March 2, 2020 City Council Minutes

    March 2, 2020

    Public Hearing Proceedings

    Public Hearings on Ordinance 1027, Ordinance 1030, Ordinance 1032, and Ordinance 1031 were called to order by Mayor Martin at 7 pm. Council Members Present: CP Glenn, CM Boyer, CM Ringsaker, CM Martin, and CM Robertson.  CM Zinner Absent.

    Ordinance 1027

    AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY PROVIDED BY THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION ARTICLE XI-E, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND, AND CITY CHARTER SECTIONS 33 AND 34, DELETING AND REPLACING CITY CODE CHAPTER 173, SUBDIVISION OF LAND, IN ITS ENTIRETY IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH NEW STANDARDS FOR THE SUBDIVISION OF LAND.

    Comments from Citizens:

    Robin Shane – 414 Webb Lane, Asked for clarification on wording.

    Public Hearing on Ordinance 1027 Closed at 7:06 pm

     

    Ordinance 1030

    AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF ARTICLE XI-E OF THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 23A OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND, AND SECTIONS 33 AND 34 OF THE HAVRE DE GRACE CITY CHARTER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AMENDING HAVRE DE GRACE CITY CODE CHAPTER 31 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ARTICLES I, II, III, IV AND V.

    Comments from Citizens:

    Robin Shane – 414 Webb Lane, Wording questions which Planning Director Shane Grimm offered to meet with Ms. Shane in order to go over all of her questions.

    Public Hearing on Ordinance 1030 Closed at 7:08 pm

     

    Ordinance 1032

    AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY PROVIDED BY THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION ARTICLE XI-E, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND, AND CITY CHARTER SECTIONS 33 AND 34 AMENDING THE CITY CODE CHAPTER 67: ETHICS, SECTION 2, ETHICS COMMISSION; FILING COMPLAINTS; AMENDMENTS, BY REVISING ITEM A, TO CLARIFY VOTING AND NON VOTING MEMBERS.

    Comments from Citizens:  No comments.

    Public Hearing on Ordinance 1032 Closed at 7:09 pm

    Ordinance 1031

    AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY PROVIDED BY THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION ARTICLE XI-E, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND, AND CITY CHARTER SECTIONS 33 AND 34 AMENDING THE CITY CODE CHAPTER 25: ARTICLE VII, ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERS, SECTION 25-36, BY REVISING ITEM 11, TO INCLUDED A REPRESENTATIVE FROM “VISIT HARFORD, INC.” AS AN EX-OFFICO MEMBER OF THE TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD

    Comments from Citizens:  No comments.

    Public Hearing on Ordinance 1031 Closed at 7:11 pm

     

    March 2, 2020

    Council Meeting Proceedings

    The regular meeting of the Mayor and City council was called to order on March 2, 2020 at 7:12 pm with Mayor Martin presiding.

    Council Members present: CP Glenn, CM Boyer, CM Ringsaker, CM Martin, and CM Robertson. CM Zinner Absent.

    The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and opening prayer was given by Pastor Jim Sterner of Webster Church UCC.

    Approval of Minutes:

    CM Martin moved to approve the Council Meeting minutes of February 18, 2020.  Seconded by CM Ringsaker.  Motion carries 5-0.

    CP Glenn moved to approve the Closed Session Minutes of February 18, 2020.  Seconded by CM Boyer.  Motion carries 5-0.

    CM Martin moved to approve the Special Council Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2020.  Seconded by CM Robertson.  Motion carries 5-0

    Comments from Citizens on Agenda items: Therese Campagnone of 405 Williams Ct. Thanked Council for considering the applications presented this evening for, Relay for Life.

    Kirk Smith of 120 S. Washington Street. Supports the MOU for the Green Team that is to be presented this evening.

    Denise Bloom of 141 Weber Street and 1650 L Mohegan Drive.  Supports the MOU for the Green Team that is to be presented this evening.

    Recognitions: Were presented by Mayor Martin to the Students of the Month.

    Havre de Grace Elementary School – Jaxon Williams

    Meadowvale Elementary School – Caitlin Fox

    Havre de Grace Middle School – Brody Landwehr

    Havre de Grace High School – Jackson Transparenti

    Oath of Office:  Mayor Martin gave the oath of office to newly appointed Director of Planning Shane Grimm.

    Resolution:  2020-03 A RESOLUTION BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF HAVRE DE GRACE, MARYLAND, PURSUANT TO SECTION 33 AND 34 OF THE CITY CHARTER AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND TO SUPPORT THE ‘AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS’ (AASHTO) DEVELOPMENT AND INCLUSION OF BICYCLE ROUTE 201 IN THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE

    A motion to introduce was made by CP Glenn with a second by CM Martin. Motion carries 5-0.  Motion to adopt Resolution 2020-03 was made by CP Glenn with a second by CM Ringsaker. Motion carries 5-0.

    Resolution:  2020-04   A RESOLUTION BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF HAVRE DE GRACE, MARYLAND, PURSUANT TO SECTION 33 AND 34 OF THE CITY CHARTER AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND TO SUPPORT THE “2020 CENSUS COMPLETE COUNT” IN THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE HISTORIC DISTRICT

    A motion to introduce was made by CP Glenn with a second by CM Martin. Motion carries 5-0.

    CM Robertson comments the language needs to be cleaned up and after discussion with City Attorney, amendments are made an accepted. CM Robertson makes a motion to accept the changes to wording by City Attorney. Second by CM Ringsaker. Carries 5-0.

    Motion to adopt Resolution 2020-04 was made by CP Glenn with a second by CM Robertson. Motion carries 5-0.

    Resolution: 2020-05 A RESOLUTION BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF HAVRE DE GRACE, MARYLAND, PURSUANT TO SECTION  34  OF  THE  CITY  CHARTER  AND  THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT   ARTICLE OF THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND TO AUTHORIZE THE   MAYOR   TO   ENTER   INTO   A MEMORANDUM  OF  UNDERSTANDING  WITH  THE HAVRE DE GRACE GREEN TEAM LTD., AS IT RELATE TO THE USE OF SPECIFIED AREAS OF THE FIRST FLOOR OF 319 LAFAYETTE STREET.

    A motion to introduce was made by CM Boyer with a second by CM Robertson. Motion carries 5-0.  Motion to adopt Resolution 2020-05 was made by CM Boyer with a second by CM Ringsaker. Motion carries 5-0.

    New Business:

     

    4th Annual Shrimp & BBQ Fest – CM Martin moved to approve. Second made by CM Boyer. Motion carries 5-0.

    Jazz & Blues Fest – CM Martin moved to approve. Second made by CM Robertson. Motion carries 5-0.

    Blessings By Bay – CM Ringsaker moved to approve. Second made by CM Boyer. Motion carries 5-0.

    Relay for Life – CP Glenn moved to approve. Second made by CM Boyer. Motion carries 5-0.

    .

    Directors Report:

    Patrick Sypolt Director of Administration:  Provided dates of upcoming events in Havre de Grace which are available on the tourism website at www.explorehavredegrace.com.

    Mr. Shane Grimm Deputy Director of Planning:  Phase 2 and Phase 3 of Greenway Farms will be reviewed by the Planning Commission on April 13th in the Council Chambers at 6:30pm.  The plan proposed 296 townhomes in the remaining phases. The public is invited to attend.  Citizens may contact Mr. Grimm with questions or comments on the plan.

    City staff have been working with the Critical Area Commission on program updates and updates to the Critical Area maps.  The City has tentatively scheduled a meeting for April 22nd where staff from the Commission will give a brief presentation on the mapping changes.  Planning Staff will also be prepared to answer questions from citizens regarding the mapping changes.  More information will be provided in the coming weeks.

    Mrs. Erika Quesenbery-Sturgill Director of Economic Development:  Absent, on City business.

    Mr. George DeHority Director of Finance:  The current financial condition of General Fund 1, Water/Sewer Fund 9 and Marina Fund 8 were presented by Mr. DeHority.

    Mr. Tim Whittie Director of Public Works: Intake System project out for Bid. Pre-Bid meetings were scheduled for March 6th.  Replacing the Waterline at Wilson, from Bloomsbury to Seneca.  Replacing water line on Green Street to St. Johns.  WTP Construction starts on March 2, 2020.

    Chief Teresa Walter Havre de Grace PD:  April 25th is Drug Take Back, from 10am until Noon at the Havre de Grace Police Department.  Please be aware students are out with summer activities beware of yellow lined curbs and do not park there.

     

    Business from Mayor Martin:  On February 23, 2020 the Harriet Tubman Tree dedication ceremony was held at St. John’s Church, which included Camay Murphy the 2019 recipient of the Harriet Tubman Lifetime Achievement Award.  It was a wonderful event which Mayor Martin and many others attended.   The Havre de Grace Mardi Gras Parade was a successful event and Mayor Martin thanked all that were involved to make the Parade a great success.   On February 27th Mayor Martin had the pleasure of touring the New Havre de Grace High School and Middle School. It’s large and in charge.  Pictures are available online.  Dumpster Day is coming up on April the 11th 2020.   Mayor Martin provided reassurance to the community that we are making preparations in regards to the coronavirus.  We will update the City website with information, CTY’s and social media.

    Upper Chesapeake Hospital is still being addressed by the Mayor and Council.  Mayor Martin has sent a letter to Governor Hogan asking him to issue an executive order to keep our Harford Memorial Hospital open with the looming virus pandemic.

    Business from Council: 

    Council Member Ringsaker: Congratulations to Director Shane Grimm.  Troop 965 will hold their spaghetti dinner March 14th, from 4 to 7 pm.  VFW will hold their chili cook off on March 28th, from 5 to 7 pm. CM Ringsaker asked for people to please look out for motorcyclist.  Warmer weather is coming and he hopes we will please keep an eye out and help keep riders safe.  “Look both ways…Save a Life”.

    Council Member Martin: Thanked the Mayor for his comments tonight on the Hospital. 

    Council Member Zinner:  Absent

    Council Member Boyer: Tree Commission will meet March 9th at 7 pm at the Maritime Museum.  The Green Team will meet on the 24th of March at 7 pm at PD.  Plant based dinner will be held at the Vandiver Inn on the 5th.  By the Green Team.  Congratulation to newly appointed Director Shane Grimm.  CM Boyer also gave a huge thank you to Ben Martorana, for all of his hard work and dedication in bringing the city up to the 21st Century.

    Council Member Robertson:  Congratulation to newly appointed Director Shane Grimm.  Thank you to Tim and Stephanie from DPW, for their help in explaining the grant funded living shoreline.  Budget and Finance will meet here at city hall March 3, at 5:30 pm.

    Council President Glenn:   CP Glenn attended the Boys and Girls Club advisory session. Our goal is to continue to find ways to serve the youth of our community. CP Glenn shared his concerns over the data that is showing on the Hospital Alert Tracking System and its impact it will have on all our citizens here if Harford Memorial closes.  CP Glenn has voiced his concerns with the Aegis as well, in hopes that they will be another avenue to finding answers.  Warrior Proud moments were expressed to Gavin Lloyd, placed first in Wrestling Regionals, Sydney James who placed in the state swimming championships and Akcire Alston Buck who placed in the shot put and 55 meter hurdles at the state indoor track championships.

    No comments were made by citizens.

     

    Adjournment at 9:20

     

    Video recording of the City Council Meeting may be viewed online through Harford Cable Network.

    Respectfully Submitted by,

    Resa Laird