Ms. Matthews reported that the closing date for applications for the crossing guard position was February 8. She noted a miscue about the number of hours that the guard will work, necessitating a different salary range. The cost for the guard would range from $14,600 to $20,800 annually, depending on the health benefits selected by the employee.
Mr. Grimes moved adoption of the resolution; seconded by Ms. Daniels-Cohen.
Mr. Grimes noted that the Council had considered three suggestions to the proposed ZTA, one related to a size limitation and the other was to tighten the definition of community commercial kitchen. There was not agreement on the requirement of a special exception. Mr. Grimes had discussed the ZTA with County Councilmember George Leventhal who indicated that there would be no change to what the County Council was to consider on January 24. Additionally, Park and Planning had three changes to the ZTA, to restrict the number of vehicle trips, restrict the hours of operation, and to disallow community commercial kitchens in respite care and opportunity housing.
Mr. Grimes noted that two Ward 1 residents expressed objection to the ZTA without a special exception, as do many on the City Council. He suggested that the Council adopt the resolution as written, observe the County Council’s actions and see if changes would be made based on the Planning Board and City Council’s comments.
Mr. Snipper said he would vote no on the resolution. He would not support agreement to a process that did not include public comment on something like a commercial kitchen in a residential neighborhood.
Mr. Schultz said he would oppose the resolution unless a special exception were built into the process.
Mr. Williams agreed with Mr. Schultz. He said he appreciated Mr. Grimes’ efforts and supported the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church in its efforts, but would not support the ZTA without a special exception requirement.
Motion to table the Resolution Concerning Zoning Text Amendment 11-08 Regarding Adding Accessory Commercial Kitchen as a Permitted Land Use in Certain Residential Zones under Certain Circumstances until the County Council considers what changes it would make to the legislation. Moved by Councilmember Grimes, seconded by Councilmember Seamens. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Daniels-Cohen, Councilmember Grimes, Councilmember Schultz, Councilmember Seamens, and Councilmember Snipper; AGAINST: Councilmember Male)
Mr. Male requested that there be a follow up in a year to report on the energy savings resulting from the new equipment.
Motion to adopt Single Reading Ordinance 2012-4 Awarding a Contract for HVAC Improvements at the Community Center. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Male. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Daniels-Cohen, Councilmember Grimes, Councilmember Male, Councilmember Schultz, Councilmember Seamens, and Councilmember Snipper)
Single Reading Ordinance 2012-4 (attached)
Motion to adopt Resolution 2012-2 Extending the Term of the Takoma Junction Task Force. Moved by Councilmember Seamens, seconded by Councilmember Snipper. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Daniels-Cohen, Councilmember Grimes, Councilmember Male, Councilmember Schultz, Councilmember Seamens, and Councilmember Snipper)
Resolution 2012-2 (attached)
Mr. Seamens recused himself.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2012-3 Authorizing Execution of a Grant Agreement with the Independence Day Committee. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Daniels-Cohen. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Daniels-Cohen, Councilmember Grimes, Councilmember Male, Councilmember Schultz, and Councilmember Snipper)
Resolution 2012-3 (attached)
Ms. Daines presented the newest draft of the design guidelines. After the Council had adopted a resolution opposing the earlier version of the guidelines, a series of meetings between City and County planning staff, Mayor Williams and Councilmember Schultz were held to ensure that the guidelines reflected the changes that the City Council and the community supported.
After the presentation and discussion, Council indicated its support. A resolution of support will be scheduled for the Council’s consideration.
Gregory Clark reviewed his conceptual plan for the Recreation Department (attached).
Ms. Matthews indicated that she was looking for a general reaction from the Council to provide guidance as she prepares her proposed budget.
Mr. Seamens commented that Mr. Clark’s plans were on target with the Council’s direction. He said he hoped that the bus would be used to bring people to the Recreation Center and the Community Center, especially those that do not live near the two facilities. He asked if there was consideration of increasing fees for the senior programs as a way to broaden the services available and increasing fees for other programs for similar purposes. He said he believed the Council would consider revisiting the fee structure.
Mr. Seamens asked if there was consideration of restarting a midnight basketball program. He continued to support job readiness training and said he would support such programs to whatever degree needed.
Mr. Snipper said he would be favorably disposed to a number of Mr. Clark’s financial requests. He said he would like to see more special events in the City, including events designed to get folks out in Wards 5 and 6. He supported the suggestion to make better use of the bus. Mr. Snipper suggested using social media and providing sessions to train youth and seniors on best practices.
Mr. Snipper also supported working on the integrated service model to figure out how to involve young participants as they get older.
Mr. Grimes asked if there had been discussion of using Montgomery College and Washington Adventist University facilities. Generally, he said he would prioritize fuller utilization of existing programs rather than starting new programs. He supported increasing community partnerships and consideration of a mechanism, similar to the Friends of the Library, to raise money for scholarships.
Mr. Grimes suggested that the Council clarify the role of the Recreation Committee, which as currently set up is advisory, not an operational committee. He also indicated that he would like to see some progress on the tax duplication issue as it relates to recreation.
Ms. Daniels-Cohen supported Mr. Clark’s plans. She said she wanted to pursue with the City Attorney the agreement that was made when Piney Branch Elementary School was built to allow use of free or low cost space in the facility.
Ms. Daniels-Cohen supported use of the integrative service model to train people who come up through the Recreation Department programs to go into related fields, including the arts.
Mr. Male commented that in bad economic times he did not necessarily want to see more of everything. He asked if an expansion of the City’s day care programs would be competing with private facilities and, if so, why would the City be competing.
Mr. Male commented that successful job training is an incredibly complicated thing. He asked if the City would be better off providing scholarships to existing successful programs instead of trying to operate programs.
Mr. Male said he would like to see a plan to expand use of the New Hampshire Avenue Recreation Center before increasing resources to the facility. He did agree with looking at the tax duplication issue, as mentioned by Mr. Grimes, and with Mr. Snipper’s idea of holding more special events as a way to advertise the Recreation Department programs.
Mr. Male suggested that targeted use of the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church gym might be worthwhile, despite the higher cost.
Mr. Schultz commented that the Recreation Department should be more creative in thinking about senior services. Programs should be broken down my more than just 55 and older. He suggested considering services for 55-65, 65-80, and 80 and older. He was supportive of finding ways to reach out to older seniors in single family homes.
Mr. Schultz commented on the deteriorating condition of the Recreation Center. He suggested that the City work to get a new facility into the County or Park and Planning CIP.
Mr. Schultz suggested more active sports for seniors. He supported the idea of more special events. Mr. Schultz also indicated that he would like to have a better understanding of the teen to adult transition programs.
Mr. Williams also supported more special events. He said his budget priority would be toward teens and older teens. He liked the idea of increased visibility of Recreation Department staff. Mr. Williams also suggested that consideration be given to use of the John Nevins Andrews School gym and stage.
A number of ideas were proposed by the Council: continuing ward nights, conversations with the community in less formal settings, meeting out in the community in less known areas, finding ways to bring the community together in areas of the city as a way of community building, hold tours in various areas of the City, holding meetings in other buildings in the City, participation of the whole Council in events held within various wards.