|
City
Council Notes for July 2002 • by Heather Coppley
The
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
(AFSCME) union held a silent protest in the council hall.
AFSCME members held signs in protest of the city budget, which
they say ignores union concerns. Member Dave Burbank said
that with 10 management salaries equal to the earnings of
80 union workers and no cost of living increase workers "get
starved out of a job."
Photo
by David Bates
July 1
Council approves Comcast - AT&T
merger
The council passed a resolution to approve the merger of
Comcast and AT&T, contingent upon county approval. Council
members spoke against the merger, and council member Elrich
voted against it (council member Stewart abstained from the
vote) but without a report from the County Executive's office
the city is "in a bind," said Mayor Porter.
City Administrator Rick Finn related legal counsel's opinion
that the council could deny approval, but that doing so would
leave the city open to a legal suit from Comcast. Comcast
granted the County but not the related municipalities
an extension on its decision until the third week of July.
Council member Austin-Lane suggested that the City write
a letter to the County expressing its dissatisfaction with
the process. Alternately, council member Elrich asked, "Should
we write campaign contributions to Comcast?" Mayor Porter
responded that she was "not going to go there."
Council heard presentations on University Boulevard streetscaping
from the State Highway Administration; street improvements
for Maple and Sherman Avenues from EBA Engineering and progress
on the Metro Purple Line from the Maryland Transit Authority.
Council member Bruce Williams noted the five year anniversary
of Takoma Park's annexation into Montgomery County.
July 8
Cornburners to build silo
The council voted to support a Memorandum of Understanding
between the city and the Cornburners' Cooperative regarding
use of public works property for a future corn silo site.
City Manager Rick Finn is to sign the MOU.
July 15
Montgomery College must consult
with city
Mayor Porter is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between
the city and Montgomery College regarding issues of city jurisdiction
and the college's expansion. Lawsuits have arisen between
Takoma Park citizens and the college. A recent agreement states
that the college would have to consult with the city regarding
major changes. The college previously maintained that, as
a state entity, it was above local control.
July 29
Council approves hybrid site for
fire station
On July 22, a public hearing was held regarding plans for
the permanent fire station.
On July 29, ouncil voted unanimously for a resolution to
support the "hybrid" plan for the permanent fire
station. The plan is so-called because it incorporates county
and community proposals. It provides 24 of the 27 parking
spaces the fire department says it needs while taking only
one of the two homes originally slated for destruction.
Many citizens spoke out in support of the plan notably
some of those who had been most outspoken against earlier
proposals. Jeff Davis said, "The County has listened
to us more in the past week than in any other week. I feel
like we've been heard and I don't think we've done any damage
being heard." Davis and wife Jane Beard live across from
the Heavias and have attended several meetings to speak against
the family loosing their home.
Despite support for the plan there are concerns regarding
the location of the three remaining parking spaces. Attempts
to locate the spaces in front of the station where there is
now parking may not meet with State Highway Administration
standards for new buildings. Columbia Avenue residents spoke
out against parking that would encroach on the buffer zone
between their back yards and the fire station.
Council member Stewart said that she was uncomfortable leaving
parking issues unresolved. Mayor Porter spoke in favor of
pushing the plan forward, saying, "Unless we can come
up with a brilliant idea in the next 10 minutes, I think I
am comfortable relying on people's ingenuity [to resolve these
issues.]"
Alongside citizens who expressed gratitude for and approval
of the plan were those who rejected it entirely. The critics
said that the city should put forward funds to study the feasibility
of the community plan.
They also alleged that the city has racist motives for relocating
the Malloy family from the rental property at 7133 Carroll
Avenue. Citizen Brian Robinson said, "The real objective
of the plan has been removing a blight from the streetscape
. . . to take the African American family and kick them out
of town."
Council member Dawes notably the only African American
council member went on record saying, "Race has nothing
to do with it." Dawes noted that one of the reasons the
Malloys have not yet found suitable housing is that they have
a dog, which is not acceptable in most rental properties.
"I just want to set the record straight," he said,
"we are not trying to hurt nobody."
|
