City Council: Enhanced Nutrient Removal Updates, Habitat for Humanity Hearing

8:22

Mayor Michael Bennett thanks of the Economic Development Advisory Board, for a "masterful presentation" on a hotel tax in Harford County.

8:20

Councilman Bruce Garner: The city is doing the best it can with it's relationship with Ripken Baseball.

Garner says tourism is related to the hotel tax. He urges everyone to talk to all delegates and support a hotel tax.

8:04

Councilwoman Sandy Landbeck: Friday is "Wear a Red Dress" day to support awereness for women's medical heart conditions.

Landbeck praises all volunteers from The Lion's Club to volunteer firefighters. She says she respects how volunteers usually don't complain. She wants people to not complain but help come up with solutions.

7:59

City Manager Doug Miller:

• A sewer collapsed in Aberdeen and is under review for an emergency repair.
• There is expected to be $123,000 allocated for highway user revenue.
• City Council will be on a retreat on March 3 at Ripken Stadium.

7:54

Follow updates on the enhanced nurtriend removal upgrade.

Currently there is an engineer asseing the operations changes and their costs.

There is an electric cost increase from current cost of $370,000 with the addition of procceses and pumps. The high production of process sludge will mean increased costs in sludge handling. Technology and process additions will equate to staffing needs.

Lapinsky: This upgrade is aimed at saving the bay. There are 261 days left to complete the project. There are biological nutrient removal reactor upgrades and denitrification filters.

7:40

Lapinsky begins a presentation enhanced nutrient removal upgrades.

7:38

City Council approved the bid for a $59,981 diesel-powered valve maintenance trailer system from Maryland Industrial Trucks.

Matt Lapinksy, director of public works, says the system will last approximately 10 years.

7:30

City Council approved bids for three trucks from Apple Ford:

• 4WD dump truck with snow plow for $66,700
• 4WD dump truck to be used at Aberdeen Proving Ground for $46,100
• 4WD pump station service truck with extended cab for $42,300

7:25

Grover: The city received a grant of approximately $200,000 to be used in the next six months for further study of development around the train station.

7:24

Director of Finance Opiribo Jack: The General Fund is being amended for the refunding of the CDA bonds.

There will be $4,543,890 added to the General Fund.

7:22

No business from Phyllis Grover, the director of planning and community development, or Aberdeen Police Chief Henry Trabert.

7:20

No one approaches the microphone.

Public comment is now open.

7:19

Karen Heavey, Aberdeen Planning and Zoning committee member: I'm opposed to the ordinance because I don't think tax money should go to nonprofits. You might consider putting a cap on what the city should give in forgiveness. "Don't leave the door wide open and leave the city in a bind."

7:16

Teresa Herbert: I purchased my home through Habitat for Humanity and have lived there for 14 months. I am in favor of the ordinance. There are a lot of negative connotations that are associated with people who live in Habitat for Humanity homes.

7:13

Joanne Blewitt, executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Harford County: There are 46 rehabbed and newly built homes sponsored by Habitat for Humanity in Aberdeen.

7:11

A lobbyist for legislation that enabled Aberdeen government to establish this tax credit for Habitat for Humanity says he is favor of the proposed ordinance. "It is a short-term credit for Habitat, but it helps the city in the long run."

7:09

The public hearing for the proposed ordinance that will allow a 100 percent credit on city property taxes for properties owned by Habitat for Humanity is now open.

7:07

There is no legislation for introduction.

7:06

The minutes for tonight's City Council meeting are approved.

7:03

Councilwoman Ruth Ann Young leads the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pastor Robert Clipp, of Grace United Methodist Church, gives the opening prayer.

6:56

Public Hearing: 

• A proposed ordinance will allow a 100 percent credit on city property taxes for properties owned by Habitat for Humanity.

Business from the director of finance:

• An amendment to the fiscal year 2012 budget

Business from the director of public works:

• Bids for new trucks to be used in the city and  
• An update on enhanced nutrient removal upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant