Mayor and City Council

CITY OF NEW CARROLLTON MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP AND LEGISLATIVE MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2024 7:10 p.m. – 10:20 p.m. PRESENT: Chair Briana Urbina, Councilmembers Lincoln Lashley, Duane Rosenberg, Ryan Hussey, David Lai, and Mayor Katrina Dodro. City Clerk Ashli Pressey, and Assistant City Administrator Maisha Williams ABSENT: Community Engagement Constituent Services Officer Araceli Guzman Chair Briana Urbina called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Council Chair Urbina and seconded by Councilmember Hussey to adjourn the public meeting, and with a vote of 4-0, the meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m. to move into a closed meeting. Chair Briana Urbina called the public meeting to order at 7:38 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS Constituent Paul Kuharik presented a petition regarding Code 110-22. Constituent Jim asked about the pledge of allegiance before legislative meetings. Questions regarding recent resolutions that were in current agenda packet. Also noted his support of the change of government. Constituent David spoke on issues with unprotected trash bags on the street prior to trash pickup day. Requested some form of violation for those who leave trash bags out unprotected. SPECIAL AGENDA REQUEST Mayor Dodro requested to move agenda item 13 be moved to item 4. Vote carried 4-0. Discussion of Resolution 25-02: To Approve the New Carrollton 5 min Zoning & Appeals Board Decision Recommendation, Case 0001-24. Resident requesting to extend their driveway. Code Enforcement approved an extension of 7 feet instead of 9 feet. Variance board gave their recommendation prior to council meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Briana Urbina, Mayor Katrina Dodro, and council members David Lai, Lincoln Lashley, Ryan Hussey, and Duane Rosenberg made announcements. PUBLIC HEARING AND DISCUSSION Report of the Mayor and the Department Heads: Code Enforcement: Permit application for projects exceeding $30,000 in cost. Code Enforcement Manager provided the report for the project. Department of Public Works: Gave updates for current projects and programs. Work hours will begin at 6am instead of 7am due to the intense heat. Paving on Lamont drive is still ongoing. Forewarns about ongoing road closures until the paving is completed. Presented Sidewalk repair proposal Will officially present at August 7, 2024 meeting. Presented data for the month of June. Police Department: Correction on stolen car data originally provided. Explanation on wellness calls and proactive measures taken. Administration Report: Updates for survey flyer and newsletter for July & August. Grants for Solor Reimbursement and Employ PG has been received. Announcement of community day and additional services being added. Mayor: Encouragement for community participation. Focus groups will be at Community Day. Next meet and greet will be at the library starting in August. Questions and Comments from Council Regarding Administration report. Council chair Urbina, councilmembers Lashley, Lai, Hussey, and Rosenberg made comments the administration report. AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Chair Urbina moved to move items 10 and 12 on the agenda after administrative reports. Council member Hussey second the motion. All in favor and the vote carried. Discussion of Permit Application for Projects Exceeding $30,000 in Cost: Second floor and rear extension to the home. Submitted the application, electrical permit, and construction plans for the project. Code Enforcement manager, Daryll Green, explained trash removal for the project as well as during inspection, no obstructions were found. Councilmembers Lai, Hussey, Rosenberg and Council Chair Urbina support the project. No further inquiries regarding the project. Purchase of a new truck for Department of Public Works (DPW). Truck will be replacing an out of service truck. Old truck will be placed on Gov Deals. Explained budget line items that will be used to purchase new vehicle. No questions from the council. Discussion: Resolution in Support of Changing the Charter to City Manager Form of Government: Previously discussed at Councilmember retreat in June 2024. Language will state council will evaluate current government for any changes, if any. Is a statement of the council’s intentions. Will have Maryland Municipal League come in for a retreat to talk about charter changes with Mayor Dodro and the council. Will revisit August 7, 2024. Hatch Act Resolution/Ordinance Will delay this item to August 7, 2024. AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Chair Urbina moved to discuss Hatch Act Ordinance to August 7, 2024. Council member Lashley second the motion. All in favor and the vote carried. Resolution 25-03: A resolution requesting a RFP for Parking consultants. Mayor presented possible conflicts for this request. Councilmembers echoed concerns about the conflicts presented alongside concerns about the parking crisis in the city. List of Bills Council Chair Urbina informed the councilmembers to review. No further comments. Meeting Minutes Council Chair Urbina informed the councilmembers to review. No further comments. Resolution 25-04: Resolution for a RFP for headhunter to find City Manager Candidate. PUBLIC COMMENTS Constituent Phylecia gave comments regarding form of government change. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Lai and seconded by Councilmember Hussey to adjourn the city workshop meeting, and with a vote of 4-0, the meeting was adjourned at 10:16 p.m. to move into a legislative meeting. AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Chair Urbina moved to move workshop agenda item two, appointment of City Administrative Officer, into the consent agenda as item “G”. Removed item “C”, Hatch Act Resolution, and “E”, Resolution 25-04 A resolution for a Headhunter to find a City Manager, from the consent agenda. Moved item “D”, Resolution 25-03, into non-consent agenda to replace item two for a separate vote. Councilmember Rosenberg seconded the motion. All in favor and vote carried 5-0. New Business Resolution 25-03: Requesting an RFP for Parking consultants Council chair Urbina moved for a vote for the approval of 25-03. All in favor and vote carried 5-0. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Chair Urbina and seconded by Councilmember Lai to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following: Approve the Council Workshop Meeting Minutes: Council Workshop Meeting Minutes (May 1, 2024). Council Workshop/Special Legislative Meeting Minutes (May 13, 2024). Council Legislative Meeting Minutes (May 15, 2024). Resolution 25-02: A Resolution to Approve the New Carrollton Zoning & Appeals Board Decision Recommendation, Case 0001-24. MHD ZEV Grant Program Commitment of Funds for Fiscal Year 2024: MHD ZEV Grant Program: For the City of New Carrollton to accept the grant offered from the Maryland Energy Administration’s MHD ZEV Grant Program, not to exceed $150,000. This grant will assist The City of New Carrollton in purchasing a medium-duty/heavy-duty zero-emission Electric Transit Bus. DPW Truck Purchase: Approve the purchase of a new stake body truck, funded through budget line item 01-3710-57150 in the amount of $98,424.00. Appointment of City Administrator: Approval to appoint Maisha Williams as the new City Administrator Officer (CAO) Special Announcement: Mayor Dodro has paperwork that coincides with the closed meeting that took place on Monday July 1, 2024. Offered for a simple read however, council were in agreement for a discussion. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Council Chair Urbina and seconded by Councilmember Lai to adjourn the legislative meeting, and with a vote of 5-0, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Next meeting is August 7, 2024. Respectfully submitted by Ashli Pressey, City Clerk