MINUTES CITY OF WESTMINSTER Mayor and Common Council Meeting Monday, March 24, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157 CALL TO ORDER Elected Officials Present: Mayor Becker, Councilmember 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, Director of Recreation and Parks Gruber, Chief of Police Ledwell, 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. PRESENTATIONS Announcement of Candidates for Mayor and Common Council 2025 Election City Clerk Barber announced the candidates for the Office of Mayor and the Office of Common Council for the 2025 Election as they will appear on the official ballot as follows: For Mayor: Mona Becker Nicholas Thomas For Councilmember: Tony Chiavacci Dan Hoff Mayoral Proclamation - Arbor Week (April 21 = 27, 2025) Mayor Becker read a Mayoral Proclamation proclaiming Arbor Week (April 21 - 27, 2025) in the City of Westminster. Mayor Becker presented the proclamation to Director of Community Planning and Development Depo. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AI motion was made by Councimember Chiavacci and seconded by Councilmember Dayhoff to approve the Mayor and Common Council Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2025, and the Mayor and Common Council Closed Meeting minutes of March 10, 2025. There was no discussion. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councimember Gilbert, and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR A motion was made by Councimember Gilbert and seconded by Councimember Hoff to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of the following: Approval of Departmental Operating Reports - February 2025; Approval of Change Order No. 1 to Frederick Ward Associates for the additional design and engineering services required to retrofit the pond at Wakefield Valley Park into a Stormwater 1 Management Facility for the Trail System Project in the amount of $49,000.00; and Approval of Change Order No. 1 to Guyer Brothers, Inc., for additional labor and materials for the Airport Drive and Long Valley Road Stormwater Pipelining Project in the amount of $96,200.00. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Becker opened by noting several meetings and events she had recently attended. Mayor Becker also noted her participation in the Maryland Municipal League's "If I Were a Mayor" essay contest, and noted her appreciation to Clerk Barber, as he serves as this year's chair to the Maryland Municipal League's Engagement and Outreach Committee who oversees the program. 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. 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 the Westminster Police Department Recruit Dean will graduate from the Carroll County Sheriff's Office Police Academy on Thursday, March 27, 2025, and will be assigned to the Patrol Bureau for his field training. Councilmember Chiavacci also reported that Certified Maryland Police Officer Druktenis has successfully completed her field training at the Westminster Police Department and will start her patrol in the Patrol Bureau on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Councimember Gilbert, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Committee, provided the highlights to the upcoming Bunny Trail and Egg Hunt event scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Wakefield Valley Park from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Councimember Gilbert also noted and highlighted the upcoming Wine Stroll scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, Councilmember Gilbert closed by highlighting that the Recreation and Parks Department have openings for seasonal employment. Councimember Dayhoff, on behalf of the Technology Committee, thanked the Technology Department (IT) for their continued work and assistance to their co-workers with their temporary relocation to City Hall due to the water leak at the City Administration Building (45 West Main Street). COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION Councimember Gilbert noted that she and Councilmember Chiavacci recently attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Veterans Independence Project. Council President Pecoraro noted that he has enjoyed the comradery amongst the administrative staff that has been temporary located at City Hall and thanked them for the work they provide to the City. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to be discussed by the Mayor and Common Council. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to be discussed by the Mayor and Common Council. 2 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Department of Recreation and Parks Director of Recreation and Parks Gruber provided the highlights of recently held events, and the upcoming events scheduled in the City. Director Gruber closed by noting that the 15% discounted Municipal Pool Membership ends on March 31, 2025. Technology Services Director Moore noted that the department is preparing for the staff from the City Administration Building (45 West Main Street) to move back into the building from City Hall. Finance Director of Finance Rodgers noted that the department is preparing for the upcoming FY26 Budget. Housing Services Director of Housing Services Brown provided the highlights to the City of Westminster Housing Voucher Program to date. Westminster Police Department (WPD) Chief Ledwell reported that the Westminster Police Department is currently fully staffed, and the department has scheduled a hiring event for May 2025. Community Planning and Development Director of Community Planning and Development Department reported the following: The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for March 20, 2025, was cancelled as no applications were scheduled for review. On April 1, 2025, the Board of Zoning Appeals is scheduled to hear BZA Case No. 25-02, an application by the property owner requesting Special Exception approval for Conversion Dwelling use, allowing a total of two dwelling units at 148 West Main Street. On April 2, 2025, the Historic District Commission (HDC) is scheduled to hear Post-Construction Application for Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit TC-23-02 for 160 West Main Street, the credit went towards repairing the carriage house and repairing the chimney and roof of the main house. This is in conjunction with an approved Conversion Dwelling special exception use allowing a total of two dwelling units at the property. The HDC is also scheduled to continue its discussion on its Implementation Plan and Nation's 250th preparations. The HDC has already awarded $150,000 of the FY25 Façade Improvement Grant Funds. Administration Director of Community Planning and Development Depo on behalf of City Administrator Imhulse provided an update on work taking place at 45 West Main Street. Director Depo gave special thanks to the Department of Public Works staff and the IT staff on their efforts with the repairs to the City Administration Building (45 West Main Street) and for assisting staff in maintaining services at City Hall. CITIZEN COMMENTS Council President Pecoraro advised that residents may submit any comments to the following email address: comments@westminsternd.gov. He noted that all emails received would be shared with the Mayor and Common Council. 3 Ms. Lyndi McNulty, 195 West Main Street, addressed the Common Council and thanked the Mayor and Common Council on behalf of the residents of the City for all their work. ADJOURNMENT Council President Pecoraro announced that the next meeting of the Mayor and Common Council would be on Monday, April 14, 2025, and the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. He adjourned the meeting at 7:24 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, BougoA. Bobe Douglass A. Barber, MMC City Clerk Full audio version is available on wwwwestmihnsterdaow Adopted by the City of Westminster Common Council on April 14, 2025. 4