North College Park Community Association

Minutes of March 2023 Regular Meeting

Meeting Minutes—March 9, 2023

North College Park Community Association (NCPCA)

Attendees:

In Person: 

David Alicea; Brys Broughton; Lisa Ealley; Michelle Garcia; Bryan Haddad; Donald Hayes; Kate Kennedy; Fazlul Kabir; John Krouse; Angelina Lincoln; Christine O’Brien; Melissa Peterson; David Turley

Online (names written as they appear in chat):

Stephanie Butler; Arelis Perez; Brenden Wray; Maria Mackie

Minutes Taken By:

Brian J. Roan, Secretary 

Call to Order

President David Alicea brought the meeting to order and initiated the moment of silence. He then read the orders of the day for the meeting. 

Minutes

  • Secretary Brian J. Roan moved to approve the November minutes, and the motion is seconded.
    • Arelis Perez noted the following correction: Add the last name of Brendan Wray to meeting audience. Fazlul Kabir noted a misspelling in the name of Carol Macknis’s name. 
    • Arelis Perez motioned to approve the minutes with the stated corrections, and the vote carried. 
  • Arelis Perez moved to approve December minutes.
    • No corrections were noted. The motion passed. 
  • Secretary Roan moves to approve the February minutes.
    • Arelis put forward the following correction: A typo in the name Carol Macknis. 
    • The motion passed by vote.

President’s Report

President Alicea made his report. 

  • President Alicea has spearheaded a weekly coffee social for the community at Proteus Brews on Sunday morning with a discount for NCPCA members. He encouraged people to attend and to bring friends and neighbors every Sunday from 11am-1pm.
  • Duvall Field was reserved for Saturday April 22 for a spring event.
    • More details to come. 
  • Announced the submission of NCPCA’s application to the city to march in the College Park Parade on May 6, 2023 at 10am.
    • Further details to come. 
  • Announced that he worked with Red Cross and Terp Vets to make MEDEVAC care packages for wounded, ill, and injured service members. Email with Google form was sent on Monday March 6, 2023, with another to come. March 13, 2023 is the deadline to reply to the survey. 

Vice President’s

Vice President Broughton Brys made his report.

  • 13 new members since January 1, 2023.
  • 3 new members since February 2023.
  • Examination of website confirms that header and navigation across site pass accessibility tests. VP Broughton will continue to test site to ensure accessibility. 
  • VP Broughton requested that people fill out the NCPCA survey sent in email correspondence to the membership for the purpose of establishing a baseline of member’s sense of NCPCA function. 

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Melissa Peterson made her report:

  • New membership added $125 to checking account. 
  • Annual fee for website was paid at $40.
  • Current checking balance as of the day of the meeting was $2,207.96.
  • Savings account acquired interest over the last three months—10 cents, 10 cents, and 9 cents. 
  • Treasurer Peterson reported working on the financial report for the previous year, 2022.
    • This report will be posted to the NCPCA website before the next meeting on April 13, 2023.
    • Annual filing will also be submitted before the next meeting.

Secretary’s Report

Secretary Roan made his report.

  • Following earlier votes, the backlog of minutes were now fully approved.
  • Announced that future draft minutes will be posted to the website for review on the first Thursday of the month moving forward. An email will be sent to announce the minutes as being posted.
  • Requested that people attempt to announce themselves by name when speaking for the benefit of those not in physical attendance or for those who might not know everyone.

Trees

Christine O’Brien, the chair of the city’s Tree and Landscape Board, (joined online by Tree and Landscape Board member Todd Reitzel) made a presentation regarding the possible sites for the planting of a tree on Arbor Day that will also serve as the tree to be lit during the holidays. The presentation included the pros and cons of each site. Questions were taken from the membership and those in attendance.

  • Bryan Hadad wanted to know if there was only going to be one tree planted.
    • The suggestion wast to have one tree, but in the past more than one has been planted at other sites. 
  • Councilman Fazlul Kabir mentions that a community garden might be planted at 52nd Ave and Narragansett Pkwy.
    • Christine O’Brien noted that city horticulturalist seemed to think that there was enough room for both the garden and the tree at that site.
  • John Krouse, who does landscape construction design for State Highway, voiced his appreciation for both sites. However, 52nd Pl. site has a lot of traffic, and he believed a tree would present sight obstruction problems in the future.
  • Treasurer Peterson clarifies that the vote to follow the presentation is to state a preference, not to select the site.
  • Christine O’Brien, in response to a few questions about electrical access for tree lighting, noted that while the tree was small solar power could be used to power decorations. 
  • Brendan Wray, in the Zoom chat, asks about the placement of powerlines over the first potential site.
    • Christine O’Brien said she suspected that the tree will be placed further back than the powerlines.
  • Arelis Perez inquired after the timeline for the process.
    • Christine O’Brien said that the first step would be the Tree and Landscape Board meeting Wednesday, March 15, 2023 where she will report the suggested location to the city horticulturalist. 
    • She will then work with NCPCA for an Arbor Day celebration event on the early evening of April 28. 2023. 
    • From there, the NCPCA can coordinate events around the tree.
  • A question from the chat questioned what kind off tree this would be—a holiday tree or canopy tree.
    • Christine O’Brien says it will be a conifer of some kind, and thus will function as both. 
    • The tree will also be native.

Following the presentation and discussion, a vote, offered by President Alicea and seconded by Arelis Perez and approved by the membership, was held to approve a vote offer a non-binding opinion to be presented to the city regarding NCPCA membership preference for the tree location. The results of the vote for the location were as follows:

“Red Star” 53rd Ave & 52nd Pl: VP Broughton votes in favor.

“Green Star” 52nd Ave & Narragansett Pkwy: Overwhelming majority vote in favor.

Christine will bring back our feedback to the meeting on March 15, 2023. 

Unscheduled Remarks

Bryan Haddad puts forward a motion to discuss whether or not the responsibilities of code enforcement should be expanded to combat illegally modified vehicles. Following this discussion he desired to take an up or down vote on people’s opinions on the idea. The discussion and vote were seconded by John Krouse.

  • Councilwoman Kate Kennedy voiced the opinion that we could move the topic to another meeting to allow for a speaker who is familiar with the issue could walk us through the laws..
  • Councilman Kabir agreed that this is a serious quality of life issue. The particulars of enforcement are in question. Maryland has laws against these illegally modified mufflers. City contract police have been giving tickets. Signs have been posted. Maryland law doesn’t yet allow for “noise cameras.” There is a law on the block to set safe and legal decibel levels for vehicles, and once that law is passed it opens up the path for noise cameras. The police have the authority to enforce the laws that exist, but there is a question of manpower and availability.
  • Secretary Roan asked for clarifty from Bryan Haddad about his desired scope: would Code Enforcement be looking at parked cars or just cars in motion? 
  • Arelis Perez encourages the membership of NCPCA to keep up with the bills introduced by Delegate Karry Layman. E.g., HB94, SB484, HB208, HB107, HB304. These bills set standards for modifications, noise levels, and allow for the acquisition of sound measuring equipment. HB304 also sets a maximum sound level limit.
  • Lisa Ealley said that she believed that ticketing doesn’t mean anything to the type of person who spends thousands of dollars to modify a car; laws need to be written to allow for impoundment.
    • Emphatic agreement with Lisa Ealley from Bryan Haddad, who pounds table.
  • John Krouse agreed, saying he liked the idea of bringing code enforcement into the fold and leveraging their power and vigilance. Empowerment wouldn’t hurt. 
  • Mayor Pro Temp Denise Mitchell concurred with John Krouse. The first step, in her mind, would be to look at parking and code enforcement to initiate making calls. She stated that as a city we need to send in letters in support of HB304. The Council did send letters already. 
  • David Turly pointed out that as long as we have illegal shops doing illegal work it won’t change. A Branchville Rd. shop was singled out. 
  • Donald Hayes asked why can’t we issue tickets for this if people are parked on public land. He brought up the inspection and enforcement of private property.
    • Councilwoman Kennedy cited this question as a reason to bring in an expert to address the group.  
  • Bryan Haddad is granted his turn for a second statement with regards to the subject of his motion. He expressed his frustration with his previous interactions with the City Council regarding this issue; letters and signs have done nothing.  In his mind, code enforcement has to pick up slack from police de-prioritizing them. While a person cannot be made to turn on their car, Bryan Haddad suggests that illegal modifications apparent to the eye that are already cited in Maryland law could be targeted—e.g., window tint, car lifting and lowering. He suggests drawing the city code in line with Maryland law to ticket people and drive them out of the city. Write tickets everyday like you can with parking tickets. According to Bryan, if a car is in a driveway the ticket could be written against the house as a means of pressuring landlords. He notes his belief that decibel level laws don’t help—penalties need to increase. 
  • Councilman Kabir thanks Bryan Haddad for coming to the City Council previously, but pushed back against the idea that the city has not done anything. Also reaffirmed that changes need to come from the state level. He agreed about cars in front of houses needing to be targeted, and code enforcement can help. He added that if a neighbor is doing it, you can call the contract police and they will go after them. Police can wait for the car to move. 
  • Melissa voiced her agreement with the idea that code enforcement could be used to help with ticketing.
  • MPT Mitchell agreed with the frustrations voiced by everyone. This is an issue that has been talked about for two years. She affirmed her intention to work collectively with everyone to find a solution. 
  • Arelis Perez entreated members: if you see something, say something, do something. She related the story of a resident of Attick Towers who could not, due to a disability, cross Rhode Island Avenue toward Beltway Plaza. It has taken from 2019–2023 to get to the point where this summer there may finally be flashing-light crossing at Rhode Island and Apache. Agreed with comments, following from frustration. Encouraged everyone to work in favor of HB304. She also said to hold elected officials to account. 
  • Maria Mackie agreed with Arelis. She said she had been informed by Mr. Ryan that crimes and code enforcement issues need to be reported. Don’t be afraid to call code. 
  • Donald Hayes said that he felt the frustration and encouraged the Council to expand code to target the surrounding infractions. He added that Counciman Kabir put him in contact with the contract policeman, who worked with him to target a timeframe so they could ticket and help to abate loud cars. He brought up the utility of the Accela system, which has ways to report code infractions. 
  • Councilman Kabir noted that Accela system is an app that can be used on the phone. Pictures can be submitted. Anonymous reporting. Status of ticket tracking.. 
  • Lisa Ealley noted that she lives on Rhode Island and believes we need a better police presence. 
  • The motion came to a vote to gauge the opinion of the assembly: Is it your opinion that the responsibility of code enforcement be expanded to combat illegally modified vehicles. Show of hand for support.
    • 12 in-person ayes. Arelis in the chat says aye. 
    • Stephanie Butler says nay in chat. No in-person nays. No abstentions. 
  • In support of Bryan Haddad’s concerns, VP Broughton motioned that we place resources for individual citizens on the NCPCA website, social media, and to invite Bob Ryan to speak at a future meeting.
    • Secretary Roan asks for clarity on the form that this post on the website would take.
      • Treasurer Peterson wondered if an FAQ page could be used for this purpose.
      • Secretary Roan says he doesn’t believe such a page exists.
      • Councilwoman Kennedy warned against replicating the city’s website. Secretary Roan stated that this was not his plan, rather to create quick links to the city site.
    • Nay from Stephanie Butler to put information online. All present aye. Motion carried.

Arelis Perez requested time for an unscheduled announcement. She stated that she was “all about the new kids on the block.” She coached that the board never forget those who have been here and provided the foundation to where we are now. She stated that she is all about this civic association, and doesn’t want us to forget who we are and how we can be supported. Do not forget our forebearers. Thanked President Alicea and the Board and John Krouse. Noted that older generations should not be excluded, but embraced to help the community come together as one.

John Krouse made an announcement regarding vehicle theft. This past Friday his next door neighbor had his cell phone with surveillance video of someone entering his wife’s car. Police dispatcher for non-emergency number was great. Bob Ryan, director of public services, said it looks like there is a remote unlock technology that unlocks doors and disables security systems. One method to thwart this: keep your car key fob in a faraday cage. Another: Lock your car manually with a key. 

Councilman Kabir wanted to recognize the community over the last few days. Thanked NCPCA for hosting coffee social at Proteus and encouraged people to reaching out to others. City offering $5,000 per family to anyone who needs mental health support. Youth and Family Services on Nantucket has counseling for young and senior people. Number to be shared. 

Councilman Kabir wanted to recognize the time that elapsed following the arrest of the former mayor. He thanked the NCPCA for hosting the coffee socials to allow the community to come together. He advised that members talk to their loved ones and mentioned the city would offer $5,000 per family with no income requirement in mental health support. Youth and Family Services also offers counseling services for young people and seniors. 

  • A member of the meeting brought up the fact that students are also affected. We need to look out for them. 988 is available, too. 

Michelle Garcia, chief of staff  to Tom Dernoga wanted to mention that sghe is concerned about us spinning our wheels on vehicle problems. Police on the county level have had their hands tied. If members want to spend energy; push back on state reps to find out why two bills are being held up. It behooves the NCPCA to reach out to legislators and demand answers.

The Prince George’s County Sustainability Summit for Homeowners Associations is happening March 30, 2023. A free virtual event. 

A District 1 virtual townhall with the County Executive about the budget will take place Wednesday, March, 29, 2023. Michelle Garcia suggests we could ask about bills related to vehicle noise. 

Townhall with Department of Permitting Enforcement and Inspections is coming up on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. 

Anyone with a student who might want to be an intern with the county government inside of the district should reach out to Michelle Garcia. 

US Route 1 Land Redevelopment Study has a community stakeholders meeting TK.

Two pieces of legislation passed recently; the newly sworn-in council is calling themselves The People’s Council. Council Bill #2 keps developers from circumventing the zoning process. Bill #5 sets new standards for gas stations. 

State Homeowners Assistance Fund is still open as well. 

A new elderly homeowner tax credit is available, and interested parties should reach out to Michelle Garcia for information. 

MPT announces that the City Council will be holding its budget workshop session on March 25, 2023. Anyone with wishlist items should convey them to District 1 councilmembers. 

Finding no more announcements in the room or in the chat, President Alicea solicits a motion to adjourn. The motion is seconded and voted for unanimously. The meeting adjourns.