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PRESENT: | ||
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Mayor Williams Councilmember Clay Councilmember Robinson Councilmember Seamens Councilmember Snipper Councilmember Wright |
City Manager Matthews City Clerk Carpenter HCD Director Daines Police Chief Ricucci Executive Assistant Cathy Plevy | |
Councilmember Clay commented on the busing of students from Takoma Park Elementary School during the renovation. She noted a number of problems, including lack of capacity for those who typically walked to TPES and lack of supervision on the buses. She suggested that the Council ask Montgomery County Public Schools to attend a meeting to discuss the problems.
Councilmember Snipper noted that WSSC had announced that it would shortly complete the paving of the 700 block of Erie Avenue. Mr. Snipper reminded residents about the census and encouraged residents to complete the form. He noted that no census worker would visit if the form was completed and sent back. Finally, Mr. Snipper announced that MW COG would be holding an obesity forum. He said he was interested in what can be done about obesity in the schools.
Councilmember Robinson commented on the off-leash dog issue. He said he had been talking with residents around Ed Wilhelm Field, Spring Park and Forest Park. He noted the questions about liability and the intersection of County and City laws.
Councilmember Wright noted recent car break ins in North Takoma. He said the Police Department was aware of the problem and was continuing to patrol and use its tactical enforcement units.
Mr. Wright noted the opportunity to do bulk purchasing of corn pellets from the Corn Burners Cooperative for use in corn stoves.
Mr. Wright commented about the dog park issue. He said there was a lot of bureaucracy involved in the situation. He said he believed it was important to figure out how to make it happen in Takoma Park, and find a way to solve the problems.
Mayor Williams noted that the Task Force on Environmental Action was about to begin meeting. He encouraged any interested residents to attend the meetings.
There were no public comments.
Ms. Matthews reported that an artist (Suren Gevorgyan) who had exhibited at the Community Center donated a painting to the City.
Ms. Matthews reported that the architects were working to make modifications to the Community Center lobby design. She also reported that a contractor was preparing to do a test well at the Public Works site to see if geothermal power would be an option for the renovated facility.
Ms. Matthews explained the fiscal impact of the budget amendment. She noted that there was still a revenue shortfall that remained to be addressed in some way. She indicated that there had been some vacant positions for part of the year that would partially offset the loss.
Mr. Seamens commented that the budget amendment had brought more constituent feedback than any other recent items. He heard from residents that the Council should pay attention to the need for tax relief during these difficult economic times.
Mr. Wright commented that he hoped to begin budget discussions shortly after the election or early in the new year.
Navid Nasr, Ward 6, asked about the reduction in speed camera revenues.
Ms. Matthews said the reduction in projected revenue was a result of the change in State Law (increasing the miles over the speed limit that results in a citation). The other reason for the reduction was the City’s experience to date with citations being paid.
Thomas Nephew asked if the City could estimate the final successful payment rate.
Chief Ricucci said he was trying to make that projection.
Roger Schlegel, Ward 3, asked if the Speed Camera Fund monies would be used for sidewalk construction and would allocating some of the funds to the work of the police officers working on the program would reduce the amount.
Ms. Matthews indicated that $500,000 had been set aside for sidewalks.
Motion to adopt Second Reading Ordinance 2009-47 Authorizing FY10 Budget Amendment No. 1. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Clay. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Victoria)
Second Reading Ordinance 2009-47 (attached)
Motion to adopt First Reading Ordinance 2009-53 Appointing Judges for the November 3, 2009 City Election. Moved by Councilmember Clay, seconded by Councilmember Snipper. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Victoria)
First Reading Ordinance 2009-53 (attached)
Ms. Daines responded to Council questions about the ordinance and agreed to return with revisions at second reading. She assured Council that public notice of changes to meter time limits or fees would be provided. She indicated that the administrative regulation could address how new parking meter areas would be added and at which points in the process the Council would become involved.
Motion to accept First Reading Ordinance 2009-54 Amending Takoma Park Code Chapter 13.12 Parking Meters. Moved by Councilmember Clay, seconded by Councilmember Snipper. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Victoria)
First Reading Ordinance 2009-54 (attached)
Mr. Seamens recused himself from the discussion and vote.
Andrew Kelemen, CDBG Advisory Committee member, was present.
Ms. Daines said the Advisory Committee had focused on basic human needs and had elected to award to one community project -- the Crossroads Farmers Market Fresh Check Project, rather than awarding a little to each of the applicants. The recommendation for the capital portion of the funding was to fund the City’s affordable housing initiatives.
In response to questions from Council, Michelle Dudley of the Crossroads Farmers Market said that the Market had just received a $50,000 grant from the Kaiser Foundation for the Fresh Check Program. She said the plan was to continue the program as long as the Market continues. She said that she was seeing more than 400 people in attendance at the Market each week.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009-64 Endorsing PY36 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Projects. Moved by Councilmember Clay, seconded by Councilmember Wright. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Victoria)
Resolution 2009-64 (attached)
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009-65 Providing for Appointments to the Small Community Grant Review Committee. Moved by Councilmember Robinson, seconded by Councilmember Wright. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Clay, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Snipper, and Councilmember Wright; ABSENT: Councilmember Victoria)
Resolution 2009-65 (attached)
WORKSESSION
Chief Ricucci introduced Janice Hart, from Front Royal, Virginia. Ms. Hart serves on the Chief’s Advisory Council in Front Royal.
Chief Ricucci described the advisory board that he planned to establish. He indicated that the group would meet monthly, be open to questions, comments and complaints. He said he would reach out to schools, the community, and faith groups.
Ms. Hart said that the advisory board in Front Royal worked as a team with the Police Department. Members were often guest speakers at meetings. They were available for festivals, parades, and council meetings. She said the board benefitted from dialogue with the community.
In response to Council questions, Chief Ricucci indicated that he would bring issues to the Council from the Advisory Board, if needed.
Councilmembers discussed the Chief’s proposal. There was support for his plan. The Council discussed whether the Public Safety Citizens Advisory Committee (PSCAC) should continue in its present function.
Mr. Snipper said the City would be well served to also have a group independent of the Police Chief.
Mr. Seamens said he would like to see the Chief’s advisory board actually implement some projects, such as helping to form neighborhood patrols, and then have police officers monitor and guide the patrols. He also indicated that he would like to see a volunteers in policing program. He said he was not sure that the Council’s advisory committee should be a standing body. A task force could be formed when the Council was seeking advice on an issue.
Ms. Clay commented that the worst thing the Council could do is to have a committee or advisory board and not engage them. She said she was willing to let the PSCAC go.
Mr. Wright indicated that he could see a role for both groups.
There were a number of public comments on the issue:
Charles Thomas, Interim Chair of the PSCAC, spoke in support of maintaining the Committee, as a group that would have some independence from the Police Department.
Andrew Kelemen, former member of the PSCAC, supported the Chief’s proposal to establish a Chief’s Advisory Board and supported abolishing the PSCAC.
Thomas Nephew commented on the value of having an independently appointed advisory committee that could address issues such as license plate scanners. Such issues would be difficult for a body appointed by the Police Chief.
Terrill North, applicant for the PSCAC, supported keeping the PSCAC as an advisory body, but agreed that it needed clearer direction from the Council.
Fred Schultz, former member of the PSCAC, said that he believed that if the Council was going to keep the PSCAC, it should be given direction and a mandate. Without that, he said the Council should just let it go.
Navid Nasr commented that he believed there was a need for both the PSCAC and the Chief’s Advisory Board.
Mr. Williams encouraged residents to contact the Council about whether the PSCAC should continue.
The Council adjourned for the evening at 9:55 p.m.