September 2006

TOWN OF BLADENSBURG
WORKSESSION
September 6, 2006

I. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor James called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. with Council Members Mendoza and Watson present. Council Member George and Ficklin arrived momentarily.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council Member Watson moved to approve the July Worksession minutes as presented. Council Member Mendoza seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

III. CDC IDEAS FOR PAINTING VISITORS CENTER AND DESIGN FOR GATEWAY SIGNS: The Council wanted to know if the painting was going to be a shared cost among the Port Towns. The Town Administrator will get cost figures. Council Member George moved to approve moving forward on the Gateway sign design. Council Member Watson seconded the motion. Discussion: Council Member Watson would like to see some alternate designs. The motion carried: Council Members George, Mendoza and Mayor James in favor; Council Member Watson opposed.

IV. NAME CHANGE FOR BLADENSBURG HIGH SCHOOL: Edmonston Mayor Ortiz requested, on behalf of interested parties, that the Mayor and Council support a name change for the school. Council Member Watson moved to support renaming of Bladensburg High School Wayne K. Curry High School. Council Member George seconded the motion. After considerable discussion, Council Member Watson withdrew the motion. Council Member Watson moved to have a meeting with Wayne Curry and Mayor and Council, Staff and the public. Council Member George seconded the motion. Council Members Watson, George, Mayor and Ficklin in favor, Mendoza opposed.

V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Street Bond: Elizabeth Seton: WSSCcannot require a bond for our roads. This will be tabled awaiting the outcome of further documentation and research.

Procurement Ordinance: The draft ordinance was presented at the July Worksession for discussion at the September meeting. Changes, including changing the bid threshold to $10,000 and adding approval of mayor and Council to special professional contracts will be incorporated. Further discussion will be tabled until the October Worksession.

Contractual Services: Town administrator will provide an itemized list ofcontractual needs. She will request a budget amendment to support these professional needs. The Mayor wants a more detailed breakdown of what consultants would be doing. Immediate need is to pay RBA group and State for actuarial studies for current invoices. Council Member Watson moved to transfer 10,790.88 for this purpose. Council Member Mendoza seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Bostwick fund: Council Member George moved to move the full amount designated by the Towns audit report to Bostwick maintenance. Council Member Watson seconded the motion and it passed unanimousl

Friends of Bostwick Articles of Incorporation: There will be vote on whether or not to support this document at the September Council Meeting.

Town as a Person of Record for Point of Cheverly and Newton Green Senior Housing: Letters will be forwarded to the proper authorities making the Town a person of record for these projects.

Port Towns Bus End of Year Report: The Town administrator gave a summary of the report that was included in her overall report.

Project List: The list was reviewed and updated.

VI. NEW BUSINESS:

Stop Signs at Tilden Road and 53rd Place: It was recommended that the first block of 53rd off Tilden be made one way going toward Annapolis Road. This will be placed on the September Council Meeting agenda.

Council Meeting Format for 9/11: It was decided that in deference to the tragic events on this anniversary, the agenda would forgo reports and add a candlelight vigil at the close of the meeting.

VII. CLARIFICATION OF STAFF REPORTS: Staff responded to individual questions regarding reports.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Updates on upcoming events were announced.

IX. ADJOURNMENT: At 9:30 p.m., there being no further public business, Council Member George moved to go into closed session to discuss legal and personnel issues; Council Member Watson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,
Pat McAuley, Town Clerk