City Council

CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING VOTING SESSION AND WORK SESSION Wednesday, March 24, 2021 Minutes Minutes adopted September 8, 2021 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Stewart, Councilmember Kovar, Councilmember Dyballa, Councilmember Kostiuk, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Searcy Also Present: City Clerk Carpenter, Community Development Manager Grigsby, City Attorney Cornbrooks, Public Works Director Braithwaite, Deputy City Manager Clarke, Supervisor of Neighborhood Services Duane “Rick” Baravachia, Fleet Manager Keith Perry, Police Chief DeVaul, Recreation Director Gregory Clark, IT Director Lars DeSalvio, Human Resources Director Tracy Smith, Communications Specialist Donna Wright The City Council convened at 7:30 PM via Zoom. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA / AGENDA SCHEDULING UPDATE Mayor Stewart updated the Council on future agenda items. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Ms. Ciekot, the City’s legislative advocate, presented a report highlighting police reform bills in addition to transportation and environmental legislation. PRESENTATION 1. Minor Master Plan Process between Montgomery County and Takoma Park Planning Manager Rosalind Grigsby introduced the Montgomery Planning Department Team. Montgomery Planning presented the proposed process and time line for the Minor Master Plan Amendment, as well as an outline for a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Planning Board. The first steps in the Plan process will be a development of a scope of work and plan area boundary report and a community engagement and communications plan. The final plan boundaries will be determined during the process, but the boundary will include the former Washington Adventist Hospital campus, Washington Adventist University, and will likely include properties along Maple Avenue up to about Philadelphia Avenue. Page 1 of 5 PUBLIC COMMENTS Paul Huebner expressed concerns regarding the Takoma Junction Redevelopment (stormwater, layby, public space). Robert Anderson questioned the City Manager’s position on safety of deliveries at the lot in Takoma Junction. Susan Miller expressed concerns about the developer of the Takoma Junction project and the proposed plan. Arthur David Olson commented on the proposed stormwater fee structure. Jessica Landman commented that the timeline for approval the Takoma Junction Redevelopment is being rushed. Esther Siegel expressed opposition to the Takoma Junction Redevelopment and endorsed the analysis of Community Vision. Louise Guard stated her concerns about citations/fines she received from Neighborhood Services. Julie Boddy expressed support for Community Vision’s analysis of the Takoma Junction project. Nadine Bloch emphasized the importance of a public review and community engagement regarding Takoma Junction project. Andrew Strongin commented on the City Manager and expressed concern about the Takoma Junction redevelopment. Karen Elrich requested public review of the Takoma Junction Redevelopment plans and asserted that the proposed layby is unsafe. Sally Ours Kern expressed concerns with the Takoma Junction plan and pedestrian safety. Susan Schreiber opposed the Takoma Junction Redevelopment and expressed concerns for affordability and racial equity. Rick Leonard, business owner in Takoma Junction, expressed concerns about parking and traffic that would result from the Takoma Junction Redevelopment plan COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Dyballa commented on meetings attended including the Women’s Caucus of State Delegates and Senators which paid tribute to child care providers in MD who died due to Page 2 of 5 COVID-19. Councilmember Smith requested follow-up on the part of staff based on resident comments regarding the Takoma Junction project and layby controversy. Councilmember Searcy commented on meetings attended including the Public Safety Task Force. Councilmember Kostiuk commented on meetings attended including one with Estrellitas Montessori School Takoma Park. Councilmember Kovar commented on meetings attended and expressed appreciation that a number of residents participated in sharing their views regarding the Takoma Junction Project. Mayor Stewart commented on recent meetings attended and provided an update on the FY22 budget process. VOTING SESSION 1. Second Reading Ordinance Amending the Stormwater Management Code Ms. Dyballa moved the ordinance. Ms. Kostiuk seconded the motion. Ms. Braithwaite clarified the potential schedule for implementation. Ms. Dyballa moved, seconded by Mr. Kovar, an amendment to 16.08.070(D)(4)(g) to shorten from four to six months the time for staff review of a credit in the first year of a fee credit program. The motion carried. Ms. Dyballa moved an amendment to clarify (in 16.08.120(B)) that a property owner may be required to include with a request for correction a certification by a registered engineer or professional land surveyor of the impervious surface area of the property. Mr. Kovar seconded. The motion carried. Mr. Kovar moved an amendment in 16.08.070(D)(4)(h) to replace the term “measures” with “documentation or information.” Ms. Kostiuk seconded the motion. The motion carried. Mr. Cornbrooks recommended adding to the end of 16.08.100(A) “Nothing herein shall be construed as barring the City from billing property owners for the fee based on existing information in the City’s possession until the new assessment and notice cycle is implemented on July 1, 2026.” Councilmember Kostiuk moved the amendment. Councilmember Searcy seconded. The motion carried. Page 3 of 5 Vote on the amended ordinance: (VOTING FOR: Kovar, Dyballa, Kostiuk, Seamens, Searcy, Stewart; VOTING NO: Smith). Ordinance 2021-12 (attached) 2. First Reading Ordinance Approving FY21 Budget Amendment No. 5 The budget amendment authorized use of funds from the Housing Reserve for the purchase and rehabilitation of the home on Lincoln Avenue in partnership with Housing Initiative Partnership as approved on March 17. Ms. Kostiuk moved the ordinance. Mr. Seamens seconded the motion. The motion carried (VOTING FOR: Kovar, Dyballa, Kostiuk, Seamens, Smith, Searcy, Stewart). First Reading Ordinance 2021-14 (attached) WORK SESSION 3. Code Enforcement Update Neighborhood Services Team Manager Baravachia updated the Council on the Neighborhood Services Team, described the notification and enforcement process, and provided statistics on the Team’s activities. (Presentation attached.) There were suggestions from Council to consider lengthening the time period for enforcement given the current health crisis to give residents more time to respond accordingly. The importance of implementing code enforcement in an equitable way was expressed. 4. Pre-Budget Briefing on Vehicle Replacements, Technology, Recreation Department Plans Public Works Director Braithwaite and Fleet Manager Perry presented on the process and criteria for vehicle replacements. Recreation Director Clark discussed the building and program re-opening efforts starting with aftercare programs. Human Resources Director Smith and IT Director DeSalvio presented information on technology needs for the City and the digital issues facing the Human Resources Department. (Presentation attached.) 5. Preparation for Redistricting City Clerk Carpenter presented information on the option of hiring a consultant to assist with the redistricting process and announced a preliminary timeline. The Council concurred with the Page 4 of 5 concept. ADJOURN The City Council adjourned for the evening at approximately 12:45 a.m. Page 5 of 5