Town of Berwyn Heights

Worksession Minutes

January 8, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, MPT Jewitt, CMs Dennison, Gourley and Lofgren. Also present were Town Administrator Murphy, Clerk Harper and citizens.

1. Mayor

Agenda: The discussion of the “Audit” was moved ahead of “FY 2008 Budget.”

Announcements: TA Murphy returned from a 3 week vacation. The Berwyn Heights Elementary School PTA is hosting a movie night on January 9.

Calendar: Dates for a District 22 Delegation reception on January 15 and a Prince George's County Municipal Association (PGCMA) reception on January 29 were added. The times for Recreation Council meetings will be taken back to 7:00 p.m. Budget worksessions were added for March 12 and 26, April 9, 23 and 30. Berwyn Heights Day was added for May 5.

Minutes: On a motion by CM Gourley and second by MPT Jewitt, the December 18 worksession minutes were approved with corrections. The December 13 Town meeting minutes were reviewed for approval at the January Town meeting.

Department reports: Mayor Calvo met with Chief Fusco of the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department and discussed AIMCO's proposal for the redevelopment of Springhill Lake. The Town may request AIMCO's assistance in helping to finance the new ladder truck the BHVFD plans to purchase next year, as the BHVFD is first due in Springhill Lake. AIMCO's proposal will also be discussed by the Board of Education tomorrow evening. Mayor Calvo swore in new Police Officer Daniel Unger, who will be patrolling the Commercial District. At the same time, Officer Hartnett ended his employment with the Town. Last week, the Berwyn Heights Shell was robbed. The culprits escaped despite a large scale pursuit.

CM Lofgren reported that loose leaf collection has finished and 147 tons of leaves were disposed at a cost of $7,500. The Public Works Department assisted police with 2 water main breaks at the intersection of 58^th Avenue and Greenbelt Road, removed graffiti in a number of locations and repaired damage to the fence at Pops Park. Two surplused Public Works vehicles remain up for bid.

CM Dennison reported that she and Mayor Calvo met with Delegate Gaines and County Councilmember Olson regarding Parks and Planning's service of ball fields. Berwyn Heights Day planning will begin at the February 1 meeting of the Recreation Council.

Citizens Comments: Mayor Calvo received a number of comments on the recent property tax reassessments and a complaint regarding an abatement. MPT Jewitt received a comment about the delivery of department reports. CM Dennison said that the Council received a thank you letter from the Boys & Girls Club as well as comments about code matters.

Mike Attick of 62^nd Avenue commented that a letter from the Greenbelt Fire Department regarding the Springhill Lake redevelopment is on display at the Berwyn Heights Fire Department.

State legislation: Mayor Calvo requested that Councilmembers provide the number and copy of the bill on which they want the Council to take a position. He noted that Delegate Tawanna Gaines was awarded the chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and the Environment; Delegate Anne Healy chair of a Appropriations Subcommittee on Executive Regulations and Delegate Justin Ross was appointed Chief Deputy Whip of the House of Delegates.

CM Dennison reported that the PGCMA has taken positions to support legislation on municipal zoning authority regarding McMansions, a surcharge requirement for reconstruction of housing developments, restrictions on liquor licenses and the Greenbelt Town Center. CM Dennison will provide background on these bills at future worksessions. Further, the PGCMA opposes a recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling on municipal franchise authority and supports the establishment of a Landlord-Tenant Commission based on the Montgomery County model. Prince George's Director of Housing and Community Development Tommy Thompson, at the last PGCMA meeting, presented an initiative to promote the development of moderately-priced, high-density housing around Metro Stations.

Commerce Bank discussion: Mayor Calvo explained that the Council needs to make a decision regarding the 59^th Avenue road closure so that Commerce Bank can include it in the plans it will submit to the Planning Board in January. The options are 1) to close 59^th Avenue fully; 2) to close the road but allow emergency vehicle access; or 3) to leave the road open. Mayor Calvo said that he has spoken to BHVFD Chief Fusco, who has no objection to a full road closure, and to residents on 59^th Avenue, who support the road closure without exception. Residents also support the largest possible turnaround.

CM Lofgren said that before a decision is made, the Council should notify residents in a 2 block area of the proposed project and hold a meeting to allow for public comment. Mayor Calvo replied that there have already been 3 presentations of Commerce Bank plans and opportunities for residents to comment. CM Lofgren said that those presentations dealt with proposals for the entire site, not specifically the 59^th Avenue road closure. Whenever changes were proposed in the use of Town property, previous Councils have followed notification and public comment procedures laid out in an Administrative Order. Mayor Calvo said that Commerce Bank needs to get direction from the Town in January as to whether it plans to close the road. Otherwise this option will not be included in the plans to be reviewed by the Planning Board and, consequently, not financed by Commerce Bank. MPT Jewitt said that tonight's decision would merely function as a place holder until public input has been obtained in the prescribed manner. He suggested that a notice be published in the next Bulletin and a hearing held at the February Town meeting.

MPT Jewitt moved that the Council give tentative approval to close the road for the purpose of giving Commerce Bank direction, with final approval contingent on obtaining public input in accordance with the established procedure. CM Lofgren seconded. CM Dennison said her main concern is that emergency vehicles have sufficient access and suggested that the new Safe Streets Committee be consulted. The motion passed 5 to 0.

At 8:20 p.m., the Council took a 20 minute break.

Commerce Bank discussion (continued): Mayor Calvo confirmed that Council Rule No. 17 outlines the procedure for public input when a change in the use of Town property is proposed. Residents in a 2 block area of the designated property must be notified no earlier than 45-days and no later than 17 days prior to a public hearing. Council agreed to hold the hearing at the February Town meeting. A notice will be posted on the cover of the February Bulletin.

Audit (moved up on agenda): Mayor Calvo said that the Town received the finalized audit for FY 2006. It mistakenly shows the revenues for the Public Safety Taxing District under undesignated reserves. Overall, it shows the Town to be in a healthy fiscal situation; assets are increasing while debts are shrinking. There was a $166,000 surplus even though a $50,000 transfer from surplus had been budgeted. The surplus is due to unanticipated additional revenues of $60,000, rising interest income and under spending, especially in the Public Works Department. Mayor Calvo proposed shifting a part of the surplus to the infrastructure fund, which may permit the Town to move up the renovation of Seminole and Ruatan Streets.

Budget goals: Mayor Calvo asked what Councilmembers would like get accomplished in the next budget cycle. Property and income taxes will go up, with real property taxes up by more than 10% and more for non-owner occupied properties. Cost increases can be expected in salaries, including Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) and merit pay, fully funding the Public Safety Taxing District officer and insurance rates.

CM Dennison said that she would like the Public Works Department to hire more help and move forward with street renovations. In her Parks and Recreation budget, plans to hold the line. CM Lofgren said he would like to build on the salary planning the Council began this year and implement a standardized system of salary increases, where Directors would be given instructions on what salary increases to budget for. Directors' input would be limited mostly to hiring additional staff or cutting staff. The Public Works Department is moving toward a staffing system where permanent employees are performing supervisory tasks and drive the trucks, while temporary labor is used for lower level work. Similarly, the vehicle replacement process could be institutionalized. All this should greatly simplify the budget process.

CM Gourley said that he would like to set up a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget for each department, which would project the replacement of capital items at least 5 years into the future. Further, he would like to allocate all Highway User Revenue (HUR) toward street renovation and start to set aside funds for a pension system. CM Lofgren said that the Town should work closely with WSSC when planning street renovations.

MPT Jewitt said that he hopes the Town will continue to negotiate with Springhill Lake developer AIMCO and seek compensation for impacts associated with the proposed doubling of housing units. He would also like the Council to consider getting GIS software, which the Code Department has been requesting, but which could be of use to all Town departments. On the heels of this year's property re-assessments, tax relief for residents should be considered.

Mayor Calvo said that financing road repairs remains a priority. All HUR money should be appropriated to the infrastructure fund, plus a large part of the budget surplus. For that purpose, a priority list of road repair projects should be developed. Salary adjustments need to be fully implemented and a pension system financed. Police car purchases should be put back on a one-per-year schedule.

TA Murphy was tasked to send out budget memorandum No. 2, which provides directors with standardized salaries and benefits information as well as gasoline and electricity prices. Additionally, a departmental budget worksheet will be provided, on which directors are to input minor budget adjustments to line items. Budget request forms are to be used only for major budget changes.

2. Public Safety

No items were discussed.

3. Public Works

No items were discussed.

4. Administration

Council chamber renovation (tabled)

5. Code Enforcement

No items were discussed.

6. Parks and Recreation

Town Center rental extension: CM Dennison explained that she received a request to extend the 10 p.m deadline for rental of the Town Center for a private party, at which alcohol will be served. She recommended denying the request on the basis of having denied previous requests.

CM Gourley said that this request is made in writing with advance notice. MPT Jewitt said that the event might be started earlier rather than extended beyond 10 p.m. Mayor Calvo noted that some relevant information is missing, i.e., whether music will be played, stereo amplifiers used or a D.J. hired. The rental application needs to be updated to request this information. CM Lofgren pointed out that the application form permits exceptions if prior approval from the Council is obtained. He sees no reasons to deny the request. If the Council does not wish to make exceptions, the form should be amended accordingly.

Mayor Calvo proposed to grant the request and charge more or require that music must be turned down at 10 p.m. CM Gourley so moved. CM Lofgren moved to amend the motion to charge an additional $25 for the extra hour rented. CM Gourley seconded. MPT Jewitt asked that the changes in procedure made tonight be incorporated into the application form. CM Lofgren questioned the need for Chief Murphy to approve the application. Mayor Calvo said police approval is only required when alcohol is served. The motion was approved 5 to 0.

M-NCPPC Park and Recreation coordination update: Mayor Calvo explained that he had a meeting with Boys & Girls Club officers, Delegate Gaines and County Councilmember Eric Olson to discuss M-NCPPC's role in ball field maintenance. CM Olson agreed to take the issue with the Park & Recreation Department to ensure that the Sports Park infield will be renovated before the spring season begins and to work out an agreement on weekly maintenance.

Schools task force: CM Dennison asked if Mayor Calvo has information on whether Berwyn Heights has been added to the task force that is to examine school capacity in the Greenbelt area. Mayor Calvo said that he tried to reach out to PGCPS CEO Dr. Deasy office, but has not heard back yet. He also spoke to Councilmember Olson, who learned that County Councilmember Tom Dernoga has no objections to Berwyn Heights being represented on the task force. Everything appears to be on track for Berwyn Heights to become a member of the task force.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk