Town Meeting Minutes

Town of Fairmount Heights 6100 Jost Street | Fairmount Heights, MD 20743 | Phone: 301-925-8585 | Fax: 301-925-8977 January 17th, 2024 Town Meeting Minutes Call to Order Opening Mayor Stewart calls the Fairmount Heights Mayor & Council Town Meeting to order at 7:45pm. Flag Salute Led by Mayor Stewart. Roll Call Mayor Akiaba Stewart, Vice Chairwoman Barnhardt, Councilmember Leftwich, Councilmember St. John, Councilmember Wood-Dodson are all present. Councilmember Oscar is absent. Meeting Rules Stated by Mayor Stewart. Amendments to Agenda N/A Reading and Approval of Minutes No minutes to present. Police Department Report Chief Stanford Moore discussed the 15 calls for service in the town so far in the month of January 2023. 7 vehicles have been impounded, and 23 citations have been issued thus far. 7 vehicles have been impounded, and 23 citations have been issued thus far. He addressed the multiple atm robberies at 8 different 7-Elevens in the area. The Police Dept partnered with the local churches for the MLK community walk on January 14th that was a huge success. He warned about the dangers of black ice with the severe weather recently, and thanked Public Works for all their efforts. Mrs. Downing asked for where she could find additional details about an incident that happened on K Street and Sheriff Road the previous Friday. There was another resident that questioned about the suspect that was shot and killed on the news in the town which the Chief addressed. The police officers are continuing their patrols daily throughout the town. Code Enforcement Report Chief Moore presented Mr. Pinkney’s report in his absence. thanked everyone for their prayers and well wishes during his recovery. For this period: (5) civil citations totaling $4,250.00, (5) building permits totaling $1716.48, (6) Business Licenses totaling $3,345.00, & (1) Rental Licenses totaling $100.00 have been issued. There have been $0 Vacant Building Fees received All meetings are Open to the public. Meetings may be closed in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Subtitle 5 of Title 10 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, after giving reasonable notice to the public, with the exception for meetings held in response to an emergency. for this period. There have been (1) Stop Work Orders and (7) Corrective Notices issued. He went to the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County for two cases against Mr. Soloman Hamilton of 5333 Sheriff Road. The judge reduced both cases from $1,000.00 plus court cost to $500.00. Then she suspended the $500.00 and told the defendant to only pay the $5.00 court cost for each case. She gave Mr. Hamilton 6 months to bring the property into compliance and if the property was not brought into compliance the original fine would be imposed at that time. Our Public Works Department will be receiving some large boulders from Brandywine Gravel Co that will prevent vehicles from driving on the walk path and tracking mud. Lastly, he thanked Mrs. Walker for that wonderful Christmas Luncheon for the staff. Town Manager’s Report Vice Chairwoman Barnhardt presented Mrs. Sarumi’s report in her absence. The Three-Year Salt Utility Agreement has expired, and the MDOT provided municipalities with salt. Foundation construction for the 6 Net Housing Units located on 60th Place continue and work will continue through February. Bad soil was discovered by the contractors thus they brought in addition soil. HIP will be meeting with the Citizens Association on January 22, 2024. In preparation for Black History Month, the Town purchased three cabinets that are placed in the entrance lobby and the inner lobby, where artifacts collected over the years would be placed on display. She thanked everyone for their donations that will hopefully someday will be placed in a Town Museum. The Community Development Team meeting is on January 18, 2024 at 7:00 pm and the Green Team meeting will be on January 25, 2024. The Mayor asked Mr. Barnhardt about the time and location for the January 22nd meeting with HIP which he advised would be via Zoom at 7 PM EST. Treasurer's Report Mrs. Walker presented the treasurer's report through December 31st, 2023. She reviewed the revenue, expenditure, and account balances listed on the financial summary she provided to the mayor and council from her report. She asked to spend time next month going over the financial information in more detail at the work session. She discussed the larger partitions for the bathroom renovations, and that she would forward the information she received from the vendors. She mentioned her discussions with Mrs. Sarumi about the Pepco grant and what the $10,000 funds would be used for, as well as that she is still waiting on confirmation on if the art grant funds were going to be used for the curbs and gutters. Mr. Barnhardt asked if they would be able to access copies of her report. Citizen’s Participation Mr. Barnhardt participated in the Prince George’s County Coalition Christmas Party on December 16th. The Citizen’s Association also attended the 4th Annual District 24 Christmas Charity event on December 23rd. He also mentioned the meeting with HIP and Pepco on January 22nd to get more detailed information on the Microgrid. All meetings are Open to the public. Meetings may be closed in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Subtitle 5 of Title 10 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, after giving reasonable notice to the public, with the exception for meetings held in response to an emergency. Patricia Waiters mentioned the bicycle rodeo she had previously spoken about at the prior meeting. She also requested a call to action for a sock drive for the homeless in the area. The Mayor and council stated they would work on trying to coordinate and give away clothes to those in needs in the community. Latonya Piyot from Cole Street mentioned the speeding and the running of stop signs, and inquired why they didn’t get speed humps. The Mayor advised that they are installing the speed humps and stop signs in phases due to the cost. She also petitioned to make the street going up to Eastern a one way. The Mayor stated we would need to conduct a traffic study first in order to move forward. Mrs. Downing asked if there were any headway made when it came to the types of committees made. The Mayor and Council stated that would be discussed at the next meeting. Also she asked when she would be sworn in and what committees were available for the councilmembers. Old Business Ethics Committee and Council Seat The Mayor announced the selections for the ethics committee and the vacant council seat was complete. OMCB Opinion The Mayor addressed the complaints that were put in regarding the violations of the open meetings act pertaining to notices, the agenda, and the meeting minutes. The conclusion was read aloud for all in attendance. There were 3 confirmed violations that were addressed. She stated to the council that they needed to do a better job of getting their agendas and minutes posted in a timely manner, and advised the Opinion Letter would be posted on the Town’s website. Purchase of C Container The Vice Chairwoman proposed a motion to the council to purchase the C Container from Mr. Burley for $2500 and was accepted by all members of the council. Appointment of Clerk to the Council Councilmember St John proposed a motion to appoint Ms. Russell as Clerk to the Council, which was seconded by Mayor Stewart and the remaining members of the council were in agreeance besides Councilmember Wood-Dodson who recused herself from the vote. Tree Planting Resolution with Carol Barth and DoE Councilmember Leftwich read the resolution for all in attendance. The Mayor stated they were still waiting for corrections from the attorney, and a motion was proposed by Council member Leftwich to pass the resolution with corrections. This was seconded by Mayor Stewart and agreed upon by the remaining members of the council. All meetings are Open to the public. Meetings may be closed in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Subtitle 5 of Title 10 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, after giving reasonable notice to the public, with the exception for meetings held in response to an emergency. Reports Mayor Stewart’s Report – Discussed starting regular charter reviews in order to update the charter, and opened it up to the citizens as well. She is also moving forward with the parliamentary training for the council. She attended the peace walk, and also met with the owners of the Wade Funeral Home, which is a new business coming to the town. Coffee and Chats will be starting in February, and she will be giving a state of the town in February as well. There will also be hosting a free health screening event on February 3rd by the Health Empowerment Network here at the hall Vice Chairwoman Barnhardt – She informed everyone of a book launch for “The Black Families Guide to College Admission” being hosted on January 16th. She and Mrs. Walker are planning scholarship funding for a few of our Fairmount Heights seniors getting ready to graduate this year. Ethan Sweep extended an invitation to the Gun Violence Survivors event summit on January 26th. Councilmember St. John – Discussed the different committees and incentives as well as the town newsletter, and thanked the citizens for their input and suggestions. She attended the Maryland Forward Party and will be attending another on Friday to get more detailed information when it comes to the municipal processes. She wished Mack and Sgt Morris a Happy Birthday. She mentioned a course being hosted by the NPA for 7 weeks, as well as some posted on the town’s social media in regards to Teen Driving National Awareness month. Park and Rec will be hosting a Glow Ice Skate Night on the 19th for any that would like to attend. Councilmember Leftwich – Extended an invitation to the Community Economic Development Meeting on January 18th. She also has meetings planned with the DHCD Main Street Improvement Grant to kick start economic revitalization on February 8th. She also mentioned the Sustainable Community Grant Application Workshop on February 6th. Councilwoman Anderson from Capitol Heights also expressed interest in participating in hosting their weekly food giveaway on Sundays, as well as collaborating efforts for a resource fair. Capitol Heights also offered transportation for the town’s Senior citizens. Councilmember Wood-Dodson-Discussed the District 5 event she attended with Senator Ivey. She also said she would be attending Senator Benson’s event on January 22nd and encouraged other members of the council to attend as well. Adjournment Motion to adjourn presented by Vice Chairwoman Barnhardt and seconded by Councilmember St. John at 9:30pm. Submitted, Janiqua Russell All meetings are Open to the public. Meetings may be closed in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Subtitle 5 of Title 10 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, after giving reasonable notice to the public, with the exception for meetings held in response to an emergency. All meetings are Open to the public. Meetings may be closed in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act, Subtitle 5 of Title 10 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, after giving reasonable notice to the public, with the exception for meetings held in response to an emergency.