Live Blog: June 6 City Council Meeting

9:56 p.m.: Meeting adjourns.

9:54 p.m.: Resident Kevin Racine, an activist for public transportation, said he will be meeting with key figures Friday morning and is willing to carry the message from anyone in Havre de Grace.

"I was appointed to these boards, I'm here to represent you, and I'm sorry that it's taken this much time," Racine said. "I don't want anyone in Harford or Cecil County to pay to cross that bridge one way or another."

9:48 p.m.: Council President Martin reveals the list of committee appointments:

9:44 p.m.: Councilman Randy Craig got some laughs in detailing an injury to his right hand, which required a hospital visit.

"I wont be able to respond to your emails or a written way for a few days more. I can type with one finger on my left hand, but that doesn’t work very well," Craig said.

Craig revealed the hand, jokingly, with an IronBirds foam fan finger.

9:41 p.m.: Councilman Fred Cullum referred citizens to Patch to find information and ways to voice their opinions on the tolls issue.

9:38 p.m.: Councilman Jim Miller said its imperative for citizens to speak out against toll increases. He also noted and should travel through Havre de Grace via I-95 Tuesday morning.

9:35 p.m.: Councilman John Correri said there will be a fundraiser July 30 from 6-11 at the Havre de Grace Community Center for the city's museums.

9:32 p.m.: Councilwoman Barbara Wagner detailed a busy schedule over the last few weeks, including her first trip to Meadowvale Elementary School for the living flag ceremony. She also attended the Memorial Day ceremony at . Wagner also attended a meeting on .

9:29 p.m.: The Mayor said one of his proudest duties in his role is to attend the high school graduation. He recounted his memories from , calling it a proud moment for the school.

9:25 p.m.: Police Chief Teresa Walter said the police department will kick off a Special Olympics torch run at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at North Park. The run will go all the way to the Baltimore County line.

All members of council declined an invite to run the full length of the course.

The Mayor quipped that he planned to attend in a Speedo and tank top, but had a meeting scheduled at the same time of the kickoff. Chief Walter shot back, saying a donation would be much preferred to the Mayor's offer.

9:21 p.m.: Director of Finance George DeHority reported the bond sale was completed, saving the city $1,700 more than initially expected.

9:20 p.m.: Director of Planning Neal Mills said there have been three building permits approved through four business days in June. There were five permits each in April and May.

9:19 p.m.: To open the directors reports, Director of Administration Carol Mathis read a portion of a letter from the ethics commission. The letter, from the state ethics commission, stated the city's ethics board's proposal will be reviewed July 14.

9:17 p.m.: Council unanimously approves Havre de Grace Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

9:16 p.m.: Council approves the first annual Havre de Grace Green Expo, 4-0. Council members Jim Miller and Barbara Wagner are members of Main Street's Green Team, and recused themselvse from the vote.

9:15 p.m.: Special events are being presented.

Council unanimously approves the 48th Annual Havre de Grace Art Show, sponsored by Soroptimist International.

9:12 p.m.: A public hearing on the budget for fiscal year 2012 will be held June 13 at 6 p.m. at .

9:09 p.m.: An ammended version of Ordinance 931, setting the water and sewer fees and a new rate collection process for fiscal year 2012, passes, 5-1. Councilman Jim Miller voted against the ordinance.

After an ammendment introduced by Councilman John Correri was voted down, an ammendment by Councilman Fred Cullum passed by a 5-1 vote.

The full ordinance will be provided by Patch at a later time.

8:50 p.m.: Council votes unanimously to approve the following resolution, as reads in the agenda for tonight's meeting:

A resolution, numbered 2011-08, concerning the support of the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps as the primary emergenciy medical services in Havre de Grace

B. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF HAVRE DE GRACE MARYLAND MUNICIPAL CORPORATION TO SUPPORT THE Havre de Grace Ambulance Corp., Inc. AS THE PRIMARY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE GREATER HAVRE DE GRACE AREA OF HARFORD COUNTY.

8:47 p.m.: Council votes unanimously to approve the following resolution, as reads in the agenda for tonight's meeting:

A Resolution, numberd 2011-07, concerning the support of Susquehanna Hose Company as the primary fire/rescue in Havre de Grace

A. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF HAVRE DE GRACE MARYLAND MUNICIPAL CORPORATION TO SUPPORT THE SUSQUEHANNA HOSE CO., INC. AS THE PRIMARY FIRE / RESCUE SERVICE IN THE GREATER HAVRE DE GRACE AREA OF HARFORD COUNTY.

8:45 p.m.: Meeting reconvenes.

8:32 p.m.: A ten minute recess is called.

8:24 p.m.: Public comment on agenda items begins.

Citizen Garrett Lyttle speaks in favor of Ordinance 931, and setting the water and sewer rate for fiscal year 2012. Lyttle cautioned residents to understand that this adjustment in rates does not solve the deficit in the water and sewer fund, but that it is the first step. Citing a report, Lyttle said in the future, the most expensive commodity in the world will be clean drinking water.

Chief Jeremy Mothershed of the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps and President Charles Packard of the Susquehanna Hose Company speak in favor and appreciation of resolutions that would support the volunteer operations as the primary services for Havre de Grace.

8:20 p.m.: C. John Sullivan is introduced as the new Director of Operations for the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum. Sullivan said he plans to raise the profile of hte museum. He and museum president Patrick Vincenti presented the Mayor a portrait of two of the most valuable decoys in the world, carved in Havre de Grace.

8:15 p.m.: Director of Public Works Larry Parks presents details for a project to make Bayview Drive a one-way street at its intersection with Route 155. Traffic from Bayview Drive to Route 155 is proposed to be cut off due to a lack of sight distance. A public hearing will be held June 13 at 6:30 p.m. at .

8:05 p.m.: Tina Schaal from the American Cancer Society and Havre de Grace Relay for Life volunteer Hollee Sifford present information about Friday's Relay for Life at James R. Harris Stadium. The relay beings at 7 p.m., and $35,000 has already been raised. The group raised $93,000 last year. Schall and Sifford presented the Mayor and City Council with a framed certificate in recognition of their cooperation with  Relay for Life.

7:57 p.m.: Mabel Culley of the American Legion Ladies' Auxilliary presented Mayor Dougherty with a proclamation after their presentation of red poppy flowers to council members and city staff following Memorial Day services.

7:47 p.m.: Jay Shipley is presented with the "Distribution System Operator of the Year" award from the Maryland Rural Water Association.

7:35 p.m.: Mayor Dougherty presents students Emil Brandau, Robert Bringardner, Adrienne Harris, Kaley Harris, Taylor Glassman, Isaiah Keith, Jeffrey Newton, and Delis-Mattei-Lopez with student of the month honors. Each student received a superior rating at the county solo and ensemble ratings. The group was introduced by Mrs. Kathy Kirchner-Boord, the school's band director, as her "posse." Isaiah is a percussionist who earned superior state ratings. Emil and Robert teamed on trombone and euphonium for excellent ratings at the state level. Delis and Taylor performed a flute duet for a superior rating at the state level. Kaley and her sister, Adrienne, earned superior ratings for a clarinet-flute duo. Kaley and Jeffrey earned superior ratings with a clarinet duo. Kirchner-Boord said there are 170 students in the band program at the middle school.

7:25 p.m.: Mayor Dougherty presents junior with a student of the month recognition. Tony was chosen as the student government president as a junior after drafting a new constitution for the high school. Tony will serve as the student representative to the board of education for his senior year, becoming the first Havre de Grace student to be chosen for the honor to serve as the lone student representative for the county. Tony is a member of 16 extracurricular activities at Havre de Grace, including speech and debate, mock trial, the envirothon team, volleyball, and track and field.

7:15 p.m.: Mayor Dougherty presents fourth grader Luke Hahn with a student of the month recognition. Luke was recognized for his character, according to assistant principal Karen Jancowiak. Luke was colorful in his introductions of his two brothers and three sisters. Luke plays the saxaphone and is a member of the school chorus. He's also active in basketball, tennis and the Boy Scouts.

7:09 p.m.: Mayor Dougherty presents fifth grader Julienne Berdanier with a student of the month recognition. Principal said Julienne wants to be either an actress, dancer, or teacher. Julienne is a member of the school chorus, orchestra and news program. She's also active in softball and dance. Her math teacher said she is "a joy to be around," and always has a smile on her face. She has made honor roll every quarter in elementary school. Julienne's very shy brother was in the audience with her grandmother, who was videotaping the award presentation.

7:05 p.m.: Mayor Wayne Dougherty presents fourth grader Tymia Dixon with a student of the month recognition. Principal said Tymia wants to be a fourth grade teacher. Tymia is a member of the chorus, orchestra and two lunchtime book clubs. Her grandmother described her as "a bookworm."

7:03 p.m.: Council President Bill Martin asks council for a friendly ammendment to the agenda, adding Mrs. Culley's presentation as the first presentation of the evening. Mrs. Culley will present on behalf of the American Legion.

7:00 p.m.: Meeting begins with all council members present.

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 instantaneously. Feel free to email sean.welsh@patch.com with any questions. For our council meeting preview, including a PDF file of the agenda, click .