[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",6426565,"mediaKeyId","5897025-a2d6c5bbe62e2bd9b0cea8c3b8094c04","parentId",5897025,"title","What passed: Havre de Grace council votes, Oct. 6, 2025 (roll call summary)","audioSeconds",4886,"startMs",4886000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897025-a2d6c5bbe62e2bd9b0cea8c3b8094c04&start=4886&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897025-a2d6c5bbe62e2bd9b0cea8c3b8094c04/thumbnail_4886000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6426565/Havre-de-Grace/Harford-County/Maryland/What-passed-Havre-de-Grace-council-votes-Oct-6-2025-roll-call-summary","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426565-025785535448425e41219b3352437557/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569428&Signature=eSF9HdTRLYVFm-B4BB~1PNKo-rejoGsdAOYBuBCzKrIv0e74A75mxnbS-nQGEj818u5yfU2QKb7ax6WswXu8TOEL4LJ7fw-HDXWhBDG68zSkHFC72N908vro-scu-5ZE~ksktSY8z6EEzyJcxYnPluJuQen1weYWjoDGIH-6tgBCCmkjkhz3BC6IpDcIsh~kffyRVMbjbhSRHg4uwg79fjsepytxeeS1hkjgGx4mX2QfkdVm9wptW0v3a2XOFEsxExOAbnHTzycN545mKyrZBiXCsO7Rhls2RP8aSflYbAQBBPmVDso40DUJL0RpD5c~WOONHj5QjtHIjpTDto-tRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Havre de Grace, MD","date","2025-10-07T01:20:54Z","article","The Havre de Grace City Council recorded multiple formal actions on Oct. 6, 2025. This summary lists motions, outcomes, and key procedural notes from the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Calendar Resolution 2025-15 — Authorize submission of an application for Maryland Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds (project: Somerset Manor sidewalks). Outcome: adopted, roll-call 6-0. (See separate article on the CDBG application.)

- Calendar Resolution 2025-16 — Establish legislative priorities and positions for the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session. Outcome: adopted, roll-call 6-0.

- Ordinance 12-06 — Approve Budget Amendment 2026-01 to carry forward fiscal year 2025 capital projects (second reading and adoption). Outcome: adopted on second reading, roll-call 6-0. City staff said the amendment carries forward unfinished FY2025 projects; no new spending was created.

- Ordinance 12-07 — Approve Budget Amendment 2026-02 for additional grant funding (second reading and adoption). Outcome: adopted on second reading, roll-call 6-0.

- Ordinance 12-08 — Approve lease agreement with Piedmont Properties LLC (Promenade Grill) for property at the Promenade/Yacht Basin (introduced on first reading). Outcome: introduced/adopted on first reading, roll-call 6-0; public hearing set for Oct. 20, 2025.

- Ordinance 12-09 — Amend Chapter 70 (fees) to update fee schedule (introduced on first reading). Outcome: introduced/adopted on first reading, roll-call 6-0; public hearing set for Oct. 20, 2025.

- Ordinance 12-10 — Establish Chapter 150 (sidewalk policy) for the two 100-blocks of North Washington Street (introduced on first reading). Outcome: introduced/adopted on first reading, roll-call 6-0; public hearing set for Oct. 20, 2025.

Other actions

- Appointment: Andrea Stokes Thomas was appointed to the Street & Traffic Safety Advisory Board (motion carried 6-0).

- Special-event amendment: The arts commission’s fall concert series at Concord Point/Lighthouse was amended to allow food trucks at the events; council approved the amendment 6-0.

- Special event approval: The Havre de Grace Mother’s Day Market (May 9, 2026) was approved by council (6-0).

Procedural notes

Most roll-call outcomes were unanimous (6-0). Motions and seconds were recorded in the meeting minutes; where a specific mover/second was spoken on the record, the council minutes attribute movers and seconders (for example, the CDBG resolution was moved and seconded at the dais).

Council scheduled public hearings on Oct. 20, 2025 for several introduced ordinances (Promenade Grill lease, fee schedule, sidewalk policy). As with all first- and second-reading actions, some items (notably the ordinances introduced on first reading) will return for final public hearings and votes at the dates noted above.

This roundup covers formal, recorded council actions that produce a legal or budgetary effect. Other agenda items (citizen comments, planning discussions, staff reports) are covered separately.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Havre de Grace City Council Oct 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council adopted a slate of resolutions and ordinances on Oct. 6, including authorization to apply for a CDBG grant for sidewalks, two budget carry-forward amendments, and initial readings of lease, fee schedule and sidewalk policy ordinances. All recorded roll-call votes were unanimous (6-0).","taxTitle","Havre de Grace, Harford County, Maryland","taxId",52147,"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},6426572,"Havre de Grace council authorizes CDBG application to fund sidewalks in Somerset Manor",275,826000,1101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897025-a2d6c5bbe62e2bd9b0cea8c3b8094c04&start=826&end=1101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897025-a2d6c5bbe62e2bd9b0cea8c3b8094c04/thumbnail_826000.jpg","/articles/6426572/Havre-de-Grace/Harford-County/Maryland/Havre-de-Grace-council-authorizes-CDBG-application-to-fund-sidewalks-in-Somerset-Manor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426572-6cb1d87dc3c7e257cad50b7de7ab4fb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569428&Signature=YQ-XJfPP0PEb3q33QcO1R6gb6vUcrZjpqWDtypoyaQlW8cg54x0499dq8ibHzaU~ViiKGt6B5vxpfb6SCmswBTOJf2t7dUyeYOZOKEMmpQ36149lcdSW9c01KsdblooeXrqi4G1zsxgptzXk3ZBvjfGRjVWlVKnt3INWMO4Y6ErIizMLz6SaHbDewH73VREabj7tZFGZsZl1T6i~Ccbmp8jrnsFRl~vpyM1U4xdKAfTRGaA7LRZXMrlc5r80GwfnmGjI2xbs~NFRyrMPafML75p8fY3vj2eSdf9VHYegv46yTTmDTlENeBLZXBuwMv-zd4aVwCs43VZuhAbyGzJaKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Havre de Grace Mayor Kirk Smith and the City Council voted unanimously on Oct. 6 to authorize submission of an application to the Maryland Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to fund sidewalk repairs and related work in the Somerset Manor neighborhood.

The council action follows a required public hearing in which Dr. Ritchie, a city official, read state program language and described the local proposal. Dr. Ritchie said the city is pursuing a $156,336 CDBG award; the city plans to provide $27,944 in cash and in-kind match, for a total project cost of $184,290. The application text circulated to council identifies eligible activities the city is pursuing as acquisition, construction or installation of public works facilities and code enforcement in deteriorating areas.

At the public hearing, resident Carrie Parsons said she uses the Somerset Manor area for daily walking and described broken sidewalks, missing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb cuts and surfaces that are unsafe for people who use wheelchairs or have mobility disabilities. “I cannot walk safely through that area at all,” Parsons said, and urged council to approve the grant application.

Council President moved the resolution authorizing application submission; the motion to adopt the resolution passed on roll call 6-0. The resolution is captioned Calendar Resolution 2025-15 and will allow city staff to complete and submit the grant application to the Maryland CDBG program.

The city’s administration said the neighborhood qualifies for CDBG funding because Somerset Manor is a HUD-funded development that meets the program’s income-targeting requirements. City staff told council the requested funding would be used to rebuild or repair sidewalks, add curb ramps for ADA access and address pressing pedestrian-safety deficiencies in that part of the city.

Councilmembers asked no substantive questions on the funding mechanics during the vote; Dr. Ritchie and city staff said additional project details and the draft resolution are part of the application packet being filed with the state.

If the state awards the grant, the city will manage the program within the CDBG rules and the scope described in the application. The mayor and administration said the city will proceed with the application immediately following the council’s authorization vote.","City council voted 6-0 to authorize an application for a Maryland Community Development Block Grant to pay for sidewalks and code-enforcement work in the HUD-funded Somerset Manor neighborhood; the city proposes a $27,944 local match for a $156,336 grant request.",{"_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},6426551,"Bayview Estates resident urges halt to HOA playground permit; city staff says appeal was premature",573,1895000,2468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897025-a2d6c5bbe62e2bd9b0cea8c3b8094c04&start=1895&end=2468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897025-a2d6c5bbe62e2bd9b0cea8c3b8094c04/thumbnail_1895000.jpg","/articles/6426551/Havre-de-Grace/Harford-County/Maryland/Bayview-Estates-resident-urges-halt-to-HOA-playground-permit-city-staff-says-appeal-was-premature","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426551-2a914e691ed08a6504658580036e63f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569428&Signature=R~Txl5iHFbp2KWfWhmf75zZuSlawkL3U6vhjlx~rzqlrS289tJL6B1LtL-j~2ja5uso9n4HLEzw8L3f4v7BTPNJKvkidgCMxfNwVdMZE5CRPAnP7k3-I2yOcSDjfkqrMDjDPt5IUevkHV4QBbnHCM2OmfXl9Xayy2a98XUXxn3oFXti1iJitmlENZVGI9t-H7P967rp3XIovXUjBkDZBZ8zxqcIFWqWvF7V8JvZWkuOGn5tMU1IEVpEMWqnxuvM~MG~MTKXbYW~JPi~YjfQEwDcf789saR8PjKn7iROBwLP80nt5VBATvQfC25zIGRbMafewajhYZIl78HLx6Hee4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bob Schwartz, a Bayview Estates resident, told the council he and many neighbors oppose plans by their homeowners association to build a community playground and plaza on a parcel they say has long been set aside for private open space. Schwartz said he filed a 45‑page appeal arguing the lot is permanently restricted, sits next to nontidal wetlands and a stormwater facility, and that a playground is a “structure” that requires code-compliant approvals including ADA access, soil testing, wetland-buffer permits and applicable safety standards used by playground designers.

Schwartz said the HOA submitted a building-permit application and requested assignment of an address for the site; neighbors say the address assignment is being used for insurance reasons and that they oppose development because of drainage, buffer requirements and safety concerns. He said residents filed an appeal on Sept. 24 but discovered on Oct. 3 that a permit had been issued.

City staff responded that the appeals process requires an administrative action to appeal. City staff (Mr. Schott) explained that filing an appeal at the time of application submission was premature because the code allows appeals only after an administrative decision is reached. Mr. Schott said that now that the permit has been issued, the appeal may proceed as an appeal of an administrative action and the staff will assist citizens on how to present that matter to the Board of Appeals.

Councilmembers clarified that routine building permits and use-and-occupancy permits are normally handled administratively (not by council vote) and that the Board of Appeals is the correct procedural venue if neighbors want to argue that a permit should not have been issued or to seek relief. Staff told the audience they would work with neighbors and the Board of Appeals process to ensure proper timing and legal steps.

Schwartz also raised specific regulatory concerns that he said the HOA had not addressed: wetlands-buffer distances (he cited a 75-foot buffer requirement from nontidal-wetlands rules), soil disturbances at a former stump/disposal area potentially creating sinkhole risk, lighting, noise and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for a feature that would operate as a public accommodation if left unlocked and available to the public. Schwartz said the HOA had removed older playground equipment years earlier and that the current permit application listed “replacement of community playground equipment,” which he said was inaccurate.

City staff confirmed that some curb painting at the neighborhood had been performed by the HOA without prior city approval and that the city had asked the HOA to remove or correct unauthorized curb painting. Staff also confirmed they will work with the appellants to ensure the Board of Appeals has the administrative record needed to evaluate compliance and permit issuance.

The matter remains in the administrative appeal process; neighbors who oppose the project are using the Board of Appeals to seek review of the issued permit and to press for any required wetland, safety or ADA compliance checks.","A Bayview Estates homeowner told council he and neighbors appealed a building permit for a proposed community playground; city staff explained the appeal before administrative action was premature and that, now that the permit has been issued, the Board of Appeals process can be used.",{"_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},6426558,"Mayor says Route 40 safety decisions rest with State Highway Administration; city urges joint corridor study",310,8271000,8581000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897025-a2d6c5bbe62e2bd9b0cea8c3b8094c04&start=8271&end=8581","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897025-a2d6c5bbe62e2bd9b0cea8c3b8094c04/thumbnail_8271000.jpg","/articles/6426558/Havre-de-Grace/Harford-County/Maryland/Mayor-says-Route-40-safety-decisions-rest-with-State-Highway-Administration-city-urges-joint-corridor-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426558-49a634f7492bdbc853e82bcb4536519b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569428&Signature=Won6g6PeJPx5XbJqV7lTb6soUyZ5kGsp6Kg9336nLZj~jb6kR6ooHsm9xa6Dpxgees9G~Fmvn6UfsIOu42VYD5fLN-xKm8auRCB6~gfhW7twdVPNbcEnW2rKiP76cyUfYyZh7p9qDHGggHtNivD2hZ3aJ0qgeFMGsYJM6Wt689~49bexD984JSBjetSgmPJR5Wli-MTo863qwngfmCdd6BASOq-eZMfXUtis4g0In6iSGbWobvDEstfaJbz~k~W2j1-Gw05KUaIojlhdEqQFwDboWoPPQ8PEP0SHtDLWdsqWFaHvBeIU4dhOUV3LCnssdPwDDUgv6JdLCysuZdH4Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Kirk Smith addressed public concern on Oct. 6 about traffic and safety along U.S. 40 where the Greenway Farms subdivision connects to the state highway. The mayor said the issue has generated public debate and a front-page newspaper story, and he set out the city’s legal and procedural position.

“Route 40 is a state highway,” Smith said. “The city is not in the business of building street traffic lights.” He told residents the State Highway Administration (SHA) has exclusive jurisdiction over design, timing and installation of signals on U.S. 40 and that any long-term changes or funding must come from SHA through an engineering study that meets national signal warrants.

Chief Kratz (Havre de Grace Police Department) presented crash-distribution figures the department reviewed from 2019 to the present. According to the figures Chief Kratz summarized, the highest share of reported incidents along the city’s Route 40 corridor occurred at the 40/Post Road (Revolution) intersection (approximately 32 percent of the corridor’s collisions), followed by 40/Lewis (approximately 25 percent), 40/Otsego (about 17 percent), 40/Blenheim (about 14 percent) and 40/Martha Lewis (about 11 percent). The chief’s comments were presented to show the problem is corridor-wide, not limited to a single intersection.

Smith said Greenway Farms received local approvals in phases dating to 2004, and that the planning commission’s 2020 approvals (for later phases) were final and outside the council’s ability to overturn. He warned that a unilateral attempt by the city to deny required building permits or alter a previous quasi-judicial approval could create legal exposure to the developer.

The mayor praised recent short-term safety measures SHA installed (a modified “right-in/right-out” configuration) but said long-term solutions will require coordinated, data-driven engineering by SHA. He asked SHA and Harford County to join the city in a corridor-scale study that would formally evaluate signal warrants and prioritize funding for intersections city residents identify as hazardous.

Mayor Smith urged residents with safety concerns to direct technical feedback to the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration and to contact their state legislative delegation to advocate for study funding.

The city said it will prepare a draft council resolution to advocate for a coordinated SHA–county–city traffic study and to request SHA prioritization for corridor improvements. Any signal installation or major corridor redesign would require SHA engineering, approval and state funding.","After resident concerns about accidents on U.S. 40 near Greenway Farms, Mayor Kirk Smith and the police chief told council that the state controls traffic signals and funding; the city called for a joint SHA–county–city corridor study and said it will advocate for state action.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":46,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426543,"Havre de Grace explores skatepark design; council budgeted engineering funds and will seek grants",2822,2822000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897025-a2d6c5bbe62e2bd9b0cea8c3b8094c04&start=2822&end=0","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897025-a2d6c5bbe62e2bd9b0cea8c3b8094c04/thumbnail_2822000.jpg","/articles/6426543/Havre-de-Grace/Harford-County/Maryland/Havre-de-Grace-explores-skatepark-design-council-budgeted-engineering-funds-and-will-seek-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426543-364467fa5293aec444bbff05c19d5660/orig.mp4?Expires=1773569428&Signature=X6-bAnl6Qe9GD4lCPCl-ATDcT0TTOGtY1jxS~GS99ifIxANyuXuy~1gqs4Y1wsMSIwuZhGRVeImINUfHq3v3pLLPkIWUh-HAsFKAzDgjnchmw31Ix5KFViwMnfZht4MCTkdkd0n~PV4eVsJ2om-AiP2nR8ecj6PlGgRaqAZ2kVLBBBQnpEuetlYxtgH2ea012VhsKsniRVkv1rMLkMgfEbzL8ASJ0sCApLc4uWuH9qjuuPinuL2G0dhIqTmPzriAO-JjfPVdXb5gnCE8wqpqwEgupFPr5aUXdePjhLmghTywBS2acl-Be7OV9TTZK8yvVvcq3gQjNQIZ7mHNXySnVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and community members urged the City Council on Oct. 6 to move forward on planning for a skatepark in Havre de Grace and to involve local skaters in design decisions.

Dalen Louderback, who said he grew up skateboarding locally, urged city leaders to avoid low-quality prefabricated designs and to plan a durable park that serves bowl and street skaters of different ages. He and other speakers suggested the design incorporate local waterfront or town character and recommended community input from regional skatepark builders and users.

Fred Brown, a local skatepark advocate, thanked council members who have been in contact with organizers and reiterated the request that the skateboarding community be engaged in the design process to ensure utility and safety. Several speakers mentioned past examples nearby (Glasgow, Hazelwood, Aberdeen) as precedents for what to avoid or emulate.

Council members said the city has already allocated approximately $30,000 in the budget for engineering design work and noted they recently learned some of that design cost might be eligible for grant funding; council said the administration may hold off using city funds immediately in order to apply for grants to pay for the engineering study. Council promised an open call for input from regional skatepark experts and the local skating community during the design phase.

No final site or construction funding was decided at the meeting. Council members asked staff to pursue potential grant sources and to return with a design-study scope and budget, and they said they will involve the skateboarding community as part of an inclusive planning process.","Council members said they want a high-quality, well-used skatepark and have budgeted about $30,000 for engineering design; the city will pursue grants and community input before building, and local skaters offered design and memorial suggestions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

What passed: Havre de Grace council votes, Oct. 6, 2025 (roll call summary)

Havre de Grace council authorizes CDBG application to fund sidewalks in Somerset Manor

Bayview Estates resident urges halt to HOA playground permit; city staff says appeal was premature

Mayor says Route 40 safety decisions rest with State Highway Administration; city urges joint corridor study

Havre de Grace explores skatepark design; council budgeted engineering funds and will seek grants