TOWN OF FOREST HEIGHTS

TOWN MEETING

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 - 8:00 pm

COMMUNITY ROOM


The meeting was called to order by Mayor Noble, at 8:00 p.m., on the above date. Members present, Mayor Noble, Councilmember's: Clifton Atkinson, President Smith-Barnes, Joyce Beck, Worthington Ross, Larry Stoner, George Wiggers, Diane Starkey, Treasurer, Chief Sewell, Police Dept., Bill Clark, Public Works, Bonita Anderson, Town Clerk.


The Agenda was presented by the Mayor Roll Call


Councilmember Wiggers made a motion to accept the Agenda, seconded by Councilmember Atkinson.


Moment of Silence


Pledge of Allegiance


Presentation

   - Jan Townshend, Program Manager — Neighborhood Design Center

      o Planting trees & shrubs — October 16, 2004 - 16 trees and shrubs will be planted

Description of various areas of planting, Livingston Road and different areas in the Town of Forest Heights


Swear-In: Kevin Best, Town Attorney

      o Oath of Office as Town Attorney read by Mayor Noble


LEGISLATION:

Reading of Resolution 10-04 — by Mayor Noble

A Resolution of the Town of Forest Heights, Maryland, authorizing the negotiation of a loan in an aggregate amount not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) from the Bank of America.

DHCD Grant/Bank of America

    Community Development Grant - $50,000

    Grant for Handicap Accessibility


Motion to accept resolution by Councilman Stoner

Seconded by Councilman Wiggers


Roll Call Vote:

   Councilman Wiggers — Yes

   Councilman Atkinson — Yes

   Councilwoman Barnes — Yes

   Mayor Noble — Yes

   Councilman Ross — Yes

   Councilman Stoner — Yes

   Councilwoman Beck — No


    LGIT Health Pool Benefits --

Motion by Mayor Noble to accept Buyout of Healthcare (LGIT)


Mayor read letter dated September 1, 2004, by LGIT

 ***SEE ATTACHED MEMO & LETTER****


Beck — Did they indicate the amount payout to the TOWN OF FOREST HEIGHTS?

Mayor — We called and got the amount.


Beck - You will provide to me the attachment

Mayor — Yes


Motioned — Councilwoman Barnes

Seconded — Councilman Ross

Motion carried, all in favor


GS Proctor — Steve Proctor

Mayor Noble — We want to employ his services for the Town to look to Federal, State and County funds on our behalf Is there a motion?


Councilwoman Beck — I would like to offer discussion? How would the town pay Mr. Proctor?


Mayor Noble — The treasurer looked at the budget and we do have funds available to pay him. We will have to modify the budget to pay Mr. Proctor.


Councilwoman Beck — I would think we would first look to the Senator for any assistance or any support in gaining state funding or to our Congressman Albert Wynn for gaining federal funding before we expend our dollars, to hire a lobbyist do for us what we have elected officials who are willing to do it for no cost to us.


Councilwoman Beck — What is GS Proctor fee?


Mayor Noble - $1500 a month

Councilman Wiggers — I think the better procedure is that we first have a motion and then we have a discussion.


Is there a motion to employee GS Proctor?

Motioned by — Councilman Stoner

<>Seconded by — Councilman Wiggers with an amendment
<>- The amendment would be within 60 days the town puts together and approved by the council a list of projects or a strategic plan of the things we want to do in both infrastructure as well as services. I think we should have a plan on the table.
<>
<>Councilwoman Beck — Has there been any effort on your Administration to lobby any of the State or Federal officials for funding, from either the Mayor, Council Member or Town Administrator or Treasurer?

Mayor Noble — We had submitted some things to the State and I guess the only thing we received is that the grants that were here before, no.


I believe our Town Administrator submitted in her application for employment that she is skilled and has experience in getting funds from outside sources. Since she has here has she done any active lobbying to get any funding from our State and Federal Governments to support any projects that we have in town that we need to take care of?


Mayor — We have but I can not attest to that. One was the Historical that we were declined on and the Infrastructure Loan, which the underwriters had decided not to allow the town to participate in pool for the infrastructure loan.


Town Treasurer — the surrounding area shopping centers have a high tax base and that is why we were not approved.


Roll Call Vote:

Councilman Atkinson— Yes

Councilman Wiggers —Yes

Councilwoman Barnes — Yes

Mayor Noble — Yes

Councilman Stoner— Yes

Councilwoman Beck — No

Councilman Ross — Yes

The motion carries


Police Report — Chief Sewell

Reading of stat reports attached to agenda


Mayor & Council Session

Council does not have anything to say


Public Period —

- Nathaniel Bryant — Will get some supporting information for the Mayor and Council about $20,000 grant that the Town qualifies for.

- Frank Crather — There needs to be a light at Comanche and Livingston Road there are several accidents on various occasions.

- Marcella Cameron — People hanging out late at night, loud music & selling drugs. (Chief will meet with her after meeting)

- Myles Spires— There are two major issues that the town is concerned with is streets and crime. I would like to challenge the Mayor and Council to put the $155,000 that we have in the streets and 2 more officers.

- Kemp Cooke — Responds to Myles challenge on how it is not possible to do that with a small amount of money. It will cost about 2 million for streets alone.

- Diane Moorer— Presented pictures of debris around a walkway by her house, where Public Works cut the grass and do not clean debris.


MOTION TO ADJOURN

Councilman Ross — Motioned

Councilwoman Barnes — Seconded


MEETING ADJOURN — 8:58 pm


<>Respectfully submitted:
Bonita Anderson, Town Clerk           Date

Mayor Paula R. Noble            Date