City Council

CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021 MINUTES Minutes adopted July 7, 2021. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Stewart, Councilmember Kovar, Councilmember Dyballa, Councilmember Kostiuk, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Searcy Also Present: City Manager Ludlow, Deputy City Manager Clarke, Police Chief DeVaul, Recreation Director Clark, Public Works Director Braithwaite, City Clerk Carpenter The City Council convened at 7:30 PM on Zoom. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA / AGENDA SCHEDULING UPDATE Ms. Stewart provided an update on future agendas. FOR THE RECORD: Recognition of Montgomery College Scholarship Recipients The Council recognized the recipients of the City’s scholarship program for Montgomery College students. The City provides five $1,000 scholarships to Takoma Park residents attending Montgomery College. PRESENTATION 1. Crossroads Farmers Market Update Sara Servin, Crossroads Farmers Program Manager, gave a PowerPoint presentation that included a brief overview of the Farmers Market history and an update on the past season. The market will open for the season on April 14, 2021. (Presentation attached.) LEGISLATIVE UPDATE The legislative update was provided by Ann Ciekot, the City’s legislative advocate. PUBLIC COMMENTS Page 1 of 4 Mary Jane Muchui commented on the need to assist persons with special needs. Sue Miller commented on the hiring process for the new City Manager. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Kovar announced a Ward 1 community meeting on the hiring of a new City Manager. He asked questions about resumption of Recreation Department programs. He also mentioned the need for volunteers for food distribution at Takoma Park Elementary School. Ms. Kostiuk commented on Play Day. She updated the Council on the most recent Transportation Planning Board meeting. Ms. Dyballa reminded the public about the New Hampshire Avenue Bikeways meeting. Ms. Searcy announced the first in a series of tenant association meetings regarding the massive renovation to take place at Hillwood Manor apartments. Ms. Stewart noted the recent Play Day, reported on her attendance at a recent Youth Council meeting, reminded people to volunteer for the Shepherds of Zion food distribution at Takoma Park Elementary School, provided an update on the Garland Avenue Habitat for Humanity project, and reported that CCI on New Hampshire Avenue would be able to distribute COVID-19 vaccines. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Comments attached. VOTING SESSION 2. Resolution Establishing February 23 as Lee Jordan Day in Takoma Park Ms. Stewart read the resolution. Chief DeVaul commented on the impact Mr. Lee Jordan had on the community and on him, personally. The resolution was moved by Councilmember Seamens and seconded by Councilmember Dyballa. The motion carried (VOTING FOR: Stewart, Kovar, Dyballa, Kostiuk, Seamens, Smith, Searcy). Resolution 2021- 3 (attached) 3. Single Reading Ordinance Amending Police Vehicle Purchase Ordinance Page 2 of 4 Ms. Ludlow explained that the ordinance was a corrective ordinance to Ordinance 2021-5 which was adopted on January 24, 2021. The ordinance was moved by Councilmember Seamens and seconded by Councilmember Searcy. The motion carried (VOTING FOR: Stewart, Kovar, Dyballa, Kostiuk, Seamens, Smith, Searcy). Ordinance 2021- 7 (Attached) WORK SESSION 4. Update on City Committee Review Ms. Dyballa, Ms. Kostiuk, and Ms. Searcy presented a general overview of what has been done to date. (Presentation attached.) 5. Update on City Manager Search Ms. Stewart provided an update. 6. Discussion of Budget Hold List Items (and Discussion of FY 2021 Budget Amendment No. 4) Ms. Ludlow explained that when the budget was adopted last May there were a number of uncertainties and a number of items that were budgeted for that were put on a hold list. The items included personnel and capital budget items. Ms. Ludlow recommended moving forward with the road resurfacing, certain sidewalk work, and several of the positions that had been put on hold, including two Recreation Supervisors and the Vegetative Maintenance Supervisor. She also explained the proposed budget amendment. Chief DeVaul discussed speed camera revenue and described problems that had developed with the new speed camera equipment. The contractor is working to resolve the issues. The construction on New Hampshire Avenue and the Purple Line construction have also resulted in reduced revenues for the program. Recreation Director Clark described plans to begin recreation camps and before and after care programs. The Department will be providing very liberal scholarships for families that need assistance. 7. Discussion of Draft Resolution Adopting Council Priorities for 2021-2022 Page 3 of 4 Ms. Stewart presented the Council priorities documents and noted that the new priority (Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 on the Community and City Operations) suggested by Ms. Searcy was added to the document. The City Council reviewed the document and recommendations made by City staff. Additional language revisions were discussed. Ms. Stewart asked the Council to send suggested language revisions to her to be discussed at the next Council meeting. 8. Appointments to the Task Force on Reimagining Public Safety Ms. Searcy updated the Council on the applications received for the Task Force and the review process. A resolution providing for appointments is scheduled for February 24. (Presentation attached) ADJOURNMENT The Council adjourned for the evening at 11:34 PM. Page 4 of 4  Crossroads Farmers Market 2020 Report Crossroads Farmers Market operated a full 33-week season in 2020 from April through the end of November. Throughout the year, Crossroads supported twelve full-season vendors, including seven farmers, three food businesses, one coffee roaster, and one mask maker. In addition, we offered graduates of our Microenterprise Training Program the opportunity to be a Pop-Up Vendor for six-weeks in order to showcase their business. Three graduates participated and found success in marketing and selling their products at the market. Despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Crossroads continues its mission to provide healthy, affordable food to the Takoma/Langley Crossroads. In order to quickly adapt in 2020, we added additional safety precautions, partnered with community organizations onsite, hired our community ambassador team to work at the market, increased our SNAP match, initiated a Senior CSA program. In total, gross market sales for the 2020 season reached over $261,000, only slightly less than 2019, which was just over $268,000. At the beginning of the season, Crossroads Farmers Market quickly adapted to ensure CDC-recommended safety precautions were being followed and enforced at market. This included mandatory masks, additional spacing in between vendor stands and shoppers, adding in hand washing stations, and purchasing personal protective equipment for staff. We procured hand sanitizer in large quantities, gloves, masks, and sanitizing wipes to ensure staff and volunteer safety. Volunteers contributed over 530 hours throughout the season to support enforcing many new market policies, such as masks and safe spacing between shoppers. These additional costs and measures were necessary at the onset of the season and we continued to quickly adapt as we learned more about the virus through the rest of the year, seeking donations when possible. Throughout the season, Crossroads partnered with local community organizations to extend the reach of fresh food from the market to vulnerable community members. Each week, Meals on Wheels purchased $100 in produce from Crossroads’ farmers and received more than 1,860lbs in donated produce to be used in their senior meal delivery program. In addition, Centronía, Cheer, and Priority Partners purchased a total of $7,280 in Fresh Checks for their participants to be picked up and used at market throughout the season. In July, the MCPS Summer Meals Program began distributing meals to school-aged children and extended their distribution through the end of the season. At its peak, the program distributed breakfasts and lunches to 175 children weekly. Through the entire month of September, Crossroads partnered with the Langley Park WIC office to sign up mothers for the program and distribute WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks onsite. By the end of the month, they had distributed all WIC FMNP checks available. Together these partnerships helped to reach more community members and offer a safe space to purchase fresh food for families. One of the innovative, emergency response programs that Crossroads initiated in 2020 is the Senior CSA. Building off of the framework of our existing multi-farm CSA, Crossroads partnered with two local low-income senior residences, Victory Tower and Chillum Oaks, to offer weekly bulk produce deliveries at no cost. Each week, nearly 200 residents received about 500lbs of fresh fruits and vegetables from Crossroads’ farmers. Monthly produce drop-offs have continued through the winter months to ensure that these seniors have access to fresh, locally sourced, produce outside of market season. The cost to offer this program is more than $70,000 and was primarily funded by the Montgomery County Food Council, MAFRAC, and private donations. Crossroads plans to continue this program in 2021 for as long as needed and is seeking funding to support these efforts. In addition, Crossroads increased compensation to our seven Community Ambassadors, six of whom are Takoma Park residents and one long-term ambassador who lives in Silver Spring. Previously Ambassadors received a small annual stipend, but this year they were paid $15 per hour. In addition to the outreach they did in their communities, Ambassadors pivoted to respond to the pandemic--most worked at the farmers market, while one Ambassador focused exclusively on SNAP sign ups, and signed up over 50 individuals for SNAP benefits throughout the season. Through their efforts, Ambassadors reached over 4,450 people, 1,500 of whom learned about the market and the Fresh Checks program for the first time. In 2021, we hope to hire additional Ambassadors to join the team and increase outreach even further. To further address the heightened food insecurity in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads, Crossroads Farmers Market increased our federal benefits match. In April and May, we offered an unlimited match on SNAP purchases and maintained a match at $50 for the remainder of the season. When the Pandemic-EBT card was released, we accepted and matched these funds at the market as well. We continued to match WIC FMNP checks at a one to one rate. Throughout the season, Crossroads matched over $25,000 in SNAP and P-EBT sales and over $51,000 in WIC FMNP checks. In total, Crossroads matched over $80,000 in Fresh Checks that shoppers used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. This was a 14% increase in total matching Fresh Checks from 2019. Of this, $35,000 in Fresh Checks was distributed to 650 Takoma Park residents at the market. To continue to strengthen the Crossroads Farmers Market, we are seeking the City’s support in several ways. First, we would like the City’s support in ensuring the Anne Street location will be available for the market long-term. This location serves the community in its close proximity to the WIC office, accessibility to the bus station, and high visibility from the street. We have been in this location since 2014 and have strong ties to the space and the surrounding community. To help market our programming, we are also asking for bus shelter signage again in 2021 and the use of the City’s hand washing station to help with safety at market. Additionally, it’s time to renew our Contract for Services with the City. The last RFP cycle was in March of 2017, as part of the Community Partners Program (CP2) program, and last year was our third and final renewal. Please let us know the next steps for the 2021 season and beyond. Finally, we are also seeking additional financial support to help offset the cost of the Senior CSA in the 2021 season. The weekly cost of the program for 100 seniors is $2,200 and we plan to continue to provide this program to both Victory Tower and Chillum Oaks. This ongoing support will help the market to grow and continue to reach its diverse community members.  City of Takoma Park City Manager Comments Report of February 17, 2021 More Wintry Weather is Coming! (Ha! This was the title of an item last week, too!) Amazingly, we have even more winter weather predicted. This time the bad weather is focused on Thursday, with snow early, then predicted to change to sleet or freezing rain later in the day. Thursday trash, recycling and food waste collections will be postponed to Saturday. Friday collections are planned to take place on Friday, but collection may be delayed. We will get the word out if there are other changes. In the meantime, please prepare to stay safe! February is Black History Month Thank you, Black Music Educators! For this week’s item, I would like to share some information about the role of Black music educators in the D.C. area during and after segregation, through the experience of one person, Hortense Pace Taylor. Ms. Taylor grew up in Washington, D.C. and, as a bright and musically talented child, received training from professional Black music educators in the District. Under segregation, she attended the prestigious Dunbar High School, graduating in 1939. D.C. music educators inside and outside of the school system worked to ensure their Black students would go to college, and they had connections with the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in Ohio. Ms. Taylor was one of the students that benefited from these connections, graduating from Oberlin in 1943 and then earning her Master’s Degree from Columbia University. After teaching music in New York and West Virginia, she returned to Dunbar High School to serve as a vocal teacher and as a sponsor of the Honor Society. She rose through the ranks to lead the D.C. Public School music education program from 1967 to her death in 1978 at the age of 55. During her tenure, Ms. Taylor started a program which brought prominent jazz artists to the schools and established the All-City Chorus, both of which advanced the professional opportunities of students in the D.C. Public School system. Under Ms. Taylor, All-City Chorus members toured the Soviet Union, appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Chorus still holds an annual concert (now named for her) at the Kennedy Center. Suzanne R. Ludlow, AICP, CPM | Takoma Park City Manager | SuzanneL@takomaparkmd.gov 7500 Maple Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 | 301-891-7229 The connections of the Black music educators among the public schools, Howard University and D.C. arts institutions were a powerful force for success for many Black young people in Washington, D.C. While I was not able to meet Hortense Taylor – my husband’s mother – before she died, I did meet many of the music educators with whom she worked. Their contributions to the D.C. area are impressive and worthy of honor during Black History Month. COVID-19 Related Information We continue to advocate for more, and more fairly-distributed, COVID-19 vaccinations. Go to the Montgomery County Vaccine Information page to learn more and to pre-register if you are in a category that can do so. You can also call 240-777-2982 to pre-register with the County. There are more ways to sign up for vaccines through the Maryland Vaccine Website. The categories eligible for vaccines on the State site often differ by site, and registration availability changes day to day. Right now, it is every person for themselves. Please help neighbors sign up with as many sites as they are eligible for. As the federal roll-out of vaccines gets underway, there may be additional ways to get vaccinations, and hopefully it will be simplified and more equitable. In the meantime, keep wearing your masks! COVID-19 testing in Takoma Park Even though all of the attention is on vaccinations right now, it is still important to have regular COVID-19 testing. Free, no appointment COVID-19 testing is being held on Saturdays at the Takoma Park Recreation Center, 7315 New Hampshire Avenue from 10 am to 5 pm. For this and other testing options, please see the information here: Montgomery County Testing Sites. Update on COVID-19 Response A detailed presentation was provided to the City Council at its Priorities Retreat on January 16. The presentation has been posted on the website: COVID-19 Response Presentation 01162021 Each week, the City’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated. The most recent one is here: COVID 19 Dashboard Vaccinations received by City staff: So far, only Police Department officers and staff have been able to receive vaccinations from Montgomery County. Several other City staffmembers have been able to obtain vaccinations on their own from other providers. We are working to try to expedite vaccinations of Recreation staff to be able to provide before and after-school child care when schools reopen. Police Department vaccinations: 20 of 40 sworn officers have received both shots; 6 still need their second shots; 14 have not chosen to be vaccinated (some have had COVID). Of 28 civilian staff and crossing guards, 7 have had both shots, 7 still need their second shots, 1 will get their first shot in March, and 13 have not chosen to be vaccinated (some have had COVID). Of other City staff, 7 have received at least one shot from other providers, 61 have indicated they want to be vaccinated, and 29 have either said they do not wish to receive a vaccination or they have not responded. Suzanne R. Ludlow, AICP, CPM | Takoma Park City Manager | SuzanneL@takomaparkmd.gov 7500 Maple Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 | 301-891-7229 Constant Yield Rate Issued for FY22 Budget The State Department of Assessment and Taxation issues its Constant Yield Rate Certification in mid February. According to the document received last week, in order to gain the same amount of property tax revenue in FY22 as is projected to be received in FY21, the City would need to lower the real property tax rate by one cent. The current rate is $0.5397 per $100 taxable assessment and the Constant Yield Rate is $0.5295. The State projects a small increase in the City’s net assessable real property base. If we kept the City's tax rate at $0.5397, the City would be expected to receive an additional $262,358 in property tax revenue in FY22. All Takoma Park properties will have their triennial reassessment in the fall of 2021, with notifications going to property owners around December. The new information will be the base for the FY23 through FY25 budgets. Note that even when reassessments occur, tax assessment phasing in and caps continue to be in effect, so that increases in taxable assessments are limited. Free Tax Assistance Available in Takoma Park AARP Tax-Aide Program provides free federal and state (Maryland) tax preparation services for low to moderate-income taxpayers who live or work in Montgomery County. You do not need to be a senior or a member of AARP to receive this free service! This tax season, Takoma Park will serve as a drop-off location for taxpayers. The Tax-Aide Program is operating under COVID- 19 protocols, developed by AARP and within the CDC, state, and county guidelines. This year, there will be no-in-person tax preparation. Instead, clients will schedule two brief appointments in Takoma Park to drop-off tax documents and pick up completed tax returns. To schedule an appointment to drop-off your tax paperwork, you must first call the scheduling telephone line at 240-777-2577. Volunteers will schedule a time for you to come to the Takoma Park drop-off location beginning Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Before that appointment, a tax counselor will contact you to review all the paperwork needed. Suzanne R. Ludlow, AICP, CPM | Takoma Park City Manager | SuzanneL@takomaparkmd.gov 7500 Maple Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 | 301-891-7229 Introduced by: Councilmember Seamens CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND RESOLUTION 2021-3 ESTABLISHING FEBRUARY 23 AS LEE JORDAN DAY IN TAKOMA PARK WHEREAS, as we celebrate Black History Month, we take note of the life and accomplishments of Lee Jordan, one of the most influential residents in Takoma Park history; and WHEREAS, through his work with youth, including the formation of the first integrated sports program in Montgomery County, Lee Jordan was a mentor, role model and inspiration across racial lines, leaving an indelible mark on generations of Takoma Park children, both Black and White; and WHEREAS, as a leader and advocate on behalf of Takoma Park’s African American residents, he played an important role in the forging of a resilient Black community in the face of racial discrimination and economic challenges during the period of segregation and the decades that followed; and WHEREAS, while a custodian at all-White Blair High School (1935-1946) and then at Takoma Junior High (until 1973), Lee Jordan, affectionately known as “Mr. Lee,” ignored racial distinctions and, as a volunteer, began coaching White boys to play sports and in the meantime organized teams of boys from the Black community across Takoma Park; and WHEREAS, Lee Jordan deliberately and successfully overcame racial divisions by integrating Black and White players on the same sports teams and in 1953 also welcomed girls onto previously all-boys teams as part of the pioneering Boys and Girls Club he founded; and WHEREAS, his influence was acknowledged by school administrators and by police officers who steered youth to him for mentoring; by parents grateful for his dedication; by merchants and other sponsors who helped underwrite the development of the Boys and Girls Club; and by the boys and girls themselves who remember him as an unforgettable father figure; and WHEREAS, students under Mr. Jordan’s guidance gained confidence, improved their skills and learned leadership to the point that one of them, Sonny Jackson, enjoyed a long baseball career in the Major Leagues, others, such as Morgan Wootton, the legendary coach at DeMatha High School, followed in his footsteps or became school principals, and Tony DeVaul became Takoma Park Police Chief; and WHEREAS, the Takoma Tigers, one of the most notable of Coach Jordan’s teams, became the first integrated baseball team in Montgomery County following the landmark  Brown vs. Board of Education ruling and won the countywide championship with a 24-0 record; and WHEREAS, Lee Jordan’s work to break down racial barriers was recognized as a primary influence in the peaceful integration of Takoma Park’s schools after the Supreme Court ruling, and many of his players went on to fill the baseball, basketball and football rosters at the newly integrated Blair High School in subsequent years; and WHEREAS, Mr. Jordan advocated on behalf of the Black community for City amenities such as streetlights and paved roads and led successful campaigns for a playground where Black children could play ball and families could gather, and for the construction of the Heffner Recreation Center, which became a gathering place for African Americans in Takoma Park and nearby communities; and WHEREAS, in recognition of Mr. Jordan’s life’s work, the new athletic field at Takoma Park Middle School was named in his honor in 1981, and he was posthumously inducted into the Montgomery County Human Rights Hall of Fame in 2006; and WHEREAS, in 1983 the City of Takoma Park proclaimed February 23 as Lee Jordan Day to mark his accomplishments, five years, to the day, before Mr. Jordan passed away at age 78. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Takoma Park reaffirms and declares that February 23 shall be honored each year as Lee Jordan Day. Adopted this 17th day of February, 2021. ______________________________ Kate Stewart Mayor Attest: Jessie Carpenter, CMC City Clerk Introduced by: Councilmember Seamens Single Reading Ordinance CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND ORDINANCE NO. 2021-7 AMENDING ORDINANCE 2021-5 TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF FOUR REPLACEMENT POLICE VEHICLES AND OUTFITTING OF THE VEHICLES WHEREAS, four police vehicles are scheduled for replacement in accordance with the City’s vehicle replacement policy and the review by the Fleet Review Committee; and WHEREAS, the FY 2021 budget has funds in the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account that will be used for the purchase; and WHEREAS, the Police Department proposes to acquire four Ford Interceptor Hybrid SUVs from Apple Ford at the cost of $168,000, and to outfit the vehicles through Frontline Mobile Tech at a cost of $63,956, for a total cost of $231,956; and WHEREAS, the quoted vehicle price is based on a competitively bid Montgomery County contract. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND THAT: SECTION 1. The City Manager or her designee is authorized to enter into an agreement with Apple Ford for the purchase of four Ford vehicles at the price of $168,000, and with Frontline Mobile Tech for the outfitting of said vehicles at a price of $63,956. SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately. Adopted this 17th day of February, 2021 by roll-call vote as follows: AYE: Stewart, Kovar, Dyballa, Kostiuk, Seamens, Smith, Searcy NAY: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None  #TogetherTKPK Council- Appointed Committees Update by: Councilmembers Dyballa, Kostiuk, Searcy February 17, 2021 TakomaParkMD.gov 1 Goal for Tonight’s Discussion • To provide a general overview of actions taken to date to improve and formalize council-appointed committees • Outline future steps the Council must take to ensure that a new committee process is in place by the Council established deadline of June 30, 2021 • Discuss criteria for the reviewing and establishing the purpose of a committee 2 Why Are We Doing This? 2020 Council Priority o Engaged, Responsive and Service-Oriented Government Goal o Improve and Formalize Systems for Council-Appointed Committees Strategy o Review existing structure, appointment processes, and practices for Council-appointed committees; o Increase efficiency and effectiveness and attract new members to committees, and o Explore innovative ways to engage residents who tend to be harder to reach, with a desired outcome of enabling diverse, engaged, productive, and rewarding committee membership. Desired Outcome o Diverse, engaged, productive, and rewarding committees 3 Why Do We Have Committees? • Currently the City has o 16 standing committees (9 quasi-judicial) with ad-hoc task force, committees, and boards o Over 100 people current serve on Council appointed committees, boards, and task forces • Committees provide • One of many methods to engage our diverse community • Opportunity to leverage the technical expertise and lived experiences of our residents to inform the City’s priorities and programs 4 The Problem Further Defined: 2019 Takoma Park Committee Survey Report o Survey results on whether committees received adequate training on meeting procedures were mixed with 44% agreeing, 26% neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and 21% disagreeing. o 80% of survey respondents agreed that their committee would benefit from having members who represent the diversity of the City in terms of race, age, ward, economic status, etc. Source: 2019 Takoma Park Committee Survey Report Summary (https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2020/council-20200115-3.pdf) 5 Council Committee Workgroup Recommendations (June 2020) • Establish a Common Structure for All Standing Committees • Clarify Leadership Roles of Council, Staff, and Committee Members • Review of the Purpose of the Committees • Improve Committee Operations for Members and Officers • Develop Tools to Increase Diversity on Committees • Establish a New Appointment Process 6 Actions Taken Since June 2020 • Resolution 2020-22 Adopting a Code of Conduct for City Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces o Passed October 7, 2020 • Ordinance 2020-25 Uncodified Ordinance whereby the City of Takoma Park extends the terms of office for Boards, Committees, and Commissions to June 30, 2021 o Passed October 7, 2020 • Ordinance 2020-28 Uncodified Emergency Ordinance Suspending Committee Appointments o Passed July 29, 2020 • Feedback from committees & GARE cohort 7 Proposed Approach to Re-Establish and Recruit For Council Appointed Committees, Boards, and Task Forces 8 Proposed Approach to Re-Establish and Recruit For Council Appointed Committees, Boards, and Task Forces 9  1st Council Discussion Topic From the Council’s Perspective, What is the Purpose of A Standing Committee? 10 Draft Core Charge For Committees, Boards, and Task Forces • Provide Council with recommendations on key City priorities, policies, and programs • Ensure that Council has regular and timely information to use when considering priorities • Assist in community education and engagement activities in their priority area • Fulfill the City’s regulatory functions and requirements 11  2nd Council Discussion Topic What Should We Consider When Determining Whether A Committee, Board, or Task Force Is Needed? 12 Points for Council Discussion • Should we consider the following factors o Council’s priorities or a continuing City structural purpose o Staff capacity and Committee staffing o Type of issue the committee will address (technical expertise) o Length of attention needed on the issue o Community engagement 13 Next Steps • Finalize purpose of standing committee language • Establish criteria for whether a committee, board, or task force is needed which will assist with the review of current committees, boards, and task forces • Subgroup will conduct initial review of the City’s committees 14 Thank you!!!! Please let us know if you have any questions about the ideas outlined in this presentation! Contact Information Cindy Dyballa City Councilmember Ward 2 cindyd@takomaparkmd.gov Talisha Searcy City Councilmember Ward 6 talishas@takomaparkmd.gov Kacy Kostiuk City Councilmember Ward 3 kacyk@takomaparkmd.gov 15 City of Takoma Park Committees Terms Expire Name & Link Number of Members (Total) Current Membership Beginning (2021) Arts & Humanities Commission 15 8 30-Jun Board of Elections 7 7 30-Jun Commemoration Commission 12 3 31-Mar Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs (COLTA) 12 10 30-Jun Committee on the Environment 15 0 30-Jun Complete Safe Streets Committee 11 9 30-Jun Emergency Preparedness Committee 7 5 31-Mar Ethics Commission 7 6 30-Jun Facade Advisory Board 7 7 31-Mar Grants Review Committee 9 2 30-Jun Noise Control Board 7 5 30-Jun Nuclear-Free Takoma Park Committee 7 4 30-Jun Police Chief's Advisory Board 11 Recreation Committee 15 10 30-Apr Tree Commission 5 2 30-Sep 16 TAKOMA PARK REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE  • The purpose of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force is to develop recommendations that make Takoma Park a safer, more livable community for all residents, with an emphasis on addressing racial inequalities that exist in government and services evolving around public safety. • In light of what is happening in our country, we believe that as a city, it is our duty to take TASK FORCE inventory of our public safety practices, with GENERAL OVERVIEW emphasis on the experiences of our Black and Brown communities. • This Task Force is our opportunity to bring new voices into the process as we take stock of what is working, what is not, and as we explore best practices in public safety.  • Task Force to provide recommendations to City Council in June • Task Force members will: • Review disaggregated data on arrests, citations, and stops, to ensure that the City’s public safety approaches advance racial justice • Develop approaches to engage and empower residents, TASK FORCE GOALS & particularly groups who have been marginalized, in OBJECTIVES policing oversight and community policing practices • Create alternative models to better address issues that are commonly correlated with police interaction, such as mental health, substance abuse, and other social service needs • Remain transparent and provide equitable opportunities  • Task Force will have up to 15 members • Each Task Force member will be a part of a Subcommittee • Task Force Membership potentially will include: • Black & Brown residents, youth and business owners • Local experts in civil liberties, social justice, and police reform COMPOSITION OF • Members of local advocacy-driven organizations (ACLU, TASK FORCE NAACP, BLM) • A member from the resident committee • A member of Police Chief’s Advisory Board • Mental health and other social service professionals • Facilitation: LINK Strategic Partners and Expectant Advisory, LLC  • Application deadline was February 5, 2021 • 39 applications were received • 72% (28 out of 39) of the applicants self-identify as a person of color. • Race/ethnicities in the applicant pool include: • Black/African American, White, Latinx/Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern/North African, Indian • All wards are represented in the applicant pool APPLICATION REVIEW • Subgroup is currently reviewing the applications • Subgroup: Mayor, Councilmembers Seamens and Searcy • Criteria for review consists of • Residency • Expression of Task Force • Organization and Community Affiliation • Diversity and Inclusion • Overall composition of the taskforce  • Member Confirmations by 02/24/2021 • Friday, February 19th - Subgroup recommendations for task force selection will be sent to the Council along with full list of applicants and draft resolution. • Wednesday, February 24th – Council will vote on resolution finalizing task force selection. • Task force Meetings: • Week of 03/08/2021 • Week of 03/22/2021 • Week of 04/05/2021 TASK FORCE TIMELINE • Week of 04/19/2021 • Week of 05/10/2021 • Sub-Committee Meetings • Week of 03/15/2021 • Week of 04/01/2021 • Week of 04/12/2021 • Week of 04/26/2021 • Final report to City Council by June 4, 2021 QUESTIONS?