Summary - Hyattsville, MD

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
HYATTSVILLE, MARYLAND
November 1, 1999
Mayor Robert W. Armentrout called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. in the Municipal
Building, 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, Maryland.
Roll call was answered by Mayor Robert W. Armentrout, Council President Lucille
Brogden, Council Vice President Pat Smith, Council Members Anna Frankle, Doug Dudrow,
Lisa Walker, Ruth Ann Frazier, Jeremiah Harrington, Christopher Currie and Paula Perry.
Council Member Scott Wilson arrived at 8:07 p.m.
Also present was the City Administrator, Chief of Police, Director of Public Works,
Director of Recreation, Supervisor of Code Enforcement, City Treasurer, City Clerk and the City
Attorney.
HEARING OF CITIZENS:
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Mr. James Groves, of 5605 391h Avenue, expressed his opinion that the City should
celebrate Halloween on October 31 and arrange for better publicity.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Council President Brogden moved that the minutes of the Work Session of October 12
and the Council Meeting of October 18, having been reviewed by the Mayor and Council, be
approved as printed. The motion carried, unanimously.
PAYMENT OF BILLS:
Council Vice President Smith moved that the bills, having been reviewed by the City
Treasurer, Department Heads and Members of the Council, be paid from designated funds. The
motion carried, unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The City received a letter from the Postal Service informing the City of their decision to
select a new location in the Queens Chapel Town Center.
The City received a letter from architect Alan Sparber, who designed the current City
building, thanking Lt. Steve Walker, Camillus Boykin and Sue Page for a pleasant tour of the
building for Seat Pleasant officials.
The City received a letter from Andrew Cuomo, head of the US Department of Housing
and Urban Development, commending the City for participating in the "Raise the Roof' program.
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The City received a letter from Ruth Huggins, Secretary of Chapter 905 of the American
Association of Retired Persons, thanking Officer Mike Rudinski and Mc Gruff for giving a
speech at their meeting on crime prevention.
The City received a letter from Maureen McAuliffe Bufo thanking Officer Rick Swann
and the Hyattsville Police Department for locating her mother, who, due to an illness, had
become disoriented and had wandered from home.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
City Administrator, Elaine Murphy, reported of a discussion with Delegate Healey
concerning Route 1, provided information about MML' s arbor day tree planting, and on a
workshop on November 4 concerning proposed modifications to US 1 from Sunnyside Avenue to
College Avenue. She noted that the legislative dinner was being planned for December. The
·first meeting of the proposed Hyattsville Business Association was scheduled for November 16.
The tape from the WSSC community meeting would be aired on Cable Channel 1Ob. The annual
holiday tree lighting was scheduled for December 14. Route 1 Administrators had met to discuss
capital improvements, the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area, and Route 1 improvements. She
noted that meetings continued concerning the joint venture.
Chief of Police, Doug Holland, reported that Officer Rudinski would be assigned as the
full time high school resource officer. He stated that the installation of red light cameras had
begun. He gave a presentation on third quarter crime statistics. He explained the reasoning
behind changing the Halloween date, and noted that the Police Department had patrolled the City
both evenings. Council President Brogden suggested that "no double parking" signs be installed
at the Queens Chapel Town Center.
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Director of Public Works, Frank Bigdeli, gave information about a public hearing on
Y2K compliance scheduled for Monday, November 22, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. He stated that a tree
planting day was scheduled for November 13, 1999 at 9:00 a.m., and encouraged volunteers for
the event. He stated that preliminary engineering plans had been received for the Banner Street
and 41 st Place Drainage improvements, which would be submitted to the County for review and
financing. Two employees, Joe Buckholtz and Mike Schmid!, had attended an annual tree care
seminar. Council Vice President Smith requested that information about caring for new trees be
provided with the trees being planted.
Director of Recreation, Phil Hager, summarized the Halloween Party at Magruder Park,
reporting that 500 people had participated. He gave details of the 8K race on Sunday, November
21. He noted that vendors were needed for the Holiday bazaar and gave details of the event.
City Treasurer, Roy Salinas, gave information about various financial reports that had
been submitted by the City. He reported that the audit firm would present a review of the
financial statements on November 22. He reported that the City had purchased additional
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insurance covering Y2K issues, and noted that the additional cost would be offset by lower
yearly rates that the City had received.
Supervisor of Code Enforcement, Jerry Hampton, reported that the case of a municipal
infraction that was being contested in the courts, had been continued at the request of the
defendant. There was discussion about the details of the granting of the continuance. Council
Member Walker thanked Sergeant Hampton for the additional reporting provided by Code
Enforcement.
City Attorney, Lance Billingsley, reported that his office had amended the ordinance
concerning dumpster enclosures.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
There was no unfinished business to go before the Council.
NEW BUSINESS:
Council President Brogden moved that the Mayor and Council accept $18,657
received as a result of the cable television noncompliance settlement, approve the
acquisition of upgraded cable television equipment with a total cost of $43,920, approve a
lease\purchase agreement with CTL for 24 months with payments beginning November,
1999 and authorize a supplemental appropriation of $14,640 for lease payments in FY1999.
Council President Brogden stated that the lease included two (2) ceiling mounted cameras
and all associated control and operations hardware, two 35" ceiling mounted color television
sets, one video imager copy stand\presentation system, one ceiling mounted projection screen
and one PowerPoint projector. She stated that the Council had requested this upgrade to
eliminate floor operated cameras and to provide better camera angles and visibility for the
viewing audience. This would eliminate all in chamber camera operator's and provide an
unobstructed view of all meeting participants. The City would have professional presentation
capabilities using PowerPoint and video aided presentations. The current cameras were 13 years
old, unadaptable to this new technology system, and the new equipment gave the City the
capability to professionally display presentation materials.
There was discussion about the sound system, the purchase price and the leasing option.
Ms. Murphy recommended the lease rather than purchase, expressing concern about cash flow.
She commented that this purchase would go through the normal bid process, and noted that this
motion was to identify funding, not the vendor. Council Member Currie stated that he
appreciated the value of presentation equipment, but suggested a need to assess the audience.
There was discussion about the cable TV franchise and the I-Net issue. There was further
discussion about the quality of the current service, and resident complaints. Council Member
Harrington suggested that the City consider grant funding in the future. The motion carried, with
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Council Members Currie and Wilson abstaining.
Council Member Currie moved to approve a vehicle extension for the resident at
4223 Oglethorpe Street, until December 29, 1999, for a white Pontiac. The motion carried,
unanimously.
Council Vice President Smith moved that the Mayor and Council approve HB 9904 which sets forth regulations and restrictions for parking on unpaved or unprepared
surfaces on residential property.
HYATTSVILLE ORDINANCE HB 99-04
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 114 "VEIDCLES AND TRAFFIC",
ARTICLE VII "MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS" SO AS TO SET FORTH
REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PARKING ON UNPAVED OR
UNPREPARED SURFACES ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
BE IT ENACTED AND ORDAINED by the Mayor and City Council for the City of
Hyattsville, pursuant to provisions§ C3-1, §C3-2 (A), §C3-3 and §C3-4 of the City Code, that
Chapter 114 "Vehicles and Traffic", Article VII Miscellaneous Provisions is hereby amended to
add § 114-72. l "Parking on Unpaved or Unprepared Surfaces on Residential Property"
The text of §114-72.1 shall read as follows:
§114-72.1
A.
Parking on Unpaved or Unprepared Surfaces on Residential Property
Definitions. For the purpose of this section:
(1)
"Unpaved Area" shall mean any surface not completely covered by asphalt or
concrete.
(2)
"Unprepared Area" shall mean any surface not completely covered by brick,
block, gravel, crushed stone or other similar permeable or semi-permeable
aggregate material.
B.
It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle on the unpaved or unprepared area of any
residential property except during a "Snow Emergency:"
C.
It shall not be necessary to provide a full platform of the surface material under the
parked vehicle, so long as the wheels of the vehicle are parked on a paved or prepared
area and access to the area is likewise over a paved or prepared area.
D.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed as authorizing a departure from the green
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area requirements of the Zoning Ordinance of Prince George's County, Maryland.
Additionally, any person utilizing any portion of their property for such purposes as
outlined in this ordinance, must first be in compliance with Article V, Sections 105-37
thru 105-43 of the Hyattsville City Code.
E.
Exceptions: Currently registered recreational vehicles, or currently registered seasonal
use vehicles, providing that these vehicles are stored behind the rear building line of the
property shall be excepted from this section. However, at no time may these vehicles be
stored on unpaved/unprepared surfaces located to the side or forward of the rear building
line.
F.
Enforcement, Violations and Penalties:
The following enforcement, violations and penalty provisions shall apply in lieu of those
set forth in Article VII, of this Chapter for violations of this section.
(1)
Any sworn Police Officer or City Code Enforcement Officer shall be authorized
to enforce this section of the City Code. In the performance of their duties under
this section, a Police Officer or Code Enforcement Officer are hereby authorized
to enter upon private property in the City of Hyattsville in order to place a "48
hour" Warning Notice on a vehicle parked in violation.
(2)
If the vehicle is not removed from the unpaved/unprepared surface or brought
into compliance within forty-eight (48) hours from the date upon said notice, the
Police Officer or Code Enforcement Officer shall be empowered to impound the
vehicle. The vehicle owner shall be liable for all towing, storage, preservation,
and/or other charges relating to the disposition of the vehicle.
(3)
Extensions of "48 Hour" Warning:
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(4)
(a)
The Code Enforcement Supervisor, or his/her designee shall have the
authority to extend the forty-eight (48) hour period before impoundment
for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, upon receipt of a written
statement from the vehicle owner setting forth the reasons for requesting
such an extension.
(b)
The Mayor and City Council shall also have the authority to extend the
forty-eight (48) hour period for any definite period of time in excess of
the original thirty (30) day extension period, upon receipt of a written
statement from the vehicle owner setting forth the reasons for requesting
such an extension.
Violation of this section shall be punishable as a Municipal Infraction as
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provided in Chapter 20 of this Code. Where a Municipal Infraction has been
issued for a violation of this Ordinance, each five-day period following the
issuance of said citation during which the violation(s) continues uncorrected or
recurs shall constitute a separate violation for which additional Municipal
Infraction(s) may be issued. The fine for any single violation shall be Fifty
Dollars ($50.00) and the fine for each second or subsequent offense shall be One
Hundred Dollars ($100.00)
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AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED AND ORDAINED by the Mayor and City Council that
this Ordinance shall take effect as set forth in Section C2-9 of the City Charter.
INTRODUCED on the First day ofNovember, 1999.
PASSED on the Fifteenth day ofNovember, 1999.
Council Member Wilson asked about curb cuts and storage of seasonal use vehicles.
Council Vice President Smith commented that the City expected requests for exceptions. Mr.
Billingsley noted that the Council had enacted legislation concerning the storage of recreational
and seasonal vehicles which made it unlawful for them to be parked on the street. Council Vice
President Smith stated that the ordinance would be publicized and the second reading would be
November 15, 1999.
Sergeant Hampton stated that it was the intent of committee that, after the initial
violation, any other incident would result in a municipal infraction. The vehicles must have
valid registration. The motion carried, unanimously.
COUNCIL DIALOGUE
Council President Brogden gave information about a public hearing by the Governor' s
task force concerning child proof guns. She thanked Sharon Sweeting for providing the report
covering the preservation conference.
Council Member Walker discussed a leadership dinner on November 15, and stated that
she planned to attend.
Council Member Dudrow asked staff to consider putting a flyer on the front door of the
house in addition to tagging vehicle with violations.
Council Member Frankle informed the Council of an Historical Preservation Association
Meeting to discuss Historic Tax Credits on November 9. She gave details of a Lively Arts
piano recital at St. Matthews Episcopal Church on November 17.
Council Member Walker reported of an Education Committee Meeting on Wednesday,
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November 3, which would include a follow up to Dr. Metts visit and discussion about planning
career night in middle schools. She reported that Principal Kevin Maxwell had received the
Distinguished Educational Leadership A ward, and asked that the City send a letter of
congratulations to him and to the school.
MMLREPORTS
Council President Brogden gave information about requirements and procedures for
meetings to be closed.
Council Member Wilson reviewed priorities and recommendations of the legislative
committee, including smart codes, zoning law amendments, and revitalization tax credit to abate
increased real estate taxes in designated areas to encourage development. Mayor Armentrout
expressed concern that the LEOPS retirement program was not a priority.
Council Member Frazier reported on a meeting in September with the National League
of Cities Human Development Steering Committee, with the 1999 efforts focused on social
security, homelessness and Aids.
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Mayor Armentrout, reported on a session discussing traffic congestion in the area.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Council Member Smith provided information about a Code Enforcement Task Force
Committee Meeting which would ·focus on the dumpster enclosure ordinance. The November
17 Youth Task Force Meeting would focus on the Triple C Award.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
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,.Alie Page, City
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Robert W. Armentrout, Mayor
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