Town of Cheverly - 02/08/2007 Town Meeting

02/08/2007 Town Meeting


	February 8, 2007 Town Meeting 1 Town of Cheverly Meeting Minutes February 8, 2007 Call to Order Mayor Mosley called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. in the Cheverly Community Center. There were 4 citizens in attendance. In attendance: Mr. Warrington, Attorney Colaresi, Chief Robshaw, CMs Oslik, Schachter, Watson, and Callahan. Pledge of Allegiance · CM Oslik moved to excuse Vice Mayor Ford and CM Oladele. Seconded by CM Callahan. Unanimously approved. Agenda/Approval/Changes This item was skipped. Minutes - Town Meeting – 12/14/06 CM Oslik mentioned that item 2 in the summary of action was inconsistent. Mayor Mosley asked that discussion on this correction be delayed to the Worksession. Minutes – Worksession – 1/25/07 Approved as written. Town Meeting Minutes – 1/11/07 The minutes were not available; approval was deferred to the Worksession. Town Administrators Report Mr. Warrington reported that the police station opening has been delayed because of wiring issues and other finishing touches. He reminded residents to obey parking rules during inclement weather. New bleachers have been installed in the gym that are ADA accessible, meet consumer product safety guidelines, have rails and guards. The bleachers were a donation to the Town in exchange for free removal. CM Watson added that at fence at Hoyer School (facing Valleyway) has collapsed and should be replaced. CM Callahan inquired abo9ut 5901 Medical Terrace. Mr. Warrington responded to CM Callahan that the doctor who owns the medical buildings has yet to contact him regarding getting electricity for the site. Police Department Report Chief Robshaw gave the report for January (attached to original of minutes). Residents interested in the camera system being proposed for the Town can contact him for more information. A meeting will be held on this topic in the next two weeks. The Women’s Self Defense Class will be held Saturday, April 21 from 10:00 – 3:00 PM at the gym. The cost is $20 (the town subsidizes the remaining $30). The Police Station Dedication is scheduled for March 24 from NOON – 2:00 PM. The Department will sponsor two classes on how to conduct Home Security Surveys in April. The January CPACT meeting was well attended and the theme for 2007 is “Lights, Whistles and Cameras”. Chief Robshaw responded to CM Oslik that his goal is to submit grant applications for lighting and the cameras in April. The Department has information on the suspects involved in the Montrose Road incident; however, because they live outside of Town, there have been few new developments. Since the suspects were identified; however, there have been no further incidents CM Schachter recommended seeking charitable contributions or discounts from area retailers on lighting and or other safety items. Chief Robshaw responded that he is looking to start a program similar to The Club purchase program for photoelectric cells; which can be inserted to existing light bulbs. These lights automatically turn on at night and off during the day. Mayor and Council Announcements Mayor Mosley summarized the Worksession Agenda: 63^rd Avenue and vicinity traffic controls; budget; tax incentive financing (TIF) for the Point at Cheverly; telecommunication participation for Worksession; 3 on 3 basketball for Cheverly Day; moving the Worksession start time to 7:00 PM and compressing the time allotted for citizen discussion; and a renovation proposal for the vacated police space. Cheverly Day is on May 19; the Council sponsored dance will be held on May 18. Election Day for Mayor and Council seats is May 7. March 23 is the last day for candidates to file nominating papers, April 6 is the last day to register to vote and April 30 is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot. The Boys and Girls Club will have a Dance on February/March 17 at 8:00 PM at St. Ambrose in Fannon Hall. The cost is $20 per person; $30 per couple. Attire is casual and refreshments will be provided. Proceeds will benefit The Club. Call Shelly Wood at 240/882-7438 for more information. Mayor Mosley expressed get well wishes to Loretta Ford, wife of CM Vincent Ford. The Mayor also acknowledged February 7 as being the 10^th Anniversary of the passing of Judith Hoyer (after whom The Hoyer Center is named and a long time teacher in the County). CM Watson requested that the gymnasium lighting be added to the Worksession agenda in addition to the Mayor and Council reimbursement policy. Mayor Mosley recommended that the latter item be placed on the March Worksession agenda. Committee Reports Recreation Council Barbara Pejokovich announced that the next meeting will be held on January 27. On March 1, she will begin taking table reservations for the April 14 Flea Market. The Easter Egg Hunt will be on April 7 and will begin at 11:00 AM. The Women’s Club will provide lunch. Mayor Mosley added that event ideas are needed for the 12-16 age groups for Cheverly Day. Congressman Albert Wynn will be meeting with the Mayor and Council on February 26 from 9 – 10:30 AM. CM Watson added that the 47^th District Legislative Night in Annapolis will be held on February 26 at 6:00 PM at the Miller Senate Building. Citizen Input Laila Riazi, 3406 Belleview Avenue announced that a presentation on Global Warming featuring: Mike Tidwell, author of Ravaging Tide and Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Bill McKibbon, author of the End of Nature and Tim Flannery, author of The Weathermakers. It will be held at The Foundry United Methodist Church on 16^th Street. More information can be found at www.climateemergency.org. Craig Tupper, 2332 Belleview Avenue stated that his understanding from a study conducted by Nationwide Insurance is that most burglaries occur during the day. He encouraged the use of motion detector lights versus photo cell lighting because they use less energy. Mayor Mosley added that burglaries have historically occurred in Cheverly during the day; however, last year they became more prevalent at night. Chief Robshaw was not present to respond but Mayor Mosley asked Mr. Tupper to leave his phone number so that she could have the Chief call him back. Madeline Gold, 3020 Parkway announced that Progressive Cheverly will host a forum on February 23 with the 47^th State Delegation from 7:30 – 9:00 PM at The Hoyer School. On March 1, a panel discussion will be held during their regular meeting on the crisis at Prince George’s Hospital. County Councilmembers Harrington, Delegates Ramirez and Niemann, Sam Epps (Service Employees Integration Union 1199) and John Calmers (Secretary for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) will be present and the panel will be moderated by Rushern Baker. 63^rd Avenue & Vicinity Traffic Mayor Mosley summarized that major changes in traffic flow are being proposed. CM Oslik spearheaded this initiative and has been supported by CMs Callahan and Ford. CM Oslik distributed a copy of his recommendations for next steps (attached to original of the minutes). Conversations have been held with principals at Spellman and St. Ambrose. Principal Swan at Spellman stated that students could not be dropped off in the driveway when buses are present. Students can be dropped off at the front door of the school. St. Ambrose’s principal reiterated that parents will be ticketed if they are not careful. There was a proposal for a “no left turn” from 63^rd on to Kilmer street during school peak hours; however, residents did not feel that was a useful recommendation and that the main issue was traffic flow in the opposite direction. CM Oslik summarized his recommendations as follows: installing stops signs on 63^rd Avenue at Joslyn Place in both directions. That a new traffic count be conducted on 63^rd Avenue (in front of the school) which based on data will determine whether speed humps (or other traffic calming mechanisms) are installed. That the decision to turn Inwood Street into a two-way street be deferred until traffic calming decisions have been made. He recommended proceeding with installing signs prohibiting student drop off along 63^rd Avenue in front of the school. Also, to not install a “no left turn” sign from 63^rdAvenue onto Kilmer. Lastly, he recommended getting consultation for the installation of a speed hump on the lower part of 63^rd Avenue speed hump. Mayor Mosley directed Mr. Warrington to follow up with the Transportation Division head on why children could not be dropped off while buses are present. · CM Oslik moved install stops signs on 63^rd Avenue on the corner of Joslyn Place in both directions and that new or additional signs prohibiting student drop off and pick up along 63^rd Avenue be installed in front of the school. Seconded by CM Callahan. Discussion regarding enforcement. Attorney Colaresi responded to Mr. Warrington that perhaps there should be “No Stopping/Standing” signs that would be enforced during the appointed hours versus “No Dropping Off” signs and drivers in violation would be ticketed. He recommended consulting with the official Maryland Sign Manual. Mayor Mosley recommended voting on the stop signs and directing Mr. Warrington to conduct a new traffic count and to defer the remaining recommendations to the Worksession. · CM Oslik amended his motion to install stop signs on 63^rd Avenue on the corner of Joslyn Place in both directions. Seconded by CM Callahan. Unanimously approved. Mayor Mosley asked that the Maryland Uniform Signage Manual be consulted to find out whether there is a “No Dropping Off” sign available. Attorney Colaresi added that this topic consists of a safety issue; which gives the Mayor and Council more authority to act. Position – Clean Car Act (HB44 SB51) CM Oslik summarized that item involves support for legislation allowing Maryland to join 11 other states that have adopted California’s strict car emissions standards in order to reduce air pollution and to lower carbon dioxide emissions that have been proven to contribute to global warming. This bill will significantly reduce automobile emissions that also cause cancer, cardio vascular illnesses and respiratory ailments such as asthma. CM Oslik added that he is asking for support of this item in recognition of the broader impacts of global warming; which will eventually adversely affect the Mayor and Council’s ability to govern the Town. Potential impacts include the reallocation of funding and the refocus of the States attention to issues around global warming. · CM Oslik moved that Council send letters to the 47^th Delegation in support of the Clean Car Act HB44-SB51 and thanking Senator Britt, Delegate Niemann and Governor O’Malley for their support of this legislation. Seconded by CM Watson. CM Schachter stated that he was not elected to stand on issues of global warming and vehicle emissions; even though he is deeply concerned about them as a citizen. He will abstain on the vote. CM Watson stated that he supports the motion; however, he agrees with CM Schachter in that the Town should not take a position on global warming. He does not feel qualified to make a decision on this issue. However, the motion does not ask for support of global warming but for the proposed legislation. CM Callahan stated his support of the motion; however, he also agrees with CM Schachter that the Council is not qualified to take a position on global warming. He does support making provision to improve the air quality in Town. Mayor Mosley stated her support of the motion and also stated her agreement with CM Schachter’s position regarding global warming. She added that the Kenilworth Avenue and Route 50 intersections is the most polluted in the Metro area. CM Oslik responded that he recognizes that it is not always clear what issues the town is addressing; however, the Mayor and Council will have to more directly address global warming at some point. He encouraged his colleagues to seek input from constituents on these issues during the upcoming election season and respectfully disagreed on the point of supporting partisan issues, stating that there is a difference between partisan and controversial issues. Lisa Lincoln, 3207 Tremont Avenue (Progressive Cheverly) supports the Mayor and Council sending correspondence to the State Legislature supporting this bill. She added that Progressive Cheverly is planning to submit proposals to the Mayor and Council on alternative energy sources and fuels. VOTE: Four in favor (CMs Oslik, Watson, Callahan and Mayor Mosley). CM Schachter abstained. Resolution R-2-07 Appointing Election Supervisors Mayor Mosley reappointed Joseph Pruden as Election Supervisor. His position is up for renewal. · CM Watson moved adoption of Resolution R-1-07 Appointing Election Supervisors. Seconded by CM Oslik. Unanimously approved. Resolution R-3-07 Appointing Election Judges The following individuals were appointed as Election Judges: Wd 1 Ted Lemanski Wd 2 Susan Pruden Wd 3 Barbara Pejokovich Wd 4 Catherine Wintermyer Wd 5 Marilyn D’Angelo Wd 6 Reginald Fitzgerald · CM Callahan moved adoption of Resolution R-2-07 Appointing Election Judges. Seconded by CM Watson. Unanimously approved. Mayor Mosley stated that Marilyn D’Angelo lives in Ward 2; however, she has agreed to represent Ward 5. Meeting adjourned 10:30 PM. Town of Cheverly Summary of Action February 8, 2007 1. CM Oslik moved to excuse Vice Mayor Ford and CM Oladele. Seconded by CM Callahan. Unanimously approved. 2. CM Oslik moved install stops signs on 63^rd Avenue on the corner of Joslyn Place in both directions and that new or additional signs prohibiting student drop off and pick up along 63^rd Avenue be installed in front of the school. Seconded by CM Callahan. No vote. 3. CM Oslik amended his motion to install stop signs on 63^rd Avenue on the corner of Joslyn Place in both directions. Seconded by CM Callahan. Unanimously approved. 4. CM Oslik moved that Council send letters to the 47^th Delegation in support of the Clean Car Act HB44-SB51 and thank Senator Britt, Delegate Niemann, and Governor O’Malley for their support of this legislation. Seconded by CM Watson. VOTE: 4-0 in favor, CM Schachter abstained, Mayor cast 4^th affirmative vote. 5. CM Watson moved adoption of Resolution R-1-07 Appointing Election Supervisors. Seconded by CM Oslik. Unanimously approved. 6. CM Callahan moved adoption of Resolution R-2-07 Appointing Election Judges. Seconded by CM Watson. Unanimously approved.