Mayor & City Council
Regular MeetingCollege Park, MD · March 5, 2019
Minutes
MINUTES
Special Session of the College Park City Council
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Council Chambers
9:54 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; Bob Ryan,
Director of Public Services; Alex Tobin, Student Liaison; Serena
Saunders, Deputy Student Liaison.
During a regularly scheduled Worksession of the College Park City Council, a motion was made
by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to enter into a Special
Session to act on two time-sensitive matters. The possibility of the Special Session was listed on
the Worksession agenda. With a vote of 6-0, Council entered into Special Session at 9:54 p.m.
ACTION ITEMS
19-G-41 Discussion and possible approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with
State Highway Administration regarding pedestrian lights on US 1 between
College Avenue and 193.
Mr. Gardiner reviewed the staff report and said we received updated information from SHA and
revised pricing for 134 pedestrian lights. SHA’s policy is that the MOU must be signed prior to
bid opening, so the actual cost won’t be known until after the bid opening on March 7. This is
only for Phase 1 of the US 1 reconstruction project. The cost to the City can be financed in a
couple of different ways: carried over two fiscal years as pay-go, or included in the anticipated
bond for City Hall and other capital projects. There is the possibility of some pay back to the
City from developers if/when certain parcels are redeveloped.
A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Dennis
to authorize the City Manager to sign the attached State Highway Administration
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the shared cost of installing pedestrian lighting
as part of phase 1 of the Baltimore Avenue reconstruction project. The MOU shall be
reviewed and approved by the City Attorney.
Councilmember Brennan said he is in favor of taking advantage of the cost-sharing program with
SHA and that installation of uniform pedestrian street lights will improve our streetscape which
could help spur development.
The motion passed 6-0.
City of College Park
Special Session Minutes
March 5, 2019
Page 2
19-G-42 Discussion of legislation: SB 478/HB 1317, Property Tax-Vehicles Valued as
Stock in Business-Alteration of Tax Credit:
Mr. Gardiner reviewed legislation and staff report. If approved as proposed, the bill would
reduce the business personal property taxes the City collects from automobile dealers. Mr.
Gardiner believes there is an amendment to “allow” not “require” municipalities to offer the tax
credit which would be beneficial to the City. Council is interested in supporting the amendment.
A motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember
Kennedy to send a letter in support of the proposed amendment to SB 478 / HB 1317, that
would make the proposed tax credits optional, and thus would not be harmful to the City.
The motion passed 6-0.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by
Councilmember Kennedy to adjourn from the Special Session, and with a vote of 6-0,
Mayor Wojahn adjourned the Special Session at 9:58 p.m.
______________________________________
Janeen S. Miller Date
City Clerk Approved
Agenda
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019
CITY OF COLLEGE PARK
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
WORKSESSION AGENDA
7:30 P.M.
COLLEGE PARK MISSION STATEMENT
The City Of College Park Provides Open And Effective Governance And Excellent Services
That Enhance The Quality Of Life In Our Community.
Time Item Staff/Council
7:30 CALL TO ORDER
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Discussion Items
Peggy Higgins,
Director of Youth,
7:35 1 Presentation on the Youth and Family Services program (40) Family and Senior
Services
Debrief of 2018 Farmers Markets and Discussion of 2019 Ryan Chelton,
Economic
8:15 2 Markets including Market Manager Contract (30) Development
Guest: Julie Beavers, Market Manager Coordinator
Bob Ryan,
Review of proposed changes to the noise ordinance resulting
8:45 3 Director of Public
from December 4 Worksession discussion (15) Services
Bob Ryan,
Discussion of possible consolidation of some National Night
9:00 4 Director of Public
Out events in the future (15) Services
Discussion and possible approval of a Memorandum of
Understanding with State Highway Administration regarding
Bill Gardiner,
9:15 5 pedestrian lights on US 1 between College Avenue and 193 Assistant City Manager
– Possible Special Session (15)
1
Discussion of legislation – Possible Special Session for
Bill Gardiner,
9:30 6 approval of matters related to time-sensitive legislation Assistant City Manager
(10)
Appointments to Boards and Committees including next
week’s appointment of the Board of Election Supervisors,
9:40 7 Mayor and Council
selection of the Chief, and compensation for the Board, for
the next two-year term
9:45 8 Requests for/Status of Future Agenda items Mayor and Council
9:50 9 Mayor and Councilmember Comments Mayor and Council
9:55 10 City Manager's Comments Mayor and Council
This agenda is subject to change. Item times are estimates only. For the most current information, please contact the City Clerk. In
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact the City Clerk’s Office and describe
the assistance that is necessary. City Clerk’s Office: 240-487-3501
2
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