Town Meeting Minutes

Town of Fairmount Heights Minutes Town Meeting February 15, 2023, Zoom and In-Person COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Martin, CM Stewart, CM Waiters, CM White, CM Wood Dodson, CM Barnhardt ABSENT: CM Oscar STAFF: Chief Moore, Mr. Walker, Mrs. Sarumi, Dr. Spann CITIZENS: Lola Clark, Mr. Barnhardt, Sylvia Syphax, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Swann, Kim Gladden, Joyce White 1. Mayor Martin called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. Mayor Martin read into record “Sea Glass” a poem by Yuli Kaye. “What good is there in an anchor if it has no strength to hold? What good is any story if it remains untold what good is peace within us? If it does not radiate. Making Sea glass from the riptides and love from threads of hate what good is climbing mountains if you cannot see the view or if every aching step you take does not make the you more you what good is any miracle those seas that rise and part if they do not change and rearrange the contents of your heart, what good are we as travelers here at the thin end of our rope if we cannot fall 1000 times, believing still there is hope.” 2. Mayor Martin led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. 3. She read a brief summary of Meeting Rules. “Town Council meetings held on the third Wednesday of each month. Special meetings may be called by the Clerk to the Council at the request of a Mayor or majority of the Council. Opportunities to be heard resident of the Town are required to have a reasonable opportunity to be heard. The journal the Council should keep a journal of his proceedings. Citizens, desiring to speak to the Council, must sign in prior to the meeting, comments will be limited to three minutes each.” Mayor Martin read a reminder notice from CM White -As we are moving towards improving zoom meetings remind citizens they can attend in person and minutes are available after the meetings as they always were. 4. Roll Call 6 present 1 absent 5. Minutes for Approval: Sept 13 WS, Oct. 11 WS, Oct 12 Sp. Mtg, Oct 19 TM, Nov 14 S, Nov 21 Sp. Mtg, Dec 21 TM, Jan10 EX. Summary, Jan 10 WS CM Stewart asked a question then made a motioned to approve minutes from Sept 13 WS, Oct. 11 WS, Oct 12 Sp. Mtg, Oct 19 TM, Nov 14 S, Nov 21 Sp. Mtg, Dec 21 TM, Jan10 EX. S summary, Jan 10 WS CM Barnhardt seconded the motion. Mayor Martin asked are there any questions on the motion then asked the Clerk to the Council to call the roll. IN FAVOR: Mayor Martin, CM Waiters, CM Stewart, CM White, CM Wood Dodson, CM Barnhardt The vote in favor was 6. 6. Presentation: Mr. Ethan Sweep Community Liaison from Congressman Glen Ivey’s office stated here to help and invited all to visit them 1101 Mercantile Ln. Largo, Maryland. website ivey.house.gov. He informed of upcoming grants, a newsletter to be released and training webinars that are available to help write more competitive grants. He stated he would sit down with Council and talk about the large Town projects. Mayor Martin responded need help with Grant writing and the Raise grant. Clerk to the Council, read the closed meeting summary. 7. Mayor Martin invited student Ms. NaJay Swann to do her Black History presentation. Ms. Swann is a Junior at Fairmont Heights High School. She shared her first lady Gail Hawkins of Sylvan Vista Baptist Church had presented this Black history moment that she was about to present and It is in the form of a story by Makebra Anderson titled: “What if There Were No Black People in the World” “One morning, a little boy named Theo woke up and asked his mother, "Mom, what if there were no Black people in the world?" His mother thought about that for a moment, and then said, "Son, follow me around today and lets just see what it would be like if there were no Black people in the world. Now go get dressed and we will get started.” Theo ran to his room to put on his clothes and shoes. His mother took one look at him and said, "Theo, 1|Page Fairmount Heights Town Meeting Minutes February 15, 2023  Town of Fairmount Heights Minutes Town Meeting February 15, 2023, Zoom and In-Person where are your shoes? Son, I must iron your clothes. Why are they so wrinkled? When she reached for the ironing board it was no longer there. You see, Sarah Boone, a Black woman, invented the ironing board …..Etc... 8. Code Enforcement Report: CM Stewart read Mr. Pinkney‘s report into records for February 2023. Issued 3 civil citations = $2,250. Collected $2,500 from issue citation. District Court of Prince Georges County Postponed 2 cases against Auto Glass and Acosta Rodriguez the owner of 905 Eastern Ave., allowing him time to obtain legal counsel. The total of cases is $2,000. 2 building permits issued = $750. One Business license = $417.No rental license, no vacant lots fees, no work orders, notice for corrective action issued for corrective action notices for various violations to the violations have been corrected. In the December report, he stated at public works department has a boarder up vacant property located at 707 61st to prevent homeless individuals from trashing the property. (Remainder report on file) 9. Mayor Martin thanked Chief Moore. Chief Moore reported of a donation of Narcan - 2 boxes of 12 for citizens or staff. He will reach out to training coordinator Sheriff Department for anyone who wants to go through Narcan training because of the Opioids crisis that is going on. He reported on the Blue Line Corridor meeting he attended on behalf of the Town. CM Waiters commented that she and Mayor through Economic Development are working on a roundtable to get that information.CM Stewart commented that since he came aboard on J street that cars have been moved. Keep up good work. 10. Town Manager conveyed in yesterday report she had omitted page 3 and revised it. She informed that 504 Eastern Ave., known as the Pinckney house historical site, the own Mrs. Upshur expressed an interest in selling it. She declared the Town has a seat at the table for the Central Avenue Blue Line Corridor in which she updated and rewrote in June 2022 with help of then Chief Ivey and others. You may Google search Central Avenue Blue Line Corridor. 11. Treasurer reported She updated profit and losses as of end of January 2023. TOTAL REVENUE is $1,024,325. TOTAL EXPENSES = $532,205. NET INCOME =$492,121 Updated status of the purchase of the vehicle for public works. Today sent the financing quote and don’t know the decision of Mayor and Council at this time. However, will read into the records the financing quote number #102697 to purchase a 2022 Ford F250 the purchase price will be $44,704 to finance it for 60 months at 8.49% via monthly payments of $910.51. Mayor and Council voted to purchase and not finance a spreader as well as a plow. The cost for the spreader would be between $5,500 and $6,007 it depends upon which spreader you want. If Polly which is just like a very hard plastic or want to stainless steel? The cost of the plow depends upon if you want the 8 foot or the 8 1/2 foot which would be $7,350 or $7,450. The budget - She got the information about the Constant Yield and will read into record. She reminded Mayor and Council that the two vehicles were purchased for the police department. And purchasing a new vehicle for the public works department. She reported several vehicles in Town fleet are inoperable. She informed they have very little value and will work with the Chief to identify those vehicles that should be remove from our inventory and from our insurance to save money. She announced one Citizen has expressed a desire to 2|Page Fairmount Heights Town Meeting Minutes February 15, 2023  Town of Fairmount Heights Minutes Town Meeting February 15, 2023, Zoom and In-Person purchase one vehicle. She informed she received from Chief and Mr. Pinkney suggested locations for the two flashing stop signs. Suggested locations: 59th and Veterans Parkway. 2 signs one for facing east and one facing west. Jost and Balsamtree. two Do not Enter signs flashing at Eastern Avenue at 61st Ave. and 60th Ave. and Jost street. We did get a Constant Yield information is the rate is $.43 per $100 of assessment value. In order to receive the same that we received this year’s estimate. The estimated income if we were to keep at $.43. We will receive additional income. So even though we don’t change, that is considered a tax increase. Town would have to have a tax hearing unless you set the rate at $.40 which is the Constant Yield. Then you would not have to have a tax hearing. We will go over this again, but as Mayor and Council, you all talk and decide if you recommending that Town keep the tax rate where it is? If you do, then will have to have a TAX HEARING. If you do not , and say you roll it back to the constant yield, will give you an estimate the same revenue that you received this year, which we were budgeted to receive $554,000 this year. It would give you about the same income if you rolled it back. But, if you kept it where it is, and I will get that calculation. But it will give you more income. In order to be in compliance, there are guidelines to when to have the meeting - how many days we have to post it. A guideline for what the advertising has to be. One of the things this year we have to get correct is that the notice cannot go into the legal section or classified section. If it does a failure to follow the guidelines, may result in your jurisdiction being required to publish additional advertisements or roll back its propose real property tax rates to the Constant Yield tax rate. Last year they gave us grace. Because I didn’t know it was in the legal section and neither did Mrs. Tucker. CM Stewart ask where does it go in the paper? Mrs. Walker answered it didn’t tell us we don’t know. Mrs. Walker will find out where is supposed to go. She informed the gentleman who we always work with Mr. Zachary Rasard is very responsive and very helpful. The only action item is the quote. If moving forward with the vehicle. CM Stewart reminded that yesterday you mentioned we had three positions to hire. Mrs. Walker answered it was an admin position in the administration department and admin position in police department. Of positions that are in the police department, Chief has already filled at least two and the public work supervisor. 12. Old business: Mayor Martin stated an issue to resolve memorandum talked about from April 17, 2021, confusion about the duties and descriptions and give clarity so we can be removed, stricken, or table until which time we have the Personnel Policy finally updated. Want to have it so the Clerk to the Council has a clear description of her duties as is listed under the job description. We don’t want any connection to this employee guidelines sheet that was published on April 17, 2021. Don’t know whether we’ll need to read the whole guidelines into the records, we can it’s not a problem. If you don’t feel it’s necessary, we don’t have to. Just need a date and to say that is a memorandum to the Fairmont Heights staff, and there will be some discrepancies about it and we want to remove it from the process until we get the revisions and all this information is put into our Fairmont Heights Personnel Policies. Councilwoman Waiters stated the Clerk to the Council does have a description of what she supposed to do. We have reservations those guidelines that were being used with 3|Page Fairmount Heights Town Meeting Minutes February 15, 2023  Town of Fairmount Heights Minutes Town Meeting February 15, 2023, Zoom and In-Person some pending signatures and updates. She reiterated that CM. Barnhardt has some concern as well as I that some of these things may be applicable to other staff. So, it needs further discussion. Mayor Martin stated we did say that we were going to table this until a time we could actually put it into the complete policy for every employee. CM Barnhardt wanted it voted out. CM Stewart said not voted out but want it to go in Employee Handbook. CM Waiters stated with revision. CM Stewart concurred with revision but for all employees. Mayor Martin accept a motion. CM Waiters motioned that we table the Employee Guidelines for revision. Mayor asked if she could put the date and the year. CM Waiters continued the memorandum dated April 17, 2021, to Fairmount Heights staff from the Mayor and Council for the Employee Guidelines not to be read in public record but to reference the document that is now being tabled for revisions and per CM Stewart’s concern insertion into the employees Personnel Handbook. Seconded by CM Stewart. Mayor Martin restated that the memorandum that was actually written April 17, 2021, and it was in the Employee Guidelines to be table for revision, until such time it can be merged into the Fairmount Heights updated Personnel Policy. CM Waiters confirmed for clarity do we have a description of what the Clerk to the Council is supposed to be doing and we are clear. Mayor Martin inquired if there are any other questions on the motion? If there are no question on the motion, Madame Clerk to the Council, will you please call the roll Mayor Martin Aye, CM Stewart Aye, CM White aye, CM Dodson asked a question and Mayor Martin answered this has nothing to do with her personally, or with whoever is in the Clerk to the Council position. Mayor continued we’re just saying that the document, a memorandum itself, will be tabled until at such time we can revise and become a part of the official Personnel Handbook for all employees. CM Wood-Dodson questioned is that which is written as far as the job description for the Clerk to the Council is it to remain as it is? Mayor said yes in Personnel Handbook. CM Wood-Dodson reiterated her question about Clerk to the Council. She abstained CM Barnhart responded my only question is if this memorandum is going to be removed from her file, whoever file this is actually in or void out. Mayor Martin responded it is tabled until we do the revisions it will become a part of the Personnel Handbook. CM Barnhardt expressed she wants it to be removed. Mayor restated it will be tabled out. CM Barnhardt Aye, CM Waiters clarified it’s not applicable to her anymore. CM Barnhardt declared she wants it out of her file. CM Waiters discussed it is to be revised and may be applicable to other employees. CM Waiters emphasized it needs to be revised added to the employee handbook per CM Stewart. CM Stewart indicated revised and added to the Employee Handbook. CM Waiters voted Aye Mayor Martin declared 1 member not present, 1 abstain, 5 aye 13. No new business 14. MAYOR REPORT: Mayor Martin announced a notice came from Crown Castle. They are in the process of expanding and improving the wireless network and they’re planning on putting the wireless antennas at 5900 Addison Rd. and 6500 Joplin St. they want us to be aware they have a number if you have any concerns or questions you can contact them pgcpermitting@crowncastle.com. A notice from department of agriculture for the 4|Page Fairmount Heights Town Meeting Minutes February 15, 2023  Town of Fairmount Heights Minutes Town Meeting February 15, 2023, Zoom and In-Person mosquito control program with an increase $350 in the price to spray for the mosquitoes. This is a project that every one of the Town usually wants to have the Town sprayed. If it’s will of the Council, we will move forward the price is $1650 and contact person is Stormy Keys. CM Stewart asked is that every time we spray Mayor Martin clarified is for the entire summer May 23 to September 27. Mayor Martin thanked Chief for going to the Blue Line Corridor of meeting. Mayor Martin informed she went to meeting Hyattsville Friday. She announced we are listed for the circuit Rider working with Capital Heights. We are just waiting to get the final word from the department of housing and community building so hopefully we have something in place by the end of March. Tomorrow interview with a student from Eleanor Roosevelt High talking to me about food desert between 11 a.m. to 12 noon via telephone. Last night we talked about planning for the Women’s Month Celebration. The pandemic cut us back last year. We had the online program. This time the Women’s History program is scheduled for Sunday, March 26 at 3:00 PM. You will get more information. Miss HBCU teen pageant watch for March 4, 2023, at Bowie Center for the Performing Arts and it’s the website www.mshbcuteen.com. 15. COUNCILMEMBER’S REPORT: CM Waiters confirmed again that economic development needs Mayor and Council to approve or hire a consultant to develop a master plan. She mentioned the external economic development, drivers close in proximity. Whole Foods, Amazon, DC government and the circulator bus who has been thinking about a parking lot around Maryland metro. She reminded Mrs. Sarumi gave each of us copies of these books and a pattern book for Fairmont Heights She mentioned the Census and stated she download a copy and will email to the Council. We talk about our population, races and the majority of household income and we talk about transportation issues and speed humps. In that same reports you will see under transportation of people with 67% of people that drive to work. She feels we should use Census information to plan. She mentioned middle school students’ community service hours is needed to graduate before June 2023. Prince Georges county democratic Central committee will meet here June 20, 2023. We’re discussing and planning with CM Barnhardt the bicycle rodeo. CM Waiters suggested Miss Swann be given a certificate of appreciation for her performance. CM Stewart interjected adding a $25 gift card. CM Waiters held up and displayed several emergency management books. CM Stewart asked if the consultant for land-use attorney and how soon can we move on finding this person. CM Waiters stated land use and Mrs. Walker will need to talk about the contract. CM Waiters ended reported by mentioning the trash along by hip hop chicken needs to be cleaned. CM Barnhardt shared the summer youth of enrichment program ages 14 to 22 application will be open from March 1 to March 31. You also go online and follow them on social media, Instagram, Twitter. Extreme Teens Understanding Afro American History and Latino culture having a free expo Rollingcrest / Chillum Community Center February 24, 2023, from 7-10 pm. Fairmount Heights Day May Day not scheduled yet. Councilmember Stewart stated of $30,000, we have approximately $5,274 left from the utility program. One resident who receives money from utility program wrote a letter. I would like to read it into record. She did not want me to say her name. She want to be me anonymous. 5|Page Fairmount Heights Town Meeting Minutes February 15, 2023  Town of Fairmount Heights Minutes Town Meeting February 15, 2023, Zoom and In-Person CITIZEN LETTER READ INTO RECORD BY CM STEWART: Hello Fellow People, Although I choose to remain anonymous for the sake of my privacy, I did not want to fall short on expressing my gratitude especially when it’s most deserving. I’m sure about the rest of you, but the Covid has certainly taken a hit on different areas of my life but not everyone has offered to help only those who lost their jobs or dealt with something extreme. The government gave a few checks here and there if qualified they didn’t think about the individuals who had to take in families or give money from their home to help family and friends stay afloat the system is made to keep individuals down and the people who don’t qualify struggling. Nonetheless is a huge blessing for the Town of Fairmont Heights offered the utility assistance program. Since Covid I’ve had to open my door to at least 2 to 3 different families for short periods of time. Unfortunately, this resulted in my bills going up. Yes, it would be easy for people to say make them pay, but how if they came to me because they lost their job. Anyway, by the grace of God, everyone is doing good and striving. but he left me in a situation where I was playing catch-up for quite some time now. and struggling to do so. I don’t qualify for food stamps or other state assistance. , but it doesn’t mean I’m OK. I have been living f paycheck to paycheck like most people trying to make ends meet. Nonetheless a tiny little backstory of why this opportunity to receive this help with no stipulations was an open-door window to a cloudy dusty room It gave me some relief in a little hope. I was due for my power to be terminated and this program came right on time, and then another issue happened with the United States Postal Service was having delays causing the time to become closer and closer to my shut-off date. I called CM Stewart and explained to her my situation and she did not fall short by going the extra mile to make sure I, just me was ok. It meant a lot for her to take the initiative to do this program for the Town of Fairmount Heights. I appreciate her and the Town. Autonomously grateful. CM Stewart we still have money left and might have to reallocate funds into another program to help more residence out. Mayor Martin asked if Councilmember online had anything to add. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: CITIZEN Mr. Barnhardt inquired about the status UCAP progress with Economic development? Mayor Martin responded not heard anything since Christmas and through the CDC. She specified could try to contact Ms. Jamison for update. Mr. Barnhardt asked about status of the surveys from 4 months ago. Mayor Martin responded they took it to make copies, but it never circled back to me. She asked for another copy. He inquired Council would be interested in starting a youth program. He talked with Chief about getting youth involved. Chief Moore suggested start with Fairmont Heights High as our feeder school and in the middle school. CM Waiters shared the content students are learning about rites of passage, milestones in your life, and freedom of speech. Chief Moore proposed a men’s mentoring program this summer with outings, training in life skills. CM Waiters recognized CM White is the youngest Councilmember and asked if commend her with something. CITIZEN Mrs. Syphax commented was a better Zoom tonight. She suggested getting residents to use $60,000 grant to improve their property - combined with code enforcement because many structures in Town need improvement and violates the codes. She referenced to cite people and assist them in getting funding they need to correct violations. She concluded that the surveys that citizen expressed their concerns about and are being ignored. ADJOURNMENT: CM Stewart motioned and CM Barnhardt seconded to adjourn meeting at 9:20 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. 6|Page Fairmount Heights Town Meeting Minutes February 15, 2023