Mayor & City Council

MINUTES College Park City Council Worksession Tuesday, June 7, 2022 7:30 p.m. – 10:59 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy, Esters, Whitney, Adams, Rigg (via Zoom), Mackie and Mitchell. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Kenneth Young, City Manager, (via Zoom); Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager, (via Zoom); Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Gary Fields, Director of Finance; Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services; Michael Williams, Economic Development Manager; Val Graham, Student Liaison; Adrian Andriessans, Deputy Student Liaison. Mayor Wojahn opened the Worksession at 7:30 p.m. City Manager’s Report: Mr. Young announced Friday Night Live this week; Urban Tree Protection Ordinance takes effect July 1; we have COVID home test kits; small cell 5G hybrid information session Tuesday, June 28; and 4th of July parade. Councilmember Whitney asked if residents will receive a direct mailer about the tree ordinance. Councilmember Kabir asked if residents will receive a mailed notice for renewal of parking permits. Amendments To And Approval Of The Agenda: • Mitchell/Mackie, add agenda item, “Announcement of Open Meetings Act violation and summary of opinion – 16 OCB-110 (2022)”, 8-0. • Motion to approve the agenda as amended, Mitchell/Esters, 8-0. Proclamations: Mayor Wojahn read the proclamations for Juneteenth, Immigrant Heritage Month, and LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Discussion Items: 1. Report from City lobbyists on the legislative session: Mr. Lucchi and Ms. Anderson, O’Malley, Miles, Nylen and Gilmore, presented the annual legislative report and took questions from the Mayor and Council. 2. Presentation on the draft College Park Age-Friendly Action Plan: Kiaisha Barber and Terry Schum, joined by members of the Seniors Committee, gave an overview. This is a five-year program. The final report will be widely circulated for comment and will ultimately come back to the Council for adoption. College Park City Council Minutes June 7, 2022 Page 2 Karen Mierow, Project Manager, M-NCPPC, introduced the consultant team from the Jacob France Institute at the University of Baltimore, and gave the presentation. The consultant team is requesting feedback on what seems doable or what might be difficult to accomplish. Discussion: sidewalks; expansion of transportation; reimburse cost of retrofits to a senior’s residence; congregant meals; what resources (staffing and budget, grants) are needed to implement the various suggestions; explanation of the timeline; evaluation criteria; affordable housing; partner with ride share services for senior transportation; intergenerational representation; find a way to determine priorities and what will have the greatest impact. Special Session: At 9:28 p.m., a motion was made by Councilmember Adams and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to enter into a Special Session. The motion passed 8-0. See Special Session minutes for: Item # 22-G-96, Renewal of the Agreement with M-NCPPC for use of the Recreation side of the YFS Building. Item # 22-G-97, Approval of a letter to City of Greenbelt with comments on Draft Greenbelt Road Plan Item #22-R-09, Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Adopting The Recommendation Of The Advisory Planning Commission For Application Number CEO- 2022-01 Regarding Variances From The Following Requirements: Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance, Table 27-6603(A), And City Code 87-23 C., To Permit The Installation Of A 6-Foot-High Fence Along Unimproved Right-Of-Way, Considered To Be A Front Yard. 3. Briefing on Financial and Human Resources software implementation and Project Manager agreement – Gary Fields, Director of Finance: Mr. Fields described what this software will do for the City, why it is needed, the expected timeline for implementation, what implementation involves, the integration with existing City systems, the recommendation and recruitment for a project manager for the City. Both contracts will be on the June 21 agenda. Questions: integration with all City systems, the annual increase on pricing, the project manager will be a contract position. Both items to Consent on June 21 – super majority override is required. College Park City Council Minutes June 7, 2022 Page 3 4. Review of policy on use of City meeting spaces – Mr. Young and Ms. Miller reviewed the highlights of the new policy. Mr. Young discussed the extra security needs at the new City Hall and reiterated the reasons behind eliminating private rentals to non-residents. Ms. Miller and Ms. Barber explained why the Recreation Side of the YFS space is not suitable for parties. Councilmembers discussed the need to stay consistent and adhere to the policy without making exceptions. Suggestions for revised wording were made. A question was raised about the City’s requirement for liability insurance when permitting City playgrounds for small events. The Calvert Road space will be addressed in the future when it is made available. To June 21 Consent Agenda. 5. Discussion on holding a City-wide business roundtable – Michael Williams, Economic Development Manager: Council discussed a City-wide event where all the businesses can come together to discuss best practices, share ideas and resources, how to support each other, to aid/encourage small and minority owned businesses, how to fund an incubator concept, resources about grants, and restoring the “Business of the Year” Award. Council asked where Michael’s time is best spent, suggested a gap analysis with the business owners, understand what their challenges are and what role the City can play. Involve students in the entrepreneurship program. Business owners are very busy – make sure it is worth their time. Staff will proceed and provide the Mayor and Council with an update. [10:30 Kennedy/Adams, to extend meeting.] 6. Announcement of Open Meetings Act violation and summary of opinion – 16 OCB-110 (2022): Mayor Wojahn read the statement, which is attached to the meeting minutes. 7. Requests for/Status of Future Agenda Items: • Kennedy/Whitney – Discuss what the City can do to address gun violence, 8-0. • Mitchell – requested the status of additional roadway connectivity? 8. Mayor and Councilmember Comments • Kabir – NCPCA monthly meeting • Whitney – Prince George’s County overdose program – they will train people in how to use Narcan, 301-583-5290. • Wojahn - no meeting next week. Adjourn into Closed Session: At 10:59 p.m., a motion was made by Councilmember Esters and seconded by Councilmember Adams to adjourn into a Closed Session. Mayor Wojahn read the Closing Statement: Pursuant to the statutory authority of the Maryland Annotated Code, General Provisions Art. § 3-305(b), the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park are providing notice that they will meet in a Closed Session after this meeting to discuss the appointment, College Park City Council Minutes June 7, 2022 Page 4 employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction, any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals; AND to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto. Specifically, the Mayor and Council will review applicants for City advisory boards and discuss the acquisition of various parcels for a public purpose. They will not return to Open Session after the Closed Session ends. The motion passed 8-0 and the Worksession was adjourned at 10:59 p.m. ___________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk  College Park City Council Tuesday, June 7, 2022 Special Session Minutes PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy, Esters, Whitney, Adams, Rigg (via Zoom), Mackie and Mitchell. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Kenneth Young, City Manager, (via Zoom); Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager, (via Zoom); Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Gary Fields, Director of Finance; Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services; Michael Williams, Economic Development Manager; Val Graham, Student Liaison; Adrian Andriessans, Deputy Student Liaison. During the regularly scheduled Worksession on June 7, a motion was made by Councilmember Adams and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to enter into a Special Session to consider several time sensitive matters. The possibility of the Special Session was listed on the Worksession agenda and was necessary because it had been two weeks since the last meeting and would be two more weeks until the next meeting. The motion passed 8-0 and Council entered into Special Session at 9:28 p.m. SPECIAL SESSION ITEMS: 22-G-96 Renewal of the Agreement with Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission for their use of the Recreation side of the Youth and Family Services Building on Nantucket Road – Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services Ms. Barber explained that when the YFS building was originally built, it was partially funded by Program Open Space funds and a portion of the building was dedicated for use by the M-NCPPC which was memorialized in an MOU. Ms. Barber said Park & Planning uses the space for after school programs, Friday night programs and summer programs. This is a request for a three-year renewal of that MOU. Council is interested in how many students attend the after-school program. Ms. Barber said it fluctuates and was reduced during COVID; she estimated up to 40 might attend. A motion was made by Councilmember Whitney and seconded by Councilmember Kabir to approve the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding with Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission in substantially the form attached, for use of the recreation portion of the Youth and Family Service Building at 4912 Nantucket Road until June 22, 2025, and to authorize continuation of funding for the after-school staff person, subject to review by the City Attorney. College Park City Council Special Session June 7, 2022 Page 2 The motion passed 8-0. 22-G-97 Approval of a letter to City of Greenbelt with comments on the Draft Greenbelt Road Plan Ms. Schum said this is a concept plan prepared by a consultant funded by a TLC grant received by Greenbelt. There has been a lot of community input. City of Greenbelt has asked for our comments. She reviewed the draft letter. Comments from Council: add tree planting; preference for cycle track, protected or buffered bike lanes; opportunities for collaboration. A motion was made by Councilmember Esters and seconded by Councilmember Kabir that a letter with City comments on the Greenbelt Road Corridor Plan be sent to the Greenbelt City Council. Councilmember Esters added these improvements will benefit everyone who uses the roadway. The motion passed 8-0. 22-R-09 Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Adopting The Recommendation Of The Advisory Planning Commission For Application Number CEO-2022-01 Regarding Variances From The Following Requirements: Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance, Table 27-6603(A), And City Code 87-23 C., To Permit The Installation Of A 6-Foot-High Fence Along Unimproved Right-Of-Way, Considered To Be A Front Yard (Appeal period ended June 7, 2022) A motion to adopt Resolution 22-R-09 was made by Councilmember Whitney and seconded by Councilmember Esters. The motion passed 8-0. Adjourn: A motion was made by Councilmember Mackie and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to adjourn the Special Session, motion carried 8-0 at 9:41 p.m. ____________________________________ Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk