North College Park Community Association

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Minutes of February 12 Meeting (Pending Approval)

North College Park Community Association (NCPCA) Meeting Minutes, February 12, 2026

Attendees:

In person:

Kamthorn Clary (president), Arelis Perez (vice president), Todd Reitzel (secretary), Miranda Bitting, Dorothy Day, Roberto Diaz Pulgur, Nora Eidelman, Steve Halpern (City staff), Donald Hays, Jacob Hernandez (City Councilmember), Sari Hijazi (City consultant), Susan Huemmrich, Fazlul Kabir (Mayor), Susan Keller, Justin Leary, Laura Schaffer, Don Schmadel, Mark Schroder, Andrew Stinavage, Jacob Vassalotti (City staff).

Online (names written as they appear in chat):

Melissa Peterson (treasurer), Celia Anklasaria, Nathan Arbach (County Councilmember Tom Dernoga’s office), Jeffrey Clark, Jennifer Gilbert, Abdullah Hijazi, Erin Meyer, Martin Mitchell (Laurel City Councilmember), Christine O’Brien, Dave Turley.

Minutes taken by:

Todd Reitzel, secretary 

Call to Order

Clary called the meeting to order and reviewed the agenda. He moved to approve the agenda, and Schroder seconded the motion, and the agenda was unanimously approved.

Minutes

The group reviewed the January 8 meeting minutes. Perez moved to approve them, and Hays seconded the motion.

President Report

Clary noted the NCPCA Coffee Social series at Proteus Brews; the next one will be March 8. He noted that NCPCA needs volunteers for Treasurer, Development Committee, and Events Committee.

After the previous discussion about Hollywood Shopping Center, members expressed concerns about the center’s dated appearance, fading parking space lines, lack of traffic signage, congested entrance/exit, lack of cooperation with the owner, and potential environmental impacts such as trash.

Clary reported that, per the vote at the November 13 meeting, on behalf of NCPCA on February 9 he sent the Mayor and Council a letter supporting ranked choice voting. Perez asked whether such letters should be reviewed by the NCPCA membership and whether they should acknowledge the vote. Peterson noted the challenge of the entire membership reviewing a letter and that previously the officers had reviewed such letters.

Clary gave special thanks to Dave Turley and the College Park Seniors for creating new ornaments during the holiday season for the North College Park Community Tree.

Clary highlighted the City’s Ethics Commission, which governs the ethical standards of conduct by City officials and employees via disclosure requirements. It contains 7 members on 3-year terms and meets as needed.

Vice President Report

Perez reported that Neighbors Helping Neighbors helped 87 residents after the January snowstorm, and needs volunteers who are at least 21 years old, willing to have a background check, and have a flexible schedule. The organization also needs board members. Contact at nhn-cp.org/contact.

Treasurer Report

Peterson reported a SECU Checking Account balance of $1,155.98 and a SECU Savings Account balance of $336.73.

Secretary Report

Reitzel reminded every meeting attendee to state their name before speaking.

He also reported on the pilot NCPCA Update email in January with information from the previous week’s meeting. The email had an open rate similar to other NCPCA emails and had a click rate considerably higher than other NCPCA emails. He hopes it will serve to engage those who miss meetings or don’t regularly attend them, and he welcomes feedback on the emails.

Development Committee

Clary noted the projects lists on the City Department of Planning website at collegeparkmd.gov/planning. This includes a link to a College Park Development dashboard.

Events Committee

Clary noted:

  • College Park Community Book Club, at the College Park Community Library, second Thursday of each month, 7:00pm-8:30pm. The March book will be The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman.
  • There is also a Community Book Club on Zoom, which focuses on female writers, on the third Tuesday of each month, 7:00pm-8:30pm. Info is at http://tinyurl.com/46vd5jz9.
  • College Park Lunar New Year celebration, City Hall Community Room, February 21, 10:00am-1:00pm.
  • Frevo Dance for Kids, Old Parish House, February 21 1:00pm-2:00pm.
  • Friday Night Live begins May 8, 6:00pm-8:00pm at the City Hall Plaza.
  • College Park Spring Street Fair will be in front of Davis Hall, May 17, 12:00noon-4:00pm.

Clary also noted that WISE Connect activities for seniors are routinely updated at www.wisecities.us.

Schroder announces the Ministrel’s Feast, March 1, which will be 2 performances by the College Park Chorale

Perez noted:

  • the Black History Month exhibition at City Hall.
  • The 21st district delegation District Night on March 2 6:00pm-8:00pm

Hernandez noted the North College Park Cleanup Day will be April 18, 10:00am-1:00pm, at Edgewood Road and Rhode Island Avenue.

48th Place Sidewalk Project

Clary introduced Steve Halpern, Jacob Vasseloti, and Sari Hijazi to present information on the City’s 48th Place Sidewalk Project. Hijazi noted this is part of a multiyear City initiative to enhance walkability and ADA compliance by adding sidewalks on key streets throughout the City. This project seeks to add a sidewalk on one block of 48th Place, which would connect two streets with sidewalks and enhance walkability around Hollywood Elementary School. The City engaged the community on this project last October and then proceeded into the design phase. The City is exploring whether to build a sidewalk on the north side of the block or the south side. A north side sidewalk would cross 6 driveways and require a retaining wall around an existing utility pole. A south side sidewalk would cross 2 driveways, require widening around a fire hydrant, and require removal of 13 trees ranging from 4-inch to 17-inch diameter.

Kabir noted that the City authorized the Complete and Green Streets program in 2016 to enhance safe walkability, and Halpern noted that the City has been working on adding sidewalks in all areas since 2005.

Hays stated concern that the south side sidewalk would remove a number of trees, including 1 to 3 heritage trees, and Hijazi noted that County law says if 30% of a tree’s root system is impacted it must be removed. Schaffer noted that the loss of trees would mean loss of shade, loss of stormwater management, and loss of wildlife habitat. Day reported that those trees protected nearby homes during the 2001 tornado. O’Brien would like to know where any lost trees would be replaced.

Schroder expressed support for a sidewalk because it would enhance walkability. Keller added that walking on the street is unsafe because of the hill and the curve. Schmadel noted he sees very few cars on that block and so a sidewalk may not be needed.

Diaz Pulgur expressed concern about a sidewalk because he would be responsible for clearing it of snow and thinks either a resident or the City should own land, not both. Hernandez clarified that the right of way belongs to the City but property owners are responsible for maintenance on the right of way.

Hays stated support for building on the north side and suggested the City build it into the street not into yards. Schaffer suggested that the cost of the south side should include the loss of trees and stormwater management. Frangos opposes cutting down the trees for a sidewalk, and Clark suggested that if that option were studied further the City should analyze the effects on stormwater management.

Hernandez stated appreciation for all community input; he favors walkability. City Council will decide which side, and there will be public comment opportunity.

Edgewood Road and Route 1 Corner Property

Clary introduced property owner Abdullah Hijazi. Hijazi heard about a homeless person encampment that City and County staff have addressed; his understanding is that the encampment has been removed.

Hijazi reported that he has no plans for development right now. When development of the property was explored in 2006-2008 the City made a number of requirements, including street upgrades and moving utility poles. In 2008 the property owner donated right of way along Edgewood and along 47th Place to the City, at is request.

Schroder noted that the property is zoned for office space, which may not have a market; he wondered whether housing would make sense, which would need a zoning change. Traffic is a major problem, and so entrance/exit would need to be on 47th Place. Hijazi thinks there’s a huge need for Class A office space. Hays thinks the property is valuable to the community for its forest, and Hijazi stated openness to any constructive input. Perez asked whether Hijazi would be interested in affordable housing or in selling the property, and Hijazi said all options are on the table. Hernandez noted the City and community are open to development as long as it makes sense within the community.

Unscheduled Motions

There were no unscheduled motions.

Unscheduled Announcements

Nathan Arbach, County Council District 1 office, constituent services for our area, encouraged residents to contact the office with concerns and encouraged people to sign up for the District 1 newsletter.

Kabir announced the City has been designated a Bronze Bicycle-Friendly Community. Only 3 or 4 other Md cities have this designation. He also noted a County proposal to discontinue the Chinese Immersion Program at Paint Branch Elementary School; the City has asked the Board of Education not to do this and Kabir encouraged residents to write the Board of Education about this.

Reitzel announced that the City Tree and Landscape Board is hosting a vine removal event at Huron Street and 51st Avenue, on March 7, 10:00am-1:00pm.

Stinavage reported that 20 persons wrote to City Council to support ranked choice voting and 10 attended a Council meeting to support it; the City Board of Election Supervisors opposed it for now. Council is considering options that might improve the City’s typical 10% voter turnout.

Hernandez encouraged residents to report any further snow/ice needing removal. He encouraged attendees to learn about the City’s Restorative Justice Commission and to learn about the Lakeland community. He reported that in response to the City letter inquiring about the use of the State building in Hollywood Shopping Center, the State has recommended the property for disposition. He reported the City continues to work on finding a good business for the northwest corner of Edgewood and Rhode Island. City Council will have two listening sessions on budget priorities. He noted the State is offering funding to help with U.S. citizen naturalization; applications are due in 2 weeks. On February 14, Al Huda School will give away grocery gift boxes at 11:00am.

Turley noted that the Branchville Volunteer Fire Department will offer a breakfast with the Easter bunny on March 12, 10:00am-12:00noon.

Adjournment

Clary noted our next meeting will be Thursday, March 12, at 7:30pm.

Clary moved for adjournment, Hays seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously.