CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND
CLOSED SESSION, INTERVIEWS, SPECIAL SESSION AND WORKSESSION
6:00 p.m. - Community Center Auditorium
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
MINUTES
Minutes adopted October 9, 2006.
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council convened on September 5, 2006 at 6:05 p.m. in the Community Center Auditorium, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland.
Motion to convene in closed session to consult with legal counsel to receive legal advice related to the Community Center project (pursuant to Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article, Section 10-508(a)(7)). Motion by Seamens; second by Clay (VOTING FOR: Porter, Clay, Seamens, Williams; ABSENT: Austin-Lane, Barry, Elrich).
The Council convened at 6:10 p.m. in the Council Conference Room (OFFICIALS PRESENT: Porter, Austin-Lane, Clay, Seamens, Williams; OTHERS PRESENT: Attorney Bob Cox, Attorney Susan Silber, City Manager Matthews, City Clerk Carpenter).
The Council discussed legal recommendations from the construction attorney and authorized him to proceed as directed.
Following the closed session, the Council reconvened in open session in the Community Center Auditorium.
The City Council convened at 7:38 p.m. in the Community Center Auditorium, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
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Mayor Porter
Councilmember Austin-Lane
Councilmember Barry
Councilmember Clay
Councilmember Seamens
Councilmember Williams
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City Manager Matthews
City Clerk Carpenter
HCD Director Daines
IT Manager Castillo
Community and Government Liaison Ludlow
Recreation Director Haiduvan
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ABSENT:
Councilmember Elrich
Ms. Porter announced that Mr. Elrich may not be able to attend the meeting due to campaign responsibilities.
Mr. Williams noted a request from a resident to have the Council designate September 11 as a day of service, charity and compassion. Mr. Williams announced a regional conference on best practices in green building, to be held at the University of Maryland Inn and Conference Center. Mr. Williams also announced the WMATA Compact Hearing on the Takoma Metro had been scheduled for October 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Ms. Porter stated that the City will have a representative testifying at the hearing. She encouraged any interested residents to sign up to speak at the hearing.
Ms. Austin-Lane asked if the City was satisfied that the 30-day notice requirements had been met.
Ms. Porter responded that she had scheduled further discussion of the issue with the City Attorney. That discussion was scheduled to be held in two weeks.
Mr. Williams commented on an obituary in The Washington Post of September 3, which noted the passing of J. Douglas Bradshaw, who had been Corporation Counsel to the City from 1946-1948. Mr. Williams noted some of Mr. Bradshaw’s other accomplishments.
Ms. Clay announced the upcoming Takoma Park Folk Festival. She indicated that the festival was still in need of additional volunteers.
Ms. Clay noted a number of issues for the City’s attention. She said she has heard complaints about trash in the neighborhood coming from overflowing trash cans at the corner of Ethan Allen and New Hampshire Avenue. She requested repair or removal of the remainder of a sign that had been knocked down at Woodland and Ethan Allen. Ms. Clay asked the City Manager for an update on researching solutions to the public nuisance issues at Belford Towers.
Mr. Barry commented on the esthetic dimensions of the peddlers who are licensed to set up on private property in the City. He indicated that he was looking forward to a review of the ordinance in the next few weeks.
Mr. Seamens announced the organization of a new group of residents in Ward 4 who are working to address social needs, to do a needs assessment in the neighborhood, and see how to address the needs. Mr. Seamens said the group, the Takoma Park Community Action Group, would be conducting a Maple Avenue Cultural Fair on September 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Ms. Austin-Lane noted an upcoming community meeting concerning the 7118 Carroll Avenue property, to consider reconfiguring the backyard.
Ms. Matthews reported that the meeting had to be rescheduled, pending the date when the survey would be available.
Ms. Austin-Lane asked for an update on the Heffner Park card access system.
Ms. Matthews stated that the work should be completed on or around September 15.
Ms. Porter announced a Field Hearing of a Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives to be held at the Community Center. The hearing was set to discuss gangs in Maryland.
Andy Kelemen, 18 Philadelphia Avenue
, requested the City’s assistance with a stormwater issue caused by the design of the driveway apron at his home.
Ms. Matthews said she would speak with the City Engineer.
CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS
Ms. Matthews reported on progress with the elevator installation project. She said she anticipated installation to take place around mid-December.
Ms. Matthews reported on the roof leaks in the Community Center. She indicated that areas where corrections were needed had been identified.
Ms. Matthews commented that it appeared that a resolution had been reached with the parties in the Powermax mediation.
INTERVIEWS
The Council interviewed Ms. Fosnaught.
The Council interviewed Mr. Daniels and Mr. Kelemen.
SPECIAL SESSION
Ms. Matthews explained the purpose of the budget amendment, which included carryover of $25,000 in unexpended funds for CSAFE from the Montgomery County Collaboration Program; funds for uncompleted work on the Carroll Avenue Streetscape Project and the Metropolitan Branch Trail; and an increase in funding for the property tax rebate program to reflect the amount anticipated in the current fiscal year.
Motion to accept First Reading Ordinance 2006-41 Authorizing FY07 Budget Amendment No. 1. Moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Barry. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Porter, Councilmember Austin-Lane, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Seamens, and Councilmember Williams; ABSENT: Councilmember Elrich)
Ordinance 2006-41 (attached).
Mr. Castillo provided information on the proposed three-year contract with Verizon for telephone circuits.
Councilmembers questioned Mr. Castillo about Verizon service. They requested a future discussion about Verizon infrastructure issues and the total cost for City voice mail and telephone service.
Motion to adopt Single Reading Ordinance 2006-42 Authorizing a Contract With Verizon for Telephone Service (roll-call vote). Moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Barry. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Porter, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Seamens, and Councilmember Williams; ABSENT: Councilmember Austin-Lane, and Councilmember Elrich)
Ordinance 2006-42 (attached).
WORKSESSION
Jim O’Brien, Chair of the Facade Advisory Board, updated the Council on the Board’s activities in the previous year.
Ros Grigsby, Executive Director of the Old Takoma Business Association, and other members of the board updated Council on the Association and the Maryland Main Street activities. (Report attached.)
Pennye Jones-Napier indicated that the organization may be requesting continued financial support from the City.
Ms. Matthews said this would be an issue for discussion during the next budget cycle.
Mr. Stephen Sprecher, Interim Director of Real Estate and Development for Montgomery Housing Partnership, provided information about the proposed purchase and renovation of the property and the requested payment in lieu of taxes agreement.
Councilmembers noted the need to balance the loss of tax revenue to the City with the payoff in terms of affordable housing.
Council questioned Mr. Sprecher about the status of Edinburgh House.
BREAK
The Council recessed for a scheduled break at 9:49 p.m. and reconvened at 9:59 p.m.
WORKSESSION
Ms. Ludlow and Ms. Haiduvan were present for the discussion. Ms. Ludlow reviewed the TASDI Park and Recreation recommendations, and provided information from a status report and staff recommendations prepared in May 2006. Ms. Ludlow noted that the City would also be looking for ways to reduce the costs of operating the New Hampshire Avenue Recreation Center. Ms. Ludlow also presented information prepared by City intern, Elizabeth Vonhof, regarding park maintenance costs.
The Council had a lengthy discussion about the staff recommendations and the New Hampshire Avenue Recreation Center.
Ms. Porter indicated that a follow-up discussion was needed.
Ms. Matthews and Ms. Ludlow led the discussion on the Council priorities. Ms. Matthews indicated that the priorities had been included in staff workplans; she would provide updates during her quarterly reports.
Councilmembers volunteered to work as point people on the priorities: Affordable Housing -- Elrich, Porter; Community Center -- Williams, Austin-Lane, Porter; Development Issues -- Austin-Lane, Seamens, Porter; New Hampshire Avenue Development -- Barry, Clay, Williams, Austin-Lane, Porter; Tax Duplication -- Clay, Austin-Lane, Porter, Williams.
ADJOURN
The Council adjourned for the evening at 11:19 p.m.