City Council

CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Minutes Minutes Adopted on July 20, 2022 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Stewart, Councilmember Kovar, Councilmember Dyballa, Councilmember Kostiuk, Councilmember Seamens, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Searcy Also present: City Manager Fox, Deputy City Manager Clarke, City Clerk Carpenter, Public Administration Specialist Dan Powers, ARPA Manager Vernae Martin The City Council convened at 7:35 PM via Zoom. SWEARING-IN OF ETHICS COMMISSIONERS Ms. Stewart swore-in two appointed members of the Ethics Commission: Jess Bravin and Michael Lezaja. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA / AGENDA SCHEDULING UPDATE Mayor Stewart updated the Council on upcoming agenda items. FOR THE RECORD Mayor Stewart read a proclamation for Black History Month (attached) LEGISLATIVE UPDATE The City Council received the legislative update from Ann Ciekot and Suhani Chitalia.. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON VOTING ITEMS No Comments PUBLIC COMMENTS ON OTHER MATTERS Page 1 of 4 Denise Jones, Maple Avenue, expressed concern about the proposed use of ARPA funds for the Maple Avenue Complete Street. She said it was not meeting the needs of all families living on the street, particularly those that live in the apartments. Suzy Stimler, Conway Avenue, requested that the Forest Park Community be kept in a single ward for redistricting. Seth Grimes, Willow Avenue, requested that Darwin Avenue remain in the same ward as other streets in the Hodges Heights neighborhood. He supported the request of the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church and others to prioritize members of the community most in need of the pending allocation of ARPA funds. He requested that City Council minutes be posted to the website. Mary Jane Muchui, Boyd Avenue, commented on financial assistance to low income families. Sue Miller, Ward 3, stated that she was in support of the ARPA spending plan submitted to the Council by City residents. She suggested conducting a community survey and creating focus groups to discuss the urgent needs. Sally Kern, Woodland Ave., commented on redistricting. Sherri Freedman, commented on the ARPA spending plan. She stated that she was in support of the public comments made in regards to spending the ARPA funds on helping the members of the community most affected by the pandemic. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mr. Smith was in support of the public comments made by several residents in regards to assisting residents in the community in need. He requested a community briefing from staff on the Takoma Park Junction project. Ms. Dyballa announced an upcoming community meeting on the redistricting plan. She thanked the residents for their comments. Ms. Dyballa commented on the Green Bank bill. Ms. Kostiuk congratulated the newly sworn-in Ethics Commission members and thanked the residents for their public comments. Mr. Kovar thanked the residents for their comments. He was in support of helping members of the community that were most affected by the pandemic. He commented on the Takoma DC construction project near Pizza Movers in the building formerly occupied by Strayer College. He announced an upcoming meeting regarding the construction of the new Montgomery College science building. Page 2 of 4 Ms. Searcy stated that she was in support of the public comments made in regards to the ARPA spending plan. She announced an upcoming meeting of the New Hampshire Gardens Association. Ms. Stewart commented on a Montgomery Blair High School project where celebratory recorded performances that elevate black communities and center the cultural heritage of people of African descent would be released and available to view. She noted she had testified on tax duplication. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Mr. Fox commented on the Chinese New Year and on Black History Month. He noted several local events happening this month in celebration of Black History month. He informed the Council that the Takoma Junction application was denied by the Planning Board. The basis of the denial was SHA not approving the permits and layby. He announced that staff is implementing the employee vaccine mandate. COVID-19 testing is taking place each Wednesday. VOTING SESSION 1. First Reading Ordinance Approving FY22 Budget Amendment No. 3 Ms. Searcy moved the ordinance. Ms. Kostiuk seconded the motion. The motion carried (VOTING FOR: Stewart, Kovar, Dyballa, Kostiuk, Seamens, Smith, Searcy). Ordinance 2022-2 (Attached) WORK SESSION 2. Reconciliation of American Rescue Plan Act Spending Plan Ms. Searcy gave an update on the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force and ARPA spending. Mr. Powers briefed the Council on the reconciliation of recommended projects and spending totals. He explained that the purpose of the reconciliation briefing was to assist the Council in deciding the final spending totals and which projects would make it into the final spending plan. Ms. Stewart remined the Council that final decision would not be made that night. She stated that Council would give staff a sense of direction to draft an ordinance. The Council and City staff discussed the projects and proposed spending amounts for each project. 3. Discussion of Redistricting Plan and Draft Ordinance Page 3 of 4 The discussion was deferred to the next City Council meeting. ADJOURNMENT The Council adjourned the meeting at 11:53 p.m. Page 4 of 4