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

Click here to find the video of the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on November 07, 2023. By going to this link, you are able to watch the discussion of specific agenda items you are interested in. If you have questions about Council actions and discussions, please email us at lbesters@collegeparkmd.gov and swhitney@collegeparkmd.gov.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded College Park a certificate for financial accounting for the year.  

On November 11 at 11 am, the City of College Park will hold its annual Veteran’s Day event at the Veterans memorial located at Baltimore Ave and Greenbelt Road.  This year’s event marks the 30th anniversary of the memorial

PROCLAMATIONS

“Municipal Government Works!” Month

PRESENTATIONS

Presentation of the 2021 “Jack Perry Award” to Arelis Pérez

Due to Covid restrictions in 2021, Ms. Pérez was not publicly presented her award. Mayor Fazlul did a presentation to Ms. Pérez for her commitment to community service. Among her many contributions to the city, Ms. Pérez served as a board member of the Complete Count Committee in College Park and as a  former Board of Election Judge for the city.  She currently serves as the current Board Commissioner Chair for the Housing Authority for the City of College Park (HACCP) and a board member of the city’s Senior Committee.  

Presentation from Mr. Ethan Sweep, Community Liaison for Congressman Glenn Ivey

Mr. Sweep informed the Mayor and Council about community project funding for fiscal year 2025 (Congressional earmarks) awarded through the Appropriations Committee.  This year, they were able to submit 15 projects. On December 4th, there will be a webinar to go over the process.  Mr. Sweep will send out a flyer with details about the webinar by the end of this week.  He stressed he does not know what the process will look like in 2025 until the guidance is announced.  For more details, visit appropriations.house.gov or Ivey.house.gov.  Mr. Sweep said the applications are not as daunting as people may think and that any award limits will be included in the guidelines.  

AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Motion by Councilmember Adams to move to switch work sessions and allow the presentation of the Hillel DSP to be first, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell

PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS 

Mr. Alvarado and Ms. Maritnez, non-residents – Representing Taqueria Habanero, wanted to express their appreciation for what the city has done from them.  It is their hope that they will continue to be in the city. They acknowledged Director of Economic Development Michael Williams for his assistance.  

Maxine Gross, resident – said she read the proposed economic development plan and wanted to share a few points.  She said she supports the elements to consider various housing types.  She also appreciated the recognition of Lakeland but wants it to include a plan to restore what was done via urban renewal.  She asked that as the city considers businesses, it consider the Lakeland, Berwyn, and Hollywood communities as are key areas for the future and rebuilding opportunities other than housing.  

 CONSENT AGENDA 

23-G-163 Approval of a three-year salt utilization agreement between the State Highway Administration of the Maryland Department of Transportation and the City of College Park, Maryland – Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works

23-G-164 Approval of the 2023 Jack Perry Award recipient – Janeen S. Mille, City Clerk

23-G-165 Approval of a letter with City comments on the MDOT Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager

Motion by Councilmember Mithcell to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Councilmember Esters

WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS (Action On These Items Is Not Expected At This Meeting.)

A. Discussion of Detailed Site Plan for Hillel – Miriam Bader, Director of Planning

Erik Valentine – The project comes back to the council due to significant change.  The project is located adjacent to the Old Town historic district and will be a two-story building of over 39,000 sq. ft. The Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) will review this project on 11/24.  The Old Town Historic District Local Advisory Committee (LAC) reviewed the project and approves it with conditions mainly focuses on the look of the building.  The site provides no onsite parking.  Hillel has reached an agreement with UMD for 15 parking spaces.  There has been a request to investigate a mature maple to determine if it is on the proposed property to be developed. If it is, they are being asked to save the tree. The architect would like provisions to be placed in the plan for a third floor, but they would need to go through the proper permitting process in the future should they desire to add an additional floor.  Of the 11 modifications, city staff support 8, there are 3 modifications related to general building materials, brick detailing, and brick headers the city staff supports with conditions.  

Mr. Taub, project attorney, introduced the development team and thanked Mr. Valentine for his work.  He explained the property is currently owned by the University of Maryland.  There will be conveyance of the property to Hillel, and Hillel’s property on Mowatt Lane will be conveyed to the University.  He explained the delay of the project and said after the initial approval of the project, we faced COVID.  

Mr. Taub said if all goes well, they look forward to breaking ground in Spring 2024 with an opening of the building in 2025. They agree to all conditions with the exception of the color of the materials.  There are white buildings interspersed throughout the neighborhood. He said the building is a transitional building. They chose a color they thought was more inviting for everyone.

Councilmember Rigg said there had been lots of conversation about the materials not being compatible with the Old Town neighborhood and asked how that was determined. Mr. Valentine said it is a feeling and a judgment, but much of the concern came from the LAC.  

Councilmember Esters agreed that the building had a simple, clean, modern look but said it was quite distinct from other buildings in the historic district.  She acknowledged sentiment shared that the design made the building feel welcoming but asked if there were any other way to make it feel welcoming without such a distinct design. Mr. Taub said the design had to be taken in its entirety.  

Councilmember Mackie expressed concern about limited parking. Mr. Valentine said the building would be in close proximity to the downtown parking garage, so limited parking on site should not be an issue.  

Councilmember Adams asked for comment on two new curb cuts to access parking from Yale Avenue.  Councilmember Adams expressed concerns as we are trying to create more walkable area for pedestrians, and curb cuts encourage the interaction of pedestrian and cars, saying the city would like to restrict curb cuts. He also mentioned the loss of three canopy trees to create parking. 

Nestor Zabala, Architect, presented the most current renderings of the building.  

Danielle Glaros, Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff of Administration for the University of Maryland, reiterated that the property will be conveyed to Hillel. She said the project has been discussed for many years and that the building picks up on the white columns at the University.  

B. Presentation on the Economic Development 5-Year Strategic Plan – Michael Williams,

Director of Economic Development and HR&A, Consultant

Michael Williams, Economic Development Manager, introduced HR&A consultants, Stan Wall, Jayla Hart and Rachel Waldman, who worked with the city to devise a 5-year strategic plan to build economic development in the city.  

Rachel Waldman provided an overview of efforts to devise a plan and spoke to the racial diversity of the city. According to Ms. Waldman, the five areas of focus of the city are as follows:  Bringing business and entities to the city that attract employers; retaining talent; defining the city identify; providing incentives; improving housing affordability; and increasing housing stock.  

Councilmembers asked about coordination and implementation of the plan, desire to be a regional hub, focus on North College Park, the difference between North College Park and downtown, considering the opportunities to influence people to come to College Park, the current perception of the city and telling our own story, lack of enforcement of 5 unrelated-persons per households, creating business incubator space, grants from the county level, and the rising cost of small businesses. Additionally, Council discussed the need for local medical care, ensuring we are a walkable/bikeable area, a place where people choose to raise their families, education, the size of commercial properties, and the creation of Business Improvement Districts (BID).

 REQUESTS FOR / STATUS OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Councilmember Kennedy would like the City to pay for security measures for councilmembers at their homes. Mr. Young said it would need to be a budget item for the council to consider.  

Councilmember Mitchell would like there to be a work session to discuss parking issues and enforcement.  

ADJOURN  

Click here to see the full agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on November 14, 2023. Tune in, show up or share your thoughts/concerns about the following Consent Agenda and Action Items, and Workshop discussions that may interest District 2 residents. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need accommodations to participate in a meeting, including language translation:

• Approval of contract with Care Solace for the provision of mental health and social services coordination for $80,000 annually 
• Approval and authorization for the City Manager to pay for the installation of various security measures for the Mayor and City Council
• Approval of a parking prohibition at the intersection of Branchville Road and Locust Spring Road
• Approval of an increase in the grant application and corresponding matching fund amount for the Prince George’s County Historic Preservations Grand for the Old Parish House to add grading and storm waters mitigation to the proposal
• Approval of recommendations to the Prince George’s County Planning Board on the Detailed Site Plan for Hillel and a Declaration of Covenants and Agreement regarding land use.  
• Veo-Ride Discussion