[1:59] Mhm.
[3:54] » Mhm.
[5:49] » Mhm.
[7:44] » Mhm.
[9:39] » Mhm.
[11:34] » Mhm.
[13:29] » Mhm.
[15:20] » And work.
[15:26] Are we good, Rick?
[15:28] All right.
[15:30] We'll call the meeting to order. As a
[15:31] courtesy to everyone, please take a
[15:33] moment and
[15:35] silence any devices that might interrupt
[15:38] the meeting. I'm going to do the same
[15:39] thing myself.
[15:41] Thank you. Good evening and welcome to
[15:43] the meeting. This meeting of the Mayor
[15:45] and Common Council of Westminster
[15:47] Incorporated on February 5th,
[15:49] [clears throat] 1819.
[15:51] We are gathered here at historic City
[15:54] Hall, originally state built in 1842 by
[15:57] Colonel John K. Longwell. City acquired
[16:00] this building in 1939 and has since been
[16:02] the venue where the Mayor and the
[16:04] Council conducts the city business.
[16:07] Now, we'll begin as we do every meeting
[16:08] with the Pledge of Allegiance followed
[16:10] by a moment of silence.
[16:12] All right, as you were.
[16:14] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[16:16] United States of America
[16:18] and to the republic for which it stands,
[16:21] one nation under God, indivisible, with
[16:25] liberty and justice for all.
[16:31] Thank you very much.
[16:37] One interesting fact about Westminster
[16:39] is the Sherwood Distilling Company. It
[16:42] began operations here during World War
[16:44] II era, housed in a striking red brick
[16:48] plant along Railroad Avenue with large
[16:50] glass window window mash drying sheds.
[16:54] After producing Sherwood Straight Rye,
[16:57] its license expired around 1970 and the
[17:00] decades of distilling. However, the tall
[17:03] brick smoke stack remains a prominent
[17:05] local landmark. Today, the former barrel
[17:07] house is the location of Paradiso
[17:10] Restaurant and the main building serves
[17:12] as Carroll County Citizen Service
[17:14] Center, ensuring Sherwood's legacy
[17:16] endures in Westminster's architecture
[17:18] and community life.
[17:20] Moving on, the council typically
[17:22] convenes on the second and fourth Monday
[17:23] of each month. Please note that these
[17:25] meetings are open to the public here at
[17:27] City Hall and are also streamed live on
[17:29] the city's YouTube page as well as the
[17:31] community media center channel and
[17:33] website. We extend our gratitude to the
[17:36] Community Media Center for its
[17:37] partnership in ensuring public access to
[17:39] these meetings. Copies of tonight's
[17:42] agenda and the entire information packet
[17:43] that the council will be using are
[17:45] available online at the city's website.
[17:48] Hard copies of the agenda are available
[17:50] here in the front of the room for those
[17:51] in attendance.
[17:53] First order of business is a closed
[17:55] session statement. A statement for the
[17:57] record, a closed meeting was held on
[17:59] Monday, April 20th, 2026 in accordance
[18:03] with the general provisions of Article
[18:04] Section 3-306C2
[18:07] of the Annotated Code of Maryland and
[18:09] without objection, it is noted that the
[18:11] minutes of tonight's meeting reflect the
[18:13] Common Council met in a closed meeting
[18:16] on Monday, October 20th, 2026 at 5 uh
[18:20] 5:50 p.m. pursuant to General Article
[18:23] Section 3-305B7
[18:27] to consult with counsel to obtain legal
[18:29] advice and B8 to consult with staff,
[18:32] consultants, or other individuals about
[18:34] pending or potential litigation.
[18:37] Note for the record, Councilmember Huff
[18:39] was not present during the vote that was
[18:41] taken for the closed meeting and note
[18:43] for the record, Councilmember remember
[18:45] Bayer left the meeting at 6:15 p.m. The
[18:48] city administrator
[18:50] Inhols and city attorney Whitworth were
[18:52] both in attendance. The Common Council
[18:54] took no official action during the
[18:56] meeting. The closed session was
[18:58] adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Next order of
[19:01] business will be a public hearing on
[19:03] annexation resolution 2603 and in the
[19:06] city of Westminster, public hearings are
[19:08] conducted by the mayor. So, Madam Mayor,
[19:10] the gavel is yours.
[19:12] Very much. Call this public hearing to
[19:14] order at 7:00 p.m.
[19:15] p.m.
[19:17] This is resolution number 26-03,
[19:21] annexation 72. A resolution enlarging
[19:24] the corporate boundaries of the city of
[19:26] Westminster by annexing into the city
[19:29] certain property containing plus or
[19:31] minus 2.9443
[19:34] acres continuous and adjoining to the
[19:36] city's existing corporate boundaries
[19:39] consisting of real property located at
[19:41] 10 Salt Box Road, Westminster, Maryland
[19:44] 21157,
[19:46] also identified as tax account number
[19:49] 07-048408,
[19:55] map 0039,
[19:58] grid 0013,
[20:01] parcel 0752,
[20:04] and comprising of plus or minus 1.4983
[20:09] acres and plus or minus 1.446
[20:13] acres of right-of-way containing a
[20:15] portion of College View Boulevard,
[20:18] Maryland Route 140, Maryland Route 97,
[20:22] belonging to the Maryland Department of
[20:24] Transportation State Highway
[20:25] Administration.
[20:28] Anyone like to make any
[20:30] comments during the public hearing? If
[20:32] so, please state your name and address
[20:34] for the record.
[20:37] Or should
[20:39] Mr. DePuy, do you want to give any
[20:40] Sorry.
[20:41] Mr. DePuy, do you want to give any
[20:42] information first? If I If I could.
[20:45] That makes sense. So, quickly, um,
[20:47] Adamy LLC, the petitioners requesting
[20:50] that the Mayor and Common Council annex
[20:51] property containing approximately 2.9443
[20:55] acres into corporate limits and
[20:57] subscribed by the Mayor.
[20:59] Uh, the Mayor and Common Council may
[21:00] enlarge the boundaries of the city of
[21:02] Westminster as provided in Annotated
[21:04] Code of Maryland.
[21:06] The property is located outside city
[21:07] limits, but inside the water and sewer
[21:09] service area
[21:11] and it's eligible for annexation under
[21:12] state law.
[21:14] The property is currently being served
[21:15] by public water and sewer.
[21:17] The annexation area is zoned C-2
[21:19] commercial medium intensity district
[21:22] under the zoning laws of Carroll County.
[21:24] The petitioner is requesting the
[21:26] property be zoned B business zone
[21:28] under the city zoning ordinance.
[21:30] Developing in the development in the B
[21:32] business zone is substantially similar
[21:34] to development in the C-2 commercial
[21:36] medium intensity district.
[21:39] The petitioner has constructed a Sheets
[21:41] convenience convenience store and gas
[21:43] pumps at the property. This was all part
[21:45] of an annexation agreement between the
[21:47] petitioner and the city, whereby
[21:49] development was able to move forward
[21:52] and the the petitioner was then supposed
[21:55] to annex the property, hence tonight's
[21:57] meeting.
[21:59] Or in February the 9th, 2026, annexation
[22:01] resolution 2603
[22:03] or annexation 72 was introduced to the
[22:06] Mayor and Common Council, allowing the
[22:08] process to begin.
[22:10] On February 10, 2026, annexation
[22:12] resolution 2603, along with an
[22:15] annexation plan pursuant to state code,
[22:17] was emailed to Carroll County and the
[22:19] Maryland Department of Planning.
[22:21] On April 16, 2026, the Planning Zoning
[22:24] Commission held a public hearing on
[22:26] annexation resolution 2603
[22:29] including the annexation plan.
[22:31] The Planning Zoning Commission forwarded
[22:33] annexation resolution 2603 to the City
[22:36] of Westminster Mayor and Common Council
[22:38] with a favorable recommendation.
[22:41] The annexation petition submitted by the
[22:43] petitioners meets the requirements for
[22:45] annexation under state code.
[22:47] The Mayor and Common Council notice of
[22:49] public hearing for the resolution was
[22:51] advertised on Monday, March 30, 2026
[22:55] and Monday, April 6, 2026 in the Carroll
[22:57] County Times in conformance with state
[23:00] code.
[23:02] And that completes my report.
[23:04] Thank you.
[23:06] Yes. Please state your name and address
[23:07] for the record. Well, of course I will
[23:09] say that the state and the county have
[23:12] the right to speak first at this
[23:14] hearing. I I'm going to assume that
[23:16] they're not here to speak. Correct.
[23:18] Uh thank you, Madam Mayor. My name is
[23:20] John Maguire.
[23:21] Uh I'm the attorney for Sheets, Inc.
[23:24] Uh which is the tenant and operator of
[23:26] the property.
[23:28] Had Amy, LLC is the owner and the
[23:31] landlord.
[23:32] Uh and we more or less represented them
[23:35] in this. Under the lease, the
[23:36] understanding was that Sheets would
[23:38] prosecute this civil and site plan and
[23:41] set up its business.
[23:43] Um
[23:44] So, that's kind of where I fit. Uh
[23:47] I'm going to assume that the record of
[23:50] this hearing
[23:51] uh
[23:52] con- is constituted by what's been
[23:54] placed on the website, what's been
[23:56] advertised. That is the record that we
[23:58] start with.
[24:00] Um
[24:01] In addition, uh for the record, I want
[24:04] to state uh that the petitions and
[24:06] materials that were filed by the
[24:07] petitioner in this proceeding are still
[24:09] correct and accurate as of the date
[24:11] hereof.
[24:13] The proposed annexation is consistent
[24:16] with the terms and conditions of the
[24:17] annexation agreement between the city
[24:19] and the landowner dated July 12, 2021
[24:23] and recorded against the property
[24:26] in the land records of Carroll County in
[24:27] book 10375
[24:29] 8154.
[24:31] I also want to acknowledge that the
[24:33] staff provided the uh statutory notice
[24:37] under local government article 4-406
[24:40] speaking one
[24:42] involving assessment and fee
[24:44] information, and that was given by the
[24:47] staff and received by the petitioner.
[24:50] Um and the only other I have no other
[24:51] comment uh for the record other than
[24:54] introduce Gary Kilfeather. Gary's been
[24:56] the project manager on this project
[24:59] almost from the beginning. The staff has
[25:02] gotten to know Gary and uh
[25:05] Gary's here tonight.
[25:06] You have any questions about the
[25:07] operations, Gary can answer those.
[25:09] Thank you. Thank you.
[25:13] Any questions?
[25:18] Um would anyone else like to make any
[25:21] public comment?
[25:23] Hearing none, we'll close the hearing at
[25:24] 7:10.
[25:27] Madam Mayor,
[25:30] back up.
[25:32] And now we'll go on to presentations. We
[25:34] have two presentations this evening. The
[25:35] first one is the Mayoral Proclamation,
[25:38] uh Municipal City Week, May 3rd through
[25:41] 9th, 2026.
[25:43] That's Mayor.
[25:45] Oh, did I say clerk or did I say? City.
[25:47] Oh, sorry.
[25:49] Municipal Clerk Municipal Clerk
[25:53] Municipal Dog Week It's Dog Week. Dog
[25:56] Week. I would ask our phenomenal City
[25:58] Clerk, Mr. Doug Barber, to please come
[26:00] up and join me.
[26:03] He'll probably bring me something to
[26:04] sign.
[26:07] » [laughter]
[26:08] » All right. Um so this is a Mayoral
[26:10] Proclamation. This is the 57th Annual
[26:13] Professional Municipal Clerks Week,
[26:16] which is held May 3rd through the 9th,
[26:19] 2026.
[26:20] Whereas the office of the Professional
[26:22] Municipal Clerk, a time-honored and
[26:25] vital part of local government, exists
[26:27] throughout the world.
[26:29] And the office of the Professional
[26:31] Municipal Clerk is the oldest profession
[26:33] among public servants.
[26:35] The office of the Professional Municipal
[26:37] Clerk provides a professional link
[26:39] between the citizens, the local
[26:41] governing bodies, and agencies of
[26:43] government at other levels.
[26:45] And the Professional Municipal Clerks
[26:47] have pledged to be ever mindful of the
[26:49] neutrality and impartiality, rendering
[26:52] equal service to all. And the
[26:55] professional municipal clerk serves as
[26:57] the information center on functions of
[27:00] local government and community.
[27:02] And professional municipal clerks
[27:04] continually strive to enhance
[27:06] professional development through
[27:08] participation in education programs,
[27:11] seminars, workshops, and the annual
[27:13] meeting of their state, county, and
[27:15] international professional
[27:16] organizations.
[27:18] And it is most appropriate that we
[27:20] recognize the accomplishments of the
[27:22] office of the professional municipal
[27:24] clerk. And now, therefore, I, Dr. Monir
[27:27] Badr, mayor of the city of Westminster,
[27:29] on behalf of the common council,
[27:32] recognize the week of May 3rd, 2026
[27:35] through May 9th, 2026, to be
[27:38] Professional Municipal Clerk Week in
[27:40] Westminster, and further extend
[27:42] appreciation to our professional
[27:44] municipal clerk, Doug Douglas Barber,
[27:47] and to [laughter] all the professional
[27:49] municipal clerks for the vital services
[27:51] they perform and their exemplary
[27:54] dedication to the communities they
[27:56] represent. Adopted this 27th day
[27:59] of April. Thank you.
[28:08] Would you like to say anything? No,
[28:09] ma'am.
[28:14] Um
[28:15] we could not run the city the way we do
[28:17] without our
[28:19] professional municipal clerk.
[28:22] Yes.
[28:28] And he's still doing his job.
[28:32] He's getting an award.
[28:33] Nice job there, Doug Douglas. Thank you.
[28:41] » [clears throat]
[28:42] » Okay.
[28:43] Uh and with that, we will move on to our
[28:45] second presentation this evening. It's a
[28:49] important presentation and that would be
[28:51] the fiscal year budget presentation by
[28:53] our city administrator,
[28:55] Mr. Moss.
[28:57] Thank you, sir.
[28:58] We're going to start tonight. Go ahead
[29:00] to next slide. As we always do, with the
[29:03] origin of the budget, right? The
[29:04] budget's telling a story about how the
[29:06] mayor and council
[29:08] make their decisions, what's important
[29:11] to the city. And we start off with our
[29:13] vision statement, which I'm going to
[29:14] read. Westminster is a safe, healthy,
[29:17] and engaged community where new ideas
[29:20] and sustainable innovation enhance the
[29:23] community's quality of life and create
[29:25] economic opportunities for today's
[29:27] residents and for future generations.
[29:30] And you'll see, Mayor and Council, all
[29:31] of the items that are located in the
[29:33] budget all relate to that original
[29:35] vision statement.
[29:38] Then we move on to the strategic plan
[29:40] critical success factors. The Mayor and
[29:43] Council, sometimes annually, sometimes
[29:46] on a multiple year basis, outline the
[29:49] critical success factors that the budget
[29:52] and all of the items that the city does
[29:54] should go through. And they include the
[29:55] following: strong partnerships and
[29:57] engaged communities, water and sewer
[30:00] capacity for future generations,
[30:03] economic activity and growth,
[30:05] responsible stewardship of city
[30:07] resources, and a safe and livable
[30:10] community. These are the factors that
[30:11] drive all of the budget decisions that
[30:13] we've made in this year's budget and in
[30:16] most of the decisions that we make
[30:17] moving forward. Next slide.
[30:21] An opportunity to educate the public and
[30:23] remind everybody of the structure of our
[30:26] budget. We have 1 2 3 4 5 6 funds
[30:30] that we pull all of all of our various
[30:32] fund monies from in order to pay for all
[30:36] of the activities within the budget. And
[30:38] that includes the general fund, which is
[30:40] the city's core services and
[30:41] administrative functions. The public
[30:43] housing fund,
[30:45] which is the public housing authority
[30:47] for housing choice voucher program.
[30:50] My favorite, the capital project fund,
[30:52] which accounts for for all of our
[30:54] capital improvement programs. We call
[30:56] those CIP, and we'll be referring to
[30:58] that later in the day, CIP activities.
[31:01] And then of course we have our
[31:02] enterprise funds, our water, sewer, and
[31:04] fiber funds. The water fund helps us pay
[31:08] for production, treatment, and
[31:09] distribution of all potable water, clean
[31:12] water.
[31:14] The sewer fund helps pay for the
[31:15] collection and delivery of sewage for
[31:18] treatment and disposal, very important.
[31:21] And our fiber fund of course pays for
[31:23] the construction and operation of the
[31:24] Westminster fiber network with our
[31:26] partners in at Ting. Next slide.
[31:31] This is what everyone's most excited
[31:32] about, our fiscal year 2027 property
[31:34] taxes.
[31:36] Um,
[31:36] of course in Westminster and all of
[31:38] Maryland is on a 3-year assessment
[31:41] cycle. Westminster is in its third year
[31:43] of the assessment cycle. So in January
[31:45] of 2026 there'll be new assessments for
[31:47] this area.
[31:49] The city's net net assessable base
[31:51] increased by approximately $156
[31:55] million
[31:56] or 6.4% from the prior fiscal year.
[32:00] This increase is a result of higher
[32:02] assessments from the reassessment cycle,
[32:05] as well as new properties that we've
[32:06] added to the tax roll through
[32:08] annexations.
[32:12] Budget drivers. So there is
[32:15] no change in the real property tax. This
[32:17] is what everyone is most excited about.
[32:20] For the 14th year in a row we're able to
[32:22] say,
[32:23] uh, thanks to the mayor and council that
[32:25] the fiscal year 2027 real property tax
[32:27] rate is 56 cents per $100 assessed
[32:31] value, which is the same that it has
[32:32] been again for 14 years, the last 14
[32:35] years.
[32:36] The water sewer rates will see
[32:38] um small increases, 5.75%
[32:41] increase in the water rate, 5% increase
[32:43] in the sewer rates.
[32:45] And just as a reminder, one of the
[32:46] budget drivers is CPI, the consumer
[32:48] price index, that has increased 2.4%
[32:51] from January uh '25 to January '26.
[32:55] Next slide.
[32:58] Mayor and Council, this is the outline
[33:00] of the revenues and expenditures by
[33:04] fund,
[33:06] which
[33:07] I'll just outline. The general fund is
[33:09] 20 The expenditures are 21.7 million,
[33:12] and the revenues are 23.8
[33:15] million.
[33:17] I'm going to leave the rest of them up
[33:18] there for everyone to see. We'll discuss
[33:20] this a slightly more in the budget uh
[33:22] ordinance later on today.
[33:24] Unless anyone has any questions right
[33:25] now.
[33:27] Mr. President, you don't want me to read
[33:28] those out, do you? No. Okay.
[33:30] Next slide.
[33:33] The budget includes some fixed costs,
[33:36] and those are benefit and insurance
[33:37] costs. We can't really do anything about
[33:39] those, um but we do have some good news
[33:41] to share in this particular arena. Our
[33:43] health insurance has a small increase of
[33:46] 3.4%,
[33:47] which we are very excited about because
[33:50] last year it increased 11.5% and the
[33:53] year before it increased 13.6%.
[33:56] Those are funds that are really hard to
[33:57] find once you get to double-digit
[33:59] increases. So, we are excited to see
[34:01] that that's only a 3.4% increase in this
[34:03] upcoming year.
[34:04] The pension contribution rate for
[34:06] non-sworn staff, otherwise known as
[34:08] civilian staff, has been increased from
[34:10] 13.28%
[34:12] to 13.52% of salaries, which is a 24%
[34:16] increase.
[34:17] The LEOS contribution rate, which is the
[34:19] pension plan for the sworn officers or
[34:21] the law enforcement staff, has decreased
[34:23] from 39.64 to 39.56, or an 8% decrease.
[34:29] There's no change in the rates provision
[34:32] short-term disability. We're still
[34:34] waiting on the dental rates.
[34:35] Uh there's a 5% increase on the
[34:37] long-term disability and a 10% increase
[34:40] on our base life.
[34:43] Um
[34:44] which is the first time we've had that
[34:45] in a while. So, we were not entirely
[34:47] surprised by that. Our workers' comp
[34:49] renewal rate is 5.8% last less than it
[34:53] was last year. And I just want to take a
[34:55] quick moment to talk about that. Um
[34:57] those rates are entirely driven by
[35:00] decisions that we're making at the staff
[35:02] level, at the council level,
[35:04] um in order to make sure our workers are
[35:06] operating um in a safer manner. Examples
[35:10] of that are a few years ago this council
[35:12] authorized um mowers that were remote
[35:15] controlled so that we could mow some of
[35:17] the very steep banks, making sure that
[35:20] our employees are not injured in the
[35:21] process. We're seeing we're starting to
[35:23] reap the benefits of some of those
[35:25] decisions that the council made at the
[35:26] capital level, and then some very
[35:28] specific decisions that the chief is
[35:30] making, and public works department is
[35:32] making as well. That those are we're
[35:34] realizing those in a very um exciting
[35:37] way with a 5.8% less increase in our
[35:41] premiums for workers' comp. So, just
[35:43] want to take a moment to thank all of
[35:44] the staff for all their hard work on
[35:45] that.
[35:47] And then our general insurance rates are
[35:48] still pending, but we've budgeted for a
[35:50] 13.3 increase over fiscal year 2026
[35:54] actual costs. And that's based on an
[35:56] estimate that we have from the carrier.
[35:58] Next slide.
[36:01] The CIP budget um
[36:03] we're excited for. These are just a few
[36:05] of the many many many projects we have
[36:08] in the CIP, including Wakefield Valley
[36:11] Trail upgrades. The construction should
[36:14] start in this upcoming fiscal year. Rock
[36:16] Park equipment and a brand new restroom
[36:19] building at Rock Park, so we'll no
[36:20] longer need the portable restroom we had
[36:23] out there that's at the Hubble Farms.
[36:25] Of course, um we're excited to hopefully
[36:27] be able to purchase and install bocce
[36:29] ball courts this year at City Park.
[36:31] We've got some much-needed family
[36:33] fitness center building improvements, as
[36:35] well as new equipment, which we purchase
[36:36] every year.
[36:38] Hopefully, we're finally going to get
[36:39] the HVAC upgrades completed at uh my
[36:42] buildings um
[36:44] well, this says 40 City Hall.
[36:46] Both buildings, actually, City Hall and
[36:48] City Administration Building at 45 West.
[36:51] We've got pavement management, as as we
[36:53] always do, as well as inflow
[36:54] infiltration and inflow. It's a project
[36:57] we call I&I, very important in the sewer
[36:59] department, to make sure that the storm
[37:01] water doesn't infiltrate um the sewer
[37:03] plants. We'll have ongoing projects at
[37:06] the sewer plant, the enhanced nutrient
[37:08] removal project, which I'm very hopeful
[37:10] will close up in this next fiscal year.
[37:14] Not promising, but hopeful.
[37:16] Um and finally, and most excitingly,
[37:18] we've got the Pure Water Westminster,
[37:20] our water reuse facility, which is still
[37:22] under construction, and will be
[37:23] completed by February of 2027, which is
[37:26] this upcoming budget year.
[37:29] Next slide.
[37:30] I'll take a quick moment to thank the
[37:32] staff.
[37:33] Um
[37:34] Ms. Rogers has put in an unbelievable
[37:36] number of hours on the budget, um and
[37:38] the finance committee, as well, who's
[37:40] had several meetings, some very
[37:43] thoughtful discussion. Um we are
[37:45] partners in this budget process, and we
[37:47] really appreciate that. President, that
[37:49] concludes the report. I'm happy to
[37:50] answer any questions.
[37:52] Thank you, Ms. Imholz. Um
[37:54] I'll open it up for questions in a
[37:55] minute, but I did want to make one quick
[37:57] comment, just for clarity for public uh
[38:01] consumption, for the viewers who are
[38:03] watching.
[38:05] This, by no means, is our only uh touch
[38:10] in terms of this budget prior to it
[38:12] coming before us. This is just the
[38:14] introduction, um which we'll do
[38:16] officially in a little bit, but we'll
[38:18] have multiple meetings with the entire
[38:20] body, um and we take a very deep dive
[38:23] into the budget. Finance Committee has
[38:25] already spent a lot of time to do this
[38:27] year. The entire body will spend a lot
[38:29] more time going through it.
[38:31] You know, now what is appropriate, what
[38:34] may or may not be appropriate, and then
[38:36] we'll bring back a final budget for
[38:38] approval. So, I just want to make sure
[38:39] everyone is
[38:41] crystal clear that this is just a very
[38:42] high-level,
[38:44] um, overview, um, for public
[38:46] consumption, and we'll be spending a lot
[38:47] more time with this over the next 5
[38:50] months. So, to that, I've opened up for
[38:52] any other questions about the
[38:53] presentation at this point.
[38:56] Mr. Mayor, go ahead.
[38:58] No questions. I just want to
[39:00] make a couple of comments if I could, as
[39:01] chair of Finance Committee.
[39:04] First, you know, to to give, you know,
[39:06] my thank my thanks to Ms. Imholz, and
[39:09] Ms. Rodgers, and Kristen Gardner, who
[39:10] have all
[39:12] you know, offered staff, uh, you know,
[39:15] assistance for, uh, financial planning.
[39:17] Um,
[39:19] and the rest of the team, terrific job
[39:20] once again in putting together this
[39:22] budget, you know, working with the
[39:23] Finance Committee.
[39:25] Um,
[39:25] you know,
[39:26] you know,
[39:27] it's not every municipality that's able
[39:29] to not only avoid a property tax
[39:33] increase for 14 years in a row with
[39:35] rising costs,
[39:37] and doing as much as we're doing.
[39:40] But, also, and I think this is an
[39:41] important point, continuing to only ask
[39:44] moderate moderate increases
[39:46] in water and sewer rates. We see
[39:48] surrounding municipalities,
[39:50] other jurisdictions, seeing
[39:52] significantly larger increases in water
[39:55] and sewer. And that's because, I think,
[39:57] we've looked ahead
[40:00] on these issues
[40:01] for years now, and we we've
[40:04] taken actions, understood the
[40:06] consequences of the actions we were
[40:08] taking, to make sure that we don't have
[40:11] those kind of major offsets, you know,
[40:14] and and wild swings in what we have to
[40:16] ask of of the citizens of Westminster.
[40:18] And that's really critical. Another
[40:20] important thing that we've done, and I'm
[40:22] I'm really proud of the entire team, you
[40:24] know, my colleagues on the council as
[40:27] well as the staff.
[40:28] I think there's probably no community in
[40:31] Maryland, and I don't want to brag
[40:33] beyond that, but certainly no community
[40:34] in Maryland that has made a better use
[40:37] of the IIJA funds.
[40:40] You know, these these were these were
[40:42] funds that we received in the wake of
[40:43] the pandemic from the federal
[40:45] government. Westminster received a
[40:46] significant amount, $18 million roughly,
[40:50] and whatever you think. And as soon as
[40:53] that money was announced, we began
[40:55] planning. We got together and we said,
[40:57] "We're not going to waste this
[40:59] opportunity. This is an incredible
[41:01] opportunity to to fund a lot of
[41:03] important things we need to get done in
[41:05] Westminster. We're not going to waste
[41:07] it. We're not going to spend it on
[41:09] frivolous things. We'll be very serious
[41:12] and very thoughtful about how we're
[41:13] spending this money, and we're going to
[41:15] make sure that every dollar we spend of
[41:17] that money, we're able to use that to
[41:19] leverage city money to do even
[41:22] And we began that process. Miss Hallsten
[41:26] executed it in a tremendously skillful
[41:28] spending skillful manner. Always support
[41:30] from finance team and the public works
[41:33] team and everybody else. And I couldn't
[41:35] be prouder of how we've done this. I
[41:36] think because of that we've been able to
[41:38] bring the citizens of Westminster so
[41:40] much more in terms of public works
[41:41] projects and other we other things than,
[41:44] you know, other communities have been
[41:45] able to do with the person.
[41:48] So, that's that's I just wanted to say
[41:49] that. Thank you.
[41:52] I I think you're [clears throat] being
[41:53] slightly modest in only in that you were
[41:56] probably the loudest champion when we
[41:59] realized how much money we were going to
[42:01] get in terms of insisting that we
[42:05] plan well ahead and and handle it right.
[42:08] And we watched other other
[42:10] municipalities, other counties fritter
[42:12] away a lot of that money and frankly
[42:14] they wasted some of it and had to give
[42:16] it back. And I think because of your
[42:19] guidance in particular early on
[42:22] that went a long way in helping us be
[42:24] where we're at with the town in terms of
[42:26] how we utilize those funds. Anyone else?
[42:29] Mr. President.
[42:30] » Yes, Mr. Hall.
[42:31] The only other thing I will mention
[42:33] is, you know, I I since I've been on the
[42:36] this council for the past 5 years, I
[42:38] really think we have done a tremendous
[42:40] job of working with our federal, state,
[42:42] county partners
[42:44] to help bring additional funds for all
[42:47] of our capital
[42:49] needs in the city. And I really
[42:52] compliment everybody's effort up here
[42:54] with that. But especially with staff's
[42:57] effort,
[42:59] especially with working with some of the
[43:00] federal stuff, we have done really well
[43:02] regarding that. And it allows us to
[43:04] accomplish a lot of great things for the
[43:06] city. So, besides the ARPA money, I just
[43:09] want to highlight that too. But I think
[43:10] we've done a
[43:12] tremendous job in the past 5 years that
[43:14] I've been here.
[43:15] Thank you, Mr. Hall. Anyone else?
[43:18] Okay.
[43:19] » [clears throat]
[43:19] » We'll be moving on. We will now move on
[43:21] to a appointment by the mayor. Mayor
[43:24] Backus. Thank you, Mr. President.
[43:27] I would like to bring forward Dr. Robert
[43:31] Wax
[43:32] to be considered to fill the vacancy on
[43:34] the City of Westminster's Planning and
[43:36] Zoning Commission.
[43:38] I forwarded Mr. Dr. Wax's
[43:41] application and resume to everyone on
[43:44] the council. And I'm sure you have had
[43:46] time to consider
[43:48] um
[43:49] this appointment up to the
[43:51] Planning and Zoning Commission.
[43:54] Thank you, Madam Mayor. I was real glad
[43:57] you sent that along cuz you know, I
[43:58] really didn't know the guy. I only saw
[44:00] him at the time.
[44:02] Jog your memory there.
[44:03] » Yeah, exactly. So, may I have a motion
[44:06] to approve the mayor's appointment of
[44:08] Dr. Wac to the Planning and Zoning
[44:10] Commission. Mr. President, I will make a
[44:12] motion to approve said appointment.
[44:15] » Thank you, Mr. Hoff. And I believe Mr.
[44:16] Bayer had the second.
[44:18] I'll open it up for any discussion prior
[44:20] to the vote.
[44:21] Any discussion? Just one comment. I
[44:24] don't think that the mayor could have
[44:25] picked a better person to step into this
[44:27] role.
[44:28] Dr. Wac's knowledgeable
[44:31] from serving on this council, but from
[44:33] also being a activist citizen in the
[44:35] community. So, I know that he'll
[44:37] represent the folks well. So, great
[44:40] choice. Thank you, Mr. Bayer. Anyone
[44:42] else?
[44:43] I agree.
[44:45] » [laughter]
[44:47] » Okay.
[44:48] All those in favor of approving the
[44:50] mayor's appointment of Dr. Wac to the
[44:52] Planning and Zoning Commission, please
[44:54] signify by saying I. I. Please note for
[44:57] the record that I vote voted in the
[44:59] affirmative as well. Done on that.
[45:02] Any opposed?
[45:04] The eyes have it, and congratulations,
[45:07] Madam Mayor. Dr. Wac is appointed to the
[45:10] Planning and Zoning Commission.
[45:12] Thank you very much.
[45:13] Okay. Now, we will move on. I don't
[45:16] believe our attorney is here. Okay,
[45:18] we will move on to approval of minutes.
[45:20] We have three sets of minutes to approve
[45:24] for this meeting. We have minutes from
[45:26] the Mayor and Common Council Work
[45:27] Session Meeting of April 20th, 2026,
[45:31] special Mayor and Common Council Meeting
[45:34] Minutes of April 20th, 2026,
[45:37] and the Mayor and Common Council Closed
[45:39] Meeting Minutes of April 20th, 2026.
[45:44] Is there a motion to approve the
[45:45] minutes? So moved, Mr. President. Thank
[45:47] you, Mr. Pecoraro. May I have a second?
[45:49] Second. Thank you, Mr. Bayer. Is there
[45:51] any discussion regarding the motion?
[45:54] Hearing none, all those in favor, please
[45:56] signify by saying I. I. The I Any nays?
[46:00] The eyes have it, and the minutes are
[46:03] approved. We'll now move on to the
[46:04] consent calendar. We have three items on
[46:06] the consent calendar this evening. Is
[46:08] there a motion to approve the consent
[46:09] calendar? Mr. President, I'll make a
[46:11] motion to approve the
[46:12] » Thank you, Mr. Pop. May I have a second?
[46:14] Second. Thank [clears throat] you very
[46:15] much, Mr. Pecoraro.
[46:17] All those in favor of approving the
[46:19] consent calendar, please signify by
[46:21] saying I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have
[46:24] it, and the consent calendar is
[46:26] approved. We'll now move on to the
[46:27] report from the mayor. Madam Mayor.
[46:29] Thank you, Mr. President.
[46:31] Um, on Wednesday, April 15th, myself
[46:33] along with members of of the council
[46:35] attended the annual Westminster Police
[46:36] Department award ceremony at the new
[46:39] event center at Wakefield Valley. The
[46:41] ceremony is always a memorable
[46:42] experience witnessing the dedication,
[46:45] integrity, and the courage of the
[46:47] officers honored. The Westminster Police
[46:49] Department is truly something special.
[46:51] The professional professionalism,
[46:53] compassion, and commitment shown by its
[46:55] members reflect not only their duty to
[46:57] protect, but their genuine care for the
[47:00] people that they serve. It's evident
[47:02] that this department goes above and
[47:04] beyond building trust and making
[47:05] Westminster a stronger, safer place.
[47:08] Thank you.
[47:10] Um, I've been busy in the community for
[47:12] the last 2 weeks. On Sunday, April 19th,
[47:15] a new Patriot Trail marker was unveiled
[47:18] at the historic Westminster Cemetery.
[47:20] This plaque honors Henry Neff, Caleb
[47:23] Stansbury, and William Winchester, three
[47:25] Revolutionary War Patriots buried in the
[47:28] Westminster Cemetery. The marker is one
[47:30] of 187 installed along the Patriots
[47:33] Trail and the very first to be placed in
[47:35] Maryland.
[47:37] The plaque was provided by the William
[47:38] Pomeroy Foundation and made possible
[47:40] through the efforts of the Westminster
[47:42] Chapter of the Maryland Society, Sons of
[47:45] American Revolution. As you enter the
[47:47] cemetery from North Church Street,
[47:49] proceed along the drive, and the Patriot
[47:51] marker is just a few 100 a few hundred
[47:54] feet in along the right-hand side.
[47:57] Last Sunday uh evening, I attended a
[47:59] reception for 11 high school guidance
[48:01] counselors that McDaniel College invited
[48:04] to Westminster for a three-day event.
[48:06] This event was geared to showcase not
[48:08] only the college, but also the city as a
[48:10] wonderful place for new students to come
[48:13] to learn
[48:14] and hopefully stay in the area. Along
[48:17] with Council member Hoff, we had a
[48:18] really nice evening of chatting and
[48:20] learning about the schools the guidance
[48:22] counselors were visiting from and
[48:24] telling them how wonderful the city of
[48:25] Westminster is.
[48:27] I want to thank everyone who came out to
[48:29] X on a mission commons at the
[48:30] Westminster Public Library for the
[48:32] mayor's community meetings last Thursday
[48:34] regarding the update to Westminster's
[48:36] historic district. There were about 40
[48:38] individuals in attendance and I believe
[48:40] by the end of the evening all the
[48:42] questions were answered if residents had
[48:44] concerns. There were also residents at
[48:46] the meeting who were interested in
[48:47] contributing stories and information and
[48:50] I look forward to a future update on the
[48:52] progress of the project.
[48:55] While I was out of town during the wine
[48:57] stroll, I wanted to congratulate the
[48:59] staff for making the decision to move
[49:01] the start time of the wine stroll up a
[49:03] few hours to accommodate the inclement
[49:06] weather that was moving into Westminster
[49:08] in the afternoon.
[49:09] I heard it was chilly during the stroll,
[49:11] but I gathered from the pictures that it
[49:13] was still well attended and everyone had
[49:15] had a good time. Given the circumstances
[49:18] with uncertain weather in April, I think
[49:19] that the best decision was made to shift
[49:22] the start time of the stroll and I hope
[49:25] that we are out of the stroll weather
[49:29] window for the rest of the year. So so.
[49:32] I hope so. I also wanted to take a
[49:34] minute to congratulate the town of
[49:36] Sykesville as one of the three winners
[49:38] of the Great American Main Street Award
[49:40] for 2026.
[49:41] The award was presented to Sykesville
[49:43] for their preservation-based
[49:44] revitalization in their historic
[49:46] downtown. And then just finally, later
[49:50] this evening
[49:52] Miss Imholte
[49:53] gave a quick presentation on the budget,
[49:55] but later this evening we will introduce
[49:57] the fiscal year '22 budget. The process
[50:00] of putting a budget together isn't
[50:01] glamorous, it's tedious, and takes a lot
[50:03] of attention to detail, but it's the
[50:05] most important legislative task an
[50:07] organization does, and I look forward to
[50:09] sharing the budget with you and some
[50:11] more information later in the meeting.
[50:14] Mr. President, back to you. Thank you
[50:16] very much, Madam Mayor. And now we'll
[50:18] move on to reports committee and right
[50:20] back at you. There is no report from the
[50:22] external services committee. Thank you
[50:24] very much. Economic and community
[50:26] development, Mr. Huff. No report
[50:29] tonight, sir. Thank you, Mr. Huff.
[50:31] Finance committee, Mr. Perreira. Thank
[50:33] you, Mr. President. I think on behalf of
[50:34] the finance committee we'll be spending
[50:36] a bit of time on the budget tonight and
[50:38] in the future nights, so that's all I
[50:40] have on that. Thank you, Mr. Perreira.
[50:41] Personnel, Mr. Bayer. That's me, Mr.
[50:44] President.
[50:45] Oh,
[50:46] sorry. I apologize. Mr. Bayer, that's
[50:48] you. I apologize. So, Mr. Bayer,
[50:50] Thank you very much.
[50:52] I do have a report for public safety. On
[50:55] April 15th, the Westminster Police
[50:57] Department's strategic enforcement unit
[50:58] and canine unit assisted Carroll County
[51:00] Sheriff's Office with a traffic stop on
[51:03] the 1800 block of Baltimore Boulevard.
[51:06] As a result of the stop, officers
[51:07] recovered 14 g of crack cocaine and
[51:11] approximately 37 g of fentanyl. It's a
[51:14] very small amount. This incident
[51:16] highlights the strong collaboration
[51:18] between our agencies and our continued
[51:20] focus on proactive enforcement efforts
[51:22] to remove these dangerous narcotics from
[51:25] our community. On April 22nd, the
[51:28] Westminster Police Department patrol
[51:29] units responded to a report of retail
[51:32] theft at Dick's Sporting Goods on North
[51:34] Center Street. Officers quickly located
[51:37] the suspect's vehicle as it was leaving
[51:39] the area and were able to take the
[51:41] individual into custody. During the
[51:43] investigations investigation, officers
[51:46] recovered $1,000 in stolen merchandise
[51:49] and determined the vehicle had been
[51:50] reported stolen out of Baltimore County.
[51:53] Lastly, I would like to compliment the
[51:55] Westminster Police Department on their
[51:57] response on the evening, I'm sorry, the
[51:59] events of April 19th where we had a
[52:03] tragic
[52:04] occurrence
[52:06] in what appears to be potentially a
[52:08] murder-suicide. Call came in at 8:27
[52:11] a.m. and our first unit arrived on scene
[52:13] at 8:29, 2 minutes later.
[52:17] Unfortunately, the tragedy had already
[52:18] occurred, but it had been had it been an
[52:21] evolving crime, that kind of response
[52:23] time can and in many circumstances makes
[52:26] the difference between life and death.
[52:29] While we were all very saddened by this
[52:30] event, it does point out what an amazing
[52:32] job our police department does and how
[52:35] [clears throat] your tax dollars are
[52:36] well spent when it comes to what I
[52:38] believe is our most important job as
[52:40] elected officials
[52:42] and that is public safety in our mission
[52:45] statement that Ms. Semmel Hall read
[52:47] earlier, the very first word is safe.
[52:49] And I think our police department does a
[52:51] wonderful job helping us meet that
[52:53] mission. So, thank you, Chief.
[52:55] » Thank you, sir. And that's my public
[52:57] safety report. We'll move on to
[52:59] recreation and parks. I have no report
[53:01] for that this evening. Technology will
[53:04] not have a report unless you do, Mr.
[53:06] Bearinger. Mr. Whiteside,
[53:08] no. And intergovernmental, Mr. Huff.
[53:11] I just want to take a moment to thank
[53:13] our friends in Annapolis and our local
[53:15] delegation for their help related to um
[53:20] receiving this additional funding in our
[53:22] fiber project as well for our water
[53:25] reuse project for the MDE.
[53:27] Um so, I just want to again thank our
[53:30] friends in Annapolis for that. Thank
[53:32] you. Thank you, Mr. Huff. Now, we'll
[53:34] move on to council comments and
[53:35] discussion. Mr. Pecoraro. Um
[53:38] nothing except that I did attend the one
[53:41] stroll on Saturday and despite the fact
[53:43] that St. Patrick's Day is on a Friday
[53:45] night, we didn't drink a glass of wine.
[53:48] I thought you know, the move was a was a
[53:50] terrific idea.
[53:52] The weather held off. I managed to get
[53:54] my grass cut before the event over
[53:56] there.
[53:57] But yeah, I was so pleased when I got
[54:00] there. See so many people following Main
[54:03] Street,
[54:04] having a good time, you know, visiting
[54:06] Westminster businesses on Main Street as
[54:08] well as all the vendors that we had out
[54:11] on the street. So
[54:12] good call. Ms. Gruber is not here, I
[54:14] know, but good call to Ms. Gruber for
[54:16] the impulse and everybody else involved
[54:17] in that decision. I don't believe we
[54:19] ever would have folded and had it be so
[54:21] successful. That's all I have. Thank
[54:23] you, Mr. Mayor.
[54:25] Mr. Hoff.
[54:26] I was just going to note the same thing
[54:28] with the wine stroll. Very impressed
[54:30] with staff thinking ahead
[54:32] with kind of changing things based on
[54:34] the weather. And I think all things
[54:37] considered the event went very very
[54:39] well. And the timing as far as when it
[54:42] started to rain was just about perfect.
[54:45] So I would really
[54:47] just commend staff thinking ahead and
[54:49] kind of recalibrating at the last minute
[54:52] to make the best of a
[54:54] not so great situation from a weather
[54:56] standpoint. So thank you.
[54:58] Thank you, Mr. Hoff. Yes, Mayor. Yes, I
[55:00] had the opportunity last week to attend
[55:02] an Arbor Day tree planting.
[55:05] It was conducted by the ground staff
[55:08] down in the playground. And what really
[55:10] made it nice there was a group of kids
[55:12] from the Boys and Girls Club that
[55:13] actually did the planting and they just
[55:15] had a great time doing it. Had a lot of
[55:17] fun.
[55:18] And
[55:19] it really highlight trees in the city.
[55:21] This is the 36th year in a row that
[55:23] Westminster's a tree city.
[55:25] And that's probably in the state going
[55:28] to be near the top, I'm sure.
[55:31] So that was a good event.
[55:32] The other thing is just a quick note is
[55:34] that our public works committee we now
[55:36] have a regular meeting schedule set up
[55:39] and we're all good to go with the mayor
[55:41] and Mr. Huff. So, we're good.
[55:45] Thank you very much. I have a couple
[55:46] quick things. Number one, I'm going to
[55:48] go back to the city clerk week that's
[55:52] upcoming next week
[55:54] and just make a quick comment. You know,
[55:56] we have probably the preeminent clerk in
[56:00] the state of Maryland that is honestly
[56:02] as well as
[56:02] » [clears throat]
[56:04] » I have examined that uh
[56:07] quite a few other municipal clerks
[56:09] actually seek Doug's guidance out on a
[56:12] very consistent basis. But, we miss him
[56:14] all. It's not uncommon that folks will
[56:17] come to him and ask him how to do their
[56:19] job. And we're fortunate enough to have
[56:21] the guru right here. And I'm really
[56:24] fortunate because as you all have
[56:26] witnessed on almost a a semi-monthly
[56:28] basis, I'll foul some some
[56:31] quite a few things up from time to time
[56:33] and Doug keeps me on the straight and
[56:35] narrow. So, I'm very grateful for that.
[56:37] I did want to follow up with a comment
[56:39] that the mayor made. She held a meeting
[56:41] of the historic district group or
[56:43] whatever that was called officially. And
[56:46] it was really well done. My wife and I
[56:47] attended it. I thought it was very
[56:49] informative. A lot of good information.
[56:51] I thought Mayor Becker, you did a nice
[56:53] job. And although Councilman Huff was
[56:55] not officially part of the event, I will
[56:58] say he did a really nice job adding some
[57:01] color.
[57:02] As a matter of fact, I think a number of
[57:04] people came to that meeting thinking it
[57:06] was going to be about potentially
[57:08] forcing them right into something. And
[57:10] Councilman Huff assuaged some of those
[57:12] concerns. And actually, as soon as he
[57:15] did that, some of the people actually
[57:17] left the meeting.
[57:19] So, Dan, I want to compliment you as
[57:21] well. Your your contributions during
[57:23] that meeting while not planned were
[57:25] pretty pretty good.
[57:27] Thank you, sir. You're welcome. So,
[57:29] we'll now move on to ordinances and
[57:31] resolutions with four of them this
[57:34] evening. So, we've got a busy evening.
[57:35] So, Ramsey, I hope you took a glass of a
[57:38] drink before we get started on this.
[57:40] Deep breath at least.
[57:42] We'll start off with adoption of
[57:44] resolution 2604.
[57:47] Mr. Whitworth. Thank you, Mr. President.
[57:49] The first resolution for your
[57:50] consideration is the adoption of
[57:52] resolution 2604,
[57:54] annexation 72. This is the annexation
[57:58] plan for certain property containing
[58:00] plus or minus 2.9443
[58:02] acres contiguous and adjoining to the
[58:05] city's existing corporate boundaries
[58:07] consisting of real property located at
[58:09] 10 Sullivan Road, Westminster, Maryland
[58:12] 21157.
[58:14] Also identified as tax account number
[58:16] 07- 048408,
[58:20] map 0039,
[58:23] grid 0013,
[58:25] parcel 0752,
[58:28] and comprising of plus or minus 1.4983
[58:31] acres and plus or minus 1.446 acres of
[58:34] right-of-way containing a portion of
[58:37] College View Boulevard, Maryland Route
[58:39] 140, Maryland Route 97 belonging to the
[58:43] Maryland Department of Transportation
[58:45] State Highway Administration, which
[58:47] property is the subject of a petition
[58:49] for annexation submitted by the owners
[58:51] of a portion of the subject property to
[58:54] the Mayor and Common Council of
[58:56] Westminster.
[58:58] Mr. Whitworth, Mr. DePalo. Thank you.
[59:01] Pursuant to the Annotated Code of
[59:02] Maryland, in addition to, but not as
[59:05] part of, an annexation resolution,
[59:08] the legislative body of the municipality
[59:10] shall adopt an annexation plan for the
[59:12] area to be annexed.
[59:14] The annexation plan was included with
[59:16] the introduction of annexation
[59:17] resolution 2603 for annexation number of
[59:21] 72 at the Mayor and Common Council
[59:23] February 9th, 2026 meeting.
[59:25] The annexation plan was sent to the
[59:28] Maryland Department of Planning in
[59:29] Carroll County pursuant to the annotated
[59:32] code of Maryland along with annexation
[59:34] 2603.
[59:36] And the annexation plan was included in
[59:39] both the Planning and Zoning
[59:40] Commission's public hearing on April
[59:42] 16th, 2026 and the Mayor and Common
[59:44] Council's public hearing
[59:46] uh held earlier tonight for annexation
[59:48] resolution 2603 for annexation 72.
[59:52] With that, the Department of Community
[59:54] Planning and Development recommend that
[59:56] the Mayor and Common Council adopt
[59:57] annexation plan resolution 2604
[1:00:01] approving the annexation plan for
[1:00:02] annexation 72, Patame LLC.
[1:00:07] Thank you, Mr. DePuy. May I have a
[1:00:08] motion
[1:00:10] uh for the adoption of resolution 2604?
[1:00:14] So moved, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr.
[1:00:16] Huff. May I have a second? Second. Thank
[1:00:18] you very much, Mr. Bayard. Is there any
[1:00:20] discussion related to the adoption of
[1:00:22] resolution 2604? Mr. President.
[1:00:25] » Yes, Mr. Huff. I just want to make a
[1:00:27] comment cuz I think sometimes people
[1:00:28] don't realize how long uh these process
[1:00:31] this process can take.
[1:00:33] I remember being pulled into a meeting
[1:00:37] uh with the developer cuz they were
[1:00:38] processing through the county. They were
[1:00:40] having some issues related to getting on
[1:00:43] the agenda for the Carroll
[1:00:45] [clears throat] County Planning and
[1:00:46] Zoning Commission, which I used to be a
[1:00:47] member of, for a special report
[1:00:50] regarding traffic uh the traffic study,
[1:00:53] I believe, and road improvements. That
[1:00:55] was 3 and 1/2 years ago.
[1:00:57] So, I just think for the benefit of uh
[1:01:00] the general public, it's important to
[1:01:02] know there is a lot that goes into these
[1:01:05] projects
[1:01:07] um and a lot of review and a lot of
[1:01:12] effort uh that is undertaken
[1:01:14] uh when someone goes builds something on
[1:01:16] property.
[1:01:17] Um and and just having been on council
[1:01:20] for 5 years,
[1:01:21] I'm starting to see some of these things
[1:01:23] that I I
[1:01:25] was involved in early on finally get to
[1:01:27] the finish line.
[1:01:29] Um and I think it's just important to
[1:01:30] kind of have that understanding how much
[1:01:32] work often goes into these type
[1:01:35] projects. So, that's it, Mr. President.
[1:01:37] Thank you, Mr. Hough. Anyone else?
[1:01:41] Hearing no more discussion, we'll move
[1:01:42] on to a vote. All those in favor of
[1:01:44] adoption of resolution 2604, please
[1:01:47] signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? The
[1:01:50] eyes have it and 2604 is adopted. Now,
[1:01:54] we'll move on to adoption of resolution
[1:01:56] 2603, Mr. Whitworth. Thank you, Mr.
[1:01:59] President. This is adoption of
[1:02:01] resolution number 2603,
[1:02:03] annexation 72, enlarging the corporate
[1:02:06] boundaries of the city of Westminster by
[1:02:08] annexing into the city certain property
[1:02:11] containing plus or minus 2.9443
[1:02:14] acres contiguous and adjoining to the
[1:02:16] city's existing corporate boundaries
[1:02:19] consisting of real property located at
[1:02:21] 10 Sullivan Road, Westminster, Maryland
[1:02:24] 21157.
[1:02:26] Also identified as tax account number
[1:02:28] 07-048408,
[1:02:31] map 0039, grid 0013,
[1:02:35] parcel 0752, and comprising of plus or
[1:02:38] minus 1.4983
[1:02:40] acres and plus or minus 1.446 acres of
[1:02:44] right-of-way containing a portion of
[1:02:46] College View Boulevard, Maryland Route
[1:02:47] 140, Maryland Route 97 belonging to the
[1:02:50] Maryland Department of Transportation
[1:02:52] State Highway Administration.
[1:02:54] Thank you, Mr. Whitworth. Director
[1:02:55] DePuy, do you have anything? I have no
[1:02:57] additional information from the earlier
[1:03:00] public hearing. And with that,
[1:03:02] Department of Community Planning
[1:03:03] Development recommend that the Mayor and
[1:03:04] Common Council adopt annexation
[1:03:06] resolution 2603
[1:03:08] approving annexation 72.
[1:03:11] Thank you very much, Mr. DePuy. Let's go
[1:03:12] ahead and get it on the floor. May I
[1:03:14] have a motion for the adoption of
[1:03:16] resolution number 2603.
[1:03:19] So moved, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Powell. Do
[1:03:21] I have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr.
[1:03:23] Bayer. Is there any discussion related
[1:03:25] to the adoption of this resolution?
[1:03:28] Hearing none, we'll move on to a vote.
[1:03:30] All those in favor of adoption of
[1:03:32] resolution 2603, please signify by
[1:03:35] saying I. I. I. Any opposed? The eyes
[1:03:38] have it, and the resolution is adopted.
[1:03:43] We'll now move on to adoption of
[1:03:44] ordinance number 202602,
[1:03:48] Mr. Whitworth. Thank you, Mr. President.
[1:03:50] Your first ordinance for your
[1:03:51] consideration is the adoption of
[1:03:53] ordinance number 202602,
[1:03:55] an ordinance of the mayor and common
[1:03:57] council of Westminster, Maryland,
[1:03:59] amending the adopted budget for fiscal
[1:04:01] year beginning July 1st, 2025,
[1:04:05] and ending June 30th, 2026,
[1:04:08] fiscal year 2026.
[1:04:10] Thank you, Mr. Whitworth. Director
[1:04:12] Rogers.
[1:04:13] Thank you, and good evening.
[1:04:15] Well, on April 13th 2026, the staff
[1:04:19] The staff introduced ordinance number
[1:04:20] 2026-02
[1:04:22] to amend the fiscal year 2026 budget
[1:04:25] appropriations. Included in the
[1:04:27] council's packet is a detailed listing
[1:04:29] of the recommended new appropriations,
[1:04:31] as well as the use of prior year
[1:04:33] appropriations from the capital fund
[1:04:35] fund balance that are included in
[1:04:37] ordinance number 2026-02.
[1:04:40] Since the introduction of this
[1:04:41] ordinance, there have been no changes
[1:04:43] made to the recommended appropriations
[1:04:45] included in the ordinance number
[1:04:46] 2026-02.
[1:04:48] Staff recommends the mayor and common
[1:04:50] council adopt the budget appropriations
[1:04:52] as detailed in ordinance number 2026-02.
[1:04:57] Please let me know if I can answer any
[1:04:58] questions. Thank you very much, Mr.
[1:05:00] Rogers. Let's go ahead and get it on the
[1:05:01] floor. May I have a motion to
[1:05:04] for the adoption of ordinance number
[1:05:06] 202602.
[1:05:08] So moved, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr.
[1:05:09] Pecoraro. May I have a second? Second.
[1:05:11] Thank you very much, Mr. President. Is
[1:05:13] there any discussion related to 2026-02?
[1:05:16] President. Yes, Mr. Pecoraro.
[1:05:18] » Just to remind my colleagues that uh
[1:05:20] those you know these are the compilation
[1:05:23] of uh
[1:05:24] series of actions we took during the
[1:05:25] course of the year from the beginning
[1:05:27] from when we enacted you know the
[1:05:29] current fiscal year's budget originally.
[1:05:31] Since that time, as we know, little
[1:05:33] things have happened along the way.
[1:05:35] We've had to spend a little more money
[1:05:36] here. We've had to you know start
[1:05:38] another project there and you know along
[1:05:41] the way as we've been doing that, we've
[1:05:43] always asked where does the money come
[1:05:45] from? Ms. Imholte and Ms. Rogers always
[1:05:47] identify what they expected funds source
[1:05:49] to be. This is a compilation of all that
[1:05:52] rolled up into a budget amendment so
[1:05:53] that our budget itself will reflect all
[1:05:56] the things that we've all the changes we
[1:05:58] made during the course of the year in
[1:05:59] terms of additional spending. So, none
[1:06:01] of these are things that are new to us.
[1:06:03] They're just things that we're wrapping
[1:06:04] up in one document. Excellent. Thank you
[1:06:07] very much, Mr. Pecoraro. Anyone else?
[1:06:09] Hearing no more discussion, we'll move
[1:06:10] on to a vote. All those in favor of
[1:06:12] adoption of resolution 2026-02, please
[1:06:15] signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Any
[1:06:17] opposed? The ayes have it and the
[1:06:20] resolution is adopted. We'll move on to
[1:06:22] introduction of ordinance 2026-03,
[1:06:25] Mr. Whitworth. Thank you, Mr. President.
[1:06:27] This is the introduction of ordinance
[1:06:29] 2026-03,
[1:06:31] an ordinance of the Mayor and Common
[1:06:33] Council of Westminster, Maryland
[1:06:34] approving and adopting a budget for the
[1:06:36] City of Westminster for the fiscal year
[1:06:38] beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June
[1:06:41] 30th, 2027, known as fiscal year 27, and
[1:06:45] establishing the various city tax rates
[1:06:47] for fiscal year 27.
[1:06:50] Thank you, Mr. Whitworth. Director
[1:06:51] Rogers, do you have anything else? Thank
[1:06:53] you. Yes, sir.
[1:06:54] On behalf of the city administrator and
[1:06:56] myself, I am pleased to present a
[1:06:57] proposed fiscal 27 operating budget and
[1:07:00] capital improvement plan for the City of
[1:07:02] Westminster.
[1:07:04] The city's annual budget determines the
[1:07:06] manner in which services will be
[1:07:07] delivered to the community during the
[1:07:09] coming year. And its adoption is the
[1:07:11] most
[1:07:12] important legislative action that the
[1:07:14] common council takes each year.
[1:07:17] As Ms. Imholz noted in her presentation,
[1:07:19] several factors had a significant impact
[1:07:22] on the development of this proposed
[1:07:23] budget. First, for the 14th year in a
[1:07:25] row, property tax rates stay the same at
[1:07:29] .56 per $100 of assessed valuation, and
[1:07:33] it's being held constant. In fiscal 27,
[1:07:35] water rates will increase 5.75%
[1:07:38] and sewer rates will increase by 5% over
[1:07:41] fiscal 26 rates.
[1:07:43] The CPI, or consumer price index, is the
[1:07:45] US economy's primary inflation
[1:07:47] indicator, and as Ms. Imholz noted, that
[1:07:50] increased 2.4%
[1:07:52] from January 25 to 26. Accordingly, the
[1:07:55] fiscal 27 budget reflects increases in
[1:07:58] costs for goods, such as supplies,
[1:08:01] equipment, fuel,
[1:08:03] and also various services, such as
[1:08:04] utilities, insurance coverage, and
[1:08:06] contractual services.
[1:08:09] Across all of the city's funds, the
[1:08:12] fiscal 27 proposed operating budget
[1:08:14] totals 42.9 million, and the fiscal 27
[1:08:18] proposed capital budget totals 26.4
[1:08:21] million.
[1:08:22] The fiscal 27 budget was designed to
[1:08:24] advance the objectives of the city's
[1:08:26] strategic plan. The plan's priority
[1:08:29] initiatives are framed within critical
[1:08:31] success factors, which were highlighted
[1:08:33] in Ms. Imholz's presentation.
[1:08:36] These critical success factors embody
[1:08:38] the mayor and common council's long-term
[1:08:40] vision for the city of Westminster.
[1:08:43] A few of the initiatives included in the
[1:08:44] fiscal 27 budget and the associated
[1:08:47] critical success factors to which they
[1:08:49] pertain include the following.
[1:08:51] Strong partnerships and engaged
[1:08:53] community. One item is the information
[1:08:55] technology department is reviewing the
[1:08:57] city's website to make recommendations
[1:08:59] for overhauling it.
[1:09:01] Under water and sewer capacity for fewer
[1:09:03] generations, funding is included to
[1:09:06] continue construction of the water reuse
[1:09:07] project, which has an anticipated
[1:09:09] completion date of February 27.
[1:09:12] Under economic growth activity and
[1:09:14] growth, the capital fund includes
[1:09:16] funding for the continuation of the
[1:09:18] holiday lights on Main Street from Bond
[1:09:20] John Street Bond Street to Center
[1:09:22] Street.
[1:09:24] Under responsible stewardship of city
[1:09:25] resources, the city received an award of
[1:09:28] state funding to cover the fiber debt
[1:09:29] service in fiscal 2027. This is the
[1:09:31] third year for that.
[1:09:33] A safe and livable community. The city
[1:09:35] has been awarded federal and state
[1:09:37] funding for trail improvements and
[1:09:39] linkages at Wakefield Valley Park. Trail
[1:09:41] construction is funded in fiscal 2027.
[1:09:44] And under safe and livable community,
[1:09:46] community policing remains a priority
[1:09:48] and the general fund supports those
[1:09:50] activities.
[1:09:52] The preparation of the annual budget is
[1:09:53] a significant undertaking spanning many
[1:09:56] months of work. It is by design that
[1:09:58] every member of the city's management
[1:10:00] team, as well as numerous other staff
[1:10:02] members, contribute to the planning and
[1:10:04] development of that budget because their
[1:10:06] efforts are critical to successful
[1:10:08] implementation of the adopted budget.
[1:10:11] On behalf of Ms. Imholz and myself, I
[1:10:13] extend my deepest gratitude to the staff
[1:10:15] that contributed to the development of
[1:10:17] the budget.
[1:10:18] Director of Human Resources, Ms. Therese
[1:10:20] Brown, Director of Housing Services, Mr.
[1:10:23] Eric Brown, Director of Recreation
[1:10:25] Parks, Ms. Abby Gruber,
[1:10:28] Director of Planning and Community
[1:10:29] Development, Mr. Mark DePalo,
[1:10:32] Director of Technology Services, Mr.
[1:10:33] Rick Moore, Chief of Police, Chief
[1:10:36] Christopher Price,
[1:10:38] the Water Department Superintendent, Mr.
[1:10:40] Greg Howe, the Streets Department
[1:10:42] Superintendent, Mr. Steve Strawsburg,
[1:10:45] the Utilities Depart- Department
[1:10:47] Superintendent, Mr. Corey Stauffer,
[1:10:49] and the Sewer Department Superintendent,
[1:10:51] Mr. Vance Summerhill,
[1:10:53] Executive Assistant to the City
[1:10:55] Administrator, Ms. Heather Cookner, City
[1:10:58] Clerk, Mr. Don Barber,
[1:11:00] and Miss Krista Gardner, CPA from SEK
[1:11:02] CPAs and Advisors.
[1:11:05] Please note, this is just a partial list
[1:11:07] of the contributing staff, and we're
[1:11:09] equally grateful to the many additional
[1:11:11] staff members that contributed to and
[1:11:13] participated in the development of the
[1:11:14] fiscal 2027 budget.
[1:11:17] We also wish to extend our gratitude to
[1:11:19] Mayor Becker and the Finance Committee,
[1:11:21] which includes Council members Greg
[1:11:23] Pecoraro and Dan Koff. They devoted
[1:11:26] considerable time reviewing the proposed
[1:11:28] budget, providing guidance and
[1:11:30] direction, as well as ensuring the
[1:11:32] budget aligns with the city's strategic
[1:11:33] plan.
[1:11:35] On behalf of the city staff, we look
[1:11:36] forward to working with the Mayor and
[1:11:38] Common Council over the next few weeks
[1:11:40] to finalize the budget for fiscal year
[1:11:41] 2027 that enhances the quality of life
[1:11:44] in the Westminster community and
[1:11:46] continues to advance the objectives of
[1:11:48] the city's strategic plan.
[1:11:50] Staff recommend the Mayor and Common
[1:11:52] Council introduce Ordinance Number
[1:11:54] 2026-03
[1:11:57] for approving and adopting a budget for
[1:11:59] the City of Westminster for fiscal year
[1:12:01] beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June
[1:12:04] 30, 2027 and establishing various city
[1:12:07] tax rates for fiscal 27.
[1:12:09] Please let me know if you have any
[1:12:10] questions.
[1:12:11] Thank you very much, Miss Rogers. Let's
[1:12:13] go ahead and get it on the floor. May I
[1:12:14] have a motion for the introduction of
[1:12:17] Ordinance Number 2026-03?
[1:12:20] So moved, Mr. President. Fitting. Thank
[1:12:22] you, Mr. Pecoraro. May I have a second?
[1:12:24] Second. Thank you very very much, Mr.
[1:12:26] Bayer. Is there any discussion related
[1:12:28] to 2026-03?
[1:12:31] That's good. Yes, Madam Mayor. Um
[1:12:34] I won't belabor points of my colleagues
[1:12:36] from earlier in the meeting, but I do
[1:12:38] want to mention that um
[1:12:40] I'm incredibly proud and thankful,
[1:12:42] um and I want to take a minute to
[1:12:45] acknowledge the hard work of our City
[1:12:46] Administrator, Miss Sarah Cokeley,
[1:12:49] um our phenomenal Finance Director, Miss
[1:12:50] Teresa Rogers, as well as our outsourced
[1:12:52] CFO Krista Gardner of SEK. I'd also like
[1:12:55] to thank the department heads for taking
[1:12:58] the time to carefully consider what
[1:12:59] their departments need for following
[1:13:01] years. Ms. Rogers said this is a
[1:13:04] Just like the events we do on Main
[1:13:05] Street, this is a all hands-on-board
[1:13:07] event. Um but uh
[1:13:10] the most important thing that we do. Um
[1:13:12] I'm incredibly proud to say that we
[1:13:14] continue to demonstrate phenomenal
[1:13:15] fiscal responsibility to the residents
[1:13:17] of Westminster by presenting this
[1:13:19] ballot.
[1:13:20] I'm presenting this budget through
[1:13:22] fiscal year '27.
[1:13:24] Um and I'm looking forward to the
[1:13:26] discussion with my colleagues over the
[1:13:27] next weeks.
[1:13:29] Thank you, Madam Mayor.
[1:13:31] Any other discussion?
[1:13:33] I'll make one comment. Ms. Rogers,
[1:13:35] obviously, you do a wonderful job and
[1:13:37] we're
[1:13:38] very grateful [clears throat] to have
[1:13:39] you aboard. But I have to say that was
[1:13:40] one of the most well-prepared
[1:13:44] statements relative to a piece of an
[1:13:47] ordinance or resolution that we're
[1:13:48] handling that I've heard in quite a
[1:13:50] while. That was well done. And well, it
[1:13:52] was thoughtful,
[1:13:53] insightful, and I know you spent some
[1:13:56] time working on that. I want you to know
[1:13:58] how much I appreciate that. It was
[1:14:00] really, really great. I love how you
[1:14:02] named all the folks also within the
[1:14:04] staff that you know, played a big role
[1:14:06] in that. And maybe you've done that in
[1:14:08] the past and I just don't remember, but
[1:14:10] I was pretty impressed with that. Thank
[1:14:11] you. Thank you. You're welcome. Yes, Mr.
[1:14:14] Mayor. I was going to say that, you
[1:14:16] know, when you think of a budget, you
[1:14:17] only think of numbers.
[1:14:19] But if you pick up the budget book and
[1:14:21] you look at it, read it, you can really
[1:14:23] understand everything that's happening
[1:14:25] in the city. It's a
[1:14:27] the the way the number part of the
[1:14:29] budget and the and the other the rest of
[1:14:31] the budget is linked together
[1:14:33] makes it very understandable for a guy
[1:14:35] like me that's only been on the council
[1:14:37] for 2 weeks. But thank you very much. I
[1:14:39] appreciate it.
[1:14:41] Excellent. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Anyone
[1:14:42] else?
[1:14:44] Okay, hearing no more discussion, we'll
[1:14:46] move on to a vote. All those in favor of
[1:14:48] introduction of ordinance number 202603,
[1:14:52] please signify by saying I. I. I. Any
[1:14:55] opposed? The eyes have it, and the
[1:14:59] ordinance is introduced. We'll move on
[1:15:01] to unfinished business. I have no
[1:15:03] unfinished business that I'm aware of.
[1:15:05] Is there any unfinished business I'm not
[1:15:07] aware of?
[1:15:08] Okay, now we'll move on to new business.
[1:15:10] I believe we have one item of new
[1:15:12] business, Mr. Pectoral. Thank you, Mr.
[1:15:14] President. I move that the Common
[1:15:16] Council adjourn into a closed meeting
[1:15:18] Monday, April 27th, 2026
[1:15:21] at the conclusion of the regular meeting
[1:15:23] in accordance with the general
[1:15:24] provisions Article of the Annotated Code
[1:15:27] of Maryland, Section 3-305B1,
[1:15:30] to discuss the appointment, employment,
[1:15:32] assignment, promotion, discipline,
[1:15:34] demotion, and compensation, removal,
[1:15:36] resignation, or performance evaluation
[1:15:39] of appointees, employees, or officials
[1:15:41] over whom this public body has
[1:15:43] jurisdiction.
[1:15:44] The other person or matter affects one
[1:15:46] or more specific individuals.
[1:15:48] Thank you, Mr. Pectoral. May I have a
[1:15:50] second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Bayer.
[1:15:54] Uh any discussion related to this item?
[1:15:56] Hearing none, we'll move on to a vote.
[1:15:58] Um
[1:16:00] all those in favor of going into a
[1:16:02] closed session at the conclusion of this
[1:16:03] meeting of which we will not return to
[1:16:06] open session, please signify by saying
[1:16:08] I. I. I. I. Any opposed? The eyes have
[1:16:12] it, and we will move into a closed
[1:16:14] session after the conclusion of this
[1:16:16] meeting. Um we'll now move on to
[1:16:19] departmental reports, Ms. Innis. Thank
[1:16:21] you, sir. I want to take a moment first
[1:16:23] to thank the council for your adoption
[1:16:27] of the budget amendment tonight. Um as
[1:16:30] Council Member Pectoral mentioned, these
[1:16:32] are all items that have come before you.
[1:16:34] You could have easily told us to wait
[1:16:36] until the next budget cycle. In some
[1:16:38] cases, we couldn't, um but by not
[1:16:41] waiting, it made sure that we were
[1:16:43] delivering services in an efficient and
[1:16:45] responsible way to the public. And I
[1:16:47] just want to thank you for that ongoing
[1:16:48] support. If we didn't have your support,
[1:16:50] we would have to stop on those projects.
[1:16:53] So, thank you again. It means so much to
[1:16:55] all of us.
[1:16:56] Um a second thing, uh
[1:16:58] Council President, you mentioned,
[1:17:00] rightfully so, our incredible City
[1:17:01] Clerk. I just wanted to add on to that.
[1:17:03] In addition to being um
[1:17:06] called on by his colleagues, he is the
[1:17:08] official elections guru in the state of
[1:17:11] Maryland. He trains all of the new
[1:17:13] clerks on the elections. Uh all No one
[1:17:16] holds an election without reaching out
[1:17:18] to Doug first. Uh and many times in the
[1:17:20] middle of the process, as well. But, of
[1:17:22] course, as I mentioned before, in the
[1:17:23] last um election cycle, Mr. Barr did not
[1:17:26] take a single day off during the entire
[1:17:28] election cycle just in case someone
[1:17:30] needed him during that time period. Now,
[1:17:32] he won't be doing that moving forward,
[1:17:34] uh but he is a dedicated and a madly
[1:17:36] dedicated
[1:17:38] And he is recognized throughout the
[1:17:39] state of Maryland. So, thank you so much
[1:17:40] for recognizing him tonight, as well.
[1:17:42] All right, we're missing a few
[1:17:43] department heads, so let me give their
[1:17:45] reports for you. Um
[1:17:47] for recreation, I want to thank everyone
[1:17:49] for their efforts on the Wine Stroll. In
[1:17:51] particular, I want to thank um those who
[1:17:54] had to pivot. So, the Main Street
[1:17:55] businesses, the Wine Stroll vendors, and
[1:17:58] the public in general. Um we always
[1:18:00] thank the staff. We should. They put on
[1:18:02] an enormous task. They get to work at
[1:18:04] 4:00 in the morning in order to put
[1:18:05] these things on. But, it's a big pivot
[1:18:09] for the Main Street businesses, some of
[1:18:10] whom don't even open till 11:00, to
[1:18:12] pivot to a 10:30 stroll. And the Wine
[1:18:14] Stroll vendors, wine is more expensive
[1:18:17] than some of the other vendors that come
[1:18:19] in later in the year. Um and so, the the
[1:18:22] Wine Stroll vendors pivoting to be able
[1:18:23] to continue to offer an opportunity for
[1:18:25] them to to sell their wares, sell their
[1:18:28] wines. Um and then the public, of
[1:18:30] course, who showed up in drones. Uh the
[1:18:32] police chief is going to talk a little
[1:18:33] bit more about that. I just want to take
[1:18:34] a a to thank public for their
[1:18:36] willingness to pivot um and to help make
[1:18:38] this event happen in the first place.
[1:18:42] Okay, I have some exciting news from the
[1:18:44] public works department. We have
[1:18:45] installed another solar crosswalk at
[1:18:48] Carroll Street and Madison Street. We
[1:18:51] have a few more of these in the budget.
[1:18:52] We're going to try to install two a year
[1:18:54] moving forward. These are the solar
[1:18:56] crosswalks that you see going across the
[1:18:58] main street at the library.
[1:19:00] They're very exciting. I think they're
[1:19:01] easier to see people when they're
[1:19:03] crossing street. People seem to be using
[1:19:05] them which lights it up for at least a
[1:19:07] block. Those are the mid cross block
[1:19:10] block crosswalks mid block crosswalks
[1:19:13] cuz otherwise you could just cross with
[1:19:14] the light at the at the intersection. So
[1:19:17] we're excited about that. Are there any
[1:19:18] questions for the recreation department
[1:19:20] or public works department?
[1:19:21] If there are none, we will move on to
[1:19:23] the human resources department is Brian.
[1:19:25] Good evening. I don't have a report for
[1:19:27] us tonight. Thank you. Any questions for
[1:19:28] human resources?
[1:19:30] If there are none, we will move on to IT
[1:19:32] is Jim Moore.
[1:19:33] I'll just do a report that is very
[1:19:34] quick. Nothing much up here.
[1:19:37] If there are none, we will move on to
[1:19:39] planning. I'm sure we're going to have a
[1:19:40] report from Mr. DePue.
[1:19:42] Yes, on May 5th, the Board of Zoning
[1:19:44] Appeals is scheduled to review a
[1:19:46] modification to the previously approved
[1:19:48] special exception
[1:19:49] for an automobile service station at
[1:19:51] 1030 1023 Baltimore Boulevard and this
[1:19:56] is the site of the original Sheets, not
[1:19:59] the one we talked about tonight, the
[1:20:00] first one. They're proposing new EV
[1:20:03] charging stations and that's a special
[1:20:05] exception that is a change requiring a
[1:20:06] modification before the Board of Zoning
[1:20:08] Appeals.
[1:20:09] And that completes my report. Are there
[1:20:11] any questions for the planning director?
[1:20:14] Moving on, we will move we will go over
[1:20:16] to the finance department is Robert.
[1:20:18] Thank you, Ms. Imholte. Thank you again
[1:20:20] for the approval of the budget amendment
[1:20:22] for fiscal 26. Echo your sentiments on
[1:20:25] that. The only other thing I really want
[1:20:27] to report on tonight is that while we're
[1:20:29] busy
[1:20:30] finishing up the budget as we talked
[1:20:32] about quite a bit this evening. um The
[1:20:35] finance department is getting ready to
[1:20:37] wrap up our fiscal year end very soon.
[1:20:39] Our auditor has reached out about
[1:20:41] setting dates for the preliminary
[1:20:43] budget.
[1:20:44] So, we're quite busy and still working
[1:20:46] on the
[1:20:48] system upgrade. So, if you have any
[1:20:50] questions, I'm happy to answer them.
[1:20:52] Nothing on the AP AR payroll.
[1:20:55] All those important [clears throat]
[1:20:55] things.
[1:20:56] All those important things. And we'll
[1:20:58] say that the fiscal year 2027 budget
[1:21:01] is slated for adoption on May 11th.
[1:21:03] We'll open up that meeting on May 11th
[1:21:05] with a public hearing on the budget when
[1:21:07] you want to swing by.
[1:21:09] Are there any other questions for Ms.
[1:21:10] Rogers?
[1:21:12] Hearing none, we'll move on to the
[1:21:13] police department, Chief Ross. Great.
[1:21:15] Good evening, everyone.
[1:21:17] Obviously, it's been touched on the
[1:21:18] lines for all by several people. I saw
[1:21:20] several out there. I just wanted to say
[1:21:23] that, you know, I was impressed with the
[1:21:25] flexibility and how closely we are
[1:21:27] working with recreation and park.
[1:21:30] It was out of an abundance of caution
[1:21:32] that,
[1:21:33] you know, for both the attendees and our
[1:21:36] staff that we adjusted the times. We
[1:21:37] were very concerned about the weather
[1:21:39] coming in.
[1:21:40] But, the conversations were very
[1:21:41] thoughtful and I thought we came up with
[1:21:43] the best plan. And some of the other
[1:21:45] safety improvements that we've put out
[1:21:47] there with the barriers and things of
[1:21:49] that nature.
[1:21:50] It was, absolutely, my opinion the right
[1:21:54] decision
[1:21:55] from a public safety standpoint and it
[1:21:57] worked out great.
[1:21:58] The event was well attended even with
[1:22:00] the time changes.
[1:22:02] Even with the anticipated weather, we
[1:22:04] anticipate that we or we estimate that
[1:22:06] we had about 7,000 in attendance.
[1:22:10] Which is great. I mean, from 10:30 on,
[1:22:13] it was it was pretty packed. So,
[1:22:17] and on that note, there weren't any
[1:22:19] reported issues. We didn't have any
[1:22:21] issues.
[1:22:23] Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves.
[1:22:26] All the officers are out there. They
[1:22:27] were having fun engaging with the public
[1:22:29] and it's just a a really good event. And
[1:22:31] anytime you have the Reagan years, it's
[1:22:32] probably going to be a good event.
[1:22:34] So, um, you know, I just think it
[1:22:36] reflects the the strong
[1:22:38] interdepartmental collaboration that we
[1:22:40] have going on. So, it was uh I I was
[1:22:43] highly pleased. So, thank you. That's
[1:22:45] all.
[1:22:46] Those are killer decisions to make when
[1:22:48] we're when we're looking at moving the
[1:22:50] straw. Should we cancel it? Keep it as
[1:22:53] is. You know, are the are we going to
[1:22:55] have tents flying around? You know, are
[1:22:58] animals and kids going to get hurt?
[1:23:00] Killer decisions that are poured over
[1:23:03] for days and days and days. And of
[1:23:04] course, the weather
[1:23:06] weather people, you know, change their
[1:23:08] mind every other hour and and so does
[1:23:10] the weather for that matter. So, um, we
[1:23:12] stress about it for 48 straight hours
[1:23:14] until we make that absolute last call
[1:23:15] decision. And we just appreciate your
[1:23:18] ongoing support when we make these tough
[1:23:20] calls.
[1:23:21] Are there any questions for the chief?
[1:23:24] No question for the chief, but I
[1:23:26] when when I was stationed at Fort Bliss
[1:23:28] in El Paso, we had an air show there and
[1:23:30] it was about 250,000 people attended it
[1:23:32] every year. We never ever had to make
[1:23:35] those decisions. Same weather all the
[1:23:37] time. I mean, it was
[1:23:39] it was so easy.
[1:23:43] Not Maryland. We can't find water to
[1:23:46] save our lives unless unless it's a
[1:23:48] storm.
[1:23:49] » [laughter]
[1:23:50] » And I can
[1:23:51] guarantee that we'll find all the water.
[1:23:53] Don't ask me. Especially people. Yeah.
[1:23:56] Uh, Mr. President, that concludes the
[1:23:57] Department of Public Works.
[1:23:59] Thank you, Miss Impulse. The uh we move
[1:24:02] on to our final item on the agenda,
[1:24:03] which is citizens' comments, during
[1:24:05] which we invite the public to address
[1:24:06] the mayor and council on any issues
[1:24:08] related to tonight's agenda or other
[1:24:10] city matters. For those not attending
[1:24:12] this public meeting, we welcome your
[1:24:14] comments via email at
[1:24:15] comments@westminstermd.gov.
[1:24:18] All email comments will be shared with
[1:24:19] the mayor and council. Please include
[1:24:21] your address and phone number with the
[1:24:23] comments. We will now invite the
[1:24:25] comments from those present this
[1:24:27] evening. This is an opportunity for the
[1:24:29] public to share their thoughts with the
[1:24:30] mayor and council. Our role at this
[1:24:32] point is to listen to your comments and
[1:24:33] respond appropriately after consult
[1:24:35] consulting with staff and each other. Is
[1:24:38] there anyone here this evening that
[1:24:40] wishes to be heard? If so, please state
[1:24:42] your name and address for the record.
[1:24:45] Yes, sir. Uh Richard Phelps, 8 Ridge
[1:24:48] Road.
[1:24:50] To all of you. Thank you.
[1:24:53] Ignorance is bliss. You can say that.
[1:24:55] Thank you. That's the best part of being
[1:24:57] a lawyer.
[1:24:57] » [laughter]
[1:24:59] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[1:25:01] That concludes our agenda and the
[1:25:02] meeting. Our next regular meeting will
[1:25:04] be Monday, May 11th, 2026. And with that
[1:25:06] and without objection, we are adjourned.