Mayor and Council Meeting, 6/4/2012

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
MINUTES OF A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2012

A meeting of the Mayor and City Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m., Mayor Katz presiding.  Council Members present: Ashman, Drzyzgula, Marraffa, Sesma and Spiegel.  Staff present: City Manager Jones, Deputy City Manager Tomasello, Public Works Director Arnoult, Finance and Administration Director Belton, Parks, Recreation and Culture Director Potter, Director of Community & Public Relations Monaco, Community Services Division Chief Herndon, Community Services Program Coordinator Srinivasachar,   Economic Development Director Lonergan, City Attorney Board, and Municipal Clerk Stokes.

I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The pledge was led by Jonathan Yue (5th grade) and Christopher Yue (4th grade), students at Diamond Elementary School.

II. INVOCATION

In lieu of an invocation, Mayor Katz called for a moment of silence.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion was made by Council Member Ashman, seconded by, Council Member Marraffa, that the minutes of the Mayor and Council special meeting held Monday, April 30, 2012, be approved.

Vote:  5-0

Motion was made by Council Member Spiegel, seconded by, Council Member Drzyzgula, that the minutes of the Mayor and Council regular meeting held Monday, May 21, 2012, be approved with revisions.

Vote:  4-0-1 (Abstained:  Marraffa)

IV. CONSENT ITEMS

Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into a Contract for the Development of the Watershed Plan for the Middle Seneca Creek Watershed

This resolution authorized the City Manager to enter into a contract to develop a watershed plan for the above with URS Corporation, 12429 Milestone Drive, Suite 150, Germantown, Maryland 20876, in the amount of Ninety-Nine Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Two Dollars ($99,222); said funds to be expended from the Operating Budget.

Motion was made by Council Member Marraffa, seconded by, Council Member Sesma, that the Consent Agenda (Resolution No. R-31-12), be approved.

Vote:  5-0

Resolution Confirming Reappointments by the Mayor to the Personnel Review Board

This resolution confirmed the following reappointments to the Personnel Review Board:  Ginny Gong , 122 Upshire Circle, Gaithersburg, 20878 and Michael B. Stevenson, Sr., 410 Watch Hill Lane, Gaithersburg, 20878, three-year terms. 

Motion was made by Council Member Drzyzgula, seconded by, Council Member Spiegel, that a RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMING REAPPOINTMENTS BY THE MAYOR TO THE PERSONNEL REVIEW BOARD (Resolution No. R-32-12), be approved.

Vote:  5-0

Ginny Gong was administered the Oath of Office to executive the office of the Personnel Review Board.  Michael Stevenson, Sr. was not present to receive oath.

“If I Were Mayor” Essay Contest

Joined by Principal Carol Lange, Teacher Wendy Stewart and family, Christopher Yue, 4th grade student at Diamond Elementary School, read his winning essay and was presented with a certificate.

Fourth graders across Maryland were encouraged to share what they would do if they were Mayor in a statewide essay contest sponsored by the Maryland Municipal League (MML) in partnership with the Maryland Mayors’ Association, Injured Workers’ Insurance Fund, and Local Government Insurance Trust. Students from Gaithersburg area schools submitted 117 essays, addressing the theme, “Meeting the Challenge.” MML selected Christopher Yue, a City of Gaithersburg resident, as one of four semifinalists from District 5.

Council Member Drzyzgula

1. Recently returned from vacation and is ready to continue serving the community.

Council Member Sesma

1. Congratulated recent graduates and applauded their parents.

2. Welcomed the facility and employees of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center which is the largest in the State of Maryland located on Watkins Mill Road, off MD Route 355.  He and his colleagues attended the grand opening and received a tour of the facility.

3. He, his colleagues and other dignitaries attended the official ribbon cutting and re-opening of the newly refurbish Water Park at Bohrer Park.  The facility now has several new features for all ages. Congratulated staff and developers for completing the project on budget.  For schedules, admission fees call 301-258-6445 or visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/waterpark.

4. Memorial Day of Observance was held on Wednesday, May 30th, to remember and honor those who served and are serving, making sacrifices for our country.  Thanked those that participated and recognized guest speaker General (retired) Gerald E. Galloway.

5. Serves as liaison to the Kentlands Community Foundation and attended the 2nd meeting of a group called Kentlands 25.  Residents are meeting to begin planning events to commemorate 25 years for the establishment of the community.

6. Announced that the Mayor and City Council are seeking to fill a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors of Elections for one (1) full member position.  The Board oversees the registration of voters, petitions for elected office and officiates over all City elections, regular or special.  The Board consists of five members serving staggered four-year terms. All applicants must reside within the corporate City limits and be a qualified voter in the City.  Resumes and letters of interest should be submitted via U.S. Mail to:  Mayor and City Council, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland  20877, or send via email to:  cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov.  For more information visit the City’s website or contact City Attorney Lynn Board at 301-258-6310.

Council Member Marraffa

1. Reflected on the Memorial Day Observance held in the City.

2. Thanked and congratulated the employees who participated in the City’s Biggest Loser Competition.  His colleagues, Ashman, Drzyzgula, Marraffa and Sesma also participated.  Council Member Drzyzgula was the biggest loser on the City Council.  In total, the group of participants lost 606.7 lbs.

3. Thanked Diamond Elementary School students Christopher Yue recognized earlier during the meeting and his brother Jonathan for attending tonight’s meeting.

4. Mentioned that the newly renovated pool is exceptional and encouraged citizens to visit throughout the summer.

5. Travelling soon to attend the National League of Cities Economic Development Committee in California and will report back.

6. Announced the exciting summer activities happening throughout the month of June in Gaithersburg.  More information available on the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Council Vice President Spiegel

1. Continued with the many great activities scheduled for the month of June in Gaithersburg.

2. Attended the re-opening at the Water Park.  Added that it is great entertainment and fun for kids of all ages and a wonderful facility.

3. Welcomed the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center to the City of Gaithersburg.

4. Mentioned he did not attend the City’s Memorial Day Observance.  He asked the City to consider moving the event to the Federal holiday of Memorial Day.

5. Thanked staff for coordinating a tour of Gaithersburg for outside persons involved in land use planning and development.  Special thanks to Community Planning Director Trudy Schwarz, Parks, Recreation and Culture Director Michele Potter and staff, and members of the Mayor and City Council who participated.

6. Reported that the Mayor and City Council will host a Council in the Communities meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, 7:30 p.m. with the Brighton East Community.  The meeting will be held at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park.

7. Reported that a delegation from Russia plan to visit and tour the City of Gaithersburg and areas throughout the county to share ideas and build connections.

8. Wished all a wonderful Father’s Day coming up on Sunday, June 17th.

Council Member Ashman

1. Attended the grand opening of the state-of-the-art Kaiser Permanente Medical Center mentioned above.

2. Attended the City’s Memorial Day Observance.

3. He and his colleagues had the opportunity to attend the annual meeting and celebration of the Friends of the Wells/Robertson House.

4. Urged citizens to subscribe to Alert Gaithersburg, emergency notification system at http://alert.gaithersburgmd.gov .  While out of town, he received alerts about the recent tornado warnings and touch downs throughout the surrounding counties.

Mayor Katz

1. Requested the following:

   Motion was made by Council Member Drzyzgula, seconded by Council Member Ashman, that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Gaithersburg to conduct a closed executive session immediately following its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, June 4, 2012, at City Hall.  The meeting is proposed to be closed pursuant to the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland Section 10-508(a)(4) to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State and Section 10-508(a)(1)(i) the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction.  The topics to be discussed are the establishment and/or expansion of local businesses and the City Attorney’s performance evaluation. 

   Vote:          5-0

2. Thanked the Honorable Eric Johnson, Maryland Circuit Court Judge for Montgomery County, keynote speaker at the Friends of Wells/Robertson House annual meeting.

3. Notified the public of the following meeting schedule:

   • work session on Monday, June 11, 2012 at City Hall to receive a report from the Kentlands Firehouse RFP Committee and to continue a joint discussion on the review of the Frederick Avenue Corridor, Economic Master Plan.

   • next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, June 18, 2012.

Economic Development Director Lonergan

1. Reported that Sodexo, Inc. is giving consideration to relocating their U.S. headquarters currently located at 9801 Washingtonian Blvd.  The company occupies over 180,000 square feet.  Staff is working with the State’s Department of Business and Economic Development and the County’s Department of Economic Development to keep Sodexo in the area. 

2. Reported that Gaithersburg based bio-tech company Amplimmune, Inc. was mentioned in the New York Times about their partnership with GlaxoSmithKline and their efforts to develop PD-1 to target therapies and treatment of cancer and other diseases.

3. Announced that he will travel to Boston to attend a bio-international convention.  Reported that he will network and represent the City of Gaithersburg at the largest annual bio-tech conference with over 15,000 attendees including representatives from bio-tech firms around the world.

1. Resolution to Enter into an Agreement with Nonprofit Agencies for the City of Gaithersburg Nonprofit RFP Contract and the School Based Nonprofit Youth Contract Programs

   This resolution authorized the City Manager to execute nonprofit RFP contracts in accordance with the recommendations of the Community Advisory and Educational Enrichment Committees for the scope of services portion of the contract with each eligible lead nonprofit agency, for a total amount of Five Hundred Eighty-Seven Thousand Six Hundred and Forty-Four Dollars ($587,644), and to execute school based nonprofit youth contracts with each eligible nonprofit agency, for a total amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000); said funds to be expended from the Operating Budget effective July 1, 2012. 

   Community Services Division Chief Herndon presented the recommendations.  The Committee is addressing the additional request, which will be submitted at a future date for consideration as a resolution addendum.

   Motion was made by Council Member Ashman, seconded by, Council Member Sesma, that a RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH NONPROFIT AGENCIES FOR THE CITY OF GAITHERSBURG NONPROFIT RFP CONTRACT AND THE SCHOOL BASED NONPROFIT YOUTH CONTRACT PROGRAMS (Resolution No. R-33-12), be approved.

   Vote:          5-0

2. An Ordinance Adopting the City Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013, and Levying an Ad Valorem Tax on all Assessable Property Within the City of  Gaithersburg, Maryland

   Finance and Administration Director Belton presented the above budget ordinance for adoption.  A public hearing was advertised in the April 4, 2012 issue of the Gaithersburg Gazette and held on April 30, 2012.  During the public hearing, the Mayor and City Council voted to close the record on May 17, 2012.  Work Sessions were held on May 1 and 8, 2012 and amendments were incorporated in the proposed Fiscal Year 2013 Budget.

   This ordinance establishes the City Budget, which provides a complete financial plan, including anticipated revenues and proposed expenditures for the Fiscal Year 2012-2013.  The ordinance also institutes the ad valorem tax on all assessable property within the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland.  The ad valorem tax has been set at the same rate of $.262 on each $100 of assessed value of real property and $.53 on each $100 of assessed value of Personal Property.

   The Mayor and City Council applauded all involved in the budget planning process and keeping with the City’s five-year financial plan.

   Motion was made by Council Member Sesma, seconded by, Council Member Spiegel, that AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE CITY BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2012, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2013, AND LEVYING AN AD VALOREM TAX ON ALL ASSESSABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY OF  GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND (Ordinance No. O-5-12), be approved.

Vote:          5-0

3. Resolution Codifying and Updating a Schedule of Fees, Charges, Fines and Expenses

   Finance and Administration Director Belton presented the comprehensive review of all fees, charges, fines and expenses repealed and codified for the City of Gaithersburg for Fiscal Year July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013.

   Motion was made by Council Member Drzyzgula, seconded by, Council Member Ashman, that a RESOLUTION CODIFYING AND UPDATING A SCHEDULE OF FEES, CHARGES, FINES AND FORFEITURES AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAITHERSBURG (Resolution No. R-34-12), be approved.

   Vote:          5-0

4. Resolution Adopting the Fiscal Year 2013 Strategic Plan

   Deputy City Manager Tomasello presented the revised FY’13 Strategic Plan for the City of Gaithersburg.  The Mayor and City Council reviewed an interim draft of the new Strategic Plan format at their February 27, 2012 Planning Retreat.  Numerous comments and suggested improvements to the various Directions were discussed for later evaluation by staff.   Individual Direction meetings were held to review the feedback gathered and most suggestions were incorporated into a second draft document.  Additional edits were made following a work session held on April 23, 2012.  The revised FY‘13 version of the Strategic Plan supersedes previously adopted versions.  The Strategic Plan document may be accessed via the City website at http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/Budget.  Staff was commended on the newly revised plan.

   Motion was made by Council Member Sesma, seconded by, Council Member Marraffa, that a RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2013 STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE CITY OF GAITHERSBURG (Resolution No. R-35-12), be approved.

   Vote:          5-0

XI. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before this session of the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 8:15 p.m.