Meeting Minutes—November 10, 2022

North College Park Community Association (NCPCA)

Attendees:

In Person: 

Alaina Pitt, Charles Pitt, Gale Mamatova, Vanesa Hercules, Mary Cook, Donald Hays, Diana Hays, Ariela Haber, Brendan, Councilmember Fazlul Kabir, Councilmember Kate Kennedy; Brendan Wray

Online (names written as they appear in chat):

Lisa Ealley; Brian J. Roan; Carol Macknis; Denise Mitchell; Gale Mamatova; John Krouse; Judy Blumenthal; Katherine Fuentes; Maria Mackie; Melissa Peterson; Kelly Reinke

 

Minutes Taken By:

Brian J. Roan, Secretary 

Call to Order

Meeting was called by President Alaina Pitt at 7:33PM. She began the meeting with a moment of silence. 

Carol Macknis reminded President Pitt that the meeting was not yet being recorded. President Pitt explained the purpose of the recording and began it. 

 

President Report

• Train quiet zone. 
  • Councilperson Kate Kennedy has spoken with the City Manager, and the city will address the request in the new year.
  • Mary Cook said that 15 years ago the same request was made—not to have CSX train blow whistle—but the request had been denied by CSX. 
  • John Krouse says other jurisdictions have been successful since then. 
  • President Pitt says she has looked into this as well, but it will take some intergovernmental work. 
• Welcome Wagon 
  • Regrouped and are trying to track down materials for the bags from the city. 
  • President Pitt put out a call for volunteers to create and deliver bags. 
  • Carol Macknis interjects about the city line item of $2,000 and how it could be used—only for Welcome Wagon or possibly for other things? 
    • President Pitt reasserted the action item for follow-up.
• Events committee
  • The committee met on November 9. 
  • Announcements from the committee will be presented later in the meeting. 
• College Park Day
  • President Pitt thanked the volunteers who helped to staff the table. 
  • President Pitt expressed a desire to do it again next year. 

 

Action Item: President Pitt to follow up on Welcome Wagon line item inquiry. 

 

Vice-President’s Report

• VP Gale Mamatova reported that our membership had grown, and called for members to help to grow it even more through word of mouth and conversions with neighbors. 
• Also gave an update on the Facebook membership numbers. 
• College Park Here & Now is fundraising and Newsmatch will match any donation made between now and December 31, 2022. 
• Paint Branch Developer Meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2022. 

 

Treasurer’s Report

• Treasurer Macknis explained that she expanded her timeline for stepping down to cover the gap between the end of October and this meeting, where there will be a vote for new Treasurer. 
• $332.86 in savings account. $2,104.04 in checking. Approximately $1,100 from Welcome Wagon.
• $229.73 expenses, comprising:
  • Paying for Zoom for the October meeting and paying for yearly Zoom subscription. 
  • $50 expenditure for print materials for College Park Day. 
• A deposit of $29.79 from web site memberships. 
• President Pitt thanked Treasurer Macknis for the update and her service to the board. 

 

September Minutes

• President Pitt opens the floor for comments or edits. 
  • Mary Cook points out a typo—”stared” instead of “started” 
  • Wording of the approval of the June minutes is also worked. 
  • Question raised about the wording of styrofoam drop-off. 
• Treasurer Macknis also requested that links in emails be bolded to make them easier to see and utilize. 
  • President Pitt concurred with this suggestion. 
• President Pitt moves to accept minutes. 
  • Councilperson Kennedy seconds. 
  • Passed without opposition. 
• The May minutes were just received, and they will be posted soon along with October minutes for the December meeting.

 

Treasurer Voting

• Melissa Peterson had nominated herself for the position. 
• Melissa introduced herself to the Association and walked through her professional resume and history in the area, along with relevant experiences and skills. 
• At the conclusion of Melissa’s introduction, Treasurer Macknis announced that she will help to onboard Melissa on Sunday, November 13. 
  • Melissa thanks Treasurer Macknis for her aid in the transition. 
• President Pitt opened the floor to questions. 
  • No questions were presented.
• President Pitt called for a vote on Melissa Peterson as Treasurer. 
  • Melissa was voted in with no opposition. 

 

Member at Large

• David Alicea was put forward by Alaina as a board member. 
  • David could not attend because he was at the Marine Corps Ball. 
  • David is already helping with the web site. He has been a member for a month and moved here early this year. 
  • He wrote a statement which was posted on the slide.
• Mary Cook asked why the board approached David for this position. 
• VP Mamatova expressed their confidence in David’s technological savvy and their admiration for his willingness to help.
• Treasurer Macknis clarified that she did not take part in the process, but it is not a requirement. The President appoints, and it is then approved. 
• President Pitt calls for a vote to approve David Alicea. 
  • President Pitt counts ten votes in the room. 
• Judy Blumenthal asked whether or not we should hear from David. 
  • VP Mamatova stated that David Alicea was at the Ball and he can speak at the beginning of the next meeting. 
  • Mary Cook asked if the vote could wait. 
  • President Pitt stated that David’s help was needed and that the vote had already passed. 

 

Events Survey

• President Pitt says the events committee has met twice now and has to this point decided to implement an events survey to be distributed to the community. 
  • This survey will be distributed via email soon.
• Lisa Eally brings up that Judy and Treasurer Macknis were not heard earlier. 
  • President Pitt explained that her computer was muted and she could not hear the questions. Opened the floor for Judy or Treasurer Macknis to make their statement again. 
  • Treasurer Macknis asks if the official vote for David Alicea had passed or not. 
    • President Pitt confirms that David was approved by vote. 
    • Mary Cook also expressed her confusion. 
• The event survey will be going out to members soon and translated into Spanish. 
  • Mary Cook brought up a concern about translation creep when it comes to Association materials. 
    • Vanesa Hercules responded that census data was used to reach the broadest populations first. 
    • Mary Cook said this was tried unsuccessfully in the past. Was also offended by her husband’s inability to get translations. 
    • VP Mamatova argued that a start was better than nothing. 
    • Mary Cook voiced concern, as ESL instructor, and responded to the assertion that “inclusion has to start somewhere” that she feels unincluded. 
    • VP Mamatova said that we welcome translators from the community to volunteer to help. President Pitt agreed and echoed call for volunteers. 
  • In the chat, Treasurer Macknis asked if Survey Monkey can translate. 
    • VP Mamatova confirmed that it does. 
  • Question regarding city translation services.
    • Councilperson Kate Kennedy says that the service is a live translation service for city staff and councilmembers. 

 

Backyard Block Parties

• President Pitt provided an overview of the Backyard Block Party. 
  • Small, casual events where members host a potluck or other event on their property and invite neighbors on their street. 
  • NCPCA members would be invited and NCPCA would provide support in the form of $50 reimbursement and promotion. 
• The plan is to start these in the new year. 
• A survey will be sent out to see who is interested, with the goal to host one block party a month. 
• This idea came about because of the work of the Event Committee. 
• President Pitt opens up the floor for questions or comments. 
  • Councilperson Fazlul Kabir offers that the city can support this initiative through closing off streets for a block party to provide more room. 
  • Also mentioned $500 microgrant for events. 
  • Melissa Peterson added that fundraising ideas are also being discussed to help pay for these events. 
  • VP Mamatova asked if these parties could be put on a wishlist. 
    • Councilpeople Kennedy and Kabir expressed that it could be done at an individual level per event, for which each person would be given up to $500. 
    • President Pitt explained that we used this microgrant for the September barbecue. 
  • Treasurer Macknis raised a concern that the cadence of once a month might be too much and preached caution regarding time and logistical concerns. 
  • Councilperson Kabir mentioned the potential for inviting community police. 
• Ariel was noted as having expressed interest in holding an event. 

 

NCPCA Holiday Party

• President Pitt expressed intentions for a holiday party for the December meeting, to possibly include White Elephant or other games. 
• Judy Blumenthal questions if we would rent a space that would cost money. 
  • President Pitt says this was not an intention. 
• Treasurer Macknis voiced support for making Davis Hall the venue. 
  • President Pitt confirmed that Davis Hall is the front runner for the venue. 
  • Treasurer Macknis cited location, familiarity, and ease as reasons to use Davis Hall. 
  • Judy Blumenthal voiced support for Treasurer Macknis’ reasoning. 
• President Pitt put out a call for volunteers to help plan the event. 

 

Open Forum

• Treasurer Macknis opened the forum with two items. 
  • One, there are monthly community safety meetings held on the second Monday of the month. She encouraged people to make a point to attend. 
  • Second, she signed up for County Police Citizens Police Academy. A 12-week course held in Upper Marlboro. A course that helps to build understanding of police activity. She encouraged people to attend and called it well worth it. 
  • President Pitt thanks Treasurer Macknis for the information. 
• Katherine Fuentes from Councilman Tom Dernoga’s office said she will send an email with announcements to President Pitt. 
  • Veterans Day observance will be held at the American Legion. 
  • The Department of Permitting inspection and enforcement is holding a webinar on Thursday November 17, 2022 from 11 AM to 12 PM. 
  • Police Division 1 is hosting a senior-focused Thanksgiving meal at College Park City Hall from 12:30–4:30 PM. 
  • Bilingual job and resource fair at Northwestern High School on Saturday November 19, 2022 from 10 AM–2 PM. 
  • Open enrollment for health insurance.
  • November 30 is the deadline for video tolls.
  • Food distribution event at High Point High School.
  • President Pitt thanked her for her presence. 
• Councilperson Kate Kennedy spoke about the holiday cookie party. A no-contact cookie exchange. Wanted to see if there could be an in-person element this year. 
  • The weekend of the 16, 17, 18th of December. Drop-offs would happen during the weekend for a Sunday disbursement. 
  • Possibility of s’mores at her house as well. 
• Councilperson Mackie put in a plug for Good Neighbor Day. 
  • Day-of walk-ons are welcome. 
  • Also thanks veterans and poll workers, as well as membership.
  • Signed off at the conclusion of her time. 
  • President Pitt also endorsed Good Neighbor Day.
• Councilperson Kabir took floor for two announcements. 
  • Turkey drive at College Park Food Bank. Fridays November 10 and 18. College Park has 25% of the population living under the poverty line. The food bank gives out food each Saturday. 
  • Coat drive happens November 16–December 6. Davis Hall, Youth and Family Services, City Hall. Coats, hats, gloves collected to be given to the community. 
  • Judy Blumenthal asked about blankets, and Councilperson Kabir said he would check. 
• Councilperson Denise Mitchell likewise boosted Good Neighbor Day. She will be at Attick towers and solicited donations of PPE. Asked those interested to text her at 301-852-8126.
• Mary Cook gave an update on RST development. Three motels to be razed and 320 apartments to be built. She forwarded an email received from the lawyer to President Pitt, and asked for an update. 
  • President Pitt has not followed up yet, but expressed confusion as to why Councilman Tom Dernoga was not more engaged with this. 
  • Mary Cook says she can have Councilman Tom Dernoga attend a meeting if needed. 
  • President Pitt expressed her desire to see the County Council representation become more active in situations like this.
  • Mary Cook said there is a process to this, and Parks and Planning has the plan, so Councilman Dernoga can’t speak to it now. 
• Mayor Patrick Wojahn announced the College Park Methodist Church’s biweekly meals. Posted the form to sign up for meals in the chat. 
  • President Pitt vouched for the food and relayed her experience from June. 
  • Mayor Wojahn states the time is 4:30–5:30. 
• Mary Cook said she is working with a homeless person at the Sunoco in Beltsville. Encourages people to stop by and offer him some support. 

 

President Pitt thanked everyone for attending. Next meeting is December 8 at 7:30 PM. 

President Pitt asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilperson Kate Kennedy provided the motion, and President Pitt closed the meeting at 9:22 PM.