City Council

DocuSign Envelope ID: 9D25B1FB-3DA8-47EA-B30C-C3651F1FAE5B MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SEAT PLEASANT SPECIAL SESSION TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2024 7:00P.M. 1. OPENING 1.1.1 Call to Order Council President Raynor called the meeting to order at 7:05p.m. 1.2 Roll Call Present: Councilmember Donovan Bilbro, Councilmember Monica Higgs, Councilmember Hope Love (Late Arrival), Councilmember Shireka McCarthy, Mayor Kelly Porter, Council President Gerald Raynor, Sr., Councilmember Kizzie Scott, and Council Vice President James Wright, Jr. Staff: Dashaun Ball, City Clerk, and Myneca Ojo, City Manager 2. PRESENTATION 2.1. Jonathan Carpenter, Greenwill Consultant Group  Mr. Carpenter stated that House Bill 0165 is a reiteration from last year and the bill will decrease the State Aid and Highway User Revenue monies by twenty percent if the municipality is one year delinquent on the annual audit filing. The state had an outcry regarding the bill as there could be many reasons why a municipal government may fall behind in their auditing report. The Joint Office and Evaluation Committee meeting revealed that there were many municipalities behind by one year in filing the annual audit report.  Mr. Carpenter stated that they met with Delegate Jazz Lewis regarding House Bill 0165, and he will not rescind the bill as he wants the bill to pass.  Councilmember Wright inquired if the legislation has any recourse with due process, and does the bill allow for the municipalities to state their case regarding the delinquent audit. Also does the bill give the County Executive oversight of the municipalities.  Mr. Carpenter stated that the oversight of the municipalities will go to the Department of Legislative services, Vickie Gruber.  Council President Raynor inquired if the funds will be held until the audit is complete? Page 1 of 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 9D25B1FB-3DA8-47EA-B30C-C3651F1FAE5B  Mr. Carpenter stated that the state will hold the funds until the completion of the audit.  Mr. Carpenter stated that the purpose of the bill is to ensure that Seat Pleasant provides every outstanding audit.  Mr. Carpenter stated that the city needs to ship up and state your opposition as they will continue to put in legislation if the city does not fight back.  Ms. Ojo stated that she feels that the city needs to have a strong showing at the first reading and they will have a few more readings of the bill.  Mr. Carpenter stated that the bill was cut- off last year at the first reading.  Mr. Carpenter stated that he will provide the city with the legislative audit list of the other municipalities that are delinquent with their audits.  Mr. Carpenter stated that Greenwill Consultant had been contacting municipalities across the state to make the public outcry. The list of the committee members will be sent to the city to make contact and let them know your dissatisfaction with the bill. It is easier to pick up the phone and let them know the opposition of the bill.  Councilmember McCarthy inquired if the city needs to have a united message or individual messages.  Mr. Carpenter stated that he will provide the city with two-three talking points and sentences with the e-mail.  Councilmember Wright inquired if the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus had been contacted regarding this bill.  Mr. Carpenter stated that he will be contacting them and providing feedback to the city. The session began three weeks ago, and they have introduced over a thousand bills, and they may try to put language in the budget to get things passed. They will be watching the budget for any amendments or language.  Councilmember Raynor inquired if anyone on the county level has opposed the bill.  Mr. Carpenter stated that the city can contact the county representative regarding the bill.  Mr. Carpenter requested the city to decide on the Monday night to have a Seat Pleasant night in Annapolis.  The Council requested the EJD Director or supervisor to attend the hearing to speak.  Ms. Ojo stated that the list of speakers was submitted to Greenwill Consultant. 3. CITIZEN COMMENT Page 2 of 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 9D25B1FB-3DA8-47EA-B30C-C3651F1FAE5B 3.1. There were no citizens in attendance at the Special Meeting. 4. MEETING TOPICE 4.1. None 5. LEGISLATION 5.1. None 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS 7.1 Regular Work Session, Monday, February 5, 2024, Hybrid and by Zoom Video, at 6:00p.m., Meeting link details will be on the city’s website. Seat Pleasant City Hall-6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743. 7.2. Public Session, Monday, February 12, 2024, Hybrid and by Zoom Video, at 7:00p.m., Meeting link details will be on the city’s website. Seat Pleasant City Hall-6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743. 7.3 Regular Work Session, Monday, March 4, 2024, Hybrid and by Zoom Video at 6:00pm. Meeting Link details will be on the city's website. 6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 7.4 Public Session, Monday, March 11, 2024, Hybrid and by Zoom Video at 7:00p.m., Meeting Line details will be on the city's website. 6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 2074 8. ADJOURN 8.1 The City Council adjourned the meeting at 8:04pm Submitted by, Dashaun N. Ball, MMC City Clerk Page 3 of 3