Meeting Minutes—October 12, 2023
North College Park Community Association (NCPCA)
Attendees:
In Person:
David Alicea; Jaclyn Bruner; Kam Clary; Bryan Haddad; Donald Hays; Jacob Hernandez; Alan Hew; Fazlul Kabir; Ron Midkiff; Arelis Perez; Melissa Peterson; Todd Reitzel; Brian Roan; Mary Roop; David Turley; Brendan Wray
Online (names written as they appear in chat):
Stephanie Butler; Celia; Jeff Clark; Kimberly James
Minutes Taken By:
Brian J. Roan, Secretary
Call to Order
President David Alicea begins the meeting with a call to order, a notice of recording of the meeting. He then gives a brief history of Daniels Park (see myncpca.org in order to read the prepared notes about Daniels Park). Following this he read the orders of the day.
Minutes
Vice President Melissa Peterson motions to approve the minutes from the September minutes. Areliz Perez offered the following suggestions:
-Capitalize “Mary”
-Proper spelling is “Termini”
She also asked that better efforts be made to record motions and seconds. She also asks that NCPCA’s SECU checking and savings account be mentioned by full name in both the treasurer’s report and ice cream social vote. In the announcements from the county representative, she asked that County Councilmember Chair Tom Dernoga be noted with his full title. For unscheduled motions, she asks that an errant “of” be removed from Unscheduled Motions. She asked that typos in mentions of city engineers and assembly positions be amended. She also asked that “posited” be considered to be changed to “positioned.” Arelis Perez then asked that the minutes be accepted with updates. The motion was seconded by Jacob Hernandez. The minutes were then approved by verbal vote of those in attendance.
President’s Report
President Alicea gave updates related to the Sunday coffee social, which takes place from 11AM–1PM at Proteus Brews. He then updated the assembly on the District 1 Candidate Forum which is to be held by College Park Here & Now. This will take place at City Hall on October 18 from 7–9PM. He requested that people continue to submit questions for this forum. President Alicea then noted that while he had appointed three committee directors they would need to be voted in later in the meeting.
Vice President’s
Vice President Broughton was sick and could not attend. His update was folded into the Treasurer’s report.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Melissa Peterson noted that a call for dues was still pending as we work to transition to a new membership database. In terms of updates to finances; five dues payments came in and Vice President Broughton was reimbursed for the ice cream social. The available balance in the SECU Checking Account was $2,175.86 and the SECU Savings Account was $333.95. She reminded the body that dues afforded the chance to run for office and vote in elections as well as getting a SECU account.
Arelis Perez mentioned that a SECU money market account could yield more interest. Treasurer Peterson noted that this might be good for the Finance Director to look into.
Secretary’s Report
Secretary Brian Roan noted the updated calendar of events on the NCPCA web site. He solicited input from the membership for events to be included. He then requested that people announce themselves when speaking to aid in minutes-taking.
Motions to Approve Committee Directors
President Alicea introduced the nominees for the committees.
Mary Roop – Events Committee. She introduced herself as working as a trade analyst for textile imports and exports. She has lived in College Park since 2020. As a fun fact, she noted that she hails from Wisconsin.
President Alicea solicited a motion to approve Mary Roop as Events Committee Director. Donald Hays put the motion forward. David Turley and Kam Clary seconded. With no debate or discussion, Mary Roop was approved by verbal vote.
Laura Rodgers – NCPCA Finance Committee. President Alicea read her statement, as she could not be in attendance.
President Alicea solicited a motion to approve Laura Rodgers. The motion was put forward by Arelis Perez. The motion was seconded by Kam Clary. Mayor Fazlul spoke in her favor. Laura Rodgers was approved by vote.
Brendan Wray – Developments Comittee. Brendan Wray introduced himself to the assembly. He read off his history in the area and interests in city planning and transit-oriented development.
Jacob Hernandez moved to approve Brendan Wray, and the motion was seconded by Treasurer Peterson. Kam Clary spoke in favor of Brendan Wray. The appointment was approved by vote.
President Alicea congratulated and thanked all of the new Directors for stepping forward and asked that all those who wanted to help out as committee members not hesitate to reach out and step forward and work with us. Treasurer Peterson noted that there could be subcommittees that would appeal to the interests of other members. President Alicea also asked for anyone interested in helping to rewrite bylaws to step forward as well.
Unscheduled Motions and Announcements
President Alicea asked if anyone in attendance had an unscheduled motion to bring forward.
Ron Midkiff asked about the possibility of bringing the five candidates for District 1 City Council together for people to meet them. He was informed by President Alicea and Candidate Bryan Haddad about the coming forum on October 18 at City Hall and the means for accessing it.
Because all five candidates were in attendance, it was decided that a small forum could take place. The candidates were asked questions by those in attendance and granted time to give their thoughts and opinions.
[In the name of impartiality, it was decided that rather than transcribe the full debate, a recording of the debate would be made available via the MYNCPCA.org web site.]
Jaclyn Bruner announced the first annual Hollywood Elementary Trunk or Treat – Thursday October 26 4-6:30. She solicited volunteers from the community to set up their cars and distribute candy to the kids.
Todd Rietzel – College Park Food Bank will be holding food distribution. He invited the community to donate frozen turkey, turkey breast, and chicken. A sign-up link will be distributed by the NCPCA. They will be collected on November 10 and November 17.
Mayor Fazlul Kabir – Saturday October 14, cleanup at Public Works Building. Paper shredding event. The streetscape project is coming to an end and landscaping is coming. Hollywood Road Sidewalk Project is starting in the spring. The south side of the street from Rhode Island to Route 1. Improvements to Route 1 in North College Park are a top three project. Twenty million-plus dollars allocated for the North College Park community center. Free tutoring program, K-12 students in College Park can access this program for free. Link on city web site. City will host Maryland municipal league conference. This will take place at the Hotel.
Alan Hew – Saturday, October 14 from 10AM-2PM. Beltsville Community Cats yard sale and meet and greet adoption event at Emmanuel United Methodist Church 11416 Cedar Ln. in Beltsville. Sunday October 15, the al-Huda school is doing a food and clothing giveaway starting at noon.
Jacob Hernandez – Thanked al-Huda school for the barbecue last Sunday. On Saturday October 14 from 10am-4pm, Latinas in Aviation at the College Park Airport and Museum.
Brian Roan – Every Saturday through November 18, the Hollywood Farmers Market takes place in the MOM’s parking lot from 9AM-1PM.
Online, Jeff Clark asked if candidates go to the market and clean-up. Because the market is run by the city, the candidates can be at the market but are not to set up a table. Arelis Perez noted that the same was true of any city facility. Treasurer Peterson noted that the Sunday Coffee Social would be a good place to meet.
Alan Hew – Saturday, October 21, 11th Good Neighbor Day. Projects throughout the city will need volunteers.
Call to Adjourn
Donald Hays motions to adjourn. Bryan Haddad, Arelis Perez second. Vote passed. The meeting convenes at 9:03