11 April 2016 | Approved: 23 May 2016
Mayor Joli McCathran called the meeting of the Town Council to order at 7:31 p.m. In attendance were Council Members Georgette Cole, Alison Faupel, Audrey Maskery, John McClelland, Bud O’Connor and Greg Silber. Also present were Treasurer Mary Challstrom, residents Sat Amagai, Charlie Challstrom, Mark Fredericksen, Larry French, Birgit Henninger, Patrice Klein, Peter Nagrod and property owner Dennis Kane.
Approval of Agenda:
Mayor McCathran suggested modifying the agenda by adding Ordinance 2016-07: Ordinance Modifying Business Hours Specified In The Town’s Commercial Regulations By 30 Minutes To Allow Businesses To Remain Open Until 9:30 p.m. to the agenda. The amended agenda was approved by general consensus.
Public Appearances:
Town Clerk Kathy Lehman thanked everyone for their time and effort in updating the job description of the Town Clerk and for their input in her recent performance evaluation. She said it is better to have clarity concerning the job. The Mayor will provide the Council with a copy of the new job description and Kathy will send copies of the performance evaluation to Council members once it is signed.
Approval of Minutes:
Bud O’Connor moved to approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting on March 14, 2016. Alison Faupel seconded the motion. Changes were made.
Vote: 6-0, as amended.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurers Report 2016-Marchpdf
Georgette Cole moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report for March 2016. Audrey Maskery seconded the motion. Vote: 6-0.
Greg Silber moved to transfer $5,000 from savings to checking to pay bills. Bud O’Connor seconded the motion. Vote: 6-0.
Report from the Emergency Preparedness Committee:
Emergency Preparedness Committee Chair Mark Frederickson provided a background of the Committee’s work and explained he was presenting an interim report. A final report of the steps the Town might take to plan for large-scale emergency should be completed in June 2016. Mark also asked for time to present information at the Annual Town Meeting. He distributed and reviewed a one-page handout (Exhibit A). Mayor McCathran thanked Mark and the Committee members for their hard work.
Finalize Recommended FY 2017 Budget and Tax Rate:
The Council discussed the following:
- Additional funds for improving web site functions
- Funding for the electronic speed device
- Funding for playground equipment in the CIP out years
- Constant Yield Calculation
- Property acquisition set aside
The Council discussed the tax rate for residents. Treasurer Mary Challstrom stated the Town’s reserves are currently seven (7) to eight (8) times higher than typically held by other municipalities of similar size. Bud O’Connor moved to decrease the current FY 2016 tax rate from 0.2860/$100 assessed property evaluation to 0.2700 for FY 2017. John McClelland seconded the motion. The Mayor asked for a roll call vote: Audrey Maskery – yea; Alison Faupel – yea; Bud O’Connor – yea; Greg Silber – yea; Georgette Cole – abstain; John McClelland – yea.
Ordinance 2016-04; Adopting Town Budget and Tax Rate for FY 2017 – Introduction:
Bud O’Connor moved to introduce Ordinance 2016-04, as amended. Greg Silber seconded the motion. The Mayor asked for a roll call vote: Audrey Maskery – yea; Alison Faupel – yea; Bud O’Connor – yea; Greg Silber – yea; Georgette Cole – yea; John McClelland – yea. The public hearing is set for May 23, 2016.
Action on Ordinance 2016-02; Ordinance Granting a Non-Exclusive Cable Franchise Agreement to Comcast of Potomac, LLC:
Mayor McCathran reported the Town is already in a contract agreement with Verizon. It was noted there is no end date on the contract.
John McClelland moved to introduce and adopt Resolution 2016-06: Resolution Approving An Amended Agreement With Montgomery County Concerning the Verizon Cable Franchise. Alison Faupel seconded the motion. A typographical error in the text was corrected. Vote: 6-0.
Georgette Cole moved to enact Ordinance 2016-02; Ordinance Granting a Non-Exclusive Cable Franchise Agreement to Comcast of Potomac, LLC. John McClelland seconded the motion. Vote: 6-0.
Bud O’Connor moved to introduce and adopt Resolution 2016-05; Resolution Approving An Agreement With Montgomery County Concerning The Comcast Cable Franchise. A typographical error in the text was corrected. Vote: 6-0.
Ordinance 2016-07: Ordinance Modifying Business Hours Specified In The Town’s Commercial Regulations By 30 Minutes To Allow Businesses To Remain Open Until 9:30 P.M.:
John McClelland moved to introduce Ordinance 2016-07. Bud O’Connor seconded the motion. John McClelland explained the request for this change. A version of Alcoholics Anonymous has applied to use the space at the Commercial Corner once occupied by Agape Flowers. They will use the space daily from 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. only. The current ordinance requires businesses to close no later than 9:00 p.m. Mayor McCathran agreed to authorize a three (3) month temporary permit allowing the later closing time. This will allow the ordinance to go through proper Town process. This temporary permit will run from May 1, 2016 – July 1, 2016; and thereafter the approved ordinance would apply. The public hearing is set for May 23, 2016. Vote: 6-0.
Rainwater Run Off Consultation from Montgomery County Expert:
John McClelland reported Audrey Maskery, Maintenance Supervisor Steve Werts and he will meet with Montgomery County representatives to look at specific drainage problems in Town. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 13, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.
Website Policy:
Alison Faupel reported she reviewed the College Park policy for posting photographs, possible personal privacy matters, and other administrative functions. Some standard language about prohibitions, ADA requirements and release forms could easily be cut and pasted for Town use. She suggested release forms be attached to Summer In The Parks registration forms.
Opening Sealed Bids for Surveying Western Boundary Of The West Woods:
Mayor McCathran opened the bids.
- Survey Associates $ 3,750.00
- MHG $13,055.00
- Snider & Associates $ 6,800.00
There was a discussion about references and as to whether references were properly listed. Charlie Challstrom brought up a previous problem with Survey Associates survey at 409 5th Avenue. He gave the Mayor and Council some documents and explained a four (4) foot error as he thought it existed. Georgette Cole stated Survey Associates and Snider & Associates should work together to solve the issue between 407 and 409 5th Avenue. Bud O’Connor moved to use Snider & Associates for surveying the western boundary of the West Woods. John McClelland seconded the motion.
Vote: 5-0; 1 Abstention (Faupel).
Council Reports:
Alison Faupel moved to approve the Council Reports for posting on the web. Audrey Maskery seconded the motion. Audrey’s reports came late and will be added to the final copy. Two (2) small changes were made. Mayor McCathran asked Bud O’Connor for his opinion about letting Hall renters have access to the Town audio equipment. This has not been done in the past. The Council decided not to allow this access. Vote: 6-0.
Mayor’s Announcements:
HB1101 – Mayor McCathran reported HB 1101, Closed Swimming Lakes passed. The vote was 45-0. It currently awaits the Governor’s signature. The Council thanked the Mayor for her work on this state legislation.
New Business:
Audrey Maskery announced two (2) American Sycamores were planted in Town. One (1) near the ballfield and one (1) in the park near 211 Maple Avenue.
There being no further new business, the meeting adjourned at 9:53 p.m.
Georgette Cole moved, Audrey Maskery seconded the meeting be closed to the public in order to discuss personnel matters. Vote: 6-0.
The Mayor and Council went into closed session at 9:55 p.m.