Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting of the College Park City Council Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. – 9:40 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy, Brennan, Dennis, Day, Kujawa and Mitchell. ABSENT: Councilmember Rigg 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; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Gary Fields, Director of Finance; Peggy Higgins, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services; Jill Clements, Director of Human Resources; Chris Keosian, Student Liaison; Julianne Heberlein, Deputy Student Liaison. Mayor Wojahn opened the Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilmember Day announced Thursday night’s meeting at the Airport regarding the County’s Green Streets project on Campus Drive. Councilmember Dennis announced the weekly PGPD Coffee Club. Councilmember Brennan announced Third Thirsty Thursday, which is being held at Mulligan’s this month, and the Berwyn District Civic Association meeting at Fealy Hall on the same night. Councilmember Kennedy thanked staff from Finance and Public Services for her orientation. Councilmember Kabir announced that a soccer field will be installed at the Hollywood Neighborhood Park by PG Parks. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Somers noted the red folder items and provided highlights from the weekly bulletin. He said there will be a community meeting on Wednesday February 21 in relation to the feasibility study about bike lanes on Rhode Island Avenue. He reminded Council that FY ’19 budget requests are due on Friday. PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor Wojahn read a proclamation recognizing Carrollton Enterprises AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Item 18-G-22 was moved to the Consent Agenda (Day/Mitchell 7-0). The amended agenda was approved (Day/Dennis) 7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Oscar Gregory, 9723 Limestone Place: He said the cost of utility repairs are coming out of our taxes and asked whey we are not taking money from developers to pay for them instead. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2018 Page 2 PRESENTATIONS: A. Mayor Wojahn and Education Advisory Committee Chair Carolyn Bernache presented City Public School Education Grants to: • Hollywood Elementary School – Principal April Lee • Paint Branch Elementary School – Principal Cynthia Rodgers and Academic Dean Shu Costea • Parkdale High School – Principal Dr. Tasha Graves-Henderson and Karen Bogoski, Lead Teacher, Robotics Coach B. Eric Olson, Executive Director of the College Park City-University Partnership, presented the Annual Report. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following: 18-R-02 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-2017-13, 4806 Erskine Road, College Park, Maryland, Recommending Approval Of A Variance From The Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 27-442(E) Table IV Which Specifies A Minimum Front Yard Setback Of 25-Feet In The R-55 Zone In Order To Enlarge A Dormer Window 18-G-17 Approval of a contract subject to the approval of the City Attorney to install A/V equipment in Davis Hall – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager (this will require a super majority) 18-G-19 Authorization for the City Manager to send a letter to the Board of License Commissioners stating that the City does not object to the renewal of any liquor licenses held by businesses in the City 18-G-25 Approval of letters in support of HB 217, Prince George’s County – Authority to Impose Fees for Use of Disposable Bags - PG 420–18 18-G-26 Approval of letters in support of HB 538 Environment - Expanded Polystyrene Food Service Products - Prohibition 18-G-27 Approval of letters in support of HB 535 Transportation – Complete Streets Program – Establishment 18-G-28 Approval of letters in support of HB 222 Vehicle Laws – Overtaking and Passing Bicycles, Farm Equipment, Farm Tractors, and Animal–Drawn Vehicles College Park City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2018 Page 3 18-G-20 Approval of minutes from the January 16, 2018 Worksession and the January 23, 2018 Regular Meeting, the January 23, 2018 Worksession after the Regular Meeting, and the January 27, 2018 Council Retreat. 18-G-22 Authorization for the City to participate in the 2018 National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation The motion passed 7-0-0. ACTION ITEMS: 18-G-21 Review and approval of Council’s 2018 priorities – Scott Somers, City Manager Mr. Somers reviewed the staff report. Regarding item #2, mid-term redistricting, he said staff has discussed this and thinks it should be removed from the list. He said it is a heavy lift for something that would apply to just one election (2019) because the decennial redistricting would be done for the election in 2021. Councilmember Kabir said next time he would like to get more input from residents. Council discussed interest in considering staggered terms/longer terms/at-large positions. A Council subcommittee was established previously to consider these matters and bring recommendations back to Council. Council discussed staff capacity and acknowledged that these are big projects. Mr. Somers agreed and said we must carefully consider staff capacity before taking on anything else. Councilmember Mitchell asked to add stormwater issues as another priority. Mr. Somers said the challenge with this item is that the City does not oversee the infrastructure – it is the County. This makes it challenging to do more than advocacy, which we are doing. Councilmember Day wants to keep redistricting on the list. There has been massive growth in certain districts. He asked how you can plan for Council terms and at-large seats without considering the big picture. Mayor Wojahn suggested that the Council subcommittee that is looking at those issues could look at the population figures by district at the same time. A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Kennedy to adopt the following 2018 priorities: 1) Bike/Pedestrian trail connectivity and extension; 2) Explore 4-year staggered terms, 4 at-large positions, and discuss the need for mid-term redistricting; 3) Feasibility study to bring Building Codes exclusively in-house; and 4) Improvements to the effectiveness of boards and committees There were no comments from the audience or the Council. The motion passed 7 – 0 – 0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2018 Page 4 18-CR-01 Introduction of 18-CR-01, A Charter Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park, To Repeal And Re-Enact City Of College Park Charter Sections, Thereby Amending § C2–1 Corporate Limits, § C3-1 Elected City Officers, § C3-3 Oath Of Office, § C3-4 Compensation, § C3-6 Vacancies, § C3-7 Assumption Of Duties, § C4-4 Other Election Officials, § C6-1 General Provisions, § C6-2 Quorum, § C7-9 Refuse Collection And Disposal Service, § C8-2 Passage, § C9-2, Bonds, § C9-3 City Manager, § C10-3 City Council Action On Budget, § C10-4, Form Of Budget Appropriation And Revenue Ordinance, § C10-5, Amendments To Budget After Adoption, § C10-8 Submission Of Capital Improvement Program; Contents, § C11-4, Special Assessments, § C11-5 Special Taxing Districts, § C13-3 Establishment Of Agency, And § C13-4 Initiation Of Project, To Repeal A Super Majority Requirement For Amendment Of The Charter, To Clarify That The Mayor And Council Are The Legislative Body Of The City And That The Legislative Powers Of The City Are Exercised By The Mayor And Council, To Clarify Quorum And Voting Requirements, To Clarify The Voting Rights Of The Mayor, And To Make Conforming Changes A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to introduce Charter Amendment 18-CR-01. The Public Hearing will be at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27 in the Council Chambers. 18-G-23 Approval of Community Services Grants as follows: American Legion Auxiliary, College Park Unit 217 for Scholarships for Miss College Park pageant participants in the amount of $2,000; Embry Center for Family Life for the Lakeland All-Stars basketball program in the amount of $2,500; Holy Redeemer Catholic Church for Safe Haven in the amount of $1,500, for a grand total of $6,000. Mr. Somers said the Community Services Grants subcommittee (Councilmembers Kujawa, Day and Dennis) met earlier this evening and reconsidered some of the applications. The subcommittee plans to meet again to further clarify the grant criteria going forward. Councilmember Kujawa provided the revised recommendations: a) Recommend that the American Legion Auxillary grant for Miss College Park be moved to a separate line item in the M&C budget in FY ’19 in the amount of $2,000. b) The Lakeland Community Heritage Project – last week’s recommendation stands (move to a separate line item in the M&C budget for FY ’19 in the amount of $3,000. c) Neighbors Helping Neighbors – no change (no funding) d) National Museum of Language annual summer camp – new recommendation is to grant $2,500. e) Free Yoga Classes – no change (no funding) Councilmember Kennedy asked if non-profits can receive grants. The criteria refers to “organizations” but it is not defined. All of the organizations that have been granted are 501(c)3. The Subcommittee understands that you can’t grant to an individual. Ms. Ferguson added that it College Park City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2018 Page 5 has to be for a “public purpose.” Everyone agreed that the criteria and qualifications need to be better defined going forward. A motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Day that the City Council award the Community Services Grants as follows: • Embry Center for Family Life for Lakeland All-Stars - $2,500 • Holy Redeemer Catholic Church for Safe Haven - $1,500 • National Museum of Language for Summer Camp - $2,500 Comments from the audience: Oscar Gregory, 9253 Limestone Place: $6,000 for something that actually helps people seems woefully inadequate compared to thousands of dollars going to developers or to the University of Maryland for partying off site. Council should consider increasing the amount to help our neighborhoods. A motion to amend the awards by adding $2,500 for the Free Yoga Classes was made by Councilmember Kabir and seconded by Councilmember Kennedy. Comments from the audience: Sandra Edwards, Niagara Road: She is the organizer of the Free Yoga Classes. She got the idea of continuing the free yoga that was offered by M-NCPPC at Lake Artemesia. It is hard to find teachers to instruct the classes for free. They serve all ages. Councilmember Kennedy addressed the concern that this free yoga class could be cannibalizing small businesses in the area, but she thinks it is a different clientele. Councilmember Kabir addressed the concern that some of the participants in the free yoga classes live outside the City. He mentioned that we also support Meals on Wheels, which also serves clients outside the City. Councilmember Day said the subcommittee looked at these issues. We support Free Yoga by giving them free space. There is a CPAE yoga class already in place which the City supports, and we shouldn’t duplicate efforts. Councilmember Brennan said we need to look at this policy in greater depth. We can’t be a grant making body as elected officials – it becomes political. He can’t support this today. VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT: Aye: Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy and Mitchell Nay: Councilmembers Day, Brennan, Dennis and Kujawa The amendment failed. Main Motion: Carried 7 – 0 – 0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2018 Page 6 18-G-24 Appointments to Boards and Committees A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Kujawa to appoint Janice Bernache to the Recreation Board. The motion carried 5-0-0 (Councilmembers Kabir and Kennedy were not at the dais). COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Councilmember Mitchell said February is for hearts for women. She wants everyone to wear red on Tuesday, February 27 in support of the American Heart Association. Mr. Keosian will distribute some SGA research regarding absentee voting in other college towns. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to adjourn into a closed session to discuss personnel matters. The motion passed 7-0-0 and the Regular Meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. ____________________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved Pursuant to §C6-3 of the College Park City Charter, at 9:40 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, a motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to enter into a Closed Session to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; or to consider any other personnel matter that affects one (1) or more specific individuals. The motion passed 7-0 and the Council entered into Closed Session at 9:50 Present: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy, Brennan, Dennis, Day, and Kujawa. Absent: Councilmember Rigg. Also Present: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Jill Clements, Director of Human Resources. Topic Discussed: The City Council discussed the financial aspects of a pending retirement. Action Taken: None. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2018 Page 7 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 10:16 p.m.