Town of Cheverly
Meeting Minutes
April 11, 2013
Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 8:00 pm in the Cheverly Community Center.
In attendance: CMs, Riazi, Coolen, Eldridge, Thorpe, Cook.
Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda/Approval/Changes
Minutes – Town Meeting 3/14/13
Approved as written.
Minutes – Worksession 3/28/13
Approved as written.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Warrington noted that we planted a tree for Arbor Day in Town Park, it was a Princeton Elm. WSSC is out and they are replacing water and sewer pipes. A synopsis of the Zoning Hearing Examiner meeting regarding Fuego was that there was a great deal of questions regarding who was who in the ownership issue. They were given an extension until April 12th to provide information and documents. The County asked for time until April 19th to review. Fuego was going to ask for an extension to remain open since the court set the deadline to close of April 19th. Regardless, Fuego’s attorney is going to file a suit regarding the constitutionality of the law passed by the County regulating this activity. If this is filed, then this could go on
for some time and they may be able to continue to operate.
Chief’s Report
Chief Robshaw crime is on its way down below last year’s levels. Detective Towers, Detective Jones and civilian Mary Jane Ulrich were all recognized today at our annual municipal Chief’s association banquet today and I wanted to make you aware of their awards. Our normal CPACT meetings are held in the police station conference room, but next month’s will be held at the apartments to get more people from the apartments at our meetings. It will be on May 8th at 7pm in the rental office. We had a robbery last week and we apprehended the two suspects prior to their boarding a Metro train. We believe that these suspects will be charged with multiple cases. It is clear to me that the extra manpower efforts in D.C. has pushed some of their crime into Prince
George’s County. Please have a heightened sense of awareness because of that and pay more attention to things around us. We have whistles available and it can serve as a warning device that there is a problem. Theft from auto is still our most prevalent crime so please “Conceal it so thieves won’t steal it”.
Committee Reports
Recreation Council Report
No report.
Green Infrastructure Committee
Ms. Shiela Salo there will be hearings coming-up regarding the Town Park Master Plan. The Cheverly Green Infrastructure plan is focused on reducing run off, erosion and improving water quality. At Cheverly Day and the Community Market, the Committee will be soliciting additional comments on the proposed changes to the Master Plan.
Cheverly Day Report
CM Thorpe Cheverly Day is May 18th. We will have the prom the evening before, the market and fireworks. We are soliciting donations and you can drop any donations off at the front office. Please see the website, Cheverlyday.org or Cheverlyday.com. You can purchase an ad on our website as well. There will be a run this year as well.
Planning Board Report
CM Eldridge the Planning Board is tying the ribbon on the Envision Cheverly Report. There were a couple of bills related to transit oriented development within a half of mile from a Metro Station. MNCPPC has kicked off a project to look at non-motorized connections between Cheverly and the Anacostia trail system.
Citizen Input
Ms. Jennifer Daniels chair of the ChevProm on May 17th. We have a great new band and they should be able to play anything you want to hear. You can get tickets here beginning Monday. Group sales will go through Glen Barton. We will have door prizes, decorating contests and it is pot luck and BYOB. All of the dishes are assigned by last names on your tickets. We could use additional volunteers and you can call me at 202-243-9081. Now taking that hat off and putting on another hat, the Cheverly Swim Club is doing a community wide survey and you can find that on our open facebook group at Cheverly Racquet Club Facebook Group. We want everybody’s input as to how to make this year fun.
Mr. Glen Barton coordinator for the Cicada Crunch run for Cheverly Day. It will be a 5K Race that will start at Legion Park and end at the Community Center. You can register on line at Active.com
Mayor and Council Announcements
CM Riazi Saturday evening from 5-8 pm there will be a chili cook-off contest at the American Legion. The proceeds go to help the American Legion.
CM Coolen the Cheverly Community Market starts up on May 4th. Time to shed the winter and get some great goods. I want to mention the house fire on 59th Place and ask residents not to consider this a tourist site out of respect.
CM Eldridge there will be a lot of kids out on May 10th at Legion Park for the Bike to School day. I appreciate the patience of folks and the kids get a great kick out of it, so come cheer them on. On May 4th the Truck Touch will be in swing from 10-2. Tickets are $5 for children and adults are free. This benefits the Weekday Nursery.
CM Riazi the homes on 58th Place have been promised, by the National Park Service, to be removed by August. In the mean time they continue to promise to keep the grounds up.
CM Cook I wanted to follow-up regarding the house fire to urge residents to check their smoke detectors and that the Bladensburg Fire Department will provide a free smoke detector. Their phone number is 301-864-4115.
Mayor the elections will take place on May 6th. Talk to the candidates and show up to vote and the candidates night is May 2nd here at the Community Center. Campaign signs can be on private property. You can’t have them between the sidewalk and curb or on public property. Worksession agenda will include: Vest Cameras, Town Park Plan, Zone Parking, Crematorium Proposal in Tuxedo, Trash Transfer Station and Budget Discussion.
Adoption – O-1-13 Amending the Personnel Section
Mr. Warrington this relates to conduct of employees. We are asking the Mayor and Council to amend the grounds for dismissal or suspension. It addresses falsifying a statement or records and sleeping while on duty. We have found that when we at times go before the Unemployment Commission, they want us to show it to them in writing. This may save us town funds in regards to winning a case and paying unemployment benefits.
- CM Thorpe to adopt Ordinance O-1-13 Amending the Personnel Section. CM Eldridge seconded. Approved 5-0.
Introduction of the FY14 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program
Mr. Warrington the budget is our guideline for how we are going to operate in the next year. We did a number of things to hold the line after last year’s reduction in assessments and therefore taxes. We did very well and ended-up with a negative balance of revenues verses expenditures of $3,000. We did freeze two positions and we froze all of the employee’s salaries. We have weathered year one of the three year re-assessment of homes. This proposed budget does not include a tax increase. We have included $100,000 for road projects as we will be following WSSC’s efforts to ensure that portions of roadways are not left unpaved. We can get a better bang for our buck as we finish those portions of road that remain to get a full road for a portion of the cost.
There is a 2% cost of living for the employees. We will possibly be drawing down on the surplus. We are still freezing the two positions. The CIP does include the re-building of the stage in Town Park and it looks like that funding will come through at 25 cents on the dollar through POS grant funds. We still have to pay for things like bonds on the Police Station. We most likely will purchase the trash truck over a 3 year lease purchase method, which will help our cash flow. We do have a new police car budgeted. This budget also includes some e-ticket printers for police vehicles.
Mayor we will be discussing this at all of our next meetings, so citizen participation is welcome and encouraged.
Adoption R-1-13 Appointment of Election Judges
Mr. Warrington this Resolution appoints the Judges that will be working on May 6th to ensure smooth voting and they are appointments by the Council.
- CM Riazi to adopt R-1-13 to Appoint Election Judges. CM Coolen seconded. Approved 5-0.
Introduction O-2-13 Amending the Parking Section
Mr. Warrington this Ordinance amends the parking section to clearly define that dual wheeled vehicles are prohibited in Cheverly on the street, unless loading or unloading. It is a County zoning code requirement and is outlined in our code regarding off street parking, but we want it clearly defined in our Code regarding on street parking.
Adoption Proclamation Declaring May as Peace Month
Mayor this Proclamation designates May as Peace Month in Cheverly .
- CM Thorpe to adopt R-1-13 to Proclaim May as Peace Month in Cheverly. CM Coolen seconded. Approved 5-0.
Mayor we are adjourned.
Town of Cheverly
Summary of Action
April 11, 2013
- CM Thorpe to adopt Ordinance O-1-13 Amending the Personnel Section. CM Eldridge seconded. Approved 5-0.
- CM Riazi to adopt R-1-13 to Appoint Election Judges. CM Coolen seconded. Approved 5-0.
- CM Thorpe to adopt R-1-13 to Proclaim May as Peace Month in Cheverly. CM Coolen seconded. Approved 5-0
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