Mayor & City Council

MINUTES College Park City Council Meeting Tuesday, March 19, 2024 7:30 p.m. – 11:02 p.m. Hybrid Meeting In Person: Council Chambers of City Hall Virtual: via Zoom PRESENT: Mayor Kabir; Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell (arrived 7:45 p.m.); Councilmembers Hernandez, Hew, Esters, Whitney, Mackie, and Rigg. ABSENT: Councilmember Adams ALSO PRESENT: Kenneth Young, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk; Stephanie Anderson, City Attorney; Gary Fields, Director of Finance; Jatinder Khokhar, Director of Public Services; Erik Valentine, Community Development Planner; Dhruvak Mirani, Student Liaison; Gannon Sprinkle, Deputy Student Liaison. Mayor Kabir opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilmember Hernandez: Hosting a second District One Discussion at Davis Hall on March 20th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm Councilmember Hew: Thanked everyone who came out to celebrate the Sunset celebration last week. Councilmember Esters: Announced the Berwyn Civic Association meeting on March 21st at 7:30 pm at Vital Traditions, 4912 Berwyn Road. Councilmember Whitney: Encouraged Berwyn residents to express their preference for use of Roanoke Pocket Park. For more information on the survey, visit myberwyn.org. Ribbon Cutting will be held on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Lakeland Playground. Councilmember Mackie: Announced that the 2024 Youth Summer Camp information is now posted on our website. Scholarship applications are due by March 22, 2024. There are nineteen spots open for the Imagine Learn Tutor Program if interested. Councilmember Rigg: Calvert Hills Civic Association will meet online tomorrow from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. College Park City Council March 19, 2024 Page 2 Dhruvak Mirani, Student Liaison: Student liaison applications went out this week and are due by Friday, April 12th. Interviews will be scheduled the following week, and the final SGA appointment will be made the week of the 22nd. Liaison; Gannon Sprinkle, Deputy Student Liaison: The second Tenants Union meeting will be held on March 26 at 7:00 p.m. location TBD. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: Mr. Young: No Mow April, Budget Listening Session will be held on Saturday, March 30th in the Council Chambers of City Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 12 Noon. PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS: None AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Whitney/Esters: Add to Consent - 24-G-53 – Approval of a letter requesting that HB 538 / SB 484 be amended to exempt the Lakeland community, designated historic districts, and areas more than one- half mile from transit facilities. Rigg/Whitney: Remove from Consent - Approval of minutes from the March 5, 2024, and March 12, 2024 meetings. A motion was made by Councilmember Hernandez and seconded by Councilmember Rigg to adopt the agenda as amended. The motion passed 6-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: Pedro Morales: Mr. Morales is currently an eighth grader attending Buck Lodge Middle School. He has an impressive 3.8 GPA and has applied to College Park Academy. Unfortunately, he has been placed on the waitlist. He is seeking guidance on how to improve his application and increase his chances of being accepted into the academy. Mr. Morales aspires to become a Software Engineer and is eager to explore any available options to make his application more competitive, so he can get into a good school and increase his chances of achieving success. Martha Martinez: Ms. Martinez is a student at Buck Lodge Middle School and has applied to several schools, but unfortunately, she has only received denial letters without any explanation. Her sibling, who attends Parkdale High School, advised her about the bad influences there, and she is now looking for alternative schools that will help her avoid such negative influences. Ms. Martinez is interested in attending either DuVall High School for their Engineering Program or Northwestern High School for their Art Program. She is seeking assistance in finding other programs or school alternatives that will enable her to succeed and avoid negative influences. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Esters and seconded by Councilmember Whitney to adopt the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following: 24-G-48 Approve the renewal of a contract with Streetcar Suburbs, Inc for the 4 page College Park Post insert in the College Park Here and Now Newspaper for the period 4/1/24 - 6/30/27 in College Park City Council March 19, 2024 Page 3 an amount not to exceed $195,000, subject to review and approval, as to form, by the City Attorney. 24-G-49 Award the renewal of insurance contacts with Cigna for Health Insurance in the budgeted amount of $1,606,675; Dental Insurance in the budgeted amount of $65,830; Chesapeake Insurance for Workers’ Compensation in the budgeted amount of $207,701; and Local Government Insurance Trust for property and liability insurance in the budgeted amount of $200,599; for the total budgeted cost for FY25 being $2,079,805. 24-G-50 Approval to bypass the formal bid process procedures to approve a 12-month contract with Volta, Inc. for the period 5/1/24-4/30/25 for IT Infrastructure Managed Services in an amount not to exceed $47,250, subject to the City Attorney’s approval, as outlined in the attached proposal and contract. 24-G-36 Approval of a contract amendment with Hagerty Consulting, Inc. for an additional amount not to exceed $200,000 for the term 3/26/24 – 12/31/26 for assistance with the administration and compliance requirements of the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund received under ARPA, subject to the approval of the City Attorney and authorize the City Manager to sign (extra-majority vote required). 24-G-51 Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter in support of the application that Laurel Cats, Inc. is submitting in partnership with Beltsville Community Cats, Bowie Citizens for Local Animal Welfare and Outlaw Kitties for funding under the Maryland Department of Agriculture's Spay and Neuter Program for Fiscal Year 2025. 24-G-46 Approval of the Mayoral appointments of Arelis Pérez and Francie Wasser to the Vacant and Blighted Property Tax Committee. 24-G-53 Approval of a letter, substantially as attached, requesting that HB 538 / SB 484 be amended to exempt the Lakeland community, designated historic districts, and areas more than one- half mile from transit facilities. The consent agenda passed 6-0. ACTION ITEMS: 24-G-52 Approval of minutes from the March 5, 2024, and March 12, 2024 meetings. A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Hernandez to amend page 8 of the March 5th minutes to remove Pell Grant Eligibility and page 1 of the March 12th minutes to clarify Mr. Hernandez’s announcement. College Park City Council March 19, 2024 Page 4 The motion passed 6-0. WORKSESSION DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Discussion with PGCPS Representatives about school transportation issues, water quality issues, bus locations, school safety guards, and the Dora Kennedy French Immersion School: Charoscar A. Coleman, Ed.D., Jason Washington, Keba Baldwin, Shayla Taylor, Shawn Matlock, Sam Stefanelli Paint Branch Elementary School Dumpsters Residents living on Pierce Ave facing the Paint Branch Elementary School have had to deal with viewing the school’s trash and recycling dumpsters. They reached out last summer to request the replacement of the fencing around the receptacles (since the receptacles could not be moved). However, despite several inquiries about the fencing the Principal, Mr. Hendershot, has been unable to provide an update regarding when the fencing will be replaced. As it has been several months, it is concerning that he is not able to provide updates. The community also had to deal with garbage and debris left in this area during the holiday break. Any updates and confirmation that the issue will be resolved would be helpful. Building Services Department will schedule a community meeting with Council. May move the dumpsters to a different location on the property. The recommendations will be expedited. School bus stops and walking routes to schools What are the safety standards for the routes to bus stops and schools, and the location of bus stops? Since bus stop locations remain the same year after year can the school system install bus shelters? Does the school system request crosswalk improvements (flashing systems, etc.) and/or lower speed limits on streets students use to walk to school? Operations Transportation Department – Safe passage for all students is the utmost importance. Placements of crossing guards is established by the Prince George’s County Police with input from PGCPS. All bus stops are located in a clear visible location with minimum traffic and congestion. Anyone can use the Transportation Resolution Online System to get help or report a transportation issues/concern at https://www.pgcps.org/offices/transportation. An audit of all bus stops was completed in January. The report will be presented to the school board and changes will take place soon after. The report/plan will be shared with Council. U.S. Flag at schools According to Maryland Annotate Code 7-105 all schools are supposed to have the U.S. flag in the front of the school and in classrooms. Why are no flags on display at Cherokee Lane Elementary School? College Park City Council March 19, 2024 Page 5 Operations Building Services: Flags were installed this week in front of Cherokee Lane Elementary. Flags for the classrooms are on order. All classroom flags are budgeted through the actual school and ordered by the school. Lead Pipes and safe water in schools Why hasn't the lead pipe issue at PG schools been addressed, especially Hollywood Elementary School? Given that these are older schools, are there concerns for lead or other contaminants? What are the plans for active maintenance to avoid having to entirely shut down water systems in the future, such as what happened at Hollywood Elementary? Operations - Maintenance / Environmental office / Capital Programs: There is more than just replacing the pipes - major renovations will be required to replace all piping for water fountains due to the age of the school. Every school in the County has a bottle water filling station located in a high traffic area of the school. Hollywood Elementary School will have a station installed in the next week or two. All schools have bottled water for staff and students and several schools have a filter water system. Parent-Teacher Organizations What does the school system do to facilitate the formation of parent-teacher organizations at schools, and how could the City best support those efforts at Parkdale High School? Residents have formed a steering committee to bring that to fruition, and supporting PTO’s is a key goal of the Mayor & Council. FROM DR. SHEILA JACKSON One of the goals of the PGCPS Department of Family and community Partnerships is to assist any of the 205+ PGCPS schools with their development of an effective Parent Leadership Organization: PTA/PTSA/PTO/PTSO/Parent Advisory Group/Parent Steering Committee/etc. Upon reaching out to our office via the Director of Family and Community Partnerships, Dr. Sheila Jackson, at 301-618-7356, mobilizes staff to meet the community where they are and establish next steps for moving forward. The city is more than welcome to support each school’s effort by continuing to work with the building principal and interested parent leaders to determine the levels of support discerned and appropriate for City engagement. Assisting Undocumented Children Is there a point person or department at PGCPS to help onboard children who are new arrivals to the country without documentation? Residents have spent significant time and resources getting neighborhood children who arrived early this year enrolled in school for the spring semester. They encountered various roadblocks ranging from difficulty getting proof of residency and immunization challenges. How can PGCPS facilitate this process? College Park City Council March 19, 2024 Page 6 School Leadership and School Support - Student Services: International Student Admissions Enrollment Office (ISAEO) Patricial Chiancone, ISAEO Specialist: Assisted almost 6,000 students this year. Bilingual staff works with families in person, by appointment only, or on-line. Immunizations: The Office of School Health held vaccination clinics one week in August, two weeks in September and three days each in October, November, and December. For more information on upcoming immunization clinics visit the School Health website. Internet Safety and Computer Use What is PGCPS doing about teaching children internet safety. They hand all PGCPS students Chromebooks with almost unlimited access to the world wide web. They have access to use their cameras and send and receive pictures. They have access to websites that are not educational and are just video games. PGCPS holds all the power when blocking sites, the parents can only take the computers away. But parents aren't at school with them or on the school bus. A lot can happen in that time away from home. From Kimberly Roberson, Director, Technology Integration and Support: Instructionally, several mechanisms exist to provide guidance to staff, students, and sometimes parents about safe online practices. When students are assigned a chrome book, an accompanying Student Device Usage agreement is shared via the students’ email account that outlines responsible use guidelines as well as safe and appropriate use expectations, as explained in the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook and several relevant policies (AP0700 IT Acceptable Use Policy, AP5180 Students Use of Social Media, and AP5143 Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation). Additionally, teachers and students are provided several classroom resources to reinforce expectations, including grade-level appropriate videos and lessons on Device Care and Digital Citizenship, scaled across grade bands PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12, existing in both Canvas and Nearpod. Hapara is a classroom management software that allows teachers to view students’ websites in real time to manage students’ online behavior. Hapara is available for every classroom teacher and monitors students’ online behavior Chromebook when students login within the PGCPS network. Clever curates digital applications that are approved for instructional use by students. Finally, in partnership with other offices, parent presentations and resources are shared from Common Sense Education to encourage families to reflect on media habits and develop digital citizenship skills outside of the school setting. Furthermore, our infrastructure has several protections in place to ensure that students are safe and our district complies with federal regulations, including FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act). Students’ Google accounts are within a “walled garden”, which automatically blocks any Gmail or other Google Docs, Slides, etc. from being sent by and/or received from non-PGCPS accounts. Additionally, our district has deployed Impero ContentKeeper filtering that uses AI algorithms to automatically block content that contains explicit content, substance abuse, extremism, and other categories of potentially harmful and/or sensitive web materials. The Information Technology Enterprise Services team continues to monitor traffic to block content that is not automatically recognized by ContentKeeper. Families have an opportunity to extend monitoring of their students’ College Park City Council March 19, 2024 Page 7 online behavior while using their child’s PGCPS-issued chrome book from school to home by requesting Google Family link be set up for their child. Google Family Link provides parents the option to add a personal, supervised student Google account to the school-issued Chromebook so that parents can approve apps, set time limits for device and app usage, and approve and block websites for their children. For more information on any of the referenced tools, procedures or practices, visit the corresponding links below: Note that links are subject to change • Student Device Usage Agreement – English, French, Spanish • Device Care Videos • Canvas and Nearpod Digital Citizenship lessons (access is for internal use only) • Hapara (access is for internal use only) • Clever (access is for internal use only) • Common Sense Education for Families • Google Family Link Maintenance and quality of the school grounds: What is the process for schools, parents, or the city to request/submit facility updates? Many of the schools which service our students experience standing water, lack of signage on school properties, piling of trash in the surrounding areas – who do they submit their concerns to and what is the process to escalate their concerns when issues are not addressed? What steps is PGCPS currently taking to provide continued maintenance to school facilities? I understand that Dora Kennedy will be temporarily closing during renovations, causing students to be shifted to surrounding schools. How can schools seek maintenance to avoid having to shut down entirely? Does the PGCPS budget process allow for major maintenance concerns to be addressed? Who is responsible for ensuring maintenance is executed? Operations – Building Services: Maintenance issues should come from the principal (or main office staff) of the school. If parents have maintenance concerns, they should contact the principal and they can pass along to the coordinator for that area. Signage is completed by both the county and the operations department depending on what is needed. The majority of the money budgeted for schools goes towards general maintenance. When the work is ready to begin in the Dora Kennedy school, the occupants will be relocated possibly to the Robert Goddard Montessori school. The building is so old, that there are some things that can’t be fixed, it must be replaced. There have been at least four meetings regarding the Dora Kennedy school. Safety Currently, some bus routes have stops that are placed directly in the middle of the road. Is it possible to review and change these stops so that buses can pick students up at a nearby sidewalk to avoid a future tragedy? College Park City Council March 19, 2024 Page 8 Unfortunately, some parents have shared that they were made aware of reports of improper behavior such as voyeurs watching their children. What is the process for notifying parents when these incidents occur? I have been made aware of several lockdowns that have taken place at PGCPS schools. Can you please speak to the level of preparation our school staff have in the event of a school shooting incident? Why can’t residents volunteer to be school crossing guards only in their neighborhood? Why are they required to support the county as a whole? Operations – Transportation: If there are specific incidents of safety concerns, please send or give more details for them to be investigated. If there are major issues within a school (lockdown etc..), notifications are sent to parents by letter or robocall. If there is a lockdown at a school, the bus drivers follow their emergency plan. Security enhancement devices have been installed in all high schools, nine middle schools and one academy. All buses have cameras, if there is an incident of concern, please give the date and approximate time frame and the incident will be investigated. Financial and Academic Transparency Understanding that there have been failed financial audits in the past, at least at Hollywood Elementary, there is an element of mistrust in the way PGCPS funds are used, especially when parents are asked to pay additional funds for school programs. Can you please speak to any effort being taken to help reduce the economic burden placed on students’ families, who are asked to pay for field trips, choir activities, attend football games, and more? School Leadership and School Support: Schools use the funding provided to them to pay for field experiences and try to offset as much of the costs to parents. In some events, there is not enough money to pay for all trips for all grades, so as an example, the school may pay for transportation (buses) and ask parents to pay for admission if there is a fee. Schools will use grant funds when they are available. Are there avenues for schools to raise external funds, through either local/city funds or private entities seeking to invest? If so, what are they? How can schools partner with outside entities, other schools, or PGCPS to fund additional activities? Schools can raise external funds through an established PTA/PTO. Schools can partner with external organizations through their Community Schools coordinator (if they are a community school) or through an established partnership directly between the organization and the school. Both of the above efforts are supported by our Parent and Community Engagement Office How can students and parents improve their chance of being selected when attempting to enroll in one of PGCPS’ charter schools? (I think the answer is missing) College Park City Council March 19, 2024 Page 9 Modernization What efforts are being taken to introduce internet learning/advocacy for parents with limited education? How can parents learn how to properly use the School Max Application when they may not be comfortable using computers in the first place? How are we working to include families with limited resources (time, money, etc.) to ensure that they are active in the education of their students – ensuring no one falls through the cracks? FROM DR. SHEILA JACKSON: Through “Dual Capacity Building” Family Institute Sessions provided weekly by the Department of Family and Community Partnerships, parents and families learn a vast variety of skills and helpful strategies, how to actively participate in the educational lives of their students, as well as for forging stronger relationships and partnerships between home and school. These same sessions are provided for PGCPS staff as well. Our goal is to build parent/family capacity to support students from cradle to career with age appropriate strategies. Additionally, Family Institute Sessions have focused on aspects of technology, such as SchoolMAX. Parent Engagement Assistants and Community School Coordinators have also been trained in important applications to support parents, including how to access SchoolMAX as well as accessing free internet through the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program. Schools are the main conduit when supporting parents and families, and our central office divisions, including the Division of Information Technology, work in collaboration with Parent and Community Engagement Office and Student Services to provide schools the support they need to engage parents, particularly parents who may need assistance. Community Trust/Brand Management What are some of the trust-building measures PGCPS is taking to build trust with parents and the overall community? FROM DR. SHEILA JACKSON: Through “Dual Capacity Building” Family Institute Sessions provided weekly by the Department of Family and Community Partnerships, parents and families learn a vast variety of skills, as well as PGCPS trust building protocols and practices for forging stronger relationships and partnerships between home and school. These same sessions are provided for PGCPS staff as well. The department will facilitate sessions where parents/families and school staff together can be engaged in trust building sessions, as well. Whenever a parent/family/or community member has concerns about the lack of trust between home/community and school, they can reach out directly to the PGCPS Department of Family and community Partnerships for guidance and assistance. Who can students, PTOs, and school staff reach out to if they would like to submit concerns and provide oversight for particular incidents of concern related to PGCPS? In order to raise/voice/resolve concerns in PGCPS, there is an established chain of protocol. Parents/family should make an appointment to start at level #1 and continue up the chain of College Park City Council March 19, 2024 Page 10 concern until your concern is resolved. If any steps are by-passed, the concern automatically goes back to step #1: Speak to your child’s teacher; Speak to the Professional School Counselor; Speak to the school Principal; Speak to the Instructional Director (ID) (your principal’s direct supervisor); Speak to the Area Associate Superintendent (your ID’s direct supervisor); Speak to the Chief of Schools (the direct supervisor for Associate Superintendents); Speak to the Superintendent of Schools; Speak to your Board of Education representative Please note that support and guidance through the process of raising concerns is available by contacting the Director of Family and Community Partnerships, Dr. Sheila Jackson, at 301-618- 7356. B. Discussion with Advisory Planning Commission to discuss concerns and recommendations a. The Fence Ordinance (Sec 87-23): Some fence variation cases have revealed ambiguities in the criteria for approving chain link fences, particularly the language concerning whether the fence would be “consistent with the surrounding neighborhood.” APC requested clarification regarding whether a corner lot constitutes an “exceptional” or “extraordinary” condition. b. Prohibited Vehicles Parking Ordinance (Sec 184-8), APC suggested revising the ordinance to clarify that cases may be referred to the APC for Sec 184-8A and 184-8B. Amend the “good cause” criteria to indicate that criterion B applies to “vehicles and trailers” and to add a criterion for trailers that they do not exceed the size restrictions for vehicles under 184- 8B(1). The draft amendment was in the agenda packet. c. Communicating the requirement for a City permit after a County permit is obtained: APC request that staff develop language regarding permit requirements so that they know when a permit is required from Prince George’s County and the City. d. Informational presentations on proposed development projects. APC request that Council consider adding this role to the APC charge. Staff will work with APC and will bring back to Council with the suggested amendments to the City Code. C. Discussion with Noise Control Board: Mr. Shroder, NCB Chair: Update the City website to include complete information regarding the NCB and how to file a noise complaint. Also suggested placing blurbs regarding the NCB in the weekly and monthly newsletters. Suggested that the code be updated to impose fines on Landlords who refuse to provide identification of residents after College Park City Council March 19, 2024 Page 11 being notified of noise violations by their tenants. The Landlord would be held fully responsible for the noise violation and associated fines. Staff will bring this item back to Council with suggested ordinance changes. 10:29 p.m. A motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember Mackie to extend the meeting. Motion passed 7-0. D. Legislative Review (there is a possibility that action will be taken on time-sensitive bills) SB 484 Land Use - Affordable Housing - Zoning Density and Permitting (Housing Expansion and Affordability Act of 2024) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Whitney/Esters: Renaming of Lake Artemesia and Renaming of the Community Center, passed 7/0. COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE: Victoria McDonald resident: PTO – Is independent of PTA, they set their own policies and goals. PTA pay dues to the state and national organizations and abide by state and national group rules. They get member benefits, and they get a voice in the operations of the larger organization. COMMENTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL, ETC: Councilmember Mackie: Attended the ribbon cutting on Hartwick Road for the AllCare Facility, Chesapeake Bay Policy meeting and the Education Advisory Board meeting. Councilmember Mitchell: Attended the Metropolitan Washington Council Board of Directors meeting. Councilmember Hew: Attended the National League of Cities Conference. Councilmember Hernandez: Hosting a second District One Discussion at Davis Hall on March 20th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Budget Worksession meeting on Saturday. Calvert Park Egg Hunt this Saturday. Dhruvak Mirani, Student Liaison: Appointed to the Board of Regents of the University System begins July 1. City Manager Young: Clean Up Saturdays will be held on April 6, 20, 27 and May 18th. The Shredding Event is one day only on May 18th from 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon. ADJOURN: 11:02 p.m. - Whitney/Mitchell – 7/0