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 Meeting on February 6, 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
City Manager, Mr. Kenny Young, announced that community service grant applications were now open. He said Elderly tax credit applications are being processed with a target date of February 22 for delivery to eligible applicants.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Former City Councilmembers Maxine Gross and Bob Catlin were in attendance.
PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS
AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Rigg made a motion to move item 24-G-25, approval of AIMS Parking Management Solutions, to the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell. Council unanimously approved the move to Consent.
Councilmember Whitney made a motion to item 24-G-19, approval of letter to the Board of License Commissioners to the Action Items in order to recuse herself due to employment.
Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell moved to approve agenda as amended, with a second by Councilmember Whitney. The agenda was unanimously approved as amended.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS
James Nealis, resident of Berwyn – recently did a search on Bing and found that the University System of Maryland has a $1.96 billion, tax-free endowment. So, why should residents of College Park pay for a student housing subsidy? He also mentioned the loss of two Navy Seals in the Arabian Sea. One of the Seals was from Maryland and attended University of Maryland from 2006 – 2009. We should be grateful for his service. His name was Chris Chambers.
Dr. Mady Segal, resident of College Park Woods – the University of Maryland should be required to support student housing, not the City of College Park. They seem to be more interested in sports programs than student programs. Dr. Segal said she was a University of Maryland Professor Emerita in Sociology.
CONSENT AGENDA
24-G-18 Approve a final one-year extension to contract CP-20-05 with Level Green Landscape, LLC for right-of-way grass mowing for the term April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, as included in the existing contract terms and in conjunction with satisfactory completion of the initial term, at the contracted rate for year 5 (option year 2) of $101.55/acre – Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works
24-G-24 Approval of a letter to the College Park Airport requesting that it take steps to transition from leaded aviation fuel due to its harmful impacts on human health– Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager
24-G-21 Approval of minutes from the November 20, 2023 and the January 9, 2024 meetings.
24-G-25 Approval of a three-year contract extension with EDC for administration of AIMS Parking Management Solutions for the period February 1, 2024 through January 31, 2027, and the annual full-service ‘Software as a Service’ (SaaS) contract with AIMS Parking Management Solutions for software support, hosting, and maintenance of both software and hardware in the amount of $66,999.50, effective February 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025. Motion to accept Consent Agenda by Councilmember Esters Seconded by Councilmember Esters.
PUBLIC HEARING AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ORDINANCE 24-O-01: Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Authorizing The Acquisition Of Certain Real Property Located At Pierce Avenue, W 35.2 Ft. Lot 14 (04-05) College Park, MD 20740, For A Public Purpose.
Maxine Gross, resident of Lakeland – acknowledged the ability to build on the land will be directly attributable to the size of the property, and added that here has been some back and forth about whether or not the land can be developed. She encouraged the city to move forward with the purchase of the land. She said she would not talk about the history of the community but about the value of the community as a whole. She said she viewed this as an opportunity to support Lakeland and to do something that will support the desire of the community. She compared the proposed purchase to the property purchased in Berwyn on Roanoke Place.
Ruth Murphy, resident of Lakeland – said she was happy we are considering the purchase of the property for the Lakeland community.
Council discussion referenced whether or not the land was truly buildable, the time-sensitive nature of the purchase, the purchase price, possibilities of owners of a neighboring home combining it with their property to build a larger rental. Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell and Councilmembers Whitney and Esters expressed their support of purchase, acknowledged how it would assist the City to move forward with Restorative Justice efforts and work closely with the community to determine what to do with the property.
Mr. Young clarified that the city always uses property/land acquisition funds for purchases, even for properties designated as open space and eventually reimbursed by Project Open Space funds.
Motion made by Councilmember Esters and seconded by Councilmember Whitney. Roll call vote taken 8-0 – Moton Vote: Passed.
ACTION ITEMS
24-G-19 Approval of a letter to the Board of License Commissioners to recommend that liquor licenses issued within the City of College Park be renewed for the following year and to authorize the City Manager to send a letter to the BOLC to that effect – Jatinder Khokhar, Director of Public Services.
Resident Bob Catlin asked why Village Pump was listed as having Sunday sales of only beer and wine when they sell everything. Director of Public Services, Jatinder Khokhar said that was an error that had been updated.
Council voted 7-0-1 to approve the letter, with Councilmember Whitney abstaining due to conflicts arising from her employment.
24-G-20 Award of FY 2024 Public School Education Grants to College Park Academy, Buck Lodge Middle, Paint Branch Elementary, Cherokee Lane, and University Park Elementary – Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services
Ms. Barber Introduced the new education specialist, Alyssa Simmons, and outlined the current grant applications. Councilmember Mackie said that applications are still being taken and grant funds are still available.
During discussion council emphasized and acknowledged the work of Ms. Barber and her team, suggested reminders about grant applications may be helpful, asked about challenges getting application submission, inquired about the status of PTO grants, and asked that there be clarification about how PTO grant funds can be used in order to be beneficial (e.g., food and childcare during meetings). Councilmember Hernandez made the motion, which was seconded by Councilmember Hew. The item passed unanimously.
24-G-22 Creation of, and appointments to, a committee to make recommendations on the Vacant and Blighted Property Tax proposal – Gary Fields, Director of Finance Motion By: 2nd: Vote:
Mr. Fields said he was bringing back the discussion about a Blighted and Vacant Tax proposal so the council can determine how they would like to proceed in forming a committee. The Council wanted to create a committee to develop a definition, develop a program, and review properties that may be impacted.
During discussion councilmembers asked for a provision for those who experience a death of a family members and asked if blighted and vacant definitions could be separated. Mr. Fields said both would be the work of the committee.
There was expressed concern about a committee identifying properties and a suggestion that the committee first consider the definition and come back to the Mayor and Council. Councilmembers mentioned the need to consider best practices of municipalities with such programs.
Various thoughts were shared about the formation of the actual committee and whether or not it should have council representation. City staff will consider council discussion and come back with options for committee structure.
WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS
Discussion of grants for senior and social sports leagues – Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services and Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager
Ms. Barber introduced the item saying there is $30,000 in the FY24 budget for the program, and she is seeking Council guidance on how to move forward.
Council inquired about timelines to survey residents, mentioned residents who talk about sports activities previously offered in the city, suggested to start small and avoid administratively burdensome programs, recommended connecting with the University of Maryland about the use of facilities, mentioned recent discussion on the topic during four-cities meeting, and mentioned an app used by students to identify others to play sports.
Mr. Young said the Duvall Field renovations are going out to bid soon, so it would not be available. The same is true for the College Park Woods Club House. He said the university has been open to use of their fields during the summer.
Legislative Review (there is a possibility that action will be taken on time-sensitive bills) – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager
Mr. Young said he attended a meeting about land use bill (In the meeting, this was referred to as HB892; a letter was sent for the correct bill, HB1059), and there is strong County-level support for it moving forward. We need to work with Bowie, Greenbelt and Hyattsville. County Councilmember Dernoga did not like some of the things that Laurel process permits. Mr. Young said there were only 10 applications last year, which would not overwhelm staff. He said some on County Council believe that long-term planning should be left to M-NCPPC. Mr. Young said leaving that authority with the county might be a worthwhile compromise. We are the only county that does not allow municipal control over permitting, and we already handle zoning enforcement.
Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell said the bill was put on hold to allow for municipalities weigh in. She expressed concerns about us being reactive rather than proactive, saying Bowie had a whole delegation at the meeting, but we did not know about it until the last minute. Mr. Young had a conversation with our lobbyist and agrees. If we want to ensure legislation that supports us, we need to craft legislation.
SB484 provides for bonus density on top of bonus density already given in a locality. The other change was to allow for modular homes, which have to meet the local building standards, but not manufactured homes. Modulars have to be real property and have to be tied down.
The hearing on Street Racing and Exhibition Driving (HB601/SB442) will be held on Thursday, February 15 at 1pm, and the City has already expressed support.
REQUESTS FOR / STATUS OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Mackie said she made a request weeks ago about student safety. She asked if we could evaluate where our students are waiting for buses and engage residents about safety issues. Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell suggested signing a letter with Greenbelt. Councilmember Mackie emphasized her concern about specific issues in College Park. Councilmember Adams suggested use of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) to consider the issue.
Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell asked if council could bring Spellman House and Attick Towers to Council and asked about the status of the Youth Advisory Council.
Mayor Kabir said the Prince George’s County Fire Department has stated that it will pull career firefighters out of Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department. He said that would reduce BVFD’s capacity and would more commonly pull Branchville VFC’s out of College Park. He requested Council send a letter to the County asking that the career firefighters be maintained in Beltsville. He also said Branchville VFC is requesting sponsorship for its 100th anniversary celebration.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
James Patrick, resident – expressed concern about the request for College Park Airport to take steps to transition from leaded fuel, saying the amount of lead used over the course of a year at the airport compares to levels of lead in one month’s worth of fuel at the city’s gas stations He said he was curious as to the cause of the letter. Mayor Kabir said the City will get back to him.
John Havermell – not a resident but owns property, He missed the presentation for the student subsidy pilot program. He read the presentation and tried to figure out the need for the program. He said he felt the program was ill-guided, saying it looks like another form of income redistribution. He asked if the city feels that is a legitimate function of government, why limit student choices? Allow them to use the funding for other types of housing in the City. There is a rent control program offered by the county. He also noted that builders use the terms “modular housing” and “manufactured housing” interchangeably. Mayor Kabir said someone will follow up with him.
Sean Mullens, resident of College Park- He is a property manager for single-family housing that is more affordable. Speaking of the proposed student housing subsidy, he said to be careful about where the money would go and who would it benefit. He took issue with a comment about PGPOA representing absentee landlords.
Yonah Gross, resident, UMD student – The housing situation is dire. The previous speaker said all the single-family homes he manages are occupied, so where do people find affordable housing? There is a limited supply and high demand. The subsidy would go to Pell grant student. The money would go to people in need.
COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR, COUNCIL, STUDENT LIAISON OR CITY MANAGER
Councilmember Rigg- mentioned permitting land use authority to the City. He said we are currently in the process of working to identify items we can do. Some of the limitations would be based upon staff expertise and capacity.
Councilmember Adams congratulated Dog Haus on their recent opening.
Councilmember Mitchell asked about the ribbon-cutting for Iron Rooster, but questioned the need since they are always busy.
Councilmember Hernandez said he appreciated the spirit of discussion.
ADJOURN
Click here to see the full agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on February 13, 2024, once it has been posted. Tune in, show up or share your thoughts/concerns about the following Consent Agenda and Action Items, and Workshop discussions proposed to be on the agenda 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 Items
- Fund and Design a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon for SHA for Rhode Island Ave and Greenbelt Road
- Approval of Amendments to the Mayor and Council Rules and Procedures
Action Items
Introduction of Charter Resolution 24-CR-01: A Charter Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park, To Amend Article III, “Mayor And Council”, §C3-6(B)(2), “Vacancies”; To Expand the circumstances for a vacancy in the office of Mayor.(The Public Hearing will be held on March 5, 2024)
Worksession Discussions
Presentation on the Tree Canopy Assessment conducted by SavATree
Discussion of revisions to the Revitalization Tax Credit Program
Legislative Review
The College Park District 2 Digest 