Mayor and City Council

CITY OF NEW CARROLLTON MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2022 The Council Workshop Meeting was held at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, February 14, 2022, as a virtual meeting. Attending was Chairperson Cynthia DB Mills; Councilmembers Katrina R. Dodro and Allyne Hooks; Mayor Phelecia Nembhard; City Administrative Officer Latasha Gatling; City Clerk Robinson Brown; Assistant City Administrative Officer Michael McMahon; Chief of Police David G. Rice; Director of Public Works Andre Triplett; Information Technology Administrator Andrew Facey; and Administrative Assistant Araceli Guzman. Absent were Councilmembers Sarah Potter-Robbins and Briana Urbina. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Mills welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. 2. CITY OF NEW CARROLLTON COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR) FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2021 Chairperson Mills introduced Diane Mock with Bridgett Mock & Associates, P.A. to give a report on the City of New Carrollton Comprehensive Annual Finance Report (CAFR) for fiscal year ending June 30. 2021. Ms. Mock started by stating this report is laid out as previous years. She continued by stating they were hired to provide an opinion to the financial statements and have expressed an unqualified and unmodified opinion that statements in the report have been presented fairly. She then went through the CAFR in greater detail. Ms. Mock concluded by stating they have provided a management letter stating they did not identify any material weaknesses and a second letter there were no disagreements with any account treatments or general entries. She then asked if anyone has any questions or would like to go over any sections. There were no questions. 3. NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN CENTER PRESENTATION This presentation will be rescheduled to another meeting. 4. REPORT OF THE MAYOR AND ADMINISTRATION Director of Public Works Triplett was called on to give his report and began with a report on the Clean Water Partnership. The City is still waiting on the inspections of the new pedestrian bridge. He then stated we have ordered a new supply of road salt and plan to make another purchase this spring to top our storage. Leaf collection has ended. He then concluded his report. City Administrative Officer Gatling was asked to give the Administration report. She referred the Council to the agenda packet for her written report. She then stated staff has begun MINUTES OF COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING FEBRUARY 14, 2022 2 | PAGE preparing the FY 23 budget. We conducted two ARPA public workshops one on January 26 and February 9. The new phone system is now being programed and will soon be delivered for installation. She concluded by welcoming Cynthia Johnson, new Human Recourses Director and Robinson Brown as the New City Clerk. Chief Rice reported he has no official report but added calls for service have tripled over the last few weeks. Mayor Nembhard began her report that the City has received COVID testing kits and masks. Administration is determining how to distribute in the most equitable way. She then stated that there are new messages on the city sign boards about no commercial vehicle parking on residential streets. The Mayor then stated that the Administration is working on a plan to spend the ARPA funds. She added that we would like to hear from the residents on the use of the ARPA funds. Mental health issues are rising in the City and we are working to hiring a service provider to work with the Police. The Lindemann Foundation will be being doing a food drive in the City every fourth Wednesday. She then discussed the potential use of the Harland Street property and the possibility of seeking State of Maryland Bond Bill funds for that property. She concluded by thanking the City departments who are working hard to beautify the City and she appreciates all that you do. 5. COUNCIL QUESTIONS/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairperson Mills then asked the Council if they have questions or comments. Councilmember Hooks welcomed the Mr. Brown and the new Human Recourse Director. Councilmember Dodro thanked everyone for their prayers. Chairperson Mills congratulated Mr. Brown. She asked Ms. Gatling how many applied for the position. Ms. Gatling responded we received over 200. Chairperson Mills then asked the Mayor if masks and test kits be distributed to staff. The Mayor commented that they are only for residents. Chairperson Mills asked Mr. Triplet about sidewalk repairs. Mr. Triplet stated they have contractors and are just waiting for the material plants to open in March. She then asked the Councilmembers if the Council can meet in person in April; a discussion followed. 6. AUDIO VISUAL ROOM RFP UPDATE/RECOMMENDATION No discussion. 7. REVIEW/COMMENT ON YEARLY PROCLAMATIONS MINUTES OF COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING FEBRUARY 14, 2022 3 | PAGE Chairperson Mills asked everyone to forward their suggestions to Mr. Robinson. 8. MEETING MINUTES a.) Council Workshop/Special Legislative Meeting Minutes (January 6, 2022) b.) Council Workshop Meeting Minutes (January 19, 2022) c.) Council Legislative Meeting Minutes (January 20, 2022) No discussion. 9. REVIEW OF BILLS Batch #1 (January 11, 2022); Batch #2 (January 14, 2022); Batch # 3 (January 24, 2022); and Batch #4 (January 31, 2022); Batch #5 (February 4, 2022) No discussion 10. PUBLIC COMMENT - RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS, AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION AND TELEPHONE CALLS No discussion. 11. REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No discussion. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Hooks moved to adjourn the Council Workshop Meeting of Monday, February 14, 2022. Seconded by Councilmember Mills. The motion was approved (3-0-0). The meeting ended at 7:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael McMahon Assistant City Administrative Officer Adopted by the City Council on ___________________________. Note: The official recording of the City of New Carrollton’s Council Workshop Meeting of Monday, February 14, 2022, has been posted to the City of New Carrollton’s website.