Meeting Minutes—January 11, 2024
North College Park Community Association (NCPCA)
Attendees:
In Person:
TKTK
Online (names written as they appear in chat):
TKTK
Minutes Taken By:
Brian J. Roan, Secretary
Call to Order
President David Alicea opened the meeting with historical information related to the first public elementary schools in North College Park. He then read the agenda and Arelis Perez motioned to approve the agenda. It was seconded by Jacob Hernandez. The motion to approve the agenda was carried by a vote.
Minutes
There was a motion to approve the December minutes. The motion was seconded by Arelis Perez, who questioned whether elected officials could vote in NCPCA meetings. It was determined that the right to vote applied to all residents and due paying members. Following this discussion the Treasurer Melissa Peterson motioned to approve the minutes, and Arelis Perez asked that links to minutes be included in agenda emails. The vote then took place and the minutes were approved.
President’s Report
President Alicea gave updates on the holiday potluck from December and asked for more committee members to volunteer.
Vice President’s
Vice President Brys Broughton was not in attendance and had submitted no updates.
Treasurer’s Report
SECU Checking Account: $1,943.28
SECU Savings Account: $334.25
Treasurer Peterson noted that the email messaging system was up and running and asked that anyone who needed to pay dues do so as soon as they could. She said that the NCPCA was working on getting a grant proposal together for a neighborhood barbecue.
Arelis Perez suggested shifting accounts to a money market account so it would be more liquid and have a higher interest yield. It was noted that an account needed to be $2,000 or more to acquire interest.
Treasurer Peterson said she and the finance committee could look into changing accounts if one was found to be a better fit.
Secretary’s Report
Secretary Brian Roan was also unable to attend and had no updates beyond the usual calls to abide by decorum and announce names when speaking or making motions. .
Development Committee Director Report
Director Brandon Wray provided updates related to development in the community including the demolition of blighted motels on Route 1. Councilman Alan Hew noted that the new director of Public Services was catching up on rat-related issues related to this demolition. He outlined the challenges with dealing with these pest concerns, and solicited contact from anyone who needed help. CM Hew noted that the city cannot interfere with wildlife, so possums and groundhogs do not apply to this outreach. CM Jacob Hernandez passed along from the city that the city app is a useful tool to use as well. Arelis Perez brought up the need to teach elderly and disabled populations how to use this app—community outreach. A discussion took place about best practices for outreach on reporting.
Events Committee Director Report
Events Director Mary Roop was out but had updates delivered by President Alicea. North College Park seniors planned to decorate the community tree for Valentine’s Day, with details to follow. Prince George’s County Library planned an event on Saturday January 13 from 1:00–2:30 for MLK Jr. Day. David Turley noted that the seniors were willing to do anything for any holiday that was desired. David Turley noted that he removed the ornaments from the Christmas decorating, though the solar lights had been stolen. A discussion took place about security and surveillance.
Autoville Development
Edward Gibbs, a land use attorney for Prince George’s County spoke on the Autoville multifamily development at 9621 Autoville Drive, as well as the owner and a civil engineer from Kim Engineering. A single family residence used as an investment rental property is to be razed and turned into a ten unit single building. He gave a history of the plan and previous outreaches made to the community. He also noted that the owner is attempting to meet a deadline to have her property considered under previous zoning and further explained how the design was made to fit the zoning.
Following the presentation President Alicea opened up the room for questions.
The number of parking spaces was questioned and Mr. Gibbs explained the calculations for parking.
Questions raised to the representatives included the left turn from Cherry Hill onto Autoville; the amount of parking allocated for the development; increased pedestrian access to bus stops; the awareness given to surrounding residents; stormwater management; new access to Autoville on Route 1; replacing any trees that might be cleared in development; the target market for these units; the policy on subletting; outdoor amenities.
These questions were addressed with the best information available and Mr. Gibbs noted that he would stay engaged with everyone and take this feedback to the drawing board to keep working on the plan.
Unscheduled Motions and Announcements
President Alicea solicited unscheduled motions, and none were to be had.
CM Hernandez made announcements regarding sessions of the city council that had taken place; the Monarch preschool scholarship; increased police presence and signage; fireworks; upcoming budget planning sessions; Duvall Field updates; moving community garden. Arelis Perez requested that CM Hew and Hernandez think about creating a newsletter.
From the representative of Tom Dernoga: Plastic bags are no longer allowed and paper bags are being charged for. The county is providing reusable bags to “help” with resident to adapting to the “Better Bag Bill.” This information will be disseminated via email. MLK Jr. Day events were delineated as taking place on January 15. The Police Division 1 coffee club was also plugged, with details to come via email. She also talked about RSV, COVID, and Flu shots and how the CDC recommended them. The winter reading challenge was also noted, with information to come via email.
David Turley highlighted that all Johns Hopkins facilities were beginning to require masks.
Arelis Perez recommended that new city officials ought to be invited to present to the NCPCA.
Call to Adjourn
President Alicea solicited a motion to adjourn. The motion was proposed, seconded, and carried by vote.