Attendance included District 1 Councilmembers Fazlul Kabir and Kate Kennedy; District 4 Councilmember Dustyn Burkart Kujawa, Mayor Patrick Wojahn, Guest Speakers Ray Ranker and Jackie Kelly
Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm. Agenda amended to read under New Business, “next meeting on November 8”.
September Minutes Approved.
Guest Speaker, Ray Ranker, Independent Candidate for District 21, Md. House of Delegates, introduced himself to NCPCA and allowed time for questions.
College Park Community Library. Jackie Kelly, Director, discussed the history of the Library, explained how they partner with the College Park Arts Exchange, and discussed current events. There are more than 9,000 books, but children books are needed. Current events include Baby and Me Tues. and Thurs. 1:30pm -3:30pm and Homework Help! 2nd and 4th Sat. 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Website: http://www.cpcommunitylibrary.org
Community Center Update. Written comments From Mary A. Lehman, District 1 Prince George’s County Councilwoman:
Last Monday, Oct. 1, I attended the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s FY20 budget hearing in Riverdale and urged MNCPPC to include $100,000 for senior and “non-senior” programs in North College Park. I acknowledged the commission’s $50,000 FY19 contribution and said the FY20 funds would be for recreational and social programs in the North College Park area.
I encourage the city to make its own, similar request at its earliest convenience. In the commission’s FY19 budget, a funding request for College Park senior programs was made at the very end of the public process, and the commission’s parks department scrambled to work out how to provide $50,000 to the city to supplement senior programs. The early funding request for FY20 from the Council District 1 office, along with the city’s ask on the front end of the commission’s budget process, will increase the likelihood that the request will be granted.
P.G. Zoning Code Rewrite. NCPCA continues to work with legal counsel and others to understand the implications of the County Zoning Code Rewrite on residents of North College Park. Specifically, the Rewrite will create new transit zones and will significantly change processes related to citizen input and zoning approvals. One specific concern is a 1,000 foot buffer from the centerline of US 1 that is central to evaluating properties that can be effective by eminent domain. NCPCA will schedule a special meeting with County Council Representatives for further discussion.
Announcements. Updates provided by Councilmember Kabir:
Hollywood Streetscape: The Council plans to award engineering design contract this month. Staff is currently evaluating the bids. The selected firm will complete the design, which will be presented to the community. The construction is expected to begin next year.
Duvall Field Phase 2: Staff is working to select a consultant, who will be responsible to get community input and conduct survey. A community meeting is expected to take place in a month or two.
Gateway Park: Staff / attorney are working with the owner of the adjacent property about the access from 47th Place. The fabrication work of the pavilion is continuing offsite.
Dog Park: MOU with the County’s BOE has been completed. Staff is working on permitting. Park should be ready by next spring.
Hollywood Park: Council has asked the MNCPPC to include the following items in their FY20 budget.
- A drinking fountain
- Improvement and path from the South entrance
- Improvements for the eroding area near the basketball court
New Business
NCPCA is planning a spring 2019 picnic with a multicultural theme, and will be advertised with flyers. A motion was made for NCPCA to spend $150 for funding. The motion passed unanimously.
A brief discussion of the practice of NCPCA to distribute print copies of minutes at monthly meeting was begun and suspended without resolution, and will be reopened at a future meeting.
General Announcements
- City of College Park Community Meetings October 17 & 18, 2018 to discuss the City Hall Project, 7:30 pm, Council Chambers.
- Posh Cycling and Fitness is scheduled to open either October 27 or November 3. Follow the progress @ posh.fit.
- Proteus Bicycles is planning to relocate to Hollywood Shopping Center and occupy the space vacated by MOM’s Organic Market.
- The next Fall Cleanup Day is Saturday, October 20, 2018, 7:30 A.M.-12:00 P.M.
Meet at 9217 51ST Avenue. - Maryland Early Voting for the 2018 Gubernatorial and General Election is Thursday, October 25, 2018 through Thursday, November 1, 2018, 10 am until 8 pm.
- Holy Redeemer Church’s 46th Annual Harvest Bazaar will be held on Friday, November 9, 2018 and Saturday, November 10, 2018
- 11th College Park Free Blues Festival Tickets, Sat, Nov 10, 2018 at Ritchie Coliseum, College Park, Maryland