CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND
SPECIAL SESSION AND WORKSESSION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, July 20, 2009
MINUTES
(Minutes adopted October 12, 2009.)
Closed Session of July 13, 2009
On July 13, 2009, the City Council convened at 6:08 p.m. to vote to go into closed session to consult with legal counsel regarding the status of settlement negotiations with TRG Construction (related to the Community Center Project), pursuant to Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article, §10-508(a)(7). Motion to convene in closed session by Ms. Clay; second by Mr. Robinson (VOTING FOR: Williams, Clay, Robinson, Seamens; ABSENT: Snipper, Victoria, Wright). The Council convened in the Council Conference Room for the closed session. Officials Present: Williams, Clay, Robinson, Seamens, Wright, Victoria; ABSENT: Snipper; Staff/Others Present: Matthews, Carpenter, Attorney Robert Cox (by phone). Mr. Cox provided information on the status of negotiations with TRG Construction, which had sued the City approximately 18 months ago for the $112,000 liquidated damages withheld by the City and for other damages. The case was moved to arbitration as per the contract. A number of settlement offers had been exchanged. The City Council voted to accept TRG’s offer of $37,500 payable to TRG to close out the contract in regard to all TRG claims. The closed session adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Administrative Function Session of July 13, 2009
Following the closed session, the City Council met in administrative function session to prepare for the City Manager’s evaluation. OFFICIALS PRESENT: Williams, Clay, Robinson, Seamens, Wright.
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PRESENT: |
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Mayor Williams
Councilmember Robinson
Councilmember Seamens
Councilmember Snipper
Councilmember Victoria
Councilmember Wright
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City Manager Matthews
City Clerk Carpenter
Library Director Arnold-Robbins
Community Development Coordinator Blanchard
Public Works Director Braithwaite
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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 commented that he believed the Council should weigh in on two issues of national importance: the immigration reform debate and the health care reform debate.
Mr. Williams commented on the Crossroads Sector Plan workshop held on July 13. He said he hoped to continue to find other topics and venues for the Council to interact with residents in a less formal setting.
Mr. Williams noted recent meetings he had attended: a metaleadership conference on emergency preparedness and a COG/National Capital Planning Commission meeting with federal partners to develop ways to work together with the federal government.
Minutes of April 27, 2009 were adopted upon motion by Mr. Seamens; seconded by Mr. Wright.
Joanne Hill, resident of Ward 4, spoke representing the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Old Town. She said the church was interested in increasing its visability and would be holding its second annual community fun day on August 30.
Ms. Matthews expressed condolences to the family of Corinne Bell, who had been a member of the Recreation Department staff for two years. Ms. Bell passed away at the age of 21.
SPECIAL SESSION
Ms. Arnold-Robbins commented on the staff's appreciation for the contributions of Mike Morrissey's family and friends.
Karen Boyer, Friends of the Library, commented on Mike Morrissey's lasting contribution to the Library through the tournament and action in his memory.
Motion Moved by , seconded by . (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, Councilmember Victoria, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Clay)
Resolution 2009-43 (attached)
Ms. Blanchard presented the draft resolution supporting adoption of the sector plan with certain conditions.
Council discussed the resolution and made several changes to the draft.
Public comments were taken.
Neal Teague, representing the Takoma/Langley Crossroads CDA, commented that the CDA wanted to ensure that property owners would have the opportunity to be able to improve and grow during the transition period.
Barrie Howard, Ward 6 resident, commented that, from a homeowners perspective, he objected to a significant increase in multifamily housing in the block behind 7676 New Hampshire Avenue.
Navid Nasr, Ward 6 resident, expressed concern that affordable housing would not be preserved.
Mark Dubek, property owner, expressed concern about the loss of retail businesses. He said he felt the plan would further deteriorate the commercial properties and recommended that the plan be put on hold until SHA, the MTA, and the two counties could work out differences.
Catherine Tunis, Larch Avenue, supported staff’s recommendation to delete reference to a new trail along the Long Branch stream valley. She supported green space near the transit area. Additionally, Ms. Tunis suggested that the WSSC property not be permitted to be developed as commercial.
Neal Teague commented as a property owner. He complimented staff for their work. Mr. Teague did not support reduction of the height of townhomes in the plan to 35 feet.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009-43 Providing Comments on the Takoma/Langley Crossroads Sector Plan (Montgomery County). Moved by Councilmember Seamens, seconded by Councilmember Victoria. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, Councilmember Victoria, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Clay)
Resolution 2009-43 (attached)
The Council discussed the resolution. Several revisions were made to the draft. Council supported a completion of moving students into Takoma Park schools, from homes affected by unification of Takoma Park into Montgomery County. Additionally, the Council wanted to ensure that Takoma Park students would not be permanently relocated out of schools that are expanding.
A number of residents spoke in support of the resolution.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009-44 Commenting on the Proposed Elementary School Boundary Redistricting. Moved by Councilmember Wright, seconded by Councilmember Snipper. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, Councilmember Victoria, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Clay)
Resolution 2009-44 (attached)
The Council discussed the ranking of projects to be submitted for Community Legacy Program funding. The ranking agreed upon was: 1) the energy efficiency improvements to the Aspen Court Housing Project; 2) the Piney Branch/Flower Commercial Revitalization Project; 3) energy efficiency improvements for the Maple Avenue Housing Project; and 4) the New Hampshire Avenue Corridor Initiative.
Seth Grimes, Willow Avenue, commented that he was glad to see Aspen Court at the top of the list.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009-46 Authorizing Submission of Community Legacy Program Grant Application. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Wright. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, Councilmember Victoria, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Clay)
Resolution 2009-46 (attached)
WORKESSION
Seth Grimes, Willow Avenue, and Steve Davies, Poplar Avenue, were present to represent residents who had requested that the City ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.
Public Works Director Braithwaite commented on the impact a ban on City use of the equipment would have on the Public Works staff. She indicated that the impact would be fairly modest. It would extend the time needed to do certain projects. She noted that there was some concern expressed by her staff about relying on physical labor instead of machines.
The Council discussed the possibility of a ban on City use of the equipment. The Council agreed to have the new task force on environmental action review the issue as part of a more comprehensive review of sustainability issues.
Catherine Tunis, Milford Sprecher and John Peterson, members of the Committee on the Environment, were present for the discussion. Ms. Tunis expressed some concern about the suspension of the Committee on the Environment. She indicated that the group had planned to do some outreach on incentives for energy efficiency.
Mr. Sprecher and Mr. Peterson indicated that they were somewhat puzzled by the lack of support for the Committee on the Environment.
The Council discussed the draft resolution establishing the task force and provided direction to staff on revisions to be made before it would be brought back to Council for adoption. There was discussion about how the chair would be selected. The majority of Council supported having the leadership elected by the task force.
ADJOURN
The Council adjourned for the evening at 11:32 p.m.