Havre de Grace’s proposed carbon monoxide detector ordinance will be the subject of a public hearing Monday, during which the mayor and city council hope to gather comments from residents on the legislation, which, if adopted, would require the installation of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in buildings in the city.
The carbon monoxide detector proposal initially drew criticism and confusion from city residents and business because of the cost of purchasing and installing the devices, as well as the cost to the city of having to inspect and account for them. The public hearing begins at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
The regular city council session will follow thereafter and is expected to include a resolution regarding the sublease of a portion of Congress Avenue.
The full agenda is below:
PUBLIC HEARING 7:00pm
PROPOSED ORDINANCE 923: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 9 ALARM SYSTEMS SECTION BY ADDDING CERTAIN LANGUAGE TO REQUIRE THE INSTALLATION OF SMOKE DETECTORS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN BUILDINGS IN THE CITY.
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
DECEMBER 20, 20101. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Opening Prayer by: Chaplin Nick McDonald of Upper Chesapeake Medical Center
5. Approval of the Minutes: December 6, 2010
6. Recognitions/Presentations/Proclamations: None
7. Appointments: None
8. Oath of Office: None
9. Comments from Citizens on Agenda Items:
10. Resolutions: Resolution concerning the sublease of portions of the foot of Congress Ave (Councilmember Cullum)
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF HAVRE DE GRACE, MARYLAND, TO APPROVE THE SUBLEASE OR PORTIONS OF THE FOOT OF CONGRESS AVENUE, IN THE CITY OF HAVRE DE GRACE, FROM DONNA MAE ASHER TO JAMES BAY WETTIG, JR
11. Ordinances: None
12. Unfinished Business/Old Business: None
13. New Business: None
14. Director’s Report:
A. Ms. Carol Mathis – Director of Administration
B. Mr. Neal Mills – Director of Planning
C. Mr. George DeHority – Director of Finance
D. Mr. Larry Parks – Director of the Department of Public Works
E. Chief Teresa Walter – Police Department15. Business from Acting Mayor Martin:
16. Business from Council:
A. Councilmember Shank:
B. Councilmember Correri:
C. Councilmember Miller:
D. Councilmember Cullum:
E. Councilmember Craig:17. Comments from Citizens:
18. Adjournment:
“The carbon monoxide detector proposal initially drew criticism and confusion from city residents and business because of the cost of purchasing and installing the devices, as well as the cost to the city of having to inspect and account for them.”
Are you serious? This is the city where more than 35% of its residents are in rental housing. The landlords there for the most part of cheapskates and take advantage of the fact that there is no rental property registration process. HDG suffers from way too much crappy rental housing which I believe are the only housing units that will protest this local ordinance.
Bottom line: make all landlords obtain a license to rent their property, charge them a reasonable fee and offer an inspection to ensure the property meets code requirements. This was attempted years ago but certain “whacho” landlords created mass hysteria amongst their tenants that rental rates were going up sky high. Many of the HDG landlords are also paid in cash by people who pay on a month to month basis. Someone needs to collect tax on that revenue.