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PRESENT: | ||
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Mayor Williams Councilmember Barry Councilmember Clay Councilmember Robinson Councilmember Seamens Councilmember Snipper Councilmember Wright |
City Manager Matthews Deputy City Manager Ludlow Senior Planner Blanchard Assistant City Clerk Andia Police Chief Ricucci | |
Minutes of September 15 and 22, 2008 were adopted upon motion by Councilmember Barry; second by Councilmember Snipper.
Pat Loveless, 7620 Maple Avenue, announced Joyce Seamens’ birthday and said that he would be at the Takoma Park Middle School polling place in support of Barack Obama.
Ms. Matthews updated the Council on the discussion regarding the police pension fund.
Ms. Matthews reported that the auditors would present the audit to the Council on November 24. She said that the report would be distributed to the Council as soon as it was available.
Chief Ricucci updated the Council on election day plans. He said that the Police Department was working with the County and that there would be police presence at all polling places in Takoma Park.
Chief Ricucci reported on the recent robberies. He said that they were working with Prince George’s County to increase police presence in the Langley Park/Crossroads area. He commented on the security cameras and urged business owner to purchase them.
Mr. Leventhal updated the City Council on the Piney Branch Pool. He said that the renovation would be completed in December. He said that a vote would be taken in November to determine whether Adventist Community Services would oversee the use of the pool. Mr. Leventhal submitted a document regarding the renovation to the City Council. He reported that there would be several meetings in November to discuss the Purple Line. Mr. Leventhal commented on the tax duplication report and said that he was not going to take a position on the issue until he read the draft report.
Mr. Williams asked for information on County grants to fund community organizations.
Mr. Leventhal suggested that the City meet with the County Council Grants Manager. He said that the grants process changed and that it was more competitive, fair, and less political. He said he would be happy to discuss the process in more detail with the Council.
Mr. Seamens thanked Mr. Leventhal for his work on the Piney Branch pool.
Mr. Robinson asked Mr. Leventhal to comment on efficiencies of city/county service delivery.
Mr. Leventhal responded that he was interested in a study on efficiency between the cities and the County. He said that it would be interesting to see what services were worth providing and what services should be handed over to the County.
Mr. Wright asked if the temperature issue with the pool would be resolved.
Mr. Leventhal responded that as long as the pool was in use the pool would be heated.
Mr. Wright asked for Mr. Leventhal’s thoughts on infill development.
Mr. Leventhal said that the County was considering a bill that he was in support of which would impede homeowners that push beyond what was acceptable in a neighborhood.
Mr. Snipper asked about the sidewalk installation on the other side of Flower Avenue.
Mr. Leventhal responded that he would look into the matter.
Mr. Williams said that due to the distance between the City and the M-NCPPC Maintenance Depot it was difficult for the City to get regular park maintenance.
Mr. Leventhal responded that the City was going the see less service due to budget cuts. He added that Montgomery County’s services were better than some other counties.
Ms. Blanchard informed the Council that the two comments recommended by the Council were added to the resolution.
Motion to Adopt Resolution 2008-80 the New Hampshire Avenue Corridor Plan. Moved by Councilmember Robinson, seconded by Councilmember Barry. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Clay)
Resolution 2008-80 (attached).
Mr. Wright informed the Council that Senator Raskin and Delegate Hixson would be presenting State legislation on the issue.
Motion to Adopt Resolution 2008-81 Regarding the Maryland State Police Surveillance of Activities. Moved by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Seamens. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Clay)
Resolution 2008-81 (attached).
Ms. Matthews briefed the Council on the budget amendment. She said that the amendments included the purchase of a recycling truck for the Public Works Department and the new air conditioning system in the Housing and Community Development Department.
Mr. Williams asked for confirmation that the general contingency fund could be used to cover capital expenses.
Ms. Matthews responded that she would look into it.
Mr. Williams said that both of the amendments were necessary and would improve working conditions for staff and provide better service for residents.
Mr. Wright asked what if the City chose not to do anything about the air conditioning system and whether the system would be energy efficient.
Ms. Matthews responded that they felt that it was something that needed to be done. Ms. Matthews said that she would ask the Public Works Director to provide more information about the air conditioning system.
Mr. Wright asked for details about the new recycling truck.
Ms. Matthews reponded that she would ask the Public Works Director to provide more details on how she proposed to use the truck.
Mr. Seamens asked if the HVAC expense was related to the Community Center and if it was being tracked that way. He cautioned that large expenditures should be reevaluated until the government knows where the economy was headed. He said he would be interested in hearing lower cost alternatives.
Ms. Matthews suggested providing the Council with a capital expenditure status report.
Mr. Robinson asked if the City building had energy efficiency standards.
Ms. Matthews said that she woud provide additional information.
Pat Loveless commented on the budget.
Motion to accept First Reading Ordinance 2008-48 Authorizing FY09 Budget Amendment No. 2. Moved by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Seamens. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright)
Ordinance 2008-48 attached.
A. Single Reading Ordinance 2008-49 Awarding a Contract with Userful for Computer Center Computers, Software, and Support (attached).
B. Resolution 2008-82 Appointing John Peterson to the Committee on the Environment (attached).
C. Resolution 2008-83 Appointing Patricia Murphy to the Ethics Commission (attached).
D. Resolution 2008-84 Appointing John Peterson to the Noise Control Board (attached).
E. Resolution Reappointing David Borden and Frederick L. Schultz to the Public Safety Citizens Advisory Committee (attached).
Motion to adopt the Consent Agenda. Moved by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Barry. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Clay)
The Council recessed for a scheduled break at 9:06 p.m. and reconvened at 9:19 p.m.
Ms. Ludlow and Ms. Blanchard gave a Powerpoint presentation on the Purple Line. There was discussion about bus rapid transit versus light rail, travel times, and other issues. Ms. Ludlow said the Council’s recommendations would be included in the resolution to be prepared for adoption.
The Council adjourned for the evening at 10:23 p.m.