Stormwater, Volunteerism in Spotlight at HdG City Council Meeting

During the April 15 meeting of the Havre de Grace City Council, there were medallions, there were many mentions of the War of 1812 and there was talk about stormwater.

The council completed the first reading of two ordinances: one about water/sewer rates and another about property taxes. There will be public hearings on both at 7 p.m. on May 6. In addition, there will be a public hearing about whether to provide deferred payment stimulus relief.

The following is a recap of the meeting as Patch live blogged it.

9:14 p.m. The meeting adjourned.

9:13 p.m. Several people testified about the Gamatoria property next to the Concord Point Lighthouse.

Due to connectivity issues at City Hall, Patch was unable to live blog the final 45 minutes of the meeting, which included citizen comments. We will provide updates when possible.

8:30 p.m. Council President Randy Craig talked about how volunteers make the community run, from the Havre de Grace Drama Guild to the Susquehanna Hose Company. Craig also commented on what happened in Boston, stating: "Hopefully, one day people will realize that you can't beat the great idea that is our country," extending Councilman Bill Martin's comments on how Havre de Grace bounced back from the War of 1812 to apply to the nation's spirit.

8:18 p.m. Councilman Bill Martin talked about the War of 1812. "It's the most forgotten war" in our history, Martin said.

8:05 p.m. Councilman David Glenn said he attended Saturday's Susquehanna Hose Company banquet. He said that firefighters are "the true unsung heroes of the community." He also attended the Women's 5K by the Bay, where he said there were participants from Ethiopia. He noted that the Warrior Pride Marching Band is having a 5K to raise money for the band. This past weekend, the band marched in the cherry blossom parade in Washington, D.C.

Councilman John Correri said that he was at the Little League's opening day at Stancill Field and the Susquehanna Hose Company's banquet.

Councilwoman Barbara Wagner said the community garden program has expanded into four gardens and participation has more than quadrupled compared with last year. Wagner also encouraged citizens to make every day Earth Day, which is coming up on April 22.

Councilman Joe Smith congratulated Kristin Schaub on her Harford County Teacher of the Year recognition and said her presence reflected on the Havre de Grace schools in a way that was beyond what test scores could demonstrate.

7:57 p.m. Mayor Wayne Dougherty said that there was concern about stormwater management costs being imposed from Harford County onto the municipalities; together, he said, local leaders worked to ensure that this would not happen. "The county does not set our rates," Dougherty said. "We set them here." He thanked the mayors of Aberdeen and Bel Air for their support in pushing back on stormwater mandates. Dougherty said that Tuesday night there will be a vote at the Harford County Council about stormwater management, and he will be in attendance.

7:51 p.m. Director of Planning Neal Mills said there will be a planning commission meeting on April 22 concerning a home in Bulle Rock that needs a conditional approval based on the size of the property.

There were no reports from finance and public works.

On April 21, MacGregor's will honor Jimmy Shane at an event from 1 to 4 p.m. so people can meet and greet the award-winning speedboat racer and see his boat. The cost for the Department of Public Works to put barricades up is $300. The council approved of the event, 6-0.

Chief of Police Teresa Walter said there will be a drug take-back iniative on April 27, and preparations for security the War of 1812 weekend are underway.

7:49 p.m. The ordinance extending deferred payment stimulus passed, 6-0. "I think in the long run, this isn't a good practice for a city but considering the need...I'll continue to support it reluctantly," Council President Randy Craig said, stating that it helps builders in a tough economy. The mayor made a motion to suspend the rules about public hearings so the legislation would go into effect immediately; the past legislation was set to expire May 2. There was not support for a suspension so there will be a public hearing May 6 at 7 p.m.

7:41 p.m. The council unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance that sets the water and sewer rates and another that fixes the personal property tax rate for July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014. There will be public hearings on the two issues on May 6 at 7 p.m. The council approved a new board of appeals member. Two people testified on agenda items: Board of Education member Tom Fitzpatrick congratulated Harford County Teacher of the Year Kristin Schaub, and George Wagner testified that the way the council was imposing the water and sewer rate was "unjust."

7:27 p.m. Ron Browning of the Historic Preservation Commission presented the 2013 Historic Preservation awards to The Terraces and the Hull House. A new locally designed t-shirt was unveiled that says, "I walked the Lafayette Trail." Several property owners received medallions that will go in front of their homes along the trail.

7:17 p.m. Kristin Schaub was recognized for being Harford County Teacher of the Year. The mayor delivered a proclamation declaring this the Kristin Schaub week in Havre de Grace.

7:07 p.m. The minutes from the last meeting were approved. The council unanimously voted to go into closed session immediately following this meeting to discuss legal issues related to development.

7:02 p.m. The meeting started. All council members are in attendance. Chaplain Nick McDonald of the Upper Chesapeake Medical Center provided the opening prayer. "We're especially mindful in the terror in Boston today," McDonald said. "When we are shocked by news of violence...help our faith communities to provide hope."

7:01 p.m. The meeting hasn't started yet, and it's a packed house.

The Havre de Grace City Council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall, and Patch will be live blogging so you can follow along.

What's on the agenda? Glad you asked! See it here.