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 January 09, 2024. 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

Apology for the council meeting schedule that currently includes a meeting on June 4, which is the evening right before the International Town and Gown Association (ITGA) conference that will be hosted by College Park.  Councilmembers were asked to share any conflicts on Monday or Wednesday of that week.  

Mr. Young introduced the new director of public services, Jatinder Khokhar, who started on January 8. Mr. Khokhar spoke during the meeting and shared his appreciation for the opportunity to serve. He said staff has been welcoming and encouraging and that his work experience has been in Pennsylvania, Washington, and Virginia. An Electrical Engineer by education, Mr. Khokhar has many extended family members who attended UMD. Most recently, he worked for Fairfax, VA. He will be learning more M-NCPPC and WSSC. He has a wife and two children and looks forward to working for the city.  

Councilmember Mitchell asked about updates related to the weather. Mr. Young said there was a tree and wires down in District 4. Councilmember Mitchell mentioned standing water in front of Jerk Pit, Monument Village and China Buffett. Mr. Young said this was our last week of leaf pick up and most of our drains are clear, which helped with stormwater management. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Mary Cook, former District 4 councilmember

PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS  

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute

AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Councilmember Whitney made a motion to move item 24-G-02 from Consent Agenda to the Action item Agenda.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS 

Mary Cook, resident – Talked about a recent letter about the dissolution of the Veterans Memorial Committee which was sent to the Veterans Memorial Committee on Friday, January 5 to their surprise.  The committee does not want to be disbanded; their work is heartfelt.  There are veterans who do not want the committee disbanded. The most recent event was the 30^th year commemoration.  She shared a certificate of Congressional recognition received from Congressman Glenn Ivey.  

Mr. Blaine Wilson Thomas Davis, resident- has lived in the city for 50 years and has been on the committee for 20 years. When the committee was first formed they had an agreement with the VFW that there was to always be one member of the VFW and American Legion associated with the committee. He does not want to see the committee disbanded.  

CONSENT AGENDA 

24-G-01 Approval to submit a grant to the National Safety Council (NSC) for Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) infrastructure for the Engineering Department – Miriam Bader, Director of Planning and Community Development and Rakhmel Rafi, Grants Coordinator

24-G-03 Consideration of staff recommendation to replace a yield sign with a stop sign at the intersection of Dewberry Lane and Limestone Place – Steve Halpern, City Engineer

24-G-04 Consideration of staff recommendation to replace a yield sign with a stop sign at the intersection of Davidson Street N and Limestone Place – Steve Halpern, City Engineer

24-G-05 Consideration of staff recommendation to replace a yield sign with a stop sign at the intersection of Davidson Street S and Limestone Place – Steve Halpern, City Engineer

24-G-06 Consideration of staff recommendation to replace a yield sign with a stop sign at the intersection of Wofford Lane and Limestone Place – Steve Halpern, City Engineer

24-G-07 Approval of minutes from the October 24, 2023, November 7, 2023, November 14, 2023, and December 5, 2023 Council meetings.

24-G-09 Approve the purchase and installation of License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology on a fourth City vehicle in the amount of $48,757.40 funded from CIP #162002 – Jim Miller, Parking Enforcement Manager

ACTION ITEMS

23-G-189 Follow up on the Petition request for permit parking on Gettysburg Lane (Agenda item 23-G-189) – Jim Miller, Parking Enforcement Supervisor

Mr. Miller introduced this item, which comes back to council after a public hearing on 12/12. On 12/21, District 4 councilmembers met with city staff to discuss the situation and determine if the situation could be resolved without instituting permit parking.  

Councilmember Mitchell said the meeting with city staff was productive and moved to postpone discussion until the March 5 Council meeting. Seconded by Mackie.

Councilmember Riggs asked for the reason for postponement. Councilmember Mitchell said they would be going through legal matters and would not want to divulge anything further. 

24-G-08 Consideration of requests for funding from the Business Assistance and Façade Improvement Grant, and the Business Retention Assistance Fund – Michael Williams, Director of Economic Development

Mr. Williams thanked the Council for making Iron Rooster a reality, he said it is a popular place. He said of late much of his work has focused on displacement due to development. To date, they have helped Laser Essentials, UPS Store and Taqueria Habanero. Some of our neighboring cities have been trying to poach our vendors. Jidong Tea remains open at Campus Village, and they have sought counsel to obtain what they think they deserve. Mr. Williams looks forward to helping businesses remain in College Park. 

Hanami is requesting funds for buildout. The owner was at Campus Village for 18 years. Taqueria Habanero would like to build out the old Jimmy John’s space as a sit-down restaurant. Krazi Kebob seeks funding for a kitchen expansion to offer short-term space to restaurants displaced from Campus Village and ventures new to the city. They would also like to do vocational training for those who are interested in the culinary industry.   

 The Mayor asked for Mr. Williams to share the total amount of money that is currently available to this program. Mr. Williams said that the total amount added to tax revenue as a result of the additional 3 cent tax on commercial properties was $585,000, but he said it was up to Council to determine how much of those funds would go to business attraction and retention. He said  $53,000 remains of the amount formally dedicated to the program in the FY24 budget. The Mayor asked for a review of recommendations from staff.  

Prime Time already has a restaurant in Arundel Mills and one in New York City. This would be a new College Park business that will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mr. Williams suggested we not fund this business given the support that has been given the Cambria.  

Hanami – There are no plans available for the Campus Village site. Although plans have yet to be submitted to the City or the County, LV Collective has maintained good communication with the County, the City Manager and Mr. Williams. . LV Collective has been fair to Hanami with severance. Since Hanami has not entered into an agreement with LV Collective to return and has not identified plans for an new site, staff does not recommend awarding a grant at this time.

The Krazi Kebob proposal for a vocational program is modeled after Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen. Mr. Williams suggested $175 thousand for the additional kitchens and the vocational program.

Taqueria Habanero – Great food, great staff, and we would like to see them stay. Mr. Williams recommends $50 thousand in assistance.

Councilmember Hernandez- asked for clarification for the use of funding for retention and attraction.  Asked whether or not there is a requirement for commitment to stay in the city.  Mr. Williams said there would be an agreement in place to ensure the city is protected and referenced a fall 2023 meeting of economic leaders who spoke about the city losing 15 businesses in one swoop.  

Questions/comments from Council included a question about support of Hanami, the need for fiscal responsibility, a request for a breakdown of funds for Krazi Kebob in case something does not occur and funds need to be returned, clarification about the totality of funds available from the Prince George’s County EDC, the need for structure for the city’s program, inquiry about what we can offer to Prime Time, the use of funds for other vendors beyond restaurants, the consideration of using existing vacant spaces rather than funding buildouts, concerns about being able to fund additional requests that may come through for the remainder of the fiscal year. 

Councilmember Esters made a motion to approve funding for Krazi Kebob ($125,000, Taqueria Habanero ($75,000) and Primetime ($25,000). Seconded by Councilmember Adams. The motion passed 7 -1.

24-G-02 Approval of the purchase of the Hitachi Visualization Suite software and professional services to integrate access and control of 28 cellular sites into a central dashboard control screen, in the amount of $56,670.84, subject to contract approval by the City Attorney – Kenneth A. Young, City Manager

Councilmember Whitney asked if this technology is what would be needed if Council chose at some point to implement live monitoring. Mr. Young said it would not be; we would need live surveillance technology. He said both UMPD and PGPS have opportunity to view the cameras live if need be, but it is often done after the fact. Councilmember Hew asked if we will use AI to enhance the system. Mr. Young said in the future we will look at the use of AI, but right now we are looking to improving efficiencies.  

Councilmember Whitney made the motion to approve purchase, seconded by Councilmember Esters. The motion passed unanimously.

WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS 

A. Discussion of consolidating the functions and members of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Committee, and the Veterans Memorial Committee in the City Events Advisory Board and to formally dissolve the two committees – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager

 Mr. Gardiner said the city is looking to consolidate events into the work of one committee. We are hopeful that we can actually do more for the events. We would like to continue the existing partnerships and maintain support for the intent and the event. The city has the Events Advisory Board and has added capacity to the staff side of events. We currently have 17 committees which require staff time and effort. We think we can engage residents and increase participation. Ryna Quiñones, Communications & Events Manager, said the city has added an event planner and a volunteer specialist who have made a great difference in the way events and activities are planned and executed.  

Questions/Comments from Council – advisory committee help residents give back and contribute to the community; acknowledgement of the work to date; we should not dissolve the Veteran’s Committee; the MLK Committee should be dissolved but not right now; there’s an opportunity to be more efficient and make changes that can be positive; not much change to the events over the years; suggestion to  create subcommittees to ensure the input of those with experience/background; we are not talking about dissolving events but building efficiencies; the need to improve the way we communicate changes to committees. 

B. Discussion of Mayor and Council Rules and Procedures – Stephanie Anderson, City Attorney and Janeen Miller, City Clerk

Given time constraints, moved to a future agenda. 

REQUESTS FOR / STATUS OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Councilmember Adams  

• Vacant and blighted property tax 
• Student housing subsidy subcommittee is ready to come to council.
• Social Sports Grants – we should do this in order to put something in place by summer, if possible

Councilmember Mackie

• Student safety task force committee / crossing  guards 

COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR, COUNCIL, STUDENT LIAISON OR CITY MANAGER

SGA Liaison Sprinkle acknowledged Dhruvak Mirani was online in Oxford at 3:30am to attend the council meeting.

ADJOURN

Closed Session Notice

Pursuant to the statutory authority of Maryland Annotated Code, General Provisions Article § 3-305, the Mayor and Council will meet in a closed session after this meeting for the following purposes: 1) to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an appointee, employee, or official over whom it has jurisdiction; 2) to consult with Counsel to obtain legal advice, and 3) to discuss a matter of potential or pending litigation. They will not return to open session.

Click here to see the agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid meeting on January 16. 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:

Action item(s):

• Approval of the Declaration of Covenants by ZS 4629, LLC in favor of the City of College Park, for 4619 College Avenue- Suellen Ferguson, Attorney for the City

Worksession Discussions

• 2023 Election debrief – Board of Election Supervisors
• Review advisory board annual reports and workplans – Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk
• Discussion of an incentive program to eliminate gas-powered leaf blower equipment – Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works
• Discussion of Mayor and Council Rules and Procedures
• Agenda items for January 25 Four Cities Meeting hosted by College Park