North College Park Community Association (NCPCA) Meeting Minutes, October 9, 2025
Attendees:
In person:
Kamthorn Clary, Arelis Perez, Todd Reitzel, Mark Schroder, Andrew Stinavage, Mary Cook, Kelly Jordan, Councilmember Alan Hew, Mayor Fazlul Kabir, Councilmember Jacob Hernandez
Online (names written as they appear in chat):
Melissa Peterson, Denise Mitchell, Angel Frangos, Celia Anklesaria
Minutes taken by:
Todd Reitzel, Secretary
Call to Order
Clary called the meeting to order.
Agenda
Perez moved to approve the agenda with officer elections moved to the top of the agenda. Schroder seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.
Minutes
The group reviewed the September 10 meeting minutes. Perez moved to accept the minutes, Stinavage seconded the motion, and the minutes were approved by unanimous consent.
President Report
Clary reported that slide decks from NCPCA meetings are now posted on the NCPCA website. Following the September 10 discussion of whether to discontinue dues, leadership issued a member survey about this question; there have been 12 responses so far, and leadership will aim to get more responses, before discussing at a future meeting.
Clary noted we’re still recruiting for Events Committee and Development Committee leadership vacancies and asked that any interested persons contact him.
Clary briefly described the City’s Board of Elections Supervisors group. The board plans and organizes City elections. It has 6 members, all compensated, and they are on 2-year terms.
Vice President Report
Perez described the Wise Connect initiative, www.wiseconnect.us, to help older adults stay socially connected and find services. University of Maryland students helped launch this to combat social isolation among older adults.
Perez reported on City Council’s consideration of amending the Revitalization Tax Credit Program to clarify eligibility, introduced on September 2, with a public hearing and adoption on September 16, and taking effect October 7. Details are at https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=836.
Perez reported that the City Council approved increasing compensation of the mayor and councilmembers. This was introduced on September 16, with a public hearing and adoption on October 7, taking effect January 21, 2026.
Treasurer Report
Peterson reported a SECU Checking Account balance of $1,364.36 and a SECU Savings Account balance of $336.33. The annual Zoom renewal of $159.90 requires membership approval.
Clary moved to approve expenditure of $159.90 annual Zoom renewal, Perez seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously.
Peterson reminded the group that we still have $1,000 in our bank account for Welcome Wagon activities.
Development Committee
Clary encouraged attendees to review the Upcoming City projects and proposed projects athttps://www.collegeparkmd.gov/159/Planning-Community-Development.
Events Committee
Clary highlighted the Hollywood Farmers Market held every Saturday 10am-2pm, the City’s pumpkin carving contest (deadline October 16), College Park Day October 18 12noon-6pm, the City Public Safety Meeting November 3 7pm, and the Wise Connect calendar of events.
Frangos, the official PTO liaison at Hollywood ES, announced the school’s Trunk or Treat event will be held October 23 at 5pm; she is seeking participants, seeking donated gift cards, and seeking clothing or toys donations for the comfort closet. The school is also offering ESL classes.
Reitzel highlighted Good Neighbor Day October 25 9am-12noon, which will include a vine removal in north College Park, and Perez noted the day will also include the first community health fair at College Park Community Center.
Ranked Choice Voting
Stinavage presented suggestions for ranked choice voting in City of College Park. He is a member of Ranked Choice Voting Maryland, which advocates for voters to vote all their choices, not just their first choice. Ranked choice voting avoids need for voters to vote strategically and avoids the need for runoff elections. Studies show it promotes positive campaigns among candidates and greater representation for historically marginalized groups. Currently 14 million US voters use it in over 50 jurisdictions. Takoma Park, Arlington, Charlottesville, and Washington DC use it. Since 2020, 50% of College Park municipal election contests have had enough candidates for ranked choice voting; for example, the 2023 District 1 contest had 5 candidates.
Prince George’s County Redistricting
Clary noted that a class action case on redistricting being developed. Schroder reported that he was contacted by the Southern Poverty Law Center about this case to reform county redistricting process: Districts not equal in population, and concerns by some voters in south county being diluted by being in a district with other neighborhoods.
Unscheduled Motions
There were no unscheduled motions.
Unscheduled Announcements
Cook, from County Councilmember Tom Dernoga’s office, announced a community shredding event October 18 10am-1pm at the Prince George’s County Federal Credit Union in Beltsville. There will also be a Clear the Clutter event October 25 8am-1pm at High Point HS, accepting hazardous materials. Also the Rhode Island Avenue bike and pedestrian path construction is continuing this autumn.
Schroder, of the City’s Noise Control Board, reports the board has not received any complaints in over a year. The Board handles situations when City staff actions toward controlling noise do not satisfy residents. Any resident can file a complaint about a noise source.
Hernandez noted concerns about the proposed exotic smoke shop were addressed quickly by City and County agencies.
Hernandez also noted City Council is discussing changes in parking enforcement, yard regulations, and other quality-of-life issues.
Clary noted our next meeting will be Thursday, November 13, at 7:30pm.
Clary moved for adjournment, Perez seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously.