Regular Meeting on April 12, 2018

Attendance: NCPCA Officers; County Councilmember Mary Lehman; College Park District 1 Councilmember Kabir;  and College Park District 4 Councilmember Mitchell; Toyin Fasakin, Gerron Levi, Julian Lopez.

Meeting was called to order by President John Krouse at 7:30 pm.

Mr. Bobby Archer discussed events at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of the University of Maryland, and explained the relationship between the Center and the City of College Park.

The following candidates for elected office presented their platform: Toyin Fasakin, Prince George’s County Register of Wills; Mary Lehman, Maryland General Assembly, District 21; Gerron Levi; Prince George’s County Council At-Large; Julian Lopez, Prince George’s County Council At-Large.

Councilmember Kabir presented an update on the City Charter Amendment, explaining that the Charter Amendment reads the City’s Mayor is now included in the legislative body.  Former Councilmember Cook presented the following two motions: (1)  I move that NCPCA sponsor/co-sponsor a Town Hall which will focus on transparency and the City Charter.   The motion was approved and the Town Hall is scheduled for April 24, 2018, and (2) NCPCA requests the City to empanel a committee of citizens who are registered to vote in the City to review the City Charter and to make recommendations before the City Council takes a vote on any charter amendments. The motion was approved.

Vice-President Lisa Ealley presented an update on concerns and staffing at the Branchville Fire Station.

Former Councilmember Cook presented an update on the proposed Community Center for North College Park and made the following resolution:  The North College Park Community Association urges the City Council to include $20,000 in the 2019 FY, which would be used to launch the North College Park community/senior center in a storefront(s) in the Edgewood Rd. and Rhode island Ave area in 2019.

Nominating Committee for NCPCA Officers was established.  Mary Cook and Rafel DeGennaro will identify nominees.  NCPCA Elections are in June.

President Krouse presented an update on the Hollywood Neighborhood Park. Discussion followed regarding the need for grass seed and nets for the new soccer field.

Rhode Island Avenue Traffic discussion was tabled and may be resumed at the May 10th NCPCA meeting.

General Announcements:

Councilmember Kabir thanked everyone who came to the April 5th budget town hall meeting. He invited residents to speak about the budget at the public hearing on Tuesday, May 8 at 7:30 pm at City Hall. ·

Dog Park Community Meeting scheduled for May.

Farmers Market opens on April 21, 2018 @ 9:00 AM.

100th Anniversary celebration of the College Park Airport at the Aviation Museum, scheduled for August 12, 2018.

Minutes of March 8 NCPCA meeting were approved.

NCPCA Officers’ Reports:  Treasurer Report: NCPCA has a balance of $1,161.06.

Meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.