Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the agenda for the February 17, 2021 City Council meeting: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-february-17-2021/. The meeting starts with a recognition of Montgomery College scholarship recipients, and a presentation from the Crossroads Farmers Market. There are two votes: designating February 23 as Lee Jordan Day, and a resolution on purchase of Police vehicles. In the work session, we’ll have updates on the City committee review and on the City Manager search process, followed by discussions on the budget hold list; the Council priorities document; a budget amendment; and appointments to the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force. For more on all of these agenda items, see below. Residents who wish to speak during the public comment period need to sign up by 5:00 PM on Wednesday: link to sign up for public comments.
Crossroads Farmers Market Update: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210217-1.pdf
UPDATES
COVID Data. The Takoma Park Data Dashboard has been updated with data through February 12, 2021. Key data points spotlighted by City staff:
· There were 35 new cases reported in Takoma Park in the last week, bringing the city's prevalence rate to 8.3% as cases continued to decline in the city and county.
· We have added as a key statistic the total number of tests administered at the Takoma Park recreation center, 2,875. Testing continues steadily at the center, with 108 tests administered on Saturday, Feb. 6.
· Checking in on the distribution of COVID-19 cases by age group in Takoma Park, the age group with the biggest positive gap between cases and population share are 20 to 29 year olds, who represent 10.4% of the population but 17.5% of cases. The group with the biggest negative gap are 0 to 9 year olds, who represent 14.5% of the population but only 4.7% of cases.
· There were no new deaths due to COVID-19 reported in the 20912 zip code.
Testing at the Recreation Center will be discontinued on Wednesdays, but will continue every Saturday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. For other Montgomery County testing locations, visit this link. You can pre-register for vaccinations at the County vaccine page: https://montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/. Or you can call 240-777-2982. It’s also possible to sign up for vaccines through the Maryland Vaccine Website: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine. The County has issued new guidance concerning indoor dining and other allowable gatherings: https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=33723
City Manager Search. As noted previously, our City Manager Suzanne Ludlow will be retiring at the end of June. In this week’s work session (see below) we’ll be discussing the process for finding her replacement. One of the ways residents can weigh in on the attributes and experience they’d like the new manager to have, as well as the issues they focus on is through the City Manager survey: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/join-us-for-a-community-conversation-on-our-journey-for-the-next-city-manager-thursday-feb-4-at-600-pm/. Over 150 people have already responded to the survey, and I encourage anyone who has thoughts or concerns about City leadership to fill it out. In addition, on Tuesday, February 23 at 7:30 PM I’m hosting a Ward One discussion on the qualities people would like to see in the next City Manager. You can participate through this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88546743891?pwd=a0U3SGI4WGJFVjhQMEVaeng4K21Rdz09.
Proposed New Stormwater Fee Structure. https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210210-3.pdf. We discussed the possible adoption of a new tiered fee structure in last week’s Council meeting. There will be a public hearing on the proposal in the February 24 Council meeting, and I encourage anyone who has concerns about the proposal to testify or submit written testimony. I don’t support moving to the proposed new tiered system unless we’re able to commit to some initiatives aimed at addressing the increased stormwater flows across public and private property we’ve begun to see in recent years because of heavier rainfalls due to climate change.
The Council has discussed several times in recent years the plan to shift the City’s single family stormwater fee system from a flat amount (currently $92) paid by every homeowner to a tiered structure in which the fee would vary depending on the amount of impervious surface on each property. The amount of impervious surface contributes to the flow of untreated stormwater. Under State requirements we have to treat stormwater flow from 20 percent of our impervious areas by 2025. Apartment buildings, commercial structures and the like in Takoma Park already pay a variable amount for their stormwater fees tied to the size of their impervious surfaces. The calculations for the new proposed single family fee structure are derived from Lidar technology and GIS data.
You can view the potential impact on individual properties, as well as statistics for each Ward, details on the fee calculations, etc. through the documents in the above link. Here’s a link to an IMPROVED interactive map showing the potential impact on each single family property in the City. As I see it, two key uncertainties connected to the proposal are which factors that influence the fee calculation aren’t captured by the technology, and the process for residents to appeal the amounts they would be charged if we adopt this system. Many of those details still need to be worked out. In last week’s discussion my colleagues and I asked a number of questions about the process for determining residents’ fees. Here are some of the answers we received from Public Works Department Director Daryl Braithwaite:
· Shared driveways -- residents would only be charged a “pro-rated” amount
· Gravel surfaces -- gravel subjected to compaction (most gravel) is defined under State guidelines (which we follow) as impervious; deeper gravel installations would be exempt if the guidelines
· Pools -- the area around a pool is impervious, but the water area isn’t
· Uneven terrain -- this is not captured by the Lidar system (perhaps it could be subject to appeal)
· Sidewalks -- should not be considered part of the property for fee calculation
· Paved areas to assist disabled residents — perhaps this could be subject to appeal
These and other aspects of the fee calculation and appeal process need to be firmed up. More broadly, though, the proposed fee structure would increase some residents’ stormwater charges and reduce others’, with a majority projected to see increases. I don’t think we should implement a system that produces higher fees for a majority of residents without, as noted above, beginning to take steps to strengthen our existing stormwater program in the context of the heightened levels of stormwater flow we’re seeing due to climate change.
Among potential actions which I mentioned in last week’s meeting are: establishing a climate change resilience fund in our budget, some dollars from which could be used to address excessive stormwater flow; having an outside consultant review key problem sites in the City which affect a substantial number of residents or bigger physical areas and recommend options for addressing them; for larger projects (including institutional and commercial developments) requiring a public hearing, enhanced engagement with residents, and perhaps coordination with the County; making it easier to connect stormwater flows on private property into our public stormwater system; providing financial incentives or credits to residents who invest in stormwater infrastructure projects; and having stormwater contractors participate periodic trainings on City requirements so residents can feel more confident when make hiring decisions.
No doubt there are other steps we could take. Councilmember Dyballa and other Councilmembers have suggested some ideas, and the City Manager has expressed support for the resilience fund. As we continue reviewing the fee structure, I’ll work on refining these concepts.
Constant Yield Tax Rate. We were informed recently by the State of Maryland that the City’s Constant Yield property tax rate for the coming budget year is $0.5295 per $100 of a property’s assessed value, compared to the current rate of $0.5397. Constant Yield is the tax rate the State determines would bring in the same overall amount of revenue next year as we anticipate realizing this year from the current rate. The difference in a homeowner’s tax payment between these two rates for a home worth $600,000 would be $61 ($3,238 vs. $3,177).
Taking into account projected changes to our overall assessed property values, this means that if we keep the rate at .5397, it’s estimated that an additional $262,358 would be realized from the local property tax. Looked at another way, if we reduced our budget by that amount, we would get to Constant Yield. There will be much more to discuss about these topics as we enter our budget cycle in the next few months. The Council actively works on the budget in April and May, and the budget we ultimately adopt applies to the fiscal year which starts July 1.
February 10 City Manager Comments. You can see Suzanne Ludlow’s official comments from last week’s Council meeting, which include information on COVID-19 and preparation of this year’s City budget, here: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-manager/city-manager-comments/2021/cm-comments-20210210.pdf
Police Department Complaints. https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/police/PD%20Alerts/Internal%20Affairs%20Complaint%20Investigations%202020-FINAL%20%281%29.pdf? The Department has released a summary of complaints and related data for 2020. There were 20 complaints, of which 8 were determined to be unfounded. This represents an extremely small percentage of the more than 12,000 interactions with the public last year. However, this is an increase over last year. In addition, because it would be helpful in any case to have more information about some of these cases, I’ve asked City staff for further details. I anticipate the Council will receive more specifics and we’ll have an opportunity to ask questions about the data at an upcoming Council meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 24 -- Public Hearings on Stormwater Fee Structure and Traffic Calming. The Council meeting on Feb. 24 will include public hearings on the proposed new stormwater fee structure and on several traffic calming measures, including for Darwin Avenue.
New Bikeways Meeting, Thursday, February 18 at 6:00 PM. https://takomaparkmd.gov/uncategorized/new-ave-bikeways-meeting-thursday-feb-18-6pm/. This meeting will be an opportunity to learn about the Bikeways project, which would creatively redesign lanes on the southbound side of New Hampshire Avenue as a two-directional bikeway, while maintaining vehicular access to adjacent properties.
Community Quality of Life Grants. The City is accepting applications for its Community Quality of Life Grants Program through Thursday, March 11. Projects are eligible for up to $10,000 in financial support, for projects taking place between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. For more information and to apply, go to: Community Grants.
Feed The Fridge. https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/feed-the-fridge-providing-free-meals-to-residents-launching-mon-feb-8/. The City is partnering with the organization Feed The Fridge to set up a refrigerator outside the New Hampshire Avenue Rec Center which will be stocked with prepared meals people can pick up for free.
VOTING SESSION
Lee Jordan Day: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210217-2.pdf. I’ll be voting in favor of this resolution to designate each February 23 as Lee Jordan Day, in honor of the legendary coach and community leader who did so much for Takoma Park youth and to advance racial understanding.
Police Vehicle Purchase: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210217-3.pdf. In January the Council approved the purchase of four police vehicles. However, that authorization didn’t specify that, while a portion of the cost ($168,000) is for purchase of the cars, the remainder (approximately $64,000) is for outfitting the cars for use as police vehicles. This week’s vote will clarify those details. I plan to vote yes.
WORK SESSION
Update on City Committee Review: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210217-4.pdf. One of the Council’s priorities is reform of the existing resident committees, commissions and boards with the goal of enabling more diverse, engaged, productive, and rewarding committee membership. We’ll be hearing from a Council subgroup and staff who have been exploring options aimed at helping to achieve this goal.
Update on City Manager Search: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210217-5.pdf. In addition to the survey noted above, there was a recent Community Conversation on key traits for the next City Manager, and our executive search consultant will also be leading two focus groups. We’ll learn more about those activities, along with the projected schedule for the search process. And, again, as mentioned above, I’m hosting a Ward One discussion on this topic on February 23.
Budget Hold List Items: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210217-6.pdf
January 13, 2021 Financial Presentation (hold list on slide 4): https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/Documents/FY21-Financial-Update.pdf
When the Council adopted the current budget we put over $1 million “on hold” for potential use in responding to COVID-19. As part of that decision, we planned to periodically review our budget situation and the status of the pandemic to determine whether to keep the funds on hold, use them for COVID relief, or return them to their original purpose (much of the $1 million would otherwise be allocated for street repair and sidewalk improvement). I think this periodic review of on-hold funds is critical, and I’m open to hearing arguments in favor of spending some of the funds for their original purposes. That said, my current thinking is that the funds should remain on hold, especially given the threat of future evictions or a delayed impact from lower tax receipts) and/or be used for urgent COVID relief, in particular to help address food insecurity for out or work residents or those whose incomes have fallen steeply due to the pandemic.
Draft Council Priorities Resolution
Draft Council Priorities: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/2021-priorities-draft-02062021.pdf
Additional Priority Proposals: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/priorities-proposals-02062021.pdf
Staff Recommendations: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/2021-2022-draft-council-priorities-staff-recommendations.pdf
The Council has spent the last several weeks developing our priorities list for the coming year and beyond. We’re nearing the conclusion of this process. This week we’ll consider staff reactions to the draft priorities list, plus a few final additions. While I think most of the staff suggestions make sense, I disagree with the idea of removing sustainable investment and banking as a priority. I recognize that addressing this issue may take some time and be more of a longer term undertaking, but I think it’s important to retain our public commitment to the goal.
Budget Amendment: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210217-8.pdf. This amendment reflects four changes which affect the budget: CARES Act reimbursements; reductions in revenue due to cancellation of Recreation Department programs; higher than anticipated City Attorney workload; and lower speed camera receipts. These changes have a net negative impact of about $150,000.
Appointments to Reimagining Public Safety Task Force: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210217-9.pdf. The application period for the Task Force closed on February 5.
Viewing the Council Meeting. The public may view the Council meeting on City TV (RCN – 13, HD 1060; Comcast/xfinity – 13, HD 997; Verizon Fios – 28), on the City Council Video Page of the City Website; on YouTube, or on Facebook.
Feel free to be in touch with questions or comments about any of the issues covered in this blog.
Peter Kovar, Takoma Park City Council, Ward One
240-319-6281; www.councilmemberkovar.com
(He, Him, His)
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