Mayor & City Council

MINUTES College Park City Council Meeting Tuesday, February 28, 2023 7:30 p.m. – 8:17 p.m. This was a hybrid meeting: Online via Zoom. In-person in the Council Chambers of City Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Pro Tem, Denise Mitchell, Councilmembers Kabir, Esters, Whitney, Adams, Rigg, and Mackie. ABSENT: Mayor Wojahn and Councilmember Kennedy ALSO PRESENT: Kenneth Young, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Terry Schum, Director of Planning; Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services; Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works; Frank Pacifico, Assistant Director of Public Works; Valerie Graham, Student Liaison and Adrian Andriessens, Deputy Student Liaison. Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Announcements: Councilmember Kabir thanked COPS Officer Logan for visiting several homes in the area regarding the recent vehicle wheel thefts in the area. If you need any security assessment, please contact the Prince George’s Police Department. Councilmember Esters acknowledged that March is Women’s History Month. Encouraged everyone to take virtual tour of the National Women’s Museum to learn more of how women have contributed to society and to take a moment time to thank a woman for all the work she has done. Councilmember Adams reported that the Student Government Association held a clean- up in Old Town and Leonardtown this past weekend. Congratulated the UMD Men’s Basketball team in joining the Women’s team as ranked teams. Thanked staff for scheduling a Zoom meeting this Thursday, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the Edmonston Road sidewalk project. Councilmember Mackie encouraged the residents to make a float for the College Park Parade to be held on May 6th. More information can be found on our website. City Manager’s Report: None Amendments To/Approval Of The Agenda: Rigg/Mackie: to add a Closed Session after the meeting, 6-0. Adams/Rigg: Adopt agenda as amended, 6-0. Public Comment: Ethan Sweep, Community Liaison for Congressman Glen Ivey, introduced himself. If you need any help or assistance, please call, or email him. The Grants newsletter is up and available. Visit www.iveyhouse.com to sign up for the newsletter or for more information. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Esters and seconded by Councilmember Whitney to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of these items: 23-G-41 Award of Miscellaneous Concrete Maintenance and Asphalt Resurfacing Contract CP-24-01 to NZI Construction Corporation, in the amount of $800,000, riding the competitively-bid Prince George’s County Asphalt Resurfacing and Related Roadway Improvements Contract # 932-H(F)D – Steve Halpern, City Engineer 23-G-24 Approval of contract price of $105,000 for Contract SP Arch agreement for College Park Woods Clubhouse architect and engineering services, to include structural design, permitting and contract administration The motion passed 6-0. Presentations And Worksession Discussions: A. Discussion of amendments to the City Zoning Chapter to conform to the new County ordinance. Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney advised Council that the County readopted the entire code which has several changes to the Zoning Ordinance with respect to notice and process of types of review and new requirements for granting variances,  departures, and for fencing. These changes require us to amend our code as soon as possible regarding Chapter 190, “Zoning”, and 87, “Building Construction to be in compliance with the County especially the criteria for variances and departures. Our code must not be less stringent than the County code. The first steps would be for the City to amend our ordinance regarding fences, variances and departures. After discussion with Council an Ordinance will come back to Council for approval. B. Discussion and possible action on legislation Mr. Gardiner reviewed the legislation report. A motion was made by Councilmember Whitney and seconded by Councilmember Adams to support the following bills, and applicable crossfiles, via a letter or testimony: Support: SB0590/HB0718 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Eligible Sources Alterations (Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2023) Support: HB0718 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Eligible Sources - Alterations (Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2023) The motion passed 6-0. Council requested the following bills to be reviewed for possible support: Councilmember Mackie: SB0077/ HB0190 (Prior Session HB0537) Housing and Community Development - Homeowner's Extreme Weather Mitigation and Preparation Grant Program and SB0407/HB0848 – Drinking Water – Indirect Potable Reuse Pilot Program – Establishment Councilmember Whitney: Sent an email to Council this week regarding the Mental Health Treatment which included seven bills. Future Agenda Items: None Comments: Councilmember Whitney attend the last PGCMA meeting. There will be a meeting soon with Angela Alsobrooks. If we have one issue that we want to bring to her attention, we need to begin thinking of what we want to submit. Councilmember Mackie: Attended the COG Legislative Chesapeake Bay Committee meeting last week and the PGCMA meeting. Has also been attending all the Education Advisory Committee (EAC) meetings and wants to give credit to the members of EAC. Adjourn: A motion was made by Councilmember Esters and seconded by Councilmember Mackie to adjourn the meeting and reconvene into a Closed Session. Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell read the Closing Statement: Pursuant to the statutory authority of the Maryland Annotated Code, General Provisions Article § 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 the meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 to discuss the appointment, 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 consult with counsel to obtain legal advice. They will not return to public session. The motion passed 6-0, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Closed Session February 28, 2023 At 8:17 p.m. on February 28, at the conclusion of the Council meeting, a motion was made by Councilmember Esters and seconded by Councilmember Mackie to adjourn into a Closed Session. Mayor Pro Tem read the closing statement: Pursuant to the statutory authority of the Maryland Annotated Code, General Provisions Article § 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 the meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 to discuss the appointment, 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 consult with counsel to obtain legal advice. They will not return to public session. The motion passed 6-0. Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell, and Councilmembers Kabir, Esters, Whitney, Adams, Rigg, and Mackie were present. In addition, the meeting was attended by City Manager Kenneth A. Young, Assistant City Manager Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Clerk Yvette Allen, and City Attorney Suellen Ferguson. No action was taken during the Closed Session. At 9:19 p.m., on a motion by Councilmember Adams that was seconded by Councilmember Rigg, the Closed Session was adjourned.