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

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.