Council Proposes Tax Rate, Hears From Hospital

Havre de Grace City Council met for more than three hours Monday night, leading well into the eve of the city's annual election.

Following a public hearing on the city's proposed water and sewer fee increase, council meandered through a number of topics. 

Most notably, City Council proposed a tax rate of 58 cents—a one-cent tax cut from a year ago. A public work session was established for resident input on the rate.

Council also set a town hall meeting to discuss the changes in traffic patterns for the Grace Manor neighborhood.

Council heard a series of recommendations from planning commission chairman Curtis Coon as it related to the MOE zoning district where a new Upper Chesapeake hospital is in the plans.

Council also voted on ordinances relating to the Harford County road code as well as the city's taxicab industry.

For the full rundown of the evening's events, check out our live blog from the meeting:
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10:07 p.m.: The meeting adjourns.

10:02 p.m.: Public comment period begins.

Resident Kevin Racine—a regular at City Council meetings in the past, but absent in recent months—addresses council on his learnings from a recent meeting of the minds on transportation in the northeastern corridor.

10 p.m.: Cullum notes the water and sewer commission meets at 9 a.m. on May 11.

Miller notes the planning commission will meet at May 14, at which point in time the proposed zoning map and some zoning definitions will be presented for review.

Miller also noted that he asked a developer in attendance about the going rate for retail space, in regards to the 300-square-foot space. He said the rate is roughly $27 per square foot.

9:55 p.m.: Councilwoman Barbara Wagner notes that the first "Girls Night Out" will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on May 16 at 18 shops and five restaurants in downtown Havre de Grace.

Patch will provide details in a later post.

Wagner notes there are six waterfront areas that allow fishing, including two sites for free fishing—Tydings and Hutchins parks. She noted that information in response to a question about a no fishing sign at David Craig Park.

Wagner added that there are some boat slips available for boats up to 25 feet in length. She said they should call 410-939-0015 or visit Steve Young at the marina.

The green team will meet Thursday to discuss the community garden, which will be located on Market Street.

9:48 p.m.: Mayor Wayne Dougherty moves his third quarter report to the May 21 meeting.

9:47 p.m.: Bidding will begin on drainage projects on Freedom Lane and Commerce Street. A pre-bid hearing will be May 17, with a bid at 2 p.m. on May 24.

Havre de Grace police will hold the second annual open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 19.

9:45 p.m.: Council votes unanimously to introduce an ordinance concerning backflow protection to the city's water supply.

9:43 p.m.: Council votes unanimously to introduce an ordinance concerning the tax rate.

A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on May 21 at City Hall.

The tax rate would be set at 58 cents—a 1 percent decrease from last year.

“The city should be commended, particularly the city staff that uses our resources so wisely,” Craig said.

"We’re finally addressing some of the businesses, especially the struggling businesses here in Havre de Grace, because this amendment has a $500 tax credit included in it," Martin said.

"I look forward to getting another two or three cents in the next two years," Miller said.

9:37 p.m.: Council votes unanimously to approve Ordinance 938, as amended. The amendments included an increase from $100 to $250 and $500 for various fines for taxi-related violations.

9:30 p.m.: Miller introduces Ordinance 937 for a second read, including a series of amendments. Cullum also offers an amendment.

The ordinance is adopted by unanimous vote.

9:24 p.m.: Councilman Jim Miller introduces Ordinance 936, pertaining to the Harford County Road Code. He offered a series of amendments to the ordinance.

Councilman Randy Craig recommends the ordinance—after hearing comments from Upper Chesapeake Health representatives—goes to a committee. Craig moves for a committee to be given 30 days to look into the ordinance to ensure there are no gaps in the ordinance when it comes to private roads.

"A lot of things in this ordinance are excellent," Craig said. "I particularly agree with the sentiments expressed that the code does apply to private roads. We’ve seen how private roads impact city councils for years down the road for a number of reasons."

Miller, with tomororw's impending election in mind, notes that council could look vastly different and thus delay the process well beyond the proposed 30-day period recommended.

Cullum agreed, noting: "We’ve all met. We’ve all had an opportunity to review it and speak on it. While I can’t say I’m 100 percent comfortable with it, I feel it’s a starting point. If something needs to be adjusted, we have the capabilities to do that down the road."

Martin agreed with Craig, saying, "This is not emergency legislation. I do not want to pass an ordinance just because elections are coming up."

Craig's motion dies in a 3-3 vote—the mayor can't break a tie in an ordinance—with Councilmembers Miller, Wagner and Cullum voting no.

The amended ordinance passes by unanimous vote.

9:10 p.m.: The meeting resumes. 

8:56 p.m.: Council takes a 10-minute recess.

8:55 p.m.: Public comment period is underway.

Lyle Sheldon, president and CEO of Upper Chesapeake Health, thanks Curtis Coon, the planning commission and City Council for their efforts in helping with the MOE zoning at the proposed new hospital complex.

Resident Bill Watson, the chairman of the city's tourism advisory board, speaks against the removal of a proposed 300-square-foot tourism office at the proposed hospital complex.

Resident Lori Maslin, the organizer of the Havre de Grace Seafood Festival, said it is imperative to connect the MOE district to downtown business and tourism. She said kiosks, alone, are not enough to connect the proposed hospital to the downtown area.

Maslin spoke in favor of opening the taxi industry to "survival of the fittest" is imperative in light of issues with the operation of the taxi industry in Havre de Grace. Maslin said the taxi that struck a parked car in front of her home while driving in the wrong direction down a one-way street featured a VIN number that did not match the vehicle.

Representatives of Upper Chesapeake ask for the MOE zoning to be exempt from the ordinances on Monday's agenda pertaining to the county road code. Paul Mudeman, of Morris & Ritchie Associates, and Dino LaFiondra, of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, said the hospital complex would have private roads that are generally 24-to-30 feet wide, whereas the county specs call for 40-foot roads.

"We don’t want to create the environment for high speeds and encourage high speeds," Mudeman said.

Mudeman responded to a question from Councilman John Correri regarding the layout of the proposed campus in comparison to the Bel Air hospital campus.

"Bel Air is a hospital with medical office buildings and a parking garage. The project in Havre de Grace will include those items, but also include office and retail space. We see a road network that’s not only a service road, but also would have a private right-of-way," Mudeman said, adding that the project proposal would allow for subdivision.

8:12 p.m.: Ron Hendricks makes a presentation to City Council, recognizing the city with a Tree City USA award, as presented by the Arbor Day Foundation.

A plaque and flag are unveiled by members of the city's tree commission.

The city is an award recipient for the 14th straight year.

8:10 p.m.: A number of residents from the Grace Manor neighborhood speak in favor of changes to traffic patterns in their neighborhood.

Patch will have a follow-up story on their comments at a later date.

7:52 p.m.: Resident John Giganti, representing the Grace Manor neighborhood, speaks out against traffic changes in the neighborhood that the city is coupling with road work on Lewis Lane at U.S. Route 40.

"If the road is closed, why does it need to be changed?" Giganti asked. "The problem is the traffic, and it's not the neighborhood traffic."

With about a dozen residents from the neighborhood in attendance, Council President Bill Martin calls for a town hall meeting on 6 p.m. on May 23 at City Hall. 

Martin said: "Everything is on the table. We understand it’s a major problem. I see it all the time. ... I think there’s enough momentum on this now."

7:39 p.m.: Curtis Coon, chairman of the city's planning commission, delivers an overview of recommended zoning changes, touching on "a handful of the major items" initially proposed by Upper Chesapeake for the MOE-zoned parcel of land intended for a new hospital near the Interstate 95 interchange.

Coon notes a series of proposed changes to the zoning legislation, which would require City Council approval, including:

• The commission has heard and rebutted the recommendation for no side, front or rear setbacks, as well as the proposed 1-to-1 ratio of retail to office space. Coon noted that, as the current legislation stands, the hospital itself would be classified as office space.
• Height of the hospital will be limited to 115 feet. All other buildings will be limited to 70 feet.
• The commission has requested site plans include elevations and architectural features
• Coon added that Section I, Section 34, "which deals with gross ratios of floor-to-land area be substantially rewritten"
• Proposed 300 feet of office space for Havre de Grace tourism office, as well as four kiosks, has been decreased to two kiosks and no office space.
• Signage standards should be required, the commission found, when it pertains to signage on non-hospital office buildings in the complex

Coon said there was approximately nine hours worth of hearings with the commission, planning department and Upper Chesapeake leadership.

He said about 80 percent of the changes included a positive recommendation from the hospital's initial proposals, while about 10 percent were negative and another 10 percent required substantial rewriting.

7:25 p.m.: Havre de Grace Middle School’s Tara Brown is honored with a student of the month recognition.

Betty Vaughan, assistant principal at the middle school, introduces Tara—a singer, a writer, an artist and an athlete.

“This summer she is attending a camp for gifted and talented students,” Vaughan said.

Tara is joined by her parents.

7:20 p.m.: Meadowvale Elementary School's Matthew Hauf is honored with a student of the month recognition.

Debbie Freels, principal at Meadowvale, introduces Matthew—a fifth grader.

“He’s not only responsible and respectful, but he’s also safe and prepared,” Freels said.

Matthew is joined by his parents—Celeste and Rick Hauf—and his three brothers, as well as grandparents.

7:08 p.m.: The council meeting begins.

7:07 p.m.: Resident and former City Councilman Garrett Lyttle—a member of the water and sewer commission—urges council to pass the ordinance.

"I encourage you to pass this ordinance. It is long overdue," he said. "It’s a situation we’ve been dealing with for a long time."

He continued: "It's not going to get any cheaper. It's only going to get more expensive as we move forward."

The public hearing comes to a close.

7 p.m.: A public hearing on proposed changes to the city's water and sewer rates begins.

6:50 p.m.: All elected officials are present and seated.

Two challengers for Tuesday's election—Dave Glenn, Barry Scharbrough and Joseph Smith—are in attendance.

The standing-room-only crowd spills into the rear hallway of the council chambers.

6:45 p.m.: Welcome to our City Council live blog, where we will be updating the news coming from City Hall at it happens.

Check back regularly. We will be adding nuggets of news immediately. Feel free to email sean.welsh@patch.com with any questions.

For the full agenda—including a printable PDF file—for tonight's meeting, .

NOTE: Lulls in reporting are a result of a lack of wireless internet connection inside council chambers.