Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the agenda for the July 20, 2022 City Council meeting: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-july-20-2022/. The agendas for this week’s and next week’s meetings are packed, as we move toward the August break. This week we’ll be voting on a contract for the Library renovation; a contract for inspection and testing relating to the Library project; a contract for the Community Center Atrium project construction management services; a contract for the Stormwater Resiliency Study; two budget amendments; a contract relating to a commercial lease primarily for interim Library services during construction; amendments to the City’s Election Code; and multiple appointments to resident boards and committees. In the Work Session, we’ll be discussing a tree canopy pilot contract; the ARPA direct cash assistance program; a rental assistance contract with Montgomery County; and a human resources information system contract. There will also be a proclamation on Park and Recreation Month. See below for details on the agenda items.
The Council will next meet on July 27, after which we’re on break from formal meetings until the fall. The first meeting will be on September 14, though the Nominating Caucus (at which candidates for Mayor and City Council are officially placed on the ballot for the November election) will be on the 13th. As I’ve announced, I’m not seeking re-election. There’s information on the City website for those who may be interested in running: https://takomaparkmd.gov/newsletter/thinking-about-running-for-office/
You can make public comments for this week’s meeting by coming to the Community Center at 7:30 PM or remotely (sign up by 5:00 PM on the day of the meeting): https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_feqK9RQYSEOeO72AYt8OEQ. You can watch the meeting on City TV (RCN -- 13, HD 1060; Comcast/xfinity -- 13, HD 997; Verizon Fios -- 28), on the City Council Video Page; on YouTube, or on Facebook.
Park and Recreation Month Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/2022-park-and-recreation-month-proclamation.pdf
COVID UPDATE
The City’s COVID Dashboard is updated through last week: https://takomapark.shinyapps.io/covid_dashboard/
Montgomery County's Community Level remains at "Medium" based on CDC guidance. New cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days for the County increased 7.4% from 218 to 233, the percent of beds occupied by COVID-19 patients increased slightly from 4.9% to 5.4%, and hospital admissions per 100,000 residents increased slightly from 8.5 to 9.3. There were 46 new cases reported since last week in the 20912 zip code compared to 38 the previous week. The state has not updated its zip code level vaccination data since June 1st; then, vaccination levels were 80.6% (at least first dose) and 71% (fully vaccinated) in the 20912 zip code. Deaths due to COVID-19 in the 20912 zip code remained unchanged since last week.
Mask/Testing Kit Distribution: https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/covid-19-rapid-test-kits-and-kn95-masks-available-now/. The Takoma Park Library is continuing to distribute N95 masks and COVID rapid testing kits during all open hours.
Other COVID resources: For information on vaccine appointments go to: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/ or State Vaccine Website; for testing: Montgomery County Testing Sites; for food aid: Submit an online request for help with food resources or call 240-777-0311. For help with housing, utility bills, etc. send an email to housing @takomaparkmd.gov or call 301-891-7119.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Federal, State and County Primary Election: https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/2022-gubernatorial-county-election/. The primary election -- which includes U.S. Senate and House, Governor, other State offices, and County positions -- is tomorrow (Tuesday, July 19). You can deposit mail-in ballots in drop boxes, including at the Takoma Park Community Center. This election doesn’t include Takoma Park Mayor and City Council. As noted above, candidates for those positions will be determined at the September 13 Nominating Caucus.
National Night Out -- August 2, 6:00 - 9:00 PM at Piney Branch Elementary School: This annual event hosted by the Police Department is aimed at increasing awareness of safety and crime prevention; supporting local businesses, groups and organizations; and strengthening ties between the community and the Department. The event includes police vehicles, Maryland National Park horses, McGruff the Crime Dog, music and dancing, food & ice cream, and activities for kids. The will be some road closures associated with the event.
Battery Recycling Program: The City has partnered with Call2Recycle, to provide battery recycling. Residents can bring used batteries to the Public Works Department, located at 31 Oswego Avenue. Acceptable batteries include AAA, AA, C, D, 9v, Lithium Ion, Small Sealed Lead Acid, Nickel Cadmium, Button cell, Nickel Metal Hydride, and Nickel Zinc.
Youth Council Applications: https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/seeking-applicants-for-the-takoma-park-youth-council/. We’re seeking applicants for the Council. Sept. 7 deadline.
VOTING SESSION
Library Renovation Contract: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220720-1.pdf. Last week, City staff discussed the Library renovation bids, and outlined their support for the bid from Doyle Construction, the low bidder at $9.2 million. Based on both the staff presentation and comments from representatives of Doyle who were also at the meeting, I think they would be a good partner for the City. It appears that a big factor in their lower bid was a willingness charge less for overhead and profit. In addition, this is a lump sum contract, meaning that if there are changes, say, in material costs, Doyle would be responsible for doing the work for the same price while maintaining quality standards.
I support moving forward with the project, and I intend to vote for the contract. Because Doyle’s bid was lower than City staff and our construction management contractor were anticipating, there’s the possibility now to include some additional features without going over the funding amount we’ve set aside for the project. This would include $654,000 over three years for active rented space on New Hampshire Avenue as opposed to simply storage, $200,000 for outfitting the space; and $176,000 for relocation work. Without these funds there would be limited library services available during construction and staff would be largely responsible for relocation.
If we approve these ideas, it will be possible to continue most Library operations during construction, as well as having space available for activities which would otherwise be suspended during the Atrium fill-in project, including some Recreation Department and City TV services, and possibly some additional services. The lower bid would also enable us -- in addition to re-installing the existing solar panels -- to purchase new ones to cover all available roof space, while still ensuring we have a 5% contingency fund.
I understand the potential benefit of these proposals, but I’m looking forward to getting more details about the options in order to decide if it makes sense to include them, given our available funds. In that regard, we’ve allocated $13.8 million for the project (including $7 million borrowed through the State of Maryland bond system; $300,000 in State grants; $2.5 million in surplus cable TV funds; and up to $4 million in ARPA dollars). We’ve already spent some of these funds on design work, permitting costs, our construction management consultant, etc., and we’ve been paying back the State bond with interest for the last five years.
As I’ve mentioned, if we stay within that budgeted amount, the impact on residents in terms of the local property tax burden would remain the same as it was in 2017 when we voted to borrow the $7 million through the State bonding system. This is because ARPA monies and the other supplemental dollars added to the project since then (the State grants and the cable funds) aren’t funded via the local property tax. Keeping the impact of the project’s costs on property taxes where it was when we made the decision to borrow those funds five years ago has been a major concern of mine, and I’m pleased we’re still on track with that goal. In the process of parsing through all the cost estimates in the lead-up to the vote, I’d like to see us bump the contingency percentage up a little higher than 5%, and I’m hopeful we’ll be able to do that.
You can watch the City staff presentation from last week here: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/Library-Redevelopment-Presentation-2022-07-13.pdf. In addition, you can see video of last week’s discussion, including the presentation, comments from Doyle’s representatives, and Councilmember questions and comments by clicking on the July 13 sublink here: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/meetings-and-documents/city-council-video/. The Library section begins at 1:08:30, and my part starts at 2:09.
I’d note there are two errors in my remarks. First, I referred to the County requiring us to raise the “budget” when I meant to say they required us to raise the “building” because of floodplain guidelines. Secondly I referred several times to Pennsylvania Avenue rather than Philadelphia Avenue when I was talking about how far toward the street the new exterior of the building would extend. As can be seen on page 19 of the staff presentation linked above, the new structure wouldn’t extend all the way to the street.
I also brought up stormwater treatment issues, and there will be some improvements made to stormwater management at the site as part of the project. In addition, I recommended that we develop a set of agreed upon construction protocols relating to starting times, noise, parking, communication with residents, etc., similar to the agreement relating to the Montgomery College project underway in North Takoma, and I’ve shared that document with City staff.
Contract for Library Project Inspection and Testing Services: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220720-2.pdf. Montgomery County will require separate inspection and testing services as part of the Library project. City staff proposes using one of the two firms the County is contracting with for work of this type. The total hourly costs are estimated to $80,000 - $100,000. I’ll be voting yes.
Community Center Construction Management Services Contract: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220720-3.pdf. This proposal would provide around $194,000 to Arcadis -- the construction management firm we’ve contracted with on the Library -- for work on the project to fill in the Community Center Atrium. I’ve stated in the past that, while I think this is a meritorious idea, I don’t favor doing it now, particularly using $1 million in ARPA funds. First, proceeding with this work at the same time as the Library renovation seems problematic. Second, I’d rather be able to use the funds for other purposes of more direct benefit to those in the City most affected by COVID. Because of my concerns about these issues, I voted against allocating ARPA monies for the Community Center project, and I’ll be voting against this procurement proposal as well.
Stormwater Resiliency Study: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220720-4.pdf. I was one of the Councilmembers who proposed including these funds in last year’s budget, so I’m pleased we’re now moving forward with a plan for using the funds. My main reason for proposing that we allocate some funds for a stormwater study was the growing recognition that, due to climate change, we’re seeing heavier rainfall which is causing unprecedented stormwater damage to — and flows across — private property. Therefore, I thought it made sense to identify key areas around the City that are especially prone to stormwater problems, and I’m pleased this study calls for identifying 20 sites of that type and making recommendations on how to address the problems. I do plan to vote for the contract. However, because a significant focus of this study is the impact of stormwater on private property, I think it’s particularly important to have a robust community engagement and consultation process. And while the scope of work does call for public meetings and interaction with residents, I’m exploring whether there are ways to increase that element of the study.
Budget Amendments: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220720-5and6.pdf. Periodically the Council considers budget amendments reflecting delays in expenditures which carry over to the following fiscal year, as well as other increases or decreases in spending. It’s fairly common for there to be a large number of carry-overs when a new fiscal year begins (which happened on July 1). These amendments comprise primarily carry-overs. There are two amendments because several of the carry-overs relate to our stormwater fund, which is separate from the regular budget. In addition, there are $142,000 in new funding. Of this, $33,000 is for enhanced cybersecurity and other upgrades for the City website, along with $50,000 for the Home Stretch program (which provides down payment assistance for first time homebuyers). Home Stretch is funded from our existing Housing Fund, so in that sense this isn’t new funding. I’ll be voting for the amendments.
Election Code Amendments: An updated version of the amendments wasn’t available at blog post time. You can see the initial proposal we discussed earlier this month here: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220706-2.pdf. I agree with much of what the City Board of Elections proposed. But I have raised concerns about what I see as somewhat unclear language on registration for groups seeking to influence the elections, as well as the proposal to eliminate one of the campaign finance report filings (which would leave a six week gap during the fall campaign season between the dates of the two remaining filings). I’m hopeful we’ll be able to make changes in these areas before the final vote next week.
Commercial Space Lease Agreement Authorization: As noted above in the Library renovation write-up, the staff has proposed leasing space for books and other Library material, and potentially for other purposes. The details of this agenda item weren’t yet available when I posted this blog, and, as mentioned above, I’m looking forward to getting more details.
CONSENT AGENDA (a single vote on multiple appointments to 10 resident committees)
For our biannual appointments, we’ll be voting on around 30 applicants. I’ll be voting yes.
WORK SESSION
Tree Canopy Pilot Program: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220720-10.pdf. When the Council approved the urban forest policy resolution in 2020 we called for a private property tree planting pilot program with a focus on less well-off residents and areas with less tree canopy coverage. Four companies submitted bids for the contract related to this work, and City staff have recommended going with Casey Trees, which was the low bidder. We’ll hear more about their bid in this week’s meeting.
Contract for ARPA Direct Cash Assistance Program: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220720-11.pdf. The Council approved $2.3 million in Federal ARPA funding for a direct financial assistance program to vulnerable residents who were economically impacted by COVID. The City received one response to its RFP for this initiative, from Seattle based LiveStories (a company with extensive experience on ARPA and other Federal funding programs) in partnership with Silver Spring-based Shepherd’s Table. This is an important part of our ARPA spending plan, and I look forward to learning more about this submission on Wednesday night.
Rental Inspection Contract with Montgomery County: Background information on this agenda item was not available at blog-post time.
Human Resources Information System Contract: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220720-13.pdf. The City currently uses several HR systems, which leads to inefficiencies in operation. The Council approved the City staff proposal to put in place a single HR system and included funding for that purpose in the most recent budget. We’ll be reviewing the staff recommendation to contract with Paycom, the applicant with the highest scoring response to the RFP.
Feel free to be in touch with comments or questions about any of the issues covered in this blog.
Peter Kovar, Takoma Park City Council. Ward One
240-319-6281; www.councilmemberkovar.com
(He, Him, His)
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