NORTH COLLEGE PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
March 10, 2022 Regular Meeting at Davis Hall and via Zoom

Present: Mary Cook, Ellen Caswell, Dylan Burns, Alaina Pitt, Carol Macknis, Arelis Pérez, Judy Blumenthal, College Park Councilmembers (Fazlul Kabir, Susan Whitney, Stuart Adams, Maria Mackie, Denise Mitchell, Kate Kennedy), County Councilmember Tom Dernoga’s Constituent Services Aide Jerri Jones, Lisa Ealley, Brys Broughton, Stephanie Butler, Carissa Janis, Jamie Lark, College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn.

Officers’ reports & approval of minutes.

Carol Macknis said we have $322.33 in savings and $716.20 in the checking account. The total amount is $1,038.53. She said we also paid $200 for the meeting signs. Mary Cook reported that the city had sent a letter to m-NCPPC regarding the North College Park Community and the court case appealing County Councilmember Derick Davis’s redistricting plan has been settled with Councilmember Davis’s plan being thrown out and the plan developed by the county redistricting commission becoming the accepted plan. Mary mentioned a meeting with other civic association presidents she attended where the issue of how the Prince George’s County assessments were done surfaced since there is evidence the County didn’t provide accurate information to the assessment office. This would result in the property assessments possibly being wrong. She said we will have to wait and see what happens on this issue. Approval of the February meeting minutes was postponed until next month.

Meet Councilmember Stuart Adams (D3).

Councilmember Stuart Adams said that, while he represents District Three, he will still consider the whole city while in office. The Councilmember says he will leave his campaign website up so people can read his policy positions. The councilmember said he is a strong advocate for issues like homeownership and public transportation. Two other issues of concern are affordable housing and the ability of seniors to “age in place”. Councilmember Stuart Adams also said he is in support of a North College Park Community Center.

Meet Councilmember Susan Whitney (D2).

Councilmember Susan Whitney said she will not be taking a “District Two First” approach but will be looking at the city as a whole. Councilmember Whitney said she supports a North College Park Community Center and affordable housing. She also supports a land trust, but emphasizes she is not anti-renter. Councilmember Whitney said there needs to be balancing of housing vs. the environment and a need to foster community in College Park. With respect to the Stone Property, both District 1 and District 2 residents are concerned about the development impact on the community.

Updates by Welcome Wagon Committee — Alaina Pitt, Dylan Burns, and Stephanie Butler.

Alaina Pitt said she found a good tote bag. An NCPCA membership form and a letter from the president of NCPCA is needed to be included in the tote bag. The total price comes to $348.50 (before taxes) if NCPCA buys 150 tote bags. The cost per tote bag decreases if more tote bags are ordered. FedEx appears to be the cheapest place to get copies. Councilmember Fazlul Kabir suggested looking into if the city has a community grant to help with the Welcome Wagon budget. A suggestion was made to consider sponsors for the bags to reduce the cost. The Subcommittee will be talking to city officials about what the city can do. Dylan Burns offered to have a graphic designer work on developing our logo for the tote bag, possibly for no charge.

Update on North College Park Community Center.

A letter which the city sent to Bill Tyler, the director of Parks and Planning, was read expressing support for a community center in North College Park. Mary Cook said a consultant is going to work with us to find out what we need in a community center before a location can be picked for a Community Center. Mary Cook thanked Councilmember Fazlul Kabir for bringing this issue to the attention of the council over the years. Councilmember Kabir said the construction phase of the project may well cost over ten million dollars. Councilmember Kabir said County Councilmember Tom Dernoga is looking into getting funds from the state for the Community Center.

Setting our priorities: Priority Survey.

The priorities were: Public Safety and Crime, Sidewalks and Trails, Paving and Snow removal, Community Development, Neighborhood Beautification, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Issues, Traffic and Congestion, Walkability, Public Transportation, Affordable Housing, Code Enforcement, Events, Parking Enforcement, Taxes, Aging in Place, and Retail.

The top five were: Public Safety, Code Enforcement, Community Development, Parking, and Neighborhood Beautification.

New Business & Future Agenda Items.

County Councilmember Tom Dernoga’s Constituent Services Aide Jerri Jones said that the new edition of Senior Living Newsletter just came out, and will come out every first of the month. Mary Cook said she is putting this newsletter together, and it is important to gather information for seniors in one place to make it more accessible. Constituent Services Aide Jones also mentioned an employment event at the Post 217 Building in College Park, a town Hall meeting on the County Budget, a Blood Drive, and monthly Blood Pressure Screenings.

Carol Macknis reported that the courts have instructed MDOT to reevaluate the Transurban contract for the managed I270/I4895 toll lanes – not sure what the impact will be on the toll lane effort; M-NCPPC is moving all of their offices to Largo (see LargoHQ.com for details); and there is a Prince George’s County Recreation Authority being considered to take over all the M-NCPPC recreational functions. There are many unanswered questions regarding this effort. This is supported by the County Executive but County Councilmember Dernoga voted against it.

Alaina Pitt stated the Greenbelt Road Plan is available for review, old Metro SmartTrip cards no longer work and need to be traded in for new cards; and suggested that the City’s Racial Equity Officer be invited to a future NCPCA Meeting.

Carissa James mentioned the AARP Livable Community Meeting on March 28 and an AARP survey would be available at that meeting for attendees’ input.

Announcements from elected officials.

Councilmember Kate Kennedy said she is working with the College Park City-University Partnership (CPCUP) on affordable housing. This concerns making it easier and more affordable to own a home in College Park, possibly using ARPA funds. Mayor Patrick Wojahn said the Prince George’s County Department of Planning is creating a Mass Transportation plan. They have opened up expressions of interest to participate in community advisory groups. Mayor Wojahn said the Paint Branch Golf Complex will not have its nine-hole course altered according to the Parks and Planning Commission.

Councilmember Mackie mentioned the deadline to register for the “No Mow April” effort is March 14. She reminded folks to check the city’s calendar on the city website periodically for events.

Councilmember Kennedy suggested a request for a presentation of the City’s Strategic Plan at a future NCPCA meeting be requested.

Councilmember Kabir said the monthly Public Safety meeting would be March 14 where the County Police Aviation Unit will be the presenter. State Delegate Lehman introduced a bill (HB133) to address loud vehicle noise – the fine would be raised significantly. Residents should let their State House representatives know they need to support this bill.

Ellen Caswell moved to end the meeting, seconded by Judy Blumenthal. The motion passed at 9:20 pm.

 

Reviewed and Edited by Carol Macknis, NCPCA Treasurer.