CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND

INTERVIEWS, SPECIAL SESSION AND WORKSESSION

Monday, April 17, 2006
7:30 p.m. - Takoma Park Middle School

Monday, April 17, 2006
 
MINUTES


Minutes adopted May 8, 2006.

INTERVIEWS, SPECIAL SESSION AND WORKSESSION

The Council convened at 7:36 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Road, Takoma Park, Maryland.

Report of April 10, 2006 Closed Session
On April 10, 2006, the Council convened to vote to meet in Closed Session.  Motion to convene in Closed Session to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice related to the Community Center Construction Project, pursuant to Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article, Section 10-508{a}{7}. Moved by Councilmember Clay, seconded by Councilmember Seamens.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Porter, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Seamens, and Councilmember Williams; ABSENT:  Councilmember Austin-Lane, Councilmember Barry, and Councilmember Elrich.)  The Council convened at 6:15 p.m. in Closed Session in the Community Center Council Conference Room (OFFICIALS PRESENT: Porter, Austin-Lane, Clay, Elrich, Seamens, Williams; ABSENT: Barry; OTHERS PRESENT: Matthews, Hobbs, Carpenter, Robert Cox, Susan Silber).  The Council received a briefing on legal issues related to the Community Center project and gave direction to the attorneys.

CALL TO ORDER

COUNCIL COMMENTS

PRESENT:
Mayor Porter
Councilmember Austin-Lane
Councilmember Barry
Councilmember Clay
Councilmember Elrich
Councilmember Seamens
Councilmember Williams
City Manager Matthews
City Clerk Carpenter
Affordable Housing Specialist Walker
HCD Director Daines
Assistant City Attorney Sigman
 
Ms. Porter announced that the Council would be meeting in the Middle School for three weeks to accommodate construction at the Community Center.

Mr. Williams reminded Council about the upcoming MML Montgomery County Chapter Meeting.

Mr. Williams requested the City Manager to see what could be done about two piles of dirt which had been left on Carroll Avenue between Columbia and the Fire House.

Ms. Clay noted that she had attended the Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department banquet.  She reported that she would be attending a neighborhood meeting to look at changes to the Elm and Lincoln Avenue intersection.

Mr. Seamens commented on the proposed final regulation regarding invasive plants and undesirable trees.  He requested that implementation of the regulation be delayed until the Committee on the Environment had an opportunity to review it.  He also requested information on the fiscal impact of the regulation.

Ms. Porter noted that Council could ask that the regulation be held.

Ms. Clay asked that the Council let the regulation take effect, and amend it later.

The Council concurred with the suggestion, with the understanding that it would be reviewed and discussed further.

Mr. Seamens commented that the Lions Club had offered to install a sign marquee at the Community Center.  He requested a copy of the letter.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Pat Loveless, 7620 Maple Avenue , suggested a pamphlet to encourage safe use of computers and spoke in favor of voter registration.

Mark Hessel, attorney from Silver Spring,  commented on rent stabilization.  He encouraged the Council to articulate the purpose of the program when drafting an ordinance.  He also commented that strict rent control will drive rental housing out of the city.

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS

Update on the Community Center Construction Project

Ms. Matthews commented on the mediation which had been set for May 22 regarding the dispute over the proposed change orders.  She said that Mr. Cox would be submitting a short position paper to the mediator.

Other Comments/Updates

Ms. Matthews provided additional budget materials for the Council.  She encouraged the Council to continue to ask for information.

Ms. Austin-Lane reported on a meeting she had with the Recreation Committee concerning the proposed skate park.  Ms. Austin-Lane said she was concerned that there were not sufficient Recreation staff to even explore the skate park further.  She requested that the Council consider in the FY07 budget increasing the Recreation Department staffing.  She said that renovation of Takoma Piney Branch Park and building the skate park at the same time would make sense, and waiting would not seem to jeopardize the potential Park and Planning funding.

Mr. Seamens requested additional information on the amount of time that police officers were working over the past year or so.

INTERVIEWS

(1)  Nuclear-Free Takoma Park Committee

The Council interviewed Jim Kuhn, Jay Levy and Robert Rini for reappointment to the Nuclear-Free Committee.

SPECIAL SESSION

(2)  First Reading Ordinance re: PILOT Agreement with Montgomery Housing Partnership.

Motion to accept Ordinance 2006-16 at first reading, authorizing a PILOT agreement with Montgomery Housing Partnership. Moved by Councilmember Elrich, seconded by Councilmember Barry.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Porter, Councilmember Austin-Lane, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Elrich, Councilmember Seamens, and Councilmember Williams)

Ms. Daines notes that PILOT proposed by Montgomery Housing Partnership would apply to 719-721 Erie Avenue, 8624-26 Flower Avenue, and 1001-1005 University Blvd. East.  She said that they are looking at the possibility of adding an additional property and may request an amendment to the ordinance at second reading.

Ms. Porter commented that with a PILOT agreement, the Council would be supporting affordable housing with City funds, by foregoing tax revenues.

Mr. Barry asked about the status of Hampshire Towers.  Ms. Daines said that Community Preservation Development Corporation was continuing to work with the tenants.

Mr. Elrich thanked Montgomery Housing Partnership for their work.

Pat Loveless, 7620 Maple Avenue , commented in support of the ordinance.

WORKSESSION

(3)  Emergency Preparedness Committee - Semi-Annual Report 
 

Stacy Baker, Community Co-Chair of the Emergency Preparedness Committee, summarized the Committee’s review of the Emergency Preparedness Plan.  (Committee report attached.)

Ms. Baker noted the plan should be adequate and appropriate for Takoma Park, given the role of the county, given the role of the City, given that severe weather and pandemic flu should be taken into account.

Mr. Elrich asked about the Committee’s experience working with the County.  Ms. Baker said the County has been very clear with the Committee and has shown a willingness to work with them.  She recommended a tabletop exercise to ensure that the coordination will work as planned.

Mr. Seamens asked the City Manager what was included in the proposed FY07 budget.

Ms. Matthews said she had included $20,000 to buy supplies to house staff who might be required to shelter in place.
 
Ms. Austin-Lane asked about training of emergency volunteers.

Ms. Baker explained that the Committee was promoting the opportunity for residents to register for CERT training. Ms. Austin-Lane suggested the Committee propose a timeline, and come back to the Council with their request for resources and staff training.

Mr. Williams requested the Committee to help Council understand their priorities for resource allocation in the upcoming budget and what they might want included if the half time FTE was not funded.

(4)  Discussion of Request from Historic Takoma, Inc. for Support for the 2006 House and Garden Tour

Sabrina Baron, Lorraine Pearsall and Eileen Sobeck were present for the discussion of Historic Takoma’s request for funding for the 33rd Annual House and Garden Tour.

Council discussed the request.

Mr. Seamens commented that he thinks of Historic Takoma as a city institution.  He said he felt the City has not given much support.

Ms. Clay said she appreciates the work that Historic Takoma does to preserve the city's assets.  She said she would support the funding.

Mr. Williams noted that the events the City supports financially tend to be open to the public without charge.  He suggested a Council discussion about the policy of donations.

Ms. Porter said she would like to have that discussion during the budget discussion process.

Mr. Elrich said he was comfortable making the donation, but he wanted to set a sense of what other groups this kind of donation might apply to.

Council discussed the issues and agreed to contribute $2500, with the understanding that the larger issue of donations would be discussed during the budget process.

BREAK

The Council recessed for a scheduled break at 9:16 p.m. and reconvened at 9:23 p.m.

WORKSESSION

(5)  Continued Discussion of Rent Stabilization -Staff Presentation on Recommended Revisions

Ms. Daines presented recommendations from staff.  Council discussed the recommendations and made a number of suggestions.

(6)  Update on the Community Legacy Funding for the Parking Garage in Old Town

Ms. Daines made a brief presentation and requested guidance from the Council on use of the Community Legacy loan funds.  She indicated that the parking garage project was delayed for a variety of reasons and would no longer be an option for funding.

Council expressed interest in exploring options for use of the loan to increase parking in Old Town.

Mayor Porter agreed to schedule an additional discussion on the issue.

ADJOURN

Following the Worksession, Council adjourned for the evening at 10:10 p.m.