Mayor & City Council

MINUTES College Park City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 23,2024 7:30 p.m. This was a hybrid meeting: Online via Zoom; In-person in the Council Chambers of City Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Kabir; Councilmembers Hernandez, Hew, Esters (arrived at 7:55 p.m.), Whitney, Mitchell, Mackie, Adams, and Rigg. ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Kenneth Young, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk; Stephanie Anderson, City Attorney; Gary Fields, Finance Director; Michael Williams, Economic Development Director; Dhruvak Mirani, Student Liaison; Gannon Sprinkle, Deputy Student Liaison. Mayor Kabir opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilmember Hernandez requested that staff have a meeting with the Veterans Memorial to discuss the future of the Committee. Requested that prior to approving the next Service Maintenance Contract with Metric Group that we include language on keeping the machines up and running. Councilmember Whitney thanked staff for attending the Berwyn Civic Association meeting and presenting different plans for the new sidewalk on Ruatan Street. A survey will be available soon for residents to give their input on the open space area on Roanoke Place. Councilmember Mitchell thanked Public Works for their hard work in getting the streets cleared after two snowstorms. Councilmember Mackie welcomed the students back from their winter break. Announced that an award for the construction contract for the College Park Woods Clubhouse will be on an upcoming agenda. Councilmember Admas also thanked Public Works for their work during the snowstorms. Councilmember Riggs reminded residents that sidewalks must be cleared of snow within 48 hours. Dhruvak Mirani, Student Liaison welcomed students back from winter break and thanked everyone who took time to send in written testimony on the Needs Based Student Housing Subsidy. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: None AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Adams/Mackie: add letter in support for the Maryland Transit Administration’s application for funding from the Federal Transit Administration. 7-0 Mitchell/Mackie approved the agenda as amendment. 7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS Bob Catlin, resident/former Councilmember: Mr. Catlin gave a summary of the history of the Homestead Tax Rate. Asked Council to consider reducing the Homestead Tax Rate to 4% in the future. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Councilmember Mackie and seconded by Councilmember Adams to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following: 24-G-10 Approve the appointment of Valerie Novak to the Bee City USA Committee; the appointments of Edward Ridge and Joseph Tannir to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; the appointments of Susan Huemmrich and M. Ruth Murphy to the Board of Election Supervisors; the appointments of Jonathan Riedel and Tami Watkins to the City Events Advisory Board; the appointment of Betty Colonomos to the College Park Seniors Committee; the appointments of Michael Hottinger, Frank Cifaldi, Shyamala Rajan, and Sam McGranahan to the Committee For a Better Environment; the appointment of Vincent Alexis-Laona to the Education Advisory Committee; and the appointment of Willie Sellers to the Restorative Justice Commission.  24-G-13 Approve the annual Service Maintenance Contract and Agreement with Metric Group, Inc., subject to approval of the City Attorney, for maintenance and support of the City’s 17 pay stations (equipment and software) in the amount of $30,400.00 which is included in the FY ‘24 budget. 24-G-14 Approval of minutes from the December 14, 2023, Council meeting and the January 16, 2024 Council meeting. 24-G-16 Approval of a letter in support for the MTA’s application for funding from the FTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program The consent agenda passed 7-0. 11. ACTION ITEMS 24-G-15 Approval of a contract of sale to purchase the property known as W 35.2 FT Lot 14 04-05 Pierce Avenue, from Williams C Ferguson and Williams H. Bass Maryland for a purchase price of $100,000, plus settlement costs. Settlement is anticipated to occur on or before February 29, 2024. Deed Reference 34817/00095 City Manager Kenny Young reviewed the staff report. This property has the potential for a small residential home or open space. A motion was made by Councilmember Whitney and seconded by Councilmember Jacobs to authorize the City Manager to proceed with a contract of sale to purchase the property known as W 35.2 FT Lot 14 04-05 Pierce Avenue, from Williams C Ferguson and Williams H. Bass Maryland for a purchase price of $100,000, plus settlement costs. Settlement is anticipated to occur on or before February 29, 2024. Deed Reference 34817/00095. The motion passed 7-0. 24-O-01 Introduction of an Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Authorizing The Acquisition Of Certain Property Located At W 35.2 FT Lot 14 04-05 Pierce Avenue (Deed Reference 34817/00095) College Park, Maryland, For A Public Purpose City Manager Kenny Young reviewed the staff report. A motion was made by Councilmember Whitney and seconded by Councilmember Hew to introduce Ordinance 24-O-01 to authorize the acquisition of Certain Real Property Located At Pierce Avenue, W 35.2 Ft. Lot 14 (04-05) College Park, MD 20740 For A Public Purpose and schedule the Public hearing for February 6, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The motion passed 7-0. WORKSESSION Auditor’s presentation of the FY 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report - SB & Company, LLC Chris Lehmann, SB & Co. gave a presentation (power point in packet). Councilmember Adams asked how are we preparing for the long-term debt obligations where the City is looking at a $1.5 million obligation and then it increases to $6.5 million in 2029 then decreases over a 20 year period. Mr. Fields stated that we must show five-years out and this is showing annual expenditures. The Financial Report will be posted on our website. FY 2024 2nd Quarter Financial Presentation Mr. Fields gave a presentation and reviewed the staff report. Councilmember Mitchell asked about the gap in the Admission and Amusement Tax. Mr. Fields stated that revenue is expected to come in soon. The amount determined to be received comes in from the State. Discussion of Homestead Tax Credit Rate, and FY 2025 budget preview Mr. Fields gave a presentation to provide an overview of the FY2-025 budget cycle and review the City’s Homestead Tax Credit Rate. Budget preparation is going on now with the City Manager and staff. If the Council has any budget request for their district, please send them in by February 6, 2024. Homestead Tax Credit: Since 2019, the City has maintained a cap of 0% which provides the maximum relief for homeowners. If the City will keep the cap at 0% unless there is action from Council before the due date (March) to notify Prince George’s County. The Saturday Budget Worksession is scheduled for March 23. Mr. Fields stated that he does expect the General Fund cost to increase with the FY 2025 Budget. -Keeping the Homestead Credit at 0% vs 10% - is $150,000 annually. -Council is in favor of a 0% Homestead Tax Credit. -Tax savings should be for the long-term residents and not landlords. -Council does not want to see a decrease in City services. Report from Needs Based Student Housing Subsidy Subcommittee on use of 3- cent tax increase on commercial, industrial and apartment Mayor Kabir stated Council first discussed changing the tax rate on commercial, industrial and apartment properties in the City in April 2023. In July 2023, Council discussed the potential use of the revenue and then a subcommittee was established to return to Council with a proposal for using the funds. Tonight, is the report from the subcommittee. There will be no public comment tonight and a public forum will be scheduled in the near future. Councilmember Adams and Student Liaison Dhruvak Mirani gave a presentation (power point slides in packet) on an Off-Campus Student Housing Needs-Based Rent Subsidy Grants: Pilot Program. -Was there any engagement with the UMD to get their plans or ideas to address student affordable housing? -Was there consideration of other programs or initiatives? -Amount of the grant could affect finical aid. Engagement with SGA and Grad Student Government. At this point, the subcommittee worked on how the City can help their residents financially. Guidance will be given on other pragmas that are available. A grant could possibly impact income on Financial Aid packages. The subcommittee doesn’t want this to be a lengthy application process, nor do they want this program to take up too much of staff time. -Pell Grants, was there any discussion on the eligibility in regard to what Pell Grants that a person may have? -How are do measure success of this program. -Suggestions made on grants should be issues first to people who demonstrate persons with high needs. This is a new program and there will be a lot of groundwork at the beginning. SGA will be assisting with eligibility of issuing grants. -Was it agreed that this program would be funded from the3% increase The additional revenue could be used for: Business Retention Grants, Student Subsidy Housing, and Senior Housing. -Are there any other universities that have this type of program. A Motion was made by Councilmember Whitney and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to extend the meeting. Motion passed 8-0. A Town Hall meeting will be scheduled for Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. with action taking place at a later date. Strategic Plan quarterly update Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager, gave an updated on the Strategic Plan A motion was made by Councilmember Riggs and seconded by Councilmember Adams to extend the meeting to 11:00 p.m. Legislative Review Assistant City Manager Bill Gardiner presented the Legislative Review alongside City lobbyist Len Lucchi. Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell asked what Lucchi could tell her about the PGMC106-24 bill which regards land use and zoning, as well as a land use bill filed in Montgomery County by Sen. Will Smith. Lucchi said that 106 tries to legislate against the use of text amendments and he doesn’t think it’ll get far. He said he will look into the Will Smith bill. Councilmember Hernandez requested that Lucchi continue to keep track of the Noise Abatement Monitoring Systems Authorization and any other legislation that assists Major Colletti in enforcing noise infractions such as modified mufflers. Councilmember Adams asked for information on the bill regarding the use of traffic enforcement cameras on stop signs, and wanted to know whether there was an accompanying senate bill. He said he believed it may have been proposed by a delegate from District 22. Lucchi said it was a local bill introduced only to apply to PG County. He said even if a senator proposes the bill, it will start in the house because it’s a local bill. He said he would follow the progress of the bill. Councilmember Hew asked about the status of the public utilities street lighting equipment acquisitions. Lucchi said he would find out. A motion was made by Councilmember Adams and seconded by Councilmember Riggs to approve a letter of support for SB1175 and HB364. The motion passed 8-0. ADJOURN A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Hernandez to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m.