PRESENT:
Mayor Williams Councilmember Barry Councilmember Clay Councilmember Robinson Councilmember Seamens Councilmember Snipper Councilmember Wright		City Manager Matthews Deputy City Manager Ludlow City Clerk Carpenter Community Development Coordinator Blanchard

 

Bruce Kromer, Producer of the JazzFest, announced the upcoming JazzFest and noted he was seeking assistance on having the programs printed.

Billie Senbet, expressed concern that the City may do away with the capacity building program.

Mayor Williams indicated that the program was not on the list of items to consider deleting from the budget.

(1) Public Hearing - Proposed FY09 Budget

Billy Senbet, President of the Hilltop Tenant Association, spoke in support of maintaining the capacity builder program. He noted how helpful the community organizers were in his building.

2A. Single Reading Ordinance 2008-22, Authorizing Execution of a Contract for Construction of the Carroll Avenue Streetscape Improvements Phase II (attached).

2B. Singe Reading Ordinance 2008-23, Awarding a Contract for Installation of Functional Artwork on the Metropolitan Branch Trail (attached).

2C. Resolution 2008-43, Appointing Aaron Lavallee to the Ethics Commission (attached).

2D. Resolution 2008-44, Appointing Rosa Sanchez to the Emergency Preparedness Committee (attached).

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

(3) Resolution Providing Comments on the Proposed Takoma Park Elementary School Addition

Ms. Blanchard provided background on the resolution.

Mr. Snipper noted much concern about pedestrian connections. He and Mr. Robinson suggested additional connections be recommended from the Community Center area.

Mr. Wright requested that the resolution clarify the location of the trees to provide a screen from Philadelphia Avenue.

Mr. Wright asked questions about parking on Holly. He also recommended a rigorous approach to the stormwater plan to take climate change into consideration.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008-45, as modified by the Council, Providing Comments on the Proposed Takoma Park Elementary School Addition. Moved by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Snipper.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright)

Resolution 2008-45 (attached).

(2) Washington Adventist Hospital Land Use Committee Interviews

Ms. Ludlow spoke about the background of the resolution. She noted that Victory Tower residents had approached the Council and the County to create a bus connection from their building to the Community Center. She clarified that, at the present time, the residents need to take two buses to get to the Community Center.

Ms. Ludlow noted that any change would have to be evaluated by Ride On. They have begun their evaluation, which will include a public forum. The resolution requests that Ride On evaluate a number of options.

Mr. Seamens noted that his residents expressed interest in avoiding the speed bumps on upper Maple Avenue. He said another goal, already addressed in the resolution, is to have a direct link from Maple Avenue to the Long Branch commercial area.

Mr. Snipper suggested that the resolution take into consideration rush hour and non-rush hour concerns, noting how crowded the Route 25 is during rush hour. He noted that increasing the number of riders who need assistance might delay the route. He suggested that the Route 13 be considered for changes as well.

Mr. Wright said he liked focusing on the problems to be addressed, instead of proposing solutions. He wanted to encourage Ride On to look at many alternatives. He said he was very committed to better access to the Community Center for residents of Victory Tower.

Ms. Ludlow said that Ride On would come up with a proposal. They would be looking toward discussing it with the City.

Mr. Snipper suggested that in the whereas clause where possible changes are listed, that the language be softened, to say "for example" instead of "including."

Anne Ludlow, 7051 Carroll Avenue, President of the Tower Senior Association, said that the residents’ concern if for better transportation to City facilities. She said she was a little concerned about how rush hour would work; she did not want people to be stranded for hours.

Cloeen Poem, resident of Victory Tower, thanked the Council. She commented on the difficulty of residents getting to the facility to take classes. She also noted overcrowding on the buses.

Ms. Johnson spoke in support of the resolution.

Ten residents from Victory Tower raised their hand to indicate support of the resolution.

Elizabeth Keys commented that she was a commuter on the Route 25. She spoke about the importance of reaching out to the Spanish speaking population.

Councilmembers suggested other minor changes to the resolution.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008-46, as amended by the Council, Requesting Montgomery County Ride On to Consider Changes for Bus Route 25. Moved by Councilmember Seamens, seconded by Councilmember Wright.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright)

Resolution 2008-46 (attached).

The Council recessed for a scheduled break at 8:56 p.m. and reconvened at 9:05 p.m. for the budget worksession.

(6) Budget Reconciliation

The Council discussed the budget and items on the reconciliation list. There was a focus on ways to reduce the tax rate while maintaining services and adding a limited number of new initiatives. The Council stressed their interest in pursuing public-private partnerships.

As a follow up to the previous meeting, the Mayor asked for confirmation that the Council wished to proceed with renovation of the Auditorium. The majority of Councilmembers agreed with going forward on the project in FY09.

The Mayor took a straw poll on items on the reconciliation list as of May 27, 2008. Their decisions are listed below:
- Select Option 1 for the temporary day laborer site. Provide two months’ notice that the site will be closed on July 31. Use remaining funds for repair of the trailer and transition of workers.
- Support Grant Avenue landscaping and screening project.
- Support emergency assistance funds for Adventist Community Services.
- Support the mosaic art project (in conjunction with deleting funds for public art installation).
- Support increase in purchase of wind power.
- Support winter basketball league.
- Support Historic Takoma, Inc. funding request.
- Eliminate the WAH design charrette.
- Support funding for the community indicators project, with reduction of funding for the strategic plan.
- Not fund the bridge design work (but taking the position that the County should be responsible for bridges).
- Freeze the recreation manager position and make a final decision on the position after the Council has a discussion about the Recreation Department.

The Council adjourned for the evening at 11:01 p.m.