Minutes of Regular Meeting at Davis Hall on April 10, 2014

Meeting began at 7:32 pm. Councilmembers Patrick Wojahn and Fazlul Kabir were present.

Presentations

NCPCA Email List

Members discussed whether or not the NCPCA Googlegroups email list (ncpca) should be changed to be a discussion list or left as an announcement list. After discussion there were not any strong feelings that it should be changed.

Graffiti

There has been graffiti at Hollywood Rd. and Rhode Island Ave, as well as other places. Residents have reported this to the City.

Pedestrian Safety at Edgewood and US 1

Rebecca Vaughan gave members a presentation on research she had done about the safety of the pedestrian crossing of the intersections of US 1 and Edgewood Rd., as well as US 1 and I-95 exit ramp (exit 25B). The SHA definition of an intersection is a “planned point of conflict.” The research cited a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) report that stated that 21% of pedestrian fatalities and 50% of pedestrian injuries are at intersections. Ms. Vaughan’s research indicated the crossing signal time at Edgewood and US 1 is not long enough. Some members questioned whether it is long enough to meet ADA standards. There is no crossing signal at US 1 and the I-95 exit ramp, only a crosswalk. She reported that LED markers flat in the ground at the crosswalk would improve safety for pedestrians who need to cross there.

Dannielle Glaros Running for Office

Dannielle Glaros, chief of staff for outgoing County Councilmember Eric Olson, announced she is running for the open seat. She is married, has two children, lives in Riverdale Park, and earned a MS from the UM School of Public Affairs with a specialty in environmental policy. Her stated goals are to improve public safety, improve jobs in the county, and attract more jobs too the county.

At 8:28 the meeting took a short recess; snacks and beverages were served. The meeting resumed at 8:38.

Announcements and Reports

Announcements: on 4/23 there will be a Budget Town Hall meeting at 8pm at Davis Hall; there was some discussion about lights; there will be a spring cleanup and electronics recycling on Saturdays in April at Davis Hall; Mark Shroder stated he needs course marshals for the College Park Mothers Day run; there is still no agreement about the location for the College Park Academy; and the College Park bike share has been delayed (the company that sells the bikes filed for bankruptcy).

Moved by Leslie Booth/Mark Shroder: Adopt the minutes of NCPCA March 13 meeting without change; motion passed.

Treasurer Jackie Pearce-Garrett reported a current balance of $1,247.47. Since last month, there were expenditures of $129.17 for flyers, snacks, and a bank service charge, and revenues of $60 ($10 dues and a $50 donation). There were no other officer reports.

New Business

Nominating Committee

John Krouse announced he will not be running for another term a president, and that all NCPCA offices are “open”. He asked for volunteers for the Nominating Committee; no one volunteered to serve, so he did not make any appointments.

Picnic

John Krouse asked if anyone would be interested in running the annual NCPCA picnic. No one volunteered, so there will not be one.

Endleman Property

The University of Maryland wants to use this property as an urban farm. They may need to change the zoning. Of the 14-acre site only 3.5 acres is buildable; the rest is either a floodplain or wetlands. The report about interest in an urban farm was done in 2012 and was only now released.

Light Rail

SHA plans a light rail line along US 29, a spur of which will go to MD 193. On May 15 there will be a planning meeting in Upper Marlboro. John Krouse will register NCPCA to receive notices about the project using the Youth and Family Services address.

Parking On 53rd Ave

John Krouse reported that four people routinely use a guest pass to park near the metro station. There had been a similar problem at the College Park metro; the City discontinued the use of guest passes for that area, and now has a 1-day pass that can be obtained at City Hall. A College Park letter obtained by John states that a guest pass can only be used by guests, not by the property owner or tenant.

Moved by Mark Shroder/Chris Nagle: Adjourn. Motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 9:23 pm.

Submitted by Larry Bleau, Secretary.