Town of Berwyn Heights Seal Town of Berwyn Heights Interactive Logo

 

Worksession Minutes
March 24, 2008

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, Mayor Pro Tem (MPT) Jewitt, CMs Dennison, Gourley and Lofgren. Also present were Town Administrator Murphy, Clerk Harper, Margret Barrot and citizens.

1. Mayor

Announcements: The Seniors Club is celebrating its 25th anniversary on April 13. The Historical Committee will host Ann Harris Davidson's book signing of “Berwyn Heights, Then & Now” on April 6, 2 p.m. Mayor Calvo commended Berwyn Heights Shell for a speedy repair to his car's flat tires.

Calendar: The date for an upcoming book signing event was corrected.

Minutes: On a motion by CM Gourley and second by CM Dennison, the February 25 worksession minutes were approved 5 to 0 with corrections. On a motion by MPT Jewitt and second by CM Dennison, the March 3 worksession minutes were approved 5 to 0 with corrections. Council directed staff to include in the minutes the names of individuals appealing code violations. On a motion by MPT Jewitt and second by CM Dennison, the March 10 worksession minutes were approved 5 to 0 with corrections.

Agenda: An executive session on a personnel matter was added at the end of the meeting.

Department reports: CM Dennison announced that volunteers are still needed for Berwyn Heights Day, held on May 3. Former Berwyn Heights officer Rich Hartnett has agreed to be D.J. Students can earn community service hours. Mayor Calvo said that Chief Murphy has returned to work after having recuperated from recent surgery. Mayor Calvo will visit Berwyn Heights Elementary School on April 10 to launch this year's “If I were Mayor, I Would…” Essay Contest.

Citizen comments: CM Gourley received an inquiry as to whether the Commerce Bank project is still on track to begin this year and whether the construction at a property next to Commerce Bank relates to the project. Mayor Calvo said that there are delays due to Commerce Bank having been sold to TD Bank and due to the owner of the video store in that location refusing to give up his lease, which is set to run out in 2010. However, plans for the project are still moving forward at the County Council level. Further, the construction at the 59th Avenue home, which Commerce Bank wants to buy, relates to repairing damage from a recent fire. CM Dennison received comments from a resident who is informing the tenants of 8521 58th Avenue what they required to do to help maintain the property. The resident also questioned whether the same property is large enough to accommodate a new house, for which the owner just received a permit.

Mayor Calvo received the first of 72 letters from BHES students about the absence of recycling service at the school. The Town's contractor is not bound to collect recyclables at County facilities. He has looked into possible solutions to be discussed later in the meeting. He also received a complaint about a police fine issued in error about front end parking in a cul-de-sac and information about a global initiative to promote energy saving by turning out lights for an hour on March 29.

Variance request – 6113 Quebec Place (discussed out of order): Mayor Calvo welcomed resident Margret Barrot, who has applied for a variance with the County Zoning Board to validate an existing condition in order to construct a sun room. Ms. Barrot explained that she plans add a sun room to an existing deck. When filing for the permit, she was told that she first needed to get a variance for the deck and stairs leading up to the deck, which are built too close to the side property line. Mayor Calvo noted that the neighbors have been informed of Ms. Barrot's plans and have no objections. MPT Jewitt moved to recommend approval of the variance request. CM Gourley seconded. CM Lofgren clarified that the variance sought for a 5 ' side yard setback. The motion was approved 5 to 0.

State Legislation – support for HB 1041, SB 33: CM Dennison referred Councilmembers to copies of the bills that were distributed to them, which seek to re-establish 9 single member Board of Education election districts. The legislation passed the Senate but was held up in the House Ways & Means Committee, which made amendments to district boundaries. However, it is unclear which boundaries were changed and how. The Chair of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC), Ann Harris Davidson, was given a copy of the amendments to seek clarification. Passage of the bill will require the House and Senate to agree.

Mayor Calvo said that the Council has had a position supporting 9 single member districts for several years. He is not inclined to support a bill with specific boundaries that are unclear and subject to further changes. Generally, however, he favors Berwyn Heights to be aligned with College Park with which it has commonality at the elementary and high school levels. CM Dennison said the Council could wait to see what the agreed upon version of this bill will look like and then take a stand. MPT Jewitt said the Council could address the letter of support to the District 22 delegation and specify its desire to be aligned with College Park. Mayor Calvo replied that he does not believe this would make a difference, as the delegation is aware of the Council's preferences. Another letter is not likely to change Senator Pinsky's mind on this question.

CM Dennison moved to write a letter of support, drafted by her and Ms. Davidson, to express support for 9 single member districts in general. MPT Jewitt seconded. He added that this letter should reiterate Berwyn Heights preference to be aligned with College Park. CM Dennison said Ms. Davidson would prefer Berwyn Heights to be aligned with Greenbelt. Mayor Calvo said that there is no official EAC recommendation with respect to alignment but it is the configuration of the districts that is at issue now. Furthermore, there is not enough time remaining in this legislative session for the Town to react to the final version of the bill as the next meeting takes place after the session has ended. He thinks that a general statement would not justify the time involved. CM Dennison encouraged residents to write their own letters and moved to table the motion. CM Gourley seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0.

Neighborhood Conservation Program – letter of support: MPT Jewitt explained that Greenbelt has written a letter to urge the Maryland Department of Transportation to re-establish the Neighborhood Conservation Program created by Governor Glendening after new transportation funds were appropriated during last year's special session. The Neighborhood Conservation Program funded projects to make state highways more pedestrian and bicycle friendly and incorporate design elements to make the roadway part of a neighborhood. Route 193 had already gone through the design process when funding for implementation was cut.

MPT Jewitt suggested Berwyn Heights write a letter that urging the implementation of the Route 193 project, especially in light of the new and planned development in Greenbelt West. He is prepared to draft a letter as TA Murphy is will be absent for this week. CM Dennison commented that Route 193 is pretty far down on Transportation Department Capital Improvement Budget. MPT Jewitt moved to write a letter of support for the Route 193 project under the umbrella of Neighborhood Conservation Program in light of Greenbelt West development. CM Gourley seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

Greenbelt Station/RCP Parcel – DSP approval: Mayor Calvo said that the Council recently received a presentation on the RCP parcel, a 3-story complex of multi-family units and street-level retail stores. The Council has an agreement with the developers, which commits the Town to supporting the plans but permits adding comments or conditions. One item that might warrant comments is a  pedestrian bridge connecting the RCP parcel with the Hollywood section of College Park. However, he does not wish to weigh on it.

CM Dennison moved to take a position in favor of the detailed site plan. MPT Jewitt seconded. CM Lofgren said that since the property is in the City of Greenbelt, which has authority to approve the DSP, the Council may want to request the staff report on this development to learn about any concerns. He also asked if the monetary compensation hinges on Berwyn Height's approval of the plans. Mayor Calvo confirmed this. The motion passed 5 to 0.

Mayor Calvo said that he recently met with Metroland  Developer Danny Colton about the connector road bridge over Branchville Road and reiterated the Council's position not to take ownership of any part of the bridge. He learned that the bridge is expected to be completed in 2 months and that the first town homes may be ready for sale this summer. Further, Metroland has purchased the Hercules Fence property and would like to build senior housing on the site; they also have placed a contract to buy the Milco property.

Maryland Municipal League registration: Mayor Calvo asked that any Councilmember or prospective Councilmember, who does not wish to attend the MML conference in June, inform Clerk Harper before the April 14 early bird registration deadline. CM Gourley suggested that Councilmembers consider sharing hotel rooms because of this year's tight budget.

At 8:35 p.m., the Council took a 10 minute break.

2. Public Safety

No items were discussed.

3. Public Works

Mulch policy: CM Lofgren explained that Public Works closed the mulch site because of unauthorized dumping and other problems. As an alternative, it has begun to offer mulch delivery by appointment. Director Coleman has provided a draft mulch policy for the Council to review, which consists of the following elements:

  •  Delivery depends on availability of the mulch at the County facility;

  • Deliveries are deposited in driveway or grassy area next to street;

  • Mulch season is from March 1 – September 30;

  • Maximum amount of delivery per week is 12 cubic yards;

  • Price is $5.00 per 3 cubic yards to be paid at the Town Office;

  • There are no returns.

CM Dennison commented that she had mulch delivered last week and was pleased with the service. The quality of the untreated mulch was better than she expected but not suitable for flower beds. Mayor Calvo said he is pleased to have the outlines of this policy. However, it could be rewritten to make it more to the point before it is adopted. CM Lofgren said he will work with Director Coleman to refine it.

No items were discussed under Administration and Code Enforcement.

6. Parks and Recreation

Student Town Council: CM Dennison said that the Council needs to set a date for the event and help select a topic to be discussed. The date was set for April 14, 6:30 p.m. at the Town Center. As possible topics, CM Dennison suggested recycling and Indian Creek pollution. Mayor Calvo said that he would not recommend Indian Creek as the Town has really no authority over dealing with its pollution. Recycling, on the other hand, has some interesting aspects that lend themselves to debate. Currently, the Town's recyclers do not pick up recyclables at the school and would charge for including it. In letters to the Mayor, students have offered to raise money to pay for recycling service, which he thinks is a good idea. MPT Jewitt commented that as an alternative, students could look into recycling fundraisers for plastics, glass and metals, such as they have for paper recycling. Mayor Calvo said that the Council needs to develop a scenario for the students to think about and discuss. This could be one of the options described in the scenario. CM Gourley suggested that students could perhaps raise money by delivering cans and other metals to P.G. Scrap on Branchville Road. Mayor Calvo said this is another good option to debate. He will draft a scenario and share it with CM Dennison for comment.

7. Budget Discussion

Mayor Calvo said that TA Murphy provided an updated FY 2009 budget summary based on the changes the Council made at the last worksession. However, there are some discrepancies between the Council decisions and TA Murphy's adjustments. As a result, there is still a shortfall in the general and the Public Safety Taxing District (PSTD) budgets. MPT Jewitt said there may not be a shortfall as TA Murphy did not adjust upward revenues as was suggested. This includes $2,000 in code fines, $1,000 in building permit fees and $200 in POD permit fees for a total of $3,200.

Mayor Calvo said that the PSTD budget still has a deficit because the 5 cent increase in the PSTD personal property tax rate approved by the Council at the last worksession was not sufficient to cover to health benefits for the 8th police officer as hoped, nor a $3,000 shortfall in PSTD personal property taxes resulting from the reassessment of Verizon's personal property. Thus, another $3,000 needs to be found to balance the budget before its introduction at the April 9 Town meeting. He asked that Councilmembers review their budgets again for items that can be cut, in particular new appropriations. Two possible areas for cuts are the COLA and the Temporary Labor budget. CM Gourley pointed out that allowance also needs to be made for higher gas prices and additional hours for enforcing the new commercial clean lot regulations.

Mayor Calvo said that there may be a possibility for the Town to take over recycling, which could free up around $54,000. This would be enough to pay for another full time Public Works employee and relieve some of the pressure to hire temporary labor, accounting perhaps for another $10,000 - $16,000 in savings. An old trash truck could be cleaned and dedicated for recycling. CM Lofgren doubted that temporary labor could be cut back that much, especially with one Public Works employee taken out of the lineup to drive the recycling truck.

8. Executive Session (added item; 9:35 p.m. - 10:02 p.m.)

On a motion by MPT Jewitt and second by CM Gourley, the Council went into executive session to discuss a personnel matter. With matter discussed, the session was ended on a motion by MPT Jewitt and second by CM Gourley.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 p.m.

Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk


Copyright © Town of Berwyn Heights.