Worksession Minutes

 February 5, 2007

1.    Mayor

Agenda: Commerce Bank revised site plan was added to the agenda. 

Announcements: CM Dennison made a correction to the Best Decorated House and Yard contest results. Best House should have been 8717 63^rd Avenue. 

Calendar: The Council reviewed the calendar. The date for an Anacostia Trails Heritage Association (ATHA) meeting hosted by the Berwyn Heights Historical Committee (BHHC) was added for February 22. 

Minutes: The January 10 Town meetings were reviewed for approval at the next Town meeting. On a motion by CM Dennison and second by MPT Jewitt, the January 22 worksession minutes were approved 5 to 0 with corrections. 

Department reports: MPT Jewitt reported that the Code Department, assisted by the Public Works crew, performed an abatement for a clean lot violation, received $1,500 in liens from Prince George's County and added one new rental property. Mayor Calvo reported that County Councilmember Olson has been in touch with the Maryland – National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) regarding renovation of the Sports Park field. The Town should receive a letter from the agency as soon as this week. It is hoped that the renovation can be completed before March 1, the start of the spring season.  

CM Dennison reported that she and other members of the Historical Committee (BHHC)attended the announcements of ATHA grants, one of which was awarded to the BHHC. Berwyn Heights Day planning began.at the last meeting of the Recreation Council. CM Lofgren reported that Public Works is undertaking preparations to keep the roads clear of snow and ice in case of a winter storm. 

Citizen comments: MPT Jewitt received a comment regarding adoption of a commercial clean lot ordinance. He advised that Council will not be taking the matter up during the budget season. Mayor Calvo received a comment regarding a Town Center scheduling conflict between a Girl Scout troop and the Safe Streets Committee. 

Verizon agreement: No further comments were made. 

Commerce Bank revised site plan: Mayor Calvo said that Commerce Bank has provided a revised site plan that incorporates the changes requested by the Council. It includes an enlarged hammerhead turnaround, 27' long and 20' wide, carved out of a current residential property that has been bought by the Bank. The hammerhead would be large enough for a truck from the Public Works or Fire Department to turn around on. Further changes to the configuration of  the hammerhead can still be made. Another change is to plant grass rather than trees on a landscaped strip between Greenbelt Road and the adjacent sidewalk. Trees were moved back to the retaining wall, where they are less likely to be damaged. Lastly, two benches are proposed  for same sidewalk. 

Mayor Calvo asked Commerce Bank Attorney Dan Lynch to provide a list of changes requested by the Town and agreed to by Commerce Bank. These could become the basis of a formal agreement. He hopes to have the list in hand by next Wednesday for the hearing on the 59^th Avenue closing. Then the approval of an agreement and the site plan could take place at the March Town meeting. Other items that may become part of the agreement include maintenance of a landscaped area behind a fence shielding adjacent properties, installation and maintenance of landscaping in the Town's right of way, and hiring of a local artist to design the mural in the Bank. 

At 7:55 p.m., the Council took a 10 minute break. 

2.    Public Safety

Police Department budget request: Mayor Calvo briefly explained a few new budget request procedures and welcomed Chief Murphy. 

Chief Murphy began with two corrections to the budget spreadsheet. The FY 07 Communications line item should read $14,000 instead of $15,200 and the FY 07 Capital Outlay > $500 should read $10,000 instead of $8,800. He proceeded to present the major changes requested for the FY 08 budget. These include:·       More use of overtime to cover gaps in coverage costing $30,000 (30% increase over FY 07);

·       One new police car costing $23,000

·       Promotions of 4 employees, e.g.. 1 Police Clerk II and  3 Privates First Class costing $6,500;

·       New capital outlays for 1outfitting of police cruiser, 1 laptop computer, 2 radar units, 4 shotguns and 7 TASERs with audio-video recording capability costing $18,000 (105% increase). Additionally, when the County converts to an 800 MHZ communications system, the current radios will have to be replaced at a potential cost of $76,000. However, he is looking into grants for financing a part or all of this acquisition.

·       Increase in shift differential for evening and night shifts from $1,00 to $1.50 per hour costing $10,000 (66% increase);

·       Increase in travel allowance for new officers, not yet using take-home car for work-related travel, costing $600 (50% increase);

·       Increase of 5% for ammunition;

·       Increase of 5% for uniforms.

Chief Murphy further suggested that some fines could be raised to offset some of the new expenditures. In past years, excess revenue in Fines & Forfeitures were used for the purchase of capital items such as a speed monitor, radar guns and firearms. 

CM Dennison asked if the Police could do with less than 1 TASER per officer and whether there have been occasions that called for the use of a TASER. Chief Murphy replied that he would prefer to have 1 TASER per officer, excepting himself. While Berwyn Heights officers did not encounter situations requiring the use of excessive force to subdue suspects, that should not be the basis for a decision to outfit them with TASERs. TASERs would give officer more options in a violent encounter and decrease the likelihood of injuries to the officers. 

In response to MPT Jewitt, Chief Murphy prioritized the capital items he requested under Capital Outlays: 1) TASERs; 2) radar units; 3) shotguns and 4) laptop. He elaborated that the new 800 MHZ radios are needed to communicate with the County, whose call taking and dispatch system Berwyn Heights will continue to use. He is not aware of County funding to help with the purchase of radios, but there may be homeland security funds. 

In response to Mayor Calvo, Chief Murphy prioritized the benefits he requested: 1) Overtime; 2) shift differential; and 3) uniform allowance. Priorities including both capital and wage benefits are as follows: 1) overtime; 2) shift differential; and 3) TASERs. 

3.    Public Works

Osage Street WSSC project (moved up to accommodate guest):  Jeff Andrews, Contract Manager for the Washington Suburban Sanitary and Sewer Commission (WSSC), said that he has been in touch with TA Murphy and Director Colman regarding the water and sewer replacement projects on Seminole and Osage Streets. Water and sewer lines have been replaced on Seminole Street, but restoration of the street is pending. WSSC has different options on how to restore a street: 1) using its contractors to apply an asphalt overlay to those parts of the street which have been dug up; and 2) transferring the funds required for the restoration to use at the Town's discretion. Mr. Andrews estimates that the cost for an overlay on Seminole Street would cost WSSC an estimated $30,900. Lately, WSSC's preferred option is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with a municipality and authorize the transfer of funds.  

Mayor Calvo said that Seminole Street is a top priority on the Town's street repair list and needs a thorough overhaul, including curbs and gutters. It makes sense for the Town to combine WSSC with Town  resources to do it right. Mayor Calvo also asked if WSSC plans to repair curbs damaged by equipment during the excavation of  Seminole Street. Mr. Andrews said that he wasn't aware of the damage, but that he would look into it. It may require getting the Town and WSSC contractor together and agreeing on which damage was due to the excavation. 

With respect to Osage Street, a full overlay is planned between 60^th Avenue and Edmonston Road, and half overlays on Osage Street between 60^th Avenue and Cunningham Drive and on 60^th Avenue, 60^th Place and 63^rd Avenue between Osage Street and Berwyn Road. However, a cost estimate and MOU would not be finalized until the replacement of pipes is complete.  

Mayor Calvo asked what the cost would be if the Town were to use WSSC's contractor to do a complete restoration of Seminole Street. He was told the cost would be $60,000, plus $40,000 for curbs and gutters. Also, the Town would need to negotiate with the contractor directly if it wants to use that contractor to resurface other streets at the same time. Mayor Calvo concluded that the Council will consider its options and and get back to Mr. Andrews later. 

2. Public Safety

NW/EP budget request (discussed out of order): Chair of the Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness (NW/EP) Mike Attick presented his budget request. He said that the emphasis in the County's emergency preparedness program has shifted toward municipalities and citizens taking taking on more responsibilities in disaster response. NW/EP requests $4,500 for public education, most of which would go toward purchasing 1,000 Red Books, a reference on disaster preparedness. Part of this cost might be defrayed by revenues from advertisements of local businesses. The book would be made available to every household in Berwyn Heights. Another $1,800 is requested for trailer emergency equipment, mostly for first aid supplies and tools, and $1,350 for emergency boxed water.  

In response to Councilmembers questions, Mr. Attick explained that he plans to purchase tools from a major disaster preparedness supplier, that the water budget would buy approximately 200 gallons of boxed water and that the Red Books could in part be financed by  $1,700 in remaining FY 2007 funds. MPT Jewitt and Mayor Calvo questioned whether the Red Book would be the best way to educate residents about disaster preparedness as few would be likely to read it. A summary 1-page document might be more effective. 

4.    Administration

No items were discussed. 

5.    Code Enforcement

Driveway variance request: TA Murphy explained that the owner of the property at 8802 Edmonston Road has petitioned the County Zoning Board to relocate a driveway from a conforming to a non-conforming location. Director Solomon believes that the rationale for relocating the driveway is to provide access to another home if the lot is subdivided. TA Murphy believes that that another home could be built in back of the existing home. He recommended that the Council not support the variance request. 

MPT noted that this variance request is not made in person and that no reason is given for the relocation. CM Lofgren moved to oppose the variance application. CM Gourley seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0. 

6.    Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation Department budget request: CM Dennison presented her FY 2008 budget, which requests an 11% increase over FY 2007. The line items proposed for increases include:

1)   $2,000 increase for Special Events, which funds needs of Town Committees and Organizations plus Berwyn Heights Day;

2)   $300  increase for Pops Park equipment;

3)   $200 increase for concession stand upgrades and supplies;

A $600 decrease is slated for the Pontiac Street ball fields.

Apart from these changes, CM Dennison is requesting a new appropriation of $10,000 for a Boys & Girls Club shed shown under Capital Budget. The proposed cinder block shed is estimated to cost $16,000 in total and would replace the current wood shed at the Pontiac Street field. It would be larger, watertight and more secure. 

CM Dennison's priorities for the proposed budget increase are 1) Special Events, 2) Boys & Girls Club shed, 3) Concession stand upgrades, and 4) Pop's Park equipment. CM Lofgren recommended asking the County Parks and Recreation Department to undertake the improvements to the concession stand as it is their facility. Secondly, Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) should be contacted to request permission to build a shed; and thirdly, money for tree care needs to be appropriated to maintain the Town's Tree City USA status. TA Murphy said tree care money is in the Public Works budget and that PGCPS would be contacted regarding the shed. Pop's Park equipment funds are intended for removing one of the outdated climbers, but no new equipment has been proposed. 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
 

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk

 
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