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Havre de Grace council adopts lease, fee and sidewalk ordinances, introduces living‑shoreline budget item and tables festival over parking concerns
Summary
Havre de Grace’s City Council adopted three ordinances and introduced a budget amendment on Tuesday, and it tabled a major park festival pending legal review of parking and lease issues.
At its regular meeting, the Havre de Grace City Council adopted a package of measures and took action on several events and appointments.
On second reading the council adopted Ordinance 12‑08 to approve a lease agreement for the Promenade Grill (Piedmont Properties LLC) and Ordinance 12‑09 to update the city’s fee schedule; both passed by roll call votes of 6‑0. Council also adopted Ordinance 12‑10, establishing a sidewalk policy for the widened 100–200 blocks of North Washington Street designed to guarantee a six‑foot pedestrian passage while allowing businesses regulated use of other sidewalk zones. The council accepted a friendly amendment — requested by the council president — to clarify that a particular subsection applies to "signs" only, leaving tables and chairs rules for other provisions.
In budget business, Council member Ellis introduced Ordinance 12‑12 to amend the FY2026 budget to include $400,000 for living shoreline maintenance; she said the funding comes entirely from Harford County under a partnership agreement and would not use city funds. Ordinance 12‑12 was adopted on first reading by roll call 6‑0 and will be scheduled for a public hearing on Nov. 17.
The meeting also approved a slate of reappointments to boards and commissions by consent (motion carried 6‑0) and approved the Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 (11 a.m.–noon) by voice vote.
Not all event business moved forward: council discussed the proposed Arts, Wine, Jazz & Soul Festival fundraiser for Aug. 8, 2026 at Concord Point Park after the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum raised concerns about event parking, signage and whether lease language allows permanent changes to museum parking. The council president moved to table the application pending legal review of lease and property rights; the motion to table passed 5‑1 and the event application was held until the council receives legal guidance.
Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (10/20/2025): approved 6‑0. - Reappointments (Item 7): approved 6‑0. - Ordinance 12‑08 (Promenade Grill lease): adopted 6‑0 (second reading). - Ordinance 12‑09 (fee schedule update): adopted 6‑0 (second reading). - Ordinance 12‑10 (sidewalk policy): adopted 6‑0 (second reading) after friendly amendment clarifying 'signs' language. - Ordinance 12‑12 (budget amendment for living shoreline): introduced/adopted on first reading 6‑0 (includes $400,000 from Harford County). - Veterans Day Parade (Nov. 11): approved (voice vote). - Arts, Wine, Jazz & Soul Festival (08/08/2026): tabled by roll call 5‑1 pending legal review.
What comes next: staff will schedule the public hearing for Ordinance 12‑12 on Nov. 17; legal review was requested before the Arts/Wine/Jazz event is reintroduced.
