The Town of  GLEN ECHO Chartered 1904  Town Hall - 6106 Harvard Avenue - Glen Echo - Maryland 20812  (301)  320-4041  ownnal@glenecno.arg  TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  October 10, 2022  CALL TO ORDER: MAYOR DIA COSTELLO. 7:30PM  Mayor Dia Costello, CM Mona Kishore, CM Matt Stiglitz, CM Julia Wilson, CM Dan Spealman  (onz zoom), TMI Beth Stickler was absent. Residents: Emily Parsons The Echo.  Guests: Eva Webb, Auditor, LSWG. Zach Poe, Del. Korman representative.  Julia Wilson was asked tot take minutes as Town Manager was out ill. Mayor Costello recorded  the minutes electronically as well.  Mayor Costello read land acknowleagement in regards to Columbus Daylindigenous peoples  day.  Glen Echo Land. Acknowledgement Statement  Iti is with deference to the past and the original people oft the land on which Glen Echo resides, we respectfully acknowledge this land firstly belonged toi the Piscataway Conoy tribe and the We recognize these people were disposed of their land by settler colonists unethically,  Susquenanna people. inhumanely, and unjustly.  Inn making these acknowledgements, we make steps in respecting and honoring this land's true  history.    What is al Land Acknowledgement Statement?  Itis a statement to acknowledge the original inhabitants of our land as a sincere effort by Glen Echo to combat racism and inequity by highlighting historical truths and providing accurate  education.  AUDITOR REPORT FY22  Eva Webb from LSWG (auditors) gave a summary oft the audit report.  Total net position $1.73 million, which is in "good shape," according to Ms. Webb.  Total expenses lasts year $288.000  Total general revenues last year were about $420,000 Town had a positive net position of $288,000  CM Kishore asked about investing in CDs. Ms. Webb said now would be a good time to get into CDs because there is a good interest rate now. She said the Town Manager has an investment  policy that says in what and for how long the town is allowed to invest.  As of June 30, cash balance is $1,083,992.  ARPA funds need to be committed by Dec. 2024 and spent by Dec. 2026  The Town budgets conservatively for income tax revenues - Ms. Webb recommends doing that. This is the first year that the Town has had a segregation of duties, since the one employee Regarding the check approval process, Mayor Costello asked Ms. Webb about moving the Town's process to electronic approval and payment. Ms. Webb recommended bill.com, which allows an official to approve invoices before the check is written, then two people do not need to  (Town Manager) does not also sign checks any longer.  sign the check.    CM Stiglitz moved, CM Kishore seconded, unanimous vote to approve audit report. COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: ACTION ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 MEETING  CM Stiglitz - on p. 71 the sentence about Monsanto class action suit makes it look like discussion of notice of class action suit. No discussion occurred and the minutes should be  edited to reflect that.  CM Stiglitz moved to approve as amended, CM Kishore seconded, all in favor, CM Wilson  abstained because she had been absent for the meeting.  HANDICAPPED SPOT IN THE TOWNHALL PARKING LOT  Mayor Costello said the handicapped space in Town Hall parking lot is right up against the storm drain inlet and she would like to move it to make it more accessible. The lot would lose 1 regular spot if the handicapped spot is relocated.  AB Veirs will do the work for about $1,000.  CM Stiglitz - don't need a motion for approval as long as it is budgeted for. The council only  need to vote approval ifi it has to be bid out, which is $5,000 or more.  LIVABLE TOWN COMMITTEE REPORT  Minnehaha Creek clean up is Sat. Oct. 15, raindate is Oct. 16. SSL hours are available. The committee would like to have a service day on Martin Luther King Day (1/18/2023) in which the town collects items needed for the Greentree Family Shelter. Discussion about specific needs of the shelter will be held with the Livable Town Committee, Mayor and' Town Manager  as they had met with the manager of the shelter previously.  Winterlude has been scheduled for the evening of Friday, February 10, with a raindate of Feb. 11. The committee will collect contributions for luminaries. The money will be used to buy items for the Greentree Family Shelter or Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless.    CM Kishore said the Compost Crew will have an Oct. 25 presentation at 7 pm in Town Hall to  educate and encourage residents to compost.  Tree Montgomery has recommended planning 31 trees near the Nancy Long garden, Holly Shmizu of the Environmental Committee will assess positioning of the trees before we agree to the planting. Tree Montgomery will plant mature trees and Glen Echo will water for 6 weeks.  Mayor Costello asked ift there is any possibility of having a tree planted ini front of the Town Hall.  The Council discussed this with no clear answer.  CM Kishore would like to have agreement signed in next 2 weeks.  POLICE REPORT  CM Stiglitz reported there is a new captain at the precinct, whose name is Captain Daum.  There were 4 safety incidents in the Park with same man, who was verbally aggressive and  agitated, maybe homeless. The description did not fit any Town resident.  CM Stiglitz said the last couple of interactions with the Park Police have been less than successful and he requested someone from the Park Police come to a council meeting soon.He  will discuss this possibility as he is the liaison.  CM Kishore said GEPPAC will continue toi fund security at the Park from 11 pm to 3 am and is  looking into security cameras.  BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE  Budget Amendment Expenses:    Category 22.94 Elevator Maintenance: $5,864 spent of $2,000 budgeted. The elevator needed repairs and new parts to pass the mandatory state inspection. The Council is asked to approve  $3,864 to cover the expense.  CM Spealman question whether the town should we think about getting a new elevator. Mayor Costello said the last estimate she got for a new elevator $250,000 and it is used only a few times a year with no reported problems. The Council agreed that this would not be the best  use of the Town's money as it continues to work.  CM Kishore moved to approve the expenditure, CM Wilson seconded, it passed unanimously.  HOLIDAYPARTY  The holiday party will be Dec. 10, 10-11:30.  After some discussion, the council decided to reach out to Mr. Omelette, the catering company used in previous years, to see if we can get a lower price. They originally quoted $2,470 for 1.5 Canned food will again be collected for Manna. Council members said they can help bring  hours.  donated food to the Manna Gaithersburg drop off location.  CM Kishore made a motion to approve, CM Stiglitz seconded, it passed unanimously.  FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE MONTHS OF SEPTEMBER  The month of September was an average month in terms of revenue and expenses.  Revenue:    County Tax Duplication: The Town received $38,992, the full amount of the tax duplication payment from the county for FY23. This is an increase from previous years. Property Taxes: The Town received $7,662; currently at 6% of budget.  CM Kishore moved to approve the expenditure, CM Stiglitz seconded, it passed unanimously.  Expenses:  Bolt Legal Expense was $62 for August: 50% agreement with former Wild Bird Center  and 50% contract matter.  Maple Hill Lawn and Landscaping Expense was $3,849 for mowing, vegetation cut back  and clearing off drains.  OPERATIONS REPORT: Social; Infrastructure: Administrative  Social:  Halloween: Scheduled for October 31 from 5-6pm. Will have Ledo pizza deliver. Volunteers  needed for set up and clean up.  Town Wide Yard Sale: Councimembers said they heard good reports from residents about the yard sale held October 8. There were more vendors, including some from out oft town, and  blocking off University Ave. was popular.  Flu Clinic: Was held September 17 at Town Hall by CVS for ages 3 and up. Approximately 40  people attended. Infrastructure:    Update On MacArthur Blvd Traffic Signal near Oberlin: Del. Korman let Town Hall know that, as expected, they declined to change the light to flashing on off hours but are making  other adjustments: From Del. Korman:  "MCDOT is updating the existing traffic signal sensors with new, improved sensors to make the signal more responsive. We hope to have the sensors installed within the next week, improving the signal operation and reducing traffic delays. In addition, our Traffic Management Center staff monitors traffic signals in the County and makes necessary signal timing adjustments."  Irish Inn: TM Stickler met with Christy Hughes, the owner oft the Inn, along with his manager, representatives from NPS/GW Parkway, and Katey Boerner, executive director of GEPPAC. The discussion was about parking issues. The Town was asked to post a sign "No Glen Echo Park Parking." TM Stickler is getting a quote from Shannon Baum fori the sign, post, and  installation.  Street Sign Status: TM Stickler spoke to Shannon Baum and let them know we want Neutra Text Bold font in all capitals. She will send the Town proofs of signs to check spelling. They would do the old sign removal at the same time; if the Town removes the signs first then we need to mark where the new sign is supposed to go. About a month to install - mid November. RFP For Columbia Ave Repairs: Posted to website 9.26.22 due 10.25.22 at noon. Posted to MML classifieds and sent to 5 asphallconcrete companies. The Town hopes this work can be  accomplished before the weather is to cold as it would affect the asphalt.  Raya's Garden: The group funded by Raya's estate is still working on a bench design.  Administrative:  Safety Inspections: Town Hall sprinklers, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and exit lights were Elevator: passed reinspection September 16 and is now good to go; it needed the lights fixed, AC Units: The Town is installing a swivel that can be used for safety on the roof in lieu of a fence. Mannix (HVAC Company) will install the swivel and will attend the inspection by MC  inspected. One exit light needs to be replaced.  alarm fixed, and a new board.  DPS.    November 14 Meeting; packet distribution: The November meeting will be held virtually next month because both Councilmembers Spealman and Kishore will be unavailable to come to  Town Hall.  Councilmembers Kishore, Spealman, Wilson prefer to get their materials emailed; CM Stiglitz  and Mayor Costello would like their materials printed.  OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCIL TO HEAR RESIDENTS' COMMENTS: Mayor Costello announced a closing opportunity for comments by the residents. No  residents made comments. ADJOURNMENT at 9:35 pm.  Motion to adjourn was made by CM Stiglitz, seconded by CM Wilson, and passed unanimously  Minutes Prepared by: Julia Wilson, Council Member  Approved: Go Date:_ 1-30-2033 Mayor, Dia Costello  Cotello