NORTH COLLEGE PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
April 14, 2022 Regular Meeting at Davis Hall and via Zoom
Present: Mary Cook, Dylan Burns, Alaina Pitt, Carol Macknis, Jamie Lark, Lisa Ealley, College Park Councilmembers (Maria Mackie, Fazlul Kabir, Kate Kennedy), County Councilmember Tom Dernoga’s Constituent Services Aide Jerri Jones, Eric Reinke, Gale Mamatova, Stephanie Butler, College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn, Nikki Pancho, Ellen Caswell, College Park Director of Planning Terry Schum.
Officers’ reports & approval of minutes.
Carol Macknis reported the NCPCA account has $322.39 in savings ($0.06 in interest), and $716.20 in checking. Dylan Burns announced he is on the Polish-Ukrainian Border and will soon enter Ukraine to film a documentary about the war. He said this should not affect his ability to attend meetings immediately. Mary Cook reported that, with Judy Blumenthal, a letter of appreciation was sent to the Community Law Center regarding Bridgett Simmons, NCPCA pro-bono lawyer. Mary said free covid tests are still available, and she has them at her home. Due to multiple issues presented with the February minutes, they were not approved after a tie vote for their approval. The minutes will be revised and then voted on again at the next meeting.
Development Updates by City Planner, Terry Schum.
City Planner Terry Schum presented a brief summary of city projects in the North College Park area (e.g., Hollywood Streetscape, DuVall Field changes, Hollywood Road Sidewalks, etc.) and answered questions of NCPCA members. Alaina Pitt asked if there are design documents available for public view on the Hollywood Streetscape project. City Planner Schum said there should be a complete permit drawing set available online with links to related County documents. She said he visual presentation is very helpful as well. City Planner Schum stated there is a lot of development information on the City’s website.
City Planner Schum said the City of College Park now has authority over Rhode Island Ave. after it was turned over by Prince George’s County and the city will start construction on protected bike lanes and re-designing the bus stops after the County finishes resurfacing, part of the City’s agreement with the County.
With respect to the new County zoning, residents should not see much change. For the Stone Property, the main changes deal with accommodating small residential development there. Mary Cook asked about what new retail could be coming to College Park. City Planner Schum said she does not have access to that information at the moment. City Planner Schum said Capital Kettle Corn is coming to the Hollywood Shopping Center.
Presentation of College Park City University Partnership (CPCUP) Trust by Councilmember Kate Kennedy.
Councilmember Kate Kennedy explained how she thinks the CPCUP partnership trust will increase the percentage of homeowners in College Park as a percentage while trying not to increase housing prices. She said this could be useful in mitigating gentrification. The effort will take time to fully implement – they are looking at about 10 years.
Paid Website So Dues Payments Can Be Available Via the Web by Carol Macknis & Alaina Pitt.
Carol Macknis said making the due payments available on the website is not be possible with a free website. The cost to move to a paid website using the WordPress software process is $180 a year with WordPress as the host. She said some of the positives of moving to a paid website include the website no longer having ads, the ability of being able to pay the dues through the website, and future potential improvements. She said every transaction made on the website would cost $0.59 with Strike and $0.78 with PayPal. Councilmember Fazlul Kabir said he can help make it so the paid website would cost under $100 a year. Alaina Pitt moved to approve up to $200 in funds a year in order for NCPCA to move to a paid website, which was seconded by Ellen Caswell. The motion passed.
Updates by Welcome Wagon Committee — Alaina Pitt, Dylan Burns, and Stephanie Butler.
Alaina Pitt said the Welcome Wagon Committee ordered some sample tote bags to test out different types of bags to include in the Welcome Wagon. Possible items to include in the Welcome Wagon tote bag discussed were seed packets and key chains. She said $2,000 was allocated for the Welcome Wagon in the City’s 2023 budget. This is in addition to the smaller city grant of $600 which the committee is pursuing. The issue of a logo being created to be put on the bags was also discussed.
New Business & Future Agenda Items.
Dylan Burns proposed looking into making a logo for the organization. Carol Macknis asked if we have anyone working on the NCPCA slate as elections are coming up. Mary Cook said we don’t right now but it will be looked into.
Announcements from elected officials.
County Councilmember Tom Dernoga’s Constituent Services Aide Jerri Jones said Councilmember Dernoga recently sponsored a blood drive on April 8th which was successful. She said an amended version of the Senate Bill 612 passed in the Maryland General Assembly. This bill targets illegal and dangerous street racing activity in Maryland by increasing the penalties for racing.
Carol Macknis moved to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Ellen Caswell. The motion passed at 9:24 p.m.
Reviewed and Edited by Carol Macknis, NCPCA Treasurer.