City Council

DocuSign Envelope ID: 7399F15F-CCC8-40CD-9666-D56C4B1080AC MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SEAT PLEASANT PUBLIC SESSION MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2024 7:00P.M. 1. OPENING 1.1.1 Call to Order Council President Raynor called the meeting to order at 8:00p.m. 1.2. Roll Call Present: Councilmember Donovan Bilbro, Councilmember Monica Higgs, Councilmember Hope Love, Councilmember Shireka McCarthy (Late Arrival), Mayor Kelly Porter, Council President Gerald Raynor, Sr., Councilmember Kizzie Scott, and Council Vice President James Wright, Jr. Staff: Dashaun N. Ball, City Clerk (Virtually), Rick Corrales, Public Engagement Manager, and Myneca Ojo, City Manager. 1.3. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance- Mayor Porter gave the invocation. 1.4 Approval of Agenda with Amendments to allow the Legislation before the Presentation. Motion by Donovan K. Bilbro, second by James Wright, Jr. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Gerald Raynor Sr, Shireka McCarthy, James Wright Jr, Donovan K Bilbro, Kizzie Scott 1.5. Approval of Regular Work Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, February 5, 2024 Motion to Approve the Regular Work Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, February 5, 2024 Motion by Hope Love, second by Donovan K Bilbro. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Gerald Raynor Sr, James Wright Jr, Donovan K Bilbro No: Kizzie Scott 1.6 Approval of Public Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, February 12, 2024 Page 1 of 9 DocuSign Envelope ID: 7399F15F-CCC8-40CD-9666-D56C4B1080AC Motion to Approve the Public Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, February 12, 2024 Motion by James Wright Jr, second by Donovan K Bilbro. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Gerald Raynor Sr, James Wright Jr, Donovan K Bilbro No: Kizzie Scott 1.7 Approval of Special Session Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Motion to Approve Special Session Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Motion by Monica Higgs, second by James Wright Jr. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, James Wright Jr, Donovan K Bilbro 1.8 Approval of Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Motion to Approve Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 13, 2024 Motion by Monica Higgs, second by Donovan K Bilbro. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, James Wright Jr, Donovan K Bilbro 1.9 Approval of Special Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, February 26, 2024 Motion to Approve the Special Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, February 26, 2024 Motion by Monica Higgs, second by James Wright Jr. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, James Wright Jr, Donovan K Bilbro 1.10 Approval of Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, February 26, 2024 Motion to Approve Closed Session Meeting Minutes for Monday, February 26, 2024. Motion by Monica Higgs, second by Donovan K Bilbro. Page 2 of 9 DocuSign Envelope ID: 7399F15F-CCC8-40CD-9666-D56C4B1080AC Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott, James Wright Jr, Donovan K Bilbro 2. LEGISLATION 2.1 Ordinance O-24-11 Amendment Chapter 18-Ethics 2nd Reading  Ordinance O-24-11 Amendment of Chapter 18-Ethics was introduced by the City Council and read by the City Clerk on Monday, March 4, 2024. The second reading was conducted on Monday, March 11, 2024.  Motion to Approve Ordinance O-24-11 Amendment to Chapter 18- Ethics  Motion by Shireka McCarthy, second by Donovan K Bilbro.  Final Resolution: Motion Carried  Yes: Monica Higgs, Hope Love, Gerald Raynor Sr, Shireka McCarthy, James Wright Jr, Donovan K Bilbro  Abstain: Kizzie Scott 2.2 Ordinance O-24-12 Amendment of Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget for Neighborhood and Commercial Compliance Supervisor and Officer Salary Increases 2nd Reading.  Ordinance O-24-12 Amendment of Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget for Neighborhood and Commercial Compliance Supervisor and Officer Salary Increases was introduced by the City Council and read by the City Clerk on Monday, March 4, 2024. The second reading was conducted on Monday, March 11, 2024.  Motion to Approve Ordinance O-24-12 Amendment to Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget for Neighborhood and Commercial Compliance Supervisor and Officer Salary Increases  Motion by Donovan K Bilbro, second by Shireka McCarthy.  Final Resolution: Motion Carried  Yes: Hope Love, Gerald Raynor Sr, Shireka McCarthy, James Wright Jr, Donovan K Bilbro  No: Monica Higgs, Kizzie Scott 3. PRESENTATION 3.1 Sherri Bryant-Moore-Addison Road Blue Line Creative Placemaking Event Page 3 of 9 DocuSign Envelope ID: 7399F15F-CCC8-40CD-9666-D56C4B1080AC  Mrs. Bryant-Moore presented a program to occur on Saturday, April 20, 2024, for the Creative Place Making Event for Public Art, the purpose is centered around the Blue Line Corridor and surrounding communities. The bus shelter program surfaced in 2021, and to get the community involved by increasing awareness and assist in visioning from the community and municipalities.  The members were LISC, The Training Source, Mission of Love, The Capital Market, and it was discussion around the clock tower, which fell through.  The committee reconvened and partnered with Park and Planning for Downtown Largo, and they took a tour and looked at several areas. They had settled on the Fire House, and they identified several areas that could be improved for signage.  The sharing of the Downtown Largo Festival is to show the art and information that can be used.  The community learned of the parking facility at the hospital, the family event, food truck, community painting, and they are coming back to the community with the designer selected eighteen months ago.  There are several planned projects, and other area developers to share information about the planned activities.  There are several planning and processes open to the entire community and wanted to ensure that the residence is informed.  The information will be shared with the city, Capital Heights, Glen Arden, Fairmount Heights, and District Heights, as the information becomes available.  The Bus Shelter and the initial concept of the Tim Scofield, and they wanted to ensure the community becomes engaged before the design is implemented.  The Council has an MOU with WMATA and some of the bus shelters were falling down, and they collaborated with them to put some temporary bus shelters to make the environment more festive and remove the blight with the broken shelters.  They have an initiative with another council to do streetscape. We can assist the council members and members of the communities to imagine what is possible.  They wanted to show what are the possibilities for vacant spaces, or in the case of the firehouse to do what the art council had done with an incubator. Page 4 of 9 DocuSign Envelope ID: 7399F15F-CCC8-40CD-9666-D56C4B1080AC  The community had plans with LISC and Economic Council, and they wanted to ensure that you are engaged, and share a few words about your thoughts.  Mayor Porter stated that he appreciates the presentation, but with the bus shelters he wants to share that it should be safe and less of an opportunity to be damaged.  Council President Raynor inquired why the shelter was selected to be improved on Central and Addison oppose to another location?  Mrs. Bryant-Moore stated that it was selected based on a variety of factors, and safety and the amount of space, and the final determination was selected by the City Council, and DPW&T.  Councilmember McCarthy stated that the shelter was chosen due to the location, and the proximity to City Hall along with the projects along Central Avenue.  Councilmember Higgs stated that she is concerned that the city is no longer in the blue line corridor development, and the firehouse has issues, she would like to know where the city is going with the project.  Mrs. Bryant-Moore stated that there are several development projects in and around Seat Pleasant, and such existing projects and other initiatives such as the trials that are happening with the Blue Line Corridor, and to get the residents involved with other initiatives with the Blue Line Corridor, as decision can be made based upon the community concerns. The idea is to create the flow of communication and engagement, and look at where the opportunities are, and when the community knows what they want, but it is to create the flow of information.  Mayor Porter stated that they had attended a meeting last week with a Public-Private-Partnership, and the biggest impact is with Fairmount Heights, and going as a unified body to get what has been promised to the community.  Councilmember Higgs raised concerns regarding the promises made to the city with other business ventures, and the lack of a walkable grocery store in the city.  Councilmember Love raised concerns regarding the firehouse and concurred with Councilmember Higgs regarding a grocery store in the city. Page 5 of 9 DocuSign Envelope ID: 7399F15F-CCC8-40CD-9666-D56C4B1080AC  Councilmember McCarthy stated that this project was discussed some time ago with the City Council, and she does not know why it has taken so long, it has been over a year.  Mrs. Bryant-Moore stated that it had been two years and DPW&T had decided to delay some projects until this spring. 3.2. 2023 City Manager Annual Report  Ms. Ojo stated that she wanted to present the 2023 Annual Report that will outline the accomplishments for 2023, and where the city wants to go as a culture. The report will show where the council want to go to continue as a viable community.  Ms. Ojo stated that the Annual Report will be sent as a Newsletter to the residents of the city.  Ms. Ojo stated that it is a privilege to present the report and an honor to serve as the City Manager. The report will highlight the accomplishments and challenges of the city. As the City Manager she runs the day-to-day operation with approving purchasing, and engagement of the citizens, and responding to Citizens Comments.  Ms. Ojo stated that she began employment in December 2022 there were three key positions that needed to be filled. The current Chief was confirmed, and she hired the Chief Financial Officer, and a newly created position of facilities Management person. The restructuring of the Environmental Justice Department by abolishing the Foreman position to create a position that will focus on the parks and building owned by the city.  Ms. Ojo stated that she had proposed a Learning Seat Pleasant concept to further where the city needs to go internally. The concept is to focus on competencies and to ensure that we have the best staff working in the city. They are fully trained, and creating a level of transparency, and creating an intranet page for the Staff to review the payroll, and the policies.  Ms. Ojo stated that the budget was maintained at $13.1 Million and a staff of sixty-three.  Ms. Ojo stated that the restructuring of the Finance Department by the newly hired Chief Financial Officer with the hiring of staff and creating new position. They are completing the audits, as the city was three years behind in the audits. The city was successful with completing the 2020 Audit. Page 6 of 9 DocuSign Envelope ID: 7399F15F-CCC8-40CD-9666-D56C4B1080AC  Ms. Ojo stated that the City Clerk conducted the Ward V Council Vacancy and coordinated the new Hybrid in-person meeting platform beginning in July 2023, Implemented the state-of-the-art recording studio and Audio-Visual contract. As the Public Information Officer, the city clerk received thirty-six Maryland Public Information Act Request in 2023. The City Clerk was responsible for collecting the Business Personal Property Tax, and collected $592, 239,96 as of October 2023. The City Clerk scheduled forty-nine council meetings, and prepared for council action eleven Charter Amendment Resolutions, ten ordinances, and five resolutions.  Ms. Ojo stated that the Environmental Justice department passed the County’s stormwater Management Testing for the first time. Coordinated a Training Day for EJD staff on the operation of the Street Sweeper. Coordinated the quarterly, monthly, and annual scheduled maintenance, resumed the Street Sweeping program, Established an Inventory Clerk position to manage the inventory and repairs of the city equipment. Fixed and repaired legacy equipment such as the Elgin, and the Water Buffalo, and the Big Belly fleet has been refreshed. They served eighteen hundred citizens every day with trash and recycling services. They cleaned up sixty-two illegal dumps costing the city $15,000.  Ms. Ojo stated the Public Safety department had become twenty-four hours, 365 days, responded to 16,000 calls for service with a 50% increase in retention of sworn officers, achieved twenty-four officers, the highest number of sworn offices in the history of Seat Pleasant. Leads C-Pac, reference the location of the speed and red-light camera locations in the city.  Ms. Ojo stated that the Economic Development/Grants department is staffed with one person that is responsible for overseeing the grants. The department is responsible for business expansion, ARPA funds, reporting on behalf of the government the usage of the funds, assisted the residents with utilities, mortgage and rental assistances, removal of dead trees around the city, upgrade the city police department equipment. The city received $70,000 for the Cultural Hub in Goodwin Park. The city received funds from Park Planning for three projects, $200,000 for beautification, $60,000 for Social Services, and $25,000 for Senior Services. The walking tour for the Blue Line Corridor stop hosted by Delegate Jazz Lewis. The city had received the Police Recruitment Grant, Governor’s on Crime Control and Prevention, and United States Department of Justice Grant. Page 7 of 9 DocuSign Envelope ID: 7399F15F-CCC8-40CD-9666-D56C4B1080AC  Ms. Ojo stated that the Human Resources department recruited and interviewed for fifteen positions, processed benefits, and open enrollment for sixty-three employees, and saved the city $120,000 in erroneous unemployment claims. Management of the city retirement plans.  Ms. Ojo stated that the Public Engagement department expanded the call-a-bus services, servicing 393 citizens, average calls of 140 per week for city services and information, coordinated first Fridays, community events, social media, and website notifications.  Council President Raynor inquired of the events for 2023 for Public Engagement, and to include the Juneteenth event in the report. 4. REPORTS 4.1 Kelly Porter, Mayor Report:  Mayor Porter stated that his report can be viewed in BoardDocs and summarized the February 2024 report highlighting the letter of support for Ella Lewis to serve as the Health Ambassador for the city.  Councilmember Higgs requested an elaboration of the Neighborhood Health Ambassador recognition for Mrs. Ella Lewis. 4.2 Council President Report- Council President Gerald Raynor, Sr.  Council President Raynor stated that his report can be viewed in BoardDocs and summarized the February 2024 report.  Councilmember Higgs requested for the Committee meetings to be updated in the report. 4.3 Myneca Ojo, City Manager  The City Manager presented the 2023 Annual Report. 5. CITIZEN COMMENTS  Ashley Kearney-Would like to know the response for impact funding for the Blue Line Corridor?  Councilmember Bilbro has requested for the Citizen Comments be modified to allow the answers to be provided during the meeting.  The City Council agreed to discuss the Citizen Comments response at the Regular Work Session on Monday, April 1, 2024. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1. None Page 8 of 9 DocuSign Envelope ID: 7399F15F-CCC8-40CD-9666-D56C4B1080AC 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.1. None 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS 8.1. Public Session, Monday, March 11, 2024, Seat Pleasant City Hall- Council Chambers, 6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 29743, Hybrid and by Zoom Video at 7:00p.m., Meeting Link details will be on the city's website. 8.2 Ward I Community Meeting, Saturday, March 23, 2024, Seat Pleasant Activity Center, 5720 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743 from 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Councilmember Higgs encouraged the residents from Ward I to attend the meeting. 8.3 Regular Work Session, Monday, April 1, 2024, Seat Pleasant City Hall-Council Chambers, 6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743, Hybrid and by Zoom Video at 6:00p.m., Meeting Link details will be on the city's website. 8.4 Proposed Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, Monday, April 8, 2024, Seat Pleasant City Hall-Council Chambers, 6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743, Hybrid and by Zoom Video, at 6:00p.m. Meeting Link details will be on the city's website. 8.5 Public Session, Monday, April 8, 2024, Seat Pleasant City Hall- Council Chambers, 6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743, Hybrid and by Zoom Video, at 7:00p.m. Meeting Link details will be on the city's website. 8.6 Proposed Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, Saturday, April 13, 2024, Seat Pleasant City Hall-Council Chambers, 6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743, Hybrid and Zoom Video, from 10:00am-11:00am, Meeting Link details will be on the city's website. 9. ADJOURN: 9.1 The meeting adjourned at 9:07pm Submitted by, Dashaun N. Ball, MMC City Clerk Page 9 of 9