Comments are by Councilmembers Llatetra Brown Esters and Susan Whitney and are not approved or sanctioned by the City of College Park.
Click here to watch the video of the City of College Park Mayor & Council Meeting held on May 7, 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 REPORT
Quarterly Public Safety Meetings will return, and the first will be held on Monday, May 13. The meeting will be hosted by Major Keleti and Mr. Jatinder Khokhar, Director of Public Services. There will be a discussion of the Go Gov system. The City’s last cleanup event will be held on Saturday, May 18 from 7:30am – 12pm. This event will include shredding and is only open to College Park residents. The City’s Friday Night Live series will begin on Friday, May 10 at City Hall Plaza (Due to inclement weather, the May 10th event was cancelled and will be rescheduled). May is building safety month.
Councilmember Whitney mentioned safety concerns related to the construction of the new median on Route 1 causing people to make U-turns after the light has turned red. She suggested a dedicated U-turn signal. Mr. Young said that there will be follow-up with SHA. Mayor Kabir asked when construction would be completed. Mr. Young said he anticipated completion by June 1. He hopes that is the case since the City will host the International Town and Gown Association (ITGA) conference during the first week of June.
PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS
AMMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve the agenda made by Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember Adams
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Dan Blasberg, resident – Thanked Public Works for picking up yard waste after NO MOW APRIL. He mentioned concerns with Parking Enforcement staff parking in the No Parking zones. He asked why it took parking enforcement 40 minutes to respond to a call when someone was parked illegally in front of his home. He reiterated Councilmember Whitney’s concern about U-turns and said jaywalkers crossing the middle of the street is also a safety issue. He asked the SGA Liaisons to encourage students to stop this behavior.
CONSENT AGENDA
24-G-73 Approval of free summer parking in the downtown parking garage on summer weeknights after 5:00 p.m. and free all-day Saturday parking in the City’s downtown parking garage from May 25 to August 17, 2024. – Jim Miller, Parking Enforcement Manager
24-G-74 Approve the City’s Legislative Request to the Maryland Municipal League to support State legislation in 2025 that would increase the maximum fine municipalities may impose for civil violations from $1,000 to $5,000. – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager
24-G-76 Approval to grant Prince George’s County a floodplain easement at Duvall Field as part of the redevelopment – Rakhmel Rafi, Grants Coordinator
24-G-77 Approval of a contract amendment in the amount of $54,802 to NZI
Construction Corporation for construction of micro-mobility parking hubs throughout the City, as approved by Council on August 3, 2023. – Erik Valentine, Community Development Planner
Motion to accept the Consent Agenda made by Councilmember Esters and seconded by Councilmember Adams.
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Public Hearing on the (1) FY 2025 Proposed Budget & Capital Improvement Plan; (2) Proposed Property Tax Rate Increase – Gary Fields, Director of Finance
Mr. Fields said the public hearing is for the proposed FY’25 budget including the capital improvement plan and the proposed property tax rate increase which has been considered as part of a 5-month process. The budget ordinance was introduced at the City Council meeting held on April 23 and included changes made at work sessions held on March 23 and April 2. The proposed budget includes a property tax increase to 34.18 cents and a commercial tax increase to 40 cents.
James Garvin, resident – Unable to afford increase. He will need to move because he will not be able to retire here. He said this is outrageous. He asked that we consider reducing spending.
Dan Blasberg, resident – he said he came to a City Council meeting in 2020 to speak against the decrease of property taxes out of concern we would be having this discussion, and now here we are with an increase. A 13% increase is too much for people to afford. He would encourage the Council to find another way to replace those funds.
Brian Roan – resident – He has heard that a lot of people are looking to leave College Park. A couple recently told him they needed to go. A lot of people leave due to the schools. He said we are looking at a massive drain of residents. Some of the things in the budget reflect the direction the City is going in.
Richard Biffl, non-resident – He is against the proposal to raise the cost for his student residents. The City benefits from the valuation of properties. He said the comparison to other municipalities was not comparable since those cities have their own police departments. We all have to adjust our budgets without ARPA money.
ACTION ITEMS
24-G-75 Discussion related to possible budget amendments for the FY2025 Proposed Budget
Mr. Young introduced this action item as a discussion regarding possible budget amendments to the FY 2025 proposed budget. The City Manager said there have been several comments on the budget and recognized this is a daunting task. He listed many fiscal challenges facing the city, including union negotiations. We are also bringing 75 of our 130 employees to the 50th percentile of compensation rates. He wants to bring our workers to a level that is commensurate with their work. We also need to look at our Public Works facilities since we are running out of space. We are bringing the College Park Woods facilities online; the renovation of Duvall Field is on the horizon. He hopes we come in under budget but is not sure we can. He must also consider programming to be done at Duvall Field. We are looking at sustainability and council priorities. Buildings that will generate tax revenue in the future include Union on Knox, Campus Village, The Flats, and Discovery Zone, but many of these projects will not come online until 2027. We need to have emergency funds on hand for more than 3 months.
Mr. Fields clarified that this item should have been listed as a worksession discussion, not an action item. He is looking for a straw poll on tax rates and any amendments. We have received two amendments to the budget to allow for cuts.
Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell asked about the City’s reserves and whether or not we would have been wiped out if we had not received ARPA funding. Mr. Young said we would have been wiped out during the pandemic had it not been for ARPA funds.
Councilmember Adams Amendment – reductions of approximately $500,000 that would bring the residential property tax rate to 33.50 and commercial/industrial/apartment tax rate to 37.00.
Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell asked Mr. Young and Mr. Fields to share input about the Adams amendment. Mr. Young expressed some concerns about the reduction of monies to Neighbors Helping Neighbors, which many rely upon. He also had concerns about the reduction of racial equity training for staff. Mr. Field said that they do not have any specific analysis, but they will make things work. Any reduction would require cuts. Mr. Young said that the developments slated to come online bring with them more residents that need to be served.
Councilmember Whitney Amendment – reductions of approximately $250,000 that bring the residential property tax rate to 33.50 and the commercial/industrial/apartment tax rate to 38.50.
Councilmember Riggs said he appreciated the Whitney proposal and would likely vote for it.
Councilmember Hew asked how we move forward.
Councilmember Esters said we cannot rely upon what is not in front of us. It would be irresponsible for us to think of only of this year. We do not want to be in this situation next year.
Councilmember Mackie- We do not know what the future holds. She does not want to raise taxes.
Straw poll results – vote 6 to 2 in favor of the Whitney amendment.
Councilmember Hernandez did not put forth a motion to consider his amendment, but said his amendment included reductions of approximately $245,000 that would bring the residential property tax rate to 32.50 and the commercial/industrial/apartment tax rate to 39.00.
Councilmember Adams said that the ARPA recalibration has the potential to unlock funding and when that occurs he will reflect on this evening when we could have lowered taxes.
The straw poll vote was to provide staff direction for how to proceed.
WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS
A. Discussion on the mandatory referral plans for Leonardtown redevelopment.
Ms. Bader, Director of Planning, introduced this item. She said the University of Maryland (UMD) was requesting a Mandatory Referral Review to redevelop a former undergraduate housing development known as Leonardtown and an existing parking lot into new graduate housing. She explained the Mandatory Referral Review as a process implemented for all federal, state, and local government projects, which are tax exempt entities. The property is adjacent to the Old Town College Park Historic District, and the Local Advisory Committee (LAC) approved the request with two recommendations which were also included in the City staff recommendations:
- Consider redesigning the south facade by visually breaking up the massing to reduce the effect of the monolithic street wall; and increase accessibility by allowing pedestrian pass-throughs at ground level, such as through the courtyards.
- Consider enhancing the landscape buffer on the south side of the project between the parking lots and the residential area of Old Town and incorporate landscape features within the parking lots themselves; include trees and shrubs as a landscape buffer along Norwich Road and trees along Graduate Row and Campus Drive to soften the building’s appearance; and retain the existing trees on the site wherever possible.
Ms. Bader said the connection of Rhode Island Ave is not part of this review but may be reconsidered at a later date.
Councilmember Rigg asked about the definition of the referral review. Ms. Bader explained the County cannot regulate the State because UMD is exempt from zoning. Mr. Riggs asked if this item would come before Council again (It will not.).
Councilmember Hew asked if the slated parking would be enough. Mr. Maginnis assured Mr. Hew UMD has enough parking to accommodate the residents of this new development, as many of them will not have vehicles and the property is close to Metro.
Mr. Ed Maginnis said UMD has over 10,000 graduate students and currently has only 750 beds. This development is an opportunity to more than double graduate housing. It is an opportunity to provide quality, below-market-rate housing for students.
Greg Reese – Mosaic Development Partners, a Philadelphia-based company, was selected by UMD through an RFP process. Leonardtown buildings were in bad condition. The new development will provide a high-quality experience with a big statement building. They met with the leaders of the graduate student association who expressed their excitement about it.
Jordan Goldstein – Co-CEO of Gensler. An alum and former Leonardtown resident. He hopes to build connectivity between this development and UMD.
Councilmember Adams thanked the developers for their work and the focus on student housing. He asked about stormwater management and whether a traffic study had been done. Mr. Goldstein said the building would be LEED Silver. Mr. Reese said a preliminary traffic study was done and then explained the time constraint as the project is to be completed by 2026. Adams spoke of the possibilities of delivery and rideshare vehicles impeding traffic on Campus Drive. The developer spoke about the creation of a roundabout. Adams inquired about Princeton to Yale, which is currently pedestrian traffic only, and asked if there has been discussion about opening up the roadways to vehicular traffic. Ed Maginnis said he would like that to happen.
Councilmember Rigg said he was skeptical about cut-through traffic concerns. He inquired about drop-offs and for consideration of lane for drops offs. Mr. Goldstein said that the Purple line presents a challenge for flow.
Mr. Maginnis shared the address – 4646 Graduate Way.
Councilmember Rigg asked about pedestrian streetlights. Mr. Goldstein said that they are working to find the right lighting balance. Rigg also asked about the surface parking lot. Maginnis said UMD’s master plan includes a future parking garage at the site.
SGA Liaison Mironi asked about access to the building. Mr. Reese said that the majority of the building will be accessible by key fob.
Major Kabir asked about affordability. (Maginnis – The majority of the units are studios expected to start at $1,300/month.)
Councilmember Hew asked the developer to consider spectrum lighting. He also asked if the parking lot would be permeable (it will not). He expressed concern about parking issues in Old Town. Hew suggested development of pollinator and a permaculture garden as part of the landscape.
Councilmember Mackie asked about including a playground. Mr. Maginnis said the Graduate Hills community is set up for families. Given its format, this development will be harder to gear toward families. Mackie asked about guest parking. Maginnis said logically there should be guest parking. Councilmember Mackie also suggested the use of solar panels.
Councilmember Esters asked about the square footage of the units. Mr. Reese said there would be studio apartments and 5-bedroom units. There was focus on ensuring bathroom parity.
Councilmember Hernandez asked if the developers would make payment in lieu of taxes. Their tax-exempt status was reiterated. Hernandez asked about the impound lot. Mr. Maginnis said it would be moved. Hernandez suggested that emergency blue lights be added. He asked about scooter hubs for the building and mentioned his appreciation for the common space.
Councilmember Whitney asked if the building would offer 8-month or 1-year leases. Mr. Maginnis said the building will be owned by MEDCO and the leases are currently 12 months. He said he would inquire about 2-year leases, saying that makes sense.
SGA Liaison Sprinkle said students appreciate the new development. He asked about the future of the Leonardtown community Center. Mr. Maginnis said the community center will not be removed. Spring asked whether the number of proposed parking spaces was necessary, saying less parking might allow for more community space.
B. Discussion on utilizing the Safe Streets and Roadways for All Grant and the City’s strategy upon award – Rakhmel Rafi, Grants Coordinator
Mr. Rafi introduced the initiative, saying that College Park has become a more pedestrian and bike-friendly community. The federal grant from the US Department of Transportation is offered in two phases, planning/demonstration, and implementation.
City staff have identified 19 locations where demonstration funding can be used. Roadway safety alterations can be made that include speed reduction markings, roundabouts, lane narrowing, wrong-way prevention, directing traffic, and pedestrian refuge Islands. The city is looking for a project total of $675,000, which will require a matching contribution of $135,000.
C. Revitalization Tax Credit – proposed application and ordinance – Michael Williams, Director of Economic Development.
Mr. Williams said he was happy to guide us on projects we want to attract to the city. In some areas, we will need to be more aggressive. The updated application was in response to requests for additional information from those seeking revitalization tax credits.
Councilmembers asked about provisions for limiting rent increases by the Consumer Price Index (CPI); why completed projects would be incentives (they’re not – the question is for information gathering); the inclusion of condos for seniors, not just rentals; including a level 1 criteria for purpose-built senior housing, listing a maker space as a public-benefit use, daycare for children, adults, and trainings other than a college degree; protecting trees on site; and a suggestion that we not constrain what is eligible for grants.
COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR, COUNCIL, STUDENT LIAISON OR CITY MANAGER
Councilmember Rigg mentioned the recent Four Cities discussion on Pepco’s street lighting program. Upfront cost, but long-term benefit. It would not be economical for the city to go into the streetlighting business alone.
Councilmember Mackie said she and Councilmember Rigg attended the last CMAST of the semester. Lots of things happening on campus, including graduation and an incentive for repurposing moveout items. She mentioned the nice Arbor Day event in District 3.
Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell- Thanked Councilmembers Hew, Mackie, and Rigg for attending the CMAST meeting. She said she will continue the discussion about the need for a North County animal shelter. She said the county is having discussions about tax differentials, and College Park may be able to get additional money.
Councilmember Hew said the Month of May is Asian Pacific Islander Month.
Councilmember Hernandez announced that the NCPCA meeting will be Thursday, May 9. He invited residents to attend Friday Night Live, on Friday, May 10.
SGA Liaison Mirani wished UMD students’ good luck on finals. He also encouraged people to vote.
MEETING ADJOURNED
Click here to see the full agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on May 14, 2024. Tune in, show up or share your thoughts/concerns about the following anticipated 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
- Approval of City comments on the Mandatory Referral for the Leonardtown graduate student housing redevelopment.
- Approval of a letter to the Department of Transportation supporting our grant request and approval to submit the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation, including the allocation of the required twenty percent cost-share match of $135,000.00 from the City’s budget for FY26 if the grant is awarded.
- Approval of support for UMD Bikeways Grant Application.
WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS
A. Discussion of reducing the number of Campaign Yard Signs in City elections
The College Park District 2 Digest 