University Park Meeting Roundup: Council Talks Budget, Cafritz Property a More

Monday night's council meeting began with the swearing-in of the newly elected council members — including two incumbents Councilman Len Carey (Ward 4) and Councilwoman Tracey Toscano (Ward 5) and newcomer Michael Cron (Ward 6). James Gekas (Ward 2) was not present at the meeting, but was excused.

Here are the notes from the meeting:

• Resident Tom Stickles said two University Park residents have become members of the county's Search and Rescue System team (SARs). In the past, the town has held an emergency response drill to test the town's communications ability, test police proficiency and more and Stickles asked he could host one again. Council approved his request, but asked for notification.
• Resident Dan Shea commended outgoing Councilman Mickey Lucas (Ward 2) for his time on council, his friendship and his success with restoring Wells Run. Shea asked that the newsletter include a full calendar, the list of town-wide contacts and detailed police reports (noting some reports have been missing). He also notified council that he's seen several dogs being walked off-leash and some have even affected the mallards in the creek.
• Council approved an application for a shed installation at 6505 41st Avenue, after tabling their decision at the last meeting. The homeowner made the necessary changes to the shed's dimensions before it was approved.
• Council also approved an installation of a shed at 4101 Van Buren Street.
• Mayor John Tabori asked that University Park Elementary students be invited to the next council meeting to display and present some science projects they worked on recently.
• Tabori added to Shea's comments by noting two town employees were bitten by loose dogs in town. He will make sure a reminder is put in the town's newsletter concerning dogs.
• Police Chief Michael Wynnyk discussed the April crime statistics including a few stolen cars.
• Town Attorney Suellen Ferguson said there is a way to set an amount for mayor and council to be paid, but cannot vote for a change in pay during their own term. Ferguson also said it's possible for council to vote on a change of term length, term limits and when their terms should begin.
• Tabori began a discussion about the Cafritz Property – and plans that may be coming. Look for a story about the property and what's new later this week.
• Bids will open for the street maintenance plan on May 23rd, but Tabori asked that council allow him to hire bond council and allow negotiations for the bond to begin. Council agreed.
• Council held a public hearing on the budget for fiscal year 2012. No one from the public spoke so council went ahead and began the process to approve the budget with five amendments, four suggested by Councilwoman Margaret Mallino (Ward 1) and one by Treasurer Dan Baden:
  • Moving line item F3 in original budget from reserved designated to unreserved designated as F3 (roads and sidewalks) and F4 (park infrastructure) for $200,000 each.
  • Line G1 was adjusted to the amount of $125,869 and line G2 was changed to $37,730 to reflect not including payment for the mayor.
  • Line G26, regarding council stipends, was eliminated.
  • Mallino asked that a specific line item be created under unreserved designated for $50,000 so that the council can take time to discuss mayor and council pay. This would allot that money for that specific use if later council voted in favor of giving future council members and the mayor stipends. 
  • Finally Baden asked that they insert a line F7 to reflect the designated road and sidewalks amount from bond
• Council approved the amended budget.
• Tabori discussed a DPW budget transfer of $1,500 for installing a new generator in town hall, which council adopts.
• Public Works Director Mickey Beall discussed DPW's garage facility contract, a place in Bladensburg, that costs less money. Council approved the facility.