Minutes of Regular Meeting on January 9, 2014
Meeting began at 7:30 pm. Councilmembers Patrick Wojahn and Fazlul Kabir were present.
Presentations
College Park Academy
John Krouse announced that there will be a meeting at Davis Hall at 7pm, Jan 13, at which Frank Brewer, Executive Director of the College Park City-University Partnership, will answer questions. John then opened the floor for members and guests to express concerns and issues they would like to have raised at the meeting and addressed by City Council. Some issues mentioned: an upgrade to Edgewood Road, using bus service to transport students, health problems of nearby residents, traffic problems, possible bus staging areas, the need for a coordinated traffic management plan, possible satellite parking facilities, the use of Metro by students, a request for a study about one-way streets, if the school would be good for College Park, the possibility of MD legislation to allow a reserve for students who live in College Park (a lottery is required); if there will be any other public amenities or allowed uses (such as a community center, health/gym, senior center, scouting, meeting space), will the City own the property or not, and City bond issues. Other information presented: the City will pay into the Academy about $80k/yr for an Executive Director, it will open in fall of 2015 with a 450 student capacity, it is a public charter school (some thought it would be private), and the fact that some students might drive.
UM Emergency Alert System
A UM representative spoke to members about a new notification system run by the University that will inform students, faculty and staff of emergencies or other timely information that affects the campus. College Park residents may also subscribe. The system sends messages to your email address and a cell phone, which must be registered with the system. See http://umpdnews.umd.edu/ for UM Police Dept. news and https://alert.umd.edu/index.php?CCheck=1 for the Alert program.
County Police
Several Prince Georges County police officers were present and spoke to members briefly about crime in the community (which they said was low) and other safety matters.
At 8:50 the meeting took a short recess, during which snacks and beverages were served; it resumed at 9:00.
Announcements, Reports, and New Business
Mark Shroder reported that he is in contact with the Prince Georges Running Club (PGRC) for a 5K run in northern College Park. Carrollton Enterprises gave the okay to use their parking lot as a starting area. Mark asked for NCPCA volunteers.
Moved by Mark Shroder/Arthur Eaton: Have NCPCA be a sponsor of the run and make a contribution of $300. Moved by Jackie Pearce-Garrett/John Krouse: Amend the motion to change the amount to $200. Both the amendment and the amended motion passed.
Moved by Larry Bleau/Donna Weene: Approve the minutes of NCPCA December 12, 2013, meeting without change; motion passed.
Treasurer Jackie Pearce-Garrett reported a current balance of $1,513.74; no expenditures have been paid since the last meeting. There were no other officer reports.
Moved by Larry Bleau: Adjourn the meeting. Motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 9:30pm.
Submitted by Larry Bleau, Secretary.