Mayor & City Council

MINUTES College Park City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2025 7:30 p.m. HYBRID In Person in Council Chambers of City Hall Virtual over Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/92398574069 PRESENT: Mayor Kabir; Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell; Councilmembers Hernandez, Hew, Esters, Whitney, Mackie, Ranker, and Rigg. ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Kenneth Young, City Manager; Bill Gardner, Assistant City Manager; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk; Stephanie Anderson, City Attorney; Carlos Nunes, Senior Planner, Jatinder Khokhar, Director of Public Services; Nicholas DiSpirito, Student Liaison; and Amira Abujuma, Deputy Student Liaison. Mayor Kabir opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilmember Hernandez: The North College Park Civic Association will hold a meeting on Thursday, November 13th at 7:30 p.m. at Davis Hall. Thanked the VMIC and staff for the Veterans Day event held on November 11th. Announced that the Hollywood Elementary school partnered with Cola Consolidated for a Samaritans Feet event on November 12. Each student received a brand-new pair of shoes and socks along with a Hope Tote. Thanked Mayor Kabir and Councilmember Mackie for volunteering. Councilmember Hew: Thanked the VMIC and staff for the Veterans Day event held on November 11th. Councilmember Esters: Lakeland Civic Association will hold a meeting on Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lakeland Community Center. Berwyn bonfire will be held on Saturday, November 15 at 4:00 p.m. at the Berwyn Neighborhood Park. The College Park Food Bank is accepting turkeys, turkey breast, and chicken donations for the holidays on Friday, November 14 and 21 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Church of the Nazarene located at 9704 Rhode Island Avenue. Councilmember Whitney: None College Park City Council Minutes November 12, 2025 Page 2 of 9 Mayor Pro Tem, Mitchell: Thanked the VMIC and staff for the Veterans Day event held on November 11th. November is National Care Givers Month. The Senior Provider network of Prince Georges County will hold a retreat on November 30 at the Newton White Mansion. Councilmember Mackie: Thanked the Seniors Advisory Committee for hosting an interactive discussion and demonstration on how to find and navigate the City’s website. The Seniors Advisory Committee will host a Game Day on Wednesday, November 19 at the College Park Woods Clubhouse from 1:00 pm to 3:00 p.m. Encouraged residents sign up for the City’s curbside food scrap program. If you enroll in November, you will receive a free food scrap container. Councilmember Ranker: None Councilmember Rigg: Spoke about Consent agenda item 25-G-115 - Property Use Agreement in support of the transfer of location of a Class A, Beer, Wine and Liquor license from SD Liquors, Inc. t/a Luxe Liquors, 13462 Baltimore Avenue, Laurel Maryland 20707 to Riya Raj, LLC, t/a CP Maryland Liquors, 7324 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, Maryland, 20740 where the applicant accidently marked checked yes on question 5 and 6 on the application which should have read no. Nicholas DiSpirito, Student Liaison: Met with a member of the Berwyn Civic Association to discuss strategies for increasing student civic engagement. He and Amira have been working diligently to educate students about the Early Lease Ordinance. Amira Abujuma, Deputy Student Liaison: The Student Liaison Advisory Council met recently, most discussion revolved around the Early Lease Ordinance and assigning tasks to the members. Introduced Galvin, who is the Chief of Staff of the Student Liaison Advisory Council. In addition, the Advisory Council is organizing a Thanksgiving Food drive to help alleviate some of the stress families are experiencing during this time. CITY MANAGERS REPORT: Kennth Young, City Manager: Had a successful closing today on the properties located at 8807 and 8811 Rhode Island Avenue. PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS: Mayor Kabir proclaimed National Veterans and Military Families Month and Municipal Government Works Month. Also honored Mr. Lloyd Bondurant for his 100th Birthday. AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A motion was made by Councilmember Whitney and seconded by Councilmember Esters to remove 25-G-114, approval of a Community Services Grant for $2,500 for Impact Humanity Inc for their Community Impact Day, from the agenda. Motion carried 8-0-0. College Park City Council Minutes November 12, 2025 Page 3 of 9 A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember Hernandez to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 8-0-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: Richard Biffel, non-resident: Spoke about nominal consideration on land records. Susan Huemmrich, Chief Election Supervisor, presented the Official Report of the 2025 General Election. She will be back in January to present a follow up/overview of the election. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Councilmember Hernandez and seconded by Councilmember Esters to approve the Consent agenda, which consisted of these items. 25-G-113 Authorization to create a $15,000 pilot program that will provide $100 to single family property owners after they have completed a Home Energy Assessment by a Maryland certified contractor under the Maryland Empower Program. The goal is to incentivize 100 owner-occupied property owners and 50 rental property owners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties by June 30, 2026. 25-R-11 Approval of Resolution 25-R-11, a Resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park Adopting the Recommendation of the Advisory Planning Commission Regarding Variance Application Number CPV-2025-06, located at 5007 Muskogee Street, College Park, to approve a variance from Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance Section 27-11002 to permit a driveway encroachment in the front yard. 25-G-116 Approval of an amendment to Contract CP-25-25 with Playground Specialist Inc. and authorize additional funding of $75,000.00 from Planning’s Matching Fund budget line 536350 for the Calvert Hills Playground Renovation project, for a total amount of $193,200.00. 25-G-118 Approval to install a stop sign on Lackawanna Street at the intersection with 48th Place to make the intersection an All-Way Stop. 25-G-119 Approval of a Business Retention Grant request from the Berwyn Ballet School in the amount of $14,227.01. 25-G-115 Approval of Property Use Agreement in support of the transfer of location of a Class A, Beer, Wine and Liquor license from SD Liquors, Inc. t/a Luxe Liquors, 13462 Baltimore Avenue, Laurel Maryland 20707 to Riya Raj, LLC, t/a CP Maryland Liquors, 7324 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, Maryland 20740. College Park City Council Minutes November 12, 2025 Page 4 of 9 Motion carried 8-0-0. PRESENTATIONS: None PUBLIC HEARING 25-O-13: Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of The City of College Park, amending Chapter 125 “Housing Regulations”, Article I “General Provisions” By Adding § 125-18 to establish the timeframe in which owners must communicate an offer for a successive lease or notice on non-renewal to a current tenant. Jatinder Khokhar, Director of Public Services, reviewed the staff report. City Attorney Stephanie Anderson stated that she has received several comments and legal memoranda regarding legal concerns regarding this ordinance. Ms. Anderson recommends that we move forward with the public hearing and the City will continue addressing issues with the legislation. The following individuals spoke in opposition or support for the approval of Ordinance 25-O-13: David Dorsh – Oppose Sammy Saheed – Support Gavin Neubauer – Support Tristan Jennings – Support Nestick Kamar – Support Veraj - Support Avery – Support Edwin Kamoyo – Support Avie – Support Hugo Cantu – Oppose Jefferson Vasquez-Reyes – Support Ben Wilson – Support Amira Heira – Support Johnathan Laring – Support Will Yeng – Support Joselyn – Support Adethia – Support Emmanuel Gotacho – Support Jack Cleef – Support Scott Teby – Support Richie Keyae – Support Ovie Pollier - Support Mace Feemister – Support Drew Muchrioni – Support Catherine Weber – Support Joanne Prosser – Oppose Sean Woolums – Oppose Lisa Miller – Oppose Leah Dolive – Oppose John Hawvermale – Oppose Richard Biffel – Oppose Rob Davis – Oppose Jamie Jasif – Oppose Andy Miller – Oppose Peyton McDonald – Support Yona Gross – Support Arelis Perez – Oppose Gannon Sprinkle – Support College Park City Council Minutes November 12, 2025 Page 5 of 9 Council did not take action on Ordinance 25-O-13. Public Comment will remain open until this item is brought back to the agenda. 25-O-14: Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park amending City Code Chapter 110-2, “Fees and Penalties Jatinder Khokhar, Director of Public Services, reviewed the staff report. Richard Biffel, nonresident: Spoke in opposition to this ordinance. A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Whitney to amend Ordinance 25-O-14 to: I move to amend Ordinance 25-O-14: • 87-3: For each subsequent business day in which a violator fails to apply for a permit from $500 to $2000. • 87-7: For each subsequent calendar day from $500 to $2,000. • Chapter 115, Fire Safety Code: First violation from $200 to $1,000 Second Violation from $500 to $2,000 Each additional 24 hours from $500 to $5,000 • 125-13: Remove “Citation $2000” Add: First Violation $500 Second and Subsequent Violations $2,000 • 141-13: Third and subsequent violations: Owner from $1,000 to $2,500 • Ch. 144, Occupancy Permits: 144 A and B - Change to 144-3 A and B There was discussion regarding the fines for 87-3: For each subsequent business day which a violator fails to apply for a permit from $500 to $2000, and why the fine was not increased to the maximum $5,000 allowance by law. The Director of Public Services stated that it’s based on fairness and consistency. There were no comments from the audience on the amendment. College Park City Council Minutes November 12, 2025 Page 6 of 9 Motion carried 8-0-0. A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Esters to approve Ordinance 25-O-14 as amended, an Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park, amending Chapter, Chapter 110-2 “Penalties and Fines”, Article I “General Provisions”. Motion carried 8-0-0. 25-O-15: An Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park Amending Chapter 87 Building Construction § 87-23 “Fences, C. Front Yard Fences., to increase the maximum allowable height of front yard fences from three (3) feet to four (4) feet. Carlos Nunes, Senior Planner, reviewed the staff report. The amendment would increase the maximum allowable height of front yard fences from 3 feet to 4 feet (provided the fence is not located in the sight visibility triangle) aligning with Prince George’s County height standards. No comments from the audience. A motion was made by Councilmember Hernandez and seconded by Councilmember Whitney to approve 25-O-15, an Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park amending City Code Chapter 87 “Building Construction” § 87-23 “Fences.”, C. Front yard fences., to increase the maximum allowable height of front yard fences from three (3) feet to four (4) feet provided the fence does not interfere with the sight visibility triangle. Motion carried 8-0-0. ACTION ITEMS: None WORKSESSION DISCUSSIONS: Review and discussion of Parking Statutes, Policies and Coinciding Fees and Penalties Jim Miller, Parking Enforcement Manager, reviewed the staff report. We need clarification from Council on 1. Permit Parking, 2. Raising Existing Parking Fines, 3. Prohibited Vehicle Park and other parking related matters, 4. Increase in Parking Enforcement Personnel and Consideration to Return Enforcement to 10:00 pm and possible Sundays, and 5. Authorize a Parking Study. After discussion with Council, staff will have a comprehensive parking enforcement study completed in the City. Prince George’s County Municipal Association (PGCMA) College Park City Council Minutes November 12, 2025 Page 7 of 9 City Manager Young explained that the City has not been involved with PGCMA since sending a letter on March 24 requesting a full accounting of all financial matters and documentation showing that appropriate internal controls have been implemented. The Mayor received a response on September 16 from Edouard Haba, President of PGCMA, who stated that the organization has instituted several new procedures. Mayor Casanas, who also serves as Vice President of PGCMA, noted that PGCMA is a regional chapter of MML and plays an important role in bringing municipalities together. She emphasized that under new leadership, the organization has introduced a revised financial structure and that municipalities are stronger when they work collectively. Councilmembers expressed continued hesitation about renewing membership in PGCMA. They requested that PGCMA issue a public statement regarding past discrepancies and the investigation, as well as providing clear information outlining how membership funds will be used. REQUESTS FOR / STATUS OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Whitney/Esters: Update the charge for the Restorative Justice Commission Esters/Whitney: Invite the RJC to present initial priorities associated with recommendations presented to Council on October 7, 2025. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE Yonah Gross, resident: There should be a focus on the conduct of property owners towards students. Students were cut off where their time to testify was up, but others were not. COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR, COUNCIL, STUDENT LIAISON OR CITY MANAGER Councilmember Rigg: Hoped the City would rejoin PGCMA in the near future, noting that the City is stronger when it speaks as part of a countywide coalition. Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell: CPCUP met to discuss how we engage families in College Park to get them to stay in the City. Councilmember Whitney: Suggested that microphones be turned off when a speaker’s allotted time has ended. Councilmember Esters: Acknowledged the SGA for their efforts in sharing information about the Early Lease Ordinance with students, attending tonight’s meeting, and making their voices heard. Councilmember Hew: Shared that he will be attending the NLC next week and then visiting family in Hawaii; he will not be present for the December 2 inauguration. College Park City Council Minutes November 12, 2025 Page 8 of 9 Councilmember Hernandez: Noted that while PGCMA provides valuable platforms, the City must remain mindful of the funds it contributes. He also raised concerns regarding transparency. He added that PGCPS leadership has committed to establishing a parent organization at Parkdale High School. Councilmember Mackie: Announced plans to attend the Maryland Tourism Conference in College Park next week and encouraged Councilmembers to attend the Tuesday evening cocktail hour. ADJOURN A motion was made by Councilmember Whitney and seconded by Councilmember Esters to adjourn the meeting and reconvene into a Closed Session. Mayor Kabir read the Closing Statement: Pursuant to the statutory authority of the Maryland Annotated Code, General Provisions Article, § 3-305(b), the Mayor Pro Tem and City Council of the City of College Park are providing notice that they will meet in a Closed Session after the Council meeting on November 12, 2025 for the following purposes: 1. 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. The motion passed 8-0 and the regular meeting adjourned at 10:59 p.m. Closed Session November 12, 2025 At 10: 59 p.m. on November 12, 2025, at the conclusion of the Council meeting, a motion was made by Councilmember Esters and seconded by Councilmember Whitney to adjourn into a Closed Session. Mayor Kabir read the Closing Statement: Pursuant to the statutory authority of the Maryland Annotated Code, General Provisions Article, § 3-305(b), the Mayor Pro Tem and City Council of the City of College Park are providing notice that they will meet in a Closed Session after the Council meeting on November 12, 2025, for the following purposes: 1. 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. The motion passed 8-0 and after a recess, the Closed Session began at 11:10 p.m. College Park City Council Minutes November 12, 2025 Page 9 of 9 Mayor Kabir; Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell; Councilmembers Hernandez, Hew, Esters, Whitney, Mackie, Ranker, and Rigg. In addition, City Manager Kenneth A. Young attended the meeting. Mayor Kabir was the Open Meetings Trainee. The Mayor and Council presented the City Manager’s evaluation. No action was taken. At 12:20 a.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, a motion was made by Councilmember Hernandez and seconded by Councilmember Esters to adjourn the Closed Session. The Closed Session was adjourned 8-0-0.