City Council

CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING VOTING SESSION AND WORK SESSION Wednesday, April 7, 2021 Minutes Minutes adopted September 8, 2021 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Stewart, Councilmember Kovar, Councilmember Dyballa, Councilmember Kostiuk, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Searcy; Absent: Councilmember Seamens Also Present: City Manager Ludlow, City Clerk Carpenter, Economic Development Manager Samira Cook Gaines The City Council convened at 6:00 PM via Zoom. PRESENTATION 1. City Manager’s Presentation of Recommended FY 2022 Budget City Manager Ludlow presented proposed FY2022 Budget (attached) After a brief recess, the Council reconvened 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 and the passage of the Transit Safety Act. FOR THE RECORD Mayor Stewart also read the proclamation supporting Arbor Day 2021 in Takoma Park. Proclamation Recognizing Arbor Day 2021 (attached) Page 1 of 3 PRESENTATION 2. Recreation Center Redevelopment Community Engagement Final Report Economic Development Manager Samira Cook Gaines introduced LaToya Thomas of the consulting firm Brick and Story who presented the firm’s findings and recommendations on how to increase community engagement among diverse populations regarding the redevelopment of the recreation center (presentation attached). PUBLIC COMMENTS • Susan Miller– expressed concerns regarding the Takoma Junction Redevelopment plans and requested clarification of the Junction Review process. • Robert Anderson– commented in opposition to the Takoma Junction plans and questioned the impact of a lay-by on the Takoma Co-op. • Carter Dougherty– expressed that the Takoma Co-op could potentially do quite well if the Takoma Junction Redevelopment plan was adopted. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Searcy: Announced the start of Crossroads Farmers Market and the Sweep the Creek event. Councilmember Smith: Thanked County Council president Tom Tucker for helping to pass window guard legislation. Councilmember Kostiuk: Commented on future meetings including one organized in order to meet with residents to speak about the Takoma Junction Redevelopment project. Councilmember Dyballa: Commented on meetings attended as well as planned community meetings focused on the Takoma Junction project and proposed budget. Councilmember Kovar: Commented on tax duplication and encouraged residents to submit written comments to County Council. Mayor Stewart: Commented on meetings attended including one for Montgomery County Mayors that featured a presentation on the importance of attainable housing. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS City Manager Ludlow’s comments are attached. VOTING SESSION 1. Second Reading Ordinance Approving FY21 Budget No. 5 Page 2 of 3 Ms. Kostiuk moved the ordinance. Mr. Kovar seconded the motion. The motion carried (VOTING FOR: Kovar, Dyballa, Kostiuk, Smith, Searcy, Stewart; ABSENT: Seamens). Ordinance 2021-14 (attached) WORK SESSION 1. Continued Discussions of Committees Councilmember Searcy, Councilmember Dyballa and Councilmember Kostiuk presented on the purpose of committees and the establishment of a common structure for all standing committees (presentation attached). Councilmember Dyballa highlighted the quality and dedication of all individual committee members she spoke with. 2. Update on City Manager Search Mayor Stewart updated the Council on the search for a new City Manager due to current City Manager’s retirement on July 1, 2021. The Council has hired an executive search firm, held community conversations, and sent out a public poll which has garnered 382 responses. Two stakeholder focus groups were organized in order to get feedback. There are currently 58 applications for the position. 3. Update on Reimagining Public Safety Task Force Councilmember Searcy presented on the Public Safety Task Force and updated the Council on three sub-groups the task force intends to create. She also updated the Council on the Task Force’s desire to create a comment feature on the City website and schedule listening sessions for the public to engage with the group and provide information. ADJOURN The City Council adjourned for the evening at approximately 10:00 p.m. Page 3 of 3