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Worksession Minutes
April 6, 2009

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Calvo, CMs Dennison and Gourley. MPT Lofgren and CM Ahrens had an excused absence. Also present were Town Administrator (TA) Murphy, Detective Antolik and Clerk Harper, as well as high school student Christopher Harper and his parents Michael Harper and Martha Sheridan.

1. Mayor

Announcements: MPT Lofgren and CM Ahrens are absent from this meeting.

Calendar: No changes were made.

Minutes: On a motion by CM Dennison and second by CM Gourley, the March 9 budget worksession minutes were approved 3 to 0. On a motion by CM Gourley and second by CM Dennison, the March 16 worksession minutes were approved 3 to 0. The March 11 Town meeting minutes will be reviewed at the April 8 Town meeting.

Department reports: Mayor Calvo reported that Chief Murphy returned to work and had a busy first day. An appointment to fill the police vacancy will be made soon. The SWAT Team reporting bill will be up for the 3rd reading and approval before the Maryland Senate tonight. The General Assembly is in conference to reconcile the Senate and House versions of the FY 2010 budget, both of which have deep cuts to the Highway User Revenue (HUR) trust fund. Delegate Gaines is one of the conferees and is  working hard with the Maryland Municipal League (MML) to restore some of the HUR funds, which is an important funding source for local road improvements.

CM Dennison reported that the talent show at Berwyn Heights Elementary School (BHES) was a success, with 18 participants giving demonstrations of their talents. She and the Recreation Council are busy with Berwyn Heights Day preparations. CM Gourley reported that the Administration Department continues to work the budget.

Citizen comments: CM Gourley received a comment about a missing tax reminder on the Bulletin cover and the unkempt appearance of 58th Avenue homes close to Greenbelt Road, which he referred to the Code Department. Mayor Calvo received complaints about a disruptive party on Bucknell Terrace, which triggered a police response and follow up by the Code Department. He also received comments about speeding on Osage Street, the vacant home on 58th Avenue, which was supposed to have been demolished, late delivery of the Bulletin and problems with the Pontiac Street and Kenilworth Avenue traffic light settings. He will take the traffic light issue up with the State Highway Administration (SHA) and request to have the original settings restored. The new sequential green lights for Westchester Park and Berwyn Heights cause long backups on Edmonston Road. CM Gourley asked to also raise the long light at 58th Avenue and Greenbelt Road.

National Student Leadership conference contribution (discussed out of order): CM Dennison welcomed Eleanor Roosevelt High School freshman Christopher Harper and his parents Michael Harper and Martha Sheridan. Two weeks ago, she received their request for supporting Christopher's participation in the competitive National Student Leadership Conference at American University this summer. Enrollment in the program costs $2,494. She has placed the request on the agenda for formal consideration by the Council.

Christopher Harper explained that the program for which he applied focuses on U.S. politics and policy and are part of his preparations for becoming a lawyer. The conference takes place on the campus of American University and offers classes, workshops and field trips related to his area of study. In addition, students have the opportunity to learn from and engage with political leaders, who are invited to speak. In response to Mayor Calvo, Christopher said that he plans to raise money by holding a yard sale and performing jobs around Town. In addition he has some savings he plans to use. The fees have to be paid by May 1. He said he would be happy with any size contribution. Mayor Calvo suggested he advertise to cut grass to earn money, for which there is considerable demand.

CM Dennison moved to support the application with a contribution of $250. CM Gourley seconded. Mayor Calvo said that he will support the application if Christopher agrees to come back to a Town meeting afterwards and reports on what he learned and why this was a good use of tax payer money. Christopher agreed. The motion passed 3 to 0.

COPS grant (discussed out of order): Detective Antolik explained that as part of the stimulus package, a federal grant program has been set up for municipalities that would fund 3 years of an officer's starting salary under a 4 year contract. The 4th year would be paid by the municipality. The municipality would also be responsible for any incidentals and training. The deadline for application is April 14. The Police Department has gathered all necessary documentation to apply. However, there is no guarantee that the grant will be awarded. If the grant is received, he would recommend hiring a bi-lingual English/Spanish speaking individual.

Mayor Calvo said that, unlike an earlier COPS grant the Town received, this one does not phase out over several years. It simply funds 3 years and then requires the Town to pay for the 4th year. Nor is there any assistance after the 4th year. Detective Antolik said that the grant would only pay for an additional 9th officer and cannot be used to fill the vacancy. However, the funding continues if the Town looses an officer during the grant period. Mayor Calvo said that he sees no reason not to seek the grant. The Town has a high turnover of officers. There is a high likelihood that an officer will leave before the grant runs out and the department returns to an 8 officer complement.

CM Gourley moved to authorize the Police Department to apply for the grant. CM Dennison seconded. The motion passed 3 to 0.

Red light camera system (discussed out of order): Detective Antolik explained that he spoke with a representative of OptoTraffic, a company that provides red light monitoring systems to municipalities at the last Chiefs of Police Conference. The device is essentially a portable camera that monitors traffic lights for red light violations. The device can also be used as a speed camera, should the General Assembly pass legislation authorizing municipalities to set up speed cameras and collect fines. OptoTraffic is responsible for all maintenance, relocations and mailing of infractions. It receives $35 of each $75 red light violation, with the remainder paid to the Town. The Town is responsible for reviewing the camera footage to determine the violations are to be fined and to represent the Town in a court challenge. The Town of Edmonston has used the system since May 2008 and received revenues of $52,000. Detective Antolik recommended that the Town implement the program as it has a number of busy intersections along Greenbelt Road and Kenilworth Avenue and a school zone where speed needs to be monitored.

Mayor Calvo commented that he is wary of looking at such as system from a revenue-generating point of view. The goal should be to stop people from running red lights or speeding in residential neighborhoods. Also, revenue tends to dry up as drivers learn where the camera is and stop violating. Any revenue the Town earns from this system might be used for funding one-time traffic improvements recommended by the Safe Streets Committee. While he fully supports the use of speed cameras to enforce speed limits in Town, this system would primarily be used at traffic lights along State highways. The Town would first need to get approval from SHA to set up the cameras.

Detective Antolik said that he will need to look into getting permission from SHA. He believes that the dangerous intersection at 63rd Avenue and Greenbelt Road, in particular, would benefit from the red light camera, as students cross there to get to Greenbelt Middle School. Mayor Calvo said that the Greenbelt Road intersections at 58th, 60th and 62nd Avenues have become problematic, too, because many pedestrians cross there to go to Beltway Plaza, leading to an increase in jay-walking. The Kenilworth Avenue /Pontiac Street intersection begs for traffic monitoring because many accidents have occurred there. Furthermore, students cross to get to Friends School. CM Dennison and Gourley thought that the system is worth looking into to improve traffic safety at the busy intersections and around the school. Detective Antolik was asked to find out what steps need to be taken for SHA to approve the system.

MML conference registrations: The Council approved registrations for 3 Councilmembers, including the formal dinner and Prince George's County Municipal Association (PGCMA) breakfast.

Employee appreciation: The item was tabled.

Four Cities agenda: The item was tabled.

At 8:04 p.m., the Council took a 5 minute break.

2. Code Compliance

Nothing was discussed.

3. Parks and Recreation

Mock Student Town Council topic: CM Dennison said that she spoke to Ms. Carty, the Berwyn Heights Elementary School (BHES) teacher, who is coordinating the event this year. She was told that the students chose “vandalism at BHES” as this year's topic. Mayor Calvo asked if CM Dennison can find out what question is to be debated.

Town Center rental extension request I: TA Murphy explained that Ms. Wray is requesting an extension of rental hours until midnight for her daughter's graduation party on June 20. The extension was discussed at a previous worksession but more information was requested. The party would feature a D.J. and alcohol. The party would start late at 8:00 p.m. because most of the guests would come from New Jersey, where the daughter attended Rutgers University.

Mayor Calvo noticed that June 20 has already been chosen as the date for the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Ms. Wray needs to be asked to move her event to another date. However, special consideration should be given now to extending the hours until 11:00 p.m. because the Town double booked the date. CM Dennison so moved. CM Gourley seconded. The motion passed 3 to 0.

Town Center rental extension request II: TA Murphy said that Ms. Espinoza has requested an extension of rental hours until 11:00 p.m. for a June 13 baby shower. The reason for the extension is that many of the guests work until 6:00 p.m. on weekends. The party will not have a D.J. or a band, nor will alcohol be served. The Council agreed that an extension request for a party without alcohol and loud music should be regarded favorably. However, the applicant needs to be reminded that the $250 deposit will be forfeited if alcohol is served. CM Gourley moved to grant an extension until 8:00 p.m. subject to loss of deposit if alcohol is served. CM Dennison seconded. The motion passed 3 to 0.

4. Public Safety

Items were discussed under Mayor's agenda.

5. Public Works

Nothing was discussed.

6. Administration

Bulletin cover: TA Murphy informed the Council that the Town may be able to get the lower postage rate of 14 cents per Bulletin issue by applying for “saturation delivery.” Currently, the Town pays 37 cents per issue at the bulk delivery rate. The Town would need to fill out a document that details how many residential and commercial customers there are for each carrier route and file it with the supervisor of the Capitol Heights bulk mail sorting facility. Also, the cover may have to be changed slightly to allow for a stamp in the upper right hand corner.

The following items were approved for the May Bulletin cover: Berwyn Heights Day and FY 2010 budget hearing.

Commercial District banner: TA Murphy explained that some of the “The Town of Berwyn Heights Welcomes You” banners lining the commercial district along Greenbelt Road need to be replaced. The problem is not so much ordering new banners, but installing them on the PEPCO poles. TA Murphy has called the owner of the company F. W. Haxel Company regularly since December 2008 but has not been able to get a commitment for a crew to come out and determine which banner brackets need to be replaced and on which additional poles brackets can be installed. Mayor Calvo offered to call the company.

7. Budget Discussion

This item was tabled.

8. Executive Session (8:34 – 8:44 p.m.)

On a motion by CM Dennison and second by Mayor Calvo, the Council went into executive session to select a citizen of the year. The executive session was closed on a motion by CM Dennison and second by CM Gourley.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Signed: Kerstin Harper, Town Clerk


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