Mayor and City Council

1| M IN U T E S O F T H E COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE MEETING – MARCH 1, 2023 CITY OF NEW CARROLLTON MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023, 7:00 P.M. The Council Workshop/Special Legislative Meeting was held at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, as a virtual meeting. Attending were Councilmembers Cynthia DB Mills; Lincoln H.G. Lashley, Katrina R. Dodro, Allyne Hooks and Briana Urbina; Mayor Phelecia Nembhard; Chief David G. Rice; Information Technology Administrator Andrew Facey; Lorna Grant-Charles, Director of Finance & Accounting and City Clerk Araceli Guzman-Benitez. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Mills called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. 2023 GENERAL ELECTION UPDATE Chairperson Mills open the floor for Mr. Charles Davis, Chairman of the New Carrollton Board of Elections. Mr. Davis provided a quick review of the 2023 General Election to be held on May 1; he provided dates of advertisement of the election, which follows the City’s Charter requirements; he announced a candidate’s forum to be determined; he mentioned that the review for candidate’s packets are in the process of review; he mentioned that campaign signs can be erected as of March 17. 3. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN Chairperson Mills stated that the City received a high bill from the City’s attorney. Chairperson Mills open the floor for City Clerk Araceli. The City Clerk mentioned the following topics: The City of New Carrollton Community Garden Program – Open registration March 1; City of New Carrollton Shredding Event will be at Beckett Field on Saturday, April 1, at 9:00 am to 12:00 pm; the Cultural/Spring Event will be at Becket Field on Saturday, April 8 at 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm; the Virtual Candidates Forum TBD will be Moderated by Legal Women Voters, (Aiming for Thursday, April 20, at 7:00 pm); Early Voting will be at the New Carrollton Municipal Center on Saturday, April 22, at 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; and she provided a update on how and where to obtain a candidates packet. 4. REPORT OF THE MAYOR AND ADMINISTRATION Chairperson Mills open the floor for the topic. Mayor Nembhard wished everyone a happy Women's Month, and a happy belated Black History Month to all; she called Chief Rice to provide a report. Chief Rice greeted everyone; he stated that he did not have an official report, because it is the first of the month, due to timing but that as soon as statistics are available, he will send it to everyone via email; Chairperson Mills reminded residents to be aware attempted breaking of houses in the neighborhood, to keep their doors closed. 2| M IN U T E S O F T H E COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE MEETING – MARCH 1, 2023 Mayor Nembhard provided an update on the following: She publicly thanked Mr. Andre Triplett for his many years of service to the City of New Carrollton and for the excellent work done through the global pandemic COVID-19: residents can order extra trash-cans and recycling bins for a fee by contacting the administrative office; the Department of Public Works are working on getting the community gardens ready, for the season; she mentioned that Social Services SNAP and Medicare programs had reduced the amount of money drastically; she feels that there will be food scarcity and that the senior citizens will suffer that they must have to advocate for senior citizens; she announced a program from social services who will be able to help 70 senior citizens, she is working in conjunction with the police to identified must needed residents; complaints about parking; she suggested to the police department to use (LPR) license plate readers to help alleviate the parking cars with out of state tag issues; she encourages residents to report suspicious activities, she responds within 24 hour turnaround time; she thanked the Department of Public Works for their continued hard work as residents have expressed their satisfaction; complaints of Harland Street property and the mosquito control; there were questions from the Senators and Delegates about a two million grant previously provided to the city; she congratulated newest Senator Alonzo Washington, and newest Delegate Ashanti Martinez to District:22; she will be reading to the children in honor to Read Across America. 5. COUNCIL QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO REPORT GIVEN BY MAYOR AND ADMINISTRATION Chairperson Mills open the floor for the topic. Councilmember Hooks did not have any questions. Councilmember did not have a comment. Councilmember Dodro did not have any questions. Councilmember Lashley requested an update about the bridge on Powhatan and Westbrook. 6. EMERGENCY BUDGET AMENDMENT: TO REPLACE THE COOLING TOWER AT THE MUNNICIPAL CENTER Chairperson Mills open the floor for the topic. Mayor Nembhard explained that the cooling-tower has been leaking water, which is damaging the ceiling on the kitchen; repairs have been made often only to patch it; it is necessary to replace it as an emergency in the amount of $69,000.00., A discussion followed, Councilmembers Urbina, Dodro and Lashley requested further information to make a decision. Councilmember Hooks did not have any questions. Councilmember Urbina stated that she would not support budget amendments until the City Council is re-organized. There City Council did not vote on the Emergency Budget Amendment. 7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS. ONLY INFORMATION THAT WILL BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS OF NEW CARROLLTON Chairperson Mills open the floor for the topic. Councilmember Urbina appeal to the public about a baby name Miles Cooke was in need of bone marrow transplant due to a condition called Pearson Syndrome; anyone ages 18 and 40 3| M IN U T E S O F T H E COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE MEETING – MARCH 1, 2023 willing to be tested, can text Miles strong to 61474 in order to find a match. Councilmember Dodro announced that there is a partnership with PGCPs and PG Parks.com for elementary school children to offer a Saturday Academy to help students get over the gap during COVID- 19, it is a free program; visit PGparks.com to registered; the changes with President Biden declaring that the pandemic will be officially over on May 1st, there are lots of changes; Medicaid program will also be affected due to those changes; Councilmember Lashley thanked Mr. Andre Triplett for his many years of service to the city; he announced the Multi-cultural event on April 8th, Saturday from 12pm to 6pm, he welcomes everyone to come out and celebrate their heritage. 8. REVIEW OF BIDS RECEIVED FOR AUDITORS FOR FY2023 TO 2025 Chairperson Mills open the floor for the topic. Ms. Lorna Grant-Charles discussed the topic and provided details about the four bids. Councilmember Urbina had questions about the pricing. 9. 6000 HARLAND STREET – SKATE PARK Chairperson Mills presented the topic, and stated that they are going to clean the water out to prevent mosquitoes. A discussion will follow on the next meeting. 10. DISCUSSION: RFP 2023-02 MUNICIPAL CENTER SOLAR INSTALLATION PROPOSALS Chairperson Mills open the floor for the topic. IT Director Andrew Facey discussed the topic and provided details about a topic previously discussed by Ms. Gatling and Mr. McMahon; a pre-bid meeting was held with contractors; only two proposals were received. A discussion followed, Councilmembers Lashley, Urbina, Dodro provided their opinion and requested further details about the topic; it was mentioned that the building has a stipulation of ownership with Prince George’s County; Mayor Nembhard mentioned that solar panels was an idea from the Green Team; she further explain the topic of the ownership of the building and that part of the funds will be through ARPA funds; Mayor mentioned that a letter of complaint was sent to the USPS in reference to daily incoming mail belonging to different addresses. 11. UPDATE: AUDIO VISUAL ROOM REPAIRS Chairperson Mills open the floor for the topic. IT Director Andrew Facey stated that the room was painted and the equipment will be installed soon; Councilmember Lashley requested estimate time of completion; Mr. Facey further explained. 12. BRIEF ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED UPDATED WEBSITE DESIGN Chairperson Mills open the floor for the topic. IT Director Andrew Facey provided details about the topic, and that a new website will be beneficial to the city because the current website is outdated and difficult to operate; he mentioned that he will follow a contract from the Town of La Plata. 4| M IN U T E S O F T H E COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE MEETING – MARCH 1, 2023 A discussion followed, Councilmembers, Urbina and Lashley were excited about a new website but had further questions; Mayor Nembhard stated that the funds for the website will be from PEG; the Mayor will approve the contract but wanted to let the Council know. 13. ORDINANCE: PROPOSED CITY CODE CHANGE – 110-5 SPEED MONITORING PROGRAM Chairperson Mills open the floor for the topic. Capt. Butler provided details about the topic and why changes need to be done; Chief Rice clarified that they are not proposing to put speed cameras all over the city; they have a mobile unit which moves around, the mobile unit moves when residents complaint. 14. FY 2024 BUDGET: PUBLIC SAFETY Chairperson Mills open the floor for the topic. Ms. Lorna Grant-Charles discussed the topic, provided details, and answered questions about the budget FY2024.A discussion followed; Councilmembers Urbina and Lashley had questions. 15. PROCLAMATIONS Chairperson Mills presented the topic. a) City of New Carrollton Earth Day (April 22, 2023) b) City of New Carrollton Arbor Day (April 28, 2023) 16. REVIEW LIST OF PAID BILLS Chairperson Mills requested that they view the following list of bills: Batch #1 (February 03, 2023); Batch #2 (February 13, 2023); Batch #3 (February 22, 2023); Batch #4 (February 13, 2023). 17. PUBLIC COMMENT- RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS, AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION AND, PHONE CALLS Chairperson Mills open the floor for residents’ participation. Resident Stephen John provided a comment about previous meetings and had questions about time allotted to certain people; he expressed discontent with the way the Chairperson is conducting her meetings. Resident David Lai. 7607 Riverdale Rd: Mr. Lai had a question about absentee ballots, and requested crime updates from the police department; he is excited about the proposal of a new website; would there be a language accessibility or ADA/implementation of social media strategy. 18. REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS NOT ALREADY SUBMITTED Chairperson Mills opened the topic. Councilmember Lashley had a question about rent stabilization in the County; Mayor Nembhard provided information about the topic; she will provide further information; she stated that people were paying high month-to-month rental fees. Councilmember Urbina had a question about the difference of small and large landlords. A 5| M IN U T E S O F T H E COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE MEETING – MARCH 1, 2023 discussion followed about the topic. 19. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Mills called the adjournment. There being no further business, Councilmember Hooks moved to adjourn the Council Workshop/Special Legislative Meeting for Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Chairperson Mills seconded the motion. Not everyone were in favor. (2-3-0). Chairperson Mills adjourned the meeting at 9:22 pm. The meeting ended at 9:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Araceli Guzman-Benitez Araceli Guzman Benitez City Clerk Adopted by the City Council on August 16, 2023. Note: The official recording of the City of New Carrollton’s Council Workshop/ Special Legislative Meeting of Wednesday, March 1, 2023, has been posted to the City of New Carrollton’s website: www.newcarrolltonmd.gov.