The Mayor’s City Chat, Volume 2

Introduction

This is the second volume of The Mayor’s City Chat.  The Mayor's City Chat can be found on the Web at “From the desk of the Mayor”, “The Mayor's Facebook Page”, and some items discussed here can be found in “The Message.”  The goal of The Mayor’s City Chat is to start a conversation with residents about City business, to generate a two-way dialogue between the residents and the Mayor, and to inform residents of issues and projects in the City.

No solution is perfect, but the goal is to continue to try.  THIS ISSUE is loaded, and still, a lot was omitted, e.g., opportunities to serve on City committees, commissions and boards.  Some items will remain on the report while others will fall off once they are completed.  My email is still the best, fastest, and quickest way to reach me for a response.

Just in case you cannot open the document, I will always post it in my email.  Please share, and submit or ask residents to submit their emails, if they wish to be included on the distribution list.

To receive a copy of The Mayor’s City Chat, please send your email address to mayormiles@gmail.com.  You may also direct questions, suggestions, and concerns to this email address as well as volunteer for projects, committees, etc.  A response will be provided.  

Mount Rainier’s Municipal Form of Government

Mount Rainier has a Mayor and Council-Manager form of government.  In this form of municipal government, the mayor in the council-manager form of government is the symbolic head of the city. In reality, the mayor is a first among equals on the City Council. The mayor must use influence more than the official power to drive the city’s policy agenda.

The City Council under the mayor’s leadership is the legislative body of the city while the city manager is the executive. The City Council hires the manager to implement the laws and policies it adopts. The manager directs the staff in carrying out the city’s day-to-day operations. The manager also serves as the council’s top policy advisor.

When the city manager needs to communicate critical information to the City Council, the mayor (should be) is the first person the manager contacts. From there, the manager may contact the other council members, or the mayor may disseminate the information. It depends on the relationships between the mayor, manager and council members. Examples of critical information may include an officer-involved shooting, a department head’s resignation, rumors of an imminent lawsuit against the City or a workplace safety accident.

Mount Rainier’s Mayor and Council meets on the first (1st) and third (3rd) Tuesdays of each month.  Special meetings may be called by the Mayor or by three (3) Council members.

All meetings of the Mayor and Council must be posted.  Twenty-four (24) hours’ notice must be given for each meeting unless there is a financial emergency and that meeting must be reported out at the very next meeting of the Council.

No three (3) members of the Council may meet without prior notice.  However, all members of the Council may meet at public functions where no City business is being discussed.

It takes three (3) votes to pass any legislation of the Mayor and Council.  The Mayor gets one (1) vote and does not have veto power.

The Mayor and Council has one (1) employee.  All other City employees report to the City Manager.

Mayor and Council follow Robert’s Rules of Order and has its own set of Council Rules and procedures for conducting City business.

Mayor and Council Returns from Recess

At its first meeting since July 2017 recess, Mayor and Council returned to a full agenda.  Although there were only four items on the agenda by staff request, the meeting went until 10:10 p.m. and was well attended by presenters and residents interested in the four topics listed below.

Stephen Shaff presented a proposal to the Mayor and Council to use the historic Potts building as an economic development tool.

Sutton Hoo Productions presented a project to renovate and put back into use the Kaywood Theater that has several lives since opening years ago.

Mount Rainier's City staff proffered a proposal to offer up to $1.4 million in cash, loan, and other incentives to help businesses come to Mount Rainier, help businesses that are already here, and to encourage employment of Mount Rainier residents.

Landex Development: A Leader in Community and Residential Real Estate Development was unable to attend the meeting, but sent a proposal for Mayor and Council to consider for the 3100 Block of Rhode Island Avenue.

Full copies of the presentations may be requested from City Hall, 301-9856585.

These issues will be discussed at the next Mayor and Council work session on the third Tuesday in September (September 19, 2017) at 7:00 p.m.

All Mount Residents are invited to the work session and may be asked to comment on each issue coming before the Mayor and Council.

Please check the City’s website and other social media outlets for items on the agenda.

Activities since last Mayor’s City Chat

Our police department continued to work with Prince George’s County to investigate carjacking, homicide, attempted ATM robbery at the 711 and stabbing on Bunker Hill Road.  These incidents have caused concern for crime rising in our community.  Although these are critical and scary incidents and may have reminded some of us of days passed.  Mount Rainier has not become a “crime infested” City.  Our police department is stronger than before, and residents are safer and more proactive.  If you see something, say something and call 301-985-6565. 

Perry Street traffic continues to be on the top front of residents in Ward One.  During the election, candidates, voters, and current elected officials noted the volume of traffic on Perry as well as the speed of some of the cars.  Chief Michael Scott has been working on this issue and seeking solutions and partnership with the Town of Brentwood.  

Community Block Watch has come up again as a major concern of some residents and efforts are being made to reimplement this program in those areas that are interested in having them.  Our police department representatives are available to help residents get a block watch program started in their area.  Please contact Chief Michael Scott to get this program started in your neighborhood.  Chief Scott may be reached at 301-985-6590. 

Noise complaints continue to be an issue in some areas of the City.  If you are going to have a party or noise that is more than 50 feet from its origination, YOU need a noise permit.  The noise permit allows noise from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.  Should your noise disturb the peace even with a permit, our police officer may determine that your activity or event should be stopped.  You are responsible for your guests and should make sure that they do not disturb your neighbors, trespass on their property or become a public nuisance.

The Associated Churches for Community Service (ACCS) has not met or raised the necessary funds to support residents during the coming winter months.  However, Buffalo Baptist joined with me to make a financial contribution to Thomas Stone Elementary and Mount Rainier Elementary to help students that may need school supplies, uniforms, or other essentials.  Buffalo Baptist has also agreed to work with me to provide another financial contribution later in the year to purchase essentials (underclothes for Kindergarteners and First Graders).

Residents on Otis Street approached the Mayor and Council to address several issues in the business area.  One of the residents and I met with one of the business owners to discuss remedies and to build relationships that will allow both to coexist.  A review of the area showed that the City should set aside funds to address other issues, e.g., resurfacing of the City’s alley behind the businesses; code enforcement need to visit the area and work with the owners to clean up the alley, and businesses should put their business names and street number on the back of their businesses so that they can be identified.

Worked closely with Maryland Department of Agriculture to gather information to inform residents of the unscheduled spraying of mosquitoes in the Mount Area on September 7, 2017, without proper notice to Mayor and Council, and to residents.  Efforts resulted in notification to residents, an established relationship with Maryland Department of Agriculture and a communications method put in place for State departments to better notify municipalities of their activities and events, i.e., the State departments will work with Maryland Municipal League (MML) and Maryland Association of Counties (MACos) to get the word out to municipalities.

Continued working on the renovation of the Bike Coop.  Gutters cleaned and tree limbs cut by Mr. Kevin Kamali’s staff in Public Works.  Tonie George with the Carpenter’s Union continued to bring resources to the table to help with the renovation, and the volunteers at the Bike Coop continue to make minor repairs, work on bikes, and teacher interested residents on how to fix their bikes.

As a member of the Maryland Municipal League’s (MML) Board of Directors (BOD) and Secretary of the League’s executive committee, I attended a three-day retreat in Frederick, MD.  The purpose of the retreat was to set the League’s agenda for 2018 and to acquaint the BOD with services and programs offered by the League as well as identify municipal issues for the coming year that the League should pursue.

As the appointed liaison to the Outreach and Engagement Committee of the League, I attended their first meeting in Annapolis.  The goal is to work toward getting greater participation of the elected municipal leaders engaged in the League, encourage participation in municipal month (November), and to get students and teachers to learn more about municipal government by writing essays during the “If I Were Mayor Contest.

Traveled to Winston-Salem, North Carolina following the MML’s Board of Directors meeting and was honored as one of the Historic Black Colleges and Universities Living Legend along with thirty-one (31) other HBCU graduates.  Other honorees from Saint Augustine’s University included George Williams from Saint Augustine's University, and Dr. Brian Hemphill president of Radford University.  For more information copy and paste this link into your browser http://www.hbculivinglegends.com/2017-Living-Legends-Honorees.html.

Responded to hundreds of emails on various topics, posted notices and information on various social media, issued proclamation regarding Mount Rainier’s support for Charlottesville, VA, and engaged in impromptu meetings with neighbors and residents on various issues and topics such as speed humps, speeding, stop signs, using Potts Hall for events, etc.

Rainier Manor II is taking applications for its 57 new units.  If you are interested or looking for a place to live in Mount Rainier, this just may be the place for you.  Thanks, Charmaine Jefferson for providing me a tour of the new housing units in Mount Rainier.

Met briefly with the new Parent Liaison at Thomas Stone Elementary.  Her Name is Julissa Flores.  Her contact information is 301-985-1890, and her email address is Julissa.Honore@pgcps.org.  Please stop by and welcome her to our school.

Kudos to the Emergency Preparedness Committee (CERT) for planning the installation of additional fire alarms (Sound the Alarm) in various homes in the Mount Rainier area.  Because of Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and the others, that project has been canceled until the spring.  This message was received from the Red Cross who sponsors this event:  With the impact of Harvey’s historic flooding, plus Hurricane Irma now approaching the Southeast as a Category 5 storm, responding to both disasters is our top priority. We must ensure that sufficient resources are available for deployment—without delay. These two major responses will likely require additional resources from all regions and support units, including unaffected regions. Therefore, we have decided to delay national Sound the Alarm Signature City Events (scheduled for September 23 – October 15) until a later date, probably in spring 2018.  Please stay tuned for when this event is rescheduled.  Volunteers will be needed to make this a successful event in Mount Rainier.

Are you looking for playground equipment and have the necessary skills to move the playground equipment from its current location?  The owners of the Artist Loft are interested in donating the playground equipment.  If you are interested, please contact me ASAP at mayormiles@gmail.com. 

Upcoming/ongoing projects

The Mayor’s Book Club – this has not gotten off the ground but is still in the works

The campaign sign painting party is still be organized so don’t throw away those signs.

Plans for 31st Street Project – ready for implementation

Reconstruction of MD 500 going through Mount Rainier and to Eastern Avenue – funded

Reconstruction of the Levee Arundel Road area – working on a report

Rainier Manor 2 construction completion and rental date – update coming

Call-a-bus replacement – still up in the air, but working with County for an exception to their rules

3300 Rode Island Avenue report from staff – presentation made on September 5, 2017, at the City Council meeting

BUNKER Hill Fire station-- is Mount Rainier safe? – scheduling a meeting with new Fire Chief, Mr. Barksdale

Upcoming Event/Calendar

The school year began on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. The last day of school is scheduled for Thursday, June 14, 2018.

UPCOMING EVENT by MNCPPC:

COMING TO THE CITY OF MOUNT RAINIER: A Night At The Movies

WHEN: Friday, October 6, 2017

TIME: 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Come and participate in fall games, activities and delicious treats. Bring a friend to watch a movie on a super large movie screen on a football field. Movie TBA. Bring your lawn chair or blanket for comfort.

COST: Free with M-NCPPC Youth ID

AGES: Ages 13-17

WHERE: Mount Rainier Nature/Recreation Center

4701 31st Place

Mount Rainier MD. 20712

For more information call: 301-927-2163; TTY: 301-699-2544

City Events/Schedule

The following are some of the events in the City for 2017-2018 Fiscal Year (NOTE:   City Council Meetings are routinely held the first (1st) and third (3rd) Tuesdays of each month unless otherwise noted.

The City newsletter, “The Message” is issued monthly with combined newsletter for July August and December/January

Community Policing Meeting, Mount Rainier’s Police Department, September 20, 2017, 6:30 p.m.  ALL residents are invited.

Public Safety Night – September 29, 2017, Mount Rainier Nature Center, 6:30 p.m.

Code Enforcement meeting -- October 12at Potts Hall 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving Basket Drive – October through the third week of November

Annual Halloween Blast – October 31, 2017, 6:30 p.m.

Month of November – Municipal Month – visit schools and fly municipal flag at City Hall

Veterans Day Recognition Program – Saturday. November 11, 2017 –Waffle and Champagne Brunch, 11:30 a.m.

City Budget Calendar approved in December/January

Christmas Basket Drive – November through the fourth week of December

Budget Preparation begins in January

If I Were Mayor Contest… begins in January 2018 and ends in March

NO ELECTION THIS YEAR

Third-grade visit to City Hall – May 16, 2017

Mount Rainier Day – May 19, 2018

Budget must be approved by June 30, 2018

Mayor and Council Recess, July and August – TBA

National Night Out (NNO) – August 7, 2018

Public Safety Night – September 28, 2018

Some Priorities for this fiscal year

Developing a good working and functioning Mayor and Council

Assuring that the City Manager works well with Mayor and Council, employees, and residents

Producing a clean financial audit; a clean financial report that provides a solid picture of the City’s financial status with trends on spending that allows for future projections of expenses and income

Getting the City Charter Reviewed and updated

Taking Community policing to another level with a community review/appeal component

Continuing to work on getting Citywide WiFi – primarily for students, but also for adults

Improving relations with the Bunker Hill Fire Station to ensure adequate staffing at all times and that Mount Rainier residents are safe in their homes and businesses

Getting 3200 Rhode Island Avenue under contract and development

Appoint an independent financial advisory committee that reviews City spending

Secure funding for renovating the old Kaywood Theater and transform it into a cultural center for the City

Solicit funds to renovate Potts Hall, Library, alley, old police station into the Mount Rainier Civic Center

Bring Memorial Park and Spring Park to life – getting funding for these two projects

Get 31st Street Park up and operational, e.g., determine how it will be used etc.

Citywide calendar of events

Complete list of projects – City, e.g., Levee Project on Arundel Road; MD 500 (Queens Chapel Road); Singer Building; Civic Center; Public Works, etc. – updated and maintained

Accurate and current list of all businesses in the City with owner, renter, address, service provided, number of years in the City, etc. – in good standing with the City/health department

Annual report on CDMA fees paid by businesses in the City

Rodent abatement project – citywide problem that needs intervention

Annual recognition program for functioning committees etc.

Street and traffic sign replacement throughout the City that meets federal, state and county standards

Start citywide beautification program – Jack Engel

Start monthly or quarterly meetings with service providers, 47th District leaders, Senators/Congressmen, and County Councilmembers

Create and appoint a Police Advisory Committee that is independent of the police department and handles residents’ complaints, makes recommendations for improvement of the department, and works to improve community police relations

Websites that may be of interest:

Malinda Miles --- https://www.facebook.com/mayor.malindamiles and http://themayorsspot.blogspot.com/

Historic Mount Rainier Maryland --- http://www.mountrainiermd.org

Mount Rainier Police Department - http://www.mountrainiermd.org/police/ 

Chief Scott's Blog -- http://mrpdchief.blogspot.com  

Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company --- http://www.bhvfrc.com/ 

Mount Rainier Elementary School --- http://www.pgcps.org/mountrainier/

Thomas Stone Elementary School --- http://www.pgcps.org/thomasstone/

Hyattsville Middle School --- http://www1.pgcps.org/hyattsvillems/wipage.aspx?pageid=173869&LangType=1033

Northwestern High School --- http://www.pgcps.org/northwestern/

Prince George’s County Municipal Association -- https://pgcma.com/

Maryland Municipal League   --- http://www.mdmunicipal.org

Friends of the Mount Rainier Library (FOL) --- http://www.mtrainierfol.org/

Gateway Community Development Corporation http://www.gatewaycdc.org/#modern-organic-thai

Washington Metro Area Transit Service -- http://www.wmata.com/

Mount Rainier Business Association (MRBA) -- http://www.mountrainierbusiness.com/mount-rainier/

Gwendolyn Britt Senior Center -- http://www.mncppc.org/facilities/facility/details/gwendolyn-britt-senior-activity-center-70

Joe's Movement Emporium --- http://www.joesmovement.org/

Rachel P. Pemberton Health Care Center -- https://www.dimensionshealth.org/dimensions-health-services-prince-georges-county-maryland-md/pemberton-senior-health-center/

You can find my brief bio at http://www.mountrainiermd.org/government/office-mayor/

Got an issue, suggestion or compliment, please contact me at mayormiles@gmail.com

Please follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/MayorMiles  and Instagram