Harford News

Aberdeen City Council met Oct. 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

A) CALL TO ORDER

Mayor McGrady called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

B) ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Patrick McGrady

Councilman Steven Goodin

Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck

Councilman Timothy Lindecamp

Councilman Melvin Taylor

Also Present: Randy Robertson, City Manager

Phyllis Grover, Director of Planning & Community Development

Kyle Torster, Director of Department of Public Works

Opiribo Jack, Director of Finance

Monica Correll, City Clerk

C) OPENING PRAYER

The opening prayer was delivered by Apostle Dianne Welsh, Breath of God Christian Fellowship.

D) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Melvin Taylor.

E) APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA - None.

F) APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None

G) STATEMENT OF CLOSED MEETING

G.1 September 24, 2018 Statement of Closed Meeting

The Mayor read the Statement of Closed Meeting for September 24, 2018 into the record: On Monday, September 24, 2018, the Mayor and Council held a regularly scheduled Council Meeting in the Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m. All members voted by roll call in the affirmative to close the meeting. At approximately 9:12 p.m., a closed meeting was convened by the Mayor and Council in the second floor administrative conference room. Members present were: Mayor Patrick McGrady, Councilman Steven Goodin, Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck, Councilman Timothy Lindecamp, and Councilman Melvin Taylor. Staff in attendance were: Randy Robertson, City Manager; Phyllis Grover, Director of Planning and Community Development; and Monica Correll, City Clerk. There were also four visitors in attendance. The meeting was held pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, Statutory Authority Md. Code Annotated, General Provisions Article § 3-305(b): (3) To consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation. The topic was a past property matter and the reason was to conduct discussions regarding city-owned property. The Council conducted discussions on the subject matter with the visitors. No action was taken and the meeting was adjourned at 10:26 p.m.

H) PRESENTATIONS

H.1 Introduction of New Employees

The City Manager introduced two new employees who were present at the Council Meeting: Kashina Jones, Police Communications Officer, Aberdeen Police Department and Brinica Noakes, APG Program Manager, Aberdeen Proving Ground. Other new employees who were not able to attend were: Stephen Keefer, Maintenance Trainee, DPW Maintenance; Frederick Pride, Maintenance Trainee, DPW Maintenance; and Joshua Becker, Plant Operator (Certified), Chapel Hill Facility.

H.2 Main Street Program- Susan Sheppard, Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development

Ms. Susan Sheppard, Assistant Main Street Coordinator with the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development discussed the Main Street Program and how it encouraged economic development in the traditional commercial district within the context of historic preservation. She explained that Maryland's five point approach included: organization, promotion, design, economic vitality, and clean/safe/green sustainable communities. From 1998-2018, private investments were over $300 million and public investment was over $290 million. If the City committed to the program, a designated City staff member was necessary. Other nearby municipalities in the program included Bel Air, Elkton, and Havre de Grace.

I) PUBLIC HEARINGS

I.1 Ordinance No. 18-O-30, Amendments to City Ethics Ordinance (2)

There were no public comments.

J) PUBLIC COMMENT

Robert Hartman, Paradise Road: Mr. Hartman asked that Upper Chesapeake Health make a presentation to the public. He asked about the impact on the residents and the property value. He also asked for a turning lane on Bel Air Avenue onto Paradise Road. Councilwoman Landbeck informed the public that on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, the Planning Commission would be reviewing the hospital site plan.

K) LEGISLATIVE SESSION

K.1 Ordinance No. 18-O-16, Subdivision Regulations (For Adoption) [4th meeting]

A motion was made by Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck and seconded by Councilman Melvin Taylor to adopt Ordinance No. 18-O-16, Subdivision Regulations. The motion carried by a vote of 5 – yes; 0 – no.

Ayes: Nays: K.2

Mayor Patrick McGrady, Councilman Steven Goodin, Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck, Councilman Timothy Lindecamp, Councilman Melvin Taylor None

Ordinance No. 18-O-31, Amendment to City's Personnel Policy Manual (3) Anti- Nepotism (For Introduction) (Sponsor/s needed) (1st meeting)

Councilwoman Landbeck and Councilman Taylor agreed to sponsor the Ordinance.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck and seconded by Councilman Melvin Taylor to introduce Ordinance No. 18-O-31, Amendment to City's Personnel Policy Manual (3) Anti-Nepotism. The motion carried by a vote of 5 – yes; 0 – no.

Ayes: Nays: K.3

Mayor Patrick McGrady, Councilman Steven Goodin, Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck, Councilman Timothy Lindecamp, Councilman Melvin Taylor None

Ordinance No. 18-O-32, Amendment to FY 2018 Budget (6) Emergency (For Introduction & Adoption) (Sponsor/s needed)

Lindecamp to introduce Ordinance No. 18-O-32, Amendment to FY 2018 Budget (6)

Emergency. The motion carried by a vote of 5 – yes; 0 – no.

Ayes: Mayor Patrick McGrady, Councilman Steven Goodin, Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck, Councilman Timothy Lindecamp, Councilman Melvin Taylor

Nays: None

A motion was made by Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck and seconded by Councilman Timothy Lindecamp to suspend the prohibition against passing an ordinance at the meeting it was introduced for Ordinance No. 18-O-32, Amendment to FY 2018 Budget (6) Emergency. The motion carried by a vote of 5 – yes; 0 – no.

Ayes: Mayor Patrick McGrady, Councilman Steven Goodin, Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck, Councilman Timothy Lindecamp, Councilman Melvin Taylor

Nays: None

A motion was made by Councilman Melvin Taylor and seconded by Councilman Timothy Lindecamp to adopt Ordinance No. 18-O-32, Amendment to FY 2018 Budget (6) Emergency. The motion carried by a vote of 5 – yes; 0 – no.

Ayes: Mayor Patrick McGrady, Councilman Steven Goodin, Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck, Councilman Timothy Lindecamp, Councilman Melvin Taylor

Nays: None

L) UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None

M) NEW BUSINESS - None

N) UPDATES FROM CITY MANAGER AND STAFF

N.1 City Manager Briefing

The City Manager informed the Council and public about vandalism at Church Green Park and that there would be a reward for information leading to an arrest. He also asked the community to help the police with information on the distribution of flyers of controversial nature. He announced that the City would be hosting the American Red Cross Blood Drive on November 8, 2018.

Mr. Robertson reported that the Planning and Community Development Department made a successful grant application for art work from Harford County. An eagle sculptor and clock were to be installed near City Hall. The auditors finished their work and a final report would be made at the end of October 2018. The Middelton Road contract was signed, and a public meeting was scheduled on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. He said that Human Resource staff attended the Second Chance Job Fair in Edgewood, Maryland. The quilt contest, benefiting the John Archer School, was won by someone in Louisville, Kentucky.

Mr. Robertson read a statement about the new refuse collection program:

About two years ago this Council authorized to move away from the Pay-as-you-throw program for trash collection. As the last city in Maryland using that Pay-as-you-throw program, we saw inequities in individuals paying, a cumbersome system to purchase and tag trash, and a lack of incentives to move to greater recycling.

Late last year, as part of the FY17 budget, Council authorized the purchase and distribution of over 9,000 sturdy, standard wheeled containers to be distributed to residents across town. Concurrent with that the DPW staff undertook modification to the existing fleet to install semi- automation collection device, or mechanical arm on the waste trucks. Mr. Torster and his team, and in concert with you, the Council, started the laborious and sometimes painful process of developing and codifying reams of new policy and administrative changes needed to implement our new, free trash and recycling pick up process. Beginning last March, the DPW Refuse staff assembled and distributed containers to 4,538 residential units 2 cans each. They took just two months to fully complete that task. At the same time, they developed at delivered a host of marketing and informational materials on how the collection process would work. Facebook, e- newsletters, community newsletters, individual s letters to residents, community meetings, website updates, and other forums were used to communicate with our residents.

On July 1, the Pay-as-you-throw fee program ceased to exist. In its place the Toter program, which is essentially free during this startup year, covers the cost of the program and tipping fees within the property tax. Residents have received a trash and recycling container and the same service level as last year. The administrative elements under the program have also affected our bulk pickup with residents now authorized one free service every year, and additional pickups at a nominal charge.

As of October 3, City staff find that nearly all residents comply with the new program. While several hundred initial warnings were issued between the start of the program and last week, our data reflects that 19 residential units have been issued three or more warnings. This means once residents have been notified, overwhelmingly they’re complying. DPW also developed and has fielded throughout the community a program to secure additional containers where there may be a need. So far 31 extra containers have been permitted.

In concert with this program, we’re also seeing possibly more important data that isn’t visible by these numbers. From a continued rash of annual workman’s comp injuries, we’re down to one in the last six months. From a constant turnover of staff, in what many would suggest is one of the toughest jobs you could have, we’ve haven’t lost one employee in the last six months. This new program helps us focus on our most important asset, our people, their safety, and morale.

Finally, we’ve seen a slight spike in the tipping fees. This means there’s more weight on the trucks when they hit the county landfill scales. A large part of the reason is that it’s been an exceptionally wet summer. When a trash container isn’t covered, it collects rain, and that translates into weight that all Aberdeen taxpayers pay for. So, please, put the lid down on your cans. We also believe some of our residents are taking this opportunity to clean house, no stickers to buy and it’s free. Finally, we seen a measurable increase in the City’s recycling efforts with an additional 71 tons of waste diverted from the landfill over the same time frame of last year.

So, Aberdeen, together we believe we’re slowly changing a culture, one of the hardest things to do for an organization or community. There will certainly be more challenges, but across the board, for nearly 4,600 residential units, we want to say thanks and keep up the great work.

N.2 Bid No. 19-02 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter Program

A motion was made by Councilman Melvin Taylor and seconded by Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck to approve Bid No. 19-02, Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter Repair be awarded to the lowest bidder, Santos Construction Company Inc., with headquarters located in Bowie, Maryland in the amount of $47,810. The motion carried by a vote of 5 – yes; 0 – no.

Ayes: Mayor Patrick McGrady, Councilman Steven Goodin, Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck, Councilman Timothy Lindecamp, Councilman Melvin Taylor

Nays: None

O) PUBLIC COMMENT

Ruth Ann Young, Doris Circle: Ms. Young commented on the Middelton Road project and the need for resident notification on Doris Circle. Mr. Robertson said that this would be accomplished by newspaper notices, Facebook notices, and private mailings. She asked about Harford County Government updates on the Aberdeen Senior Center and its repairs. Mr. Robertson said that he met with Mr. Billy Boniface, Director of Administration for Harford County, who would be meeting with the Mayor and Council individually. Other Senior Center representatives, who run the Senior Programs, said that the combined programs of Aberdeen and Havre de Grace have enabled greater participation and programs. Bus transportation was provided.

P) BUSINESS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL

The Council announced Fire Prevention Week, Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, local school events, and promotion of City publications. The Mayor reported on a meeting he attended at the White House in Washington, DC, with other Maryland elected officials on matters of local government. He said that the Planning Commission would be considering a site plan submitted by the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health and an annexation petition for 75 acres of property, Adams and Siebert Farm, at their meeting scheduled for October 10, 2018. The Mayor said that he will be bringing nominations for two new commissions advocating for Aberdeen seniors and youth.

Q) ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Mayor made the following announcements:

Planning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, October 10, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers; Special Council Meeting, Monday, October 15, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers;

Council Work Session, Monday, October 22, 5:30 p.m., 2nd floor conf. room;

Council Meeting, Monday, October 22, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers;

Cats & Bats 5K by Blue Cheetah Sports, Saturday, October 27, 8:00 a.m., Festival Park; Middelton Road Public Meeting, Monday, October 29, 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers; American Red Cross Blood Drive, Thursday, November 8, City Hall.

R) CLOSED MEETING

10-8-18 Written Statement for Closing a Meeting.pdf

A motion was made by Mayor Patrick McGrady and seconded by Councilman Steven Goodin to close the meeting under Statutory Authority to Close Session, MD Code Annotated, General Provisions Article, §3-305(b): (7) "To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice”; (8) "To consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation." Topic: contractual matter. Reason for closed session discussion of topic: to protect the Council deliberative process. Location: second floor administrative conference room. Council would return to reopen meeting in Council Chambers when finished. The motion carried by a vote of 5 – yes; 0 – no.

Ayes: Mayor Patrick McGrady, Councilman Steven Goodin, Councilwoman Sandra Landbeck, Councilman Timothy Lindecamp, Councilman Melvin Taylor

Nays: None

S) ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was reopened at 10:00 p.m. and being no further business was adjourned at 10:01 p.m.

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