Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting of the College Park City Council Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. – 8:20 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy, Brennan, Dennis, Rigg and Mitchell. ABSENT: Councilmembers Day and Kujawa. ALSO PRESENT: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services; Gary Fields, Director of Finance; Chris Keosian, Student Liaison; Alex Tobin, Incoming Student Liaison. Mayor Wojahn opened the Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilmember Kennedy announced the bike lane feasibility study and the North College Park Community Association meetings. Councilmember Brennan announced Third Thirsty Thursday, the Lakeland clean-up event, and discussed last week’s 5K race. Councilmember Dennis announced the Coffee Club schedule, the upcoming Lakeland Civic Association meeting and the College Park Dream Team game. Councilmember Rigg announced the Calvert Hills Civic Association meeting. Councilmember Mitchell announced the District 4 Mix and Mingle, and the College Park Woods Neighborhood Watch annual picnic. Mayor Wojahn announced the results from three local elections that resulted in new Mayors. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Somers reviewed the “Lay on the Table” item; invited Council to attend the Capstone presentation on food waste diversion; and reviewed weekly bulletin highlights. PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS: Mayor Wojahn read the proclamations for the 2018 Kids To Parks Day and for the 20th Anniversary of the LGBT Equity Center. AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Kabir and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to remove the Hollywood Gateway Park item (6-0-0). A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to approve the agenda as amended (6-0-0). College Park City Council Meeting Minutes May 8, 2018 Page 2 PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Dave Dorsch, resident: We should get Rhode Island Avenue connected to Campus Drive; the traffic calming devices on Calvert Road are flawed are require frequent repair; we should remove traffic calming from areas where there is a stop sign. PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing On Ordinance 18-O-03, An Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park To Adopt The Fiscal Year 2019 General Fund, Capital Projects Fund And Debt Service Fund Budgets Of The City Of College Park: Mr. Fields provided the overview. The proposed budget maintains the current tax rate and is the result of two all-day budget Worksessions. No Constant Yield Tax Rate public hearing was required this year. 1. Carol Macknis, resident: She is disappointed that the budget does not include increases for public safety. She wants more cameras in north College Park. Consider a subsidy so residents can purchase their own cameras. 2. David Gray, resident: He discussed the repayment of parking garage debt, which he pointed out previously, but no one did anything about it. It’s fine if Council wants to change the policy about how this is handled; just be transparent about it. 3. Oscar Gregory, resident: Discussed failing infrastructure, tax credits being given to developers, and said excess reserves should be refunded to taxpayers. 4. Dave Dorsch, resident: College Park has more money than the City needs; you should reduce residential property tax so that the new growth benefits residents. There being no further public comment, Mayor Wojahn closed the public hearing. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Rigg to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of: 18-G-68 Approval of free parking on summer weeknights after 5:00 p.m. and all day Saturday in the City Hall parking lot and the City’s downtown parking garage from May 26 – August 19, 2018. 18-G-70 Approval of extension of contract with Volta Inc. for IT Services - Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager 18-G-72 Approval of a stipend for 2017-2018 Deputy Student Liaison in the amount of 50% of the Student Liaison stipend 18-G-69 Approval of minutes of the April 14, 2018 Budget Worksession; the April 21, 2018 Budget Worksession; and confidential minutes (provided separately) of the Closed Sessions of January 2, 2018; January 16, 2018; January 23, 2018; February 13, 2018; March 6, 2018; March 13, 2018; and March 27, 2018. The motion passed 6-0-0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes May 8, 2018 Page 3 ACTION ITEMS: 18-O-04 Introduction of Ordinance 18-O-04, An Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Authorizing The Acquisition Of Certain Property Located At 9814 47th Place, College Park, Maryland, For A Public Purpose (Hollywood Gateway Park) Ms. Ferguson said the City has been in a contract with the seller for this property for some time, but the ordinance is required prior to settlement. A motion was made by Councilmember Kabir and seconded by Councilmember Kennedy to introduce Ordinance 18-O-04, An Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Authorizing The Acquisition Of Certain Property Located At 9814 47th Place, College Park, Maryland, For A Public Purpose (Hollywood Gateway Park). Mayor Wojahn said the Public Hearing will be held on May 22, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 18-O-05 Introduction of Ordinance 18-O-05, an Ordinance to Authorize Maintenance Of Naturalized Or Native Managed Landscapes A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to introduce Ordinance 18-O-05, an Ordinance to Authorize Maintenance Of Naturalized Or Native Managed Landscapes. Mayor Wojahn said the Public Hearing will be held on May 22, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 18-G-71 Appointments to Boards and Committees A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Rigg to reappoint Rose Colby to the Advisory Planning Commission. The motion passed 6-0-0. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilmember Brennan requested better signage this year for the free summer parking program. Councilmember Kabir announced the Hollywood Farmers Market ribbon cutting. Mr. Keosian said the SGA is in recess and new Student Liaison, Alex Tobin, takes over June 1. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember Rigg to adjourn the Regular Meeting, and with a vote of 6-0-0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. ___________________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved