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Havre de Grace council accepts tourism grant, police donation and adopts sign-license resolution; several ordinances introduced
Summary
At its Feb. 3 meeting the Havre de Grace City Council adopted a budget amendment to accept a $10,000 tourism grant and a $500 police donation, approved a license agreement for a replacement sign and appointed a tourism advisory board member; three administrative ordinance amendments were introduced and will be heard at a Feb. 18 public hearing.
Havre de Grace, Md. — The Havre de Grace City Council on Feb. 3 adopted a budget amendment to record a $10,000 award from Harford County and a $500 donation to the police department, approved a license agreement to replace a sign at 131 South Union Avenue and appointed a representative to the tourism advisory board.
The budget amendment was adopted on a 5-0 roll-call vote when the council approved ordinance 11-72 on its second reading; the ordinance increases the city’s revenue and expenditure lines to accept the Harford County Office of Tourism award to support the city’s Holly Jolly events and a separate $500 donation to police from the Wade family. “This is a budget amendment to officially receive the funds from Harford County’s Office of Tourism — that’s $10,000 worth, for the Holly Jolly events,” Councilmember Robertson said during debate.
Why it matters: accepting the grant and donation makes the funds available for event operations and recognizes revenue the city had not yet budgeted. The council also moved several administrative and advisory-board matters forward: it adopted resolution 2025-04 (a license agreement for a replacement sign at 131 S. Union Ave.) and appointed Tyler Zysloft to the tourism advisory board (carries 5-0).
Most of the ordinances taken up at the meeting were introduced on first reading and will return for public hearings. The council introduced amendments to Chapter 25 of the city code affecting the Planning Commission (ordinance 11-73), the Youth Commission (ordinance 11-74) and the Independence Day Commission (ordinance 11-75). The council set public hearings for ordinances on the agenda for the next regular meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 at 7 p.m., where the council will hear public comment and consider final votes where required.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 11-72 (budget amendment, second reading): Adopted 5-0. Purpose: increase FY2025 revenue and expenditure lines to accept a $10,000 tourism grant (Harford County Office of Tourism) and a $500 donation (Wade family) for city events and police purposes. Motion: adopt on second reading. Roll call votes recorded in the meeting: Robertson — yes; Boger — yes; Jones — yes; Boyer — yes; Schneggs — yes.
- Resolution 2025-04 (license agreement to replace a sign, 131 S. Union Ave.): Adopted 5-0. Motion to introduce and then adopt; roll-call recorded as 5-0.
- Appointment: Tyler Zysloft to the Tourism Advisory Board: Approved 5-0. Council stated the appointee will serve as the city’s representative on the board; the council noted the appointment is a designated seat.
- Ordinance 11-73 (amend Chapter 25, Article 5 — Planning Commission): Introduced on first reading; motion carried 5-0 to introduce. Public hearing scheduled for Feb. 18.
- Ordinance 11-74 (amend Chapter 25, Article 8 — Youth Commission): Introduced on first reading; motion carried 5-0 to introduce. Public hearing scheduled for Feb. 18.
- Ordinance 11-75 (amend Chapter 25, Article 9 — Independence Day Commission): Introduced on first reading; motion carried 5-0 to introduce. Public hearing scheduled for Feb. 18.
What the council said: Councilmember Robertson thanked the director of economic development and tourism for securing the Harford County grant that supports the Holly Jolly events and framed the budget amendment as a formality to accept the funds and place them into the proper revenue and expenditure lines.
Background and next steps: The introduced ordinances amend the operation and membership rules for various city advisory commissions; the council will take public comment on Feb. 18 before considering final adoption. The resolution and appointment are effective immediately per council action on Feb. 3.
Provenance (transcript excerpts): topicintro — “Now, ordinance 11 72 will undergo a public hearing…” (02/03/2025, 00:09:13); topfinish — “City Council ordinance 11 72 is adopted by council on second reading.” (02/03/2025, 00:54:49).
Ending: Council members said they expect to bring the introduced ordinances back for public hearings on Feb. 18; the council will also continue routine agenda items at that meeting.
