Comments are by Councilmembers Llatetra Brown Esters and Susan Whitney and are not approved or sanctioned by the City of College Park.
City Manager Report
No announcements from the City Manager
Amendments to the Agenda
Councilmember Whitney asked to add an Earth Day proclamation to the meeting agenda.
Councilmember Mitchell asked to add the City’s support of federal legislation to create a VA-Style home loan program for first responders and police.
Mayor Wojahn read the Earth Month Proclamation.
Food Scrap Program Presentation – Mr. Marsili, Director of Public Works
Mr. Marsili thanked residents who have taken food scraps to drop-off locations since April, 2019. They have saved the City from sending seventy-five tons of materials to the landfill. He went on to outline the specifics of the proposed curbside Food Scrap Collection program. Individuals will sign up on the City’s website and their address will be validated. They will then specify what type of cart they would like, either 5 or 12 gallons. It is anticipated that the initial roll out will garner 175-200 registrants in the system and residents can opt in at any time.
Mr. Marsili indicated it should take about two months to get the program up and running. It is estimated that over the first year the number of participants will grow to six hundred, and then one thousand after the second year. The City’s initial cost per participating property would be $14.50 with an estimated total monthly cost of $2,500. As participation grows, the operating costs will increase, but the cost per resident will decrease. In the first year, it is estimated that the program would divert 107 tons of food scraps from the landfill. With the increase of participants over time, it is anticipated the program will help divert 212 tons of waste annually. The City will work to create awareness about the importance of diverting food scraps and helping to sustain the environment.
Councilmember Kabir thanked Mr. Marsili for the presentation, mentioned the positive emails that he has already received, and asked when the program will begin. Mr. Marsili shared his hope for the program to start in July or August of this year. Mr. Kabir asked if Compost Crew, the name appearing on buckets and carts pictured in the presentation, would be the vendor for the program. Mr. Marsili said it is possible, but there are a number of vendors doing this work, and the actual vendor is yet to be determined. Councilmember Kabir asked if the pick-up of food scraps would be done in conjunction with trash pick-ups. Mr. Marsili indicated that initially pick-ups could be on the same day as scheduled trash pick-ups but that if the program is as successful as anticipated by year 2, it would probably be necessary to schedule food scrap pick-up for a separate day to limit the number of crews circulating through neighborhoods. Councilmember Kabir asked if a city composting program had been considered. Mr. Marsili said that he would look into the possibilities of a composting program.
Councilmember Mitchell thanked Mr. Marsili and asked about working with other municipalities. He mentioned the possibility of working Greenbelt. He felt the project would get a lot of attention and is looking into a cooperative contract to work with other areas. Councilmember Mitchell asked if there would be education to build awareness about the program. According to Mr. Marsili, education is a critical component to ensure residents understand what to do and how to do it. Councilmember Mitchell shared her hope that the City would subsidize a portion of the bucket/carts utilized by residents.
Councilmember Mackie asked a few clarifying questions. She referenced Mr. Marsili’s comments about the collection company picking up food scraps and changing the compostable bags. Councilmember Mackie then asked if Mr. Marsili could give an idea of what size container a household would need based on number of family members. Mr. Marsili did not provide a breakdown but said that, if needed, residents could use their own, smaller collection containers inside the house, then dump them into larger containers outside until collection day. When Mackie asked if the City would continue to have drop-off points or would transition entirely to curbside pick-up, he replied that the collection points at Davis Hall would remain until the level of resident participation in curbside pick-up had been established.
Councilmember Esters thanked Mr. Marsili for his work and asked how he determined the anticipated participation rates he shared. He indicated that he did his research on similar programs in other municipalities and their participation rates.
Councilmember Kennedy acknowledged that people do not like change and things that are inconvenient. She went on to mention the importance of education and asked if those who compost could receive some type of incentive.
The Mayor acknowledged Councilmember Mitchell’s suggestion of paying 50% of the cost for receptacles. He suggested this be done for an indefinite period and then be reassessed for the FY24 budget.
Councilmember Riggs acknowledged Mr. Marsili for his work and leadership in helping to reduce our tonnage, carbon food print, and bulk trash.
Councilmember Whitney shared her excitement for the program. Although she composts in her household, she looks forward to using the program for food scraps she does not currently compost that the program will accept.
Quarterly Update on Strategic Plan – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager
Mr. Gardiner informed Mayor and Council that the City is currently in the fourth quarter of the strategic plan. His presentation focused on third quarter accomplishments as well as a few challenges.
Accomplishments
- Major progress with the implementation of Accela
- Permits and IT connected for new Seniors Offices – Director of Youth and Senior Services would be happy to give a tour of the new offices
- Finalizing processes for public use of City Hall Space
- Black History Month Activities, including book giveaway for children and adults.
- Women’s History month activities, including readings done by Councilmembers
- Ten staff members participating in GARE (Governor’sAalliance on Race and Ethnicity)
- Egg-ceptional Egg Hunt Egg-stravaganza – 800+ people attended
- Continued reduction in household and bulk refuse
- New Playground in Sunnyside Neighborhood ready for construction
- Improved alignment of contract office diversity and city demographic – Moving in the right direction
- Expanded eligibility for homeownership
- MOU with the Partnership for a community housing trust
- HR and City Manager meetings with small employee groups to discuss engagement survey
- Continued wellness activities and employee awards
Challenges
- Need to update procurement policy, development of the policy has taken a back seat to the development of financial policies
- Issues with hybrid meetings and equipment in City hall. There is a need to add capacity and resources to deal with these issues.
- Public art and oral history projects
- Finalizing acquisition of open space on Roanoke Place and identifying potential additional parcels
- Recruitment for Fleet Office Supervisor and Racial Equity officer
Councilmember Mitchell thanked staff for their work for the egg hunt and thanked Mr. Gardiner for sharing the challenges including the recruitment of the racial equity officer. She acknowledged the issues that many municipalities have in hiring the right people in the current job market and shared her belief we will find the right person soon.
Councilmember Kennedy asked if an update could be given on the education OKR. She would love to see that prioritized.
Councilmember Adams mentioned that the UMD is willing to offer 3.5 acres of open space and may be amenable to an additional four acres, although it is not guaranteed. He believes the City should consider annexation of land on Adelphi road.
Tree Canopy – Brenda Alexander, Horticulturalist
Ms. Alexander along with members of the Tree and Landscape Board (TLB) returned to the Council to discuss the proposed tree canopy ordinance and recommendations. The topic was previously brought to Council in July 2021, and a public hearing was held in August, but no vote was taken. Since that time, TLB has focused on meeting with University of Maryland and County Officials to talk about how to they can work with the City to preserve and enhance the tree canopy. Ms. Alexander referenced the previous tree canopy assessment which indicated loss of tree canopy. The ordinance and recommendations from the TLB will help to mitigate the loss.
Councilmember Esters asked how long it would take for a new assessment to be done taking note of Ms. Alexander’s comment that the longer we wait to do anything the more trees the City will lose. Ms. Alexander said it would likely take a minimum of six months to conduct the assessments and present the findings.
Councilmember Kabir asked about the possibilities of a program where a contractor would plant trees that would not take City staff resources. Councilmember Kabir indicated that we should get more data but is concerned about waiting too long because we will lose more trees. He asked if there would be way to get anecdotal data.
Councilmember Mackie asked for verification that the tree assessment is done aerially. Ms. Alexander indicated that it is and added that it includes nationally collected data. Councilmember Mackie asked if there has been consideration of programs to help rid the City of invasive species. Ms. Alexander shared the TLB is considering ways to rid the City of invasive species on public land, such as ivy, but said that expanding that work to private residences would require interaction with the community.
Councilmember Mackie asked if there has been consideration of moving phase 3 to phase 1 and what has been discussed. Ms. Alexander mentioned that some portions of phase 3 have already begun with the discussions having been held with with UMD and Parks and Planning.
Councilmember Esters asked Ms. Alexander if the City has considered working with organizations such as Casey trees. Ms. Alexander indicated there have been discussions with Casey Trees. There would be a cost associated.
Councilmember Mackie asked if we’ve considered starting with having developers plant trees in the city first? Ms. Alexander said they’d have to find locations in the city that meet the requirements (land owned by the city and not UMD or MNCPPC, etc.). She said they might have to designate tree conservation areas and that they’ve also considered whether residents could offer up contiguous properties as tree conservation easements.
Councilmember Adams asked why 20% pruning required permitting. Ms. Alexander indicated if a tree is pruned more than 20% there is potential for damage. Stuart asked why a six-month replacement period was part of the process rather than 12 months. Ms. Alexander acknowledged the language indicated 6-months or appropriate planting time. Councilmember Adams asked whether the $500 fee was meant to be a nuisance fee and if it was thought of as a mechanism to prohibit removal. Ms. Alexander explained that it was meant to be a deterrent. She went on to say the fees had been higher, but over the course of 2 years and various discussion the fee had been reduced.
Councilmember Mitchell asked the City Manager about staffing issues mentioned by Ms. Alexander. Mr. Young indicated the conversation about staffing issues had been held between himself, Mr. Marsili and Ms. Alexander. He indicated that there should be further discussion about addressing these issues once Mayor and Council have determined how they would like to move forward.
The Mayor asked about the Urban Tree Master plan and what it would do. Ms. Alexander said it would include some recommendations. It could be a comprehensive plan that will include many components regarding how we handle trees. Mayor Wojahn asked if there is anything that will come from the master plan or a new assessment that may change our decision making. Ms. Alfred, TLB Chair, did not believe the master plan would change our decision. The county Planning Board suggested that if we had the master plan in place, it would allow the City to get fee-in-lieu payments directly from developers to plant trees in College Park.
TLB member Dr. Lea-Cox informed Mayor and Council that the idea of the master plan came out of a discussion with Park and Planning and would be part of our strategy in dealing with trees removed by developers. He went on to say, having a master plan helps us in approaching developers and accessing funds from the county. TLB continues their work to build relationships with the University, Park and Planning and residents. Dr. Lea-Cox does not believe the City needs another assessment. According to Mr. Lea Cox lost eight thousand trees last year, largely due to clearing near the College Park Airport. The permitting process will enable us to start collecting data. He hopes that the assessment shows only shows a 2% decrease, but he believes the City currently has a 35% tree canopy.
Todd Reitzel, TLB member, indicated that a lot of the discussion has been had about planting new trees but that will not help the tree canopy; we need to protect mature trees.
Discussion
Councilmember Riggs agreed with Mr. Reitzel and did not believe that we should wait, nor did he believe that an additional assessment would change our decision-making. Councilmember Kennedy was open to accepting Phase 1 of the ordinance. Councilmember Adams mentioned that he would be open to Phase 1 with some changes, including the removal of a penalty. Councilmember Kabir asked that we focus on data collection versus penalty and understood we need to move forward in order to meet the city’s strategic goal.
Mayor Wojahn acknowledged that a fee is not included in phase 1 of the recommendations put forth by TLB.
Councilmember Esters acknowledged the work of the TLB on this issue over the years and expressed her interest in moving forward with the ordinance.
Councilmember Whitney acknowledged the crucial nature of where we are with the canopy that we need to move forward.
Mayor Wojahn acknowledged that members of Council are all at different places with the ordinance, but he believed there were at least fifty percent of the council who would like to move forward. He asked that those who would like to make changes get together with their colleagues to change language and that this be brought back to discuss, make a decision and then allow for an additional public hearing. He encouraged those who wanted to amend talk with members of TLB.
Suellen Ferguson, city attorney, indicated that councilmembers should be considering whether or not they want to make adjustments to the ordinance itself. Mayor Wojahn acknowledged the ordinance should be brought back to another worksession to discuss and come to consensus. The plan is to bring this back to Council on May 4th
Parking on the 4700 block of Cherokee Street – Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services and James Miller, Parking Manager
Results of the City Engineer’s office traffic assessment report on Cherokee Street were presented. The report concluded there is no reason to prohibit parking on either side of the street but did reveal a sight distance concern on the north side of Cherokee for vehicles exiting driveways from Ferris Manor Apartments and Berwyn Baptist Church.
Councilmember Esters accepted staff recommendation to allow for a public hearing on the matter.
A public hearing will be scheduled to allow for residents to weigh in on the creation of a new permit parking zone on the south side of Cherokee and prohibitions on the north side of Cherokee to mitigate sight distance concerns.
MNCPPC Comments on the Budget – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager
Mr. Gardiner reached out to MNCPPC on the previous list of requests. Mr. Gardiner shared the following:
- College Park Community Center is not in the CIP – Funding will be in upcoming CIP
- Hollywood Park – funding anticipated to be in the next CIP
- Lighting on Trails- aware of the requests considering solar lighting
Councilmember Esters and Councilmember Whitney asked for Lakeland Park to be added to the list for improvements. Councilmember Whitney indicated a particular interest expressed by Robert Thurston, Lakeland Civic Association President, in making the park a multi-generational “play” destination, and there may be funds available from AARP to create such a space.
Councilmember Esters asked that the College Park Community Center be added to the list given some discussions about improvement. There will be follow up with Mr. Gardiner about specific concerns.
Other issues mentioned were sending a letter thanking MCNPPC for the feasibility study for a North College Park Community City; Paint Branch Park bridge connection to the Northeast Branch Trail; more lighting on trails; netting around the handball court at Sunnyside Park; and a ramp up to the gazebo in College Park Woods Park.
Councilmember Adams asked about creating parking zones for VEO Ride near the parks. Suellen Ferguson indicated this would need to be worked out between Park and Planning and VEO ride.
Agenda Items for Four Cities Meeting
Councilmembers called for discussing the bid for FBI headquarters; modified mufflers and speeding cars; and update on planning involving Greenbelt Road improvements; and food scrap composting.
Special Session to approve letter of support for federal legislation to create VA-style home loan program for first responders and police. Sending a letter of support was approved unanimously.
Click here to see the meeting agenda for April 19, 2022
Click here to view the Mayor and Council Regular Meeting held on April 19, 2022
Click here to see the Mayor and Council Work session scheduled for April 26, 2022
The College Park District 2 Digest 