Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Special Session of the College Park City Council Tuesday, March 21, 2017 Council Chambers 10:19 p.m. – 10:21 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Brennan, Dennis, Stullich, Day, Kujawa and Cook. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services; Brandon Carroll, Deputy Student Liaison. During a regularly scheduled Worksession of the College Park City Council, a motion was made by Councilmember Stullich and seconded by Councilmember Kabir to enter into a Special Session. The possibility of the Special Session was advertised on the Worksession agenda. The motion carried 8 – 0 – 0 and the Council entered into Special Session at 10:19 p.m. ACTION ITEM 17-G-43 Approval of a License Agreement for a Community Garden in north College Park Ms. Ferguson gave an overview: Agreement has been reached with Mr. Shaban to use his property in north College Park for a community garden. This license agreement sets out the terms: there is no fee to use the property but the City will pay the water bill and his attorney’s fees to review the license agreement. We are not installing a permanent fence. Funding will be needed since expenses associated with this garden were not budgeted. A motion was made by Councilmember Kabir and seconded by Councilmember Nagle to approve the license agreement in substantially the form attached for a community garden in north College Park. There were no comments from the audience or the Council. The motion passed 8 – 0 – 0. 17-G-44 Opposition to SB 705, Award of Attorney's Fees and Expenses - Violation of Maryland Constitutional Right Mr. Gardiner reviewed the staff report: This bill would allow a court to award a prevailing plaintiff reasonable attorney's fees and expenses if a violation of a Maryland constitutional right is found. Both MML and MACO are opposing this bill because it could encourage litigation if it passes. If we want to take a position, we would need to do so tonight. A motion was made by Councilmember Stullich and seconded by Councilmember Day that the City Council oppose SB 705, “Award of Attorney’s Fees and Expenses—Violation of Maryland Constitutional Right,” and authorize the Mayor or staff to communicate the City’s opposition to Sen. Rosapepe by the deadline tomorrow morning. There were no comments from the audience or the Council. The motion passed 8 – 0 – 0. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Stullich to exit the Special Session and with a vote of 8 – 0 – 0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the Special Session at 10:21 p.m. ____________________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved