City Council

Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SEAT PLEASANT REGULAR WORK SESSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 6:00P.M. 1. OPENING 1.1 Call to Order Council President Higgs called the meeting to order at 6:02p.m. 1.2 Roll Call Present: Council President Monica Higgs, Councilmember Garry A. Jones, Councilmember Ashley Kearney, Council Vice President Shireka McCarthy, Mayor Kelly Porter, Councilmember Gerald Raynor, Sr., Councilmember Kizzie Scott Staff: Dashaun Ball, City Clerk, Michael Barber, EJD Director, Carlah Crump, Deputy Clerk, Ashley Drakeford, Public Engagement Manager, Demetrious Harris, Interim City Manager, Cedric Heyward, Acting Chief of Police, Betty Logan, Chief Financial Officer, and Kyrthlyn Rhoda, Grants Manager. 1.3 Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Councilmember Jones gave the invocation. 1.4. Approval of Agenda Motion to approve the Regular Work Session Meeting Agenda. Motion by Gerald Raynor Sr, second by Garry A Jones. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Garry A Jones, Ashley Kearney, Shireka McCarthy, Gerald Raynor Sr, Kizzie Scott 2. PRESENTATIONS 2.1. AMI Smart Meter Pilot, Crystal Wheadon, Program Manager with WSSC Water, presented details about the AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) smart meter pilot. o Ms. Wheadon stated that the essential water uses only request had been lifted as of 1:20pm today, Monday, February 2, 2026. o Ms. Wheadon stated that WSSC Water is a public utility serving most of Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties and have maintained 108 years without a single drinking water quality violation. o Ms. Wheadon stated that WSSC Water is the eighth largest combined water and wastewater utility in the U.S. and the largest in Maryland, serving 1.9 million residents across a 1,000‑square‑mile area with more than 1,800 employees. o Ms. Wheadon stated that AMI smart meters measure water usage at each property and it communicates the information wirelessly back to WSSC water to create the bills. o Ms. Wheadon stated that the technology is paired with a user-friendly portal where there is access to the daily water usage in near real time. Customers can sign up via text or Page 1 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E email to receive alerts for continuous usage seen on your account that may suggest a leak on the property or having higher water usage than normal. o Ms. Wheadon stated that the benefits of AMI include being able to catch leaks sooner, save water, save money while able to track usage, and get monthly billing with smart meter technology. o Ms. Wheadon stated that the AMI pilot is targeting approximately 3,400 residential customers. o Ms. Wheadon stated that they chose some challenging read routes where meter accessibility is an issue. Either the meters are inside of homes, in the backyards, behind locked fences, where the meter readers are not always able to get reads, and that leaves customers with estimated bills. o Ms. Wheadon stated that routes were also chosen within the boundaries of municipal partners, like the City of Seat Pleasant. o Ms. Wheadon stated that WSSC posted an interest form for the pilot online late summer into fall of last year and had over 1,000 customers to sign up and they were also included in the pilot. o Ms. Wheadon stated that installations are ongoing in Seat Pleasant until February 28, with the pilot will go live at the end of March. The pilot customers will get their first AMI bill in the beginning of April, and the pilot running through March 2027. The pilot will run for 1-year from the go live date until March 2027. o Ms. Wheadon stated that 422 Seat Pleasant customers were selected for the pilot: o 284 with outside meters o 138 with inside meters requiring appointments. o Ms. Wheadon stated that letters were mailed to all targeted customers in January. The letter explained the installation process and what to expect. For outside meters, no one needs to be home. For inside meters, customers must make an appointment. o Ms. Wheadon stated that WSSC had attempted to call inside‑meter customers three times. She asked customers to call 301‑206‑4001, Monday-Friday, from 8:00am to 6:00pm. by February 21 to schedule installation before the pilot February 28 deadline. o Ms. Wheadon stated that at the time of the appointment customers will receive a welcome packet that walks you through setting up your Eye on Water portal account. There are QR code links that will take you to the smart pilot website with frequently asked questions, videos that have step-by-step, instructions on creating the portal account, and how to take advantage of the features, including how to monitor the daily usage and how to set up text or email alerts. o Ms. Wheadon stated that customers must wait two (2) business days after installation before creating their Eye on Water account by downloading the Eye on Water app from Google Play, the App Store, or can visit Eyeonwater.com/sign, up to access the application there. o Ms. Wheadon stated that the portal displays daily usage, allows customized alerts, and helps customers proactively manage their water consumption and bills. o Ms. Wheadon stated that the pilot has already had its first success story from a residential customer who was one of the first to sign up for the pilot. They saw continuous water usage on the portal, checked their toilets, and discovered and stopped a leak that saved potentially hundreds of dollars on their next bill. Page 2 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Ms. Wheadon stated that they have identified sixty accounts where pilot customers are experiencing continuous usage. The customer service team is working to connect with those customers to notify them to check for potential leaks and sign up for the portal so they can monitor their usage. o Ms. Wheadon stated that toilet leaks are a leading cause of high bills. A small toilet leak can cost customers up to $150 per month, or $450 per quarter for those still on quarterly billing. o Ms. Wheadon stated that checking for toilet leaks is quick and easy and can be found by dropping a dye tablet into the tank and flushing 15 minutes later. o Ms. Wheadon stated that customers may request free dye tablets at wsscwater.com/leaks, and all pilot participants will receive dye tablets in their welcome packets. o Mr. Guzman stated that the best way to report an emergency is by contacting the Emergency Call Center at 301 206 4002. o Mr. Guzman stated that customers may also report emergencies by emailing emergencycallcenter@wsscwater.com or by using the WSSC Water mobile app. o Mr. Guzman stated that residents are encouraged to enroll in the Customer Notification System (CNS) to receive text or email alerts regarding WSSC Water incidents in their area. Customers may register at wsscwater.com/CNS, and once registered, they may sign up to receive alerts for up to five different addresses. o Mr. Guzman stated that WSSC offers financial assistance resources/programs: o Get Current Program - expires at the end of February. This program allows customers with a delinquent balance as of October 1, 2025, to pay a portion of their balance and have the remaining portion forgiven. o Emergency Customer Relief Fund - provides assistance to eligible customers struggling to pay past due water and sewer bills. Funding for this program is limited and apply as soon as possible at wsscwater.com/assistance. o Promise Pay - customers can take advantage of the affordable, flexible, and interesting free payment plans. o Customer Assistance Program (CAP) – assists approved residential customers by waiving standard fees, providing free annual plumbing inspections for water leaks and much more. o Water Fund – Eligible customers can access the Water Fund multiple times, up to $500 per year. o Piper Program - Provides a loan up to $10,000 which provides loans for repairing, replacing, or diagnosing issues with water or sewer service lines on the customer’s property. o Mr. Guzman stated that more information about all financial assistance programs is available at wsscwater.com/assistance. o Mr. Guzman stated that he can be reached at (240) 444-5803 or by email at walter.guzman@wsscwater.com. o Mr. Guzman stated that the Customer Advocate team serves across the WSSC Water service area as a liaison between customers and WSSC Water, helping resolve concerns and provide support. o Mayor Porter inquired if WSSC Water would have flexibility or extend beyond the February 28 date for meter installations in cases of bad weather and would WSSC Water would coordinate with the City’s Public Works Department to ensure installations can Page 3 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E continue safely and that Seat Pleasant residents are able to fully benefit from the AMI program, if safe access may not be possible during severe winter conditions. o Ms. Wheadon stated that WSSC Water is open to coordinating with the City’s Public Works Department whenever necessary to help ensure access is clear and appointments can proceed. o Ms. Wheadon stated that WSSC Water has fifteen appointments available each day within the Seat Pleasant service area. Access challenges are acknowledged and will be managed on a case-by-case basis. o Ms. Wheadon stated that the goal is to complete as many installations as possible in February. If weather prevents technicians from completing scheduled installations, all appointments would be moved March. There is also appointment availability Monday through Friday as well as Saturdays and Sundays. o Mayor Porter inquired if arrangements could be made with WSSC Water for dye tablets to be received either through the Environmental Justice Department or Public Works Department for residents who may have difficulty requesting them online. o Ms. Wheadon stated that she will work with their Strategic Partnerships and Community Impact Department to get dye tablets to the City of Seat Pleasant. o Chief Harris inquired about WSSC Water helping to expedite a meter installation to help close the grant regarding 6224 Foot Street before the grant expires. The grant is 98% done but delayed because one of the inspections involves WSSC installing the new meter for the property. o Ms. Wheadon stated that she will contact Monica Martina to make sure it will be expedited. o Ms. Rhoda stated that she sent emails to both Ms. Wheadon, Ms. Patterson, and a couple of other people on this matter. She was told by one of the people working on the house that the house was not on the list because it is unoccupied. The inspection needs to be completed to put the house on the market. o Ms. Wheadon stated that she will follow up with Kristen, the Installation Manager, also for the AMI installs, to make sure to get it installed while they are in the area. o Councilmember Jones stated that he has an outdoor meter and did not recall receiving any communication prior installation. He inquired if it was mandatory that everyone get a meter whether they want it or not, inside, or outside. o Ms. Wheadon stated that a letter was sent in January to give residents a heads up and a link was also provided to a Decline Participation Form online. If the installation was completed on an outside meter, they are not going to be removing AMI. If a customer with an outside meter wants to decline participation, they would need to fill out the form to be removed from the list. o Councilmember Jones inquired if contractors were being used to install the meters. Page 4 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Ms. Wheadon stated that the installations are completely internal. o Councilmember Jones stated that WSSC did not do a good job of cleaning up when they installed its meter and asked if Ms. Wheadon could speak to that department to make sure, they clean up after installations. o Ms. Wheadon wrote down Councilmember Jones’ address and stated that she will look up the technician who completed the install. o Councilmember Jones inquired about those who may not want the Smart Meter, if they would stay on quarterly billing, or is WSSC Water migrating everyone to the monthly billing. o Ms. Wheadon stated that it is their goal in the long term to convert everyone to monthly billing, whether it be through AMI technology or a drive-by AMR meter reading technology. During this phase, if you are on the pilot, you will be converted to monthly billing. If you are not participating in the pilot, you will be kept quarterly. o Councilmember Jones inquired how long would quarterly billing last if you are not participating in the pilot. o Ms. Wheadon stated that she did not have an exact timeline but estimated at the earliest end of 2027, with 2028 being more likely. The AMI pilot will run through March 2027, after which WSSC Water will conduct an assessment and seek approval from the Commissioners to proceed with a full AMI rollout across the entire service area. If approved, all customers would transition to monthly billing under AMI. If not approved, WSSC Water would deploy AMR (drive‑by meter reading technology) for the entire service area instead, which would include monthly billing. She emphasized that timelines are still being finalized, but full deployment would not occur before the end of 2027. o Councilmember Jones inquired about how the monthly billing would work for those who signed up for the pilot. o Ms. Wheadon stated that in April 2026, customers will receive their first bill under the pilot, and that bill will look like the quarterly bill because it will include all water usage recorded since the customer’s last quarterly cycle. The bill will show usage up to the point of the old meter being removed, and it will also show usage recorded by the new AMI meter. Both readings will appear on that first bill. o Ms. Wheadon stated that after April, customers will begin receiving monthly bills that will show only the AMI meter readings. o Councilmember Jones inquired about how to make payments after getting on the pilot. o Ms. Wheadon stated that customers will continue to make payments through their My WSSC Water account and if a customer is currently enrolled in AutoPay, they will need to re‑enroll after joining the AMI pilot. Page 5 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Ms. Wheadon stated that WSSC Water will remove customers from AutoPay during the transition to monthly billing to ensure that customers are aware of the change and provide consent for monthly withdrawals instead of quarterly withdrawals. o Ms. Wheadon stated that customers must sign up for AutoPay again if they wish to continue using that payment option. o Mayor Porter inquired about how WSSC Water plans to support senior citizens during the transition to monthly billing under the AMI pilot. Many seniors are on fixed incomes and may struggle with abrupt changes to their billing schedule or payment processes. o Mayor Porter inquired how WSSC Water will ensure that information about changes is communicated clearly, early, and in a way that seniors can understand, so they are not unexpectedly burdened by new payment schedules or system changes. o Ms. Wheadon stated that WSSC Water will waive all late fees for pilot participants throughout the duration of the program as customers are being switched to monthly billing. 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS 3.1. o Council Vice President McCarthy thanked the essential staff members of the City of Seat Pleasant including the Environmental Justice Department, Public Engagement, the Police Department, and the Administration for doing a great job during the snowstorm. o Council Vice President McCarthy stated that many residents reached out to share positive feedback and praise for the City’s response, offering kudos to staff for their efforts. o Council Vice President McCarthy stated that she wanted to formally express her gratitude and let staff know that the community is truly thankful for their dedication and service. o Mr. Eddie Atkins, a citizen, shared the following comments: o Mr. Atkins stated that he has been a resident of Seat Pleasant for 57 years. o Mr. Atkins stated that the recent snowstorm created significant challenges on his street. Although he saw the plow go up and down Seat Pleasant Drive, it did not touch his street. o Mr. Atkins stated that he contacted Councilmember Scott, who informed him she was experiencing challenges as well. When he called City Hall a day or two later, the street finally plowed. o Mr. Atkins stated that he has several concerns about what is going on with the city and how the resources are being used, especially on his street. o Mr. Atkins stated that he and Councilmember Scott have been in contact about repeated issues involving neighbors and other issues but feels that nothing is being done to address them. o Mr. Atkins stated that he is a long‑term homeowner and pays $6,000 in property taxes and does not feel he is receiving the level of service or responsiveness he should expect. He shared that when he reports issues, he is told someone will follow up, but in his experience, no follow‑up occurs. Page 6 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Mr. Atkins stated that he has been reporting the same concerns for two years without resolution. He added that when it is time to vote, everybody is beating down his door, other than that his concerns go unanswered. o Mr. Atkins stated that Councilmember Scott is the only person who responds to his calls and attempts to help, but he feels her hands are tied and cannot get anything done. o Mr. Atkins stated that there is a sinkhole on the side of his house that was seen by City staff, but nothing was done. He has issues involving neighbors, including unsafe driving on his one‑way street. He stated that one neighbor repeatedly drives the wrong way, nearly ran into his car twice, and once gave his wife an obscene gesture. o Mr. Atkins stated that he has sent videos to Code Enforcement and other departments, yet no corrective action has been taken. o Mr. Atkins stated that it is unacceptable for residents who pay property taxes and maintain their homes to receive no response to their concerns. o Council President Higgs requested Mr. Atkins to provide additional details through a letter, or she could speak with Councilmember Scott to determine what assistance can be provided. o Ms. Stacey Brown, a citizen, shared the following: o Ms. Brown stated that she watches a team of seven workers clear one person’s driveway and dug out that person’s car parked on the street. o Ms. Brown stated that a neighbor beside her, who has a disability, told her she had contacted the city for assistance, but no one came. o Ms. Brown stated that the neighbor then called the individual whose driveway was being cleared to ask whether the workers could assist her as well. She stated that the person looked at their phone, put it back in their pocket, and continued with their activities, not responding to the request. o Ms. Brown stated that the individual appears to be someone connected to the Council, though she did not wish to name the person. She stated that she found the behavior very rude. o Ms. Brown stated that the workers blocked the street while clearing the one driveway, and after finishing, the individual drove off, leaving their car still on the street instead of moving it into the driveway to create space for others to park. o Ms. Brown stated that she and her daughter had to dig themselves out of their own driveway and that there is still lots of ice on Booker Drive. o Council President Higgs stated that the city does provide support services for residents who need assistance, including senior citizens and individuals with limited mobility. They may contact Town Hall to be placed on the assistance list so that services can be rendered. o Council President Higgs stated that if Ms. Brown or her neighbor needs support in the future, they should call 301‑336‑2600 to request assistance, and the city will ensure they are added to the list for available services. o Council President Higgs stated that if Ms. Brown or her neighbor needs support in the future, they should call 301‑336‑2600 to request assistance, and the city will ensure they are added to the list for available services. Page 7 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Ms. Brown stated that she appreciated the information and according to her neighbor with a disability, the neighbor did call for assistance and left a message because no one answered the phone. o Ms. Brown stated that she was uncertain about the age requirements or eligibility criteria for receiving assistance. She noted that if the requirement is age 70 and over, she does not qualify, but if the definition of a senior is fifty-five and over, she does meet that criteria. She clarified that she herself does not have a disability. o The Council Vice President stated that in the future, residents should still contact Town Hall if assistance is needed, even if the first attempt does not reach someone directly. o The Council Vice President stated that residents may leave a voicemail or send an email, which also creates a written paper trail to document their request for services. o Councilmember Raynor stated that although he may not be able to do much, he is willing to try to assist Ms. Brown if possible. o Councilmember Raynor stated that a resident had also contacted him during the storm, and after speaking with her on Thursday, he could tell that she is climbing up the walls, because she had been stuck in and she also had challenges, and he ended up going and digging her out on Friday. o Councilmember Raynor stated that if Ms. Brown would like to take down his phone number, she may do so. He could not make any promises, but if he is able to get over to her area, he will do his best to assist. o Ms. Diana Brown, a citizen, shared the following: o Ms. Diana Brown stated that she has lived on Booker Drive for over twenty plus years. She clarified that she was the individual referenced earlier by Ms. Stacy Brown during her remarks. o Ms. Brown stated that she watched Mayor Kelly get his driveway done and attempted to call him. She stated that she saw him look at his phone and then put his phone back in his pocket. o Ms. Brown stated that it was very hurtful knowing that the same crew assisting him could have also helped her while they were there. No other citizen should have to experience a situation like that, especially after the support she has shown the Mayor and the City over the years. o Ms. Brown stated that she also called the number listed on the flyer she was given and left a message, but no one has responded since the snowstorm. o Councilman Raynor offered his contact information and assistance to Ms. Brown. o Ms. Brown stated that she had paid $250 to get her driveway, sidewalk, and the sidewalk of the vacant house next door shoveled. o Mayor Porter stated that he did not recall looking at his phone and putting it down. He noted that he had sent several messages to Ms. Brown during the snowstorm and attempted to contact her multiple times. o Mayor Porter stated that he personally went to Ms. Brown’s home, knocked on the door, and spoke with her renter. He stated that he also attempted to assist by using a pick to clear the front area near the vehicle that was blocking her in. o Mayor Porter stated that he asked the neighbor and their daughter if there was anything that he could do for them, and they said NO at the time. Page 8 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Mayor Porter stated that messages were sent out to residents instructing them to clear the odd‑numbered side of the street, but many residents did not follow that instruction, however, he moved his own vehicle to the appropriate side of the street and instructed the crew to attempt to access the rear area so that his connected neighbor could also move their car. o Mayor Porter stated that he was going out because he had been out assisting other residents throughout the city, just like Councilmember Raynor, including helping people get their medication and things of that nature. o Mayor Porter stated that he would never ignore Ms. Brown at any time. He stated that there have been many occasions when they have done things together in a neighborly manner. o Mayor Porter stated that he sent several messages and called several times. He added that her frustration may have prevented her from responding to his calls or messages. o Mayor Porter stated that he does not know why Ms. Brown’s renter did not share with her that he had stopped by the house. o Mayor Porter stated that he has never taken advantage of City services and that he was out in the community working with the crew and addressing residents’ needs with his constituent funds when appropriate. o Mayor Porter stated that although he did not want to speak publicly about the matter, he felt it necessary to clarify that he had reached out to Ms. Brown several times and would never intentionally disregard her. o Mayor Porter stated that he understood her concerns and appreciated that she expressed them. He reiterated that he is an essential worker who must be out and available to assist residents and that he has consistently done so. o Mayor Porter stated that he has helped many residents throughout the City, including those who may publicly acknowledge his assistance, and that he keeps tools such as a shovel, salt, and a pick in his vehicle to help where needed. o Mayor Porter stated that he apologized if Ms. Brown felt ignored and reaffirmed that he would never intentionally do so. He expressed appreciation for being able to hear her concerns and clarified his actions regarding the situation. o Helen Raynor-Hughes, a Citizen, typed her comments in the chat: • I just want to say I am grateful for the efforts of the staff. • I was on the wrong side of the street with my apologies to EJD. o Council Vice President McCarthy stated that she wanted to ensure all residents were aware that every person in the city has one ward councilmember and two at‑large councilmembers who represent them. o Council Vice President McCarthy stated that if a resident calls someone and does not receive a response, they have three councilmembers and the mayor they can contact, as well as City Hall. o Council Vice President McCarthy stated that residents may also submit complaints through the City’s mobile app and encouraged residents to download and use it. For those who do not have the app, City Hall can still be called directly. o Council Vice President McCarthy stated that people have busy schedules, and some may respond more quickly than others, but there are multiple layers of representation, and no resident should feel unheard. Page 9 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Council Vice President McCarthy stated that residents should reach out after the meeting if they need contact information. She added that councilmember phone numbers are available on the city website, or residents may call City Hall to get them. 4. REPORTS 4.1 Mayor Report o Mayor Porter stated his report can be viewed in BoardDocs. o Mayor Porter provided an overview of his report for the month of January and stated that he would be holding a 12:00pm virtual meeting with Senator Joanne Benson the following day to discuss priorities and next steps for the city. He informed the Council that they are welcome to participate, and he will share the link with the Council. o Councilmember Jones inquired if the Council ever received the report when the mayor met with the County Executive. o Mayor Porter stated that the report was sent to everyone by Ms. Miller and not sure why Councilmember Jones did not receive it. o Councilmember Jones inquired about the status of the firehouse and what is going on with the property. o Mayor Porter stated that the firehouse is part of the work he has been working on with the County Executive’s Office. A meeting may be needed between the City’s attorney and the County’s attorney to ensure that both parties are fully aligned about what the County is doing and what the City has intended to accomplish. o Mayor Porter stated that the city has been working toward this objective for several years, and it is important that everyone operates from the same understanding. He can provide a comprehensive and detailed report to the Council, but he wants to ensure he has all information gathered and verified before presenting it to the Council. o Mayor Porter stated that he wished to echo the accolades already expressed by the Council Vice President regarding the work completed by City staff during the recent weather event. o Mayor Porter stated that the City’s staff, including Public Works, Public Safety, and administrative personnel performed an exemplary job, and he appreciates everything they have done. The employees across departments worked diligently, with some administrative staff even working virtually, when necessary, to ensure that residents’ needs were addressed. o Mayor Porter stated that the City has received positive feedback from others acknowledging the efforts of Public Works and Public Safety in particular. Staff often go beyond their normal responsibilities, and although they may not always receive the recognition they deserve, their efforts should be acknowledged. o Mayor Porter stated that he wanted City employees to know that their hard work is appreciated by the Office of the Mayor and by City leadership. o Mayor Porter stated that he wanted to extend a big thank you to Mr. Demetrius Harris. Mr. Harris has been invaluable to the city and to the Mayor’s Office. o Mayor Porter stated that he cannot say enough about Mr. Harris’s work and contributions, and that he wanted this acknowledgment to be heard clearly by everyone and especially by Mr. Harris. Page 10 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Mayor Porter stated that he deeply appreciates all that Mr. Harris has done, including efforts that have directly helped the mayor carry out his responsibilities and successfully organize various matters within the office. o Mayor Porter stated that Mr. Harris will be missed, as his service and support have had a meaningful impact on City operations. Mayor Porter stated that his hope is that certain matters related to Mr. Harris’s tenure will move forward in a positive way. 4.2 Interim City Manager Report o Chief Harris stated that the final report as the Interim City Manager can be reviewed on BoardDocs. o Chief Harris stated that he wanted to thank the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. He noted that he had a productive meeting with the new City Manager, who was present on the call, and that they also held a luncheon with department heads as part of the transition process. He expressed excitement about the future and the transition ahead. o Chief Harris stated that the recent ice storm was unprecedented for this region, and he wanted to highlight the City’s phased approach to storm response as outlined in his written report. o Chief Harris stated that the Environmental Justice Department (EJD), Public Engagement, Public Safety, and other essential staff worked 16- and 17-hour shifts, with some staff unable to go home once the storm began and sleeping at City facilities. The city provided food and support as staff remained on duty. o Chief Harris stated that EJD staff have been shoveling and clearing ice for over a week and a half, noting that clearing four inches of ice is significantly more difficult than clearing snow. o Chief Harris stated that when the Emergency Operations Center was activated, the priority was to make streets passable, creating at least one usable lane. o Chief Harris stated that the city is now in the next phase of the approach: clearing roadways to the curbs. He noted successful progress in Ward 5 and additional work underway in areas such as Drylog, with plans to cover the entire City. o Chief Harris stated that some of the City’s plows broke due to the hardness of the ice, requiring special equipment to be brought in to continue operations. o Chief Harris stated that crews are currently working throughout the city and have been knocking on doors to request that residents move vehicles so streets can be widened. o Chief Harris stated that the city is using areas within Goodwin Park and other nearby parks as temporary snow‑dumping locations. This prevents ice and snow from accumulating on street corners and helps preserve parking availability for residents. o Chief Harris stated that he appreciates Councilmembers who contacted EJD and Public Safety directly with information about problem areas, and he values the ongoing communication between Council and residents regarding the City’s phased response. o Chief Harris stated that communication is vital and that he appreciates Council efforts to keep residents informed about storm response actions. o Chief Harris stated that while Public Safety continues to operate its wellness check program for seniors, the City does not currently have a formal shoveling program for residents with mobility challenges. Page 11 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Chief Harris stated that the volume of requests during the storm far exceeded anything the City had seen before, and the City does not currently have the capacity to fulfill such requests. o Chief Harris stated that he has asked Public Safety and EJD to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Council to review in the future regarding how such a program might be structured. o Chief Harris stated that the FY 2024 audit has been fully completed and thanked the Finance Team for their hard work. The City remains on track to complete the FY 2025 audit, which will bring all financial audits fully up to date. o Chief Harris stated that several City positions remain posted. Recruitment efforts are ongoing, including for the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position. o Chief Harris stated that he discussed CFO recruitment with the incoming City Manager, who will be making recommendations to the Council to advance the hiring process. o Chief Harris stated that department heads were present on the call and available to answer questions. o Chief Harris stated that he is grateful for the opportunity to serve as Interim City Manager. He has learned from both Councilmembers and residents. o Councilmember Raynor stated that he wanted to thank Chief Harris and ensure his appreciation was placed on record. o Councilmember Raynor stated that he truly appreciates how Chief Harris stepped in and immediately began working effectively when the city needed leadership. o Councilmember Raynor stated that he has served on the Council for several years and has worked with multiple City Managers, but only one couple have helped him understand the full demands of the position and Chief Harris was one of them. o Councilmember Raynor stated that Chief Harris did an outstanding job helping him understand the responsibilities and pressures associated with being a City Manager. o Councilmember Raynor stated that he applauds Chief Harris for his efforts and deeply appreciates the work he has done, particularly in maintaining staff morale across the Administration, EJD, Public Safety, and all departments. o Councilmember Raynor stated that Chief Harris did an awesome job and he is sincerely grateful for his service. o Councilmember Jones inquired if Chief Harris was going back to Edison Road. o Chief Harris stated that, as noted in the HR email, he has already met with the Assistant Chief, who has been serving as Acting Chief. o Chief Harris stated that he wanted to publicly thank the Assistant Chief for doing a fantastic job in that role. He asked for some time during the transition period so he can properly support and assist the new City Manager with anything she may need. o Chief Harris stated that he told the Assistant Chief he needed a moment to prepare but assured that he would make the transition happen smoothly. Finance Report: o Councilmember Kearney stated that the agenda includes discussion of an audit and requested that the CFO provide a high‑level overview of the financial report. o Ms. Logan gave an overview of the financial report that was submitted to the City Council and Mayor. Page 12 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Ms. Logan stated that monthly expenditure reports were provided for November 2025, including actual-to-budget comparisons. o Ms. Logan stated that for November 2025 alone, net actual revenues exceeded expenditure by over $92,000 and net actual revenues and expenditure exceeded the estimated budget by $120,000. o Ms. Logan stated that for the period July through November 2025 (Year to Date) that net actual revenues exceeded expenditure by $1.4 million and net actual revenues and expenditures exceeded the estimated budget by $1.8 million for that 5-month period. o Ms. Logan stated that when comparing the period July-November 2025 to July- November 2024, total revenues as of November 2025 exceeded the same period in 2024 by 20.8% and total expenditures for November 2025 exceeded the same period in 2024 by 19.7%. Overall, net revenue over expenditure increased by 22% compared to the prior year. o Ms. Logan stated that revenues continue to show steady growth compared to previous fiscal years. o Ms. Logan stated that when breaking the annual budget into monthly allocations for comparison against actuals, some months may appear over-budgeted or under-budgeted, since the annual budget is approved as a single aggregate number rather than month specific projections. o Ms. Logan stated that, overall, the City is in a good financial position based on current year to date performance and revenue trends. o Councilmember Kearney inquired whether the noted revenue increases, particularly the approximately 20% increase reflected in the financial report, might raise any concern during the audit and if the City should anticipate any scrutiny related to revenue growth in connection with the most recent audit process. o Ms. Logan stated that she does not have any concerns with the upcoming audit for FY 25. o Councilmember Jones stated that he wanted to commend Ms. Logan for her excellent work on the City’s financial progress and the effort to get fully caught up has been impressive. He thanked Ms. Logan and her staff for doing a great job navigating through that difficult period. o Councilmember Jones inquired whether there was any update available regarding the new accounting system and asked if she could provide a brief status update. o Ms. Logan stated that she met earlier in the afternoon with Edmund GovTech regarding the City’s transition to the new accounting system. The City is currently in the data conversion phase, where GovTech is converting financial data from QuickBooks into the new eFinance system. o Ms. Logan stated that GovTech has already extracted a significant amount of data from Bill.com and is reviewing it. During their discussions, they identified certain data in QuickBooks that appeared as deleted which requires additional attention during the mapping process. o Ms. Logan stated that as part of the conversion, all QuickBooks data must be mapped and classified correctly before it can be imported into eFinance. • The city has already completed classifications by department. • Fund structures have also been established, including the General Fund, Special Revenue Fund, and Capital Improvement Fund, each with its own departments and account numbers. Page 13 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Ms. Logan stated that the conversion process is taking longer than expected, and there is a possibility that the city may not meet the May 1 launch date. However, the team is still working diligently to complete conversion tasks in May. o Ms. Logan stated that once the data conversion is complete, training for staff will begin. The training phase cannot start until the data has been fully transferred and validated. o Ms. Logan stated that the next meeting with GovTech is scheduled for Thursday, where they will continue reviewing the conversion progress and verifying accuracy on both the City’s end and GovTech’s end. o Ms. Logan stated that the process is moving forward and progressing, even if slower than originally anticipated. o Councilmember Kearney inquired whether the operational challenges and risks referenced in the financial report provided by Mr. Harris were not elevated or significant enough at this time to be included in the summary section of his report. She asked for clarification on whether the omission reflected the current level of concern or simply timing in the reporting process. o Chief Harris stated that he believed Ms. Logan's report was more detailed and there is nothing that he is concerned. 4.3 Council Committee Reports 4.4 Economic, Planning, Development & Housing Committee - Councilmember Gerald R. Raynor, Sr. o The Economic, Planning, Development and Housing Committee did not meet during the month of January. 4.5 Finance & Budget Committee-Councilmember Aretha A. Stephenson o The Finance and Budget Committee did not meet during the month of January. 4.6 Governmental Affairs & Technology Committee - Councilmember Shireka McCarthy o The Governmental Affairs and Technology Committee did not meet during the month of January. 4.7 Human Services Health & Education Committee - Councilmember Ashley Kearney o The Human Services, Health and Education Committee did not meet during the month of January. 4.8 Public Safety Committee - Councilmember Kizzie Scott Public Safety Report: o Councilwoman Scott stated that the Public Safety Committee meeting that took place on Thursday, January 22 at 10:00AM. Council President Higgs, Councilmember Jones, Dashaun Ball, City Clerk, Carlah Crump, Deputy City Clerk and Chief Heyward were in attendance. o Councilwoman Scott stated that the Committee Public Safety Committee met via zoom to review and discuss the commercial business district recommendations, one way street, vehicle traffic, speed humps on 70th and 71st Street and Fresno Speed Hump Petition was submitted. Page 14 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Councilwoman Scott stated that there were actions requested and will follow up with a Public Safety Meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11:24 am. o Council Vice President McCarthy inquired whether the Public Safety Committee have discussed vacant property tax. For example, people who have vacant properties, if they get fined, and pay the fine without mitigating the issue. o Councilmember Scott stated that only the infractions surrounding the vacant property requirements have been discussed and not property taxes. o Council Vice President McCarthy stated that the State recently authorized the County to impose a higher tax rate on vacant properties as an incentive to discourage prolonged vacancy. o Council Vice President McCarthy stated that many vacant, bank‑owned properties deteriorate over time, attracting rodents, becoming unsafe, and people living in them. She suggested that the committee discuss the topic further because something must happen. o Councilmember Scott inquired how long a property owner has before giving notice that a property is vacant. o Council Vice President McCarthy stated that she did not know about the and would need to look it up to confirm. The primary issue arises after registration, when property owners receive infractions but do not correct the violations, allowing the property to remain in poor condition. For example, the vacant property in Pleasant Valley still looks like a mess after years of ongoing compliance issues. o Councilmember Scott stated that the Committee would continue the vacant property discussion offline and follow up with Council Vice President McCarthy and provide additional details. 4.9 Environmental Justice & Transportation Committee - Councilmember Garry A. Jones o The Environmental Justice and Transportation Committee did not meet during the month of January. 5. LEGISLATION 5.1 Ordinance O-26-11 Amendment of Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget for Police Department Salary Increase and City Clerk Professional Development Increase, 1st Reading. o The first reading was conducted on Monday, February 2, 2026, with a request to correct the spelling of the McCarthy name. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS o None. 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.1 Approval of Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Audit Engagement Letter o Ms. Logan stated that the estimated fees for the FY 2025 audit are $23,400 and the goal is to have the audit completed by May 1. o Councilmember Kearney inquired whether the auditing company currently being used is the same company that conducted the previous audits. o Councilmember Kearney inquired whether the city has a clear status on where the city is with the previous audits. Page 15 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Ms. Logan stated that there were no recommendations issued as part of the financial statement audit. o Ms. Logan stated that recommendations were issued as part of the performance audit, and the City has been working to implement all of them. o Ms. Logan stated that most of the performance audit recommendations have already been implemented, with only a few still in progress. o Ms. Logan stated that one of the implemented items was fraud awareness training, which was identified as an area needing improvement. The city instituted this training last year. o Ms. Logan stated that every new employee will be required to complete the fraud awareness training, and she will notify Dr. Breeden to ensure all new staff are enrolled. o Ms. Logan stated that all employees must complete fraud awareness training annually, with the next cycle due at the end of July. o Councilmember Kearney stated that the language in the current document appears to mirror the language used in letters from previous financial auditors. o Councilmember Kearney stated that she recalled the Council budgeting approximately $80,000 for audit services, and asked Ms. Ball to correct her if she was mistaken. o Councilmember Kearney stated that although the City has not exceeded audit costs in prior years, the higher amount was considered to provide a financial cushion. o Councilmember Kearney inquired whether the city anticipates any significant delays in the audit process based on the current documentation and reconciliation practices, and the implementation of the new accounting system. o Councilmember Kearney inquired whether the City is confident it will not exceed the $75,000 limit established in the current language. o Ms. Logan stated that the budgeted amount included funding not only for the FY25 audit but also for prior audits. o Ms. Logan stated that when an audit is delayed and falls into the next fiscal year, the City must allocate additional funds to cover audit work that extends beyond the original fiscal period. o Ms. Logan stated that the FY24 audit was delayed because the city first had to complete the Performance Audit, which was required to be submitted to the State. o Ms. Logan stated that the delay caused the FY24 audit to begin in FY26, which required the City to amend the budget to fund both the completion of the FY24 audit and the audit currently underway. o Councilmember Kearney stated that based on the City’s current progress, including improvements in the documentation process and the implementation of the new accounting system, the City should have better access to required financial documentation. o Councilmember Kearney inquired whether the city could assume there will be no delays with the upcoming audit. o Ms. Logan stated that the delays previously experienced were not related to missing documentation. The delay was due to the audit process itself, not the City’s internal preparation. After the completion of the FY23 audit, the city learned that it was required to undergo a Single Audit. o Ms. Logan stated that a Single Audit is required when a jurisdiction expends $750,000 or more on federal grant funds during a fiscal year. The City spent $2.5 million on ARPA grant funds. Page 16 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Ms. Logan stated that the Single Audit process took two to three months to complete, which delayed the start of the FY24 audit. o Councilmember Kearney stated that she recalled the Council reallocating funds for audit purposes, from ARPA funds and assumed all necessary financial preparations are now in place. Motion for the approval of the Audit Engagement letter Motion by Shireka McCarthy, second by Gerald Raynor Sr. Final Resolution: Motion Carried Yes: Monica Higgs, Garry A Jones, Ashley Kearney, Shireka McCarthy, Gerald Raynor Sr Abstain: Kizzie Scott 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS 8.1 Public Session, Monday, February 9, 2026, Seat Pleasant City Hall-Council Chambers, 6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD, Hybrid and by Zoom Webinar at 7:00p.m., Meeting Link details are available on the City's website. 8.2 Councilmember McCarthy is hosting "Talk About It Tuesday" on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, South Pride Seafood, 6224 Central Ave., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743, from 6:00pm-8:00pm 8.3 Councilmember Kearney is hosting an "African American Read-In and Black Children" on Thursday, February 26, 2026, Seat Pleasant Activity Center, 5720 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD 20743, from 5:30pm-7:30pm o Councilmember Kearney stated that she hopes residents will come out for the upcoming African American Read‑In, noting that the event typically includes six million participants nationwide. o Councilmember Kearney stated that Black Children’s Book Week was when the city launched its first Little Library project last year. o Councilmember Kearney stated that the City’s goal is to install one Little Library in each of the five wards, to expand access to education and literacy since the city does not have a public library. o Councilmember Kearney stated that youth lead the initiative, and she expressed excitement about continuing to advance the E3 initiative and the City’s library project. 8.4 Regular Work Session, Monday, March 2, 2026, Seat Pleasant City Hall-Council Chambers, 6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD at 6:00p.m. Hybrid and by Zoom Video at 6:00pm. Meeting Link details will be on the city's website. 8.5 Public Session, Monday, March 9, 2026, Seat Pleasant City Hall-Council Chambers, 6301 Addison Rd., Seat Pleasant, MD, Hybrid and by Zoom Webinar at 7:00p.m., Meeting Link details are available on the City's website. 8.6 2026 NLC Congressional City Conference will take place from March 16-18, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Page 17 of 18 Docusign Envelope ID: 7FA285DF-17EB-4974-92A5-14E56EA7805E o Council Vice President McCarthy inquired about The Swearing-In Ceremony for Ward II Council Elect Aretha Stevenson on February 3 at City Hall at 6301 Addison Road at 6pm. o Mayor Porter stated that there will be a swearing‑in ceremony for a police officer and an NCC officer on February 3 at 9:30 a.m. The location will be in Council Chambers, not the Police Department, but he will confirm the location. o Mayor Porter stated that he will send the confirmed information to the Council later this evening. 9. CLOSING 9.1 Invocation given by Councilmember Jones. 10. ADJOURNMENT 10.1 Adjourn-The Meeting adjourned at 8:03pm Respectfully submitted, Dashaun N. Ball, CPM, MMC City Clerk Page 18 of 18