Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting of the College Park City Council Tuesday, March 8, 2016 Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. – 9:40 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Brennan, Stullich (arrived at 7:35 p.m.), Day, Cook and Kujawa. ABSENT: Councilmember Dennis ALSO PRESENT: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Randall Toussaint, Economic Development Coordinator; Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services; Jim Miller, Parking Enforcement Manager; Cole Holocker, Student Liaison; Adler Pruitt, Deputy Student Liaison. Mayor Wojahn opened the Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m. Councilmember Day led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes: A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Day to approve the minutes of the February 23, 2016 Regular Meeting. The motion passed 6 – 0 – 0. Announcements: Councilmember Brennan has organized a community clean up in Berwyn and Lakeland on Saturday. Meet at Jack Perry Plaza at 8:30 a.m. Councilmember Kabir said the North College Park Civic Association would hold their monthly meeting on Thursday at Davis Hall. Amendments To And Approval Of The Agenda: (Kabir) Add 16-G-33 – Request for letter of support from College Park Aviation Museum for grant application for new wayfinding signs (to consent). Approval of agenda as amended: Motion by Brennan, seconded by Day, approved 6 – 0 – 0. City Manager’s Report: Mr. Somers announced the Spring Egg Hunt and Brunch with the Bunny events. Good Neighbor Day is Saturday April 2 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Student Liaison’s Report: Mr. Holocker updated Council on the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership Act of 2016. He discussed the public safety incident that occurred in Old Town over the weekend and reminded the community of the importance of “see something, say something.” The recruitment process for the next Student Liaison has begun. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2016 Page 2 Comments From The Audience on Non-Agenda Items: David Dorsch, 4607 Calvert Road: 1) He remarked on the yellow caution tape on US 1 in front of Bentley’s and the Cornerstone which he believes the police department puts up to keep pedestrians from falling into traffic. He has long advocated for a pipe rail to be installed. 2) Recycling: The City should provide stickers on top of the City-supplied recycling containers to show exactly what is allowed in the recycling bins. Meaghan Mahoney, Executive Director, University of Maryland Relay for Life: Announced the University of Maryland Relay for Life to be held on Saturday, April 16, 3 p.m. – 3 a.m. (12 hour event), part of the Collegiate Sector of the American Cancer Society. PRESENTATIONS: Economic Development Coordinator Randall Toussaint presented the annual economic development report. CONSENT AGENDA: Ms. Cook disclosed that the applicants for item 16-R-02 are her neighbors and she is not profiting in any way from this item. A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Day to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following: 16-R-02 Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park, Maryland Adopting The Recommendations Of The Advisory Planning Commission Regarding Variance Application Number CPV-2016-01, 4711 Kiernan Road, College Park, Maryland, Recommending Approval Of Variances From The Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance: Section 27- 442(C), Table II, Prescribing Maximum Lot Coverage 16-G-27 Award of a fireworks contract in generally the form attached subject to approval of the City Attorney to Fireworks Extravaganza of Rochelle Park, New Jersey, for a fireworks show for July 4, 2016, with options for 2017 and 2018, for $18,000 per year, and authorize the City Manager to sign. (Because this is a sole source contract it requires a super majority vote.) 16-G-28 Motion to support an application for the transfer of a Class D, Beer and Wine License for the use of Akaras, Inc., t/a District 3 Social, for 7131 Baltimore Avenue, subject to the applicant entering into a Property Use Agreement with the City in substantially the form attached, authorization for staff to testify at the BOLC hearing, and for the City Manager to sign the PUA. 16-G-29 Motion to support the City’s participation in the University of Maryland’s Bitcamp Hackathon on April 8-10, 2016 for purposes of developing an app that will serve College Park residents, and authorization to spend $1,000 for this purpose. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2016 Page 3 16-G-33 Approval of a Letter of support for the College Park Aviation Museum’s grant application The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. ACTION ITEMS: 16-G-30 Amendments to the residential permit parking parameters in the 5100 and 5200 blocks of Mineola Road A motion was made by Councilmember Kabir and seconded by Councilmember Nagle to amend the requirements of the residential permit restricted parking districts approved for the 5100 block and 5200 block of Mineola Road to authorize up to three parking permits per house, and two visitor permits per house, with the exception that the current owners of a house that does not have a driveway may apply for up to four parking permits. Subsequent owners of houses without driveways will be limited to three parking permits. Councilmember Kabir stated that on October 27, 2015, the Council approved a permit parking district for the 5200 block of Mineola Road that allowed two parking and two visitor permits per house. On November 24, 2015, a second parking district was approved for the 5100 block of Mineola Road that authorized the same number of permits. After receiving public comment expressing concerns that the number of parking permits allowed was not sufficient for the residents and then discussion of the issue at a public meeting on March 1, 2016, the Council now believes that the number of parking permits allowed per residence should be increased from two to three, with the number of visitor permits to remain at two. Further, residences that currently do not have a driveway may apply for up to four parking permits. This exception only applies to the current owners of those residences. The parking restrictions will continue to apply 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Comments from the audience: Anne Stebbing, 5202 Mineola Road: Can the restriction that visitor passes must be used within 200 feet of your house be waived? (No). What about motorcycles – where is the sticker put? (Registered by license). Can a visitor pass be used by her husband? (No, they are for visitors). What happens when you sell the house (The new owners do not get the special exception of 4 permits). Arelis A. Perez, 5101 Mineola Road: Is opposed to anything more than three permits per house without a driveway because it is going to over-burden Mineola. Councilmember Kabir recommended that neighbors park in their driveways when possible and not waste space on the street. He believes this is the best solution. Councilmember Nagle reminded residents that staff will begin to enforce the visitors’ passes now, and is hopeful that this solution will work. Councilmember Cook asked what residents can do if the situation does not improve. Councilmember Kabir said we can always change it. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2016 Page 4 The motion passed 6 – 0 – 1 (Councilmember Day abstained). 16-R-04 Adoption Of A Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Maryland Welcoming Refugees A motion was made by Councilmember Nagle and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to adopt 16-R-04, A Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park, Maryland Welcoming Refugees Councilmember Nagle said College Park is a diverse community; many of our neighbors are immigrants. By adopting this resolution we send the message that our current and future neighbors that we support and welcome them to College Park. Comments from the audience: Rev. Carol Jablonski, 10203 Baltimore Avenue, Apt. 6202, Rector, St. Andrews Church: Spoke in support of the Resolution. Her church has long been involved in the resettlement of refugees fleeing for their lives. Jeanne Jennings, 4617 Clemson Road: Spoke in support of the Resolution. It breaks her heart to see the plight of Syrian refugees. Don Jennings, 4617 Clemson Road: Spoke in support of the Resolution, not only for Syrian refugees, but also more generally. Hena Zuberi, 9701 51st Place: Spoke in support of the Resolution. She has been actively involved with the Syrian refugees that have come to Maryland through the International Rescue Commission. Boushra Al-Farouth, 5116 Kenesaw Street: She told the story of how she and her family left their home in Syria in 2013 and came to College Park. Jackie Pearce-Garrett, 9746 Wichita Avenue: Spoke in support of the Resolution. She began an on-line petition in opposition to statements made by Gov. Hogan to suspend or halt resettlement of refugees. Mark Garrett, 10113 51st Avenue, Pastor, College Park Church of the Nazarene: Spoke in support of the Resolution. His church sponsors refugees. The congregation disagrees with Gov. Hogan’s statements; he submitted a copy of their letter to Gov. Hogan. Sr. Janet Stolba, Religious Order of Jesus and Mary, 4602 Clemson: Spoke in support of the Resolution. Her community works in Syria and she can’t imagine not welcoming refugees to the City. Kate Kennedy, 9730 51st Avenue: Spoke in support of the Resolution. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2016 Page 5 Adil Faisal, 6100 Westchester Park: Spoke in support of the Resolution. This country is made of refugees; they will strengthen the community. Nick Brennan, 8321 Potomac Avenue: Spoke in support of the Resolution. It does not direct the City to expend funds or take specific actions; it positions the City as a welcoming, inclusive City for all. Todd Larsen, 8711 Rhode Island Avenue: Spoke in support of the Resolution and discussed the rigorous screening process for refugees. Elaine Grant, 8711 Rhode Island Avenue: Spoke in support of the Resolution and provided statistics regarding the impact refugees have on the economy of a community. Eric Grims, 4804 Iroquois Street: Spoke in support of the Resolution. He thinks objections come from a place of fear. Councilmember Brennan spoke in support of this Resolution. All residents should feel welcome here. Councilmember Kabir spoke in support of this Resolution. He discussed his personal journey as an immigrant and said this country was a welcoming place. Councilmember Stullich spoke in support of this Resolution and said we are rich with the opportunity to be in this country where we are safe from the kinds of conflicts that other countries experience. Councilmember Cook welcomed the refugee family in Arabic. Councilmember Day supports this Resolution and said it’s sad that we have to do this because this is who we are. Mayor Wojahn also spoke in support of this Resolution, saying it is unfortunate that making this statement should be controversial and he is heartened by the support he sees tonight. The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. 16-G-31 Letter in support of SB 1129 – Prince George’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Special Hotel and Special Hotel Concessionaire Licenses A motion was made by Councilmember Stullich and seconded by Councilmember Day to authorize the Mayor to sign correspondence on behalf of the City Council in support of Senate Bill 1129, Prince George’s County – Alcoholic Beverages – Special Hotel and Special Hotel Concessionaire Licenses. Councilmember Stullich said Senate Bill 1129 creates a special hotel beer, wine, and liquor license for hotels meeting certain standards, and a special hotel concessionaire license for the restaurants in the hotel. The standards include at least 250 rooms, two or more restaurants, College Park City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2016 Page 6 15,000 square feet of conference room space, and 400 spaces in a parking garage. This bill will enable patrons of these facilities to consume drinks throughout the entire facility, and provide changes that are appropriate and common in conference center hotel facilities. At this time, the only hotel in College Park that would qualify is The Hotel at the University of Maryland, which will be providing first-class amenities. The Hotel’s success is very important to the City’s goal of creating a vibrant downtown. There were no comments from the audience or the Council. The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. 16-G-32 Appointments to Boards and Committees A motion was made by Councilmember Kabir and seconded by Councilmember Stullich to appoint Councilmember Nagle as the City’s representative to the Inter-Municipal Bikeways Working Group and to reappoint Frank Rose and Robert Thurston to the Ethics Commission. The motion carried 7 – 0 – 0. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilmember Kujawa discussed the Recreation Board’s Rock & Roll Concert that was held on Saturday. Councilmember Cook discussed the College Park Woods Neighborhood Watch meeting that was held last week. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Day to adjourn the meeting, and with a vote of 7 – 0 – 0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m. ____________________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved Pursuant to §C6-3 of the College Park City Charter, at 9:32 p.m. on March 1, 2016, a motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to enter into a Closed Session to 1) consult with Counsel on a legal matter, 2) discuss a negotiating strategy before a contract is awarded, and 3) consider matters relating to the acquisition or sale of real property for a public purpose. The motion passed 8 – 0 – 0 and the Council entered into the closed session at 9:39 p.m. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2016 Page 7 Present: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Brennan, Dennis, Stullich, Day, Cook and Kujawa. Absent: None. Also Present: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Planning Director Terry Schum; and Student Liaison Cole Holocker. Topics Discussed: 1) The City Attorney provided a legal opinion to the City Council about a possible change to the City Charter; 2) The City Attorney discussed an amendment to a development agreement that had been requested by a developer. Actions Taken: None. Adjourn: A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Day to adjourn the closed session, and at 10:26 p.m. with a vote of 8 – 0 – 0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the meeting.