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Mhm.

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» Mhm.

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» Mhm.

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» Mhm.

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» Mhm.

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» Mhm.

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» Mhm.

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» And work.

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Are we good, Rick?

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All right.

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We'll call the meeting to order. As a

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courtesy to everyone, please take a

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moment and

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silence any devices that might interrupt

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the meeting. I'm going to do the same

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thing myself.

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Thank you. Good evening and welcome to

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the meeting. This meeting of the Mayor

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and Common Council of Westminster

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Incorporated on February 5th,

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[clears throat] 1819.

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We are gathered here at historic City

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Hall, originally state built in 1842 by

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Colonel John K. Longwell. City acquired

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this building in 1939 and has since been

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the venue where the Mayor and the

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Council conducts the city business.

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Now, we'll begin as we do every meeting

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with the Pledge of Allegiance followed

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by a moment of silence.

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All right, as you were.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

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United States of America

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and to the republic for which it stands,

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one nation under God, indivisible, with

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liberty and justice for all.

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Thank you very much.

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One interesting fact about Westminster

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is the Sherwood Distilling Company. It

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began operations here during World War

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II era, housed in a striking red brick

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plant along Railroad Avenue with large

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glass window window mash drying sheds.

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After producing Sherwood Straight Rye,

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its license expired around 1970 and the

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decades of distilling. However, the tall

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brick smoke stack remains a prominent

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local landmark. Today, the former barrel

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house is the location of Paradiso

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Restaurant and the main building serves

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as Carroll County Citizen Service

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Center, ensuring Sherwood's legacy

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endures in Westminster's architecture

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and community life.

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Moving on, the council typically

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convenes on the second and fourth Monday

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of each month. Please note that these

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meetings are open to the public here at

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City Hall and are also streamed live on

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the city's YouTube page as well as the

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community media center channel and

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website. We extend our gratitude to the

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Community Media Center for its

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partnership in ensuring public access to

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these meetings. Copies of tonight's

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agenda and the entire information packet

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that the council will be using are

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available online at the city's website.

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Hard copies of the agenda are available

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here in the front of the room for those

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in attendance.

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First order of business is a closed

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session statement. A statement for the

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record, a closed meeting was held on

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Monday, April 20th, 2026 in accordance

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with the general provisions of Article

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Section 3-306C2

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of the Annotated Code of Maryland and

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without objection, it is noted that the

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minutes of tonight's meeting reflect the

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Common Council met in a closed meeting

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on Monday, October 20th, 2026 at 5 uh

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5:50 p.m. pursuant to General Article

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Section 3-305B7

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to consult with counsel to obtain legal

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advice and B8 to consult with staff,

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consultants, or other individuals about

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pending or potential litigation.

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Note for the record, Councilmember Huff

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was not present during the vote that was

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taken for the closed meeting and note

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for the record, Councilmember remember

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Bayer left the meeting at 6:15 p.m. The

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city administrator

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Inhols and city attorney Whitworth were

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both in attendance. The Common Council

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took no official action during the

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meeting. The closed session was

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adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Next order of

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business will be a public hearing on

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annexation resolution 2603 and in the

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city of Westminster, public hearings are

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conducted by the mayor. So, Madam Mayor,

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the gavel is yours.

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Very much. Call this public hearing to

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order at 7:00 p.m.

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p.m.

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This is resolution number 26-03,

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annexation 72. A resolution enlarging

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the corporate boundaries of the city of

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Westminster by annexing into the city

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certain property containing plus or

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minus 2.9443

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acres continuous and adjoining to the

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city's existing corporate boundaries

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consisting of real property located at

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10 Salt Box Road, Westminster, Maryland

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21157,

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also identified as tax account number

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07-048408,

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map 0039,

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grid 0013,

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parcel 0752,

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and comprising of plus or minus 1.4983

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acres and plus or minus 1.446

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acres of right-of-way containing a

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portion of College View Boulevard,

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Maryland Route 140, Maryland Route 97,

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belonging to the Maryland Department of

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Transportation State Highway

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Administration.

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Anyone like to make any

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comments during the public hearing? If

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so, please state your name and address

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for the record.

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Or should

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Mr. DePuy, do you want to give any

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Sorry.

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Mr. DePuy, do you want to give any

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information first? If I If I could.

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That makes sense. So, quickly, um,

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Adamy LLC, the petitioners requesting

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that the Mayor and Common Council annex

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property containing approximately 2.9443

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acres into corporate limits and

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subscribed by the Mayor.

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Uh, the Mayor and Common Council may

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enlarge the boundaries of the city of

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Westminster as provided in Annotated

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Code of Maryland.

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The property is located outside city

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limits, but inside the water and sewer

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service area

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and it's eligible for annexation under

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state law.

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The property is currently being served

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by public water and sewer.

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The annexation area is zoned C-2

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commercial medium intensity district

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under the zoning laws of Carroll County.

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The petitioner is requesting the

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property be zoned B business zone

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under the city zoning ordinance.

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Developing in the development in the B

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business zone is substantially similar

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to development in the C-2 commercial

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medium intensity district.

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The petitioner has constructed a Sheets

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convenience convenience store and gas

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pumps at the property. This was all part

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of an annexation agreement between the

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petitioner and the city, whereby

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development was able to move forward

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and the the petitioner was then supposed

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to annex the property, hence tonight's

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meeting.

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Or in February the 9th, 2026, annexation

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resolution 2603

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or annexation 72 was introduced to the

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Mayor and Common Council, allowing the

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process to begin.

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On February 10, 2026, annexation

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resolution 2603, along with an

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annexation plan pursuant to state code,

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was emailed to Carroll County and the

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Maryland Department of Planning.

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On April 16, 2026, the Planning Zoning

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Commission held a public hearing on

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annexation resolution 2603

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including the annexation plan.

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The Planning Zoning Commission forwarded

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annexation resolution 2603 to the City

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of Westminster Mayor and Common Council

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with a favorable recommendation.

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The annexation petition submitted by the

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petitioners meets the requirements for

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annexation under state code.

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The Mayor and Common Council notice of

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public hearing for the resolution was

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advertised on Monday, March 30, 2026

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and Monday, April 6, 2026 in the Carroll

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County Times in conformance with state

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code.

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And that completes my report.

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Thank you.

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Yes. Please state your name and address

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for the record. Well, of course I will

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say that the state and the county have

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the right to speak first at this

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hearing. I I'm going to assume that

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they're not here to speak. Correct.

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Uh thank you, Madam Mayor. My name is

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John Maguire.

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Uh I'm the attorney for Sheets, Inc.

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Uh which is the tenant and operator of

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the property.

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Had Amy, LLC is the owner and the

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landlord.

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Uh and we more or less represented them

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in this. Under the lease, the

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understanding was that Sheets would

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prosecute this civil and site plan and

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set up its business.

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Um

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So, that's kind of where I fit. Uh

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I'm going to assume that the record of

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this hearing

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uh

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con- is constituted by what's been

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placed on the website, what's been

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advertised. That is the record that we

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start with.

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Um

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In addition, uh for the record, I want

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to state uh that the petitions and

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materials that were filed by the

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petitioner in this proceeding are still

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correct and accurate as of the date

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hereof.

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The proposed annexation is consistent

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with the terms and conditions of the

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annexation agreement between the city

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and the landowner dated July 12, 2021

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and recorded against the property

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in the land records of Carroll County in

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book 10375

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8154.

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I also want to acknowledge that the

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staff provided the uh statutory notice

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under local government article 4-406

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speaking one

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involving assessment and fee

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information, and that was given by the

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staff and received by the petitioner.

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Um and the only other I have no other

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comment uh for the record other than

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introduce Gary Kilfeather. Gary's been

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the project manager on this project

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almost from the beginning. The staff has

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gotten to know Gary and uh

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Gary's here tonight.

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You have any questions about the

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operations, Gary can answer those.

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Thank you. Thank you.

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Any questions?

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Um would anyone else like to make any

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public comment?

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Hearing none, we'll close the hearing at

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7:10.

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Madam Mayor,

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back up.

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And now we'll go on to presentations. We

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have two presentations this evening. The

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first one is the Mayoral Proclamation,

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uh Municipal City Week, May 3rd through

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9th, 2026.

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That's Mayor.

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Oh, did I say clerk or did I say? City.

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Oh, sorry.

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Municipal Clerk Municipal Clerk

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Municipal Dog Week It's Dog Week. Dog

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Week. I would ask our phenomenal City

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Clerk, Mr. Doug Barber, to please come

284
00:26:00,760 --> 00:26:04,680
up and join me.

285
00:26:03,560 --> 00:26:07,200
He'll probably bring me something to

286
00:26:04,680 --> 00:26:07,200
sign.

287
00:26:07,433 --> 00:26:10,960
» [laughter]

288
00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:13,840
» All right. Um so this is a Mayoral

289
00:26:10,960 --> 00:26:16,400
Proclamation. This is the 57th Annual

290
00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:19,160
Professional Municipal Clerks Week,

291
00:26:16,400 --> 00:26:20,760
which is held May 3rd through the 9th,

292
00:26:19,160 --> 00:26:22,680
2026.

293
00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:25,000
Whereas the office of the Professional

294
00:26:22,680 --> 00:26:27,560
Municipal Clerk, a time-honored and

295
00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:29,200
vital part of local government, exists

296
00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:31,000
throughout the world.

297
00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:33,320
And the office of the Professional

298
00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:35,440
Municipal Clerk is the oldest profession

299
00:26:33,320 --> 00:26:37,440
among public servants.

300
00:26:35,440 --> 00:26:39,400
The office of the Professional Municipal

301
00:26:37,440 --> 00:26:41,440
Clerk provides a professional link

302
00:26:39,400 --> 00:26:43,600
between the citizens, the local

303
00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:45,880
governing bodies, and agencies of

304
00:26:43,600 --> 00:26:47,840
government at other levels.

305
00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:49,880
And the Professional Municipal Clerks

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00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:52,960
have pledged to be ever mindful of the

307
00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:55,040
neutrality and impartiality, rendering

308
00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:57,440
equal service to all. And the

309
00:26:55,040 --> 00:27:00,120
professional municipal clerk serves as

310
00:26:57,440 --> 00:27:02,600
the information center on functions of

311
00:27:00,120 --> 00:27:04,560
local government and community.

312
00:27:02,600 --> 00:27:06,520
And professional municipal clerks

313
00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:08,320
continually strive to enhance

314
00:27:06,520 --> 00:27:11,000
professional development through

315
00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:13,440
participation in education programs,

316
00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:15,520
seminars, workshops, and the annual

317
00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:16,760
meeting of their state, county, and

318
00:27:15,520 --> 00:27:18,520
international professional

319
00:27:16,760 --> 00:27:20,360
organizations.

320
00:27:18,520 --> 00:27:22,320
And it is most appropriate that we

321
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recognize the accomplishments of the

322
00:27:22,320 --> 00:27:27,440
office of the professional municipal

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00:27:24,320 --> 00:27:29,920
clerk. And now, therefore, I, Dr. Monir

324
00:27:27,440 --> 00:27:32,160
Badr, mayor of the city of Westminster,

325
00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:35,640
on behalf of the common council,

326
00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:38,400
recognize the week of May 3rd, 2026

327
00:27:35,640 --> 00:27:40,480
through May 9th, 2026, to be

328
00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:42,680
Professional Municipal Clerk Week in

329
00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:44,760
Westminster, and further extend

330
00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:47,960
appreciation to our professional

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00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:49,320
municipal clerk, Doug Douglas Barber,

332
00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:51,920
and to [laughter] all the professional

333
00:27:49,320 --> 00:27:54,320
municipal clerks for the vital services

334
00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:56,200
they perform and their exemplary

335
00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:59,760
dedication to the communities they

336
00:27:56,200 --> 00:28:02,680
represent. Adopted this 27th day

337
00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:02,680
of April. Thank you.

338
00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:12,120
Would you like to say anything? No,

339
00:28:09,680 --> 00:28:12,120
ma'am.

340
00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:17,880
Um

341
00:28:15,160 --> 00:28:19,800
we could not run the city the way we do

342
00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:22,480
without our

343
00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:25,000
professional municipal clerk.

344
00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:25,000
Yes.

345
00:28:28,960 --> 00:28:33,720
And he's still doing his job.

346
00:28:32,120 --> 00:28:37,720
He's getting an award.

347
00:28:33,720 --> 00:28:37,720
Nice job there, Doug Douglas. Thank you.

348
00:28:41,359 --> 00:28:43,320
» [clears throat]

349
00:28:42,200 --> 00:28:45,840
» Okay.

350
00:28:43,320 --> 00:28:49,040
Uh and with that, we will move on to our

351
00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:51,280
second presentation this evening. It's a

352
00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:53,360
important presentation and that would be

353
00:28:51,280 --> 00:28:55,440
the fiscal year budget presentation by

354
00:28:53,360 --> 00:28:57,640
our city administrator,

355
00:28:55,440 --> 00:28:58,920
Mr. Moss.

356
00:28:57,640 --> 00:29:00,720
Thank you, sir.

357
00:28:58,920 --> 00:29:03,280
We're going to start tonight. Go ahead

358
00:29:00,720 --> 00:29:04,960
to next slide. As we always do, with the

359
00:29:03,280 --> 00:29:06,720
origin of the budget, right? The

360
00:29:04,960 --> 00:29:08,320
budget's telling a story about how the

361
00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:11,160
mayor and council

362
00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:13,320
make their decisions, what's important

363
00:29:11,160 --> 00:29:14,960
to the city. And we start off with our

364
00:29:13,320 --> 00:29:17,960
vision statement, which I'm going to

365
00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:20,600
read. Westminster is a safe, healthy,

366
00:29:17,960 --> 00:29:23,040
and engaged community where new ideas

367
00:29:20,600 --> 00:29:25,520
and sustainable innovation enhance the

368
00:29:23,040 --> 00:29:27,440
community's quality of life and create

369
00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:30,200
economic opportunities for today's

370
00:29:27,440 --> 00:29:31,840
residents and for future generations.

371
00:29:30,200 --> 00:29:33,400
And you'll see, Mayor and Council, all

372
00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:35,680
of the items that are located in the

373
00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:38,360
budget all relate to that original

374
00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:40,880
vision statement.

375
00:29:38,360 --> 00:29:43,800
Then we move on to the strategic plan

376
00:29:40,880 --> 00:29:46,320
critical success factors. The Mayor and

377
00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:49,640
Council, sometimes annually, sometimes

378
00:29:46,320 --> 00:29:52,400
on a multiple year basis, outline the

379
00:29:49,640 --> 00:29:54,320
critical success factors that the budget

380
00:29:52,400 --> 00:29:55,680
and all of the items that the city does

381
00:29:54,320 --> 00:29:57,840
should go through. And they include the

382
00:29:55,680 --> 00:30:00,360
following: strong partnerships and

383
00:29:57,840 --> 00:30:03,120
engaged communities, water and sewer

384
00:30:00,360 --> 00:30:05,400
capacity for future generations,

385
00:30:03,120 --> 00:30:07,480
economic activity and growth,

386
00:30:05,400 --> 00:30:10,200
responsible stewardship of city

387
00:30:07,480 --> 00:30:11,880
resources, and a safe and livable

388
00:30:10,200 --> 00:30:13,720
community. These are the factors that

389
00:30:11,880 --> 00:30:16,240
drive all of the budget decisions that

390
00:30:13,720 --> 00:30:17,680
we've made in this year's budget and in

391
00:30:16,240 --> 00:30:21,080
most of the decisions that we make

392
00:30:17,680 --> 00:30:21,080
moving forward. Next slide.

393
00:30:21,880 --> 00:30:26,400
An opportunity to educate the public and

394
00:30:23,840 --> 00:30:30,840
remind everybody of the structure of our

395
00:30:26,400 --> 00:30:32,840
budget. We have 1 2 3 4 5 6 funds

396
00:30:30,840 --> 00:30:36,240
that we pull all of all of our various

397
00:30:32,840 --> 00:30:38,080
fund monies from in order to pay for all

398
00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:40,080
of the activities within the budget. And

399
00:30:38,080 --> 00:30:41,520
that includes the general fund, which is

400
00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:43,600
the city's core services and

401
00:30:41,520 --> 00:30:45,280
administrative functions. The public

402
00:30:43,600 --> 00:30:47,280
housing fund,

403
00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:50,120
which is the public housing authority

404
00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:52,920
for housing choice voucher program.

405
00:30:50,120 --> 00:30:54,520
My favorite, the capital project fund,

406
00:30:52,920 --> 00:30:56,400
which accounts for for all of our

407
00:30:54,520 --> 00:30:58,840
capital improvement programs. We call

408
00:30:56,400 --> 00:31:01,640
those CIP, and we'll be referring to

409
00:30:58,840 --> 00:31:02,520
that later in the day, CIP activities.

410
00:31:01,640 --> 00:31:04,800
And then of course we have our

411
00:31:02,520 --> 00:31:08,280
enterprise funds, our water, sewer, and

412
00:31:04,800 --> 00:31:09,760
fiber funds. The water fund helps us pay

413
00:31:08,280 --> 00:31:12,480
for production, treatment, and

414
00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:14,160
distribution of all potable water, clean

415
00:31:12,480 --> 00:31:15,960
water.

416
00:31:14,160 --> 00:31:18,400
The sewer fund helps pay for the

417
00:31:15,960 --> 00:31:21,160
collection and delivery of sewage for

418
00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:23,520
treatment and disposal, very important.

419
00:31:21,160 --> 00:31:24,920
And our fiber fund of course pays for

420
00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:26,920
the construction and operation of the

421
00:31:24,920 --> 00:31:30,960
Westminster fiber network with our

422
00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:30,960
partners in at Ting. Next slide.

423
00:31:31,160 --> 00:31:34,840
This is what everyone's most excited

424
00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:36,120
about, our fiscal year 2027 property

425
00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:36,760
taxes.

426
00:31:36,120 --> 00:31:38,880
Um,

427
00:31:36,760 --> 00:31:41,480
of course in Westminster and all of

428
00:31:38,880 --> 00:31:43,840
Maryland is on a 3-year assessment

429
00:31:41,480 --> 00:31:45,880
cycle. Westminster is in its third year

430
00:31:43,840 --> 00:31:47,920
of the assessment cycle. So in January

431
00:31:45,880 --> 00:31:49,120
of 2026 there'll be new assessments for

432
00:31:47,920 --> 00:31:51,960
this area.

433
00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:55,600
The city's net net assessable base

434
00:31:51,960 --> 00:31:56,720
increased by approximately $156

435
00:31:55,600 --> 00:32:00,280
million

436
00:31:56,720 --> 00:32:02,560
or 6.4% from the prior fiscal year.

437
00:32:00,280 --> 00:32:05,000
This increase is a result of higher

438
00:32:02,560 --> 00:32:06,360
assessments from the reassessment cycle,

439
00:32:05,000 --> 00:32:08,520
as well as new properties that we've

440
00:32:06,360 --> 00:32:11,360
added to the tax roll through

441
00:32:08,520 --> 00:32:11,360
annexations.

442
00:32:12,680 --> 00:32:17,800
Budget drivers. So there is

443
00:32:15,280 --> 00:32:20,280
no change in the real property tax. This

444
00:32:17,800 --> 00:32:22,640
is what everyone is most excited about.

445
00:32:20,280 --> 00:32:23,760
For the 14th year in a row we're able to

446
00:32:22,640 --> 00:32:25,400
say,

447
00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:27,600
uh, thanks to the mayor and council that

448
00:32:25,400 --> 00:32:31,000
the fiscal year 2027 real property tax

449
00:32:27,600 --> 00:32:32,840
rate is 56 cents per $100 assessed

450
00:32:31,000 --> 00:32:35,440
value, which is the same that it has

451
00:32:32,840 --> 00:32:36,360
been again for 14 years, the last 14

452
00:32:35,440 --> 00:32:38,600
years.

453
00:32:36,360 --> 00:32:41,240
The water sewer rates will see

454
00:32:38,600 --> 00:32:43,520
um small increases, 5.75%

455
00:32:41,240 --> 00:32:45,160
increase in the water rate, 5% increase

456
00:32:43,520 --> 00:32:46,440
in the sewer rates.

457
00:32:45,160 --> 00:32:48,600
And just as a reminder, one of the

458
00:32:46,440 --> 00:32:51,520
budget drivers is CPI, the consumer

459
00:32:48,600 --> 00:32:55,600
price index, that has increased 2.4%

460
00:32:51,520 --> 00:32:58,160
from January uh '25 to January '26.

461
00:32:55,600 --> 00:32:58,160
Next slide.

462
00:32:58,840 --> 00:33:04,000
Mayor and Council, this is the outline

463
00:33:00,360 --> 00:33:06,120
of the revenues and expenditures by

464
00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:07,640
fund,

465
00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:09,440
which

466
00:33:07,640 --> 00:33:12,840
I'll just outline. The general fund is

467
00:33:09,440 --> 00:33:15,120
20 The expenditures are 21.7 million,

468
00:33:12,840 --> 00:33:17,280
and the revenues are 23.8

469
00:33:15,120 --> 00:33:18,240
million.

470
00:33:17,280 --> 00:33:20,600
I'm going to leave the rest of them up

471
00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:22,560
there for everyone to see. We'll discuss

472
00:33:20,600 --> 00:33:24,520
this a slightly more in the budget uh

473
00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:25,840
ordinance later on today.

474
00:33:24,520 --> 00:33:27,040
Unless anyone has any questions right

475
00:33:25,840 --> 00:33:28,080
now.

476
00:33:27,040 --> 00:33:30,280
Mr. President, you don't want me to read

477
00:33:28,080 --> 00:33:32,960
those out, do you? No. Okay.

478
00:33:30,280 --> 00:33:32,960
Next slide.

479
00:33:33,160 --> 00:33:37,680
The budget includes some fixed costs,

480
00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:39,160
and those are benefit and insurance

481
00:33:37,680 --> 00:33:41,360
costs. We can't really do anything about

482
00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:43,600
those, um but we do have some good news

483
00:33:41,360 --> 00:33:46,080
to share in this particular arena. Our

484
00:33:43,600 --> 00:33:47,720
health insurance has a small increase of

485
00:33:46,080 --> 00:33:50,080
3.4%,

486
00:33:47,720 --> 00:33:53,440
which we are very excited about because

487
00:33:50,080 --> 00:33:56,160
last year it increased 11.5% and the

488
00:33:53,440 --> 00:33:57,600
year before it increased 13.6%.

489
00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:59,120
Those are funds that are really hard to

490
00:33:57,600 --> 00:34:01,080
find once you get to double-digit

491
00:33:59,120 --> 00:34:03,400
increases. So, we are excited to see

492
00:34:01,080 --> 00:34:04,720
that that's only a 3.4% increase in this

493
00:34:03,400 --> 00:34:06,360
upcoming year.

494
00:34:04,720 --> 00:34:08,280
The pension contribution rate for

495
00:34:06,360 --> 00:34:10,720
non-sworn staff, otherwise known as

496
00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:12,280
civilian staff, has been increased from

497
00:34:10,720 --> 00:34:16,000
13.28%

498
00:34:12,280 --> 00:34:17,159
to 13.52% of salaries, which is a 24%

499
00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:19,200
increase.

500
00:34:17,159 --> 00:34:21,440
The LEOS contribution rate, which is the

501
00:34:19,200 --> 00:34:23,840
pension plan for the sworn officers or

502
00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:29,360
the law enforcement staff, has decreased

503
00:34:23,840 --> 00:34:32,080
from 39.64 to 39.56, or an 8% decrease.

504
00:34:29,360 --> 00:34:34,000
There's no change in the rates provision

505
00:34:32,080 --> 00:34:35,960
short-term disability. We're still

506
00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:37,480
waiting on the dental rates.

507
00:34:35,960 --> 00:34:40,520
Uh there's a 5% increase on the

508
00:34:37,480 --> 00:34:43,000
long-term disability and a 10% increase

509
00:34:40,520 --> 00:34:44,080
on our base life.

510
00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:45,080
Um

511
00:34:44,080 --> 00:34:47,360
which is the first time we've had that

512
00:34:45,080 --> 00:34:49,480
in a while. So, we were not entirely

513
00:34:47,360 --> 00:34:53,399
surprised by that. Our workers' comp

514
00:34:49,480 --> 00:34:55,280
renewal rate is 5.8% last less than it

515
00:34:53,399 --> 00:34:57,440
was last year. And I just want to take a

516
00:34:55,280 --> 00:35:00,120
quick moment to talk about that. Um

517
00:34:57,440 --> 00:35:02,320
those rates are entirely driven by

518
00:35:00,120 --> 00:35:04,400
decisions that we're making at the staff

519
00:35:02,320 --> 00:35:06,880
level, at the council level,

520
00:35:04,400 --> 00:35:10,160
um in order to make sure our workers are

521
00:35:06,880 --> 00:35:12,920
operating um in a safer manner. Examples

522
00:35:10,160 --> 00:35:15,760
of that are a few years ago this council

523
00:35:12,920 --> 00:35:17,680
authorized um mowers that were remote

524
00:35:15,760 --> 00:35:20,000
controlled so that we could mow some of

525
00:35:17,680 --> 00:35:21,320
the very steep banks, making sure that

526
00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:23,120
our employees are not injured in the

527
00:35:21,320 --> 00:35:25,080
process. We're seeing we're starting to

528
00:35:23,120 --> 00:35:26,560
reap the benefits of some of those

529
00:35:25,080 --> 00:35:28,400
decisions that the council made at the

530
00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:30,080
capital level, and then some very

531
00:35:28,400 --> 00:35:32,280
specific decisions that the chief is

532
00:35:30,080 --> 00:35:34,320
making, and public works department is

533
00:35:32,280 --> 00:35:37,280
making as well. That those are we're

534
00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:41,200
realizing those in a very um exciting

535
00:35:37,280 --> 00:35:43,200
way with a 5.8% less increase in our

536
00:35:41,200 --> 00:35:44,400
premiums for workers' comp. So, just

537
00:35:43,200 --> 00:35:45,680
want to take a moment to thank all of

538
00:35:44,400 --> 00:35:47,120
the staff for all their hard work on

539
00:35:45,680 --> 00:35:48,560
that.

540
00:35:47,120 --> 00:35:50,240
And then our general insurance rates are

541
00:35:48,560 --> 00:35:54,120
still pending, but we've budgeted for a

542
00:35:50,240 --> 00:35:56,680
13.3 increase over fiscal year 2026

543
00:35:54,120 --> 00:35:58,320
actual costs. And that's based on an

544
00:35:56,680 --> 00:36:00,960
estimate that we have from the carrier.

545
00:35:58,320 --> 00:36:00,960
Next slide.

546
00:36:01,240 --> 00:36:05,840
The CIP budget um

547
00:36:03,840 --> 00:36:08,520
we're excited for. These are just a few

548
00:36:05,840 --> 00:36:11,320
of the many many many projects we have

549
00:36:08,520 --> 00:36:14,040
in the CIP, including Wakefield Valley

550
00:36:11,320 --> 00:36:16,600
Trail upgrades. The construction should

551
00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:19,000
start in this upcoming fiscal year. Rock

552
00:36:16,600 --> 00:36:20,360
Park equipment and a brand new restroom

553
00:36:19,000 --> 00:36:23,160
building at Rock Park, so we'll no

554
00:36:20,360 --> 00:36:25,360
longer need the portable restroom we had

555
00:36:23,160 --> 00:36:27,280
out there that's at the Hubble Farms.

556
00:36:25,360 --> 00:36:29,000
Of course, um we're excited to hopefully

557
00:36:27,280 --> 00:36:31,640
be able to purchase and install bocce

558
00:36:29,000 --> 00:36:33,560
ball courts this year at City Park.

559
00:36:31,640 --> 00:36:35,320
We've got some much-needed family

560
00:36:33,560 --> 00:36:36,920
fitness center building improvements, as

561
00:36:35,320 --> 00:36:38,320
well as new equipment, which we purchase

562
00:36:36,920 --> 00:36:39,400
every year.

563
00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:42,800
Hopefully, we're finally going to get

564
00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:44,360
the HVAC upgrades completed at uh my

565
00:36:42,800 --> 00:36:46,880
buildings um

566
00:36:44,360 --> 00:36:48,720
well, this says 40 City Hall.

567
00:36:46,880 --> 00:36:51,200
Both buildings, actually, City Hall and

568
00:36:48,720 --> 00:36:53,000
City Administration Building at 45 West.

569
00:36:51,200 --> 00:36:54,920
We've got pavement management, as as we

570
00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:57,320
always do, as well as inflow

571
00:36:54,920 --> 00:36:59,640
infiltration and inflow. It's a project

572
00:36:57,320 --> 00:37:01,640
we call I&I, very important in the sewer

573
00:36:59,640 --> 00:37:03,880
department, to make sure that the storm

574
00:37:01,640 --> 00:37:06,880
water doesn't infiltrate um the sewer

575
00:37:03,880 --> 00:37:08,760
plants. We'll have ongoing projects at

576
00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:10,880
the sewer plant, the enhanced nutrient

577
00:37:08,760 --> 00:37:14,440
removal project, which I'm very hopeful

578
00:37:10,880 --> 00:37:16,320
will close up in this next fiscal year.

579
00:37:14,440 --> 00:37:18,080
Not promising, but hopeful.

580
00:37:16,320 --> 00:37:20,160
Um and finally, and most excitingly,

581
00:37:18,080 --> 00:37:22,120
we've got the Pure Water Westminster,

582
00:37:20,160 --> 00:37:23,760
our water reuse facility, which is still

583
00:37:22,120 --> 00:37:26,760
under construction, and will be

584
00:37:23,760 --> 00:37:29,320
completed by February of 2027, which is

585
00:37:26,760 --> 00:37:30,720
this upcoming budget year.

586
00:37:29,320 --> 00:37:32,080
Next slide.

587
00:37:30,720 --> 00:37:33,440
I'll take a quick moment to thank the

588
00:37:32,080 --> 00:37:34,360
staff.

589
00:37:33,440 --> 00:37:36,560
Um

590
00:37:34,360 --> 00:37:38,680
Ms. Rogers has put in an unbelievable

591
00:37:36,560 --> 00:37:40,760
number of hours on the budget, um and

592
00:37:38,680 --> 00:37:43,240
the finance committee, as well, who's

593
00:37:40,760 --> 00:37:45,440
had several meetings, some very

594
00:37:43,240 --> 00:37:47,280
thoughtful discussion. Um we are

595
00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:49,400
partners in this budget process, and we

596
00:37:47,280 --> 00:37:50,520
really appreciate that. President, that

597
00:37:49,400 --> 00:37:52,600
concludes the report. I'm happy to

598
00:37:50,520 --> 00:37:54,600
answer any questions.

599
00:37:52,600 --> 00:37:55,920
Thank you, Ms. Imholz. Um

600
00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:57,440
I'll open it up for questions in a

601
00:37:55,920 --> 00:38:01,400
minute, but I did want to make one quick

602
00:37:57,440 --> 00:38:03,400
comment, just for clarity for public uh

603
00:38:01,400 --> 00:38:05,520
consumption, for the viewers who are

604
00:38:03,400 --> 00:38:10,160
watching.

605
00:38:05,520 --> 00:38:12,240
This, by no means, is our only uh touch

606
00:38:10,160 --> 00:38:14,520
in terms of this budget prior to it

607
00:38:12,240 --> 00:38:16,600
coming before us. This is just the

608
00:38:14,520 --> 00:38:18,080
introduction, um which we'll do

609
00:38:16,600 --> 00:38:20,360
officially in a little bit, but we'll

610
00:38:18,080 --> 00:38:23,600
have multiple meetings with the entire

611
00:38:20,360 --> 00:38:25,760
body, um and we take a very deep dive

612
00:38:23,600 --> 00:38:27,120
into the budget. Finance Committee has

613
00:38:25,760 --> 00:38:29,560
already spent a lot of time to do this

614
00:38:27,120 --> 00:38:31,480
year. The entire body will spend a lot

615
00:38:29,560 --> 00:38:34,560
more time going through it.

616
00:38:31,480 --> 00:38:36,720
You know, now what is appropriate, what

617
00:38:34,560 --> 00:38:38,320
may or may not be appropriate, and then

618
00:38:36,720 --> 00:38:39,880
we'll bring back a final budget for

619
00:38:38,320 --> 00:38:41,040
approval. So, I just want to make sure

620
00:38:39,880 --> 00:38:42,880
everyone is

621
00:38:41,040 --> 00:38:44,360
crystal clear that this is just a very

622
00:38:42,880 --> 00:38:46,520
high-level,

623
00:38:44,360 --> 00:38:47,960
um, overview, um, for public

624
00:38:46,520 --> 00:38:50,000
consumption, and we'll be spending a lot

625
00:38:47,960 --> 00:38:52,480
more time with this over the next 5

626
00:38:50,000 --> 00:38:53,440
months. So, to that, I've opened up for

627
00:38:52,480 --> 00:38:56,320
any other questions about the

628
00:38:53,440 --> 00:38:58,120
presentation at this point.

629
00:38:56,320 --> 00:39:00,000
Mr. Mayor, go ahead.

630
00:38:58,120 --> 00:39:01,760
No questions. I just want to

631
00:39:00,000 --> 00:39:04,400
make a couple of comments if I could, as

632
00:39:01,760 --> 00:39:06,120
chair of Finance Committee.

633
00:39:04,400 --> 00:39:09,240
First, you know, to to give, you know,

634
00:39:06,120 --> 00:39:10,800
my thank my thanks to Ms. Imholz, and

635
00:39:09,240 --> 00:39:12,960
Ms. Rodgers, and Kristen Gardner, who

636
00:39:10,800 --> 00:39:15,040
have all

637
00:39:12,960 --> 00:39:17,680
you know, offered staff, uh, you know,

638
00:39:15,040 --> 00:39:19,160
assistance for, uh, financial planning.

639
00:39:17,680 --> 00:39:20,680
Um,

640
00:39:19,160 --> 00:39:22,240
and the rest of the team, terrific job

641
00:39:20,680 --> 00:39:23,640
once again in putting together this

642
00:39:22,240 --> 00:39:25,320
budget, you know, working with the

643
00:39:23,640 --> 00:39:25,880
Finance Committee.

644
00:39:25,320 --> 00:39:26,960
Um,

645
00:39:25,880 --> 00:39:27,640
you know,

646
00:39:26,960 --> 00:39:29,600
you know,

647
00:39:27,640 --> 00:39:33,120
it's not every municipality that's able

648
00:39:29,600 --> 00:39:35,480
to not only avoid a property tax

649
00:39:33,120 --> 00:39:37,320
increase for 14 years in a row with

650
00:39:35,480 --> 00:39:40,000
rising costs,

651
00:39:37,320 --> 00:39:41,280
and doing as much as we're doing.

652
00:39:40,000 --> 00:39:44,560
But, also, and I think this is an

653
00:39:41,280 --> 00:39:46,920
important point, continuing to only ask

654
00:39:44,560 --> 00:39:48,520
moderate moderate increases

655
00:39:46,920 --> 00:39:50,640
in water and sewer rates. We see

656
00:39:48,520 --> 00:39:52,840
surrounding municipalities,

657
00:39:50,640 --> 00:39:55,160
other jurisdictions, seeing

658
00:39:52,840 --> 00:39:57,960
significantly larger increases in water

659
00:39:55,160 --> 00:40:00,160
and sewer. And that's because, I think,

660
00:39:57,960 --> 00:40:01,800
we've looked ahead

661
00:40:00,160 --> 00:40:04,680
on these issues

662
00:40:01,800 --> 00:40:06,360
for years now, and we we've

663
00:40:04,680 --> 00:40:08,560
taken actions, understood the

664
00:40:06,360 --> 00:40:11,480
consequences of the actions we were

665
00:40:08,560 --> 00:40:14,320
taking, to make sure that we don't have

666
00:40:11,480 --> 00:40:16,640
those kind of major offsets, you know,

667
00:40:14,320 --> 00:40:18,880
and and wild swings in what we have to

668
00:40:16,640 --> 00:40:20,480
ask of of the citizens of Westminster.

669
00:40:18,880 --> 00:40:22,000
And that's really critical. Another

670
00:40:20,480 --> 00:40:24,880
important thing that we've done, and I'm

671
00:40:22,000 --> 00:40:27,360
I'm really proud of the entire team, you

672
00:40:24,880 --> 00:40:28,920
know, my colleagues on the council as

673
00:40:27,360 --> 00:40:31,640
well as the staff.

674
00:40:28,920 --> 00:40:33,040
I think there's probably no community in

675
00:40:31,640 --> 00:40:34,800
Maryland, and I don't want to brag

676
00:40:33,040 --> 00:40:37,520
beyond that, but certainly no community

677
00:40:34,800 --> 00:40:40,600
in Maryland that has made a better use

678
00:40:37,520 --> 00:40:42,280
of the IIJA funds.

679
00:40:40,600 --> 00:40:43,640
You know, these these were these were

680
00:40:42,280 --> 00:40:45,160
funds that we received in the wake of

681
00:40:43,640 --> 00:40:46,880
the pandemic from the federal

682
00:40:45,160 --> 00:40:50,320
government. Westminster received a

683
00:40:46,880 --> 00:40:53,440
significant amount, $18 million roughly,

684
00:40:50,320 --> 00:40:55,840
and whatever you think. And as soon as

685
00:40:53,440 --> 00:40:57,720
that money was announced, we began

686
00:40:55,840 --> 00:40:59,080
planning. We got together and we said,

687
00:40:57,720 --> 00:41:01,240
"We're not going to waste this

688
00:40:59,080 --> 00:41:03,920
opportunity. This is an incredible

689
00:41:01,240 --> 00:41:05,240
opportunity to to fund a lot of

690
00:41:03,920 --> 00:41:07,160
important things we need to get done in

691
00:41:05,240 --> 00:41:09,240
Westminster. We're not going to waste

692
00:41:07,160 --> 00:41:12,160
it. We're not going to spend it on

693
00:41:09,240 --> 00:41:13,920
frivolous things. We'll be very serious

694
00:41:12,160 --> 00:41:15,520
and very thoughtful about how we're

695
00:41:13,920 --> 00:41:17,480
spending this money, and we're going to

696
00:41:15,520 --> 00:41:19,600
make sure that every dollar we spend of

697
00:41:17,480 --> 00:41:22,920
that money, we're able to use that to

698
00:41:19,600 --> 00:41:26,280
leverage city money to do even

699
00:41:22,920 --> 00:41:28,600
And we began that process. Miss Hallsten

700
00:41:26,280 --> 00:41:30,760
executed it in a tremendously skillful

701
00:41:28,600 --> 00:41:33,440
spending skillful manner. Always support

702
00:41:30,760 --> 00:41:35,480
from finance team and the public works

703
00:41:33,440 --> 00:41:36,720
team and everybody else. And I couldn't

704
00:41:35,480 --> 00:41:38,080
be prouder of how we've done this. I

705
00:41:36,720 --> 00:41:40,040
think because of that we've been able to

706
00:41:38,080 --> 00:41:41,600
bring the citizens of Westminster so

707
00:41:40,040 --> 00:41:44,200
much more in terms of public works

708
00:41:41,600 --> 00:41:45,240
projects and other we other things than,

709
00:41:44,200 --> 00:41:48,320
you know, other communities have been

710
00:41:45,240 --> 00:41:48,320
able to do with the person.

711
00:41:48,480 --> 00:41:52,560
So, that's that's I just wanted to say

712
00:41:49,800 --> 00:41:53,680
that. Thank you.

713
00:41:52,560 --> 00:41:56,360
I I think you're [clears throat] being

714
00:41:53,680 --> 00:41:59,760
slightly modest in only in that you were

715
00:41:56,360 --> 00:42:01,480
probably the loudest champion when we

716
00:41:59,760 --> 00:42:05,600
realized how much money we were going to

717
00:42:01,480 --> 00:42:08,680
get in terms of insisting that we

718
00:42:05,600 --> 00:42:10,280
plan well ahead and and handle it right.

719
00:42:08,680 --> 00:42:12,840
And we watched other other

720
00:42:10,280 --> 00:42:14,800
municipalities, other counties fritter

721
00:42:12,840 --> 00:42:16,320
away a lot of that money and frankly

722
00:42:14,800 --> 00:42:19,440
they wasted some of it and had to give

723
00:42:16,320 --> 00:42:22,320
it back. And I think because of your

724
00:42:19,440 --> 00:42:24,640
guidance in particular early on

725
00:42:22,320 --> 00:42:26,160
that went a long way in helping us be

726
00:42:24,640 --> 00:42:29,320
where we're at with the town in terms of

727
00:42:26,160 --> 00:42:30,240
how we utilize those funds. Anyone else?

728
00:42:29,320 --> 00:42:31,600
Mr. President.

729
00:42:30,240 --> 00:42:33,920
» Yes, Mr. Hall.

730
00:42:31,600 --> 00:42:36,800
The only other thing I will mention

731
00:42:33,920 --> 00:42:38,920
is, you know, I I since I've been on the

732
00:42:36,800 --> 00:42:40,720
this council for the past 5 years, I

733
00:42:38,920 --> 00:42:42,840
really think we have done a tremendous

734
00:42:40,720 --> 00:42:44,320
job of working with our federal, state,

735
00:42:42,840 --> 00:42:47,240
county partners

736
00:42:44,320 --> 00:42:49,040
to help bring additional funds for all

737
00:42:47,240 --> 00:42:52,240
of our capital

738
00:42:49,040 --> 00:42:54,280
needs in the city. And I really

739
00:42:52,240 --> 00:42:57,520
compliment everybody's effort up here

740
00:42:54,280 --> 00:42:59,200
with that. But especially with staff's

741
00:42:57,520 --> 00:43:00,400
effort,

742
00:42:59,200 --> 00:43:02,160
especially with working with some of the

743
00:43:00,400 --> 00:43:04,400
federal stuff, we have done really well

744
00:43:02,160 --> 00:43:06,320
regarding that. And it allows us to

745
00:43:04,400 --> 00:43:09,560
accomplish a lot of great things for the

746
00:43:06,320 --> 00:43:10,960
city. So, besides the ARPA money, I just

747
00:43:09,560 --> 00:43:12,080
want to highlight that too. But I think

748
00:43:10,960 --> 00:43:14,080
we've done a

749
00:43:12,080 --> 00:43:15,840
tremendous job in the past 5 years that

750
00:43:14,080 --> 00:43:18,280
I've been here.

751
00:43:15,840 --> 00:43:19,069
Thank you, Mr. Hall. Anyone else?

752
00:43:18,280 --> 00:43:19,680
Okay.

753
00:43:19,069 --> 00:43:21,960
» [clears throat]

754
00:43:19,680 --> 00:43:24,680
» We'll be moving on. We will now move on

755
00:43:21,960 --> 00:43:27,400
to a appointment by the mayor. Mayor

756
00:43:24,680 --> 00:43:31,320
Backus. Thank you, Mr. President.

757
00:43:27,400 --> 00:43:32,320
I would like to bring forward Dr. Robert

758
00:43:31,320 --> 00:43:34,480
Wax

759
00:43:32,320 --> 00:43:36,840
to be considered to fill the vacancy on

760
00:43:34,480 --> 00:43:38,680
the City of Westminster's Planning and

761
00:43:36,840 --> 00:43:41,680
Zoning Commission.

762
00:43:38,680 --> 00:43:44,280
I forwarded Mr. Dr. Wax's

763
00:43:41,680 --> 00:43:46,320
application and resume to everyone on

764
00:43:44,280 --> 00:43:48,400
the council. And I'm sure you have had

765
00:43:46,320 --> 00:43:49,160
time to consider

766
00:43:48,400 --> 00:43:51,080
um

767
00:43:49,160 --> 00:43:54,640
this appointment up to the

768
00:43:51,080 --> 00:43:54,640
Planning and Zoning Commission.

769
00:43:54,880 --> 00:43:58,240
Thank you, Madam Mayor. I was real glad

770
00:43:57,120 --> 00:44:00,040
you sent that along cuz you know, I

771
00:43:58,240 --> 00:44:02,040
really didn't know the guy. I only saw

772
00:44:00,040 --> 00:44:03,160
him at the time.

773
00:44:02,040 --> 00:44:06,200
Jog your memory there.

774
00:44:03,160 --> 00:44:08,960
» Yeah, exactly. So, may I have a motion

775
00:44:06,200 --> 00:44:10,880
to approve the mayor's appointment of

776
00:44:08,960 --> 00:44:12,920
Dr. Wac to the Planning and Zoning

777
00:44:10,880 --> 00:44:15,360
Commission. Mr. President, I will make a

778
00:44:12,920 --> 00:44:16,720
motion to approve said appointment.

779
00:44:15,360 --> 00:44:18,520
» Thank you, Mr. Hoff. And I believe Mr.

780
00:44:16,720 --> 00:44:20,480
Bayer had the second.

781
00:44:18,520 --> 00:44:21,840
I'll open it up for any discussion prior

782
00:44:20,480 --> 00:44:24,240
to the vote.

783
00:44:21,840 --> 00:44:25,520
Any discussion? Just one comment. I

784
00:44:24,240 --> 00:44:27,640
don't think that the mayor could have

785
00:44:25,520 --> 00:44:28,800
picked a better person to step into this

786
00:44:27,640 --> 00:44:31,280
role.

787
00:44:28,800 --> 00:44:33,040
Dr. Wac's knowledgeable

788
00:44:31,280 --> 00:44:35,520
from serving on this council, but from

789
00:44:33,040 --> 00:44:37,480
also being a activist citizen in the

790
00:44:35,520 --> 00:44:40,120
community. So, I know that he'll

791
00:44:37,480 --> 00:44:42,240
represent the folks well. So, great

792
00:44:40,120 --> 00:44:43,920
choice. Thank you, Mr. Bayer. Anyone

793
00:44:42,240 --> 00:44:45,530
else?

794
00:44:43,920 --> 00:44:47,000
I agree.

795
00:44:45,530 --> 00:44:48,280
» [laughter]

796
00:44:47,000 --> 00:44:50,400
» Okay.

797
00:44:48,280 --> 00:44:52,520
All those in favor of approving the

798
00:44:50,400 --> 00:44:54,240
mayor's appointment of Dr. Wac to the

799
00:44:52,520 --> 00:44:57,840
Planning and Zoning Commission, please

800
00:44:54,240 --> 00:44:59,720
signify by saying I. I. Please note for

801
00:44:57,840 --> 00:45:02,720
the record that I vote voted in the

802
00:44:59,720 --> 00:45:04,480
affirmative as well. Done on that.

803
00:45:02,720 --> 00:45:07,160
Any opposed?

804
00:45:04,480 --> 00:45:10,360
The eyes have it, and congratulations,

805
00:45:07,160 --> 00:45:12,240
Madam Mayor. Dr. Wac is appointed to the

806
00:45:10,360 --> 00:45:13,920
Planning and Zoning Commission.

807
00:45:12,240 --> 00:45:16,080
Thank you very much.

808
00:45:13,920 --> 00:45:18,800
Okay. Now, we will move on. I don't

809
00:45:16,080 --> 00:45:20,960
believe our attorney is here. Okay,

810
00:45:18,800 --> 00:45:24,240
we will move on to approval of minutes.

811
00:45:20,960 --> 00:45:26,520
We have three sets of minutes to approve

812
00:45:24,240 --> 00:45:27,920
for this meeting. We have minutes from

813
00:45:26,520 --> 00:45:31,880
the Mayor and Common Council Work

814
00:45:27,920 --> 00:45:34,320
Session Meeting of April 20th, 2026,

815
00:45:31,880 --> 00:45:37,560
special Mayor and Common Council Meeting

816
00:45:34,320 --> 00:45:39,920
Minutes of April 20th, 2026,

817
00:45:37,560 --> 00:45:44,320
and the Mayor and Common Council Closed

818
00:45:39,920 --> 00:45:45,840
Meeting Minutes of April 20th, 2026.

819
00:45:44,320 --> 00:45:47,920
Is there a motion to approve the

820
00:45:45,840 --> 00:45:49,680
minutes? So moved, Mr. President. Thank

821
00:45:47,920 --> 00:45:51,400
you, Mr. Pecoraro. May I have a second?

822
00:45:49,680 --> 00:45:54,040
Second. Thank you, Mr. Bayer. Is there

823
00:45:51,400 --> 00:45:56,080
any discussion regarding the motion?

824
00:45:54,040 --> 00:46:00,680
Hearing none, all those in favor, please

825
00:45:56,080 --> 00:46:03,080
signify by saying I. I. The I Any nays?

826
00:46:00,680 --> 00:46:04,440
The eyes have it, and the minutes are

827
00:46:03,080 --> 00:46:06,680
approved. We'll now move on to the

828
00:46:04,440 --> 00:46:08,240
consent calendar. We have three items on

829
00:46:06,680 --> 00:46:09,960
the consent calendar this evening. Is

830
00:46:08,240 --> 00:46:11,560
there a motion to approve the consent

831
00:46:09,960 --> 00:46:12,440
calendar? Mr. President, I'll make a

832
00:46:11,560 --> 00:46:14,400
motion to approve the

833
00:46:12,440 --> 00:46:15,520
» Thank you, Mr. Pop. May I have a second?

834
00:46:14,400 --> 00:46:17,760
Second. Thank [clears throat] you very

835
00:46:15,520 --> 00:46:19,480
much, Mr. Pecoraro.

836
00:46:17,760 --> 00:46:21,240
All those in favor of approving the

837
00:46:19,480 --> 00:46:24,560
consent calendar, please signify by

838
00:46:21,240 --> 00:46:26,320
saying I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have

839
00:46:24,560 --> 00:46:27,680
it, and the consent calendar is

840
00:46:26,320 --> 00:46:29,480
approved. We'll now move on to the

841
00:46:27,680 --> 00:46:31,400
report from the mayor. Madam Mayor.

842
00:46:29,480 --> 00:46:33,400
Thank you, Mr. President.

843
00:46:31,400 --> 00:46:35,200
Um, on Wednesday, April 15th, myself

844
00:46:33,400 --> 00:46:36,840
along with members of of the council

845
00:46:35,200 --> 00:46:39,160
attended the annual Westminster Police

846
00:46:36,840 --> 00:46:41,280
Department award ceremony at the new

847
00:46:39,160 --> 00:46:42,880
event center at Wakefield Valley. The

848
00:46:41,280 --> 00:46:45,720
ceremony is always a memorable

849
00:46:42,880 --> 00:46:47,240
experience witnessing the dedication,

850
00:46:45,720 --> 00:46:49,040
integrity, and the courage of the

851
00:46:47,240 --> 00:46:51,360
officers honored. The Westminster Police

852
00:46:49,040 --> 00:46:53,440
Department is truly something special.

853
00:46:51,360 --> 00:46:55,280
The professional professionalism,

854
00:46:53,440 --> 00:46:57,840
compassion, and commitment shown by its

855
00:46:55,280 --> 00:47:00,080
members reflect not only their duty to

856
00:46:57,840 --> 00:47:02,160
protect, but their genuine care for the

857
00:47:00,080 --> 00:47:04,040
people that they serve. It's evident

858
00:47:02,160 --> 00:47:05,840
that this department goes above and

859
00:47:04,040 --> 00:47:08,560
beyond building trust and making

860
00:47:05,840 --> 00:47:10,760
Westminster a stronger, safer place.

861
00:47:08,560 --> 00:47:12,680
Thank you.

862
00:47:10,760 --> 00:47:15,280
Um, I've been busy in the community for

863
00:47:12,680 --> 00:47:18,160
the last 2 weeks. On Sunday, April 19th,

864
00:47:15,280 --> 00:47:20,520
a new Patriot Trail marker was unveiled

865
00:47:18,160 --> 00:47:23,160
at the historic Westminster Cemetery.

866
00:47:20,520 --> 00:47:25,440
This plaque honors Henry Neff, Caleb

867
00:47:23,160 --> 00:47:28,160
Stansbury, and William Winchester, three

868
00:47:25,440 --> 00:47:30,600
Revolutionary War Patriots buried in the

869
00:47:28,160 --> 00:47:33,640
Westminster Cemetery. The marker is one

870
00:47:30,600 --> 00:47:35,880
of 187 installed along the Patriots

871
00:47:33,640 --> 00:47:37,240
Trail and the very first to be placed in

872
00:47:35,880 --> 00:47:38,920
Maryland.

873
00:47:37,240 --> 00:47:40,920
The plaque was provided by the William

874
00:47:38,920 --> 00:47:42,400
Pomeroy Foundation and made possible

875
00:47:40,920 --> 00:47:45,280
through the efforts of the Westminster

876
00:47:42,400 --> 00:47:47,640
Chapter of the Maryland Society, Sons of

877
00:47:45,280 --> 00:47:49,640
American Revolution. As you enter the

878
00:47:47,640 --> 00:47:51,560
cemetery from North Church Street,

879
00:47:49,640 --> 00:47:54,160
proceed along the drive, and the Patriot

880
00:47:51,560 --> 00:47:57,560
marker is just a few 100 a few hundred

881
00:47:54,160 --> 00:47:59,720
feet in along the right-hand side.

882
00:47:57,560 --> 00:48:01,920
Last Sunday uh evening, I attended a

883
00:47:59,720 --> 00:48:04,320
reception for 11 high school guidance

884
00:48:01,920 --> 00:48:06,400
counselors that McDaniel College invited

885
00:48:04,320 --> 00:48:08,560
to Westminster for a three-day event.

886
00:48:06,400 --> 00:48:10,680
This event was geared to showcase not

887
00:48:08,560 --> 00:48:13,120
only the college, but also the city as a

888
00:48:10,680 --> 00:48:14,520
wonderful place for new students to come

889
00:48:13,120 --> 00:48:17,000
to learn

890
00:48:14,520 --> 00:48:18,600
and hopefully stay in the area. Along

891
00:48:17,000 --> 00:48:20,360
with Council member Hoff, we had a

892
00:48:18,600 --> 00:48:22,600
really nice evening of chatting and

893
00:48:20,360 --> 00:48:24,240
learning about the schools the guidance

894
00:48:22,600 --> 00:48:25,840
counselors were visiting from and

895
00:48:24,240 --> 00:48:27,760
telling them how wonderful the city of

896
00:48:25,840 --> 00:48:29,440
Westminster is.

897
00:48:27,760 --> 00:48:30,760
I want to thank everyone who came out to

898
00:48:29,440 --> 00:48:32,360
X on a mission commons at the

899
00:48:30,760 --> 00:48:34,920
Westminster Public Library for the

900
00:48:32,360 --> 00:48:36,640
mayor's community meetings last Thursday

901
00:48:34,920 --> 00:48:38,840
regarding the update to Westminster's

902
00:48:36,640 --> 00:48:40,920
historic district. There were about 40

903
00:48:38,840 --> 00:48:42,240
individuals in attendance and I believe

904
00:48:40,920 --> 00:48:44,160
by the end of the evening all the

905
00:48:42,240 --> 00:48:46,520
questions were answered if residents had

906
00:48:44,160 --> 00:48:47,840
concerns. There were also residents at

907
00:48:46,520 --> 00:48:50,400
the meeting who were interested in

908
00:48:47,840 --> 00:48:52,800
contributing stories and information and

909
00:48:50,400 --> 00:48:55,080
I look forward to a future update on the

910
00:48:52,800 --> 00:48:57,400
progress of the project.

911
00:48:55,080 --> 00:48:59,400
While I was out of town during the wine

912
00:48:57,400 --> 00:49:01,560
stroll, I wanted to congratulate the

913
00:48:59,400 --> 00:49:03,600
staff for making the decision to move

914
00:49:01,560 --> 00:49:06,520
the start time of the wine stroll up a

915
00:49:03,600 --> 00:49:08,120
few hours to accommodate the inclement

916
00:49:06,520 --> 00:49:09,760
weather that was moving into Westminster

917
00:49:08,120 --> 00:49:11,800
in the afternoon.

918
00:49:09,760 --> 00:49:13,320
I heard it was chilly during the stroll,

919
00:49:11,800 --> 00:49:15,440
but I gathered from the pictures that it

920
00:49:13,320 --> 00:49:18,120
was still well attended and everyone had

921
00:49:15,440 --> 00:49:19,880
had a good time. Given the circumstances

922
00:49:18,120 --> 00:49:22,240
with uncertain weather in April, I think

923
00:49:19,880 --> 00:49:25,040
that the best decision was made to shift

924
00:49:22,240 --> 00:49:29,320
the start time of the stroll and I hope

925
00:49:25,040 --> 00:49:32,080
that we are out of the stroll weather

926
00:49:29,320 --> 00:49:34,160
window for the rest of the year. So so.

927
00:49:32,080 --> 00:49:36,040
I hope so. I also wanted to take a

928
00:49:34,160 --> 00:49:38,120
minute to congratulate the town of

929
00:49:36,040 --> 00:49:40,040
Sykesville as one of the three winners

930
00:49:38,120 --> 00:49:41,720
of the Great American Main Street Award

931
00:49:40,040 --> 00:49:43,440
for 2026.

932
00:49:41,720 --> 00:49:44,760
The award was presented to Sykesville

933
00:49:43,440 --> 00:49:46,680
for their preservation-based

934
00:49:44,760 --> 00:49:50,240
revitalization in their historic

935
00:49:46,680 --> 00:49:52,440
downtown. And then just finally, later

936
00:49:50,240 --> 00:49:53,680
this evening

937
00:49:52,440 --> 00:49:55,600
Miss Imholte

938
00:49:53,680 --> 00:49:57,360
gave a quick presentation on the budget,

939
00:49:55,600 --> 00:50:00,200
but later this evening we will introduce

940
00:49:57,360 --> 00:50:01,520
the fiscal year '22 budget. The process

941
00:50:00,200 --> 00:50:03,520
of putting a budget together isn't

942
00:50:01,520 --> 00:50:05,440
glamorous, it's tedious, and takes a lot

943
00:50:03,520 --> 00:50:07,480
of attention to detail, but it's the

944
00:50:05,440 --> 00:50:09,560
most important legislative task an

945
00:50:07,480 --> 00:50:11,240
organization does, and I look forward to

946
00:50:09,560 --> 00:50:14,720
sharing the budget with you and some

947
00:50:11,240 --> 00:50:16,720
more information later in the meeting.

948
00:50:14,720 --> 00:50:18,680
Mr. President, back to you. Thank you

949
00:50:16,720 --> 00:50:20,680
very much, Madam Mayor. And now we'll

950
00:50:18,680 --> 00:50:22,800
move on to reports committee and right

951
00:50:20,680 --> 00:50:24,920
back at you. There is no report from the

952
00:50:22,800 --> 00:50:26,680
external services committee. Thank you

953
00:50:24,920 --> 00:50:29,320
very much. Economic and community

954
00:50:26,680 --> 00:50:31,200
development, Mr. Huff. No report

955
00:50:29,320 --> 00:50:33,680
tonight, sir. Thank you, Mr. Huff.

956
00:50:31,200 --> 00:50:34,840
Finance committee, Mr. Perreira. Thank

957
00:50:33,680 --> 00:50:36,920
you, Mr. President. I think on behalf of

958
00:50:34,840 --> 00:50:38,760
the finance committee we'll be spending

959
00:50:36,920 --> 00:50:40,280
a bit of time on the budget tonight and

960
00:50:38,760 --> 00:50:41,960
in the future nights, so that's all I

961
00:50:40,280 --> 00:50:44,480
have on that. Thank you, Mr. Perreira.

962
00:50:41,960 --> 00:50:45,280
Personnel, Mr. Bayer. That's me, Mr.

963
00:50:44,480 --> 00:50:46,160
President.

964
00:50:45,280 --> 00:50:48,480
Oh,

965
00:50:46,160 --> 00:50:50,680
sorry. I apologize. Mr. Bayer, that's

966
00:50:48,480 --> 00:50:52,360
you. I apologize. So, Mr. Bayer,

967
00:50:50,680 --> 00:50:55,400
Thank you very much.

968
00:50:52,360 --> 00:50:57,000
I do have a report for public safety. On

969
00:50:55,400 --> 00:50:58,920
April 15th, the Westminster Police

970
00:50:57,000 --> 00:51:00,880
Department's strategic enforcement unit

971
00:50:58,920 --> 00:51:03,160
and canine unit assisted Carroll County

972
00:51:00,880 --> 00:51:06,040
Sheriff's Office with a traffic stop on

973
00:51:03,160 --> 00:51:07,800
the 1800 block of Baltimore Boulevard.

974
00:51:06,040 --> 00:51:11,120
As a result of the stop, officers

975
00:51:07,800 --> 00:51:14,280
recovered 14 g of crack cocaine and

976
00:51:11,120 --> 00:51:16,200
approximately 37 g of fentanyl. It's a

977
00:51:14,280 --> 00:51:18,000
very small amount. This incident

978
00:51:16,200 --> 00:51:20,480
highlights the strong collaboration

979
00:51:18,000 --> 00:51:22,960
between our agencies and our continued

980
00:51:20,480 --> 00:51:25,760
focus on proactive enforcement efforts

981
00:51:22,960 --> 00:51:28,240
to remove these dangerous narcotics from

982
00:51:25,760 --> 00:51:29,880
our community. On April 22nd, the

983
00:51:28,240 --> 00:51:32,440
Westminster Police Department patrol

984
00:51:29,880 --> 00:51:34,880
units responded to a report of retail

985
00:51:32,440 --> 00:51:37,080
theft at Dick's Sporting Goods on North

986
00:51:34,880 --> 00:51:39,720
Center Street. Officers quickly located

987
00:51:37,080 --> 00:51:41,280
the suspect's vehicle as it was leaving

988
00:51:39,720 --> 00:51:43,160
the area and were able to take the

989
00:51:41,280 --> 00:51:46,160
individual into custody. During the

990
00:51:43,160 --> 00:51:49,400
investigations investigation, officers

991
00:51:46,160 --> 00:51:50,840
recovered $1,000 in stolen merchandise

992
00:51:49,400 --> 00:51:53,560
and determined the vehicle had been

993
00:51:50,840 --> 00:51:55,160
reported stolen out of Baltimore County.

994
00:51:53,560 --> 00:51:57,360
Lastly, I would like to compliment the

995
00:51:55,160 --> 00:51:59,760
Westminster Police Department on their

996
00:51:57,360 --> 00:52:03,200
response on the evening, I'm sorry, the

997
00:51:59,760 --> 00:52:04,560
events of April 19th where we had a

998
00:52:03,200 --> 00:52:06,240
tragic

999
00:52:04,560 --> 00:52:08,120
occurrence

1000
00:52:06,240 --> 00:52:11,200
in what appears to be potentially a

1001
00:52:08,120 --> 00:52:13,840
murder-suicide. Call came in at 8:27

1002
00:52:11,200 --> 00:52:17,000
a.m. and our first unit arrived on scene

1003
00:52:13,840 --> 00:52:18,560
at 8:29, 2 minutes later.

1004
00:52:17,000 --> 00:52:21,360
Unfortunately, the tragedy had already

1005
00:52:18,560 --> 00:52:23,960
occurred, but it had been had it been an

1006
00:52:21,360 --> 00:52:26,600
evolving crime, that kind of response

1007
00:52:23,960 --> 00:52:29,280
time can and in many circumstances makes

1008
00:52:26,600 --> 00:52:30,760
the difference between life and death.

1009
00:52:29,280 --> 00:52:32,880
While we were all very saddened by this

1010
00:52:30,760 --> 00:52:35,171
event, it does point out what an amazing

1011
00:52:32,880 --> 00:52:36,400
job our police department does and how

1012
00:52:35,171 --> 00:52:38,360
[clears throat] your tax dollars are

1013
00:52:36,400 --> 00:52:40,880
well spent when it comes to what I

1014
00:52:38,360 --> 00:52:42,520
believe is our most important job as

1015
00:52:40,880 --> 00:52:45,520
elected officials

1016
00:52:42,520 --> 00:52:47,160
and that is public safety in our mission

1017
00:52:45,520 --> 00:52:49,680
statement that Ms. Semmel Hall read

1018
00:52:47,160 --> 00:52:51,400
earlier, the very first word is safe.

1019
00:52:49,680 --> 00:52:53,680
And I think our police department does a

1020
00:52:51,400 --> 00:52:55,280
wonderful job helping us meet that

1021
00:52:53,680 --> 00:52:57,280
mission. So, thank you, Chief.

1022
00:52:55,280 --> 00:52:59,200
» Thank you, sir. And that's my public

1023
00:52:57,280 --> 00:53:01,680
safety report. We'll move on to

1024
00:52:59,200 --> 00:53:04,480
recreation and parks. I have no report

1025
00:53:01,680 --> 00:53:06,320
for that this evening. Technology will

1026
00:53:04,480 --> 00:53:08,120
not have a report unless you do, Mr.

1027
00:53:06,320 --> 00:53:11,840
Bearinger. Mr. Whiteside,

1028
00:53:08,120 --> 00:53:13,800
no. And intergovernmental, Mr. Huff.

1029
00:53:11,840 --> 00:53:15,960
I just want to take a moment to thank

1030
00:53:13,800 --> 00:53:20,480
our friends in Annapolis and our local

1031
00:53:15,960 --> 00:53:22,120
delegation for their help related to um

1032
00:53:20,480 --> 00:53:25,120
receiving this additional funding in our

1033
00:53:22,120 --> 00:53:27,880
fiber project as well for our water

1034
00:53:25,120 --> 00:53:30,480
reuse project for the MDE.

1035
00:53:27,880 --> 00:53:32,440
Um so, I just want to again thank our

1036
00:53:30,480 --> 00:53:34,120
friends in Annapolis for that. Thank

1037
00:53:32,440 --> 00:53:35,280
you. Thank you, Mr. Huff. Now, we'll

1038
00:53:34,120 --> 00:53:38,960
move on to council comments and

1039
00:53:35,280 --> 00:53:41,040
discussion. Mr. Pecoraro. Um

1040
00:53:38,960 --> 00:53:43,840
nothing except that I did attend the one

1041
00:53:41,040 --> 00:53:45,960
stroll on Saturday and despite the fact

1042
00:53:43,840 --> 00:53:48,960
that St. Patrick's Day is on a Friday

1043
00:53:45,960 --> 00:53:50,920
night, we didn't drink a glass of wine.

1044
00:53:48,960 --> 00:53:52,560
I thought you know, the move was a was a

1045
00:53:50,920 --> 00:53:54,120
terrific idea.

1046
00:53:52,560 --> 00:53:56,640
The weather held off. I managed to get

1047
00:53:54,120 --> 00:53:57,800
my grass cut before the event over

1048
00:53:56,640 --> 00:54:00,560
there.

1049
00:53:57,800 --> 00:54:03,360
But yeah, I was so pleased when I got

1050
00:54:00,560 --> 00:54:04,560
there. See so many people following Main

1051
00:54:03,360 --> 00:54:06,440
Street,

1052
00:54:04,560 --> 00:54:08,880
having a good time, you know, visiting

1053
00:54:06,440 --> 00:54:11,040
Westminster businesses on Main Street as

1054
00:54:08,880 --> 00:54:12,560
well as all the vendors that we had out

1055
00:54:11,040 --> 00:54:14,480
on the street. So

1056
00:54:12,560 --> 00:54:16,040
good call. Ms. Gruber is not here, I

1057
00:54:14,480 --> 00:54:17,960
know, but good call to Ms. Gruber for

1058
00:54:16,040 --> 00:54:19,160
the impulse and everybody else involved

1059
00:54:17,960 --> 00:54:21,560
in that decision. I don't believe we

1060
00:54:19,160 --> 00:54:23,720
ever would have folded and had it be so

1061
00:54:21,560 --> 00:54:25,040
successful. That's all I have. Thank

1062
00:54:23,720 --> 00:54:26,800
you, Mr. Mayor.

1063
00:54:25,040 --> 00:54:28,600
Mr. Hoff.

1064
00:54:26,800 --> 00:54:30,480
I was just going to note the same thing

1065
00:54:28,600 --> 00:54:32,600
with the wine stroll. Very impressed

1066
00:54:30,480 --> 00:54:34,440
with staff thinking ahead

1067
00:54:32,600 --> 00:54:37,000
with kind of changing things based on

1068
00:54:34,440 --> 00:54:39,200
the weather. And I think all things

1069
00:54:37,000 --> 00:54:42,320
considered the event went very very

1070
00:54:39,200 --> 00:54:45,120
well. And the timing as far as when it

1071
00:54:42,320 --> 00:54:47,280
started to rain was just about perfect.

1072
00:54:45,120 --> 00:54:49,760
So I would really

1073
00:54:47,280 --> 00:54:52,000
just commend staff thinking ahead and

1074
00:54:49,760 --> 00:54:54,360
kind of recalibrating at the last minute

1075
00:54:52,000 --> 00:54:56,120
to make the best of a

1076
00:54:54,360 --> 00:54:58,520
not so great situation from a weather

1077
00:54:56,120 --> 00:55:00,440
standpoint. So thank you.

1078
00:54:58,520 --> 00:55:02,480
Thank you, Mr. Hoff. Yes, Mayor. Yes, I

1079
00:55:00,440 --> 00:55:05,160
had the opportunity last week to attend

1080
00:55:02,480 --> 00:55:08,240
an Arbor Day tree planting.

1081
00:55:05,160 --> 00:55:10,320
It was conducted by the ground staff

1082
00:55:08,240 --> 00:55:12,080
down in the playground. And what really

1083
00:55:10,320 --> 00:55:13,800
made it nice there was a group of kids

1084
00:55:12,080 --> 00:55:15,280
from the Boys and Girls Club that

1085
00:55:13,800 --> 00:55:17,360
actually did the planting and they just

1086
00:55:15,280 --> 00:55:18,560
had a great time doing it. Had a lot of

1087
00:55:17,360 --> 00:55:19,600
fun.

1088
00:55:18,560 --> 00:55:21,480
And

1089
00:55:19,600 --> 00:55:23,800
it really highlight trees in the city.

1090
00:55:21,480 --> 00:55:25,840
This is the 36th year in a row that

1091
00:55:23,800 --> 00:55:28,800
Westminster's a tree city.

1092
00:55:25,840 --> 00:55:31,000
And that's probably in the state going

1093
00:55:28,800 --> 00:55:32,600
to be near the top, I'm sure.

1094
00:55:31,000 --> 00:55:34,880
So that was a good event.

1095
00:55:32,600 --> 00:55:36,760
The other thing is just a quick note is

1096
00:55:34,880 --> 00:55:39,040
that our public works committee we now

1097
00:55:36,760 --> 00:55:41,440
have a regular meeting schedule set up

1098
00:55:39,040 --> 00:55:45,200
and we're all good to go with the mayor

1099
00:55:41,440 --> 00:55:46,360
and Mr. Huff. So, we're good.

1100
00:55:45,200 --> 00:55:48,680
Thank you very much. I have a couple

1101
00:55:46,360 --> 00:55:52,280
quick things. Number one, I'm going to

1102
00:55:48,680 --> 00:55:54,400
go back to the city clerk week that's

1103
00:55:52,280 --> 00:55:56,720
upcoming next week

1104
00:55:54,400 --> 00:56:00,480
and just make a quick comment. You know,

1105
00:55:56,720 --> 00:56:02,200
we have probably the preeminent clerk in

1106
00:56:00,480 --> 00:56:02,808
the state of Maryland that is honestly

1107
00:56:02,200 --> 00:56:04,760
as well as

1108
00:56:02,808 --> 00:56:07,200
» [clears throat]

1109
00:56:04,760 --> 00:56:09,600
» I have examined that uh

1110
00:56:07,200 --> 00:56:12,000
quite a few other municipal clerks

1111
00:56:09,600 --> 00:56:14,440
actually seek Doug's guidance out on a

1112
00:56:12,000 --> 00:56:17,040
very consistent basis. But, we miss him

1113
00:56:14,440 --> 00:56:19,640
all. It's not uncommon that folks will

1114
00:56:17,040 --> 00:56:21,840
come to him and ask him how to do their

1115
00:56:19,640 --> 00:56:24,440
job. And we're fortunate enough to have

1116
00:56:21,840 --> 00:56:26,120
the guru right here. And I'm really

1117
00:56:24,440 --> 00:56:28,840
fortunate because as you all have

1118
00:56:26,120 --> 00:56:31,400
witnessed on almost a a semi-monthly

1119
00:56:28,840 --> 00:56:33,520
basis, I'll foul some some

1120
00:56:31,400 --> 00:56:35,000
quite a few things up from time to time

1121
00:56:33,520 --> 00:56:37,400
and Doug keeps me on the straight and

1122
00:56:35,000 --> 00:56:39,680
narrow. So, I'm very grateful for that.

1123
00:56:37,400 --> 00:56:41,960
I did want to follow up with a comment

1124
00:56:39,680 --> 00:56:43,640
that the mayor made. She held a meeting

1125
00:56:41,960 --> 00:56:46,240
of the historic district group or

1126
00:56:43,640 --> 00:56:47,920
whatever that was called officially. And

1127
00:56:46,240 --> 00:56:49,880
it was really well done. My wife and I

1128
00:56:47,920 --> 00:56:51,720
attended it. I thought it was very

1129
00:56:49,880 --> 00:56:53,280
informative. A lot of good information.

1130
00:56:51,720 --> 00:56:55,440
I thought Mayor Becker, you did a nice

1131
00:56:53,280 --> 00:56:58,520
job. And although Councilman Huff was

1132
00:56:55,440 --> 00:57:01,280
not officially part of the event, I will

1133
00:56:58,520 --> 00:57:02,440
say he did a really nice job adding some

1134
00:57:01,280 --> 00:57:04,160
color.

1135
00:57:02,440 --> 00:57:06,360
As a matter of fact, I think a number of

1136
00:57:04,160 --> 00:57:08,160
people came to that meeting thinking it

1137
00:57:06,360 --> 00:57:10,520
was going to be about potentially

1138
00:57:08,160 --> 00:57:12,880
forcing them right into something. And

1139
00:57:10,520 --> 00:57:15,320
Councilman Huff assuaged some of those

1140
00:57:12,880 --> 00:57:17,240
concerns. And actually, as soon as he

1141
00:57:15,320 --> 00:57:19,520
did that, some of the people actually

1142
00:57:17,240 --> 00:57:21,320
left the meeting.

1143
00:57:19,520 --> 00:57:23,520
So, Dan, I want to compliment you as

1144
00:57:21,320 --> 00:57:25,560
well. Your your contributions during

1145
00:57:23,520 --> 00:57:27,400
that meeting while not planned were

1146
00:57:25,560 --> 00:57:29,600
pretty pretty good.

1147
00:57:27,400 --> 00:57:31,920
Thank you, sir. You're welcome. So,

1148
00:57:29,600 --> 00:57:34,120
we'll now move on to ordinances and

1149
00:57:31,920 --> 00:57:35,640
resolutions with four of them this

1150
00:57:34,120 --> 00:57:38,080
evening. So, we've got a busy evening.

1151
00:57:35,640 --> 00:57:40,480
So, Ramsey, I hope you took a glass of a

1152
00:57:38,080 --> 00:57:42,760
drink before we get started on this.

1153
00:57:40,480 --> 00:57:44,880
Deep breath at least.

1154
00:57:42,760 --> 00:57:47,440
We'll start off with adoption of

1155
00:57:44,880 --> 00:57:49,480
resolution 2604.

1156
00:57:47,440 --> 00:57:50,840
Mr. Whitworth. Thank you, Mr. President.

1157
00:57:49,480 --> 00:57:52,320
The first resolution for your

1158
00:57:50,840 --> 00:57:54,680
consideration is the adoption of

1159
00:57:52,320 --> 00:57:58,080
resolution 2604,

1160
00:57:54,680 --> 00:58:00,080
annexation 72. This is the annexation

1161
00:57:58,080 --> 00:58:02,680
plan for certain property containing

1162
00:58:00,080 --> 00:58:05,160
plus or minus 2.9443

1163
00:58:02,680 --> 00:58:07,760
acres contiguous and adjoining to the

1164
00:58:05,160 --> 00:58:09,680
city's existing corporate boundaries

1165
00:58:07,760 --> 00:58:12,520
consisting of real property located at

1166
00:58:09,680 --> 00:58:14,400
10 Sullivan Road, Westminster, Maryland

1167
00:58:12,520 --> 00:58:16,480
21157.

1168
00:58:14,400 --> 00:58:20,760
Also identified as tax account number

1169
00:58:16,480 --> 00:58:23,120
07- 048408,

1170
00:58:20,760 --> 00:58:25,520
map 0039,

1171
00:58:23,120 --> 00:58:28,040
grid 0013,

1172
00:58:25,520 --> 00:58:31,800
parcel 0752,

1173
00:58:28,040 --> 00:58:34,880
and comprising of plus or minus 1.4983

1174
00:58:31,800 --> 00:58:37,240
acres and plus or minus 1.446 acres of

1175
00:58:34,880 --> 00:58:39,840
right-of-way containing a portion of

1176
00:58:37,240 --> 00:58:43,280
College View Boulevard, Maryland Route

1177
00:58:39,840 --> 00:58:45,000
140, Maryland Route 97 belonging to the

1178
00:58:43,280 --> 00:58:47,280
Maryland Department of Transportation

1179
00:58:45,000 --> 00:58:49,200
State Highway Administration, which

1180
00:58:47,280 --> 00:58:51,760
property is the subject of a petition

1181
00:58:49,200 --> 00:58:54,240
for annexation submitted by the owners

1182
00:58:51,760 --> 00:58:56,000
of a portion of the subject property to

1183
00:58:54,240 --> 00:58:58,080
the Mayor and Common Council of

1184
00:58:56,000 --> 00:59:01,160
Westminster.

1185
00:58:58,080 --> 00:59:02,520
Mr. Whitworth, Mr. DePalo. Thank you.

1186
00:59:01,160 --> 00:59:05,040
Pursuant to the Annotated Code of

1187
00:59:02,520 --> 00:59:08,200
Maryland, in addition to, but not as

1188
00:59:05,040 --> 00:59:10,160
part of, an annexation resolution,

1189
00:59:08,200 --> 00:59:12,200
the legislative body of the municipality

1190
00:59:10,160 --> 00:59:14,360
shall adopt an annexation plan for the

1191
00:59:12,200 --> 00:59:16,440
area to be annexed.

1192
00:59:14,360 --> 00:59:17,880
The annexation plan was included with

1193
00:59:16,440 --> 00:59:21,120
the introduction of annexation

1194
00:59:17,880 --> 00:59:23,120
resolution 2603 for annexation number of

1195
00:59:21,120 --> 00:59:25,800
72 at the Mayor and Common Council

1196
00:59:23,120 --> 00:59:28,480
February 9th, 2026 meeting.

1197
00:59:25,800 --> 00:59:29,760
The annexation plan was sent to the

1198
00:59:28,480 --> 00:59:32,960
Maryland Department of Planning in

1199
00:59:29,760 --> 00:59:34,920
Carroll County pursuant to the annotated

1200
00:59:32,960 --> 00:59:36,800
code of Maryland along with annexation

1201
00:59:34,920 --> 00:59:39,240
2603.

1202
00:59:36,800 --> 00:59:40,440
And the annexation plan was included in

1203
00:59:39,240 --> 00:59:42,040
both the Planning and Zoning

1204
00:59:40,440 --> 00:59:44,480
Commission's public hearing on April

1205
00:59:42,040 --> 00:59:46,560
16th, 2026 and the Mayor and Common

1206
00:59:44,480 --> 00:59:48,840
Council's public hearing

1207
00:59:46,560 --> 00:59:52,840
uh held earlier tonight for annexation

1208
00:59:48,840 --> 00:59:54,240
resolution 2603 for annexation 72.

1209
00:59:52,840 --> 00:59:56,280
With that, the Department of Community

1210
00:59:54,240 --> 00:59:57,840
Planning and Development recommend that

1211
00:59:56,280 --> 01:00:01,080
the Mayor and Common Council adopt

1212
00:59:57,840 --> 01:00:02,760
annexation plan resolution 2604

1213
01:00:01,080 --> 01:00:07,440
approving the annexation plan for

1214
01:00:02,760 --> 01:00:08,840
annexation 72, Patame LLC.

1215
01:00:07,440 --> 01:00:10,360
Thank you, Mr. DePuy. May I have a

1216
01:00:08,840 --> 01:00:14,160
motion

1217
01:00:10,360 --> 01:00:16,160
uh for the adoption of resolution 2604?

1218
01:00:14,160 --> 01:00:18,200
So moved, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr.

1219
01:00:16,160 --> 01:00:20,320
Huff. May I have a second? Second. Thank

1220
01:00:18,200 --> 01:00:22,880
you very much, Mr. Bayard. Is there any

1221
01:00:20,320 --> 01:00:25,640
discussion related to the adoption of

1222
01:00:22,880 --> 01:00:27,560
resolution 2604? Mr. President.

1223
01:00:25,640 --> 01:00:28,880
» Yes, Mr. Huff. I just want to make a

1224
01:00:27,560 --> 01:00:31,920
comment cuz I think sometimes people

1225
01:00:28,880 --> 01:00:33,840
don't realize how long uh these process

1226
01:00:31,920 --> 01:00:37,160
this process can take.

1227
01:00:33,840 --> 01:00:38,680
I remember being pulled into a meeting

1228
01:00:37,160 --> 01:00:40,720
uh with the developer cuz they were

1229
01:00:38,680 --> 01:00:43,880
processing through the county. They were

1230
01:00:40,720 --> 01:00:45,772
having some issues related to getting on

1231
01:00:43,880 --> 01:00:46,560
the agenda for the Carroll

1232
01:00:45,772 --> 01:00:47,840
[clears throat] County Planning and

1233
01:00:46,560 --> 01:00:50,280
Zoning Commission, which I used to be a

1234
01:00:47,840 --> 01:00:53,520
member of, for a special report

1235
01:00:50,280 --> 01:00:55,560
regarding traffic uh the traffic study,

1236
01:00:53,520 --> 01:00:57,920
I believe, and road improvements. That

1237
01:00:55,560 --> 01:01:00,800
was 3 and 1/2 years ago.

1238
01:00:57,920 --> 01:01:02,800
So, I just think for the benefit of uh

1239
01:01:00,800 --> 01:01:05,800
the general public, it's important to

1240
01:01:02,800 --> 01:01:07,280
know there is a lot that goes into these

1241
01:01:05,800 --> 01:01:12,000
projects

1242
01:01:07,280 --> 01:01:14,800
um and a lot of review and a lot of

1243
01:01:12,000 --> 01:01:16,680
effort uh that is undertaken

1244
01:01:14,800 --> 01:01:17,920
uh when someone goes builds something on

1245
01:01:16,680 --> 01:01:20,200
property.

1246
01:01:17,920 --> 01:01:21,840
Um and and just having been on council

1247
01:01:20,200 --> 01:01:23,720
for 5 years,

1248
01:01:21,840 --> 01:01:25,440
I'm starting to see some of these things

1249
01:01:23,720 --> 01:01:27,400
that I I

1250
01:01:25,440 --> 01:01:29,000
was involved in early on finally get to

1251
01:01:27,400 --> 01:01:30,440
the finish line.

1252
01:01:29,000 --> 01:01:32,960
Um and I think it's just important to

1253
01:01:30,440 --> 01:01:35,160
kind of have that understanding how much

1254
01:01:32,960 --> 01:01:37,880
work often goes into these type

1255
01:01:35,160 --> 01:01:41,280
projects. So, that's it, Mr. President.

1256
01:01:37,880 --> 01:01:42,720
Thank you, Mr. Hough. Anyone else?

1257
01:01:41,280 --> 01:01:44,520
Hearing no more discussion, we'll move

1258
01:01:42,720 --> 01:01:47,000
on to a vote. All those in favor of

1259
01:01:44,520 --> 01:01:50,560
adoption of resolution 2604, please

1260
01:01:47,000 --> 01:01:54,600
signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? The

1261
01:01:50,560 --> 01:01:56,520
eyes have it and 2604 is adopted. Now,

1262
01:01:54,600 --> 01:01:59,760
we'll move on to adoption of resolution

1263
01:01:56,520 --> 01:02:01,080
2603, Mr. Whitworth. Thank you, Mr.

1264
01:01:59,760 --> 01:02:03,800
President. This is adoption of

1265
01:02:01,080 --> 01:02:06,720
resolution number 2603,

1266
01:02:03,800 --> 01:02:08,920
annexation 72, enlarging the corporate

1267
01:02:06,720 --> 01:02:11,160
boundaries of the city of Westminster by

1268
01:02:08,920 --> 01:02:14,320
annexing into the city certain property

1269
01:02:11,160 --> 01:02:16,840
containing plus or minus 2.9443

1270
01:02:14,320 --> 01:02:19,560
acres contiguous and adjoining to the

1271
01:02:16,840 --> 01:02:21,520
city's existing corporate boundaries

1272
01:02:19,560 --> 01:02:24,240
consisting of real property located at

1273
01:02:21,520 --> 01:02:26,040
10 Sullivan Road, Westminster, Maryland

1274
01:02:24,240 --> 01:02:28,120
21157.

1275
01:02:26,040 --> 01:02:31,120
Also identified as tax account number

1276
01:02:28,120 --> 01:02:31,120
07-048408,

1277
01:02:31,720 --> 01:02:38,640
map 0039, grid 0013,

1278
01:02:35,520 --> 01:02:40,520
parcel 0752, and comprising of plus or

1279
01:02:38,640 --> 01:02:44,600
minus 1.4983

1280
01:02:40,520 --> 01:02:46,040
acres and plus or minus 1.446 acres of

1281
01:02:44,600 --> 01:02:47,760
right-of-way containing a portion of

1282
01:02:46,040 --> 01:02:50,640
College View Boulevard, Maryland Route

1283
01:02:47,760 --> 01:02:52,400
140, Maryland Route 97 belonging to the

1284
01:02:50,640 --> 01:02:54,320
Maryland Department of Transportation

1285
01:02:52,400 --> 01:02:55,720
State Highway Administration.

1286
01:02:54,320 --> 01:02:57,400
Thank you, Mr. Whitworth. Director

1287
01:02:55,720 --> 01:03:00,120
DePuy, do you have anything? I have no

1288
01:02:57,400 --> 01:03:02,400
additional information from the earlier

1289
01:03:00,120 --> 01:03:03,480
public hearing. And with that,

1290
01:03:02,400 --> 01:03:04,960
Department of Community Planning

1291
01:03:03,480 --> 01:03:06,680
Development recommend that the Mayor and

1292
01:03:04,960 --> 01:03:08,840
Common Council adopt annexation

1293
01:03:06,680 --> 01:03:11,200
resolution 2603

1294
01:03:08,840 --> 01:03:12,880
approving annexation 72.

1295
01:03:11,200 --> 01:03:14,080
Thank you very much, Mr. DePuy. Let's go

1296
01:03:12,880 --> 01:03:16,400
ahead and get it on the floor. May I

1297
01:03:14,080 --> 01:03:19,880
have a motion for the adoption of

1298
01:03:16,400 --> 01:03:21,440
resolution number 2603.

1299
01:03:19,880 --> 01:03:23,400
So moved, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Powell. Do

1300
01:03:21,440 --> 01:03:25,520
I have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr.

1301
01:03:23,400 --> 01:03:28,880
Bayer. Is there any discussion related

1302
01:03:25,520 --> 01:03:30,800
to the adoption of this resolution?

1303
01:03:28,880 --> 01:03:32,440
Hearing none, we'll move on to a vote.

1304
01:03:30,800 --> 01:03:35,240
All those in favor of adoption of

1305
01:03:32,440 --> 01:03:38,640
resolution 2603, please signify by

1306
01:03:35,240 --> 01:03:43,040
saying I. I. I. Any opposed? The eyes

1307
01:03:38,640 --> 01:03:44,960
have it, and the resolution is adopted.

1308
01:03:43,040 --> 01:03:48,360
We'll now move on to adoption of

1309
01:03:44,960 --> 01:03:50,320
ordinance number 202602,

1310
01:03:48,360 --> 01:03:51,440
Mr. Whitworth. Thank you, Mr. President.

1311
01:03:50,320 --> 01:03:53,080
Your first ordinance for your

1312
01:03:51,440 --> 01:03:55,800
consideration is the adoption of

1313
01:03:53,080 --> 01:03:57,680
ordinance number 202602,

1314
01:03:55,800 --> 01:03:59,560
an ordinance of the mayor and common

1315
01:03:57,680 --> 01:04:01,720
council of Westminster, Maryland,

1316
01:03:59,560 --> 01:04:05,120
amending the adopted budget for fiscal

1317
01:04:01,720 --> 01:04:08,080
year beginning July 1st, 2025,

1318
01:04:05,120 --> 01:04:10,920
and ending June 30th, 2026,

1319
01:04:08,080 --> 01:04:12,240
fiscal year 2026.

1320
01:04:10,920 --> 01:04:13,960
Thank you, Mr. Whitworth. Director

1321
01:04:12,240 --> 01:04:15,520
Rogers.

1322
01:04:13,960 --> 01:04:19,040
Thank you, and good evening.

1323
01:04:15,520 --> 01:04:20,640
Well, on April 13th 2026, the staff

1324
01:04:19,040 --> 01:04:22,960
The staff introduced ordinance number

1325
01:04:20,640 --> 01:04:25,440
2026-02

1326
01:04:22,960 --> 01:04:27,400
to amend the fiscal year 2026 budget

1327
01:04:25,440 --> 01:04:29,640
appropriations. Included in the

1328
01:04:27,400 --> 01:04:31,880
council's packet is a detailed listing

1329
01:04:29,640 --> 01:04:33,480
of the recommended new appropriations,

1330
01:04:31,880 --> 01:04:35,440
as well as the use of prior year

1331
01:04:33,480 --> 01:04:37,160
appropriations from the capital fund

1332
01:04:35,440 --> 01:04:40,440
fund balance that are included in

1333
01:04:37,160 --> 01:04:41,760
ordinance number 2026-02.

1334
01:04:40,440 --> 01:04:43,280
Since the introduction of this

1335
01:04:41,760 --> 01:04:45,000
ordinance, there have been no changes

1336
01:04:43,280 --> 01:04:46,520
made to the recommended appropriations

1337
01:04:45,000 --> 01:04:48,880
included in the ordinance number

1338
01:04:46,520 --> 01:04:50,720
2026-02.

1339
01:04:48,880 --> 01:04:52,960
Staff recommends the mayor and common

1340
01:04:50,720 --> 01:04:57,400
council adopt the budget appropriations

1341
01:04:52,960 --> 01:04:58,520
as detailed in ordinance number 2026-02.

1342
01:04:57,400 --> 01:05:00,600
Please let me know if I can answer any

1343
01:04:58,520 --> 01:05:01,800
questions. Thank you very much, Mr.

1344
01:05:00,600 --> 01:05:04,360
Rogers. Let's go ahead and get it on the

1345
01:05:01,800 --> 01:05:06,080
floor. May I have a motion to

1346
01:05:04,360 --> 01:05:08,200
for the adoption of ordinance number

1347
01:05:06,080 --> 01:05:09,520
202602.

1348
01:05:08,200 --> 01:05:11,680
So moved, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr.

1349
01:05:09,520 --> 01:05:13,040
Pecoraro. May I have a second? Second.

1350
01:05:11,680 --> 01:05:16,480
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Is

1351
01:05:13,040 --> 01:05:18,000
there any discussion related to 2026-02?

1352
01:05:16,480 --> 01:05:20,200
President. Yes, Mr. Pecoraro.

1353
01:05:18,000 --> 01:05:23,040
» Just to remind my colleagues that uh

1354
01:05:20,200 --> 01:05:24,080
those you know these are the compilation

1355
01:05:23,040 --> 01:05:25,560
of uh

1356
01:05:24,080 --> 01:05:27,520
series of actions we took during the

1357
01:05:25,560 --> 01:05:29,680
course of the year from the beginning

1358
01:05:27,520 --> 01:05:31,520
from when we enacted you know the

1359
01:05:29,680 --> 01:05:33,880
current fiscal year's budget originally.

1360
01:05:31,520 --> 01:05:35,120
Since that time, as we know, little

1361
01:05:33,880 --> 01:05:36,800
things have happened along the way.

1362
01:05:35,120 --> 01:05:38,680
We've had to spend a little more money

1363
01:05:36,800 --> 01:05:41,200
here. We've had to you know start

1364
01:05:38,680 --> 01:05:43,520
another project there and you know along

1365
01:05:41,200 --> 01:05:45,200
the way as we've been doing that, we've

1366
01:05:43,520 --> 01:05:47,440
always asked where does the money come

1367
01:05:45,200 --> 01:05:49,680
from? Ms. Imholte and Ms. Rogers always

1368
01:05:47,440 --> 01:05:52,240
identify what they expected funds source

1369
01:05:49,680 --> 01:05:53,560
to be. This is a compilation of all that

1370
01:05:52,240 --> 01:05:56,800
rolled up into a budget amendment so

1371
01:05:53,560 --> 01:05:58,160
that our budget itself will reflect all

1372
01:05:56,800 --> 01:05:59,680
the things that we've all the changes we

1373
01:05:58,160 --> 01:06:01,600
made during the course of the year in

1374
01:05:59,680 --> 01:06:03,600
terms of additional spending. So, none

1375
01:06:01,600 --> 01:06:04,920
of these are things that are new to us.

1376
01:06:03,600 --> 01:06:07,040
They're just things that we're wrapping

1377
01:06:04,920 --> 01:06:09,480
up in one document. Excellent. Thank you

1378
01:06:07,040 --> 01:06:10,800
very much, Mr. Pecoraro. Anyone else?

1379
01:06:09,480 --> 01:06:12,200
Hearing no more discussion, we'll move

1380
01:06:10,800 --> 01:06:15,040
on to a vote. All those in favor of

1381
01:06:12,200 --> 01:06:17,600
adoption of resolution 2026-02, please

1382
01:06:15,040 --> 01:06:20,000
signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Any

1383
01:06:17,600 --> 01:06:22,600
opposed? The ayes have it and the

1384
01:06:20,000 --> 01:06:25,760
resolution is adopted. We'll move on to

1385
01:06:22,600 --> 01:06:27,840
introduction of ordinance 2026-03,

1386
01:06:25,760 --> 01:06:29,600
Mr. Whitworth. Thank you, Mr. President.

1387
01:06:27,840 --> 01:06:31,560
This is the introduction of ordinance

1388
01:06:29,600 --> 01:06:33,040
2026-03,

1389
01:06:31,560 --> 01:06:34,640
an ordinance of the Mayor and Common

1390
01:06:33,040 --> 01:06:36,520
Council of Westminster, Maryland

1391
01:06:34,640 --> 01:06:38,760
approving and adopting a budget for the

1392
01:06:36,520 --> 01:06:41,720
City of Westminster for the fiscal year

1393
01:06:38,760 --> 01:06:45,680
beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June

1394
01:06:41,720 --> 01:06:47,680
30th, 2027, known as fiscal year 27, and

1395
01:06:45,680 --> 01:06:50,080
establishing the various city tax rates

1396
01:06:47,680 --> 01:06:51,280
for fiscal year 27.

1397
01:06:50,080 --> 01:06:53,120
Thank you, Mr. Whitworth. Director

1398
01:06:51,280 --> 01:06:54,560
Rogers, do you have anything else? Thank

1399
01:06:53,120 --> 01:06:56,200
you. Yes, sir.

1400
01:06:54,560 --> 01:06:57,840
On behalf of the city administrator and

1401
01:06:56,200 --> 01:07:00,800
myself, I am pleased to present a

1402
01:06:57,840 --> 01:07:02,720
proposed fiscal 27 operating budget and

1403
01:07:00,800 --> 01:07:04,080
capital improvement plan for the City of

1404
01:07:02,720 --> 01:07:06,040
Westminster.

1405
01:07:04,080 --> 01:07:07,720
The city's annual budget determines the

1406
01:07:06,040 --> 01:07:09,280
manner in which services will be

1407
01:07:07,720 --> 01:07:11,520
delivered to the community during the

1408
01:07:09,280 --> 01:07:12,600
coming year. And its adoption is the

1409
01:07:11,520 --> 01:07:14,760
most

1410
01:07:12,600 --> 01:07:17,080
important legislative action that the

1411
01:07:14,760 --> 01:07:19,720
common council takes each year.

1412
01:07:17,080 --> 01:07:22,000
As Ms. Imholz noted in her presentation,

1413
01:07:19,720 --> 01:07:23,520
several factors had a significant impact

1414
01:07:22,000 --> 01:07:25,840
on the development of this proposed

1415
01:07:23,520 --> 01:07:29,200
budget. First, for the 14th year in a

1416
01:07:25,840 --> 01:07:33,000
row, property tax rates stay the same at

1417
01:07:29,200 --> 01:07:35,760
.56 per $100 of assessed valuation, and

1418
01:07:33,000 --> 01:07:38,800
it's being held constant. In fiscal 27,

1419
01:07:35,760 --> 01:07:41,440
water rates will increase 5.75%

1420
01:07:38,800 --> 01:07:43,520
and sewer rates will increase by 5% over

1421
01:07:41,440 --> 01:07:45,880
fiscal 26 rates.

1422
01:07:43,520 --> 01:07:47,880
The CPI, or consumer price index, is the

1423
01:07:45,880 --> 01:07:50,360
US economy's primary inflation

1424
01:07:47,880 --> 01:07:52,440
indicator, and as Ms. Imholz noted, that

1425
01:07:50,360 --> 01:07:55,920
increased 2.4%

1426
01:07:52,440 --> 01:07:58,280
from January 25 to 26. Accordingly, the

1427
01:07:55,920 --> 01:08:01,000
fiscal 27 budget reflects increases in

1428
01:07:58,280 --> 01:08:03,000
costs for goods, such as supplies,

1429
01:08:01,000 --> 01:08:04,880
equipment, fuel,

1430
01:08:03,000 --> 01:08:06,760
and also various services, such as

1431
01:08:04,880 --> 01:08:09,880
utilities, insurance coverage, and

1432
01:08:06,760 --> 01:08:12,280
contractual services.

1433
01:08:09,880 --> 01:08:14,760
Across all of the city's funds, the

1434
01:08:12,280 --> 01:08:18,680
fiscal 27 proposed operating budget

1435
01:08:14,760 --> 01:08:21,520
totals 42.9 million, and the fiscal 27

1436
01:08:18,680 --> 01:08:22,920
proposed capital budget totals 26.4

1437
01:08:21,520 --> 01:08:24,880
million.

1438
01:08:22,920 --> 01:08:26,680
The fiscal 27 budget was designed to

1439
01:08:24,880 --> 01:08:29,279
advance the objectives of the city's

1440
01:08:26,680 --> 01:08:31,720
strategic plan. The plan's priority

1441
01:08:29,279 --> 01:08:33,720
initiatives are framed within critical

1442
01:08:31,720 --> 01:08:36,040
success factors, which were highlighted

1443
01:08:33,720 --> 01:08:38,600
in Ms. Imholz's presentation.

1444
01:08:36,040 --> 01:08:40,720
These critical success factors embody

1445
01:08:38,600 --> 01:08:43,120
the mayor and common council's long-term

1446
01:08:40,720 --> 01:08:44,799
vision for the city of Westminster.

1447
01:08:43,120 --> 01:08:47,359
A few of the initiatives included in the

1448
01:08:44,799 --> 01:08:49,279
fiscal 27 budget and the associated

1449
01:08:47,359 --> 01:08:51,600
critical success factors to which they

1450
01:08:49,279 --> 01:08:53,319
pertain include the following.

1451
01:08:51,600 --> 01:08:55,720
Strong partnerships and engaged

1452
01:08:53,319 --> 01:08:57,440
community. One item is the information

1453
01:08:55,720 --> 01:08:59,720
technology department is reviewing the

1454
01:08:57,440 --> 01:09:01,640
city's website to make recommendations

1455
01:08:59,720 --> 01:09:03,839
for overhauling it.

1456
01:09:01,640 --> 01:09:06,000
Under water and sewer capacity for fewer

1457
01:09:03,839 --> 01:09:07,839
generations, funding is included to

1458
01:09:06,000 --> 01:09:09,839
continue construction of the water reuse

1459
01:09:07,839 --> 01:09:12,560
project, which has an anticipated

1460
01:09:09,839 --> 01:09:14,839
completion date of February 27.

1461
01:09:12,560 --> 01:09:16,759
Under economic growth activity and

1462
01:09:14,839 --> 01:09:18,440
growth, the capital fund includes

1463
01:09:16,759 --> 01:09:20,920
funding for the continuation of the

1464
01:09:18,440 --> 01:09:22,759
holiday lights on Main Street from Bond

1465
01:09:20,920 --> 01:09:24,080
John Street Bond Street to Center

1466
01:09:22,759 --> 01:09:25,799
Street.

1467
01:09:24,080 --> 01:09:28,040
Under responsible stewardship of city

1468
01:09:25,799 --> 01:09:29,680
resources, the city received an award of

1469
01:09:28,040 --> 01:09:31,720
state funding to cover the fiber debt

1470
01:09:29,680 --> 01:09:33,640
service in fiscal 2027. This is the

1471
01:09:31,720 --> 01:09:35,960
third year for that.

1472
01:09:33,640 --> 01:09:37,480
A safe and livable community. The city

1473
01:09:35,960 --> 01:09:39,400
has been awarded federal and state

1474
01:09:37,480 --> 01:09:41,640
funding for trail improvements and

1475
01:09:39,400 --> 01:09:44,920
linkages at Wakefield Valley Park. Trail

1476
01:09:41,640 --> 01:09:46,799
construction is funded in fiscal 2027.

1477
01:09:44,920 --> 01:09:48,960
And under safe and livable community,

1478
01:09:46,799 --> 01:09:50,319
community policing remains a priority

1479
01:09:48,960 --> 01:09:52,000
and the general fund supports those

1480
01:09:50,319 --> 01:09:53,920
activities.

1481
01:09:52,000 --> 01:09:56,160
The preparation of the annual budget is

1482
01:09:53,920 --> 01:09:58,800
a significant undertaking spanning many

1483
01:09:56,160 --> 01:10:00,520
months of work. It is by design that

1484
01:09:58,800 --> 01:10:02,720
every member of the city's management

1485
01:10:00,520 --> 01:10:04,640
team, as well as numerous other staff

1486
01:10:02,720 --> 01:10:06,760
members, contribute to the planning and

1487
01:10:04,640 --> 01:10:08,640
development of that budget because their

1488
01:10:06,760 --> 01:10:11,240
efforts are critical to successful

1489
01:10:08,640 --> 01:10:13,440
implementation of the adopted budget.

1490
01:10:11,240 --> 01:10:15,520
On behalf of Ms. Imholz and myself, I

1491
01:10:13,440 --> 01:10:17,120
extend my deepest gratitude to the staff

1492
01:10:15,520 --> 01:10:18,400
that contributed to the development of

1493
01:10:17,120 --> 01:10:20,680
the budget.

1494
01:10:18,400 --> 01:10:23,480
Director of Human Resources, Ms. Therese

1495
01:10:20,680 --> 01:10:25,880
Brown, Director of Housing Services, Mr.

1496
01:10:23,480 --> 01:10:28,160
Eric Brown, Director of Recreation

1497
01:10:25,880 --> 01:10:29,640
Parks, Ms. Abby Gruber,

1498
01:10:28,160 --> 01:10:32,040
Director of Planning and Community

1499
01:10:29,640 --> 01:10:33,920
Development, Mr. Mark DePalo,

1500
01:10:32,040 --> 01:10:36,160
Director of Technology Services, Mr.

1501
01:10:33,920 --> 01:10:38,080
Rick Moore, Chief of Police, Chief

1502
01:10:36,160 --> 01:10:40,280
Christopher Price,

1503
01:10:38,080 --> 01:10:42,280
the Water Department Superintendent, Mr.

1504
01:10:40,280 --> 01:10:45,240
Greg Howe, the Streets Department

1505
01:10:42,280 --> 01:10:47,120
Superintendent, Mr. Steve Strawsburg,

1506
01:10:45,240 --> 01:10:49,760
the Utilities Depart- Department

1507
01:10:47,120 --> 01:10:51,840
Superintendent, Mr. Corey Stauffer,

1508
01:10:49,760 --> 01:10:53,720
and the Sewer Department Superintendent,

1509
01:10:51,840 --> 01:10:55,120
Mr. Vance Summerhill,

1510
01:10:53,720 --> 01:10:58,080
Executive Assistant to the City

1511
01:10:55,120 --> 01:11:00,200
Administrator, Ms. Heather Cookner, City

1512
01:10:58,080 --> 01:11:02,920
Clerk, Mr. Don Barber,

1513
01:11:00,200 --> 01:11:05,600
and Miss Krista Gardner, CPA from SEK

1514
01:11:02,920 --> 01:11:07,520
CPAs and Advisors.

1515
01:11:05,600 --> 01:11:09,320
Please note, this is just a partial list

1516
01:11:07,520 --> 01:11:11,080
of the contributing staff, and we're

1517
01:11:09,320 --> 01:11:13,080
equally grateful to the many additional

1518
01:11:11,080 --> 01:11:14,960
staff members that contributed to and

1519
01:11:13,080 --> 01:11:17,240
participated in the development of the

1520
01:11:14,960 --> 01:11:19,360
fiscal 2027 budget.

1521
01:11:17,240 --> 01:11:21,600
We also wish to extend our gratitude to

1522
01:11:19,360 --> 01:11:23,640
Mayor Becker and the Finance Committee,

1523
01:11:21,600 --> 01:11:26,520
which includes Council members Greg

1524
01:11:23,640 --> 01:11:28,600
Pecoraro and Dan Koff. They devoted

1525
01:11:26,520 --> 01:11:30,120
considerable time reviewing the proposed

1526
01:11:28,600 --> 01:11:32,160
budget, providing guidance and

1527
01:11:30,120 --> 01:11:33,880
direction, as well as ensuring the

1528
01:11:32,160 --> 01:11:35,160
budget aligns with the city's strategic

1529
01:11:33,880 --> 01:11:36,840
plan.

1530
01:11:35,160 --> 01:11:38,160
On behalf of the city staff, we look

1531
01:11:36,840 --> 01:11:40,120
forward to working with the Mayor and

1532
01:11:38,160 --> 01:11:41,840
Common Council over the next few weeks

1533
01:11:40,120 --> 01:11:44,720
to finalize the budget for fiscal year

1534
01:11:41,840 --> 01:11:46,520
2027 that enhances the quality of life

1535
01:11:44,720 --> 01:11:48,600
in the Westminster community and

1536
01:11:46,520 --> 01:11:50,840
continues to advance the objectives of

1537
01:11:48,600 --> 01:11:52,600
the city's strategic plan.

1538
01:11:50,840 --> 01:11:54,840
Staff recommend the Mayor and Common

1539
01:11:52,600 --> 01:11:57,320
Council introduce Ordinance Number

1540
01:11:54,840 --> 01:11:59,320
2026-03

1541
01:11:57,320 --> 01:12:01,120
for approving and adopting a budget for

1542
01:11:59,320 --> 01:12:04,000
the City of Westminster for fiscal year

1543
01:12:01,120 --> 01:12:07,040
beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June

1544
01:12:04,000 --> 01:12:09,440
30, 2027 and establishing various city

1545
01:12:07,040 --> 01:12:10,280
tax rates for fiscal 27.

1546
01:12:09,440 --> 01:12:11,840
Please let me know if you have any

1547
01:12:10,280 --> 01:12:13,440
questions.

1548
01:12:11,840 --> 01:12:14,840
Thank you very much, Miss Rogers. Let's

1549
01:12:13,440 --> 01:12:17,080
go ahead and get it on the floor. May I

1550
01:12:14,840 --> 01:12:20,240
have a motion for the introduction of

1551
01:12:17,080 --> 01:12:22,280
Ordinance Number 2026-03?

1552
01:12:20,240 --> 01:12:24,400
So moved, Mr. President. Fitting. Thank

1553
01:12:22,280 --> 01:12:26,240
you, Mr. Pecoraro. May I have a second?

1554
01:12:24,400 --> 01:12:28,880
Second. Thank you very very much, Mr.

1555
01:12:26,240 --> 01:12:31,640
Bayer. Is there any discussion related

1556
01:12:28,880 --> 01:12:34,480
to 2026-03?

1557
01:12:31,640 --> 01:12:36,880
That's good. Yes, Madam Mayor. Um

1558
01:12:34,480 --> 01:12:38,120
I won't belabor points of my colleagues

1559
01:12:36,880 --> 01:12:40,160
from earlier in the meeting, but I do

1560
01:12:38,120 --> 01:12:42,920
want to mention that um

1561
01:12:40,160 --> 01:12:45,000
I'm incredibly proud and thankful,

1562
01:12:42,920 --> 01:12:46,720
um and I want to take a minute to

1563
01:12:45,000 --> 01:12:49,040
acknowledge the hard work of our City

1564
01:12:46,720 --> 01:12:50,720
Administrator, Miss Sarah Cokeley,

1565
01:12:49,040 --> 01:12:52,920
um our phenomenal Finance Director, Miss

1566
01:12:50,720 --> 01:12:55,960
Teresa Rogers, as well as our outsourced

1567
01:12:52,920 --> 01:12:58,080
CFO Krista Gardner of SEK. I'd also like

1568
01:12:55,960 --> 01:12:59,480
to thank the department heads for taking

1569
01:12:58,080 --> 01:13:01,640
the time to carefully consider what

1570
01:12:59,480 --> 01:13:04,440
their departments need for following

1571
01:13:01,640 --> 01:13:05,800
years. Ms. Rogers said this is a

1572
01:13:04,440 --> 01:13:07,800
Just like the events we do on Main

1573
01:13:05,800 --> 01:13:10,400
Street, this is a all hands-on-board

1574
01:13:07,800 --> 01:13:12,520
event. Um but uh

1575
01:13:10,400 --> 01:13:14,000
the most important thing that we do. Um

1576
01:13:12,520 --> 01:13:15,760
I'm incredibly proud to say that we

1577
01:13:14,000 --> 01:13:17,600
continue to demonstrate phenomenal

1578
01:13:15,760 --> 01:13:19,560
fiscal responsibility to the residents

1579
01:13:17,600 --> 01:13:20,760
of Westminster by presenting this

1580
01:13:19,560 --> 01:13:22,640
ballot.

1581
01:13:20,760 --> 01:13:24,800
I'm presenting this budget through

1582
01:13:22,640 --> 01:13:26,160
fiscal year '27.

1583
01:13:24,800 --> 01:13:27,720
Um and I'm looking forward to the

1584
01:13:26,160 --> 01:13:29,760
discussion with my colleagues over the

1585
01:13:27,720 --> 01:13:31,360
next weeks.

1586
01:13:29,760 --> 01:13:33,400
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

1587
01:13:31,360 --> 01:13:35,240
Any other discussion?

1588
01:13:33,400 --> 01:13:37,600
I'll make one comment. Ms. Rogers,

1589
01:13:35,240 --> 01:13:38,440
obviously, you do a wonderful job and

1590
01:13:37,600 --> 01:13:39,280
we're

1591
01:13:38,440 --> 01:13:40,920
very grateful [clears throat] to have

1592
01:13:39,280 --> 01:13:44,000
you aboard. But I have to say that was

1593
01:13:40,920 --> 01:13:47,000
one of the most well-prepared

1594
01:13:44,000 --> 01:13:48,440
statements relative to a piece of an

1595
01:13:47,000 --> 01:13:50,120
ordinance or resolution that we're

1596
01:13:48,440 --> 01:13:52,120
handling that I've heard in quite a

1597
01:13:50,120 --> 01:13:53,920
while. That was well done. And well, it

1598
01:13:52,120 --> 01:13:56,560
was thoughtful,

1599
01:13:53,920 --> 01:13:58,960
insightful, and I know you spent some

1600
01:13:56,560 --> 01:14:00,520
time working on that. I want you to know

1601
01:13:58,960 --> 01:14:02,320
how much I appreciate that. It was

1602
01:14:00,520 --> 01:14:04,520
really, really great. I love how you

1603
01:14:02,320 --> 01:14:06,800
named all the folks also within the

1604
01:14:04,520 --> 01:14:08,200
staff that you know, played a big role

1605
01:14:06,800 --> 01:14:10,320
in that. And maybe you've done that in

1606
01:14:08,200 --> 01:14:11,920
the past and I just don't remember, but

1607
01:14:10,320 --> 01:14:14,000
I was pretty impressed with that. Thank

1608
01:14:11,920 --> 01:14:16,440
you. Thank you. You're welcome. Yes, Mr.

1609
01:14:14,000 --> 01:14:17,680
Mayor. I was going to say that, you

1610
01:14:16,440 --> 01:14:19,520
know, when you think of a budget, you

1611
01:14:17,680 --> 01:14:21,600
only think of numbers.

1612
01:14:19,520 --> 01:14:23,760
But if you pick up the budget book and

1613
01:14:21,600 --> 01:14:25,800
you look at it, read it, you can really

1614
01:14:23,760 --> 01:14:27,800
understand everything that's happening

1615
01:14:25,800 --> 01:14:29,560
in the city. It's a

1616
01:14:27,800 --> 01:14:31,800
the the way the number part of the

1617
01:14:29,560 --> 01:14:33,760
budget and the and the other the rest of

1618
01:14:31,800 --> 01:14:35,640
the budget is linked together

1619
01:14:33,760 --> 01:14:37,080
makes it very understandable for a guy

1620
01:14:35,640 --> 01:14:39,160
like me that's only been on the council

1621
01:14:37,080 --> 01:14:41,000
for 2 weeks. But thank you very much. I

1622
01:14:39,160 --> 01:14:42,840
appreciate it.

1623
01:14:41,000 --> 01:14:44,400
Excellent. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Anyone

1624
01:14:42,840 --> 01:14:46,280
else?

1625
01:14:44,400 --> 01:14:48,440
Okay, hearing no more discussion, we'll

1626
01:14:46,280 --> 01:14:52,160
move on to a vote. All those in favor of

1627
01:14:48,440 --> 01:14:55,280
introduction of ordinance number 202603,

1628
01:14:52,160 --> 01:14:59,360
please signify by saying I. I. I. Any

1629
01:14:55,280 --> 01:15:01,200
opposed? The eyes have it, and the

1630
01:14:59,360 --> 01:15:03,320
ordinance is introduced. We'll move on

1631
01:15:01,200 --> 01:15:05,000
to unfinished business. I have no

1632
01:15:03,320 --> 01:15:07,000
unfinished business that I'm aware of.

1633
01:15:05,000 --> 01:15:08,960
Is there any unfinished business I'm not

1634
01:15:07,000 --> 01:15:10,840
aware of?

1635
01:15:08,960 --> 01:15:12,480
Okay, now we'll move on to new business.

1636
01:15:10,840 --> 01:15:14,760
I believe we have one item of new

1637
01:15:12,480 --> 01:15:16,240
business, Mr. Pectoral. Thank you, Mr.

1638
01:15:14,760 --> 01:15:18,720
President. I move that the Common

1639
01:15:16,240 --> 01:15:21,640
Council adjourn into a closed meeting

1640
01:15:18,720 --> 01:15:23,560
Monday, April 27th, 2026

1641
01:15:21,640 --> 01:15:24,720
at the conclusion of the regular meeting

1642
01:15:23,560 --> 01:15:27,040
in accordance with the general

1643
01:15:24,720 --> 01:15:30,960
provisions Article of the Annotated Code

1644
01:15:27,040 --> 01:15:32,520
of Maryland, Section 3-305B1,

1645
01:15:30,960 --> 01:15:34,560
to discuss the appointment, employment,

1646
01:15:32,520 --> 01:15:36,880
assignment, promotion, discipline,

1647
01:15:34,560 --> 01:15:39,480
demotion, and compensation, removal,

1648
01:15:36,880 --> 01:15:41,760
resignation, or performance evaluation

1649
01:15:39,480 --> 01:15:43,040
of appointees, employees, or officials

1650
01:15:41,760 --> 01:15:44,400
over whom this public body has

1651
01:15:43,040 --> 01:15:46,400
jurisdiction.

1652
01:15:44,400 --> 01:15:48,800
The other person or matter affects one

1653
01:15:46,400 --> 01:15:50,000
or more specific individuals.

1654
01:15:48,800 --> 01:15:54,320
Thank you, Mr. Pectoral. May I have a

1655
01:15:50,000 --> 01:15:54,320
second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Bayer.

1656
01:15:54,480 --> 01:15:58,960
Uh any discussion related to this item?

1657
01:15:56,680 --> 01:16:00,360
Hearing none, we'll move on to a vote.

1658
01:15:58,960 --> 01:16:02,200
Um

1659
01:16:00,360 --> 01:16:03,920
all those in favor of going into a

1660
01:16:02,200 --> 01:16:06,680
closed session at the conclusion of this

1661
01:16:03,920 --> 01:16:08,800
meeting of which we will not return to

1662
01:16:06,680 --> 01:16:12,400
open session, please signify by saying

1663
01:16:08,800 --> 01:16:14,520
I. I. I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have

1664
01:16:12,400 --> 01:16:16,520
it, and we will move into a closed

1665
01:16:14,520 --> 01:16:19,360
session after the conclusion of this

1666
01:16:16,520 --> 01:16:21,840
meeting. Um we'll now move on to

1667
01:16:19,360 --> 01:16:23,680
departmental reports, Ms. Innis. Thank

1668
01:16:21,840 --> 01:16:27,200
you, sir. I want to take a moment first

1669
01:16:23,680 --> 01:16:30,520
to thank the council for your adoption

1670
01:16:27,200 --> 01:16:32,720
of the budget amendment tonight. Um as

1671
01:16:30,520 --> 01:16:34,720
Council Member Pectoral mentioned, these

1672
01:16:32,720 --> 01:16:36,520
are all items that have come before you.

1673
01:16:34,720 --> 01:16:38,560
You could have easily told us to wait

1674
01:16:36,520 --> 01:16:41,640
until the next budget cycle. In some

1675
01:16:38,560 --> 01:16:43,080
cases, we couldn't, um but by not

1676
01:16:41,640 --> 01:16:45,000
waiting, it made sure that we were

1677
01:16:43,080 --> 01:16:47,000
delivering services in an efficient and

1678
01:16:45,000 --> 01:16:48,840
responsible way to the public. And I

1679
01:16:47,000 --> 01:16:50,880
just want to thank you for that ongoing

1680
01:16:48,840 --> 01:16:53,360
support. If we didn't have your support,

1681
01:16:50,880 --> 01:16:55,360
we would have to stop on those projects.

1682
01:16:53,360 --> 01:16:56,480
So, thank you again. It means so much to

1683
01:16:55,360 --> 01:16:58,360
all of us.

1684
01:16:56,480 --> 01:17:00,080
Um a second thing, uh

1685
01:16:58,360 --> 01:17:01,800
Council President, you mentioned,

1686
01:17:00,080 --> 01:17:03,720
rightfully so, our incredible City

1687
01:17:01,800 --> 01:17:06,240
Clerk. I just wanted to add on to that.

1688
01:17:03,720 --> 01:17:08,920
In addition to being um

1689
01:17:06,240 --> 01:17:11,520
called on by his colleagues, he is the

1690
01:17:08,920 --> 01:17:13,680
official elections guru in the state of

1691
01:17:11,520 --> 01:17:16,840
Maryland. He trains all of the new

1692
01:17:13,680 --> 01:17:18,440
clerks on the elections. Uh all No one

1693
01:17:16,840 --> 01:17:20,800
holds an election without reaching out

1694
01:17:18,440 --> 01:17:22,240
to Doug first. Uh and many times in the

1695
01:17:20,800 --> 01:17:23,960
middle of the process, as well. But, of

1696
01:17:22,240 --> 01:17:26,680
course, as I mentioned before, in the

1697
01:17:23,960 --> 01:17:28,280
last um election cycle, Mr. Barr did not

1698
01:17:26,680 --> 01:17:30,640
take a single day off during the entire

1699
01:17:28,280 --> 01:17:32,440
election cycle just in case someone

1700
01:17:30,640 --> 01:17:34,160
needed him during that time period. Now,

1701
01:17:32,440 --> 01:17:36,280
he won't be doing that moving forward,

1702
01:17:34,160 --> 01:17:38,080
uh but he is a dedicated and a madly

1703
01:17:36,280 --> 01:17:39,200
dedicated

1704
01:17:38,080 --> 01:17:40,520
And he is recognized throughout the

1705
01:17:39,200 --> 01:17:42,880
state of Maryland. So, thank you so much

1706
01:17:40,520 --> 01:17:43,760
for recognizing him tonight, as well.

1707
01:17:42,880 --> 01:17:45,040
All right, we're missing a few

1708
01:17:43,760 --> 01:17:47,040
department heads, so let me give their

1709
01:17:45,040 --> 01:17:49,400
reports for you. Um

1710
01:17:47,040 --> 01:17:51,520
for recreation, I want to thank everyone

1711
01:17:49,400 --> 01:17:54,240
for their efforts on the Wine Stroll. In

1712
01:17:51,520 --> 01:17:55,760
particular, I want to thank um those who

1713
01:17:54,240 --> 01:17:58,480
had to pivot. So, the Main Street

1714
01:17:55,760 --> 01:18:00,760
businesses, the Wine Stroll vendors, and

1715
01:17:58,480 --> 01:18:02,720
the public in general. Um we always

1716
01:18:00,760 --> 01:18:04,680
thank the staff. We should. They put on

1717
01:18:02,720 --> 01:18:05,880
an enormous task. They get to work at

1718
01:18:04,680 --> 01:18:09,080
4:00 in the morning in order to put

1719
01:18:05,880 --> 01:18:10,600
these things on. But, it's a big pivot

1720
01:18:09,080 --> 01:18:12,520
for the Main Street businesses, some of

1721
01:18:10,600 --> 01:18:14,760
whom don't even open till 11:00, to

1722
01:18:12,520 --> 01:18:17,160
pivot to a 10:30 stroll. And the Wine

1723
01:18:14,760 --> 01:18:19,560
Stroll vendors, wine is more expensive

1724
01:18:17,160 --> 01:18:22,040
than some of the other vendors that come

1725
01:18:19,560 --> 01:18:23,680
in later in the year. Um and so, the the

1726
01:18:22,040 --> 01:18:25,920
Wine Stroll vendors pivoting to be able

1727
01:18:23,680 --> 01:18:28,160
to continue to offer an opportunity for

1728
01:18:25,920 --> 01:18:30,080
them to to sell their wares, sell their

1729
01:18:28,160 --> 01:18:32,200
wines. Um and then the public, of

1730
01:18:30,080 --> 01:18:33,280
course, who showed up in drones. Uh the

1731
01:18:32,200 --> 01:18:34,880
police chief is going to talk a little

1732
01:18:33,280 --> 01:18:36,640
bit more about that. I just want to take

1733
01:18:34,880 --> 01:18:38,960
a a to thank public for their

1734
01:18:36,640 --> 01:18:42,400
willingness to pivot um and to help make

1735
01:18:38,960 --> 01:18:44,080
this event happen in the first place.

1736
01:18:42,400 --> 01:18:45,480
Okay, I have some exciting news from the

1737
01:18:44,080 --> 01:18:48,600
public works department. We have

1738
01:18:45,480 --> 01:18:51,280
installed another solar crosswalk at

1739
01:18:48,600 --> 01:18:52,960
Carroll Street and Madison Street. We

1740
01:18:51,280 --> 01:18:54,520
have a few more of these in the budget.

1741
01:18:52,960 --> 01:18:56,320
We're going to try to install two a year

1742
01:18:54,520 --> 01:18:58,080
moving forward. These are the solar

1743
01:18:56,320 --> 01:19:00,400
crosswalks that you see going across the

1744
01:18:58,080 --> 01:19:01,880
main street at the library.

1745
01:19:00,400 --> 01:19:03,480
They're very exciting. I think they're

1746
01:19:01,880 --> 01:19:05,360
easier to see people when they're

1747
01:19:03,480 --> 01:19:07,640
crossing street. People seem to be using

1748
01:19:05,360 --> 01:19:10,480
them which lights it up for at least a

1749
01:19:07,640 --> 01:19:13,120
block. Those are the mid cross block

1750
01:19:10,480 --> 01:19:14,600
block crosswalks mid block crosswalks

1751
01:19:13,120 --> 01:19:17,000
cuz otherwise you could just cross with

1752
01:19:14,600 --> 01:19:18,400
the light at the at the intersection. So

1753
01:19:17,000 --> 01:19:20,120
we're excited about that. Are there any

1754
01:19:18,400 --> 01:19:21,920
questions for the recreation department

1755
01:19:20,120 --> 01:19:23,640
or public works department?

1756
01:19:21,920 --> 01:19:25,720
If there are none, we will move on to

1757
01:19:23,640 --> 01:19:27,200
the human resources department is Brian.

1758
01:19:25,720 --> 01:19:28,880
Good evening. I don't have a report for

1759
01:19:27,200 --> 01:19:30,640
us tonight. Thank you. Any questions for

1760
01:19:28,880 --> 01:19:32,240
human resources?

1761
01:19:30,640 --> 01:19:33,400
If there are none, we will move on to IT

1762
01:19:32,240 --> 01:19:34,840
is Jim Moore.

1763
01:19:33,400 --> 01:19:37,120
I'll just do a report that is very

1764
01:19:34,840 --> 01:19:39,640
quick. Nothing much up here.

1765
01:19:37,120 --> 01:19:40,640
If there are none, we will move on to

1766
01:19:39,640 --> 01:19:42,120
planning. I'm sure we're going to have a

1767
01:19:40,640 --> 01:19:44,480
report from Mr. DePue.

1768
01:19:42,120 --> 01:19:46,120
Yes, on May 5th, the Board of Zoning

1769
01:19:44,480 --> 01:19:48,240
Appeals is scheduled to review a

1770
01:19:46,120 --> 01:19:49,960
modification to the previously approved

1771
01:19:48,240 --> 01:19:51,880
special exception

1772
01:19:49,960 --> 01:19:56,600
for an automobile service station at

1773
01:19:51,880 --> 01:19:59,240
1030 1023 Baltimore Boulevard and this

1774
01:19:56,600 --> 01:20:00,680
is the site of the original Sheets, not

1775
01:19:59,240 --> 01:20:03,240
the one we talked about tonight, the

1776
01:20:00,680 --> 01:20:05,000
first one. They're proposing new EV

1777
01:20:03,240 --> 01:20:06,640
charging stations and that's a special

1778
01:20:05,000 --> 01:20:08,280
exception that is a change requiring a

1779
01:20:06,640 --> 01:20:09,440
modification before the Board of Zoning

1780
01:20:08,280 --> 01:20:11,560
Appeals.

1781
01:20:09,440 --> 01:20:14,560
And that completes my report. Are there

1782
01:20:11,560 --> 01:20:16,440
any questions for the planning director?

1783
01:20:14,560 --> 01:20:18,400
Moving on, we will move we will go over

1784
01:20:16,440 --> 01:20:20,240
to the finance department is Robert.

1785
01:20:18,400 --> 01:20:22,520
Thank you, Ms. Imholte. Thank you again

1786
01:20:20,240 --> 01:20:25,120
for the approval of the budget amendment

1787
01:20:22,520 --> 01:20:27,160
for fiscal 26. Echo your sentiments on

1788
01:20:25,120 --> 01:20:29,160
that. The only other thing I really want

1789
01:20:27,160 --> 01:20:30,520
to report on tonight is that while we're

1790
01:20:29,160 --> 01:20:32,560
busy

1791
01:20:30,520 --> 01:20:35,120
finishing up the budget as we talked

1792
01:20:32,560 --> 01:20:37,480
about quite a bit this evening. um The

1793
01:20:35,120 --> 01:20:39,800
finance department is getting ready to

1794
01:20:37,480 --> 01:20:41,520
wrap up our fiscal year end very soon.

1795
01:20:39,800 --> 01:20:43,000
Our auditor has reached out about

1796
01:20:41,520 --> 01:20:44,240
setting dates for the preliminary

1797
01:20:43,000 --> 01:20:46,840
budget.

1798
01:20:44,240 --> 01:20:48,040
So, we're quite busy and still working

1799
01:20:46,840 --> 01:20:50,520
on the

1800
01:20:48,040 --> 01:20:52,160
system upgrade. So, if you have any

1801
01:20:50,520 --> 01:20:55,160
questions, I'm happy to answer them.

1802
01:20:52,160 --> 01:20:55,840
Nothing on the AP AR payroll.

1803
01:20:55,160 --> 01:20:56,680
All those important [clears throat]

1804
01:20:55,840 --> 01:20:58,280
things.

1805
01:20:56,680 --> 01:21:01,280
All those important things. And we'll

1806
01:20:58,280 --> 01:21:03,640
say that the fiscal year 2027 budget

1807
01:21:01,280 --> 01:21:05,840
is slated for adoption on May 11th.

1808
01:21:03,640 --> 01:21:07,680
We'll open up that meeting on May 11th

1809
01:21:05,840 --> 01:21:09,680
with a public hearing on the budget when

1810
01:21:07,680 --> 01:21:10,960
you want to swing by.

1811
01:21:09,680 --> 01:21:12,600
Are there any other questions for Ms.

1812
01:21:10,960 --> 01:21:13,760
Rogers?

1813
01:21:12,600 --> 01:21:15,440
Hearing none, we'll move on to the

1814
01:21:13,760 --> 01:21:17,000
police department, Chief Ross. Great.

1815
01:21:15,440 --> 01:21:18,280
Good evening, everyone.

1816
01:21:17,000 --> 01:21:20,520
Obviously, it's been touched on the

1817
01:21:18,280 --> 01:21:23,360
lines for all by several people. I saw

1818
01:21:20,520 --> 01:21:25,440
several out there. I just wanted to say

1819
01:21:23,360 --> 01:21:27,640
that, you know, I was impressed with the

1820
01:21:25,440 --> 01:21:30,520
flexibility and how closely we are

1821
01:21:27,640 --> 01:21:32,600
working with recreation and park.

1822
01:21:30,520 --> 01:21:33,760
It was out of an abundance of caution

1823
01:21:32,600 --> 01:21:36,040
that,

1824
01:21:33,760 --> 01:21:37,840
you know, for both the attendees and our

1825
01:21:36,040 --> 01:21:39,200
staff that we adjusted the times. We

1826
01:21:37,840 --> 01:21:40,520
were very concerned about the weather

1827
01:21:39,200 --> 01:21:41,880
coming in.

1828
01:21:40,520 --> 01:21:43,560
But, the conversations were very

1829
01:21:41,880 --> 01:21:45,760
thoughtful and I thought we came up with

1830
01:21:43,560 --> 01:21:47,360
the best plan. And some of the other

1831
01:21:45,760 --> 01:21:49,360
safety improvements that we've put out

1832
01:21:47,360 --> 01:21:50,960
there with the barriers and things of

1833
01:21:49,360 --> 01:21:54,080
that nature.

1834
01:21:50,960 --> 01:21:55,240
It was, absolutely, my opinion the right

1835
01:21:54,080 --> 01:21:57,080
decision

1836
01:21:55,240 --> 01:21:58,600
from a public safety standpoint and it

1837
01:21:57,080 --> 01:22:00,960
worked out great.

1838
01:21:58,600 --> 01:22:02,560
The event was well attended even with

1839
01:22:00,960 --> 01:22:04,920
the time changes.

1840
01:22:02,560 --> 01:22:06,760
Even with the anticipated weather, we

1841
01:22:04,920 --> 01:22:10,040
anticipate that we or we estimate that

1842
01:22:06,760 --> 01:22:13,120
we had about 7,000 in attendance.

1843
01:22:10,040 --> 01:22:17,360
Which is great. I mean, from 10:30 on,

1844
01:22:13,120 --> 01:22:19,720
it was it was pretty packed. So,

1845
01:22:17,360 --> 01:22:21,600
and on that note, there weren't any

1846
01:22:19,720 --> 01:22:23,480
reported issues. We didn't have any

1847
01:22:21,600 --> 01:22:26,240
issues.

1848
01:22:23,480 --> 01:22:27,720
Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves.

1849
01:22:26,240 --> 01:22:29,560
All the officers are out there. They

1850
01:22:27,720 --> 01:22:31,520
were having fun engaging with the public

1851
01:22:29,560 --> 01:22:32,960
and it's just a a really good event. And

1852
01:22:31,520 --> 01:22:34,640
anytime you have the Reagan years, it's

1853
01:22:32,960 --> 01:22:36,840
probably going to be a good event.

1854
01:22:34,640 --> 01:22:38,920
So, um, you know, I just think it

1855
01:22:36,840 --> 01:22:40,920
reflects the the strong

1856
01:22:38,920 --> 01:22:43,520
interdepartmental collaboration that we

1857
01:22:40,920 --> 01:22:45,920
have going on. So, it was uh I I was

1858
01:22:43,520 --> 01:22:46,880
highly pleased. So, thank you. That's

1859
01:22:45,920 --> 01:22:48,960
all.

1860
01:22:46,880 --> 01:22:50,720
Those are killer decisions to make when

1861
01:22:48,960 --> 01:22:53,040
we're when we're looking at moving the

1862
01:22:50,720 --> 01:22:55,680
straw. Should we cancel it? Keep it as

1863
01:22:53,040 --> 01:22:58,440
is. You know, are the are we going to

1864
01:22:55,680 --> 01:23:00,880
have tents flying around? You know, are

1865
01:22:58,440 --> 01:23:03,040
animals and kids going to get hurt?

1866
01:23:00,880 --> 01:23:04,680
Killer decisions that are poured over

1867
01:23:03,040 --> 01:23:06,400
for days and days and days. And of

1868
01:23:04,680 --> 01:23:08,120
course, the weather

1869
01:23:06,400 --> 01:23:10,080
weather people, you know, change their

1870
01:23:08,120 --> 01:23:12,320
mind every other hour and and so does

1871
01:23:10,080 --> 01:23:14,240
the weather for that matter. So, um, we

1872
01:23:12,320 --> 01:23:15,920
stress about it for 48 straight hours

1873
01:23:14,240 --> 01:23:18,040
until we make that absolute last call

1874
01:23:15,920 --> 01:23:20,280
decision. And we just appreciate your

1875
01:23:18,040 --> 01:23:21,200
ongoing support when we make these tough

1876
01:23:20,280 --> 01:23:24,200
calls.

1877
01:23:21,200 --> 01:23:26,320
Are there any questions for the chief?

1878
01:23:24,200 --> 01:23:28,440
No question for the chief, but I

1879
01:23:26,320 --> 01:23:30,400
when when I was stationed at Fort Bliss

1880
01:23:28,440 --> 01:23:32,840
in El Paso, we had an air show there and

1881
01:23:30,400 --> 01:23:35,680
it was about 250,000 people attended it

1882
01:23:32,840 --> 01:23:37,760
every year. We never ever had to make

1883
01:23:35,680 --> 01:23:39,600
those decisions. Same weather all the

1884
01:23:37,760 --> 01:23:42,560
time. I mean, it was

1885
01:23:39,600 --> 01:23:42,560
it was so easy.

1886
01:23:43,800 --> 01:23:48,200
Not Maryland. We can't find water to

1887
01:23:46,200 --> 01:23:49,802
save our lives unless unless it's a

1888
01:23:48,200 --> 01:23:50,280
storm.

1889
01:23:49,802 --> 01:23:51,040
» [laughter]

1890
01:23:50,280 --> 01:23:53,200
» And I can

1891
01:23:51,040 --> 01:23:56,240
guarantee that we'll find all the water.

1892
01:23:53,200 --> 01:23:57,640
Don't ask me. Especially people. Yeah.

1893
01:23:56,240 --> 01:23:59,360
Uh, Mr. President, that concludes the

1894
01:23:57,640 --> 01:24:02,080
Department of Public Works.

1895
01:23:59,360 --> 01:24:03,760
Thank you, Miss Impulse. The uh we move

1896
01:24:02,080 --> 01:24:05,400
on to our final item on the agenda,

1897
01:24:03,760 --> 01:24:06,920
which is citizens' comments, during

1898
01:24:05,400 --> 01:24:08,960
which we invite the public to address

1899
01:24:06,920 --> 01:24:10,920
the mayor and council on any issues

1900
01:24:08,960 --> 01:24:12,960
related to tonight's agenda or other

1901
01:24:10,920 --> 01:24:14,360
city matters. For those not attending

1902
01:24:12,960 --> 01:24:15,600
this public meeting, we welcome your

1903
01:24:14,360 --> 01:24:18,000
comments via email at

1904
01:24:15,600 --> 01:24:19,880
comments@westminstermd.gov.

1905
01:24:18,000 --> 01:24:21,760
All email comments will be shared with

1906
01:24:19,880 --> 01:24:23,120
the mayor and council. Please include

1907
01:24:21,760 --> 01:24:25,520
your address and phone number with the

1908
01:24:23,120 --> 01:24:27,080
comments. We will now invite the

1909
01:24:25,520 --> 01:24:29,080
comments from those present this

1910
01:24:27,080 --> 01:24:30,480
evening. This is an opportunity for the

1911
01:24:29,080 --> 01:24:32,080
public to share their thoughts with the

1912
01:24:30,480 --> 01:24:33,920
mayor and council. Our role at this

1913
01:24:32,080 --> 01:24:35,960
point is to listen to your comments and

1914
01:24:33,920 --> 01:24:38,800
respond appropriately after consult

1915
01:24:35,960 --> 01:24:40,320
consulting with staff and each other. Is

1916
01:24:38,800 --> 01:24:42,480
there anyone here this evening that

1917
01:24:40,320 --> 01:24:45,160
wishes to be heard? If so, please state

1918
01:24:42,480 --> 01:24:48,560
your name and address for the record.

1919
01:24:45,160 --> 01:24:50,000
Yes, sir. Uh Richard Phelps, 8 Ridge

1920
01:24:48,560 --> 01:24:53,160
Road.

1921
01:24:50,000 --> 01:24:55,320
To all of you. Thank you.

1922
01:24:53,160 --> 01:24:57,040
Ignorance is bliss. You can say that.

1923
01:24:55,320 --> 01:24:57,923
Thank you. That's the best part of being

1924
01:24:57,040 --> 01:24:59,000
a lawyer.

1925
01:24:57,923 --> 01:25:01,000
» [laughter]

1926
01:24:59,000 --> 01:25:02,480
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

1927
01:25:01,000 --> 01:25:04,040
That concludes our agenda and the

1928
01:25:02,480 --> 01:25:06,640
meeting. Our next regular meeting will

1929
01:25:04,040 --> 01:25:10,840
be Monday, May 11th, 2026. And with that

1930
01:25:06,640 --> 01:25:10,840
and without objection, we are adjourned.