Town Meeting Minutes

August 8, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, Mayor pro Tem (MPT) Jewitt, CMs Dennison, Gourley and Lofgren. Also present were Town Administrator Murphy, Chief of Police Murphy, Treasurer Lape, Clerk Harper, as well as Chair of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC) Ann Harris Davidson, Chair of the Neighborhood Watch/ Emergency Preparedness (NW/EP) Mike Attick, Co-Chair of the Safe Streets Committee Paul McNulty and citizens.

Mayor Calvo led the Pledge of Allegiance.

1. Minutes

Clerk Harper read a summary of the July Town meeting minutes.

2. Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Lape gave the Treasurer's report for the month of July.

3. Mayor’s Report

Mayor Calvo announced that the Town Center is being made available as a cooling center for any residents without air conditioning. Residents can call the Town Office for help.

Mayor Calvo continued that he and Town staff met with Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) representatives to discuss concerns about workmanship regarding the  Seminole Street project, which was excavated for a water main replacement last year. The Town has asked WSSC to perform core drills to test the filling material below the surface but has not received much cooperation. Berwyn Heights may pay for the core drills itself. Concerns about quality were renewed with a water main break on Cunningham Drive and Berwyn Road 2 weeks ago, which polluted Indian Creek with large amounts of sediment and clay. The Town also continues to closely monitor progress on the Osage Street water main replacement project.

On the national level, transportation infrastructure has become a focal point, following the Minnesota bridge collapse. Infrastructure was a central theme at a Conference of State Legislators in Boston, which Mayor Calvo attended last week. The national highway transportation fund is facing a shortfall due to diminishing gas tax receipts, as is the Maryland Transportation Trust. This may have a negative impact on  Highway User Revenues in municipalities and has lawmakers looking at new funding sources, such as a gas tax increase.

At the last Four Cities Coalition meeting, held in Berwyn Heights, homelessness was discussed at length. It was recognized that the needs of homeless people have increased with the rising cost of housing. Also discussed was the future of Greenbelt Middle School, which is slated for replacement in 2010 on the School Board's Capital Improvement Plan. However, the Four Cities have concerns about the adequacy of current plans and continue to work with Prince George's County Schools (PGCPS) to address them.

In other news, the Town Council learned that the Prince George's County landfill has raised its tipping fees by 25%, contrary to previous announcements. This creates a $16,000 shortfall in the Town budget. The Town Council also received a Metroland update and learned that the new Branchville Road bridge, which provides access into the development, cannot be built until the ownership issue has been resolved. On July 31, Berwyn Heights successfully took part in a State run pandemic flu exercise thanks to the hard work of Emergency Preparedness volunteers and the participation of many residents. Last week, Mayor Calvo gave a tour to Dannielle Glaros, who is County Councilmember Eric Olson's legislative aide. He pointed out properties and issues that pose problems beyond the Town ability to resolve.

Lastly, Mayor Calvo reviewed legislative initiatives undertaken this summer, including development of a fiscal policy and a noise ordinance. The Council also directed staff to develop a comprehensive plan for the improvement of the Pontiac Street field and to move the Council office to make room for a Historical Committee Museum. Further, the Council amended its take home car policy to drop the in-state residency requirement and designated Mike Attick as the Town Emergency Management Coordinator. Finally, Mayor Calvo and CM Lofgren were the proud winners of the Mayor's Cup in the annual Port Towns Paddlesport Regatta. Merit is due to CM Lofgren, who brought his own boat and many years of experience to the race.

4. Department Reports

Administration: CM Gourley said that despite the heat wave, turnout for National Night Out was high yesterday and thanked the volunteers who manned the grills. He reported that the Town Center air conditioning underwent repairs and that a new shed has been set up behind the Town Center by Public Works staff. As usual, residents are requested to report broken street lights.

Code Enforcement: MPT Jewitt reported that a number of construction projects without permits have been identified recently. Residents are reminded to obtain permits before making any structural changes to their homes. For information about permits or any other code matter, residents can call the Code Department at 301-513-9331. He also noted that he welcomed residents to National Night Out yesterday, where all those who came had a good time despite the stifling heat. He concluded with a report on code violations.

Parks and Recreation, Education and Civic Affairs: CM Dennison reported that the Historical Committee is excited to learn that the Council gave them a room for a long-sought after museum. Her budget has money to purchase a display case. The museum will be discussed at the Committee's September 25 meeting. The Town Administrator and Public Works Department have been tasked to work with the Boys & Girls Club to develop a plan for improving the Pontiac Street ball field. Berwyn Heights Elementary School (BHES) and PGCPS will also be approached for input. CM Dennison, as a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) participated in the July 31 pandemic flu exercise as well as in yesterday's National Night Out. She thanked Officer Bennett for coordinating the event, as well Berwyn Heights Police, Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness and volunteers for putting on the most successful National Night Out she can remember.

She announced that at the next Education Advisory Committee (EAC) meeting on August 14, Greenbelt Middle School Principal Judy Austin will be in attendance. August 20 is the first day  for students to go back to school and asked residents to drive carefully. The following evening, the PTA will host Hello Huskies Night with entertainment by Flashlight. Lead singer Bret Goldstein will also be a regular 5th grade teacher at BHES this year. On September 4, the PTA will hold its first meeting and will roll out its new Weekly Reader program.

Public Health and Safety: Mayor Calvo said that he was sorry he had to miss National Night Out, which by all accounts was a great success. He thanked Officer Michelle Bennett for a great job in reaching out to residents and increasing attendance. He also thanked NW/EP volunteers for manning the grills in sweltering heat. He congratulated Chief Murphy and his Department for this year's low crime rate, which he attributes to increased police presence and activity.

Chief Murphy gave the police activities report for July. There were 15 Part I offenses, which is above the 5 year average of 12. The year-to-date total of 73, however, still compares favorably with the 5 year total of 80. Chief Murphy praised Officer Bennett for doing a great job organizing National Night Out, thanked the volunteers and donors who supported the event, including Berwyn Heights, Greenbelt Road and Beltway Plaza Shell stations, Target, Blue Bird Driving School and Pro Shop Golf Club. He announced that more steering wheel locks are now available at the Police station for $10 a piece and encouraged all residents to get them. He concluded with press releases.

Public Works: CM Lofgren reported that Public Works Director Coleman has been busy monitoring the WSSC projects in Town. Mr. Coleman also met with Washington Gas representatives about problematic gas patches and with a resident on Quebec Street about drainage ditches that need to be redone. A number of mature trees throughout Town have died during the summer and may need to be taken down, while a contractor has completed tree trimming along Edmonston Road. As part of a plan to improve Pontiac Street field, estimates for a sprinkler system have been procured and soil testing is in progress. The Public Works crew has installed a new shed behind the Town Center and helped out with National Night Out. Lastly, he noted that he and Mayor Calvo bested all 9 competitors in the Port Towns Mayors' Race despite being rammed by another boat.

Mayor Calvo appended his remarks that, during last month's employee appreciation lunch, the following employees were honored as employees of the year: Walker Chapman – Police, Mike McConnell – Public Works, Darlene Erickson – General Government.

5. Committee Reports

Education Advisory Committee: EAC Chair Ann Harris Davidson said that Greenbelt Middle School Principal Judy Austin will attend the next Education Advisory Committee meeting and will discuss, among other things, the new International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program that will be implemented over the next year. Interested parents can get detailed information at the website ibo.org and are encouraged to attend the meeting.

County Executive Jack Johnson has appointed Amber Waller to replace Nate Thomas on the Board of Education. She is a community activist from Hyattsville and former member of the PGCPS Community Advisory Council. Her appointment will effectively increase representation for the still under-represented northern inner Beltway districts.

Historical Committee: CM Dennison said that the next Historical Committee meeting will be on September 25 and chaired by Vice Chair Selani Weiner.

Neighborhood Watch/Emergency Preparedness: Chair Mike Attick reported that the recent pandemic flu drill went well and provided valuable information on the effectiveness of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTS) and the cooperation of citizens. The data was collected by the State Command Center and relayed to Maryland hospitals to assist them in planning for an epidemic. Both the State Coordinator and Governor O'Malley were impressed with the performance.

Mr. Attick thanked all those who participated, particularly the following individuals: Mayor Calvo, CM Dennison, Marty Fleming of the City of Laurel, Berwyn Heights CERT members Eddie Daffron, Carmen Greenwell, Ron Shane, Gerald and Lily Shields, John Touart and Merrill and Helen Weinrich as well as Calvin Hawkins, Major Eugene Jones and Debbie Staigerwald of Governor O'Malley's office and those helping in the Volunteer Center, Cheryl Jewitt, Joan Hayden and Darlene Erickson.

Mr. Attick also thanked the organizers and volunteers of National Night Out, especially, Officer Bennett, Clerk Carter, Director Coleman and Public Works staff, Chief Fusco and Danny McCoy of the Volunteer Fire Department, Berwyn Heights Elementary School Principal Singer and Vice Principal Sharon Cook, Brad and Cheryl Jewitt and the volunteers of the NW/EP. The next meeting will be on September 5 at which new officers will be elected.

Recreation Council: CM Dennison announced that the next Recreation Council meeting will be on September 6.

Safe Streets Committee: Co-Chair Paul McNulty noted that he just watched the successful launch of space shuttle Endeavor. On board was school teacher Barbara Morgan, who served as backup to Christa McAuliffe, who died in the Challenger accident.

At the last meeting, Safe Streets Committee members reviewed and prioritized a list of traffic problems in Berwyn Heights. Then the three top priorities were included in a formal survey for Committee members to rank in private. The completed surveys will sent back to the co-chairs who will tally the votes. The results will be discussed at the next meeting on September 16.

6. Unfinished Business

There was none.

7. New Business

Building & Inspection Ordinance No. 104 - Amendments: MPT Jewitt gave an overview of the proposed amendments. A section on dumpster permits was clarified and an entirely new section establishing permits for Portable Temporary Storage Units (PODS) was added. Also, references to fees and fines were taken out of the Ordinance so as to be set from time to time by Council resolution and the process of enforcement of violations and appeals are described in greater detail.

Clerk Harper read the introduction of the Ordinance. CM Gourley moved to introduce it. MPT Jewitt seconded. He continued that he received a comment on the use of dumpsters and PODS by businesses, which he plans to bring up for discussion at the next worksession. Mayor Calvo received a question from a local reporter about the recent tightening of community standards to whom he said that the changes in regulations are more a retooling of existing ordinances than writing of new legislation.

Ms. Davidson pointed out a typographical error, suggested more definitive language for “a reasonable period of time,” and questioned the date of a prior revision. With no further comments, the Ordinance was adopted in a 5 to 0 roll call vote.

Commercial Clean Lot Ordinance No. 134: MPT Jewitt explained that the Commercial Clean Lot Ordinance mirrors the residential Clean Lot Ordinance and addresses additional issues specific to business properties, such as parking lots and industrial areas. The Ordinance also implements two types of violations, violations with immediate or 5 day compliance periods fpr litter problems, infestations and illegal motor vehicles and violations that take longer to address. As with other recently revised ordinances, the fee and fine schedule is not in the Ordinance but will be adopted by Council resolution.

On a motion by CM Lofgren and second by CM Dennison, the Ordinance was considered read. MPT Jewitt moved to introduce the Ordinance. CM Dennison seconded. Mayor Calvo said that the Ordinance still needs work on details and input from businesses and residents. CM Lofgren suggested that Ordinance 104 refer to a Code Officer rather than a Building Inspector to make it consistent with other ordinances. CM Dennison asked if permit requirements for temporary dumpsters and PODS should extend to businesses. Mayor Calvo said that should be considered.  With no further comments, the Council voted 5 to 0 in a roll call vote to introduce the Ordinance.

8. Citizens Discussion

Ann Harris Davidson reported that a street light is broken on the corner of Pontiac Street and 57th Avenue. She also asked if the Code Department checks the Internet's Craig's List to identify rental homes and was told the List is checked regularly.

Mike Attick asked whether the Town still hands out gun locks. Chief Murphy said that he will check. Mike Attick criticize a recent Bulletin notice regarding requests for police emergency assistance. Mayor Calvo said that the announcement will corrected in future Bulletins. Mike Attick continued that he received a comment from a resident saying that she felt trapped when sought help at the Berwyn Heights Police Station after hours. Mayor Calvo and Chief Murphy advised not go to the Police Station to seek help because officers would likely be on patrol. If one has a suspicion of being followed, it is better to go to a busy, well lighted place such as Greenbelt Road. Lastly, Mike Attick recommended that the Town invest the money to perform core drills on the recently resurfaced roads to get a definitive answer on the quality of the backfill.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk

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