all one college park. Thank you. Good evening College Park. It
is twist at 7:30 P.m. march 19
I am calling to the order of
the Mayor and Council regular
meeting of the city of College
Park City Council College Park,
Maryland. I
Park City Council College Park, Maryland. I'll begin the
meeting with a moment of silent
meditation, followed by a
pledge of allegiance to tonight.
This will be led by council
member Reg Colleagues. Do. You
want to add anything to the
meditation? Recording in
progress. Saying. No, Please
join me in a moment of silent
join me in a moment of silent meditation.
join me in a moment of silent meditation. Council. To. The
flag of the United States of
America and to the Republic for
which it stands one nation
under God. And, indivisible
with liberty and justice for
all. Thank you. Well. Let
with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Well. Let's
start with the roll call the
Council member Hernandez
president present Doctor esters,
Miss Whitney present, Amir put,
Mitchell had to step out to
attend a meeting, but she
Mitchell had to step out to attend a meeting, but she'll be
back in. I believe at eight
o
back in. I believe at eight o'clock Councilor R Mackie. And
Council member. Adams also
couldn
Council member. Adams also couldn't come because of the
family. Um, issue Uh, Councilor
Re I will start again with
District one for announcements.
District one for announcements. Hernandez Works at, uh,
tomorrow we
Hernandez Works at, uh, tomorrow we're going to be
hosting our second District one
discussion and Davis Hall. Uh,
It
discussion and Davis Hall. Uh, It's going to be from 7 to 930.
I. Wanna. Thank Mayor Kabir, Uh,
the city manager and council
member, Hugh for, uh, for
attending. We
member, Hugh for, uh, for attending. We're gonna be
tackling some some heart issues
and and just kind of
forecasting some of the city
business to include the
upcoming budget work session,
uh, putting our heads together
to think about how we, uh how
we revitalize and engage the
Hollywood farmers market and
discussing any other topics. Uh,
At top of mind of our residents
looking forward to seeing, uh,
those that can attend, Uh, a
zoom link is out. Uh, and it is
also on the city website. Thank
you. City staff. Thank you? I
also on the city website. Thank you. City staff. Thank you? I'm
looking forward to tending
because Hill Uh, thank you. I
looking forward to tending because Hill Uh, thank you. I'd
like to, um, send out a thank
you to everybody who attended
the, uh, Sunset celebration.
Acknowledging, Ramadan and
Easter this, uh, last week. Uh,
it was a really nice community
turnout and, uh, expression of,
uh, diversity and and
acceptance amongst all those
who attended Thank you And.
Thanks for organizing it and
customer doctor esters. The
Berwin District Civic
Association will hold its
monthly meeting this Thursday,
uh, March 21st at 730. It will
be in person at vital
traditions. Uh, wellness Center,
uh, located at 4912 Berwyn Road.
Thank you. Thank you and
council member Whitney. Thank
you? I Want to encourage, Um
Berwyn residents and others to
express their preferences for
uses for the Roanoke Pocket
Park in Berwyn. You can find,
uh, the rank choice survey at
my berwin.org also, uh, we
uh, the rank choice survey at my berwin.org also, uh, we're
excited about the ribbon
cutting at 5:30 P.m. on
Thursday at Lakeland Playground.
Thank you? I look forward to
attending that one as well. Uh,
customer, Mackie. I
attending that one as well. Uh, customer, Mackie. I'd like to
remind residents that the
opportunities to sign your
Children up for summer camps
are on the city website. This
is a great opportunity that we
get from our educational, um,
advisory Committee to, um, send
your kids to summer camp. I
advisory Committee to, um, send your kids to summer camp. I'd
also like to remind you to look
into the imagine. Learn
tutoring program. Uh, A fact
that many people don
tutoring program. Uh, A fact that many people don't know is
that there is opportunities for,
um SAT prep. And, I Think AC T
prep. So. Um please look into
we still have 19 slots for the
imagine. Learn tutoring program
that the city sponsored this
year, So. Please take advantage
of these two opportunities.
Thank you. Thank you, UH,
Councilor Mare. Uh, thank you
and just a quick announcement
tomorrow night from 7 to 9 P.m.
on an online platform, um, that
begins with Z and ends with, um
there will be the Calvert Hill
Civic Association meeting. Um,
like that The link can be
obtained by, uh, by going to
the Calvert Hills website.
Calvert hills dot Thanks so
much. Thank you. All. Right, Uh,
liaison, Mr Mirani. Thank you
an update on the recruitment
timeline for the next student
liaison, Deputy student liaison.
So applications went out this
week and have been shared with
SG a members and we
week and have been shared with SG a members and we're also
going to be putting it out on
some other channels as well.
Applications are due Friday.
April 12th, So. We
Applications are due Friday. April 12th, So. We're expecting
to hold interviews the week of
April 15th and hopefully a
final SG a appointment The week
of the 22nd. Thanks Thank you
and Mr Sprinkle Thank you our
second College Park Tenants
Union meeting is on March 26 1
Week From. Now. It
Union meeting is on March 26 1 Week From. Now. It's at 7 P.m.
Check with us If. You
Week From. Now. It's at 7 P.m. Check with us If. You're
looking for the location and we
will be out later this week.
Additionally the, uh, ice cream
day for the Student Government
Association has been pushed
back to next Wednesday march
27th. It will be an all day
event on Lawyers Mall in
Annapolis with the student
government will, uh, explain
their legislative priorities to
the members of the General
Thank you. As go to city
Manager
Thank you. As go to city Manager's report, Mr Yang. Uh,
good evening, Uh, Mayor and
Council and residence of
college Park. Uh, just a couple
of quick announcements this
evening. Uh, one is in regard
to no M. April, Uh, the City
College Park and B City USA
Committee encouraged residents
to refrain from mowing their
lawns during the month of April
to support local pollinators
participating in No. Uh, April,
um, is a small and easy step we
can take to help early season
pollinators that are foraging
for food sources and habitat.
Um, there is no registration,
uh, no longer is required to
participate in this event if
you have any questions, you can
always contact our department
of public works at 2404873590.
We also would like to invite
the public out to our fiscal
year 2025 budget listening
session which will be held, um
this, uh on March 30th so two
Saturdays from now at 11 A.m.
in the city Hall Council
Chambers. Uh, you can also
watch this, uh via TV as well
as zoom and if you have any
questions, you can, uh, go to
our website. That
questions, you can, uh, go to our website. That's all I have
for this evening. Thank you, Mr
Young. Any question for Mr Yang.
Miss Mackay. Um we have some
clean up times coming. Could
you remind me of the in April
Clean up, clean up spring clean
ups. Um I have I have to pull
that up and get that for you.
You bet. Thank you any other
questions, Miss Whitney? Yes.
We received a letter um from a
resident who is concerned about
the new medians coming in on,
um Route one up across from the
tempo, um, and the the middle
of the city, and, um, just
concerns about, um, you know,
jaywalking people. Um, you know,
SI gotta get to the LA right
now. And I
SI gotta get to the LA right now. And I'm trying to cross
Route one and I wonder if we
could request extra enforcement.
Um, once those are completely
in place to ensure we don
Um, once those are completely in place to ensure we don't
have that issue. I
in place to ensure we don't have that issue. I'll. I
in place to ensure we don't have that issue. I'll. I'll
work with, Um uh, Major
Colletti on on that particular
issue once they get those in,
uh, I know there are particular
concern was, uh uh regarding,
uh, having to do gates similar
to what we have done in the old
car, old town area. So. Um I
would definitely will take a
look at that and make sure that
we have a game plan in place
for enforcement. Thank you.
Thank you. Any other questions.
Saying none. Um, let
Thank you. Any other questions. Saying none. Um, let's go to
the acknowledgement I can see
former District one council
member, Mr Marks is in the
house. Thank you, Mr Swar,
Thanks for coming and joining.
Let me see anyone online? I
want to be in trouble? Um, I,
don
want to be in trouble? Um, I, don't see anyone. All, right?
Um, let
don't see anyone. All, right? Um, let's move to Uh,
proclamation hour. We do not
have any tonight and next. Or a
business will be amendments to
the agenda. I believe there are
a couple of maybe two of them,
right? Miss Whitney. Yes. I
would like to, um, amend the
agenda to, um add item 24 G 53
to consent. This is, um,
approval of a letter
substantially. It
approval of a letter substantially. It's attached
requesting that HB 538 SB 484
be amended to exempt the
Lakeland community designated
historic districts and areas
more than one half mile from
transit facilities second Um,
we need a foot on that all in
favor. Say. I opposed any
abstentions. So, these item has
been added more, Mr Rick. Uh,
yes, I
been added more, Mr Rick. Uh, yes, I'd like to remove item.
24 G Dash 52 approval of
minutes from the consent agenda
to the regular agenda for
correction. Thank you, Um Any,
um, any second. There
correction. Thank you, Um Any, um, any second. There's no vote.
Yeah. We don
um, any second. There's no vote. Yeah. We don't need a vote
because it
Yeah. We don't need a vote because it's going other way.
Alright, um, I now need a vote
to approve the agenda as
amended. I moved to approve the
agenda as amended. Not by
Hernandez seconded by council
re all in favor, So, I, any
opposed any abstention? The
agenda has been approved. And
now we go to the audience of
anyone wants to speak on. Non
agenda items or any, um,
consent item. Yeah. I see? Yeah,
please come forward. To the
podium, please state your name
And if you western of college
And if you western of college Park Yeah start with the
stating your name. Hi. My name
is Pedro Morales. Uh, I have
been a resident of college Park
for the past three years. Uh, I
go to book Lodge Middle School.
I Am 13 years old and in eighth
grade. My GPA is 3.8. I have no
unexcused abscesses and have no
disciplinary issues. I come
before you to ask for your help.
I applied to College Park
Academy during the open
application window and when and
was recently Waitlisted. I do
not know how to make my
application more competitive,
and I
application more competitive, and I'm having a hard time
trying to get accepted into a
good high school. I do not know.
My. My dream is to be a
software engineer so I can help
government systems. I want to
go to College Park Academy
because I believe C Park
Academy. Will prepare me for
the next level of education One
day, I
the next level of education One day, I hope One Day. I hope to
be attended to the University
of Maryland. I think Kash Park
Academy will prepare me to be
successful there. I
Academy will prepare me to be successful there. I'm, the
oldest of my siblings, and I
want to be a role model for my
six year old sister so she can
follow in my footsteps. My
parents came to this country to
give me the best possible
education and now I
give me the best possible education and now I'm asking
you. For help to achieve that
here at home in college Park. I
know there are people here who
can help me. Please help. I
came today because my parents
read that you all will be
discussing education. Please
Tell me what I or my parents
can do to help me achieve my
dreams. Thank you for your time.
Thank you so much. Thank you so
much for coming and thank you
for everything you have done
can be in touch with the this
resident, the young resident
and try to help Thank you.
Theres, a stadium name, and if
you
Theres, a stadium name, and if you're a resident of college
Park Good. Good Evening America
be and Council member of
college Park. My name is Martha
Martinez. I Am, a resident of
college park like my classmate.
I also attend book L Middle
school Prior to that I attended
paint Branch Elementary school
as I was promoted to Greenbelt
middle School. However, now I
will be attending high school.
A new journey has also a new
beginning to end. My mother has
applied to a few programs that
have come to her path. However
the only feedback that I
have come to her path. However the only feedback that I've
received is that It was the
night. No. No explanation on
how I could improve to be in
fit for the school next year.
There is another school that
I
There is another school that I've applied to and have been
wait. Listed in a school that I
am registered to go to is park,
though, however, my brother
attends Park, and he says there
is many bad influences I would
like to attend a better high
school such as the W for
engineering or Northwestern for
their art program. I
engineering or Northwestern for their art program. I've tried
to ask Help. I
their art program. I've tried to ask Help. I've tried to ask
my counselors and teachers for
help. But however, they Never
have time and always say to
take responsibility in my own
hands. That
take responsibility in my own hands. That's why I am here and
being a responsible scholar to
ask for your help to clarify
the process, So I and other
scholars like me can pursue our
goals and to better our
education and to be prepared to
step foot in our society as we
receive our diploma on that
graduation day, because we were
given the opportunity to get a
higher education. Thank you for
your time and hope you can help
me. My goals. Thank you? Thank
you so much for coming. Um
again, it staff if Mr Gardiner
or someone if you could please
in touch with the rest. Yeah,
we
in touch with the rest. Yeah, we're we
in touch with the rest. Yeah, we're we're gathering their
information now and we
we're we're gathering their information now and we'll
definitely reach out. Thank you
so much. All right, um Anyone
who wants to speak on consent
or non agenda items. Anything
that is not on the agenda. And
I. You have three minutes. Can.
You speak on anything? All
right? Uh, I do not see any
virtual hands. So. Let
right? Uh, I do not see any virtual hands. So. Let's move
to the approval of the consent
agenda. We have We have seven
items. Let me read them out,
then I will entertain a motion.
The. First one is the approval
of the renewal of the contract
with Streetcar. Streetcar
Suburbs Inc for the four page
College Park Post. Insert In
the college part here and now
newspaper for the period of
March. Sorry April 1st to June
30th. April 1st 24th of June
30th 27 in an amount not to
exceed $195,000 subject to the
review and approval as to form
by the city attorney. Next is
24 G 49 a word and renewal of
insurance contracts with Cigna
for health insurance. In the
budgeted amounts of $1 million
666, 1,000,606, 106 and
budgeted amounts of $1 million 666, 1,000,606, 106 and 675
606,006 $75 dental insurance In
The budgeted amount of 65,800.
$30
The budgeted amount of 65,800. $30 Chesapeake. Insurance for
workers compensation in the
budgeted amount of 207,707 $101.
budgeted amount of 207,707 $101. And local government insurance
Trust for the property and
liability insurance in the
budget amount of $200,599. For.
The. Total budgeted cost of FY
25 being 2
The. Total budgeted cost of FY 25 being 2 million $79,805 The.
Third. One is 24 G 50 approval.
To bypass the formal bid
process procedures to approve
12 months contract with Volta
Inc for the period of 5124 to 4
30 25 for IT infrastructure.
Managed services in an amount
not to
Managed services in an amount not to exceed $344,250 subject
to the city attorney
not to exceed $344,250 subject to the city attorney's approval
as outlined in the attached
proposal and contract. Number
four is 24 G 36 approval of a
contract amendment with
Haggerty Consulting Inc for an
additional amount not to exceed
$200,000 for the term 3 26 24
to 1231 26 for assistance with
the administration and
compliance requirements of the
coronavirus Local fiscal
recovery fund received under
ARPA, subject to the approval
of the city attorney and
authorize the city manager to
And An extra majority vote is
required. And 24 G 51
authorized the mayor to sign a
letter to support of the
application that Laurel Cats
application that Laurel Cats Inc. Is submitting in
partnership with Belleville
Community Cats. We, Citizens
for local animal welfare and
outlaw K for funding. Under,
the mainland Department of
agriculture, Espe and neuter
Program for fiscal year 2025.
Number six is approve 24 G 46,
which is approval of the
mayoral appointments of our
list. Perez and Franci Wesser
to the vacant and blighted
property tax community, And.
Finally. We have number 7 24 G
53, which is the approval of
letter substantially as
attached, requesting that HB
538 SB 484 B amendment amended
to exempt the Lakeland
community designated historic
districts and areas more than
one half mile from transit.
Facilities to adopt the consent
Facilities to adopt the consent agenda. Doctor ether seconded
by, uh, Councilor Whitney all
in favor. Say, I. I and the
post in the abstention. So the
consent agenda. I is. Approved.
We do not have a public hearing
and don
We do not have a public hearing and don't have any action item
we go. Oh, there is one
actually IM which came from
you
actually IM which came from you're right. Thank you for
correcting me? I always came
from The agenda, which is 24 G
52. Who is going to take me.
Please go ahead. Yeah. I can
cover it there. There was a a
remark attributed to me that
was inaccurate. Um,
specifically on page 47 of the
packet from the march 5th
minutes. It
packet from the march 5th minutes. It's it, Uh, Noted
that I shared concern about
eligibility for the the student.
eligibility for the the student. Uh Housing Affordability pilot
program and said that I have
two ways of becoming eligible
and one of those ways and then
it attributed Pell grants. Uh,
probably two thirds of the
student residents of the city
would qualify for that
student residents of the city would qualify for that's.
That
would qualify for that's. That's not what I said. What, I
said was, um the income
eligibility. Probably two
thirds of student residents
would qualify for so, um, it
was it was actually the
opposite. So. You. I would
propose that we strike Pell
grants and would, uh, insert
income eligibility. Thank you
Thanks for inspiring that, Uh,
it
Thanks for inspiring that, Uh, it's Miss Whitney. Um as usual,
the eagle eyed Miss Whitney.
Really. I have an eye. Thank
you miss. So? That
Really. I have an eye. Thank you miss. So? That's that
Really. I have an eye. Thank you miss. So? That's that's my
motion. Thank you. That was
misattributed to me. Make
further commitments. Sorry F
further, please go ahead. Your
Microphone is not on I, just a
tiny one in the march 12th
meeting. It says that I, uh,
invited folks to the
celebration for the end of
Ramadan. Uh, it
celebration for the end of Ramadan. Uh, it's Ramadan and a
little bit later. Uh, so it was
just For the end of a fast, but
it
just For the end of a fast, but it's not the end of Ramadan. Oh,
thank you. All right any any
further comments on the No, so
I would I would move that my
remarks. Reflect what I just
stated and that, uh, take one
motion to go to the changes. Do.
You want me to make a motion?
Ok? Um so motion that the my
remark on Page 47 of March of
the march 5th minutes reflect,
um, that the remark was about
the income eligibility and
instead of the Pell grant
eligibility criteria and, uh,
that the That. The minutes
further reflected on March 12th.
Mr. Hernandez was speaking
about the the um ending of that
day
about the the um ending of that day's fast and not the end of
Ramadan. Is that right, Mr
Right? Thank you. They have a
second. OK any further comment.
Mr. Um I am required to go to
the audience if anyone else to
speak on the item, I don
the audience if anyone else to speak on the item, I don't
think anyone needs to. Um I
don
think anyone needs to. Um I don't say any virtual hands. Um,
coming back any further
comments from the council,
saying none all in favor. Say,
I, any opposed any abstention?
So, the 24 G 52 is adopted. All
right. Now. We go to the wax
sessions. And. We have four
work session item. The. First.
One is the discussion with the
PC PS. Representatives about
the school transportation
issues, Water quality issues.
Bus locations is called Safety
Guards and Dora Kennedy. French
Martian Eco. I have some guest
guess if you could please come
forward and take seats at the
front desk and the chair. Um,
there are mics. Can. Can more
chairs be Yeah, added. Thank
you so much for coming and
joining us. I know you
you so much for coming and joining us. I know you're all
busy. Yeah. I will, uh, I
probably start with, uh, if you
could please start introducing
could please start introducing yourself. Mhm. Um, is that is
AM on. Uh, there we go, OK? All,
Right. Good evening. Uh, thank
you so much for this
opportunity to join you this
evening, Uh, Mayor Kabir and
members of the council. Uh, my
name is Sharaa Coleman. I have
the privilege of serving as
chief operating officer for the
Prince George
chief operating officer for the Prince George's County public
school system. And. We have
several members of our team
here with us as well and we
several members of our team here with us as well and we'll
allow them to introduce
allow them to introduce themselves. Good evening. Uh,
my name is Sean. Matlock. I
themselves. Good evening. Uh, my name is Sean. Matlock. I'm
the director of the Office of
alternative infrastructure
alternative infrastructure planning and development. Thank
you. And if we could Good
Evening I
you. And if we could Good Evening I'm Sam ST Nelli,
director of building Services
for county schools. If he if he
could repeat your name one more
time, and I
could repeat your name one more time, and I've got a request.
I
time, and I've got a request. I'm Sam Stefanelli, director of
building services for Prince
George County schools. Thank
you so much So, two more guests
and good evening. My na me is
kba Baldwin. I
and good evening. My na me is kba Baldwin. I'm, the director
of transportation. Thank you so
much. And finally. Good evening.
I
much. And finally. Good evening. I'm Alex Beller environmental
program specialist for Prince
George
program specialist for Prince George's County public schools.
Thank you? Um Does, The staff
have any, um Introduction from
the city side. Thank you mayor
just very quickly. Um, as you
all know, uh, we solicited
questions in advance for you to,
um provide to, uh, printer,
Prince George
um provide to, uh, printer, Prince George's County public
school staff, and they
Prince George's County public school staff, and they've
received those questions. Uh,
they
received those questions. Uh, they're in your packet. I also
have them up here on the screen.
Um, some of the staff this
evening here will be able to
respond to the questions and
for some of the questions
they
for some of the questions they'll need to, uh Contact our
colleagues out of the
departments to provide a more
complete response. I think, um,
Doctor Coleman is going to kind
of kick it off. And Go from
there. Thank you, Mr Coleman.
So. Thank you so much, Uh,
again. We received the
questions in advance. So, we
thank you for that, Um,
opportunity to, um, research
and and understand the
questions that were being asked.
We stand ready to respond to
those questions. Um And. We
We stand ready to respond to those questions. Um And. We're
ready to begin. Alright. Um Dr.
Ester, Do I start? No.
Certainly thank you for being
here this evening. Um, uh, we
in district two have the, um
Privilege of having the first
question regarding paint Branch
Elementary school. So, Um,
paint branch is located in the
historic Lakeland community,
and we have had the pleasure of
working with members of that
community along with, um Mr
hinder shot who is the
principal as well as members of
the community Center to help
address traffic issues that
were there and I have to say
they did an outstanding job
with that, Um, so they were
able to work together. To make
that happen. However the issue
that is on the agenda this
evening has to do with
dumpsters. So. There are
residents who live on Pierce
Avenue right across from these
dumpsters, and, um there had
been a request to, um, remove
the dumpsters put them in the
back of the building and what
we were told is that that could
not happen. Um, so because that
cannot happen. Um, we asked for
the area to be fenced off
because if you have ever seen
them the Dumpsters do Sit
within the fenced area. Um,
they
within the fenced area. Um, they're actually sort of strewn
in there. And if there
they're actually sort of strewn in there. And if there's any
debris or garbage that is left,
it just sits and it isn
debris or garbage that is left, it just sits and it isn't the
most. It is the most unsightly
thing. If. You
most. It is the most unsightly thing. If. You're living across
the street from Dumpsters in
that way. Um, And. In fact
we
that way. Um, And. In fact we've made that argument that
no one wants to live across
from that so As of last summer.
Uh, we had been talking with Mr
Hendershot and, um, he
indicated to us that he
submitted a request for fencing.
Uh, to be, uh, put up, but in
in subsequent requests, um, he
has not been able to share with
us when that will happen, And,
I think the concern for us and
the members of the community is
that it would be helpful to
have a timeline. Understand
what? This when this will
happen, Uh, because just to say,
you know, I don
happen, Uh, because just to say, you know, I don't know. Just
feels as though um there isn
you know, I don't know. Just feels as though um there isn't
much consideration given. I
feels as though um there isn't much consideration given. I'm
not saying that that is, you
know what he is thinking, but
that
know what he is thinking, but that's what it feels like to
the residents who live there
and who must see this. The
other, um, part of the question
also dealt with, uh, trash and
debris that had been left over
the winter break. So, um after
the ho well before the holidays,
Uh, there was trash that was
left that residents had to deal
with as they had friends and
family coming over and again,
it was unsightly. And a problem
for the community. Thank you.
All right. Thank you so much
for that context around the
question. It
for that context around the question. It's always helpful
to hear it verbally, uh,
because it gives a different
sense of urgency around what
because it gives a different sense of urgency around what's
going on. I
sense of urgency around what's going on. I'm gonna turn it
over to director Stefanelli. I
know he
over to director Stefanelli. I know he's been working on this
issue. Yes and I apologize for
how long it
issue. Yes and I apologize for how long it's taken. Um, the
issue is, uh, with paper was
designed. We had one dumpster.
We only had a little bit of
trash. Now we have that
dumpster. We have recycling
dumpster and we
dumpster. We have recycling dumpster and we're making plans
for a, um For all her dumpsters
and we
for a, um For all her dumpsters and we're working on
contracting out trash, so it
and we're working on contracting out trash, so it's
a little bit more complicated
than just putting up a fence.
Um, originally, we thought that
what we were being asked was to
close in the Dumpsters and lock
them, but we don
close in the Dumpsters and lock them, but we don't do that.
Because of that reason over
Christmas break is a lot of
people use our dumpsters over
Christmas break to put their
Christmas trash and it over
Thanksgiving and we found it.
If we lock them, Then they just
serve it on the ground next to
the dumpster. So. We decided we
weren
the dumpster. So. We decided we weren't gonna We weren
the dumpster. So. We decided we weren't gonna We weren't gonna,
uh, lock in the gate. Uh Then.
We talked about this fence, but
I think where they
We talked about this fence, but I think where they're sitting.
We can
I think where they're sitting. We can't accommodate everything
within a fenced area, So. We
We can't accommodate everything within a fenced area, So. We're
probably gonna have to adjust
where they
probably gonna have to adjust where they're sitting. We were
supposed to meet. At the school
last week and with with some
members of the community to
discuss what their issues were,
and to get a resolution before
we put any funds towards it,
and that meeting was canceled
as soon as we had that meeting,
and we come up with a plan,
we
and we come up with a plan, we'll expedite that plan and
get that taken care of for the
residents. I understand what
they
residents. I understand what they're going through. We
residents. I understand what they're going through. We're
we
they're going through. We're we're working towards a
solution. Uh, may I ask that
myself and council member
Whitney also be invited to
attend if we can Are. You sure,
meaning that you have with the
meaning that you have with the community. Yeah. It
meaning that you have with the community. Yeah. It's step can
give the contact Thank you take
the second one. School bus
stops and working hours. I
think this one
stops and working hours. I think this one's me. Okay. Miss
Maggie, please, Um So. I was
just wondering if you could
explain to us what the, um
safety standards are for the
bus stops like choosing the
places are of the bus stops
like what are the criteria that
are being used? And what? What
measures are put in place to
ensure that Children as
Children are walking to bus
stops that they have safe paths
and as Children are waiting At
the bus stop that It
and as Children are waiting At the bus stop that It's had a
safe location. Um You can read
I. I don
safe location. Um You can read I. I don't need to to to
reiterate it. But. Um, just so
like you said that it helps you
to know. So. The. Big. Concern
is that um not only, uh, do we
want to make sure that our
Children are safe walking to
schools but also to their bus
stops and making sure that
their bus stops are safe and we
wanna work collaboratively with
you as a city to make sure that
we
you as a city to make sure that we're doing what we can do to,
um ensure that our students are
safe as they wait for the bus
and Walk to school. Very good.
Thank you so much for that. Um,
I think the word that really
jumps out is collaboration. Uh,
because that
jumps out is collaboration. Uh, because that's what it takes,
Uh, when we
because that's what it takes, Uh, when we're talking about
safe passage for our students
to and from school, Uh, we work
very hard as a school district
between our Department of
transportation, our Department
of safety and security services
and the police department, Uh,
Prince George
and the police department, Uh, Prince George's County Police
department to reinforce and
provide safe passage for
students for to and from school.
Uh, we have a board of
education. Sub-committee, uh,
called our Oba committee.
Business fiscal affairs. Uh,
that is a sub-committee that
meets monthly, uh, and the
actually next meeting is
tomorrow night, uh, from 5 to 7
P.m.. We have members of the
Police department actually
attending tomorrow
Police department actually attending tomorrow's meeting
and presenting on safe passage.
Uh, because that is an area
that they manage with input
from us. And. So. I say that to
say, um it
from us. And. So. I say that to say, um it's bigger than the
school district when we think
about safe passage of Children
walking to and from school. Uh,
it
walking to and from school. Uh, it's important that we
collaborate and partner with
our, uh um uh, police
department, uh, to ensure that
we
department, uh, to ensure that we're providing those
provisions and specifically
when I
provisions and specifically when I'm thinking about, um,
placement of crossing guards as
an example is something that is
under the purview of the police
department and not the school
district. Uh, we certainly give
input, uh into, um, where we
believe they should be placed.
Uh, but it
believe they should be placed. Uh, but it's a finite resource
and we don
Uh, but it's a finite resource and we don't Uh, ultimately
make make the call of where
they are. Uh uh. Placed, Uh,
I
they are. Uh uh. Placed, Uh, I'm gonna turn it over to
director Baldwin because he
I'm gonna turn it over to director Baldwin because he's
going to talk a little bit more
about, uh, bus stops and and
some of the processes that are
in place around selection of
bus stops and and how we move
through that
bus stops and and how we move through that work. Thank you,
um always a great question
because I get that a lot when
it comes to the safety. Uh,
clearly, the safety standards
for our routes, uh, to our bus
stops include factors such as
the clear visibility, um,
minimizing traffic congestion.
Um, but our bus stops are
typically located in the safe,
accessible area. Now. There are
times where We have to go back
out and reassess, uh, for
unexpected outcomes or intended
where there
unexpected outcomes or intended where there's a new subdivision,
or there
where there's a new subdivision, or there's construction that
may pop up that may deviate the
bus route or bus locations. Um,
and we do our best to stay on
top of it. But, Um, as Dr
Coleman mentioned, the
collaboration is there we have,
uh, information line that our
citizens can use to share
information that we may not
always get. Um And once that
information is received through
my team we can investigate. And,
then move to, um, a better
resolution. Um then from base
what has been presented, so we
really try to work, um as a
constant review about our bus
stops, um, because there
constant review about our bus stops, um, because there's
always some unintended
consequences that are occurring
across the county, um, from
from the north to the south
that we are currently are
constantly reviewing in that
constantly reviewing in that respect. Thank you. Mayor
Mitchell has a follow up
question. Then. I can go back
to you. No. Thank you, Mr Mayor
and thank you to my colleague,
Ms Mackie for, um, submitting
on the question. So, Doctor
Baldwin. Um, we recently had
someone from transportation
come out to our community
specifically, um in college
Park Woods is one way in and
one way out. Um and and and, I
Think also to extend my
colleague
Think also to extend my colleague's question. The
concern is that I understand
that you try to put placement
where it
that you try to put placement where it's safe for the
Children and for us to pick
them up and let them um um be
departed on but Stops that
you
departed on but Stops that you're selecting Do not
Coincide with the traffic
patterns newer, it presents
more of a hindrance to the
owners and their property. Um
Because. The streets are narrow
and some of the bus drivers are
making three point turns. And
so It
making three point turns. And so It's a concern, so I know
before we started I, I would
appreciate it would be nice to
see if you could come out
before school starts to look at
all the at the perspective
stops and look at if it
all the at the perspective stops and look at if it's
possible to do one specific
location, depending on the
community. But specifically for
us in our community. It
community. But specifically for us in our community. It's been
a very big problem. Um, that
us in our community. It's been a very big problem. Um, that's
been ongoing. Um, residence
cars have been
been ongoing. Um, residence cars have been Uh, Damaged
damaged for a lack of a better
word. Um And. So. It just it is
a real big concern because the
streets are very narrow, and
it
streets are very narrow, and it's a very quaint community
One way in one way out, So if
we could These address that So
that
we could These address that So that's all I have to say. Not a
problem at all. Um, I would
just ask for some street
identifications so I can share
those with my team, and, um, we
will be more than happy to come
out and and look at this before
the end of the school year. Um,
I would be remiss if I would
not say that, uh, we
I would be remiss if I would not say that, uh, we've gone
through a transportation audit.
With, Um, Superintendent house
coming on board That was one of
the first priorities that he,
um made mention is for
transportation audit. Uh, we
um made mention is for transportation audit. Uh, we've
gone through that audit. We
received our results, Uh, in
the end of January, we
presented some initial findings
last month. Um, and Thursday.
We will be presenting a action
plan on how we are going to
address that, Um the reason why
we say that is because it
involves change and a lot of
that change is Bus stop
consolidations and where we are
looking to, um, optimize our
routes. In that manner we want
to be more efficient. We want
to be more safe in terms of
locating our buses into
neighborhoods that are tight
fit, Um, at the same time,
providing a a safe stop. Uh,
for our students and and again
with safe passage. So within
that audit, we will be We
investigating or re reviewing
all of our bus stops, um, with
some defined criteria so that
we will be able to be a little
transparent about how and why
we are creating stops where we
are creating them. So that is
something that is, um, on the
list to do and we
something that is, um, on the list to do and we're hoping
that we will be able to provide
much more insight as to how we
again assign our bus stops. And
no pro and I
again assign our bus stops. And no pro and I'm sorry, Mr Mayor.
Um Is it possible you can share
that once you actually gave the
briefing about your plan to
share it with us as well,
because I know many of our, um
residents slash parents would
look forward to looking at that.
Overall. Thank you may I
appreciate it. Absolutely we
look forward to doing that, for
our first obligation is gonna
be to presenting to our board
and and following that, we
certainly uh uh, look forward
to sharing the message far and
wide and staff. I
to sharing the message far and wide and staff. I'm sure you
to sharing the message far and wide and staff. I'm sure you'll
be giving the street locations
and colours Parks neighborhood.
Yeah. Thank you. It
and colours Parks neighborhood. Yeah. Thank you. It's. It
and colours Parks neighborhood. Yeah. Thank you. It's. It's
probably in other neighborhoods
as well. Could you share that
phone number that citizens can
use to report issues. It
phone number that citizens can use to report issues. It's
actually a Web address. Um,
makes it very simple if you
want to do TRS dot P GCP s.org.
It takes you to an online
inquiry system. Where. You can
log your, um your concern. Um,
it will give you a ticket
number for reference and we
will be following up with you
sometimes more likely by email.
But At times. It does result or,
um, excuse me result in a phone
call as well. Thank you follow
up question. Follow up.
Question. Um, can you share? Um
how long it will take for
someone to hear back once. They,
uh, reach out to this system.
Typically within the 48 hours.
We like to give a response to
say that we have received your
concern and if it goes past
those 48 hours, we like to
reach out to let you know that
we received it and we
reach out to let you know that we received it and we're still
investigating. So. Um, we
should get that either by an
email or a phone call. Mhm.
Thank you. Thank you. Miss
Manky. So I. I. Thank you that
that we will get your report
after you
that we will get your report after you've you
that we will get your report after you've you've given it to
your board. I think that you
after you've you've given it to your board. I think that you've
you
your board. I think that you've you've answered a lot of our
questions. Um And that, um, we
can get to you like some of the
concerns. I just encourage my
colleagues to also be looking
around in and get that
information to city staff about
about that. And. Um, I just
wanted to make sure that, um,
the issue of flashing lights
and crossing guards are police
issues and not OK, just wanted
to make sure I was clear on
that. Thank you so much. Thank
you question is mine, too. So
do you want me to go ahead?
Please Go ahead. So Happily. I
was I have heard that Cherokee
Lane now does have a school but
we had a a concerned citizen in
our district whose father was a
POWN and, um World War two and
he was a receiver of Purples.
From her heart. I think
something else So. He was even
He even got a Citation from
President Obama so and she was
very concerned that when she
drove up to the school, there
was no flag. Um, hanging, you
know? Unopposed and then in the
classrooms. There were no plugs,
so she did an investigation and
found that there are many
schools in PG County that don
found that there are many schools in PG County that don't
have a flags. Um, so I was
wondering how you would be able
to address that. I wanna thank
you for whoever, Um, uh, took
care of getting the flag at
Cherokee Lane, but, uh, she I
spoke to her today and, she
says, As of today there were.
There are no flags in the
classrooms. So if that could be
addressed. And. I and I know
that Turkey Lane is a new,
beautiful school and I. I know
that sometimes when we have new
things, you know things get
overlooked, but I was wondering
what the process was going to
be so I can assure her that
there will be flags in the
classrooms and at schools.
Thank you. Sure thank you so
much, so typically, uh, the
purchase of flags is not
something that
purchase of flags is not something that's covered under
our capital budget. Uh which is
what we utilize the funding
source that was utilized to
build the new Cherokee Lane. Uh,
we have a, uh, an a process
called student based budgeting,
uh, where each school receives
an allocation of funding to
provide the instructional
resources. Staffing, uh, that
provide the instructional resources. Staffing, uh, that's
needed to adequately implement
the instructional program. Uh,
so that I would consider that a
material. Supply that typically
the principal of that
particular institution would
then purchase. Uh, whatever
they would need. Uh, so what we
can do, is it It isn
they would need. Uh, so what we can do, is it It isn't my
division, but I can certainly
take the message back the
broader message back OK, um,
Director Stephano. You Wanna
provide an update? Yes. So. My
staff met with the principal.
We provided the flag for out
front the flags for the
classroom and and what happened
was we moved Cherokee Lane into
the new building and put a
dolphin in their old building,
so the flags stayed at the old
building so and the principal
didn
building so and the principal didn't realize he had to order
a new flag. So it was oversight
and I
a new flag. So it was oversight and I'm glad that the pair of
Bo to our potential because
flags are one of my pet peeves.
So. Um the flags have been
ordered for the classroom and
the flags out front are now
flying. And, we we We apologize,
but we Appreciate you bringing
it to our attention. Thank you?
I was like a misunderstanding.
Uh, can you scroll down a
little bit? Lead pipes and safe
water in school. Who
little bit? Lead pipes and safe water in school. Who's going to
take it. Mr Hu, please. Um,
thank you. So. Why hasn
take it. Mr Hu, please. Um, thank you. So. Why hasn't the
lead pipes issue at the, uh,
print ridges? Schools been
addressed, especially Hollywood
elementary school. Given that
these older schools are there.
Concerns for, uh, lead in or
other calamine. Um, what are
the plans for active
maintenance to avoid having the
entirety? Uh, shut down our
water system shut down in the
future, such as what has
happened at Hollywood
Elementary School. Thank you
It
Elementary School. Thank you It's going to take it? Thank
you for that? So? That
It's going to take it? Thank you for that? So? That's just
That
you for that? So? That's just That's a complex question. We
certainly do appreciate it. I
think we are gonna need to have
kind of multiple responses. Uh,
one that
kind of multiple responses. Uh, one that's gonna talk about the
state of our infrastructure.
Another that talks about, um,
kind of how we mitigate and
provide quality drinking water
for our staff and students. Uh,
when we don
for our staff and students. Uh, when we don't, uh, when we
don
when we don't, uh, when we don't have confidence that the
piping can provide it, Uh so
why don
piping can provide it, Uh so why don't we start with, um,
Director Matlock, uh, to talk
about, um Our infrastructure
management piece. So what we
try to do so most of our
buildings are over 50 years old.
Now. Most of them, uh, have
lead pipe in the buildings. Um,
what we
lead pipe in the buildings. Um, what we're trying to do is
we
what we're trying to do is we're the first thing we
what we're trying to do is we're the first thing we're
doing is we
we're the first thing we're doing is we're in our new
schools. Of course they
doing is we're in our new schools. Of course they're
gonna be piping. Uh, if we
schools. Of course they're gonna be piping. Uh, if we're
having a major replacement
school, and then they get new
piping and if we do stage
renovations, uh then they get
new piping. But the reason why
we don
new piping. But the reason why we don't do it. All. The
schools is that once you start
that work It triggers a number
of things in the building code
requirements, and then we have
to make a major upgrades to the
building that have nothing to
do with piping or water or
anything else, and it
do with piping or water or anything else, and it's just
it
anything else, and it's just it's too expensive to do it and
in in one throw and then in a
lot of cases, the work is so
extensive. You
lot of cases, the work is so extensive. You'd have to swing
that is move the school to
another location in order to do
all that work in a in a
reasonable amount of time, and
and that
reasonable amount of time, and and that's difficult to do as
well since we don
and that's difficult to do as well since we don't really have
very much swing space left. So
and and what? We
very much swing space left. So and and what? We're What we
very much swing space left. So and and what? We're What we're
doing is again It
and and what? We're What we're doing is again It's replacement
schools are getting them. New
schools are getting them and
they
schools are getting them and they're major renovations when
we go in and do a major
renovation, then we upgrade the
piping. Otherwise. Um, we just
do the environmental
mitigations which, uh, Mr
Baylor can talk about. So Is
there no possibilities of
installing
there no possibilities of installing filtration. Uh, yes,
there There is possibility of,
uh, doing filtration. But, we
We really don
uh, doing filtration. But, we We really don't wanna go that
route because it is a super
expensive endeavor. Um, if
anyone here has a filter within
their, uh, refrigerator, you
know how much that cost And if
you think about how many
fountains we have throughout
the system, it would be in it
would be a financial burden to
attempt to. Um Other schools
have systems have attempted and
the financial burden is Great.
So. We
the financial burden is Great. So. We're trying, you know not
to go to that extent of
filtering everything. Um I
Wanna start with, um All of our
schools. Water systems were
shut down because of Covid.
They weren
shut down because of Covid. They weren't shut down because
of lead or anything else. They
were shut down because of Covid.
And as we came back, we started
to turn things on and because
of the Komar regulation, we
were in our three year cycle to
begin to test again. And. So
once we started doing that we
found some issues and some
problems and we turned anything
that was above the state of
Maryland action level. We
turned it off. Until. We could
repair the bubbler or replace
the bubbler, and then we
repair the bubbler or replace the bubbler, and then we're
going to resample so and
everyone has bottled water
until that happens until we
everyone has bottled water until that happens until we're
ensured that we have enough.
Potable drinking water
fountains within our schools
for our for our Children, so no
school will go without at least
bottled water. Now. We have put
at least one filtered
battlefield, one water station
and every single one of our
schools, so we we usually put
it either at the front door
area or multi-purpose room or
high traffic areas. If we have,
like a high school of
auditorium or gym is usually
where we stick those
battlefield. Uh, filtered water
stations. We have a phase three
where we
stations. We have a phase three where we're going to do some
additional, but we do not want
to go the route of filtering,
uh, entire buildings it it
to go the route of filtering, uh, entire buildings it it's
just super duper, uh, endeavor.
Filtering. The whole building
may not be necessary. It
Filtering. The whole building may not be necessary. It's
water fountains and the
cafeteria kitchen. Yeah, We
water fountains and the cafeteria kitchen. Yeah, We're
not talking the whole building
because you know, toilets and
sinks. Don
because you know, toilets and sinks. Don't need No. We would
we wouldn
sinks. Don't need No. We would we wouldn't only drinkable
fountains would is what would
even be thought of, uh to
filter we went out with filter
sinks or toilets or anything
like that. It
sinks or toilets or anything like that. It's just a It
sinks or toilets or anything like that. It's just a It's.
It
like that. It's just a It's. It's a lot when you start
talking about the school system
our size. There are a lot of
plastic water bottles being
used. Yes it is and it
plastic water bottles being used. Yes it is and it's
creating litters and in
environmental
creating litters and in environmental disaster. So I. I
don
environmental disaster. So I. I don't understand why other
counties can address this. And
not our county. No. We are
addressing it. We We
not our county. No. We are addressing it. We We're
definitely addressing it and
we
definitely addressing it and we're moving actually away from
the bottles to the five gallon,
uh, drinking water stations
within the schools away from
the singular bottles until we
get everything. Do you know
when Hollywood will be getting
those five gallon water system.
Um not right here in front of
me, but we can say what
Um not right here in front of me, but we can say what's in
the next week or two? OK this I,
I think I believe this, uh,
this system is Going on for I
even before Covid. I mean for a
while, and From a maintenance
standpoint. Um, you know, this
is something that you and I
didn
is something that you and I didn't cause this was done. 30
years 40 years ago, Um The
issue and we have now is we
went in and we put one drinking
fountain in every school And
when we did that, we opened up
the walls, but the pipes are so
old, that it
the walls, but the pipes are so old, that it's tough to find a
good piece of pipe to reconnect
to. Once. We start doing that
plumbing and you end up having
to go to 300 ft to before you
can find a find a piece of pipe
that you can reconnect the new
so it becomes very expensive.
Sometimes. It
so it becomes very expensive. Sometimes. It's $1500 to put
that sink in. Sometimes. It
Sometimes. It's $1500 to put that sink in. Sometimes. It's
$8000 it really On the the
structure of the the Agent
facility. There
structure of the the Agent facility. There's a lot of, um
things that go into this, but
we are spending. I believe our
budget is $200,000 a year and
we
budget is $200,000 a year and we're chipping away of it. But.
In the meantime, what Mr Baylor
is responsible for is making
sure the kids are safe. And. I
understand about the drinking
the the bottled water and and
the plastic bottles. I would
like to get rid of them, but
our responsibility to make sure
the kids are safe first. And
once we do that, then we, uh
then we will do what we can to
reduce the, uh, the use of
those bottles, But, we have a
recycling program a very
vigorous recycling program to
recycle those bottles. Every,
one of our schools has a has a
single stream recycling and we
are and and we
single stream recycling and we are and and we're moving to
composting. We? We
are and and we're moving to composting. We? We're doing a
lot for the environment. But.
In the meantime, we cannot stop
using the bottled water. The, I
we have to make sure the kids
are safe first, and I apologize
for the amount of water we use.
But. That
for the amount of water we use. But. That's just the the nature
of of where we are. We have to
make sure the kids are safe
until we can get through. And.
Like. I said I with a budget of
$200,000 a year is gonna take a
long time to fix this problem.
It really is. Any follow up
questions on what? Let OK? All,
right. Who
questions on what? Let OK? All, right. Who's going to take
these fifth question. Parent
teacher. OK, my name. Um Yeah.
So. I
teacher. OK, my name. Um Yeah. So. I'm wondering what does the
school system do to facilitate
the formation of, uh PTAS and
PT OS at various schools that
don
PT OS at various schools that don't have them? Um, for
instance. Um how and we also
would like to know how the city
could best support. Um, the
efforts at Parkdale High School,
Um there
efforts at Parkdale High School, Um there's a group that
efforts at Parkdale High School, Um there's a group that's
trying to form a PT, A at
Parkdale High school, Um, to
advocate for the the students
and teachers there, um
residents informed of Committee
to bring that to pass. Um and
supporting PT OS is a key goal
of the Mar and council so that
that
of the Mar and council so that that's my first question. I
of the Mar and council so that that's my first question. I'll
have a follow up after you
answer that. Oh. Yes. Please,
Please Go ahead. Yeah. I
believe it was either tonight
or last night was the the
foundational meeting for
Northwestern high schools, PTO,
Um and they They, uh, really
struggled for a number of years
to to foster the type of parent
parent and teacher engagement
to even even run a APTO. So you
know, as Miss Whitney pointed
out with this this council has
been very interested in trying
to to foster the development
and, uh, and foundation of
those Okay? So we
and, uh, and foundation of those Okay? So we're gonna have
to take this question back. Um,
right now. You have before you
the division of operations. Uh,
we don
the division of operations. Uh, we don't manage, uh, the parent
teacher, student organizations
or that side of the house, Uh,
that would be under doctor
Sheila Jackson and, um, the
community engagement director,
Uh, in that department. Uh so
we
Uh, in that department. Uh so we'll take those questions back
and and certainly they
we'll take those questions back and and certainly they'll
provide a response to, uh, your
question as well as the follow
up. Thank you. Yeah just, um
just to put a fighter point on
it. We. We have heard reports
that park Dale
it. We. We have heard reports that park Dale's principal is
not receptive to the creation
of a PT, a So. Um, another
question we would have is, um
Uh, maybe if P GCP S might
encourage principals to permit
a PT a and further to further
foster parent teacher
engagement in the school. I do
have to say, um I wanna say
about five years ago? I was
actually her supervisor. Uh,
Doctor. Graves Henderson. Um,
that
Doctor. Graves Henderson. Um, that's not the person that I
know. Um, she fosters
engagement with families with
parents with students, Uh and
is a veteran principal who is
is, uh, have very highly
regarded. Um so I would I don
is, uh, have very highly regarded. Um so I would I don't
feel uncomfortable saying that
she invites parent community,
uh into her building. Um, to
collaborate around how best to
meet the needs of students. Um,
we just have to make sure that
that connection is made, but
that
that connection is made, but that's that
that connection is made, but that's that's, uh, that
that connection is made, but that's that's, uh, that's not
accurate. OK, thank you. Right
and follow up questions on
PTOPTIS. None. Can, I Just add.
Oh. Yeah, Uh, I recognizing
that all all parents are are
are busy. Uh In. In addition,
if we could just have, uh, tag
along the, uh, the efforts the
targeted efforts being taken to
help those Spanish speaking
families, uh, who already have
challenges? Uh, threatening
themselves into the community,
Uh, wondering what sort of
efforts are being taken to
engage them in PT, OS, and just
so everyone knows we
engage them in PT, OS, and just so everyone knows we're we
engage them in PT, OS, and just so everyone knows we're we're
big fans of PT OS, PTAS. We, uh,
awarded grants recently to
awarded grants recently to several PTOPTAS, uh from the
city directly. So, uh, just
trying to be helpful. I would
ask if if we could receive
those follow up questions in
writing, Uh and we
those follow up questions in writing, Uh and we'll be
certain to provide responses
back staff will be Definitely
helpful. All right? Who is
going to take number six.
Undocumented. Certainly. Is
there a point person or
department at P GCP S to help
onboard Children who are new
arrivals to the country without
documentation? Um, it it
happens throughout the year,
and we
happens throughout the year, and we've had some parents
who
and we've had some parents who've been Very active
spending a lot of time and
resources, um, trying to get,
uh, Children, you know,
vaccinated, um and getting them
registered. There
vaccinated, um and getting them registered. There's been a lot
of challenges with proving
residency so that they can get,
um, enrolled in their local
school. So. Um, what are the
best steps to streamline that?
Thank you for that question? Um,
again. That is not an
operations. Uh, level question.
However. I do have, uh, written
responses that were provided to
me, uh, from the office that
manages that, And I
me, uh, from the office that manages that, And I'd like to
just read it aloud. Uh, if
that
just read it aloud. Uh, if that's OK. Thank you, Uh yes,
the office in the county that
does that is the international
student admissions and
enrollment office, or ISA EO,
Patricia. She and Coe CHIANCONE
is the ISA EO specialist, So I
believe that
is the ISA EO specialist, So I believe that's the
representative that you are, uh,
representative that you are, uh, seeking. ISA EO has assisted
the families of almost 6000
students coming from outside
the country to register in the
Prince George
the country to register in the Prince George's county public
school system this year and has
a process in place to enroll
families with many kinds of
documentation. The ISA EO
office has bilingual staff and
works with families with in
person appointments or through
the online registration system,
depending upon their needs. OK?
Thank you and is there any
discussion of I know at the
beginning of the school year?
There are, um, vaccination
clinics? Um, is there any
possibility of having, um,
vaccination clinics like that
happen more frequently, maybe
once a month and move kind of
around the, um county So the
answer to that is yes. Um, I
know that the note I have here
is for the 2023 24 School year.
That is this year? Uh, the
Office of school health has
held clinics in. Uh uh, one
week in August 2 weeks in
September and three days a week
in October, November and
December So it is done on a
rolling basis. Excellent. Thank
you very much, and where would
people find that information
was the best like one They
reach out to the office of
school Health, the director is
Dr Tracy Jones. Thank you.
You
Dr Tracy Jones. Thank you. You're welcome. Any follow up
questions number six. Probably
not, uh, can I scroll down
number seven Internet safety
and computer years. That
probably came from a Pattern
and she thought that question
to me. So what you
and she thought that question to me. So what you're saying,
uh, her voice come from school
and What. She
uh, her voice come from school and What. She's learning. The
students are not taught about
Internet safety that they can
browse anything they want. And
with all the Different concerns
about the, uh, Internet
Internet safety, especially for
the miners. She is very
concerned. Um, I don
the miners. She is very concerned. Um, I don't know if
you have anyone on the panel.
To talk about it, so no, we do
not, uh, that
To talk about it, so no, we do not, uh, that's the division of
information technology. They
don
information technology. They don't happen to be here this
evening. Uh, but certainly we
can take that question back as
well and prepare a written
response. Absolutely. Thank you.
Um, can you please scroll down?
Number eight maintenance and
quality of school. I think the
remaining ones are, uh Thanks,
gentlemen for coming up here,
uh, and and meeting with us.
It
uh, and and meeting with us. It's We want We? Wanna try to
build be good partners, But.
I
build be good partners, But. I'm Just gonna go down a list
of questions that, uh, have
just come for the mind. Uh,
I
just come for the mind. Uh, I'll start off with the first
one. What
I'll start off with the first one. What's the process for
schools, parents or the city to
request and submit, uh,
maintenance facility Request or
updates. Uh, I know you touched
on it for a moment there, sir.
Uh, when? When answering the
Parkland questions by many of
the schools are experiencing,
uh, a Uh, lack of signage on
the properties. There
uh, a Uh, lack of signage on the properties. There's
standing water, pilings of
trash and surrounding areas and
Often that falls on the PT A or
PTO or some of the school
grounds were always trying.
We
grounds were always trying. We're always willing to help
whether through community
service projects or whatever,
but, uh, we wanna we wanna be
able to to work with you. So.
How? How. Can we do that? Our
Communications about management
schools comes through the
principles. Uh, we have three
area supervisors, one of the
north one in the south. One
Southern in in one of the
Middle County. Um, I would
suggest the Paris talk directly
to the principals. The
principal can put them in touch
with the coordinator for that
area, and they will. They will
take care of these issues for
him because when you
take care of these issues for him because when you're talking
about like signage, some of the
signage is done by the county.
Some is done by us, so it it
signage is done by the county. Some is done by us, so it it's
a It
Some is done by us, so it it's a It's a Effort between all of
us to solve a lot of these
problems. And that just kind of
brings up a follow up question.
I think the principles are
quite tax like quite taxed with
a lot of different
responsibilities is do they
have the ability to delegate
that responsibility? Well When
I say, talk to the principal.
Typically, it
I say, talk to the principal. Typically, it's gonna be
somebody in the in the main
office, somebody in the
administrative office. They all
have the, uh, the our contact
information and their
coordinators in their facility
on a regular basis, so they
will funnel that information to
us, so make sure it gets to the
right person. Um, that that
us, so make sure it gets to the right person. Um, that that's
the best way to handle it. That.
Sometimes. They
the best way to handle it. That. Sometimes. They'll Just email
me directly. Um, but we have to
make sure it gets to the right
person in the right area or
else we
person in the right area or else we'll have what we had to
pay Branch where it takes us
three months to talk about
offense, so I wanna get it, uh,
focused to the right person?
Yeah. Council members and and
just as a follow up to that,
you know, I had the privilege
of being a principal in our
district for 14 years and three
of our schools and I would want
to be a part of those
discussions. Uh, as busy as it
is, I, do definitely agree with
you. It
is, I, do definitely agree with you. It's a. It
is, I, do definitely agree with you. It's a. It's A. It
is, I, do definitely agree with you. It's a. It's A. It's a
very taxing position. Uh, but I
would wanna know. Uh what the
conversation is with my parent
community. Uh, because what I
wouldn
community. Uh, because what I wouldn't want to have happen is
their advocating for changes on
the facility. And I
their advocating for changes on the facility. And I'm not aware
of it and I
the facility. And I'm not aware of it and I'm not necessarily
in agreement, or I would
prioritize it differently. And
so it it
prioritize it differently. And so it it's just important that
there
so it it's just important that there's that first level of
collaboration at the school
site. So, then we can, uh,
advocate together to the system
for changes in a prioritized
order, and just one quick
second, uh and just to make
sure that I fully understand
there is no vice principal or
assistant principal, or is
there when I say principle? I
assistant principal, or is there when I say principle? I'm
talking about the
administration, So yes, there
is a principle but typically
unless it
is a principle but typically unless it's a small Elementary
school, where they might only
be a principal and then, uh,
teaching staff most of our
other schools have at least one
assistant principal supporting
the
assistant principal supporting the principal. On that topic.
Um Understanding that, um, some
of our parents and others may
not be, um, readily available
to connect with the principal
or connect with the
administration. I wonder if
there
administration. I wonder if there's some type of system
reporting system. Um, where, uh,
they can go online make a call
to share something to begin
that process. So I understand
the the importance of of
talking and building
collaboration. But reporting is
probably the biggest Thing for
many, and, um, I would suspect
that many of them will become
frustrated if there
that many of them will become frustrated if there's no way to
do that, Besides picking up a
phone and calling a principal
that they can
phone and calling a principal that they can't reach because
they
that they can't reach because they're working. Sure sure it
really does depend on like you
said that person
really does depend on like you said that person's um kind of,
uh, What they desire is and how
they want to connect. I think
that
they want to connect. I think that's also a great commercial
for the importance of a PT A.
Uh, because we utilize our I
had regular meetings with my PT
a on a monthly basis, and we
discussed the instructional
aspects of the building. But we
also discussed the facilities
management components of the
building and everything else
around it. Uh And so it might
be advocacy through that body.
It might be an email if I can
be advocacy through that body. It might be an email if I can't
make a phone call. It might be
a phone call. It might be a
stop past the school. Uh uh, it
I mean there. There are many
ways to kind of have your voice
heard? Um, but I appreciate it
when it came through my PT A
because that was a structured
opportunity that I knew we
could meet and best. Still,
there were opportunities for
follow up. If if I if I
there were opportunities for follow up. If if I if I'm in
trouble, Just the next question.
Uh, I think the rest of the
questions I sent in. Um but
please Anybody, who wants to
jump in And can I also just add
in regards to, um this great to
hear about the idea about the
possible formation of a PT A or
PTO in some schools, but, uh,
as a former educator, sometimes
it
as a former educator, sometimes it's just the personality of
the principal feeling that they
are making sure they are making
the, uh the family feel welcome
to make the suggestion if
that
to make the suggestion if that's not part of their, um,
persona, then they will always
be a disconnect. And. So, I.
Think sometimes, uh, people As,
though they had the position
But don
though they had the position But don't understand You still
about working with family, So I.
Just. Wanna add that too? Turn
on this. It
Just. Wanna add that too? Turn on this. It's a taxing role
right like it
on this. It's a taxing role right like it's obviously super
hard. I mean so you you you
haven
hard. I mean so you you you haven't been a principal in
your past lives like, uh, I
haven't been a principal in your past lives like, uh, I'm
sure you fully understand.
We
sure you fully understand. We're just trying to find a
better way to bridge some of
those disconnects that we
continue to hear. And I know
we
continue to hear. And I know we're not gonna do that tonight
or overnight, So just really
appreciate your patience.
Hearing our concerns out. Uh, I
think we talked a lot about the
maintenance? Uh, in previous
questions, So I
maintenance? Uh, in previous questions, So I'm just gonna
kind of just take a step back.
Uh, and approach this a little
more strategically. Does. The
current budget process allow
for for Effective planning for
some of those major renovations
and I. I asked that because you
said 200,000 is your guys
and I. I asked that because you said 200,000 is your guys'
budget. Uh, I
said 200,000 is your guys' budget. Uh, I'm Not good with
numbers, but I
budget. Uh, I'm Not good with numbers, but I'm pretty sure
it
numbers, but I'm pretty sure it's not a lot of money. Uh, so
to to do those Excuse me
$200,000 is our budget for the
lead remediation for lead
remediation lead remediation.
I
remediation lead remediation. I'm concerned about Hollywood
Hollywood
I'm concerned about Hollywood Hollywood's in our school. It
I'm concerned about Hollywood Hollywood's in our school. It's
part of a bigger plan. Uh, how,
uh, how you learned elementary.
Obviously, we
uh, how you learned elementary. Obviously, we've We
uh, how you learned elementary. Obviously, we've We've all
we
Obviously, we've We've all we've all shared our concerns.
Uh, it
we've all shared our concerns. Uh, it's it
we've all shared our concerns. Uh, it's it's been Uh, I. Guess.
Just. Constant review Uh, do
you need more money? Is it a
timing situation. I would love
to try to fix this problem,
whether if it
to try to fix this problem, whether if it's not me, it
to try to fix this problem, whether if it's not me, it's
the next council. But, like,
help us understand what you all
need to to make that happen. Do
you need us to advocate to
someone. So. When. I took over.
I. I
someone. So. When. I took over. I. I'm no longer director of
capital programs, but I was for
about six years. I just
recently transitioned. And when
I took the job. Um I was told
that we did a study. We did
multiple studies. We did three
separate, um, facilities
evaluations that were done by
outside groups. Not internally
uh, and the the what they
concluded, was in order to
modernize our portfolio of
schools. We need to spend
roughly about $8.5 billion over
20 years. So. I said. Oh, great
because I was first. That was
the first thing I saw. I saw
him getting $425 million a year.
Uh, No, You
him getting $425 million a year. Uh, No, You're not so I said.
Well. How much do I got and
they said, Well you you get
about somewhere between 100 and
20, 100 and 60, then about 40%
of that goes to just
stabilization maintenance
stabilization maintenance stabilization that we do
projects to just keep things
going. You know it
projects to just keep things going. You know it's 200
schools and and and I can
going. You know it's 200 schools and and and I can't
stress that more. It
schools and and and I can't stress that more. It's 200
schools, so one of the things
that we
schools, so one of the things that we're trying to do, as you
can see through our
modernization plan. If, you
look at our educational
facilities Master plan, which
is online. Uh, first thing
we
is online. Uh, first thing we're trying to do is in places
where it
we're trying to do is in places where it's possible where it
makes sense. We
where it's possible where it makes sense. We're trying to
consolidate schools so that we
reduce the number of school
buildings that we have to do.
Um, that we have to maintain.
So. The idea is to make the the
inventory a little smaller,
build some bigger schools but
make the inventory itself
smaller, so we can advocate do
more in in that regard. The
other thing you have to
understand is It used to be. We
used to do these little
projects and do a little bit
here you do a little bit there.
So. You do a piping system into
an old HV AC system, and it
ruins the HV AC system. Or you
try to use a new system with
the old piping in it crumbles
and then you have to go back in
and do that, so we stopped
doing that. What we now do is
more what I would call, um,
holistic projects. Um which, if
we do an HV AC system, we swing
the school. Um, we do the
windows. We do the roof. We do
the piping. We do the HV AC
system put new boiler in with
new flooring, new lighting and
whatever else we need to do
that
whatever else we need to do that's required that
whatever else we need to do that's required that's needed
to deal while the walls are
open. Plus we do AD a upgrades
and we do a a fire alarm. You
can imagine. That
and we do a a fire alarm. You can imagine. That's not an
inexpensive process. But. It
can imagine. That's not an inexpensive process. But. It's
the only way to really address
a building when you have those
kind of problems, so between
doing small projects, which
Sam
doing small projects, which Sam's team handles and some of
my people handle, um, to keep
the buildings going, Um, that
is replacing, uh, systems in
kind where it
is replacing, uh, systems in kind where it's possible. Um
and doing those sorts of things.
Uh, we
and doing those sorts of things. Uh, we're also trying to to,
you know, renovate or replace
and when we do, renovate or
replace it like it requires a,
um A swing, uh, moving the
students around and we only
have about four or five
buildings that we can do that
with and that
buildings that we can do that with and that's throughout the
entire county. And, so that
with and that's throughout the entire county. And, so that's
not easy to do. Um, And. So.
We
not easy to do. Um, And. So. We're we
not easy to do. Um, And. So. We're we're constantly trying
to make, uh, moves to make that
impossible in cases like do
Kennedy, which was in the
question That
Kennedy, which was in the question That's not going to be
a temporary move when we moved
in, that will be a permanent
move. Um we
in, that will be a permanent move. Um we'll then use their
space as a swing space
temporarily, and then we will
Do something else with the
building. But. It
Do something else with the building. But. It's too
expensive to maintain that
building in its current
condition. There
building in its current condition. There's just some of
the equipment is so old in
there that you actually have to
send out and have it machined
parts machined in order to keep
the the in order to replace
parked. You can
the the in order to replace parked. You can't buy them so
Those are the types of things
we
Those are the types of things we're trying to make sure that
we
we're trying to make sure that we're we
we're trying to make sure that we're we're focusing our money
on things that can be fixed and
when they can
on things that can be fixed and when they can't, then we
on things that can be fixed and when they can't, then we're
we
when they can't, then we're we're shifting away from them
and trying to consolidate in
other locations. Thank you? Um
Can, You take a follow up
question from Mayor Putem.
Thank you, Mr Mayor and this
court and this is not a
statement to put you under the
bus or I Got you whatever you
in school bus, not school, but
I
in school bus, not school, but I'm not trying, But I hear that
82% of the county
I'm not trying, But I hear that 82% of the county's budget. I
could be wrong. It
82% of the county's budget. I could be wrong. It's dedicated
to The schools. Board of
Education funding. So going to
my colleague
Education funding. So going to my colleague's question,
Councilor Hernandez. It
my colleague's question, Councilor Hernandez. It's
frustratin. As. We sit here on
a dais. And. We have parents
with their Children in their
schools that are old schools
with old pipes and 82% of the
budget. And yet we
with old pipes and 82% of the budget. And yet we're still at
the same junction where we are
right now. So I
the same junction where we are right now. So I'm. I
the same junction where we are right now. So I'm. I'm saying
this in a way that again talk
about collaboration. People.
Forget about the local like the
officials that we can help
support the voice of messaging.
So. How. Do, We support you to
articulate The messaging
articulate The messaging because That
articulate The messaging because That's. It
articulate The messaging because That's. It's important
It
because That's. It's important It's important to understand
that all the budgets are
different. So Capital budget is
a slice of the overall budget,
right, the B and so our As I
said before our budget is
roughly about it, Maybe. We
said before our budget is roughly about it, Maybe. We're
like 1% or something like that.
The total budget and we
like 1% or something like that. The total budget and we're
funded differently. We don
The total budget and we're funded differently. We don't
come out of the operating
budget at all. So the money of
the vast majority of the money
you
the vast majority of the money you're talking about is
actually in the classrooms.
We
actually in the classrooms. We're talking teachers
materials, e. Chromebooks
for 1 to 1 tutoring. Uh, the
international office all the
other round surrounding
services, Mental health
services all those things.
That
services all those things. That's What that funds when
they go out and sell bonds. For
capital programs for the county.
That
capital programs for the county. That's where we are, and that
requires them to actually go
into debt with a bond sale that
then has to be used over time.
That
then has to be used over time. That's a different Bucket of
money that comes out and they
handle that differently. And so
they they can only give us so
much out of that bucket for
capital expenditures, and it
much out of that bucket for capital expenditures, and it's
you know, there
capital expenditures, and it's you know, there's some there
how it
you know, there's some there how it's used, and so the
county itself has done some
things. So one of the things he
did was, well. The pro program
I Run is the the UM, Pub public
private partnership programs
right, and that
private partnership programs right, and that's helped us
accelerate some construction by
using a little bit of money
from the operating a little bit
of hair, the pay and
availability payment for
construction schoo. And.
That
construction schoo. And. That's been very helpful that
allowed us to build six new
schools very quickly. We
allowed us to build six new schools very quickly. We're
working on eight more, which
will be done very quickly and
then the other thing behind
that is, um they they enable to
leverage some money from the
state that we would not
otherwise have gotten because
of it. So there are a lot of
things that are that they
of it. So there are a lot of things that are that they're
trying to do. We
things that are that they're trying to do. We're working
with the county government to
try and figure out more and
more creative ways. In order to
use the money and and to get
the money, But the reality is
That. Um, there
the money, But the reality is That. Um, there's only so much,
um, water in the in in the
bucket and I. I can prom. I can
tell you that since I
bucket and I. I can prom. I can tell you that since I've taken
over the job, um, when I was
capital director, we doubled
our expenditures, our annual
expenditures and like roughly
$85 million a year to 100 and
55, you know, million dollars a
year, so we
55, you know, million dollars a year, so we're spending it as
fast as we can get it. But the
problem is, there
fast as we can get it. But the problem is, there's only so
much that the county can bond
and unless they decide unless
there
and unless they decide unless there's an Ready for them to do
more, and we
there's an Ready for them to do more, and we're I
there's an Ready for them to do more, and we're I'm I
there's an Ready for them to do more, and we're I'm I'm. I
there's an Ready for them to do more, and we're I'm I'm. I'm
Sorry. That
more, and we're I'm I'm. I'm Sorry. That's an opaque process.
I I
Sorry. That's an opaque process. I I'm not really part of that
part of it. Thank you. Thank
you. Continue all right. Uh,
just quick question on the, uh,
bus routes. I have a a resident
who, uh, is of special needs.
Uh, they have a bus stop in the
middle of the street That
obviously produces challenges.
Uh, and I. Just. Wanna make
sure that there is a way for
them to maybe through the TRS
ticketing program. Uh, And. If
that
ticketing program. Uh, And. If that's the answer. Then. I
ticketing program. Uh, And. If that's the answer. Then. I've
learned something today
that's the answer. Then. I've learned something today so That
is a a quick way. Um another
way, if you wouldn
is a a quick way. Um another way, if you wouldn't mind
sharing the school in the bus
stop location. Um This meeting.
That
stop location. Um This meeting. That's one thing that we can
address immediately will do.
Thank you. Um, there is a
question to the I think in the
that falls of the previous
category, Miss Mackay. It
that falls of the previous category, Miss Mackay. It's
good, So. This is one of my
questions, but it got put into
with, um my co my colleague,
but, um, I was wondering if you
could share with us the plans
for the door Kennedy School.
Like, just like what
for the door Kennedy School. Like, just like what's going on.
We. We have, um we sent a
letter to you a while back and
and we just would like to know
what the status is today. Sure
Thank you so much for that
question. Um, So, As. You know
we
question. Um, So, As. You know we've had, um Uh, I. Wanna say
four engagements with the door
Kennedy community, uh, within
the last, uh month. Uh, where I
had an opportunity to meet with
not only the principals, the
PTAS the PT, A, Uh, Executive
board and then the full, uh, in
a full town hall format, the
community, uh, the initial plan
that was, uh uh, introduced to
do. Kennedy was to move as a
permanent swing or a permanent
placement to Kenmore Middle
School, uh, in the Landover
area, uh, that was met with
real resistance. Um, um, uh, to
a degree that, um You know it
it it Encouraged us to revisit
that plan, uh, and to take into
account the feedback that we
received from the community, So.
We did just that, Uh, at the
last town hall meeting. That
was I want to say a week ago or
a week and a half? Uh, we
shared an alternative option.
Uh, that is being vetted. Now,
uh, for instead of moving to
Kenmore middle school that the
permanent placement for the
door Kennedy French immersion
program would be colation at
Robert Goddard. Sorry school.
Uh, which is where the school
was located about. 1514 15
years ago. Um and so, uh, we
did share. Uh, the specifics
around that possibility at that
town hall meeting, uh, about a
week and a half ago. Um, we
took feedback from the
community in that session. Uh,
we actually shifted from
presenting to just kind of
listening. Uh, we wanted to
hear their feedback, uh, with
respect to, uh what Their
reactions were to that as a
possibility. Uh, we also
Pointed out the, uh, major
renovations that were recently
completed at the Robert Goddard,
uh, facility we talked about,
uh, plans that we were, Uh uh,
moving forward. With expanding
the capacity of that facility
to house students. Uh and so
that
to house students. Uh and so that's where it sits. Uh, we
are still looking at that as a
draft possibility. Uh, we are
working through the many
different specifics, uh,
related to that because it
would require us to, uh, swing
the Hydesville elementary
school community to, uh,
another location. Saint Mark
school community to, uh, another location. Saint Mark's
church, which is close to, um
Uh, Northwestern High school
and in the shadow of University
of Maryland. Uh, we
and in the shadow of University of Maryland. Uh, we've used
that site. I think you all are
familiar with it? That
that site. I think you all are familiar with it? That's where
Cherokee Lane was located for a
year. Uh so we know it is a
viable location for a one of
our school communities. Um, so
we
our school communities. Um, so we're working through the
process, uh, with the
archdiocese to to determine if
that is something that we can,
uh solidify, Uh, once that is
taken care of, Um, uh then
we
taken care of, Um, uh then we'll feel more confident, uh,
that we can take this. A draft
plan to an actual plan. And, so
that
plan to an actual plan. And, so that's pretty much where we are,
Uh, we shared this this updated.
Uh uh, swing plan. Uh, with the,
uh do Kennedy community and we
actually shared it with the
Hydesville elementary school
community as well. Uh, because
we want everyone to be aware of.
What of the pivot, uh, that
we
What of the pivot, uh, that we're looking to make. Uh, but
we will certainly inform, uh,
the community once we have been,
we feel confident that all
those steps the variables that
are are Uh, needed. Uh uh,
before we can solidify it Well.
We will notify the community
once that
We will notify the community once that's done. Thank you for
listening to the community.
Thank you appreciated that any
follow up questions? Go ahead.
Turn on this. I. I just want to
shift over to safety. Uh, one
more time and so some parents
have shared with me that there
are some pretty, uh, grotesque
incidents that, uh, they
are some pretty, uh, grotesque incidents that, uh, they've
been made aware of, and this
could be the rumors or
obviously through factuality.
But if there is any potential,
uh Incident that occurs, uh,
where the schools are impacted.
What is the notification
process to the students. All,
Right? Zoom me to the parents.
So, depending upon what the
situation is, we have a robust
notification process to
families where we send written
notification home. Uh,
regarding the if it
notification home. Uh, regarding the if it's an
egregious incident, Um um it
would be sent home in a letter.
Um and and maybe even a
robocall. We work with our
communications department to
ensure that communication is
streamlined and clear. Thank
you? Thank you Who is going to
take number 10. Um Revenge. A.
Follow up question, Mr me,
please go ahead. Thank you, um
back in October, The
Diamondback, Our student
newspaper ran a piece on bus
driver safety in the school
system. Um, and in the piece,
they quoted a bus driver who
was talking about how when a
school goes on lockdown, The
buses are sitting outside. Um,
and the school doesn
buses are sitting outside. Um, and the school doesn't take the
drivers off the buses and they
advocated for an emergency plan
for bus drivers. I was
wondering if you could speak on
that at
wondering if you could speak on that at all. Thank you for that.
And situations where they are
lockdowns. Um, notifications
were sent, um basically from
our security and safety
division and then shared with
our transportation department
and drivers. It is kind of on
an individual basis and care
the situation on how our
drivers are dealt with for any
lockdown situation, and so we
have to be cognizant of
location. Um and it severity of
what the lockdown may entail
and make the best decision from
there. So even though um, there
may be a lockdown for a
situation in a bus is at the
school, then security takes the
necessary approaches to, um
Validate the situation and make
a decision from there. So.
There is an an emergency plan.
Uh, for our drivers and our
staff for any emergency. But
like anything that happens, Um
There
like anything that happens, Um There's always something that,
um may go Astri, and then we
have to make a best judgment
from that standpoint. Thanks
And. One more question if I can,
um, the same article said that
as of October, the school
system was working on phasing
in security screen devices at
high schools and some middle
schools. Could You tell us
about
schools. Could You tell us about that. Yes, sir. Thank you
so much for that question. Uh,
we did actually move forward
with the security enhancement
devices being installed in all
of our high schools, Uh, and
nine of our middle schools and
one of our K eight pre K eight
academies. Uh so, tho the the,
um We
academies. Uh so, tho the the, um We're at the point now where
we are assessing, uh, the
implementation we
we are assessing, uh, the implementation we're looking at
data around impact of the
devices being in place, but
they
devices being in place, but they're all in, uh, staffs have
been trained. Students have
been, um Uh, oriented to to to
how the devices work and and
we
how the devices work and and we're excited about, uh, them
making our buildings and our
communities safer. Sorry. What
are the devices consist of It
communities safer. Sorry. What are the devices consist of It's
a metal detection device. So,
uh, similar to if you were to
go through. Uh, if you
uh, similar to if you were to go through. Uh, if you've been
to a sports game and you walk
through the device to get into
the stadium, it
through the device to get into the stadium, it's very similar
to that. I went to the, uh,
Washington Nationals game and I.
I was tickled that the very
same device that we installed
in our schools is what I walked
through to get into the to the
to the stadium. Thank you? I
look forward to hearing more
about how the results play out.
Absolutely thank you. Uh, Mr
Hall. Yeah. Just. Sorry Excuse
me. Um I just think 11 more
question is a along the lines
of our safety. And, Uh, school
buses. Um, we received a number
of, um, complaints from the
residents, at least in our
district, um, that they
residents, at least in our district, um, that they've
witnessed school buses running
stop signs on quite a regular
basis. I don
stop signs on quite a regular basis. I don't know about the
other communities if you
basis. I don't know about the other communities if you're
having that issue two days ago,
someone texted me. He was he
was yelling at me. Bus driver
cameras on You can audit
drivers and for this kind of
drivers and for this kind of behavior. Thank you for sharing
that, Um our buses do have
cameras. Um all we would need
to know is a time and location
and we can do a check to ensure
that, um, our buses are
actually following the road
safety. Good to know. Thank you.
Thank you. All. Right. Mr
Hernandez continue. Yep, Uh,
buses are late. Buses are on
time because everybody
buses are late. Buses are on time because everybody's going
fast. I think that you know no
one wins. Uh, but, uh,
understanding that there is, uh,
some shifting a little bit, uh
to financial and academic
transparency. Uh, I understand
that the Hollywood Elementary
experience the failed audit. At
some point maybe about, uh, in
2018 and not to put anybody on
the spot here, but I
2018 and not to put anybody on the spot here, but I'm just
trying to, I guess, improve an
element. Trust, uh, citizens
have with P GCP S, Uh, the and
now I understand, Uh, how
budgets work and that all those
funds don
budgets work and that all those funds don't necessarily trickle
down to the schools. Uh, where?
Municipality, Uh, we don
down to the schools. Uh, where? Municipality, Uh, we don't get
funds directly from the federal
government. Uh, Unless you
funds directly from the federal government. Uh, Unless you're
thinking arpa. So II. I fully
understand that, But Uh, I.
I
understand that, But Uh, I. I've I
understand that, But Uh, I. I've I've experienced, uh
Hearing some of the residents
tell me, you know I can
Hearing some of the residents tell me, you know I can't spend
$40. I can
tell me, you know I can't spend $40. I can't I can
tell me, you know I can't spend $40. I can't I can't give any,
my my child $40 so that they
can go to the Baltimore
Aquarium I. I can
can go to the Baltimore Aquarium I. I can't, uh I can
can go to the Baltimore Aquarium I. I can't, uh I can't
help. You know I can
Aquarium I. I can't, uh I can't help. You know I can't There
Aquarium I. I can't, uh I can't help. You know I can't There's
just always more out of pocket
Now. I understand this happens
for for larger programs, But
can you help me better
understand what? Uh, who
can you help me better understand what? Uh, who's in
charge of the of the overall
budget at a particular school?
Uh and and why those expenses
are being rolled over to the
families? So. I don
are being rolled over to the families? So. I don't want to
sound like a broken record. But.
This is the operations team. Uh,
so this is not, uh, an area
that
so this is not, uh, an area that's under our purview. Uh,
but certainly we can take that
question back to our, uh,
office of school leadership, uh,
to provide a response regarding,
to provide a response regarding, um How. The expenses of
expanding the educational
program are sometimes passed
along to families or not, Um,
and then they can provide that
response to you. Thank you, Uh,
I asking the next question with
the with the tumor, right
modernization is that you are
going to say Are. You going to
ask. I Yes. Yes. Uh so just
wanna touch on and I
ask. I Yes. Yes. Uh so just wanna touch on and I'm sure
this is gonna be towards, uh,
not towards you all. But, uh,
much like the the residents who
spoke today I think there is a
difficulty understanding How,
uh, Schools are students can
get accepted into some of the
charter schools or some of the
magnet programs that are out
there. Uh, this is particularly
obviously challenging for those
who do not have parents who can
actively, uh, advocate for
their for their particular
students. I
their for their particular students. I'm wondering. Is
there a system a process in
place that parents can can, uh,
can go to that would help them
navigate and follow up on those
particular applications and how
to make their applications more
competit. Yeah. Absolutely.
We have a specialty programs
office that is underneath the
division of academics. Uh so
they can provide additional
information regarding specialty
program offerings at our
different, uh, school locations
that is separate from our
charter school
that is separate from our charter school's office. So
charter schools I would put in
a separate bucket and we have a
separate office that supports
charter schools that would be
able to respond to questions
around charters. And what are
the What? Are? The officers
names like I
the What? Are? The officers names like I'm sorry. One more
time just as I
names like I'm sorry. One more time just as I'm typing out,
should they under the division
of academics it there
should they under the division of academics it there's a
specialty program office. The
director is, Uh uh Dean Manzano
Lee. D at DESANN. Manzano MA
NZANO. Uh, hyphen Lee LEE. And.
Then. The Charter is what
office? There
Then. The Charter is what office? There's a charter
school office charter school
office and, uh, Doctor. Uh uh,
Liz, Excuse me. Uh, Elizabeth
Saunders Saunders, OK, Thank
you. You
Saunders Saunders, OK, Thank you. You're
Saunders Saunders, OK, Thank you. You're welcome. Is that
who is going to take the you
you. You're welcome. Is that who is going to take the you're
done. Please go ahead. We
who is going to take the you're done. Please go ahead. We're
pushing through the
modernization. I have a lot of
questions. Obviously. I
modernization. I have a lot of questions. Obviously. I'm
getting up to speed. So what
efforts are being taken to
introduce, Uh, Internet
learning advocacy for parents,
So I Recently Heard of school,
Max. Uh and I know that that
program probably has existed
since I
program probably has existed since I've gotten here. Uh, but
I. I also know that I
since I've gotten here. Uh, but I. I also know that I'm. I
since I've gotten here. Uh, but I. I also know that I'm. I'm
struggling to get people to
just, uh, get familiar with our
city app. Uh, what without like
effective training or one on
one training. Is there.
Training available for parents
to to to register for a school,
Max account and and, uh, get
more familiar with the program
like this. Can I understand
It
like this. Can I understand It's a great resource Once you
got once you
It's a great resource Once you got once you're up to speed.
The answer is Yes, we
got once you're up to speed. The answer is Yes, we'll we
got once you're up to speed. The answer is Yes, we'll we'll
We
The answer is Yes, we'll we'll We'll have the office of, uh,
information technology as well
as the, uh uh, community
engagement office collaborate
to provide you with a robust
answer around that, Uh one
thing that I will add, Um, is
that you
thing that I will add, Um, is that you're right school. Max
has been around, uh, a very
long time and we
has been around, uh, a very long time and we're actually
going to be transitioning this
summer into a new student
information system called
Synergy. Um Um, you know, I
know that that that can create
some hand wringing, but it is a
a very robust system that from
what I
a very robust system that from what I'm understanding is going
to be very user friendly. Um,
uh, and almost like a one stop
shop, So. We
uh, and almost like a one stop shop, So. We're really excited
about shifting to synergy. Um,
um to support our families, our
teachers as far as their great
books, um, interfacing with
respect to the family portal
for for, Um, Um uh and for even
even transportation. Interface.
So. Uh, it
even transportation. Interface. So. Uh, it's gonna be very
helpful. Thank you and there
will be training provided for
families around, uh, that
transition into that system.
That
transition into that system. That's That
transition into that system. That's That's amazing. And I. I
hope to look forward to
connecting with the IT and
community engagement office. Uh,
it
community engagement office. Uh, it's always super challenging
and these are contracts, right?
So. They
and these are contracts, right? So. They're they
and these are contracts, right? So. They're they're not in.
They
So. They're they're not in. They're not built in housing
systems. These are Now. That
They're not built in housing systems. These are Now. That's
a third party vendor. OK, Um,
moving on to that question. Uh,
how are we working with, uh,
families with limited resources
time? Money, uh, access to
laptops, uh, to ensure that
they are active in the
education of their students,
ensuring no one falls through
the crack. The anecdote that
comes to mind is when I first
got here, and I was helping a
sibling out. Uh, someone was
very blunt with me and said,
you know if the parents don
very blunt with me and said, you know if the parents don't
advocate it it it
you know if the parents don't advocate it it it's on them. Uh,
And. Obviously, she was just
trying to be real with me. Uh,
but it it
trying to be real with me. Uh, but it it's really challenging
because I know a lot of people
don
because I know a lot of people don't know or even willing to
go, Uh, against some of these
systems. I any advice we could
share with some of those
share with some of those residents. I would defer that
to doctor Sheila Jackson, our
director of community
engagement, She will certainly
be able to provide a wealth of
advice. Guidance information,
uh, to support families in
navigating the school district.
Thank you so it
navigating the school district. Thank you so it's a follow up
questions. Um do you wanna go
to the very last one in the
community Trust Band management.
It
community Trust Band management. It's a brand management. Oh.
Yeah. Brand management. Uh Well.
I. Uh II. I don
Yeah. Brand management. Uh Well. I. Uh II. I don't think Like. I
said from the very beginning
that we
said from the very beginning that we're gonna be able to fix
a lot. Many of the issues that
exist. Uh, a lot of a lot of my
residents will actively Tell me
and it always breaks my heart
that they
and it always breaks my heart that they're gonna send their
students They prefer to send
their students to Montgomery Uh
or Montgomery County or they or
one of the parents needs to
stay home, so they do They do
home schooling or They
stay home, so they do They do home schooling or They're
looking for some sort of
private option. Uh I
looking for some sort of private option. Uh I'm trying
to help you all and and and as
a as a child of public school
education, build trust with the
community. So. Uh, what are
some trust building measures
that are currently in place. Be
it events, Uh, meet and greet,
Uh, Or organizing or
collaborating with the PT OS,
uh, to to to build that sort of
trust. I think every office
could respond to this question,
but I
could respond to this question, but I'll respond from the
operations perspective, Um, in
that transparency is important.
Um and and really, uh,
communicating clearly and
consistently, uh, our
consistently, uh, our challenges. Um, communicating
very clearly the successes that
we are achieving, um and and
really extending a hand to a
partner. Uh uh, together, uh,
to meet the challenges that are
before us, Uh, it
to meet the challenges that are before us, Uh, it's a
challenging time in education.
Uh around staffing around. Uh,
you know, uh, you talked about
security incidents that occur
now we have, uh um, security
enhancement devices in our
schools like these are things
that We wouldn
schools like these are things that We wouldn't have thought
of 2030 years ago. But. Now.
It
of 2030 years ago. But. Now. It's a reality for us right?
And so it
It's a reality for us right? And so it's putting a strain on
everyone, uh, to work together,
uh, to provide the type of
education for Children that we
can be proud of. Um, I know
personally, I live in this
county. I decided to move here
from Montgomery County. I
county. I decided to move here from Montgomery County. I've
decided to raise my family here
in this county. I put my
Children in our schools
purposefully and I
Children in our schools purposefully and I've worked in
this district for almost 30
years all on purpose because
it
years all on purpose because it's a beautiful place to be
and to raise a family. And, So
I. Just think extending a hand
continuing to be transparent,
continuing to be earnest in our
work continuing to, uh, look
for opportunities to
collaborate. All of that
matters and just communicating
over and over and over again.
For people to get engaged
opportunities to to really be a
part. I really appreciated the
the comment, Uh, that I heard
from our Councilwoman around,
you know? How, do you? How? Do?
We make people feel Right, like
if a principal make, uh or or
our chief operating officer
makes you feel like you can be
a part, then maybe I
makes you feel like you can be a part, then maybe I'll be a
part. But if it feels like
there
part. But if it feels like there's this wall, that
part. But if it feels like there's this wall, that's up.
Well, then that makes it
difficult for people to engage.
Um And, So. I just think
extending a hand and really
working, really earnestly
trying to work together is how
we try to start rebuilding
trust. It happens one
relationship at a time. Thank
you So, Can. I just to respond
Really quickly. Uh, sir. Thank
you, uh and consider, Consider
this and extremely extended.
I
this and extremely extended. I'm sure Many of my colleagues
would do the same, uh, to try
to partner to build that trust
really appreciate your passion
and everyone
really appreciate your passion and everyone's answers today.
All, Right Mayor Port. Uh, you
next time? Oh I. My question is
a question that you can send me
to answer another day or next
week. I. Appreciate it, You
know, uh, we talked about
before we started P three. So I
would just like to get an
update in regards to the P
three construction. Where. Are.
We currently having schools
have been built. How, many
schools are tending to be built,
and you talked about the swing
space schools if you could send
us information that would be
greatly appreciated. So. Yeah.
Um we have six schools have
been constructed. They
Um we have six schools have been constructed. They're all
been delivered. They
been constructed. They're all been delivered. They're not all
in operation. We
been delivered. They're not all in operation. We've now moved
from the construction phase
into the operation phase.
There
into the operation phase. There's still a few things
going on in some of the sites,
But that
going on in some of the sites, But that's by design, but there
are substantially complete. Um,
the other, uh, the next eight
are gonna be, uh, six
elementary schools and two K.
Three eights. Um and, uh, we
are. We
Three eights. Um and, uh, we are. We've already started the
permitting process on, um,
three of the schools. Um, we
actually had a meeting with
deep high today. Over all the
things right now. And, Um so
we
things right now. And, Um so we're moving forward with the
developer has been selected.
We
developer has been selected. We're in the EN a period which
is, um, a we did a modified
progressive the second time
around, so we
progressive the second time around, so we're working with
them to develop their GMP,
which is a guaranteed maximum
price that they will then go
out and price for financing. So
we
out and price for financing. So we're working. We
out and price for financing. So we're working. We're in that
process. Now the expectation is
it will close at the end of, uh
by statute that will close at
the end of June on the on the
whole deal. And, then once we
do that, uh, construction
expected to start Our early
fall on three of our sites. I
appreciate that. But if you can
send it to me in writing, I
because I have many residents
who are interested about the
pre, um, process, So. That
who are interested about the pre, um, process, So. That's
Thank Thank you thank you all I
know you spent more than an
hour. Thank you so much for
coming 1155. Maybe the final
one. I
coming 1155. Maybe the final one. I'm Just Gonna close out.
Um I was the council member
that asked for you all to come
tonight, and I just want to say
thank you. I know everyone up
here wants to say thank you
that, um And I hope that you
didn
that, um And I hope that you didn't think that we grilled
you too hard, but, um, I would
your answers and and your
engagement was really helpful
tonight and we really
appreciate the work that you
tonight and we really appreciate the work that you're
doing. And. Uh, we want you to
know that the city wants to
work with you. Absolutely. And.
You know that that just let us
know. You know how we can work
with you and, uh please stay
engaged with us. We
with you and, uh please stay engaged with us. We're we have
a website? You can find our our
contact information and and
stay engaged with us. But.
Thank you so much for coming. I
appreciate the partnership.
Thank you so much. Any final
words. Yes. We appreciate the
opportunity to come before you
and again we
opportunity to come before you and again we'll provide those
follow up responses as we
receive those questions. I
follow up responses as we receive those questions. I'm
Sure there are many. Thank you
You had a very good discussion.
Thank you so much. All, right?
Can I give a The bus. So. Thank
you I. I See that two group of
our residents waiting for the
next, uh to work sessions. Um,
the first one would be a
conversation with our members
of the Advisory Planning
Commission, A PC.
of the Advisory Planning Commission, A PC. You. That
of the Advisory Planning Commission, A PC. You. That for
Please go ahead. All right.
Good, Evening Mayor and council.
Uh, I
Good, Evening Mayor and council. Uh, I'm here tonight to
introduce and discuss the
advisory Planning Commission
introduce and discuss the advisory Planning Commission's
year end, uh, recommendations
that were submitted to you in
December. At, the end of 2023,
Can you please come to the mic
a little bit. Is this better. I
have a problem with that, Don
a little bit. Is this better. I have a problem with that, Don't
I every time um so with me here
tonight, I have the chair of
the A PC M. Stephanie, Stoick.
Uh, the co-chair Mike Mark
Meadow Uh and Malika Um and G
Kerber, uh, is with us, too.
Great. They already made their
way to the podium. Um so I
Great. They already made their way to the podium. Um so I'm
just gonna briefly sort of go
over the points that were in
the handout, uh, in your packet
and Afterwards. I will open it
up for members of the A PC to
add on to what, uh, I
up for members of the A PC to add on to what, uh, I've talked
about in for any questions as
well. Uh, so in the A P C
about in for any questions as well. Uh, so in the A P C's
year end report, The commission
identified four main areas of
concern, uh, that they would
like to bring to the attention
of the council. Uh, so they are
the city
of the council. Uh, so they are the city's fence Ordinance the
prohibited vehicles parking
ordinance, uh, communicating
the requirement for a city
permit after a county permit
has been obtained, uh, and
informational presentations on
proposed development
informational presentations on proposed development projects.
So first is the fence Ordinance.
One topic that the A PC would
like to raise to the council.
Uh, that you all consider
clarifying ambiguities in the
variance criteria for approving
a chain link fences, uh,
particularly the language
concerning whether the fence
would be consistent with the
surrounding neighborhood, uh,
to clarify the city
surrounding neighborhood, uh, to clarify the city's fence
Ordinance prohibits new chain
link fence. Uh, but certain
variant criteria allow an
applica applicant to request an
exception to this The content
of this is the main concern, Uh,
surrounding point number one.
Uh, the second point regarding
the fence ordinance is to
consider whether current
requirements regarding corner
lots are overly restrictive. Uh
and I
lots are overly restrictive. Uh and I'm just going to pause
here and say that on this point,
uh, there is some difference of
opinion between the A PC and
the council. Uh, and they
probably go beyond the scope.
Staff my bad, uh, the a PC and
staff. Uh, they probably go
beyond the scope of this
discussion and what was
presented in the handout. Uh
and I
presented in the handout. Uh and I've spoken with Mr young
about this. I
and I've spoken with Mr young about this. I'm prepared to
discuss it tonight, but, uh, at
your discretion it it
discuss it tonight, but, uh, at your discretion it it's been a
long meeting. I
your discretion it it's been a long meeting. I'm also more
than willing to come back at a
future date, uh, and go into
staff
future date, uh, and go into staff's recommendation on this,
So, uh, up to you. Moving
forward. We also have the
prohibited vehicles parking
ordinance uh or section 1 84 8.
The. A PC recommends that the
council considers revising the
ordinance to clarify that cases
may be referred, uh to the A PC
for section 1 84-8 a as well as
1 84-8 B. Uh, also consider
amending the good clause
criteria to indicate that
criterion B applies to vehicles
and trailers. Uh, and to add
criterion for trailers that do
not exceed the size
restrictions under vehicles or
for vehicles under 184 8 B one
a document with track changes
to the curtain ordinance was
supplied in your Red folder
recently. Uh and this certainly
goes beyond my scope of
understanding, so I would
welcome the stoic to, uh, come
up after this and and add on to
that if you have any questions
Um Third. The A PC would like
to raise concerns regarding the
communication that a city
permit, uh, is also required
after an applicant receives a
county permit. Uh, sometimes
the county will approve a
permit and fail to notify the
applicant that the city also
requires a permit, uh, which
can lead to stop work orders
and frustrated residents. Uh,
so a suggestion for this would
be to consider developing a
brief one page handout to give
to people who come to the city
asking questions about permits.
Um, that would include a brief
description of the permit
requirements and process. Um so
also, we could consider
formally elevating this issue
with deep high uh so that they
can better train their staff to
alert applicants that a city
permit, uh, may be required in
some projects. And. Then
finally, Uh, the city is
sometimes asked the A PC, uh,
to host informational meetings
to provide an opportunity for a
community members, Uh, to learn
the details of a proposed
development project, uh, giving
them a forum to voice their
suggestions and concerns. Uh,
for example, this happened
recently with the Terrapin
house in December 2020
Children
house in December 2020 Children's Guild preschool in
February, 2021. Uh, the vacant
city on land on Rhode Island
Avenue between Calvert and Knox
roads in March 2021 and for the
Icarus property at 7131
Baltimore Avenue, uh, in June,
2022 Uh, so the recommendation
here is to consider adding this
new role to the A P C
here is to consider adding this new role to the A P C's
official charge, uh,
incorporating it further in the
incorporating it further in the future. So. That
incorporating it further in the future. So. That's my Brief
introduction to this. Um, and
at this point I
introduction to this. Um, and at this point I'd like to
invite Miss stole up and add
anything else or Questions and
answers sta. Welcome, Thanks
for your patience. Here. Yes.
Absolutely I to your mic on,
please. The, uh Right. Is this
working now? Oh? Yes. OK, thank
you. Um So In. I believe that
most of the, um Suggestions
that we had were particularly
items. 23 and four are
relatively, uh, straightforward.
Um and probably don
relatively, uh, straightforward. Um and probably don't need a
lot of discussion. Actually, I
would like to say a little bit
about Item three. The
requirement for a city permit.
Um, whether you want to change
the a P CS charge, I think is
is up to your judgment. Just.
The suggestion on our part and,
um, the prohibited vehicles
parking ordinance. We Try to,
um, track changes. Uh, some
potential revisions to the
ordinance that we think might
handle it, Although. Of course
we would defer to your counsel.
Um and you know if they agree,
or would do it in a different
way. Um, so I don
or would do it in a different way. Um, so I don't think we
really need to discuss items
two and four on the fence
ordinance. Um That has been an
area where I think the A PC has
found it, Uh, somewhat
challenging at times, um I
looked over the cases that we
had during 2023. We had five
cases for for, um, variances
from the fence ordinance. Um,
all five of those cases
involved variances for height.
One case was for chain link as
well as height. Um, and the
chain link case. You probably
recall it was not that long ago.
Uh, we That was, uh, that was
the only one of the five cases
where we did not approve. Um,
and it was appealed to you and
you all approved it. Um During
that appeal hearing. Um The, uh
So. Mr. Valentine referred to
where, uh, staff and I think
that A PC members have some
disagreement. Um, one is with
the suggestion to do away with
the city
the suggestion to do away with the city's fence ordinance. Um
And,
the city's fence ordinance. Um And, uh, The, um Sorry. This.
The county ordinance is Has
come closer to the city
ordinance in some ways,
particularly with the with the
ban on chain link fences,
although somebody still could
appeal that, um and with front
yard fences, it
appeal that, um and with front yard fences, it's a fairly
small difference of the we our
fence Ordinance, says. 3 FT.
The County, says 4 Ft, Um And
in two of the five cases that
we had last year. Um, we we
reached a compromise with the
applicant to go to instead of
the 6 ft. They were requesting
to go to 4 ft, or, in another
case, it was to go to 4.5 to 5
ft, but to but to set back that
front yard fence at some
distance from the property line.
distance from the property line. Um So I wouldn
distance from the property line. Um So I wouldn't necessarily
Speaking for myself have a
problem with the 4. FT versus 3
ft issue. I feel like that
problem with the 4. FT versus 3 ft issue. I feel like that's a
relatively small issue. I think
the biggest difference between
the county ordinance and the
city ordinance has to do with
the definition of front yard.
Um, for fences, and this
particularly, is an issue for
corner lots. I believe all of
the five cases that we heard on
fences in 2023 were corner lots.
And. The problem is, is that
for a corner lot the property
owner may feel like, um, the
The Street. That is not the
street of their address. The
that that is not the street at
the front door, but what is to
them a side Side yard. Um That
can look that can feel like, um,
a friend that is a considered a
front yard under the city Fence
Ordinance, and also it can feel
like a front yard to the
neighbors who are across the
street. And. I. Guess I
neighbors who are across the street. And. I. Guess I'm
particularly sensitive to that,
because before the city created
its fence ordinance, our
neighbor across the street put
up a 6 ft stockade fence and,
you know, right up to the
property line, and and we
thought that was Uh, You know
not a good look for the
neighborhood it it reduces the
degree of openness that I think
this city fence ordinance is
trying
this city fence ordinance is trying to Trying to encourage.
Um and, uh So To me the issue.
The question is, I. Guess I
would encourage you to think
about not doing away with the
city fence ordinance, possibly
considering whether you want to
change from 3 ft to 4 ft, or,
you know, allow the a PC to You
know, make that compromise when
applicants ask for it, Um, but
also The corner Lot issue is a
challenging one. And. Are there
additional criteria that could
be added to the fence ordinance
that would allow for better
decisions. Um or allow for more
compromise. Um, such as if the
The property is very close to a
an industrial area. That was an
issue for two of the five cases
where the property owner felt
But. Uh, you know that there
was a safety issue because of a
lot of People who are not
neighborhood people were, you
know, walking around and
potentially into their property.
Um, another issue may be
whether the street is a real
street or a paper street or
whether it
street or a paper street or whether it's an alley. Um That,
you know, may not deserve the
same protection as as an actual,
You know Ma Main Street. Uh,
Main neighborhood Street. Um
Whether. There is anybody that
is any any other neighbors who
have homes across the street
from where the fence would be?
Um again. I think if it
from where the fence would be? Um again. I think if it's a 4
ft fence we
Um again. I think if it's a 4 ft fence we're talking about
that
ft fence we're talking about that's maybe not as big a deal,
but if it
that's maybe not as big a deal, but if it's a 6 ft stockade
fence. You know having that
across the street from your
property what somebody else
considers their backyard or
their side yard. But to you?
It
their side yard. But to you? It's the street. That your
house is on. Um So. Those are
just some ideas. Um For you all
to consider, but it it seems
like if if you If. You do
decide to keep the city fence
ordinance. Um then it feels
like it when it would be
helpful to consider some
additional criteria that Could
that we could apply as the A PC.
Um And two Some communication
with deep eye to try to get
them to Uh, And. It
with deep eye to try to get them to Uh, And. It's not just
an issue for fence ordinances,
the the DP problem of granting
permits without notifying
applicants that there is a city
permit requirement or that
there may be one Um I
permit requirement or that there may be one Um I've talked
for a long time. Um, I
there may be one Um I've talked for a long time. Um, I'd like
to talk a little bit more about
Item three about the DP issue,
but maybe I should stop and
Yeah. It might be. Yeah. Good
idea to go one item A T a time.
Um, any comment on the Defense
Ordinance amendment or changes?
Uh, I see, Mr Reg, Why. Don
Ordinance amendment or changes? Uh, I see, Mr Reg, Why. Don't.
I Go this way I started with Mr
Reagan, then Thanks and I. I,
uh, served on a number of years
on the advisory Planning
commission. So I. I. Remember
the long conversations about
fences and front and, uh, front
front yards on corner lots and
so forth. Um, you know, I, I
would generally lean in favor
of retaining the city
would generally lean in favor of retaining the city's fence
ordinance. Um, however, I also
lean in favor and I. I believe
I
lean in favor and I. I believe I'm in a minority on this
council, perhaps, uh, like
against chain link fences. I
council, perhaps, uh, like against chain link fences. I'm
pleased that the that the
county has, um, you know,
Struck out relatively straitly
in that direction. Um, I just
think that chain link fences,
you know, don
think that chain link fences, you know, don't present the
best image of of of our
community and many years ago
long before I was on council,
this, uh, the city started
moving down the road of of
generally prohibiting them. So
so the biggest Argument for
striking the city
so the biggest Argument for striking the city's fence
ordinance and moving to the
counties is that the county
seems to be a little bit more
rigid against chain link fences.
Although. The city also
generally prohibits them. Um
but, uh, apparently, we permit
them when it
but, uh, apparently, we permit them when it's appealed. So
with the with going to the
counties, Uh, ordinance. Allow
us to, um more consistently
sort of prohibit building new
chain link fences or replacing
segments of chain link fences.
Uh, that are appended to
existing Segments of channeling
pencils, which is what I think
The appeal was most recently.
Is that the advantage or are
there any or would there be any
other deferred to to your co?
If if we didn
other deferred to to your co? If if we didn't have a city
ordinance, then if somebody if
a property owner wanted to
appeal the prohibition against
a chain link with that Then go
to some county body Or would it
come to the a PC? Or? Would it
not be a possibility to appeal.
Without Um, I
not be a possibility to appeal. Without Um, I'm Gonna make a
guess, Um in terms of, uh but
it
guess, Um in terms of, uh but it's gonna be a reasonable um
Guess is that if the city did
not have an ordinance, then the
county ordinance would be the
applicable. Um The County, um,
code and then whatever the
requirements regarding appeal
under county law. Would be what
I think would apply. Right, But.
I. Guess. I
I think would apply. Right, But. I. Guess. I'm wondering because
the we also hear cases for
variances of, for example,
Setback requirements. Um and I
think that
Setback requirements. Um and I think that's county code, not
city. Um, but it still comes to
us the A PC. But is that
requirement listed in the
county law
requirement listed in the county law itself. Setbacks?
Yes, Yes, Mr Valentine. So, I,
I think I know a little bit
into this, Um It is the county
ordinance for things like
Setback and and lot coverage
and all that, But, um Or some
some code when I think the the
ABC was was formed, Uh, the
county gave us the power of, uh,
review and variance. Um I
county gave us the power of, uh, review and variance. Um I'm not
sure exactly how that worked.
But even though like the
setbacks like our a county code,
and not a city code, um through
some charter legislation that
was that was given to us, Um,
so one ovarian is required. The
county um Let
so one ovarian is required. The county um Let's marry him, and
I know that, uh, this
application needs a variance
and that goes to us at our
discretion. So So. Potentially
a similar arrangement could be
made if the city wanted to and
wanted to request that Well.
You
wanted to request that Well. You'd have to explore that. You
know outside of this meeting I.
I. Guess. I would see benefits
to aligning the fence height of
the county versus the city. I
to aligning the fence height of the county versus the city. I'm
Not sure, you know that. I see
much benefit for city residents
to have to to go before the A
PC for a four versus a A 3 ft
High fence. You know, I think,
probably aligning. Those would
make sense. But. That
probably aligning. Those would make sense. But. That's
agnostic about whether you know
we could simply just amend the
the city
we could simply just amend the the city's code section
relative to fence heights and
then have that area of
alignment we wouldn
then have that area of alignment we wouldn't
necessarily havh Do
away with it entirely. So. So I.
Guess you know, Based on this
discussion. It
Guess you know, Based on this discussion. It's I. I. Guess.
I
discussion. It's I. I. Guess. I'm sort of agnostic about
whether to retain the city
I'm sort of agnostic about whether to retain the city's
fence Ordinance. I would
generally lean in favor of it,
because that permits this body
to be able to make, um, sort of
other other modifications as we
see fit in the future, much
more easily, rather than sort
of establishing a new, well, an
old then new again, Uh, body of
the city code. Um With regards
to, uh Front yard fences on
corner lots. This is a really
tricky one. I. I think you know,
Miss Deli, you pointed out. One
particular instance in which
the ABC heard evidence recently
about a front yard fence. Um,
that was related to It sounds
like pedestrian traffic from an
adjoining business or from an
joining industrial area. Um I,
I. Guess you know it, it would
be difficult for me even as a
foreign, Uh, council member who
is a former ABC official to
really sort of blue sky
circumstances in which I would
find it acceptable and not
acceptable, um, for a front
yard fence on Uh, at a house,
which has two front yards,
which is how the code sees
corner. Lots. Um I could
imagine situations in which we
we would want to be permissive
of them, But. Um I. I guess I,
would I would appreciate a
little bit more staff work
about instances you know, in
which we might consider
modifications there rather than
just sort of, uh, guessing at
them. So if I
just sort of, uh, guessing at them. So if I'm if I, um I. I
think you
them. So if I'm if I, um I. I think you're kind of touching
on on the main issue that staff
wants to raise with this, Um Is
the definition of of
considering any yard that abuts
a street as a front yard. Um If
I
a street as a front yard. Um If I'm Being, perfectly honest I.
I kind of view that as a little
bit Problematic. Um II. I think
we can sort of walk in our
neighborhoods and Um Kind of
See that not every yard that
butts a street is, is a front
yard. There are backyards and
and side yards and, um so I.
That
and side yards and, um so I. That's where staff is is kind
of being thrown by this and and
what we kind of want to, um
Talk about like we are now to
me. It seems like the easiest
modification to make would be
to simply, um Change the city
code to as Mr ASIC suggests
sort of Make those corner lots
where one of the two streets is
a paper street or a public
right of way. That is not a not
generally regarded as a street
such as an alley. Um, you know,
not subject to the two front
yard. Perception which is again.
How. How the city kind of sees,
um Corner lots, but I guess you
know, I
um Corner lots, but I guess you know, I'm also sensitive to you
know my stoics. Um suggestion
that that the idea of Of having
you know prohibitions for
offenses in front yards, even
on car lots is to keep kind of
an an open feel to the
neighborhood. And, and that is
something that is AAA feature
that sort of dominates in our
in our neighborhoods and I. I
would be reluctant to make
there
would be reluctant to make there's a lot of corner lots
and it would be reluctant to
make AAA large policy change
that would kind of open the
door for for shutting that down
without, um Really having a a
better public process for for
for doing that, because I would
imagine that if if if a lot of
people were asked Hey on on
your block, Would you be OK
with a lot more fences, sort of
being in sight lines as you go
around corners, people would
say no and generally I would
not be in favor of that. I I,
There
not be in favor of that. I I, There's a strong status quo
bias. Right. Um, I have a
couple Points along that line.
Um I think openness is is great.
Um, certainly for those who do
not want 6 ft tall fences on
their own property they
wouldn
their own property they wouldn't have to do that. They
could keep it to three or to
four. Um, I think I think the
core question here is Uh, the
property owner
core question here is Uh, the property owner's right to have
privacy in their in their
backyard. I think as written
right now, the the ordinance
kind of puts that in jeopardy.
Um The neighborhood. Yeah.
Maybe we can do it by different,
uh, Different neighborhoods.
There
uh, Different neighborhoods. There's criteria that could be
had rather than just getting
away from the entire ordinance
in general, But I. I spoke to
our some of our code officers
today. And. Certainly if we
continue this conversation Um,
we would do a more formalized
process, but I have spoken with
them. You know some of our code
officers that have been here
for many years. Uh, they
officers that have been here for many years. Uh, they're
hearing on the ground every day
that a lot of residents are not
satisfied. Uh, with the current
fence ordinance, um, feeling
it
fence ordinance, um, feeling it's restricted, um,
restrictive and gets in the way
of some of the things they want
to do on their yard. Um The
other thing I was going to say
to that. I have an example. I
kind of made this up. Today.
It
kind of made this up. Today. It's. It
kind of made this up. Today. It's. It's a generic example.
This is Avenue a avenue B.
Here
This is Avenue a avenue B. Here's the front of the House.
Um The Purple represents what
the city would allow. At 6 FT.
Uh, so in the back, not along
the street and then this is not
to scale but pretend This is a
25 ft setback. Uh, the green is
what the county allows at 6 FT.
And. The yellow is what the
city would have at 3 ft. Um But
I? Oh, did you have a question?
Please go ahead continue under
the current definition of the
city
the current definition of the city's ordinance of having a
front yard being any yard that
abuts a street and the house
being so Maybe this goes along
to the question of we can put
in more provisions about the
orientation of the house and
the placement on the lot. But I
just struggle to define outside
of our ordinance. Whoops my
screen went away. Defining this
area as a front Front yard. Um
But because it
area as a front Front yard. Um But because it's a Long Avenue
B. It
But because it's a Long Avenue B. It's classified as a front
yard. Thank you just the green
yellow area. Correct, but if we
are restricting residents to
only putting a fence right here
that
only putting a fence right here that's taking away this portion
of what they could use as their
front and I believe this
clearly gives a sight line for
cars turning corners. That
clearly gives a sight line for cars turning corners. That's
plenty of space. So the county
definition. Uh Allows you to
put up to a 6 ft fence behind
the front plane of the
principal building. Um, that
the front plane of the principal building. Um, that's
what they
principal building. Um, that's what they've been doing now. I
think that that
what they've been doing now. I think that that's a reasonable
step to take given your
Discussion. Thank you? Um this
is Malika and I. Just want to
add to the points being made
here? That. I would advocate
you know, putting into the
ordinance the orientation of
the house as well because in my
neighborhood, uh, as Maria and
Denise could attest to there
are houses that have that are
current lots, but they
are houses that have that are current lots, but they're
angled in a man in a way that
does not give the homeowner a
true backyard and that impacts
how they can enjoy their
property. Um, it impacts their
ability to have privacy,
especially if you have young
Children and you
especially if you have young Children and you're worried
about them running into Street
because in our neighborhood,
there are no sidewalks and that
is a big concern for those with
toddlers and, you know early
walkers, um as well as just
Plain old Children who are
playing and don
Plain old Children who are playing and don't pay attention
to traffic. Uh but I do think
that having a fence Uh,
amending the ordinance so that
these homeowners can be able to
get that approved faster,
easier is needed. Whether or
not, we decide to align exactly
to the wording of the county is
up to you all. But I Believe
that we do need to Create a
situation where these
situations can be easier to
deal with, and decisions can be
made faster, and I think it
would help the PC to be able to
discuss them and take less time
to do so if we have some
wording that guides us. Thank
you, Valentine. Do. You agree
on that, Uh, what
you, Valentine. Do. You agree on that, Uh, what's your
comment about? I? Do yeah, and
something that
comment about? I? Do yeah, and something that's been told to
me in my time here is When you
get a lot of variants
applications for a specific
ordinance. That might mean it
is time to make some tweaks to
the ordinance and I. I think
we
the ordinance and I. I think we're approaching that time
here, Um, I like that we are on
the same page make a comment on
that. I. Guess. The. Question
is what is a lot of variance
requests? Um, because we had
Five. Um last year, so I don
requests? Um, because we had Five. Um last year, so I don't
know that That
Five. Um last year, so I don't know that That's a huge number
and it was I think less than
the number of cases we we. We
had other kinds of cases set
back and lot coverage and
parking. Um I don
back and lot coverage and parking. Um I don't think the
fence variance case is
dominated our agendas. Yeah.
Thankfully. It didn
dominated our agendas. Yeah. Thankfully. It didn't come, but
you know, you can guarantee
that it may not come right. I
mean it may Well. The question
is whether we
mean it may Well. The question is whether we're approaching a
point where we
is whether we're approaching a point where we're getting so
many of these fence variants
requests Yeah. Good point. So.
So I. Think I. I can, um, wrap
up at least my preferences on
on these four as being in
specific to to to number three.
I think I
specific to to to number three. I think I'm. I
specific to to to number three. I think I'm. I'm interested in
aligning the fence height
requirements of the county
aligning the fence height requirements of the county's
site requirements. Retaining
the city
site requirements. Retaining the city's, uh, fence. I
site requirements. Retaining the city's, uh, fence. I'm
sorry. One, aligning that the
fence height requirement with
the county
fence height requirement with the county's pen he requirement.
Um I
the county's pen he requirement. Um I'm. I would be interested
in hearing. Uh, recommendations
from staff and or from a PC, Uh,
about Corner lots because you
know, I, I think, um Mr
Valentine presented, you know a
a fairly compelling
hypothetical that that I feel
like I
hypothetical that that I feel like I've seen and I
hypothetical that that I feel like I've seen and I've heard
from and people in the in
district three as well. So. I
think my feeling is that
there
think my feeling is that there's probably a compromise
to be had here and perhaps
orientation, uh of the house
towards the street might might
point us in a in a direction
that would be, um, that would
be helpful, uh, in that
specific regard again, it
be helpful, uh, in that specific regard again, it's
It
specific regard again, it's It's hard for me as as a as an
economist, not as a as an
architect to really imagine
what those might be, but, you
know We had some options posed
to us to to be able to react to
that were specific to to to
corner lots. I think that that
could be very helpful, um, with
regards to number three I. I
completely agree with the A PC
that advertising and I. I bet
that something were to have
consensus on and, um with
regards to number four I. I
agree that that should probably
be added to the A B C
agree that that should probably be added to the A B C's charge
because I think that that
be added to the A B C's charge because I think that that's AAA
valuable tool tool for this
this body to have, you know, um
as A resource for us. Uh, I
didn
as A resource for us. Uh, I didn't hear any discussion of
of two and looking at the code,
maybe just said it
of two and looking at the code, maybe just said it's late is
causing me to cross my eyes a
little bit on that, so I might
need a little bit more
discussion and thought before
I
discussion and thought before I'm really into a pie on too.
So. Those are thank you my
feedback. Thank You. Um, Miss
Mackie. I
feedback. Thank You. Um, Miss Mackie. I'll Just be really
quick. II. I thank you for
bringing this to us. I think
it
bringing this to us. I think it's really important that we
hear from the residents to, um
and engage them in this, Um I
like my colleague. Um think if
we can streamline the height
You know be OK with, uh, doing
the county and the city the
same. Um, I
the county and the city the same. Um, I'm, not a fan of
Chang Link F. I removed one
from my backyard. Um they have
evolved to be a little bit
nicer than they once were. But
I. I, don
nicer than they once were. But I. I, don't I don
nicer than they once were. But I. I, don't I don't really
prefer for a chain link fence.
Um so I
prefer for a chain link fence. Um so I'm I I don
prefer for a chain link fence. Um so I'm I I don't really care
for that, but I think it
Um so I'm I I don't really care for that, but I think it's
really important as my like a
shared. I live across the
street from two corner lots and
the one lady she really wanted
to put a fence up. But. The
County wouldn
to put a fence up. But. The County wouldn't let her because
of the the visibility, so she
she didn
of the the visibility, so she she didn't and I think it
of the the visibility, so she she didn't and I think it's
just really important that our
our fence ordinance in the city
is really meeting the needs of
our people. And so we might
really need to tweak it. Um and,
um And. It
really need to tweak it. Um and, um And. It's probably not a
conversation for tonight, but I
do appreciate, um, the a PC and
them serving and and I know
that a lot of times, um When.
You get variances it, You know
it
You get variances it, You know it's a lot of back and forth. I
didn
it's a lot of back and forth. I didn't have the pleasure of
serving on that committee. But,
um I. You know, I just wanted
to say that, um I think that
it
to say that, um I think that it's really important that we
listen to the residents to and
our staff and and, um, our a PC
committee because this is why
we have committees so that they
can give us good information,
too. Thank you. Thank you. Um
Me. I
too. Thank you. Thank you. Um Me. I'm not going to be labor.
Everyone has made excellent
points. Thank you for your
leadership on the committee. Um
I, too, served on a PC many
years ago. Um I concur with my
colleague Councilman rig on his
comments and are just four
representative LA for hers. And
at this thing I look forward to
you bringing back for some
information that we can do make
a true consideration about how
we
a true consideration about how we're gonna move forward so
that looks like it needs more a
little bit more work. Thank you,
Doctor. Thank you, Mr Mayor And
and thank you. Um I have also
served on the A PC and, um,
wanted to just say that I agree
with a number of things that
have been said I. Think that,
Um, uh, working to, uh, bring
our, uh, ordinance into, um
Closely into what the, uh
county ordinances regarding
fence height is important. Um,
as far as the the chain link
fence. Um, I do I have asked
for that to come back to
council for a discussion after,
uh, the discussion of the last
case that came to us because I
do believe that there? Um uh,
there needs to be some
discussion about the, uh, the
purpose of that. The the the,
um the idea of individuals
having to replace fences that
they already have. Uh versus
putting up new fences, I. I, do
not think that we should be
putting up new Qing link fences.
However, I think there are some
variations that need further
discussion. Um like was brought
to us. Um, Last time We had a
discussion. Um, I do believe
that, um the information
presentations are important. Um,
for the A PC to help host and
coordinate. I think that there
is great opportunity for
residents to work through that
committee, um, to learn about
things that are happening. Give
input. I think that that is a A
the most appropriate committee
for that to happen with, um,
requirements for permits
through DP. I think having
those discussions is very
important. Um, the
communication is not happening.
Permits are, um people are
getting permits, not talking
with the city. Um, I think that,
um, that is important, too. So.
Thank you thank you. Anyone
else? Mr Hernandez? So I. Just
wanna start off by saying that
I
wanna start off by saying that I've never been a fan of any
criteria that, uh, matches
close to whether it fits the
look of the neighborhood. I
think it
look of the neighborhood. I think it's a very largely
subjective criteria. And who
think it's a very largely subjective criteria. And who's
to say that the look of a
neighborhood can
to say that the look of a neighborhood can't change. That
being said, Uh, having spoken
to residents, colleagues. Uh I.
I
to residents, colleagues. Uh I. I'm in favor of supporting what
the county has put out. Uh, I I,
recognizing that chain link
fences are not approved by the
county. It definitely wouldn
fences are not approved by the county. It definitely wouldn't
want, uh, approve them here,
but, uh, it makes sense, uh,
for the resources that we have
right now, en forcing code, uh,
at the city level to Enforcing
what? A and I. Just. Think of
the applicants right if they go
through the trouble of, uh,
attempting to get a county
permit, uh and and they get a a
4 ft fence approved, Then. They
come and they build it and they
get cited when they
come and they build it and they get cited when they're here. I.
Just. Think of just the Hours
of work and frustration that
they had to go through. Uh and
if we can make the lives of
residents easier, I definitely
would. Push for that, Um I. I
just don
would. Push for that, Um I. I just don't recognize your point,
ma
just don't recognize your point, ma'am. Uh, I understand that
there
ma'am. Uh, I understand that there's only been 55 cases
brought forward. I think the
fact that there is a very
variance. Uh, process in
general is a, uh, is a
deterrence process. Uh, for
anyone to, uh I Think. We
should just consider that it
could be seen as a deterrence
process. Excuse me, because if
I knew that I had to go through
that entire process, Uh, it
I knew that I had to go through that entire process, Uh, it's
very likely that Me personally,
I. I would just not do it. Uh I.
I don
I. I would just not do it. Uh I. I don't have a front, uh,
facing fence, Um, but just
trying to put myself in the, uh,
in other people
trying to put myself in the, uh, in other people's footsteps
with regard to the corner lot
if, uh, if I
with regard to the corner lot if, uh, if I'm understanding
this correctly, uh If, the 6 ft
fence as it stands right now,
uh, would be the purple. What?
What happens to the space. The
surface area of the green and
yellow So, the the service area
of the green and yellow, Um So
the Green represents where a
county would would the where
the county would allow the 6 FT
fence to go so it would
encompass that whole back space.
Uh, the yellow is where the
city would require a 3 ft fence.
Um And, then that purple line
going through the middle is is
where the 6 ft fence could stop
at a 25 ft setback. But.
Theoretically. Those folks
would lose that space of usage
correct for a for a rear yard.
Exactly, right? Yeah? Um, it it
becomes sort of this awkward
space in the front side yard
that Couldn
space in the front side yard that Couldn't be used to its
full potential. So. I walked
around this weekend, uh, and
looked at the various so
obviously Hollywood Daniel Park,
uh, has a lot of, uh, a lot of
street corners, right? Uh and I
can certainly understand that
the privacy concern of the, uh,
of the fact that if you
the privacy concern of the, uh, of the fact that if you're on a
corner lot you can
of the fact that if you're on a corner lot you can't build. You
can
corner lot you can't build. You can't really do much. In a
private. I mean everyone
can't really do much. In a private. I mean everyone's
entitled to their privacy. So.
That was a concern. But now
understanding this a little bit
better and seeing that they
lose more space. I definitely
would fall back towards once we
determine what the front facing
side of a house is, Uh, I would
support uh, The, green and
yellow. I
support uh, The, green and yellow. I'm Sorry. I
support uh, The, green and yellow. I'm Sorry. I'm not
saying this is eloquently as I
want and for those houses that
are orientated and a unique
space as though they have acres.
Uh, in a just, You know a
corner. Uh III I defer to to
the folks with a lot more
experience in this. It
the folks with a lot more experience in this. It's not an
eloquent drawing. So. That
experience in this. It's not an eloquent drawing. So. That's OK.
Yes, but the ones that you know
where they
Yes, but the ones that you know where they're rotating. Yeah II.
I think we
where they're rotating. Yeah II. I think we've touched on a lot
of compromise here and just to
summarize that I think
something we could consider
rather than, uh, moving. From.
The Audience ordinance is
considering the orientation of
the house. This House is
oriented towards Avenue. A.
That
oriented towards Avenue. A. That's clearly the front yard.
The backyard is is clearly
what
The backyard is is clearly what's Highlighted, uh, if the
house were flipped and oriented
towards Avenue B, the situation
is different. So maybe we can
coordinate that. And. I just
like for my comments to be
taken for whenever staff goes
and revisits this, uh,
hopefully for a further
discussion as a council member
Esters had asked for, uh, It.
We wanna make it as easy as if
somebody wants to go through
this. It shouldn
somebody wants to go through this. It shouldn't be a
laborious, burdensome to to
build a fence. It
laborious, burdensome to to build a fence. It's a. It
laborious, burdensome to to build a fence. It's a. It's a
deliberate decision to do this,
uh, on behalf of whomever lives
there, the resident Uh and I
just personally think that just
this is just me, uh, like
adding additional requirements.
Council member. Esther has
always asked me to say why. Why
would we want to do this? If?
We add an additional
requirement. What is the
purpose. Uh and I just I can
requirement. What is the purpose. Uh and I just I can't
see. Uh I can
purpose. Uh and I just I can't see. Uh I can't see myself
supporting an additional
requirement for, uh, pulling it
back to the purple right? And
and that reminds me of of
another point, I wanted to say,
and I and I
another point, I wanted to say, and I and I'll be quick with
this is in our variance
criteria, one of one of the
points is that, uh, Not
allowing the variants would
lead to like an exceptional uh
or extraordinary circumstance.
or extraordinary circumstance. Um And In. The. Past
conversations we
Um And In. The. Past conversations we've had with
these cases when they come up
is that we are not calling a
corner lot, an extraordinary or
exceptional circumstance, but
at the same time we are
subjecting those property
owners to extraordinary and
exceptional. Restrictions. And
that doesn
exceptional. Restrictions. And that doesn't that doesn
exceptional. Restrictions. And that doesn't that doesn't quite
seem to add up. Um and it makes
it a harder Real conflicting,
right. Thank you let me say you
Yeah as I. I
right. Thank you let me say you Yeah as I. I'm just wondering
how deep is that yellow green
space. So it. It
how deep is that yellow green space. So it. It's certainly
not to scale but it represents
25. Ft 25. Ft. Wow. Yes. Um I
mean, I. I I, I. I
25. Ft 25. Ft. Wow. Yes. Um I mean, I. I I, I. I'm not I
25. Ft 25. Ft. Wow. Yes. Um I mean, I. I I, I. I'm not I'm
not agreeing with that. So. Um
I mean I can see having the
fence. Maybe, um, up to a
certain right away space so
that people park on that side
of the street can get in and
out of the cars, the car doors,
But Beyond that, um, I. I just
don
But Beyond that, um, I. I just don't see the necessity for
that, unless it hinders the
site of line for for safety for
traffic. Um, but, yeah, yeah.
Thank you, Ms.
traffic. Um, but, yeah, yeah. Thank you, Ms. Stale. Thank you.
Um, so I have a few points.
I
Um, so I have a few points. I'll also try to be quick. Um,
one is, um for you to consider
that there are many, many
corner lots in our
neighborhoods, and so if you
change the requirement with
regard to a corner lot that
potentially has Essentially
large impact on potentially
allowing a lot of 6 ft. High
fences, Um, where they are not
currently allowed. And, um What
I do to my property doesn
currently allowed. And, um What I do to my property doesn't
just affect me, right? It it it
it affects you if you live
across the street from me or
next to me. And. Um, so that
across the street from me or next to me. And. Um, so that's
why we have zoning. That
next to me. And. Um, so that's why we have zoning. That's Why.
We have requirements. Um,
because otherwise we just let
everybody do whatever they want.
Um, So although freedom is a
really important value, I think
we also have restrictions on
our freedom as property owners
that are designed to serve the
good of the community and where
to draw those lines and how to
define those restrictions are,
of course, what? What makes it
difficult. That
of course, what? What makes it difficult. That's Why you guys
get paid the big bucks. Um but,
uh Um I. I just wanted to
emphasize that Changing
changing that could potentially
have really a big impact on how
much openness there is in our
neighborhoods and how many tall
fences I grew up in a town in
California, where pretty much
everybody had 6 ft fences. And.
I really loved it when I came
back east and found there was
more of this feeling of
openness and you could see and
it just felt so much nicer to
me so much better. Um On, uh, a
couple other things on Eric
me so much better. Um On, uh, a couple other things on Eric's
diagram. I think Um You know, I,
I believe under the county
ordinance, they could build
that 6 ft fence, actually, all
the way to the front plane of
the house so it could have been.
You know it could be Um, you
know, a more extensive So. The.
The Green line could come
further down right? So. The
ordinance is saying behind the
front plane of the building and
I suppose you could you could
put it in the middle. Sure you
could bring it all the way down
to the front plane. Behind the
front plane, so not not flush
with the front. So. We
front plane, so not not flush with the front. So. We've
allowed it. I think other cases.
Well. Maybe. Maybe then our
requirement could be Something
like this. Just as a compromise.
Good. Um do you think, uh, I? I
know there
Good. Um do you think, uh, I? I know there's more discussion
needs to happen right? And
looks like looks like you got
quite a few ideas. Mr Mayor.
Yes, please. Oh. I didn
quite a few ideas. Mr Mayor. Yes, please. Oh. I didn't say
that
Yes, please. Oh. I didn't say that's OK. Um whatever way.
Clearly, yes, more discussion,
I think is needed. But.
Whatever Way we go. I think the
it
Whatever Way we go. I think the it's imperative that the result
be very clear like the language
be very clear. Because, Um I.
Um I love getting into detailed
documents and some of the stuff
just makes my eyes cross and
I
just makes my eyes cross and I'm like like, Wait a minute.
What? Wait, They said, you have
to do it this way, but only if
it
to do it this way, but only if it's Or this way And, you know,
I think it needs to be very
straightforward and as much as
we can coincide with the county,
um, ordinance, I think that
would would streamline things
as well? Because, Then that
would would streamline things as well? Because, Then that's
another layer of complication.
Um, for residents, and, um,
it
Um, for residents, and, um, it's frustrating people get
really people are already
frustrated when they
really people are already frustrated when they're told
they can
frustrated when they're told they can't do something that
they have in their mind that
they wanna do. And. Then if
they find that one set of of
rules tells them to do it one
way and the other tells them It
another way. It
way and the other tells them It another way. It's It
way and the other tells them It another way. It's It's just
frustrating. I. Think so the
more we can streamline things
and make it Clearly.
Understandable what the rules
are, I think the better off
will be as far as the fence
ordinance and, um and I am
inclined to, um if if people
have existing, um, chain link
fence on their property and
need to connect it to like,
create an enclosure. I I
need to connect it to like, create an enclosure. I I'm
inclined to allow them to do
that. And. If the problem, You
know we we did hear complaints
about you know, I don
know we we did hear complaints about you know, I don't like
the looks of chain link fences.
They, get rusty. They get, you
know yucky. They. Don
They, get rusty. They get, you know yucky. They. Don't look
good. Um, if we don
know yucky. They. Don't look good. Um, if we don't have, um,
rules in place that require
people to, you know, keep them
well maintained, you know,
paint them silver if they start
to look bad, you know,
certainly we could implement
some of that in cases such as
that where people have Chain
link fence to make it, you know,
less bothersome to others. Um,
and then I
less bothersome to others. Um, and then I'm. I
less bothersome to others. Um, and then I'm. I'm in line with
everyone else with the other
comments. Thank you speaking of
the clarity, I think it might
be a good idea if we if we
could put out something
something like that where you
have created, you know, in a
more formal way and in our
website somewhere, II, I don
more formal way and in our website somewhere, II, I don't
I understand? It can be put in
that code, but, uh, we could
probably you don
that code, but, uh, we could probably you don't like my
drawing skills. It it, it can
make it even better. I. It
drawing skills. It it, it can make it even better. I. It's I
actually like the colours. I
went to school for that. Thank
you? It
went to school for that. Thank you? It's a complicated issue,
and, um, you know, there
you? It's a complicated issue, and, um, you know, there's more
I could say, but we
and, um, you know, there's more I could say, but we've taken a
lot of the council
I could say, but we've taken a lot of the council's time
tonight already. I think, um,
the E PC would appreciate being
included in in future
discussions that
included in in future discussions that's acceptable
to you, Um You know they the
the is one of the issues in in
our, uh, in our Recommendations.
Document had, uh, referred to
consistent with the
neighborhood. And. How. Do, you
define neighborhood. And. How.
Do. You. Define consistent. Um
I won
Do. You. Define consistent. Um I won't even try to open that
one up tonight because it
I won't even try to open that one up tonight because it's a
complicated one, too. Um uh, So
In short. Thank you very much
for your for allowing this
opportunity. Thank you
everything you do, and I
opportunity. Thank you everything you do, and I'm sure
staff will be in touch with you
as you bring it forward. I
think we will be Thank you.
Here. Just. Just. One small
comment. Uh, can we get a copy
of that Because it
comment. Uh, can we get a copy of that Because it's very hard
to read from here. Thank you
that that you wanted because
you like the colors and and I
can sign it, too, with your
autograph. Thank you so much.
Thank you all for everything
you do. Thank you. All. Right,
So we have another Uh, group.
Uh, the noise control world.
Advisory group. Thank you, Mr
Stroller. And. Thank you, Mr
Stroller. And. Thank you, Mr Coker. I think I. Think. We.
Have a copy copy. All of us
Have a copy? Yes. Yeah. The.
Same thing there. Yeah. Mister
Cocker. Thank you. Good Evening
Mayor Mayor Pro TEM and the
City Council members. Uh I
Mayor Mayor Pro TEM and the City Council members. Uh I'm
Jitendra Kukar Public Services
Director, I
Jitendra Kukar Public Services Director, I'm here today. To
discuss about the noise control
board, and we do have our new
chair Mark Schroeder. Here as
well as the Co-chair Matthew
saw here and I
well as the Co-chair Matthew saw here and I'm not sure who
the other members are if they
are joining by virtual means.
I
are joining by virtual means. I'm not sure about it. But, we
We are here to fulfill. Uh So.
Yeah, Miss. Miss Bela is that,
uh, Susie ball? Yeah. Welcome,
Suzie. If. You are there
joining us virtually Uh uh. We,
uh We are here tonight to meet
the task, which was given to us
I believe in the month of
January to come back to the
council, and, uh, we were
invited to join today here and
see if we could discuss the
charges that the board has in
the present ordinance, which is
138 of the city code, and, uh,
The Board also would like to
present their report, a copy of
which has already been provided
in the package. Uh, we met
recently on March 14 last week
Thursday and, uh, the purpose
of that meeting was to prep the
board as well as us to present
our point of view to the
council, and, uh, The
attachments provided or the
annual reports from 2017
through 2023, and we have also
provided a standard operating
procedures for unruly gathering
and nuisance. Uh uh, Ordinance
requirements. Having said that
I I think I would like to give
the opportunity to the board
chair and co-chair to express
their point of view, and they
can provide more details that
may directly concerns the
question that the mayor Through
time May or the council members
may have of them or of me being
the staff liaison for this
particular board. Thank you, Mr.
So, Can you please turn on the
mic. The. Uh, the right button?
Yeah. The right one. That one.
Welcome. Thank you, Mayor,
Mayor Kabir Members of council.
Good evening. My name is Mark
Schroeder. I live at 4909
Muskogee Street. And. I am the
new chairman of the Noise
Control board, which may be a
surprise to you. Um, at our
last meeting, Alan Stillwell
resigned as chair because he
has moved out of college park.
Alan served the city on the
noise control board for 27
years. Wow. These comments
reflect the consensus of the
board members before his
resignation, Um Alan warned us
not to assume that all members
of the council would be
familiar with the noise
ordinance. Chapter 138 of the
city
ordinance. Chapter 138 of the city code. Uh, for brevity.
Residents of the city who are
affected by noise may have
recourse to two different
sources of redress. First in
real time they can call the
public service department. And
a noise officer. If one is on
duty. Can come measure any
noise and decibels from the
property in question. An issue
of violation of the noise
exceeds the objective standard
in the code. Second After the
fact. They can ask the public
services director to call a
hearing of the Noise control
board. To make an inherently
subjective determination. About
whether the owners and
occupants of the property in
question have violated the
complainant
question have violated the complainant's right to quiet
enjoyment of their own property.
enjoyment of their own property. To begin with the positives. We,
the members of the board
believe there is very good
compliance with the noise
ordinance by respondents. After
the hearing. Respondents do not
want to come before the board.
They do not want to pay the
fines levied by the board. They
do not want to hear complaints
about their allegedly
irresponsible and harmful
behavior from their neighbors.
Once is enough. Unfortunately,
We believe that the cases that
come to us may be the tip of
the iceberg. And there a RE
five reasons for this. One
noise is not covered by the
ordinance. The city, and
therefore the board has no
jurisdiction over noise created
by state entities. Is. This may
include the university. And the
contractors working on Route,
one for the highway authority.
These are above our pay grade.
Two. Noises from a moving
vehicle not registered to a
college park address. The
ordinance only pertains to
noise from a fixed address
within the city. Modified
mufflers and loud radios are
not covered. The city staff
inform us that the contract
police have begun issuing
repair orders in quantity.
Modified mufflers. If they can
be induced to keep that up. We
should hear less about that
type of problem. Three. This is
the one we
type of problem. Three. This is the one we'll probably be
talking about the most. Noises
caused by tenants whose
identities are masked by
landlords. And noises in which
the landlord has shown other
negligence. At our last meeting,
city staff informed us of the
following patterns of behavior.
You have to remember. This is
what they told us. We didn
You have to remember. This is what they told us. We didn't we
didn
what they told us. We didn't we didn't hear about it at the
hearing at any hearing, but We
have we have heard suggestions
that these may be true? A Large
parties with lookouts who warn
of approaching city vehicles,
ensuring that the decibel count
is below the ordinance standard
while the officer is present. B.
Parties were. Nobody will admit
to being one of the tenants and
giving a name. See landlords
refusing to give names of
tenants at the properties to
city staff. Paying the
negligible $75 fine for that
refusal instead of the much
more consequential No, it
refusal instead of the much more consequential No, it's
more consequential No, it's fine. Note that the public
services director can
fine. Note that the public services director can't demand
that the tenant attend a noise
control board hearing if he
doesn
control board hearing if he doesn't know who the tenant is.
There are several potential
remedies for these patterns of
behavior. Since. The. Evidence
and experience are with the
city staff rather than the
board. We have told the staff
that we will support whatever
proposal they bring to council.
Among these remedies would be
toughing the fine for not
furnishing tenant ventures
furnishing tenant ventures names. Holding the landlord
directly responsible for noise
caused by anonymous renters.
Finding the landlord for being
on a unable to prove that the
anonymous renters were informed
of the provisions of Chapter
138. And asking, says the
housing boardroom informed that
it
housing boardroom informed that it's the actually the A PC. To
revoke the use and occupancy
permit for the property in
question. To. Repeat. We are
deferring to the council, the
city staff and the city
attorney. For the most
efficient solution. And. We
support whatever that solution
might be. Four. Noises that two
people won
might be. Four. Noises that two people won't complain about.
The ordinance requires two
complainants and sometimes a
person who wants to complain.
Can
person who wants to complain. Can't get another neighbor to
sign on. We do not have
consensus on the board about
changing this rule. Five. Cases
where the potential
complainants don
where the potential complainants don't know about
the noise Control board or how
to get a hearing. I wanna
emphasize the first one? The
city website could lay out how
to complain to the board. I
can
to complain to the board. I can't find anything on the city
website about how to complain
to the board or even that there
is a board. Maybe it
to the board or even that there is a board. Maybe it's an It
to the board or even that there is a board. Maybe it's an It's
probably in the ordinance, but
I can
probably in the ordinance, but I can't find anywhere else on
the website about how to
complain to the board. Number
two The City newsletter could
mention the board. Would
probably make a big difference
if once or twice the
diamondback would cover a noise
board hearing. Number three
City Council members could
discuss the availability of the
Board Civic Association
Board Civic Association meetings. To sum up. We, the
members of the Noise Control
board would like the council to
know that although we are
comfortable With the resolution
of the noise problems that have
come before us. We cannot say
that we are comfortable with
the overall noise situation in
college Park. Because we do not
know the frequency or severity
of the five kinds of noise
problems. That. I have just
listed Thank you. Thank you. Um,
add anything. Not in particular
I. I will say just as a
clarification. I didn
I. I will say just as a clarification. I didn't get a
promotion. I
clarification. I didn't get a promotion. I'm vice chair, so
I
promotion. I'm vice chair, so I'm not co chair. Um, the the
the Mr. Schroeder made a a
point that I think for me, um,
as a property owner in Calvert
Hills. Uh, Close to old town.
You
Hills. Uh, Close to old town. You'd see these houses that
were frequent. Um, repeat
offenders. For, large parties
and large gatherings. I didn
offenders. For, large parties and large gatherings. I didn't
know about the noise control
board until I was on the noise
control board. So. I do think
that dissemination of
information to the various
neighbors, um to the to the
entire city would be Really
important and if that could be
Something on the website where
you basically just clicking a
link filling out Uh, you know,
you know Fillable PDF or some
fillable form or something like
that. I think something like
that would be Really helpful.
Don
that would be Really helpful. Don't know that we were
discussing the various, Um And
fines and the and the various
sanctions that that are
involved. It
sanctions that that are involved. It's me you know you
get you get a few folks in
front of noise Control board.
They
front of noise Control board. They're they
front of noise Control board. They're they're having to deal
with this. They
They're they're having to deal with this. They're being hailed
in front of their neighbors and
everything else. It
in front of their neighbors and everything else. It's not a
pleasant experience for a lot
of people. I don
pleasant experience for a lot of people. I don't even know
how much the The. Fine,
certainly as a landlord myself,
Um you know, UN, O and fines
would would eventually affect
you. But Um, for these larger
houses where there are 10
people in one floor or
something like that. Uh, I
don
something like that. Uh, I don't know that they
something like that. Uh, I don't know that they're really
going to be affected so much by
by fines, but again, hailing
them in front of the noise
Control board, uh and and
potentially affected their UN O.
I think I think could have a uh
um A a good effect on the on
the noise. So that
um A a good effect on the on the noise. So that's Basically
all I have to say, but, um I
think that there
all I have to say, but, um I think that there's I think
there
think that there's I think there's room for improvement
for for how we disseminate that
information. Thank you. It
for for how we disseminate that information. Thank you. It's
very helpful. Um Want to take
questions, Mr. Please go ahead.
So did you raise fast? Please
Go ahead. Okay, I guess I
So did you raise fast? Please Go ahead. Okay, I guess I'm in
the hot seat tonight. So as as
far as the the so I guess I, I.
A. I
far as the the so I guess I, I. A. I'm A. I would agree with
the the recommendations
included in in five. You know,
I think I recently, uh,
referred some residents in the,
uh, College Park Estates
neighborhood to the noise
control board. And. I believe
that that resulted in AAA
positive outcome. Um, although
perhaps not necessarily You
know through the the, uh, the
process that the residents
expected, but it resulted in a
positive outcome. Um I. I also
really believe that the the
presence of the noise control
board or referrals to noise
control border are a deterrent
in of themselves. Um, and that
that needs to be easier to do,
Uh, with regards to the two I.
I recognize that you all don
Uh, with regards to the two I. I recognize that you all don't
have, uh, any internal
consensus on the on the
Requirement that at least two
people complain about it. And I
Guess I. I feel somewhat
strongly that that needs to
retain and remain in place. Um,
because there are a lot of solo
cranks in the city, um, with
with no disrespect to solo
cranks, and but I
with no disrespect to solo cranks, and but I'm not sure
that would be appropriate to
have, um, you know, just simply
one person who could who could
spin up? You know a noise
control hearing and and create
a lot of stir, um, just on
their own without getting at
least one other, uh, sober
minded resident to to to agree
to to So present in front of
the board, and that actually
raises you know what I see is
maybe the largest barrier to
the noise control board because
I actually have talked up the
noise control board to our
residents in old town and
Calver hills for for on several
occasions over the years,
residents are very in my in my
view, residents are reluctant
to engage in that process
because it because it
establishes a quasi judicial in
confrontational. Um, certainly
adversarial, Uh, hearing, um
and and many residents, you
know, don
and and many residents, you know, don't necessarily want To
have that relationship with
with their neighbors. I, don
have that relationship with with their neighbors. I, don't
I. I. Don
with their neighbors. I, don't I. I. Don't And. So I. I think
all the rest of this stuff will
help, But. I don
all the rest of this stuff will help, But. I don't know how you
overcome You know? That barrier
and and maybe you don
overcome You know? That barrier and and maybe you don't need to
overcome that barrier. May.
Maybe. The answer is people
then will only avail themselves
of the noise Control board, if
if they
of the noise Control board, if if they're advised that it
exists when they
if they're advised that it exists when they're really just
at wits end And. I think that
that was the case in college
Park Estates, by the way, um,
the issue in college Park
estates for my colleagues was
that there was a resident who
was driving a very loud vehicle
into the car or into the
neighborhood at all hours of
days and nights, and, uh,
waking up Children and waking
up, you know residents, and
apparently, they kept very odd
hours. Um, The upshot was they
had sold it by the time the
nose control board hearing
occurred, so it it the problem
kind of solved itself. But. Um
it took a lot of pep talking
for me to convince our
residents to actually go to
that gather the evidence needed
and actually go to that
adversarial sort of, um Hearing
to to even make it happen. A.
Couple of other reflections are,
um I. I absolutely think that
we need to create every
incentive for landlords to, uh,
especially when there is AAA
Code enforcement action or or
or especially something like
that that
or especially something like that that's criminal or
potentially criminal provide
the names of the of of the
people who exist on the on the,
um On the lease I. I can
people who exist on the on the, um On the lease I. I can't
think of any Reasonable reason
why, in the presence of a code
violation or a law violation
that that information should be
withheld from code of law
enforcement, Uh, officials. So
if if there
enforcement, Uh, officials. So if if there's a a need to raise
a fine or look at other
enforcement practices, that
would be something that that I
would definitely encourage. And,
I
would definitely encourage. And, I've heard, um, both from uh,
from your predecessor on many
occasions that that was, you
know, sort of something that
that that many landlords have
kind of, you know, baked into
the cost of doing business, so
You know anything that we can
do to disrupt That dynamic is
something that I would be in
favor of, um, that
something that I would be in favor of, um, that's those are
my reflections. Thank you.
Absolutely thank you. I. We
have someone from the board.
Actually Miss Bellamy. She
wants to speak, Please unmute
wants to speak, Please unmute yourself. And. I
wants to speak, Please unmute yourself. And. I've been on the
noise board about 10 years. I
live in District four. And, um
From my experience with the
neighbors. It is, um They don
From my experience with the neighbors. It is, um They don't
know about the noise board and
I think the city needs to make
it much more available to, um
to the residents. What What.
Their tools are in solving some
of these problems. And, um I. I
think it would make life a lot
better in the neighborhood and
my experience on the board is
usually when Someone makes a
complaint and the, um One that
causes that they end up shaking
hands at the end of the meeting
and agree to work together. So
it. It does have a positive
outcome. And. Also. I think
that the Landlords need to be
made more accountable. I mean
it. The fine structure from the
way it is. I It doesn
it. The fine structure from the way it is. I It doesn't have
any effect, Whatever and and
maybe they should do like they
do in Ocean City they have
besides the rental permit. Have
a noise permit. And this would,
um When they sign off on that
they would have to be aware of
the noise loss and make sure
that their tenants are aware of
the law. And I think we would
have much easier way of
enforcing the issue. Thank you.
Um you, Miss Bellamy! Thank you
so much. I was actually going
to ask a question around that
line. Did you or any any any of
the, uh, of the, uh, noise
control boat, IN General As a
body you get a chance to look
into the practices, the other
towns. Like, the similar, uh,
advisory Committee, actually,
does we We have we have we have
not as a board looked at the at
at the at the, uh, ordinances
from other cities. And if you
would like us to do that, Uh,
you should Tell us Yeah, it as
a council you can tell us to do
that. You pay you pay us every
time we meet, but go ahead.
Thank you. I
time we meet, but go ahead. Thank you. I'll. Definitely to
my colleagues. Thank you, Mr
Mayor and thank you both for
your leadership and Miss
Bellamy on the committee. So.
Yes, I will say Please look at
other municipalities, Ocean
City, Um Salisbury. Um there
other municipalities, Ocean City, Um Salisbury. Um there's
some other ones on the Eastern
Shore area that have much
stricter ordinance And. I think
that might help support some of
the things that you
that might help support some of the things that you're saying
tonight? I do, uh, appreciate
my colleague Councilor Rick and
regarding to point number five
about getting information out
about what is noise board the
responsibilities who are the
members and actually, also
again, I like to point about
bringing the noise board
members to Civic Association
meetings to talk about what
members to Civic Association meetings to talk about what's
going on in the city. How. You
can report I think that will
elevate, Um, the members of the
committee but also elevate the,
uh about the fact that we take
this seriously collaboratively,
the UM, Committee as well as
the council. I
the UM, Committee as well as the council. I'm going to Point
number through. Where
the council. I'm going to Point number through. Where's the one
about the person did not the
look at Well, that
about the person did not the look at Well, that's what we
experiencing in district four,
so I would like to see if
there
so I would like to see if there's any way to how we could
combat that. I know when some
municipalities the actual
landlord has to register the
names of the actual tenants in
their homes, So when the code
enforcement officer goes out to
inspect, it
enforcement officer goes out to inspect, it's supposed to match
up and if it
inspect, it's supposed to match up and if it's different, then
there is a question that needs
to be brought to bear to the
property owner. So if there
to be brought to bear to the property owner. So if there's a
possibility that we can look at
that, because I know many, many
years ago in District four,
there was a Propose party at
the pool, and that was, um
brought to us through social
media. Um, to, uh, as a
deterrent. We found out in time
and worked with a contract and
finish county police. Um and
we
finish county police. Um and we're able to alleviate that
party from occurring so regards
to that. I appreciate that, Um,
in regards to Landlords needing
to, um Revoke the you know. I
think we need to look at that
in regards to if they
think we need to look at that in regards to if they're not
doing their responsibility and
their job. Then. We need to
dangle that as some the
character set in order to do
business and college park. You
need to adhere to the rules and
regulations. And if you don
need to adhere to the rules and regulations. And if you don't
your you know will be right.
You will be taken from you. Now.
There
You will be taken from you. Now. There's some other cases where
On off campus. There are
students who live in the off
campus housing that are not
from University of Maryland but
are from other universities. Um,
I know the city College Park
has done the code of conduct
with the students. I think we
need to go to the table and
talk to these other other
universities and do the same
thing with them. So. They
understand that when you live
in college park, there are
responsibilities that you bear
to the I
responsibilities that you bear to the I'm not only to the
quality of life for the
residents in the community but
to your colleagues, so that
residents in the community but to your colleagues, so that's
what Have for right now. Thank
you thank you. I wanna add
about the number one? The
noises that are not covered by
the city ordinance. So. You
probably know, um, the council
We have been advocating our
state delegations, um, on at
least about three bills for the
past two or three years. Um, um
In the past years, they did not
come out the committees. Um,
but this year, at least two
bills. I think there is very
good chance that they will be
Becoming law. The. One is the
noise camera bill and the other
one is the exhibition driving.
Um, we
one is the exhibition driving. Um, we'll be talking, actually,
right after this. Uh so if you
if you have any other ideas of
any legislation that the state
can actually take, Please let
us know. Sometimes. They
actually ask us that What What
do you really want and we can
advocate for you? Yeah, thank
you. All right? I like the
hands. Gonna go with the over
this order. Uh, Miss Whitney. I
have a question for, um, our
city attorney, Um What I? What
rights. Do. We have to, um,
require the landlord to give us
a copy of the lease if there
require the landlord to give us a copy of the lease if there's
been a complaint. Um, to get
the names of the people. Who
live in the
the names of the people. Who live in the home. What rights
Do you have, um If. There
live in the home. What rights Do you have, um If. There's not
a legal If there
Do you have, um If. There's not a legal If there's not a Legal
process that
a legal If there's not a Legal process that's requiring that
I
process that's requiring that I'm not sure if the landlord
has to comply with the request.
Can I we could explore. Can. I
help. Uh, if that rental
property is registered with the
city, Can, we actually give
that information. Are you? Can.
You. Repeat that question for
You. Repeat that question for me. I guess what? I
You. Repeat that question for me. I guess what? I'm, trying
to figure out is if there
me. I guess what? I'm, trying to figure out is if there's a
way to, um, force the well,
actually, this is kind of a
bigger question. I have
generally about the fact that
we have houses with more than
five people living in them. Um,
which isn
five people living in them. Um, which isn't allowed, Um I. Just
wonder if we
which isn't allowed, Um I. Just wonder if we're allowed to
require, um, submission of a
current lease whenever people
get a use in occupancy curve
permit. I. I think the best way
to to approach it is to look at
Um, our regulatory scheme on
what we require. I know we
require, um, licensing when you
rent property and so we need to
take a look at that and see
what the actual provisions are
and what we require of
landlords and see if there
and what we require of landlords and see if there's an
opportunity to strengthen that.
Thank you, Um Two. More
questions
Thank you, Um Two. More questions one Could there be
some way that that residents
could actually, um, measure
noise happening at a party when
they hear it And? Could there
be a device that might record
that and have a point in time
and maybe they can take a
camera picture and, like, do
can I speak to that so So As. I
said. Residents have two sorts
of recourse. Alright. The one
is The noise officer who has
who already has that device. Um,
and your code does not give
residents any Authority in that
sense, and the other is through
the noise board and we
sometimes do have residents.
The complainants coming to us
and say, I, I. Have. I had this
device and it measured, you
know, 100 and two decibels.
Well, guess what we are not
making. We are not We are not
finding objectively that that
that annoys standard an
objective noise standard has
been has been exceeded.
Therefore, it doesn
been has been exceeded. Therefore, it doesn't make any
difference. We have we? A RE we
a RE making a subject to
determination, based on the
preponderance of the evidence.
Thank you and my last question
would be, um, How. Do. You
think we could better apply? Um,
our noise. Ordinance to
businesses in in the community.
We have an ongoing problem with
the H vac system at let, um not
being well maintained and
screeching and bothering nearby
residents. Um, I think we II. I
believe that it has come before
you and it
believe that it has come before you and it's happening again.
Well. They got fined. Um so I
I
Well. They got fined. Um so I I'm. I
Well. They got fined. Um so I I'm. I'm sorry to hear that,
the that the problem continues,
Um Uh, They can get the the
fine. The fine doubles right?
Thank you? Thanks for your
action. Um do es. And. Thank
you both for your work? Um and
I won
you both for your work? Um and I won't repeat a number of
things that have already been
said. I. Do want to go to the
point of, um two people not
reporting, Um, a noise issue?
Um, and the challenges that
we
Um, and the challenges that we've had, and even
communicating that to residents.
So, you know, I
communicating that to residents. So, you know, I've I
communicating that to residents. So, you know, I've I've often
communicated that to residents
who have two people living in a
home and being able to say, you
know, there are two people
living at home can actually
each one of you Complain that
that is possible. It
each one of you Complain that that is possible. It's not
having to go to a neighbor or
go elsewhere to get a second
person to do this often times
people. What I
person to do this often times people. What I've experienced
is that after it
people. What I've experienced is that after it's done, and
they
is that after it's done, and they've said something about it,
they don
they've said something about it, they don't want to do anything
else until it happens again. Um,
so then the the complaints
continue, but they don
so then the the complaints continue, but they don't always
follow through with what needs
to be done to go to a hearing,
so we
to be done to go to a hearing, so we'll I mean we
to be done to go to a hearing, so we'll I mean we've continued
to do that and shared that with
people. Um, the other thing I
wanted To share is that, um,
when you go online and you go
under report, there is
information there that is about
what to do during a noise
violation, as well as pointing
to, um, a flyer that speaks
specifically of the noise
control board. So. Um and I
specifically of the noise control board. So. Um and I've
used that, um especially when I
first got on council. What I
used that, um especially when I first got on council. What I'm
thinking is that that needs to
be refreshed and, um, it can be
used in various ways. Be it our
Facebook page. Um uh, Social
media as well as other, um,
items that we share out with
with members of the community
because I don
with members of the community because I don't think that
that
because I don't think that that's been refreshed and
shared consistently. So. I
think that that could also help.
Thank you. Thank you. Mr Hill.
Thank you very much, um I
Thank you. Thank you. Mr Hill. Thank you very much, um I'm
looking at, uh, number one, and
I think that there
looking at, uh, number one, and I think that there's another,
um, noise that, um, I. Wanna
verify with staff. Um, that
Could be added to that is
construction noise outside of
the, um, allotted hours because
we
the, um, allotted hours because we've been receiving complaints
about, um, construction sites
on the RST, starting at 630 in
the morning. Yeah, and then
when we get those kind of cases
we actually do follow up with
enforcement. Uh uh, pretty
pretty quickly, actually,
usually the same day that we
receive that complaint. There
are some exceptions. Uh, one
being, uh, construction
activity That
being, uh, construction activity That's on Route one.
As. You All know we
activity That's on Route one. As. You All know we've, um
that
As. You All know we've, um that's been a very difficult
one. Uh, to deal with. Um, but
the most ones are, uh that we
that we deal with currently are
are construction. Um Uh, Mr
Halpern usually is out there
pretty much the next the the
next day, and, uh, trying to
get those resolved, so we
haven
get those resolved, so we haven't had Many issues with
that lately. Thank you as a
resident of District one. I
should point out that some some
of the entities that are not
mentioned in my statement. That
are also above our pay grade.
Our Be way. The Metro The CS X.
Yeah can avoid them, right. So?
Um as for communicating with
other, um entities about this,
Um I got a contact for you from
the universe. Um, for the, um,
Minnesota. They have, uh, three
universities in their town, and,
um they really exercise this
ordinance very, very similar
one and they they are claimed
to not have issues anymore. So
I will give you that contact to
follow up with lucky people.
Yes and then um, as for needing
the two people to complain when,
um our, um Code enforcement
officers been alerted to a
noise complaint could that be
considered one of the
complaints as long as it
considered one of the complaints as long as it's not
the same person who reported it?
There
the same person who reported it? There's been the second
There's been the second complaint. As long as he
There's been the second complaint. As long as he's
witnessing it. He has to be
there witness while while it
witnessing it. He has to be there witness while while it's
taking place, let let let me
let me let me try and speak to
it in terms of the ordinance,
you have Mhm. Do you noise
officer is only going to be
able to speak to whether or not
they they
able to speak to whether or not they they've exceeded the the
de the decibel limit. Um, and
if they have exceeded the
decibel limit, um You know then,
then the officer can issue a
violation right there. Um so
and the officer is not. I mean
the officer can only tell you
Well. I
the officer can only tell you Well. I've been called out to
that address. Whatever number
of times, um and have but I
have not observed any Violation,
uh, any violation above The
limit in in In the, uh, in the
ordinance, so They can
limit in in In the, uh, in the ordinance, so They can't help
at the hearing. In my view they
they cannot help the way that
this ordinance is written now
to really we, we and we on the
board can take that That
officer
board can take that That officer's You know information
that officers evidence is part
of the context of our of our
decision making right? But.
They are not a complainant. It
really goes back to the um two
or more residents complaining.
OK and, um last 10, and this is
another one more for staff
about procedures again. Um, I
know that when we have, um code
enforcement issues, noise or
what have you In the evenings
Um we are required our our code
enforcement officers required
to have a police backup. Are we
utilizing university, please
for this as
utilizing university, please for this as well. Uh, not not
normally, Uh, university police
is usually only patrolling on
campus. Um they
is usually only patrolling on campus. Um they're they
is usually only patrolling on campus. Um they're they're not
usually, uh, in the
neighborhoods very there
usually, uh, in the neighborhoods very there's
occasionally times. Uh, it has
to be a pretty large party for
them to A company us. Um, but
this is a student issue. You
face this still an so if it
this is a student issue. You face this still an so if it's a
certain issue, they they should
be part of this to witness this
and on camp issue for them. If.
It
and on camp issue for them. If. It's off campus. It
and on camp issue for them. If. It's off campus. It's really
It's off campus. It's really not The. They
It's off campus. It's really not The. They'll say
differently. But, I, I
not The. They'll say differently. But, I, I'm just
telling you from just my short
experience here, they they have
not really, Um Uh, taking that
as serious as something that
would happen on campus. OK?
Well, we need to open up that
communication. Thank you, Um Um,
before I. Take your question.
Can. I go to Miss Mackay
because she raised hand before
Um Mr Schroder. I want to ask
you about, um in your second
paragraph, where you say second?
After the fact. They can ask
the public service director to
call a hearing of the noise
control board to make an OK
that That part. So if you have
An issue, but you can
that That part. So if you have An issue, but you can't get a
reading and noise reading. For
various reasons. Um The. The
residents can come to the noise
board with They really don
residents can come to the noise board with They really don't
have any proof because there
board with They really don't have any proof because there's
no that that they can. They can
so the the noise officer is not
there. More than a few minutes.
All right. They can they can
testify to to what it was
whatever they observed in the
course of four hours or five
hours, or whatever it was OK. I
just wanted to make sure I know
Mrs Bellamy has been telling me
about this, and I need to get
some of my residents. Both of
us need to work on them. And in
addition to the unreleased
social gathering, because I
think We need to bring out the
big guns here. So. Uh, thank
you for clarifying that, and I
want to thank all of you for
serving on this committee very
important, and we
serving on this committee very important, and we're and we do
great work for our city. Thank
you. Thank you? I know it
great work for our city. Thank you. Thank you? I know it's a
quality of life fishes and
probably health issue. Um, Mr
Hernandez. OK? Alright. Uh Mr
Schroder. Thank you so much for
coming to the, uh, North
College Park community
Association, uh, to introduce
yourself and and familiarize
the the members a little bit
more about, uh, the board. Mr
Hernandez. I think we need a
motion to extend the motion to
extend the meeting? All in
favor say and the opposed to
the extension. Made an next
time Please go ahead continue.
No one wants to be here as late
as this, But. Here. We are, um
my frame of reference is all
remind everyone is 1230, but,
uh, Mr Schroder, the only
question I have and it
uh, Mr Schroder, the only question I have and it's gonna
It
question I have and it's gonna It's gonna kind of defer. It
question I have and it's gonna It's gonna kind of defer. It's
gonna be a little bit not
contentious, but certainly not
not to everyone
contentious, but certainly not not to everyone's, uh, typical
approach to noise, but let
not to everyone's, uh, typical approach to noise, but let's
say a resident when it gets
warmer, uh, wants to have some
sort of host some sort of party.
Uh uh, some sort of gathering.
Uh, Backyard, uh, is there a
process for them to to to to
speak to their neighbors about
trying to not get sighted? Uh,
I
trying to not get sighted? Uh, I'm just thinking off the top
of my head that there are there.
There are families that live in
my district that maybe they
have good relationships with
their neighbors and want to ask
them. Hey, you know, we we
wanna throw a little event. Is
there a process for for them to
be able to do that. So Let
there a process for for them to be able to do that. So Let's
get real OK. Um, but the the
the The the complaints. Are
brought by human beings. Before
Noise board. They
brought by human beings. Before Noise board. They're also
consists of human beings, Um If
you have If. You have a social
gathering without amplified
music. In your backyard. It is
quite possible that the that
the decibels of conversation
will cross the decibels. In the
ordinance. That does not mean
anybody is going to be calling
the the the noise, the noise
officer And it doesn
the the the noise, the noise officer And it doesn't mean
that they
officer And it doesn't mean that they're going to to bring
it to to Board. And if it does
come to the board. We were, we
might well, listen and say Oh,
People were talking to each
other and and and and it was
kind of bothersome after about
930. Um, but was it
unreasonable? Um And so We get
complaints that we that That.
We Decide are, you know not
reasonable. Um, even if They
We Decide are, you know not reasonable. Um, even if They're
technically within bounds, OK?
It is a subjective decision. Um
I
It is a subjective decision. Um I'll have to say that so we
have I mean we we have Decided
not to find violations for
barking dogs. We
not to find violations for barking dogs. We've decided not
to find violations for for
construction. Uh, well,
actually, we
construction. Uh, well, actually, we've never had a
complaint about construction
and your own house during
regular day daytime hours. Um,
we have we have. There was a
case where? Where is where a
school had had, Uh or, uh,
educational organization had
kids that went outdoors and the
kids made noise when they went
outdoors. We, didn
kids made noise when they went outdoors. We, didn't we did not
find a violation, All right?
This is a re this is this is
what the law calls a reasonable
man situation. The woman. I. I
greatly appreciate that, And.
That
greatly appreciate that, And. That's really That
greatly appreciate that, And. That's really That's really a
relief to hear, uh that it
That's really That's really a relief to hear, uh that it's
subjective when I went to NC PC
a. I said I. I have advice for
you. If. You don
a. I said I. I have advice for you. If. You don't want to get
to get excited for a noise
violation. You can you can
crank your music up as loud as
you want to. If you keep all if
you keep it all indoors and the
doors and windows are closed.
Nobody
doors and windows are closed. Nobody's gonna complain. It
doesn
Nobody's gonna complain. It doesn't matter how high the
decibel level is. Thank you? It
has to be at the property line
right that this will allow.
Alright. Um, let
right that this will allow. Alright. Um, let's just start
the second by. Let
Alright. Um, let's just start the second by. Let's Let
Alright. Um, let's just start the second by. Let's Let's do
quick because two council you
your question about, um U MD. I
just asked the the city manager
because I know I wasn
just asked the the city manager because I know I wasn't going a
little bit crazy, but maybe
sometimes, but, um We do have,
um MD police to help us with
concurrent jurisdiction, But I
guess we haven
concurrent jurisdiction, But I guess we haven't brought him
back to the table to talk and
discuss about what our
expectations are, so I think
that
expectations are, so I think that's something we need to
bring them back to the table to
manage the expectation. Because.
This is the issue and and we
can
This is the issue and and we can't have the noise board
trying to do their work and
contract. Please try to do
their work if we don
contract. Please try to do their work if we don't have you
MD police here at the table as
well, So it takes all four
entities to work together if
we
entities to work together if we're gonna achieve success. So.
Thank you, um was the second
bit. It
Thank you, um was the second bit. It's not a second bite.
It
bit. It's not a second bite. It's building on, uh, MM what
Miss Mitchell just said sorry.
But. I was just gonna say I
Miss Mitchell just said sorry. But. I was just gonna say I'll
say a second, but go ahead. I
was going to say just very
briefly. You know, I Think
University of Maryland Police
were guards their primary
jurisdiction is just that the
primary jurisdiction on campus
and their concurrent
jurisdiction as like. A.
Distant distant second. Um In
fact you know, I as somebody
who lives in the concurrent
jurisdiction and we really only
see them off campus during
spring Break Winter break and
sometimes during the summer, So
I. I think that that
sometimes during the summer, So I. I think that that's probably
why what Mr Young is saying is
true is I mean they
why what Mr Young is saying is true is I mean they're busy on
campus, and they
true is I mean they're busy on campus, and they're shorthanded,
too. So, um, I suspect Even
with 99 Sony officers. You
think they
with 99 Sony officers. You think they're short? Alright,
Um what was the second bias?
Doctor Esther, right. Yes. I
wanted to ask a question. I see
how many hearings have been
held within a certain period of
time? How. Many complaints
would you say, um, are received
in a in a year. I was just
thinking about that, I would
say maybe five. OK we? We get
maybe five, but that so As I
said the tip of the iceberg We