Councilmember Barry
Councilmember Clay
Councilmember Robinson
Councilmember Seamens
Councilmember Snipper
Councilmember Wright
Public Works Director Braithwaite
City Clerk Carpenter
Community Development Coordinator Blanchard
Deputy City Manager Ludlow
Ms. Clay noted reports from her residents that the trash collectors have sometimes been putting recycling in with the regular trash during pickup. She said it is an issue she would like to have the Council discuss further.
Mr. Wright commented on the importance of making known potential projects eligible for federal stimulus program funding. Mr. Wright also noted a number of street light outages and reported that one side of the clock on Laurel Avenue had stopped working. He requested follow up on crosswalks at Carroll and Columbia and Park Avenues.
Mr. Seamens reported that the Piney Branch Pool was tentatively scheduled to be reopened in mid January, but it was awaiting the County inspection and permit issuance.
Mr. Wright requested a briefing on the license plate recognition scanners before a procurement ordinance was scheduled. Ms. Matthews agreed to arrange for a worksession on the topic.
Mr. Snipper noted that the County had organized a "Yes, Montgomery Can" campaign and was looking for contributors and volunteers for Martin Luther King Day.
Mr. Robinson asked the Public Works Director to report on the ramifications of the global financial situation on demand for recycled materials.
Mr. Williams commented on the meeting with the District 20 delegation held on January 11. He said over 100 people had attended. Mr. Williams also reported on a press conference with the County Executive to kick off the renovation of 7610 Maple Avenue. Mr. Williams reported on progress with the mosaic project and on his meeting with the Washington Adventist Hospital Land Use Committee.
Robbi Kimball, Takoma Park Folk Festival Committee board member, reported that Karen Vernon had stepped up to take over leadership of the Festival.
Ms. Matthews reported that she had learned that Highway User Fund revenues would come in at $76,000 less than expected. The projection for 2010 would likely be equal to 2009.
Ms. Matthews reported that bids had come in for the Park Avenue parking lot project. The bids were all over the budgeted amount.
Ms. Matthews reported that SHA had placed a work order to install crosswalk paddles at Philadelphia Avenue and Chicago Avenue. They had also issued a work order to put thermoplastic markings on the road.
Ms. Clay asked if the same thing could be done at Ethan Allen and Elm Avenue. Ms. Matthews said she would follow up on the request.
Ms. Matthews referenced a memo distributed to the City Council requesting input from the City on interpretation of certain provisions of the Commercial Revitalization Overlay Zone. She said that the City's planning staff would be following up with the Council on the matter.
Ms. Matthews reported on complaints received by the Public Works Department regarding erosion and stormwater problems near Washington Adventist Hospital. She said that staff was following up on the matter.
Representatives of I Studio presented plans for the auditorium renovation. (Plans attached.) The Council was asked to provide direction on two issues: 1) whether the City should pursue LEED certification for the project; and 2) whether the schedule should be delayed to allow for additional cost estimating to take place.
The Council supported both proposals.
Ms. Braithwaite described the revisions to the ordinance since first reading. She said the department would be developing administrative regulations to accompany the ordinance.
Mr. Seamens asked about the possibility of using stormwater fees to fund rainscape programs.
Ms. Braithwaite responded that the department had been supportive of the County rainscape program and would like to see it extended to the City. She said she would not like to see stormwater fees diverted to fund the program because all the funds are needed for other stormwater projects. She suggested that some funding could be provided from the Tree Fund for tree planting as part of a rainscape project, if the City made that policy decision. Ms. Braithwaite noted that implementation of a rainscape program would take a lot of staff time.
Motion to adopt Second Reading Ordinance 2008-57, as amended, Amending Chapter 16.04 of the Takoma Park Code Revising Stormwater Permit Fees for Multi-Family, Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Development. Moved by Councilmember Clay, seconded by Councilmember Snipper. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright)
Second Reading Ordinance 2008-57 (attached)
A. Resolution 2009-2 Amending the Employment Agreement Between the City of Takoma Park and Barbara Burns Matthews, as City Manager (attached)
B. Resolution 2009-3, Appointing Elizabeth Strickler to the Tree Commission (attached)
C. Resolution 2009-4 Appointing Leandra Goedvolk and Albert Nunez to the Committee on the Environment (attached)
Motion to adopt the Consent Agenda. Moved by Councilmember Seamens, seconded by Councilmember Clay. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Barry, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright)
Community Development Coordinator Blanchard was present for the discussion, along with Bridget Bowers, President of the Pinecrest Association.
Ms. Blanchard explained that the plan was developed in coordination with the neighborhood to slow traffic in the area. She said the Public Works Department had developed a cost estimate. The project would zero out the funding for traffic calming in the 2009 budget. She said she expected the New Hampshire Gardens community to come forward next with a request for traffic calming.
Council was supportive of the request, but there was interest in coming up with a different process and more systematic way to review the requests for traffic calming.
Anne Sergeant, Chair of the Board of Elections, presented the proposed revisions to the City Charter.
Mr. Robinson requested that the Board look into revisions that would reduce the number of signatures required to place a referendum on the ballot.
There was not Council support for pursuing this, however, Mr. Williams indicated that the Board could come back to the Council with additional information.
Mr. Wright requested that the Board look into whether same day registration would be feasible for City elections.
The Board was asked to come back with more information on this issue.
The Council was supportive of moving forward with the Charter amendment process.
The Council adjourned for the evening at 10:54 p.m.