September 14, 2006 Town Meeting
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Town of Cheverly
Meeting Minutes
September 14, 2006
Call to Order
Mayor Mosley called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. in the Cheverly Community Center. There were 5 citizens in attendance.
In attendance: Mr. Warrington, Attorney Colaresi, Chief Robshaw, CMs Ford, Oslik, Watson, and Schachter.
Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda/Approval/Changes
Presentation by the planning board report will be given as item 9B.
Approved as written.
· CM Watson moved to excuse CM Hofmann. Seconded by CM Schachter. Unanimously approved.
Minutes – 7/13/06 Town Meeting
Approval was deferred to the Worksession.
Minutes – 8/10/06 Town Meeting
Approved as written.
Minutes – 8/24/06 Worksession
Approved as written.
Town Administrators Report
Mr. Warrington gave an update on the Police Department construction: The concrete curbs were poured and cured incorrectly, so they will be redone. The roof is being installed; WSSC is requiring another permit, and a new fire hydrant will be installed where the old one terminates. The fire hydrant cost will range between $3,000 and $5,000. Due to the disarray of the Prince George’s County permit department, occupancy has been pushed back to the end of December.
Auditors in the office Staff are working to stay ahead of their requests.
Mr. Warrington responded to CM Oslik that the tree located at the community center, died because its roots were cut when the trench was dug to install the water line to the new police department. It is to be removed because the tree is dead. He is trying to get PEPCO to cut the tree down at no cost to the Town. If the Town has to pay for it, the cost will be $2500.
CM Watson asked if a response had been received from Park and Planning on the Dog Park. Mayor Mosley responded that a response was received indicating that Eileen Nevarra will be the Towns’ point of contact and that Park and Planning is conducting a study. The park will be funded by Park and Planning. The Town will manage maintenance.
CM Schachter asked Mr. Warrington to find out what kind of public notice Park and Planning will give citizens so that they can have an opportunity to give their input on this project. Mayor Mosley instructed Mr. Warrington to contact Ms. Nevarra.
Police Department Report
Mayor Mosley thanked the police department for their diligence in dealing with the recent crime spree. A closed meeting was held to discuss ongoing investigations.
Chief Robshaw reported that there will be a C-PACT meeting held on October 2 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall to discuss recent criminal incidents. July incidents have been closed with arrests and August robberies have either been closed with arrests or have leads.
Chief Robshaw assured residents that contrary to the gossip and rumors in town, patrols have not been cut back due to gas prices.
Chief Robshaw added that burglarized homes were poorly lit at night and not secured. He added that there is reason to believe that there were more burglaries than were reported. Chief Robshaw reminded residents that free security surveys are offered to all Cheverly residents.
The Department is establishing a Cellular Tip Line and the number will be published in the next Newsletter. Up to $1,000 will be offered to anyone providing information leading to an arrest.
Chief Robshaw gave the report for August (attached). Crime is down 12%; a higher percent than in surrounding jurisdictions. The electronic message board will be installed by the weekend
Detective Green has resigned and is going to a larger organization. However, he has agreed to assist the Town with some ongoing cases. Staff is down by three. Two officers are scheduled to graduate from the Academy in December.
Tip Sheets are provided to residents and are available in the Town Hall lobby. The Tip Sheets can be helpful for residents who cannot do a Home Safety Survey.
Chief Robshaw recommended that residents participate in the Ride-Along programs so they can see what it is like to be on patrol.
Chief Robshaw responded to CM Oslik that residents should not rely solely on security alarms for home safety.
Mayor Mosley mentioned that a resident called her after the armed carjacking and she wanted an update. She thanked the Police Department for responding with the flyers. She encouraged residents to call the Town Office for incident information.
Mayor and Council Announcements
Mayor Mosley announced that a public celebration for Clarence Sollers will be held just prior to the October 12 meeting at 7 pm at Town Hall.
Worksession (September 24): paper ballots for 2007 elections, renewal of lobbyist contract, revisions to Chapter 8, Howard Johnson’s safety, street lighting, tree removal on Benton Street, email and website, Public Works report for preparing the Town for a pandemic flu and budget adjustment for police equipment.
Mayor Mosley added that she received questions from residents as a result of PEPCO’s recent visit.
CM Schachter summarized that the DOD is going through mandated realignment of its bases. 5000 jobs are moving from Northern Virginia to Fort Meade. He believes that Cheverly is a prime location for perspective employees to live.
CM Oslik asked if there was an indication of when a report would be received from PEPCO. Mayor Mosley responded that there is no indication when that will be available.
Committee Reports
Recreation Council
Barbara Pejokovich announced that the next meeting will be on September 26 at 7 PM at Town Hall. The Flea Market will be held on October 13-14 (set up is on October 13, the market is from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM on October 14). The Women’s’ Club will provide lunch and the pre-school and the Methodist Church will be giving the bake sale. Table reservations can be made by calling Mrs. Pejokovich at 301-773-5883. New members are welcome to the Council.
Cheverly Day Committee
There was no report.
Citizen Input
There was no input.
Presentation Peace Park
Joyce Lang, Women’s Club asked the Mayor and Council to rededicate Pinkey’s Park to Pinkey’s Peace Park to promote a culture of peace. If approved, she suggested the dedication be held in the spring. Components of the park could include a peace pole, permanent children’s’ writings, and a butterfly bush. There would be no additional costs associated with rededication and the Women’s’ Club would raise additional monies if needed.
Mayor Mosley added that this item could be put up for a vote, put in the Newsletter and then announced at the October Town Meeting.
CM Watson added that anything that increases visitation to the park will impact traffic and pedestrian flow. He supports it but would like a traffic study.
CM Oslik stated his support of the proposal but did not see the urgency for voting before the October meeting.
CM Ford stated his support of the rededication but was not in favor of voting until October.
CM Schachter said he was not sure Pinkey’s Park is the right place for a peace park. The gathering place could become disruptive. He would like to explore a different location and would prefer to vote in October.
Mayor Mosley supported a vote in October and asked Mrs. Lange to send the article to the Town Clerk for the Newsletter.
Joyce Lang commented that this park will not be a place for protest. She believes that Pinkey would want to give the gift of peace to residents.
Joyce Lang invited residents to a Yoga and Yogurt for Peace event on September 16 at 11:00 AM at Legion Park. Kelly Fischer will do a 45-minute yoga practice. Afterward, there will be a picnic (drinks and yogurt will be provided).
Discussion.
Addison Row @ Cheverly Metro proposed development
Mayor Mosley announced that RJ Eldridge, Cheverly Planning Board, would present the Council with the Planning Boards’ report on the Jamal Property. The Council asked the Cheverly Planning Board to do research, attend hearings and provide recommendations on developments in and around Town.
RJ Eldridge stated that the Planning Board did not have a lot of time to review this project. The property is located on Addison Road and Englewood Drive. There are no direct roads linking this property to Cheverly. The 34-acre site has been used as a warehouse and gravel pit. It abuts residential property, the Junkyard and Beaver Dam Creek. The Town has been asked to support an application to rezone this property from commercial to a mixed-use transportation oriented development zoning district. The developer is proposing up to 2500 dwelling units (up to 7000 residents compared to Cheverly’s 6600 residents), a YMCA, a grocer, a connection to the Cheverly Metro and a trolley/public transit system. The Cheverly Planning Board identified the following issues for consideration:
1 Pedestrian connection is crucial to project success. The applicant has been trying to negotiate with Smith Junkyard with no success. Without this connection, Park and Planning is recommending denial.
1. There is potential for large amounts of traffic (much of it going through the old 4th Ward, Route 50 and Landover Road).
One of the things the Planning Board is hoping for was that if this project is approved it could serve as a catalyst for a holistic study of traffic patterns around Route 50, Route 450 and Route 295.
The Planning Board would like to see a range of housing price points (higher end). The largest consideration is the impact on local schools.
Mr. Warrington responded to Mayor Mosley that Staff will recommend denial and either the recommendation will come back to the Planning Board or the decision will be overridden.
Mayor Mosley recapped that there is no recommendation from the Planning Board because there is currently not enough information on the proposal. The Mayor and Council supports these concerns. This item will be discussed at the Worksession. She asked if the Town can request a delay of hearing because the hearing notice was received by the Town on September 13.
CM Oslik recommended sending a letter identifying these concerns for any development that goes forward at this location because the potential impact for Cheverly is enormous. Long-term development of the County can not be sustained by strict residential developments, but mixed use.
CM Ford stated that Fairmont Heights is slated for a total rehab and the Eastern Avenue and Addison Road intersection must be improved to keep up with new residential developments.
CM Schachter recommended that the Town should take a strong position.
CM Watson thanked RJ for making sense of this proposal. He supported a letter being sent to the Planning Board pleading the case that objecting a hearing on September 21 because not enough notice has been given. The Council should spend time on this issue.
CM Oslik recommended that the Council indicate reasons for the request and that the letter should state that the Town’s limited understanding of what is being proposed. Also, that there are so many concerns they can only oppose rezoning until there is an opportunity for a full and open discussion to address community impact.
Mayor Mosley supported that recommendation.
CM Schachter recommended the tone of the letter be stronger. Seven days notice is unreasonable.
Mayor Mosley concluded that she will instruct Mr. Warrington to write the letter outlining the Councils concerns adamantly opposed to hearing being held at short notice and that if it is held, they have no choice but to oppose the project.
She asked Mr. Warrington to find out the time and date of the hearing so that Council and the Planning Board can attend. She also asked him to obtain a Staff recommendation.
CM Oslik asked whether there are options for rezoning other than MXT that will produce a better mix of commercial and residential usage.
RJ Eldridge responded that he would need to examine that issue.
Mayor Mosley added that County CM Harrington, the Council and Staff should be copied on the letter and the staff report.
Discussion 2007 Election – Paper Ballots
Mayor Mosley summarized that the Election Board of Supervisors have indicated that they would like to use paper ballots for the May 2007 election. There are questions as to whether this will be too large an election for paper ballots. Also, there may be a negative perception from residents about why the Town is reverting to paper ballots. The question became whether Town regulations required machines except in an emergency.
Attorney Colaresi summarized that the Board of Elections is an independent body appointed by the Mayor and Council composed of three people, which runs all Town elections. It operates independent of the State and County Board of Elections and works to preserve the integrity of the election process. The Mayor noted this item would be discussed further at the Worksession and directed the Town Administrator to invite the Cheverly Election Board.
Authorization to Award Bid – 2007 Roadway Projects
· CM Ford moved to authorize the award of the bid for the 2007 Roadway Projects to VMP construction. Seconded by CM Oslik. Unanimously approved.
Meeting adjourned 10:40 p.m.
Town of Cheverly
Summary of Action
September 14, 2006
1. CM Watson moved to excuse CM Hoffman. Seconded by CM Schachter. Unanimously approved.
2. CM Ford moved to authorize the award of the bid for the 2007 Roadway Projects to VMP construction. Seconded by CM Oslik. Unanimously approved.
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