Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting of the College Park City Council Tuesday, September 27, 2016 Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. – 8:47 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Dennis, Day, Kujawa and Cook. ABSENT: Councilmembers Stullich and Brennan. ALSO PRESENT: Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning (City Manager Pro Tem); Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services; Steve Groh, retiring Director of Finance; Gary Fields, incoming Director of Finance; Ryna Quiñones, Communication Coordinator; Jim Miller, Parking Enforcement Manager; Chris Keosian, Student Liaison and Brandon Carroll, Deputy Student Liaison. Mayor Wojahn opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Announcements: None. City Manager’s Report: Ms. Schum reported that the City Manager and Assistant City Manager are attending the ICMA Conference. She called attention to the red folder items. She announced tomorrow’s grand opening of the City’s “Senior Social Center” at Youth and Family Services; events will be held Wednesday and Friday mornings. All-day parking passes for the City Hall lot and parking garage will be available for $15 for this Saturday’s UMD Homecoming weekend/Big Ten game. SHA’s “Walk Smart College Park” safety team will also be downtown this weekend. Mr. Groh, who is soon to retire as the City’s Finance Director, introduced his replacement, Gary Fields. Acknowledgements: Mayor Wojahn acknowledged School Board Representative Lupi Grady, Principal Cecelia Jones-Bowlding of Glenarden Woods Elementary School, and Branchville Fire Department Captain Jeff Dickey. Award: Mayor Wojahn presented a proclamation and flowers to Renita Smith, the Prince George’s County Bus Driver who rescued 20 elementary school children from her school bus just before it burst into flames in north College Park. Amendments To And Approval Of The Agenda: Request for City participation in the Purple Light Nights Campaign (item 16-G-122) was added to the Consent Agenda (Day/Dennis). The amended agenda was approved (Dennis/Day) 6 – 0 – 0. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS: None. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 27, 2016 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 16-O-07: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 110 “Fees And Penalties”, By Repealing And Reenacting §110-1 “Fees And Interests” To Increase The Monthly Permit Parking Fee In The Downtown Parking Garage And To Include Bi-Annual Permit Parking Fees And Monthly Permit Parking Fees: Mr. Ryan provided an overview: This ordinance would amend Chapter 110 to raise the monthly permit parking fee in the downtown parking garage from $80 to $125 effective January 1. It would also set Class A permits at $40/month (St. Andrews lot and Calvert Road lot) and Class B permits at $60/month (Zone 11, 11A, Knox Road and Hartwick Road). There is no change in the hourly parking fee of $0.75. Public Comment on 16-O-07: Tracey Clayton, 9739 Narragansett Parkway: She is concerned about the impact raising the garage rate to $125 will have on employees of the downtown businesses who make minimum wage. Increasing their monthly permit fee to $125 is unfair and unreasonable. Please consider keeping the rate for the downtown employees the same. There was discussion about how many employees of downtown businesses park in the garage and whether it is possible to create a two-tier pricing structure to accommodate them. The estimate is between 20 – 25 monthly permits in the garage are sold to employees of downtown businesses. There being no further public comment, the Public Hearing on Ordinance 16-O-07 was closed. PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 16-O-08: An Ordinance Amending the FY 2016 Budget (Amendment #3) for the Terrapin Row Pay Stations: Mr. Groh provided an overview: This is a FY 2016 budget amendment (#3) to fund expenses encumbered in June to purchase and install five pay stations around the Terrapin Row development not in the original operating budget. The final cost was $98,281; he rounded up to $100,000. The needed funds will be transferred from FY 2016 unspent police hourly wages. There is no use of unassigned reserve; this is a housekeeping transfer. There were no comments from the audience. The Public Hearing on Ordinance 16-O-08 was closed. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to move adoption of Ordinance 16-O-08 to the Consent Agenda. The motion passed 6 – 0 - 0. A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consists of the following: 16-R-23 Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Adopting The Recommendations Of The Advisory Planning Commission College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 27, 2016 Page 3 Regarding Variance Application Number CPV-2016-08, 5103 Mineola Road, College Park, Maryland, Recommending Approval Of A Variance From Sec. 27-442(E) Table IV, Footnote 8 Of The Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance, Which Prescribes A Minimum Side Yard Setback Of 7-Feet (Appeal period ends September 27) 16-R-24 Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Adopting The Recommendations Of The Advisory Planning Commission Regarding Variance Application Number CPV-2016-10, 4925 Lackawanna Street, College Park, Maryland, Recommending Approval Of A Variance From Sec. 27-442(E) Table IV Of The Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance, Which Prescribes A Minimum Front Yard Setback Of 25 Feet (Appeal period ends September 27) 16-R-26 Request by the College Park City University Partnership for a Resolution of support for $75,000 of reprogrammed funds from DHCD to continue the Homeownership Program 16-G-120 Approval of Minutes: September 6, 2016 Worksession and September 13, 2016 Regular Meeting. 16-O-08 Adoption Of 16-O-08, An Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park to Amend the Fiscal Year 2016 Operating and Capital Budget of the City of College Park, Maryland (Amendment #3) 16-G-122 ADD: Approval of City Participation in the Purple Light Nights Campaign during the month of October. The motion carried 6 – 0 – 0. ACTION ITEMS: 16-R-25 Adoption of 16-R-25, A Resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park to establish a “Candidates’ Debate Workgroup” and appointments to the Workgroup Ms. Miller provided an overview: At the September 6 Worksession Council discussed the City’s role in candidates’ debates in City elections and specifically the use of City resources for such debates. Council directed that a Workgroup be formed to study issues related to candidates’ debates and bring recommendations back to Council. The resolution designates eight resident appointees, plus the City Attorney, City Clerk and Chief of the Board of Election Supervisors as members. Ms. Miller contacted the League of Women Voters and they will be happy to advise the Workgroup. A motion was made by Councilmember Nagle and seconded by Councilmember Kabir to adopt 16-R-25, A Resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park to establish a “Candidates’ Debate Workgroup.” College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 27, 2016 Page 4 Councilmember Cook asked if this would supersede any civic association candidates’ debates. Ms. Ferguson said this Committee is to make recommendations about the use of City resources. The motion passed 6 – 0 – 0. 16-O-07 Adoption Of 16-O-07, An Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park, Amending Chapter 110 “Fees And Penalties”, By Repealing And Reenacting §110-1 “Fees And Interests” To Increase The Monthly Permit Parking Fee In The Downtown Parking Garage And To Include Bi-Annual Permit Parking Fees And Monthly Permit Parking Fees A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Nagle to postpone consideration of Ordinance 16-O-07 until the November Worksession. The motion passed 6 – 0 – 0. 16-G-121 Appointments to Boards and Committees A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Kabir to appoint Dottie Chicquelo, Anita Wolley and Lilla Sutton to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Committee and to appoint Sarah D’Alexander to the Committee for a Better Environment. The motion passed 6 – 0 – 0. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilmember Cook commented on our initiatives to encourage people to move to College Park, but said we should try to find out why our residents are leaving in the first place. Councilmembers Kujawa, Dennis, Nagle, Kabir and Mayor Wojahn commented on the success of College Park Day. Councilmember Day was impressed by his tour of Terrapin Row and said this is the type of development we want to attract. Mayor Wojahn announced the grand opening of the Monument development tomorrow night and also the Branchville Volunteer Fire Department banquet. STUDENT LIAISON COMMENTS: Mr. Keosian said 40 students attended the Clean City event on Sunday. He extended an invitation to the elected officials to speak to the SGA legislature any time. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Day to adjourn into a Worksession as noted on the agenda. The motion carried 6 – 0 – 0 and Mayor Wojahn adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:29 p.m. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 27, 2016 Page 5 ____________________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved Pursuant to §C6-3 of the College Park City Charter, at 10:45 p.m. on September 20, 2016, a motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to enter into a Closed Session to: 1) consider the acquisition or sale of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related to such acquisition or sale, 2) discuss a negotiating strategy before a contract is awarded, 3) consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business to locate in Prince Georges’ County, and 4) discuss a personnel matter. The motion passed 8 – 0 – 0 and the Council entered into the closed session at 10:50 p.m. Present: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Brennan, Dennis, Stullich, Day, Cook and Kujawa. Absent: None. Also Present: Scott Somers, City Manager, attended the entire closed session. Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; and Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney, attended for topic 1. Topics Discussed: 1) A negotiating strategy/approach relative to a proposal for use of a City property was discussed. 2) A performance evaluation was conducted Actions Taken: None. Adjourn: A motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Day to adjourn the closed session, and at 11:55 p.m. with a vote of 8 – 0 – 0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the meeting. ==================================================================== Pursuant to §C6-3 of the College Park City Charter, at 8:47 p.m. on September 27, 2016, a motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Kabir to enter into a Closed Session to consider the acquisition or sale of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related to such acquisition or sale, consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate in Prince George’s County, consult with Counsel on a legal matter, and discuss a negotiating strategy before a contract is awarded. The motion passed 6 – 0 – 0 and the Council entered into the closed session at 8:50 p.m. Present: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Dennis, Day, Cook and Kujawa. Absent: Councilmembers Brennan and Stullich. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 27, 2016 Page 6 Also Present: Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Planning Director; and Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services. Scott Somers, City Manager and Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager participated by telephone. Topic Discussed: Council discussed proposals received in response to an RFP for a development consultant. Recess: The Closed Session was recessed at 9:12 p.m. so Council could enter into an open Special Session for a vote (see Special Session minutes dated September 27, 2016). Reconvene: The Council reconvened the Closed Session at 9:18 p.m. Topic Discussed: A negotiating strategy/approach relative to a proposal for use of a City property was discussed. Actions Taken: None. Adjourn: A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Kabir to adjourn the closed session, and at 10:05 p.m. with a vote of 6 – 0 – 0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the meeting.