September 2005 Town Meeting
Town of Cheverly
Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2005
Call to Order
Mayor Mosley called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. in the Cheverly Community Center. There were 2 citizens in attendance.
In attendance: Town Administrator Warrington, Attorney Colaresi, Chief Robshaw, CMs Ford, Hoffman, Oslik, Watson and Schachter.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Mosley opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda/Approval/Changes
Mayor Mosley added an agenda item regarding the Liquor Board Hearing and petitions in opposition of a transfer from D’Revolution to D’Ranch as Item 9. The Prince George’s Human Relations Commission representatives were not present and that item was removed.
Hurricane Katrina was added as Item 11.
Minutes – 8/11/05 Town Meeting
Approved as written.
Minutes – 8/25/05 Worksession
Approved as written.
Administrator’s Report
Mr. Warrington reported that the audit is complete and should be submitted to the State by October 31. Audits will be presented to Mayor and Council for review. Constriction on Greenleaf has begun.
In response to Mayor Mosley, Mr. Warrington reported that he is waiting for bidding documents for the Police Station.
Police Report
Chief Robshaw gave the report for August. Auto thefts are still high and there were not many calls regarding suspicious activity. He has developed an enforcement plan that will add additional patrol personnel on the weekend, which is when most thefts occur. He asked residents to be persistent when calling in suspicious activity and give as much detail as possible.
Detective Randy Green reported that the citizen robberies that have occurred along the Route 202 corridor are usually in poorly lit areas.
Mayor Mosley suggested there be a Newsletter article on pedestrian safety after dark.
CM Schachter said it was unacceptable for residents to have to call the County in order to reach Cheverly Police.
CM Hoffman agreed.
Chief Robshaw displayed the sign that will be given to three residents who have completed the Home Security Survey program. Others are requesting Security Surveys be conducted. Tips appeared in the Newsletter on crime reduction and changes in traffic laws. The first Chiefs Advisory Council will be held in a few weeks.
CM Ford added that the streetlights on the north side of Rte. 202 around the apartments are not working.
CM Oslik asked if there was number residents could call and just leave a message for non-emergencies so the Police would have an FYI.
Chief Robshaw responded that there is an answering machine on the current phone line that is turned on after hours.
Mayor Mosley added that there is currently one officer vacancy and one officer serving in Iraq.
Mayor and Council Announcements
Mayor Mosley announced that two days before school started, parents of Bladensburg High School students found out that there would be no bus service. This issue is being addressed.
Worksession: The Town Administrator presents a study he conducted on the apartments, Annapolis Road Beltway Inner Alliance, Belmont Avenue survey, boat restrictions department head objectives, school buses for Bladensburg High School students, hiring a lobbyist, Councilmember etiquette, Cheverly Day proposal and a police department dispatch.
CM Watson added that he has received mostly negative comments from residents about mail service. He encouraged residents to continue sending in their comments. Another request for comments will be placed in the October Newsletter; after which, they will move ahead. The Zip Code Task Force meeting for October will be announced in the next Newsletter.
Mayor Mosley thanked CM Hoffman for offering to assist CM Watson with a Congressional member on this effort.
CM Hofmann suggested sending a letter to the committee and the Executive Member on the Congressional Subcommittee on Postal Operations.
Committee Reports
Recreation Council
Barbara Pejokovich mentioned that the next meeting will be on September 27 at 8 pm. The Annual Flea Market will be on October 1, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and table reservations were taken as of September 1. There are four tables left at $15.00 and can be reserved by calling her at 301/773-5883. Proceeds go toward a $500 college scholarship for a Cheverly youth.
Cheverly Day Committee
CM Watson summarized that Cheverly Day is April 29. The carnival will return and there will be a parade.
Citizen Input
Nathan Dayton, Belleview Avenue complimented the attitude and professionalism of the Town Staff.
Liquor Board Presentation Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission
Mayor Mosley summarized that she, CM Schachter, Mr. Warrington, Mr. Colaresi, Hugh Guest (Planning Board Chair) and citizens from the Landover Civic Association attended a hearing held on the transfer of a liquor license from D’Revolution to D’Ranch. The applicants (Mr. & Mrs. Aqwobuzo) attended the last Town Meeting to plead their position; however, the Council still opposes their request. The Town requested a continuance based on the rule stating that liquor cannot be sold within 500 feet of a church.
Attorney Colaresi summarized that the transfer was denied two years ago based on the fact that there was a church within 500 feet of D’Ranch. Prior to the hearing, D’Ranch found three exceptions. One of which is that the restaurant be sit down. The Board’s attorney will render an opinion next Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. When the liquor licensing provisions were recodified, new items were inserted and the provisions renumbered.
The question is that since the Aqwobuzos lost the transfer fight two years ago, do they still have a license? Mr. Colaresi added that he sent a letter to the Board of License Commission on behalf of Cheverly making this point. The hearing will be at the County Service Building, 5012 Rhode Island Avenue on the second floor, in the hearing room located in the front of the building. He encouraged residents to either sign the petition at tonight’s meeting or write an opposition letter.
Mayor Mosley asked the CM’s to get as many signatures as possible. If all else fails, Cheverly will ask for denial based on all of the problems D’Revolution experienced.
CM Hofmann asked whether police records were pulled. Mr. Colaresi responded that he has already requested this information of the County and it may or may not be received in time for the hearing.
CM Schachter added that it would be a worthy investment for the TA to research the code.
CM Ford stated his opposition for the license transfer.
CM Oslik agreed that the issue raised by Mike Franklin is legitimate as is relates to redevelopment. He encouraged residents to come to the Town Offices and sign the petition.
Mayor Mosley asked Mr. Warrington to post the notice on the website.
On September 15, a meeting with the Dimensions Health Care Systems Board of Directors will be held at the Greenbelt Marriott. They will give the status of what is happening at the Hospital.
Cheryl Harrington, 2508 Wayne Place, stated that it is important that residents who live near the Hospital attend this meeting. She added that there is an organization called HOPE; which is based in Hyattsville has been working on the zip code issue for their community and she suggested partnering with them. There is also an organization called Takoma Langley CDA that was successful in getting their zip code changed three years ago. They would be able to give the Town assistance.
Resolution Regarding Wal-Mart @ Capitol Plaza
Mayor Mosley summarized that the motion made during the August Town Meeting was tabled. There is a resolution before the Council and the issue is whether to pass it provisionally (Wal-Mart agrees to x, y, z) or pass after Wal-Mart has agreed to change something. Per Mr. Randy Levitt (The Nellis Corporation) Wal-Mart has hired a different architect and is considering appealing design. Second, Wal-Mart is investigating their options around changing façade without unnecessarily delaying the project. No meetings were held in August. The demolition permit has been issued and demolition has begun. A construction permit has yet to be.
CM Oslik supported adopting a Resolution whether conditional.
CM Ford stated concerns around the aesthetics of the façade.
CM Watson supported the Resolution as it was offered save for a few adjustments in verbiage. He is in favor of a vote with a few modifications.
Mayor Mosley added that she was not in support of passage until the Town receives assurances either from Wal-Mart or the County that the provisions would be met. She is not in favor of removing language around the façade.
CM Schachter stated that he is not in favor of the resolution because it is missing sureties precluding the Town from blocking Wal-Mart if necessary.
CM Hofmann stated that he is not in favor of the resolution because the main concerns have been addressed (no guns or liquor would be sold, store hours would not be 24-hours). Wal-Mart does not have to comply with any of the provisions. He added that the best resolution the Town can pass is one that welcomes Wal-Mart and thanks them for bringing jobs to the area.
Nathan Dayton 3402 Belleview Avenue stated that he wants a place to shop and he thinks the Town should take up this issue.
· CM Schachter moved that the original Resolution be tabled indefinitely. CM Hofmann seconded.
Discussion
· Mayor called the vote. Passed 4-2. CM’s Oslik & Watson opposed, Mayor cast 4th affirmative vote. CM Oladele absent.
Mayor Mosley said she will get Mr. Warrington a clean version of the Resolution he will circulate.
Hurricane Katrina
CM Oslik added that the Maryland Municipal League has circulated a form that the Town could fill out offering assistance to other areas. Is there anything the Cheverly wants to do in support of another community?
Adjourned 11:45 p.m.
1. CM Schachter moved that the original Resolution be tabled indefinitely. CM Hofmann seconded. Passed 4-2. CM’s Oslik & Watson opposed, Mayor cast 4th affirmative vote. CM Oladele absent.
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