Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting of the College Park City Council Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. – 9:20 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Brennan, Dennis, Stullich (arrived at 7:42 p.m.), Day, Kujawa and Cook. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services; Gary Fields, Director of Finance; Leo Thomas, Jr., Deputy Director of Finance; Jill Clements, Director of Human Resources; Bob Stumpff, Director of Public Works; Chris Keosian, Student Liaison. Mayor Wojahn opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Announcements: Councilmember Kabir announced a community clean-up on Saturday, May 20. Councilmember Nagle announced the North College Park Community Association meeting on Thursday at 7:30. She also said this is National Drinking Water Week. Councilmember Brennan discussed the College Park Community Foundation 5K that was held on Saturday. The next Third Thirsty Thursday event will be held on May 18 at MilkBoy ArtHouse. Councilmember Dennis announced the next College Park Dream Team basketball game on Friday May 12 at the College Park Community Center. Councilmember Kujawa discussed the Seniors Art Show and Reception sponsored by College Park Arts Exchange and Explorations on Aging held at St. Andrews Church. City Manager’s Report: Mr. Somers said Bike to Work Day is Saturday, May 19 and gave an update on the Duvall Field and Public Works building projects. Acknowledgements: Mayor Wojahn acknowledged former Councilmember Bob Catlin. Proclamations: Mayor Wojahn read the proclamations for College Park Kids to Parks Day (May 20, 2017), Bicycle Month, and Infrastructure Week. [Councilmember Stullich arrived.] College Park City Council Meeting Minutes May 9, 2017 Page 2 Amendments To And Approval Of The Agenda: The minutes from the April 8, 2017 Budget Worksession were removed from the consent agenda to be considered separately. The agenda was approved with this amendment 8 – 0 – 0. Public Comment On Consent And Non-Agenda Items: Dave Dorsch, 4607 Calvert Road: Thank you for funding the pedestrian safety wall in front of Cornerstone/Bentley’s. We should award seniors 65+ with free parking in the City. We should have a contest to reward people who go out of their way to make their yards look good. Carol Macknis, 5019 Mineola Road: Commented on the article in the Diamondback that stated that the City would be nothing without the University of Maryland, and that College Park is a ghetto. Ross Brannigan, President, IFC, 7501 Hopkins Avenue: Discussed the incident at the Phi Kappa Tau Chapter house in which a noose was found in the kitchen. The IFC does not condone this action and is working with police on the investigation. If the investigation concludes that a member was responsible, appropriate action will be taken. Councilmember Day said we are not going to accept this action as a community and we need to work together to solve this issue and to hold the value of the City as a welcoming one. David Gray, 7306 Radcliffe Drive: He was not impressed with the resident survey: the questions were poorly worded, the presentation document excluded people who said “I don’t know,” there was an uneven distribution of choices, the sample might have been 2 people. It wasn’t worth the $30,000 we spent. Colleen Schwelling, 1117 Montgomery Hall, Director of City Affairs, Student Sustainability Committee: They have been working on the issue of getting the bars to recycle. Some bars have difficulty because of logistical issues. Is the code being enforced? The bars need more information and we should have more discourse with them if we are going to be a green City. Council discussed past efforts in this regard. CBE has been asked to address this and bring a recommendation back to Council. Oscar Gregory, 9253 Limestone Place: Raised the issue of the ordinance that prohibits cars from parking in front of driveways. He has called parking enforcement when he has witnessed this at a neighbor’s house, but parking enforcement will not cite because the driveway is not completely blocked; they have discretionary judgment. Council should further clarify this for staff. It is a complaint driven process. Mr. Ryan said the code prohibits blocking the driveway. They only cite if the owner of the driveway calls and is present when they arrive. This is to prevent citing anyone who is parked in front of their own driveway. If you still have use of the driveway, they will not cite. They will look at their procedures and bring anything back to Council if needed. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes May 9, 2017 Page 3 PUBLIC HEARING a. Constant Yield Tax Rate: Mr. Fields gave an overview. The Constant Yield tax rate is the rate that would need to be levied on new assessments for FY ‘18 to generate the same amount of property tax revenue that was generated in FY ‘17. For FY ’18, the Constant Yield tax rate would be 31.81 cents. We are proposing the same tax rate as the last 5 years of 33.5 cents. Public Comment: Dave Dorsch, 4607 Calvert Road: We have all these new buildings adding revenue to our taxable base. We should offset that by reducing the tax rate for single family properties. David Gray, 7306 Radcliffe Drive: Echoed what Mr. Dorsch said. The survey indicates many people don’t like the new development. You could counter that by saying the new development is lowering your taxes. There is $450,000 of increased revenue projected next year – what are you using it for? There is a lot of uncertainty about the future; our budget should be more conservative. Oscar Gregory, 9253 Limestone Place: Agrees with the last two speakers. It averages about $15 per household which is a lot– you should give it back to residents and let them spend that money here in College Park. What exactly are we using this money for? For people who say we have a low tax rate, you have to consider the PG County taxes as well to see what is coming out of someone’s pocket. We are not that low. b. FY 2018 Budget - General Fund, Capital Projects Fund and Debt Service Fund: Mr. Fields gave an overview. Public Comment: Dr. Judy Blumenthal, 9205 49th Avenue: We should include a comprehensive infrastructure study re: traffic congestion due to new development, and the impacts that will have to safety and quality of life. The need for this comprehensive study was reaffirmed by the community survey. When she raised this at the December 6 Worksession, she was told it would be addressed in the next budget. Lisa Ealley, 9526 Rhode Island Avenue, speaking as both a resident and Chair of Meals on Wheels: Thanked the Council for continued support of Meals on Wheels; it helps keep the costs down. However, you are giving Meals on Wheels $6,000, and giving a select group of students $10,000 to drink at a tailgate party – she finds it hard to reconcile the two when we are trying to help our seniors age in place. Residents’ money should not help facilitate drinking – it is not proper. Dave Dorsch, 4607 Calvert Road: Likes the new format for the budget. This budget is almost $20 Million; in 2012 it was $14 Million – an increase in $6 Million in 5 years – Why? You are not being good fiscal stewards. He specifically called out: $37,000 for home composting bins; $60,000 for yellow flashing pedestrian lights; $75,000 for CCTV, in addition to what we pay UMPD to monitor the cameras. We should not pay UMPD anything to monitor the cameras; they are to protect the students. The cameras don’t always work; it is not a good system. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes May 9, 2017 Page 4 Carol Macknis, 5019 Mineola Road: The $10,000 being allocated for tailgates for the Greek community – why just the Greek community? There are other organizations that may be able to benefit. Let everyone put in a request for the funds and see if they can get it; it shouldn’t be for one organization. David Gray, 7306 Radcliffe Drive: What is the return on investment for the lobbyist – is it worth the $30,000 or $20,000 we are spending? Why are we supporting the Farmers Markets – they should break even. Why do you have unspecified contingency for public safety and also $1 Million for City Hall? 77% of the people on the survey said City Hall is good. What is the $100,000 for consultants for community development? Why should the PR person go to a marketing/ad conference? Disagrees with paying $15,000 for voting machines. Oscar Gregory, 9253 Limestone Place: The new stuff in the budget seems to be earmarked for the University of Maryland. He sees nothing new for residents or for infrastructure or for helping people around Greenbelt Station. We should give more to Meals on Wheels than the UMD tailgates. What about a summer jobs program for our youth? Why do we need a new City Hall when half of it is going to the University of Maryland; have you explored the possibility of telework? There being no further public comment, Mayor Wojahn closed the public hearings at 8:55 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following: 17-R-06 Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Adopting The Recommendation Of The Advisory Planning Commission Regarding Variance Application Number CPV-2017-02, 4709 Fordham Road, College Park, Maryland, Joe Bickley, To Deny A Departure Of A 14.18% Or 1087.70 Square Feet Lot Coverage To Replace An Existing Asphalt Driveway With A Concrete Driveway 17-G-66 Authorization to allow free parking on summer weeknights after 5:00 p.m. and free all day Saturday parking in the City Hall parking lot and the City’s downtown parking garage from May 27 to August 20, 2017 17-G-68 Approval of a letter to the Office of the Attorney General with City comments on the Interim Report on the Implementation of the Public Information Act 17-G-69 Approval of Minutes from the April 11, 2017 Regular Meeting; April 18, 2017 Worksession; April 18, 2017 Special Session; and the April 22, 2017 Budget Worksession. The motion passed 8 – 0 – 0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes May 9, 2017 Page 5 ACTION ITEMS: 17-O-05 Introduction of Ordinance 17-O-05, 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 Include Fees For Leaf Mulch, Wood Mulch, And SMARTLEAF Compost; Fees For Product Delivery; And A Leaf Tipping Fee. A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to introduce Ordinance 17-O-05, an Ordinance to amend Chapter 110 “Fees and Penalties”, by establishing fees for leaf mulch at $13.21/cubic yard, wood mulch at $11.32/cubic yard and SMARTLEAF compost $26.42/cubic yard and $15.00/cubic yard for entities that tip leaves at the City facility; to establish a fee for product delivery within the City limits at $20, to establish a fee to delivery zone 2 at $60, to establish a fee to delivery zone 3 at $70, to establish a fee to delivery zone 4 at $80, and establish a fee to delivery zone 5 at $100; and to establish a leaf tipping fee at the City compost facility of $8.75/cubic yard, effective July 1, 2017. Mayor Wojahn announced that the Public Hearing will be held on May 23, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. Consideration of the minutes from the April 8, 2017 Budget Worksession Mayor Wojahn said his recollection of the April 8 Budget Worksession discussion about whether there should be a committee to oversee College Park Day differs from what was in the minutes. Ms. Miller said she would review the tape and clarify the minutes. This will return at a future meeting. 17-G-70 Appointments to Boards and Committees A motion was made by Councilmember Kabir and seconded by Councilmember Nagle to appoint Tonukkah Baldridge to the Candidates’ Debate Workgroup. The motion passed 8 – 0 – 0. COUNCIL/STUDENT LIAISON COMMENTS: Councilmember Cook would like to see some coupons that target long-term residents in conjunction with the free summer parking downtown in order to get people down here. Councilmember Stullich said at the Old Town Civic Association meeting there was discussion about the traffic light at US 1 and Hartwick Road which is regarded as ineffective, and asked the City to pursue this issue with SHA again. Councilmember Day announced the Calvert Hills Civic Association meeting on May 17. Councilmember Brennan asked staff to follow up with SHA on a previous request for the plans for US 1, and for Greenbelt Road at Rhode Island Avenue, so they can be posted on our website. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes May 9, 2017 Page 6 Councilmember Dennis mentioned the opening of the PhoYo Charcoal Chicken restaurant in the Campus Village Shopping Center Councilmember Nagle thanked Public Works for the additional signage on Lackawanna near the metro. She hopes to see the flower bed there improved with some annuals. She requested a future Worksession on support for a County bill supporting a Small Donor Funded Election program. Councilmember Kabir discussed safety concerns at the intersection of Edgewood Road and 495, and wants to bring them to the attention of SHA. Chris Keosian said classes end Thursday and finals start Saturday; the SGA is in recess. Mayor Wojahn attended an expo at the University start-up shell and discussed some of the interesting innovations being worked on on-campus. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Dave Dorsch, 4607 Calvert Road: Regarding the railing - has anyone asked the University of Maryland, and the two bars that it is going in front of, to pay for it? This is protecting the students. Also, the traffic lights on US 1 are not synchronized. They should be better timed. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Day to adjourn into a Closed Session to discuss the possible acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and matters directly related to said acquisition; to consult with Counsel on a legal matter; and to discuss a negotiating strategy before a contract is awarded. The motion passed 8 – 0 – 0, and Mayor Wojahn adjourned the regular meeting at 9:20 p.m. ____________________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved Pursuant to §C6-3 of the College Park City Charter, at 10:36 p.m. on May 2, 2017, during a regularly scheduled meeting of the College Park City Council, a motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Nagle to enter into a Closed Session to discuss the possible acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and matters directly related to said acquisition; to consult with Counsel on a legal matter; and to discuss a negotiating strategy before a contract is awarded. The motion passed 5-0-0 and the Council entered into the closed session at 10:46 p.m. Present: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Dennis, Day, and Cook. Absent: Councilmember Kujawa, Brennan and Stullich College Park City Council Meeting Minutes May 9, 2017 Page 7 Also Present: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Terry Schum, Director of Planning. Topic Discussed: City Staff and the City Attorney provided an update to Council on the status of a previous offer to purchase a piece of property in the City that would be used for a public purpose. The next steps were discussed. Action Taken: None. Adjourn: A motion was made by Councilmember Cook and seconded by Councilmember Kabir to adjourn the closed session, and with a vote of 5 – 0 – 0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the closed session at 11:04 p.m. Pursuant to §C6-3 of the College Park City Charter, at 9:20 p.m. on May 9, 2017, during a regularly scheduled meeting of the College Park City Council, a motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Day to enter into a Closed Session to discuss the possible acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and matters directly related to said acquisition; to consult with Counsel on a legal matter; and to discuss a negotiating strategy before a contract is awarded. The motion passed 8-0-0 and the Council entered into the closed session at 9:25 p.m. Present: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Brennan, Dennis, Stullich, Day, Kujawa and Cook. Absent: None. Also Present: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Chris Keosian, Student Liaison Topic Discussed: 1. City Staff and the City Attorney provided an update to Council on a previous offer to purchase a piece of property in the City that would be used for a public purpose. The next steps in the negotiation were discussed. 2. City Staff and the City Attorney discussed a potential offer to purchase another piece of property in the City, and discussed the next steps in the negotiation. 3. The City Attorney updated the Council on a legal matter. Action Taken: None. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes May 9, 2017 Page 8 Adjourn: A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Kujawa to adjourn the closed session, and with a vote of 8 – 0 – 0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the closed session at 10:10 p.m.