CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND
PRESENTATION, REGULAR MEETING AND WORKSESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Monday, October 27, 2008
 
MINUTES


(Minutes adopted January 5, 2009.)

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:
Mayor Williams
Councilmember Barry
Councilmember Clay
Councilmember Robinson
Councilmember Seamens
Councilmember Snipper
Councilmember Wright
City Manager Matthews
City Clerk Carpenter
Police Chief Ricucci
HCD Director Daines
Community Development Coordinator Blanchard
Assistant City Attorney Sigman
 
The City Council convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Takoma Park Community Center -- Sam Abbott Citizens' Center, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Ms. Clay thanked those who worked on renovation of Jackson Boyd Park.

Ms. Clay commented on traffic control issues that arise because WSSC does not have a plan for traffic management for weekend emergency work. She said she would like to have a traffic management response program to respond in such situations, and bill WSSC for the service.

Mr. Seamens commented on the importance of the community rejecting slot machines on the upcoming referendum in Maryland.

Mr. Wright commented that he planned to introduce a resolution regarding the Maryland State Police spying scandal to support legislation to be introduced by Senator Raskin and Delegate Hixson.

Mr. Wright asked when the speed cameras would be installed. Mr. Wright asked for an update on the replacement/repair of the guardrails and fence along Philadelphia Avenue near Piney Branch Road. Mr. Wright asked when the auditorium request for proposals would be issued.

Ms. Matthews said she expected the speed cameras to be installed in the latter part of January. The RFP for the auditorium would be issued on October 20. Ms. Matthews said she would request an update from the Public Works Director on the guardrails and fence.

Mr. Wright commented that he would like to see the City partner with Adventist Community Services to provide space for ACS computer training programs. Mr. Wright also asked about the possibility of the City using students in the Federal Work Study Program.

Mr. Robinson commented that he learned a lot at the MML Fall Conference. Regarding the possibility of partnering with Adventist Community Services, he suggested that there should be a clear policy on use of the City’s assets or resources.

Mr. Robinson suggested a change in policy to allow public comments before Council comments, to provide Councilmembers with a chance to respond to the public comments.

Mr. Williams commented on the MML Fall Conference. He said the focus was on municipal revenue preservation and enhancement.

Mr. Williams reported that he spoke at the groundbreaking for the new fire station. He said the project was on schedule.

Mr. Williams noted that he had attended a seminar on pandemic flu and the challenges that would be faced by the region in the event of a pandemic.

Mr. Williams asked the City Manager for an update on the Municipal Revenue Sharing Task Force report.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

Minutes of September 8, 2008 were adopted upon motion by Councilmember Wright; second by Councilmember Snipper.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Pat Loveless , 7620 Maple Avenue, cautioned parents to keep their children safe during Halloween. Mr. Loveless also spoke in opposition to slot machines and encouraged people to vote.

Seth Grimes , 7300 Willow Avenue, spoke in support of the New Hampshire Avenue Concept Plan. Mr. Grimes also commented on the Council’s strategic plan. He said he would be forwarding comments to the Council. Finally, Mr. Grimes urged the Council to address the ban on gas powered leaf blowers in January. He spoke about the strong support for the proposal.

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS

Ms. Matthews noted her distribution of the actuarial valuation for the police pension plan. She noted that the valuation recommended a 34.7% City contribution for 2010. Ms. Matthews also noted the decrease in the plan's assets due to investment losses. She said the City was investigating other pension plan options for the police employees.

Ms. Matthews reported that the Police Department had informed her of their intention to apply for a law enforcement technology grant for license plate recognition scanners. She said that no matching funds would be required.

Ms. Matthews commented on the discussion about reporting street light outages at the October 20 meeting. She said that residents could contact her office to report outages.

PRESENTATION

(1) Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School

Reverend Steve Shafran, President of Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School, made a presentation on the program at the school. The high school is located at 1010 Larch Avenue in Takoma Park. Rev. Shafran noted the school was developing plans for expansion at the site.

Ms. Clay indicated that she would like to know more about the plans and would like to look at the potential impact on the neighborhood.

REGULAR MEETING

(2) CONSENT AGENDA

A. Resolution 2008-78, Support for Housing Opportunity Commission Purchase of 717 Sligo Creek Parkway (attached).

B. Resolution 2008-79, Supporting Continued Charitable Giving by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae (attached).

Motion to adopt the consent agenda. Moved by Councilmember Seamens, seconded by Councilmember Robinson.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright)

WORKSESSION

(3) Report from the Emergency Preparedness Committee

Committee Co-Chairs Wolfgang Mergner and Chief Ronald Ricucci were present.

Dr. Mergner presented the Committee report (attached). He reported on the Committee’s draft bylaws, review of the Emergency Operations Plan and annexes, participation in the Neighborhood Ready pilot program, community outreach, and progress on the Committee’s deliverables.

BREAK

The Council recessed for a scheduled break at 9:10 p.m. and reconvened to continue the worksession.

(4) Ethics Commission Annual Report

Emily Schabacker, Chair, presented the Ethics Commission report (attached). Ms. Schabacker noted the Commission's work on ordinance review and preparation of advisory opinions. She encouraged the City Council to recruit additional members for the Commission.

(5) Discussion of Proposed Amendments to the Ethics Ordinance

Assistant City Attorney Ken Sigman was present for the discussion. Council first discussed the issue raised previously by Mr. Robinson, regarding the prohibition on a Councilmember being employed by a company that has a contract with the City. After discussion, there was not support to change that section.

Mr. Sigman then presented the revisions he had prepared, adding new conflict of interest provisions applicable to Councilmembers to enable them to participate on issues where they would not likely be influenced by their personal interests or to recuse themselves if there is a conflict. In such cases, the Councilmember who recuses himself or herself or who disclaims a conflict would have to file a statement with the Ethics Commission. The amendment would also allow a Councilmember to vote on the City budget, even if the Councilmember has a conflict with one line item. He noted that the Ethics Commission had requested two weeks to respond to the filing unless the ordinance to be adopted is an emergency ordinance.

Council requested clarification on whether the proposed amendment would require a Councilmember to file a statement with the Ethics Commission in the event of voting on the budget when there is one item that creates a conflict.

Mr. Sigman said he would review the language on that issue.

(6) Discussion of the New Hampshire Avenue Corridor Plan

Ilona Blanchard made a brief presentation on the Plan. Councilmembers had a number of questions and suggestions.

In response to a question, Ms. Daines commented that Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties had been involved in development of the plan. She said it would be appropriate to bring the plan before them, but did not know if they would formally adopt it.

Councilmembers had a number of comments related to the plan. Interest was expressed in emphasizing bus and bike transportation in the implementation portion of the plan, encouraging green development, continuing with incremental improvements to New Hampshire Avenue while waiting for more major improvements, and some concern was expressed about pushing out smaller businesses and the poor.

A resolution adopting the plan was scheduled for November 3.

(7) City Manager’s Quarterly Report and Financial Report

The City Manager provided her quarterly report and financial report (attached).

ADJOURN

The Council adjourned for the evening at 11:02 p.m.