COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HYATTSVILLE, MARYLAND Monday, December 3, 2012 Council President McKnight called the meeting of the Council to order at 8:11 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, Maryland. Present were Council President McKnight, Council Vice President Hiles, Council Members Ruth Ann Frazier, Paula Perry, Timothy Hunt, Candace Hollingsworth and Shani Warner. Mayor Marc Tartaro and Council Members Carlos Lizanne, Nicole Hinds Mofor and Eric Wingard were absent. Also present were Acting City Administrator Stookey, Director of Community & Economic Development Chandler, Director of Community Services Sandel, Police Chief Holland, City Arborist Schmidl and Acting Director of Public Works McTague. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Council President McKnight moved that the Mayor and Council approve the agenda of Monday, December 3, 2012, with the following changes: (1) removal of the presentation item for Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) and (2) removal of the UMD 113 Shuttle item. The motion to approve the agenda, as amended passed; unanimously. PRESENTATION: MD 500 Update by State Highway Administration Ms. Sarah Gentner, Transportation Engineer and Project Manager for the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) presented an update on the MD 500 project to the Council. Ms. Gentner introduced the project team to the Council and provided background information on
the project. Mr. Josh Dupee, Design Engineer from Century Engineering gave a detailed review of the technical details of the plan for the Council. It was noted that the median on MD 500 would be raised, a bicycle lane would be added and the curbs would be reconstructed to be compliant with ADA standards. Several proposed median lane closures were discussed: Manorwood Drive / Independence Court, Oliver Street (North and South) and median access for emergency vehicles only at Oliver Street (South) and Independence Court. The SHA Project Team responded to questions and comments from the Council. Council Member Frazier requested that the team review accident data for the intersection of MD 500 and Nicholson Street and possibly address issues at the intersection in the project design. There was a discussion regarding the left turn lane from MD 500 onto Belcrest Road. In the current plan with the closure of the Oliver Street median access, the cuing length for the left turn lane onto Belcrest would be increased. Mr. Dupee stated that adding an additional turn lane on MD 500 onto Belcrest Road was not possible due to the geometrics of the road design. Council Members Frazier, Perry and Hunt stated their concern with the current design for that intersection and stated that they did not feel that increasing the left turn lane length would have a significant improvement of the traffic flow at that intersection. Ms. Gentner then discussed the outstanding project challenges: pedestrian lighting and median landscaping. Ms. Gentner requested feedback from the City regarding the City s preference for those two items. Mr. Chris Dalton, Landscape Architect from SHA provided the Council with an overview of the City s options for landscaping. It was noted that the City would be responsible for the cost to maintain any landscaping that was above the basic SHA standard which is a grass planted median with single or double rows of trees. Ms. Gentner closed the presentation by stating that the project would be in the 90% Final Review stage by March 2013 and the design stage would be fully complete by August 2013. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Marc J. Imlay, Park Ranger with MNCPPC and member of Sierra Club, Maryland Native Plant Society and AWS, addressed the Council on the Magruder Wood Restoration Project and nonnative species control. A handout on the Forest Preservation and Habitat Restoration Program provided by Mr. Imlay was reviewed with the Council. Ranger Imlay responded to several questions from the Council about the volunteer work in Magruder Park. Ms. Valerie Haims, a Ward 4 resident, addressed the Mayor and Council on several items. With regard to the MD 500 project, Ms. Haims stated that she finds the intersection at Belcrest Road and MD 500 to be dangerous. She suggested that the City look into moving the bus stop to the Metro Station and inquired if the SHA had contacted First Methodist Church to see if the
Church may be willing to donate property in order to widen the intersection to allow for two turn lanes onto Belcrest. Ms. Haims thanked the City for installing bike racks. Ms. Haims then said that she was concerned with liter in a parking lot located in West Hyattsville. She stated that she had contacted City staff regarding the property and was waiting on a response. Council Member Perry addressed Ms. Haims and said that she had emailed the property owner about the problem. Ms. Jen Kubit, a Ward 4 resident, addressed the Council on the FY14 budget. Ms. Kubit said that West Hyattsville residents would like speed bumps on Nicholson Street or additional stop signs. Ms. Kubit noted that repairs were needed to the sidewalks on Jamestown Road and requested designated bike lanes on Hamilton Street between MD 500 and Ager Road. Ms. Kubit also requested more equitable distribution of trees and additional funding in the FY14 budget so that more trees could be planted in West Hyattsville. Mr. Michael Theis, Editor of the Hyattsville Patch addressed the Council on the FY14 Budget. Mr. Theis stated that he would like to see the City hire a Communications Director. He hoped that the person hired in this positon would take an active role in ensuring timely notification of violent crimes to residents in the area. Mr. Theis also suggested that the City make the Police Public Information Officer a full time position. Mr. David Marshall, a Ward 2 resident, addressed the Council on several items. Mr. Marshall stated his family s opposition to speed bumps in the City and said that it was his preference that the City use alternative methods to control traffic speed. Mr. Marshall noted that decorations from the Handmade on Hamilton festival held on November 3, 2012 remained on Hamilton Street and requested their removal. Mr. Marshall then addressed the MD 500 plan and stated his opposition to the closing off of Oliver Street. On the topic of two left turn lanes for the intersection at MD 500 and Belcrest Road, Mr. Marshall cited other intersections that are narrower and had two left turn lanes. Additionally, Mr. Marshall said that he opposed planting trees, bushes or shrubs on a median strip. Mr. Marshall then brought up Council Member excessive absenteeism and requested that the Council address the problem. Finally, Mr. Marshall inquired on the status of his proposal for the City to give a $500 bonus to non contract City employees as a onetime bonus for this year. Council Member Frazier then addressed the Council with concerns regarding communication to the Council. CONSENT ITEMS: Council President McKnight moved that the Mayor and Council approve the following items as consent: (1) Approve the Mayor's re-appointments of Mr. Jim Groves (Ward 2 resident), Mr. Alan Mattlage (Ward 2 resident), Ms. Rebecca Schaaf (Ward 2 resident), and Ms. Elizabeth Arnold (Ward 2 resident) to the Environmental Committee. The term limit for the appointments will expire on December 31, 2014 (Motion# 211-12-12), (2) Amend the City
Clerk contract for Laura Reams to reflect a start date of December 10, 2012 (Motion# 212-11- 12). There was some discussion about adding an additional name to the Hyattsville Environmental Committee appointments. It was determined that the additional person would be appointed in a separate motion. Council Member Perry seconded the motion. The motion passed; unanimously. ACTION ITEMS: Council President McKnight moved that the Mayor and Council accept a grant in the amount of $19,000 from Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning for support of recreation events and programs and authorize the Acting City Administrator to execute the agreement, upon review for legal sufficiency by the City Attorney. (Motion# 213-12-12). Council Member Hollingsworth seconded the motion. The motion passed; unanimously. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Hyattsville Shade Tree Board Appointments Council Member Perry requested to hold the motion as there were pending appointments from Ward 4. Council Member Hollingsworth suggested that the Council move the motion for Gloria Felix-Thompson only at that time. Council Member Warner also stated that she knew of some residents who were interested in serving on the board. Council Member Hunt moved that the Council approve the Mayor s appointments of Ms. Kate Kappel Haba (Ward 1 resident), Mr. Millard Smith (Ward 2 resident), and Mr. Joe Luebke (Ward 3 resident) and the reappointment of Ms. Gloria Felix-Thompson (Ward 2 resident), to the Hyattsville Shade Tree Board. The term limit for all appointments will begin on December 4, 2012, and will expire on December 31, 2015. The term limits for the Shade Tree Board are outlined in Chapter 112-3 of the Hyattsville Charter and Code. Council Member Warner seconded the motion. The motion passed; unanimously. Tree Planting Update Acting Director of Public Works McTague presented an update on the City s Tree Planting program to the Council. On November 10, 2012 92 trees were planted with the remainder of
150 trees scheduled to be planted by the end of December. Acting Director McTague detailed the care program for the trees into the following year. City Arborist Schmidl provided information to the Council regarding the determination of location for planting trees. Acting Director McTague also touched briefly on the planting plan for FY14 and suggested that the City review the number of trees removed in the previous year and plan to replace that number of trees in the upcoming fiscal year. Council Member Hiles inquired about the status of GIS mapping of tree plantings. City Arborist Schmidl stated that staff would get back to Council on the status of that item. Council Member Perry requested to see a list of tree planting locations by Ward as well as a list of those residents who requested to not have a tree planted or locations where trees could not be planted due to utility conflicts. Bike and Pedestrian Improvement Plan Director of Community and Economic Development Chandler addressed the Council on the progress of the Bike and Pedestrian Improvement project and provided the Council with recommendations for moving forward with procurement of bike lane/path services. Council Member Hunt requested to review copies of the engineering design which was stated to be posted on the City s website. Director Chandler requested feedback from the Council regarding their preference for proceeding with the project once the Council had time to review the documentation. 2805 Jamestown Road, Hyattsville Select and Approve a Contract for Services Director of Community and Economic Development Chandler provided background information to the Council on a blighted residential structure located at 2805 Jamestown Road. The City solicited proposals from contractors to raze the existing structure, remove all debris, backfill and provide sediment stabilization. In order to recoup the cost to the City, a lien would be placed on the property. Director Chandler stated that seven proposals were received and evaluated and he recommended that the City accept the proposal submitted by American Enterprises, Inc. The Council decided to take action on this item. Council Member Hiles moved that the City accept the proposal submitted by American Enterprises, Inc. and execute a contract for services not to exceed $14,574, upon the review and approval for legal sufficiency by the City Attorney (Motion# 215-12-12). Council Member Hunt seconded the motion. The motion passed; unanimously.
Renew MOU with Hyatt Park Community Garden Association Director of Community Services Sandel addressed the Council with background information on the Community Garden. Council Member Perry inquired if the garden could expand the size of the garden plot so more residents can use the Community Garden or starting a new garden in West Hyattsville near the Madison Park apartments. Director Sandel stated that in order to do that there would be some additional costs incurred by necessary soil sampling and site preparation. Council Member Perry said that in her opinion any additional expense to expand the garden would be worth the money to the community. Council Member Hunt said that he thought the garden was a success; however he thought that prior to expanding the garden any further it was important to get input from the residents living in the neighborhood surrounding the garden and suggested the use of flyers to encourage resident feedback. Council Member Warner said that she has watched a community grow around the garden and is pleased to see the garden as a success. Council Member Warner further stated that long term she would like to see the community garden expand to different sites within Hyattsville and that she would like to see a plan for expanding the Community Garden to West Hyattsville in the FY14 Budget. Council Member Hiles agreed that the community garden was a very successful example of community development. After some discussion, it was determined that the agenda item could come back as a consent item at the next council meeting. MOTION TO ADJOURN: Council Member Perry moved that the Mayor and Council adjourn the Council meeting of December 3, 2012. Council Member Frazier seconded the motion. The motion passed; unanimously. The Council Meeting of December 3, 2012 ended at 10:28 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julia McTague Acting Director of Public Works