are Hiring 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 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 Weather dependent, the repaving of Route 155, along Superior St. will begin early next week. Please plan alternative routes accordingly, anticipating an MDOT one-lane road closure early next week. There have been approximately 600 water meter replacing outdated meters. If you’ve received a City notice that your water meter needs to be serviced or replaced, please call City Hall, within working hours, to schedule a time during the week. The downtown restoration project is on schedule. Engineers have recently completed topographical and infrastructure surveys. Additionally, we’ve conducted environment, natural resource, and historic impact reviews before we proceed with cost estimates. We received approval from DNR to move forward with awarding the Water Street Boat Ramp and Bulkhead project. This project will include a dual-lane boat ramp launch, a kayak soft launch, an associated bulkhead, a floating pier, and a parking lot. The project will proceed as anticipated. Weather dependent, the Bulle Rock Tower and Wilson St. water lines are scheduled to wrap up within the next few weeks. After Wilson St. work comes to a close, contractors will begin replacing the water lines on Green St. Department of Planning The Department of Planning is looking for input from the public on its 2023 Comprehensive Plan. If you are interested in guiding the growth of the city in the future, please visit our StoryMaps that help inspire and discuss the City’s past, present and future.. https://havredegracemd.gov/envision-hdg-havre-de-grace-comprehensive-plan/ Upcoming meetings: On September 19th at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting, Tim Bourcier, Director of Planning, will present the moratorium report on short-term rentals. The Planning Commission will hold a hearing on September 26th at 6:30 pm at City Hall. The agenda is available on the City’s website and is posted outside of City Hall for public review. Department of Economic Development & Tourism The Tourism Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, September 21, at 10:00 am at City Hall in the Council Chamber. The Economic Development Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, September 21, 4:00pm at City Hall in the Council Chamber. New Business Opening – The Yoga Company, 421 Congress Avenue. New Business Opening – Turn Key Construction, 409 North Union Avenue. The business will offer retail sales, interior design, construction services, and cleaning.
