Harford News

Havre de Grace City Council met Sept. 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council was called to order on September 4 2018 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Martin presiding and the following Council Members Present: Council Member's Glenn, Martin, Worrell, Tomarchio, Robertson and Ringsaker. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Martin and the opening prayer was led by Pastor Norman Obenshain. A motion was made by Council Member Robertson and seconded by Council Member Worrell to approve the council meeting minutes of August 20, 2018. Motion carries 6- 0. A motion was made by Council Member Martin and seconded by Council Member Robertson to approve the closed meeting minutes of August 20, 2018. Motion carries 6- 0

Comments from Citizens on Agenda Items: None

Presentations: None

Recognitions: None

Proclamations:

Pendant Automation was recognized for making their way to the INC 5000 list in 2018

Oath of Office Mayor Martin administered the Oath of Office to Mrs. Teresa Gardner as the new Public Works Director. Mrs. Gardner was appointed during the last meeting.

New Business A motion was made by Council President Glenn and seconded by Council Member Ringsaker to approve the Susquehanna Hose Company crab feast on September 8, 2018- motion carries 6- 0

A motion was made by Council President Glenn and seconded by Council Member Robertson to approve the HHS Homecoming Parade on October 12, 2018; motion carries 6- 0

A motion was made by Council Member Martin and seconded by Council Member Robertson to approve Holly Jolly First Friday on December 7, 2018. Motion carries 6-0

Directors Report:

Mr. Patrick Sypolt: On Friday, September 7th, the City will be hosting the 6th First Fridays of 2018. Come out and visit with your friends; shop our many eclectic shops and local artisans, listen to live music and partake of our fine restaurants. The festivities begins at 5:00 p.m.

Also on Friday, September 7th, and continuing throughout the weekend, as well as the weekend of September 14t, the Tidewater Players present"

Chess— the Musical" at the Performing Arts Center at the Opera House. Performances begin at 8:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sundays.

On Saturday, September 8th; the Arts & Crafts Festival will be held at Tydings Park from 11: 00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. There will be plenty of arts and crafts for the children, scarecrow making, face painting and live farm animals.

On Sunday, September 9th the 8th Annual Blessing of the Animals and Pets Expo will be held at Tydings Park from noon until 4:00 p.m. This is also National Pet Memorial Day and we will recognize our loved pets who are no longer with us. There will also be pet-oriented vendors, free face painting with a children's craft table and a K-9 demonstration at 2:30 p.m. Also on Sunday, September 9th the Susquehanna Ministerium of Havre de Grace is sponsoring the 3,d Blessings by the Bay.Join in fellowship with the churches of the Susquehanna Ministerium of Havre de Grace and enjoy a few hours of joyful worship, praise and music along the shores of the Susquehanna River at Hutchins Park. Service begins at 3:00 p.m.

On Saturday, September 15th, the 1st annual Susquehanna River Running Festival occurs. This unique event features a 5 kilometer course within historic Havre de Grace; a half relay and a half marathon course over the Hatem Bridge, through the town of Perryville around Perry Point and back to Tydings Park. Please visit their website: www.susquehannarunfest.or for more details and to register for this special event. The proceeds to benefit the Albert Cesky Scholarship Fund.

On Saturday, September 15th we will have the" City-Wide Yard Sale" from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. This has become a huge community event. There will be yard sales, sidewalk sales and garage sales with bargains galore. To participate or to find out more information please visit or call our tourism office located at 450 Pennington Avenue; phone: 410- 939-2100 or speak with Ron Browning at 410-939-6562. The rain date September 16th.

Also on Saturday, September 15 at 10:00 a.m. the North Park Trail Walk begins from the Lock House Museum. The North Park Trail Walk is a guided nature/ history walk which is free to the public. It's an easy walk of 1. 5 miles in about 90 minutes. The walk is for all ages, rain or shine. Sturdy footwear is recommended.

And again, on Saturday, September 15th, the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum is hosting a Pollinators Lecture, featuring Devra Kitterman, the pollinator program coordinator for the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council. Learn about the current status of bees and other native pollinators and how to utilize plants that best feed and protect them, which in turn, protects food production in the U.S. The lecture begins at 11: 00 a.m. This is a free event open to the public.

The stormwater management and wetland enhancement project located near the Maritime Museum is progressing along ahead of schedule and on budget. This project; besides being aesthetically pleasing and expanding wildlife habitat along the shoreline, assists the City in meeting the need for water quality improvements at our stormwater outfall 30th Annual Children's locations. This project is funded through the Chesapeake & Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund.

Our paving program continues with the next phase, targeting select streets in Grace Harbor and Bayview Estates

Mr. Shane Grimm: Deputy Director of Planning: Harford County will be hosting an Open House on the County's first Green Infrastructure Plan on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Harford Community College in the Chesapeake Center from 5:30-7:30pm. Green infrastructure is an interconnected network of green spaces that supports natural ecosystems, preserves water resources, improves stormwater management, promotes healthy communities and spurs economic development. We encourage residents of Havre de Grace to attend this Open House and we would like the City to be well-featured in this plan with our many ongoing environmental projects, City-owned and regional park systems, and extensive shoreline. The final draft of the Harford County Green Infrastructure Plan is scheduled to be completed by October 2018. If you would like more information, please visit http:// www.harfordcountymd.gov/ 2461/ Green-Infrastructure-Plan on the County's website for the Department of Planning and Zoning.

An interactive scavenger has been launched by Havre de Grace Magazine, which can be accessed at havre de grace magazine.com. It is an online Story Map of places around town that you can locate and then submit to the magazine's email address for a drawing on September 7th. There are 25 places to find with clues and pictures provided. These are the first-ever Story Map produced for the City! Story Maps are user-friendly interactive maps that can be created to tell stories with photos, text, and maps.

Mrs. Erika Quesenbery Sturgill: Director of Economic Development- Absent

Mr. George DeHority: Director of Finance Mr. DeHority stated the Real Property Tax bills are due by the end of the Month.

Mrs. Teresa Gardner: Public Works Director: Mrs. Gardner thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity. Mrs. Gardner was on site today with the paving projects and Storm Water Management Projects.

Chief Teresa Walter: Police Department Chief Walter welcomed Teresa Gardner to the City of Havre de Grace. Chief Walter reminded citizens about September 151h- there are many events going on in the City and asks all citizens to be mindful of officers who are directing traffic, barricades and signs.

Business from Mayor Martin: Mayor Martin gave a road paving update; milling and overlay in the roadways, patching where necessary, utility adjustments, curb and gutter repairs. You will see road work in Grace Harbor, Bayview Estates, and Martin Road. Mayor Martin commented on the recent rainfall; the City had very little very impact. The signing ceremony for Resolution 2018- 14 and 2018-15 took place on August 22, 2018. Attended the 2nd Annual Arts, Wine and Jazz Festival benefiting the Colored School. The Food Truck Festival will be held on September 16, 2018 from noon-6pm at Hutchins Park.

Business from Council:

Council Member Tomarchio:

The Tree Commission will meet on 9/ 10 at the Maritime Museum. The Street and Traffic Safety Advisory Board will meet on 9/ 24 at 6pm. Council Member Tomarchio is pleased to see the HHS Homecoming Parade and asked anyone who is interested in volunteering to call Dena Cardwell.

Council Member Martin:

Council Member Martin welcomed Mrs. Teresa Gardner to the team.

Council Member Worrell:

Council Member Worrell appreciated the updates from Mr. Sypolt. The Children' s Art Festival and Blessing by the Bay will be held this Saturday and Sunday. The Chamber Crab Feast will be held on October 12, 2018. The Arts Commission is sponsoring" Letters from Home" on 9/ 23.

Council Member Ringsaker:

Council Member Ringsaker also commented on Mrs. Cardwell, and her volunteer spirit.

Council Member Ringsaker welcomed Mrs. Gardner to Havre de Grace.

The Wage and Benefit Commission will meet on 10/ 10 at 6:30pm.

The Oyster Feast will be held November 17, 2018 and non-profits that sell tickets will receive$ 15.00 per ticket.

Council Member Robertson: Council Member Robertson welcomed Mrs. Teresa Gardner to the City. Council Member Robertson stated the Colored School Wine and Jazz Fest was success.

Business from Council President:

Council President Glenn congratulated Mrs. Gardner and welcomed her to HDG. A public work session between the City Council and members of the Ethics Commission to discuss the Ethics Ordinance was held last week- great dialogue and we are moving closer to a finalized legislation. Met with Governor Hogan's Secretary of Budget and Management, David Brinkley. He toured the school construction site and the National Guard.

Council President Glenn commented on the press about Upper Chesapeake; Havre de Grace has never closed the door on this project.

Council President Glenn wished his Dad a Happy Birthday.

Comments from Citizens: David Craig- Congress Ave: Thanked Mayor and Council for honoring John O'Neill and suggested a plaque at the street sign of" O'Neill Street" which was named after him. Recalled 55 years ago, there were two women on City Council, Helen ArmstrongJones and Mildred Stansbury who also was the first African American who was elected to office in Harford County. Mr. Craig suggested naming a room after her- possibly in the Opera House. Also suggested changing Green St, to" Greene" St after Major General Nathanial Greene.

Joe K- Tydings Road- Would like to remind citizens about the North Park Trail on 9/ 15 which began 21 years ago. Also, he is looking for volunteers to mow the area a few times a year.

A motion was made by Council Member Worrell and seconded by Council Member Ringsaker to adjourn at 8:10 P.M. Motion carries 6- 0.

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