Mayor & City Council

WORKSESSION MINUTES College Park City Council Tuesday, January 22, 2019 Council Chambers 7:30 P.M. – 9:52 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy, Brennan, Dennis, Day, Rigg, Kujawa, and Mitchell (7:33 p.m.) ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Steve Halpern, City Engineer; Gary Fields, Director of Finance; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Ryan Chelton, Economic Development Coordinator; Jerah Smith, Planning Intern; Alex Tobin, Student Liaison. Mayor Wojahn opened the Worksession at 7:30 p.m. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Somers reviewed the items in the weekly bulletin and discussed last weekend’s snow event. Christmas trees are still being collected by calling the Public Work’s Department. Announced the Family Fun Bowling Bash to be held on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at the Bowlero Lanes, 9021 Baltimore Avenue. AMENDMENT TO/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was approved without amendment (Brennan/Dennis) 8-0-0. DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. Calvert Hills Storm Drain Improvement Project: Frank Galosi and Manvinder Singh, Prince George’s County Department of the Environment discussed the project which is intended to add new storm drain systems, upgrade the capacity of the open channels and install an underground stormwater storage vault to improve the surface runoff conveyance capacity and reduce the frequency of significant flooding. See PowerPoint for details. Mr. Galosi stated that procurement is keeping the project from moving quickly and indicated that construction would begin in 2021. Mr. Galosi will send status reports to Steve Halpern, City Engineer, every two months. Council directed staff to prepare a letter to the County Executive requesting support to prioritize this project to construction. 2. Auditor’s presentation of CY ’18 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) – Lindsey & Associates: Audit for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018. There were no issues found and no evidence of fraud or weakness in the City’s internal controls. 3. Discussion on College Park Woods pool property; direction on how to remove the pool, award of contract for the decommissioning of the pool and removal of the clubhouse: City Manager, Scott Somers, reviewed the staff report. College Park City Council Worksession January 22, 2019 Page 2 Decommission of the pool: Council was concerned with the impact of leaving the existing pool in the ground. Mr. Somers stated that this location does not accommodate future building growth and assured Council that all of the concrete apron surrounding the pool will be removed. Drain holes will be placed in the bottom of the pool to assure it drains naturally, most of the inflow pipes will remain when the cavity of the pool is filled in. If the pool is left in the ground, there should be no impact on further plans at the pool location. Council directed staff to proceed with Option 1: Drain pools, cap supply line, provide drains, infill pools and remove all related equipment. Renovate current facility or construct new facility: A question was made about subdividing the front portion of the property to offset cost. The community does not want homes built on the front portion of the property and would like to keep the entire parcel as public use space. Council directed staff to proceed with Option 2: Construct a new facility at a cost of approximately $490,000. Location of the new facility: The community requested that a new facility be built at the current location. Marlbrough Way is overparked and it would be difficult for seniors to walk up the hill if the building was moved closer to the road. Council directed staff to proceed with Option 1: Construct a new facility at the current location. 4. Approval of a letter to Prince George’s County expressing interest in acquisition of Rhode Island Avenue: City Manager, Scott Somers, stated that there are two items for Councils consideration: 1. Continue discussions regarding County ownership and maintenance of Rhode Island Avenue and the request of the possible transfer of Rhode Island Avenue 2. Authorize a letter to be sent to the County Executive. Mr. Somers further stated that Rhode Island Avenue between University Blvd and Paducah Road isn’t in good condition and that the County has no plans in the next five years to pave the road. The letter to the County Executive will go on next week’s Consent Agenda. 5. Discussion of a Business Recognition Program: Jereah Smith, Planning Intern reviewed the staff report and summarized how the business recognition program would work. Council was in favor of this program. Staff will continue to develop the program more formally with an application process, procedures and application forms with steps involved. Staff will also revisit the winner recommendation selection process. This item will come back to an agenda at a later date. 6. Agenda Items for Four Cities Meeting: The next Four Cities Meeting will be held in College Park on January 30th. Mayor Wojahn stated that there will be a presentation from SHA on the Traffic Relief Plan and the I-495 & I-270 P3 Program and a presentation by Rob Landau, on behalf of Compassion & Choices, on a bill that will be introduced in the current College Park City Council Worksession January 22, 2019 Page 3 MGA session, to “afford competent adults with only 6 months to live an option to end their lives with dignity.” There are no additional agenda items submitted from College Park. 7. Appointments to Boards and Committees: There were no appointments brought forward. There was discussion regarding amending the Charter to add an additional member to the Board of Election per the email from the City Clerk. 8. Requests for/Status of Future Agenda items: 1. Send a letter to the County Executive requesting that the County accelerate completion of the Calvert Hills Drainage project (Rigg/Day) 2. Water run-off issues (Mr. Somers will visit what other Cities are doing) (Kabir/Mitchell) 9. Mayor and Councilmember Comments: Kate Kennedy: POSH Cycling & Fitness Studio is offering a free charity spinning class on January 24th with a donation for the Extraordinary Birthdays. The College Park Community Foundation Gala will be held on Saturday, January 26th. Mayor Wojahn: Family Justice Center, the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center provides services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and elder abuse. Reminded everyone of the Urban Land Institute presentation that will be held at the City of Greenbelt tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. Wework grand opening will be held on January 31, at 6:30 p.m. Will be attending the Maryland Municipal Retreat in Rockville, Maryland. 10. City Manager's Comments – None. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Day to adjourn the Worksession, and with a vote of 8-0-0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the Worksession at 9:52 p.m. ____________________________________________ Yvette Allen Date Assistant City Clerk Approved