MINUTES CITY OF WESTMINSTER Mayor and Common Council Meeting Monday, April 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster, MD 21157 YouTube Channel Link CALL TO ORDER Elected Officials Present: Mayor Becker, Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councimember Gilbert, Councilmember Hoff, and Council President Pecoraro. Staff Present: City Clerk Barber, Director of Community Planning and Development Depo, Director of Recreation and Parks Gruber, City Administrator Imhulse, Chief of Police Ledwell, Director of Technology Services Moore, Director of Finance Rodgers, and Attorney Ruff. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE Council President Pecoraro led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Councimember Dayhoff and seconded by Councilmember Gilbert to approve the Mayor and Common Council Meeting Minutes of March 24, 2025. There was no discussion. VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councimember Gilbert, and Councimember Hoff. NAYS: None. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT Peter Basile = Board of Zoning Appeals Councimember Chiavacci motioned, seconded by Councilmember Dayhoff, to accept the Mayor's nomination fort the appointment of Mr. Peter Basile to the City of Westminster's Board of Zoning Appeals Commission for a three-year term ending on April 14, 2028. There was no discussion. VOTE AYES: Councimember Chiavacci, Councimember Dayhoff, Councimember Gilbert, and Councimember Hoff. NAYS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR A motion was made by Councilmember Hoff and seconded by Councilmember Chiavacci to approve the Consent Calendar, which consisted of the following: Approval of Westminster Public Housing Agency's Five-Year Plan (2025-2029); Approval of Civil Rights Certification and Resolution; Approval of Wickersham Construction Change Order No. 4 for the Wakefield Valley Park Event Pavilion and Community Building Project in the total amount of $68,086; and Approval to Waive the Competitive Procurement for Good Cause, under City of Westminster Code Chapter 36 "Procurement and Contracts" Subsection 36-4 Specific Regulation, to replace thirty (30) windows on the third floor of the Westminster Family Fitness Center in the amount of $114,645. 1 I VOTE AYES: Councilmember Chiavacci, Councimember Dayhoff, Councilmember Gilbert, and Councilmember Hoff. NAYS: None. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Becker noted that City staff who were displaced due to a water leak at the City Administration Building (45 West Main Street) had returned to their respective offices. Mayor Becker thanked the Common Council for their support on her nomination of Mr. Peter Basile, to the City of Westminster's Board of Zoning Appeals. Mayor Becker closed her report by noting several meetings and events she had recently attended. Mayor Becker provided highlights on the 18th Annual PEEPshow being held at Town Mall (April 11 - 21, 2025), and the upcoming Wine Stroll scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES Councimember Dayhoff, on behalf of the Arts Council, noted the 18th Annual PEEPshow being held at Town Mall (April 11 = 21, 2025), and the many visitors it brings to the City of Westminster. Council President Pecoraro, on behalf of the Finance Committee, reported that the committee is preparing for the FY26 Budget and coinciding meetings. Councilmember Chiavacci, on behalf of the Public Safety Committee, reported that on April 8, 2025, during the National Public Health Week Celebration Breakfast held at the Carroll County Health Department, the Westminster Police Department was recognized as an Outstanding Community Partner for their collaboration with the Overdose Quick Response Team and the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion programs. Councimember Chiavacci also reported that on March 26, 2025, Police Recruit Dean graduated from the Carroll County Sheriff's Office Police Academy. Councilmember Gilbert, on behalf of the Public Works Committee, noted the work being done by the department and the event preparations that are currently on-going. Councilmember Gilbert, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Committee, provided the highlights on the 42nd Main Street Mile Event held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, with over 450 runners. Councimember Gilbert also provided the highlights to the Bunny Trail and Egg Hunt event that was held on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the Wakefield Vally Park. Councimember Gilbert closed her report by noting the upcoming Wine Stroll scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION Councilmember Chiavacci thanked Director of Finance Rodgers for her work with the preparation of the FY26 Budget. Councimember Dayhoff noted several meetings and events he had recently attended. Councimember Gilbert noted several meetings and events she had attended. Councilmember Gilbert thanked the Department of Public Work Department for all the work and many hours they have worked during the last several weeks. Councimember Gilbert closed her report by noting the upcoming Wine Stroll scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025. Councimember Hoff noted that the State Legislative Session has ended and thanked all those involved in advocating for funding for the City of Westminster during the legislative session. 2 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 Motion: Councilmember Chiavacci moved and seconded by Councilmember Gilbert that the Common Council adjourn into a Closed Meeting on Monday, April 14, 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. There was no discussion. VOTE AYES: Councimember Chiavacci, Councilmember Dayhoff, Councimember Gilbert, and Councimember Hoff. NAYS: None. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Administration City Administrator Imhulse reported that City staff that were relocated from 45 West Main Street (City Administration Building) to City Hall had returned to their offices at the City Administration Building. City Administration noted that many staff members were assisting in the preparation of the FY26 Budget, and she appreciated the Common Council's comments made earlier in the meeting regarding the work of Director of Finance Rodgers. Finance Director of Finance Rodgers thanked the Common Council for their kind words and thanked the entire Finance Department for the work the department has been preparing for the upcoming FY26 Budget. Department of Recreation and Parks Director of Recreation and Parks Gruber noted the department is currently preparing for the City of Westminster's Wine Stroll scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025. Director Gruber closed by noting that there are open seasonal employment positions for the City Municipal Pool and the Summer Camp Program. Technology Services Director Moore noted that the department assisted the staff from the City Administration Building (45 West Main Street) in moving back into the building from City Hall. Community Planning and Development Director of Community Planning and Development Department reported the following: On April 1, 2025, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved 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) approved a 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 3 property. The HDC is also scheduled to continue its discussion on its Implementation Plan and Nation's 250th preparations. On April 17, 2025, the Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to: Hold a Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 2025-04, an Ordinance of the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster, approving Local Map Amendment LMA 25-02 to designate certain real property located in the I-R Restricted Industrial Zone as a floating Cannabis Overlay Zone for the establishment of a cannabis processor. Review modifications to the architectural features approved with Site Plan S-22-044 for Northeastern Supply at 40 Magna Way. Director Depo closed his report by noting that the department held a Bird City Application kick-off meeting today and that the City of Westminster has been designated a Tree City for the 35th year. Westminster Police Department (WPD) Chief Ledwell reported that the Westminster Police Department Annual Awards Banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Chief Ledwell also reported the retirement of Captain Schutster on April 30, 2025. CITIZEN COMMENTS Council President Pecoraro advised that residents may submit any comments to the following email address: mmasdestsemisee He noted that all emails received would be shared with the Mayor and Common Council. Mr. Javier Toro, 428 Spalding Court, addressed the Common Council requesting a follow-up to concern addressed at a previous meeting. ADJOURNMENT Council President Pecoraro announced that the next meeting of the Mayor and Common Council would be on Monday, April 28, 2025, and the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. He adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, PougaA Bober Douglass A. Barber, MMC City Clerk Full audio version is available on www.westminsterdgoy Adopted by the City of Westminster Common Council on April 28, 2025. 4