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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Click here to watch the video of the City of College Park Mayor & Council Virtual Meeting on January 16, 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

Mr. Young acknowledged city staff for the removal of snow and clearing bike lanes.  He also thanked residents who cleared their walkways and said some of businesses on Route 1 would be reminded of the requirement to shovel snow.  

AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Motion to approve the agenda by Councilmember Mitchell, seconded by Councilmember Hew

PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS 

Mr. Dorsch, resident – Mentioned the crossing signal located on Campus Drive.  He tried the signal on two occasions, and on each occasion the time allotted to cross differed; one time it was 70 seconds and the other time it was 40 seconds.  He said the biggest problem is the signal being changed from on- demand to timed. He also mentioned past parking problems at the Old Town property located at 4619 College Avenue, saying there was not enough parking to accommodate the number of residents the City will allow in the building.  

Arelis Pèrez, resident – Would like for Mayor and Council to consider what the state of Maryland has done with Mail-in voting. Our efforts do not seem cost effective with only 10 percent of the City’s population voting. The state has mailed out ballots to everyone. The money used for the elections could be used to do something else.  

Two individuals were removed from the Zoom and blocked due to inappropriate comments.  Public comments were ended. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

24-G-11 – Approval of a Letter to Maryland State Highway Administration Requesting Improvements to the Pedestrian Signal at Campus Drive and College Park Trolley Trail – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager

Motion to approve by Councilmember Mackie, seconded by Councilmember Esters

ACTION ITEMS 

24-G-12 Approval of a Declaration of Covenants by ZS 4619, LLC in favor of the City of College Park, for 4619 College Avenue – Suellen Feguson, Attorney for the City

Ms. Suellen Ferguson said the updated Declaration of Covenants will allow for 25 people to live in the building, , with 5 additional residents being allowed to live in the attic after the two years of compliance. A property manager will be on premises for the first two years, and the City will have access to the building. There will be no on-street parking.  There will be a limit of 15 persons to attend any gathering.  If there are compliance issues, the maximum occupancy will revert back to 16.

Motion to approve by Councilmember Rigg, second by Councilmember Adams

Mr. Dorsch, resident – expressed concern about the number of people allowed in the building and said the former owner worked to enlarge the building without permits. He said the property was lost due to unpaid property taxes.  He expressed concerns about the lack of parking for residents of this property.  

Ms. Blaine (Posh Fitness), Resident – owner of Posh Fitness saw that three businesses were granted funds and wondered if similar funding was available to other businesses.  She asked how the businesses were picked.  Michael Williams, Economic Development Manager, responded to the inquiry. Most of the retention funds have been focused on displaced Campus Village merchants.  We have not entered the phase of helping other businesses in College Park.  Posh was a recipient of ARPA funds that were made available.  There was discussion for months with Prime Time to attract business that would offer a number of jobs.  The money for Krazi Kebob vocational training was to expand access to the industry.  

(The resident sought to make comment earlier but was unable to do so after two individuals made inappropriate comments and public comments were ended.)

WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS

2023 Election debrief – Board of Election Supervisors (John Payne and Tina Batten)

Mr. Payne said the 2023 elections were successful. There was concern they would not be able to hire enough poll workers, but the City Clerk did an outstanding job working with local municipalities.  They worked well with the vendors – ElectionGuard and Hart InterCivic. The survey data collected is the most comprehensive data we have ever had about city elections.  There is concern about the turnover of the BOES, and the way in which the city staffs and provides resources for the elections has to be considered.  They suggest the city hire a contracted elections specialist. The specialist would be able to provide manuals and training materials. The BOES is disappointed by the turnout of the elections, especially since there was a very comprehensive campaign to promote the elections.  

Mr. Payne said every election is unique. There is a chain of custody for every piece of paper. It is important for the BOES and Clerk to maintain that level of control. The manual is extremely important. The importance of this election was the use of technology and ensuring the integrity and security of the elections. We continue to look for ways to improve turnout. 

City Clerk Janeen Miller said increasing the number of vote-by-mail ballots is key, and BOES’ Tina Batten said voters appreciated being able to review their vote. She added that the accessible device allowed more people to vote independently. She suggested retaining them in future elections, saying they would also allow ballots to be offered in more languages at a reasonable cost. 

Dr. Payne was asked if voter fatigue could be associated with the two elections and if the special elections have diminished turnout for the general election.  He said it was challenging for BOES to go from a special election to the general election.  A big piece of burnout can be attributed to the weeks around the election with early voting. He said Council may need to consider the burden on BOES and work to ensure good elections. We need to recruit new members who understand the role and expectation of the committee. There is a need for commitment and help with administration.  

The ElectionGuard component did not cost us any more than a regular election. The increase in cost was due to the three days of the elections and the payment of poll workers (as dictated by the state) and overtime for City staff. Mail-in voting also added cost.  

Dr. Payne noted that contested elections normally bring out more voters. He said some say that rank-choice voting may encourage more individuals to vote but that it would take a lot of education of both the public and candidates.  

The question of running the election concurrent with State and national elections was raised, but there was concern that the Hatch Act would prevent many federal employees from running since state and national elections are partisan and City elections are not. Three out of the 9 people on the dais would not have been able to run had City elections coincided with partisan ones.

The Mayor and Council will be asked to identify additional volunteers for the upcoming election cycle.  They should talk to community leaders and make sure they understand the commitment of engagement. 

Discussion of an incentive program to eliminate gas-powered leaf blower equipment –Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works

CBE presentation on an incentive program to move toward use of electric leaf blowers (Todd Larsen and Alexa Bely)

Janet McCaslin said the program will require limited staff time.  There will be the creation of the form.  The return of items will take some staff time.  She explained the proposal began as an electric leaf blower incentive.  The focus on various equipment is intended to help change behavior.  

There was a question about individuals who use gas powered devices programs for their work.  Ms. McCaslin said the city is not imposing a ban; rather they seek to encourage the move toward electric or manual lawn care tools.  

Question about tracking of Council of Governments Metropolitan Washington Air Quality committee (MWAQC) work on such programs.  It shows the negative impact of two-stroke engines on air quality.  It helps that we are following Bowie.  It would be great for the county to adopt such a program.  University Park bans the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by residents and landscaping companies. 

The Council expressed support for launching the program; $8 thousand has already been funded in the FY24 CBE budget. An ask for $20 thousand will be included in the FY25 budget proposal.

Review advisory board annual reports and workplans 

There was a request for the Advisory Planning Commission (APC) and the Noise Control Board (NCB) to come before the City Council.  The City manager said there were a number of budget requests made in some of the reports that have budget implications for FY25 and will need to be discussed at budget time.  

Clarification was provided that a request to suggest a new committee would need to come from the Council as a body.  

Discussion of Mayor and Council Rules and Procedures

Stephanie Anderson, City Attorney – in response to the bi-annual review of rules and procedures, two issues were raised during the 10/12 meeting – looking at the City Charter regarding what to do if the Mayor was absent and outlining Mayor Pro Tem duties.  A line was added to the procedures indicating that the Mayor may request assistance from the Mayor Pro Tem to fulfill commitments when needed.  

There was a suggestion to make sure the rules and procedures coincide with our practice as it relates to extending meetings. Right now, to extend meetings it is done once at 10:30, and if the meeting is extended, we suspend the rules.  Council concluded that we maintain the current practice.  

There was a discussion about the expectation for residents to have their questions answered during Public Comment and a suggestion about taking comments from residents on Work session items. Concerns were expressed that if something is controversial, doing so may extend the meeting. If it is a worksession with possible action, public comment will be allowed after the discussion has concluded but before action is taken.  Council also made suggestions on clarifying on agendas the directions on how the public can provide comment.

Agenda items for January 25 Four Cities meeting hosted by College Park

College Park will ask Greenbelt about and update on the FBI, will discuss proposed cuts to the Maryland transportation budget and revisit the proposal for a North County animal control shelter.

REQUESTS FOR / STATUS OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 

Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell proposes a worksession with the county about ADUs. 

ADJOURN

CLOSED SESSION 

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 consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and 2) to discuss the appointment an individual over whom this Council has jurisdiction.  We will not return to open session tonight.

Click here to see the full agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on January 23,2024. 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:

CONSENT AGENDA

24-G-10 Approve the appointment of Valerie Novak to the Bee City USA Committee; the appointments of Edward Ridge and Joseph Tannir to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; the appointments of Susan Huemmrich and M. Ruth Murphy to the Board of Election Supervisors; the appointments of Jonathan Riedel and Tami Watkins to the City Events Advisory Board; the appointment of Betty Colonomos to the College Park Seniors Committee; the appointments of Michael Hottinger, Frank Cifaldi, Shyamala Rajan, and Sam McGranahan to the Committee For a Better Environment; the appointment of Vincent Alexis-Laona to the Education Advisory Committee; and the appointment of Willie Sellers to the Restorative Justice Commission. 

ACTION ITEMS

24-G-15 Approval of a contract of sale to purchase the property known as W 35.2 FT Lot 14 04-05 Pierce Avenue, from Williams C Ferguson and Williams H. Bass Maryland for a purchase price of $100,000, plus settlement costs. Settlement is anticipated to occur on or before February 29, 2024. Deed Reference 34817/00095

24-O-01 Introduction of an Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Authorizing The Acquisition Of Certain Property Located At W 35.2 FT Lot 14 04-05 Pierce Avenue (Deed Reference 34817/00095) College Park, Maryland, For A Public Purpose – Kenneth A Young, City Manager 

The Public Hearing Will Be Held On February 6, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers

DISCUSSION 

Auditor’s presentation of the FY 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report – SB & Company, LLC 

FY 2024 2nd quarter financial presentation – Gary Fields, Director of Finance

Discussion of Homestead Tax Credit Rate, and FY 2025 budget preview – Gary Fields, Director of Finance 

Report from Needs Based Student Housing Subsidy Subcommittee on use of 3-cent tax increase on commercial, industrial and apartment – Councilmember Adams 

Strategic Plan quarterly update – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager 

Legislative Review – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager