Town Officials Talk Contracts, Table Flood Plan

The has proposed a new shelter on the existing Fallston site, and voted to permit the organization to apply for Community Investment Tax Credits.

The community investment tax credit program, "provides Maryland businesses with a financial incentive to support community projects," according to the state document outlining the program.

All municipalities in the county have to approve the project for the organization to access this kind of funding.

"The adoption of this Resolution will permit the Humane Society of Harford County to apply for $50,000 in Community Investment Tax Credits to help fund the Capital Campaign project for the proposed new shelter," the legislation reads.

8:14 p.m.: The meeting is adjourned.

8:12 p.m.: Burdette said Ames United Methodist held a concert to benefit wounded warrior program and sold out. “I was really proud of them,” Burdette said.

8:10 p.m.: Greg Adolph, former candidate for commissioner, said the flood mitigation plan gives him some concerns. He said there is some erosion on a tributary and that could prove problematic to property he owns.

8:09 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

8:08 p.m.: Burdette moves to ratify a contract with Goettner Construction to build an entrance to the parking lot on Burns Alley. The cost is half of what was budgeted at $18,354.

8:08 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

8:05 p.m.: A condition survey was done on the parking garage, and while it is generally in good condition, it does need some repairs after 20 years of service. Desman Associates conducted the survey and the department of public works feels comfortable with the company’s knowledge of the project and feels it is appropriate for them to move forward with the work without a bid search.

8:04 p.m.: Carey moves to approve a bid not to exceed $40,000 to conduct improvements to the Hickory parking garage.

8:04 p.m.: The motion to table the item carries unanimously. The matter will be again visited on Sept. 4.

8:03 p.m.: Town Administrator Chris Schlehr said there is one project in Hickory Hills that requires the approval of this plan, but that would not be ready to move forward for at least another month.

8:02 p.m.: Holding it a few weeks will not cause any significant delay. It has already been tentatively approved at the state level, Robertson explained.

8:01 p.m.: Carey said he is seeing the plan for the first time, as are many of the commissioners, and moved to postpone a vote until the next meeting.

8:00 p.m.: Randy Robertson, Director of Public Works, explained state and federal emergency management administrations required updating of flood plans to be eligible for emergency funding. Interested parties worked together to draft a plan.

7:59 p.m.: Reier moves that the new flood mitigation plan be approved.

7:59 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

7:58 p.m.: Hopkins asked if there is an expected lifespan for these switches. Oliver said they are expected to last for about 6 years and the existing switches are at the end of the line.

7:57 p.m.: Commissioner David Carey moves to approve a bid of $17,500 from CBWG for four CISCO switches. These switches will provide faster service to town.

7:56 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

7:55 p.m.: Oliver explained having a separate email server will allow the town to more easily archive messages for the required two years and free up space on the town’s server.

7:54 p.m.: Reier moves to approve a  $6,167 bid for an archive message system from Baracuda Message System.

7:54 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

7:53 p.m.: Burdette moves to approve a bid from Dell for about $14,534 to replace the email servers in town.

7:52 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

7:51 p.m.: Oliver said it’s important to replace some of these computers due to changes in emergency operations and dispatch.

7:51 p.m.: Commissioner Robert Preston moved to approve the purchase of police vehicle computers for $26,060.

7:50 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

7:48 p.m.: $14,400 is budgeted for the installation of lights, electronic components and console to equip the new vehicles, Matrangola said. MAtrangola and staff recommend the town approve the bid from Bredford for $14,400.

7:47 p.m.: Commissioners move to award a bid for emergency equipment for police vehicles.

7:47 p.m.: All vote in favor of the bid and the motion carries.

7:46 p.m.: These new vehicles will be black and white in color as opposed to the previous color scheme.

7:44 p.m.: Matrangola said the town will no longer purchase a new radar, but instead replacing vehicles that are between seven and eight years old. Staff recommends commissioners approve the bid.

7:44 p.m.: Commissioner David Carey moves to approve the award the bid for police vehicles to Apple Ford for $93,792. It covers four 2013 Taurus sedan police vehicles.

7:43 p.m.: All vote in favor of the resolution and the motion carries.

7:41 p.m.: The bank asked the board adopt a resolution as a formality in this instance. Staff recommends the town approve the resolution.

7:40 p.m.: Director of Finance Lisa Moody said there are $255,000 in new vehicles, including a dump truck, that the town planned to finance. BB&T had the lowest bid at 1.9 percent, Moody said. This will result in a $1,300 savings for 2013.

7:39 p.m.: Commissioner Robert Reier moves to approve 250,000 tax exempt financing with BB&T for vehicle purchases.

7:39 p.m.: All vote in favor of approving the project and the motion carries.

7:38 p.m.: The state is asking for approval of the project from the county and all three municipalities because the Humane Society serves the entire county.

7:37 p.m.: “I think all of us know what a wonderful community service is the Humane Society of Harford County,” Director of Administration Joyce Oliver.

7:37 p.m.: Susan Burdette moves to approve the Humane Society’s project.

7:36 p.m.: The commissioners approve minutes from previous two meetings.

7:34 p.m.: “No one cares as much as Don does and no one gets as much done as Don does,” Blum said. He extends thanks to Chief Leo Matrangola and public works and the supportive commissioners.

7:33 p.m.: Stewart said some people ask why he puts so much time into one day, “well somebody’s got to,” he said. He added Mike Blum is the very best parade chairman in the entire United States.

7:31 p.m.: “It’s something that everyone in Bel Air looks forward to each year, I know I do,” Hopkins said.

7:31 p.m.: “These two gentleman are stalwart in the community,” Hopkins said. He extends thanks to the men in charge of the July 4th Committee.

7:30 p.m.: A presentation to Don Stewart and Mike Blum starts off the agenda.

7:29 p.m.: Mayor Hopkins calls meeting to order.