Watch: Havre de Grace Council Meeting Goes Virtual April 20

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — The Havre de Grace City Council meeting went virtual Monday, April 20, to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. On the city's website or below, members of the public can watch the livestream.

On the agenda were the annexation of 1531 Pulaski Highway and the temporary suspension of the May 5 election as outlined by the city charter, among other items.

People who wished to testify were asked to come in one at a time to adhere to social distancing guidelines, which call for people to gather in groups fewer than 10.

"This is a first for all of us," Mayor Bill Martin said at the meeting. "We are managing to allow public comment, one person entering the room at a time."

The agenda was scaled back and would not include directors reports, the mayor said. Attendees at the meeting included the mayor, council members, city attorney and camera person, Martin said.

Nobody showed up to speak in person, according to the mayor, who read two letters into the record that were submitted in advance on agenda items.

• Two residents wrote a letter of concern about the Havre de Grace Farmers Market. The market is typically held May through November at Hutchins Park, located at the foot of Congress Avenue, where the authors of the letter live. The residents, who described themselves as older adults, proposed putting the farmers market at the City Yacht Basin or at Havre de Grace High School, away from vulnerable individuals, due to the new coronavirus. Martin said the farmers market was on the agenda for Monday night's meeting.
• Another resident proposed changing the charter for council meetings to require a super majority, in which the mayor voted with council members to approve measures during the state of emergency.

When the finance director entered the council chambers to present a budget amendment, one person had to leave the room, to ensure the city adhered to state law mandating gatherings must have 10 or fewer people.

Watch the council meeting.

Related:

• Havre de Grace City Council Agenda
• Havre de Grace City Council Will Meet On April 20