Mayor & City Council

WORKSESSION MINUTES College Park City Council Tuesday, November 21, 2017 Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. – 10:45 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Nagle, Dennis, Stullich (arrived at 7:37 p.m.), Day, Kujawa (arrive at 7:38 p.m.) and Cook. ABSENT: Councilmember Brennan. ALSO PRESENT: Scott Somers, City Manager; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services; Jeannie Ripley, Code Enforcement Manager; Chris Keosian, Student Liaison; Councilmember-elect Denise Mitchell. Mayor Wojahn opened the Worksession at 7:30 p.m. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Somers discussed Thanksgiving holiday closings; Small Business Saturday on November 25; One Warm Coat Drive through December 11; and Breakfast with Santa on December 16. AMENDMENTS TO/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Add a letter to WSSC with comments on proposed rate structure (Kabir/Cook 5-0-0); approve agenda as amended (Dennis/Day 5-0-0). AGENDA ITEMS: 1 Discussion of Property Use Agreement for VME, Inc., t/a The Rail (formerly Backyard Sports Grill). Guests: Michael Etienne, Vanessa Etienne, George Auguste, and Attorney Linda Carter: Ms. Ferguson and Mr. Ryan: The proposed alcohol:food ratio is 60:40. They plan to apply for an entertainment license, which will include a security plan to be approved by both UMPD and PGPD. There will be an occasional cover charge for special events. Linda Carter: They met with UMPD re security plan. PGPD officer Torres will coordinate police officers working security. They are replacing the six security cameras inside and will install 2 new cameras outside. Tapes will rollover every three weeks. Will replace tinted windows with screens that roll up and down. Don’t like the caution tape-can the City help with other options? The corner is dark-can the City help add lighting? Hiring a chef from Stonefish Grill. Variety of entertainment: karaoke, comedy, talent night, DJs and bands. Sunday brunch, no entertainment. They will reevaluate the number of police officers after a while. Applicants: First time owners but Michael Etienne has managed Stonefish for 5 years. Landlord required an additional security deposit and personal guarantee. Capacity is 120. Not serving lunch at first but may add once they get up and running. Will not employ anyone who used to work at the former establishment. Amend PUA: $3 minimum beer; $4 minimum mixed drink. Day to agenda. College Park City Council Worksession Minutes November 21, 2017 Page 2 of 2 2 Comments on Draft County Zoning Rewrite – Terry Schum: Comments are due December 15. The zones and standards are defined but they don’t have a map yet; the new zones have to be approved first. What can we do to protect and maintain neighborhoods near the metro stations? There will be no change in the density of single family neighborhoods. They will not try to upzone or downzone anyone; will try to fit the new zone to the site. Add a proactive statement in our letter to this point. There are two changes to the R-55 zone: now called RSF 65 – lot coverage increases from 30 – 35% and maximum height increases from 30 – 40 feet; this may help our residents who are making minor changes and reduce the need for variances. Return December 5 with draft letter and continued discussion. 3 Discussion of changes to the City Code about the frequency of rental inspections – Bob Ryan: Review and discussion of staff report. Support for staff recommendation. Bring back proposed ordinance in January with public/common areas every year, half of the units one year and the other half the next year, reduce fees accordingly. 3.5 ADD Letter to WSSC: Discussion of letter with intent that rate changes should not harm residents who try to conserve water. Copy County Council. 4 Requests For/Status of Future Agenda items: None. 5 Appointments to Boards and Committees: Reappoint Jane Hopkins and Normand Bernache to the Cable Television Commission. 6 Mayor and Councilmember Comments: Mayor has been appointed to the NLC Executive Committee. 7 City Manager Comments: Berwyn House Road again open to 2-way traffic. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Stullich to adjourn 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 Mayor Wojahn adjourned the Worksession at 10:45 p.m. ____________________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved