Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting of the College Park City Council Tuesday, June 19, 2018 Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. – 10:39 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy, Brennan, Dennis, Day, Rigg, Kujawa (arrived at 7:33 p.m.) and Mitchell. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Janeen Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Gary Fields, Director of Finance; Robert Marsili, Assistant Director of Public Works; Alex Tobin, Student Liaison. Mayor Wojahn opened the Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilmember Dennis announced the Coffee Club summer schedule and the Early Voting schedule; Councilmember Rigg commended Bob Stumpff and Jeannie Ripley on their respective retirements; Councilmember Mitchell announced that the City received the Banner City Award at the MML Conference; Councilmember Day announced that the Cafritz/Riverdale Park Station bridge across the railroad tracks will open Friday. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Somers noted the “lay on the table” item and mentioned highlights from the weekly bulleting: pet microchip clinic, senior concert, Third Thirsty Thursday, and the summer free parking program. PROCLAMATION: Mayor Wojahn read the proclamation for Immigrant Heritage Month. AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember Day to approve the agenda. The motion passed 8-0. PRESENTATIONS: Annual Economic Development Report – Ryan Chelton, Economic Development Coordinator: Mr. Chelton presented his PowerPoint. Council asked if we can separate single family from high-rise student housing; whether we have reached the saturation point for student housing; for a break-down of commercial vacancy rates by district; and to further detail the age demographics. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Kennedy and seconded by Councilmember Kabir to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of: 18-G-85 Approval of a License Agreement with WMATA for a Community Garden in Calvert Hills subject to the approval of the City Attorney College Park City Council Meeting Minutes June 19, 2018 Page 2 18-G-90 Approval of the FY 2019 Program Open Space allocation of 50% ($144,560) to Neighborhood Open Space Acquisition and 50% ($144,560) to Hollywood Gateway Park Development 18-G-92 Approval of a letter to County Council Chair Dannielle Glaros with City comments on County short-term rental legislation (CB-10-2018 and CB-11-2018) 18-G-87 Award of contract for Historic Window Repair Work at the Old Parish House – Robert Marsili, Assistant Director of Public Works 18-G-96 Approval of a letter to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission expressing the City’s support for revisions to the 1990 Operating Rules and Regulations of the College Park Airport, as proposed by the College Park Airport Authority 18-G-84 Approval of bike share agreement for the Cafritz project (Calvert Tract LLC) 18-G-93 Approval of Minutes from the May 1, 2018 Worksession and the May 8, 2018 Regular Meeting The motion passed 8-0-0. ACTION ITEMS: 18-O-06 Introduction of an Ordinance for FY ’18 Budget Amendment (Amendment #1) Mr. Fields provided an overview: This is a housekeeping item to take formal budget action on three items that were previously approved by Council: $5,000 donation to the Free Dental Clinic; $38,000 for pedestrian safety barrier; $277,000 for sidewalk to Riverdale Park Station which is being funded by a grant. This is not a request for additional funding; all items were included in the original appropriation. A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to introduce Ordinance 18-O-06. Mayor Wojahn said the Public Hearing will be held on July 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. 18-G-95 Discussion and Action on the Property Use Agreement for 8321 College Park Hotel ABC, LLC trading as Cambria Hotel at College Park and City support of their application for a Class B (BH) Beer, Wine and Liquor License – Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney Ms. Ferguson said a Property Use Agreement was negotiated with the applicant, and the draft in the packet is agreeable to them. The applicant/owner is Southern Management; Cambria is part of the Choice Hotel chain. The application is for the hotel and the restaurant; they are the same. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes June 19, 2018 Page 3 They will also be seeking an Entertainment Permit. Linda Carter presented for the applicant. They anticipate opening on August 1. 150 room hotel with 1300 sq. feet of meeting space. The restaurant will be operated by Adam Greenberg (Bagels ‘N Grinds and Potomac Pizza). This is a high-end restaurant but not a high price restaurant in keeping with Mr. Hillman’s vision. They hope to have live music (jazz) every night. Mr. Greenberg said parking is free for the restaurant. A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to support the issuance of a Class B(BH), Beer, Wine, and Liquor License for the use of 8321 College Park Hotel ABC, LLC trading as Cambria Hotel at College Park, subject to the applicants entering into a Property Use Agreement (PUA) in substantially the form attached; to authorize the City Manager to sign the PUA; and to authorize City staff to testify to the Council’s position to the BOLC. Councilmember Brennan said they are eager to see the symbiosis between The Hotel and this hotel, and they are looking forward to the Berwyn/Lakeland communities being able to connect to this property. He discussed the diversity in the immediate neighborhood and hopes the location will provide opportunities for all our residents to enjoy. Mayor Wojahn suggested that they advertise that parking is free for patrons of the restaurant. There were no comments from the audience. Ms. Carter added that the Entertainment Permit is scheduled for July 11. The motion passed 8-0-0. 18-G-88 Discussion and Action on Preliminary Plan of Subdivision (4-17042), 9604 Baltimore Avenue, JDA Consolidated Storage Ms. Bader said this is the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision to make this a legal lot which will be recorded as a plat in County records to allow for future development. The Detailed Site Plan will be in July; it must be approved by the County for this project to move forward. She reviewed her PowerPoint and gave an overview. A full traffic study is not required because of the low number of trips – less than 50. They will dedicate 20 feet of right-of-way to US 1. They are providing the required parking. They will dedicate $40,000 in Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements (BPIS). Staff recommends approval of the Preliminary Plan with conditions: Eliminate the bus pull-off lane; modify the BPIS funds to construct sidewalk on Hollywood Road, and if funding is left over, provide two bus shelters; at the time of DSP consider replacing the cycle track with a 10-foot-wide landscape strip and an 8-foot sidewalk; enter into a Declaration of Covenants regarding the access road; commit to manage parking and traffic during move in/out times. Ms. Schum said appeals of a subdivision application would go to the court. Because the proposed use in the DSP is not a permitted use, the applicant must request an amendment to the Table of Uses, which can only be approved by the District Council, so the DSP application has to move through both the Planning Board and the District Council in order to be approved. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes June 19, 2018 Page 4 Councilmember Kabir said the North College Park Community Association opposed this project at their January 11 meeting. He reminded everyone of the previous position opposing the extension of Hollywood Road. He said residents want a business they can walk into. Councilmember Mitchell asked about the driveway easement. Ms. Bader said right now there is an existing shared driveway easement between the applicant’s property and Mr. Shin’s property. Together they have 25 feet; 22 feet is the minimum standard. It is wide enough, but the shared driveway agreement is needed. If the property to the south ever redevelops, it would provide an opportunity to align Hollywood Road. Ed Gibbs, for the applicant, introduced Peter Moran and Beau Gunn from Johnson, and other members of the team. He said the building looks like an office building; this is not the DSP hearing, just the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision hearing, to put a line around the parcel; the site is challenging; and this requires a modification to the use table. In Spring 2017 they contacted our Planning Department and were advised to meet with Mayor Wojahn and Councilmembers Mary Cook and Dustyn Kujawa, which they did in July 2017. Mary Cook advised him to contact Mr. Shin, which he did. They also met with Autoville residents in August 2017, and with NCPCA in September 2017. They met with County Council representatives and the City Councilmembers again in December 2017 and with NCPCA again in January 2018. The applicant has displayed a history of going to the community and made adjustments to the project based on those meetings. Park and Planning has recommended approval with conditions. The applicant has no objections to the amended City staff conditions. They are fine with #2 re: BPIS as long as P&P supports. A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to approve the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision 4-17042 with the following conditions: 1. Prior to signature approval of the Preliminary Plan, eliminate the bus pull-off lane shown along property frontage. 2. Provide the following improvements to fulfill the BPIS requirements, subject to approval of the appropriate operating agency, in the following priority order: a. Construct 1,582 linear feet of planned sidewalks on Hollywood Road east of Route 1 to 49th Avenue. b. Provide 2 bus shelters on both the east and west sides of Route 1, if sufficient right-of-way exists, for the existing bus stops in front of the subject property and across the street. 3. At the time of Detailed Site Plan, consider replacing the cycle track shown on the plans along the property frontage with a minimum 10-foot wide landscape strip and minimum 8-foot-wide sidewalk. 4. Prior to July 10, 2018, execute a Declaration of Covenants with the City that includes the dedication of public right-of-way on demand to the City or other governmental entity, as part of replacing the private access drive with a public road. 5. At the time of Detailed Site Plan, execute an amended Declaration of Covenants College Park City Council Meeting Minutes June 19, 2018 Page 5 with the City that includes the following provisions: a. Acknowledgement of responsibility of maintenance in the Baltimore Avenue right-of-way for pedestrian light fixtures, landscaping, and sidewalks. b. Restriction that no vehicle larger than a 26-foot truck or greater than a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. shall use the joint shared access driveway. c. Commitment that the Applicant shall manage parking/traffic during peak move-in/move-out times through scheduling and on-site staff. Councilmember Brennan said it is important for the City to stay at the table for discussions on this project and reminded that this is not the approval of the DSP. Comments from the audience: Mary Cook, resident: Opposed to the motion; referred to letter submitted. Not a permitted use. Oscar Gregory, resident: Opposed to the motion. Not a permitted use. Suzanne Johnson, resident: Opposed to the motion. Concerned about roadway, wetlands, and construction staging. Stasia Hutchison, resident: Opposed to the motion. Not in keeping with the Sector Plan. Councilmember Kujawa asked what the repercussions would be of not supporting the PPSD with conditions. Ms. Schum said we would be absent from the discussions with the Planning Board; this is our opportunity to let the County know the City’s conditions. Roll Call Vote: Aye: Kennedy, Brennan Dennis, Day, Kujawa Nay: Kabir, Rigg, Mitchell Motion passed 5-3-0. 18-G-94 Approval of amendment to the Calvert Road lease term sheet – Scott Somers, City Manager Mr. Somers reviewed the staff report. There have been some changes to the term sheet since it was approved by Council on March 28, 2017. He invited Carlo Colella to the table. Mr. Colella said in the last year they have brought an architect on board and that the construction costs are significantly higher than planned/budgeted. They can’t afford a building the size they hoped. The University is bringing additional funds to the table, but also needs to squeeze the meeting space, support space and circulation space. The amount of space available for shared community use is less than what they hoped; as a concession they will increase the number of guaranteed slots for City residents not affiliated with the University from 12 seats to 14 seats. It will not cost the City additional funds. They are trying to keep the project viable. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes June 19, 2018 Page 6 Councilmember Rigg asked about the meeting room space. Mr. Colella said the community space will be located in the lower level now and will include two spaces (a community room and a conference room) which total about 900 square feet combined. He confirmed that the same conditions for after-hour and weekend access will apply. The entry lobby will be the access for the community use, meeting space, rest rooms, and kitchen. The exclusive children’s space will be secured. The footprint is a little smaller. Councilmember Kabir asked about 8400 Baltimore Avenue use for Public Services. Mr. Somers said the fiscal impact will be in Year 4 and that our proportional use has increased from 3,000 to 4,200 square feet. He hopes the new City Hall will be built by then so we don’t have to be there in Year 4; we do not pay rent for the space for the first 3 years. Ms. Ferguson said the 8400 Baltimore Avenue agreement was for a minimum of 3,000 square feet and was based on the space that was available. She reviewed other aspects of the term sheet and updated the Council on the discussions about 8400 Baltimore Avenue. A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Rigg to approve amendments to certain terms as the basis for the lease of the Calvert Road School site to the University of Maryland for provision of child care services. There were no comments from the audience or the Council. The motion passed 8-0-0. At 10:30 p.m., a motion was made by Councilmember Kabir and seconded by Councilmember Rigg to extend the regular meeting per Council’s Adopted Rules. The motion carried 8-0-0. 18-G-91 Appointments to Boards and Committees A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to appoint Llatetra Brown Esters to the Advisory Planning Commission. The motion passed 8-0-0. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilmembers Brennan and Dennis discussed problems with the television broadcast of Council meetings for the viewing audience – audio and aspect ratio issues. Mayor Wojahn noted that the next Council meeting is on July 10. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember Day to adjourn the Regular Meeting, and with a vote of 8-0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the meeting at 10:39 p.m. ___________________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved