Mayor & City Council

MINUTES Regular Meeting of the College Park City Council Tuesday, September 28, 2021 7:30 p.m. – 8:52 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, this was a virtual meeting. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy, Dennis, Esters, Day, Rigg, Mitchell and Mackie. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Kenneth Young, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Teresa Way- Pezzuti, Director of Human Resources; Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works; Ryna Quinones, Communication and Events Manager; Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services; Michael Williams, Economic Development Manager; and Student Liaison Megha Sevalia; Deputy Student Liaison Hayden Renaghan. Mayor Wojahn opened the virtual Regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilmember Kabir announced tomorrow’s deadline for public comment on the County’s Zoning Map Amendment. A forum for District 1 candidates is being hosted by the NCPCA. Councilmember Dennis announced tomorrow’s PGPD District 1 Coffee Club at 9 a.m. Councilmember Esters said today is National Voter Registration Day. Councilmember Rigg said the applications for absentee ballots have been mailed. Councilmember Mitchell said the AWC is holding a rabies vaccine and microchipping clinic. Councilmember Mackie announced a UMD football game on Friday night. College Park Here and Now will hold a candidates’ forum on October 6. Mayor Wojahn said the federal moratorium on evictions has been struck down but there are still funds available for people in need. Ms. Sevalia said the SGA is working on a student voter registration drive. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Young announced details about the upcoming City election; announced the City’s tree programs; discussed the sustainability seminar on October 9 College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 28, 2021 Page 2 with the results of the sustainability survey; said the October Public Safety meeting is on October 11; and announced the October Clean Up Saturdays at Public Works. PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS: Mayor Wojahn read the Proclamations for Rett Syndrome Awareness Month and the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Agenda was approved without amendment, Mitchell/Day, 8-0. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Carol Macknis, resident: Provided a clarification about the NCPCA candidate forum – it begins at 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance 21-O-11: An Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Amending Chapter 184, “Vehicles And Traffic”, Article VIII, “Speed Monitoring Systems”, By Repealing, Renaming And Reenacting §184-45, “Systems Within School Zones And Within ½ Mile Of An Institution Of Higher Education”, To Authorize The Placement Of Speed Cameras In The City On Highways In Residential Districts With A Maximum Posted Speed Limit Of 35 Miles Per Hour. Mr. Ryan said this amendment would allow the City to place speed cameras on Rhode Island Avenue or other residential streets where the speed limit is less than 35 MPH, when we have identified a speeding problem through a traffic study. It is our practice to place speed cameras where it will enhance pedestrian and traffic safety. To avoid receiving a speed camera ticket, one must obey the posted speed limit. Cameras are installed only in areas where a traffic study has been conducted and has identified a speeding problem. Comments from the audience: Charles Pitt, resident: Recommends exploring other traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, bump outs, and lane narrowing. Mary Cook, resident: Thinks this is a money maker for the state and the City. People don’t like to drive through College Park because they’re afraid they’re going to get a ticket. She has not seen any evidence or statistics that we need additional speed cameras. Mary King, resident: The public should be able to see the speed study so we know the kind of information you are working from. Alaina Pitt, resident: Do we do speed studies and then consider other methods to slow people down, or is the default just speed cameras? There being no further public comment, Mayor Wojahn closed the Public Hearing. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 28, 2021 Page 3 CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Dennis and seconded by Councilmember Rigg to adopt the Consent Agenda which consisted of: 21-G-116 Approval of a Letter of Support for funding assistance from the Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development for Branchville Crossing, 4810 Branchville Road. 21-G-115 Approval of minutes from the September 21, 2021 Worksession. The motion passed 8-0. ACTION ITEMS 21-G-114 Approval of a second contract extension with VeoRide until October 31st to allow additional time for contract negotiations. Ms. Schum said the City of College Park, University of Maryland, and Town of University Park are still negotiating with VeoRide for the micro mobility share contract. We need more time to do that and have requested an extension of the existing contract through the month of October. Councilmember Kabir asked about Capital Bike Share. Ms. Schum reviewed the City’s history with the Capital Bike Share program and said they don’t include scooters. Councilmember Mitchell raised concerns about accountability. Councilmember Rigg gave recent examples of scooters being left in unacceptable locations for long periods of time, leaving him with concerns about this company. Councilmember Day has no confidence in this company. Have we made any progress on a landing location in College Park Estates and Yarrow? Nothing changed after we spoke to them last month while we have been in negotiations. Ms. Schum discussed potential solutions for parking. Councilmember Esters asked if we are bound to the same terms as our partners. Ms. Schum said we each sign separate contracts so they can have different provisions. Ms. Sevalia asked about geo-fencing for scooter parking areas. 10,000 rides a day is a lot of rides, scooters provide students with a less expensive alternative, and reduce vehicle traffic. A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Kennedy that the VeoRide micro mobility share contract be extended to October 31. Comments from the audience: Mary King, resident: expressed surprise that a rider doesn’t have to agree to leave the scooter or bike in a certain location when you use it. She doesn’t think taking a picture is enough. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 28, 2021 Page 4 The motion passed 8-0. 21-O-11 Adoption of Ordinance 20-O-11, An Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Amending Chapter 184, “Vehicles And Traffic”, Article VIII, “Speed Monitoring Systems”, By Repealing, Renaming And Reenacting §184-45, “Systems Within School Zones And Within ½ Mile Of An Institution Of Higher Education”, To Authorize The Placement Of Speed Cameras In The City On Highways In Residential Districts With A Maximum Posted Speed Limit Of 35 Miles Per Hour A motion was made by Councilmember Esters and seconded by Councilmember Rigg to adopt Ordinance 21-O-11, An Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Amending Chapter 184, “Vehicles And Traffic”, Article VIII, “Speed Monitoring Systems”, By Repealing, Renaming And Reenacting §184-45, “Systems Within School Zones And Within ½ Mile Of An Institution Of Higher Education”, To Authorize The Placement Of Speed Cameras In The City On Highways In Residential Districts With A Maximum Posted Speed Limit Of 35 Miles Per Hour. Councilmember Esters said speeding has been an issue throughout the City and this is a measure that should help. Councilmember Rigg has mixed feelings about speed cameras and hears concerns from residents. Message boards provide positive feedback and are not “gotcha” measures. In some cases we might be able to make structural changes. Councilmember Kabir also has mixed feelings and hears feedback from both sides. Do we have any of the mobile speed limit signs? Councilmember Mitchell wants to see the data; this should be about safety, not making money. Mr. Ryan said we post an annual report on our website. Councilmember Mackie confirmed that the Council will be seeing the study and statistics before deployment. Correct. She heard a concern about cameras getting you coming and going – can a grace period be provided. Mr. Ryan said speed limits and camera notices are posted, and there is a 12 MPH leeway. Ms. Ferguson added that warnings will be given when new cameras go up for a certain number of days. Councilmember Kennedy has seen speeding on Edgewood Road and Rhode Island Avenue and thinks this is one option to address. The motion passed 8-0. College Park City Council Meeting Minutes September 28, 2021 Page 5 21-O-12 Introduction of an Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park Authorizing By Quit Claim Deed the Acquisition and Ownership of, Jurisdiction Over and Responsibility for the Maintenance of Rhode Island Avenue from Paducah Road to Greenbelt Road, in College Park, for a Public Purpose Ms. Ferguson said the City is required to acquire this roadway by ordinance; this follows the transfer agreement that was previously approved. A motion to introduce 21-O-12, Authorizing By Quit Claim Deed the Acquisition and Ownership of, Jurisdiction Over and Responsibility for the Maintenance of Rhode Island Avenue from Paducah Road to Greenbelt Road, in College Park, for a Public Purpose, was made by Councilmember Kabir and seconded by Councilmember Kennedy. Mayor Wojahn said the Public Hearing will be held on October 12, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. Adjourn: Motion by Mitchell/Rigg, 8:52 p.m., passed 8-0. _____________________________________ Janeen S. Miller Date City Clerk Approved