PRESENT:
Mayor Williams Councilmember Barry Councilmember Robinson Councilmember Seamens Councilmember Snipper Councilmember Wright		City Manager Matthews City Clerk Carpenter Recreation Director Haiduven Deputy City Manager Ludlow Deputy Recreation Director Clark HR Manager Hampton

 

ABSENT: 

Councilmember Clay

 

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.

Mr. Wright announced that he would not be participating in the discussion and vote on the final budget because of a conflict of interest issue related to CASA of Maryland. He said he had asked for a ruling from the Ethics Commission and the City Attorney, both of which agreed that the City Code language required his recusal. Mr. Wright requested Council support to revise the law to enable a councilmember to vote on the budget when the conflict relates to a small line item.

Mr. Seamens congratulated the Takoma Park Community Action group for their Childrens Day Festival, held over the weekend at Piney Branch Elementary School.

Mr. Robinson commented on the Ethics Code. He said it needs to be looked at from a common sense perspective. He supported a review of the Code.

Mr. Barry announced the opening of the Crossroads Farmers Market on Wednesdays. He encouraged people to patronize the market.

Mr. Barry requested that a sign welcoming people to the City be placed on Erskine Street. He expressed appreciation for Code Enforcement work in reminding people to cut their grass.

Mr. Barry suggested adding planters to the facade of the Community Center to make it look less sterile and cold.

Mr. Williams noted that he had attended an awards dinner hosted by Equality Maryland, where he received an award. He noted that other awardees included the late Gwendolyn Britt and County Councilmember Duchy Tractenburg.

Minutes of April 21 and April 28, 2008 were adopted unanimously, upon motion by Mr. Wright; second by Mr. Snipper.

Pat Loveless, 7620 Maple Avenue, commented on the Childrens Festival and said it was a great event. He thanked all the people who supported him during his illness.

Steve Davies, 6717 Poplar Avenue, commented on pollution created by gas powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers and trimmers. He suggested that the City Council adopt a resolution to have the City phase out the use of the equipment. He also suggested that the City establish a rebate program and education program to get residents to purchase more environmentally-friendly equipment.

(1) WAH Land Use Committee Interviews

The Council interviewed Susan Leitch for appointment to the WAH Land Use Committee.

Ms. Matthews distributed a report on Part 1 crimes in Takoma Park, broken out by ward. She noted the increase in crime in Ward 6. She indicated that the report would be provided to the Council on a monthly basis.

(2) First Reading Ordinance Adopting the FY09 Tax Rate

Mr. Seamens moved that the Council convene as the Stormwater Management Board; second by Mr. Snipper. The motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Seamens noted that the tax rate was a half penny less than the proposed tax rate, but still higher than the Constant Yield Rate. He said he was challenged with the tax rate and the budget itself. He said he was disappointed with the budget process and felt that it was inadequate. He stated that if the Council does not agree on a new process in advance of next year’s budget, he would vote against the budget itself.

Mr. Robinson said he was similarly concerned. He indicated that he would be voting against the FY09 tax rate and would stand behind the two cent reduction he had requested.

Mr. Snipper urged the Council to consider a new budget process soon. He said he would like to begin much earlier at developing a process satisfactory to the Council.

Mr. Wright commented on the tax rate and the budget process only. He said he would have preferred a deeper reduction in the tax rate. He said he found the budget process hard to work with and would like to have been able to make choices. He proposed that he work with Mr. Seamens to put together a draft budget process for the Council to consider.

Mr. Barry agreed that the Council needed to begin to look at the budget earlier. He commented on the economic slowdown that would affect local budgets. He said he applauded the suggestion that Mr. Seamens and Mr. Wright work on coming up with a strategy for reviewing the budget.

Mr. Williams commented that all revenues coming from other government entities have been flat or falling. He said that in order to continue to do what we have been doing, the tax rate is the only place to look for dealing with increasing costs for salaries and benefits. He said the Council recognizes that the half cent reduction in the tax rate is still an increase in taxes, but the Council has to make hard decisions.

Mr. Williams said he agreed that the Council needs to have further discussions on the budget process.

Mr. Seamens said that providing direction to staff members would help so they know what to expect during the budget process. Providing direction would reduce the Council requests for additional information.

Pat Loveless, 7620 Maple Avenue, requested that the Council find ways to save money. He suggested not redoing the Auditorium at this time.

Stacy Baker, 6715 Poplar Avenue, said she would like to see a focus on the results that residents will see for the tax dollars spent, and what are the performance measures that are attached to the major line items.

Ms. Baker suggested that the Council: 1) develop time performance measures and create a dashboard of 20 measures; 2) actively manage priorities and what to focus attention on and actively use performance measures to measure progress; and, 3) publish the results of performance measures.

Motion to adopt First Reading Ordinance 2008-24 Adopting the FY09 Tax Rate. Moved by Councilmember Barry, seconded by Mayor Williams.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; AGAINST: Councilmember Robinson; ABSENT:  Councilmember Clay)

First Reading Ordinance 2008-24 (attached).

(3) First Reading Ordinance Adopting the FY09 Stormwater Budget

Motion to adopt First Reading Ordinance 2008-25 Adopting the FY09 Stormwater Budget. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Barry.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT:  Councilmember Clay)

First Reading Ordinance 2008-25 (attached).

(4) First Reading Ordinance Adopting the FY09 Budget (including FY09-13 CIP Budget)

Mr. Robinson commented that since he voted against the tax rate, he felt the need to vote against the budget.

Mr. Snipper noted that he appreciated comments made by Ms. Baker to move to a performance based budget. He said he hoped the Council would have an opportunity to reorient the way the budget is prepared.

Mr. Williams said the Council needed to establish its priorities and that would guide the budget.

Mr. Snipper said he supported that it is the Council's responsibility to set priorities and establish a process at an early enough date.

Motion to adopt First Reading Ordinance 2008-26 Adopting the FY09 Budget (including FY09-13 CIP Budget). Moved by Councilmember Barry, seconded by Councilmember Wright.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Seamens, and Councilmember Snipper; AGAINST: Councilmember Robinson; ABSENT:  Councilmember Clay)

First Reading Ordinance 2008-26 (attached).

Continued Interviews - Washington Adventist Hospital Land Use Committee

The Mayor reordered the agenda and recognized Andrew Strongin for an interview for appointment to the WAH Land Use Committee.

The Council interviewed Mr. Strongin.

(5) First Reading Ordinance Adopting the FY09 AFSCME Pay Plan

Mr. Williams noted that the Police pay plan was still being negotiated and would be adopted at a later meeting.

Motion to adopt First Reading Ordinance 2008-27 Adopting the FY09 AFSCME Pay Plan. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Robinson.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT:  Councilmember Clay)

First Reading Ordinance 2008-27 (attached).

(6) First Reading Ordinance Adopting the FY09 Management and Non-Union Staff Pay Plan

Motion to adopt First Reading Ordinance 2008-28 Adopting the FY09 Management and Non-Union Staff Pay Plan. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Robinson.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT:  Councilmember Clay)

First Reading Ordinance 2008-28 (attached).

(7) Single Reading Ordinance Awarding a Contract for Recreation Management Software

Ms. Haiduven and Mr. Clark presented information on the proposed purchase of recreation management software. Mr. Clark indicated that he had taken feedback from the Council and the community into consideration when selecting the type of software to be purchased. The software will allow online registration and credit card payment, provide the ability to create customized reports, and provide the opportunity to market programs by e-mail.

The Council asked many questions. Councilmembers requested assurance that the software would be ADA compliant and that safeguards would be in place to protect the privacy of users. The Council also requested that, in the future, agenda item cover sheets note any ongoing costs associated with expenditures.

Motion to adopt Single Reading Ordinance 2008-29 Awarding a Contract for Recreation Management Software. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Barry.    (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT:  Councilmember Clay)

Single Reading Ordinance 2008-29 (attached).

(8) Discussion of Legislative Action Requests to be Submitted to the Maryland Municipal League

Ms. Ludlow was present for the discussion. She said that requests would be submitted to MML by June 27 for consideration as MML legislative priorities for the 2009 session of the General Assembly. She noted the City’s emphasis on revenue sources. Ms. Ludlow presented a legislative action request on the key issue of enhancing revenue flexibility for municipalities.

The Council was supportive of the suggestion and agreed to e-mail Ms. Ludlow any additional ideas.

Closed Session of June 2, 2008

At 9:33 p.m., on June 2, 2008, the Council voted to convene in closed session to discuss committee appointments and appointees, pursuant to Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article, Section 10-508(a)(1)(i). Motion to convene in closed session by Mr. Robinson; second by Mr. Barry (VOTING FOR: Williams, Barry, Robinson, Seamens, Snipper, Wright; ABSENT: Clay).

The Council convened in the Council Conference Room for the closed session at 9:45 p.m. Officials Present: Williams, Barry, Robinson, Seamens, Snipper, Wright; Staff/Others Present: Matthews, Carpenter. The Council discussed selected committee members, appointments, and appointees.

Following the closed session, the Council adjourned for the evening.