City Council

DocuSign Envelope ID: 78E19729-4342-473C-B9C4-F4A98CF645F4 MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SEAT PLEASANT REGULAR WORK SESSION MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021 6:00P.M. 1. OPENING 1.1 Call to Order Council President Porter called the meeting to order at 6:04p.m. 1.2 Roll Call Present: Mayor Eugene Grant (Absent), Councilmember Monica Higgs, Councilmember Hope Love, Councilmember Shireka McCarthy, Councilmember Kelly Porter, Councilmember Gerald Raynor, Sr., Councilmember Kizzie Scott, Councilmember Gloria Sistrunk Staff: Dashaun N. Lanham, City Clerk, Devan Martin, Interim Deputy City Manager and Jeannelle B. Wallace, Interim City Manager 1.3 Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: The invocation was given by Councilmember Higgs. 1.4. Approval of Agenda It was motioned by Councilmember Sistrunk and seconded by Councilmember Love 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, March 1, 2021 and no report was submitted. 3.2 Chief Operating Officer Report  Mrs. Wallace stated that the request was to provide the citizen comment in the newsletter. Page 1 of 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78E19729-4342-473C-B9C4-F4A98CF645F4  The management staff had agreed that questions pertaining to Annexation, Economic Development will be shared as summary in the newsletter.  Mrs. Wallace stated that some questions will be in the shared in the quarterly report or in the City Manager report.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the City is encouraging the residents to submit their questions before the meeting, and we will research and respond accordingly.  Mrs. Wallace read the citizen comments and responses as submitted to each resident.  Councilmember Sistrunk stated that she would like for residents to state their name and address for the record when providing citizens comment.  3.3. City Council Committee Reports 3.4 Economic, Planning, Development & Housing Committee  The Economic, Planning, Development & Housing Committee did not have report for the month of March. 3.5 Finance & Budget Committee  Councilmember Sistrunk stated that the Finance & Budget Committee met on February 9th and February 16th to review, prepare, and provide suggestions to the City Council proposed budget for FY2022. They requested a copy of the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. 3.6 Government Affairs & Technology Committee  Councilmember McCarthy stated that the committee met on February 22, 2021 to review the City Charter line by line for each Article of the City Charter.  Councilmember McCarthy stated that if someone has questions or would like to have any changes or recommendation, please contact Councilmember McCarthy or City Clerk Lanham before March 15, 2021. 3.7 Human Services, Health and Education Committee  Councilmember Higgs stated that the Human Services committee met on February 10, 2021 with Seat Pleasant Elementary School to discuss the IF I Were Mayor Contest.  Councilmember Higgs stated that the committee met again on February 16, 2021 to discuss the schedule for March 4, 2021 to meet with the students and teachers to prepare for the contest. 3.8 Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78E19729-4342-473C-B9C4-F4A98CF645F4  Councilmember Scott stated that she has been working the Environmental Justice Department and the Police Department in getting the street signs changed in Seat Pleasant. 3.9 Environmental Justice & Transportation Committee-  Councilmember Love stated that she has been in communication with Mr. Mosley regarding the water run-off in Ward II on several streets in Seat Pleasant. They are currently working on the concerns with the water, trash and ice will be discussed at the Ward II Meeting on Monday, March 29, 2021. 4. LEGISLATION 4.1. Resolution R-21-11 Approval of Community Legacy Grant Application and Receipt of Funding for Renovation of 420 69th Pl., and 6224 Foote St., Seat Pleasant, MD. Resolution R-21-11 was introduced by the City Council and read by the City Clerk on Monday, March 1, 2021. It was motioned by Councilmember McCarthy and seconded by Councilmember Raynor to approve Resolution R-21-11. The motion carried: Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Shireka McCarthy, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1. None 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1. City Manager Annual Report  Mrs. Wallace read the Annual Report as submitted to the City Council and posted on the city's website by highlighting the department accomplishments, the Investigation, the myth surrounding the annexation of Central Avenue. The City annexed the roadway only on Central Avenue and the businesses or residential properties will not be taxed in the annexed area.  Mrs. Wallace stated the revenue will come from the Highway User Revenue for the traffic that travels your roadway. The number of vehicles that travel the roadway will provide revenue to the city not through taxes. There is no evidence of malfeasance or misappropriations of funds.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the city is on a good path to recover from the negative press. Page 3 of 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78E19729-4342-473C-B9C4-F4A98CF645F4  Mrs. Wallace read the report to dispel the rumors and inuendo’s as it pertains to the Annexation of the Central Avenue Roadway.  Mrs. Wallace read the brief synopsis on the investigation.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the Office of the City Clerk had received a total of forty-two (42) Maryland Public Information Act Request in 2020. The City Council held sixty-three (63) meeting in 2020. The City Clerk mailed fifteen (15) delinquent tax notice to the businesses operating within the City of Seat Pleasant that has not paid their invoices in thirty (30) days for FY19/20 and FY20/21. Each delinquent invoice was assessed the 1% late fee for non- payment for all invoices mailed. The total due is $122,459.20. The City Council had sixty-three meetings in 2020 and thirty-nine pieces of legislation was presented and approved by the City Council. The City Clerk mailed forty-two (42) invoices in the amount of $1,044,226.10 for the current Fiscal Year 2020-2021.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the Waste Management Division collected 758.07 tons of household trash, 131.95 tons of recycle giving a combined total of $48,809.36 from July 1, 2020 – January 25, 2021.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the average monthly cost of dumping trash is $ 9,527.91. The daily rate for dumping trash is 59.00/TN. The monthly cost of dumping recycle is $530.55. The daily rate for recycle is 27.00/TN; With fuel cost of $5,527.65 from 07/01/2020 through 01/25/2021.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the Grants Division has collected or applied for grants totaling $2,730,930.30 and applied for additional grant funding in the amount of $1,474,900.00.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the NCC had eight hundred and eighty-eight patrol hours. The City has Ninety-five businesses open and operating in the city. Four businesses are new to the City: Intelligent tax solutions- tax preparation service, O’Cookz- fast food/carryout, Lowkee Family Enterprises- resale items and recording space and Legend Chicken and Waffles-fast food (Not open). We have eight vacant business properties and five businesses that closed, Mama Son’s Carryout - closed after fire, Advance Auto Parts – moved out of City, Legend Chicken and Waffles - undergoing renovations, Taxbar - evicted by landlord, Naja Pot Restaurant – undergoing renovations.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the Police Department provided raw crime numbers from 2019 to 2020. We have noted a 22% increase in assaults, another 22% increase in burglaries, a 44% increase of motor vehicle thefts, a substantial increase 94% in carjacking's, a 21% increase in general thefts and we saw the same number of robberies in both 2019 and 2020. We collate these increases related to the COVID -19 pandemic with the uptick in violent Page 4 of 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78E19729-4342-473C-B9C4-F4A98CF645F4 crime across the nations. We can report that we saw a 100% decrease in homicides over 2019.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the City has fifty- six staff members onboard.  Councilmember McCarthy inquired if there is a running list of grants that we are applying for or have applied for as it pertains to the dog park? Mrs. Wallace stated that she will provide the list, which is listed in the report.  Mrs. Wallace stated that the Police Department made thirteen arrest and removed thirteen guns off the street. There is a list of vacant and rental properties posted for Seat Pleasant.  Council President Porter stated that it was vehicle riding through the city that was backfiring for about 30 minutes.  Chief Martin stated that they will be working through the educate and engagement force to ensure the residents are aware of the codes. 6.2 Approval of Right-of-Way Agreement for WSSC Repairs  The Approval of the Construction Easement with A&M Concrete Corporation for WSSC Water Main Replacement.  It was motioned by Councilmember Love and second by Councilmember Raynor. The motion was passed unanimously. 6.3 Approval of the FY2022 Budget Hearing and Review Dates  It was the consensus of the Council to approve the Budget Hearing and Review date. 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS 7.1. Ward I Virtual Meeting, Wednesday, March 3, 2021 by Zoom Video at 7:00pm-8:00pm. The meeting details will be on the Seat Pleasant website. 7.2. Central Avenue Annexation Hearing, Monday, March 8, 2021, by Zoom Video at 6:00p.m., Meeting link details will be on the city’s website. 7.3 Public Session, Monday, March 8, 2021, by Zoom Video at 7:00p.m., Meeting link details will be on the city's website, Seat Pleasant, MD at 7:00p.m. 7.4. Ward II Virtual Ward Meeting, Monday, March 22, 2021, by Zoom Video at 6: 00p.m-7:00p.m., Meeting details will be on city's website, Seat Pleasant, MD 7.5. Regular Work Session, Monday, April 5, 2021, by Zoom Video at 6:00p.m., Meeting link details will be on the city's website, Seat Pleasant, MD at 6:00p.m. Page 5 of 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: 78E19729-4342-473C-B9C4-F4A98CF645F4 7.6. Public Session, Monday, April 12, 2021, by Zoom Video at 7:00p.m., Meeting link details will be on the city's website, Seat Pleasant, MD at 7:00p.m. 8. ADJOURN: Action: 8.1 Adjourn and Logout-Request Motion to go into Closed Session under Statutory Authority 3-305(b) (8) To consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation" It was motioned by Councilmember Sistrunk and seconded by Councilmember McCarthy to go into closed session at 8:15p.m. The City Council reconvened in the Closed Session at 8:54pm Chief Martin stated that he needs each person that has stated interest in attending the conference to ensure that they want to attend so that city will not lose the first night stay. Additionally, the condo's do not provide refunds if you cannot attend. Mrs. Lanham stated that she has received three applications for the Ethics Commission and wanted to know if the council wanted that the background checks to begin on the applicants or wait until we receive the additional two that will be the required number of five members. The consensus of the council was to begin the process but have Chief Martin to provide a list of the background checks and the police department will provide a list and booklet to the commission. The meeting was adjourned at 9:06p.m. Submitted by, Dashaun N. Lanham, CMC City Clerk Page 6 of 6