Meeting Minutes—September 10, 2025

North College Park Community Association (NCPCA)

Attendees:

In person:

Kamthorn Clary, Melissa Peterson, Mary Roop, Todd Reitzel, David Turley, Arelis Perez, Kennis Termini, Donald Hays, Councilmember Alan Hew.

Online (names written as they appear in chat):

Jeffrey Clark, Councilmember Jacob Hernandez, Mayor Fazlul Kabir

Minutes taken by:

Todd Reitzel, Secretary

Call to Order

President Kamthorn Clary called the meeting to order. He noted today’s anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, and the group observed a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives that day.

Agenda

Perez moved to approve the agenda with officer elections moved to the top of the agenda. Hays seconded.

Minutes

The group reviewed the June 12 meeting minutes and approved them by unanimous consent.

President Report

Clary noted that Developments Committee and Events Committee chair positions are vacant. He also reported that monthly meeting slide decks will be posted on the website, along with minutes. The College Park Community Corner feature launched last year and will continue it this year. Clary spotlighted the City’s Advisory Planning Cmte: It has 7 members on 3-year terms and holds monthly meetings. The Committee evaluates variances from zoning ordinance and advises the City Council on development matters. Miriam Bader is the City staff contact.

Vice President Report

There was no report.

Treasurer Report

Peterson reported a SECU Checking Account balance of $1357.99 and a SECU Savings Account balance of $336.23. Recent expenses include MailChimp. Peterson recommended considering ceasing dues as a requirement; we could replace it with donations or other fundraising. Our expenses are minimal: Zoom, MailChimp, and our website hosting fee. Peterson also noted our account contains $1,000 from a City grant, to be used for our Welcome Wagon program, and we need guidance on whether and how we might spend this another way such as to fund an event. We have 4 boxes of Welcome to College Park tote bags; these could be offered to a seniors program.

Developments Committee Report

Clary shared URLs to the City Department of Planning and Community Development webpage and to the City Projects webpage.

Events Committee Report

Clary highlighted Community Martial Arts, Sundays 9:30am at Hollywood Park; the Hollywood Farmers Market, Saturday 10a-2pm at Hollywood Shopping Center; Bailamos, September 19 7:30pm at College Park Woods Clubhouse; the next Public Safety Meeting, October 6, 7pm; and College Park Day, October 18, 12noon-6pm.

Clary introduced WISE Connect, which coordinates social activities for adults over 55. They engage local businesses and help establish social connections. Termini suggests this group connect with existing seniors groups. Perez noted they have connected with Spellman House and Attick Towers, and Turley noted latest senior bulletin had note from WISE.

Perez noted there had been an August 13 public meeting on the Branchville Gardens senior housing proposed development.

Samosas Wine and Spirits

Samosas Wine and Spirits is a new business at 10250 Baltimore Ave, near Ikea. Owners Sumit and Nidhi Khaneja launched the business last year to pair samosas with beverages. They seek to serve and support the community, by creating a comfortable speak-easy space. Samosas are vegetarian currently, but they’re experimenting with meat variations. They also serve pakoras, veg puffs, and masala fries. Tasting events are held Thursday through Sunday. They offer delivery and are planning a food truck. Hours are 10am to 10pm, and they have a seating capacity of 12. The owners would be interested in participating with WISE Connect. 

Roop asked for the Khanejas’ reflections on starting new business in College Park: They noted that everyone has been very welcoming and supportive. The learned they needed separate licensing from the Department of Public Works, and they think new businesses could use an onboarding process to understanding pathways to getting approvals. Their initial application did not include deliveries or Sunday liquor sales, and City Council had encouraged them to get to know the community and get its feedback. They ended up deciding to not deliver to University housing. 

Member Dues

The Association currently charges $10 in annual dues, and administering this is time-consuming. Our current email distribution is about 200 people, which includes members and nonmembers. Hays noted that $10 is not a lot and that if we continue that charge, we could invest in other activities such as engaging more with the community. Roop noted she thinks there is value in collecting dues despite the administrative burden; perhaps we should charge dues one month a year and then allow anyone who joins thereafter to be free until following year. 

Peterson noted that elections and other association votes are the only privileges of membership. An alternative could be to define membership as attending a minimum number of association meetings per year. Hays noted that requiring attendance to establish membership would require additional record-keeping. Termini suggested getting college student help. She also noted that some may not be able to pay the amount; so we might consider hardship waivers.

Reitzel noted that the bylaws state membership requirements, including payment of dues, and so any change would require a bylaws amendment. Members may be any resident 18 years or older living north of Greenbelt Road and east of Paint Branch.

Clary suggested a few concrete options be identified to bring to a subsequent meeting. He moved that before the next meeting we survey our list for its willingness to pay dues. Perez seconded. The motion carried by vote. 

Unscheduled Motions

There were no unscheduled motions.

Unscheduled Announcements

Hernandez noted that tomorrow 4pm is filing deadline to run for City office in this November’s election.

Reitzel noted that Good Neighbor Day is Saturday, October 25. There are lots of good projects;, including a north College Park one to to remove vines around the woods north of the Dog Park. Roop noted importance of promoting registration to community members to better balance with student involvement.

Hays noted he will attend the September 18 Berwyn District Civic Association meeting to advocate for an extension of Trolley Trail into north College Park.

Clary noted our next meeting will be Thursday, October 9, at 7:30pm.

Clary moved for adjournment. Hays seconded.