Havre de Grace council adopts charter amendment, removal-hearing rules, BGE right‑of‑way and other measures in unanimous votes

Havre de Grace — The Havre de Grace City Council on Sept. 2 adopted a series of measures by unanimous roll call votes, including a charter amendment that revises how certain nonelected city officials may be appointed and removed, new rules governing removal hearings for appointed advisory board members, a technical correction to the public record for an earlier ordinance related to the Housing Authority, a utility right‑of‑way grant tied to the Amtrak bridge project, and a first reading amendment to subdivision rules affecting plan approvals.

The most significant action was adoption of Charter Resolution No. 304, which the council described as amending and replacing charter provisions that pertain to appointing and removing certain nonelected officials. Council President Ringstocker said the change clarifies the council and mayor’s authority over “city officials, not commission members,” and that the amendment simply provides more leeway to remove department heads. The council approved Resolution 304 by roll call, 6‑0 (Ringstocker, Boyer, Shanegis, Boger, Jones, Ellis).

The council also adopted Counter Resolution 2025‑13, a set of rules and procedures for hearings when the council considers removing appointed advisory board, committee or commission members. Council President Ringstocker explained the intent: state law identifies grounds for removal but provides little procedural guidance, so the city drafted hearing rules to set a public process. Ringstocker said the hearing is not a court proceeding and that an accused member retains the right to appeal to the circuit court and may have counsel at that stage. The measure passed by roll call vote, 6‑0.

Separately, the council adopted Counter Resolution 2025‑12 to correct the public record for Ordinance 1197, related to the Havre de Grace Housing Authority; the council also formally adopted a set of amendments that had been attached to the prior ordinance’s packet but were not previously voted on. Both votes carried, 6‑0.

On utilities and infrastructure, the council adopted Ordinance 12‑01 on second reading (vote 6‑0) to grant rights‑of‑way to BGE in connection with the Amtrak Railway Bridge project and to adjust annual utility pole and conduit fees. Council members said the work should renew infrastructure and cause only minor disruption to residents and businesses.

On land‑use procedure, the council introduced and adopted Ordinance 12‑05 on first reading (vote 6‑0). City Attorney Vicki Cishak and Planning Director Jeff Goins explained that the change addresses a problem caused by delays at outside agencies (for example, state review bodies) that can prevent final plats from being recorded within the one‑year recording requirement after city approvals. The ordinance clarifies that the city may grant limited extensions and allows the planning director to issue two 90‑day administrative extensions when applicants demonstrate they have met city requirements but await external approvals. The council set a public hearing on 12‑05 for Sept. 15, 2025, at 7 p.m.

Other routine votes included approval of the Aug. 18 regular and closed‑session minutes (both 6‑0), appointment of Hailey Strong to the Tourism Advisory Board (6‑0), amendment approval to the Relay for Life of Harford County special event application to use a grass parking area next to the Maritime Museum (6‑0), and approval of three special events including a fall concert series at Concord Point Park, a Halloween costume contest on Pennington Avenue, and the Lock House Beer and Wine Festival (all 6‑0).

The council also moved into closed session after adjournment to consult with counsel on pending or potential litigation, citing the attorney–client privilege and General Provisions Article §3‑305. The meeting record shows no dissenting votes on the public items listed above.