Board of Town Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon. It is now 7 o'clock on May the 4th. The Beller Board of Town Commissioners Town Hall meeting is now in session and I'm going to call the roll. Commissioner Fawless?

Here.

Commissioner Chismar? Here. Commissioner Taylor?

Here.

And Commissioner Hanley? Here. All right and next on our agenda is the invocation.

Heavenly Father we come with gratitude for this community and for the opportunity to gather in service of our town of Bel Air we thank you for the people who call this town home and that people who have entrusted this board with leadership and decision making Please, Father, grant us wisdom as we discuss the matters before us. Help us to listen and to seek what is best for our citizens and the town as well. Bless our efforts tonight and that they may promote understanding and contribute to the well-being of our town. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Amen. All right, if everyone will please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right. Next is the approval of the agenda. May I have a motion?

Yes, I move that we approve the agenda.

Thank you, Commissioner Foss. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Hanley. Any discussion of the agenda this evening? All right, Mr. Krantz.

Thank you, Madam Chair, for approval of the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners Town Hall Meeting Agenda for May 4th, 2026. Commissioner Foss?

Aye.

Commissioner Chismar? Aye. Commissioner Taylor? Aye. Commissioner Hanley? Aye. And Chair Edding? Aye. Tonight's agenda is approved. Thank you.

All right, next we have the approval of the minutes. May I have a motion?

Madam Chair, I move that the minutes of the Board of Commissioners meetings held on April 14th, 2026, April 20th, 2026, and April 23rd, 2026 be approved as submitted.

Thank you, do I have a second?

Second.

All right, any discussion of the minutes? No. All right, Mr. Krantz?

Thank you, Madam Chair, for approval of the minutes from April 14th, April 20th, and April 23rd of the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners. Commissioner Foss?

Aye.

Commissioner Chismar? Aye. Commissioner Taylor? Aye. Commissioner Hanley? Aye. And Chair Edding? Aye. The minutes are approved, thank you.

All right. Next on our agenda, we have two public hearings, starting first with Ordinance 859-26, amending the Beller Town Code Chapter 165, Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations Part 2, Zoning Article 10, Accessory and Temporary Uses, Section 165-68B7. accessory uses in residential districts regarding chickens and hens and chapter 134 animals article 1 general regulations 134-1 raising and selling of poultry. Is there any member of the public here who wishes to make a comment on this ordinance? all right there being none we will close that public hearing at 7 0 3 and we'll move on to our next public hearing ordinance 860-26 amending the bellaire town code chapter 10 boards commissions and committees article 7 cultural arts commission 10-30-33 purpose membership terms of office quorum officers rules and records meetings and compensation Is there any member of the public here this evening that wishes to comment on this ordinance only? All right. We will close the public hearing then at 7.03 p.m. And move on to unfinished business. First, we have Ordinance 859-26, amending the Beller Town Code, Chapter 165, Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations, Part 2. zoning article 10 accessory and temporary uses section 165-68 b7 accessory uses in residential districts regarding chickens hens and chapter 134 animals article 1 general regulations section 134-1 the raising and selling of poultry may I have a motion yes madam chair I move that ordinance number 859-26 be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners thank you do I have a second Second. Thank you, Commissioner Foss.

We've discussed this many times. Yes, we have. But I will give one last summary for those who may be watching at home and for those who are in the audience tonight. I was contacted, the board was contacted a number of weeks ago by a resident on William Street whose children had fallen in love with the chicks that they sell over at the mill. And they were crushed to learn that under the current code they were not permitted to raise these chicks into hens of their own. And so she reached out to the board asking if there was anything that we could do to assist her in this endeavor. And so we got to work with the planning department and we crafted this piece of legislation which reduces the minimum lot size from 10,000 square feet down to 5,000 square feet. And specifically specifies that we're dealing with single family lots. this piece of legislation would open up the raising and owning of hens, not roosters, to just about every single family lot in town. There are a handful that fall below that 5,000 square feet, but just about every single family lot in town would be covered under this ordinance. And I think it's just a good way because in the time, in the intervening years that the raising of hens has been legal in the town of Bel Air, we've received no complaints and really have only received positive feedback from those who have availed themselves of this opportunity for domestic livestock and domestic agriculture, which I think is a wonderful nod to the small town heritage that we appreciate so much about the town of Bel Air. In another way, the small town heritage that we appreciate about the town of Bel Air is being able to move so quickly to help a citizen for whom government was just in the way when, quite frankly, government didn't need to be in the way, and we're able to get it out of the way for her. So I'm looking forward to passing this piece of legislation tonight and giving her the good news that she will soon be able to have two hens on her lot. For those who currently, who may be listening, for whom this is of interest, The domino effect of this legislation would be that the current minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet get bumped up to three hens, 15,000 square feet, four, and so on. So if you are someone currently availing yourself of this, you may be able to add one if that is something you are so inclined to do.

Thank you very much. Any further discussion of the chickens and hens? No. No? All right. I think we're ready.

Thank you Madam Chair for the vote on ordinance 859-26. Commissioner Foss?

Aye.

Commissioner Chismore? Aye. Commissioner Taylor? Aye. Commissioner Hanley? Aye. And Chair Edding?

Aye.

The ordinance is passed. Thank you.

You can welcome more chicks to town. All right, next under unfinished business, we have Ordinance 860-26, amending the Beller Town Code Chapter 10, Boards, Commissions, and Committees, Article 7, the Cultural Arts Commission, 103033, Purpose Membership, Terms of Office Quorum, Officers' Rules and Records, Meetings, and Compensation. May I have a motion?

Yes I move that ordinance number 860-26 amending the code of the town of Bel Air chapter 10 article 7 sections 30 to 33 entitled Cultural Arts Commission be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.

Thank you Commissioner Faust. Do I have a second? I'll second. Thank you Commissioner Chismar. And Angela?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Members of the Cultural Arts Commission have recommended updates to the code to change their quorum from three to a majority of members. And in addition, while we're making that change, several language updates are necessary regarding the purpose and notification for meetings. AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 1031 REMOVING LANGUAGE THAT THREE MEMBERS CONSTITUTES A QUORUM AND ADDING LANGUAGE THAT THE MAJORITY OF MEMBERS SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM AS IS CURRENTLY INDICATED IN SECTION 1032C. ALSO REMOVAL OF SECTION 10 30B, WHICH INDICATES SUPPORT OF A DEVELOPMENT OF A FACILITY FOR CULTURAL ARTS. THIS INITIATIVE HAS BEEN MOVED OUTSIDE OF TOWN LIMITS THROUGH THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS, AND WHILE THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION STILL REMAINS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR GOAL OF ADDING A CULTURAL ARTS CENTER, IT'S NO LONGER NECESSARY FOR THIS TO BE INCLUDED AS A PURPOSE FOR THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION AS THE FACILITY WILL BE LOCATED OUTSIDE OF TOWN LIMITS. WE ARE ALSO RECOMMENDING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 1032C ELIMINATING LANGUAGE TO THE CORUM AS IT HAS NOW BEEN PLACED IN SECTION 1031. AND LASTLY AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 1033 INDICATING THAT SPECIAL MEETINGS MAY BE CALLED WITH WRITTEN NOTICE ONLY. IT CURRENTLY STATES THAT IT CAN ALSO BE THROUGH VERBAL NOTICE AND THAT IS NOT OUR PRACTICE. Staff recommends that the proposed ordinance number 860-26 be approved by the Beller Board of Town Commissioners.

Thank you so much. Any questions for Angela? I know this is kind of a housekeeping tidying up of the code. All right. There being no questions, I think we're ready.

Thank you, Madam Chair. For the vote on Ordinance 860-26, Commissioner Foss?

Aye.

Commissioner Chismar? Aye. Commissioner Taylor? Aye. Commissioner Hanley? Aye. And Chair Edding? Aye. The ordinance is approved. Thank you.

All right. Under new business, we have Resolution 1270-26, opposing the relocation of the district court. May I have a motion, Commissioner Hanley?

Madam Chair, I move that the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners approve resolution number 1270-26, opposing the relocation of the District Court of Maryland for Harford County from downtown Bel Air Bond Street to Marketplace Drive, Maryland Route 24.

Thank you. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you very much. Commissioner Hanley, do you want to address this?

As we've discussed, moving the courthouse from downtown to Marketplace Drive will have a negative impact on, I would say, the town in general. The local businesses along Main Street and Bond Street and all the services that have surrounded the courthouse that are within walking distance will no longer be within walking distance of the new courthouse. And moving to Marketplace Drive, which is a heavily congested commercial area, will contribute to that even further and make it more congested. So I'd like for the town to make an official position opposing this relocation.

I certainly agree with the sentiment. Bel Air has historically been known for the law as Elkton was to marriages. People would come to Bel Air to study the law under another attorney, and it became quite the popular place. And it has grown up around our historic courthouse, which was then joined by our district courthouse across the street on Bond Street. And a number of supporting services have grown up, of course, around the courthouse. So you can literally park your car and do all of your legal business right here in town within walking distance, whether you're getting a business license, whether you're getting a marriage license, whether you have a ticket in district court or you want to file a contract action or whether you're on a jury and coming here to the circuit court. conveniently located right in downtown Bel Air with plenty of parking in the parking garages with the walking distance where our juries currently stay and after that if you need lunch or in the middle of the day there are many lunch spots around where you can get a quick lunch and then go back to your business so I think that it is really grown up to be sort of the perfect system that works so well and I'm so sorry to see that the state wants to move it to a place that is isolated with no lunch spots limited area and no no parking I'm not sure how they're going to manage to fit it in on that plot of land with the stream that's there so I I'm just not sure it is I know it's not a good idea and I'm certainly hoping that they will pay attention and reconsider

I agree with your sentiments wholeheartedly Gavin I want to thank you for taking the lead on this putting this together I think it will have an impact down there we need to get our voice heard down in the state on this issue because it will have a significant impact on our businesses in town and also you know like you say traffic I mean now all the lawyers who are based in town are going to have to drive to District Court so that's just going to make things even more congested so

fully support this measure Thank you Commissioner Hanley for taking this on and you really did a great job thank you so much and I don't think there's anything else for me to say I think you all have said it so well I think it would be a real detriment to our town to have it moved Anyone else?

Well, I'm the only one who hasn't said anything. I agree wholeheartedly. There's no doubt that this would be like ripping an organ out of the internal cavity of the town of Bel Air. There's no other way to put it. I mean, this is one of the primary economic drivers for people who come into town not only to do their legal business, but then who generate commerce while doing that legal business. whether that's getting a sandwich across the street at vagabond or picking up a tchotchke for their home from old line mercantile there are just so many great small businesses in the vicinity of the courthouse that would lose out on all that traffic and i hate to say it but where are we going to send them we're going to send them to target and as much as we love to have a target in town they're not the folks who need the help it's old line mercantile and vagabond and all the other small business people who pour their blood, sweat, and tears into investing in this community. And standing up for this feature of town which benefits them is the least that we can do to help them out.

Well said, and thank you Commissioner Hanley for taking the lead on this. I think we are ready, Mr. Krantz?

Thank you madam chair for the vote on resolution 1270-26 Commissioner Foss Aye Commissioner Chismar Aye Commissioner Taylor Aye Commissioner Hanley Aye Commissioner Edding Aye The resolution is passed thank you Thank you next we have the contract for sculpture at Atwood Marketplace Drive may I have a motion

Yes, Madam Chair. I move that the prices, terms, and conditions set forth in the submitted proposal from Pontus Wolf Forest for a sculpture to be installed at Atwood Road and Marketplace Drive in the amount of $30,000 be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners. Thank you. Do I have a second?

Second.

All right.

Ms. Robertson? Thank you, Madam Chair. In January of this year, the Bel Air Cultural Arts Commission issued a request for proposals for a large-scale permanent sculpture to be installed at the north corner of South Atwood Road and Marketplace Drive. The project, titled Atwood Road and Marketplace Drive Sculpture, is intended to enhance the public space, create visual interest, and complement the surrounding areas. Bel Air is known for its strong commitment to public art. Since we became an arts and entertainment district in 2011, the town has developed a thriving collection of murals and sculptures, now featuring more than 40 works throughout the community. This new installation will continue that tradition and contribute to the town of Bel Air's cultural identity. Public amenity funding will be used as a source for funding for this project. So it will not come from the general fund. It is funding that is specifically set aside in the public amenity fund for projects such as this. This public amenity fund is noted in chapter 165 of the comprehensive plan and development regulations, part 4, subdivision of land, article 16, subdivision and site development, section 165-118, E1B. Property owners whose development diminishes the availability of the community's recreational, cultural and artistic resources are required to contribute an amount equal to or greater than half a percent of the building cost for all nonresidential development in excess of 10,000 square feet. The total shall not exceed $10,000 per project and shall be set aside in the town's public amenity fund for the inclusion of public art, a public square, passive open space, or a park amenity. The current balance of our public amenity fund is $47,505. And again, this is where the $30,000 contract would come from this funding. The RFP was posted in January to the Town of Bel Air website and shared among arts networks throughout the state. Submitted designs were to be visually striking and highly visible to both pedestrians and motorists traveling along Atwood Road or Marketplace Drive, be creative in style and content, durable with minimal maintenance, and appropriate for outdoor public display. The Cultural Arts Commission reviewed and scored the two proposals received at the April 15th, 2026 meeting. Submitted bids were evaluated using the criteria of design, applicable experience of the artist, quality and clarity of proposal, and the proposal's cost. Based on those criteria, Rooted in Air by Pontus Wilfors scored the highest and was selected. It's a monumental aluminum sculpture depicting a tree which measures 18 feet in height and 16 feet in diameter and approximately 9 feet from the ground. The sculpture expands in a canopy of branches which provides a strong visual presence while remaining open in light and appearance. The Cultural Arts Commission deemed the organic design to be relevant and appropriate for the site in terms of its size, design, and appearance. The sculpture demonstrates appeal from different angles and will be visible by pedestrians and motorists at the intersection. The artist had comparable illustrated examples of past work and experience with installation of similar projects and has demonstrated that has been demonstrated and taken into consideration. Mr. Wilfors scored higher during the review process in the categories of design, applicable experience, and quality and clarity of proposal. The only area where his score did not exceed the other bids was the area of cost where his bid received a score of 28 of 30 available points. The timeline for the project was clearly defined in the proposal and within the Cultural Arts Commission's required dates. Modifications to the existing sculpture will take place in June. The foundation for the sculpture installed in July and the sculpture would be transported between September 1st and 12th and installed here in Bel Air September 13th through 15th. The total cost for the sculpture, including transportation and installation, is $30,000. Staff recommends that the prices, terms, and conditions set forth in the submitted proposal from Pontus Wilfors for the sculpture to be installed at Atwood Road and Marketplace Drive in the amount of $30,000 be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.

Thank you. Any questions for Ms. Robertson?

I have one additional question. First, thank you, Director Robertson, for providing all the additional information. That was very helpful in sort of understanding the process in how we got to where we are. Did the commission discuss using the fund that we have for anything to commemorate or memorialize America 250? Did that come up at all?

Yes, they did. They've discussed different projects and being involved in projects throughout the community for 250. This project was actually underway for the Public Art Amenity Fund, so most of those discussions have revolved around projects that they would do with the budget that the commissioners provide as part of the annual budget. That's where they have looked to focus their America 250 efforts.

Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. Mm-hmm.

Do we happen to know if any of that public amenity fund balance will be expiring soon? I remember hearing that if we don't use it we end up having to give it back. Correct.

Yes, I can speak to that. So yes, if we don't utilize about 29,500 we'll be giving it back July 1.

The cultural arts commission was asked over a year ago to look into a project that would be able to utilize these funds and so it did just that and our experts and our artists on that commission spent a lot of time last spring of 25 looking at a location for the sculpture and where it might be most appropriate in town. And with the recommendation of the planning department, we selected in September of 25 the location at Atwood Road and Marketplace Drive. So we have known for over a year that we'd be looking to spend this funding and working to get the RFP out with our procurement officer who started in November. And, of course, there's also a certain time of the year when it's most ideal for installation of large public art. We can't do that around here in the winter. So that we knew that that would be happening at this time of year. So it's been mapped out for some time.

And I served on the Cultural Arts Commission in September and before when we picked out that location.

20 years. Yes, 20 years. That was great.

And what we really loved about that location was so many seniors that go by there and that it's near the senior housing, them going to the McFall Center and we just thought it would just be a really beautiful thing for them to be able to enjoy I see so many people when I because I go to I know Commissioner Taylor I go to Target a lot I'm sorry I do but and there's a there's a lot of folks that are out there that are I don't know they have their dogs out there they they wait out there they walk around there so we were really excited about that I know that some of you had brought up about the height of it but they are going to be installing a base that'll take it up even higher we haven't had an issue with the other pieces of art in the town that have been in places that are maybe not as conspicuous as that we haven't had an issue with them being vandalized or in fact I think the biggest issue that we have which is an issue is the pictures that people take with them and their backdrops and their sites of proposals and all kinds of different things with that. But why it's so important to our community is that it creates identity and pride. It gives it a distinct character. It connects people. It tells a story. This one is rooted in air. So we can kind of tell, it's called, well, rooted in air. We can kind of go with the town of Bel Air, rooted in Bel Air. But also there's so many things that are rooted in the community. And it's just, I don't know. I think we could kind of tell our own story with it. It attracts downtown people. people downtown and visitors it'll be a part of the art walk which will take people over there as well and the foot traffic it's a source of inspiration it gives a sense of inspiration and it's not just a makes Bel Air like a place where people live but a place where people want to be when they can see art so it really does enhance the community and I'm really excited about this and we're on the timer just like the NFL draft you know you're on the ticker okay you got to do it you got me on the clock so we don't have too much time we want to make sure that we jump on this

We did one of the other things that has been important for our commission to consider is we have worked on installing sculptures in town and we do have several that are not on town owned property and it's a much more difficult process for us as staff and just in in making that all work out and connecting all the dots so we particularly were looking to install artwork of this magnitude on property that the town owned so that it would be on our own property which of course limited the number of places we could look so we did consider some Other sites, which may be future sites of public art, but as Commissioner Foss mentioned, this really stood out as one where it would be appreciated by the largest number of people.

I appreciate all that. I wrestled with this a lot and I want to preface my comments by saying I have a great deal of respect for all the members of the Cultural Arts Commission and having seen both of the proposals that were submitted, I can certainly understand why they came to the conclusion that they did. I respect that as well and I have a great deal of professional respect for the work that they do. I think for me with this project, it just comes down to a professional disagreement over whether this particular project, because I think the location is great, too. I have no disagreement there, whether this particular project is the highest and best use of the funding. I'm disappointed to hear that the funding will that's a tough pill to swallow and I really take that to heart as well. But I'm just not sold on this particular project. And so for that reason, I do think I'll be voting no tonight, but it's done with a great deal of respect and appreciation for the process. I'm just not sold on this particular project.

I have to say I I love the heart of Hartford that are spread around town I love the murals that we have I think art does bring something special to our town and I think that is a great location but I am also not how long do we have to spend the money like is it a ten year amount that is correct ten years okay so I'm sorry about the timing but I just don't think this particular piece is what I would want to see at that location so I will probably be voting no as well this evening I'll admit I don't love it maybe it's just not my style not my taste however I am concerned the money that sorry I'll just go back

I'm concerned about giving that money back. So is that the developers that we would be giving the money back to in this case?

Yes, that's correct. So this funding is designed for us to enhance our public spaces and that's what the Cultural Arts Commission was charged with doing, was finding a piece. We actually extended the RFP by about a month from the beginning of March to the beginning of April, left it open longer so that we, in hopes of getting more proposals, And like Commissioner Taylor mentioned, we did only get two proposals in. We cast a wide net as far as who we were in touch with to make sure that the RFP was well circulated among arts communities. We reached out to the Maryland Institute College of Art MICA to Harford artist Association to the Harford County Cultural Arts Board to help us promote it we also had help through Harford Community College through a network of public artists there it was on our website advertised through social media so it was widely distributed to art the arts community so happy to If there's anything that I can further you didn't indicate why this particular project maybe didn't meet your expectations if there's something that I can provide ahead of a vote to help you understand better why we selected this project or this piece of art and why we feel that it's a great fit I'm happy to do that.

Do we think there's any probability we could find something else prior to having to give that money back July 1st?

The cultural arts commission has put their work behind it if there was something another department I can't speak to that but the cultural arts commission has been working on this since with procurement even after they voted on it since November so now we're in May with two months left I don't see

potential there if there's another project that anyone's aware of you would have to put it back out to bid again because of the dollar amount and so just with that there's not sufficient amount of time I mean there's two you know roughly two months a small portion of the the money would expire July 31st but It's a small portion of that $30,000. So unfortunately, like Angela said, there's just not enough time. Because of the dollar value, you'd have to put it back out to bid again, which... We went through that process. We only got two bidders. We extended it to try to get, in the hopes that additional time would allow us more bidders, like Angela mentioned. So it's just not an easy project to put out to bid.

And I'm sorry, just so I'm clear, you said only a small portion. I thought it was 29,000 that we have to give back.

Well it's done by date so when it's 10 years from the date so the majority of that 29 you would have to give back July 1. 5,000 you you could leave behind till July 31st.

It was a difference between July 1 and July 31. The difference between July 1 and July 31st so it's basically still have to give it back. And the other thing to remember about art of any kind whether it's public art or something you might hang in your home is that something you might have and might appeal to you and that you love to see every single day might not appeal to someone else. So this piece of public art that doesn't appeal to several of you might be widely loved by this community and they might see great beauty and value in it. Some of the comments from the Cultural Arts Commission actual when they actually reviewed individually where that the visibility scale and design were appropriate for the location which is approached and viewed from several directions. The anticipated and proven durability of the aluminum construction lends itself to no maintenance for the town of Bel Air. We are currently in the Department of Economic Development undergoing a very large project of the maintenance of the hearts of Hartford. We are doing them three or four per year. It's going to have to be spread out over multiple years because of our budget, because of the time of year that they can be worked on. So those do require a lot of maintenance where this could stand for decades with no maintenance at all. The sculpture is also attractive, able to be enjoyed without being a distraction to drivers from the multiple directions as was indicated in the illustrations that were provided by the artist. The members found it aesthetically well suited and appropriate for the site with good visibility and appealing from different angles. So just some comments directly from the members of the commission. Additionally this proposal out of a possibility of 800 total points scored 758 points in our rubric of criteria that we scored it upon.

I understand art is in the eyes of the beholder and also you know what I kind of agree with you what what doesn't appeal to someone may appeal to another and I kind of like the fact that it's a natural type thing it's not really that abstract and all and it's in it and it's in a setting that is natural I but I would what I would like to say is that maybe the cultural go look at also how to enhance that site I mean right now you look at the picture and it's just a tree in the middle of the lawn whether rather than being would there be a small park landscaping something to accent it to make it look like it's just not something sticking out in the middle of the

And they have talked about that already. Could we add a bench there? The other thing to remember is that when Queen Anne's Lace was installed at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Hickory, it was just the sculpture sitting on its base, and it was there all by itself in a new location with nothing around it. And the Department of Public Works and the Appearance and Beautification Committee added beautiful plantings around it that enhanced the site and created something that's loved by people who drive up and down Hickory Avenue. I think it's a favorite of many.

Yeah, I think, because right now it's just very stark, but I think there's more that I think that could be done to that to make it look more.

I haven't looked really closely I think getting electricity to the site for up lighting would be really nice you know feature it would look really neat on that corner with some nice up lighting similar to what we've done with the door on the corner of Bond and the Pike so I think along with the landscaping a possible bench and some up lighting I think we could really improve the aesthetics of the whole project

We are just also just came to mind I actually did not have that included in notes but as we're sitting here having discussion we are a sustainable community that focuses on our green team focuses on environmental initiatives throughout town so having this organic piece is a nod to that. We're Tree City USA. We talk frequently about our champion trees. We actually have a tree committee in the town, which I think most towns do not. So I think it's something that we can really say ties to our town.

Isn't there a tree sculpture like this in Washington D.C. too?

I don't know.

I thought my mom talked about that a little bit.

She may have.

You can probably find a sculpture of anything in Washington, D.C., so I bet you're right. I bet you they have a tree.

Commissioner Taylor and Commissioner Edding, I am begging you to reconsider and think about this, please, please, especially since this is going to go away, and I promise you'll love it. You will. You get the landscaping and everything. We can go have lunch underneath of it or something sometime. Have a coffee. Put an eagle in there for Eagle Park. Let's do it. There you go.

On one of the branches. It lit up in the tree there.

I think I've said about as much as I can say about this sculpture.

It's ultimately a judgment call for the five of us in terms of whether or not we want to see the the improvement there and the expenditure of the money there. As much as I would have loved to go back in time a year ago and say, hey, let's see if we can find a statue of Aquila Hall or Aquila Scott to put there for Eagle Park. Obviously, that's not the position that we're in, and I totally respect that. Again, I have a great deal of respect for the work that the commission has done on this. I'm just not sold on this particular project.

Anything else from the commissioners before I ask if there's public comment? I was just checking to see if the commission had anything to say, but public comment? On this project only.

516 Robinson Street, Bel Air, Maryland. I am a member of the Cultural Arts Commission along with a number of other people who have a background in art. They have been, a number of them have been on the commission for quite some time. I would hope that the commissioners would respect the commissioners, the commissioners that are within town who put a lot of time and effort into what they do and what they suggest. I've looked at both of the proposals. It was overwhelmingly in favor of the tree. Yes, other people, I looked at the work session. You would rather see a tree than a metal tree. Well, we have trees, and they're lovely. That's good. We also have a place that will basically showcase this particular sculpture. It is visible without being distracting. It is of a scale that is appropriate for the area. It's good for pedestrians as well as, obviously, the drivers. I fail to see how you can say respect and then you just totally do away with the recommendations of a commission that is highly regarded. It sounds like it's just personal taste. You don't like it. Commissioner Chismar thinks somebody's gotta go up and grab it. Yeah, we have kids in town who might do some vandalism, but as Ms. Robertson said, we don't have that. so much in Bel Air. We have murals that haven't been defaced. We have the Queen Anne's latest sculpture, which is, you know, maybe you wouldn't want a flower when that was put up as a proposal years ago. This is something that was decided upon after much thought. It is something that we believe will greatly enhance the town. To think that you would give money back rather than spending it on something that would be aesthetically pleasing to people, maybe not yourselves, but to people within the town, to people coming through town. I would be amazed if you turn this down. I would like to think that fiscal responsibility, if nothing else, you're giving back money. I could speak on fiscal responsibility on other matters, but for this particular thing, I would be amazed if you turn this down. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lucas. All right. Anyone else that wants to discuss this particular project?

All right.

I'm not happy that we're here with the ten year clock winding down. Commissioner Foss may have convinced me.

That's sort of where I'm at. I agree and I'm not really an artistic person so I can't really I don't have much experience in this type of thing so take that with what it's worth but I'm just I'm not comfortable giving money back that's where I just don't like that idea especially because it The way that the money was given to us, basically you didn't meet a requirement so you give us money instead. So I want to use that money instead of giving it back to the developers. That's my stance.

Mr. Klein's promise of making it look more aesthetically pleasing so that we can have lunch and sit on the bench is weighing heavily.

I will certainly do my best if given the opportunity.

Your best is pretty darn good, Mr. Klein.

Yes, ma'am. That is very persuasive. And Ms. Lucas, to your point, I have a great deal of respect for the work the commission does. Sometimes we just have professional disagreements. And that doesn't mean that I don't respect the opinion of somebody who holds a different opinion than I do. It just means that I disagree with it. So I just want to put that on the record, that I really do respect the process. And I also recognize the position that we've sort of been

you know up again up against the clock on this one so I respect that as well yeah miss Lucas about the jumping up and take that's not wasn't a negative I was just hoping that somebody wouldn't you know would not do that I was hope if it was raised up higher like great that's you know that was the only thing about that because I know what I was like when I was a teenager so it was you know anything you could jump up hit a sign jump up and hit the sign oh I can reach that that's that was all I was just worried about its safety there you know that's all but yeah I like the fact that we could put it if we could make it look more like a park that makes it even better you know so that's good all right anything else all right Mr. Krantz

Thank you, Madam Chair. This is for the vote to approve the Atwood Road and Marketplace Drive sculpture contract. Commissioner Foss? Aye. Commissioner Chisholm? Aye. Commissioner Taylor? No. Commissioner Hanley? Aye. Commissioner Edding?

Aye.

The contract is approved. Thank you.

All right. Next under new business, we have the fiscal year 2025 audit acceptance. May I have a motion?

Madam Chair, I move that the audit for fiscal year 2025 ending June 30th, 2025 completed by SB and Company LLC be accepted by the Board of Town Commissioners.

Thank you. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Taylor. And Ms. Moody.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The audit for fiscal year 2025 was another in a series of good audits for the town. This is the first of two additional year options with SB and company. The general fund excess of revenues over expenditures for the fiscal year was a little over 1.3 million. The difference was due to receiving more in revenues and spending less than budgeted, and I'll get into some of the details coming up. There were no major internal control issues or deficiencies involved in the audit, which I'm very pleased to report. The town continues to maintain a healthy general fund unassigned fund balance at a little over $2.8 million, which is about a $213,000 increase compared to the previous year. This is mainly due to additional excess of revenues over expenditures that could not be transferred to either the capital reserve or to the leave payout reserve because of maximums per policy. The town was able to transfer, though, $95,751 to the stormwater management reserve. That reserve now has a balance of $437,000. The town did transfer $50,783 to the stabilization reserve, resulting in a balance of almost $1.6 million. We also transferred $949,000 to the capital reserve, which now has an ending balance of $5.8 million. The town did utilize $23,710 to pay for leave payouts, but then we were also able to transfer the same amount back to the reserve, resulting in an ending balance of $300,000, because that's the maximum per policy is a balance of $300,000. Looking at revenues compared to budget, actual were more than budget, talking about the general fund by 982,000. This excludes various transfers to and from fund balance accounts. It resulted mainly from receiving more in business court taxes at about 25,000, penalties and interest of 15,000, police and public works overtime reimbursement of 21,000, sewer and parking administrative fees of 21,000, investment income of 861,000. So that's the lion's share of the additional amount. as well as equipment vehicle sale proceeds of 23,000. The additional investment income was generated from recognizing fiscal year 23 and 24 ARPA interest that totaled almost 661,000, as well as additional ARPA interest during 25 that was not anticipated at the time the budget was prepared. Looking now at actual versus budgeted expenditures still on the general fund, actual exceeded, I'm sorry, actual was less than budgeted by a net of 352,000, again, excluding any transfers to and from the fund balance accounts. This resulted mainly from savings in the departments of the general government of 134,000 as well as public works at 195,000. Throughout all the departments, there was a salary and benefits savings due to vacancies of 63,000, and other savings were in the planning, operating, and capital expenditures of 57,000, town building of 19,000, public works streets of 36, work refuse of 37 and 43,000 in unused stormwater management funds, but of course, those rolled into the reserve being unused. Now looking at the two enterprise funds, the parking fund did show a net loss of 119,000, which was anticipated even when the budget was prepared. When that occurred last year, we budgeted a net loss of 154,000. So we did not have as much of a net loss as anticipated by about 35,000. This again is mainly due to receiving more in the three revenue sources. So we're just not bringing in enough revenue to cover our costs. The sewer fund on the other hand showed a net income of almost $400,000. This is really attributable to the Harford County charges were less than budgeted by about 203,000. Lower flows, even though the sewer bulk rate increased, we had lower flows. If we would have had higher flows, it would have been a totally different story. So as you all know, we talk about this every year with the bulk rate, which will be coming before you probably later this month, 1st of June. It's a crapshoot of what it's gonna be. Rate increase, then are the flows gonna be more or less? It just drives that number. So besides that, there were also ARPA monies that paid for Shamrock and Gateway Pump Station construction that, again, were not expensed but added as a construction in progress, which is an asset. So those expenses, those costs, I should say, did not show as an expense, which led to more of a net income. Moving on to the town's three fiduciary funds, so that's the civilian pension plan, the sworn officer's pension plan, and the OPEB, other post-employment benefits plan. All of them showed a positive change in net position. The civilian was at 1.2 million. The sworn was only 273,000. The reason for that is because we had a very large lump sum payout. And then in the OPEB, it was almost 122,000. Really, all three funds had investment gains, which is what drove those numbers. The audit report will be available on the town's website tomorrow. I emailed it to you all to, you know, if you have questions, when you take a look at it, just let me know. But we do recommend that the board accept the fiscal year 25 audit.

Thank you, Ms. Moody.

Any questions?

The leave payout account of $300,000, in your experience, does that ever get close to being depleted, or does it remain pretty high?

So in past experience, I would say no, we've not come close to depleting it. We actually increased that from 200,000 to 300,000. I think that was in the fall of 2023 that we increased that maximum amount, not necessarily because we were bumping up against it, meaning we were utilizing it, But I think we saw the writing on the wall that retire retirements were coming from long term employees and wanted to be better prepared. um there will be quite a bit of use of that reserve in fiscal year 26. um and so again we haven't really bumped up or utilized all of it but it's just something to keep an eye on um we may need to increase that 300 000 again to 350 or or four um but i think right now it's it's at a it's at a good level okay okay

Anyone else have any questions for Ms. Moody?

I'm glad we're in good shape.

At this time, I'd ask if anyone has any public comment regarding the audit. All right, there being none, there'll be no further discussion. We're ready.

Thank you, Madam Chair. This is for the vote to accept the audit for year ending June 30th, 2025. Commissioner Foss?

Aye.

Commissioner Chismar. Aye. Commissioner Taylor. Aye. Commissioner Hanley. Aye. And Chair Edding. Aye. The audit is accepted. Thank you.

All right. Next we have the tree removal service contract. May I have a motion?

Yes, Madam Chair, I move that the bid prices, terms, and conditions of Harford Tree Experts and Landscaping Incorporated 2911 Beachwood Lane, Faulston, Maryland as provided to and accepted by Harford County Government Contract number 23054 for on-call tree services be also accepted by the Board of Town Commissioners for a contract not to exceed $75,000.

Thank you, do I have a second?

I'll second.

Thank you, Commissioner Chismore.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Town's Department of Public Works is authorized to remove or require the removal of any public tree or portion thereof that is deemed unsafe, poses a risk to public infrastructure, including sidewalks, sewers, electric, gas, or water lines. or is affected by weather, disease, insects, or other harmful pests. The Department of Public Works will utilize the contracted unit prices of Harford Tree Experts to perform annual tree trimming and removal services, with total expenditures normally not to exceed the approved budget for each physical year. The town has the opportunity to piggyback on the pricing terms and conditions established under our county government contract number 23-054. The town's procurement regulations permit the use of competitively awarded contracts from other Maryland jurisdictions for the purchase of goods and services. The staff recommend that the bid prices, terms, and conditions of Hartford Tree Experts and Landscaping Inc. as provided to and accepted by Hartford County Government Contract 23-054 for on-call tree services be also accepted by the Board of Town Commissioners for a contract not to exceed $75,000.

Thank you, Mr. Klein.

Thank you.

Any questions for Mr. Klein? All right, anyone here that's a member of the public that wishes to comment on the tree contract? All right, in that case, we're ready.

Thank you, Madam Chair, for the approval of the tree removal and trimming services contract. Commissioner Foss?

Aye.

Commissioner Chismar? Aye. Commissioner Taylor? Aye. Commissioner Hanley? Aye. And Chair Eddy?

Aye.

Contract is approved.

All right, next we have public announcements. The annual Bel Air Garden Mart is happening this Friday, May the 8th, in the Bel Air Armory. The event, which runs from 8.30 AM to 1.30 PM, is sponsored by the Townsend-Pearson Beautification Committee. Admission is free, and visitors can purchase plants from local garden clubs, as well as get guidance from representatives of the Harford County Master Gardeners, the Harford Land Trust, and the Harford County Public Library's Bel Air and Edgewood branches. A food truck will be on site as well. Proceeds from plant sales will support the Garden Club Scholarship and other community programs. The Hartford Artists Association will host its Spring Fine Art Market on Saturday, May the 9th at the Bel Air Armory. The market, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., is a great opportunity to do some last-minute Mother's Day shopping. You will have your pick among vendors of artwork such as ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, paintings, and much more. Visit the Hartford Artists Association pages on Facebook and Instagram for more information. Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10th, will be a busy day in the town of Bel Air. Events include the Bel Air Market, hosted by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at 121 South Main Street next to Doss Beer Hall, a free Mother's Day open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Leary Dendron Mansion at 502 West Gordon Street, and a Mother's Day brunch at Rockfield Manor. The brunch, catered by Libs Catering, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tickets are $60 per person for adults 16 and older and $25 for children aged 5 to 15. Children 5 and younger are free. Visit rockfieldmanor.com forward slash events for more information and to purchase tickets. The Chesapeake Sensory Plaza at the Rockfield Park Playground with its family-friendly water features designed to educate about the Chesapeake Bay Watershed will open to the public on Monday, May the 11th. The playground is accessible from East Churchville Road and is open from dawn to dusk. The Freedom Truck, a mobile interactive museum honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, will be at American Legion Post 39 in Bel Air from Monday, May 11 to Wednesday, May 13. The truck will be on the grounds of the post at 500 North Hickory Avenue and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. again on Wednesday. Cowboy Eats and Kona Ice will have their trucks on site during visiting hours and admission is free. Reserve your spot for the two-part free lecture series, Leaving the American Songbook, The Reign of the Baby Boomers, Tuesday, May 12th and Tuesday, May 19th at the Bel Air Armory. Lecturer Julie Kurzawa will discuss popular music of the 50s and 60s that came about amid the social upheaval of the era. The lectures run from 9.45 a.m. to noon both days. Visit belairarmory.org or Eventbrite to reserve your spot. The fourth annual Bel Air Town Derby is happening on Sunday, May the 17th on Main Street downtown. The races, featuring derby cars driven by youths and sponsored by local businesses and community organizations, will run from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Main Street will be closed starting at 7 a.m. Visit belairlines.org forward slash 2026 Derby for more information. The Bel Air Community Band will perform its spring concert celebrating 250 years of America at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May the 17th at Bel Air High School. Admission is free, but you must reserve a ticket in advance. Visit belaircommunityband.org to reserve your spot. The American Red Cross will hold blood drives at the Bel Air Armory on Wednesday, May the 13th and Wednesday, May the 27th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Register to make a life-saving donation at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS-733-2767 or use the Red Cross Blood Donor app. The Appearance and Beautification Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, May the 11th in Bel Air Town Hall. The Tree Committee will meet at 4.30 p.m. Wednesday, May the 13th at the Bel Air Planning Department at 705 East Churchville Road. The Economic and Community Development Commission will meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May the 14th in the Armory Conference Room. And the Board of Town Commissioners will hold a work session on the town budget for fiscal 2027 at 4.30 p.m. Tuesday, May the 12th at Town Hall. And the next town meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, May the 18th in Town Hall. The town meeting agenda includes a public hearing on the budget. Although anyone is welcome to attend any meeting where we take public comment in order to make comments on the budget if they so desire. Did I miss anything? That was a long list. I'm really looking forward to the flower mark. I missed two things.

Go ahead. There were two other things that I wanted to add. One is an America 250 exhibit of student art at the Bel Air Public Library that the Cultural Arts Commission has put together. So those are works from students at Homestead, Wakefield Elementary School, Bel Air Elementary School, Bel Air Middle School and Bel Air High School. That exhibit will run during regular library hours now through Saturday May 30th. The other thing is that nominations for the Bel Air Annual Awards for the Citizen of the Year and Bel Air Business of the Year are now open. The application form can be submitted online and found on the Town of Bel Air website, and nominations will be accepted through June 8th. Thank you very much.

There's also a budget work session this Thursday, May 7th.

at which we will be discussing the budget, but will not take public comment. However, anyone is welcome to come and listen or to watch from home. And we take comments via email, letter, in person, carrier pigeon, however you care to send it to us, we'll read it. All right, anything else? All right, in that case, we are at the point in the meeting where we will take public comment on any issue, whether it is on this evening's agenda or not.

Peg Lucas, 516 Robinson Street, Bel Air 21014. I didn't hear the public comment possibility when you were talking about the opposition to the relocation of District Court. I want to speak to that. Thank you. Absolutely. At long last. This is long overdue, but certainly it needs to be done. And I would encourage the town to do anything and everything possible to keep that from happening. The state has already damaged the town of Bel Air by purchasing those properties, taking them off the tax rolls for our economic viability. We need to do something to keep that from happening and doing any more damage. Please, keep on top of that. Whatever we can do, we must do. the other thing i want to talk about um i was unable to come two weeks ago to your meeting i was ill but and several people spoke on another matter and that was the dismissal of betty hopkins our town administrator i just have to say i'm disappointed i'm extremely disappointed the town has lost by attrition of our talent retirements happen we lose people who have the experience the knowledge the talent we move on but to lose the talent experience the local knowledge of a member of the staff by the actions of the town commissioners I find extremely disappointing I watched the video and I saw heard the comments by Mr. Kelly, Ms. Johnson, and Dr. Rob Breyer. If I could repeat every word that Dr. Rob Breyer, each of them, I totally agree with what they all said. Dr. Rob Breyers was just so eloquent and so on the spot. I would like to put that into my testimony today. And amen. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lucas. I know Mr. Stump is here.

John Stump, 523 East Broadway, Bel Air, Maryland. Chief Warren, my respects, sir, and to the men and women of the Bel Air Police Department. I stand before you for one reason, to ask you to prevent a tragedy. I'm not here to debate budgets or broad investments in public safety. You have chosen not to fund additional police officers. The 20% increase in insurance says that. And that choice carries responsibility. There may come a day when a mother, a father, a child, an entire family stands in this room after a violent act that can never be undone. This is not speculation. I have seen firsthand this reality. And when the day comes They will not ask for sympathy. They will come for answers. They will not care about budgets or trade-offs. They will ask you why. Why weren't there more police officers on the street to prevent this act? And are you prepared to look the people in the eye, the victim's family in the eye, and tell them that the town chose to fund elsewhere? Will you tell them that this was not important? Because in that moment, your explanation will not bring them peace. It will not undo what has been done. I hope that day never comes for you. But hope is not protection. Hope is not prevention. So I ask you plainly, do you act? Or do you wait for a tragedy to occur? And when that day comes, they will still ask you why. This is not theoretical. This is responsibility you carry. The decision is before you. The choice is obvious. It is yours. Thank you for allowing me to speak to you, and thank you for your attention in these past months. But I ask you respectively, do everything in your power to get me at least one cup for our citizens. Thank you. Chief Moore, my respects, sir. Please be safe and thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Stone. Is there anyone else here this evening that wishes to take advantage of the opportunity to make a public comment? All right. No one stepping forward. So we are going to move on to commissioners comments.

Well, it's finally here. This Friday is Garden Mart. Everyone should be very, very excited about Garden Mart. The ladies over at ABC, especially Elaine Millard and some of the newer members as well who she's taken under her wing to really show how the event gets put together. They put so much time and effort into this event and it would be a great it would be a great thing for as many town residents as possible and folks who don't live in the town as well to come out and support this event spruce up your your gardens and your your front window sills and your front porch with wonderful flowers and other vegetative arrangements it is a great morning for the town of Bellaire it's 830 to 130 a.m. to p.m. at the armory and I look forward to seeing all of my colleagues and many more over there throughout the day. So make sure you check it out.

I'm hoping to make it over there on my way to work at 8.30, so hopefully I can make that happen. And I'd just like to say Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers in the town of Bel Air. I love you, Mom.

my mom and I are going to the Garden Mart and then we're also going to the Spring Fine Art Market as well on Saturday so excited about that I wanted to I had the privilege and Steve and I did on Friday to sit down with a with a citizen that just wanted to talk kind of just chat about some things around the town Mr. Mark Magnus and it was just so nice to sit down and talk with him and to just hear what he had to say and we talked about a lot of things but it was great and this is a real a blessing and a privilege to do this to be a town commissioner and be able to hear to hear that um and it made me think a little bit about how important that is and i know that we have town hall meetings and mr stump you're just a rock star you come out and you do this and i appreciate it and i really look forward to it and Peg thank you for coming out that was wonderful but to stand up at the podium and all of us up here microphones and everything and we're like speak up we can't hear you and the time we're going that can be a little intimidating and I know and I really appreciate you all coming out for that but it was just so nice to be able to sit down and talk to a citizen about concerns that they have and I just really All those that are watching, please call, make an email, and we would love to sit down and speak with you. We got an email from, make sure I get his name correct, a police officer, Renteria. Renteria. Oh gosh, I'm so sorry, Officer Renteria. That's okay. It was a fabulous email, and it really pointed out some things that we need to think about, and we need to look into, and Officer Renteria, if you're out there and you're listening, I really appreciate your email, and that you did it that way, and we're gonna look into that. I don't know. I just really encourage citizens to please call, email, come into the town office, stop at my house if you know where I live. I have two big dogs. I'll keep them inside so they won't, but I'd love to talk with any of you anytime.

Yeah, I echo Commissioner Foss' sentiments. You know, we would like to talk to more people. Email, like you said, we spent two hours with Mr. Magnus, and it was a great conversation with him about, like Kristen said, all the subjects we discussed. But, you know, but let us know, because we can't help you if you don't help us know what's on your mind. And and and we're willing to talk to you. I know budget is a is a hot topic right now. And your views on that, you know, the budget is just in the preliminary stages. We haven't even seen all of the budget yet because the staff usually briefs us on everything. It's all all the line items and all. And once we get that, briefing about what the budget contains then we can start prioritizing and we're interchanging things around to meet what our needs what we think the needs are of our citizens and of our workforce so um keep sending the emails in let us know what your views are and we'll see what we can do that's what we're here for to help you

Garden Mart is two days before Mother's Day so anybody that is struggling with an idea the Garden Mart is a great place to go don't make this mistake that I did one year and I admired some floral arrangements on the way in and I thought oh it's too heavy to carry around and when I left they were all gone so you have to get them while they're hot because they are beautiful things also the high schools come and sell plants they have garden clubs and it's a great opportunity to get some very reasonably priced plants and support some garden clubs that are you know teaching the high school kids to to garden and they're doing a great job so i'm looking forward i will be there for garden mart for sure and this time i won't make that same mistake today also commissioner taylor and commissioner foss and i attended the ball day put on by the harford bar association complete with a jazz band from the high school they were really really terrific i mean they were just amazing they did a great job So thank you to all of the people that were involved in making that happen. We are so very fortunate to live where we are a nation of we live under the rule of the law and not the rulers it is a great place to be and we're you know so happy to be celebrating our 250th there'll be a lot going on I'm going to go look at the the mobile truck that's coming to see what the historical items are that they're displaying I think it'll be a great time so may the fourth be with you we can close with that yeah

And just a happy Mother's Day to all of us moms here today and to all the moms listening and all the moms in our town.

I think Commissioner Hanley won on that one.

He did. The I love you mom was pretty cool.

It was. All right. Anything else? All right. May I have a motion to adjourn?

I move we adjourn.

May I have a second? I second. All in favor? Aye. Being unanimous, we're adjourned.