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PRESENT: | ||
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Mayor Williams Councilmember Robinson Councilmember Seamens Councilmember Snipper Councilmember Victoria Councilmember Wright |
City Manager Matthews Assistant City Clerk Andia Landlord Tenant Specialist Wilds Police Chief Ricucci Public Works Director Braithwaite | |
Mr. Williams reported that he and Ms. Victoria had testified on the Takoma/Langley Sector Plan. He said that there would be other opportunities to share comments on the plan.
Mr. Snipper announced the National Night Out event scheduled for August 4 in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads.
Mr. Seamens announced a Night Out event that would take place at 7777 Maple Avenue on August 4.
Mr. William noted that this was the last meeting for the summer until September 8.
Minutes of April 30, May 4, May 7, May 11 and May 18, 2009 were adopted upon motion by Councilmember Seamens; seconded by Mr. Wright.
Pat Loveless, 7620 Maple Avenue, thanked the Council for extending an invitation to President Obama to attend the Folk Festival. He suggested that the youth get more involved in the community.
Larry Silverman, 7308 Birch Avenue, stated that he was a business owner in Takoma Park. Mr. Silverman commented on personal property taxes and asked that the Council consider decreasing taxes on inventory.
Mr. Silverman also commented that certain parts of the City were ideal for solar energy and encouraged the Council to look into it.
Mr. Wright asked the City Manager to explore the cost of making changes to the inventory tax.
Ron Wiley, Executive Director of Adventist Community Services, updated the Council on the Piney Branch Pool. Mr. Wiley said he was exploring the cost effectiveness of opening the pool prior to the start of the school year.
Ms. Matthews said that she would give the Council her 2008-2009 quarterly report at the end of the meeting.
Chief Ricucci reported that there was a dramatic increase in crime in the last 30 days. He said that the intruders were coming into homes from the rear and through the basements. He encouraged the community to contact the police if an unknown person(s) was walking through their yard. He encouraged residents to lock their sheds and garage doors. Chief Ricucci reported that he had deployed increased plain clothes officers and officers on bikes.
Ms. Ludlow explained that the City awarded a contract in November 2008 to I Studio Architects to design the Auditorium as a multipurpose room. She said that the designs went out to bid in June and nine bids were received on July 10. Ms. Ludlow reported that she, other staff members, and a consultant reviewed the bids and recommended Marion Construction. Ms. Ludlow stated that she and the team recommended that the Council go forward with the base bid presented by Marion. She reported that the project involved: lowering and expanding the stage, installation of floating wood floor, a new dais that breaks up into separate mobile desks, an HVAC system on the roof, acoustic panels on the ceiling, acoustic curtains, rear entrance with a ramp, LED theatre lighting, new carpet made of recycled material, recycled wall covering, and new chairs made of recycled parts.
Mr. Snipper expressed concern about the project time line.
Ms. Ludlow replied that the contractor was required to finish in 180 days and that the contractor felt it was sufficient time. She said that staff would be monitoring the project on a daily basis.
Mr. Seamens asked if the project was going to be completed for the amount of money the City projected. He asked how the 5% was decided on to be enough to cover any contingencies.
Ms. Ludlow replied that research was conducted by staff and the consultant.
Mr. Seamens asked how the City taxes were being used.
Ms. Ludlow indicated that the project was not being funded with City tax revenues.
Mr. Wright asked if the contractor would be required to adhere to the City’s living wage law.
Ms. Ludlow said that Marion was aware of the City’s law.
Mr. Wright asked about penalties for delays.
Ms. Ludlow said that it was being worked into the contract.
Mr. Wolfgang, Chair of the Emergency Preparedness Committee, asked about emergency power for the Auditorium.
Ms. Ludlow said that she would look into it.
Motion to adopt Single Reading Ordinance 2009-43 Awarding a Contract for Renovation of the Auditorium. Moved by Councilmember Seamens, seconded by Councilmember Wright. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, Councilmember Victoria, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Clay)
Ordinance 2009-43 (attached)
A. Single Reading Ordinance 2009-44 Authorizing Contract for Cable Equipment and Installation (attached)
C. Resolution 2009-47 Providing for Appointments to the Personnel Appeal Board (attached)
D. Resolution 2009-48 Providing for an Appointment to the Emergency Preparedness Committee (attached)
E. Resolution 2009-49 Providing for the City Council’s Summer Recess (Tuesday, July 28 - Tuesday, September 8) (attached)
F. Single Reading Ordinance 2009-45 Authorizing a Contract to Conduct a Resident Survey (attached)
G. Resolution 2009-50 Providing for Reappointments to the Arts and Humanities Commission (attached)
Motion to adopt the consent agenda. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Robinson. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, Councilmember Victoria, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Clay)
B. Resolution Establishing a Task Force on Environmental Sustainability (removed from the consent agenda)
Mr. Wright said that he wanted to discuss the section of the resolution which articulates the duties of the committee.
Mr. Snipper suggested making an early task list of what the committee should do and when they would complete those tasks.
Mr. Robinson suggested that the committee name be changed to Task Force on Environmental Action. Council concurred.
Mr. Wright suggested that the selection of the chair, co-chair, and secretary be made by the Mayor rather than the committee itself in the interest of moving things along quickly.
The Council discussed this but did not make the suggested change to the resolution.
Ms. Victoria suggested that a clause in reference to social justice be added to the resolution.
Mr. Wright suggested rewording several sections in the resolution. He recommended adding a sentence that would give the committee a sense of what tasks were priority and advise the committee to seek out the largest return for the smallest investment.
Mr. Robinson suggested adding a phrase to the five-year plan section of the resolution regarding policy to make the plan more aggressive.
Council concurred. The amended resolution was put to a vote.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009-51 Establishing a Task Force on Environmental Action. 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 2009-51 (attached)
Mr. Jarrett Smith, Ms. Joanne Hill, and Mr. Moses Wilds presented the COLTA report (attached).
Mr. Smith noted that due to work of the staff, fewer cases were being heard. Mr. Smith recommended a change to the subpoena authority in the COLTA regulations.
Council asked questions and discussed the report. COLTA was asked to return to the Council to discuss its recommended changes to the Code and Regulations.
Ms. Matthews briefly spoke about the City’s budget in regards to the Public Works renovation project.
Ms. Braithwaite introduced the consultants and said that the presentation on the Public Works facility renovation would include green features and LEED certified options.
A consultant explained that there were varied degrees of LEED certification.
Mr. Wright said that he would like to see the City meet the priorities to get the best benefits and not just get certified for the sake of being certified. He said that greenhouse gas emission reduction should be a priority and he favored a geothermal system. Mr. Wright asked about photovoltaic.
The consultant explained that there were a number of private corporations that would be willing to go into an agreement with a government entity that was unable to take advantage of the tax breaks. He said that the private corporation would install the photovoltaics and sell the power at a low market rate.
Ms. Braithwaite stated that it was a challenge to manage the budget and address the deficiencies of the facility while meeting the green needs. She said that they have to figure out a way to marry the two and meet the budget.
Mr. Wright said that he felt that the City had a moral obligation to do what was best for the environment.
Mr. Seamens stated that functionality was important. He said that Oswego Avenue was not adequate to handle the equipment used by Public Works and therefore the City should make the access road from Ritchie Avenue a first priority. He asked that there be a priority that addresses the functionality of the Public Works department for the City staff. He said that going green makes a statement about the community and encourages others to be green. He asked that they find away to be LEED certified without the big initial cost.
The consultant said that he could contact three of the corporations that provide photovoltaic and provide them with information about the roof.
Mr. Snipper suggested that the City take a serious look at what needs to be done now rather than later. He said that the City may end up paying more for an issue that was not dealt with earlier.
Mr. Snipper said that he was in favor of a geothermal system which would eventually give a return on the investment.
Mr. Robinson asked if there was going to be an expansion of the building after the renovation.
Ms. Braithwaite said that there would be more space to store equipment.
Ms. Victoria said that she first needed to know what could be reasonably spent before she could decide on what should be included in the renovation plan. She asked about payment options.
Ms. Matthews recommended a budget of $3 million.
Mr. Seamens said that he would like to see staff return with recommendations on priorities.
Mr. Wright asked if the City looked at all possibilities for State funding and stimulus money.
Ms. Matthews responded that they may have the chance to work with Congressman Van Hollen to receive federal funding. She said that they would check for stimulus funding.
Ms. Matthews recapped the Council’s discussion on the renovation project. She said that the Council agreed on a geothermal system, obtaining the minimum level of LEED certification, regrading of Ritchie Avenue, and giving preference to improving the conditions of the facility for staff.
The Council concurred with Ms. Matthews.
Ms. Matthews presented her report (attached).
The Council adjourned for the evening at 10:55 p.m.