Council Meetings Agendas

Council of the Town of Brentwood Town Hall, Brentwood, Maryland Council Meeting Ordinance Workshop Meeting of the Mayor and Council of Brentwood Date: April 11, 2015 Council: X Vice Mayor Jeffrey Clark X Council Member Tonya Harrison X Council Member Regina Morlan X Council Member Victor Olano X Mayor Rocio Treminio-Lopez Town Staff: X Reginald Bagley, Town Administrator X Magdalena Rojas, Town Clerk _ (Absent) Robert Althoff, Chief of Police _ (Absent) Shelley Gaylord, Treasurer Mayor Treminio-Lopez called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm _________________________________________________________________________________ APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Council Member Harrison to add Public Comments, second by Vice Mayor Clark for discussion. Approved by Voice Vote. Motion by Vice Mayor Clark to approve the agenda, second by Council Member Harrison for discussion. Approved by Voice Vote. Public Comments COMMENT- Laura Rogers, Perry Street Suggest that comments be made after each subject (agreement from residents present in Town Hall). She does not think that home business should be charged, and mentions that the other towns that do charge are very specific to the home business they charge. She let everyone know that that there was a message sent to her from Council Member Morlan about having the tiers removed and it is not a rumor but information provided via Facebook. RESPONSE- The workshop is for discussion and the council will be happy to receive comments now and will take them into consideration. Comment- Dolly Pormerleay, Varnum Street We need to have an idea of what we are commenting on. Suggest there is a second hearing once the actual intention is known by the residents. Comment- Jennifer Murphy, Varnum Street Was a part of putting the fees that are currently in place when she was on the Town Council, and is concerned about how the Town will regulate home businesses or artist space and studios. It’s not fair or easy. Home businesses already pay taxes and should not have to pay twice. Ms. Murphy also raised 1  Council of the Town of Brentwood Town Hall, Brentwood, Maryland Council Meeting concerns that some of the staff doesn’t know anything about the ordinances or rules of the Town and are giving out wrong information. Suggest the staff in question gets educated. Comment- AC Warden, 40th Street Concerned that the residents don’t know what the Council is really thinking about. Ms. Warden believes it would be short sighted to charge artist and have them move out causing a decline in economic development. Micro businesses that cannot afford this new fee will be leaving and warns the council to be aware. Comment- John Paradiso, 35th Street Would like the Council to discuss the difference between a hobby and a business, and how the studio size and location affects the prices. Comment- Bishop Davis, Agape Day Care Center Came in because she heard that non-profits where also going to be charged, and wanted clarification. Comment- Roger Rudder, Sent via email, read by the Town Administrator. RESPONSE- Mayor response to the all comments about the adding a charge for the home business by stating that there was discussion on the late fees and penalties, not on adding burden to home businesses or artists. Council Member Harrison seconded the Mayor. This is the first time the Council is meeting and discussing charging home businesses and artists fee. Council Member Olano mentioned that the Council has failed to make clear the intent of this hearing and the rumors of raising the license fee are just not true. The Council is trying to fix the late fees so that businesses can be charged fairly. Council Member Morlan commented on the Brentwood Maryland Public Page and the comment mentioned by resident Laura Rogers. Multi-dwelling Rental Ordinance Suggested changes but no agreement was made, the following table shows the suggested time line and percentage changes. Late fee Time Line Late Application Fee 30 days 10% 60 days 15% 90 days October 1st 20% Business License Ordinance Discussion took place by the Council looking at the excessive late fees of $250/per day for missing the application deadline, and $500/per day of operation the business with out a Business License. This is located at 45-8 of the Ordinance 2013-07. They believe the fee per day is excessive and are considering the following table. Council will seek legal consultation as to what the Town can actually do to reinforce these fees. Mayor suggests combining Tier 2 and Tier 3 and charging $250. No agreement was made. Council Member Olano believes that the tiers should remain separate but there is a need for a review of what types of businesses belong in each tier. Discussion was conducted about how the Council defines home businesses and non-profits. Council Member Olano suggested the creation of Tier V, which includes 2  Council of the Town of Brentwood Town Hall, Brentwood, Maryland Council Meeting non-profits and home businesses and artist with a small fee ($50). The rest of the Council does not agree with this and would like to simply look into charging daycares. Late fee Time Line Late Application Fee Operation Violation Fee Council in Favor 15 days July 15th $200 $---- ---- 60 days September 1st $200 $---- 90 days October 1st $200 $500 (61st day) CM Olano, CM Morlan, Mayor Building Permit Review Discussion has been had that the Town charges 50% of what Prince George’s County Charges with the minimum being $25. Gazebo Rental Policy & Procedures Table Meeting adjourned at 10:35pm Motion to Adjourn by Council Member Olano seconded by Vice Mayor Clark. Approved by voice vote, all in favor. Submitted by: ________________________________ Magdalena Rojas Town Clerk Mayor, Rocio Treminio-Lopez Approved: ___________________ 3