Good evening everyone and welcome to the Bladensburg town of Bladensburg. That is
council work session for Monday, July 13, 2026. Thank you for joining us
whether you're watching online or took the time to brave the heat and join us
in person. Glad to have you here. We are now called to order. The next item on
the agenda for today is the approval of the agenda. Is there a motion to
approve? >> I so move.
» Moved by council member Dixon. Is there a second?
» Second. >> Seconded by council member McBride. Any
corrections or amendments to the agenda before calling the vote? Hearing none.
All in favor? Let it be known by the saying of I.
» I. Any nays? The eyes have it. The agenda is approved as presented.
Next on the agenda, we'll move down to the approval of meeting minutes for
Monday, June 8th work session. Is there a motion to approve?
» Not all at once. So moved by Council Member McBride. Is there a second?
» I second. >> Second. Oh, thank you. Seconded by
Council Member Dixon. Any corrections or comments regarding the um the minutes
hearing? None. I'll call for the vote. All in favor, let it be known by the
saying of I. >> I. Any naysay? The eyes have it the
meeting minutes for June 8th are approved. Tonight, we don't have any
items under unfinished business. So, we'll proceed into new business,
beginning with item E regarding 52nd Avenue update. and I'll turn it over to
the town administrator at this time. All >> right. Uh good evening, mayor and
council. Uh before I jump in, I just wanted um to uh take note. Uh obviously,
you can see our finance director uh is not here this evening. Um he had a
family emergency come up this afternoon um which required him to um uh to to
head out a little bit early. Um but he uh just wanted me to make sure everybody
uh was aware and um when we get to the council uh meeting portion of the
evening um I'll just share a couple of updates from him. Um so uh with that
noted uh the next topic is 52nd Avenue update. Um unfortunately this afternoon
it was made known that um SHA was going to be unavailable to come this evening.
Um, so that does alter our uh plan a little bit, but I did want to provide um
a few updates to council about where we are um since our last conversation on
June 8th um which stemmed from uh a pretty robust meeting um back in May
with SHA. Um just a a very brief overview for um those that might be
watching. Um this uh part of the street is or was part of a pilot project um a
few years ago or a couple of years ago. Um we're now at a point trying to
determine what the best path uh moving forward is and turning uh it was
temporarily turned into a one-way uh road. There was a substantial amount of
work that needed to be done just to maintain it. Um, I I want to take a a
moment to um thank our team and SHA for a tremendous effort um that took place
starting last Thursday, July 9th, um and then continued on Friday, July 10th, and
then continued today on July 13th of a joint cleanup um along 52nd uh Avenue.
they uh brave the heat and uh realigned barriers. Um thank you to SHA for um
coming back out on Friday and putting up uh the the flexi
um uh what am I trying to think of?
» Flexibles. Thank you. Um which which look fantastic. Um they cut down a
tremendous amount of shrubbery removed that uh trash
um was was collected. Um and just this afternoon I was driving up there and I
saw a number of uh of people walking that road again. Um and so uh I I just
wanted to say thank you um to our team and to SHA um for making that joint
effort possible. Um it really was uh much needed and and I know that the
residents in that area uh truly appreciate it and anybody that traverses
that road. Um so next point uh we shared with SHA um a draftou
um and and for transparency. One of the things that we were calling for and that
I think we heard loud and clear from the joint uh meeting was um while this is a
stateowned road um to get us to um the point of redesign and effectuating
um the permanent transition to a one-way road. We're about 2 years out. Um so
what is the plan um moving forward? And uh I think we're kind of at a crossroads
of do we uh remove the barriers completely or do we um continue with
this program while we're trying to um uh await the final design. Um
so I think while there are a number of
different um options, one of the things that we used as a starting point was uh
quarterly joint cleanups. I think we saw how effective they were. Um after
speaking with Derek last week after he reviewed the draftou,
um I know that their team is is spread pretty thin. Um there was some concern
about um whether or not that would be feasible. Um I think Pernell would agree
one of the things that was u most beneficial um and something that we are
desperately in need of um are some of the equipment um that they have. And so
um I think we're still trying to hammer out what those details will be exactly.
Um but I think the effort um this past week shows that there is um
there are some opportunities to work together to move forward. Uh so we don't
know exactly what that will look like. We hope to have a draft um response from
them over the next couple of weeks. It's with their in-house attorneys right now.
Um so you know that's something that we're going to continue to hammer
through over the next several weeks um to bring back to you. Um, but just
wanted to give you guys kind of an update on uh where we were, the effort
that um both teams, the town and the state uh made and and figuring out um
what the next steps will be as we as we move forward.
» Thank you for that update. And um after you let me know they couldn't make it, I
want to confirm Senator Augustine said he will plan to come to that next
meeting when SHA is here. So, um, and he was glad to hear that there's been
progress with conversations. So, I think having him as part of that in September
will be really helpful. But any comments or questions from the council before we
move on? Council member Dixon. >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Brian, did they
mention when will be ready? >> Yes. So, um, it long before September.
Um, so they are it's with legal right now. he hopes to have a draft back um to
us within the next uh couple of weeks. Um so we'll we'll look over it. Um
definitely we'll update council uh since we have our retreat coming up. Hope to
have some updates by then. Um I think the benefit also of um unfortunately
this being pushed back but um one of the benefits is uh they also hope to have a
30% complete design to present to council as well um of of the redesign of
52nd Street in September. So um we'll kind of hopefully have a a two for one
then. >> Thank you.
» Absolutely. >> Council member Brown, you had a comment
or question. >> Uh thanks. I was going to ask the same
thing about theou and hopefully we can, you know, get it in time enough to
review and look over it and make our comments and stuff. But yeah,
» absolutely. I'm uh pushing uh I did make it clear when our retreat was, so really
trying to have uh something for us to uh respond to uh by then. So
agreed, >> that is all good. Um, and we'll look
forward to that conversation coming up in September. But now for another
engaging conversation. Council member Blunt, it's over to the Port Towns bus
operations, which I know you are very passionate about.
» And uh, from the update in the packet, it sounds like there's been some
interesting conversations. It's really not the Port Towns bus anymore. It's
becoming more of the Bladensburg bus, >> but that's
» but you know, so I'll turn it over to the administrator for the update.
» It wasn't working, but I was like
something, but I couldn't say anything. So,
» it's all right. That's why we're here. You got You have the mic.
» Do you want to lead off? >> Your mic's not on, council member.
» No, actually, you you can start off and then I'll
» I'll push my way in. fill in the blanks. >> Yeah.
» Okay. >> All right. Sounds good. Um, so I think
uh the mayor kind of teed it up uh perfectly. This uh several years ago was
a joint effort collaboration um with all of the port towns. Um uh I think we're
on bus number two now. Um and it's kind of nearing end of life. Um
uh so it you know it it was a great uh collaborative effort. I think some of
the other towns um you know the the uh participation has decreased
dramatically. Um I think we were analyzing you know the last year or so
of ridership and it's about 90 95% uh Bladensburg usage. Um Kore Manor has a
resident or two that hops on. Um but it it is definitely um being utilized
heaviest by us. We do all of the coordination of the scheduling. Um we
house uh the the the bus. Um and really right now Commer Manor is really just
doing the administrative piece. Um and the two part-time drivers are on um are
on their payroll. Um so what we had a conversation about was uh understanding
those realities. Um does it still make sense for uh Kar Manor to um to to
administer this program? um or does it make more sense for uh Bladensburg to to
take full ownership of the bus of the two part-time personnel um and save uh
the 10% administrative fee that we are uh currently paying Comar Manor. um they
are um eager I would say um to have this kind of transition over um you know I
think one of the logistical pieces that we spoke about was um whatever the value
of the bus currently is um you know we could figure out a way to um to to
rectify th those payments um whether it's um with inkind rides for the comar
manner residents for x amount of months or until you know that uh value of the
bus is paid off. Um you know they're they're flexible there and and there's
some uh wiggle room. Um I think the other piece to this is it does give us
um even more flexibility about how we want to use the bus moving forward. Um
both scheduling um and we would still theoretically make it available to uh
the other Porttown communities. Um, but it it does give us more flexibility as a
community um to determine what and how we want to use it. Um, I think the other
side is um this this gives us a little bit of a runway. Um, I'd estimate we
probably have 12 to 18 months um of of life left in
that bus with um a few repairs here and there. Um, so thinking about, you know,
what do we want to do next? Um we did receive a grant um this year for um
replacement of a couple of vehicles. Unfortunately um I think we we might
have uh glossed over the fine print um and the uh stipulations around the
tonnage uh of the bus um that that we would have to purchase um would require
CDL um and would probably be bigger than than what we would actually need. Um, so
you know, we'll we'll go back to the drawing board on that. But this gives us
some runway and some flexibility. So, um, I bring it to council um, as as I
promised the the town manager. Um, I would do and and have this kind of
conversation and see where we want to go from here.
» Thank you for the update. And council member Blunt, if you would also chime
in, please. >> Yeah. Um, well, I was shocked to know
that we were paying them anything. Honestly, that's just I was I I was
shocked we were paying them anything. But the six the $60,000 maybe I'm not
understanding what is that used for. >> Can you speak to what that goes to
directly? >> Sure. Um, so that goes towards uh
predominantly the riders. Um we're essentially paying
we pay per rider right now even though it it comes back to us in a sense. Um
that also pays for maintenance gas um and for the uh the two part-time
drivers. >> But so Coma man doesn't pay for the
drivers. We pay for the drivers. >> Correct.
So, >> but what what money was
» Well, that's not all of the driver's salary, but that's the majority of it.
Yes. >> But we pay for that.
» Yes. >> And because they were administering
handling all the paperwork, right? >> That's where the administrative fee came
in that was paid to Kar Manor at the time.
This was, I think, before any of us got on the council. It's just that's how it
was set up. They would facilitate. You call that number, they schedule, they
are responsible for scheduling the rides to pick up the seniors and then they're
responsible for communicating with the drivers and scheduling them. I don't
believe we've ever had dispatch responsibilities.
» Well, we know we we didn't I just didn't know we was paying them a fee until I I
heard it. >> But also, the money that the residents
pay, where did that money go to? So that goes towards the the the ride
itself, but it's it's such a nominal fee, it doesn't actually typically cover
the overall cost of >> because per person we're paying what
» I think it's >> 30 or 40 per ride or something. Yes.
» So if they pay $2 or $3, it's not it's something,
» but it's not covering the full amount. >> And I guess maybe I'm still
understanding we're paying third. I guess if you look at how much it cost
like you as we said through co what we were paying for for the ride but it's
just the numbers just doesn't make sense to me at I just doesn't make sense I
mean so when they who collects the money >> so right now com men is collecting the
money as part of their administrative
process >> so they keep the money they keep that
money plus 10% %. >> So they're using that money to pay for
the bus drivers like their salary and for any maintenance um above and beyond
typically will have to go into our pockets if you know maintenance required
over a certain percentage or dollar amount.
» So >> that mean that drivers are basically
employed by Kar Manor. >> They are they're on Kar Man's payroll.
» Okay. And if Blad is >> Go ahead.
» Yeah. The 60,000. Okay. No, go ahead. Make it make sense to me. That's all.
» So, if we become the primary >> for the bus.
» Mhm. >> Are we going to be employing these
drivers? >> We would take that on as a
responsibility. Yes. >> And also, the bus is going to be
replaced within 12 to 18 months. Well, I think that's a guesstimation on the life
expectancy of the current bus, whether we decide to replace it, whether we
decide to discontinue the program altogether, whether we I think that's
kind of the decision point, but one that we don't have to necessarily make
tonight, but that's, you know, the medium-term
discussion that that will have to be had. And I think the benefit is we can
get better control over these rides because honestly by us not having the
dispatch piece of it, we don't know what's being used, how many trips until
the administrator gets the bill, reviews everything, and is signing off on them.
And I just think it goes back to something council member Blunt, you said
a couple years ago, which was we should be more strategic and say on this day,
this is where the bus goes. on this day, it goes here because it's wasteful
» to have two or three people on there and taking it here, there, and everywhere
and racking up those per person fees. I think
» we have to cut back. We've talked about budget constraints. We can't afford to
keep doing this. And when you look at the number of people being served,
there's other things that could be done with that money. And remember, you even
brought up Uber. What if we did um what do you call them? Uber passes. Instead
of that, I think another option is, and like you said, we've got time to figure
out the next step, but another option is we have transportation companies right
here in the business park. We could easily contract with them to say twice a
week, we need you to handle senior rides.
» And then we're not dealing with vehicle maintenance. We're not dealing with
part-time employees, payroll expenses, and all the rest. and they're
professionals at this. So we and they're great when we use them for town events.
So I feel like we could explore that. >> So my ask would be council member Blunt,
» if you wouldn't mind working with the town administrator on this to put
something together to say based on what you see
» at the senior, you know, resident level, what is appropriate in terms of what
this service could be? >> And I did do that already.
» Okay. I know that um the the trans the senior transportation would take them
anywhere they need to go within Prince George's County and that's free.
» So it's not I mean they're not losing there. They can have transportation
there. >> Um
» except for they do want to go to go to the casinos and stuff. I'm I'm against
it. I'm against it. So that's just me. I'm against them going gambling. That's
just me though. But I I rather I rather go your route
because Emerson House that bus can pull up in front of Emerson
House. >> Drop one person off, turn around and
come back and drop two off then go back come back at Emerson House about seven
times. Make it make sense. It doesn't make sense to me. And I know Coa Mana do
wants no control of at all. >> I kind of heard him say, "No, y'all take
it over." I got I heard that come out of the administrative mouth um self. So my
thing I think is I like the other other way cuz we don't have to pay that
$60,000 can be be used for something else.
» And council member Blunt I don't know if everyone caught it but the other service
that she mentioned is the bus. >> The bus is the one free goes all across
the county. So to your point, even if we have to scale back this resource, we're
not leaving the seniors without because that's already a service that
» mic mayor mayor Mike. >> Sorry, Mr. Gray.
» I didn't push the button hard enough. My apologies, but I was just um tagging on
to say what council member Blunt mentioned was a service called the bus,
which is prevalent in Prince George's County. So if we have to reduce services
with this formerly called Porttown's bus, at least there's still a service
available to the seniors and that's actually free whereas with ours it's
subsidized. They pay a few dollars and the town pays the rest.
» So um >> I agree. I totally agree with um going
the route with Mayor James in terms of contracting someone which cost less
» and not only that looking at replacing the bus 10 to 12 to 18 months.
» What is the bus going to cost? That's another thing. Can the town afford a new
bus right now? >> I just don't think they should even try
» or the you can get a grant too. And the fetal brought this up before in terms of
your question about the replacement. So we did get the MEA grant for um an
electric bus, but it it's a there it's a formula. So it doesn't cover everything.
It covers up to what is it the cost of what a combustion engine bus would be?
» I never quite that. The fine print. >> Yeah, the fine print. It's 75% of the
additional cost of an EV. So, let's say a traditional bus cost 100,000, let's
just for conversation sake, and an EV bus cost $200,000.
» The grant would pay the 75,000, which is 75% of the difference. So, the town
would still be on the hook for $125,000. >> Um, so beneficial in some respects, but
also, but we also found out other fine print pieces. um the categories of buses
that are available. It's really looking at larger vehicles that um require CDL
licenses and both public works and the current bus drivers that we have right
now don't have CDL licenses. >> Okay. We really don't want to leave the
seniors stranded or anything like that. We want to make sure you know that we're
providing services to the residents of Bladesburg, but at the same time we want
to be careful how we are spending. >> Right.
» Yeah. >> Yeah. Um,
» and as you said, we don't want to leave them without services, but the bus is
there and >> they're not out of service because they
a lot of metro access and also it takes them wherever they want to go. I mean,
so they're they're not left out of any services at all. And that's the good
thing about >> the transportation now.
» I I just get get rid of it. I mean honestly get just that's just what I'm
saying because I can't understand that 60,000 and they're paying and then he
doesn't well >> I know co man co man probably listening
they don't want to pay for nothing >> I agree
» I'm just sorry I had to say >> I think yeah
» I'm sorry I just had to say it okay council member hold on council member
Brown and then back to >> she was waiting for a bit yeah thank
thanks but but yeah because we we've been talking about this for for a while
and it's like make it make sense you know but and probably initially when you
know when the agreement you know came into place it it did it didn't make
sense but now because um as we had discussed before it's like you know you
have a companies here and and they have different size buses and you know you
know we one and I don't know if you if we will talk about that too but one week
we may need the big bus and next week we may may need only a 10 passenger bus I
mean just having that flexibility you know, working with the with the with
the company that that's their business. It's what they do. So, that makes sense.
And like you said, we're not leaving the um our seniors. We're not leaving them,
you know, stranded or whatever without transportation,
» you know. Absolutely. you know, and then and it
would provide, you know, provide better service, you know, you know, I I believe
to the to the residents and and then from a budget standpoint, yeah, it
would, you know, you know, take that that piece off of our books. Yeah. Off
of books for reduction and um and I think that's yeah, would be wise. But
although we're just kind of having a conversation about it right now, but
yeah. >> And one thing that you said, council
member, it kind of sparked a thought. um would it even be possible if we had some
sort of public private partnership with a transportation company? So we say
we've gotten this grant. Could we pass it through to them? So they pay the
difference toward the vehicle. So, we're essentially donating the 75,000, let's
say, >> and then they pay the difference because
it's helping their fleet regardless >> and giving them greater flexibility
because it is an EV and then work out some sort of contractual partnership for
X number of years and then we revisit it after that point. So, that's where I'm
going. Save the town money, you know, still be able to help the residents. We
don't want to give back grant money to the state because that you can get
dinged when you go to apply the next time. So, I don't want to lose that. But
maybe there's a path forward that just doesn't have us paying for this and, you
know, not using those resources more wisely.
» Yeah, cuz that fine print there's it does, you know, it's still costing the
town more more money. So, >> give us
» Council Member McBride, thank you for waiting your turn.
Thank you. Um, my only question is, so this is supposed to service the seniors
or does it can it service the different apartment complexes inside of
Leadensburg? >> If they're senior,
» as long as they're seniors, I mean, >> traditionally, Sean and Pernell, you're
going to have to help me, but I think it was more so geared towards seniors.
» Yes, it was. And um I think there may have been special
circumstances where if there was a town event and we needed transportation then
we could reach out and ask them to pick up people but the way it was set up with
the four towns back in the day was primarily for senior
» foren. Okay. >> Mhm.
» I had a question I'll hold.
» Okay. But you know like when I found out that they were not paying to get on the
bus it I was very upset. that I had to call call
Miss Blue. You know, y'all know I say I like to say names. Um, Miss Blue and let
her know why did this her senior club didn't think that they had to pay
» didn't Well, we was told No, I don't know who told y'all that cuz y'all have
to pay like everybody else cuz you're riding the bus because she was under
understanding by Ka Mana that they didn't have to pay.
» So, they start paying. >> I have a
Go ahead, council member Brown. Yeah, because it was under membership
» and um >> um and and you know to that point with
the council member McBry, you know, once we look at it and restructure it or
something, you know, it it may be able to like special events occasions and you
do put some modifications in there where it can kind of service,
you know, some of the other buildings in the town as well. This one.
» Yeah, that's going to be have to be really restricted because
» Yeah, >> I'm just saying.
» No, go ahead, Mr. Hall. >> That's that's like microphone be a
tricky thing. You can tell him no, but you can tell him. I mean, you know, so
that's I think that's why when it came out years and years ago, it was strictly
appointed to seniors. >> Makes sense. And Mr. Wood,
» well, I was just going to say so a couple of things. one, yeah, this would
have greater flexibility because when it was initially purchased, it was used, I
believe state money was used um and so the requirements and covenants around it
required that it be used predominantly for seniors. But when we purchased the
second bus, it was with local dollars and so there's greater flexibility and
those requirements no longer apply. Um, so if the town were to take over
ownership, we would be able to do with it as we desired. I I think there would
be a a desire to, you know, keep with some spirit. If the other communities
all of a sudden ridership spiked and they wanted, then then that um would
would be something to look at. Um, and then two, um, I think to the point that
the mayor made a while back about, um, Uber and other ride shares, um, I was at
a conference a few years ago, and I know that there are some communities that,
um, have done that and set up, um, various different structures with Uber
and and other types where, um, individuals over a certain age can get x
amount of dollars or an Uber will take you within x amount of miles of a
community for free or, you know, there's a number of different arrangements. Um,
so if that's something that the town wanted to look at, we wouldn't be uh the
first community to do that and they have an infrastructure set up to partner with
uh municipal organizations to set things like that up. So, just wanted to
» I know we we've been on this for a long time, but um they will have like a
setback because some Uber drivers do not help you with your packages and seniors
need help and I see they don't help with the wheelchairs, the walkers, they don't
help. They just it's it's crazy but it's up to the Yeah. So that's the only thing
I would say. >> So um Brian what if um Kar mana decided
to withdraw before we come to some conclusion
and >> my other part question
» and my other question is who covers the insurance for the bus? Is it the town or
Kar Manor? >> Uh currently Coar Manor covers the
insurance. um that's built into >> okay
» again all of it is kind of per rated based on usage. So
» there's the aggregate cost and then per ride it's broken down. So we're still
paying for a significant portion of the insurance. Um and to your first point if
commer I'm not saying they basically said that
they're walking away but they >> sounds that way.
» They basically said they're walking away. So um
yeah >> but are they paying for the insurance or
we paying for the insurance? >> So the insurance is uh so the insurance
is technically with com manner but >> the aggregate cost of the bus per year
is broken down per rider and so we're still paying for a significant portion
of the insurance. We're just paying it through the per ride cost. Right.
» Um so that's part of the 2,000 >> if I get that $60,000 still not making
sense to me. >> Yeah. So, I think we cuz we could talk
about this in circles. I think we're at the point where there's agreement that
we want to re-evaluate this because we don't think it's the best use of town
dollars. >> Getting it under the town's uh realm of
responsibility makes sense while we're figuring out with council member Blunt a
path forward. phasing it out is certainly an option given we have the
bus, but also um an option is pursuing the grant and possibility of partnering
with a local business to see if that's even possible. If the answer is no, then
we just have to send a letter to MEA saying we can't accept the grant, you
know, due to financial constraints, we can't keep our commitment and just again
move forward with consolidating this down and collapsing the service cuz it's
just extremely expensive. >> So I think that's where we are in terms
of when you send us the summary from the meeting, there's agreement that we
cannot continue. >> It's not you, it's us.
So, I'll draft up um >> a formal process with comar manner about
how we're going to execute this um and bring that before it would have to go
before both councils. >> Thank you, Council Member Blunt for the
last word. >> I like the um the idea that you said
because for the lack of not saying anything else,
we done with that process. Let's do something. Let's just do something new.
We done with that. >> I agree.
» Yeah, I agree. There was a a higher demand at the time. That demand just
isn't there anymore to justify the cost. So, yeah, we have young seniors who are
driving themselves around and they're walking through the community and all of
that. So, we have to get with the times. >> All right. So, speaking of getting with
the times, PAL's project poster presentation is next up on the agenda.
Um I'll turn it over to you town administrator Wood.
» Yeah. So um they have been making their way around the port towns. They were
supposed to come up to us next. Um they the boards have well they they've
disappeared. We'll we'll find them. Uh not from us. Uh they were recently with
Cottage City. Um but are you guys familiar with the PAL project that took
place? Um I guess was last semester, so last
spring. Um and some of the designs um for the Porttown communities.
Uh maybe not. Okay. So, uh a recap of what the PAL Project is um and and what
they do. So, the PAL Project um is a partnership with the University of
Maryland um and they work with undergrad and graduate students um on a number of
different uh projects. Right. So um towns, municipalities, yep, all across
um uh the state can submit uh to um for the PAL project for them to do any
number of things. Um it can be um something like we had they can do
engineering, they can do um statistical analysis, budget breakdowns. Um and they
have students work on these projects throughout um throughout the semester.
Um each project typically costs um about $10,000.
Um and part of that goes towards the cost of executing the project, whether
they need to purchase data sets, if there's travel required for the
students, whatever they may be. Um and then part of that goes to offset the um
administrative uh cost for their adviser whether that's um a professor or or
whomever it may be. Um, one of the projects that um was grant funded um
last year was the uh placemaking and design for uh the Port Towns communities
um at different um I guess you could say uh prominent locations um in in each
community that connected each of each of the communities. So, uh, for us, we had
a couple of different bridges. Um, and so what it was was, um, thinking about
how do we denote these this as a Porttown community. Um, and so, uh, they
designed, uh, these kind of beautiful pocket parks with, um, similar colors
of, uh, yellow, orange, purple, and blue, I believe it was. Um, and each
community had a slightly different design and a different location, but it
created the through line that these were all Porttown communities. Um, there's
some beautiful renderings that are on posters that we were supposed to get
tonight. Um, unfortunately, they're not here. Um, but the the reason that it's
also um kind of timesensitive is um we received uh grant funding again um from
from the state. Um and part of what uh BCC was looking at was do we want to
invest some of those dollars um into the next phase of um this placemaking and
and and these designs which would be kind of the engineering aspect of it um
and and understanding what the fabrication uh of these types of pocket
parks um would cost. We know that each one would be, you know, north of
probably $100,000, but this would be the next step in that in that process. Um,
and so >> h
so um you know that PAL's project would probably be a little bit more uh
expensive, closer to $30,000. Um but again, it's grant funded um and would
kind of be the through line. there's quite a bit of interest in it. Um so
what I would propose is for the visuals to you to actually be able to see um
what was done by these young people which was quite impressive um is to
bring that to uh to the retreat. Um so that you guys will be able to see that.
Um each town is kind of talking about the elements that they liked, what they
may not like. Um, and so that will go into the input um, as we prepare the
next PAL's uh, request for this fall. >> Hopefully,
» thank you for that overview. Any questions or comments for the town
administrator? >> I think we look forward to seeing the
visuals at the retreat. Council member Dixon.
» Thank you, Madam Mayor. in regards to this um pilot project.
» Mhm. >> Um what services the town has to offer?
Does it has to provide public works, public safety or anything like that?
» Nope. >> Okay.
» Um completely. So the next phase would be completely done by um the students.
Um this would be uh for us is actually in a in a public location already,
something that we already take care of. Um this would just be a redesign.
» How is this how is this figure determined?
the $30,000 or the >> the Yeah.
» Uh that's not in the packet. I think what you're looking at is for the Hamlet
Woods project. The next item, >> we're not there yet. Sorry.
» Sorry. I think >> almost there. Almost there. A couple
more items.
» Yes. Yes. We will we will get to that. >> All right. Um,
» so if there are no more questions, we can drop down get closer to it under
town managers report. >> Yep.
Um, yeah. So, we can just we can jump down
to that. Um, >> Oh, yeah.
» So, so the pilot program um there's a briefing in your packet there.
Um, so the Hamlet Woods project um >> that's the one I was starting.
» Yeah. So this has been one that has been um ongoing for a number of years now.
Um I think they originally came to the town almost this time last year with a
proposal um for payment in lie um just to rehash this is uh 59 units of um
workforce housing um that will be available um and Sean correct me if I'm
wrong but they're going to be ready end of or mid August
» mid August um actually I wrote through the property today they're probably I'd
say 85% complete Um they're working on the last section
and mid August is when their final grand opening is supposed to be.
» Okay. Um so they are um well on their way and and well past uh substantial
completion at this point um which is very exciting. This gives a breakdown of
kind of where the funding came from. There's been um significant investment
from the state, from the county uh and private dollars. Um what they were
looking for is um essentially a payment in lie of taxes. Um they received um a
similar deal or structured a similar deal with the county um which was
essentially a 50% reduction um in their overall tax rate um and they have now
come to the town asking for or proposing something similar. Um
what we have before us is um two different options. Um what was proposed
by um HT Woods was essentially $500
per unit. Um and so sorry, let me back up a little
bit. So looking at the assessed value, um and this folds into uh the
recommendation that I that I have. Um these are based on 2023 numbers and so
it was estimated that the project would be assessed at approximately almost $8
million $7,972,000.
Um what that was proposed was again 500
unit or $500 per unit um a as a pilot with an escalator of uh 2%
um at the 110 20 and 30 year mark. Um what
we countered at or what we're proposing to counter at is a 600 unit uh dollar
per unit uh starting threshold um with the same escalator. Um and so it
essentially breaks down to um the structure that they had with the county
is about a 50% reduction. Um they're asking for essentially the same thing
from the town. uh the numbers that are proposed here are closer to 43%
reduction um which is still fairly favorable. Um and the reason I think
there's um value in what the town is proposing is it goes back to the
original assessed value dollar that these numbers are generated off of uh
which are 2023. We all know that the assessed value since 2023 has gone up
significantly more. Um we estimate that the value is probably closer to $10 to
$12 million at this point. Um which would if we were to restructure this
deal in today's terms would dramatically increase the per unit cost um versus
what you see here. So a 43% um structured deal um is still um I
think better than if they were to go out and do a market assessment today. Um,
and even if they even if we agreed to 50%, it would still probably be higher
than um than what we're proposing here. Um,
so that's the the broad strokes of it. Um, Suelan uh and part of the reason
that this took a year to uh get to this point is um Suelan had to dig through uh
the state uh code to find where we would be able to actually do this. um the
language that was used at the county level was specific to the county um and
did not allow municipalities to set up a pilot program. And so um there was a
great deal of digging that was involved um and and obviously with a number of
other things that were um on our town attorney's plate. Um this kept getting
pushed back, but um we did eventually find it or she did eventually find it.
Um so that's what's here before you. Um there is
a little bit of a clock um given the the uh status of the project at this point.
Um but I wanted to bring this up for conversation and discussion and then um
we would use that as the final framework and again um with a desire not to push
this off to um September. um if we had the final framework, if this is what
council was okay with, we would draft this and do a final vote um at at the
retreat if that's something that council wished to do.
» So, thank you for that overview of the pilot project. Council, any comments or
questions regarding the um proposed payment?
» I have a question. >> I have a few, but I'll let Go ahead,
Council Member Dixon. Thank you, Madame Mayor Brian. Um, in
regards to
um what happen if a if a property sold to
another owner, how would how would that affect um the pilot? Would it be does it
does the pilot still stay in effect? >> Great question. Um that would be
language that would be included in the contract. Typically, it stays with the
property, not the owners. um in in my experience
» and this is a full 30 years, right? >> Correct.
» Okay. And did you mention how how does the 600 unit deter figure determined?
Did you mention that how it was determined? So, the $600 unit, $600 per
unit, um to be honest, was determined uh before I got here, but it is essentially
it the idea behind it was um to kind of find a middle ground between what um
what Hamlet Woods was proposing um which was 50% um reducing it but still
allowing the project to go forward. Um and I think at the time when it was
originally proposed um they had built their financial model around receiving
um a certain level of of uh relief in
taxes. And so um yeah, so this I think is that attempt at meeting the middle
ground. >> So council member, this is to tag on to
that. So when they came to the meeting a year or two ago, they were specifically
advocating for more financial support from the town. Um, we did not agree to
that. We said we could be open and discuss what the town could do, but they
were trying to get their financing together. So, the numbers you see here
about how their financing is stacked through Prince George's County Housing
Investment Trust Fund loan, all those things, those loans that you see in the
um first paragraph >> that those are the things that they
worked on to line up their financing. Okay. And then in going to the county,
the county passed legislation CR--036 2023 giving them authority to also give
them that 50% tax relief. And so given that the county the county's budget is
not Bladensburg's budget, so we cannot afford a 50% you know reduction in that
revenue um from taxes. I think what veto and Mr. would put together here
compromising saying we can't go as low as 500. We could potentially consider
600 per unit because now our services have increased. This is a rental. Sorry,
my sinuses are on 1,000 right now. >> The um services that the town is
offering are now what they cost two or three years ago. That's one. Number two,
we're now doing apartment rental inspections that are led by code
enforcement. That is another level of service that we're providing. Typically,
whenever there's multifamily housing in the town, cost for service for public
safety goes up. Same thing for emergency services for the fire department. So,
the reason we can't go as low as what they're asking for in this first column
» is because those services come at a cost to us
» and we can't provide them at a deficit. And so I think and veto you know he's
good with these numbers. Mr. Tanelli I think and Mr. Wood did a good job of
saying what we can do is offer you 10 or 2% for years 1 through 10. We can go up
to 3% for you know years 11 through 20 and then the escalation would be 4% for
years 21 to 30. And then they just broke out. Here's what we would get over the
30 years on our formula versus their formula. Our formula, yes, they would be
paying 1.5 almost 1.6. >> Mhm.
» But when you look at the services that they're getting over 30 years, it more
than justifies us coming in at that rate to negotiate.
Does that sort of help? >> Thanks. Mhm.
» And and the other absolutely everything that the mayor said and typically these
are these are agreed to at the outset. And so that's why you see all the
breakdown of where they're receiving the dollar amounts because normally this
kind of looks more like a credit enhancement agreement. Um and so that
helps with the lending on the private side to see that um government entities
are are backing this project. So, um I think that was the original thought, but
they were still able to get the financing needed to to make this project
a reality. >> So, will the pilot will it cover the um
public safety and code enforcement?
» Over overall, >> yeah.
» No. >> No. Okay.
» No. But any new development >> typically doesn't. That's
» Yeah. when you're looking longterm, that's why you always want that balance
of businesses and and other things that are that are not going to drive up calls
for service um versus uh certain residential.
» Thank you. Back to you, Madame Mayor. >> Thank you.
» And just to clarify though, when you say it won't cover services, so with the
owner proposed amount, right, >> that would not be enough. No. to justify
» right >> the services that we would still have to
provide we'd be operating at a deficit. So at least
» we're coming in flat. It's not a revenue generator obviously but at least it
helps to cover those services for the apartment inspections annually any work
that has to be done by public works the public safety services that they're
going to get and even you know we contribute to the fire department to
help offset their expenses. And so ambulance runs, firet truck runs, all of
that. We're helping um to just cover ourselves with those investments. So,
» thank you so much. That will give the residents more clarity. Thanks.
» I think so. Um any other comments or questions from award two council
members? It's been a long time coming, so it's
good to see they're getting closer to actually completing the construction.
And I will admit, I snuck up in there uh curiosity. I had to see it. I was like,
it it's supposed to be ready this summer. Um and they're close. They're
close. So, I look forward to the um the grand opening. Um and then Mr. Wood is
so for this um for a formal vote from council. Do we
have this on the 7:00 agenda or do we need to amend it to add this for
approval or does it need to go back to Suellen first?
» No. Um, so there is uh specific language that Swellen and a couple of pieces that
Swellen and Veto are are finalizing. Um, so I pulled it from the 7:00 agenda. Um,
I have a draft resolution, but I want to make sure it's right. So, um, it will
come back before you. Um, but now that I know that this is exactly
what council is good with, we can memorialize that in the resolution.
And then the only challenge is I know they are very anxious to get decisions
sooner rather than later, but typically anything financial the council has to
vote on at the 7:00 p.m. council meeting. So
» that yeah, not unless we did a separate meeting, but that's why we don't do
financial decisions in the work session. It's always in the actual council
meeting. So, just want you to be mindful of that so we can figure out if there's
a separate meeting that we need to call. Even if it's via Zoom to resolve this,
we wouldn't be able to do it at a retreat. It would have to be a formal
meeting that's called to, you know, address that.
» Okay. >> And not a work session, an actual
» council meeting. Okay. >> Just want to mention that.
» Thank you. >> No worries. And while you're off mute,
did you want to touch on the next uh the previous item, the gloves up, guns down
grant? >> Oh, uh yes. Sorry, I skipped over that.
Um just wanted to provide council an update. Um we're really excited with the
progress. There was a kickoff in uh in June. Um there is a camp coming up in
the first week. >> Thank you. Yes. was like, "Wait a
minute. Blank dates are all Yeah. blurring together." Um, so, um, we know
that this has been, uh, a labor of love. So, a major thanks to the chief, to, uh,
Alicia who's been kind of spearheading it, to our our county partners and other
municipal partners, um, and merging this with, um, some, uh, funding that we
received from the state, uh, a grant for $78,000.
Um and for all of the volunteers um that are uh that have gone through the
fingerprinting process um to participate with our young people. Um just to give
an update, it will be uh twice a week um starting in I believe September. Um, and
we're hoping to have uh a total of I believe it's 80 young people. 40 people
for um great 40 people >> right now there's 19 signed up.
» Microphone chief. >> Uh yes, right now um there's 19 youth
that are signed up and there's six additional spots. So I think they're
doing 25. >> Oh, 25. Okay. Sorry. I was like 80
sounds like a lot. Um 25. of half at the
um why am I blinking? I'm thinking stadium armory, but it's not stadium
armory. Um >> the Salvation Army. Thank you. Um and
the other half of the students um will be um at the county. Um the idea is that
uh obviously those that are specific Bladenberg residents um would able to
would be um here at the Salvation Army. Obviously, it's a little bit closer. Um,
and so we're excited about the progress that um that this program is making and
just wanted to know if there are any specific questions that council might
have um that we'd be able to to bring back and answer or any discussions.
» Perfect. Thank you for that overview. Chief First Corin, any additional
context you want to add to that? Yes, just that the uh boxing clinic is
going to be from the 27th to the 31st at the Salvation Army and then the year-
round program is going to start September 14th and run until June 30th
of 27. Um we're going to be using Prince
George's County Police Department District 3 as one location and over here
on Edmonston Road at the Salvation Army and then there's also a gym that we'll
be using for the program itself. Is the district three location Barlo
Road or is that okay? Got it. Any questions from the council council
member Brown? >> Thank you.
» So, uh, interim chief. So, give me those dates again. You said September the
» September 14th, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. That's that's the actual program.
» Ah, okay. >> The clinic starts uh next week. That's
going to be >> uh just the boxing clinic itself, but
the program runs a year long. >> Ah, okay. What are the age group, Chief?
» I'm not sure of what age it starts at. I know when we went for the kickoff at the
PAL program, there were really young kids up to I think up to 18. Um, so we
had the kickoff for this in the registration at the at the PAL boxing
program that the county had. >> What percentage of um young people from
Bladesburg signed up? Do you know? >> I don't know the percentage.
» Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Council member
» BR in transportation, their parents will be responsible for transporting them.
» Yes, we're not transporting them. >> Okay.
» Uhuh. Council member Blunt, have you all had the pleasure to meet um Shirley
Lenn? >> That was my question.
» I haven't, but I know that that they've been in talks to have have him and some
others talk to the kids. I went on a tour of the uh Salvation Army,
» which I met the staff down there. It was nice. And then I went up to the gym
where they're doing it at and the guy that's running the gym seems like he's
perfect for for this to work with the youth. They have a lot of experience.
» Can we just be notified if there's Sugar Ray Leonard sightings or Keith coming to
a particular session? I felt something over here when that question was raised.
So, we need to make sure. >> I went to school with
» Okay. Gotcha. You know how old I am? Salvation Army. A big space for this.
Like the space is kind of
» Okay. >> Oh, my mic is on.
» You couldn't hear the chief, Mr. Gray? >> No.
» Chief, they couldn't hear you. Can you repeat the light? Can you repeat
everything or
» basketball bags and and the ring set up in there?
And that's just one of the couple locations.
» Exciting times and just look forward to the impact of giving kids an alternative
activity, something that's productive and teaching them not to resort to
violence in the street. just, you know, putting that energy somewhere
productive. So, look forward to being able to come and check it out once it
gets underway. Uh, at this time,
» so, um, Chief was saying there's a clinic coming up and then after that,
the actual session starts in September. Do you want to give those dates one more
time, Chief? >> Yes. The clinic is the 27th of this
month until the 31st at the Salvation Army. And then the uh the program itself
is September 14th, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. And the times for that 5:30
p.m. to 7:30 p.m. >> So 27 in September.
» The the 14th of September through through June of June 30th of 2027.
» What's the time for this month? The 27th.
» The the 27th. Let me check. I have the uh
» it might be in the report because I think you had information about it in
your uh monthly report, Chief. >> Yes, I have the flyer. I'm just It's my
computer's not bringing it up. >> All right, we will get that information
to you. We're going to keep moving. Uh the next item is under financial
business for consideration for the council tonight is uh the decisions for
grant and scholarship program recommendation. So with that uh we'll
turn it back over to the town administrator.
» All right. I will not speak too much on this. Uh this is more for council. Um
and I believe there should be um an Excel spreadsheet in your binders. Um so
this is bringing back the conversation we had in June around
um a number of our grant applicants. Um and the recommendation from Rey was that
this year um the three applicants that applied for the uh educational
scholarship um did not necessarily meet the criteria. Um, so we could roll that
money into this pot, which would take the total uh amount available for um
grants and grants uh to $15,000 um which would leave us about $3,000 shy
of the total request um if all nine applicants were funded at approximately
$2,000. Uh, so we just did a little rubric um as
a conversational piece for you guys. Uh, and I will turn it over.
» So, we've been looking appreciate the rubric. Um, one thing
that I wanted to note is one of the groups, I know they scored a 3.7, but I
would consider um, swapping out GH with Good Intentions because Good Intentions
is based in the port towns. We did get to see their youth program in action
last year and they really made a huge difference in the lives of those
teenagers. I mean, things that we take for granted were very impactful for
them. Just thinking about when they took the kids out on the river and how many
of them grew up in this area and never even had been in that kind of experience
and got to see their community in a whole different way and opened up to the
sciences um through that connection with AWS. So I think that would be my
recommendation that we do Carrison um particularly given their support for
immigration issues and what some of our residents are facing. They're an
important partner. Anacostia Watershed Society, another great partner. Eco
City, it goes without saying, tremendous partner. Um, End Time Harvest
Ministries, which will allow us to touch the youth. We lead by example is helping
us touch the youth, but also older residents as well. And then, um, uh,
where is it? Good intentions. So that gives us one, two, three, four, five,
six. Am I good with my math or did we go
over?
» I think we're good. We needed six.
So, we're essentially swapping rank one and
seven on the um top sheet.
Does that putting it out there, but council, let me know your thoughts.
» I did hear some grumblings about the tiny print. I'm just saying. I'm just
the messenger. It was fine.
» I'm just the messenger. Don't shoot the messenger, Brian.
» I don't know who said it. Look, I don't know who said it.
» Heard through. >> I heard through the grape vine. Oh. Oh,
I'm sorry. It was both ways. I don't, Mr. Wood. I have no idea. I can neither
confirm nor deny.
Noted, mayor. Noted. Thank you. I will uh take that under advisement moving
forward.
» Thank you, Governor. That's exactly what I
» paper. I like it. It was very sustainable. Thank you, council member.
What? >> We're a green community. I'll do my
best.
» You want me to run them back one more time
» or you think you got them all? Okay. So, we've got Carrison
and then AWS
Eco City Farms >> End Time Harvest Ministries.
We lead by example and then good intentions foundation
» and the ones you didn't mention on that. >> Yeah.
» Because we we would have to pull money from somewhere else to be able to cover
all of them. Yeah. >> And we just don't have the funding. But
still we're doing more than we have previously. So still making a good
impact. She is. >> All right. Copy that. Thank you.
Thank you, Mayor and Council. So, I'll send that out and we'll notify
um the recipients and move forward >> and then in the 7:00 meeting, we'll just
need to do the formal vote. >> Yep.
» Sorry. Sorry, Mr. Gray. And we'll just do the formal vote in the uh 7:00
meeting since it's a financial um decision of the council.
» Okay. for for the ones that didn't make it. We we have our discretionary funds.
Can we give money to the Okay, great. >> Oh, and speaking of, has there been an
allocation of the FY26 discretionary funds? Because if not, we need to do
that at the next meeting as well. >> Yeah,
» we Yes. >> So,
» yes. >> Okay.
» Yes. >> Okay.
Got it. All right, we will wrap this up quickly so we have time to prepare.
Um, any other comments or questions regarding the scholars, the grants?
Okay. All right. So, with that, we have come to the end of tonight's agenda.
Council, is there a motion to adjurnn? >> I move.
» Moved by council member Dixon. Is there a second?
» A second. >> Seconded by council member Blunt. Any
comments or questions before adjournment?
Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All in favor, let it be known by the
saying of I. I. Any nays? The eyes have it. We're adjourned. And the time is
6:40. Thank you.