Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting of the College Park City Council Tuesday, December 11, 2018 Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. – 11:26 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; Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works; Brenda Alexander, Assistant Director of Public Works; Steve Halpern, City Engineer; Kacy Rohn, Community Development Planner; Alex Tobin, Student Liaison; Mayor Wojahn opened the Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilmember Kabir announced the North College Park Community Association meeting and the Duvall Field Visioning Session at Davis Hall. Councilmember Brennan announced the Chick-Fil-A developer meeting tomorrow at the College Park Community Center. Councilmember Kujawa attended the College Park Woods Connector Trail groundbreaking and picked up some new trail maps. Bonnie McClellan received a Champion Award from the Office of Community Engagement. Councilmember Mitchell also discussed the Connector Trail groundbreaking. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Somers reported on Breakfast with Santa, the Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and the Duvall Field Visioning event. AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Kujawa and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to amend the agenda to add a “Letter to the University of Maryland Facilities Council regarding the UMD Golf Course” (Item #18-G-156) after tonight’s presentation. The motion was approved 8-0-0. The agenda, as amended, was approved (Dennis/Mitchell) 8-0-0. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Dave Dorsch, resident: Extend the safety rail on US 1; open Rhode Island Avenue to Campus Drive before Purple Line construction begins; he doesn’t like the design plan for the Child Care Center in the Calvert Road school. Matthew Talley, resident: He is a student and the new Vice President of External Affairs for the Interfraternity Council of the University of Maryland. As the formal representative to the City Council he wanted to introduce himself. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 2 Oscar Gregory, resident: He is skeptical of the recommendations in the bulk trash report and thinks it is a backhanded way of taxing residents. PRESENTATION: Carlo Colella, UMD Vice President of Administration and Finance, reviewed the University’s PowerPoint (attached) on the proposed partial repurposing of the UMD Golf Course for recreational fields. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of: 18-G-152 Award of contract to Playground Specialists, Inc. in the amount of $57,036.00 for the renovation of the Crystal Springs playground to a fit-lot, subject to the approval of the City Attorney, and authorize the City Manager to sign 18-R-25 Approval of a Resolution to ratify the Mayor and Council’s decision in CPV- 2018-08, Wanjing Hu, for 8719 36th Avenue 18-R-24 Approval of a Resolution to ratify the Mayor and Council’s decision in CPV- 2018-10, Robert Kidwell, for 4705 Howard Lane 18-G-154 Approval of a transcript in lieu of minutes for Oral Argument CPV-2018-16, 9808 53rd Avenue held on October 9, 2018; approval of minutes from the November 13, 2018 Worksession; November 13, 2018 Special Session; November 20, 2018 Regular Meeting; and November 26, 2018 Legislative Dinner. Approval of confidential minutes of the closed sessions of April 3, April 17, July 17, September 11, September 17, and September 25, 2018, provided separately. The motion carried 8-0-0. ACTION ITEMS: ADD: 18-G-156: Discussion of a letter to the UMD Facilities Council about the Proposed Partial Repurposing of the UMD Golf Course A motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember Kujawa to send a letter to the UMD Facilities Council opposing in its entirety the current plan to repurpose a portion of the golf course for recreation fields. Comments from the audience: Sen. Jim Rosapepe, resident: Senator Rosapepe gave credit to the UMD for their open and transparent posture on this project, but does not support this proposal and is in favor of the motion. Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk, resident: She is in favor of preserving the land and supports the motion. Normand Bernache, resident: He has a membership in the golf course and supports the motion. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 3 Suchitra Balachandran, resident: She opposes the proposed development and supports the motion. [A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Day to remove the Bulk Trash Worksession item from tonight’s agenda due to time constraints. The motion passed 8-0-0.] Jon Robinson, non-resident: The Cool Spring Terrace Civic Association has discussed this development and are opposed. They support the motion. Markian Melnyk, resident: He opposes the proposed development and supports the motion. Maria Mackie, resident: She is in favor of preserving the land and supports the motion. Ben Reichart, resident: He is a UMD student and is opposed to this motion. He is in support of the proposed development. Matthew Talley, resident: He is a UMD student and uses the golf course, opposes the proposed development, and supports the motion. Oscar Gregory, resident: He supports the motion. Mary King, resident: She is in favor of preserving the land and supports the motion. Laura Branah, resident: She is a UMD student and is opposed to this motion. She is in support of the proposed development. Sam Doyle, non-resident: He lives in Acredale, opposes the proposed development, and supports the motion. Peter King, resident: He opposes the proposed development and supports the motion. Jazs, resident: She is in favor of preserving the land and supports the motion. Jonathan Allen, SGA President: Suggests waiting until further study is done before taking a position. Councilmember Kennedy will not support the motion but would like a compromise letter that does not go so far as complete opposition. Councilmember Rigg would prefer a win-win position but will support the motion. Councilmember Mitchell requested her colleague’s support for the motion. Roll Call Vote: Yes: Rigg, Kujawa, Mitchell College Park City Council Meeting Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 4 No: Kabir, Kennedy, Brennan, Dennis, Day The motion failed 3-5-0. Discussion continued: Mr. Tobin requested that Council wait until more students have provided feedback before taking a position. Councilmember Brennan does not support a letter of strict opposition and wants to consider alternatives such as lighting existing fields, partnership with nearby M-NCPPC golf course. Councilmember Dennis does have concerns but prefers a letter that expresses our concerns and continues the discussion. Councilmember Day wants to hear from the students before making a decision; there will be other opportunities to comment. A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Kennedy to send a letter expressing the Council’s concerns and the impacts articulated tonight, rather than stating complete opposition to the project. [A motion was made by Councilmember Kennedy and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to extend the meeting until 11:00 p.m. The motion carried 8-0-0.] Jon Robinson, non-resident: Does not oppose more playing fields, just at this location. Peter King, resident: Does not support the amendment. Delegate Pena-Melnyk, resident: She does not support the amendment. Suchitra Balachandran, resident: She does not support the amendment. Matthew Talley, resident: Supports the request that the University pursue alternatives. Mary King, resident: She does not support the amendment. Jazs, resident: She wants to see the feedback that the University has received; opposes the amendment. Oscar Gregory, resident: Does not support the amendment. Councilmember Kabir opposes “But, if the Facilities Council moves forward...” language and prefers that the letter just state our concerns. After hearing the comments expressed tonight, Councilmember Mitchell will oppose this compromise position. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 5 Councilmember Rigg hears valid arguments on both sides and thinks it might be best to stay silent on the matter. [A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Kennedy to suspend Council’s rules and to continue the meeting. The motion passed 7-1-0 (Rigg opposed) and the meeting continued.] Mr. Tobin said few students use the golf course. Councilmember Rigg thinks the letter infers that the University isn’t concerned with quality of life impacts and he disagrees with that. Roll Call Vote: Yes: Dennis, Brennan, Kennedy, Rigg No: Mitchell, Kujawa, Day, Kabir 4-4 tie. Mayor Wojahn thinks it is important to weigh in at this time and votes Yes. Motion passes 5-4. 18-O-10 Possible Amendment to, and Adoption of, 18-O-10, Wireless Telecommunications facilities in Public rights-of way Due to the lateness of the hour, a motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to remove this item from the agenda tonight and hear it at a later date. The motion passed 8-0-0. 18-G-155 Appointments to Boards and Committees A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Day to make the following appointments to the Complete Count Committee: Gloria Aparicio- Blackwell (pending receipt of application), Michael Glowacki, Melissa Sites, Councilmember Day, Councilmember Mitchell and Heidi Biffl. To the Charter Review Commission: Virdina Gibbs, John Krouse, Nora Eidelman, Dan Alpert, Nathan Rickard, Peter King, Cameron Thurston, Brooks Boliek. Reappointments to the Airport Authority: Dave Kolesar and Dave Dorsch. The motion passed 8-0-0. WORKSESSION DISCUSSION AFTER THE REGULAR MEETING: 1. Presentation on Hollywood Road sidewalk feasibility study and discussion of next steps - Terry Schum, Director of Planning and consultant Mike Norton, Norton Land Design, LLC: College Park City Council Meeting Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 6 Ms. Schum explained that the consultant has completed the feasibility study, and with Council support tonight, will proceed with 30% design, then an RFP would be issued for 100% design. The project is funded through 100% design. The consultant held a community meeting with a lot of public engagement, and those comments have been incorporated in the study. Mr. Norton reviewed his PowerPoint (attached). The sidewalk is proposed for the south side of Hollywood Road due to large trees and utilities on the north side. Council said OK to moving forward. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to adjourn the Regular Meeting, and with a vote of 8-0-0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the Regular Meeting at 11:26 p.m. ____________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved