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 January 7, 2025. By going to this link, you can 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 offered thanks for the recognition of the work done by the Department of Public Works (DPW) for the recent snow event. He asked that residents be careful of black ice and moving throughout the city. He mentioned the need for those who live by cul-de-sacs to work on parking fewer cars and not parking near fire hydrants. Cars could have been towed, but the city did not do so due to the inclement weather. Mr. Young thanked Councilmember Adams for his service and consultancy, at times. He wished him and his family well. 

Councilmember Rigg said he had elections on the mind and acknowledged the upcoming special election for County Executive. He asked if the city was considering the use of City Hall versus Ritchie Coliseum. Mr. Young said details have been worked out and the Community Room in City Hall would be used. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

Former District 2 Councilmember Monroe Dennis.

PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute  

National Human Trafficking Prevention Awareness Month  

AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 

Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell to approve the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Rigg. 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS 

Arelis Perez, resident – coordinates special projects for Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) and on behalf of the organization, she authored an email appropriate for tonight. She thanked members of the community and the #740 Boy scout troop. She said she was in awe of all her Councilmembers. She specifically acknowledged Councilmembers Esters, Whitney, Rigg, Hew and Mackie for their assistance. She said NHN serves residents who are fifty-five and over. She said during the recent weather event twenty-five homes were served. She mentioned a listing of residents in need of assistance for the upcoming snow event. 

CONSENT AGENDA

25-G-01 Approval of an agreement with LA Perez Consulting, LLC. Kenny Young, City Manager  

25-R-01 Adoption of Resolution 25-R-01 designating a resident agent for the city. Yvette Allen, City Clerk

25-G-02 Consideration of staff recommendation to install a stop sign on Erie Street at Rhode Island Avenue East Service Road Steve Halpern, City Engineer and Jacob Vassalotti, GIS Coordinator  

25-G-03 Approval of Minutes

Motion to adopt the Consent Agenda by Councilmember Esters, seconded by Councilmember Hernandez.     

ACTION ITEMS: 

25-CR-01 Introduction of Charter Resolution 25-CR-01, Special Election, Stephanie Anderson, City Attorney and Yvette Allen, City Clerk  

City Attorney, Stephaine Anderson expressed her pleasure in working with Councilmember Adams and wished him well.  She introduced the item and explained the current City Charter requires a Special Election to be held within 65 days if the end of the term for the Mayor or Councilmember is greater than 180 days from the next election. She said the Council could consider amending it such that if the vacancy occurs more that 365/366 days before the next general elections the vacancy shall be filled by special election and if the vacancy occurs fewer than 365/366 days prior to the general election, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the Mayor and Council by majority vote, within 30 day after the vacancy occurred.  

Councilmember Rigg asked about the cost of a special election and whether it included salaries. Mr. Young said the estimates did not include Board of Elections salaries or staff time. City Clerk Ms. Allen said the costs included the material used during election day. 

Councilmember Whitney said as written the change did not reflect previous Council discussion and she would not support as currently written. She said Council had discussed having the option to either hold a special election or appoint if the vacancy occurred fewer than 365/366 days before the next election.

Councilmember Mackie asked if there was any reason the language did not reflect what was discussed. Ms. Anderson said there was no particular reason beyond a misunderstanding as to Council’s discussion. She did not feel there would be an impediment to changing the language. 

Councilmember Hernandez suggested an amendment to reduce the number of days to 180 instead of 365/366. 

Ms. Allen referenced C36-3 which states the requirements for candidates running in a special election. 

Councilmember Adams said there are numerous factors that may result in the need for a special election or appointment. 

Councilmember Esters agreed on the benefits of allowing the Council flexibility to decide on a special election or appointment. She said that if the Council decides to make an appointment, she hoped members of the community would entrust the Council to make that decision. 

Councilmember Hew agreed on having the flexibility and mentioned the costs associated with running a campaign and having to do so again within one year. 

Councilmember Hernandez asked for consideration of ways to allow for resident input. 

Councilmember Hew pointed out that during the appointment process, 9 people applied, and 5 of them chose to run in the trailing election. He said it made for a healthier election. 

Councilmember Whitney made a motion with amended language, seconded by Councilmembers Esters.

Councilmember Whitney introduced the motion as amended, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell. 

WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS  

25-G-04 Discuss and approve the proposal for the Special Election to fill the District 3 Council Vacancy  

Susan Huemmrich, Chair of the Board of Election (BOE) Supervisors introduced the item and said due to the short time period the BOE is recommending the following:

• Mailing a ballot to every District 3 registered voter
• Holding one in-person Special Election Day in the Community Room of City Hall on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, from 8am – 8pm 
• Official Canvass to be conducted March 12-14, 2025

The recommendations would allow for the installation of the new Councilmember on March 25, 2025.

Councilmember Adams said the timeline works to ensure representation for the upcoming budge session. He asked about voter registration. Ms. Huemmrich said candidates would need to submit signatures and other required documents by February 5, and voter registration would be closed by February 20 for residents to vote.  

Councilmember Rigg asked how the BOES is determining who would receive a ballot. Ms. Huemmrich said they would be sent to all residents in District 3. Councilmember Rigg asked if there had been any consideration of coordinating with the special election for County Executive. Ms. Huemmrich said they would be handled separately so as not to confuse voters. 

Councilmember Rigg said there are many transient residents who live in District 3 and asked if there are any concerns about sending ballots without applications. 

Ms. Allen suggested the city send ballots to every active voter. She said she reached out to the County, and they need to push the button on removing inactive voters from the rolls. 

Councilmember Rigg asked about having multiple drops boxes. Ms. Huemmrich said it would be easier to have one drop box, but it would not be an issue to offer more. 

Councilmember Mackie suggested that when information is mailed to every household that residents be informed they can request a ballot. 

Councilmember Esters asked if there were any time constraints to consider if individuals are offered to request ballots versus sending ballots. Ms. Allen said there would not be any time constraints. 

Councilmember Whitney agreed with Mackie regarding the information about the request for ballot. 

Councilmember Adams agreed with Councilmember Mackie and Councilmember Whitney. 

Councilmember Rigg made an amended motion to send applications to each household. 

25-G-05 Annual Proclamation List 21-R-15/15-R-13  

Councilmember Hew mentioned a past proclamation to the American Legion he shared with Councilmembers that he would like to add. 

Councilmember Whitney said she would like to send a proclamation for National First Responders Day and recognize the many volunteers working as first responders in the city, state, and across the country. She also asked about clarity on a previous One College Park resolution. Mayor Pro Tem indicated that resolution was done in response to the George Floyd incident.

Mayor Kabir said we can always add resolutions during the year.

Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell asked to add a proclamation for Mental Healthcare in May and National Foster Care Month. 

Councilmember Mackie asked to add a proclamation for Autism Awareness Month in April. 

Councilmember Hernandez asked to add proclamations for Hostage and Wrongful Detainees Day on March 9 and National Veterans and Military Family Month in November. 

Councilmember Esters asked that we review for any overlaps and determine where we may add/revise language for existing proclamations. 

Review of Council Rules and Procedures  

Councilmember Hernandez said he did not want to make any changes but wanted to remind us of the positions we hold and how we should conduct ourselves. 

Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell suggested that we consider discussing Council Rules and Procedures during our upcoming advance. Mr. Young said staff is working on the agenda. 

Councilmember Mackie asked Ms. Anderson if residents could see the red folder items. Ms. Allen said the red folders items are posted after the council meeting along with the video.  

REQUESTS FOR / STATUS OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 

Councilmember Adams referenced the topics he included in his resignation letter.  

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

Councilmember Rigg said he would be out of town next week and would not be in attendance for the January 14 Council meeting. 

Councilmember Adams said College Park has one of the top earning companies in the state. IonQ is an $11 billion company dealing in quantum computing. He thanked everyone and said he looked forward to seeing them in March and helping the new councilmember to succeed. 

Councilmember Mackie encouraged residents to join the city’s curbside food waste program. 

Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell said that she, Mayor Kabir, and Councilmember Hew attended a recent Firehouse meeting. She said the upcoming meeting of the Prince George’s County Municipal Association (PGCMA) would include a discussion on land use authority. 

Mayor Kabir said he recently attended a meeting in Brentwood about issues to take to County Executive candidates. 

Councilmember Esters encouraged residents to take advantage of the upcoming programs to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 20, including the collection of food items all month long to benefit the College Park Food Bank. 

Councilmember Whitney acknowledged Lakeland Civic Association (LCA) members who helped residents during the recent snow event and encouraged residents to join Neighbors Helping Neighbors. 

Councilmember Hew mentioned the Firefighters joint meeting in Brentwood. He encouraged council colleagues to take the Firefighter 101 that provided insight. He reminded residents of the pending snow event and asked them to let their councilmembers know if they need assistance. 

Councilmember Hernandez said he spoke with the organizer of the firefighter event and said he wants this issue to be a priority. 

City Manager Mr. Young thanked residents and encouraged them to stay safe, warm, and careful. 

MEETING ADJOURNED

Click here to see the full agenda for the City of College Park Mayor & Council Hybrid Meeting on January 14, 2025. 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:

Request to approval the continued purchase and installation of License Plate Recognition Technology to include a 4-year extended warranty

Approval of the Property Use Agreement (PUA) for a Class B Beer, Wine, and Liquor License for the use of InfinityFlow Ventures LLC t/a Jerk at Nite College Park

Worksession Discussions:

Review advisory board annual reports and workplans
Review Open Meeting Software