Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting of the College Park City Council Tuesday, April 9, 2019 Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. – 9:05 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy, Brennan, Dennis, Day, Rigg and Kujawa. ABSENT: Councilmember Mitchell. 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; Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services; Peggy Higgins, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services; Alex Tobin, Student Liaison. Mayor Wojahn opened the Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilmember Kabir announced the next North College Park Community Association meeting and the Budget Town Hall. Councilmember Kennedy announced the virtual Budget Town Hall Facebook Live event she is hosting. Councilmember Brennan discussed upcoming road closures related to the LIDL construction. Councilmember Dennis announced the upcoming Coffee Club meeting. Councilmember Rigg discussed the letter from the County Executive stating that the timing of the Calvert Hills Stormwater Improvement Project will be accelerated. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Somers said that the College Park Woods Trail construction is underway; the Department of Public Works is open on Saturdays in April; Hollywood Gateway Park construction is underway; a contractor will be in the neighborhood doing survey work for the Hollywood Commercial District project; there is a Duvall Field visioning session hosted by GreenPlay, LLC on May 13; the Food Scrap drop-off program has begun; Arbor Day will be celebrated on April 26 at St. Andrews Church; reviewed the City’s Tree Canopy Enhancement Program; and announced the Spring Egg Hunt and Good Neighbor Day. AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: 1) Add “Adoption of a Resolution to increase the Seniors Committee to 11 people and eliminate the Council position” (19- R-07) Brennan/Kennedy 7-0; 2) Add “Approval of a temporary waiver of adoption fees in July 2019 for the “Maryland 2000 Program” and a waiver for City residents of microchip placement fees at designated Microchip Clinics to the Consent Agenda” (19-G-61) Kujawa/Kennedy 7-0; 3) Add Adoption of a Resolution to amend the composition of the Complete Count Committee to the Consent Agenda (19-R-06) Kujawa/Kennedy 7-0. Adopt the agenda as amended Dennis/Brennan 7-0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes April 9, 2019 Page 2 PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Sarah D’Alexander, Office of Community Engagement, UMD: Ms. Alexander discussed Good Neighbor Day, scheduled for April 13, and said 900 volunteers are signed up to work at 20 sites throughout the City. PRESENTATIONS: A. Lakeland STARs and College Park Scholars: Instead of the expected presentation of certificates to the Lakeland STARS and College Park Scholars, Prof. Marilee Lindemann, Executive Director of College Park Scholars, and Jeany Cadet, the program coordinator, presented soon-to-retire Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services, Peggy Higgins, with commemorative items to thank her for establishing the Lakeland STARS program, which is now in its 20th year. B. Annual Report from the College Park City University Partnership - Eric Olson, Executive Director: Mr. Olson discussed the Partnership’s Annual Report. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Day to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following: 19-R-04 Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Adopting The Recommendation Of The Advisory Planning Commission Regarding Variance Application Number CPV-2019-01, 4911 Hollywood Road, College Park, Maryland, Recommending Approval Of Setback Variances From The Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 27-442(E) Table IV Which Specifies Minimum Setback Distances In Order To Validate Existing Conditions And In Order To Construct A Second-Story That Cantilevers 2-Feet Beyond The First Floor 19-R-05 Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Adopting The Recommendation Of The Advisory Planning Commission Regarding Variance Application Number CPV-2019-02, 5100 Lackawanna Street, College Park, Maryland, Recommending Approval Of A Variance From The Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 27-120.01(C)To Permit The Construction Of A Driveway Partially In The Front Yard Of A Dwelling 19-G-55 Approval of Minutes: March 12, 2019 Regular meeting and March 19, 2019 Worksession. 19-G-61 Approval of a temporary waiver of adoption fees in July 2019 for the “Maryland 2000 Program” and a waiver for City residents of microchip placement fees at designated Microchip Clinics 19-R-06 Approval of a Resolution amending the composition of the Complete Count Committee to increase the membership The Consent Agenda was adopted by a vote of 7-0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes April 9, 2019 Page 3 ACTION ITEMS 19-G-56 Approve a recommendation to the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners for issuance of a Class B (BLX), Beer, Wine and Liquor License to Everland, Inc., t/a LATAO Sushi Cuisine, at 8700 Baltimore Avenue (The Enclave) subject to the Licensee entering into a Property Use Agreement with the City Mr. Ryan said this is a hot pot style restaurant opening in The Enclave student housing development that plans to feature Karaoke. The applicant, Mark Li, and Susan Vogel spoke on behalf of the establishment. Councilmember Brennan asked about the owner’s prior business experience. Mr. Li said he has owned two other businesses in Maryland for five years. They plan a soft opening in mid-May with the grand opening in June. A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to approve a recommendation to the Board of License Commissioners of Prince George’s County (the “Board”) for issuance of a Class B (BLX), Beer, Wine and Liquor License to Everland, Inc., t/a LATAO – Sushi Cuisine, Tao Li, President, (“Licensee”) at the property located at 8700 Baltimore Avenue, Suites A & B, College Park, MD 20740, subject to Licensee agreement to a Property Use Agreement (“PUA”) with the City, in substantially the form attached, authorizing the City Manager to sign the PUA, and authorizing the Public Services Director to testify before the Board concerning the City’s support. The motion passed 7-0. 19-G-59 Discussion and possible approval of a request for City recognition of Reed Whittemore, former Poet Laureate of the United States Eric Olson, Executive Director of the College Park City-University Partnership, reviewed the Partnership’s request to the City and explained that Reed Whittemore was a UMD professor who lived in Calvert Hills and was twice named the Poet Laureate of the United States. September of 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of his birth. It would be a fitting tribute to place a marker on the Trolley Trail near his house commemorating his life. The Partnership will provide funding for the marker and the City would be asked to install it. He has reached out to Mr. Whittemore’s daughter. Councilmember Rigg asked about the type of marker. Mr. Olson said he would work with our Planning Department on the type of sign and that it would be similar to other ATHA signage on the trail. A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Day to establish a memorial marker near the intersection of the Trolley Trail and Albion Road to recognize Poet Laureate Reed Whittemore. The motion carried 7-0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes April 9, 2019 Page 4 19-G-60 Discussion and possible approval of a series of Night Out in College Park events organized by the Recreation Board Mr. Ryan explained that the Recreation Board is interested in starting a new event – a night out at a local restaurant. A pilot program included a child care opportunity at the Community Center which wasn’t well attended. They are seeking Council’s approval for an event at the College Park Grill on May 10, which would be held concurrently with the Extreme Teens event at the Community Center. They are seeking the City’s sponsorship so the City can advertise the event. Councilmember Rigg asked why the child care wasn’t successful for the pilot event. Mr. Ryan said there was some confusion about the initial event. The Center can’t accommodate infants. Mr. Ryan said the idea would be to schedule various “Night Out in College Park” events to coordinate with Extreme Teen events at the Community Center. Councilmember Kennedy asked why this is coming to Council. Mr. Ryan said this new event requires Council approval. Her concern is promoting one business over another business. She does not want Council to approve every single event. Mr. Somers said we are asking Council to only approve the May event and to go back to the Recreation Board to fine-tune the program and then return to Council to see if they are interested in sponsoring these events going forward. Councilmember Kujawa clarified that the question tonight is only to approve the May event. Mr. Somers said yes. Ms. Ferguson said staff may return with a policy in the future that would allow staff to handle future events administratively. Councilmember Brennan supports the idea of engaging local businesses and said they have much more marketing clout than the City does and recommends putting the onus on the businesses. A motion was made by Councilmember Kennedy and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to approve the May 10 program as a City-sponsored event. This motion does not commit any funds. There were no comments from the audience. The motion carried 7-0. 19-R-07 A Resolution modifying the composition of the College Park Seniors Committee A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Dennis to increase the membership of the College Park Seniors Committee to eleven residents of the City and to eliminate the City Council position. There were no comments from the audience or the Council. The motion carried 7-0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes April 9, 2019 Page 5 19-G-58 Appointments to Boards and Committees A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to appoint Bram Turner to the Animal Welfare Committee, and to appoint Todd Reitzel, Rashawna Alfred and Janet Wagner to the Tree and Landscape Board. The motion carried 7-0. COMMENTS: Councilmember Kabir thanked City Engineer Steve Halpern for meeting with residents on Huron. Councilmember Brennan thanked Councilmember Rigg for arranging the College Park Scholars technology event over the weekend. Councilmember Day agreed and said the event should be repeated. Councilmember Rigg thanked the College Park Scholars in Action for the great idea. Mr. Tobin announced the date for the SGA elections and said the Student Liaison application is being circulated. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Day to adjourn the Regular Meeting, and with a vote of 7-0, Mayor Wojahn adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m. _______________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, CMC Date City Clerk Approved Closed Session Statement Pursuant to the statutory authority of the Maryland Annotated Code General Provisions Article Section 3-305, the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park met in a Closed Session in the Council Chambers at City Hall on April 2, 2019 to consider matters that relate to collective bargaining negotiations. At 10:17 p.m., after the regularly scheduled Worksession, a motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Day to enter into the closed session. The motion passed 8-0 and the City Council began the closed session at 10:22 p.m. The Mayor and all Councilmembers were present. In addition, the meeting was attended by City Manager Scott Somers, Assistant City Manager Bill Gardiner, City Clerk Janeen Miller, Human Resources Director Jill Clements, and Student Liaison Alex Tobin. Mayor Wojahn is the designated Open Meetings Trainee. Ms. Clements and Mr. Somers updated the Mayor and Council on the status of the collective bargaining negotiations with AFSCME Local 1209. No action was taken. At 10:42 p.m., on a motion by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Rigg, and a vote of 8-0, the closed session was adjourned.