Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting of the College Park City Council Tuesday, September 22, 2015 Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. – 8:21 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Fellows; Councilmembers Kabir, Wojahn, Brennan, Dennis, Day, Hew and Mitchell. ABSENT: Councilmember Stullich ALSO PRESENT: Bill Gardiner, Acting City Manager; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services; Bob Stumpff, Director of Public Works; Randall Toussaint, Economic Development Coordinator; Cole Holocker, Student Liaison; Adler Pruitt, Deputy Student Liaison. Mayor Fellows opened the Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m. Councilmember Wojahn led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes: A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Day to adopt the transcript in lieu of minutes of the August 11, 2015 Oral Argument in Case CPD-2014-01 re: 4618 College Avenue; the minutes of the Special Session on September 1, 2015, the Public Hearing on Ordinance 15-O-04 held on September 8, 2015 and the Regular Meeting on September 8, 2015. Mayor Fellows noted a correction needed on the transcript to correct the spelling of the name “Schnabel”. The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. Announcements: Councilmember Mitchell discussed her participation in the Lakeland Community Heritage Project weekend events. Councilmember Day attended the press event for the new coffee/wine bar that is opening at the location where the College Park Auto Parts store is located on Route 1. He said it will be a great gateway establishment and should open by next August. Councilmember Dennis was on the planning committee for the Lakeland Community Heritage Project events and thanked the volunteers who helped. Councilmember Brennan reported on the successful “Third Thirsty Thursdays” event for the Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee promoting homeownership in the City. He also announced that he recently graduated from the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance. Councilmember Wojahn discussed his participation in the Lakeland Community Heritage Project weekend, and the upcoming College Park Day event. Councilmember Kabir said the Lions Club is hosting a blood drive on Monday, September 28 at the College Park United Methodist Church. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 22, 2015 Page 2 Councilmember Hew said there is a dance at the Aviation Museum on Saturday after College Park Day. Amendments to the Agenda: Councilmember Day said we will be removing item 15-G-103 from the agenda. City Manager’s Report: Acting City Manager Bill Gardiner discussed College Park Day and said the list of candidates in the November 3 City election is posted on the website. Terry Schum introduced the new Economic Development Coordinator, Randall Toussaint. Student Liaison’s Report: Mr. Holocker reported on the implementation of alcohol sales at the stadium. The revenue from increased sales has funded alternative events on campus on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Comments From The Audience on Non-Agenda Items: James Mulholland, 7411 Columbia Avenue, with Phi Kappa Psi: He discussed the community outreach that his fraternity is involved in. They helped a great number of people last year and hope to partner with the IFC and PHA. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Day to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consists of the following item: 15-G-102 Award of contract for two replacement trash trucks from Heil Environment in an amount not to exceed $551,768 to be funded from Master Lease #3 effective January 2016, subject to contract review and approval by the City Attorney. The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. ACTION ITEMS: 15-R-18 Adoption of 15-R-18, a Resolution of the Mayor and Council in Case CPD- 2014-01 re: 4618 College Avenue A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to adopt Resolution 15-R-18, A Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park, Maryland Adopting The Recommendations Of The Advisory Planning Commission Regarding Departure Number CPD-2014-01, 4618 College Avenue, College Park, Maryland, Recommending, With Conditions, A Departure Of 11.4 -Feet From The Required 22-Foot Driveway Width. Ms. Ferguson confirmed that we have received a copy of the recorded joint driveway agreement amendment, and that the applicant has met all of the conditions. There were no comments from the audience or the Council. The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 22, 2015 Page 3 15-G-104 Approval of an Agreement with Election Systems & Software, LLC (ES&S) for Electronic Voting Machines and associated costs in the November 3 elections A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Day that the City Council approve an Agreement with Election Systems & Software, LLC of Omaha, Nebraska for one-time rental of equipment, sale of services and license of software, for electronic voting machines for use in the November 3, 2015 City elections, in an amount not to exceed $15,000, subject to approval of the Agreement by the City Attorney. The City Manager is authorized to sign the approved Agreement. Councilmember Dennis said that City elections will be held on November 3. For the first time in many years, every district and the Mayoral race will be contested. Because of the number of names that will appear on the ballot, and the highly likely increase in voter turnout due to the number of candidates, the Board of Election Supervisors has recommended that we use electronic voting machines for this election. The paper ballot/hand count method that has been used in previous elections is time-consuming and subject to human error on election night, at the end of a long day at the polls. The Board of Elections has not faced this situation in many years, thus their request to use electronic machines for this election. The system that we will use involves a paper ballot that is scanned into an optical reader. This is the same company that the state of Maryland will use for the 2016 elections. The Board of Election Supervisors will receive training on the equipment prior to the election, and a technician from ES&S will be available on Election Day for any needed support. Comments from the audience: Jack Robson, Chief, Board of Election Supervisors: Mr. Robson said this is the first time in over 20 years that we have had competition for Mayor and all City districts, so they expect more voters. It would be a long night if they have to hand count the ballots. Councilmember Kabir requested that we post information about the new voting method on the website. Councilmember Wojahn asked about accommodations for visually impaired voters. Mr. Robson said that although he hasn’t had any complaints, he would investigate the cost of such equipment. Councilmember Dennis urged us to make all possible efforts to get information out about the new voting method. The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. 15-G-105 Appointments to Boards and Committees A motion was made by Councilmember Hew and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to appoint Drew Hogg as the Graduate Student Government representative to the Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee. The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 22, 2015 Page 4 COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilmember Wojahn thanked everyone who attended last night’s Live Smart Eat Local event. Mayor Fellows said this is the first time in a while that he has not filed to run for office but he is pleased with the number of people who are running. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to adjourn from the Regular Meeting. Mayor Fellows stated that the Council would now be meeting in a Worksession. With a vote of 7 – 0 – 0, Mayor Fellows adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:21 p.m. ____________________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved