MINUTES CITY OF WESTMINSTER Mayor and Common Council Meeting Monday, March 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157 CALL TO ORDER Elected Officials Present: Mayor Becker, Councimember Chiavacci, Councimember Dayhoff, Councimember Gilbert, Councimember Hoff, and Council President Pecoraro. Staff Present: City Clerk Barber, Director of Housing Services Brown, Director of Community Planning and Development Depo, City Administrator Imhulse, 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. STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD - CLOSED MEETING OF MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025: Council President Pecoraro read into the record in accordance with the General Provisions Article, Section3-306(C/2) of the Annotated Code ofMaryland, and without objection iti is noted that the minutes of tonight's meeting reflect that Common Council met in a Closed Meeting on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 8:24 p.m. pursuant to General Prevision Art., Section 3-305) (b)(1) to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, disuipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals. Motion = Councimember Chayaca/Couneimember Hoff Vote to Close Meeting: Yes No Abstain Absent Mr. Chiavacci Yes Mr. Dayhoff Yes Ms. Gilbert Yes Mr. Hoff Yes Mr. Pecoraro 'Mayor Becker There were no staff members in attendance at the meeting. The Common Council took no official action during the meeting. The Closed Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. PRESENTATION Bird City - Maggie Kunz Ms. Maggie Kunz, Carroll County Bird Club presented the Bird City Westminster presentation to the Mayor and Common Council. MCDANIEL COLLEGE UPDATE Heidi Reigel, Associate Vice President of Constituent Engagement with McDaniel College provided an update on programs and activities that are underway at McDaniel College. Ms. Reigel closed her report by noting the upcoming Tournament of Champions event scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2025. 1 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Councilmember Gilbert and seconded by Councilmember Dayhoff to approve the Mayor and Common Council Meeting Minutes of February 24, 2025, and the Mayor and Common Council Closed Meeting minutes of Februay 24, 2025. There was no discussion. VOTE AYES: Councimember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, and Councimember Hoff. NAYS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR Ar motion was made by Councimember Chiavacci and seconded by Councilmember Dayhoff to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of the following: 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 to purchase a Ford F-600 with a service crane from Apple Ford in the amount of $204,517.80 under Baltimore County Contract #0004504. VOTE AYES: Councimember Chiavacci, Councimember Dayhoff, Councimember Gilbert, and Councimember Hoff. NAYS: None. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Becker opened her report by thanking the Carroll Arts Center for the use of their facility for the City of Westminster's Mayor and Common Council Meeting. Mayor Becker thanked City Administrator Imhulse and the City Staff for being team players and working together to continue to provide services to the residents oft the City. Mayor Becker closed her report noting several meetings and events, as well as the Celtic Canter event, that was very well attended. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES Councimember Dayhoff, on behalf of the Arts Council, noted the wonderful programs being offered at the Carroll Arts Center and to check the Arts Council's website for all the details. Councimember Hoff, on behalf of the Economic Community Development Committee, noted the large attendance at the 2025 Celtic Canter Event. Council President Pecoraro, on behalf of the Finance Committee, reported that the committee is preparing for the FY26 Budget and coinciding meetings. Councimember Chiavacci, on behalf of the Public Safety Committee, reported that on March 3, 2025, Chief Ledwell attended the quarterly Police, Accountability Board Meeting where he presented the board with information from the preceding quarter. Councimember Chiavacci closed his report by noting that on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Chief Ledwell along with other members of the Westminster Police Department will assist in the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Carroll "Justice and Law Day". Councimember Gilbert, on behalf of the Public Works Committee, noted the many projects and events where the Department of Public Works employees provide their assistance. Councimember Gilbert, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Committee, provided the highlights to the Celtic Canter event held on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Councimember Gilbert closed by noting the 2 upcoming events and highlighted that the Recreation and Parks Department have openings for seasonal employment. Councilmember Dayhoff, on behalf of the Technology Committee, thanked the Technology Department (IT) for their continued work and assistance to their co-workers with the temporary move to City Hall due to the water leak at the City Administration Building (45 West Main Street). COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION Council President Pecoraro and Councimember Chiavacci expressed they appreciated all those involved in making the 2025 Celtic Canter event such a great success. Councilmember Dayhoff noted how excited he was that the City would become a Bird City. Councimembers Dayhoff and Gilbert noted how excited they were that the City would become a Bird City. Councimember Hoff noted and thanked all those involved in making the 2025 Celtic Canter such a great event. Councimember Hoff also noted his excitement at the City becoming a Bird City. ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS Adoption of Resolution No. 25-04 Desig: lating the City of Westminster as a Bird City A motion was made by Councimember Chiavacci and seconded by Councimember Hoff to adopt Resolution No. 25-04, a resolution of the City of Westminster Designating the City of Westminster as a Bird City. City Administrator Imhulse provided the staff report on the item. There was no discussion. VOTE AYES: Councimember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councimember Gilbert, and Councimember Hoff. NAYS: None Introduction of Ordinance No. 2025-04, an Ordinance of the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster, Approving Local Map Amendment LMA 25-02 Designating Certain Real Property Located in the City of Westminster's I-R Restricted Industrial Zone and Floating Cannabis Overlay Zone for the Establishment of a Cannabis Processor A motion was made by Councilmember Gilbert and seconded by Councimember Hoff to introduce Ordinance No. 2025-04, an Ordinance of the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster, Approving Local Map Amendment LMA 25-02 Designating Certain Real Property Located in the City of Westminster's I-R Restricted Industrial Zone and Floating Cannabis Overlay Zone fori the Establishment of a Cannabis Processor. Director of Community Planning and Development Depo provided the staff report on the item. There was no discussion. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councimember Gilbert, and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to be discussed by the Mayor and Common Council. 3 NEW BUSINESS Vote to Go into a Closed Meeting A motion was made by Councimember Chiavacci and seconded by Councilmember Hoff to adjourn into a Closed Meeting on Monday, March 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)(1) to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals. Council President Pecoraro noted that the Common Council would not return to open session after the Closed Meeting. VOTE AYES: Councimember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, and Councimember Hoff. NAYS: None DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Administration City Administrator Imhulse thanked the Carroll Arts Center staff and the Carroll Media Center staff for providing their support to the City to hold and film the City of Westminster Common Council Meeting at the Carroll Arts Center. City Administrator Imhulse also thanked the City of Westminster Streets Department for all their work in keeping the City moving all the while dealing with winter weather events and mobilizing the staff from the City Administration Building (45 West Main) to City Hall due to the water leak at the City Administration Building. Department of Public Works City Administrator Imhulse reported that the Department of Public Works are preparing for the start of al Pavement Management Project that will begin next week. Department of Recreation and Parks City Administrator Imhulse on behalf of Director of Recreation and Parks Gruber noted the 2025 Celtic Canter Race was the largest to date for the event. Housing Services Director of Housing Services Brown noted his attendance at a recent Carroll County Landlord Association meeting where he spoke about the programs offered by the City of Westminster. Finance Director of Finance Rodgers thanked the Finance Department staff and all the other departments for working together and making a seamless transition during the relocation to City Hall from the City Administration Building due to the water leak. Community Planning and Development Director of Community Planning and Development Department reported the following: The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) did not meet on March 4, 2025, as there were no applications before the BZA. On March 5, 2025, the Historic District Commission (HDC) approved Façade Improvement Application FI-25-02 and the Certificate of Eligibility for a Historic Tax Credit for 205 East Main Street. The HDC also discussed the Nations's 250th Anniversary celebration and Historic District entrance signage. 4 On March 20, 2025, the Planning and Zonirg Commission are scheduled to meet, however at this time there are no items that are ready for the Commissions review. Westminster Police Department (WPD) Chief Ledwell reported that the Westminster Police Department Annual Awards Banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025, and that the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Awards is scheduled for May 22, 2025. Technology Services Director Moore noted that the department has been very busy the last few weeks. CITIZEN COMMENTS Council President Pecoraro advised that residents may submit any comments to the following email address: comments@westminstermd.goy. He noted that all emails received would be shared with the Mayor and Common Council. Ms. Lyndi McNulty, 195 West Main Street, addressed the Common Council introducing local muralist Mr. Domonic Jones. Mr. Dominic Jones, local muralist, addressed the Common Council regarding the City's permitting for allowing Murals. Ms. Sue Yingling, 70 Ridge Road, addressed the Common Council regarding the City becoming a Bird City. ADJOURNMENT Council President Pecoraro announced that the next meeting of the Mayor and Common Council would be on Monday, March 24, 2025, and the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. He adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, BouAmt Douglass A. Barber, MMC City Clerk Full audio version is available on vwwesiminsterndgox Adopted by the City of Westminster Common Council on March 24, 2025 5