Town of Cheverly
Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2008
Call to Order
Mayor Mosley called the meeting to order at 8:10 pm in the Cheverly Community Center. There were 2 residents in attendance. 4
In attendance: Mayor Mosley, Mr. Warrington, Chief Robshaw, and CMs Eldridge, Callahan, Schachter, Ford, and Watson.
Pledge of Allegiance
Holiday Decorating Contest Awards
The Holiday Decorating Contest took place on December 16, 2007. Mayor Mosley suggested holding the contest slightly later next year to allow more time for residents to decorate. Mayor Mosley noted that several of the homes can be viewed on www.flickr.com/groups/cheverly. The grand prize winner, which is on the flickr.com website is 6007 Euclid. The other top five winners were 3001 Crest Avenue, 3114 Belleview Avenue, 3121 Belleview Avenue, and 3013 Lake Avenue. The remaining top 20 winners
were 3001 Hillside Avenue, 2815 Woodway Place, 2917 Hillside Avenue, 3106 Cheverly Avenue, 6007 Kilmer, 2816 63rd Place, 6402 Cheverly Avenue (double check address), 3008 Park Way, 2303 Crestlawn , 3306 Belleview Avenue, 6013 Inwood Street, 3092 Belleview Avenue, 6419 Landover Road Apartment 204, 6006 Kilmer, and 2910 Cheverly Oaks Court.
Agenda/Approval/Changes
No changes.
Minutes – Town Meeting 12/13/2007
Approved as written.
Minutes – Worksession 12/18/2007
Approved as written.
Town Administrator Report
Mr. Warrington noted that the Public Works vacuum leaf collection will end on Thursday, February 7, 2008. After February 7 leaves must be collected in bags. Mr. Warrington also noted that the front office is currently short-staffed.
Mayor Mosley asked the Town Attorney if there has been any response from the Attorney General regarding the Town’s TIF. Mr. Colaresi noted that the letter has not been sent, because the developer has instructed that the letter should not be sent. Mr. Colaresi continues to remind the developer’s attorney weekly that the Town is waiting to hear from the developer so that the letter can be sent.
CM Eldridge asked if the instructions for requesting a speed hump are noted on the website. Mr. Warrington noted that he would need to double check, but that it is in the Town Code, which is on the website. Mayor Mosley noted that there had been a question about the request process for a speed hump request for Cheverly Avenue. CM Eldridge noted that the request has been received, and there is another location that may be requested.
CM Watson asked if there has been any response regarding the lights on the Columbia Park Bridge. Mr. Warrington stated that there has not been a response. CM Watson will check the lights periodically to determine if the work has been completed. CM Watson also asked about the auto delete function with emails. Mayor Mosley noted that this issue needs to be discussed further with Mr. Colaresi, and the issue will be placed on a future agenda. CM Watson asked Mr. Warrington for a copy of a letter.
CM Schachter asked if the letter the Town is waiting to send to the Attorney General is written on behalf of the Town. Mr. Colaresi confirmed that the letter is being sent on behalf of the Town. CM Schachter asked for the letter to be sent if the developer does not respond. Mr. Colaresi recommended against sending the letter without the approval of the developer. CM Schachter noted his frustration with the developer not acting in good faith.
CM Callahan thanked the Town Administrator for sending the letter regarding the water tower.
CM Eldridge thanked the Town Administrator for last month’s Town Meeting notes, and commented that the notes were comprehensive, which he appreciated because he was absent from the meeting.
Police Department Report
Chief Robshaw reminded residents that the next C-PAC meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2007 at Spellman Elementary School in the multi-purpose room at 7:00pm. Fliers will go out to the apartment residents and the businesses on Landover Road, and all residents of Cheverly are encouraged to attend.
Approximately 60 notices have been sent to residents due to inoperable and/or unregistered vehicles. The final notice will be sent next week, which will include a timeline to comply or the vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. Chief Robshaw encouraged any residents who have received a notice to comply with the notice. One option is to donate the vehicle.
Next month is the out-of-state registration drive. MD law requires that out-of-state vehicles are registered within 60 days. The Police Department will notify residents if they have not obtained a MD driver’s license and/or registration, which is required for anyone who resides in MD.
Chief Robshaw reported that there were not any homicides in 2007. Carjackings and sex offenses were the same as the previous year. One arson occurred, which was immediately closed by arrest. Thefts increased 10% last year, and theft is the number one crime in the Town. Assaults increased 15%, which translates to two additional assaults as Cheverly’s assault statistics are relatively low for a jurisdiction of this size, and the closure rate is exceptionally high. The largest concern was auto thefts, which increased from 39 to 70 this past year, which is a 70% increase. The Police Department is working with several agencies and jurisdictions on this issue. Some suspects are taking the Metro to Cheverly, and then stealing vehicles to commit additional crimes.
Vandalism decreased 25% last year. Burglaries were down 28%, and robberies decreased 47%. Total violent crime dropped by 25% as compared to the past three years. The total crime rate for the Town decreased 5%.
Mayor Mosley asked Chief Robshaw to define what encompasses a theft. Chief Robshaw clarified that a theft is any theft that does not involve entry into a home or business. The principal theft is automobiles. Mayor Mosley noted that every year for the past four years, except last year had decreased each year.
CM Eldridge asked if the thefts from auto are malicious acts of people breaking into cars or if residents need to be reminded to secure their vehicles. Chief Robshaw responded that approximately 50% of the thefts from autos occur with an unlocked door. CM Eldridge also asked what percentage of people stopped for speeding were residents versus non-residents. Chief Robshaw stated that excluding Landover Road 60-70% of traffic violations are residents of the Town.
CM Callahan asked if vehicles parked on lawns and in the back yard are against the law. Chief Robshaw noted that it is against Town code to park on an unpaved portion of private property. CM Callahan asked why the Town and State number of tickets decreased during the last three months of the year. Chief Robshaw noted that Town tickets increased considerably last year, but the drop off at the end of the year is partially due to personnel levels. Mayor Mosley noted that the Town is currently down to two Police Officers. Chief Robshaw noted that a drop in tickets can also be attributed to shifting personnel to investigations when there are urgent cases that need to be investigated.
CM Callahan spoke to the Principal at Saint Ambrose about the possibility of the Town sending out a letter asking drivers to slow down. Chief Robshaw noted that he writes a letter to parents of the local schools every year. Chief Robshaw also noted that Saint Ambrose has a rule that if a child is late a certain number of times a fine is assessed to the family, which increases the speed at which families drive in the Town to avoid their children arriving late to school. This is a difficult situation because we want children to arrive on-time for school, but do not want parents to speed to do so.
CM Schachter is concerned about the increase in auto thefts, and asked if any of the vehicles stolen had a club on them, and Chief Robshaw responded that there were not any clubs on the vehicles that were stolen. CM Schachter asked if the voluntary sale of clubs had increased or dropped off, and Chief Robshaw noted that sales have dropped off significantly this year even though the Police Department has offered the clubs for $5, which is less than the actual cost of the club. CM Schachter asked if mandating the use of clubs would reduce the level of crime in the Town, and Chief Robshaw responded that it would not only reduce the level of auto thefts, but also the subsequent crimes that are committed with the stolen vehicles. CM Schachter asked Chief Robshaw to conduct research to determine
if any other police department has used this type of mandate. CM Schachter asked to have this topic as an agenda item for a future meeting.
CM Schachter asked Chief Robshaw if additional penalties imposed on residents if they commit crimes in the town in which they live would assist with reducing the level of crimes in the Town. Chief Robshaw stated that he did not have enough information to respond whether that would work or not.
Chief Robshaw noted that the number of crimes at Howard Johnson have reduced significantly, and recognized Howard Johnson for their work on this issue. Mayor Mosley also thanked State’s Attorney Glen Ivey and his office for their work on this issue. The Town will send letters to Howard Johnson and State’s Attorney Glen Ivey’s office and post an announcement in the newsletter to thank them for their hard work on this issue.
CM Ford noted that there has been a high turnover of tenants at the apartment complex, and he suggested to Chief Robshaw that he post a sign about the club at the apartment complex. Mayor Mosley asked if the apartments have had a higher increase in the number of auto thefts than other areas. Chief Robshaw responded that all of the areas have seen similar increases in auto thefts.
Mayor and Council Announcements
Mayor Mosley announced that the next meeting will be the Worksession on Thursday, January 24, 2008, which will include a Peace Initiative presentation by Joyce Lange, a discussion on the Christmas display in Legion Park and if it is Constitutional, newsletter and building use guidelines, email auto delete discussion, tax incentive financing update, American Resources Management proposal, election procedures for write-in candidates, and the lights on Route 50.
Mayor Mosley announced that there will be a special Worksession dedicated to fiscal year 2009 budget discussions with Department Heads, which is open to the public on Thursday, January 31, 2008.
CM Eldridge announced that Cheverly is working on a connection from Cheverly to the Anacostia Trail. He also announced that they now have an outline for the Cheverly green infrastructure plan, which he would like to add to an upcoming Worksession. Mayor Mosley asked if February would work to add the item to a Worksession, and CM Eldridge agreed. CM Eldridge also discussed his concern with speeding in Cheverly, and asked residents to set an example by following the speed limits in the Town.
CM Watson thanked Mr. Warrington for getting the light installed on Benton Street. CM Watson has reviewed the Pepco list of problems, and he found that half of the problems are not resolved. CM Watson has been traveling through Cheverly at different times of the day to check on the lighting problems, and will turn an updated list in to Mr. Warrington once it is completed.
Mayor Mosley discussed the power outage issues in Wards 1 and 2 that have begun to occur again. County CM Harrington is going to assist the Town with this issue. Mayor Mosley also noted that CM Harrington was able to get $1,000,000.00 in the budget for upgrades at Spellman Elementary School.
CM Callahan asked to add storm drain stenciling and updating the website as agenda items to an upcoming meeting. Mayor Mosley stated that they could add them to the February agenda.
Committee Reports
Recreation Council
No report was presented.
Cheverly Day Report
No report was presented.
Citizen Input
Fred Price Jr. of 1709 62nd Avenue noted that the street light by his home is out. Mr. Price also noted that the majority of the crime in Cheverly occurs in Ward 5, and is asking residents in the Ward to take some responsibility for their homes. Mr. Price asked if the resident in the apartment complex who won the decorating contest was the former Counsel Woman, and Mayor Mosley responded that it was not her home. Mr. Price asked the Counsel to not become comfortable with the fact that 1/6 of the community is not represented on the Counsel. On behalf of the Prince George’s County NAACP Education Committee, Mr. Prince wanted to bring a proposal by Dr. Desy to the attention of the Counsel. The proposal is a pre-k – 8th transition plan that
promotes academic success through programmatic enhancements and boundary adjustments. Judy Hoyer is one of the schools that is part of this plan. Cheverly needs to get involved to ensure Cheverly’s interests are kept in mind. Mr. Prince also discussed his concern regarding the portrayal of Bladensburg being one of the dropout mills in Prince George’s County.
Mayor Mosley believes that the level of crime at the apartments decreased last year. Mayor Mosley also noted that Counsel has taken several measures to advertise the opening on the Counsel for Ward 5.
CM Schachter asked if it is possible to change the law that requires that the Counsel Member of a Ward must be a resident in the Ward so that the Counsel would be free to appoint a resident from a different Ward to represent a vacant seat on the Counsel. Mayor Mosley asked that this discussion be tabled until further information can be obtained from the Town’s Attorney.
Robert L. Madison of 6509 Maureen Court discussed his concerns regarding the lack of notification prior to Verizon beginning their work in the Town. He understands easement rights, but he would like to receive notification prior to Verizon working on his property. Mayor Mosley asked Mr. Warrington if the Town receives notice prior to Verizon beginning work in the Town. Mr. Warrington noted that as part of the Town’s franchise agreement with Verizon the Town granted permission to Verizon that if work is needed on the first 25 feet of a resident’s property that the work can be done without notice. Door hangers must be placed on doors, and Mr. Warrington will remind Verizon to take this action prior to working on a resident’s property.
CM Callahan mentioned that he received a telephone call last week regarding 15 residents on Crest Avenue and Jason Street who had their water turned off by WSSC for planned work without any notification. CM Callahan asked for WSSC to also be reminded to provide proper notification to residents for planned work.
Second Reading Charter Amendment 108 Raising the Tax Cap
Mayor Mosley noted that this charter amendment would allow the Counsel to raise the tax cap. This is the second reading of this charter amendment, and information regarding this charter amendment was placed in the Town Newsletter as well as some Counsel Members sending out information to their Wards. The Counsel will conduct three readings prior to voting on the charter amendment.
Mr. Warrington discussed that the charter sets the limit on the property tax rate and the tangible personal property tax rate. The amendment as it is currently written would increase the property tax limit from $0.50 to $0.58, and raise the tangible personal property tax limit from $1.00 to $1.20. Mayor Mosley reminded residents that raising the tax cap does not mean the Counsel is going to raise taxes to the above listed levels. Last month the Counsel placed the tax limit at the highest level it would consider in order to avoid having to start the readings over again if the Counsel raised the limit during discussions. This also leaves the door open to lowering the tax limit during discussions.
CM Callahan stated that although the Counsel set the tax limit at the upper limits the sense of the Counsel was that they did not want to reach this limit this year, and that they were attempting to hold the budget flat year-over-year. Mayor Mosley asked CM Callahan if he was advocating leaving the tax limit at $0.58, and CM Callahan confirmed that was his position.
CM Eldridge asked for clarification regarding if the Counsel could have the third reading and the adoption at the next meeting. Mayor Mosley confirmed this was possible, and stated that it is necessary for the Counsel to make a decision at the next meeting.
Cheverly Planning Board Grant Proposal Approval
Hugh Guest, Chair of the Planning Board made a presentation regarding a grant proposal. The Town Counsel asked the Planning Board to develop a policy related to comprehensive trails. The proposal presented to the Counsel this evening is the result of the Planning Board’s efforts on this issue. Mr. Guest thanked Jerry McComb and Paivi Spoon, members of the Planning Board for their work on this proposal. Mr. Guest also thanked CM Eldridge for the editorial work completed last night, and Mr. Warrington for providing information regarding the timing of the proposal in order to move the proposal forward. This proposal offers the opportunity to obtain $20,000 in technical assistance in order assist with developing the framework policy plan for a
comprehensive trail program. As far as Mr. Guest is aware there are no audit requirements on the part of the Town, and no money coming into the Town, because the agreements are worked out between the consultants and the Counsel of Governments. Mr. Guest estimates that the funding would provide 100-120 hours of technical assistance. The Planning Board thinks that the outcome of this effort would be public participation, and that they will walk away from the technical assistance with a conceptual idea of what the comprehensive trail plan would look like. This proposal does require a letter from Prince George’s County. The Counsel was provided with a letter that the Mayor would sign, which would go to the County, and a letter that the County Administrator would sign. The Planning Board determined that they should be the primary point of contact for the grant unless the Counsel has a different suggestion, and then to list Mr.
Warrington as the back-up contact person.
CM Eldridge is excited that the Planning Board is pursuing this grant. He believes this could assist with connections between Ward 5 and the residential area of Cheverly, and also connections to the Landover Road areas and the old 4th Ward.
Mayor Mosley asked if there were any objections to the Planning Board listing themselves as the first point of contact, and listing Mr. Warrington as the back-up contact person. There were no objections.
CM Schachter urged the Planning Board to prioritize the list of where the grant funding should focus its efforts.
Mayor Mosley commended the Planning Board’s efforts, and CM Eldridge encouraged residents to consider volunteering to serve on the Planning Board. Mr. Guest noted that the Planning Board has shifted its meeting to Tuesday rather than Monday.
§ CM Eldridge moved to adopt R-1-08 supporting the application for the transportation and trails connections technical assistance grant. Seconded by CM Ford. Unanimously approved.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm.
Town of Cheverly
Summary of Action
January 10, 2008
1. CM Eldridge moved to adopt R-1-08 supporting the application for the transportation and trails connections technical assistance grant. Seconded by CM Ford. Unanimously approved.
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