Minutes of Regular Meeting on December 13, 2012
Meeting began at 7:33 pm. Councilmembers Patrick Wojahn and Fazlul Kabir were present. Maryland Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk also attended, and Prince George’s County Councilmember Mary Lehman arrived later.
Presentations
Legislative Update – MD State Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk gave members an update on what legislative matters were going to be considered in the next term: an extension of the time College Park has to use the funds for City Hall renovation; an increase in the gas tax; offshore wind; and modify an existing law to not require security at hotel entertainment events, such as wedding receptions. There was a lot of discussion about transportation matters, and Del. Pena-Melnyk answered many questions before she departed for another meeting. Joseline’s email is jpenamelnyk@msn.com and her phone is 301-213-3604.
College Park Farmers Market Committee – Peggy Kane gave an update on the Committee’s work. The City has decided to put out a Request For Quote on how to run the farmers market. The City does not want to manage the market itself; some other options are to hire or contract with a Market Master or outsource the operation entirely. The goal is to sell locally grown produce, rather than selling produce bought from wholesalers. The definition of “local” will be deferred until the City consults with someone more experienced in this area.
Minutes, Reports and Announcements
At this time the meeting took a short recess; snacks and beverages were served. The meeting resumed at 8:41.
Moved by Marcie Booth/David Turley: Approve the minutes of NCPCA November 8 meeting without change; motion passed.
Treasurer Cheryl Molinatto reported a current balance of $1,414.44; the only expenditure since the last meeting was $25.31 for copying. There were no other officer reports.
Announcements: City Council voted to replace the wooden guardrail along Narragansett Pkwy. with another one also made of wood at a cost of $144,000; City Council voted to purchase license plate readers (LPRs) for use at St. Andrew’s Pl. and at the intersection of Rhode Island Ave. and Edgewood to assist police in closing criminal cases (note: only license plate numbers would be stored, they would be separate from the police network, police would have to request information from the City each time, and information would be kept only one month); most of the crime in the neighborhood is theft of items from autos, so owners should remove valuables from their vehicles; there is a clothing drop box at Pizza Roma for the winter clothing drive; police have a lead in the recent carjacking on Lackawanna St.; the College Park Academy, a charter school that plans to open in fall 2013, will have to open at another location, since the old Friends School will not be ready by then (it will start with grades 6 and 7 and add a grade each year; there will be an informational session on 12/18 and again in January); and the College Park Community Foundation has formed its Board of Directors.
There were no committee reports.
New Business
Prince George’s County Councilmember Mary Lehman spoke to members about several topics. The first was the Greenbelt Metro Sector Plan, which she said the Planning Board has adopted with few changes, and will transmit to the District Council (County Council acting on planning matters) in January, at which point they can accept, reject, or amend the plan. She is sure the plan will not be adopted as is, and there is a fair chance it will be rejected. There will be many issues and ideas taken up by County Council in 2013, such as updating the recycling law to require leaf recycling in paper bags; storm water rebates for use of rain barrels or pervious driveway materials; changing how commissioners are appointed to the Planning Board; a mandatory pre-appeal process giving developers 90 days to contact and meet with stakeholders; revisiting CB-79 and CB-80 (which would limit public input on development); an Adequate Public Facilities test for municipalities; reintroduce a reusable bag tax. There will likely be many 5-4 split votes. There was also a lot of discussion about the costs and complexities of public school transportation. Lastly, Mary said the request for a North College Park Community Center has been given to M-NCPPC, who will include it as part of a countywide Functional Master Plan that will look at all facilities, their use, where the needs are, what should be closed, opened, or consolidated. Mary’s email is malehman@co.pg.md.us .
The meeting was extended (Leslie Booth/Fazlul Kabir) to allow Mary to finish her discussion.
Marcie Booth asked for volunteers for the College Park Animal Welfare Committee.
Moved by Larry Bleau/Mark Shroder: Adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:57 pm.
Submitted by Larry Bleau, Secretary.