Many in College Park have expressed concern about noise from speeding cars and vehicles with modified mufflers. It is indeed a quality-of-life issue, especially when it occurs at all hours of the day and night, that seems to have worsened over time.    

State Delegate Carr and Senator Beidle have introduced legislation that, if passed, would allow local governments to use noise abatement monitoring systems that would cite those in violation of noise requirements and could impose civil penalties under certain circumstances. The hearing for House Bill 1130 will be held on Thursday, March 2.

You can testify in-person, via zoom or in writing, but you have a very short window to do so.  For those who are interested, you will need to sign up via the MY MGA portal found on the Maryland General Assembly website (See top right-hand corner).  You will need to create an account via MGA portal, and you will only have the opportunity to register or submit your written testimony for this legislation between 8am – 3pm on Tuesday, February 28. You will not be able to do so prior to or after the designated time. Written testimony must be submitted as a PDF document.

We hope you have the opportunity to share your thoughts on this matter. 

Here’s a link to instructions for testifying.

Here’s the link to the Senate Bill 229.

Comments are by Councilmember Susan Whitney and are not approved or sanctioned by the City of College Park.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMENTS – MAYOR, COUNCIL, STUDENT LIAISON 

Councilmember Fazlul Kabir – NCPCA starting a program to meet for coffee on Sundays at Proteus Bicycles. 

Councilmember Whitney – BDCA & CBE co-sponsored Berwyn Permaculture Garden Cleanup Event on 3/25; Happy Mardi Gras!

Councilmember John Rigg – Congratulates Councilmember Stuart Adams on birth of his son.

Councilmember Maria Mackie – Lent starts tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. Recommends people read UMD Police Chief David Mitchell’s Spring Safety Message.

Councilmember Denise Mitchell – Prince George’s County hosting an enrichment academy Saturday 3/4, 9:30 am-12:30 pm at Berwyn Heights Elementary School.

Mayor Patrick Wojahn – PGCMA meeting in Laurel Thursday, 2/23 at 7 pm. Discussing mentorship program for newly elected officials and hearing presentation on use of opioid settlement funds.

SGA representative Andre Andriessens – Go Terps, beat Purdue!

City Manager’s Report

• City closing Balancing Act budgeting tool Friday, 2/24 at noon. Received 84 submissions so far. 
• SMARTLEAF® compost and wood mulch deliveries resume in March.  Materials can also be picked up at the Department of Public Works M-F 8-11:30am and 1 to 3pm. Free wood mulch for city residents.
• Thursday, 2/21, Prince George’s County Planning Board will address request for reconsideration regarding right-in off Baltimore Ave for College Park Flats at Cherokee St.
• Reminds residents to call 911 when they witness suspicious activity

AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 

• Request for College Park to sign on to Amicus Brief that challenges a law that would restrict the ability of cities to assist recent immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented. (See p.9 of Red Folder Contents.) No objections to placing that on Consent Agenda as 23-G-42, Amicus brief in US v. Helaman Hansen.
• Motion to move forward with agenda as amended.

CONSENT AGENDA 

• 23-R-03 Approval of a policy on use of the City Seal (follow up to July Worksession)—Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney Motion 
• 23-R-02 Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Adopting The Recommendation Of The Advisory Planning Commission For Application Number CEO-2022-03, 5009 Apache Street, College Park, Maryland. Recommending Approval Of Variances From City Code §87-23.C. To Permit The Installation Of A 6-Foot High Stockade Fence With Lattice On Top Along The Side Yard Of A Street. Appeal period ends February 18 – Terry Schum, Director of Planning 
• 23-G-39 Approval of minutes from the January 31, 2023 and February 14, 2023 meeting. 
• 23-G-40 Approval of an agreement with Prince George’s County and the University of Maryland for a location on Guilford Road for a Capital Bike Share station – Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney 
• 23-G-42, Amicus brief in US v. Helaman Hansen (Councilmember Mitchell notes this was time sensitive. National League of Cities was part of the process and provided overarching approval.)

All items remaining on the Consent Agenda passed unanimously.  Click here to see meeting agenda.

PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS 

Discussion of a new City bicycle-pedestrian committee – Terry Schum, Director of Planning and Steve Halpern, City Engineer

• Ms. Schum – Item brought forward by Council request.
  • Staff needs format and structure of committee, budget to be reviewed annually by Council.
  • Fiscal impact minimal. Staff liaison hours (probably Community Development Planner), contract secretary costs about $125/meeting.
  • How committee would be helpful:
    • Ms. Schum – Take over some grant writing responsibilities from Planning & Engineering departments & Create Bicycle Master Plan
    • Mr. Halpern – Help tie together partial projects for bicycle & pedestrian safety throughout City and bring community input to staff.
    • Mayor – We should coordinate with UMD.
    • Danielle Glaros, UMD Assistant Vice President & Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice President – UMD will be reach out about bikeways grant UMD received for on-campus locations. UMD has advocated for bike lanes to be part of Purple Line through campus and has talked about other bikeways connecting to that.
    • Council notes pedestrian safety & micro-mobility options should be emphasized, including more sidewalks; high community interest in participating.
  • Structure of Committee
    • Council decided on 11 members, one from each council district, one UMD student; other positions less prescriptive but will seek reps from local businesses, member of the physically-impaired community, experts in bike/pedestrian/micro-mobility safety, UMD staff
  • Date of formation?
    • Recruit in March & April 2023 for July 1, 2023 start date

Proposed Changes to the Recreation Board and discussion of the Work Plan – Ryna Quiñones, Communications and Events Manager, and Kevin Blackerby, Event Planner 

• Ms. Quiñones – Recreation Board established in 1976, when staff not available to schedule field rentals (as Public services does now) and Event planning (as Event Planner & Communications Department do now). Currently, need members to:
  • Serve as event volunteers
  • Help recruit & steward additional event volunteers 
  • Provide input of the kind of events residents want
• Mr. Blackerby – Staff wants to maintain events from last year & add pop-up events. City has launched new Volunteer management software. When people sign up, they’ll get emails about volunteer opportunities.
• Council discussion:
  • Would volunteer software generate letters for student service learning hours? (Blackerby – parental permission included. Will eventually employ iPad sign-up at events that will generate SSL form) 
  • Would volunteer software track info sometimes needed for community-driven grants? (Blackerby – yes)
• Next steps – Since Recreation Board is established via City Code, it will need to be officially disbanded, then renamed and re-established via resolution.

Discussion and possible action on legislation (There is a possibility that the Council will vote on time sensitive matters) 

• Council & staff discussion:
  • HB979 – Municipal Elections – Candidates – Reports of Donations and Disbursements. Would make City responsible for campaign reports candidates currently responsible for filing directly. Concern expressed for how the bill would affect College Park if it moves forward.
  • HB297– Criminal Law – Victims of Child Sex Trafficking and Human Trafficking – Safe Harbor and Service Response. Changes what police officer reviews when a child detained is believed to be victim of trafficking. Prohibits child who’s been trafficked from being incarcerated for that offense while awaiting court action. Not voted on by MML. 
  • HB514 – Education – Maryland Meals for Achievement In-Classroom Breakfast Program – Annual Appropriation. In line with bill Council already supported providing free breakfast & lunch at school.
  • HB554 – Income Tax – Subtraction Modification for Military Retirement Income (Keep Our Heroes Home Act). Bipartisan bill submitted by Gov. Wes Moore regarding tax credits for retired veterans. 
  • SB516 – Emergency bill on Cannabis Reform
    • Council concerned about how sales and use tax for cannabis sales from dispensaries will be distributed
    • Council says College Park will be greatly impacted by legalization of cannabis, but proposed bill would not directly distribute funds to the City because we don’t have a local sales tax. 
    • MML asking for more support for communities impacted by dispensaries.
    • Legislation will move fast. Council votes unanimously to give Mayor authority to send letter expressing Council’s position on legislation in case it moves forward before Council has the opportunity to vote to approve sending a letter.
  • What does color coding indicate in report? (Asst. City Manager Bill Gardiner – supposed to indicate bills we’ve supported. Needs to be updated.)
  • Hearings upcoming on bills we’ve supported:
    • SB549/HB552 – Senate hearing on 3/1.
    • SB229/HB1130 – House hearing on 3/2. Councilmember Kabir will testify.
    • HB1209 – House hearing on 3/8.
    • SB813/HB892 – House hearing on 3/9
• COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR, COUNCIL OR CITY MANAGER 
  • Councilmember Mitchell – Was invited guest at Maryland Mayor’s Conference. Governor Moore’s speech signaled willingness to collaborate with local governments. 
  • Councilmember Mackie – At CMAST meeting, UMPD Chief Mitchell spoke about campus safety, Michigan State mass shooting, and the atrocity in Memphis and steps PGCPD & UMPD police are taking to ensure such abuse doesn’t happen here. Detailed upcoming events: Bike race in April; Maryland Day; Prescription drug take-back day on April 22^nd; campus vigil for loss of life at MSU Friday, 2/24 at 6pm. 
  • Councilmember Rigg – Attended Spencer Harris Breakfast; Public Works staff wants a rematch of City vs UMD soccer match this spring.
  • Councilmember Whitney – From 2/13 Public Safety Community Meeting– fraud victims often don’t report the crime because they’re embarrassed, but it’s crucial to do so because it helps track down and stop perpetrators.
  • Mayor – Spoke at Chamber of Commerce on 2/15 at The Hotel & shared how College Park is a driving force in the county’s economy. Thanked Coach Locksley, partial owner of Grillmarx, and his team for investing here. Maryland Mayors Association meeting covered cyber security and training on 1^st amendment “audits” – people who attempt to goad city officials and authorities into violating their First Amendment rights so they can sue for damages. MML to offer training at summer conference. Heard President Biden speak in Lanham and was inspired by his administration’s economic priorities.

ADJOURN CLOSED SESSION AFTER THE MEETING to discuss a possible financial incentive for a business seeking to locate in the City. 

Click here to watch the video of the February 21, 2023 meeting. 

Click here to see the agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on February 28, 2023. Tune in, show up or share your thoughts/concerns about the following Presentations and Workshop discussions:

• Discussion of amendments to the City Zoning Chapter to conform to the new County ordinance
• Discussion and possible action on legislation (There is a possibility that the Council will vote on time sensitive matters)

A series of helicopter landings and take-offs is planned on Chapel Fields as part of educational and training exercises for the Army ROTC program. These events are standard practice and are not cause for alarm. There will be minimal disruption to foot traffic on Chapel Fields during landing and take-off.

The events are currently scheduled for:

Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Sunday, April 16, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

All of these dates and times are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. The University of Maryland Army ROTC partners with the university to educate, train, and inspire Cadets to become leaders of character in the Army for the community and the nation.

Comments are by Councilmember Susan Whitney and are not approved or sanctioned by the City of College Park.

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PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS

• Black History Month
• Women’s Heart Health Month

AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 

• 23-G-36 Consideration of the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision for 5101 Iroquois Street was removed from the Action Item Agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA 

All items remaining on the Consent Agenda passed unanimously.  Click here to see meeting agenda, and here to see red folder items.

HEARING AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON: 

A. Ordinance 23-O-01 (Better Bag Bill): An Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Amending Chapter 129, “Licenses”, By Renaming The Chapter As “Licenses And Business Regulation”; By Dividing The Chapter Into Two Articles; By Repealing And Reenacting §129-3, “Violations And Penalties”; By Enacting §§ 129-12, “Definitions”, §129-13, “Provision Of Plastic Carryout Bag Use At Point Of Sale Prohibited”, §129-14, “Required Charge For Provision Of Paper And Reusable Carryout Bags”, §129-15 “Violations And Penalties”, And §129-16, “Rules And Regulations”; And By Repealing And Reenacting Chapter 110, “Fees And Penalties”, §110- 002 12“ Penalties” To Prohibit A Retail Establishment From Providing A Plastic Carryout Bag To Customers, To Require A Retail Establishment To Charge At Least Ten Cents For Each Paper And Reusable Carryout Bag Provided To Customers And To Provide A Penalty For Violation. As introduced on January 31, this law will take effect on September 1, 2023.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

• Brendan Mahoney of the Restaurant Association of Maryland asked Council to exempt restaurants from the ordinance detailing why the association has taken that stance.
• Councilmembers asked Mahoney how many College Park restaurants had contacted the association to voice opposition to the ordinance. Mahoney said the association reached out to local members to notify them of the legislation. Of those, about 6 expressed concerns. Councilmembers said College Park Economic Development Manager Michael Williams had spoken with many local businesses that hadn’t found the ordinance worrisome; noted that many plastic bags found littering Guilford Run are from food service providers, and said many of those bags land in tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay. They also said that Council should protect local businesses by encouraging neighboring municipalities to follow their lead and asked SGA to work to ensure campus bag policies mirror City policies.
• Members of the Committee for a Better Environment and additional College Park residents, including 3 UMD students, spoke in favor of the ordinance moving forward as proposed, noting negative impacts to both the environment and human and animal health of microplastics and that most of the millions of plastic bags distributed annually in College Park are used for 15 minutes but have a long-term impact on the environment. 
• Councilmember Whitney made the motion to pass the ordinance as proposed, to go into effect on September 1, 2023. It passed unanimously. 

PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS 

Annual Presentation from City Auditors 

• After a regular 4-year hiatus, SB & Co. has returned as the City’s auditors. Audit partner Chris Lehman presented results of audit to Council.
• Nothing negative to report.
• Councilmembers asked
  •  whether pension losses were in step with market losses overall (yes)
  • if the $542 thousand write-off for uncollectable debt for Ledo’s was a normal occurrence (no)
  • why total for miles of sidewalks remained the same (21) from 2013 to 2022 (Director of Finance Gary Fields said statistical section is unaudited, but they’d update the numbers.)

Presentation and discussion on options for gun violence prevention measures – Councilmember Kennedy 

• Summer intern Anna Kronthal prepared report
• Why are we talking about this?
  • 67 mass shootings in 2023 as of 2/14
  • Guns are #1 way that people commit suicide. 
  • Leading cause of death to children in the United State in 2020 was gunshot wounds. 
• What can we do?
  • County doing buyback program, but the report does not recommend a local buyback.
  • Recommends education via communication campaign about locking up firearms, storing guns separately from ammunition, and local gun storage facilities (closest is in Cheverly). 
  • Recommends purchasing and distributing gun locks locally and for free. Cost is about $10/each. 
• Discussion
  • Bob Ryan – Maryland has a gun safety law that prohibits storing a loaded gun in a place where a child can gain access.
  • Councilmembers
    • Suggested gun safety be quarterly topic for Public Safety Community Meetings
    • Said Council’s greatest impact may be through advocating through National League of Cities, Conference of Mayors and our elected representatives for public policy measures that will get guns off the street and prohibit sale of certain types of guns and gun devices. 
    • Said what happened in East Lansing today emphasized that college towns are uniquely vulnerable to mass shootings. 
    • Suggested the City attend the 120 Initiative meeting on March 1, 2023, at the National Building Museum, current home of the Gun Violence Memorial Project. The meeting will bring together experts across universities to discuss research-informed proposals to stem gun violence in our region.

Discussion and possible action on legislation, including HB459 County and Municipal Street Lighting Investment Act 

• Discussion around HB459 County and Municipal Street Lighting Investment Act
  • City Attorney Suellen Ferguson –
    • law has been in place for over a decade for municipalities to be able to purchase lights but no strong efforts by Pepco to make that happen. Main goal of bill is to better define what the value of the lights is so prices can be set – has been a stumbling block even this year.
    • Rest of state changing over to more environmentally-friendly LED lights, but Pepco hasn’t made the switch. Pepco has presented valuations on the lights that municipalities think exorbitant. Other option is to condemn the lights, but nobody wants to do that because it’s expensive and not very useful. 
  • Councilmembers –
    • MML Legislative Committee taking no position on this bill. Sometimes hard to get inner beltway Prince George’s voices heard. Falls to College Park to take a position on this. PGCMA could weigh in, as well. 
    • How are lights condemned? (Ferguson – a lot like condemning property, requires jury trial, experts to testify what value of lights is. That’s why it would be good to define values by law. Pepco hasn’t been tracking the value of its poles and the hardware that’s on them.)
    • Ask that PGCMA write letter to MML asking it to support. Councilmember Mitchell will ask Montgomery County to do the same.
  • Kenny – City has 1600 Pepco streetlights. Only 60 are LEDs. 20 converted per year.

Mayor and Council voted to send letters in support of the following bills:

• HB459 County and Municipal Street Lighting Investment Act
• SB159/HB162 – Firearms – Maryland Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearm Registry – Establishment. If people know they have mental challenges, they can proactively protect themselves and others.
• SB229/ HB1130 – Vehicle Laws – Noise Abatement Monitoring Systems – Authorization, Use, and Penalties
• SB24/HB51 – Department of Transportation – Consolidated Transportation Program and Debt Limit of Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle Bonds (State and Federal Transportation Funding Act) – used for construction of ICC. Allows for bonds that can be used for transit projects in anticipation of revenue that might be acquired from investment. Thought is expansion of MARC service on Penn and Camden lines. Could fund station repairs and rail work between Baltimore and DC to allow to use by CSX and MARC.
• HB94– Would allow reduction of speed limits by local authorities to below current minimum. Reiterate past support.
• SB557/HB628 – Primary and Secondary Education – Breakfast and Lunch Programs – Universal Expansion. Senate hearing next week. Would reinstate programs established during pandemic to ensure all kids have free access to breakfast and lunch at school. 
• SB86 – Raise the Age Act of 2023, would increase the minimum age to legally own a rifle or shotgun in Maryland to 21 due to multiple mass shootings in which shooter used a long gun and was between the ages of 18 and 21.
• HB503 – Natural Resources – Greenspace Equity Program – Establishment. Intends to create additional funding through state version of Project Open Space to convert brownfields to green space. Intended to create a pot of money for areas in which land is more expensive, providing fewer opportunities for developing green space. Supported by MML.
• HB552 – Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program and Fund (Innovation Economy Infrastructure Act of 2023). – Create pilot for building infrastructure projects that would benefit eligible tech sectors, including the kinds of businesses targeted by Discovery District.
• HB1209 – Climate Ready Floodplain Act of 2023. Dels. Peña Melnyk and Lehman are sponsors. Requires a statewide study of impacts of climate change and statewide model floodplain ordinance. Currently, the state’s floodplain ordinance is much weaker than the county’s.
• HB892 – Comprehensive Flood Management Grant Program. Sponsored by Del. Ivey. Increase funding for floodplain management and ensure it goes to overburdened communities.

REQUESTS FOR / STATUS OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 

• Councilmember Esters – Work session to encourage UMD students living in College Park to engage more broadly with City.
• Councilmember Kabir – Invite new Prince George’s County School Board representative Jonathan Briggs and PGCPS CEO Dr. Monica Goldson to discuss issues in local schools. 

MEETING ADJOURNED 

Click here to watch the video of the February 14, 2023 meeting. 

Click here to see the agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on February 21, 2023. Tune in, show up or share your thoughts/concerns about the following Presentations and Workshop discussions:

• Discussion of a new City bicycle-pedestrian committee
• Proposed Changes to the Recreation Board and discussion of the Work Plan
• Discussion and possible action on legislation (There is a possibility that the Council will vote on time sensitive matters)

Hello Neighbors,

Councilmember Fazlul Kabir brought to our attention the Senate hearing on SB229 this Wednesday, February 8th. Excessive noise from modified mufflers has been an ongoing irritant for many residents, and passage of this bill would allow municipalities to employ “noise cameras” to issue citations for excessive noise similarly to how speed cameras issue citations for excessive speed.

Sharing what Councilmember Kabir wrote on his blog:

A Public hearing about the bill will take place this Wednesday, February 8th at 1 pm. Witness signups will take place online tomorrow. Please read here how you may sign up to speak or send written testimony at the hearing: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/pubs-current/current-jpr-faqs.pdf,

According to the FAQ, you must create an account to provide oral or written testimony, and written testimony must be submitted in PDF format on Tuesday, February 7th between 8am and 3pm.

Click here to read how Knoxville, Tennessee is using the devices.

Click here to read an article about how they’ve been deployed in New York City.

Thank you for taking action on this important quality of life issue.

Comments are by Councilmembers Llatetra Brown Esters and Susan Whitney and are not approved or sanctioned by the City of College Park.

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AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 

Councilmember Kabir asked that Consent Agenda item 23-G-25 be moved to the action items agenda for further discussion.  

Councilmember Mitchell asked to move College Park Woods item from Action Item agenda to Consent. Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney, informed Council that the engineer has left the company and overall cost for the contract will need to be determined. The item was moved to the consent agenda pending the determination of overall cost to complete the project.  

CONSENT AGENDA 

All items remaining on the Consent Agenda passed unanimously.  Click here to see meeting agenda, and click here to see red folder items.

ACTION ITEMS

 Approval of the date of Sunday, November 5, 2023, for the next Municipal Election and of the College Park Community Center as the location 

• Concern raised about not using Davis Hall as a voting location for the upcoming Mayor and Council election. 
• Clarity provided by members of the Board of Elections Supervisors (BOES) and City Clerk that although the recommendation is to have one voting location on at the College Park Community Center on Sunday, November 5, there would be early voting, drop boxes and vote by mail options available to residents. 

Council Response/Discussion

• Concern raised about how the BOES recommendations were not shared in their entirety with some City residents resulting in numerous comments from residents to Council.
• There was a request to strike a balance and consider how Davis Hall might be used during the election.    

The vote to approve the date of Sunday, November 5 as Election Day and the College Park Community Center as the voting locations was passed with a vote of 7 to 1 (abstention). Roll call vote taken. Dr. Kabir abstained indicating he needed more information. 

Review and consideration of Preliminary Plan of Subdivision for Discovery Point at the Discovery District (Campus Drive & Baltimore Avenue) – Terry Schum, Director of Planning (Planning Board date is February 16) 

• The proposed project is to be developed by Brandywine Realty Trust through a ground lease with the Terrapin Development Company. It was described as a unique subdivision application because there are a number of development parcels being carved out of a large parent parcel owned by the University of Maryland.  The parcel includes a historic site (Central heating plant) and is adjacent to College Park historic district and Rossborough Lane. Discussion tonight is about Preliminary Plan of Subdivision (PPS) to break parent parcel into parcel 1 – 4. When Applicant next returns with DSP, it will be for infrastructure for all 4 parcels, but architecture only for commercial projects on parcels 1 & 2. 

• Primary markets for Brandywine Realty Trust include Metro DC, Metro Philadelphia, and Austin TX.  The company focuses on place making and greenspace, sustainability, prioritizing people and connectivity, and innovative architecture.  
• This is one project in the overall development of the large parcel of land.  Moving forward, there will be private roads and additional development by the University. The current development will utilize previous zoning guidelines and is slated to include multi-family residences and business development. It will include three roadways and the Purple line will travel through the property. 

Council Response/Discussion

• Questions about public amenities, status of Rossborough Lane, impacts on the Paint Branch Watershed, traffic impact and projects identified by the City vs. the Applicant as a result of Bicycle and Pedestrian Impact Study (BPIS). 
• Mr. Maginnis, Assistant Vice President for Real Estate for University of Maryland, said UMD agrees bike lane on the north side of Campus drive is critical, but BPIS projects must be 100% built by Applicant, and the project is too expensive to be covered by BPIS funds.
•  Mr. Talb, attorney for developer, said although they have opted to use the old zoning, they have to follow new requirements for BPIS funding.  The Planning Board reviewed the City’s recommendations and put forward a different list of projects, and it’s ultimately the Planning Board’s decision.
• Mr. Maginnis responded to question about impacts on the Paint Brand watershed, saying no active remediation is required at the site.  It has low level contamination that will not get into the water source. Applicant is working with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to get required permits to develop on site, which sits atop a landfill.  
• Mr. Talb said Applicant agrees to most of City’s requirements but asks City not to require a Declaration of Covenants to be signed prior to the Detailed Site Plan (DSP)
• Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney, explained the the City’s recommendations are neither final nor exhaustive, saying City has never issued a Declaration of Covenants after the DSP hearing, because once DSP has been approved, the City loses its leverage. Ferguson said separate Declarations of Covenants could be issued for each DSP Applicant applies for.   
• Applicant can’t predict when residential property on parcel 4 moves forward, but thinks at least 4 years.

Consideration and possible introduction of Ordinance 23-O-01, an Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Amending Chapter 129, “Licenses”, By Renaming The Chapter As “Licenses And Business Regulation”; By Dividing The Chapter Into Two Articles; By Repealing And Reenacting §129-3, “Violations And Penalties”; By Enacting §§ 129-12, “Definitions”, §129-13, “Disposable Plastic Bag Use Prohibited At Point Of Sale”, §129-14, “Required Fee For Provision Of Paper And Reusable Carryout Bags”, §129-15 “Violations And Penalties”, And §129-16, “Rules And Regulations”; And By Repealing And Reenacting Chapter 110, “Fees And Penalties”, §110-12 “Penalties” To Prohibit A Retail Establishment From Providing A Carryout Plastic Bag To Customers, To Require A Retail Establishments To Charge A Fee Of At Least $.10 For Each Paper And Reusable Carryout Bag Provided To Customers And To Provide A Penalty For Violation Motion By: To: Introduce 2nd : 23-G-30 Consideration of a contract for the College Park Woods Clubhouse architect – Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works and Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney 

• Ms. Ferguson explained that the amendments were made to the draft ordinance and said Mayor and Council will need to pick the date by which restrictions will apply.

Council Response/Discussion 

• Discussion among Council landed on 6 months lead time, proposing September 1, 2023 as the effective date of the ordinance. 

PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS 

Quarterly Update on the City’s Strategic Plan – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager 

• Brief overview on City’s progress in meeting strategic goals, to date.  

Council Response/Discussion

• Discussion regarding the challenge to recruit volunteers to assist with city events and implementation of volunteer software that is now public-facing.  

Discussion of Council’s Rules and Procedures 

• Council suggested changing reference to regular meetings & work sessions, given our new meeting format and defining the “red folder.”  
• City Clerk asked Council to slow down and explain matters for viewers at home when something is added to the agenda. 
• Request to define the red folder for residents and add red folder contents to online agenda list after meeting concludes.

Legislation 

• HB104/SB157 – Municipalities -Charter Amendments – Notice Modifying the manner in which the chief executive officer of a municipality may fulfill certain notice requirements concerns proposed municipal charter amendments.
  • Permits municipalities some flexibility in how it publishes charter amendments. We publish in the College Park Here and Now and the Prince George’s Post. 

Interest expressed among Mayor and Council in taking positions on the following bills:

• SB17 – Promoting Safety on our Roadways (Note that the actual bill # is SB16. A letter is being sent in support of the intended bill)
• HB60/SB315 – Housing Innovation Pilot Program & Housing Innovation Fund
• HB12/SB151 – Equitable and Inclusive Transit-Oriented Development Enhancement Act
• HB190/SB77 – Housing & Community Development – Homeowner’s Extreme Weather Mitigation & Preparation Grant Program
• SB117 – Maintenance of State Highway Right-of-Way 
• SB100/HB36–  Determine if a landlord is in compliance with rental licensure when a landlord seeks to evict a tenant 
• HB214 -Bill to establish a state health commission 
• HB216 – salt applicator certification program
• HB304 – Legislation on Noise cameras

REQUESTS FOR / STATUS OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 

• Commemorative Bench Items – Councilmember Mitchell
• Mandatory dedication of park land – Councilmember Adams 

MEETING ADJOURNED 

Click here to watch the Video of the January 31, 2023 meeting. 

Please note:  There will be no meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.  The next Mayor and Council meeting will be on held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Click here to see the agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on February 14, 2023 (When it is made available). Tune in, show up or share your thoughts/ concerns about the following Action Items, Presentations and Workshop discussions:

Action Items

• (Proposed Consent) 12-28-22:  Renewal for a one-year term of the right-of-way grass mowing contract with Level Green Landscape – Brenda Alexander, Assistant Director, Department of Public Works
• (Proposed Consent) Approval of a policy on use of the City Seal (follow up to July Work session) – Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney
• (Proposed Consent) Approval of a letter to the Board of License Commissioners that the City does not object to the renewal of liquor licenses for City establishments – Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services 
• (Proposed Consent) Approval of an MOU for three City security cameras on private property – Kenneth Young and Bob Ryan
• Review and consideration of the St. Andrews Church parking agreement – Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services and Jim Miller, Parking Enforcement Manager 
• Consideration of the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision for 5101 Iroquois Street – Terry Schum, Director of Planning 
• Amendment to the Property Use Agreement with The Hall – Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services

Discussion / Presentation Items

• Annual Presentation from City Auditors (20)
• Presentation and discussion on options for gun violence prevention measures – Councilmember Kennedy (30) 
• Discussion and possible action on legislation, including HB459 County and Municipal Street Lighting Investment Act

The Prince George’s County Office of Homeland Security/Emergency Management Division (OHS/EMD) is in the process of updating the County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). They are continuing to make their way through the process of updating the HMP and are hosting a second Virtual Public Forum Thursday, February 2^nd at 5:30pm for County Residents. During this forum, their office, in collaboration with the Department of Environment, will provide an overview of the updated 2023 Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan and allow members of the public to ask questions and give feedback on the Draft Plan. The Draft Plan will be available for review before the meeting on the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan webpage, along with the feedback survey, for those that would like to submit their comments and questions in advance or cannot attend the meeting.

Residents can register for the public forum at bit.ly/PublicHMP2. For more information on Prince George’s County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan update, visit the OHS website.