Jimmy's Ward Report's Ward 1 Report Sept. 6 2007 - Monday, September 10, 2007
Report from Council Meeting Sept. 4 2007Trash Pick-up Back to Normal
Luther Smith, Director of Public Works, reported that we now have two trash trucks on the street and there should be no problems with trash and recyclable pick-up for the foreseeable future. He also said they had plenty of material to fix pot-holes so if you see any repairs that are needed in your street, send me an e-mail or Luther Smith (lsmith@moutrainiermd.org).
Limited Curb Work to Start in October
The City Manager reported that the city received a community development block grant to begin construction work for the 4000 block of 36th Street, 3800-4600 block of 30th Street, 3400-3700 block of Shepherd Street, and the 3300 Block of Bunker Hill Road. This is all for handicap driveway aprons, curb and gutter, and sidewalk repair (Bunker Hill Road).
Police Contract Negotiated But Not Passed
The town finished negotiations with the police union earlier this summer and it was discussed at the Council meeting. Two of the Council members had concerns about the contract and it did not receive enough votes (the Mayor was absent because of an illness in her family) to pass. Hopefully it will receive enough votes at the next Council meeting so it can pass and our public safety officers can get their negotiated raises.
Too Many Closed Sessions
The Council voted to go into closed session to discuss a partnership agreement with a developer, Landmark Atlantic Holdings. I voted against going into closed session. I think it’s important to maintain an open format whenever possible, reserving closed session for sensitive topics such as evaluations of individual employees, the amount the town wants to spend if we’re considering purchasing a property, discussing litigation, etc. This is spelled out in the “MD Open Meetings Act” (http://www.oag.state.md.us/Opengov/Openmeetings/index.htm). Where Council meetings involve policy, budget, development issues, and so on, voters and property owners need to be kept informed and given a chance to contribute expertise, experience, and opinions, and to help the Council by raising questions that we may not have thought of. I did not think the discussion about a partnership agreement had to be in closed session and I heard nothing in the private meeting that convinced me otherwise. I will continue to oppose closed meetings.
Downtown Development Debate
I think everybody in the town wants to see the Rhode Island Ave gateway into the city developed as quickly as possible and in a way which is consistent with the character of Mt. Rainier. Earlier this year the town asked for proposals for development (RFPs) and chose to work with Landmark Atlantic to develop the down town area. They had made a proposal for a mixed use condominium and retail project on the 3200 Block of Rhode Island Ave.
Meanwhile an other developer, Robert Holland, (http://www.homeplacedeveloper.com/projects.html) seems to have obtained ‘site control” on the following properties: Thrifty Car, the former Bass liquor property, and the funeral home on the corner of Eastern and Rhode Island. He has discussed with others (I have not met with him) his plans for a mixed-use residential/hotel building with retail on the ground floor. He also says he has letters of interest from two different banks and a restaurant developer who wants to build a “Cafe des Beaux Arts” to match the arts district theme.
The Council is considering a long term exclusive relationship with Landmark and I think it is a mistake. The city should hear from Holland about his plans – he already has site control any way. Furthermore an exclusive relationship with Landmark would restrict the town from working directly with the Gateway CDC on downtown development projects. It seems to me that it makes more sense to make use of Gateway CDC’s considerable experience in working on development efforts in our area. This will be coming up for discussion at future meetings. It is an important decision for the future of our town and I hope that residents listen to the debate and make their views known. Send me an e-mail if you have any comments or questions about what is going on with the downtown development.
State Highway Administration Plans to Improve Signs at the Traffic Circle
Representatives from the State Highway Administration came to the Council meeting to report on planned improvements on signage at the traffic circle. After we met with the SHA in late July to complain about the safety problems (39 police reported accidents in the last couple of years), the SHA surveyed the circle and found that there were indeed problems with the circle. They have agreed to improve some of the signs and fix lights that don’t work directly in the near run and try and make more major improvements over the upcoming year. I will report on the improvements as they get done. They are also reviewing the problems of the crosswalk at Queens Chapel Ave. and the footpath (near the W. Hyattesvile metro station) which is incredible dangerous. It will take another 60 days to finish their review of the crosswalk.
Budget Shows Surplus
The finance director, Vijay Manjani, presented an un-audited balance sheet for the last fiscal year (July to July). It shows a healthy surplus and the City is in the black after a number of years of deficit spending. This is good news for the City and hopefully we can use the surplus for important projects or needed tax relief.
Special Council Meeting – Tuesday September 11th at 7 PM
Public Hearings on:
1 – Traffic calming devices for the 3000 and 3100 blocks of Perry St.
2 – Public comment on a neighborhood Corn Bin to be placed at the rear of 3601 Bunker Hill Rd.
Mount Rainier Tool Shed
3601 Bunker Hill Rd
301-779-0133
Sat. 10 AM – 1 PM (by appointment through the week)
The Mount Rainier Community Tool Shed is a collection of hand and power tools that can be used at no charge by residents, businesses, and community groups.
Cafe Groove: Coffee House for Teens "A Night of Hip-Hop and Poetry"
Friday, September 7, 2007 / 8:00pm-11:00pm
Joe's Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Road
$3.00 per person
Featuring a performance by the PoemCees & a Hip-Hop dance workshop with
Junious "House" Brickhouse. There will also be an open mic session for teens with prizes.
Co-presented with the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission. (Ages 12-17)
Call Ingrid Nuss at 301.699.1819 for more information
Monthly Chat with the Chief of Police
Monday September 17th, 7 PM, at the police station.
This month's chat will focus on the state of the City's Emergency Preparedness Commission (EPC) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Mount Rainier's CERT coordinator Tonie Davis will attend to discus CERT operations and training.
Oldies But Goodies (OBG) Cocker Spaniel Rescue desperately needs your help! They currently have over 100 dogs looking for new “forever homes.” They get calls every day to take dogs from "kill" shelters, from puppy mills that get rid of their breeder dogs when they are no longer able to produce, and from owners who must give up their cockers for a variety of reasons (health, moving, etc). While their goal is to get every one adopted as soon as possible, they need safe places for them to stay until we do. If you foster, OBG takes care of the food and veterinary expenses. OBG is an all-volunteer non-profit animal rescue organization dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals. In 10 years they have rescued over 2,000 dogs. For more information on the adoption process, please visit www.cockerspanielrescue.com , call 703-533-2373, or email cspanielrescue1@aol.com .