Special Worksession Minutes

 June 11, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, Mayor Pro Tem (MPT) Jewitt, CMs Dennison, Gourley and Lofgren. Also present were Town Administrator Murphy, Director of Public Works Joe Coleman, Clerk Harper and citizens.

1. FY 2007 budget amendment: Mayor Calvo explained that he called for the special worksession to resolve some unanswered questions with respect to the year end budget amendments that will be adopted at the June 13 Town meeting. He reviewed the expenditures the Council approved at the last worksession:

Items that remained unresolved include a $2,000 for asphalt path from school parking lot to the Pontiac Street Field as well as creating an access for cars from 63^rd Avenue.

Mayor Calvo noted that the funding for these capital items would in effect be taken from the surplus and would compete with other capital expenditures budgeted for FY 2008 and beyond. He then asked TA Murphy to present the additional information he gathered about the proposed Pontiac Street Field improvements.

TA Murphy said that he mainly consulted with Town Engineer Kelley regarding the walkway from the school parking to the backstop of the baseball field. The cost of building a handicap accessible walkway is between $10,000 and $20,000 because the grade cannot exceed 2%. The cost of building a non-handicap accessible walkway that is 4' wide and has a 2” asphalt overlay is approximately $2,000. According to Mr. Kelley, there is no requirement to make the walk way handicap accessible. TA Murphy continued that estimates for a gate, curb cut and apron along 63^rd Avenue have not changed from the approximate $6,000 cited at the last worksession. However, the Boys & Girls Club's first priority is the walkway, which would make it easier to carry heavy sports equipment on and off the field.

Mayor Calvo said that he supports funding for a non-handicap accessible walkway, because the cost of an accessible walkway is prohibitive. He would also hold off on appropriating funds for a 63^rd Avenue access at this point because plans for the shed are not finalized and construction is a little way off. CM Dennison said that Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) would have to review and approve the shed plans in any case. They might require that there be a handicap access. The existing asphalt path leading to field on the north side of the school is not handicap accessible because it has more than a 2% grade.

Mayor Calvo said that, for the purposes of sending a letter of support to PGCPS, he recommends that the Council give permission for the building of a shed and a 63^rd Avenue access as well as appropriate $2,000 for a walkway. CM Lofgren so moved. CM Dennison seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0 

Mayor Calvo asked Director Coleman to explain the need for a John Deere grooming mulch mower costing $13,000. Director Coleman said the recommended mower would cut grass better and faster than the old tractor and mowing attachments the Public Works Department is currently using. The John Deere mower has a warranty of at least 1 year and a life expectancy of 10 years or more. If the Town desires to bring the Pontiac Street Field to a higher standard, a better mower is needed. However, there also needs to be regular irrigation, seeding and fertilizing. Director Coleman agreed to work with TA Murphy on producing a comprehensive plan for the improvement of the school field that includes regular mowing, irrigation and fertilizing as well as a possible application of hydro seeding. The Council let stand the appropriation for the mulching mower.

Mayor Calvo asked the Council to reconsider a $1,500 appropriation for a new Council computer, which he believes is not necessary. The Council uses this computer to check their e-mail and do basic word processing. Instead, the computer memory can be upgraded to increase speed somewhat at a much lower cost. CM Dennison moved to withdraw the appropriation. CM Lofgren seconded. The motion was approved 4 to 0 with CM Gourley abstaining.

TA Murphy reported that, due to a bookkeeping error, the municipal building budget was charged $1,275 that should have been charged to the Town Center budget. This leaves the municipal budget with sufficient funds to purchase new carpeting for the Town office. However, the Town Center budget needs an additional appropriation to cover the $1,275 shortfall.

MPT Jewitt moved to amend the Council's previous decision and reduce the supplemental appropriation to the municipal budget from $6,300 to $3,000, noting a $3,300 savings. CM Gourley seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0. MPT Jewitt further moved to appropriate an additional $1,300 to the Town Center budget to cover the repair of an outdoor light fixture CM Gourley seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

Lastly, Mayor Calvo asked for a motion to redistribute money for salary adjustments and merit increases from the non-departmental line item to the departments. MPT Jewitt so moved. CM Lofgren seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

Mayor Calvo announced that fiscal policy and performance evaluations will be discussed at the next worksession.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk

 
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