Mayor & City Council

Minutes: January 6, 2026 Page 1 MINUTES College Park City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 6, 2026 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 Mackie; Councilmembers Hernandez (By Zoom 7:48 p.m.), Hew, Jordan (by Zoom), Simmons, Oates, Ranker, and Mitchell. ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Kenneth Young, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Yvette Allen, City Clerk; Stephanie Anderson, City Attorney; Jatinder Khokhar, Director of Public Services; Jim Miller, Parking Enforcement Manager; Rakhmel Rafi, Grants and Development Coordinator; Michael Williams, Director of Economic Development; Nicholas DiSpirito, Student Liaison; and Amira Abujuma, Deputy Student Liaison. Mayor Kabir opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilmember Hew: North College Park Civic Association will meet on Thursday, January 8 at Davis Hall. The Prince George’s County Police Citizens Police Academy will begin on January 26. If you would like to apply for the Academy, you can reach out to Councilmember Hew or visit the Prince George’s County Citizen’s Police Academy website. Councilmember Simmons: The final two weeks of Curbside Leaf Collection are underway. Additional information and leaf pick-up locations can be found on the City’s website. Applications for the spring cohort of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Neighborhood Planning Academy are open and residents are encouraged to apply. Councilmember Oates: If you live in a permit parking zone and haven’t renewed your permits, please remember to do so. Mayor Pro Tem Mackie: Please complete the survey, the City Council would like to hear from residents. Information on the survey is available on the website and in the weekly bulletin. Councilmember Mitchell: Prince George’s County is offering an Energy Resilience Community  Minutes: January 6, 2026 Page 2 Grant Program for up to $5,000 for residents who need help making improvements to their homes. WSSC has a program to assist residents who are experiencing financial hardship with paying their water bill. Information on these programs will be provided to the City Clerk Prince George’s County Public Schools has launched a new app, “Chipmunk” to allow parents to track their child’s school bus. Congratulations to the College Park City-University Partnership on the award of a grant from the National League of Cities (NLC). The City of College Park will participate in the NLC Prenatal-to-Three Impact Lab cohort. Nicholas DiSpirito: Attended the Article Living Neighborhood meeting. Amira Abujuma: Preparing for the next semester and working on goals and tasks for the Advisory Councill. Council congratulated Amira on her successes, especially with her work with the National Food Bank. CITY MANAGERS REPORT: Kenneth Young, City Manager: Mr. Young recommended removal of 26-G-05, approval of Council minutes, from the agenda. The minutes will be placed on the January 27th agenda for review and approval. PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS Mayor Kabir read the proclamation for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and National Human Trafficking Prevention Awareness Month. AMENDMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mackie and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to remove 25-G-02, Annual Proclamation List, from the Consent Agenda and add it to the January 13th Worksession Agenda. The Mayor and Council provided their thoughts and comments. Questions from the Mayor and Council were addressed by the City Attorney and staff. Roll call vote: Hernandez: Yes Hew: No Jordan: Yes Simmons: Yes Oates: Yes Ranker: Abstain Mackie: Yes Mitchell: Yes The motion passed 6-1-1. A motion was made by Councilmember Hernandez and seconded by Councilmember Oates to add a proclamation to tonight’s agenda to celebrate Muslim American Heritage Month.  Minutes: January 6, 2026 Page 3 The Council provided their comments. Questions from the Mayor and Council were addressed by the City Attorney on parliamentary procedures. Roll call vote: Hernandez: Yes Hew: No Jordan: No Simmons: No Oates: Yes Ranker: Abstain Mackie: No Mitchell: No The motion failed 2-5-1. A motion was made by Councilmember Ranker and seconded by Councilmember Oates to remove item 26-G-05, Approval of the December minutes from the agenda. The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion was made by Councilmember Oates and seconded by Councilmember Ranker to move 26-G-03, The Hall t/a The Lakelander, from the Consent Agenda to Action. The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mackie to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed 8-0-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: David Dorsch, resident: Spoke unfavorably about the credit card service fee that he was charged when doing city business. Advocated for the City to sell the property at 4704 Calvert Road. Dr. Zainab Chaudry, Council on American-Islamic Relations: Spoke in favor of the City issuing a Muslim American Heritage Month Proclamation. Jameel Johnson, Prince George's County Muslim Council: Spoke in favor of the City issuing a Muslim American Heritage Month Proclamation. Nomie Hamid, Virtual X Kitchen: Spoke in favor of the City issuing a Muslim American Heritage Month Proclamation. Jameelah Malik, non-resident: Spoke in favor of the City issuing a Muslim American Heritage Month Proclamation. Rahma Abouelmagd, UMD Muslim Students Association: Spoke in favor of the City issuing a Muslim American Heritage Month Proclamation. Judy Blumethal, resident: Spoke in favor of the City issuing a Muslim American Heritage Month  Minutes: January 6, 2026 Page 4 Proclamation. Mr. Abadula, Virtual X Kitchen: Spoke in favor of the City issuing a Muslim American Heritage Month Proclamation. Christina Wellington, resident: Spoke in favor of the City issuing a Muslim American Heritage Month Proclamation. Zyad Khan, resident: Spoke in favor of the City issuing a Muslim American Heritage Month Proclamation. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mackie and seconded by Councilmember Ranker to approve the Consent agenda, which consisted of these items: 26-G-01 Approval of the amended Mayor and Council 2026 Meeting schedule 26-G-04 Approval of AIMS Parking Management Solutions Annual Full-Service Software Support, Hosting, and Maintenance Contract in the amount of $67,999.50, to be effective February 1st, 2026 through January 31st, 2027, subject to approval of the City Attorney 26-G-06 Approval of the FY26 Sustainable Maryland Action Grants Program application, requesting $18,825.00 to fund the College Park Home Energy Audit Reimbursement Program, and to authorize staff time to implement the grant if awarded 26-G-07 Approval of the FY26 Local Government Energy Modernization Program (L-GEM) grant applications submitted to the Maryland Energy Administration The motion passed: 8-0-0. ACTION ITEMS: 26-G-08 Review and approval of the 2026 Legislative Priorities – Leonard Lucchi, Esquire, O’Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, P.A. The 447th Session of the Maryland General Assembly will convene on January 14th. Leadership roles for the session include: • Joseline Peña-Melnyk - Speaker of the House • Ben Barnes - Chair, Appropriations Committee • Mary Lehman - Chair, Local Government and Bi-County Agencies Subcommittee (Environment and Transportation Committee) • James Rosapepe - Vice Chair, Budget and Taxation Committee  Minutes: January 6, 2026 Page 5 Mr. Lucci provided information on the legislative outlook for the upcoming legislative session, noting state budget challenges. As this is an election year, historical trends suggest limited advancement of major new policy initiatives. Throughout the session, Mr. Lucchi will provide updates on legislation of potential interest to the City of College Park. Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager, reported the following priorities were identified in October 2025: 1. Increased funding for state childcare scholarships (program closed to new enrollment in FY26) 2. Prohibit the use of algorithmic software to determine rents in Maryland. 3. Prohibit stopping in bike lanes and possibly requiring helmets for bikes and scooters 4. Broaden the municipal piggyback tax base by creating more brackets for incomes over $250,000 or identify additional revenue sources for municipalities. 5. Municipal land use and zoning authority. 6. Authority to tax single-family rental properties at a different rate than single-family owner-occupied properties or to require assessed values of rental properties to be based on the income-generation approach. Capital Project Priorities: 1. Baltimore Avenue reconstruction from MD 193 to I-495 The Council has expressed interest in monitoring legislation and policy developments in the following areas: • Highway User Revenue Funds • Purple Line grant funding • Economic development • Affordable housing initiatives benefiting veterans and their spouses • Economic development and tourism • Environmental protection, including the Chesapeake Bay • Youth Service Bureau funding • Land use • Affordable housing • Education • Tenant rights • Child and adult day care 26-G-09 Approval of the agenda items for the January 22, 2026, Four Cities Meeting The Four Cities Coalition is a partnership among four neighboring municipalities: Berwyn Heights, College Park, Greenbelt, and New Carrollton. The Coalition meets quarterly to collaborate on shared issues, coordinate services, address regional challenges, and advocate jointly on matters affecting their communities.  Minutes: January 6, 2026 Page 6 The January 22, 2026, meeting will be held in the College Park Council Chambers. A motion was made by Councilmember Oates and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to approve the following Four Cities agenda items: Topics of Discussion: Presentation by the Prince George’s County Police on the Real Time Crime Center. Alternate presentation by the County Executive Discussion Items: 1. Economic Development 2. Affordable Housing 3. Alternate item: Affordable Child Care The motion passed: 8-0-0. 26-G-03 Approval of Property Use Agreement for application for the transfer of the license from t/a The Hall to t/a The Lakelander located in College Park. The application has been filed with the Board of License Commissioners for the January 27, 2026 hearing. Public Services Director, Jatinder Khokhar, reviewed the staff report and explained that Property Use Agreements (PUAs) were implemented around 2007, primarily for businesses located south of Campus Drive. City Attorney, Stephanie Anderson, stated that the current application is for a transfer of license. Typically, the information provided in the application is incorporated into the Property Use Agreement. She noted that the staff report was missing certain details, including the phrase “subject to the City Attorney’s review.” Most PUAs are not finalized until shortly before approval, as details are often still being discussed with the applicant’s counsel. Ms. Anderson further explained that the business previously operated under two PUAs, with the most recent tied to an entertainment permit. Under Board of License Commissioners rules, an entertainment permit does not transfer when a license is transferred. The business owner has indicated a willingness to return to the Council when applying for a new entertainment permit. Ms. Anderson is currently working with the applicant’s counsel to finalize the PUA, including provisions related to hours of operation and future business plans. Mr. Khokhar clarified that PUAs are voluntary agreements between the City and the applicant and are not required by law. However, if operational issues arise, enforcement provisions may apply. Linda Carter, attorney for the applicant, stated that the application is for the transfer of a Class B, BLX, Beer, Wine, and Liquor alcoholic beverage license from The Hall to The Lakelander Group,  Minutes: January 6, 2026 Page 7 LLC t/a The Lakelander, located at 4656 Hotel Drive, College Park, Maryland 20742. Once the transfer is approved, the applicant intends to apply for an entertainment permit. The applicant does not plan to change the current mode of operation. Any future change would require approval from the Board of License Commissioners, the City, and the University of Maryland, which owns the property. Ms. Carter stated that outdoor noise levels will not exceed City or County limits. Because the property is owned by the University of Maryland, the applicant must also coordinate a security plan with the University of Maryland Police and Prince George’s County Police when applying for an entertainment permit. Philice Cowan, the applicant, stated that this is her first business venture in College Park and that some members of the ownership group are College Park residents with roots in the Lakeland neighborhood. She explained that the name of the ownership group, The Lakelander, reflects the group’s connection to the Lakeland community. Ms. Cowan noted that the business will continue operating as The Hall for now. Council encouraged the ownership group to communicate with the Lakeland Civic Association if there is consideration of a name change in the future. Ms. Anderson stated that action tonight is to approve the PUA and send a letter to the Board of License Commissioners indicating no objection to the transfer of the Class B, BLX, Beer, Wine, and Liquor alcoholic beverage license at 4656 Hotel Drive, College Park, Maryland 20742. The hours of operation will be updated in the PUA to reflect the applicant’s intent to serve lunch. A motion was made by Councilmember Ranker and seconded by Councilmember Simmons to approve a recommendation to the Board of Liquor License Commissioners of Prince George’s County for the transfer of the Class B, BLX, Beer, Wine and Liquor alcoholic beverage license from The Hall to The Lakelander Group, LLC t/a The Lakelander at 4656 Hotel Drive, College Park, Maryland 20742, subject to the City Attorneys review and approval. The motion passed 8-0-0. REQUESTS FOR / STATUS OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE Ashley Chapin, Representative of Ranked Choice Voting MD: Provided information on other cities which had adopted Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), advocated for College Park to adopt RCV and announced an upcoming RCV informational event on January 21. Husain Waheed: Asked Council to support legislation regarding Modernization of Implementation Specifications and Standards for Transformative Economic Efficiency.  Minutes: January 6, 2026 Page 8 COMMENTS FROM THE MAYOR, COUNCIL, STUDENT LIAISON OR CITY MANAGER Councilmember Mitchell: Announced that the College Park Senior Advisory Committee will host a Community Connection event on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, featuring an estate planning presentation and food drive collection. She also encouraged residents to complete the FY27 budget survey. Mayor Pro Tem Mackie: Echoed the Budget Survey and the Seniors Event. Attended the Community Safety meeting. Please continue to lock your cars and leave a porch light on to deter crime. Mayor Kabir announced that the Council will go into a Closed Session: Pursuant to the Maryland Annotated Code, General Provisions Article, § 3-305, the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park are providing notice that they will meet in a Closed Session after this meeting to consider: 1. To consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto, and 2. 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. A motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mackie to adjourn the meeting and go into a Closed Session. The motion passed 8-0-0 and Mayor Kabir adjourned the meeting at 9:41 p.m.