Report from July 10th Meeting - Sunday, July 15, 2007

Report from July 10th Council Meeting



Police Cooperation Agreement with Brentwood – Brentwood City Council budgeted money to pay for a Mt. Rainier police officer to provide police patrol in Brentwood on a forty hour per week basis. The Mt. Rainier Council on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding with Brentwood which lays out the details of the agreement between Mt. Rainier and Brentwood. There is also funding for another officer on a part-time basis. There will not be a cost to Mt. Rainier for this policing effort. I think this is very good news and a more coordinated police effort in the whole area will be a big help. It would be great if in the future this kind of cooperative agreement can be expanded to North Brentwood and Cottage City. Mayor Miles and Chief Scott should be commended for developing the agreement.



Summer Youth Workers Help Keep the City Clean – Public works has the use of 5 young people this summer as part of the summer work program. They have been picking up trash and cleaning the City’s streets. If you have a street that you’d like to see them work on (pick up trash, sweep, etc.) send me an e-mail or one to Luther Smith, Director of Public Works (lsmith@mountrainiermd.org).



Meeting with State Highway on Traffic Circle Problems - The Council has scheduled a meeting with representatives from the State Highway Administration to discuss concerns about traffic problems (both pedestrian and vehicular) at the circle on 34th and Rhode Island Ave. As most people know crossing the street and driving around the circle can be very dangerous. The meeting is tentatively set for July 31st.



Trash and Recyclables – Recyclables will be picked up this Friday. The new trash truck is expected to arrive this week and after the current truck goes into the shop for some needed repairs (we were told it would take 2-3 weeks), trash will again be picked up every Wed. Meanwhile for the next few weeks people are being asked to put out their trash on Wed and it will be picked up either Wed or Thurs.



Skate Board Park Status Report – The County has finished a topological survey of the site (Wells and Otis Sts.). The County architect will now work with designers from the skate park committee and incorporate these ideas into an overall concept for the park. The County will then meet with the Town’s Recreation Committee as well as those involved in the skate park committee. After that there will be community meetings for input and the Council will decide on a design concept before construction starts.



Rainier Manor Community Center Re-opens – The Rainier Manor (senior housing at 3001 Queens Chapel Road ) had a flood this spring which forced some residents to be relocated and closed down their community room. The community room had a grand re-opening on Saturday June 30th. The Council plans to hold its regular October 3rd Public Meeting in the community room at the Manor. A number of the residents told me they were excited about being able to attend a Council meeting.



Median Home Sales In Mt. Rainier (Information from the Washington Post)


Jan – Mar 2007 $359,000 (21 houses)

Jan – Jun 2006 $299.950 (40 houses)

Jan – Dec 2005 $278,000 (67 houses)

Jan – Dec 2004 $205,000 (90 houses)

Jan – Dec 2003 $171,000 (82 houses)

Jan - Jun 2002 $113,500 (30 houses)



Next Council Meeting - There is a work session scheduled for July 17th. There will be discussion on a proposed ordinance on traffic and parking citations (including sending out a notice before the fines are quadrupled). If you want to voice your opinion, please come to the meeting.