Mayor & City Council

MINUTES College Park City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 23, 2024 7:30 p.m. – 10:27 p.m. HYBRID In Person in Council Chambers of City Hall Virtual over Zoom PRESENT: Mayor Kabir; Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell; Councilmembers Hernandez, Hew, Esters, Whitney, Mackie, Adams and Rigg. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Kenneth Young, City Manager; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk; Stephanie Anderson, City Attorney; Gary Fields, Finance Director; Teresa Way-Pezzuti, Director of Human Resources; Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services; Michael Williams, Economic Development Director; Dhruvak Mirani, Student Liaison; and Gannon Sprinkle, Deputy Student Liaison. Mayor Kabir opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Announcements: Councilmember Hernandez thanked everyone for supporting the Hollywood Farmers Market. Invited everyone to the North College Park Civic Association BBQ from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Reminded residents, that if anyone wants to march in the parade, this is the last week to submit your application. Councilmember Hew thanked everyone who came out for the Berwyn Permaculture Cleanup on April 20th. Councilmember Esters announced that District 2 will hold a community meeting on Friday, April 26, 2024, in the Community Room at City Hall at 6:00 p.m. Councilmember Whitney announced Maryland Day this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Councilmember Mitchell attended the Lakeland and Root Shock event on April 17th. Councilmember Mackie announced that the University of MD Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Office will hold a Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 26th from College Park City Council Minutes April 24, 2023 Page 2 of 7 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in front of the UMPD Station located on Rossborough Lane across from Ritchie Coliseum. Councilmember Adams the UMD Student Government Association held a recent election. Council congratulated Reese Arter as the new Student Body President Elect and Gannon Sprinkle as the Executive Vice President Elect. Councilmember Rigg attended the Can-DUCKY Derby on April 20th at the Old Parish House. City Manager – Mr. Young announced Saturday clean up event, come out to support the Hollywood farmers market this Saturday. Also, Arbor Day event is Friday, April 27 at 6:00 pm behind the Calvert School. Dhruvak Mirani, Student Liaison congratulated Gannon Sprinkle on being elected the Executive Vice President of the SGA. Full election results can be found at: https://www.umdsga.com/elections. The next Tenants Union meeting will be held in the Community Room at City Hall on April 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. City Managers Report: Kennth Young, City Manager announced: The next Saturday Clean Up event will be held on April 27. Public Works will be open from 7:30 a.m. to Noon. The shredding event will be held on May 18th from 8:00 a.m. to Noon at Public Works, you must be a resident of the City to participate. Encouraged all residents to attend and support the Hollywood Farmers Market. The Market is every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to Noon located at the Hollywood Shopping Center, 9801 Rhode Island Avenue. Arbor Day will be celebrated on April 16 at the Calvert Hills Playground at 6:00 p.m. Presentations: Kenny Young, City Manager, presented the 2023 Employee of the Year Award to Anne Knabel, Family Therapist. Congratulations Anne! Lakeland S.T.A.R.S presentation: Caroline Davisson, Olivia Waters, Hope Robinson, Taylor Wallace, Avery Zellweger, Srihita Mylavarapu, and Morgan Platnick, UMD Student Coordinators, gave an end of the year review on Lakeland S.T.A.R.s and the College Park Scholars programs. Gary Fields, Director of Finance gave the Quarterly Financial Presentation on the 3rd Quarter FY ’24. There were no questions from Council. Proclamations: College Park City Council Minutes April 24, 2023 Page 3 of 7 Mayor Kabir proclaimed: Arbor Day (April 26), Children’s Mental Health Week (May 5-11) and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May). Amendments To And Approval Of The Agenda A motion was made by Councilmember Whitney and seconded by Councilmember Mackie to add: 24-G-72: Approval of a letter to the Chesapeake Bay Ecological Services Field Office in support of establishing the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge to the Consent Agenda. The motion passed 8-0. A motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember Whitney to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed 8-0. Public Comment: None Consent Agenda: A motion was made by Councilmember Mackie and seconded by Councilmember Whitney to approve the Consent agenda, which consisted of these items. 24-G-69 Award of contract IFB CP-24-02 to L&S Dirt Work LLC for the removal and disposal of 1,100 linear feet of old and damaged 4-foot galvanized chain link fence and gates located along the grass field along 4500 Guilford Road behind the daycare center, and installation of 1,095 linear feet of black ornamental 4’ high, 3 rail steel tubular fence with two 4’ high x 3’ wide single swing gates and one 4’ high x 12’ wide double swing gate, in an amount not to exceed $71,289.63. Funding is available in the FY 24 facilities Capital Reserve CIP #991013 24-G-72 Approval of a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supporting the proposal to establish the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge The motion passed: 8-0. Public Hearing: None Action Items: 24-G-70 Approval of the recommendations of the consultant to the Compensation and Classification study to make the changes in salaries for the seventy-four employees affected by this change and raise their salaries to the 50th percentile. A presentation was given by Mr. Rick Campbell, consultant for Paypoint HR on how the study was conducted. The study was based on salary only, not salary plus benefits. College Park City Council Minutes April 24, 2023 Page 4 of 7 Council would like to move all employees who are below the 50th percentile up to the 50th percentile now and revisit again next year to possibly move up to the 60th percentile next year. A motion was made by Council Esters and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to approve the recommendations of the consultant to the Compensation and Classification study to make the changes in salaries for the seventy-four employees affected by this change to the 50th percentile. The motion passed 8-0. 24-G-71 Approval of additional FY 2024 Public School Education Grants - Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services and Dr. Bernache, Chair of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC), gave an overview of the grant process and the request received. There were several questions regarding the request for the six Flags Stem Field Trip. Six Flags offers an extensive curriculum STEM program which includes mathematics, physics, engineering, and science throughout the park. Through completion of several activities, students will develop a positive attitude toward the physical sciences and engineering by being challenged with meaningful tasks that allows them to accurately predict a person’s experience. EAC will request Parkdale High School to add the STEM factor into their application and to complete the missing answers on the application. A motion was made by Councilmember Hernandez and seconded by Councilmember Mackie to award the following FY 23 Education Grants: 1. 8,000 Parkdale High School Six Flags Stem Field Trip 2. $500 PTA Grant to Parkdale High School for parent activities, events, and workshops 3. $8,000 to Hollywood Elementary for Parental Engagement and Involvement Program Dr. Victoria Marie MacDonald, resident: Served on the EAC for several years. There are missing components to Parkdale’s application. EAC will have Parkdale complete the application. The motion passed 8-0. 24-O-02 Introduction of the FY 2025 Budget Ordinance – Gary Fields, Director of Finance. The budget public hearing will be held on May 7, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. College Park City Council Minutes April 24, 2023 Page 5 of 7 Gary Fields, Finance Director, gave an overview of the staff report. A motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember Hernandez to introduce Ordinance 24-O-02. The public hearing will be held on May 7, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS A. Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session wrap-up – Leonard Lucchi, Esquire, O’Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, P.A. Mr. Lucchi highlighted several bills supported by the 21st District and the City of College Park that passed during the session (SB522/HB501, SB155/HB/212, HB364, HB442/HB601, SB531/HB805, SB14/HB1281, SB1184, SB747/HB165, SB446/HB280, SB308/HB241 – most of these bills will take effect July 1, 2024. B. Discussion of a Youth Advisory Committee – Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services Staff will reach out to other jurisdictions and associations who already have a Youth Advisory Commission. Staff will identify the mission, set policies, programs and recruitment measures. This item will be brought back for Council discussion prior to next year’s budget. C. Update on Care Solace program - Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services Kiaisha Barber and Anita Ward reviewed the staff report and went over some of the data analytics. Care Solace received over 900 calls from College Park residents. The data provided (two months) showed that the program is reaching 19 – 61-year-olds who are not eligible for ongoing mental health or case management services by the City. If or when a person is handed off to a mental health provider, the new provider is within a reasonable distance for the individual. Agenda Items for the Four Cities meeting – May 2nd in Greenbelt • Invite Prince George’s County Council to the meeting to discuss the County Tax Differential Task Force legislation – Mitchell College Park City Council Minutes April 24, 2023 Page 6 of 7 • Follow up discussion on the north county animal shelter – Kabir • Strategize on legislation language to increase fines to $5,000 for failure to comply with municipal law – Adams Senate Bill 522/House Bill 501 This bill increases, from $1,000 to $5,000, the maximum civil and criminal fines that may be imposed by a charter county for the enforcement of an ordinance, a resolution, a bylaw, or a regulation adopted by the county. College Park supported this bill with amendment for application to municipalities. The bill passed without those amendments. • Enforcement of Exhibition Driving on Kenilworth Avenue, East West Highway (410) and Annapolis Road (450) – Rigg Senate Bill 442/ House Bill 601 - Street Racing and Exhibition Driving – Prohibited Acts, Enforcement, and Penalties This bill increases penalties and points assessments for violations related to participation in racing or speed contests. The bill also establishes a statewide prohibition on exhibition driving on any highway or private property that is used for driving by the general public. By expanding application of an existing provision, the bill establishes a statewide prohibition on exhibition driving, racing, and other related activities in a special event zone. The bill takes effect June 1, 2024. REQUESTS FOR / STATUS OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Letter to the County Council and other stakeholders regarding noise abatement monitoring systems in the City Adams/Esters 8/0 Enabling an ordinance to allow for stop sign monitoring systems in school zones Adams/Hernandez 8-0 Both requests are pending submittal of request form. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – None COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR, COUNCIL, STUDENT LIAISON OR CITY MANAGER Councilmember Mackie: Student Liaison Committee. Councilmember Whitney: Berwyn Permaculture Cleanup on April 20th. Councilmember Esters: Thanked everyone who attended the RJC Lakeland and Root Shock event on April 17th. Councilmember Hew: Attended the CPVFD 99th anniversary on April 13th, He gave his thanks and appreciation for all of the volunteers. College Park City Council Minutes April 24, 2023 Page 7 of 7 Councilmember Hernandez: Most of the CPVFD are student volunteers. Gave his appreciation to all of the volunteers. Come out the May 4th CP Parade. Dhruvak Mirani, Student Liaison: Inspiring to see how many talented and innovated students applied for the student liaison position. Kenny Young: Mirani, Student Liaison, and Gannon Sprinkle, Deputy Student Liaison, will be recognized at the May 21 Council meeting. A motion was made by Councilmember Adams to suspend the rules to take additional public comment. Motion passed 8-0. Dr. Victoria Maria MacDonald: Thanked the Veterans Memorial Committee for all that they do and thanked the Council for keeping the Committee. ADJOURN A motion was made by Councilmember Adams and seconded by Councilmember Hernandez to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 8-0. Mayor Kabir adjourned the meeting at 10:27 p.m.