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Town Meeting

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Meeting date: 
Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Call to order:

Mayor Kulpa-Eddy called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.  Present were Mayor Pro Tem Chris Brittan-Powell, Councilmember Shinita Hemby, Councilmember Faustino Menjivar, and Councilmember Jason Papanikolas.  Also present were Interim Town Manager Peter Jones and Town Clerk Melanie Friesen.  Residents of Berwyn Heights were present as were Heather McComas and Sean Patrick Hughes from Crown Castle.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

  1. Announcements
  • Black History Month Proclamation

Mayor Kulpa-Eddy read the Black History Month Proclamation. 

CM Papanikolas shared about the upcoming resident-lead Black History Month event on February 25, 2023, at 2PM in the Town Center.  

 

  1. Approval of Agenda

CM Hemby moved to approve the agenda.  CM Menjivar seconded.  In discussion CM Papanikolas moved to amend the agenda to allow Ethan Sweep, Community Liaison to Congressman Glenn Ivey, to give a short presentation and to allow Chief Antolik to make introductions of the new police officer.  He proposed adding these items before the Crown Castle presentation.  CM Hemby seconded.  With no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously, 5:0.

 

  1. Public Hearing Ordinance 185D: An Ordinance to Amend the FY2023 Budget to pay for the trash truck ordered in FY2022.

Mayor Kulpa-Eddy reviewed the purpose of this Ordinance is to move funding from General Fund Checking to the FY2023 General Fund for the trash truck that was ordered during FY2022 but was delayed due to supply chain issues and is now ready for delivery.She opened the hearing at 7:07PM.There were no public comments and the hearing closed at 7:09PM.

 

  1. Ethan Sweep, Community Liaison for Congressmen Glenn Ivey (amended agenda item).  Mr. Sweep stated that the Representative’s office (1529 Longworth) is here to help and serve constituents.  He highlighted that their Grants Newsletter is coming out soon and will have information on Federal and Community Project Grants, though they are awaiting guidance on the application process for the latter.  Mayor Kulpa-Eddy reviewed the redistricting that occurred as a result of the 2020 Census, which moved Berwyn Heights from Steny Hoyer’s District 5 into District 4.  MPT Brittan-Powell inquired about the committee assignments of Congressman Ivey.  Mr. Sweep shared that Congressman Ivey is on the Homeland Security, Judiciary, and Ethics Committees. 

 

  1. Chief Kenneth Antolik, Introductions (amended agenda item) Chief Antolik shared that the Department has a new intern joining the team for the spring, Diego Silva, and shared a brief biography of Mr. Silva.  He introduced the new Police Officer, Ms. Rebecca Portillo and shared her biography.  Ms. Portillo shared that she has been a Town resident for over 20 years and will be starting at the academy in April and looks forward to serving the Town soon. 

 

  1. Crown Castle Small Cell Presentation

Heather McComas, Director of Network Permitting from Crown Castle along with Counsel Sean Patrick Hughes shared that Crown Castle owns and operates the nation’s most robust and comprehensive communications infrastructure, including towers, small cells, and fiber cables.  Ms. McComas shared that Crown Castle provides 68% of the coverage for Prince George’s County.  She gave comment to the variety of services that small cells will enhance.  It is anticipated there will be a demand for 800,000 small cells nationwide by 2026.  Berwyn Heights has been identified as a need area by one cellphone carrier and Crown Castle is seeking permits to put in 5 small cells.  Ms. McComas spoke to the impact that small cells have on the digital divide, healthcare, economics, and safety.  She shared images of the type of equipment they are proposing to install on PEPCO owned poles through an established process with PEPCO. 

 

Council asked questions of Ms. McComas about maintenance, about employees involved in maintenance, as well as if there are any potential downsides, and if Crown Castle had any programs to help low-income residents receive assistance in connectivity. 

   

  1. Consent

Mayor Kulpa-Eddy reviewed the consent agenda and asked for a motion to approve.  MPT Brittan-Powell moved to approve.  CM Papanikolas seconded.  After no discussion, the motion passed unanimously 5:0.

 

  1. Mayor & Councilmember Reports

Mayor Kulpa-Eddy stated that she gave a detailed report on her recent activities at the Worksession on February 6th.  She added that the Council is working on the FY24 budget and wants resident input to consider at the March 4th Budget Worksession.  She highlighted that the January 2023 Police Department report has a new data table for the automated redlight camera at 58th Avenue and Greenbelt Road.  She further explained about the new signage, the requirement to come to a complete stop before turning right on red, and that a violation will result in a $75 citation. 

MPT Brittan-Powell highlighted some changes in Administration, including hiring ITM Jones and the mostly complete A/V update. He encouraged resident input in the budget process that will take much of Council’s time during the next several months.  MPT Brittan-Powell shared some of the minutia involved in the budget process.

CM Hemby highlighted the new and upcoming program for teen volunteers, to help students earn service credit hours while helping the community.  Additionally, she hopes to add a scholarship to be awarded to students with the greatest level of involvement. 

CM Menjivar reported that the restoration of Edmonston Road is a little bit closer.  He received some good news but is still waiting for a start date.  He stated Public Works is concentrating on cleaning up public spaces from the storms of last summer in addition to their regular duties.

CM Papanikolas stated that most of his report will be done during Committee Reports, but he wanted to share again about his personal hero on Black Resistance Homer Plessy and encouraged residents to seek out the lesser-known stories of resistance.

 

  1. Committee Reports
  1. Education Advisory Committee: There is no report for the EAC as they remain inactive.
  2. Green Team: The Green Team is meeting next week, February 16th. On April 1st from 10AM-12 Noon they will be holding a “storm water fair”.  On April 15th, they will be removing invasive garlic mustard from parts of Town. 
  3. Historical Committee: Chair of the Historical Committee Debby Steele-Snyder shared that during their last meeting they had talked about putting a display out front of Town Hall, but if the Town Hall is to be renovated, they would delay working on something that would likely have to be removed during any renovation.  She also spoke about the self-guided walking tour of Town and ways to make the maps available in person and via QR code once the tour is updated.  Ms. Steele-Snyder gave an update on the April 16th event which will be held from 2-4PM with Dr. Richard Bell, a local author and professor of History at UMD. He will be giving a presentation on his book “Stolen”, about free African Americans who were taken off the streets of Philadelphia and sold into slavery.  He will be bringing a limited number of signed copies to the event.  She added that she has had some difficulty getting an accounting for the Committee from the Town Treasurer and there have been some issues that need to be addressed.  They are preparing for Berwyn Heights Day.  The next meeting will be February 22nd at 7:30PM in the G. Love Room.  She shared about attending the inaugural “1856 Project” symposium at the University of Maryland.  She also shared about a movie being held at the Greenbelt theater, titled “The Bell Affair”, which is about Maryland families suing for their freedom from slavery.    
  4. Neighborhood Watch/ Emergency Preparedness: Mayor Kulpa-Eddy mentioned the shredding event that was held and reported on how residents found out about the event.  Most saw it in the Bulletin, but word-of-mouth, yard signs and social media were also noted.  She shared there will be some kind of class, perhaps first aid and Narcan or AED/CPR training, in the spring.  The next meeting will be March 1st in the G. Love Room. 
  5. Recreation Council:  CM Papanikolas shared about the upcoming International Potluck.  He also shared about challenges with the Berwyn Heights Day parade as College Park is hosting a parade that same day.  The Rec Council is looking to put together a music group for people interested in playing instruments with others.   Ms. Steele-Snyder added that the Rec Council is always looking for volunteers, even for just one event. 

 

  1. Old Business
  1. Ordinance 185D: Second Reading:

Mayor Kulpa-Eddy once again reviewed the purpose of the ordinance is to fund the trash truck ordered in FY2022.  CM Hemby moved to adopt the ordinance.  CM Menjivar seconded.  In discussion, MPT Brittan-Powell expressed that he believes this to be a good decision.  The motion passed unanimously, 5:0.  CM Papanikolas moved to waive the reading of the ordinance.  CM Hemby seconded.  After no discussion, the motion passed unanimously, 5:0. 

 

  1. New Business
  1. Emergency Ordinance 185D.1, Introduction and Adoption

Mayor Kulpa-Eddy explained that due to the 20 day waiting period for a budget amendment ordinance to become effective, this emergency ordinance will make the funds available immediately, but will expire after 90 days and is a stop gap measure to pay for the trash truck.  CM Papanikolas moved to adopt Emergency Ordinance 185D.1.  CM Menjivar seconded.  After no discussion, the motion passed unanimously, 5:0.

 

  1. Community Organizations Adding Membership: Green Team and Berwyn Heights Historical Committee

CM Papanikolas asked the Council to approve additions to the membership of the Green Team and Berwyn Heights Historical Committee.  Mr. Tom Capon has been recommended to join the Green Team and Ms. Brittney Jacoby to the BHHC.  He shared brief bios of each.  Ms. Jacoby was available in person and shared that she is excited to join the committee and be a part of community events.  CM Hemby moved to add the new members to the committees.  CM Menjivar seconded.  The motion passed unanimously, 5:0. 

 

  1. Resident & Community Comments

Debby Steele-Snyder encouraged parents to help their students get their service hours for graduation during Middle School as it is more challenging to find the time to do so in High School. 

 

13.  Adjournment

CM Papanikolas moved to adjourn the meeting.  CM Hemby seconded.  After no discussion, the motion passed unanimously, 5:0.  The meeting ended at 8:31PM.