News

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.

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."