Meeting Minutes—March 14, 2024
North College Park Community Association (NCPCA)
Attendees:
In Person:
Ariela Haber; Jacob Hernandez; Alan Hew; Jeff Clark; Melissa Peterson; Christine O’Brien; Laura Rogers; Mary Roop; David Turley; Brendan Wray
Online (names written as they appear in chat):
Celia Anklesaria; Rakhmel Rafi; Brian Roan
Minutes Taken By:
Brian J. Roan, Secretary
Call to Order
President David Alicea opened the meeting by presenting the agenda and soliciting a motion to approve. Treasurer Melissa Peterson motioned to approve the agenda and was seconded Jeff Clark. The agenda was approved by vote.
Minutes
A technical issue kept the minutes from being prepared on time.
President’s Report
President Alicea gave updates on the upcoming NCPCA board elections. He reminded the body that the coffee social has changed to monthly from weekly meetings. He also—as always—requested more committee members.
Vice President’s
Vice President Brys Broughton was out of town, and thus had no updates to present.
Treasurer’s Report
SECU Checking Account: $1,952.51
SECU Savings Account: $334.44
Treasurer Peterson gave updates regarding the pending banking migration to Member Planet. The grant application for the community BBQ is still in process. She requested than anyone interested in running for office maintain their dues—anyone unsure if they are paid up can email NCPCivic@gmail.com.
Secretary’s Report
Secretary Brian Roan gave updates regarding protocol for identifying oneself when speaking.
Development Committee Director Report
Director Brandon Wray provided updates on the Hollywood sidewalk project, the Duvall Field update, the coming Rhode Island Ave. traffic study (March 25–April1), and the 52nd Ave. sidewalk.
Events Committee Update
Events Director Mary Roop highlighted the Who Is My Neighbor event happening at the United Methodist Church concurrent with this meeting. She also announced the Egg Hunt on March 23 from 10AM–noon. The NCPCA BBQ is happening on April 27. The College Park Parade is happening on May 4 at 10am.
Laura Rogers brought up the lack of events on the NCPCA web site and President Alicea noted that technical issues have hampered web site updating.
A question was raised about who was welcome at the BBQ, and President Alicea said all were welcome.
Route 1 Construction & Community Garden Update
Rakhmel “Rocky” Rafi spoke about preparing for working with the state next year for Route 1 upgrades due to a last minute change. President Alicea asked for a plan on when the city would need community input for earmarks, and Rocky said maybe February 2025. The city will reach out for a letter of support if that happens. Jeff Clark asked if the issue this year was with matching funds, but Rocky said it was mostly time constraints related to the budget. Jeff asked if we could identify needs for Route 1 independent from that process, and Rocky said there is a community outreach process in the planning and engineering process. Someone asked if this meant that the median construction would stop at 193. Rocky said this is the end of Phase 1, and Phase 2 &3 will be 193 to I-95. Only planning funds for 193 to I-95 are at issue here. MDOT is prioritizing roads where safety is a concern.
Progress has been made on the community garden. They are now receiving engagement before requesting funding. He gave updates on the new smaller design based on community feedback and work done with the Bee City Committee to mitigate mosquitoes and provide pollinator plants.
One piece of input was to create space to access border gardens from both sides, as they currently but up against the fence. Jeff Clark wondered if a cistern could be used instead of rain barrels. Celia Anklesaria noted some poor drainage that could be addressed while the garden is being built. Christine O’Brien asked about the parking situation, and Rocky noted off of experience that the gardens tend to be low traffic. The issue is being explored but there is no specific plan yet, and the street is not permitted parking.
Laura Rogers put forward a motion to support the current plan with the amendment that it be widened so all plots could be accessed from both sides. Brendan Wray seconded the motion. Following a clarification about the widening, a vote was taken. The motion passed and a letter of support will be drafted.
Unscheduled Motions and Announcements
Christine O’Brien asked for input on tree planting locations for the city. The plot ought to be a city-owned plot. Suggestions should be made to the city arborist. Suggestions should be made in the next week.
A question was posed regarding how to reserve a plot in the new community garden.
Councilmember Jacob Hernandez gave council updates germane to North College Park. He noted the release of the budget proposal; the upcoming parade; the continuation of the Beltsville Fire Department; the continuation of the Hollywood Farmers Market; the student housing grant; and grants to local schools.
David Turley expressed his disappointment with the way the Hollywood Farmers Market has been run. A discussion took place regarding music, transportation from Attick Towers, the need for new vendors.
Next, a conversation took place regarding different programs available to aid in house purchases.
Mayor Fazlul Kabir noted the trash collection happening at public works in the coming month for people looking to get rid of larger refuse. The month of April will be No Mow April to help pollinators. He also highlighted the coming proposed budget from the City Manager which will suggest raising the residential tax rate. Councilmember Hew noted the need to tighten belts in the wake of loss of ARPA funds.
CM Hernandez noted his desire to host a District Discussion the following week.
CM Hew noted once more that April will be No Mow April. He made sure to point out that once you see other food sources like azaleas and reb buds bloom you can feel free to cut your lawn.
Brendan Wray plugged the Community Cleanup on Apri l13 from 9am–11am, meeting at the corner of Rhode Island and Edgewood. CM Hew added that on April 20 there will be a cleanup at the permaculture garden on the Trolley Trail.
Call to Adjourn
There was a motion to adjourn which was seconded and carried by a vote.