Town of Berwyn Heights

Worksession Minutes

May 8, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, CMs Dennison, Gourley, and Laughlin. CM McNulty arrived at 8:00 p.m. Also present were Town Administrator Murphy, Clerk Harper and citizens.

1. Mayor

Announcements: Mayor Calvo announced the May 2 Town Council election results. Mayor Calvo was re-elected as Mayor. In 2^nd place was Brad Jewitt, in 3^rd place CM Dennison, in 4^th place Darald Lofgren, in 5^th place CM Gourley, in 6^th place Ron Shane and in 7^th place Joan Hayden. The new Council will be sworn in at the May 10 Town meeting. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. with hearings on FY 2007 budget. A reception is scheduled after the meeting.

Berwyn Heights Day was a very successful event thanks to the efforts of Lisa Keller and Trinity Tomsic, many other volunteers as well as Town employees. A dozen members of a D.C. church signed up as volunteers, some of whom stayed from 9 – 4 p.m. The Berwyn Heights Presbyterian Church will hold a talent show on May 19 and a Strawberry Festival on June 10. The Town-wide yard sale will be held on June 17.

Calendar: The Council reviewed the calendar. The starting time for the May Town meeting was moved up to 7:30 p.m. The date for the next Four Cities Coalition meeting was confirmed to be May 25.

Minutes: The Council reviewed the March 10 Town meeting minutes for adoption at the April Town meeting. CM Dennison moved to adopt the April 17 Worksession minutes. CM Laughlin seconded. The minutes were adopted 4 to 0 with corrections.

Department reports: CM Dennison reported that Berwyn Heights Day went well. She thanked Lisa Keller, Trinity Tomsic, Hank Becker, who was in charge of the Pancake Breakfast, and other volunteers for their help. CM Laughlin reported that the Code Department had a table at Berwyn Heights Day and had a lot of visitors. Mayor Calvo reported that the Pancake Breakfast went smoothly despite high attendance, including many politicians running for office, and only 4 Councilmembers serving. Unfortunately, there was one dispute between a resident and an employee on which the Council will have to follow up. Further, the Commercial District Management Authority (CDMA) supported the Public Safety Taxing District budget and the changes in the business licenses process.

Citizen comments: CM Dennison received a comment about a resident feeding raccoons, about the sound quality of meeting broadcasts, about a poor road patch on Cunningham Drive and about a problem with playground equipment. Mayor Calvo received a number of comments about high grass and the elections. CM Gourley received a comment on a poor road patch on Cunningham Drive. CM Laughlin noted that a pot hole on Pontiac Street proved to be a hazard for people walking in the parade.

PGCMA breakfast: Reservations for the Prince George's County Municipal Association (PGCMA) Breakfast need to be made for Mayor Calvo, CM Dennison and CM Jewitt.

Greenbelt Station DSP: TA Murphy sought confirmation that the Council plans to approve the detailed site plans for the town houses and an apartment complex at Greenbelt Station at the May Town meeting. The Council has received four presentations on the plans, which are to go before the County Council on June 11. The detailed site plans for the condominiums have not yet been presented. The Council made some minor corrections to the Resolution approving the plans and agreed to approve it at the Town meeting.

Springhill Lake redevelopment hearing: TA Murphy said that a hearing on the redevelopment of the Springhill Lake apartment complex will be held on May 25 in Upper Marlboro. He asked if the Council wanted to receive a presentation of the plans. The Council agreed to schedule a presentation for a June worksession.

FY 2006 budget amendment: TA Murphy highlighted the year-end amendments to the FY 2006 Budget that would be introduced at the May Town meeting. He said that there is $16,129 in additional revenue than was budgeted and $11,674 in additional expenditures. Additional revenues have been received from personnel property taxes, a Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness grant and Bulletin advertising fees. The grant money and Bulletin advertising fees have been offset by expenditures in these appropriations. An additional $9,000 is available to purchase an air conditioning system for the Public Works shop that can be taken from unspent money in the Street & Sanitation budget. An additional $3,262 must be spent on higher unemployment insurance.

Mayor Calvo added that he has approached the new Councilmembers about funding an actuarial study to determine the cost of Berwyn Heights joining the Maryland State Pension system with surplus revenues. Although declaring some excess personal property taxes, this budget amendment takes no account of excess income taxes that are likely to come in for this year. Other minor changes may have to be made with 1 ½ months remaining in the current fiscal year.

At 7:45 p.m., the Council took a 10 minute break.

2. Administration

Business Licenses Ordinance fee schedule: TA Murphy reported that all changes the Council previously made have been incorporated in the current version of the Ordinance. Town Attorney Shay confirmed that the license fee schedule can be approved separately by resolution. Additionally, the Council may want to add language allowing for the change of penalties by resolution. There were no objections. A finalized draft of the Resolution and the amended Ordinance will be provided to Councilmembers before the May Town meeting.

At 8:00 p.m., CM McNulty joined the worksession.

Electrical cooperation agreement: TA Murphy briefed the Council on a meeting of the Baltimore/Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce Electric Purchasing Cooperative. Members of the Chamber are able to participate in cooperative bids to purchase electricity on the open commodities market at rates potentially 10 percent – 15 percent cheaper than those negotiated with an electric supplier individually. Members pay a fee of $380 per year, plus a $250 contract fee per location. They must sign a cooperative purchasing agreement and be able to give a “go/no go” decision on the day of the bid. The member can choose to participate in a bid that locks the rate in for 1 year or 3 years. Bids are scheduled by the broker on the basis of what is believed to be an opportune time. The neighboring municipalities of Laurel and Greenbelt are members.

TA Murphy recommended joining the Chamber's electric purchasing cooperative because he expects electricity rates to continue to go up. The next bid will take place tomorrow with an effective date of July 1. Mayor Calvo expressed his support for joining the cooperative. CM McNulty moved to join the Chamber and authorize TA Murphy to participate in the next bid. CM Dennison seconded. In response to CM Laughlin, TA Murphy said that residents would benefit from cooperative purchasing through budget savings. Further, the Chamber can provide useful information about how to become more energy efficient. The motion passed 5 to 0.

3. Code Enforcement

No items were discussed.

4. Parks and Recreation

Employee appreciation lunch: Wednesday, June 21 was set as the tentative date for the employee appreciation dinner. July 19 was set as a backup date. A catered lunch was the preferred option. TA Murphy is to get some quotes.

Volunteer appreciation dinner: Thursday, June 15 was set as the date for the Volunteer appreciation dinner, June 22 and June 21 as the backup dates.

5. Public Health and Safety

No items were discussed.

6. Public Works

No items were discussed.

7. FY 2007 budget discussion

TA Murphy reviewed the changes made to the FY 2007 budget since its introduction at the April Town meeting. Under Revenues, $1,000 was added to Licenses & Permits; $3,200 to Fines & Forfeitures; $7,000 to Miscellaneous/Investment Income; and $14,000 to Transfer from Reserves.

Under Expenditures, $1,000 was saved in Public Works budget; $4,750 from Employee Benefits. On the other hand, $25,000 had to be added to Workers Compensation Insurance costs and $23,000 to Electricity costs. Additional money will be allocated for the street sweeper: $16,000 in operating costs if the Four Cities Coalition adopts an agreement that would split operating costs equally between the four members; and $4,000 for the purchase price not covered by the Livable Communities Grant. Another $4,900 was allocated for leasing a police car, should it become necessary to replace one. For the record, CM McNulty stated his opposition to leasing a car. TA Murphy was asked to provide the revised budget summary with an updated memorandum to Councilmembers before the Town meeting.

CM Dennison moved to approve the additional FY 2007 budget changes. CM McNulty seconded. In further discussions, it was proposed to set $21,000 for the street sweeper aside in a non-departmental line item and divide the electricity rate increases among the different departmental budgets. The budget changes were approved 5 to 0.

8. Executive Session (9:40 p.m. – 10:25 p.m.)

CM Gourley moved to go into executive session regarding a personnel matter. CM Dennison seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0. With matter discussed, CM Gourley moved to adjourn seconded by CM McNulty.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk