MINUTES CITY OF WESTMINSTER Mayor and Common Council Meeting Monday, February 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster, MD 21157 YouTube Channel Link CALL TO ORDER Elected Officials Present: Mayor Becker, Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, Councilmember Hoff, and Council President Pecoraro. Staff Present: City Clerk Barber, Director of Housing Services Brown, Director of Community Planning and Development Depo, Director of Recreation and Parks Gruber, Chief of Police Ledwell, City Attorney Levan, Director of Technology Services Moore, and Director of Finance Rodgers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE Council President Pecoraro led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. PRESENTATION ENOUGH Initiative Presentation - Ed Singer, Carroll County Mr. Ed Singer, Manager, Local Management Board for Children, Youth, and Families with Carroll County Government presented the ENOUGH Initiative to the Mayor and Common Council. MCDANIEL COLLEGE UPDATE Vickie Mazer, Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies with McDaniel College provided an update on program development at McDaniel College. Dean Mazer noted the future programs that will be launching in 2026 and 2027. Dean Mazer closed by noting the current library renovation project. STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD - CLOSED MEETING OF MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025: Council President Pecoraro read into the record in accordance with the General Provisions Article, Section 3-306(c)(2) ofthe Annotated Code ofMaryland, and without objection it is noted that the minutes of tonight's meeting reflect that Common Council met in a Closed Meeting on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 8:37 p.m. pursuant to General Provision Art., Section 3-305) (b)(3) to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto and (b)(7) to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice. Motion = Councimember Chiavacci/Councimember Gilbert Vote to Close Meeting: Yes No Abstain Absent Mr. Chiavacci Yes Mr. Dayhoff Absent Ms. Gilbert Yes Mr. Hoff Yes Mr. Pecoraro Mayor Becker The following staff members attended the meeting: Director of Community Planning and Development Depo, City Administrator Imhulse, and City Attorney Levan. The Common Council took no official action during the meeting. The Closed Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Councilmember Dayhoff and seconded by Councilmember Gilbert to approve the Mayor and Common Council Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2025, the Mayor and Common Council Closed Meeting minutes of January 13, 2025, the Mayor and Common Council Meeting minutes of January 27, 2025, and the Mayor and Common Council Closed Meeting minutes of January 27, 2025. There was no discussion. VOTE AYES: Councimember Chiavacci, Councimember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR A motion was made by Councimember Hoff and seconded by Councimember Chiavacci to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of the following: Approval of Change Order No. 3 with Wickersham Construction for Wakefield Club House and Pavillion in the amount of $37,372.; Authorize Durbin House Phase II, the continuation of the contract from August 30, 2024, with Herman Restoration LLC., to complete the renovation of the Durbin House, for a total project cost of $645,000., and the approval to waive the competitive procurement for Good Cause, under the City of Westminster Code Chapter 36 "Procurement and Contracts" Subsection 36-4 Specific Regulations and award a contract with Micro-Tech Designs, Inc., for upgrading the programmable Logic Controllers at the Cranberry Water Treatment Plan in the amount of $140,887.00. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councimember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Becker provided a statement of clarification on a Carroll County Times article regarding a proposed project by Access Carroll. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES Councimember Hoff, on behalf of the Economic Community Development Committee, noted that the grand opening of Chicken Salad Chick at 255 Baltimore Boulevard is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Councimember Chiavacci, on behalf of the Public Safety Committee, noted the comments returned from the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission on our Community Policing Program were positive and stated that "Your agency report serves as a wonderful model and clearly demonstrates a strong understanding of best practices in Community Policing". Councilmember Chiavacci congratulated Chief Ledwell on a job well done. Councimember Gilbert, on behalf of the Public Works Committee, clarified stats given at the previous meeting and noted the department is in preparation mode for the upcoming predicted wintery weather. Councimember Gilbert, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Committee, noted the upcoming 2025 14th Annual Celtic Canter 5K and Downtown Irish Festival scheduled for Saturday March 8, 2025. 2 COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION Council President Pecoraro thanked Mayor Becker for her thoughtful comments regarding the proposed Access Carroll Program and noted and addressed his concerns. Councimember Chiavacci commended Mayor Becker for her comments regarding the proposed Access Carroll Program and noted his and others public safety concerns. Councimember Gilbert made a statement on the proposed Access Carroll Program and addressed her concerns for the residents of the City of Westminster. Councimember Hoff, commented on the proposed Access Carroll Program and addressed his public safety concerns. He also added that the Carroll County State's Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Office, and Caroll County Delegates have expressed the same public safety concerns for the City of Westminster. ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-09, Tobacconist and Vape Shop Text Amendment, an Ordinance of the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster, amending Chapter 164, "Zoning and Subdivision of Land", of the City Code, to amend Article I, "General Provisions", to add definitions of "Specialty Shop", "Tobacconist", and "Vape Shop"; to amend Article VIIA, "Mixed Use Infill Zone"; Article VIll, "B Business Zone"; Article VIIIB, "D-B Downtown Business Zone"; Article IX, "C-B Central Business Zone"; and Article XII, "P-I Planned Industrial Zone" to add Tobacconists and Vape Shops as Permitted Uses; to Amend Article XIA, "N-C Neighborhood Commercial Zone" to add Vape Shops as a permitted use; to Amend Article XX, "Special provisions", $ to Impose Certain Restrictions on the Location of Vape Shops; and to Renumber without Substantive Change the Lists of Permitted Uses in Certain of those Zones A motion was made by Councimember Chiavacci and seconded by Councimember Hoff to adopt Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-09, Tobacconist and Vape Shop Text Amendment, an Ordinance of the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster, amending Chapter 164, Zoning and Subdivision of Land", of the City Code, to amend Article I, "General Provisions", 1 to add definitions of "Specialty Shop", "Tobacconist", and "Vape Shop"; to amend Article VIIA, Mixed Use Infill Zone"; Article VIII, "B Business Zone"; Article VIIB, "D-B Downtown Business Zone"; Article IX, "C-B Central Business Zone"; and Article XII, "P-I Planned Industrial Zone" to add Tobacconists and Vape Shops as permitted uses; to amend Article XIA, "N-C Neighborhood Commercial Zone" to add Vape Shops as a permitted use; to amend Article XX, "Special provisions", to impose certain restrictions on the location of Vape Shops; and to renumber without substantive change the lists of permitted uses in certain of those zones. Director of Community Planning and Development Depo provided the staff report and responded to questions of clarification given by the Common Council on the item. VOTE AYES: Councimember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councimember Gilbert, and Councimember Hoff. NAYS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to be discussed by the Mayor and Common Council. NEW BUSINESS Vote to Go into a Closed Meeting A motion was made by Councimember Chiavacci and seconded by Councilmember Gilbert to adjourn into a Closed Meeting on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the conclusion of the regular meeting in accordance with the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, $3-305 (b)(3) to 3 consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto and (b)(7) to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice. VOTE AYES: Councimember Chiavacci, Councimember Dayhoff, Councimember Gilbert, and Councimember Hoff. NAYS: None DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Department of Recreation and Parks Director of Recreation and Parks Gruber reported that a 5k Race will return to the Flower and Jazz Festival event day and provided the initial details. Director Gruber closed her report by also noting that the department is preparing for the 14th Annual Celtic Canter 5K and Downtown Irish Festival scheduled for Saturday March 8, 2025. Housing Services Director of Housing Services Brown noted the impending winter weather and reminded residents and business owners of their responsibility to clear all walkways 24-hours after the ending of any storm. Community Planning and Development On February 4, 2025, the Board of Zoning Appeals met the applicant that appealed BZA Case No. 24- 08 the Zoning Administrator's September 27, 2024, initial Notice of Violation for 279 East Main Street for the unapproved operation of a retail sales establishment at the property. They withdrew their appeal. The Board of Zoning Appeals then heard and approved BZA Case No. 25-01, an amendment to the special exception of multiple-family detached dwelling use at 279 East Main Street to allow for a 32 square foot sign for multiple-family use. On February 5, 2025, the Historic District Commission addressed the following: Approved Façade Improvement Application FI-25-01 and Tax Credit Application TC-25-01 for 31 West Main Street, to replace 14 windows in the Autonomous Robotics Innovation Center (ARIC) space; Approved Façade Improvement Application FI-25-02 for 4 West Main Street, Johansson Restaurant, to paint and repair brick repair; and discussed the Commission's Implementation Plan of the 250th Anniversary, Historic District entrance signage, and the Historic District street signage. Westminster Police Department (WPD) Chief Ledwell noted several improvements that include technology and building improvement that have been made at the Westminster Police Department. Chief Ledwell thanked all the City departments involved in assisting with the technology updates and renovations at the Police Station. CITIZEN COMMENTS Council President Pecoraro advised that residents may submit any comments to the following email address: mtidastinstmise He noted that all emails received would be shared with the Mayor and Common Council. Mr. Robin Summerfield, Regional Director with United States Senator Van Hollen, addressed the Common Council inviting them to a Telephone Town Hall with Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. 4 ADJOURNMENT Council President Pecoraro announced that the next meeting of the Mayor and Common Council would be on Monday, February 24, 2025, and the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. He adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, DaugooA: Borbor Douglass A. Barber, MMC City Clerk Full audio version is available on www.westminstemdooy Adopted by the City of Westminster Common Council on February 24, 2025. 5