City Council

DocuSign Envelope ID: 2B9E90D3-72CE-4B06-BAAF-6A398A66FE80 MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SEAT PLEASANT REGULAR WORK SESSION MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021 6:00P.M. 1. OPENING 1.1.1 Call to Order Council President Porter called the meeting to order at 6:03p.m. 1.1.2 Roll Call Present: Mayor Eugene Grant (Absent), Councilmember Monica Higgs, Councilmember Hope Love (Late Arrival), Councilmember Shireka McCarthy, Councilmember Kelly Porter, Councilmember Gerald Raynor, Sr., Councilmember Kizzie Scott, Councilmember Gloria Sistrunk Staff: Dashaun N. Lanham, City Clerk, Devan A. Martin, Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Police, Jeannelle B. Wallace, Interim Chief Operating Officer 1.1.3 Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: The invocation was given by Council President Porter 1.1.4. Approval of Agenda It was motioned by Councilmember Raynor and seconded by Councilmember Sistrunk to approve the agenda. The motion carried and was unanimously approved by the City Council. 2. PRESENTATIONS: 2.1. None 3. REPORTS: 3.1. Mayor’s Report  Mayor Grant did not attend the Regular Work Session on Monday, January 4, 2021 and no report was submitted. 3.2 Chief Operating Officer Report  Mrs. Wallace stated that she had received a request from a company that wanted to install solar panel to be placed on 6225 Foote St, which is a Page 1 of 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2B9E90D3-72CE-4B06-BAAF-6A398A66FE80 residential neighborhood. Mrs. Wallace recommended that the company submit their presentation to the City Council. Mrs. Wallace stated that we have other vacant lots in the city that the company could possibly install solar panels.  Councilmember Higgs stated that the street is a residential neighborhood, and she does not recommend a business go on a residential street.  Council President stated that he would be interested in receiving a presentation from the company as we move forward with a smart technology and solar can be helpful.  Mrs. Wallace stated that Core Member solicitation for the Chesapeake Bay Trust to pay for a stipend between the ages of 18-25 from August 2021 to August 2022. The purpose of the program will provide training opportunities to a young adult. They will work with wide variety of organization and they will assist with submitting grant opportunities to the city.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the Virtual Community Charrette for development on MLK Highway with students from the University of Maryland will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 7:00p.m. They are looking into two properties on Martin Luther King, Hwy in the CVS Strip Mall and directly across the street where the Little Caesar Pizza and Got Rice is located.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the Economic Development Department had met with an architect firm to develop some guidelines for the type of properties that can be developed in the city. The City Council will approve the guidelines.  Councilmember Raynor stated that he wanted to meet with Ms. Rhoda and Mrs. Wallace again regarding the meeting with the architect firms.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the residents continue to put recycling in plastic bags and the plastic ruins the motor on the recycling machines. If the city picks it up, we will be fined by the county. The information will be going on the website and in the newsletter.  Mrs. Wallace stated that a report on yellow curb and sign replaced or restored in the City was submitted by the Environmental Justice Department.  Chief Martin stated that he had spoken with Councilmember Scott regarding the request for the speed humps on 70th street. The police department can install a speed tracking device and we will not enforce unless the speeding is over 12 miles of the speeding limit.  Chief Martin stated that speed humps cost approximately $20,000 per speed hump. Page 2 of 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2B9E90D3-72CE-4B06-BAAF-6A398A66FE80  Chief Martin stated that he would like to do an educate and engagement with the residents. When there is no speed limit posted, the speed limit is automatically 25 MPH.  Council President Porter stated that we can investigate installing the metal speed humps after the weather breaks in the Spring.  Councilmember Raynor wanted to know if we can have signage on the road that states Speed Enforcement by Radar.  Chief Martin stated that he will consult with the officer and see if we have other signs that may need to be replaced.  Mrs. Wallace stated that NCC issued 104 code violations during the reporting period. They are working with businesses with expired licenses by extending the dates 30 days after the Maryland State of Emergency is lifted by Governor Hogan due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the Finance department reflects that the expenditures are higher than the revenue. The FY18/19 Audit will be completed by the end of the week.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the investigation report will be complete in the next two weeks. We had a glitch with the IT company and the zip file was so large that it could not be downloaded by the investigative firm.  Chief Martin stated that we will work with the City Clerk to get two dates for the end of the month. The meeting will be held in City Hall in Council Chambers.  Council President inquired on the occupancy of the EJD and City Hall after the walk thru?  Mrs. Wallace stated that each building has temporary occupancy permits.  Mrs. Wallace stated that we have assessed the property as we will not be replacing all the furniture.  Chief Martin stated that we may host a soft opening in March and a grand opening in late spring early summer. We will be taking our time to move back into the building as the lease for the Annex building expires in June 2021.  Chief Martin stated we will be obtaining proposals for the moving companies and having the buildings cleaned.  Chief Martin stated that we do not have internet or telephones at the location. We will have a cosmetic cleaning and a COVID cleaning.  Council President stated that he will be looking for the report for the buildings that are close by the city. Page 3 of 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2B9E90D3-72CE-4B06-BAAF-6A398A66FE80  Mrs. Wallace stated that the Police Department has received a grant to hire new police officers and by February 5, 2021 to operate 24 hours. The speed enforcement for Central Avenue will begin on February 5, 2021.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the City Clerk report shows that she has been diligent in tracking the Personal Property Taxes and mailed forty-two (42) invoices in the amount of $907,167.50 for the current Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Personal Property Tax bills and received Personal Property Tax payments in the amount of $395,581.00.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the City Clerk mailed fifteen (15) delinquent tax notices to the businesses operating within the City of Seat Pleasant that has not paid their invoices in thirty days for FY19/20. Each delinquent invoice was assessed the 1% late fee for non-payment for all invoices mailed. The total due is $123, 878.70.  Council President stated that he wanted to give kudos to the City Clerk in her efforts and work. Council President stated that he wanted the Economic Development Committee to work with the business to make them whole and seek funding.  Council President Porter inquired if the city was prepared for any inclement weather.  Chief Martin stated that we are prepared for any inclement weather conditions with the fleet, but we do not have enough people in place. 3.3. City Council Committee Reports 3.4 Economic, Planning, Development & Housing Committee  Councilmember Raynor stated that the Committee met to review and discuss the Annexation and the Master Plan. He is currently reviewing the annexation information and the master plan.  Councilmember Raynor stated that he attended the meeting with Ms. Rhoda and Mrs. Wallace for the development meeting.  Councilmember Raynor stated that he was pleasantly pleased with the tour of town hall and the recommendation of making the building aesthetically pleasing. 3.5 Finance & Budget Committee  Councilmember Sistrunk stated that the Committee met for the third time regarding SPICE the investment firm. They never denied meeting with the city but continue to make excuses about the meeting.  Councilmember Sistrunk stated that the committee recommended that the information be sent to the States Attorney for review as it relates to the investment of funds. Page 4 of 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2B9E90D3-72CE-4B06-BAAF-6A398A66FE80  Councilmember Sistrunk stated that the City removed itself from the review authority under Ordinance O-19-10.  Councilmember Sistrunk stated that the committee has been requesting meetings since October 2020.  Council President stated that he will meet with the City Clerk to poll the Council for a Closed Session on the matter. 4. LEGISLATION 4.1. None 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1. None 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1. None 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS 7.1. Public Session, Monday, January 11, 2021, by Zoom Video at 7:00p.m., Meeting link details will be on the city's website. 8. ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 7:37p.m. Submitted by, Dashaun N. Lanham, CMC City Clerk Page 5 of 5