Worksession Minutes

 April 2, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, Mayor Pro Tem (MPT) Jewitt, CMs Dennison and Gourley. CM Lofgren arrived at 7:32 p.m. Also present were Town Administrator Murphy, Clerk Harper, WSSC representatives Emmanuel Senesie and Jeff Andrews and citizens.

1.    Mayor

Announcements: Long-time resident of Berwyn Heights, Charles “Bud” Matheson passed away last week. Mayor Calvo, CMs Dennison and Lofgren and Director Coleman will meet with the Boys & Girls Club regarding the maintenance of the Pontiac Street fields on April 17, 7:30 p.m.

Calendar: A meeting with the Commercial District Management Authority (CDMA) needs to be set up to receive its recommendations on the Public Safety Taxing District (PSTD) budget. The date for the next Prince George's County Municipal Association (PGCMA) meeting was added for April 19, 7:30 p.m.

Minutes: On a motion by CM Gourley and second by MPT Jewitt, the minutes of the March 12 budget worksession were approved 4 to 0. Councilmembers were requested to submit revisions to the March 14 Town meeting to the Clerk; approval will take place at the April Town meeting.

Department reports: CM Dennison reported that Berwyn Heights Day planning continues. She met with Berwyn Heights Elementary School (BHES) councilor Mary Wade regarding this year's student mock council meeting and plans by the student Gold Committee to clean up Pops Park. She also attended an AIMCO open house for the redevelopment of Springhill Lake. MPT Jewitt reported that 2 new rental properties were licensed, a number of code fines and permits issued and a potential abatement scheduled. An appeal of a dumpster violation has been requested. Code Director Solomon recommends including storage containers such as “PODS” in the permit requirements.

CM Gourley reported that he and TA Murphy received estimates for installing backup generators for the Town offices in case of power failures. At $20,000 - $30,000, they are too expensive unless they can be funded with a grant. The April Bulletin went to the printer late because of a delayed approval and new format of the constant yield tax rate notice.

Mayor Calvo commented that the budget message in the April Bulletin should have been provided to the Council for review prior to publication, especially as it contains some misstatements and inaccuracies. A reviewed and corrected version should be posted on the web site. He continued that the Safe Streets Committee public hearing was very productive and many positive ideas were generated. Chief Murphy will be invited to a future meeting to speak about patrolling. CM Dennison noted that the Berwyn Heights Fire Department received a $90,000 grant from Congressman Hoyer's office to purchase new 800 MHZ radios. Mayor Calvo commented that the Fire Department last week responded to a large fire at Springhill Lake Apartments. Also, the College Park City Council took a stand similar to Berwyn Heights on the AIMCO redevelopment proposal of Springhill Lake, making support contingent on adequate school and other public facilities.

Citizen comments: CM Dennison received an inquiry regarding a code violation and met with the newly moved in residents to explain the process. She suggested finishing up work on the welcome packet for new residents. She also expressed her displeasure with an unfinished home on 58^th Avenue. Mayor Calvo received a comment about police response to a break-in.

WSSC presentation: Mayor Calvo welcomed Jeff Andrews, WSSC Contract Manager, and Emmanuel Senesie, WSSC Project Coordinator. Mr. Senesie explained that WSSC has begun to clean and re-line water pipes along Berwyn Road, Charlton Avenue, Villanova Road and a section of Edmonston Road. To perform the work, an above ground by-pass will be laid, holes will be dug, and equipment run through the pipes. Residents will be inconvenienced by low water pressure as their homes will be connected to an above-ground bypass. This may last approximately 2 weeks. During this time, the meters will be shut off and customers billed on the basis of previous monthly averages. However, this project will be less intrusive than the water main replacement on Osage and adjacent streets.

In response to Councilmembers' questions, Mr. Senesie and Andrews said that WSSC determined that the walls of current pipes are still thick enough to justify a restoration rather than replacement, which is more cost effective. Temporary patches may be applied after the work is finished. There is no WSSC master plan for restoration of pipes in Berwyn Heights. WSSC can check sewer pipes for roots and other obstructions and clean them if there are sewer backup problems. Residents can call the sewer section of WSSC at 301-206-4002 to have pipes inspected. WSSC has 2 plants: the River Road plant, which processes water taken from the Potomac River and supplies 75 – 80% of drinking water in suburban Maryland, and the Laurel plant, which uses water from the Patuxent Reservoir. Drinking water is analyzed for chlorine content to ensure that it is safe.

Mayor Calvo asked if the Town could receive one month prior notification of planned water projects so that the Town can publicize it through the Bulletin. He also asked that a port-o-potty on Edmonston Road be repositioned so that it won't pose a traffic hazard. Regarding the repaving of Seminole Street, Mayor Calvo asked, and Mr. Andrews confirmed, that the WSSC contractor is willing to repave all of Seminole Street as well as Ruatan Street at WSSC prices. The contractor is also able to renovate curbs, gutters and under drains. WSSC's appropriation of $30,000 for restoration of Seminole Street can be used towards the more comprehensive project. TA Murphy is to get in touch with the contractor for a cost estimate.

At 8:04 p.m., the Council took a 10 minute break.

Four Cities agenda: At the next Four Cities meeting, a presentation of homelessness will be the main topic. Updates on the Springhill Lake and Beltway Plaza developments will likely be given.  Updates on Kenilworth Avenue widening and Route 1 development will be requested.

MML Convention registration: All Councilmembers and TA Murphy will attend and register at the early bird rate. CM Gourley agreed to represent the Town in the Parade of Flags.

Council Rule 3 – minutes procedures: Mayor Calvo explained that there are two sets of guidelines for minutes: one is set down in Council Rule No. 3, which needs updating, and the other was issued as an Administrative Policy by interim Town Administrator Renahan. CM Lofgren and Clerk Harper have revised the Administrative Policy memorandum, which could now be attached to the Council Rule or incorporated into it. Mayor Calvo asked if Councilmembers had any comments.

CM Dennison objected to the Mayor being designated as the sole judge of which corrections to the minutes will be accepted. Mayor Calvo said he has no problem with removing that provision. Current practice is to approve minutes with the consensus of the entire Council. CM Lofgren said that he prefers to merge the Administrative Policy memorandum into Council Rule 3 and plans to provide this document at the next worksession. Meanwhile, Councilmembers can continue to provide input.

Commerce Bank agreement: TA Murphy said that he received a message from Commerce Bank representative Dan Lynch today stating that Commerce Bank has not yet commented on the agreement. The Bank, however, has agreed to contact the State Highway Administration (SHA) regarding the 58^th Avenue traffic light, which probably needs a second detector. Mayor Calvo added that Dan Lynch has confirmed that Commerce Bank is willing to commission another art project from a local artist instead of the mural.

2.    Parks and Recreation

Municipal Government month: The Council agreed to hold a student mock council meeting on April 30, have the Town's Department Directors attend the upcoming Town meeting to answer questions from residents and pass a resolution to celebrate Municipal Government Works month.

Earth Day: CM Dennison explained that the Berwyn Heights Elementary School Student Gold Committee has adopted Pops Park and plans a general cleanup and planting of flowers for April 21 and 27. She asked the assistance of Public Works in delivering mulch and topsoil to the Park. Councilmembers asked that they be given prior notice of what type of flowers would be planted where 

Sports Park maintenance update: CM Dennison thanked Mayor Calvo and County Councilmember Olsen for getting the County Parks and Recreation Department to provide additional maintenance for Sports Park. She asked if there are any more details such as whether the Parks and Recreation Department will provide continuous upkeep of the fields. Mayor Calvo said that it is his understanding that the Department will be much more helpful in maintaining Sports Park throughout the season. The Indian Creek ball field has already been renovated and a new drainage system installed.

Nothing was discussed under Public Safety, Public Works, Administration and Code Enforcement.

7.    Budget

TA Murphy provided an updated memorandum listing the latest budget changes and a revised Police Fines and Forfeiture table, showing which fees and fines were increased and in what amount.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk

 
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