Live Blog: May 16 City Council Meeting

9:33 p.m.: Meeting adjorns.

9:30 p.m.: Resident Kevin Racine said the Office of the Lieutenant Governor reached out to him about organizing a roundtable of the municipalities along Route 40 to discuss transportation upgrades.

9:24 p.m.: Council President Bill Martin compared Councilman Fred Cullum to a celebrity and congratulated him on being named president of the Harford-Cecil Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League.

He likened Councilman John Correri to Benjamin Franklin in his knowledge about the city. He joked about how he last year compared Correri to Babe Ruth.

Martin said about his goal in a second term is to continue his plan not to micromanage his fellow councilmembers.

"It's a good group of people up here, and I'm very, very honored, extremely honored that my fellow council members gave me the nod for a second year," he said. "I know we've accomplished a lot of things, but that's in the rearview mirror now."

Martin also said there will be a budget work session Tuesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The topic will be the Department of Public Works.

9:22 p.m.: Council President Bill Martin welcomed Wagner to the dais.

"I welcome you to this Council. I know you have a lot of ideas and you're very enthusiastic and you came to the right place for that," he said. "You are very deserving of being in that seat."

9:12 p.m.: Councilwoman Barbara Wagner addresses her introduction as a council member.

"It's a role that I take very seriously," she said. "I'm looking forward to serving. I'm anxious to hear from the community."

Wagner said she is thankful to her new colleagues for their willingness to help her adjust to the new job.

"I would like to express a thank you to the Mayor and my fellow council members for taking their time to reach out to me and share with me the information to help me succeed in my role," Wagner said. She also thanked the city's employees for their help, "especially Shyla."

9:10 p.m.: Councilman Randy Craig moves to nominate Councilman Bill Martin for Council President.

Motion to name Martin as Council President is approved, 6-0.

This will be Martin's second consecutive term as president.

8:22 p.m.: Meeting breaks for the selection of a City Council president.

8:12 p.m.: Council members Correri, Craig and Wagner, and Mayor Dougherty are sworn in by Judge Plitt. 

8:08 p.m.: Council members give thanks to Councilman Shank for his service.

Councilman John Correri regretfully announces the passing of Robert Northwood, the last city clerk, who he said served under Mayor Hirsch.

Council President Martin regretfully announces the passing of resident Jim Gamble.

8:04 p.m.: Councilman Shank thanks the Mayor and members of City Council, and wishes new Councilwoman Barbara Wagner good luck.

"It has been an exciting two years," Shank said. "We haven’t always agreed. I think we’ve passed some significant legislation. I have enjoyed it. I did stop in [to City Hall] today, talked with some of the staff. I appreciate all their support. Havre de Grace truly has wonderful employees."

Shank specifically thanks a group for helping him with any issues that arose due to his vision impairment: "Phyllis, Collleen, Meghan, Shyla, George and his entire group, including Aaron. They were always helpful when I always needed help. They were always very patient, particularly Shyla."

Shank specifically recognizes a group of "challenged adults," specifically "Wayne, Ruth, Jimmy and Louie."

8:02 p.m.: Mayor Dougherty asks Councilman Shank to join him in the well. Mayor thanks Shank for his service.

"I want to sincerely thank you for all the work you did on council," Dougherty said before presenting Shank with a gift.

8:01 p.m.: Motion on bond rate carries, 6-0. Mayor Dougherty extends sincere thanks to staff for their hard work.

7:57 p.m.: Councilman Craig said a 3.3 percent interest rate for the bond is an extraordinary achievement. Mayor Dougherty agrees and recognizes staff. Councilman Cullum says it's a great savings on a bond.

7:55 p.m.: Martin asks for public hearing on Ordinance 931 regarding water and sewer. It is scheduled for June 6.

7:47 p.m.: Councilman Craig thanks the water and sewer commission and staff for the constant monitoring of the fund, and calls it a "constant process." He spoke to an important change to metering cost. The city has long had one base rate established for all users, and Craig said if you look across the U.S. there's a wide variety of rate structures.

"The goal here is to establish some stability in revenues," he said, adding that the revenue is volatile and the new meter pricing methods is in keeping with accepted rate methodology.

He said the average residence has a meter that uses 30 gallons per minute, larger meters use much more water. The cost will be more equally distributed with the new method.

"It is something that everyone needs to be familiar with since it is a change," Craig said, adding that a vast number of homes will not be effected.

Shank said when he was in water and sewer meetings, he never heard 189 connections would be effected such as was stated tonight. He said he was hearing 330-335 connections would be effected. Craig says he believes things have changed.

Miller and Shank vote no. Motion carries, 4-2.

7:44 p.m.: Ordinance 930 addresses the sale of bonds, not to exceed $550,000. Councilman Cullum said this was on the ballot for citizens to approve and the other ordinance was not. This was approved by citizens.

Motion carries, 6-0.

7:41 p.m.: Councilman Jim Miller thinks the rate should be in the header on the agenda.

The proposed rate is 59 cents.

Councilman Mitch Shank said he thinks the city could have cut the tax rate even further to help citizens.

Miller and Shank vote no, but the motion carries, 4-2.

7:35 p.m.: In regards to the Star Spangled Banner Trail, Councilman Fred Cullum said the city was asked to send a letter of support and Mayor Dougherty did that. Councilman Craig said this could be a "victory of tourism" for the city and encourages residents to get involved. Motion carries, 6-0.

7:31 p.m.: Councilman Fred Cullum says he doesn't want to extend a lease for a project he says has completely changed. He believes it needs to be a new lease with new terms. Councilman Jim Miller does not support the lease either, saying once the vessel is built it will sail away and never come back to the City of Havre de Grace. He said they are using the city as a boat yard and they don't have any money yet.

Miller and Cullum vote against, but the motion carries, 4-2.

7:24 p.m.: Councilman Jim Miller asks if the board at Lock House has had opportunity to review the lease before council votes. Dougherty said he is unsure.

Carol Mathis is asked if they have contacted the city at all regarding Andrew Doria. It is decided there has been communication.

Council President Bill Martin says the lease is the same except the city did include a "kick out" clause so the city can reclaim the land if they need to for some reason. He also wanted to clarify that the historic village originally included in the plan is still included.

Council member Mitch Shank asks if Joe Kochenderfer's concerns were addressed. City Attorney Paul Ishak said the lease expires on May 21 if the new lease isn't agreed upon.

Martin said he is in support of this project.

"I certainly think it's a worthwhile cause," he said, adding that he believes it is historically significant.

Councilman Randy Craig says at the moment it is "just a dream," and that there are several road blocks and there are contingencies in the lease, says the city now has the right to terminate the lease for any reason with 60 days notice and he believes that gives the city protection. He also supports the project.

7:22 p.m.: Councilman Fred Cullum reads Joe Kochenderfer's comments on Andrea Doria. He voted to approve the lease two years ago, but understands the lease has changed since then. If the lease is extended, he thinks there should be additional restrictions in the lease. He does not think the lease should be extended for more than one year.

7:16 p.m.: Public comment begins.

Resident Curtis Coon speaks in favor of the Andrew Doria project.

"It just occurs to me that that would make such a wonderful place for a historical development or something like that," he said.

Second, believes the bond series should be adopted. He congratulates all those who are successful in election and those who ran unsuccessfully. He also hopes everyone puts aside campaign rhetoric.

Nan Schull, a Bulle Rock resident, said she wants to addresses "conflicting messages" about increase in water and sewer fees. She would like to know whether or not residents will be affected. Mayor Wayne Dougherty said he did see a communication come out that had wrong information in it. Dougherty says the increase will effect larger meters, like those of businesses.

7:15 p.m.: Michael Hitchings is sworn in as a member of the planning commission. He will stop by City Hall for his swearing in, as he was called out of town and could not attend Monday.

7:14 p.m.: Sally Dagle from election board presents election results. Patch will provide those numbers later tonight.

7:10 p.m.: John Bryant was presented with an "Outstanding Citizen Award" for serving with the city since 1962 on various committees. Bryant is moving.

Mayor Wayne Dougherty said: "I know your move is very troubling to you, but just remember you're always a part of Havre de Grace."

7:08 p.m.: Council President Bill Martin makes corrections to agenda. There will be no firefighter recognitions. Firefighters had emergency meetings. Mabel Culley could not attend and her presentation will be skipped.

7:03 p.m.: Meeting begins. All are 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.

Amber Woods leads off the blog tonight. Editor Sean Welsh will return to his blogging duties at the conclusion of tonight's .

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 here.