[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6635529,"mediaKeyId","2632103-4b93576f2f542aa28f15764b7171d952","parentId",2632103,"title","Council reviews operational response to water main break, approves routine minutes and consent items and schedules closed session","audioSeconds",1410,"startMs",1196000,"endMs",2606000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2632103-4b93576f2f542aa28f15764b7171d952&start=1196&end=2606","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2632103-4b93576f2f542aa28f15764b7171d952/thumbnail_1196000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6635529/Westminster/Carroll-County/Maryland/Council-reviews-operational-response-to-water-main-break-approves-routine-minutes-and-consent-items-and-schedules-closed-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635529-9522338755d6217404dd4e38e74c6ff0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775338007&Signature=NhM2H1v4L1wxp3EUJXUiRQAHJ3RmBbCnTiB-Kni-~Ohc2BxbVH645kBrRKPHCeNCLJ7U6OWOAKi75~x0WnQdM1hBwEhwk1Af~mhlI1cUnogujW5AnPxUkourznsqGuESzJzurjgSpFhvPWXL96bWlITTGvIDK4DnxRSefCMyEvWaKrdjWS5OyY0liehL75GlhLlkOHRCa~EHpZeSDwDiiUMJzu-lUco321V4jcSG4-fy7cd87Qv-3ckiz8MFoxrpH4G6XakhPE4H0OwYEBDvXkrbCUdhrNgIaMR5j5JFCmjQUSLcT~3uRETfyJQ1mEVUAvcCA-DekCcroDuj4Z8hEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Westminster, Maryland","date","2025-03-14T16:15:21.973Z","article","The Westminster Mayor and Common Council on March 10 heard reports from city staff about an operational disruption caused by a water pipe rupture at the City Administrative Building at 45 West Main Street and thanked public works and IT staff for mobilizing to keep city services running.

City Administrator Imholz and department heads described the relocation of staff to City Hall and the Carroll Arts Center, emergency moves of equipment out of water-affected areas, and ongoing IT and streets-department work to restore connectivity and workspace. \"The streets department came in early every single day since the water main break to make sure in the morning that we're all set to go,\" Imholz said; she also praised the IT department for salvaging equipment and getting staff online.

Councilmembers publicly thanked staff for supporting a large weekend of events (the Celtic Canter/strolls) while handling the facility issue. Several committee reports and departmental briefings followed; staff described ongoing pavement management and pool and summer staffing announcements.

On routine business the council approved minutes for the Feb. 24 meeting (motion by Councilmember Gilbert; second by Councilmember Dayhoff) and approved the consent calendar (motion by Councilmember Carvacci; second by Councilmember Dayhoff). Both actions were adopted by voice vote.

Near the end of the meeting, Councilmember Camacho moved and Councilmember Hoff seconded a motion to adjourn into a closed meeting on Monday, March 10 at the conclusion of the regular meeting under the Maryland General Provisions code section cited for personnel matters. The motion passed by voice vote; the council noted it did not intend to return to an open session following the closed meeting.

City staff committed to follow up with council and the public as needed on facility repairs and any service impacts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting 3/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmembers praised staff response after a water pipe rupture at the city administrative building; council approved minutes and the consent calendar and voted to adjourn into a closed session on March 10 for personnel matters.","taxTitle","Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland","taxId",71632,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635533,"Local artists urge council to clarify mural permitting rules; propose murals as tourism and economic asset",80,3438000,3518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2632103-4b93576f2f542aa28f15764b7171d952&start=3438&end=3518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2632103-4b93576f2f542aa28f15764b7171d952/thumbnail_3438000.jpg","/articles/6635533/Westminster/Carroll-County/Maryland/Local-artists-urge-council-to-clarify-mural-permitting-rules-propose-murals-as-tourism-and-economic-asset","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635533-9f8466bdd26fdecaf531be39cadc6432/orig.mp4?Expires=1775338007&Signature=opZWy2cMJNYuDfqPvN5xutGFrLwqJLiZGc6dwucDolP2W9kp48We1Z1hx3EIwRa6DZQqGkYQ12OxxrCLucUuUzCMO10LBK4GOQgYiC6sbO9RqIXpB-c8ghiQ5bDIRJk1UZ1CMCWmFcOXyyBb197~gcJ3BaDIXe9yYo1ABwS0AKLriEERnGWwYwD6r114ak2xWy-Rv622ZKh4hTHF8LxPMB0uO5UgHrSjVp5wRFgjvJ6xQ6gVKPHCnHBSSNt58n~fyKwHZNuNQwUsY2qJpjxeonwRchrgoEIyHc~IX5CeIMP41PaqtmFyn10Ux5Alaf-4rFfGWcaXweT2xMLwKPAICA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During citizen comments on March 10, two attendees urged the Mayor and Common Council to clarify how murals are treated under Westminster’s sign regulations and to make it easier for property owners and artists to create public art.

Property owner (identified in the record as Sue McNulty) said she bought a building and wants to paint a trompe l'oeil mural — for example, a Western Maryland train — but was surprised to learn the city currently treats murals as signs subject to sign-ordinance requirements. \"We would hope that the city can pass an ordinance so that we can have art in Westminster and that it wouldn't have too many government regulations to limit it,\" she told the council.

Local artist Dominic Jones spoke in support of McNulty’s plan and said a mural program could highlight Westminster’s history and bring tourists downtown. Jones asked the city to clarify permitting guidance so local property owners know whether a proposed mural will be considered a sign and where to obtain the correct permits.

Councilmembers responded that staff will follow up on permitting questions. Councilmember Sue Yingling and others noted local youth and community groups — including the Boys & Girls Club — have expressed interest in bird-related projects and bluebird boxes; councilmembers tied that community engagement to broader arts and public-space efforts.

The city clerk recorded the citizen comments for follow-up; city staff said they will respond to the speakers with guidance on permits and potential ordinance language if council wishes to pursue regulatory change.","Two local residents urged the council to treat murals differently from commercial signage and to simplify permitting, saying murals can be tourist attractions and support downtown revitalization. The council said staff will follow up.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635537,"McDaniel College staff brief council on admitted student events, programs and summer institute",191,933000,1124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2632103-4b93576f2f542aa28f15764b7171d952&start=933&end=1124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2632103-4b93576f2f542aa28f15764b7171d952/thumbnail_933000.jpg","/articles/6635537/Westminster/Carroll-County/Maryland/McDaniel-College-staff-brief-council-on-admitted-student-events-programs-and-summer-institute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635537-28bb4d65af841fc708a7236057c90dd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775338007&Signature=EGdEJUGxv9u006ZngKC8ogcclQgnLPCNBjIycvwNxyUppxBkczW8W3iAtRTRPUcxOQe9AB183U8R-fF4OTOzgpet1JLyDdh5R03Sof0e3HboIUDhmBG4ZFhvNntdP5ePL5KkkzIHy9eSdyZHtj0vw5jzkzjih~yxVdx~nvDGCeW8Emh5CcHtK-oMmypuzUchX4nq7BQkXYHT6D8IRjjFuDloqEKPOmG37QPGh1XYARcwMKQ3~wA8EtVSBhiX3ZaHvWuRWUvhxFyhdYtE5UfXTu8GfSsX7jisoF3Uf3np~flDzm3bm7ESRxDPpfdCP1j6rfoCQQeNzSmNlR0hbaKj5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Heidi Riegel, Associate Vice President at McDaniel College, updated the Westminster Mayor and Common Council on admissions and campus programming on March 10 and asked the council to expect increased campus activity on upcoming admitted student days.

Riegel reported McDaniel held an admitted student day March 1 and scheduled another for April 5, and she said those events can lead to increased spending downtown by visiting families. She also described Carroll County Scholars information sessions for middle and high-school students and previewed the college's Tournament of Champions event, which pairs McDaniel students with elementary and middle school students with special needs during NCAA Division III week.

Riegel told the council the college secured a state grant to fund a free two-week McDaniel Summer Engineering Institute for eligible high-school sophomores and juniors; students must apply because space is limited. She also reminded the council of an academic symposium scheduled for Monday, May 5 and a donor campaign called the \"1867 challenge\" planned to begin the next morning.

Council members thanked Riegel for the report and noted the college's role as a cultural and economic anchor in Westminster.","An associate vice president from McDaniel College reported on admitted student days, community programming, an academic symposium and a state-funded summer engineering institute for high-school sophomores and juniors.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635542,"Council introduces ordinance to allow cannabis processing at restricted industrial site, sends to Planning & Zoning",105,2448000,2553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2632103-4b93576f2f542aa28f15764b7171d952&start=2448&end=2553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2632103-4b93576f2f542aa28f15764b7171d952/thumbnail_2448000.jpg","/articles/6635542/Westminster/Carroll-County/Maryland/Council-introduces-ordinance-to-allow-cannabis-processing-at-restricted-industrial-site-sends-to-Planning-Zoning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635542-1b9f68deb1bc7bc53f941995068dc923/orig.mp4?Expires=1775338007&Signature=jewHOZCGAsvWmJn~ZeMmeAphbMbZIRh8f8zkS5rwhE96xIPo6eTMPSgpDycC6CVSSOFqL5DkwNQzetPyxUUIiQYHFlV2wj-xJ~lsdE3bl1ardnfWobi3wm4leHxqqjyYN5tYSjwu99zWDWtcckypbEYaraV-5NmCIUuQm0pj8fwKuPyKzcWoBfRJDNhidyvs~6HlCX3VeBK7I0ZahPyM3OqhiP9BT3e-~0~YPedoTz-GUAJdXgYe71J1Nwm-L4jV5Ig7Hl8G5Rs9wdCaN8cubxC1D8Ih1DAxjpkPadLETX6L6k5kLHjVocATM9bYb2lEiEz2c63ZvLBrINqhsyHYRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster Mayor and Common Council on March 10 introduced Ordinance 2025-04, which would apply a floating cannabis overlay to a portion of a property in the city's IR (restricted industrial) zone to allow a cannabis processor use at Unit 8 of the Iliran 4 Condominium parcel identified by tax account O7153155.

Planning staff described the request on behalf of applicant Harold Graves and said the overlay would permit a cannabis processing use while the property would continue to be subject to underlying IR zone regulations and the cannabis overlay district rules. Planning Director Depo told the council staff recommends introduction and referral to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and a recommendation back to council.

Councilmember Gilbert moved to introduce the ordinance and Councilmember Hoff seconded. The council voted in favor by voice vote; the ordinance was introduced and referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission for formal review.

Staff noted the introduction does not grant final approval for a use permit; any eventual permit would need to conform to the underlying industrial zone standards and overlay regulations and to secure any additional approvals required by city code or the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Planning staff will place the item on the next available Planning and Zoning Commission agenda for study and recommendation to the council.","The council introduced Ordinance 2025-04 to apply a floating cannabis overlay to a unit in a restricted industrial condominium, allowing a cannabis processor use; the ordinance was referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6635546,"Westminster council adopts resolution designating city a Bird City",2196,227000,2423000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2632103-4b93576f2f542aa28f15764b7171d952&start=227&end=2423","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2632103-4b93576f2f542aa28f15764b7171d952/thumbnail_227000.jpg","/articles/6635546/Westminster/Carroll-County/Maryland/Westminster-council-adopts-resolution-designating-city-a-Bird-City","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635546-baef5b078c87a9468131d005a1e6fa68/orig.mp4?Expires=1775338007&Signature=enqEPUvRJUxUD7SMdryHNZ0U5SeJsSDlKKmZQVLZfXD9VsizNJbtzlqe8t0B6nu~FqN6~4UMxjy7MNWygMb1aWMwLNFJ4ET~LW-AleXwWQYGd~NjxvKs6JeRaJAcx9S8lG-plEVKN7pN8xdc8mVYYPjTaxNJLMSPSBKaKTYpJpxkzqOp8lutbjpXpNTWp7~zYgfZo-bY5CTTmyo~SpFMcqPPtu3JBQc-Svan31dDgEql3lnt4GadDXQDw~dfBzOXx2Brcj2tOsQYtNR2ctNrXt3E1WKbjOaOquDT0V5TJqoUKbGSmwfU2Dv1B8skzYqqWfIKVP0hndNxj6GIoke4dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster Mayor and Common Council on March 10 adopted Resolution 25-04 designating the city a Bird City, a recognition administered by the Bird City Network and Bird City Maryland for communities that increase habitat for birds, reduce threats to birds, engage the public on bird-related issues and promote sustainability.

The vote followed a presentation by Maggie Koontz, who said she works at the health department, is a master naturalist and serves as vice president of the Carroll County Bird Club. \"I am here tonight to encourage you to make Westminster the ninth bird city in Maryland,\" Koontz told the council, outlining how the Bird City designation recognizes work to increase bird habitat and reduce threats such as collisions, outdoor cats, light pollution and pesticides.

City Administrator Imholz explained the formal process for the designation and noted Bird City Maryland provides application guidance, recognition materials and a custom website for designees. \"Bird city is a designation through the Bird City Network. This designation indicates that a community has been recognized for its work to increase bird habitat, reduce threats to birds, educate and engage people with bird related issues, and promote sustainability,\" Imholz said.

Koontz told councilmembers the application requires communities to complete certain actions across several categories: implement at least three general habitat-friendly actions, address at least one major threat to birds, provide at least one educational or engagement activity, promote sustainability, adopt a mobilization resolution and hold an annual World Migratory Bird Day event. She said Westminster already meets several requirements through work at city parks and past festival programming and proposed the city select a signature bird to help promote the designation.

Councilmembers asked questions about outreach and partnerships; Carvacci, Dayhoff and others praised the proposal. Councilmember Tony Kovacchi moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Hoth. The council approved the resolution by voice vote; the meeting minutes record the ayes carrying the motion and the city announced Westminster as a Bird City.

The designation includes a public-facing element: Koontz said Bird City Maryland supplies signage and a website page to promote birding and related community events. She also noted the Bird City network supports events tied to World Migratory Bird Day; Koontz said Westminster held a World Migratory Bird Day activity at the Flower and Jazz Festival the previous year.

The council discussion and the formal adoption were recorded as a voice vote; the transcript does not list individual roll-call votes. The council indicated plans to work with the Bird Club and local partners to complete the online application, choose a signature bird and promote bird-friendly projects across the city.

The action concludes the agenda item; staff were asked to proceed with the application and follow up with council as needed.","After a presentation by a local birding volunteer, the Westminster Mayor and Common Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25-04 to designate Westminster as a Bird City under the Bird City Network. The council heard details of the application requirements and pledged ongoing community engagement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews operational response to water main break, approves routine minutes and consent items and schedules closed session

Local artists urge council to clarify mural permitting rules; propose murals as tourism and economic asset

McDaniel College staff brief council on admitted student events, programs and summer institute

Council introduces ordinance to allow cannabis processing at restricted industrial site, sends to Planning & Zoning

Westminster council adopts resolution designating city a Bird City