Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting of the College Park City Council Tuesday, August 8, 2017 Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Brennan, Dennis, Day, Kujawa and Cook. ABSENT: Councilmember Stullich ALSO PRESENT: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Miriam Bader, Senior Planner; Chris Keosian, Student Liaison. Mayor Wojahn opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Announcements: Councilmember Kabir said the City would offer microchipping at the August 12 Hollywood Farmers Market. He also mentioned that the annual Greivis Vasquez backpack bash would take place at the College Park Community Center on August 26. Councilmember Brennan said the new CVS at the corner of US 1 and Berwyn House Road has opened and is providing an amenity to the seniors and students who live nearby. He hopes the residents around the Fuse47 building will receive regular updates about the demolition. Councilmember Dennis discussed the summer schedule of the District 1 Coffee Club held at Jason’s Deli on Wednesday mornings. City Manager’s Report: Mr. Somers pointed out the items in the red folder. Acknowledgements: Mayor Wojahn recognized former Councilmembers Alan Hew and Denise Mitchell. Proclamation: Mayor Wojahn read the proclamation in honor of Purple Heart Recipient John Pedevillano. Amendments To And Approval Of The Agenda: A motion was made by Councilmember Nagle and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to remove 17-CR-02 from tonight’s agenda and to reschedule the vote to September 12, saying the purpose for the delay is to allow Council time to discuss having a referendum on the November ballot. She requested that discussion on the referendum question be scheduled for September 5. The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. A motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Nagle to remove item #10 from tonight’s agenda (Presentation by Terrapin Development Company). The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2017 Page 2 A motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Day to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Dave Dorsch, 4607 Calvert Road: Mr. Dorsch discussed the safety railing in front of the Cornerstone; the decals for the top of the recycling bins; said we should allow seniors citizens to park for free in the City; no pedestrian signal should stop traffic whenever anyone wants to cross; any changes to City Council terms should be made by referendum; and no purchase of real property should occur until a public hearing on the final deal is held. Rafael De Gennaro, 4709 Indian Lane: Regarding the non-U.S. Citizen voting measure, he asked when it would become effective, and if Council had considered a more moderate policy of allowing only Green Card holders to vote. Kathleen Mahar, 6921 Carleton Terrace: She was fined for having rats in her yard, and said her neighbors have them too, and asked if they were also fined. Dr. Judy Blumenthal: She spoke in support of 17-CR-02 (written comments attached). Lawrence Provost, Indian Lane: He spoke against 17-CR-02. Oscar Gregory, 9253 Limestone Place: He conducted a door-to-door survey on 17-CR-02 and on the idea of extending Council terms to four years. 67% of those he spoke to do not want to extend Council terms, and 95% said if you want to change something in the Charter, put it to a referendum first. Olivia Delaplane, UMD Student: She spoke in support of 17-CR-02. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Day to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following: 17-R-13 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-2017-03, 7501 Dartmouth Avenue, College Park, Maryland, To Approve A Variance Of 6% From The Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 27-442(C) Table II, Which Prescribes A Maximum Lot Coverage Of 30 Percent In The R-55 Zone 17-R-14 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-2017-04, 4608 Beechwood Road, College Park, Maryland, To Approve A Variance Of 5.5% From The Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 27-442(C) Table II, Which Prescribes A Maximum Lot Coverage Of 30 Percent In The R-55 Zone College Park City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2017 Page 3 17-G-93 Approval of a letter to SHA regarding the timing of traffic lights on US 1 and supporting the Exclusive Pedestrian Option for signals between Hotel Drive and Guilford Drive 17-G-94 Approval of Minutes: July 5, 2017 Worksession; July 5, 2017 Special Session The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. ACTION ITEMS: 17-G-95 Approval of a letter to the State Clearinghouse with City comments on the transfer of 10 properties to the Terrapin Development Company A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Nagle to approve the revised letter in the red folder to the State Clearinghouse that supports the transfer of University properties to the Terrapin Development Corporation (TDC), contingent upon the University, the TDC, and the City signing an agreement regarding City notification and involvement in the development planning processes for the parcels, and UMD and TDC support for possible annexation of the Metzerott Road properties. Councilmember Day said the University and the City have worked together to do some amazing things, and he looks forward to the changes to come. Ms. Ferguson explained the change in the red folder letter: the third bullet was updated to include that the TDC will provide a description of the current development plan when the property is being transferred. Councilmember Cook asked if the City would be allowed to bid on the properties when they are declared surplus. Ms. Ferguson said the City will have an agreement with the TDC before the properties are transferred, and once the properties go to the BPW, unless there are any conditions placed by the BPW, the properties would transfer to the TDC. The motion carried 7 – 0 – 0. 17-R-15 Oral Argument in Case CPD-2017-01, Holiday Inn Express, 9020 Baltimore Avenue See transcript prepared in lieu of minutes. A motion was made by Councilmember Nagle and seconded by Councilmember Kujawa to approve the departure and refer for document, thus reversing the decision of the APC. The motion passed 5 – 2 – 0 (Councilmembers Cook and Brennan opposed). College Park City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2017 Page 4 17-G-97 Review of proposed station names for the 5 local Purple Line Stations Mayor Wojahn said there was a letter from the District 21 Delegation with their recommendations for the five station names. The fifth station is in Riverdale Park, and they have done a resident survey but have not yet decided on a name. He suggested we defer to Riverdale Park on the name of that station. He suggested we support the District 21 Delegation on their recommendations for the four remaining stations, which are: 1) Adelphi Road-UMUC 2) Campus Drive-UMD 3) Baltimore Avenue-College Park 4) College Park Metro Staff had no objections to these names. A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Kujawa to support the names as recommended by the 21st District Delegation. Comments from the audience: Anne Martens, Assistant Vice President for Administration and Finance, University of Maryland: She said the University of Maryland is not in support of these names. They feel that since 3 of the five stations are adjacent to University of Maryland property, having “UMD” listed only on one station would be inappropriate, so they requested that if UMD could not be on ALL stations names, to omit UMD and UMUC altogether. UMD supports: 1) Adelphi Road 2) Campus Drive 3) Baltimore Avenue-College Park 4) College Park Metro Mayor Wojahn said the Council could either amend the letter to reflect Ms. Martens’ comments, leave the motion as written, or take no position. A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to amend the motion in favor of Ms. Martens comments. The amendment passed 5 – 1 – 1 (Councilmember Kujawa opposed; Councilmember Cook abstained.) There was discussion about the branding of the local Purple Line stations to denote the University of Maryland stops. The amended motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. 17-G-96 Appointments to Boards and Committees A motion was made by Councilmember Kabir and seconded by Councilmember Nagle to appoint Carol Macknis to the Animal Welfare Committee, Tim Miller to the Committee for a Better Environment (pending receipt of his application), Melissa Day to the Education Advisory College Park City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2017 Page 5 Committee, Doris Ellis to the Education Advisory Committee (pending receipt of her application), and Darlene Nowlin to the Seniors Committee. The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. COUNCIL COMMENTS: None. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Brennan 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 7 – 0 – 0 and the regular meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. ____________________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved Pursuant to §C6-3 of the College Park City Charter, at 7:00 p.m. on July 25, 2017, a motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Day to enter into a Closed Session to consult with Counsel on a legal matter and to discuss a personnel matter. The motion passed 7-0-0 and the Council entered into the closed session. Present: Mayor Pro Tem Dennis; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Stullich, Day, Kujawa, and Cook. Absent: Mayor Wojahn and Councilmember Brennan Also Present: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Jill Clements, Director of Human Resources. Topic Discussed: The City Attorney and City staff updated the City Council about a personnel matter and discussed possible next steps. Action Taken: None. Adjourn: A motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Day to adjourn the closed session, and with a vote of 7 – 0 – 0, Mayor Pro Tem Dennis adjourned the closed session at 8:07 p.m. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2017 Page 6 Pursuant to §C6-3 of the College Park City Charter, at 9:30 p.m. on August 8, 2017, a motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Brennan 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 7-0-0 and the Council entered into the closed session at 9:35 p.m. Present: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Brennan, Dennis, Day, Kujawa, and Cook. Absent: Councilmember Stullich Also Present: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Chris Keosian, Student Liaison. Topic Discussed: The City Attorney and City staff advised Council about certain properties that have been under consideration for acquisition for a public purpose, and matters associated with said acquisition. Next steps were discussed. Action Taken: No actions were taken. Adjourn: A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Day to adjourn the closed session, and with a vote of 7 – 0 – 0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the closed session at 10:02 p.m.