City Council

DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5 MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SEAT PLEASANT PUBLIC SESSION MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 7:00P.M. 1. OPENING 1.1.1 Call to Order Council Vice President Higgs called the meeting to order at 7:25p.m. 1.2. Roll Call Present: Councilmember Monica Higgs, Councilmember Hope Love, Vice Mayor Shireka McCarthy, Councilmember Kelly Porter, Councilmember Gerald Raynor, Sr., Councilmember Kizzie Scott, Councilmember Gloria Sistrunk Staff: Beverly Barber, Human Resources Manager, Demetrious Harris, Acting Chief, Dashaun Lanham, City Clerk, Stanley Mosley, Interim City Manager, and Jessica Wise, Accounting Manager 1.3 Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance Councilmember Porter gave the invocation 1.4 Approval of Agenda It was motioned by Councilmember Raynor and seconded by Councilmember Love to approve the Public Session Agenda with amendments by removing 4.1. Charter Amendment Resolution. The motion carried, and the agenda was unanimously approved with amendments by the Council. Motion by Gerald Raynor Sr, second by Hope Love. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 1.5 Approval of Regular Work Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 4, 2022 Motion to approve Regular Work Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 4, 2022 Motion by Gloria L Sistrunk, second by Gerald Raynor Sr. Page 1 of 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5 Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Gloria L Sistrunk No: Kizzie Scott 1.6 Approval of Constant Yield Hearing Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 11, 2022 Motion to approve Constant Yield Hearing Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 11, 2022 Motion by Gloria L Sistrunk, second by Hope Love. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 1.7 Approval of Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget Hearing Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 11, 2022 Motion to Approve the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget Hearing Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 11, 2022 Motion by Gerald Raynor Sr, second by Gloria L Sistrunk. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 1.8 Approval of Public Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 11, 2022 Motion to approve the Public Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 11, 2022 Motion by Hope Love, second by Gerald Raynor Sr. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 1.9 Approval of Special Session Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Motion to approve Special Session Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Motion by Gloria L Sistrunk, second by Gerald Raynor Sr. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk Page 2 of 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5 1.10 Approval of Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Motion to Approve Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Motion by Gloria L Sistrunk, second by Hope Love. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 1.11 Approval of Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget Hearing Meeting Minutes for Saturday, April 16, 2022 Motion to Approve Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget Hearing Meeting Minutes for Saturday, April 16, 2022 Motion by Gerald Raynor Sr, second by Gloria L Sistrunk. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 1.12 Approval of Mayor Vacancy Public Hearing Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 18, 2022 Motion to Approve the Mayor Vacancy Public Hearing Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 18, 2022 Motion by Hope Love, second by Gerald Raynor Sr. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 1.13 Approval of Special Session Meeting Minutes for Thursday, April 21, 2022 Motion to Approve Special Session Meeting Minutes for Thursday, April 21, 2022 Motion by Gloria L Sistrunk, second by Gerald Raynor Sr. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 1.14 Motion to Approve Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Thursday, April 21, 2022 Page 3 of 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5 Motion to Approve Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Thursday, April 21, 2022 Motion by Hope Love, second by Gerald Raynor Sr. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 1.15 Approval of Special Session Meeting Minutes for Friday, April 22, 2022 Motion to approve Special Session Meeting Minutes for Friday, April 22, 2022 Motion by Gerald Raynor Sr, second by Gloria L Sistrunk. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 1.16 Approval of Special Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 25, 2022 Motion to Approve Special Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 25, 2022 Motion by Gloria L Sistrunk, second by Hope Love. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 1.17 Approval of Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 25, 2022 Motion to Approve Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, April 25, 2022 Motion by Gerald Raynor Sr, second by Gloria L Sistrunk. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Kelly Porter, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, Gloria L Sistrunk 2. CITIZEN COMMENTS 2.1. Mr. Simpson has requested for the item that was tabled to be read as why it is being tabled. Page 4 of 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5 Mr. Walker stated that he submitted a PIA requesting documents allowing the Police department to work outside of the city limits and they are working on central avenue. He would like a copy of the document. He has been told that SPICE was not responsibility of the city, but the FY2019 audit states that the city provided them $600,000 and he would like to know if any money has been returned to the city. What constitution does the city follow. Ms. Gzifa stated that the citizen comments were posted on the city's website, and she does not see the responses on the website. This is away to have the citizen engagement and can the recorded meetings be posted on the city's website. Please share the citizens responses on the city websites. Mr. Simpson stated that at the 7:00clock allows the council to submit comments, but the council will not respond but in the 6:00pm public hearing the council responded. They would have voted on the meeting tonight and the public notice was deficient, and the notice will be re-advertised, and the summary of the charter amendment will be in the newsletter, and the pg. post. Please be sure to sign up for the public hearing to have engagement. Mr. Garry Jones stated that he would like to confer with the other citizens, and he would like to see the answers on the website and the questions and the answers in the newsletter and the website to see the responses. He would like to put the suggestion out to have the responses online and the recordings to be posted online. The technology to be used for the citizens. Mr. Walker stated that the newsletter has some time sensitive information and a lot of times we receive it late, and he would like to know if it could be put out sooner. He wanted to know if the Chief Martin is permanently removed. Mr. Simpson stated that he did raise the concerns with the city posting the recordings immediately on the website without delay or requirement for the citizen to complete an MPIA request. He would encourage the city council to encourage the city clerk to post immediately after the meetings. PK stated that she wanted to amplify the comment about the newsletter. Page 5 of 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5 Mr. Simpson stated that he wanted to reiterate the need for more citizen engagement for the body and the government to be stymied by person. Mr. Garry Jones inquired if the council has discussion on returning to in- person meeting and the one thing that has reminded him of the meeting is the signs being strategically placed throughout the city. This would be helpful for visibility and participation in the meetings. Mr. John Walker stated that why using zoom to register for the meeting is a violation of the open meetings act. Mr. Simpson stated that Mr. Walker has raised a good point and it raises contrary to open meetings. What is going into the approval process and there is possibility that one can be denied 3. PRESENTATION 3.1. None. 4. LEGISLATION 4.1. Charter Amendment Resolution CA-22-05 Amendment of the City Charter for Seat Pleasant.  The City Council postponed the reading of the Charter Amendment Resolution due to the notice not being advertised for the required twenty days. 5. REPORTS: 5.1 Monica Higgs, Council Vice President Report  Council Vice President stated that her report is uploaded in Board Docs and if any questions, she can answer. please follow-up if needed. 5.2 Shireka McCarthy, Vice Mayor Report  Vice Mayor McCarthy stated that she did not attend the meeting on April 12 or April 21 as listed in her report.  Vice Mayor McCarthy stated that she provided a letter of support to the Training Source for a grant. Page 6 of 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5  Vice Mayor McCarthy stated that she attended the 31st Annual Women at the Bowie Performing Arts Center. 5.3 Stanley Mosley, Interim City Manager  Mr. Mosley stated that his report is included in BoardDocs, and he can answer any questions.  Vice Mayor McCarthy stated that she asked for an update on the Seat Pleasant sign.  Mr. Mosley stated that he spoke with Mr. Wilkins regarding the signs, and we are awaiting approval by DPIE and another agency to install the sign. The wrong address was placed on the permit for DPIE to come out to view the address location without an address.  Councilmember Sistrunk stated that the last time they had spoken about the installation of the charging stations, and she would like to know the status.  Mr. Mosley stated that the site has been approved by Pepco and they need permission from DPIE to start to dig and they are doing the project around the county, and it is in the hands of the permitting agency.  Councilmember Raynor inquired about the number signs that are being installed.  Mr. Mosley stated that it is multiple letters that spell out Seat Pleasant and they are large signs.  Mr. Mosley stated that he was asked to put together a letter of support for Cheverly and they had requested for the city to wait before providing the letter of support as there is certain information they want included in the letter of support. 5.4 Departmental Reports  Environmental Justice Department Acting Director Mr. Belnavis was absent from the meeting. Grants Division-Ms. Rhoda stated that the ARP report was due on 04/30/22 for all the small municipalities. The report was submitted, and the city is in compliance. The grant for the NED we had closed the last grant and the remainder amount was spent on a soil survey for 420 69th St. We had taken the difference from the $500,000 loan. We are focusing on larger project for ARP lighting in the city and to replace the marquee in front of City Hall, and it will help with the citizens comment about the meetings. She is not aware when the next Page 7 of 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5 amount will be provided, as they said May or June. They had extended the reporting date due to technical difficulties. It was on the table at one point to consider the position of Outreach worker, and we need that position filled as this person is the claims adjuster as they go out to view the citizens claim. The position will be there to work with every department to include the City Council. It is several different projects that this person will do. They will advertise on the big belly trash cans in English and Spanish.  Vice Mayor McCarthy inquired if the council and mayor can receive a copy of the report submitted on April 30, 2022.  Ms. Rhoda stated that it would not be from the portal, as it was four categories that had to submitted for the NEU's and we do not have to report on the end of each year.  Vice Mayor McCarthy stated that when the ARP advertisement is over can the current advertisement be placed back in the big bellies?  Councilmember Love stated that she heard from several of her residents that the ARP has been beneficial to them, and she would like to move forward with this position. The residents need this as they are on hold. She would like to make a motion to reconsider the position.  Councilmember Sistrunk stated that this is not proper procedures to make a motion and she would second it as the position is needed and she is concerned that Ms. Rhoda will get burnt out.  Councilmember Sistrunk inquired about art at the bus station and wanted to know the status.  Vice Mayor stated that she is not sure who will be asked, as Delegate Barron is no longer in office.  Councilmember Higgs stated that we will table the position for tonight, but we can discuss the report.  Ms. Rhoda stated that the city had submitted for a grant that we can assist a few of the residents.  Ms. Rhoda inquired if she needs to be on the meeting on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.  Councilmember Porter stated that they had the discussion on the housing project, and he stated that there was discussion about extended the person and he wanted to know where they are with that?  Ms. Rhoda stated that they are starting the bidding processing with an RFP, and she can respond to the RFP. The Addison station brownfield kick-off meeting was held on April 18, 2022, with EPA and the owner with discussion of developing the brownfield with Mr. Mosley and Page 8 of 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5 Mr. Belnavis. They had done soil testing and they will provide further instructions, training, and grant information. It is the beginning and a great beginning. It is a two-part grant with eradication and development. We did not have WSSC present at this time.  Vice Mayor McCarthy stated that she had just sent the council, Mr. Mosley, and Ms. Lanham the information on the bus shelter with contact information for someone to follow-up.  Human Resources-Ms. Barber stated that the city has four position open. April was the open enrollment period with a significant number of changes. We had two people withdraw from the 457 and 401 and two people enrolled in the retirement program. Employees and council have until the end of the month to complete LGIT training?  Councilmember Sistrunk inquired when will she be scheduled for training?  Ms. Barber stated that the response will come from LGIT  Councilmember Scott inquired on the number of people that are working on the ARP Fund?  Ms. Barber stated that there are two people, one full time staff and one contractor. The outreach position has been posted, and we do not have a person in that position.  Councilmember Raynor inquired how much of the budget is contributed to salaries?  Ms. Barber stated that she will provide the information  Councilmember Higgs stated that she had a question regarding the hiring, as she thought the city was on a hiring freeze?  Mr. Mosley stated that the position was on the books prior to the hiring freeze.  Councilmember Higgs inquired if it is a part-time position, and it was not filled?  Acting Chief Harris stated that he was told that the vacant positions need to be filled and this will put the department at a disadvantage, as his understanding was the freeze for spending not hiring.  Councilmember Higgs stated that the city was in a hiring freeze and spending freeze. This will be tabled and added to a Closed Session for discussion.  Councilmember Sistrunk inquired if the position was part of the grant money?  Acting Chief Harris stated that it would be the tenth position. She stated that if it is a part of the grant there are no violations. Page 9 of 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5  Councilmember Higgs stated that it will be tabled until Wednesday, May 11, 2022, for the Closed Session.  Public Engagement-Ms. Lipford had to attend another meeting and needed to log-off.  Councilmember Higgs stated that before we allow people to leave the meeting, let us make sure that we are informed.  Vice Mayor McCarthy inquired if this was a full month report as it is one paragraph. She would like for each report to be the same, and each department is different.  The Council stated to Mr. Mosley that a uniform report for the departments is required. City Clerk-Ms. Lanham stated that she attended the meetings of the City Council and reported on the monies received for the Business Personal Property Taxes for the month of April. Ms. Lanham stated that she and the Staff Assistant had attended training on the Maryland Public Information Act on April 6, 2022. Ms. Lanham stated that she met with the finance department regarding the budget. Police Department Report-Acting Chief Harris stated that his report was submitted, and he would like to answer any questions and this week is National Police Week and they are having a cook-out on Thursday, May 12, 2022. They had spent time in training regarding the new guidelines and they are deciding on how to address the marijuana cases with the changes in the law. They have three grants that they are managing, and the K-9 is in training, and he is looking forward to the council/citizen meeting her. The statistics are done but the call volume has increased. NCC has continue to work parking and property inspection. The vacant property list has been provided to the council with about thirty properties. They are working with the Eastern Avenue Apartments with children in the after-school program. They attended a meeting with the Governor in District III, and they had adopted the curriculum for PAL.  Vice Mayor McCarthy inquired if the training for Mental Health, if all the officer attended?  Chief Harris stated that they had sent an officer to obtain a certificate in training for the Mental health as it will be a requirement as of July 1, 2022.  Councilmember Porter stated that with the influx of carjacking and wanted to inquire what the department intends to do about the issue. Page 10 of 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5  Chief Harris stated that they had put together strategy and he will be meeting with Mr. Mosley and the States Attorney regarding the drug program and mental health program. He would like to meet with Mr. Mosley this week. They have a gun violence grant with $11,000 that needs to be spent by July 1, 2022.  Councilmember Porter inquired if some of the funding can go into surveillance.  Chief Harris stated that they had some towers that were down, and it was offline. He met with a vendor and the cost is $14,000 and he will meet with Mr. Mosley. Finance Department-Ms. Wise stated that the finance department has been busy as usual as most of the focus has been on FY23 Budget The sent spent $790,000 in the month of April. They met with DOJ and received great news on the cops grant and the city should not have any issues with extended the grant until 2025. She met with Ms. Lanham last week to work on the budget changes. They met with Grants and Police Department to reconcile the June and July and it has brought a slight delay. Ms. Wise stated that the city has 2.6 million in General Fund, and 1.4 million in Speed.  Ms. Rhoda stated that the sustainable community meeting homework was updated, and they submitted the brownfield as a part of the grant. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1. None. 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.1 None 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS 8.1. Ward I Community Ward Walk, Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 6:00p.m. 8.2 Seat Pleasant Community Food Distribution, Tuesday, May 10th, May 17th, May 24th and May 31, 2022, Goodwin Park 311 68th Pl., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743 at 11:00am 8.3 Ward II Community Ward Walk, Monday, May 16, 2022, at 6:00p.m. Page 11 of 12 DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E169A44-C599-4590-B5F4-D287EDE203D5 8.4 Ward IV Community Ward Walk, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 6:00p.m. 8.5 Ward V Community Ward Walk, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 6:00p.m. 8.6 Regular Work Session, Monday, June 6, 2022, by Zoom Video at 6:00pm. Meeting link details are available on the city's website, Seat Pleasant, MD 8.7 Public Session, Monday, June 6, 2022, by Zoom Video at 7:00pm. Meeting link details will be on the city's website, Seat Pleasant, MD 8.8 Ward III Father's Day Car Wash, Saturday, June 18, 2022, Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, 6305 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743 from 12:00p.m.-2:00p.m. RSVP with Councilmember Scott for car wash voucher 9. ADJOURN: 9.1 Adjourn and Logout The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm Submitted by, Dashaun N. Lanham, CMC City Clerk Page 12 of 12