Town of Cheverly
Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2006
Call to Order
Mayor Mosley called the meeting to order at 8:10 PM in the Cheverly Community Center. There were 14 citizens in attendance.
In attendance: Town Administrator Warrington, Attorney Colaresi, Chief Robshaw, CMs Oladele, Ford, Hofmann, Oslik, Schachter and Watson.
Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda/Approval/Changes
Mayor Mosley added a discussion and vote for a victims fund as Item 12. The agenda was approved as amended.
There was no Worksession in December.
Minutes – 12/08/05 Town Meeting
CM Oslik had one correction in the discussion and vote on the override of the Fair Share Health Care Act. The minutes do not record CM Fords’ vote in favor of the motion. The minutes were approved with corrections.
· CM Watson moved to amend the minutes. Seconded by CM Ford. Unanimously approved.
Administrator’s Report
Mr. Warrington announced that the planters that will be used to block vehicular traffic on 62nd and 61st Avenues in the Old Ward 4 have arrived. Affected residents have been notified via Reverend Pitts, flyers and the Civic Association.
Mayor Mosley added that police department bids have been received and will be voted on at either the Worksession or the February 2 Special Meeting.
Police Report
Chief Robshaw summarized the 2005 crime statistics (report attached). Overall crime was up 6-7%. The category that saw the greatest increase was carjacking. Overtime funding was used to address this increase and he thanked the Town Administrator for being supportive. Many adjustments were made in overtime, enforcement schemes, hours and locations of patrol and in 4Q 2005 resulting in a 15% reduction in crime. November totals were lowest since 1999, and December totals were lowest since 2004. Chief Robshaw recognized Mr. Warrington, the Council, the Police Department and citizens for contributing to these successes.
The Pedestrian Enforcement Campaign for Landover Road has begun with the education initiative. Flyers will be distributed to the apartment complexes and school visits have been scheduled. Chief Robshaw is working with the State Highway Administration on signage and pedestrian signal synchronization.
The next Neighborhood Watch meeting is January 18 at 7:00 pm. The agenda will include a 2005 review, committee formulation, discussion of ideas for community involvement and a campaign to educate the community on how not to be a victim of a robbery. Chief Robshaw added that he talked with Mr. Warrington, and a public service announcement sponsored by the Neighborhood Watch Organization will be aired on the cable channel. Citizens will be used in filming.
In response to CM Oslik, Chief Robshaw reported that he timed the pedestrian light at Route 202 and 450 and noted that traffic is aggressive; however, there is enough time to cross. He would inquire with the County to get a comprehensive report of pedestrian /traffic incidents. He has already asked the State Highway Administration to explore a light at Kilmer. He has not seen a crossing guard since the beginning of the year.
CM Mosley added that another school bus has been added. A resident contacted her regarding a student that was hit while crossing.
CM Ford added that a student was hit at 57th Avenue and Route 450. During a PTA meeting he attended in December, he learned that there had been 31 fights from September to December. He observed that school safety, Bladensburg Police and County Police were included in the meeting. CM Ford told the PTA that he would like Cheverly Police to be invited to these meetings as well.
Chief Robshaw stated that he has been in touch with the new District Commander at Hyattsville who promised to include Cheverly in future meetings. He will follow up on the crossing guard and the report of a student being hit.
CM Mosley inquired about red light cameras, which were turned off during Route 202 construction and resulted in decreased enforcement. Chief Robshaw responded that as of October, all cameras are in operation. Landover Road will continue to be a main source of accidents because of traffic volume. However, there’s been a reduction in service calls between Cheverly Avenue and Baltimore Washington Parkway.
The County police handle carjackings and they maintain these statistics.
CM Hofmann added that carjackings have occurred in residential areas of Town and the Landover Road corridor at various times of day. Perpetrators are in their late teens, early twenties He then related an incident where his wife was at the Exxon by the Howard Johnson’s, and was asked for money for Hurricane Katrina victims who got forceful. Police were called.
Chief Robshaw asked for private time to discuss confidential issues related to Howard Johnson’s, during the Worksession.
CM Schachter apologized for being late and stated that his priority is safety. Chief Robshaw responded that his priorities are to reduce violent crime and to increase the quality of life for citizens. The Department is doing everything they can with the resources they have.
Mayor Mosley added that the Council feels that the increase in crime is but one priority for the Town; child safety and other crimes are also important. Chief Robshaw will be given all the time he needs for his report at the Worksession.
Mr. Warrington responded to CM Watson that he is following up on Columbia Park Bridge lighting.
Mayor and Council Announcements
Mayor Mosley announced that Former CM John Garrity passed away over the Christmas holiday. He and his family have been residents of Cheverly since 1955 and he served as CM from 1987-1989. A moment of silence was held.
Worksession: Newton Green development update (meeting will begin at 7:30 pm with a closed session). The meeting will be opened for citizens at 8:00 pm. Agenda: Police Department bid award, safety lighting at Judith Hoyer Center, additional lighting for Belmont and Inwood, email procedures.
The optional Worksession will be held on February 2nd from 7 – 10 PM.
CM Oslik reminded residents to check the Cheverly website for agenda updates and sign up to receive email updates. He reported that the General Assembly voted to override the Governor's veto of the Fair Share Health Care Act and invited residents to attend the 47th Delegation Forum on Friday, January 20 at the Judith Hoyer School.
Committee Reports
Recreation Council
There was no report.
Cheverly Day Committee
CM Watson summarized that the Diamond celebration will be held on April 28-29. A dance will kick off the activities on April 28, and the parade will kick-off activities on April 29. Applications are being taken for floats and activities include an art show, food, vendors, moon bounce and fireworks. Updates will be posted on the website at www.cheverlyday.com.
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month and will be held twice monthly beginning in February. This years’ magazine will have a larger color section and the committee is looking for content and ads.
Holiday House Decorating Contest Awards
Mayor Mosley and CM Schachter announced the winners of the 2005 Holiday House Decorating Contest and Awarded certificates to those winning residents in attendance. (list attached).
Citizen Input
Robert Madison, Maureen Court, stated his concern about the proposed Dog Park. Mayor Mosley clarified that this item is on the Worksession agenda. His concerns have been heard and there have since been other issues raised regarding this site. It is doubtful that this location will be considered going forward. Mayor Mosley asked for Mr. Madison’s phone number so that she could update him on future discussions.
Mr. Madison thanked Mayor Mosley for installing a trash receptacle on Hillside Avenue. He stated his concern that the receptacle does not have holes for rainwater drainage. It needs to be dumped regularly by Sanitation.
Amol Anderson, Maureen Court, is opposed to a dog park. He recommended lights that come on when people enter the park versus lights that remain on constantly. Mayor Mosley responded that a lot of options are being explored for that park.
Stacey Kelly, Oak Street, opposed the dog park, and is in favor of lighting. Speed humps would be helpful also.
Mayor Mosley added that Park and Planning is responsible for this park. Euclid Park is also their responsibility. The Town has asked P&P to install a gate to prevent nighttime traffic.
Lori Campbell, former resident opposes the dog park. Uses the park weekly and she and her husband play tennis there. She’s noted a decline in police patrols and requested speeding enforcement.
Mayor Mosley added that police presence is being evaluated.
Deborah Macons, 3211 Hillside Avenue, expressed concern about teenagers loitering in front of the Kilmer Avenue convenience store. She inquired about a curfew.
Mayor Mosley responded that a change in fences is being looked at as well as a step up in enforcement. The Mayor stated that Mr. Warrington has had a number of meetings with apartment residents regarding lighting, fences, guest parking stickers, etc.
Mr. Madison added that he obtained signed petitions and left them for the Mayor and Council.
Second Reading O-1-06 Amending the Annual Salaries for Mayor and Council
Mr. Warrington summarized that this ordinance changes Mayor and Council salaries. The Mayor’s salary would increase to $3600 and the Council’s salary would increase to $2400. This would be the largest pay increase for the Mayor and Council in 20 years. The pay increase would become effective after the 2007 elections.
CM Watson added that he supports this ordinance and asked fellow Councilmembers whether they have received feedback from constituents.
Darlene McClooney, Maureen Court, is in favor of an increase.
CM Oslik clarified that raising or not raising the salaries will not impact taxes. The overall budgetary impact is miniscule.
Adoption Charter Amendment CA-1-06 Raising the Tax Cap
Mr. Warrington summarized that the Charter has set a tax cap, which is the maximum amount to which the Mayor and Council can raise taxes. Although assessments have risen, the tax cap keeps taxes from being doubled or tripled at one time. With impending construction for the Police Department, the Town will have to float a bond and taxes must be raised in 2006 to pay it back. Currently, the town is $.05 away from the cap. Getting close to the cap makes it difficult to raise taxes. The proposal is to raise the cap to $.50. The Town will have flexibility to raise taxes in the future if necessary. The current rate is $.40. This issue is coming up now because the tax rate must be set by June 11. They need to have this ability available when the budget comes up in a few
months.
Mayor Mosley added that taxes would need to be raised to fund the police department, increased services, etc.
· CM Ford moved adoption of Charter amendment CA-1-06 Raising the Tax Cap. Seconded by CM Oslik.
In response to resident, Mr. Warrington stated that the police department bids range from $978,000 to $1.2M.
CM Watson asked how much the budget was funded by the $.40 in property tax and what does each penny represent?
Mr. Warrington responded that he would get the exact information.
VOTE: Unanimously approved.
Victims Assistance Fund
Mayor Mosley summarized an incident where a new resident was jumped and robbed by three men while on his way home from an interview. His one and only suit was damaged and residents chipped in to buy him a new suit for his next interview.
CM Oslik was in favor but wondered if the only benefactors of this fund would be crime victims. There are other tragedies.
This item was moved to the Worksession agenda.
Adjourned 10:20 p.m.
Town of Cheverly
Summary of Action
January 12, 2006
1. CM Watson moved to amend the minutes. Seconded by CM Ford. Unanimously approved.
2. CM Ford moved adoption of Charter amendment CA-1-06 Raising the Tax Cap. Seconded by CM Oslik. Unanimously approved.
| 
