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


Monday, February 26, 2007
 
MINUTES


Minutes adopted March 12, 2007.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Mayor Porter
Councilmember Austin-Lane
Councilmember Barry
Councilmember Clay
Councilmember Seamens
Councilmember Williams
Councilmember Snipper
City Manager Matthews
HCD Director Daines
IT Manager Castillo
Assistant City Clerk Andia
Senior Planner Blanchard
Public Works Director Braithwaite
CSAFE Coordinator Kendall
 
The City Council convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Center Auditorium, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland.

PRESENTATION

(1) Chesapeake Bay Partner Award

Marilyn Praisner, County Council President and Vice Chair for the Chesapeake Bay Local Government Advisory Committee, presented the gold award to the City of Takoma Park for commitment to protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Ms. Porter updated the public and Council on issues related to tax duplication.

Mr. Williams commented on the transient merchant application process.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES: January 31, 2007; Februaury 5, 2007

Motion to adopt minutes of January 31, 2007 and Februaury 5, 2007. Moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Seamens.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Porter, Councilmember Austin-Lane, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Williams, and Councilmember Snipper )

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

A number of nursing students from Columbia Union College were in attendance and thanked the Council for having them.

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS

Ms. Matthews reported that electrical work was being completed on the new elevator.

Ms. Matthews reported that James F. Knott had provided completion dates for some of the punch list items.

Ms. Matthews announced the next master plan workshop, scheduled for Tuesday, March 6, at El Golfo Restaurant.

REGULAR MEETING

(2)  Second Reading Ordinance Approving a PILOT Agreement for 7401 New Hampshire Avenue

Ms. Daines gave a brief summary of the PILOT Agreement.

Motion to adopt Second Reading Ordinance 2007-7 by roll-call vote, Approving a PILOT for 7401 New Hampshire Avenue. Moved by Councilmember Barry, seconded by Councilmember Seamens.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Porter, Councilmember Austin-Lane, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Williams, and Councilmember Snipper )

Ordinance 2007-7 (attached).

(3)  First Reading of Ordinance Amending Chapter 6.28.010 of the Takoma Park Code Expanding Notification Requirements for Contracts for Sale of a Rental Facility 

Ms. Daines briefed council on the amendment to the City Code Chapter 6.28.010.

Council agree to move the ordinance with a minor change to the language.

Motion to accept First Reading of Ordinance 2007-8 Amending Chapter 6.28.010 of the Takoma Park Code Expanding Notification Requirements for Contracts for Sale of a Rental Facility. Moved by Councilmember Seamens, seconded by Councilmember Snipper .    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Porter, Councilmember Austin-Lane, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Williams, and Councilmember Snipper )

Ordinance 2007-8 (attached).

(4)  Single Reading Ordinance Awarding a Contract to Implement a Job Skills Training Program

Ms. Kendall discribed the staff's recommendation to award a contract to Maryland Multicultural Youth Center.

Motion to adopt Single Reading Ordinance 2007-9 (by roll-call vote) Awarding a Contract to Implement a Job Skills Training Program. Moved by Councilmember Seamens, seconded by Councilmember Austin-Lane.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Porter, Councilmember Austin-Lane, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Williams, and Councilmember Snipper )

Ordinance 2007-9 (attached).

(5)  Single Reading Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase of Replacement Computer Servers and Equipment

Mr. Castillo explained the proposed ordinance to purchase replacement servers and related equipment.

Motion to adopt Single Reading Ordinance 2007-10 (by roll-call vote) Authorizing the Purchase of Replacement Computer Servers and Equipment. Moved by Councilmember Snipper , seconded by Councilmember Clay.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Porter, Councilmember Austin-Lane, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Williams, and Councilmember Snipper )

Ordinance 2007-10 (attached).

WORKSESSION

(6)  Discussion of CSAFE Program Funding (Funding the CSAFE Community Organizer)

Ms. Kendall presented her proposal for the City to provide funds to help maintain CSAFE staff.

After discussion, the Council recommended that Chief Ricucci be given the opportunity to review the program and to return with recommendations.

BREAK

The Council recessed for a scheduled break at 8:24 p.m. and convened in Worksession at 8:34 p.m.

WORKSESSION (continued)

(7) Discussion of Safe Takoma Initiative

Ms. Matthews briefed the Council on the Safe Takoma Initiative and the status of City funding of the program. She recommended that the formation of the oversight committee move forward so it can determine the hiring process and the allocation of funds. She suggested representation from the Maryland, District of Columbia, and Takoma Park law enforcement agencies, local businesses, representatives of the two jurisdictions, and community residents.

Members of Safe Takoma, Inc. discussed their proposal for organizing the program and use of the funds from the District of Columbia and Takoma Park.

Ms. Clay stated that she would like to see Chief Ricucci be the key lead in the program.

Mr. Seamens stated that he would like for Chief Ricucci to be majorily responsible for cross-border communication. He requested that this issue come back to the Council due to the changes in the City’s Police Department.

Ms. Porter agreed to schedule another discussion on a future agenda.

(8) Discussion of Proposal for Planning Charrette at Ethan Allen Gateway

Ms. Blanchard briefed Council on the proposed Ethan Allen Gateway planning charrette, to take place in March.

The Council agreed to move forward with the workshop.

ADJOURN

The Council adjourned for the evening at 10:49 p.m.