Worksession Minutes

 June 4, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. Present were Mayor Pro Tem (MPT) Jewitt, presiding, CMs Dennison, Gourley and Lofgren. Mayor Calvo had an excused absence. Also present were Town Administrator Murphy, Clerk Harper and citizens. 

1.    Mayor

Announcements: The Maryland Municipal League (MML) has notified municipalities of a proposed by-law change, which would establish a MML board nominating/recruiting committee to identify future leaders of the board and ensure diversity. The proposed amendment will be voted on during the upcoming MML convention. Delegate Healy will host a breakfast on June 13 at the Greenbelt Marriott. Prince George's Hospital Center will hold a community wellness fair on June 14, 3-8 pm. 

Calendar: The time for the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was revised to June 20, 6:30 p.m. The date for the Employee Appreciation Lunch was added for July 18. July and August meetings for the Education Advisory Committee and Historical Committee were taken off. 

Minutes: The May 9 Town meeting minutes were reviewed for adoption at the June Town meeting. On a motion by CM Dennison and second by CM Lofgren, the minutes of the May 21 worksession were adopted 4 to 0 with corrections. 

Department reports: MPT Jewitt reported that the Code Department issued a number of high grass violations, rental license renewal and inspection fines and sent $1,400 to the County in liens. CM Gourley reported that the Administration Department is exchanging a recently ordered garden shed for a larger version, which would replace an old one. CM Dennison reported that the Historical Committee has selected a street for the next historic marker and is doing preliminary research; that the Recreation Council will be reconciling accounts for Berwyn Heights Day; and that School Board Representative Rosalind Johnson will attend the next Education Advisory Committee (EAC) meeting. Further, according to EAC Chair Ann Harris Davidson, Prince George's County Public Schools plans to implement specialty programs for each of its middle schools for the upcoming school year. Greenbelt Middle School is slated to receive an International Baccalaureate (IB) program.  

CM Lofgren reported that a PGCPS crew recently mowed the Pontiac Street field but did more harm than good. Apparently, they used a bush hog and ripped up turf and stones. Director Coleman recommended thinning out the scrub trees on the perimeter of the field, most of which are on PGCPS property and trimming brush along Edmonston Road in front of the 7-Eleven at an estimated cost of $3,600. MPT Jewitt reported that there have been more complaints about a noisy social event at the Presbyterian Church, which lasted late into the night and caused disturbances in the immediate neighborhood. Mayor Calvo has talked to Reverend Mackey about the event and will probably have more to report at the next worksession. The event again raised the issue of a noise ordinance for Berwyn Heights. 

Citizen Comments: CM Dennison received comments about noisy parties, the issuance of too many parking fines, Tasers and continuing water leakage on Seminole Street. The Town may want to examine if water leakage on Seminole Street is due to the improper installation of under drains.  

Mike Attick reported that the Town of Berwyn Heights has been selected by the State and County Emergency Management Agencies as the location for a flu pandemic simulation exercise on July 31, 5-8 p.m. This will require some financial assistance from the Town and a lot of cooperation from the Town government, Town organizations and residents. MPT Jewitt said that the Town would help publicize the event in the Bulletin and develop a game plan.

CM Lofgren said that Mr. Attick also sent information about emergency preparedness workshops and the role of Public Works employees. He suggested it may be useful to ask Berwyn Heights employees to attend.

FY 2007 budget amendment: TA Murphy highlighted the changes in a revised memorandum on budget transfers. A $10,000 appropriation for a traffic consultant was funded from the under budget Workers Compensation line. The Administration Department was budgeted $4,600 to cover shortfalls in the Bulletin and Copying Machine line items. An additional $3,000 has been budgeted for Temporary Help in the Code Department, and an additional $2,200 for Sports Park and Pontiac Street Field Maintenance in the Parks and Recreation Department. Total money transferred amounted to $38,988, of which $25,000 is for the street sweeper.

The Council discussed park and field maintenance. The Sports Park restroom/concession facility   needed an additional $900 in plumbing repairs this year, mostly due to shoddy work by the builder. However, the building contractor can not be held liable as Park & Planning has accepted the restroom/concession facility as complete after final inspection. CM Dennison plans to talk to the contractor and Park and Planning about the problems. CM Lofgren asked whether the Town has signed an agreement committing it to maintain the restroom/concession facility. He suggested contacting other municipalities with similar facilities to find out who is responsible for their maintenance. Park and Planning generally owns these facilities and has the resources to maintain them.TA Murphy presented a revised list of capital items requests.

MPT Jewitt commented that he is uncomfortable with some new and remaining items included in these requests with costs exceeding that discussed during the last worksession. Also, the memorandum should specify costs for the added municipal building roof repairs and include a listing of Police Department requests (e.g. $1,200 for a new laptop, $1.200 for a radar unit, $1,400 for shotguns). 

CM Lofgren said that he has come around to support the purchase of the grooming mower because the Town is responsible for maintaining the Pontiac Street Field and the Town would do a better job than PGCPS, which tears up the field with bush hogs. He also defended the improvements to the Pontiac Street field requested by the Boys & Girls Club. If a gate were to be installed on 63^rd Avenue, the curb cut and apron are needed because the difference in height between the curb and the ground on either side of the curb is too great for any vehicle to go over safely. Secondly, a sliding gate is preferable to a swinging gate because it would be more stable and wouldn't scrape the uneven ground. Thirdly, an asphalt path from the Berwyn Heights Elementary parking lot would provide handicap access and facilitate bringing equipment into the field.

 In the subsequent discussion, several concerns were raised: creating a new access to the field from 63^rd Avenue may cause damage to the field when Boys & Girls Club members drive to the shed to drop off supplies and turn around. Further, questions were raised if the shed would have electricity and plumbing. It was agreed that the Club should be approached about relocating the shed to the other side of the field where it can be reached by an existing asphalt walkway.  CM Lofgren and MPT Jewitt recommended not to appropriate any money until the shed plans are solidified. CM Gourley moved to table consideration of Pontiac Street Field improvements until all the questions are answered. There were no objections

 The Council voted on the appropriations. On a motion by CM Lofgren and second by CM Gourley, $1,500 was approved for a new computer for the Administration Department. On a motion by CM Gourley and second by CM Lofgren, an additional $3,300 was approved for carpeting and $3.000 for painting the municipal building with the understanding that expenses will be kept to a minimum. On a motion by CM Lofgren and second by CM Dennison, $4,000 was approved for a new computer and laptop for the Code Department. On a motion by CM Lofgren and second by CM Dennison, $3,700 was approved for a Public Works yard sliding gate and $13,000 for a grooming mower. 

At 8:50 p.m., the Council took a 10 minute break.

 Council Rule No. 3: CM Lofgren explained that Council Rule No 3 has been updated to incorporate minute writing procedures that were issued in a 2003 administrative order. Having been discussed by the Council at several worksession, no further comments have been offered. The document is ready for adoption at the Town meeting. 

Public Works mutual aid agreement: CM Lofgren explained that Berwyn Heights has been requested to join a mutual aid agreement between the municipalities of Bladensburg, College Park, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Mt. Rainier and Riverdale Park. The agreement would authorize plans to provide mutual assistance in the event of a public emergency, disaster or terrorist threat. The respective city/town councils are being asked to approve the agreement in time for a signing of the agreement at the Maryland Municipal League (MML) convention. He recommended that the agreement be approved by resolution at the next Town meeting. 

Councilmembers commented that the agreement would give Berwyn Heights access to additional equipment and manpower to address an emergency. On the other hand, Berwyn Heights can help its neighbors with its emergency trailer and CERT expertise. 

Chair of the Berwyn Heights Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness (NW/EP) Mike Attick commented that, on the whole, the agreement would benefit Berwyn Heights. However, he regrets there are no provisions regarding volunteers who play an important role in emergency response. He believes that Berwyn Heights was asked to join the agreement because its emergency preparedness program, which is run by volunteers. He wondered how the NW/EP might be reimbursed if it provides emergency assistance. MPT Jewitt said that he thinks that this issue should be addressed but should not hold up the signing of the agreement. 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk

 
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