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PRESENT: | ||
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Mayor Williams Councilmember Daniels-Cohen Councilmember Grimes Councilmember Male Councilmember Seamens Councilmember Snipper |
City Manager Matthews City Clerk Carpenter HCD Director Daines Police Lieutenant Bowers | |
Mayor Williams announced that the next meeting would be on Tuesday, February 21 due to the Monday holiday.
Pat Loveless, Maple Avenue, wished everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. He suggested that the City establish an "adopt a tree" program or encourage tree plantings. He urged people to work for peace and show love for Takoma Park.
Mr. Williams reported that he had met with the PEPCO Vice President for Maryland. They talked about undergrounding utilities, cleaning up abandoned wires, and reliability of service. The Vice President said that aesthetics is not a reason for undergrounding, but he was willing to discuss working with the City on looking at the Flower Avenue streetscape project.
Mr. Williams reported that he was the featured speaker at the District 20 Breakfast Club on February 12. He presided at the annual Maryland Mayors Association meeting in Annapolis last week. While there he met with the City’s Senator and Delegates to discuss a number of issues, including potential changes to the ethics laws and Highway User Revenue funding. He presented a gift to Delegate Sheila Hixson on her birthday. Mr. Williams and his spouse attended part of the joint committee hearings in the House on the marriage equality bills on Friday. He also lobbied on behalf of the legislation.
Mr. Williams noted that the annual meet and confer with the County Executive about tax duplication would take place on February 16 in Rockville. He urged the Council to attend. He also noted that District 20 Night in Annapolis was scheduled for February 20.
Mr. Williams noted his distribution of the National Capital Planning Commission Annual Report.
Ms. Daniels-Cohen reported on the successful mid-winter Play Day held at the Community Center on February 9.
Ms. Daniels-Cohen commented on the work of the Takoma Junction Task Force and the report submitted to the Council. She noted that, as a former member of the Task Force, she was proud to have her name on the report.
Mr. Seamens said he was impressed and pleased with the Play Day activities on February 9.
Ms. Matthews reported that February 8 was the last day for receipt of applications for the new crossing guard position.
The Task Force presented its report (attached).
The Council requested that the group return to provide a list of priorities for the first year.
A number of written comments were received by the City Council in opposition to making Sycamore Avenue a one-way street, as proposed in the Task Force report. These comments are attached.
Ms. Matthews noted the details of the budget amendment. Councilmembers asked questions regarding some of the transfers and revisions proposed by the amendment.
Mr. Grimes asked for information related to the additional funding for public safety equipment, specifically the rifles proposed for purchase.
Lieutenant Bower explained that the rifles are semi-automatic with smaller, collapsible stocks that are standard issue for Montgomery County officers. The rifles are not capable of becoming fully automatic. In response to questions, he indicated that the rifles provide a level of safety during searches.
Mr. Seamens asked if the Council would need to take an action to request that the City Manager continue to inform the Council when a taser is used.
Ms. Matthews responded that she continues to follow that practice; no further Council action would be needed.
Mr. Williams commented that we need to continue to be careful about moving funding for ongoing positions into the Speed Camera Fund; it is preferable to use the funds for capital when we can.
Mr. Male suggested that the City work to get press coverage for the grey water system at the Public Works Facility if it turns out to be the first approved project in the State of Maryland.
In response to a question, Ms. Matthews confirmed that the Belle Ziegler Park irrigation system project would be deleted from the CIP. If it turns out that the system is not needed, the City may look to reprogram the Program Open Space funds for another purpose.
Motion to adopt First Reading Ordinance 2012-5 Authorizing FY 2012 Budget Amendment No. 2. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Male. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Daniels-Cohen, Councilmember Grimes, Councilmember Male, Councilmember Seamens, and Councilmember Snipper; ABSENT: Councilmember Schultz)
First Reading Ordinance 2012-5 (attached)
Mr. Snipper moved to convene at the Stormwater Management Board. Mr. Male seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Ms. Matthews explained that the amendment was related to a grant that the City did not receive. She said she would discuss with the Public Works Director whether to seek other funding for the project.
Motion to adopt First Reading Ordinance 2012-6 Authorizing FY 2012 Stormwater Budget Amendment No. 1. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Daniels-Cohen. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Daniels-Cohen, Councilmember Grimes, Councilmember Male, Councilmember Seamens, and Councilmember Snipper; ABSENT: Councilmember Schultz)
First Reading Ordinance 2012-6 (attached)
Motion to adopt Resolution 2012-7 Supporting the Takoma/Langley Sector Plan Urban Design Guidelines. Moved by Councilmember Snipper, seconded by Councilmember Daniels-Cohen. (VOTING FOR: Mayor Williams, Councilmember Daniels-Cohen, Councilmember Grimes, Councilmember Male, Councilmember Seamens, and Councilmember Snipper; ABSENT: Councilmember Schultz)
Resolution 2012-7 (attached)
The Council discussed the draft revisions. There was general support for the document. Councilmembers had some suggestions for improvement: clarification of the number of Councilmembers needed to adopt various ordinances and resolutions; adding more inclusive language to allow for Councilmembers to make motions outside of voting sessions; and, addition of a process for introduction of legislation and process to get items on the agenda.
The procedures will be brought back for additional discussion at a future meeting.
Montgomery College Neighbors Advisory Committee - Mr. Grimes suggested that the Committee may need to be revived when College expansion issues come up.
Free Burma Committee - The Council supported deleting the Free Burma Committee from the Code.
Committee on the Environment and Safe Roadways Committee - The Council discussed reviving these two committees, providing clear and specific direction, scheduling reporting sessions, and reviewing timetables and deliverables.
The Council agreed to schedule another session to follow up on the prior discussions of committees, development of standard committee bylaws including term limits for leadership and how chairs are selected.
The Council adjourned for the evening at 10:33 p.m.