City Council

CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, June 2, 2021 Minutes Minutes adopted November 3, 2021 CLOSED SESSION – WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2021 The City Council convened at 5:30 PM on Zoom to vote to go into closed session to consult with the City Attorney to obtain legal advice regarding the Takoma Junction Redevelopment Project and to consult with the City Attorney and staff regarding pending litigation. The meeting was closed pursuant to Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article, §3-305(b)(7) and (8). Mr. Seamens moved to close the meeting; second by Mr. Kovar. VOTING FOR: Stewart, Kovar, Seamens, and Smith. ABSENT: Dyballa, Kostiuk, Searcy. Present for the Closed Session: Mayor Stewart, Councilmembers Kovar, Dyballa, Kostiuk, Seamens, Smith, and Searcy; City Attorney Cornbrooks, City Manager Ludlow, Deputy City Manager Clarke, and City Clerk Carpenter. The Council received legal advice related to the development review and relations with NDC and TPSS Co-op, and discussed planning related to the litigation filed by the Co-op. There were no recorded votes and no action was taken. The closed session was adjourned at 7:10 PM. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Councilmember Kovar, Councilmember Dyballa, Councilmember Kostiuk, Councilmember Seamens (Mayor Pro Tem), Councilmember Searcy Absent: Mayor Stewart, Councilmember Smith Also Present: City Manager Ludlow, Deputy City Manager Jessica Clarke, City Clerk Carpenter, Communications Specialist Donna Wright, Grants Coordinator Jennifer Hale, Housing Manager Wiggins, Economic Development Manager Samira Cook-Gaines The City Council convened at 7:30 PM via Zoom. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA / AGENDA SCHEDULING UPDATE Mayor Pro Tem Seamens updated the Council on future agenda items. Mr. Seamens also recognized the winners of the Safe Grow Photo Contest. Communication Specialist Wright announced the awards: First Place: Jonathan Kang – Ward 2 Second Place: Keith Kozloff – Ward 3 Third Place: Maeve Monahan – Ward 2 Page 1 of 4 (Photos attached.) FOR THE RECORD Mr. Seamens presented and read the mayoral proclamations declaring June 4, 2021 National Gun Violence Awareness Day and June Immigrant Heritage Month. Proclamation of June 4, 2021 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day (attached) Proclamation of June as Immigrant Heritage Month (attached) Vita Larkin and Jared B. Hughes of Montgomery County’s local chapter of Moms Demand Action thanked the Council for its recognition of June 4th as Gun Violence Awareness Day. PRESENTATION 1. Grants Review Committee Recommendations on FY 2022 Community Quality of Life Grants Grant Coordinator Hale presented program overview of Community Quality of Life Grants. She also introduced the Grants Review Committee who gave their grant recommendations to the Council (attached). PUBLIC COMMENTS • Stephanie Roodman – Presented on behalf of Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP) on the Hillwood Manor project and application for tree removal. • Rick Weiss– Commented in opposition to NDC. • Bob Dreher – Commented in opposition to NDC and questioned Council’s commitment to the community. • Tom Gagliardo– Stated that he has not received answers for previously submitted questions regarding the NDC development. • Sue Miller – Requested summaries of closed meetings and spoke against NDC. • Colleen Cordes – Spoke on behalf of Community Vision for Takoma and opposed zoning proposal ZTA 19-07 (cell phone towers in residential areas). • Mary Muchui – Expressed concern at Takoma Park Co-op’s apparent gentrification and at Council’s desire to only “help rich people”. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Kovar: Commented on Takoma Junction Project and events attended including the Opera Truck performance. He encouraged the public discussion of Hillwood Manor project and tree removal. Page 2 of 4 Councilmember Searcy: Commented on meetings attended and upcoming events. Ms. Searcy thanked Montgomery Housing Partnership for their presentation and discussed Hillwood Manor designs and survey. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS City Manager Ludlow’s comments are attached. VOTING SESSION 2. Single Reading Ordinance Approving Purchase of Police Mobile and Field Radios Ms. Dyballa moved adoption of the ordinance. Ms. Kostiuk seconded the motion. The motion carried (VOTING FOR: Kovar, Dyballa, Kostiuk, Seamens, Searcy). Mayor Stewart and Councilmember Smith were absent for the vote. Ordinance 2021-23 (attached) WORK SESSION 3. Discussion of Reauthorization of the Takoma/Langley Crossroads Development Authority Executive Director of Takoma/Langley Crossroads Development Authority Kayleigh Gunnoud discussed the Commercial District Management Authority (CDMA) (presentation attached). Economic Development Manager Samira Cook Gaines also provided further details. 4. Extension of Contract for Auditing Services City Manager Ludlow requested a two-year extension of the current contract provider at the request of the City’s Finance Director. 5. Resumption Rescinding Resolutions 2020-12 and 2020-18 Regarding Quasi-Judicial Proceedings by the City’s Boards, Commissions and Committees Due to changes in the pandemic, City Manager Ludlow explained that the resolutions, originally passed during the height of the Covid-19 epidemic, are no longer relevant and should be rescinded. The City Manager also suggested a hybrid model of meeting virtually and in-person. 6. Rescission of City Manager’s Emergency Authority City Manager Ludlow stated that it was appropriate to end her emergency authority given that she has not needed to use said powers for quite some time (letter attached). ADJOURN Page 3 of 4 The City Council adjourned for the evening at approximately 9:50 p.m. Page 4 of 4 2021 Safe Grow Photo Contest Winners Together We Bloom 1st Place Winner Jonathan Kang - Ward 2 1 2nd Place Winner Keith Kozloff - Ward 3 2 3rd Place Winner Maeve Monahan- Ward 2 3  City of Takoma Park, Maryland Mayoral Proclamation IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH – JUNE 2021 WHEREAS, since 2014, Immigrant Heritage Month has given people across the United States an opportunity to annually explore their own heritage and celebrate the shared diversity that forms the unique story of America; and WHEREAS, as a nation of immigrants, the Unites States has benefitted from the culture, ideas, skills, and abilities of those who have come here to work, to learn, and to find freedom and shelter; and WHEREAS, in Takoma Park, we have many first and second generation immigrants as our neighbors; and WHEREAS, the City has a long history of welcoming immigrants and it continues to work to build a caring, inclusive and strong community which celebrates its diversity; and WHEREAS, because of our long-standing commitment to a community that values immigrants and their safety, the City will work to urge the members of the Maryland General Assembly to overturn Governor Hogan’s recent vetoes of legislation to ban ICE detention centers in Maryland and prevent law enforcement officers from asking about someone’s immigration status during a routine stop and to preclude the Motor Vehicle Administration from sharing personal information with federal immigration officials. NOW, THEREFORE, I, KATE STEWART, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND, on behalf of the Council, residents, and staff, proclaim June as Immigrant Heritage Month in Takoma Park, and encourage everyone to commit to ensuring that ours is a welcoming community and welcoming State that upholds the rights of all people to live with dignity and respect. Dated this 2nd day of June, 2021 _____________________________ Kate Stewart Mayor  City of Takoma Park, Maryland Mayoral Proclamation NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY WHEREAS, in an average year, 724 people die by guns in Maryland; of these, 446 are homicides; and WHEREAS, Black people in Maryland are 17 times more likely than white people to die by gun homicide; and WHEREAS, mayors and law enforcement officers know their communities best, are the most familiar with local criminal activity and how to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to keep their residents safe; and WHEREAS, gun violence prevention is more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate gun violence after more than a year of increased gun sales, increased calls to suicide and domestic violence hotlines, and an increase in urban gun violence; and WHEREAS, in January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15; and on June 4, 2021 to recognize her 24th birthday, people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange in tribute to Hadiya Pendleton, other victims of gun violence, and the loved ones of those victims; and WHEREAS, the idea was inspired by a group of Hadiya’s friends, who asked their classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange; they chose this color because hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods and orange is a color that symbolizes the value of human life; and WHEREAS, by wearing orange on June 4, 2021 Americans will raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors; and NOW, THEREFORE, I, KATE STEWART, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND, on behalf of the Council, residents, and staff, proclaim the first Friday in June, June 4, 2021, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Takoma Park and encourage all residents to wear orange and support efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence. Dated this 2nd day of June, 2021. _________________________________ Kate Stewart Mayor Reauthorization of t h e Ta k om a La n gley Cr ossr oa ds CDMA The picture can't be displayed. What is the Com m er ica l Dist r ict Ma n a gem en t Au t h or it y? →Economic Development Strategy Adopted by the City of Takoma Park to bring additional resources into the Takoma Langley Crossroads Commercial District by assessing a license fee on all businesses and property owners in the geographic bounderies of the Crossroads.  What is t h e Ta k om a La n gley Cr ossr oa ds Developm en t Au t h or it y? →An independent 501(c)(6) Nonprofit Business Association →Designated by the City of Takoma Park to manage the Commercial District →Focus areas include Marketing/Promotion/Maintenance/Security →Funded by the CDMA license fees along with a service contract with the City of Takoma Park Request for Rea u t h or iza t ion a n d a dju st m en t s t o licen se fee st r u ct u r e Review Process →Collaboration between CDA and Economic Development Department →Looked at the Cost of doing business on a local and regional scale: ● Local Business Associations (Main Street Takoma) ● Business License Fees of neighboring municipalities ● DC Business Improvement Districts ● Silver Spring Urban District ● License fees of other CDMA’s in Maryland →All in an effort to ensure that the Crossroads is a competitive, attractive destination for businesses and property owners now and in the future. →As we recover from the Covid 19 crises, ensure that license fee are set at a level that is sustainable for current businesses.  Impacts of COVID -19 (Closu r es) → Evitas Clothing Shop and Tailor →Chinatown Restaurant →Salvation Army →Cricket Wireless →India Sari Palace →Librería Rincón Cristiano →Tax Innovation LLC  New Faces in the Crossroads → World Fashion →Brazilian Bakery →Help 4 Ur Business →Kobe Japan →Mom and Pops Smoke and Vape Shop  Proposed Changes to CDMA Licen se Fee Over a ll Im pa ct on CDA FY22 Bu dget → Place a cap of $4000 on Retail and →Estimated Total Annual Income $242,545 Professional Service Provider License →Revenue loss of $79,728 in License Fees Fees →Reclassify Hair Salons/Barber Shops/Nail Salons/Braiding and Eyebrow Technicians from Retail (.5) to Professional Service Providers (.25) →Adjust Retail Assessment rate from .5 Addit ion a l Sou r ces of Su ppor t to .42/psf →Adjust property owner assessment →$180,375 in reserve fund at end of FY21 from (.13) to (.10) →Takoma Langley Crossroad Foundation access →Expiration date 6/30/26 to grant funds and revitalization dollars →Private sponsorship dollars, fee for service Program Budget FY22