Mayor & City Council

WORKSESSION MINUTES College Park City Council Tuesday, October 2, 2018 Council Chambers 7:30 P.M. – 11:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy, Brennan, Dennis, Day, Rigg, Kujawa and Mitchell. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Kacy Rohn, Community Development Planner; Alex Tobin, Student Liaison. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Somers reported/announced: The City Hall Community Meeting held at City Hall on September 27, 2018 will be repeated on a later date since only eight residents attended. Another City Hall Community Meeting will be held at Davis Hall on October 18, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Public Works will hold two Clean-up Saturdays: October 6th and 20th from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon. City residents can drop-off bulky trash, appliances, electronics for recycling, brush, and yard trim. The 9th Annual College Park Day will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. at the College Park Aviation Museum. This free event is fun for the entire family. AMENDMENT TO/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA The agenda was approved without amendment (Rigg/Day) 8-0-0. DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. Annual presentation from SHA on projects in the City: David Rogers, Regional Planner, Lindsay Bobian, Office of Highway Design and Erica Rigby, Deputy District Engineer. Council raised the following: Erica Rigby, Deputy District Engineer MD 430 at Rhode Island Avenue • SHA will provide updates as the projects move forward • SHA will provide additional temporary measures for pedestrian safety during construction especially since there has been a delay • The City Manager will request that the City Engineer work with SHA for improvements to the City sidewalks in the area while the temporary buffers are in place MD 193 at Rhode Island Avenue (Design Phase) • Requested a community meeting prior to the completion of the design phase • Council requested a copy of the traffic study • No right turns on red to help protect pedestrians crossing the intersection College Park City Council October 2, 2018 Worksession Page 2 US 1 and Cherry Hill Road & US 1 and Edgewood Road • Requested “Do Not Block Intersection” signs and hashtags to be installed (not to forget the beltway ramps) • Crosswalk paint at Route One and Edgewood Road is faded • Possibility of a sidewalk to be built on Route One at Edgewood Road • Revisit the timing of the lights more frequently • SHA will report back to Council regarding the widening of Edgewood Road at Route One • Kenilworth Avenue at Old Calvert Road needs better signage – people coming out of park do not stop • Request a copy of US 1/Knox Road drainage report Lindsay Bobian, Project Manager US 1 College Park – From College Avenue/Regents Avenue to MD 193 (Six-year project) • Public Outreach with lane closures • Minimize lane closure during peak times • Possibility of night work • Relocation of utility lines • Encourage motorist to utilize Adelphi Road and Kenilworth Avenue exits from the beltway during the construction period 2. Proposed PY 45 CDBG Application: Kacy Rohn reported that funding is currently available for CDBG Program Year 45 and applications are due by October 11, 2018. Staff recommends that the City apply for funding to improve the street and pedestrian facilities where Princeton Avenue approaches Fraternity Row in Old Town. Councilmember Kabir asked if we there was an opportunity to get funding for the Rhode Island Avenue bike safety lane project. Ms. Schum stated that we just received news that we were funded for the complete design of the buffer bike lane project. If the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program continues to qualify neighborhoods in North College Park, staff will bring options to Council next year. Staff will bring options for supplemental funding for services regarding Neighbors Helping Neighbors and/or the Seniors Committee. Staff will reach out to St. Andrews Church prior to the start of construction. Staff will also continue requesting Prince George’s County Park and Planning to make trail access to the Old Calvert Park. 3. Report from the ad hoc Committee on Committees Ms. Kennedy stated that the Committee on Committees (COC) reviewed the purpose and mission of each of the City’s Board and Committees. The COC was tasked with 1. identifying if all committees are serving, as a whole, a strong purpose 2. does each individual committee have a strong purpose, objective and outcome 3. what are some standards and best practices that we want to put in place (term limits, how to recruit and retain members, training of new members). College Park City Council October 2, 2018 Worksession Page 3 Next steps: 1. Obtain input from current committee members and recently resigned members. Send an email and mailing to each committee member that outlines the COC’s proposals and to get direct feedback. 2. Assign a COC member to reach out to the chair and attend a committee meeting for the following committees in order to get a better understanding of their purpose, objectives and what the committee is currently working on: Animal Welfare Committee (C. Kennedy), Committee for a Better Environment (C. Rigg), Education Advisory Committee (C. Brennan), Recreation Board (Mayor), and Tree and Landscape Board (C. Mitchell) 3. Place money in the budget for training 4. Add an honorary membership 5. Contact the members on the Citizens Corp Council and the Cable Television Commission (City Attorney will review the Cable Franchise Agreement first) to inquire if there are any concerns regarding dissolving the committee. 6. Unfreeze the appointments to the following Board and Committees: Advisory Planning Commission, Airport Authority, College Park Seniors Committee, Board of Elections, Ethics Commission, Noise Control Board, Recreation Board, and the Veterans Commission. 7. COC will work with staff on developing a resolution or ordinance on best practices (term limits, annual training of new members and training). A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to extend the meeting by 30 minutes. Motioned passed 8-0-0. 4. Discussion of Deputy Student Liaison position: Councilmember Kujawa reviewed the staff report. The City Attorney will draft a Resolution for Council’s approval that amends the Deputy Student Liaison’s job description, appointment process and residency requirement. 5. Discussion of 2019 legislative priorities: Bill Gardiner reviewed the staff report. This year’s legislative priorities will include a bond bill for renovations to Davis Hall, a bond bill for a new building on the former swim club property, preserving local authority on small cell tower regulations, additional municipal authority regarding building permits and funding on design of Phase II rebuild. 6. Appointments to Board and Committees: Appoint Jim McFadden to the Advisory Planning Commission and Aaron Springer as an alternate to the Noise Control Board. 7. Requests For/Status of Future Agenda items: Councilmember Kabir requested that the approval of a letter to the M-NCPPC regarding its FY20 budget be placed on next week’s agenda and that the Legislation for the Comprehensive Zoning Rewrite should be moved from October 23, 2018 to October 16, 2018 agenda. Councilmember Mitchell requested to add a change of the Mayor and Council meeting schedule to move the November meeting to the 20th due to several members of Council attending the NLC Conference. College Park City Council October 2, 2018 Worksession Page 4 8. Mayor and Councilmember Comments Councilmember Dennis: • Coffee club will be held tomorrow morning a 9:00 a.m. at Jason’s Deli Councilmember Brennan: • Thanked everyone who came out to help weed and clean-up the Berwyn permaculture garden this past Sunday. • Expressed concern about the bus stop and the side walk closing in front of the LIDL site. Suggested that the bus stop location be relocated while the construction is taking place in the area. Student Liaison: • Thanked all who participated in the successful safety walk. Mayor Wojahn: • MML Fall Conference will be held in Annapolis, Maryland October 10 – 12, 2018 • Smarter Growth Coalition Walking Tour toured College Park this past Saturday • Smart Cites Week is this week in Washington, D.C. • Speaking in Ken Ulman class this week • Congratulated MaryPIRG on reaching their goal on getting 1,500 UMD students registered to vote • Spoke at the International City Managers Association last week ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Kennedy to adjourn the Worksession and with a vote of 8 – 0 – 0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the Worksession at 11:00 p.m. ____________________________________________ Yvette Allen Date Assistant City Clerk Approved