Council, Residents Debate Sustainability Program

Havre de Grace City Council held a public hearing for approximately 71 minutes Monday night before starting regular council proceedings around 8:20 p.m.

The hearing included comments from residents, business owners and council members in regards to a sustainability program the city is considering. At the center of the hearing was a resolution that would put into motion the steps necessary to allow the city to achieve certification from Sustainable Maryland Certified.

Below is a real time description of the proceedings at —including the public hearing and a one-hour, 20-minute council meeting:
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9:45 p.m.: The meeting adjourns.

9:43 p.m.: announces that tonight's meeting will be his last as a resident attending a City Council meeting in Havre de Grace.

Racine will be traveling with President Obama's staff along the northeastern corridor.

"After 31 years of coming to the council ... you'll probably see me in town, but it's going to be a great deal for me to be part of this process," Racine said.

9:41 p.m.: Resident Jeff Carhart points to the planned for the city as a potential solution for the water and sewer fund deficit.

9:39 p.m.: Resident David Glenn talks about 's contributions to the city.

Glenn said a lot of money was raised at the danceathon event to benefit Green, who is battling kidney disease.

9:35 p.m.: Charlie Vasilakis of the , said the raised $18,000.

"That was by far, our ," he said. "We had over 700 tickets sold. I know the weather was a factor, but an awful lot went into it."

Martin said there were 24 volunteers this year, including a number of city staffers, that assisted him in putting out luminaries. Martin said there are about 1,500 luminaries.

Martin said the volunteers, under his direction, spaced the luminaries twice as close as in years past, and that there may be a need for 2,000 lit bags next year.

9:34 p.m.: Public comment period begins.

9:30 p.m.: Martin, in response to Miller's comments, apologizes for any perceived lack of communication on council.

He wishes all residents a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

9:25 p.m.: Dougherty mentions that a transportation agreement between Harford and Cecil counties will be unveiled soon.

He also metions a bicycle path from Harford to Cecil counties: "That is just in the study stage, but there is a vision. We’re not going to see it tomorrow or the next day. The most positive thing is that it’s being discussed again. Hopefully in three to five years they come up with a solution to be able to do that."

9:20 p.m.: Councilman Miller raises question with an $11,000 item he recently became aware of, noting that the public funds were spent upon the decision of only Dougherty and Martin, rather than by council vote.

The $11,000 item was a painting project at the Opera House on Union Avenue.

"This is not a council of two, and I say this at almost every council meeting," Miller said, mentioning that significant rehab projects are in the planning process for the building.

Dougherty said repainting the interior hallways was a necessity.

"My responsibility again is to protect the property of the citizens, and that’s what I did," Dougherty said. "I advised the council president of what I was doing, I didn’t ask him for permission."

9:17 p.m.: Wagner expresses her condolences to the family of Dwayne Henry, who passed away last Wednesday.

Henry is credited by Wagner, Dougherty and Councilman John Correri as being an in-tune, opinionated writer on local politics.

9:15 p.m.: Cullum thanks Chief Walter for honoring officers during the meeting Monday.

9:12 p.m.: Mayor Dougherty begins his address, promising to stay brief.

He wishes all residents a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

9:11 p.m.: Walter said there will be an increase in officers on foot patrol and on DUI and DWI patrol during the holidays.

9:08 p.m.: A waterline project will take place on Giles Street, connecting Bloomsbury and Freedom Lanes with an 8-inch water line, replacing a 4-inch water line, said Bill Reeder, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works.

The project on Canvasback Drive is complete, Reeder said. The stop signs at the playgroud along Canvasback Drive have been removed.

Mayor Dougherty said, "the stop signs were absolutely senseless."

A stop is only required when pedestrians are in the crosswalk.

"It was a change many of the residents there weren't anticipating," Craig said.

9:07 p.m.: The State Department of Assessment and Taxation is battling issues with its computer system, and the normal tax billing that goes out on Jan. 1 will instead go out on Feb. 1, DeHority said.

9:06 p.m.: Director of Administration Carol Mathis said the new city website will be complete and functional by the end of January 2012.

9:05 p.m.: Councilman Miller introduces an ordinance concerning the Forest Conservation Code.

Miller moves to table the resolution until the planning committee is able to consider any concerns with the item. The motion dies after a 3-3 vote, with Miller, Wagner and Cullum voting in favor of tabling the resolution.

The ordinance is given No. 925.

City Attorney Paul Ishak notes that the changes would require more regulation when the volume of forest cutting increases.

The ordinance clears first reading by a unanimous vote.

A public hearing will be held Jan. 3, and a second reading—with motion to adopt—will be held Jan. 17. Both council meetings in January are on Tuesdays.

8:55 p.m.: Council President Bill Martin moves to introduce a resolution concerning the Local Government Insurance Trust Agreement.

The motion passes by a unanimous vote.

LGIT requires 71 of the 101 municipalities to approve the change in the LGIT board from 13 to 12 members.

The resolution passes by unanimous vote.

8:54 p.m.: The period for public comment on agenda items closes without comment.

8:53 p.m.: The next commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27. Dougherty and Director of Finance George DeHority will sit in on the next meeting to discuss the finances of Fund 9.

8:41 p.m.: Garrett Lyttle of the Water and Sewer Commission provides a financial report of "Fund 9"—the Water and Sewer Fund.

Lyttle reveals the fund has a $487,000 deficit, due to a lack of increase in connection fees, and the City Council's decision to maintain the water and sewer fee, rather than raise cost for residents.

Lyttle said there is great concern at the city's , where valves are in need of replacement.

"This is a $1 million project that has been deferred in previous years. These valves were installed in 1954, and are obsolete," Lyttle said, adding that one valve failed this year, rendering a filter inoperable for a two-week period.

"If these valves fail, it will halt the ability for the city to provide drinking water for the city and adequate water for fire prevention services," Lyttle said.

Dougherty thanks Lyttle for "an in-depth, on-the-mark" report.

"Right now, we have requested relief through the state. Senator [Nancy] Jacobs sent an email yesterday ... and I also spoke with her Thursday ... and she is doing everything she can from her end to assist," Dougherty said.

"I feel like Scrooge coming in every year and giving this report," Lyttle said, after wishing the Mayor and Council a Merry Christmas.

"We are so far behind the 8-ball, who knows if we'll ever see the daylight again," Councilman Fred Cullum said.

Cullum said the options laid forth in Lyttle's presentation should be considered by City Council.

8:38 p.m.: Mayor Dougherty and City Council recognize two officers for attaining certification as drug recognition experts.

PFC Aaron Sandruck and PFC Jonathan Sova were recognized. Sandruck was unable to attend Monday's meeting.

"This is one case where I absolutely insisted we recognize our officers," said. "To achieve certification as a drug recognition expert is something that is very, very rare in law enforcement"

Walter added that there are just seven "DRE" officers in the county.

Such experts are trained in identifying drivers impaired by items other than or in addition to alcohol, Mayor Dougherty said while reading the recognition to Sova.

"I have boasted that we have the best, we have true professionals, and this is another example of that," Dougherty said.

8:25 p.m.: The city council meeting begins.

8:11 p.m.: The public hearing is closed, and a 10-minute recess has been granted.

8:10 p.m.: Wagner says again that the city is not forced to spend any money up front, and that the only two programs required are to create a green team and to create a plan for the green team.

8:05 p.m.: Craig said he's concerned that even after beginning the steps toward certification, and being certified under the program, the program doesn't clearly state that the city is considered sustainable.

Craig said there are a series of myths about the program, including that it doesn't cost the city anything to begin the program.

“Everything the city does costs money,” Craig said.

Craig noted that the page for funding and grants on the SMC website reads "Coming Soon." Craig said that term represents the stance the city should take on the program.

Craig called the program incomplete, and said the ENR upgrades at the wastewater treatment facility, and the recycling program the city has undertaken would account for zero points in the program.

"They don't even count," Craig said.

He stated the city should be pursuing consideration under "House Bill 475, the Sustainable Communities Act of 2010."

"Unlike the SMC, this act provides real grant opportunities," Craig said. It provides gap financing for new and expanding businesses, as well as tax credits for rehab projects.

Craig added that "five communities were designated by the state as sustainable communities, all received substantial funding, and all were transportation-focused."

The deadline for the first round of the alternative opportunity Craig mentions is Jan. 6.

7:49 p.m.: Councilman Randy Craig thanked those who submitted comments, either by email or in person Monday, and thanked Wagner for allowing the resolution to come before a public hearing.

"I think sustainability and sustainable issues are important," Craig said, adding that he's proud of serving on a council that makes an effort toward improving the environment.

Craig listed a number of environmentally-friendly initiatives the city has already taken in the past, and said he wants Havre de Grace to become certified.

He added that the resolution obligates the city to take action, and join Sustainable Maryland Certified.

7:46 p.m.: Wagner said nine businesses in the city, including Flicker Scents—which was certified Monday—are green certified. She notes that the Harford County Government, Harford County Public Schools and Havre de Grace Middle School are all green certified.

"We need to think big," Wagner said, before drawing parallels between the March of Dimes and sustainability funding initiatives.

"Yes, we need to be fiscally responsible," Wagner said.

Wagner added that the Mayor has the option to send in a letter of intent, rather than for the City Council to pass the resolution. Wagner said Dougherty selected Sypolt as the city's liaison to the committee, and that she would be willing to serve in that role if Sypolt's time is viewed as too valuable for the committee.

7:41 p.m.: Councilman Fred Cullum speaks on behalf of the Maryland Municipal League, where he serves on the Board of Directors. Cullum said MML and the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Department were responsible for forming the parameters for the program.

“This resolution simply says we are interested in possibly becoming certified. It doesn’t obligate us to anything else. It goes in their file, and they put us on their list. If we do nothing else, that’s all that happens.”

Cullum said any two of six listed items would have to be accomplished for the city to become certified. The city can investigate which of those items would be best to approach.

7:35 p.m.: Wagner reads statements from residents Ellie Mencer and , both of whom were unable to attend.

Both Mencer and Woods—a Patch contributor—are in support of the resolution.

7:25 p.m.: Wagner reads resident and former City Councilman Joe Kochenderfer's email to City Council, which notes that he would be willing to serve as a liaison if city staff time is an issue. He also raised the question as to why city staff member Patrick Sypolt, rather that a general position title, is recognized in the resolution as the city liaison to the committee.

7:23 p.m.: Mayor Dougherty reads into the record his email response to Davis' statement. He also reads into the record a statement from resident and business owner , who sees positives in a citizen-driven committee.

7:20 p.m.: Resident and business owner Walt Biller, in response to Watson’s plea for further education, said the program will enable Havre de Grace to have access to grant money for education.

7:18 p.m.: Resident sees no threat to Havre de Grace and wonders why an initiative that has "such backing from the Maryland Municipal League" would be questioned.

7:17 p.m.: Bel Air resident Chuck Cooper, a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, speaks in favor of the program, noting that Sustainable Maryland Certified began only a year ago.

"I'm very proud of Havre de Grace for even thinking about it," Cooper said.

7:15 p.m.: Resident thinks there are positives to find in exploring more initiatives. She doesn't see the resolution as "marrying" the city to any initiatives.

"I don't see any problem with learning more, creating this team, and moving forward," Owens said.

7:11 p.m.: Resident Bill Watson sees the resolution as one that allows for government to have more control over residents.

Watson advocates for "education, rather than legislation."

Watson sees the legislation as providing the means for government favoritism for green organizations, noting that some commerce in town might be lost to businesses out of town.

Watson would like to see "initiatives not imbodied in law."

7:10 p.m.: Councilwoman Wagner said the resolution does not force the city to follow through with the Sustainable Maryland Certified program. Wagner adds that those 21 communities referenced by Maslin are up for their first review in January 2012.

Councilman Jim Miller asks that the hearing proceed with residents being allowed to speak, rather than in a debate format.

7:09 p.m.: Resident Chuck Maslin speaks out against the resolution.

Maslin identifies himself as a "co-owner" of a number of businesses in Havre de Grace, all of them registered under the Maryland Green Registry.

"Nobody has any idea of what this is going to cost," Maslin said.

Maslin holds a 102-page guideline that describes what must be done to put together a committee.

"This is going to cost us a lot of money," Maslin said, calling it irresponsible for City Council to approve the resolution.

Maslin points out that 21 municipalities have applied to the organization, but none have been certified per the terms.

7:02 p.m.: Councilwoman Barbara Wagner reads into the record a statement from resident Gary Davis, who is currently a member of the grassroots green team.

Davis' statement began by quoting National Baseball Hall of Fame member Yogi Berra, "When you hit a fork in the road, take it," Davis advised Mayor Wayne Dougherty.

Davis' statement asked for approval of the sustainability resolution.

7 p.m.: The public hearing on sustainability begins.

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