Harford News

City of Aberdeen met July 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

A) Call To Order

Mayor McGrady called the Council Work Session to order at 5:30 p.m. in the second floor administrative conference room.

B) Roll Call

Present: Mayor Patrick McGrady

Councilman Steven Goodin

Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck

Councilman Timothy Lindecamp

Councilman Melvin Taylor

Staff Present: Randy Robertson, City Manager; Phyllis Grover, Director of Planning & Community Development; Henry Trabert, Chief of Police; and Monica Correll, City Clerk

C) Business Topics

Other Business:

Mr. W. Paul Thompson, Jr., Chairman of the Harford County Economic Development Advisory Board/Land Use Subcommittee offered planning help from his organization for the Rt. 95 corridor, the Rt. 40 corridor, etc. He spoke about business growth, the process of planning, and the City’s potential future. Mr. Thompson recommended that his group meet four times and submit a report back to the Council. Council discussion followed and the Mayor and Council agreed.

Councilwoman Landbeck noted that the Planning Commission was beginning the Comprehensive Plan review and that a report from Mr. Thompson along with Council guidance, would be valuable to the Planning Commission. Ms. Grover informed the Council that according to State law, the Comprehensive Plan was now on a 10-year cycle instead of a 6 year cycle. Aberdeen's last Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2011 and that completion of the next Plan would require approximately 2 years.

On another matter, Mr. Robertson advised the Council that he would not be requiring the entire senior staff to attend each Council Meeting if he or she was not needed. The Council concurred.

C.1 Discussion on Façade Grant Applications

Mr. Robertson stated that he would like the process of the façade grant application process reviewed and improved, especially regarding the allotment of funds for equity sake. Ms. Grover discussed some recent applications and that she applied for additional funds with results to be known in the fall. Council discussion followed on the recent applications and reallocation of funds. The Council determined that they would review the matter and conditions before making a decision.

C.2 City of Aberdeen Public Parking Guide

The Council was presented a public parking guide for consideration. Ms. Grover explained that it was prepared using statistics from a State parking study on the Aberdeen downtown area and the City's adopted TOD guidelines. The guide contained suggestions for monitoring parking, providing enforcement, providing better signage, and establishing a permit parking fee for the municipal lots. Council discussion followed and no decision was rendered. They requested that if parking enforcement was reactivated, that the public be informed in advance.

C.3 Subdivision Regulations Ordinance

Ms. Grover explained that the purpose of Ordinance No. 18-O-16, Subdivision Regulations, was to set standards and procedures for subdividing and developing properties in the City. The Ordinance was vetted by the City Attorney, the Planning Commission, and the Public Works Department. She asked the Council to review it for discussion purposes.

The Mayor and Council then reviewed some agenda topics scheduled for the July 23, 2018 Council Meeting.

D) Adjournment

Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

https://aberdeenmd.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=aberdeenmd_4b4819d7-693b-4745-bfec-6ac3fabec088.pdf&view=1