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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Councilmember Rigg made a motion to shift the order of the agenda to allow the City Manager to provide his report prior to Council announcement/comments. The motion was seconded and approved.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Young acknowledged the challenging and heartbreaking time for city and council, in light of current events. He said the allegations against the former mayor were abhorrent. He went on to say we are one community and one College Park, and we will get through this time.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMENTS – MAYOR, COUNCIL, STUDENT LIAISON
Councilmember Adams mentioned attending a tour of the Discovery District with State Comptroller Brooke Lierman. He said he was excited to learn more about plans for the site and the businesses operating there. He thanked residents for attending the Edmonston Road Sidewalk Project meeting.
Councilmember Kabir mentioned the North College Park Civic Association (NCPCA) event held on Sunday, March 5 to bring members of the community together.
Councilmember Kennedy said that the NCPCA event was held at Proteus Bicycles and Brews.
Councilmember Esters mentioned the Lakeland Civic Association (LCA) in-person meeting to be held on Thursday, March 9 at 7pm at the College Park Community Center.
Councilmember Whitney announced that Wednesday, March 8 is Giving Day for University of Maryland College Park.
Councilmember Rigg acknowledged the City Manager’s comments and said he too was grieving with members of the community. He encouraged residents to stay healthy and stay strong.
Councilmember Mackie thanked all who had offered prayers of support. She also encouraged residents to sign up for curbside food scrap pick-up.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Former College Park Mayor Andy Fellows was in the audience at City Hall.
PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS
AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Whitney made an amendment to split the consent agenda vote due to the need to recuse herself from the vote on agenda item 23-G-37 due to employment.
Prior to public comment, Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell gave a statement asking individuals to be respectful of others and understand their time limit.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS
John Payne, resident of College Park, said City traffic studies seem to just be speed hump studies, which he doesn’t find effective for speed control, saying speed humps are as effective as potholes. He said there were many alternatives, including planters, narrowing streets or lining streets with tree canopies.
Andrew Fellow, Former Mayor and current resident, thanked the Council for their service now and through the weeks to come.
Lori Provost, resident of College Park and owner and director of The Berwyn Ballet School shared appreciation for the opportunity to make a difference to youth within the city through her dance studio. She mentioned having three studio locations with a total of 153 students. The studio offers 25 classes and makes dance accessible. In December 2022, they hosted a free production of Nutcracker at the Old Parish House. She expressed the hope of offering ballet in the park and complimentary classes. She thanked the College Park Arts Exchange and shared her pride to be in College Park.
James LoBosco, Executive Vice President of Southern Management, said he stands with us as we work through this turbulent time. He said it’s important to focus forward.
Regina Holbert, owner of Hair and Space Beauty Bar, said she was grateful to Economic Development Manager Michael Williams. She expressed her dismay with recent news but hopes that is does not cast a negative light on all the good happening in College Park.
Chloe Bastcsh, not a resident, was speaking on behalf of the landlord at Hollywood Shopping Center. She expressed appreciation to Council, the City and Michael Williams for everything they’d done for the them and their tenants, saying, “We have your back.”
Gary Michael isn’t a resident of College Park, but his company has been involved in the City’s development. He said he believed the future is really bright for the City of College Park. He expressed his appreciation for the work of Michael Williams.
Click here to view meeting agenda
CONSENT AGENDA , Part I
23-G-45 Award the renewal of insurance contracts with Cigna for Health Insurance; with Dominion and MetLife for Dental plans; with Chesapeake Insurance for Workers’ Compensation; and with Local Government Insurance Trust for property and liability insurance, in a budgeted amount of $1,964,897.
23-G-46 Approval of requests for the following Traffic Studies: Request for a Traffic Calming Study for 4600 block of Clemson; Request for a Traffic Calming Study for Rhode Island Avenue between Calvert and Harvard Road; Request for a Traffic Calming Study on Roanoke Place & 51st Avenue between Berwyn Road & Roanoke Place (Ghost Kitchen traffic) – Steve Halpern, City Engineer
Passed unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA , Part II
23-G-37 Approval of an amendment to the Property Use Agreement with The Hall to require compliance with the City noise ordinance restrictions, and approval of an Agreement with The Hall, the University of Maryland and the College Park City-University Partnership to enable live entertainment events at which patrons who are under the age of twenty-one (21) may remain after 9:00p.m., in substantially the forms attached, subject to review by the City Attorney – Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services and Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney
Passed with 7 in favor and one abstention.
ACTION ITEMS
23-G-50 Consideration of the Board of Election Supervisors recommendations for the Special Election for the office of Mayor –Janeen S Miller, City Clerk
Ms. Miller introduced the item by saying the City charter requires that we hold a special election by May 6th. The Board of Elections (BOE) wanted to use the maximum amount of time given that candidacy for the Mayor requires signatures from all four districts.
Councilmember Kabir thanked Mr. Payne and the members of the Board of Elections for their work. He said that soon after the date was announced, a resident called asking why we are having an election on the day of a major event. He mentioned Rhode Island Ave would be blocked for the City’s parade. He acknowledged May 2nd has been proposed as an early voting day, but said residents see the actual voting day as the day to vote. He suggested moving the election date back to May 7th. After it was explained that the charter requires voting no later than May 6th, he suggested moving the parade day.
Councilmember Adams asked about the mail-in option and wanted to hear more. Ms. Miller confirmed there will be mail-in voting and at least 3 drop boxes. They’re working to add a new box at the Hollywood Shopping Center. Adams said 65 days wasn’t enough time to start something new but encouraged us to look back at the special election after it’s over to consider whether rank choice voting could’ve been used.
Councilmember Esters asked about the feasibility of changing the date of the parade. Ms. Quiñones said it would be difficult as it has already been promoted and they’ve started to confirm participants and submit road closure requests to SHA. She mentioned the challenges of identifying an alternative date that would allow enough time for planning and the level of participation the City seeks.
Councilmember Rigg asked the City to work on a parking plan to accommodate residents voting at City Hall and said he shared interest in rank choice voting. Mr. Payne said it would be challenging to introduce such a change during the special election.
Councilmember Mackie asked for clarity on how early voting would be done. Mr. Payne said early voting would simulate the regular voting day experience. Ms. Miller spoke to the security of the ballots, saying they’d be stored in single, double, and triple locked areas. They know how many ballots they have at the end of day and how many at the beginning of the next. They also use tamper-evident seals.
Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell asked if there were restrictions on when those running for the office could declare their candidacy. Ms. Miller said was no prohibition on declaring candidacy.
Councilmember Kabir said we we’ll have to work to get the word out about the election and asked that the same level of importance be placed on the promotion of early voting. Mr. Payne said it was their intention to publicize election day, early voting, mail-in voting and drop boxes. He also asked Councilmembers to help spread the word.
Councilmember Rigg said he believed we are going the right direction by promoting opportunities to use a variety of voting methods.
Councilmember Mackie said she hopes all residents take advantage of the opportunity to vote.
College Park resident Carol Macknis said there are many options to get from North College Park to City Hall other than Baltimore Ave. She said she appreciated Councilmember Rigg’s comments about parking accommodations. She thinks many people will choose to vote early at Davis Hall on Tuesday, May 2. She asked that the City not mail ballots to residents because of ongoing issues with the post office, asking the City to consider emailing the ballots instead.
David Greg, resident of College Park, thanked Councilmember Riggs for his comments about low mobility and asked about using the Community Center rather than City Hall. He shared his concern about councilmembers who run and the need to hold a second election or make an appointment to Council were they elected. He would not want someone appointed to be from a different district than that of the vacant seat nor would he want the appointee to be allowed to vote on the budget as they would not have been involved in the budget planning process.
Ms. Ferguson said, should an appointment need to be made, the individual does not have to be from the same district and will have the same rights of all councilmembers.
Councilmember Whitney asked if it would be possible for residents to pick up ballots rather than getting them through the mail. Ms. Miller said it is being discussed.
23-G-47 Discussion and possible approval of the allocation of a $200,000 grant of ARPA revenue loss funds to the Iron Rooster restaurant to aid the hospitality industry in College Park, subject to Iron Rooster Hospitality, LLC entering into a Beneficiary Agreement insubstantially the form attached subject to review by the City Attorney – Michael Williams, Economic Development Manager
Mr. Williams expressed his excitement about Iron Rooster coming to the City. It would go into a space that is currently vacant and previously housed Kapnos.
He discussed the distribution of $1.8 million in ARPA funds to 55 small businesses, 60 households and four non-profit organizations.
Mr. Algaze, restaurant founder, talked about the locations of Iron Rooster and its 220 employees. He mentioned his excitement about coming to the City and the pleasure of working with Mr. Williams.
Councilmember Esters asked about how the grant dollar amount was determined. Mr. Williams said he worked with the owner to understand how much would be invested in the space, saying equipment might need to be replaced as it had been dormant for some time.
Councilmember Adams spoke of his heartburn in the context of ARPA money. He wanted to identify ways to fund grants for businesses moving forward. He spoke of his interest in establishing a blighted property tax, the proceeds from which might sustain economic development grants.
Mr. Williams spoke of the upcoming economic development visioning discussion and the need to develop tools. He added that the City has done a lot with ARPA funds outside of economic development.
Councilmember Kabir said by not having an economic visioning workshop 3 years ago, Council had missed an opportunity to open up the funds to other businesses. Mr. Williams said he does not take his job lightly, saying he’s always thinking about whether one more call could make a difference. He said there’s a lot of excitement about the Hollywood Shopping Center, and he talked about the need to prioritize when opportunities arise.
Councilmember Mackie aksed about the cost of the space remaining vacant, and Mr. Williams said vacancies cut into the City’s tax revenue.
James LoBosco said the hospitality industry had its best year in 2019 and its most devastating year in 2020; they’re still working to recover. If not for ARPA funding and the City Manager, Southern Hospitality would never have been able to attract such businesses. He said Southern Hospitality’s goal is to draw conferences away from DC, Silver Spring and Rockville. He knows $200,000 is a lot of money but explained it will help given the challenges in the space. The equipment may not be useable since it’s been sitting for five years. The grant will help to give a competitive advantage.
College Park resident David Grey said he appreciated the challenges of the hospitality industry. However, he is fed up that residents have to pay more taxes because people aren’t towing the line. He would like to be shown how bringing these businesses help him as a resident. He thinks $200,000 is a lot of money.
Mr. Williams responded by saying we are working to make The Hotel a major attraction in the City and throughout the year we host people from around the country. College Park is in a special place, he said, and we need to use these funds to help solidify our economic development.
Mr. Algaze said he would be employing city residents.
Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell said that for as long as she has been on the Council, we have talked about the importance of attracting businesses that would employ our residents.
PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS
Discussion and possible action on legislation (10) – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager
Councilmember Whitney asked Council to support three bills aimed at modernizing mental healthcare in Maryland, saying all were supported by both The Maryland Association of Youth Service Bureaus and the Mental Health Association of Maryland: SB582/HB1148, SB534, SB3/HB271. Council voted unanimously to do so.
Councilmember Mackie asked about SB11 (Motor Vehicles in School Zones). Mr. Gardiner said he has not done any additional research on this bill. Councilmember Adams said the bill has specific language about Prince George’s County, and Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell asked Mr. Gardiner for further research.
Councilmember Whitney asked Council to send a letter in support of HB297/SB292 – Victims of Child Sex Trafficking and Human Trafficking – Safe Harbor and Service Response, elevated by Mitchell in previous meetings. Council voted unanimously to support.
HB0892/SB813 (Comprehensive Flood Management Grant Program) – Does not include College Park because we do not meet the threshold. There can be follow up with the delegate. Councilmember Rigg took no position on this legislation.
Ms. Miller asked about the Maryland Municipal League’s (MML) position on HB104 (Municipality Charter Amendments). Councilmember Rigg believed MML was in favor. Ms. Miller said the City had no concerns.
REQUESTS FOR / STATUS OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell asked whether the discussion on April 18 regarding Airbnbs could be moved up. The City Manager said we can consider the timeline and see what can be done, but it is a tight schedule. He would not make any commitment. Councilmember Whitney said she would like to be kept in the loop regarding this discussion as well.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Grey, resident of College Park, said he respected Mr. Williams’ job but believes there are other things we can do. He was born and raised in College Park and is frustrated by having his taxes raised. Many people do not like what the City is doing. He would like the city to focus on the residents. He said he may want to consider maintaining the constant yield tax rate.
Mr. Tom Litkle, resident of College Park, asked if the economic development visioning will be open to the public. The City Manager said it would.
COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR, COUNCIL, STUDENT LIAISON OR CITY MANAGER
Councilmember Kabir – On Sunday, March 5, he attended a North College Park Civic Association (NCPCA) gathering. Residents shared a number of feelings and emotions, but it’s time to come together as a community.
Councilmember Kennedy – CPCUP is coming to give the annual report. The housing trust is coming along well.
Councilmember Adams – Thanked folks for keeping discourse positive during the meeting.
Councilmember Rigg – We are bigger than one person.
SGA Liaison, Andriessens – thanked Council for their leadership during this time.
City Manager – Thanked staff, Mayor Pro Tem and Council for their work during this challenging time.
Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell– said we are one College Park and will get through this.
MEETING ADJOURNED
Click here to watch the video of the March 7, 2023 meeting.
Click here to see the agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on March 14, 2023. Tune in, show up or share your thoughts/concerns about the following Presentations and Workshop discussions:
- College Park City-University Partnership (CPCUP) Annual Report Presentation
- Update on Restorative Justice Commission
- Visioning Workshop for Economic Development
The College Park District 2 Digest 