January 22, 2023

Dear Ward 3: Hope you all are well. Below please find: 1) Invite to Ward 3 Public Safety Meeting, 2) Selected highlights from last week’s Council Meeting and 3) Agenda for next week’s Council Meetings Jan. 23 and Jan 25.

I. Ward 3 Public Safety Meeting Jan. 26 7pm

The Police Department and Ward 3 City Councilmember Randy Gibson will be holding a community meeting to discuss public safety issues in Ward 3.   Police Department staff will be providing an update on recent incidents in Ward 3 and provide an overall overview of crime stats/trends and security measures put in place to address these trends. 

The meeting will take place on Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 7pm-9pm at the Takoma Park City Building, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland, 2nd Floor Azalea Room.  The meeting will be in-person and a Zoom Webinar will also be available to join and ask questions.  To register for the meeting, the link is:  https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g5qFKHc2SR2YBB_9nnmPqQ

If you have questions in advance of the meeting, please send them to Cathy Plevy at cathyp@takomaparkmd.gov with the title, “Ward 3 Public Safety Meeting.” 

II. Selected Highlights Jan. 18 Council Meeting

1) Public Statements included: Request for action on proposed Metro Development and AFSCME discussion of impacts of and response to the hiring freeze.

2) Presentation and discussion on a proposed $2m grant proposal for library funding from the State. Discussions centered on lack of approval by Council so the issue was pushed to next week for a vote.

3) Presentation of the City of Takoma Park Fiscal Health Update. Considerable debate took place on the projected net deficiency of revenues over expenditure for FY 23 Adopted Budget w/Amendments. Concerns were raised that there were other funds available not accounted for in the presentation. I believe further discussion is needed on understanding our fiscal situation as well as the need for greater clarity in the fiscal presentation. 

4) Council passed a motion to remove the hiring freeze previously instituted by the City Manager. I voted against the motion because I felt that there were unanswered questions about why the freeze was instituted, its impact and what other options are available going forward.

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III. Jan 23 and 25 City Council Meeting Agendas

 Agenda Jan 23

COUNCIL VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION

The City Council will vote to convene in closed session on Monday, January 23, at 6:30 PM, to meet with the City’s Labor Attorney to receive legal advice, including matters related to collective bargaining negotiations, and to meet with the City Attorney to receive legal advice regarding the Takoma Junction project. The meeting will be closed pursuant to Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article, §3-305(7) and (9). After the closed session, the Council will not reconvene in open session. 

  Agenda Jan 25

  CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

  CHANGES TO THE AGENDA / AGENDA SCHEDULING UPDATE

  FOR THE RECORD

   –Proclamation Recognizing the Closure of Mark’s Kitchen

   -Proclamation Recognizing the Closure of Kenetic Artistry

   -Proclamation Recognizing the Closure of Takoma Framers

  LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

  PUBLIC COMMENTS (Sign up for public comments over Zoom will be open until 5:00 PM on the day of the meeting. 

  Registration is not required to comment in person.) Link to sign up for public comments over Zoom.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

CITY MANAGER COMMENTS

ADOPTION OF MINUTES – 12/7, 1/9

PRESENTATION

  1.  Minor Master Plan (Project Background and Process to Date) (PDF)
  2. Strategic Plan Updates – Housing and Economic Development Strategic Plan (PDF)
  3.  Strategic Plan Updates – Sustainability and Climate Action Framework (PDF)

POSSIBLE VOTING SESSION

Resolegislative Bond Initiative for Library Construction (See 4 and 5 above)

ADJOURNMENT