Meeting Minutes—June 12, 2025
North College Park Community Association (NCPCA)
Attendees:
In Person:
Kamthorn Clary, Brendan Wray, Melissa Peterson, Mary Roop, Todd Reitzel, Mary Cook, Jacob Hernandez, John Krouse, Angel Frangos, David Turley, Wentao Guo (Committee for a Better Environment), Todd Larsen (CBE), Daniel Douglas (Councilmember Thomas Dernoga’s Office)
Online (names written as they appear in chat):
Celia Anklesaria
Call to Order
Vice President Kamthorn Clary called the meeting to order and read the agenda. Brendan Wray moved to approve the agenda with officer elections moved to the top of the agenda. Melissa Peterson seconded. The motion passed by vote.
Minutes
Peterson motioned to approve the May Minutes with edit to the date, as posted on the NCPCA website and provided to the members before this meeting. Mary Roop seconded. The motion passed by vote.
Officer Nominations and Elections
Officers are President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The term of service is one (1) year.
Clary moved to elect Kamthorn Clary to the position of President. Roop seconded. The motion passed by vote.
Clary moved to elect Arelis Perez to the position of Vice President and shared a statement from her. Peterson seconded. The motion passed by vote.
Jacob Hernandez moved to elect Todd Reitzel to the position of Secretary. Brendan Wray seconded. The motion passed by vote.
Roop moved to elect Melissa Peterson to the position of Treasurer. Hernandez seconded. The motion passed by vote.
Vice President Report
With President David Alicea unable to attend this meeting, Clary provided a report. Over the past year, NCPCA advocated for community improvements by sending 2 letters to City Council, held multiple community events, hosting the weekly coffee social, decorating the community tree, and beautifying the community with various projects. Clary expressed his appreciation for Alicea’s leadership as President.
Clary introduced this month’s community involvement feature on the City’s Committee for a Better Environment. The CBE addresses environmental concerns related to the City and conducts community outreach on a range of topics such as zero waste, the permaculture garden, and rain barrel usage. Membership is by appointment and is limited to 25 persons. Meetings are monthly on the fourth Mondays. Janet McCaslin is the City staff liaison.
Treasurer Report
Peterson reported a SECU Checking Account balance of $1,210.02 and a SECU Savings Account balance of $335.93. Recent expenses include MailChimp and the spring barbecue event. Peterson will apply to the City for a Community Reimbursement Grant to cover that event’s expenses.
Hernandez noted that College Park Night Out will be on August 5 at the College Park Woods Clubhouse but is open to City neighborhoods hosting their own events and is willing to reimburse.
Secretary Report
Because Secretary Brian Roan was not able to attend the meeting, Clary reminded all participants to state their name before speaking.
Developments Committee Report
Wray reported on construction of the 52nd Avenue sidewalk, Duval Field reconstruction, nighttime closures for WSSC work, and closure of several streets in the Cherry Hill neighborhood for curb replacements. An application for a levee along Park Drive to prevent flooding was approved. The Pain Branch Trail spur is currently closed through August 8 to refurbish the boardwalk. There is a proposed development for affordable and/or 55+ housing at 4810 Branchville Road. WMATA is modifying bus routes and route numbers this month.
The College Park Affordable Housing Task Force is seeking volunteers and ideas. The Flats at College Park is now open and renting affordable apartments.
Wray is willing to continue as Developments Committee director but due to family circumstances may move away from College Park. Clary recognized and thanked Wray for his service.
Events Committee Report
Roop reported on upcoming summer events, including the weekly Hollywood Farmers Market, the June 14 Trolley Trail Day, the June 14 College Park American Legion Dinner and Concert, monthly Friday Night Live, Neighborhood Game Nights on several evenings in July and August, the June 14 College Park Here and Now 5th Anniversary Event, A Taste of College Park during July 21-27, a June 18 Seniors Advisory Committee Events, the June 21 Classic Car Show, and the July 7 City Public Safety Meeting.
The University of Maryland is offering a 50% discount on season tickets to football games to City residents. Hernandez added that the University has offered 30% discounted outdoor pool memberships to City residents over the summer.
The City is seeking nominations for the Jack Perry Award by July 15. Nominees should be a City resident who has been an extraordinary participant in City affairs.
Roop reminded the group that she will not be able to continue as coordinator for the Events Committee.
Committee for a Better Environment Activity
Wentao Guo shared the CBE’s proposed Environmental Action Plan for College Park. Other CBE members in attendance were Todd Larsen and Brendan Wray. The plan’s goal is to prioritize for the City the most impactful and pragmatic programs, policies, and investments. The City has already invested in solar panels, electric vehicles, energy-efficient buildings, a composting program, free residential tree plantings, and a Better Bag Ordinance.
John Krouse raised question of effectiveness of the City’s Tree Canopy Protection Ordinance. Hernandez noted that residents have increased awareness of the ordinace but that a challenge is the loss of trees due to weather events. The Council received a recent tree canopy assessment to help monitor the canopy and continues to fund tree planting. Krouse expressed interest in finding ways to financially incentivize tree canopy protection, and Reitzel shared that the Tree and Landscape Board had surveyed other communities’ protections but could not identify any feasible incentives. He noted that the City arborist administrates the ordinance and reports very few citations for tree removals. Krouse wondered whether the ordinance is achieving a bigger canopy, and Reitzel noted that the recent assessment reports the City’s overall canopy is holding steady. The City is developing a tree master plan to facilitate the County requiring developers to replant trees within the City limits.
Angel Frangos suggested a sidewalk on Rhode Island Avenue north of Edgewood Road into the Sunnyside area, and Wray noted the County is putting a bike-ped path along this area. Trees were cut down because the County could not build on USDA land.
Clary encouraged the CBE to increase education about City programs such as tree planting programs. Clary also suggested the City consider an ivy-removal program to help residents.
Hernandez encouraged the CBE to look for innovative ways to engage residents on environmental action. He suggested the community think creatively about integrating natural aspects into built-areas such as integrating trees into large parking lots, to reduce the heat-island effect. He encouraged residents to advocate for this and for acquisition of more green space.
Reitzel noted the prevalence of impervious cover such as at large shopping centers and suggested the City incentivize replacement of that with permeable surfaces. Peterson suggested encouraging purchase local products such as honey and making native pollinators more attractive. David Turley suggested acquisition of property at Route 1 and Edgewood, to keep it green space. Frangos and Krouse suggested studying use of roundabouts to manage traffic. Clary suggested planting native pollinators in various small spaces such as street medians. Peterson suggested exploring installation of solar farms in locations such as the field next to Davis Hall.
Guo highlighted 3 goals an environmental action plan might contain: city-owned solar panels such as Bowie’s program; permeable paving such as Prince George’s County’s former stormwater management reimbursement program; and home energy efficiency. He encouraged further input from the community to the CBE after this meeting.
Unscheduled Motions and Announcements
Clary invited any unscheduled motions, and there were none.
Clary invited any unscheduled announcements, and Frangos announced planning for a community yard sale on Saturday, July 19, 9am-3pm.
Hernandez announced premiere of Take No Prisoners documentary on U.S. State Department hostage negotiations and offered tickets to it this coming Saturday.
Daniel Douglas, of County Councilmember Thomas Dernoga’s office, noted changing bus routes and noted County police will be adding fireworks enforcement this Independence Day. He noted a prevalence of scams encouraging payment by money orders. He announced workshops on June 23 and July 20 for workers transitioning out of federal employment.
Wray will soon email to the membership a healthcare survey from a University of Maryland class.
Clary motioned to adjourn, and Hernandez seconded. The motion passed by vote.