City Council

DocuSign Envelope ID: 0A0B728D-D1F0-4699-80EC-7559B6BFE278 MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SEAT PLEASANT FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 BUDGET HEARING MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024 6:00P.M. 1. OPENING 1.1.1 Call to Order Council President Raynor called the meeting to order at 6:08p.m. 1.1.2 Roll Call Present: Councilmember Donovan Bilbro, Councilmember Monica Higgs Councilmember Hope Love, Councilmember Shireka McCarthy, Mayor Kelly Porter, Councilmember Gerald Raynor, Councilmember Kizzie Scott (Excused- Virtually), and Councilmember James Wright, Jr. Staff: Dashaun N. Ball, City Clerk, Orson Carter, Accounting Manager, Betty Logan, Chief Financial Officer, and Myneca Y. Ojo, City Manager Councilmember McCarthy gave the Invocation. 2. Meeting Topics 2.1. FY2024-2025 Proposed Budget Hearing  Ms. Ojo stated that the budget highlights for FY25 the budget will allow for each department the expectation and plan for the upcoming year.  Ms. Ojo stated that the revenue is $14, 212,655 and 12.04% higher than the previous year with the balancing with the expenditures.  Ms. Ojo stated that the budget is a working document, and it will continue to be modified as we move forward.  Ms. Ojo stated that the budget offers a 2.5% COLA increase for all positions.  Ms. Ojo stated that with the competencies of the staff and not having a lot of contractors and doing the work in house. We will continue to pay the USDA renovation loan.  Ms. Ojo stated that the finance department captured $299, 366 for local taxes and an increase in the interest income, violations, permits and fines.  Ms. Ojo stated that the expenditure will be a moderate increase in each of the departments. Page 1 of 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 0A0B728D-D1F0-4699-80EC-7559B6BFE278  Ms. Ojo stated that the city had frozen four positions in the police department and the expectation is to fund the positions in the FY25 budget.  Councilmember McCarthy inquired about any written Citizens Comment for the Budget Hearing.  Mrs. Ball stated that we have one citizen on the line, and Councilmember Scott stated that she had a comment. There were no written comments submitted.  Ms. Ojo stated that the budget can be viewed on BoardDocs.  Council President Raynor inquired if there was a decrease in the Environmental Justice department.  Ms. Ojo stated that they noticed missing information for the department and that will be corrected.  Councilmember Bilbro inquired of the gages for the salary increase with some 4-10%.  Ms. Ojo stated that the average is 4.5-7% and they are trying to increase the salaries in comparison to other municipalities. To eliminate requesting a Budget Amendment Ordinance to fill the position. There has been some standard increase in Environmental Justice and Public Safety. If you see that the position has 1% increase it is because the person is new in the position or received a prior increase.  Councilmember Higgs inquired when will the council receive an updated version of the document, as the document was received on Sunday.  Ms. Logan stated that the current version is a much better version, and the department has begun to make changes and the document will be provided to the council by Thursday, April 11, 2024.  Mayor Porter inquired if the citizens would have the opportunity to provide comments.  Ms. Logan stated that the budget includes the Maryland Transportation fund of $400,000.  Councilmember McCarthy inquired if the changes that are being made are corrections to the numbers only. As the budget has been presented to the council there should not be any additional or new changes to the budget.  Ms. Ojo stated that it will be unethical they are making changes to the missing position for Environmental Justice.  Councilmember Wright inquired about the positions of Assistant Clerk and Staff Assistant, as he had been advocating for the City Manager to have an assistant. Page 2 of 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 0A0B728D-D1F0-4699-80EC-7559B6BFE278  Ms. Ojo stated that the Grants Manager is currently working performing the duties of Staff Assistant and will continue to work on grants for the city.  Ms. Ojo stated that the Assistant City Clerk is to assist the City Clerk and create a transition plan in the department and to work closely with the city clerk on legislation.  Councilmember Bilbro stated that he feels the position title should change to Deputy City Clerk.  Mrs. Ball stated that Councilmember Scott wanted to speak regarding the council decision to allow her to join as a citizen.  Mrs. Ball read the written comment from Councilmember Scott stating that she is not feeling well and wanted to join the meeting via zoom. The staff and City Attorney was permitted to join the meetings virtually to perform their jobs and would like to know why she cannot do the same.  Councilmember Love stated that since she is sick, she should be excused from the meeting, as she is on a machine at 8:00am in the morning and would prefer to be home. However, the council’s job is to be in the meeting.  Council President Raynor stated that it was understood during the COVID era the meetings were virtually, and he joined the meetings after his procedures. However, when he is sick, he stays home. It is the general premises and nothing against a particular council person.  Councilmember Wright inquired about the Saturday, April 13, 2024, he will not be in attendance, and wanted to know if he will be excused.  Council President Raynor stated that he will be excused, but if he joins the meeting virtually, he will be joining as a citizen without the ability to give in-put or vote. 3. CITIZEN’S COMMENTS:  The city had one citizen present virtually and one in person without commenting. 4. ANNOUNCEMENTS 4.1 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. 4.2 Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Hearing, Saturday, April 13, 2024, Seat Pleasant City Hall-6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743, Hybrid and by Zoom Video from 10:00am-11:30am. Meeting Link details can be found on the city's website. Page 3 of 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 0A0B728D-D1F0-4699-80EC-7559B6BFE278 4.3 Annual Seat Pleasant, Saturday, May 4, 2024, Pet Parade and 2K Run at 9:00am, Goodwin Park Activities, 311 68th Pl., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743, from 12:00p.m.-4:00p.m. 4.4 Regular Work Session, Monday, May 6, 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 can be found on the city's website. Adjourn: The Budget hearing adjourned at 6:46p.m. Submitted by, Dashaun N. Ball, MMC City Clerk Page 4 of 4