Worksession
Work Session Minutes
October 2, 2023| 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Call to Order
Mayor Jodie Kulpa-Eddy called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. Present were Councilmember Shinita Hemby, Councilmember Faustino Menjiva and Councilmember Jason Papanikolas. Mayor Pro Tem Chris Brittan-Powell joined the meeting remotely. Staff present were Town Manager Kyle Snyder and Town Clerk Melanie Friesen. Also present were residents of the Town of Berwyn Heights
Approval of the Agenda
CM Hemby moved to approve the agenda. CM Menjivar seconded. With no discussion the motion passed 4:0:1 with MPT Brittan-Powell abstaining.
1. Mayor
a. Announcements
There were no announcements beyond noting that MPT Brittan-Powell was attending remotely.
b. Calendar
Mayor Kulpa-Eddy highlighted the Rec Council events, Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the welcome reception for TM Snyder. She also noted the upcoming PGCMA meeting for Council as well as the Four Cities Meeting. There was discussion regarding moving the November 20th Worksession. It was concluded that it would not need to be moved as it is a routine worksession, and will remain on November 20th.
c. Ordinance 109 (Elections) Final Draft Review
Mayor Kulpa-Eddy requested to take some time to do wordsmithing on the Ordinance. She noted changes in format that needed to take place. Council reviewed the elections ordinance in some detail, noting a few substantive changes that should be made before sending the ordinance to the Town Attorney for review. There was a longer discussion regarding who was authorized to establish an early voting day, with determination that it would be the Council in consultation with the Board of Elections Supervisors.
d. Review Final Draft Bulletin Policy
Mayor Kulpa-Eddy reviewed that points from the last discussion on this topic have been incorporated. There was a desire to have a minor point clarified on the “Council Corner”, which will be included and then presented for passage at the Town Meeting.
e. “Time to Care Act” Report
TM Snyder gave background on the new law that will affect all employers in the State with over 15 employees. He summarized that the Town has three options: buy into a partnership with Maryland Municipal League, join the State program, or self-administer a plan. Mayor Kulpa-Eddy shared her rough calculations and expressed an opinion that joining the State plan would likely be the most economical, as the MML program has a $3,000 non-refundable annual membership fee. CM Papanikolas expressed that he believes it will be easier to begin with MML and move to the State plan if that did wind up being the more economical choice. Town Treasurer Mike Lightfield will be asked to produce a more accurate estimate of what the options will cost the Town. TM Snyder will find out the date by which the Town must decide on joining the MML plan.
f. Review Updated Ord 189A- ARPA Budget Amendment
Mayor Kulpa-Eddy asked staff to double check the math on the additions to the amendment. She also shared that in conversation with the principal at the elementary school, she learned that the school had a greater need for new soccer goals than a shed. Discussion led to the inclusion of $4,500 for new soccer goals for the school. The proposed $600,000 for stormwater management was discussed in detail and was determined to be reduced to $400,000 with that amount being itemized for clarity. MPT Brittan-Powell asked about setting aside funds at this time for building. CM Papanikolas stated that he was comfortable setting aside funds for stormwater management as educated estimates from the County had been given but that there have not been any estimates on what will be needed for a building and he would prefer to wait until the assessments have been completed.
CM Hemby asked about the funding set aside for residential stormwater mitigation grants. She would like to make several changes, including changing the hold-harmless agreement as some residents have stated that they believe it would prevent them from holding the Town accountable for any future actions of the Town. She would also like to remove the necessity for permitting and would also like to accept bank statements instead of receipts for items purchased for the program. There was discussion regarding mitigation vs replacement and repair. She encouraged residents to speak to staff and Council themselves, indicating that interpreters will be provided as needed. There was also discussion about the cost of flood insurance and how some residents have found this problematic, as well as if there were ways to help offset this cost for residents. Council discussed the possible creation of a program to help residents who needed help to repair their homes after the floods, not just those who mitigate against future events.
g. Resident Comments
Resident Paul Kavanaugh thanked Town staff for their participation in sustainable projects including the school garden project and Sustainable Maryland application renewal. He was glad to see an arborist funded as part of the ARPA budget. He would like to see the Shade Tree Board reactivated as a separate entity from the Green Team. He also reviewed the ways that the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland could help the Town with stormwater engineering.
2. Public Works
CM Menjivar asked residents to review the Bulletin for changes to the trash schedule for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. He stated that Public Works is upgrading curb painting and reminded residents to not park closer than 15 feet from stop signs or in front of fire hydrants.
a. Road Repair Report
TM Snyder reviewed the road repair report as well as options for the repairs and drainage problems to address the top priority locations. Mayor Kulpa-Eddy asked if the proposed costs included any engineering and design for those solutions. TM Snyder replied that it did not, but that would also increase the costs and timeframe for the repairs. There was discussion on the source of the water at 57th and Osage. Ultimately it was decided to make the repair the first priority of the stormwater engineer, and direct them to determine the best solution.
b. Highway User Revenues (HUR) Discussion
CM Papanikolas reviewed that at a meeting with the Transportation Secretary for the State, the possibility of HUR being eliminated by 2030 was discussed. He suggested that the Town begin to explore ways to fund road projects should this funding source be eliminated by the State.
3. Administration
MPT Brittan-Powell asked TM Snyder to give an update on the positions open for the Town. TM Snyder reviewed the 4 open positions, including the possibility of bringing on a temp to help out in the Town Office until a permanent employee for administration has been hired.
a. Update: UMD-SPH Partnership-Community Advisory Team
TM Snyder and Mayor Kulpa-Eddy reviewed that the CAT should have had a meeting last week and that there will be a meeting with UMD-SPH this week to review how that went. There are seven residents on the CAT, who are diverse in occupation and about equally split on male/female. It was noted that there are no Hispanics on the team, but as there are still open positions, increasing diversity is desired.
4. Code Compliance
CM Hemby reviewed that all long-term and short-term rentals require a rental license. Short term rentals also need to have a license from the County.
5. Parks, Recreation, Education, and Civic Affairs
CM Papanikolas reviewed the upcoming events for October, including the Multicultural Event, Trunk or Treat, and the Sensory Friendly Glow Party. He noted that the Town does not sponsor Halloween, but that the Police Department will be out to help oversee the safety of trick or treaters.
6. Public Safety
Mayor Kulpa-Eddy shared more information on the Multicultural event. She reviewed a County event for free disposal of scrap tires. She shared about Breast Cancer Awareness month and an event where uninsured residents can get mammograms for free. MPT Brittan-Powell appreciated the increased police patrols at Sports Park.
7. Adjournment
CM Papanikolas moved to adjourn. CM Hemby seconded. With no discussion, the motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 9:27PM.