City Council Approves Lease Amendments, Graw Days

Havre de Grace City Council approved the amendments to a pair of leases with local businesses and also gave a thumbs-up to the proposed Graw Days celebration in the city.

City Council met for 58 minutes Tuesday—a day later than normal thanks to Monday's Labor Day holiday.

Council also approved a resolution to support The Highlands School in Harford County, as well as the reappointment of Robin Shane to the planning commission.

Below is a recap of the meeting, in the form of a live blog published throughout Tuesday's meeting from City Hall:

7:58 p.m.: The meeting adjourns.

7:57 p.m.: Public comment period begins.

Pat Fair of the Havre de Grace Arts Commission thanked Council for their support.

"This year’s grant makes it possible to continue to have the Children’s Art Festival. It is free," Fair said. "We’re very fortunate that we can do that, and it’s invaluable to know that we can have all the children come that want to come."

7:56 p.m.: Council President Randy Craig notes that the Children's Art Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The event, sponsored by the Havre de Grace Arts Commission, is free.

7:50 p.m.: Councilman Martin thanked his colleagues and residents for their support in the past week after the death of his father.

“I can't explain what it means," Martin sai. "It's very humbling when people you don’t even know come up and say something to you. I want to give everyone a very, very sincere thank you for your kind words."

Martin also spoke out against the aforementioned scooter and moped law.

Martin asked: "What do people in Annapolis do? Sit around, think of what hasn’t been done yet and do it?

"Congratulations. They got us," Martin said. "Now, we have to insure it, tag it. It wont even be economically feasible to do it anymore."

7:45 p.m.: Council members dedicate parts of their addresses to wishing Councilman Bill Martin their condolences. Martin's father passed away last week.

Councilwoman Barbara Wagner recognized for the huge turnout at Tydings Park in Havre de Grace for the .

"It was a beautiful sight," Wagner said. "It really was something else. And it was free."

Wagner said the Upper Chesapeake project concept plan will be introduced before the planning commission on 7 p.m. on Sept. 24.

Glenn thanked the department of public works for clearing up an issue of standing water at .

The Route 40 access ad-hoc committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Sept. 12 at City Hall, Glenn said.

Glenn said the community has really rallied behind the "It's Our Turn" initiative—pushing for a new high school in Havre de Grace.

"I was really, really proud of how our community showed up," Glenn said. "Especially the students."

"We had 80-plus the first time. I want well over 100 the next time," Glenn said.

7:38 p.m.: Havre de Grace tourism and marketing manager said the city's tourism and business industry will be featured on Fox 45's morning television broadcast between 5 and 10 a.m. on Thursday.

7:32 p.m.: Police Chief Teresa Walter outlined a new law that will become effective Oct. 1.

Walter said scooter and moped operators will be required to have their vehicles titled and licensed. Drivers must have a valid driver's license or moped operator's permit. Operators must carry insurance, a license decal and wear a helmet. Eyewear is also mandated, unless the vehicle is outfitted with a windshield.

7:23 p.m.: Council unanimously approves the event application for the Graw Days Festival.

Street closures for the event, set for Oct. 13, are proposed for:

• Lodge Lane and North Washington Street between Congress Avenue and Green Street
• Congress Avenue between North Washington Street and North Union Avenue
• Pennington Avenue between North Union Avenue and St. John Street
• St. John Street between Green to Franklin streets

Also, Lodge Lane will be blocked at Bourbon Street.

7:17 p.m.: Council unanimously approves the adoption of supporting The Highlands School in Harford County.

7:15 p.m.: Council unanimously approves the adoption of approving of a lease amendment of city property to .

"You have been great stewards of the city property where it is docked," Mayor Wayne Dougherty said to Lantern Queen owner , who is seated in the audience.

7:11 p.m.: Council unanimously approves the adoption of , approving of a lease amendment of city property to .

7:10 p.m.: Public comment period on agenda items opens.

Irmgarde Brown, co-chair of the Graw Days Festival, let council members know that she is in attendance if there are any questions about the event. The event is up for approval tonight.

7:08 p.m.: City Council unanimously reappoints Robin Shane to the Havre de Grace Planning Commission.

7:07 p.m.: Tiffany Robinson of Harford County Department of Community Services delivers an update on community grants and economic development.

Grant funding has been utilized for the Lewis Lane repaving project.

7:05 p.m.: Chaplain Nick McDonald of Upper Chesapeake delivers the opening prayer after Mayor Wayne Dougherty reads a statement regarding the upcoming anniversary of Sept. 11.

A banner recognizing the anniversary is hanging in the council chambers.

7 p.m.: The meeting is underway with all elected officials in attendance.

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 and related documents—including printable PDF files—for tonight's meeting, .

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