Mayor and City Council

1|MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIALLEGISLATIVE MEETING – OCTOBER 4, 2023 CITY OF NEW CARROLLTON MINUTES CITY OF NEW CARROLLTON MINUTES Called to order at 7:01 p.m., via Zoom/Municipal Center, Room 230. In attendance were Councilmembers Briana Urbina, Lincoln Lashley, David Lai, Ryan, Duane Rosenberg and (Councilmember Ryan Hussey arrived at 7:10 pm); Mayor Katrina Dodro, Chief David G. Rice, City Administrative Officer Jenese Jones Oden, Director of Finance Lorna Grant-Charles, DPW Director Andre Triplett, IT Director Andrew Facey, and City Clerk Araceli Guzman-Benitez. 1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED Chair Urbina announced that there will be a new presentation from a consultant, and some items on the agenda may change and the order may be altered. Motion: Councilmember Rosenberg moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Councilmember Lashley seconded the motion. Chair Urbina called for the vote. There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0). 2. PRESENTATION BY C. BROWN & ASSOCIATES Mr. Charles Brown presented an outlined proposal for a forensic audit aimed at enhancing the City’s internal controls. This proposal includes the implementation of various processes designed to ensure greater accountability, the establishment of policies and procedures, and the setting up of a structured system with checks and balances. The goal is to ensure comprehensive accounting for all of the city’s financial assets. In response to Mr. Brown’s presentation, the Council requested more information about the topic. A discussion followed regarding the budget to finance the proposal, which exceeds $30,000, and concerns regarding the approval protocols and procedures for such proposals. Mayor Dodro explained that an RFP was not required because C. Brown & Associates are a vendor through Prince George’s County Government. Chair Urbina called for a vote to proceed directly from the Workshop meeting into the Legislative session to vote on the approval of the contract with C. Brown & Associates. Councilmember Rosenberg made a motion to proceed directly from the Workshop meeting into the Legislative session to vote on the approval of the contract with C. Brown & Associates. Councilmember Lai seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Chair Urbina called for the vote. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0). 3. PRESENTATION BY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER Ms. Jocelyn Route provided a presentation about the operating budget of Prince George’s County Public Schools. 2|MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIALLEGISLATIVE MEETING – OCTOBER 4, 2023 The following topics were discussed: · Parent and Community Advisory Council · Transportation Concerns · Board Docs · Blueprint Schools · Build to Learn Act · Margaret Brent School Construction Ms. Route answered questions from both the Council and the Mayor. 4. PRESENTATION BY LA PEREZ CONSULTING Mr. Tony Perez offered an overview of his consulting firm, and highlighted his 10 years of working in Prince George’s County, along with the achievements of his consulting firm. Mr. Perez answered questions from both the Council and the Mayor. 5. PRESENTATION BY GS PROCTOR & ASSOCIATES Mr. Trey Proctor presented his lobbying and consulting team. Mr. Proctor and his team discussed the following topics: · Relationship Development and Access · Creation of a Local and State Agenda · Legislative Advocacy · Bond Bill and Grants · Economic Development Partnerships · Meetings, Messaging and Communication Mr. Proctor and his team answered questions from both the Council and the Mayor. 6. MAYOR’S REPORT WITH REPORTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEADS Mayor Dodro made the following announcements: · Red Cross Blood Drive · October Meet and Greet (Municipal Center) 3|MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIALLEGISLATIVE MEETING – OCTOBER 4, 2023 · Veterans Day Commemoration (November 11). The Meet and Greet Might canceled · Update on the sale of land to PGCPS · Connecting, and creating bike trails · Tree planting Mr. Triplett provided information about the following topics: · Update on testing of the Westbrook Bridge · First round of sidewalk work is complete · Filling vacant position · Swimming pool property · Preparing for leaf season · Food Waste bins · Upcoming projects · Fuel Tanks (possible replacement) · Pick-Up truck (purchase) · DPW Statistics (September) · Trash tonnage (August) Chief Rice provided a list of projects: · 85 Ave bike lane th · Bike Racks · Community Day well done · Priority traffic on Carrollton Parkway · Test Red Light Camera (Goodluck Road) · Crime statistics were provided (September) 4|MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIALLEGISLATIVE MEETING – OCTOBER 4, 2023 Ms. Jones Oden noted that the City staff would be having a post Community Day debrief. She thanked everyone who participated. Updates: · City employees obtained a CPR Certification · Opengov · New filled positions · Third Thursdays of each month the office is closed for in-service And training · Retirement of Mr. Kamara · City Clerk · Code Enforcement · Trunk or Treat 10/28 · Shredding Event 11/4 · Veterans Day Commemoration (November 11) Chair Urbina thanked the Chief for providing tips to avoid carjacking. Mr. Lashley did not have questions. Mr. Lai asked for further details to be given, such as a description and data, in the event that emergency purchases came up. Mr. Hussey thanked everyone for putting together the 70 Anniversary. th Mr. Rosenberg requested a breakdown of specific areas where parking tickets were issued, and a question about sidewalks. 7. EMERGENCY ORDINANCE 24-02 BUDGET AMENDMENT RECONCILIATION NO. ONE: TO AMEND ORDINANCE 22-04 CURRENT EXPENSE BUDGET FOR FY2023 An Emergency Budget of the City Council of New Carrollton Amending the Adopted Budget for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2022 and Ending June 30, 2023 as Embodied in Ordinance 24-02 to Reflect the Receipt of Additional/Other Revenues, and to Adjust Various Expenditures. 5|MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIALLEGISLATIVE MEETING – OCTOBER 4, 2023 The Council examined the Emergency Ordinance, voiced their concerns, and provided feedback to Ms. Grant-Charles. Chair Urbina expressed that she does not feel comfortable voting on the Emergency Ordinance, because she has many questions. Before voting on this amendment, she made a request that the budget reflect a salary that was previously paid to an employee whose position was not budgeted for. Chair Urbina called a motion to table the topic. All members on the Council agreed that they were not ready to vote. Mr. Rosenberg moved to table the Budget Amendment. Mr. Lai seconded. Chair Urbina called for the vote. There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0). 8. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Urbina: · Elected Officials at Riverdale Park Ice Cream Social (10/5) · Thanked the staff and Colleen for organizing Community Day Mr. Lashley: · Thanked the Mayor and staff for organizing Community Day · Thanked Mr. Triplett for the work done on sidewalks · Congratulated Mr. Kamara on his retirement · Expressed condolences to the Sobolewski Family Mr. Lai: · Blood Drive · Ebenezer Food Bank · Scrap tires drop-off · Latino/Hispanic Heritage Celebration · Bilingual Job Fair · Health Fair (Parkdale High School) · Shredding events (NC and Duval High School) · New Carrollton Police Department take back prescription drugs Mr. Rosenberg: · LGIT · VITA IRS Program · Vaccination Clinic · Yoga Class · New Carrollton Home Makers Mr. Hussey: · Suggestions for a Bike-K 6|MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIALLEGISLATIVE MEETING – OCTOBER 4, 2023 9. FOUR CITIES MEETING Chair Urbina announced that the Four Cities Meeting will take place on October 26, 2023. She explained that the City of New Carrollton along with Greenbelt, College Park and Berwyn Heights meet quarterly to discuss topics in common. 10. MEETING MINUTES The following minutes were not ready: a.) Council Workshop Meeting (September 6, 2023) b.) Council Workshop/Legislative Meeting (September 20, 2023) 11. REVIEW OF PAID BILLS The Council reviewed the following bills: 1st Batch (09/01/2023); 2nd (09/05/2023); 3rd Batch (09/08/2023); 4th Batch (09/14/2023); 5th Batch (09/15/2023); 6th Batch (09/21/2023); 7th Batch (09/25/2023): and 8th Batch (09/28/2023). 12. DISCUSSION STANDING RULES Chair Urbina called a motion to discuss standing rules at the next meeting. Councilmember Rosenberg moved to discuss the topic at the next meeting. Councilmember Hussey seconded the motion. There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0). 13. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Chair Urbina Responded to Mr. Tyrone General. The question was who the City’s engineer firm is. City resident Michael introduced himself and thanked the Mayor and the Chief for being welcoming. Chair Urbina announced that there would be a Charter retreat on November 4, 2023 at the Municipal Center led by the City’s Attorney. 14. MOTION TO ADJOURN Motion: Councilmember Rosenberg moved to adjourn the Workshop Meeting, and Councilmember Hussey seconded the motion. There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0). 15. THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 10:19 PM 16. C. BROWN & ASSOCIATES, INC. CONTRACT Councilmember Rosenberg made a motion to approve the contract with C. Brown & Associates, Inc., not to exceed $60,000. Councilmember Hussey seconded the motion. There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0). 7|MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP/SPECIALLEGISLATIVE MEETING – OCTOBER 4, 2023 17. MOTION TO ADJOURN Motion: Councilmember Rosenberg moved to adjourn the Special Legislative Meeting. Councilmember Lai seconded the motion. There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0). The meeting adjourned at 10:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, Araceli Guzman-Benitez, Araceli Guzman Benitez City Clerk Adopted by the City Council on November 15, 2023. Note: The official recording of the City of New Carrollton’s Council Workshop Meeting of Wednesday, October 4, 2023, has been posted to the City of New Carrollton’s website: www.newcarrolltonmd.gov.