Jimmy's Ward Report - Friday, June 19, 2009

New Businesses Coming to Mt. Rainier: I’m excited that there are a few new businesses planning to open in the next few months. ZZ Pizza, on the corner of 34th and Bunker Hill, were painting their outside last weekend and told me they were planning on opening by July 4th. I’ve been told there is a coffee shop that just leased the space that used to be the Artmosphere Cafe at the circle and the owner of a new store selling deserts told me he was planning on opening by the end of summer in the space next to H&F Fine Arts on Rhode Island Ave. Meanwhile Circa 34, a consignment store, has recently opened across the street from the Glut Co-op and we are all waiting for the opening of the Brentwood Arts Center on Rhode Island North of 38th St. It’s great when new businesses come to our community. Let’s all try and support these businesses when they open.

Skateboard Park Under Construction: They have started construction on the mini-skateboard park on the corner of Otis and Wells. The old basketball court has been taken down. I was told that the next steps are to put in the gravel pad, then the footings and then the actual ramps. They are hoping to be finished by mid-July so some of our young residents will be able to use the park during the summer break.

Centennial Celebration Committee Report – Next year, 2010, will be the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Mt. Rainier. The City is planning a bunch of events to commemorate the anniversary and I have been appointed as the chairperson of our Centennial Celebration Committee. We held our first meeting on June 9th and there were a lot of good ideas which I would like to share with the community and ask that people write back with suggestions.

The Committee felt that each month we should highlight a different aspect of our city. The twelve months might include: public safety, the Latino community, African-Americans in our City, our religious institutions, women in our community, our artists, our peace activists, our environmental community, the gay community, religious institutions, young people, and our rental community. This is not a hard list but just our thoughts.

We discussed having three or four big events spread out throughout the year. A bigger and better Mount Rainier Day, an artist studio tour, a tour of historic houses in our city, and a taste of Mount Rainier. The year might start with some dignitaries unveiling flags and banners that would be up all year and end with a big dinner dance in December. Perhaps we could have commemorative items, like a Mount Rainier 100th anniversary souvenir key chain.


We are looking for your ideas and participation to turn next year into a great celebration of our city. Please e-mail me if you would like to be on our committee. The next meeting is Tuesday July 14th.

PS: Let me know if you have any old pictures of Mount Rainier. We want to borrow them so we can make a copy and eventually put them up on our web site.

Speed Camera Legislation Passes City Council: The Council passed legislation that would allow speed camera to be placed at different places within the city. This local legislation follows the state legislation that was passed earlier this year in Annapolis. It allows municipalities “to use photo speed monitoring systems in school zones to issue citations or warnings to vehicle owners who speed at least 12 miles above the posted speed limit.”

Since 95% of Mount Rainier is within ½ mile of an elementary school, almost the whole City is covered by this legislation. The bill does not become effective until October 1 and the speed cameras can only be used between 6 AM and 8 PM. During the first thirty days of the program, violators would only be given a warning (after, a violation incurs a $40 fine with no points). Before activating a speed camera, the City would have to publish the notice of the camera on the City website and put up a sign that indicates that speed monitoring systems are in use.



Crime Statistics Show Decrease: The Chief presented crime statistics at the June meeting that showed a 25% decrease in criminal offenses for the first five months of this year. There were decreases in auto theft, burglaries and aggravated assaults. The totals for the first five months were homicide: 0, rapes: 2, robberies: 30, aggravated assault: 5, burglaries: 15, larceny: 69, auto theft: 17 and arson: 0.


Bass Liquor: Going, going, almost gone: They started demolition on the former Bass liquor property last week and it is now nearly 2/3 demolished. The City hopes to pave the lot for some needed downtown parking and hold onto it for awhile until we can get a developer to build on all the properties between Eastern and 33rd St. on the North side of Rhode Island Ave.

Economic Assistance Fair: County Council Member Will Campos has organized an Economic Assistance Fair on Thursday, June 25, 2009 from 7p.m. to 9p.m. at Northwestern High School, located at 7000 Adelphi Road, in Hyattsville, MD. The Economic Assistance Fair is designed to assist residents of Prince George's County who have been impacted by the downturn of our country's economy.
The Economic Assistance Fair will prove beneficial to persons who have lost their job, face foreclosure, whose utility bills are becoming overwhelming, who are interested in home weatherization and for those interested in programs funded by the Federal Stimulus package.
Council Member Campos has invited Maryland state agencies, Prince George’s County agencies, and nonprofit organizations that are equipped to assist participants that have been affected by the economy. A representative from each agency or nonprofit will be available for participants to have a one-on-one session.
Stimulus Money Starts Coming Into Mt. Rainier: The Council received good news at its last meeting. The City had received two grants and an interest free loan totalling close to $300,000. One grant for $98,000 is for the city sidewalks near Kaywood Gardens, which are badly in need of repair. Another grant the City received is $100,000 to oversee energy-efficient repairs in units at Rainier Manor, the senior citizen facility on Queens Chapel Road. The money will be used for retrofitting patio doors and making window repairs in at least 25 units. There is also a $100,000 interest free loan (that we do not have to start to pay back until the end of 2011) to do needed energy related repairs on City Hall.
Council Hears Presentation on Library Building – Maryland Construction Inc. made a presentation on how to finance the proposed redevelopment of the current library building (3409 Rhode Island Ave.). The options included 100% financing by the city, financing by the builder with a 25 year lease to the City (after which the building ownership would revert to the City), and financing by the builder with the builder retaining ownership of the building at the end of a 25 year lease period. The proposed cost for the redevelopment is $5 million and the financing options would cost the city between $400,000 and $500,000 a year. That is a lot of money out of our annual budget (even with renting out the top two floors), and the Council will have to have some serious discussions on how we can afford to finance the project.
Façade Program Moving Ahead – The City appropriated $10,000 and this amount was matched by the Mount Rainier Business Association in order to move ahead with some of the signs and façade improvements that have been promised to our downtown businesses. The details have not been worked out but hopefully we will see some new signs and façade improvements in time for our 100th anniversary celebration.

Jimmy's Ward Report - Thursday, May 14, 2009

Safety Improvements Coming to Trail Near West Hyattsville Metro – County Councilman Will Campos hosted a community with police from different jurisdictions (Park and Planning, Hyattsville, Mt. Rainier, and Metro) to discuss safety problems near the West Hyattsville Metro. Here are some developments: 1) There will soon be lighting near the footbridge on the path near Queens Chapel Road. Five new light poles have been placed in the area and Park and Planning is waiting for PEPCO to connect the lights; 2) An emergency call box and camera will be set up at the intersection of Queens Chapel and Jamestown Roads; 3) There are also increased police patrols and they reported that so far crime this year in the area has gone down. I also heard that there are a lot of car break-ins at Prince Georges’ Plaza because of exposed GPS equipment. Also there has been an increase of thefts of iphones and ipods at Metro Stations. Robbers grab the iphone right when the train is leaving and run off in the other direction. FYI – there are 110 parking spaces at West Hyattsville Metro and 300 parking space at Prince Georges metro.



Get Involved! Join one of the City’s Committees: The newly elected Council reviewed the standing committees and each of the Council members took an assignment to work with one of the existing committees. One of my priorities this year will be for us to make these committees functional and to involve more residents in the town’s activities. Here are some of the committees that need help at this time. Please e-mail me if you are interested or want to know more about one of the committees:



Centennial Celebration Committee

Town Center Parking Task Force

Tree Commission

Environmental Protection Board

Liquor Store Committee

Emergency Preparedness Committee

Tool Shed

Cable Commission



Election Recap: Our municipal election is over and I want to congratulate Mayor Malinda Miles, Councilwoman Alta Morton and Councilwoman Ivy Thompson on their election. During an election campaign people get passionate about their views and that is understandable. Hopefully now we can all work together while respecting our differences of opinion on specific issues that come up.

There is a lot of work to done and I look forward to working with the rest of the Council as we prepare for out City's centennial (in 2010). Some of my priorities, which I am sure I share with the others on Council, are working with our public safety officers to do whatever is necessary to limit crime in our City, efficient trash and recycling pick-up, keeping our downtown area clean, reaching out to all segments of our community, and supporting our local businesses while looking to see how we can develop our downtown area.



Electronic Recycling a Great Success – On April 25th the City held its electronic recycling event. Residents from over sixty homes took part (up from 26). A dump truck and a pickup truck were filled up with all sorts of electronic equipment.



Bass Property: Going, going, almost gone. The City is waiting for final clearance from the State Health Department before proceeding with demolition. The health department has to inspect the property for asbestos and other hazardous materials prior to razing the property. The City Manager told the Council that they hope to have the building razed within thirty days.



Speed Cameras Will Be Coming to Mount Rainier: As a result of legislation passed in Annapolis this year, the City will be able to deploy speed cameras in school zones in the City (areas that are within ½ mile of a school). This in fact covers 90% of Mount Rainier. I know there there are plans to place one at Queens Chapel road near the senior citizen facility (Rainier Manor) where a pedestrian was killed earlier this year. The Chief is still reviewing the need and location of cameras in other parts of the city. I know speed cameras are controversial but I believe the safety of our children and other pedestrians in our residential community outweigh the needs of those drivers who want to get to their destinations as quickly as possible. The Council will be discussing an ordinance next Tuesday (May 19) which will allow speed cameras in Mount Rainier. If you have any comments on the use of speed cameras in our City, please come to the Council meeting and voice your opinion.



Crime statistics show a decrease in 2009 (except for robberies): The Chief reported that crime numbers show a 23% decrease from the first four months of 2008. Motor vehicle thefts are down 63% and burglaries are down 43%. Unfortunately there was an increase in robberies of close to 10%. This increase was primarily due to robberies in the Southern part of the City. On April 27th two individuals were arrested for robbing a citizen at 36th and Perry and since then there have not been any additional incidents in the neighborhood.



City Council Passes Budget – On May 5th the Council passed the budget for the next fiscal year. It keeps the tax rate the same as the past two years. The budget does dip a little into the reserves ($118,000) to pay for the debt payments for the purchase of the Bass property but the city still has a healthy reserve fund (over $1 million). There is some extra money for improved clean-up of the downtown area and to help some of the businesses improve their facades.



Mount Rainier Resident Chosen To Compete In Ms. Black Maryland Pagent: Miss Markita J. Bryant was selected to compete in the Ms. Black Maryland Pageant. Not if, but when she wins that title, she will go on to compete among other women from the other 50 states to become the next Ms. Black America.



Peace Park is Dedicated In Mt. Rainier – On Saturday May 2nd Mayor Miles and I dedicated a peace pole at the new ‘peace garden’ at 30th and Arundel Road in Mount Rainier. A Peace Pole is a wooden obelisk planted in the earth, from which and to which its planters wish peace to emanate. It is inscribed with the words 'May Peace Prevail in our Homes and Communities.' The Peace Garden is the dream of MJ & Jerry Park, co-directors of Little Friends for Peace. I love our community because people not only work on issues in Washington and Annapolis but try and use the same core values to change people’s lives here in our community. The peace park is a time to try and work out conflicts and to try and resolve issues. I should probably spend some time there myself.



Skateboard Park Is Scheduled to be Built by Summer: Park and Planning have told the Mayor and Council that they expect to complete the construction of the skateboard park at Otis and Wells by the end of June.



Join Us for Mount Rainier Day – This Saturday (May 16th) - Don’t forget to join the festivities this Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM. There will be a parade, dozens of vendors, entertainment and a great tour of the artist studios in the area. It is a good day to come out and meet your neighbors and enjoy our great City.



Check Out The Native Plant Sale at Mount Rainier Day: Sponsored by the Mt. Rainier / Brentwood Native Plant Society. Cheap prices on hard to get shrubs and plugs!

Jimmy's Ward Report - Friday, April 10, 2009

Mount Rainier Police Officer Chosen As Maryland Employee of the Year – Chief Michael Scott reported that Corporal Eddie T. Murphy has been selected to receive the Maryland Municipal League’s Municipal Employee of the Year Award at its 2009 annual conference. This is why:



At approximately eight o’clock p.m. on Wednesday April 30th, 2008 CPL Murphy along with additional Mount Rainier Police units responded to investigate the report of a 911 disconnect in the 5500 block of Newton Place. When he arrived on the scene Murphy was met by the parents of a 10-month old baby boy who was unconscious and had stopped breathing. In their haste and confusion to get their child medical help the boy’s parents had mistakenly been cut off from rescue personnel, and were justifiably frantic to get him the medical help he so desperately needed.



Corporal Murphy immediately took command of the situation, instructed other responding Mount Rainier Police units to summon fire/rescue personnel, and began administering CPR to the unconscious child. Within a short time CPL Murphy’s CPR efforts were successful. The child regained consciousness and began to breathe on his own. Once the child had been revived, CPL Murphy continued to monitor his breathing and reassure his parents until paramedics arrived. There is no question that CPL Murphy’s quick and decisive actions saved the baby’s life.



Council Passes Ordinance to Ban Couches from Porches – The City Council, in a 3 (Knedler, Briones, Morton) to 2 (Miles and Tarlau) vote, voted to prohibit the placement of upholstered furniture outside of a building (porches, decks and carports). I voted against the proposal though there were definitely some good arguments as to why the ordinance made sense. I feel that the ordinance is not really necessary and a little too much over regulation. We did have a tragic fire as a result of a lit cigarette in a couch on an outside porch and there are porches where badly deteriorating couches are an eyesore and can be a home for pests and vermin. But I have not seen any statistical evidence that upholstered furniture on porches is a particular cause for house fires, and the fire departments in our area did not weigh in on the issue. Furthermore I think the main problem from pests and vermin comes from trash cans without lids and garbage on the street. I have spent time driving around and there are a lot of porches where residents have placed couches and upholstered chairs. Most of these porches are not an eyesore and are used as a place to sit outside and relax and talk to neighbors. I think we want to encourage people to use their porches, and if placing an old couch on a porch encourages that, it is a good thing. I really did not feel we needed a regulation on this issue. I hope people change their mind on this issue in the future and we can re-visit the ordinance.



Council Expands Historic Preservation Tax Credit - The Council adopted a new city historic tax credit. Councilman Knedler has summarized the tax credit:



“If you receive a certification from the state for the state historic preservation tax credit, you simply need to bring a copy of that to City Hall within 90 days of the date on the letter to get the city tax credit of 10 percent of the project's value (that would be on top of the 20 percent provided by the state).

”In addition, the city now has a 10 percent tax credit available for windows and doors (including storms), if 1) your home is deemed architecturally or historically significant (almost all our homes will qualify unless they have been badly damaged with alterations over the years); 2) you get prior approval from the City Manager (who will seek advice from the city's Design Review Board on each project); and the new windows or doors are compatable with your home's style.

”So, for example, if you spend $10,000 on new windows (and have prior approval for those windows), you will be eligible for a $1,000 tax credit against your city property taxes. Remember, your home does not need to be old and historic to qualify in most cases.”




Dedication of Mount Rainier’s Peace Garden – Saturday May 2 at 10:30 AM: Little Friends for Peace announces that there will be a dedication of a Peace Garden at 30th Street and Arundel Road. The garden will have a “Peace Pole and Peace Table with Benches’. It will be there to enjoy, to meet at or to resolve a conflict.




New Trash Truck Arrives - Public works announced that the new trash truck is now in use. This should mean that there will not be any delays in picking up trash on weekend as their now is a back-up truck in case one of the ones in use breaks down.




Budget Discussions Move Ahead - The Council had two work sessions on next year’s fiscal budget and will have a public hearing on the budget and tax rate on April 21st. Right now the Council is proposing to keep the tax rate the same (which it has done for at least the last two years). While we do currently have a reserve of over $1 million, we feel that with the decrease in housing values, the revenue to the city may go down next year and we do not want to cut back on the essential city services (trash pick-up, recyclables, public safety, etc.) that our residents need. This year we will have to dip into our reserves for about $100,000 to keep everything going and to pay for the interest on the loan used to purchase the Bass property. I am still hoping that we will put money in this year’s budget to help with the clean-up of the downtown area on weekends and to jump start the facade program that was promised to city businesses a number of years ago. Come to the meeting on April 21st and make your feelings known.



City Election Monday May 4th - Petitions were turned in on April 6th and Mayor Miles is running unopposed. In Ward 2, Pedro Briones is not running for re-election and Ivy Thompson is running unopposed. In Ward 1, former City Council member Carol Gandee is running against incumbent Council member Alta Morton.



Police Emergency Number – 301-985-6565 – I really recommend that people put that number down in their cell phone and post it on the refrigerator. We have recently had a couple of incidents of people calling 911 and there being a delay in having a Mt. Rainier police officer dispatched to the problem. We will be having a work session to try and find out why there is a delay in having calls transferred from 911 to our police department, but meanwhile I would really recommend that everyone use the direct number for the Mount Rainier dispatch office.




City Approves Skate Board Park – After many community meetings over a period of over two years, the City Council approved a design for the skate board park at the corner of Otis and Wells Streets. The County plans to have it built by the end of June of this year. It will be for beginner and intermediate skate boarders and be more of a plaza than a full scale skate board arena. The County has also promised to do a lot of landscaping to make it a pleasant area not only for skate boarders but for neighbors in the community.