Mayor & City Council

Motion Sheet October 10, 2023 1. Consent Agenda: I move to adopt the Consent Agenda. (Mayor Kabir will read the agenda items) 23-G-149 Approval of minutes for the September 19 and September 26, 2023 Council meetings. 23-G-150 Award the contract for the purchase of one (1) new 2024 Battle Motors/Crane Carrier New Way body rear loader packer in the amount of $ 390,801.29 utilizing pricing from competitively bid Sourcewell Contract #091219 and, subject to the approval of the City Attorney. Funding for the vehicle is in the CIP Vehicle Replacement Funding. 23-G-151 Approval of a Prince George’s County Historic Preservation Grant application for the Old Parish House maintenance work in the amount of $10,662.00 with the City’s matching funds of $1,100.00 and a letter of support. PUBLIC HEARING 23-O-08 Further discussion and possible vote will be held on October 17, 2023. ACTION ITEMS 23-G-148 Recommend approval of Detailed Site Plan-22035 for Terrapin House, located at the northeast quadrant of Baltimore Avenue and Hartwick Road, with conditions in accordance with the staff recommendation and the Declaration of Covenants and Agreement in the form substantially attached.  CITY OF COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND DISCUSSION / PRESENTATION COVER REPORT Prepared By: Bill Gardiner Meeting Date: 10/10/2023 Assistant City Manager Kenny Young City Manager Presented By: Kenny Young City Manager Originating Department: Mayor and Council Topic: Discussion of the Mayor Pro Tem position Strategic Plan Objective: It does not fit directly under one of the strategic plan objectives but is captured in the City’s mission statement: “We provide excellent services, transparent and inclusive governance, and advocate for our residents to enhance the quality of life for our diverse community.” Background: This item was forwarded to a future Council meeting at the July 11, 2023, City Council meeting due to the late hour of the meeting. Councilmember Rigg intends to amend the agenda at tonight’s meeting to have this discussion. Councilmember Rigg submitted an agenda request form for the Council to “Consider potential Charter changes or rule changes that enhance the role of the Mayor Pro Tem to alleviate the burden on the position of Mayor.” The City Charter addresses the appointment and role of the Mayor Pro Tem in Section C3-6 (2), “Vacancies”: The Mayor shall, as soon after taking office as may be practicable, appoint from among the membership of the Council a Mayor Pro Tem, subject to the approval of the Council. The Mayor Pro Tem shall preside in the Mayor's absence. In the event of the incapacity of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem shall serve until the next general election or special election and receive the same compensation as that received by the Mayor. [Amended 4-24-2018 by Res. No. 18-CR-02] The only stated role is to preside in the Mayor’s absence or incapacity. The Council Rules and Procedures (adopted April 26, 2022) do not provide any additional duties for the Mayor Pro Tem. Councilmember Rigg suggests that the demands on the Mayor have increased significantly as the City has grown, and the Council “could consider a more explicit and expanded role of the Mayor Pro Tem to alleviate the burden on the Mayor.” There have been instances where a situation called for the City Manager to confer with the Mayor Pro Tem when the Mayor was neither absent nor incapacitated due to the nature of an issue, and the Mayor Pro Tem was the only member of Council notified until the appropriate time to convey information to the entire council. In some cities the Mayor Pro Tem has official duties either set out in the City Charter or the Council Rules and Procedures such as:  • Assist the Mayor and City Manager in setting the agenda. • Maintaining order of Council Meeting • Keeping the discussion on topic • Providing leadership to the Council • Representing the City at official functions • Carrying out duties of the Mayor when they are unable to attend an official function and represent the City’s interest. • Assist the Mayor with communicating the Council’s desires and priorities to the City Manager and City Attorney. Fiscal Impact: None. The Mayor Pro Tem is already compensated at a level between a Councilmember and the Mayor. Council Options: 1. Identify responsibilities or roles the Mayor Pro Tem could have that would enhance the effectiveness of the Council and determine if the proposed changes should be made in the Charter, the Council rules, or only done informally with the consensus of the Council. 2. Request staff to research how other municipalities use Council officers to assist with Council business. 3. Make no official or informal changes to the Mayor Pro Tem role. Staff Recommendation: This is a policy decision for Council. Attachments: None 2