The Town of  GLEN ECHO Chartered 1904 ownnal@glenecno.org  Town Hall - 6106 Harvard Avenue - Glen Echo Maryland 20812 (301)320-4041  TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  July 10, 2023  CALL TO ORDER: MAYOR DIA COSTELLO. 7:31F PM  PRESENT Mayor: Dia Costello.  Councimembers: (CM) Dan Spealman (via Zoom), Matt Stiglitz, Dawn Tanner and Julia Wilson.  Town Manager: (TM) Beth Stickler.  OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCIL TO HEAR RESIDENTS' COMMENTS:  Mayor Costello offered an opportunity to take comments from the residents. There were no comments.  OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCIL COMMENTS:  CM Stiglitz reported that the Little Free Library is in the final stages of construction. COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: ACTION ON June 12. 2023 MEETING Minutes of the June 12, 2023 Council meeting were approved.  Motion to Approve Minutes: CM Spealman; 2v CM Wilson. Approved 4-0.  OUTCOME OF GRANT APPLICATION WITH CHESAPEAKE BAY TRUST FOR RAINGARDEN  INSTALLATION: Costello  Mayor Costello informed the Council that the Town did not get the requested funding for installing two rain gardens (micro biorentention areas) in Town. One would be at the Town Hall which has flooding issues and one would be in the trolley right of way near Bryn Mawr. She asked the Council to consider using American Rescue Plan Act funds. The Town is meeting with the Trust for feedback on the grant application; the Council  will consider the funding after feedback is received.  1    ELECTION CHARTER AMENDMENT DISCUSSION: Costello/Stickler  The Council discussed Charter Amendments including adding write ins toi the ballot, specifying that tallies of number of votes per candidate need to be announced, and how many people voted needs to be announced. The Council did not want to change the time of the election as specified currently in the Charter. These  changes will be addressed at the October Council meeting.  RESOLUTION 23-04 NO PARKING AT BOWDOIN AT CORNER OF OBERLIN: Costello  The Council discussed and approved a resolution to make a short section of Bowdoin at Oberlin Ave no  parking. This is to address the issues with vehicles maneuvering around that corner. Motion to Approve Resolution 23-04: CM Wilson; 2w CM Tanner. Approved 4-0. DISCUSSION ON FENCES, TREES, TRAILER PARKING: Costello  The Council continued discussing the need for a proposed ordinance that would require a permit for all fences in Town, regardless of whether it is a replacement fence or requires a County permit. This is due tot fences going up as replacements, but never having been permitted previously by the County or Town, or not being  "like for like" as required by the County and Town.  Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services Website:  "A permit is required to install any type of fence in Montgomery County. Replacement of an existing fence (originally installed with a fence permit) with the same kind oft fence (in the same location at the same height), does not require a fence permit. If an existing fence was not installed with a fence permit, the replacement  fence must have a fence permit."  The Council decided that the ordinance should be revised to state that a replacement fence would require a Town permit but there would be no permit fee. The replacement fence would need to be the same construction material, height, style, and have the same placement. The applicant would need to submit a photo of the current fence and of the planned replacement. The Council will reconsider this revised ordinance at the  September meeting.  The Town has gotten complaints about a cart parked on University Ave, and is aware oft two boats parked on Town streets. These have all been parked on Town streets for many years. The owner of the cart has been given 30 days to have it removed, or allow the Town to have it removed at Town expense (by July 7). The Council discussed the current ordinance (below) and CM Stiglitz will look for old notes, as the ordinance indicates a vehicle control officer which the Town does not have, and' "public space set aside for extending  parking" which the Town does not have either.  2    The Code of Ordinances:  Section 19.10 Parking Over 15 Days Prohibited  The continuous and uninterruptedparking of motor vehicles and trailers upon the streets and roadways of the Town for a period longer than fifteen (15) consecutive days is hereby prohibited. In those cases where it isr necessary for the owner or operator of a vehicle to park for a longer period, he may make application to the Mayor, the Town_Clerk or the Vehicle Control Officer for use of public space set aside for extended parking,  which application may be granted upon good cause shown.  (Ord. No. 00-01, effective 6/5/00; Ord. No. 16-02, effective 1/30/17; Ord. No. 18-02, effective 6/3/18) The Council discussed the tree ordinance, and TM Stickler will ask Attorney Ron Bolt to draft a revision  specifying when tree removal permits for private trees will or will not be required.  RFP ON TOWN HALL UPGRADES: Costello  Mayor Costello discussed some possible upgrades to Town Hall, which could be paid for with American Rescue Plan. Act funds. TM Stickler posted an RFP to get bids on the line items for the scope of work. There were a range of bids and it was difficult to compare the pricing. The Council will consider which if any upgrades to pursue after deciding on funding for rain gardens. The priorities are to paint the three restrooms, fix cabinet doors, take off pegboard, and cover the cinder block walls. TM Stickler will have asbestos testing done in the entryway and electrical room. Mayor Costello will look into consulting with a designer on planning upgrades.  UPDATES ON TRESTLE BRIDGE DEMOLITION: Costello  Mayor Costello updated the Council on discussions with WMATA. The Town can potentially purchase the bridge; the land it is on is 2/3 WMATA land and % NPS land. The Town will look into having it fenced/caged off  completely and what liability the Town would have. FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE: TM Stickler The month of June was an average month in terms of revenue and expenses.  Revenue: State Income Tax  The Town received $27,674 and is now at 139% of budget.  Highway User Revenue:  The Town received $3,339 and is now at 79% of budget. The final payment will likely be in September.  3    Expenses:  Bolt Legal Expense was $2,077 for May: 36% election results consultation; 47% fori fence ordinance; OIPA Expense was $605 for May: 23% on bridge demolition; 77% permit review for 7370 MacArthur  4% parking on Bowdoin Ave. and 6106 Bryn Mawr.  Motion to Approve the Financial Report: CM' Wilson; 2w CM Stiglitz. Approved 4-0. OPERATIONS REPORT: Social; Infrastructure: Administrative: TM Stickler  Social:  July 23: Summer Picnic and Pie Baking Contest, 5-7PM. Vendors have been scheduled.  July 4: thank you to Angela Hirsch for leading the event!  Infrastructure:  Painting Town Hall outside: TM Stickler is getting quotes from contractors to power wash and paint areas of Town Hall where paint is chipping off. Case quoted $5000; Royal painting quoted $4,900 (they did the painting work in 2016.) The Town selected Royal Painting and they start this week; the work should take a week. Street Sign on Oberlin: A truck hit the sign at Oberlin and Bowdoin; the Oberlin sign is gone and needs to be replaced. This time TM: Stickler will have it pointing towards the woods, as it is a narrow area oft the street. It Elevator: The elevator is due to be repaired this week (it still works) and will need to be reinspected to be  will cost $240.45.  licensed with the state. Administrative:  No August meeting this year.  PNC Bank: CM Tanner can be added as a signatory for the checking accounts. OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCIL TO HEAR RESIDENTS COMMENTS:  4    Mayor Costello announced a closing opportunity for comments by the residents. There were no  comments. ADJOURNMENT:  Motion to Adjourn: CM Wilson; 2w CM Stiglitz. Alli in favor. Meeting Adjourned 9:40 pm  Minutes Prepared by: Beth Stickler,Town Manager  Approved: Mayor, Dia Costello  Date:_  dhb  9-154433  5