The Town of  GLEN ECHO Chartered 1904 townhal@glenecho.org  Town Hall - 6106 Harvard Avenue - Glen Echo - Maryland 20812 (301)320-4041  TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  March 13, 2023  CALL TO ORDER: MAYOR DIA COSTELLO. 7:32 PM  PRESENT  Mayor: Dia Costello.  Councimembers: (CM) Mona Kishore, Dan Spealman (via Zoom), Matt Stiglitz and Julia Wilson.  Town Manager: (TM) Beth Stickler.  Residents: Blair Anderson (Harvard Ave), Maire Hewitt (Wellesley Cir), Robin Kogelnik (Princeton Ave),  Emily Parsons (Echo), Martha Shannon (Wellesley C), Jan Shaut (Harvard. Ave).  Guests: Ha-Yeon Jeon (Del. Korman representative).  OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCIL TO HEAR RESIDENTS COMMENTS:  Mayor Costello offered an opportunity tot take comments from the residents. Jan Shaut, Supervisor of Elections, noted that there is one declared candidate and two Council positions. The Town will post the openings on the Constant Contact and the Mayor will post on the Town list serve. Council members will speak to residents to drum up interest. Ini the fall, the Council will meet to discuss how to encourage  people to run.  GEEC UPDATE ON COASTAL RESOURCES INC STORMWATER DESIGN PLANS: Robin Kogelnik Robin Kogelnik updated the Council on the status oft the Chesapeake Bay Trust grant and Coastal Resources Inc. work. The Town will hear in June whether funding for the installation of raingardens at Town Hall and the right of way has been approved by the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The Town could use  1    ARPA funds to supplement a grant. The Town requested $108,800 ini funds. The request for proposal was  posted and bids are due March 31.  COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: ACTION ON FEBRUARY 13, 2023 MEETING Minutes of the January 13 2023 Council meeting were approved.  Motion to Approve Minutes: CM Wilson; 2w CM Kishore. Approved 3-0. CM Stiglitz abstained as was  absent.  COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: ACTION ON FEBRUARY 23, 2023 MEETING Minutes of the February 23, 2023 Council meeting were approved as amended. Motion to Approve Minutes: CM Wilson; 2w CM Stiglitz. Approved 4-0. COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: ACTION ON MARCH 16, 2023 MEETING Minutes of the March 6, 2023 Council meeting were approved. Motion to Approve Minutes: CM Wilson; 2w CM Kishore. Approved 4-0.  INTRODUCE - TOWN ORDINANCE 23-01 - TO ADOPT A BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 1,2023- =  JUNE 30, 2024 (FY 24): Costello  Motion to Introduce FY24 Budget Ordinance 23-01: CM Stiglitz; 2w CM' Wilson. Approved 4-0.  The budget hearing will be held at the April 10 council meeting.  INTRODUCE- - TOWN RESOLUTION 23-02- - TOA APPROVE LEVYING A TAX ON CERTAIN REAL AND  PERSONAL PROPERTY FORI FY 2024: Costello  Motion to Introduce FY24 Tax Resolution 23-02: CM Kishore; 2w CM Stiglitz. Approved 4-0.  The Council discussed the impact of reducing the tax rate from $0.15/$100 to $0.14/$100 of assessable value (fair market value) on real property subject to taxation by the Town. CM Kishore noted it would reduce taxes $95/household. The Council decided to keep the rate at $0.15/$100 but will reconsider when  voting to adopt on May 8.  2    SAFETY OPTIONS UPDATE: Costello  Mayor Costello discussed safety options that she and TM Stickler have researched. There have been no Residents can install lighting, security systems, and may be able to apply for grant money after July 1. The Town researched lighting, signage, policy, security firms, off duty county police patrol, and cameras. Camera effectiveness would be limited by poor lighting in Town. New LED street lights would cost at least $71,500. Mayor Costello and' TM Stickler will explore this option with Pepco. There are a lot of dark places int the Town. 3000 Kelvin lights would not be much different from 2700 Kelvin lights. This would take about 6months to a year. Mayor Costello and TM Stickler met with resident Elaine Bodlander who is a street  reported incidents since the weekend of February 20.  lighting expert and gave some advice about upgrading to LEDs.  Regarding camera installation, before streetlighting is upgraded it may not be cost-effective as it is too dark in Town for cameras to work. The cost is prohibitive: $150,000-$ $250,000 for 3 or 4 dome lights on each pole on University Ave. They would be a visual deterrent, but would not be real-time deterrents and The Council discussed posting surveillance signage. The Council was not in favor oft this as it seems unfriendly and the Town is not under surveillance at this time sO the sign examples present are not  only help with investigating crime.  accurate.  Mayor Costello noted that security firms want a year long contract for 40 hours a week.  Off duty county police would cost $75/hour through EMC Security LLC and would work the overnight hours the Town wants. This could serve as a deterrent. Mayor Costello noted that there is concern about the police bringing guns into Town. EMC Security LLC has insurance and would list the Town as  additional insured on the certificate ofi insurance.  Ar resident asked if the Town would give residents rebates for Ring security cameras. They cost $100- $200. A resident asked about asking county police to patrol the Town regularly. CM Stiglitz noted they are  understaffed and responding to emergency and other calls.  Next steps:  1. LED Street lights: Mayor Costello and TM Stickler will explore upgrading to LED street lights with Pepco. There would be a portion of energy cost savings. Town residents would have input into this 2. Signs: The Council felt the sign options were threatening and unfriendly. They did not believe they  option as the lights would be much brighter.  would deter crime.  3    3. Off duty county police: There is no data on effectiveness. They would give reports each night. If there are no reports then the Council would revisit the need to keep them. The Town is tracking incidents currently. The Council discussed that hiring police on ai trial basis would be comforting to residents. This could start in May or June as crime seems to uptick ini the warmer months and would be on Saturday and a random weekday. If there is another incident before May it could start sooner. However, if people come in and try car doors this would not be the trigger as it is common. Ifmore abnormal crime occurs, the Council could hold an emergency meeting to decide to move forward on police sooner. The Town would use EMC Security LLC to coordinate the off duty 4. The Town will send messages on Constant Contact reminding residents to lock doors twice a  county police.  week, varying the message.  Motion to Begin Hiring Off Duty Montgomery County Police Starting in May for a Month Unless there is aCrime Incident and Emergency Meeting Prior: CM Wilson; Motion failed due to lack of a Second. Motion to Take Vote at the April 10 Council Meeting Regarding Hiring Off Duty Montgomery County Police Through EMC Security LLC Starting in May for a Month: CM Kishore; 2w CM Wilson. 2in favor  20 opposed. Mayor Costello voted ini favor; motion passes.  TOWN HALL RENTAL: Costello  Whenr renting the town hall, in the existing contract, the resident must chaperone any event where minors are  involved.  The Mayor wants toi include a parental waiver with rental contracts that involve minors.  This is to ensure safety and security for all involved. There have been no incidents in Town but the Mayor  wants to be proactive.  The parental waiver would protect the Town from any liability. The Council may still consider requiring one resident parent to be present. Council Member Kishore, who has a lot of experience with contracts professionally, offered to edit it. The changes will be sent to the Town Attorney and considered at the April 10 The Town has been contacted by the Glen Echo Fire Department as they want to hold their April membership meeting in Town Hall. The Council decided that the Glen Echo Fire Department can pay the $25 fee for its  Council Meeting.  rental as an allowable user group.  TOWN OF CHEVY CHASE RESOLUTIONONANT-SEMITISM: Costello  The Town of Chevy Chase drafted a resolution in response tot the rise in antisemitic activities in Montgomery County. The Town Council of Chevy Chase approved the draft resolution and asked if the Glen Echo Council  4    would consider the Town of Glen Echo becoming a signatory. Chevy Chase is hoping to have a signed Motion for Glen Echo to Become Signatory to the Town of Chevy Chase Resolution: CM Wilson; 2w CM  resolution from local municipalities to publicize by mid-April.  Kishore. Approved 4-0.  FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY: TM Stickler  The month of February was an average month in terms of revenue and expenses.  Revenue:  Income Tax: Received.$35,306 at 91% of expected. Cable Franchise: Received $835 at 54% of expected. Property Tax: Received $6990 at 101% of expected.  Expenses:  Bolt Legal Expense was $1551 for January: 40% for Public Information Act request question, 60%  question about permit and security camera guidance.  Motion to Approve the Financial Report: CM Wilson; 2w CM Stiglitz. Approved 4-0. OPERATIONS REPORT: Social; Infrastructure: Administrative: TM Stickler  Social:  Volunteer Appreciation: This event occurred on March 12 at Town Hall.  Coffee with a Cop: Officer Demond Johnson will be in Town Hall April 4 8-9:30am to meet with residents.  Infrastructure:  Street Signs: The finials were replaced February 24 with acorn finials per the contract. The placement of one  sign was adjusted per Town request.  5    Crosswalk at Bannockburn and MacArthur Blvd: Montgomery County Department of Transportation informed the Town that a HAWK signal will be put in at this site, but not until 2029. Lighting is being reviewed along  MacArthur.  Crosswalk at MacArthur and Clara Barton Parkway: This crosswalk light is too short for walkers/bikers. The  Mayor has reported this to the County Department of Transportation.  Administrative:  Election Timeline: Nomination letters due to Jan Shaut by April 11, Meet the Candidates night is April 14,  Election is May 1, take office at Council Meeting on May 8. Copier: A new copier will be delivered on March 14.  Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant Proposal: The Town submitted its grant proposal on March 7, asking for $108,800. The Town got one bid for this work, sO the RFP was posted again with a due date of March 31. ARPA Funds: The Town was selected by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) for an interview as part of GAO's mandate to report on the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. GAO is reviewing local governments' use and management oft the $130 billion in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) allocated to them ini the American Rescue Plan Act. The interview took place March The interview was about Glen Echo's experiences with the SLFRF, including challenges and lessons learned. They randomly selected the Town as part of a sample of 18 localities across 18 states. In randomly selecting the sample, they considered factors such as the amount of SLFRF allocations localities received, jurisdiction GAO will use summary information from the responses, as well as those from 17 localities to provide critical 18tAmendment. Auditors: Mayor Costello noted that the Town has put up Staff Only signs to help prevent 1- Amendment Auditors from entering the workspace. They come to Town Halls and harass the staff, posting videos on social media to raise money. TM Stickler will take a class on this with an attorney from LGIT through  13 with TM Stickler and Mayor Costello.  type (e.g., city, county, non-entitlement unit of local government), and geographic region.  information to the Congress in a final product later this year.  Maryland Municipal Clerks Association on March 16.  OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCIL TO HEAR RESIDENTS' COMMENTS:  Mayor Costello announced a closing opportunity for comments by the residents. There were no  comments. ADJOURNMENT: 6    Motion to Adjourn: CM Stiglitz; 2w CM Kishore. All ini favor. Meeting Adjourned 9:20 pm  Minutes Prepared by: Beth Stickler, Town Manager  Approved: Mayor, Dia Costello  Da  Date:  Lstl  4pybas  7