Town Meeting Minutes

Town Meeting Wednesday, December 21, 2022 Municipal Building Fairmount Heights, Maryland 20743 7:40 p.m. Call to Order Mayor Martin Observe a Moment of Silence for Mr. Pratt and Mrs. Webb Flag Salute Roll Call Present Mayor Martin Councilmember Waiters Councilmember Stewart Councilmember White Councilmember Dodson Councilmember Barnhardt Councilmember Oscar Approval of Minutes – November 16, 2022 Town Meeting, Special Meeting November 29, 2022 and December 13, 2022 Worksession. Motion made by Councilmember Stewart to approve minutes for November 16, 2022 Town Meeting, November 29, 2022 Special Meeting and December 13, 2022 Worksession, Motion second by Councilmember Oscar. Councilmember Waiters – stated some corrections are needed on Mrs. Sarumi’s Report and Mrs. Walkers report, there are some pending items that we need to revisit. Councilmember Dodson – Abstained the minutes from December 13 Worksession and November 29 Special Meeting Roll Call Mayor Martin - Aye Councilmember Waiters - Aye Councilmember Stewart - Aye Councilmember White - Aye Councilmember Dodson – Abstain - December 13, 2022 Worksession and November 29 2022, Special Meeting Councilmember Barnhardt - Aye Councilmember Oscar – Aye Mayor Martin – minutes from November 16, 2022 Town Meeting, Special Meeting November 29, 2022 and December 13, 2022 Worksession have been approved. 6 – Ayes, 1 - Abstain 12/21/2022 Page 1 of 3 Mayor Martin We will have presentations from two guests, Mr. Thurman Jones and Mr. Gregory Torrence. Code Enforcement – Mr. Pinkney Report on file Mayor Martin Meeting Rules Citizens that desire to speak to the Council should sign in prior to the meeting to speak. Comments should be limited to 3 minutes each. Mr. Thurman Jones – 27 years working with Stem working with fifth thru 12th graders. Senator Benson putting in a bond bill to purchase the old Bank of America. Consider during a letter of support to support us. Mayor Martin – Would like consensus for a letter of support for Mr. Jones. Consensus was done with Council to send a letter of support. Guest – Greg Torrence, Director of Community Engagement for the Mission of Love. 6180 Old Central Avenue asking for assistance from the Town of Fairmount Heights. Need assistance from the Town because a lot of citizens from Fairmount Heights are being served and are getting help from the programs available at the Mission of Love. Police Chief Report – Chief Moore -Received 35 calls for service for the month of December. -3 out of 7 were stolen vehicles. - Vacant home on 61st Avenue has been a problem, will be keeping a watch on it. -Wrote 6 tickets and 2 warnings. -Having interviews tomorrow. Have general orders and standard operating procedures. Been talking to County police about what’s happening on the outskirts of Town. Treasurer’s Report – Mrs. Walker -Use of ARPA funds for signs and LED lighting. Check number of signs for Led lighting. -Received quotes from 2 difference Ford dealers. Need to revisit, don’t want to go back pass 2019. -Salt Spreader – accommodate entire town, 5 different locations in town trees need to be addressed. Have pictures of the trees. -Alleys have been cleaned. Mr. Sterling recommended that we put down milling in the alleys. -Update Revenue - $808,650, compared to our budget of 1.1 million. Next would be expenses, expenditures $332,356 dollars as compared to our expense budget of 1.1 million. -ARPA Account – was opened it have fees. The bank opened a second Highway Users account with the same name. Would like you to ask the bank to change the second Highway User account to Grant Funding New. -Move the Art grant for $5000 and the Pepco grant for $10,000 into that new account. -Operating Account, after transfer $767,000. 12/21/2022 Page 2 of 3 With ARPA account we do not want fees. -Energy Program – can take from ARPA funds. -Sent information requested to reserve two police vehicles. Town Manager’s Report – Mrs. Sarumi Report on file Councilmember Barnhardt -Preliminary Construction Budget, done by Mrs. Dodson’s daughter. Review preliminary scope of work. Councilmember Stewart Safety inspection is needed, need smoke detector’s. Councilmember Dodson -We also need capacity counts for the meeting rooms. Mayor Martin -Need to change the amount for the Community Assistance Councilmember Stewart Need to increase the amount from $500 to $800. Mayor Martin - need motion to increase the amount for community assistance. Motion made by Councilmember Oscar to increase the amount for community assistance to $800, motion second by Councilmember Barnhardt. Councilmember Waiters Would like to state that the Council vote to increase the amount and proceed on January 3rd. Councilmember Waiters made a motion to move forward with the program with an amendment to resolution being read into Public Record with only one change, with the amount being read at the Town Meeting. Motion second by Councilmember Oscar. Roll Call Mayor Martin – Aye Councilmember Waiters - Aye Councilmember Oscar - Aye Councilmember White – No Councilmember Dodson - Aye Councilmember Barnhardt - Aye Councilmember Stewart – Aye Ayes - 6, Nyes - 1. Ayes have it. Motion passed. Mayor Martin -Stated Comcast renewal contract has gone to the Attorney. Mayor Martin - read the plaque presented by Ms. Belinda Queen. Prince George’s County Board of Education Supreme Partnership award. Typed by Mrs. Tucker 12/21/2022 Page 3 of 3