Comments are by Councilmembers Llatetra Brown Esters and Susan Whitney and are not approved or sanctioned by the City of College Park.
Announcements
Councilmember Kabir thanked everyone for coming out to various events planned for National Night out on August 2. He also acknowledged staff for their assistance in bringing supplies.
Councilmember Esters reminded residents that the pickup of woody debris from the July 12 storm has been extended until August 15th.
Councilmember Whitney shared informed residents they can find information on the City’s website from the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) regarding support for storm related issues.
Councilmember Riggs mentioned his attendance at a recent conference with City Manager Kenny Young. The Big 10 City Managers Conference was held in Michigan (He emphasized the city did not pay for his attendance. He was in the area on vacation and was able to attend a portion). He acknowledged Mr. Young’s participation on a panel to discuss the collaboration between the City and the University on City Hall.
Councilmember Mitchell wanted thanked members of Neighborhood Watch for the work in planning the event for National Night out. She also thanked Pepco for their continued work to address utility issues after the July 12th storm. She specifically recognized Tony Ruffin, Governmental & External Affairs Manager Pepco Governmental & External Affairs (Maryland).
Councilmember Mackie thanked city staff for their continued work to clean up the city after the storm of July 12. She encouraged those in need of wood chips to obtain them from Davis Hall.
Mayor Wojahn mentioned the upcoming Friday Night Live event to be held on August 12, and theme will be “Sing me the Blues.” He informed residents of his attendance at the National League of Cities summer conference and mentioned attending the Maryland Municipal League (MML) meeting in Cambridge, Maryland with Mayor Pro tem Denise Mitchell during the weekend of July 29-31.
City Manager Report
Mr. Young acknowledged Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works, and the Department of Public Works for their work on cleanup of the city. Mentioned his attendance at the recent Big 10 City Managers conference in East Lansing, Michigan to discuss the partnership between the City and the University in receiving the strategies. He thanked Councilmember Riggs for his participation on the panel.
Amendments to and Approval of the Agenda
Councilmember Whitney moved to amend the agenda to include the approval applications for the following on the Consent Agenda: Nikesha Pancho to the Committee for a Better Environment (CBE) and Rev. Latisha Cokely to the Restorative Justice Commission (RJC). Seconded by Councilmember Esters.
Public Comments on Consent Agenda and Non-Agenda Items
Mr. Bob Lucian of the College Park Moose Lodge made comments. Mr. Lucian began with a brief history of the Moose Lodge. The order of moose is a fraternal order including people who provide service. In College Park, the organization has been in the same location for the past 74 year and their efforts have supported the community, including Police, Fire Departments, EMS, Boys and Girls Clubs. Recently, they have come on challenging times, including difficulty maintaining membership. They have gone from 4000 to 800 members. They have downsized and have to identify a new location. They are asking for the city to assist them in identifying a new location within the City. They do not want to leave College Park. It has been easy to find a building, but difficult to find parking; they need both.
The Mayor thanked Mr. Lucian for coming to the City to request assistance and said we would do our best to help them.
Councilmember Mitchell thanked Mr. Lucian for coming to the Council and let him and other member of the Moose Lodge know that she remembers and recognizes their work within the community over the years.
Councilmember asked for clarity on what they what they are looking for and their timeline. Mr. Lucian explained they were looking for an existing building that they can use before they run out of time in about 1 year and 6 months.
Mayor Wojahn asked if they had applied for ARPA funds to assist. Mr. Lucian explained they were not in need of financial assistance; they need an existing building and parking.
Presentation – Quarterly Financial Presentation – Gary Fields, Director of Finance
Mr. Field provided an overview of the budget for fiscal year 2022
Revenue
Overall, it is good news. Revenues are currently 104.2% over budget. Speed camera revenue came in at $3.28 million. State and county grants were on budget. However, our investment income did not do well this year, we budgeted for $175,000 but it came in at $117, 000. ARPA related Revenue 4,790,000.
Expenditures
Many of the department budgets were overbudget due to the employee stipends that were given to all employees. The $2000 stipends given to all employees were allocated to the 2022 budget instead of 2023 because they were given for work done in 2022.
There were a total of fifty-eight business grants award equaling approximately $1.3 million.
Excess revenue over expenditures -$1,452,763 – Mr. Fields anticipates this amount reflect the final calculation.
Consent Agenda
22-G-110 Award of contract for purchase of a new Petersen TL-2 grapple truck to be funded from the Vehicle Replacement CIP – Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works
22-G-111 Approval to extend the Redistricting Commission Report delivery date from September 13, 2022 to September 27, 2022
22-G-112 Approval of a contract with Hagerty Consulting Inc. in the amount of $36,103.00 for assistance with the administration of the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) received under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and for other services – Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney
22-G-113 Approval of Minutes of July 5, 2022 Worksession and July 19, 2022 Regular Meeting
Action Items
Letter to Prince Georges County board of election regarding the serious staffing issues and failure to open Ritchie Coliseum on time on Primary Election Day.
Mayor Wojahn acknowledged Councilmember Adams and Councilmember Riggs for their contribution to this issue.
Councilmember Riggs recognized Councilmember Adams for bringing the issue to the forefront.
Motion from Councilmember Adams, Seconded by Councilmember Riggs. Councilmember Adams indicated his concern and hope that this situation be addressed prior to the November elections.
Mayor Wojahn indicated that this is critical issue and hopes that we can invite Ms. Alexander, Prince George’s County Elections Administrator, to an upcoming meeting to discuss the issue and how it will be addressed.
Approve the City joining as a signatory on an amicus brief in the case of 303 Creative LLC, et al. v. Aubrey Elenis, et al., Case No. 21-476 (10th Cir.) to oppose an exception to Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act which requires public accommodations to serve members of the public without regard to sexual orientation and other protected characteristics.
Councilmember Mackie did not feel we should be use city time signing onto this Amicus brief which could prove to be a divisive issue.
Councilmember Whitney share her support of the brief and shared that discrimination of any type could open the door to other discriminatory behavior.
Councilmember Riggs disagreed with Ms. Mackie and spoke of his connection to this brief as it is from his home state of Colorado and his mother being an activist on the issue.
Councilmember Esters expressed her support of signing on to the brief as it is consistent with goal of being a welcoming and diverse City. She indicated that our work should reflect who we say we are as a City.
Councilmember Kabir did not feel that we should support either side in this issue and indicated he would vote against it.
Mayor Wojahn provided some clarification on the Amicus brief and said it is consistent with our goals and mission to be a welcoming city. He added that allowing such an exception would inhibit our ability to ensure that all are welcome to our city not matter their race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Discussion Item (s)
Follow up discussion on a City Youth Advisory Committee – Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth and Family Services
Ms. Barber shared a brief overview of previous discussion and highlighted portions of the report from the National League of Cities Institute for Youth Education & Families entitled, Authentic Youth Civic Engagement: A Guide for Municipal Leaders
Mayor Wojahn appreciated the inclusion of report and asked that we consider a survey of students to gauge their interest.
Councilmember Adams asked if we could consider youth who do not live in the community. Ms. Barber felt that we consider those living in the community.
Councilmember Riggs asked that we think about how we structure this program we need to be thoughtful for what we are asking them to do.
Councilmember Mitchell expressed her interest in the program and hoped that we can get the Youth Council started as soon as possible. She mentioned the number of students that many cities have brought to a recent conference.
Councilmember Mackie thanked Ms. Barber and indicated that we should make students aware and get them involved with the development program.
Councilmember Kennedy expressed her interest, but also shared her concern about the timeline for putting such a program in place.
Councilmember Esters shared her interested in the youth council and agreed that we need to realistic about the timeline to get the program up and running. She asked Ms. Barber if she had given through to the age range for participants.
Councilmember Whitney thanked Ms. Barber for her work and expressed her excitement. She felt students would be the best promoters of the program to their peers. She reiterated the need to make sure there is a clear time commitment.
Councilmember Adams talked about the importance of providing opportunities for participants and considering how the commitment would impact parents and families.
Councilmember Riggs followed up about considering the pool of students involved and felt that 13-year-olds would be a bit too young.
Council Esters shared positive thoughts about getting students involved given many have civic engagement and community service requirements. She added her thought on considering “what in it for me” as we develop opportunities. She used the example of connecting Youth Council member with the SGA at UMD as a potential benefit.
Mayor Wojahn identified a few take aways from the discussion including the use of the survey as an opportunity to get input from student and help them to drive the process and focus on youth within the College Park community.
Councilmember Adams asked that to consider inviting students in high school rather than focusing on specific ages.
Future agenda items
Councilmember Adams aske that the city match for a raincheck be removed for now.
Mayor and Council Comments
Councilmember Kennedy mentioned that Senator Cardin has earmarked $2.5 million for the Community Preservation Trust. There is a search in place for an Executive Director.
Worksession/Meeting Adjourned
Click here to see the work session/meeting agenda for August 3, 2022
Click here to view the Mayor and Council Work Session/Meeting held on August 3, 2002
Click here to access the Mayor and Council Meeting agenda scheduled for September 6 when it is made available.
The College Park District 2 Digest 