Town of Berwyn Heights

Worksession Minutes

April 3, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, CMs Dennison, Laughlin and McNulty. CM Gourley had an excused absence. Also present were Town Administrator Murphy, Clerk Harper and citizens.

1. Mayor

Agenda: Community Center parking spaces and Citizen of the Year were added to the agenda.

Announcements: Water will be turned off when WSSC begins to dig up the water mains on Seminole Street beginning tomorrow. The White House and Governor's Office declined the Berwyn Heights Day invitations.

Calendar: The Council reviewed the calendar. Starting time for the April Town meeting was changed to 7:30 p.m. The Town Administrator cancelled his April vacation.

Minutes: CM McNulty moved to approve the March 20 worksession minutes. CM Dennison seconded. The minutes were approved 4 to 0 with corrections. The March 8 Town meeting minutes were reviewed for adoption at the April Town meeting.

Department reports: CM Laughlin reported that the Code Enforcement Department is putting together an exhibit for Berwyn Heights Day. CM Dennison reported that a student mock council meeting will be held at the April 24 worksession at 6:30 p.m. Berwyn Heights Day planning continues. The Recreation Council is holding auditions for a second band to play at the concert. The Purple Martins have returned to Lake Artemesia. The Berwyn Presbyterian Church Strawberry Festival will be held on the first Saturday of June. CM McNulty reported that a person with special needs, who went missing from a Berwyn Heights group home, was found in Washington D.C. The police had put out an announcement to residents in the vicinity using a new “Reverse 911 Call Service.” Despite some complaints from residents about the lateness of the calls, CM McNulty fully supports the use of the service as an effective tool.

Mayor Calvo reported that TA Murphy continues to work on an employee salary plan and budget synopsis. The Mayor visited Berwyn Heights Elementary School (BHES) to explain the “If I Where Mayor” essay contest. He hopes to read the winning essay at a Town meeting and to have the winner participate in the mock council meeting on April 24. The Public Works Department is servicing equipment for the summer mowing season. Tecumseh Street was closed on Friday, March 31, due to a fallen tree.

Citizen comments: Mike Attick of 62^nd Avenue suggested that the Town use the call-a-bus on Election Day to bring people to the polling station. He commented that an elderly resident reported to him that she was frightened by the late night call about a missing person and asked why the Neighborhood Watch was not notified to help look. Mayor Calvo replied that Chief Murphy did not recommend it. CM Laughlin received a comment about a boat parked in a driveway without a cover and was told that it has been moved. CM Dennison said that Seminole Street residents appreciate receiving a notice about the impending street closing due to the water main replacement. Public Works will be asked to put up no parking signs. CM McNulty received a comment in support of the proposed tuition reimbursement policy with the recommendation that it include a provision requiring employees to work for the Town for a certain period after receiving the benefit.

Mayor Calvo received comments regarding bad patching of the roads by utility companies; code violations in two rental homes; the constant yield tax rate notice in the Bulletin, which residents find confusing; concerns about funding an 8^th police officer; and a proposed pawn shop on Greenbelt Road. Mayor Calvo would like the Council to take a position on the pawn shop, which is requesting a special exception from the County's zoning regulations, at the next worksession. Further, he received an inquiry as to whether non-US citizens can vote in Town elections.

At 7:40 p.m., the Council took a 10 minute break.

School parking lot (added item): Mayor Calvo explained that the Berwyn Heights Men's League sent a letter asking the Council to formally request the Prince George's County Fire Marshall to inspect the fire lane in front of the Berwyn Heights Elementary School and make a determination as to whether the fire lane can be shortened to accommodate additional public parking spaces. The current fire lane is 180' whereas most fire lanes are 120'. The additional parking would be designated for users of the Park and Planning Gym. CM McNulty so moved. CM Laughlin seconded. She noted that signs marking the fire lane and parking spaces had been ordered by a previous Councilmember. However, the signs were not usable. The motion passed 4 to 0.

2. Public Safety

No items were discussed.

3. Public Works

No items were discussed.

4. Administration

Business Licenses Ordinance amendments: TA Murphy said that the Town attorney has not yet reviewed the proposed amendments. The Council agreed to postpone consideration of the Ordinance to the next budget worksession.

5. Code Enforcement

No items were discussed.

6. Parks and Recreation

No items were discussed.

7. FY 2007 Budget Discussion

The Council was provided with the most recent budget revisions, including budget cuts in the proposed youth program and the Volunteer Fire Department contribution. The Council confirmed a standing policy to pass cost increases in the recycling program on to residents. This brings the yearly recycling fee to $49 per residence. TA Murphy is seeking quotes from alternate electricity suppliers to reduce a possible 55% increase in the commercial electricity rate. This would add $23,000 in expenditures of which $12,000 could be covered by undesignated reserves and other budget cuts if needed. Energy saving measures, such as the use of solar panels and turning off lights and equipment during non-office hours, were briefly discussed. Also discussed were possible savings from offering different employee health care options and the desirability of initiating health care flex plans.

MML convention registration (moved down from Mayor's agenda): The Clerk was instructed to make 5 reservations for the current Council at the early bird rate. New names will be provided after the election.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk