[0:00] Part 3, September 1, 2020, 6, welcome back from the summer vacations. Many of you have enjoyed

[0:08] hopefully. We will begin the meeting to enter into a close session, but before that we'll have to do the roll call.

[0:20] Let's start from district one on my right city council member Jego Hernandez.

[0:25] President, council member Alan Hill, President, council member Kelly Jordan,

[0:31] President, council member Holly Simmons, President,

[0:36] council member Dan Ours, President, council member Ray Ranker,

[0:44] President, Mayor Putem, Maria Mackie, and Council Member Denise Mitchell.

[0:52] So now, we'll entertain in motion to move into a close session.

[0:57] Mr. Mayor, I move that the Mayor and Council convening closed session pursuant to Maryland

[1:02] general provisions article 3, DAS 305 B3, to consider the acquisition of real property

[1:08] located in College Park for public purpose and matters directly related to that acquisition.

[1:14] All in favor say aye.

[1:17] In your post, in your extension, the motion has been approved.

[1:23] And I will make this a statement.

[1:27] It may sound like a repeat.

[1:28] The Maryland Council will now convene in a co-station

[1:31] pursuant to melon-generalist provision,

[1:34] Sardicle 3-3 or 5-3 to consider the acquisition of real property

[1:39] for public purpose and matters.

[1:41] directly related to that acquisition.

[1:45] Following the close session, the mayor and council will reconvene in open session.

[1:53] Thank you all. I will have hope to see you soon. Thank you.

[43:04] It is Tuesday 7.43 PM. I'm calling to the order of the regular meeting of the College Park City Council.

[43:13] And today is September 1st, 2026.

[43:26] And we are re-entering open session from the close session that we just finished.

[43:34] We will begin the meeting with the moment of silent meditation followed by pledge of legends. Tonight this will be led by City Council Member Jordan.

[43:42] Kary Jordan. In ear meditation, please remember one of our very long time residents. His name is

[43:50] Ray Baldak. He's a not college part resident. And he recently passed away. And his service will be on this September

[44:02] or forth to a clock, the Gash's funeral home.

[44:09] So, Ray has been with the community for a very long time.

[44:13] He'll be definitely missed.

[44:16] Any other announcement?

[44:21] Not the announcement.

[44:22] It's sorry, this is about meditation.

[44:25] Yes, if not.

[44:26] I'd like my colleagues and everyone else to please

[44:29] keeping your prayers, those impacted by the devastating glacial flood in Nepal, many, many people

[44:38] have perished and many are so lost in the crisis.

[44:43] So I ask you all to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

[44:45] So I'm sorry.

[44:46] Thank you.

[44:47] Thank you.

[44:51] This is the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack on 9, 11, 2001 in New York City.

[44:57] watching to DC and on Flight 93, please keep them.

[45:00] And your thoughts, including the many emergency responders and those still suffering from health effects. Many of us were living here at the time and remember, I was living just outside New York City, so please remember them. Thank you.

[45:12] So, Emily, and it is very timely because I don't think we'll be having another meeting before September 11. Thank you.

[45:20] council member Mitchell. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. If you can also keep in our thoughts,

[45:28] three long-term residents who pass in the district for community, the stencil family,

[45:35] the Bacorni family and the Mouin family. So, I'd like to keep their family again,

[45:40] keep their family in their thoughts as they continue prepared for this transition. Thank you.

[45:49] Seeing none, please join me in a moment of solid meditation.

[46:09] Consolver John?

[46:16] Excuse me if I have the United States of America.

[46:19] And this is where we come up like over what it stands, one-on-one action, another

[46:24] amount, an individual with a liberty and a necessity for all.

[46:30] Thank you.

[46:30] We see that.

[46:31] We'll do the roll call, starting with Consolver, one on this.

[46:43] We don't need to

[46:47] do, yes, we have to do.

[46:49] I see it from the agenda, I'm falling the agenda,

[46:52] published the agenda, because this is a different meaning

[46:54] that the closed meaning, this is probably the reason.

[46:57] Consumer, Alan Hill, sorry, console, but another is,

[47:04] I really haven't moved, present.

[47:07] Consumer Hill, present, consumer Jordan.

[47:09] Present, consumer Simmons, consumer Oats, present,

[47:14] because we're an anchor, present,

[47:16] Mayor Putram Mackey, present,

[47:18] and Consumer Mitchell.

[47:20] Present.

[47:21] Now we'll do the announcement and comments

[47:23] in the same order,

[47:23] starting with Consumer and Burjana on this.

[47:29] Happy September, happy September.

[47:31] Felice, September.

[47:32] This is Hispanic Heritage Month,

[47:35] starting in September 15th to October 15th.

[47:37] It is a important time for us to be able to celebrate

[47:41] our rich culture here in our wonderful city of college park.

[47:47] I'm super excited,

[47:47] because for the third year consecutive year,

[47:51] I wonder why it started three years ago.

[47:53] But we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

[47:55] here with the event of Bailamos at Duball Field.

[47:59] I'm very excited. A lot of my friends are excited

[48:02] and I really want to encourage everyone to

[48:06] to reach out to your neighbors and invite them

[48:09] to just it evening of celebration of,

[48:12] well, you know, I don't know if you guys know but I am as you know.

[48:15] So, I'm really excited about it.

[48:19] Additionally, one of the things that we're coming closely to the end of is

[48:25] our Hollywood Farmers Market, we've got a couple more months, but as it's getting a little bit

[48:30] more bearable with the weather, I invite everyone to please attend Patron, the wonderful vendors

[48:37] that we have there, super excited to not only have them this year, but hopefully, and years

[48:42] to come but the Hollywood Department market is in the mom's parking lot so we will see you

[48:47] from 10 to 2 every Saturday.

[48:49] Thank you.

[48:50] Thank you.

[48:51] Councilor Hill.

[48:53] Pass.

[48:54] Councilor Jordan.

[48:56] Thank you.

[48:56] Welcome back students.

[48:58] It was wonderful to see so many people on UMD campus and all the back to school nights at the

[49:02] local schools.

[49:05] We were able to see many past and current lakelanders at Lakelanday this summer, the right

[49:09] in Britain, but it ended up being a beautiful day.

[49:12] The city continues to collect names for membership

[49:14] designation into the Legacy Lakeland Program

[49:16] and was able to sign up many and help get up the word out,

[49:19] the deadline for applying is October 30th.

[49:24] Four residents on that day were blessed with long life

[49:29] and honored Clarice Briscoe at 94,

[49:33] Katherine Walls at 95, Mary Day Holomon at 95,

[49:36] and Mary Seller is at 91.

[49:39] Burwin Day is coming.

[49:40] It's the annual neighborhood block party.

[49:43] A tradition over 50 years running is Saturday

[49:46] on September 12th from 12 to 4th of the Burwin neighborhood park.

[49:50] There'll be games, prizes from local businesses, college

[49:53] park arts, arts exchange, live music, virtual kitchen, food truck,

[49:58] yard sales and big sales.

[49:59] Thanks for watching, and I'll see you in the next video, and I'll see you in the next video, and I'll see you in the next video.

[50:00] It was great seeing so many students and community members at the park run this past Saturday. The UMD running club, the Roosevelt High School Cross Country team, we're all there.

[50:09] And lots of students, lots of community members. It meets, it's free and meets every Friday. Every Saturday at 9 a.m. at Averydale Park. Thank you.

[50:19] Thank you. That's more Simmons.

[50:21] Thank you. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Just two quick announcements. After there's some or hiatus, the Lakeland Civic Association will be meeting Thursday.

[50:29] Thursday, September 10th at 7 p.m. I believe location, whether it's virtual or in person may still be TBD and then the Burman District Civic Association will be meeting the following week on Thursday, September 17th at 730 p.m. at vital traditions.

[50:45] Thank you.

[50:47] Thank you. I also want to send a welcome to back to the students who are back on campus so it's written great to see people and meet new neighbors.

[51:00] I wanted to highlight the College Park Aviation Museum is having their community days September 12.

[51:06] And also just wanted to make a statement for anyone who is a Princess County parent and has been dealing with the transportation issues the last two weeks.

[51:18] very visceral for myself, my daughter was on school bus for over two hours yesterday on

[51:23] her way home. So, you know, we're with you and I for one I'm excited to see what we can

[51:30] do to continue to push for accountability and improvements on the coming. Thanks.

[51:34] Thank you. I believe there will be a virtual town hall tomorrow the telephone town hall and all

[51:41] of parents should be getting a invitation on that.

[51:46] Thank you.

[51:47] Councilor Loranker?

[51:49] Thanks.

[51:50] We have a yard sale coming up in YRO in College Park of States.

[51:55] I encourage you to come by and help me get rid of stuff

[51:57] that I want to get rid of.

[52:00] September 19th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

[52:03] Again, that's in a College Park of States

[52:05] and YRO communities of College Park.

[52:08] Also, when I echo Council Member Oats and then also to share that Papusa Wednesdays is back,

[52:17] so, beginning not tomorrow, but the following Wednesday through the end of the semester,

[52:23] free Papusa meals for anybody. No questions asked, 1130 to 130 at Hope Blue Thrin Church

[52:31] in College Park on Guilford Drive.

[52:35] Thanks.

[52:36] Mayor Potomackey.

[52:37] Thank you.

[52:37] Yes, thank you.

[52:38] I just want to make a several announcements.

[52:41] Tomorrow, Wednesday at the Lakeland College Park Community Center, is the Senior

[52:46] Event, which is going to be held from 1 to 3.

[52:50] And it's going to be about how to use your devices, getting help with using your devices.

[52:56] So I'm sure I really encourage all the seniors to go.

[53:00] But remember, it's at the Lakeland College Park Community Center, not the College Park Woods Community Center.

[53:07] And good neighbor day is coming up on October 24th, and so you can sign up for your good neighbor choices.

[53:16] You can do anything from cleaning up, and I'm removing invasive species to crochet, and one of our young residents is doing a blood drive.

[53:30] Council Member Jordan's daughter is leading a blood drive.

[53:34] So that is a fantastic thing that we're having for the first time this year.

[53:39] And I see our very wonderful coordinator for Boys and Girls Club here,

[53:45] and I just want acknowledge Angel.

[53:48] So there she is right there.

[53:49] I guess you're going to be doing a little presentation to us, sir.

[53:53] Comments during the moment.

[53:55] So we'll look forward to hearing from her,

[53:57] but she's spearheading the Boys and Girls Club,

[54:00] which we're all very excited about.

[54:02] Thank you.

[54:03] Thank you.

[54:04] Totally agree.

[54:05] Customs from our Mitchell.

[54:06] Thank you, Ms. Mayor.

[54:08] For the Disha 4 presence, we are excited to announce

[54:11] that our Disha 4 quality life meeting will be hosted tomorrow

[54:14] at 7 p.m. at the College Park Wood Clubhouse.

[54:18] Our own former deputy liaison, Mr. Disha 4 out of.

[54:23] He is our intern this year and he's done a wonderful job

[54:27] in regards to knocking on doors and getting the residents engaged in this wonderful process

[54:32] that we should look for tomorrow. In addition to that, I have a regards to my colleague,

[54:40] customer, I was talking about the school system. It is very unfortunate what our young scholars

[54:46] are going through the first two weeks as well as the parents have been going through. I can

[54:51] tell you I can test because I was out there three days last week at Dora Kennedy and Robert

[54:57] Gardett and I was just

[55:00] Just taking back by the amount of traffic and the emotions parents had. So I am asking you, any parent

[55:09] who has any concern, please reach out to your school board member. Please reach out to your

[55:15] county council member. Please attend the town hall tomorrow that starts at 6 o'clock. It is

[55:21] important for a priesthood's kind of school system to hear your concerns. It's unfortunate that

[55:29] still going on. Children are still taking two hours to get home. Some children didn't make

[55:36] it at home at all. Unfortunately, due to the bus situation. So I do again ask you please please

[55:45] please make the school system accountable. On another note, on September 8th, Prince George's

[55:53] public schools will be hosting is quarterly blueprint meeting. The meeting will be at 6 p.m.

[56:02] And if you're interested in participating, you can email Miss Brittany Bennett at PG underscore Brittany

[56:09] B-R-I-T-T-N-E-Y dot Bennett B-E-N-N-E-T-T at PG-C-P-S dot org and last I have on the lighter note if you're looking for a go to a movie and a drive-in like when you should do for some of us old timers

[56:30] On Thursday, September the 10th, from 7 to 10, 30, you can attend the movie at the

[56:36] first of all just stadium for a free at free cost.

[56:41] So, that's all I have Mr. Man, thank you.

[56:43] Thank you so much.

[56:45] Let's go to the student liaison.

[56:47] Welcome back.

[56:49] It's Martin.

[56:50] Hi, first I wanted to welcome the new students who are coming back on campus and the new students.

[56:55] As for Samie and I we have been doing some outreach we've been working on some social media social media videos that are going to be put out soon

[57:03] We met with city staff at the end of the summer and we're looking to table out the first look fair to get some members of our students on advisory panel

[57:15] And I'm excited for that.

[57:17] Thank you.

[57:18] Aside.

[57:19] Yeah, I'm pretty much covered in all but we're going to get the social media active right now.

[57:23] Now that students are coming back to campus, everyone's paying attention.

[57:26] So we're going to work with S.J., we're going to work with students and we're really looking forward to it, but yeah, find us the first look fair in a couple of weeks.

[57:33] It's going to be great.

[57:34] Thank you.

[57:35] Quite a tip.

[57:37] But let's go to our city manager's department, Mr. Young.

[57:39] Good evening Mayor, council and the residence calls park.

[57:42] One, I want to welcome the students back to the city and look forward to them spending their money while they're here this fall.

[57:49] First, the Calvary Hills playground, the city's contractors started a project to improve and connect

[57:55] pathways at the Calvary Hills playground during work hours. There will be loud noise

[58:01] and operating machinery on that playground. Additionally, pathways may temporarily be unavailable

[58:07] in access from Gilford Road, maybe closed during the project for drainage and accessibility

[58:12] upgrades, which we are undertaking there.

[58:15] And we will be, which will be completed in two phases and the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month.

[58:25] We also have some construction on Lakeland Road.

[58:30] There will be single lane closures on Lakeland Road between 48th Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue,

[58:36] starting tomorrow to allow WSSC's contractor to work on asphalt and concrete repairs in that neighborhood.

[58:46] Lastly, I wanted to request that the Council consider removing agenda item 26G-89, which is the consideration of retention and attraction grant in the amount of $300,000 to Crazy Cabob College Park to give me an opportunity to work with the applicant and staff and the Council prioring to bring it back for consideration.

[59:14] That's all I have tonight and ready to answer any questions you may have.

[59:18] Thank you. Any question for Mr. Yon?

[59:22] Seeing none, let's do acknowledge, man.

[59:24] I'm looking around. It looks like you do not have a formal elected.

[59:31] How did I miss that?

[59:32] Mr. Catlin, former district to city council member.

[59:35] Thank you for joining us. I appreciate that.

[59:40] We have two proclamations to make and they are very short.

[59:44] let me start with the first one, which is about suicide prevention month, and it will

[59:51] as follows, whereas September is recognized as national suicide prevention month to raise

[59:58] awareness.

[1:00:00] Reduce stigma, surrounding mental health and promote life-saving resources and support.

[1:00:09] And whereas Suicide Prevention Month encourages open conversations about mental health,

[1:00:16] educates the public on warning signs and prevention

[1:00:22] strategies and connects individuals to evidence-based treatment

[1:00:27] and support services. And whereas suicide impacts individuals,

[1:00:34] families, friends, co-workers, and entire communities

[1:00:39] making awareness and early prevention, early intervention essential

[1:00:44] to saving lives, and whereas the City of College Park supports the dedicated efforts of

[1:00:52] mental health professionals, educators, first responders, community organizations, and

[1:00:59] the City's youth, family, and senior services department in promoting mental wellness and

[1:01:07] suicide prevention.

[1:01:09] Now therefore, we are proclaimed by the Mirror and Council of the City of College Park that

[1:01:14] September 2026 is hereby recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month.

[1:01:22] We encourage all residents to promote mental wellness and help build a community where every

[1:01:29] individual knows that hope and support are available.

[1:01:35] This first day of September 2026 was a given mayor city of college park and the second

[1:01:40] the last proclamation I have about the Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th

[1:01:47] to October 15th and it is as follows. While as Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually

[1:01:54] from September 15th through October 15th to recognize and celebrate the rich histories, cultures,

[1:02:02] and contributions of Hispanic and Latino-community Americans, and whereas the 2016

[1:02:10] honoring our roads, building our future, celebrates the resilience leadership, innovation,

[1:02:19] and cultural heritage of Hispanic and Latino communities while inspiring future generations.

[1:02:26] And whereas Hispanic Americans have made lasting contributions to education, business, government,

[1:02:36] science, the arts, public service, and countless other fields in reaching communities across the nation.

[1:02:47] And whereas the City of College Park values the diversity, culture, and civic engagement

[1:02:52] of its Hispanic and Latino residents and encourages all members of the community to learn about

[1:03:01] celebrate and support. They are contributions throughout the year. Now they are for Beat

[1:03:07] proclaimed by the Miron Council of the City of College Park that September 15th was October 15,

[1:03:13] 2026 is hereby recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month. We encourage all residents to celebrate

[1:03:21] the history culture achievements and lasting contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans

[1:03:28] and to advance a more inclusive and welcoming community for all.

[1:03:36] Proclaim this first day of September, 2021, 2006,

[1:03:39] Fuzzle Kibir, Mayor, City of College Park.

[1:03:46] Our next agenda item is public comment and you can

[1:03:50] speak on any items. If you are here to speak, please come forward to the podium. We have

[1:03:56] up to three minutes. Please state your name and if you're a resident, if, you know, for the record.

[1:04:05] Mr. Mayor, can you remind those that testify to write their names down and that they're a city resident?

[1:04:12] Good, thank you. So there are cards over there on this small table at the entrance and if you could

[1:04:18] is ready on name and if you're a resident and address and pass that to our wonderful city

[1:04:24] clerk.

[1:04:25] That'll be appreciated.

[1:04:28] Thank you.

[1:04:29] Thank you.

[1:04:29] Mr. Dosh.

[1:04:31] Yeah.

[1:04:31] This is working.

[1:04:32] Okay.

[1:04:33] This is okay.

[1:04:34] Yeah, I'm David Dosh.

[1:04:35] I'm here for about 52 years as a resident.

[1:04:38] You think I still need to fill out the card.

[1:04:42] A couple of things.

[1:04:46] One of them was these cameras that we've decided to or the city is decided to put up at stop signs.

[1:04:55] And this is supposed to be for I'm going to guess public safety.

[1:05:00] But one in reality it is, it's nothing more than a money grab. It's a money grab for the company that owns the cameras and it's a money grab for the city.

[1:05:10] And they should be ashamed of doing stuff like this. It does not increase the safety of those intersections. And you can find this out by looking at what the record for those intersections are.

[1:05:23] the number of accidents that have occurred there and say the last five years and since the

[1:05:27] cameras have been in place for the last, I don't know, six months or so, see what the record

[1:05:32] for accidents that those sites are because this is just nothing more than just a real

[1:05:39] money grab and that's an unfortunate thing.

[1:05:45] The other thing was I got a note here the other day

[1:05:51] from the city, and it's like this, and it's all in Spanish.

[1:06:00] Oh, isn't that nice?

[1:06:02] Well, folks, the language in this country is English.

[1:06:07] And language in this state is English.

[1:06:09] The language in this city is English.

[1:06:11] And when we start publishing things in other languages,

[1:06:14] you discriminate against people that speak all the other languages.

[1:06:18] you don't publish things in. So remember that. Well, every time you publish something in Spanish

[1:06:24] here, you're discriminating against the people to speak say Chinese and we have a lot of people

[1:06:29] around here to speak Chinese. So why do we do this? If you live in the United States you live

[1:06:35] here in college part and we're trying to communicate with you, you should have learned English

[1:06:41] by this time if you're living here. Yes, you should have. Because otherwise go back to wherever

[1:06:46] once you came from, you know, this is an English-speaking country, and Mr. Mayor, point of order?

[1:06:54] Yes.

[1:06:55] Let them finish.

[1:06:57] Are we going to?

[1:06:59] Do we need to just continue to come?

[1:07:01] Do we need to continue to continue to continue to come?

[1:07:02] I would just continue to come to Council and request.

[1:07:07] Thank you.

[1:07:08] So let me make a statement first.

[1:07:10] And we talked about it in the past.

[1:07:12] We made it in our sorry statement in the past as well.

[1:07:15] two things. The one is the reason we have included some of our communication in different languages

[1:07:25] is because we have a growing population of residents speaking that language. It's all about

[1:07:33] making our services more accessible to our community. That's all. And that's the reason we have been

[1:07:41] publishing and posting, science and other materials in other languages of the

[1:07:49] English. English is still there. We're not removing English, but we are adding

[1:07:55] more communication just to make things easier for our community members. Thank you.

[1:08:01] So that's the policy we have and we are inclusive community. I don't like to continue that.

[1:08:06] But I'd add that there's no need to be disrespectful, I don't, right, point of order, you

[1:08:14] essentially.

[1:08:15] But I think that, like, some folks have fought for the right to let Mr. Dorch say whatever

[1:08:21] he wants to, but I think that in this chambers there should be just a modium of respect with regards

[1:08:30] to making any sort of recommendations for folks to go back to their countries.

[1:08:35] You know, that is certainly, thank you, thank you for pointing that there is, I wasn't born in this country and this is my country adopted, I'm not going back.

[1:08:45] Thank you.

[1:08:47] Any other residents on the come to speak?

[1:08:58] My name is Rick.

[1:08:59] Thank you.

[1:09:00] Richard Biffle, a non-resident taxpayer.

[1:09:02] And I emphasize the taxpayer because this is tax month September and those of us who own property in college park are well aware of the property tax bills.

[1:09:11] we have to pay this month. I want to make sure though that tenants and including students know

[1:09:17] about the property taxes we pay in college park because if you rent a house in college park

[1:09:22] you're paying those property taxes indirectly and my tenants pay if they have a 12 month lease

[1:09:29] they're paying three of those months of rent for property tax. Three of those months go directly

[1:09:35] to property tax. And another two to three months go for income taxes and other required payments

[1:09:41] to the government. So you do see those indirectly in the rent that you're built.

[1:09:50] Property taxes are an input cost of housing. And just as you don't see tariffs when you're

[1:09:57] buying goods that are imported, someone else...

[1:10:00] The process is paying them along the way. You don't see the property tax, but it's included. And I want to emphasize that, because we all have a stake in trying to control property taxes.

[1:10:10] And this year, although the rates didn't go up, the assessed values of properties did go up by almost 6% in my case. And so the amount of the property tax bill went up. And that puts pressure on landlords to raise rents.

[1:10:28] And between the increased values, assessed values of properties,

[1:10:34] and the greater amount of taxable property in the city,

[1:10:37] and also the stop sign cameras, the Diamondback reported in June

[1:10:41] that city revenues are up about 17% this year.

[1:10:45] And there doesn't seem to be any effort to lower taxes,

[1:10:49] but rather it's all to find ways to spend that 17% increase,

[1:10:55] such as the Diamondback reported there five new full-time employees in the city.

[1:11:00] One of whom is scheduling events that do all field.

[1:11:03] I question whether all these employees are necessary

[1:11:06] and I question whether all the spending is necessary

[1:11:08] and I would like for the city in making the budget next year

[1:11:12] to look for ways to lower tax rates

[1:11:15] because assessed values go up and there's not much we can do about that

[1:11:20] but you have some control over the tax rates and I hope you use it.

[1:11:23] Thank you. Thank you. Again, we do not go back and forth, but we're the past 10 years.

[1:11:29] So we increased tax rate once and lower twice with the past since 2015, I believe.

[1:11:36] Who is next?

[1:11:38] It's gone forward. Please state your name and if you're a resident.

[1:11:42] Good evening. My name is Christina Hamid and I am a resident of College Park, Maryland.

[1:11:47] And I'm here to share the vision of Crazy Cabab and Virtual Ex Kitchen and

[1:11:52] shed a bit of light on my husband, Nomi Hamid's grant request, and commitment to revitalizing

[1:11:57] the Burwen commercial district.

[1:12:00] For the past 18 months, I've watched firsthand as Nomi has been actively working towards

[1:12:05] these commercial, working to acquire these commercial properties and has been navigating

[1:12:10] the prepping process so that he can begin restoring and improving the buildings located

[1:12:15] in this district.

[1:12:16] This is not simply an idea or a proposal, it is a project that he is dedicated to significant time and effort towards making a reality.

[1:12:26] For years, these properties have been under ownership, that was not interested in working with the city or pursuing improvements to the area.

[1:12:34] Naomi wants to take a different approach, one centered on partnership, community engagement, and responsible investment.

[1:12:41] The area near the Baikpath has tremendous potential, but it has been largely underutilized

[1:12:48] with neglected buildings, limited traffic, and little commercial activity, and we believe

[1:12:54] that it presents an opportunity to create something that serves both the neighborhood

[1:12:58] and the broader community.

[1:13:00] During this process, we, as a team, have spoken with many residents throughout Berwin Heights

[1:13:06] in College Park.

[1:13:07] Some have lived here for a few years while others have called this area home for decades.

[1:13:13] And those conversations have made it clear that there is a genuine interest in seeing this part of the community

[1:13:19] received thoughtful investment and renewed activity.

[1:13:23] Our vision is to transform these properties into welcoming neighborhood spaces

[1:13:27] where people can gather, support the local businesses and the business owners that will operate there as well as enjoy their community.

[1:13:36] Nomi's request for the City Grant would help move this project forward and provide the resources needed to create a destination that contributes to the district's economic and social vitality.

[1:13:46] We believe that the Birmingham Commercial District has an opportunity for meaningful transformation and we're committed to being part of that process.

[1:13:54] And we hope the Council will support this effort and help us create a vibrant welcoming space that residents can enjoy and be proud of for years to come.

[1:14:02] Thank you.

[1:14:02] Thank you so much for coming and speaking.

[1:14:06] We'll see you next.

[1:14:07] It's going forward.

[1:14:08] Please stay here on name for the record and if you're a resident.

[1:14:10] Hello, everyone.

[1:14:11] I am Alex Pogani,

[1:14:14] and I'm a resident of College Park,

[1:14:15] and a home owner in the Berlin neighborhood.

[1:14:18] I'm here tonight to speak in support of the proposed retention and

[1:14:21] attraction grant for a crazy kebab as we heard earlier.

[1:14:24] And I want to support this proposal as a resident,

[1:14:26] not only because I believe in the project,

[1:14:28] but because I believe in the person and the team behind it.

[1:14:31] The owner has been a longstanding member of our community, and someone who's been consistently

[1:14:35] generous with their time and their involvement.

[1:14:38] This is someone who's invested in Burwen and has demonstrated that they are committed to being here

[1:14:44] for the long term. And I think that matters when we talk about using public resources to support

[1:14:49] local businesses. As residents we often say that we want to see development in our community

[1:14:54] and we want new businesses and we want local amenities more places for friends and

[1:15:00] Families together and opportunities like this give people a reason to say and spend their time and money here, and this is how we make that happen.

[1:15:10] When we support our entrepreneurs who are already invested in our community, we're not just supporting one business.

[1:15:16] We're creating an environment where future ideas and future businesses can also take root.

[1:15:20] And there are already exciting possibilities that can come from this investment like the

[1:15:26] cafe and ice cream talks, ice cream shop tops that will be located adjacent to the

[1:15:32] Holy Redeemer school.

[1:15:34] Those are ideas that add character to our community and provide something our residents

[1:15:38] currently don't have readily available that are local and small business own.

[1:15:43] I also think it's important to recognize that development doesn't always mean large corporations

[1:15:48] or major projects. Sometimes it's the local business owner who has a good idea and

[1:15:54] a commitment to the community and the willingness to take it and risk and invest here.

[1:15:59] So I believe this grant is an opportunity to encourage that kind of involvement.

[1:16:03] Thank you. Thank you so much.

[1:16:06] Who is next? It's gone forward.

[1:16:08] But the record please take a name.

[1:16:10] I'm sorry.

[1:16:10] Hi, good evening. My name is Mubarak Abadua. I live in Odantin, but I'm trying to be a part of this community by opening up that cafe.

[1:16:21] So let me start just a quick short story. I'll probably use all three minutes of it.

[1:16:27] I want to start by sharing something very personal. It was a dream of mine to open up a cafe.

[1:16:34] And I mentioned this couple years back to Naomi and when this came about, he said,

[1:16:42] He's like that phone call. I remember exactly where I was.

[1:16:46] And he said, are you ready to make your dream come true? And I said, which one?

[1:16:49] Because all of us have more than just one. So he said this.

[1:16:53] And I said, absolutely, so I put all my time and effort.

[1:16:59] I, you know, that phone call changed everything.

[1:17:03] So I'm a disabled vet in the army, which, you know,

[1:17:08] while I appreciate people's opinion and whatever,

[1:17:11] I still fought for those rights for first amendment, right?

[1:17:14] So you are really able to say what you want, okay?

[1:17:18] So after serving my country, I want to switch over

[1:17:23] after 21 and a half years of serving,

[1:17:29] community with everything, government, now I want to serve the community here.

[1:17:36] So the vision is to revitalize, and I've been here for about nine months now working with

[1:17:42] no meat day to day, ends and outs of business, and he's taken me under his wing, and I want

[1:17:49] to open up the cafe to welcome, it's a welcoming place for parents, students, especially

[1:17:55] during those hours well you know you're dropping off the kids or picking them up while you

[1:17:59] just you know and I've driven past that road by that school and the traffic is it's really bad so

[1:18:06] this way they have a place to just wait and the kids have a place after school to just come

[1:18:12] have some drinks whatever you know just be safe and but there's another community that is especially

[1:18:23] important to me. It's the veterans. And as a veteran myself, I know that sometimes veterans

[1:18:30] we need a place where we can just simply sit down with someone who understands, just to

[1:18:35] say, I understand. And I want our cafe to be a place where veterans can come together,

[1:18:42] have a cup of coffee. Yeah, 30 seconds. It's going to tear their experience. Anyway, I just

[1:18:46] wanted to say, no me has been amazing. Okay. So I really would love the opportunity just to

[1:18:52] bring it up and talk about that thing that can help both of us and the community as well as

[1:19:00] a whole.

[1:19:02] So the speech is a little bit longer, but I'm right at the time.

[1:19:05] So thank you very much.

[1:19:05] Thank you so much.

[1:19:06] And thank you for your service.

[1:19:08] Appreciate that.

[1:19:10] Who is next?

[1:19:11] Please come forward.

[1:19:13] I'll stick to your name for the record.

[1:19:15] Hi.

[1:19:16] Good evening.

[1:19:16] My name is Alec Lind.

[1:19:17] I'm a college park resident also living in the Berlin neighborhood.

[1:19:21] And I'm a live sandwich between where Naomi currently has virtual execution and where he

[1:19:27] hopes to put these new businesses, so I've seen it all over the last couple of years.

[1:19:33] As he's grown his business in Burwin, we love having him there.

[1:19:39] It sounds like this may get taken off the agenda tonight for the council to vote on, so I'd

[1:19:44] like to use my time to just state that, you know, as the council and as the city staff consider

[1:19:49] Next steps, you've already heard about all the ideas here and how these are multiple businesses that are going to go in multiple opportunities for the community to come together in these third space.

[1:20:00] This is an interactive way that we can't currently do in Berlin because we don't have anything like this. In that commercial district, really filled out with all of these different businesses that we can shop and spend our time at.

[1:20:12] So I just hope that you consider how you could support this project even if it's not through this particular grant approach.

[1:20:20] There's a lot of value in redeveloping this area of Berlin.

[1:20:25] It has sat vacant.

[1:20:27] I've been a resident for six years.

[1:20:28] It's sat vacant.

[1:20:29] That entire time.

[1:20:30] I know Bob would tell you it's sat vacant for even longer.

[1:20:33] A lot of these places.

[1:20:35] And Naomi has come in with a vision of how he can revitalize that whole district.

[1:20:39] We've talked about trees.

[1:20:41] We've talked about open spaces.

[1:20:42] We've talked about tables and chairs for anyone to pull up on the trail.

[1:20:46] sit down and have a coffee or have some food and hang out and I think all of that really is going to add value to the community and to college park as a whole.

[1:20:57] And then I think the last thing I just want to say is there was a lot of, there were a lot of things going around on social media and a lot of things being said about who know me is or who know me isn't.

[1:21:07] And I just want to point out that, you know, he's been my neighbor in Berwin for six years.

[1:21:14] I've known him as a dedicated business owner who has poured himself into the city, has poured himself into the business community here, has poured himself, poured himself into the larger Maryland business community through his work with rotary international.

[1:21:27] And I just want to, for anyone listening say that we can have our policy differences and we can have discussions around, you know, whether a policy is the right policy to pursue.

[1:21:35] but we should show respect to each other and we should especially show respect to somebody like

[1:21:40] Naomi who has dedicated his life in his career to making college park a better place to live.

[1:21:46] Thank you.

[1:21:52] Assistant.

[1:21:52] The name for the record?

[1:21:54] Ms. Matt Borle, I'm a Burwen homeowner.

[1:21:57] I came to talk about 26G89.

[1:21:59] I guess my main concern tonight isn't that you guys are going to table at what have you.

[1:22:03] My concern is that people went to social media, created this huge storm last night.

[1:22:08] and made a bunch of baseless claims against him.

[1:22:12] We have a universe in our backyard.

[1:22:14] You should be hold through a higher standard

[1:22:16] before we're just gonna give up and capitulate on such things.

[1:22:20] So 300,000 represents a tenth of a percent

[1:22:23] of the city budget on my correct, about 30 million.

[1:22:27] Right, so we're willing to drag small business owners

[1:22:30] through the mud over a tenth of a percent

[1:22:33] of the city budget.

[1:22:34] I mean, this is embarrassing.

[1:22:35] That's all I have.

[1:22:38] Thank you.

[1:22:39] Who is next?

[1:22:43] Mr. Catlin.

[1:22:45] Stay in there for the record one more time.

[1:22:48] Thank you, Mayor.

[1:22:49] Could be your members of the City Council.

[1:22:51] I'm Bob Catlin, colleagues for a resident

[1:22:53] and a resident of Berlin for many years.

[1:23:00] For 30-plus years,

[1:23:02] I've listened to residents complain about

[1:23:03] why the business is fixed.

[1:23:05] I'm used and what can we do to make it better.

[1:23:09] And until Naomi came around, bought the properties over you this year, I really couldn't give them my talk about it.

[1:23:16] So I was really surprised and excited when I was going to buy multiple properties and put businesses in them.

[1:23:25] I've been wanting to develop the commercial area a lot because I think I'd like to give people an opportunity or reason to go north on the bike path.

[1:23:34] instead of going down to highest fill, and Riverdale Park

[1:23:38] for commercial activity.

[1:23:40] So I think, by having multiple business here at the same time,

[1:23:43] it helps create a synergy for our neighborhood.

[1:23:47] Something that otherwise would take would be much slower

[1:23:50] developing, and given no means reputation

[1:23:53] that the things he's done, we really

[1:23:56] don't have a whole lot of business owners in the city.

[1:23:58] People rent a lot, but we don't have a whole lot of people

[1:24:01] actually going property.

[1:24:03] So, I'm asking you to do what you can to support his grant request.

[1:24:08] We had a board meeting in last night of regular schedule board meeting

[1:24:11] and the Board of the Civic Association voted unanimously

[1:24:15] to support Naomi and his request for grant assistance

[1:24:18] to help him get his businesses open.

[1:24:21] Thank you.

[1:24:22] Thank you so much.

[1:24:24] Coming in the speaking.

[1:24:26] Mr. Hammond.

[1:24:28] Mr. State on name for the record.

[1:24:30] My name is Naman Hamid.

[1:24:32] I'm known as Nomi.

[1:24:34] Good evening.

[1:24:36] And I never thought I'd be standing here for something like this.

[1:24:40] And I apologize for any hardship that I, for putting this grant in, have caused anyone

[1:24:48] or any emails and phones going off.

[1:24:52] I'm not a political person.

[1:24:55] I don't know how this stuff works.

[1:24:56] I'm your local business owner, and that's it.

[1:25:00] I wish I was backed by a lot of money like a set on social media, but that's not the case. If it was, it wouldn't be asking for $300,000. That probably have $20, $30, $40, more restaurants open somewhere around the world.

[1:25:14] As some of you might know, originally,

[1:25:19] Mo and I had gone to Hollywood to Carlton Enterprises to open up a cafe.

[1:25:26] I got a phone call from the owner who said no to Maro, I will send you a lease and after that I never from him again.

[1:25:35] And at that time we were talking about the attraction grant.

[1:25:40] It's put Michael Williams and that's where we got the whole idea from because that sign that's still on the window.

[1:25:45] And we're like, okay, let's see if we can open this up.

[1:25:47] But since that didn't happen, the money I was going to use to open that up, I went and I spoke to a bank and

[1:25:56] Thanks to Jared from Vital Traditions, he got me in touch with the Jenkins family and we worked out a deal and I was able to purchase this and ever since have been talking to city staff and council about this project.

[1:26:12] I mean, the way I've always looked at it as either, I can come in as a local business owner

[1:26:17] and try to make this a nice little community thing for Berwin or let an investor come in and

[1:26:24] put up some more high rises.

[1:26:26] That's what it comes down to.

[1:26:29] I was on my way out of college park, I didn't want this information out because it's my life

[1:26:35] and my struggles that I have to deal with.

[1:26:37] But I was on my way out of college park, about a year ago,

[1:26:40] and I had a lease ready to go in the city of Gator'sburg

[1:26:44] because I was getting ready to close shop in college park.

[1:26:48] Virtual execution opened, if you remember,

[1:26:49] when COVID started, we had to leave across the street.

[1:26:54] It worked when COVID was around.

[1:26:56] Times are now changing.

[1:26:57] It's not working that same.

[1:27:00] Uber, DoorDash, et cetera, take 40% of all of our bills.

[1:27:06] When you order from them,

[1:27:06] And that's what they take from restaurants.

[1:27:09] It is insane how those costs keep going up and up and up.

[1:27:14] We don't talk about it.

[1:27:15] We don't share about it.

[1:27:16] We just continue working and coming up with new things and new models to do it.

[1:27:22] This is a lifeline that we had and so we're taking it and that's why we came into the Berlin

[1:27:28] district to purchase these and I think the grant money, I mean if you just still business

[1:27:34] and buildings in what not, just as Festos remediation in these buildings that have been built

[1:27:39] since the 1930s would cost a lot of money.

[1:27:42] Can you stop?

[1:27:43] If you please wrap up, that's just appreciate it.

[1:27:45] You guys taking a look at this grant and considering it, and if you have any questions, my doors

[1:27:50] are always open to come and sit down and talk.

[1:27:53] Thank you.

[1:27:53] It's not only, and thank you for everything you have done for College Park, appreciate it.

[1:27:59] Who else next?

[1:28:01] Angel.

[1:28:03] Thank you for coming.

[1:28:05] Thank you.

[1:28:05] Thank you, thank you.

[1:28:06] My name is Angela Gentelian.

[1:28:08] I am Holly.

[1:28:09] I have to fix it on my card.

[1:28:12] That's okay.

[1:28:14] And I came, started to interrupt all the burwins stuff, but I have bed time at home, not for me.

[1:28:20] but I just came to talk about the college,

[1:28:23] I will be up till midnight doing Boys and Girls Club

[1:28:25] registration stuff.

[1:28:27] We have started back up the college part, Boys and Girls Club,

[1:28:30] which has been inactive.

[1:28:31] Yeah, that's true, that's true, that's true.

[1:28:33] That's true, that's true, that's true.

[1:28:35] It's been inactive since about 2019,

[1:28:38] kind of died during the pandemic.

[1:28:41] And I want to thank everyone on the council in the mayor

[1:28:43] who's been helping me with this.

[1:28:45] Right now, we have about 40,

[1:28:48] us eight and under and six and under kids signed up and about 10 toddler signed up or 15

[1:28:55] toddler signed up. So we have a good amount of kids. We had our first practice last week.

[1:28:59] We elected a board last week and we're working on getting the bank account back from the

[1:29:04] old treasure. She's been keeping up with all the filings and insurance and everything so the club

[1:29:10] was sort of active. So we're making good progress and Saturday we have our first game with the

[1:29:15] GSI League, so I'm just going to make an announcement that we are back.

[1:29:20] Today's sort of the last day for late registration, but if you have any residents who are

[1:29:23] interested in coming to practices, we have a set of toddlers, they could sign up at any

[1:29:30] time, and come every Thursday at Duvalt 6, we'll be planning.

[1:29:35] We could use more coaches, so if anyone is interested in coaching, you can email college

[1:29:40] park, boys and girls club at gmail.com.

[1:29:42] it will be me answering but we do have a whole board now some hoping that more parents will be helping out

[1:29:50] and I just want to thank everyone who's helped me out so I think that was it

[1:29:57] and I'm hoping that we can add more sports

[1:30:00] And have more teams upcoming, but we do have two teams in each age group, 800 and 600, and there are plenty of salaries.

[1:30:06] So we are representing college park well, but I'm hoping in the future with more sports and more players.

[1:30:13] So thank you so much.

[1:30:18] Thank you.

[1:30:19] Thanks so much for your leadership, and thank you for bringing back college park, boys and girls club again.

[1:30:29] And it has been not very active over the past, I believe, six years or so.

[1:30:34] So thank you for your leadership bringing all the community members and the young parents.

[1:30:38] And I don't think all of my colleagues as well, Councilwoman, sorry, may I put a Mackey

[1:30:43] and I had some opportunities and some other Council colleagues as well.

[1:30:47] I'm sure many of us have been involved in connecting all of the new leadership with the

[1:30:55] the previous ones and it looks like you are on the right track and we're very happy to see

[1:31:01] you have that you have a new board and that will be helpful.

[1:31:05] Okay, this is a lot of hard work, so thank you, give up the good work and let us know anyway

[1:31:11] you can help. Thank you. Let's see who else, I see that two residents online but I'm sure there

[1:31:19] some here. If not, let me, we have tests, McKay.

[1:31:29] Can I allow?

[1:31:31] Hello. Can you hear me?

[1:31:32] Can you hear it? Please go ahead.

[1:31:34] Hello. Hello counselors. My name is Test McKay.

[1:31:38] I'm a resident of College Park in the Hollywood neighborhood.

[1:31:42] And I'm here today because I'm concerned about

[1:31:45] rabies spreading through the Red Coon population in College Park.

[1:31:48] I'm coming to you specifically because on July 12th, a raccoon was suffering and acting

[1:31:55] erratically and was very clearly ill in my backyard.

[1:32:00] It was a Sunday and so the animal control, the Prince George's animal control is who

[1:32:05] responded to this and ended up taking a new denizing set raccoon and I learned from that

[1:32:10] experience that Prince George's county does know testing but for raccoons for rabies.

[1:32:18] I also, and I'm sure the council is aware that on June 19, a Raccoon attacked and bit one of my neighbors,

[1:32:29] and on August 24, another Raccoon was spotted acting erratically.

[1:32:34] So, rabies hasn't been confirmed in any of these animals, but to my knowledge none were actually tested.

[1:32:40] And grab it, animals poach, a huge public health threat, and a threat to public safety, and these repeated encounters with sick and aggressive raccoons suggest that rabies is spreading in the wildlife and our community.

[1:32:55] So I believe that college park needs to take proactive steps before another neighbor is attacked.

[1:33:00] And those steps could include things like actually doing testing or partnering with Prince George's county to do testing on animals.

[1:33:09] at warning the public or distributing oral

[1:33:12] rabies vaccines for wildlife or partnering with organizations

[1:33:16] that are already doing that work.

[1:33:18] For example, USDA.

[1:33:21] Thank you.

[1:33:22] Thank you so much.

[1:33:23] And thank you for making those suggestions.

[1:33:26] I'm sure I stopped in the working on these.

[1:33:29] And they have been, I don't think actually,

[1:33:31] them for capturing one of the sick,

[1:33:34] you know, raccoon's recently.

[1:33:37] And that was on the press release.

[1:33:38] But we heard about other incidents, and this is not the end of it.

[1:33:43] Certainly, this is a matter of concern, and this is a health and safety issue.

[1:33:48] So thank you. Thank you for your statement. I appreciate that.

[1:33:52] Who is next? Mr. Smith, fully, fully Smith.

[1:33:56] Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Good evening, everyone.

[1:33:59] So I'm a resident within House Park Woods.

[1:34:03] And today I'm here to discuss overcrowding on street parking.

[1:34:08] I currently live across from three rentals.

[1:34:12] There's four or five within, you know, proximity of me.

[1:34:17] And it's gotten untenable.

[1:34:19] The situation on limestone place, particularly.

[1:34:23] I think, you know, causes for this are, you know, landlords,

[1:34:27] It's not appearing to the ordinance on occupancy caps as well, you know, burning

[1:34:36] to multiple individuals, obviously individuals come with cars, and if you exceed that

[1:34:43] five cap, that five person cap, then they can really become a problem.

[1:34:47] I think even with the five people, five cars is a lot, especially when you live within

[1:34:52] approximately of multiple rentals, when I come home and I, you know, my wife.

[1:35:00] First of all, some of the public hearing is more often discussed in motion, but the fact that we are still

[1:35:03] equal in the ward, for our case, by the national council, and to be able to make sure that in

[1:35:08] a few minutes, I wanna read your speech for a few minutes, but I think that would be a good

[1:35:11] thing that we still need to do our job.

[1:35:11] I think that the city of College Park would consider some type of permit parking within the area,

[1:35:18] eliminating to maybe four cars and the city's name for how to hold it.

[1:35:23] And, you know, another point with the multiple individuals, those multiple individuals brain visitors as well, you know, so it's not just those cars on our street, it's people visiting those people, and it's become a real problem.

[1:35:37] And to be honest, I think the landlords really do need to be held accountable. I know we heard from a landlord earlier in the comment portion, and I really do think landlords within City College Park would specifically be in college town need to be held, especially accountable for their properties.

[1:35:52] and how they maintain them, and the impacts they have on the surrounding community.

[1:35:58] You know, landlords really don't bring any additional tax benefit in a single family.

[1:36:04] They don't, you know, they may pay some marginal fees for licensing.

[1:36:10] And is that really worth the impact that they're having on the families that live in the communities?

[1:36:16] I would argue against that.

[1:36:18] alternative developments have been done every one we've seen multiple multi-family units

[1:36:28] built so I think there's plenty of supply and they don't need so many renters within

[1:36:34] actual housing communities where families live and again I think the solution here is

[1:36:40] permanent parking and lastly on Meswap Road I would like to for the council of this to

[1:36:46] consider possibly working with the University of Maryland to try to build out some type of commercial

[1:36:51] development. The area in that surrounding area is really the most underserved commercial

[1:36:58] area within the city limits, and I think it would go a long way to help this citizens

[1:37:04] within that community to put something within walking distance. It doesn't have to be a

[1:37:08] grocery store. It could be something convenient, so I think that would be very helpful.

[1:37:11] Thank you. That's not all the time you have. Appreciate it.

[1:37:15] The very good comments, let's see, the, I believe,

[1:37:22] Ms. Arrest Perez, right?

[1:37:25] Thank you for joining.

[1:37:30] Ms. Tan, the staff allow Ms. Perez to speak.

[1:37:34] Can you hear me?

[1:37:34] We can hear you.

[1:37:35] Thank you.

[1:37:36] Please go ahead.

[1:37:36] Wonderful.

[1:37:38] Mayor and members of the City Council,

[1:37:41] I would like to take a moment to convene

[1:37:43] to publicly recognize and thank the owner of virtual ex.

[1:37:47] for their presence, their investment, and commitment to College Park community, but also as the

[1:37:54] board chair for the Housing Authority for the City of College Park, added towers as well as

[1:38:01] stone apartments. Our local businesses are an important part of what makes College Park a

[1:38:09] vibrant and welcoming city. When business owners choose to invest their time, resources,

[1:38:15] and talents here, they contribute not only to our welcome economy but also to the character

[1:38:22] and vitality of our community. I sincerely appreciate virtual S and its owner and their

[1:38:31] family for choosing college park and for being part of our business community. Supporting and

[1:38:38] recognizing our local business is important and I hope we can continue to encourage entrepreneurs

[1:38:44] to bring innovative ideas, services, and opportunities to our city.

[1:38:51] On behalf of myself as a long time College Park resident and community advocate,

[1:38:57] I simply want to say thank you.

[1:39:00] I am so grateful for you.

[1:39:03] We appreciate your investment in College Park,

[1:39:06] and we wish you continued growth and success.

[1:39:10] Thank you.

[1:39:11] Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

[1:39:14] Let's see, I think that's all we have unless anyone else wants to speak from there.

[1:39:22] Seeing none, let's move to the next agenda item, which is, but the amendments and the approval of the agenda

[1:39:30] and I believe we have at least one. Can I have a motion to remove 26-89? Is in the motion sheet?

[1:39:40] Councilman Dorech.

[1:39:45] Mr. Mayor, I move to remove agenda item 26G-89 consideration of a retention and

[1:39:51] attraction grant in the amount of $300,000 to create a cabab college park LLC virtual

[1:39:57] x-citchin from the agenda.

[1:40:00] Moved by consumer Simmons, seconded by council member

[1:40:06] Jordan.

[1:40:11] All in favour of the aye, any opposed to

[1:40:14] no extension, this item has been removed, any other amendments?

[1:40:22] Second, all in favour of the

[1:40:24] aye, any opposed to no extension, the amended agenda has been approved. Let's go to approval of the

[1:40:34] in the agenda items, and we

[1:40:42] have four items that needed them out, and then I will entertain

[1:40:47] a motion and the work.

[1:40:50] The first one is 26 G86, which is the consideration of approval of the salt utilization

[1:40:55] agreement between the city of college park and the Maryland Department of Transportation

[1:41:00] and assisted highway administration, 26G 78,

[1:41:06] consideration of lease agreement with the St. Andrews

[1:41:10] Rectory at 4508 College Avenue College Park

[1:41:14] Maryland for up to five-year period for the youth

[1:41:18] family and senior services via FSS, department

[1:41:21] seniors program. 26G 87 approval of the May 12th,

[1:41:25] May 19th, June 2nd, June 9th, 2026 mayor

[1:41:29] council minutes and the final and fourth one is 26G-90. Approval of changing the September

[1:41:36] 22nd mayor and council meeting to Monday, September 24th, 2026. Can I have a motion?

[1:41:48] Before

[1:41:48] and let's have the second and then I'll allow Mr. Ranker, who is the second. Second

[1:41:58] I would like to share that I will be abstaining from the vote on 26G 78 regarding the consideration

[1:42:12] of release agreement with St. Andrew's Rectorie. I serve as the chaplain here at University

[1:42:19] Maryland and oversee the Lutheran and Episcopal and Presbyterian partnership and, as such,

[1:42:26] St. Andrews is a strong partner and supporter of our ministry, so I find it necessary

[1:42:33] to reduce myself.

[1:42:35] Thank you for, I guess, abstain.

[1:42:38] So, all in favor, say aye, any opposed, so one abstention, Mr. Ranger abstain.

[1:42:47] So, the motion has passed 7, 0, 1, am I correct?

[1:42:53] 7, 1, 0.

[1:42:58] 7, 0, 1.

[1:43:02] No, he be accused of stopped for the one item.

[1:43:06] So, everything's going to be approved.

[1:43:09] We will have him accusing his self, and just that one item.

[1:43:14] So, it's still 8, 0.

[1:43:15] Correct.

[1:43:16] Thank you.

[1:43:20] But in the minutes, we'll be stating that the one item was been rick.

[1:43:24] It appears by Councilmember Ranker, just for the record.

[1:43:29] Thank you.

[1:43:34] Now we go to the two presentation.

[1:43:36] The first one is America in bloom,

[1:43:38] and this will be taken by our deputy city manager.

[1:43:42] This is a hedge bet.

[1:43:43] Good evening, Mayor Council.

[1:43:45] Let me make sure my step is on here.

[1:43:48] If it's not, I'll be okay.

[1:43:50] The American bloom is basically a group

[1:43:54] that we have joined over the last year.

[1:43:56] And in July, from the 23rd to the 25th, they were here to do an evaluation of the city.

[1:44:02] And as part of that evaluation, they looked at different aspects of the, it's actually

[1:44:09] nine different aspects, which I'm trying to make sure I could pull up here.

[1:44:13] I don't see it, it's okay, it's not on, but that's okay.

[1:44:18] There's nine, there's eight different aspects that they looked at for the city of College Park.

[1:44:22] And what we're waiting on over the next couple of weeks is that final report from our evaluators.

[1:44:30] As part of the American Bloom process, there is an annual conference which actually is coming to the area.

[1:44:37] And Pinch George's county is a sponsor, various Pinch George's county municipalities or sponsor of this year's conference, which will actually be in Alexandria.

[1:44:46] they will be coming here on September 25th to at the as part of their visit to the area

[1:44:54] which happens also be doing quantum which is my second presentation today and they will be

[1:45:00] The city hall, which will be about 150 participants will be here at touring city hall and looking at some of the things that we've done, especially our lead city's program.

[1:45:10] As the council may know, we have been working on lead city certification, and as part of that, as part of the conference, we'll be talking about our experience with that, along with the green aspects and the different types of flowers and everything that's in there.

[1:45:24] that's part of this process.

[1:45:27] Over the last few weeks, we've been getting ready

[1:45:30] for both of these projects, but American Bloom, in particular,

[1:45:34] is a certification much like all American cities,

[1:45:37] which I think you might be familiar with

[1:45:39] from National League of Cities.

[1:45:42] And we will have a commemorative sign and other things,

[1:45:45] and it's a yearly process that we'll do evaluations.

[1:45:48] I think some of the council asked questions

[1:45:50] in regards to what do we get out of this

[1:45:52] and how does this help with our other plans?

[1:45:54] there are aspects of the things that we've been doing with our arborist and our tree program

[1:46:01] and improving our tree canopy, which American Bloom supports.

[1:46:05] They also have discounts on when we, for different street scape items.

[1:46:10] For the quantum process, we are going to be putting up some planters all around city halls,

[1:46:16] so those living huge, beautiful planters that people see on Main Streets.

[1:46:21] We were able to get those that are discounted as part of this program.

[1:46:25] There's also opportunities for us to network with other cities that have large mainstream programs and education programs.

[1:46:32] Overall, it's an education process for staff and for the community.

[1:46:36] Next year as we look at this process, we will be working more with our community to get them more involved.

[1:46:42] But as the first year, we just tried to kind of get it all started.

[1:46:46] And so once we get the final report from the our evaluators, we'll be able to share that.

[1:46:54] There's also a ward, so I'm not sure what we'll win, but we could win some awards this year because of the fact that we were able to.

[1:47:02] We have a pretty expansive green program that the, the very interested in.

[1:47:07] So that's what American Bloom is.

[1:47:10] They'll be here on Friday the 25th.

[1:47:12] I'd like to invite the community and the council out to see some of the participants.

[1:47:19] We will be having a small bill be here on 5th 30 that afternoon.

[1:47:25] And you can meet some of the other participants flowing from other elected officials and administrators.

[1:47:31] It involves, for the most part, there are a lot of city staff.

[1:47:35] But there are actually a lot of elected community groups that also participate in the American Bloom process.

[1:47:41] We're going to be called College Park in Bloom because each one of the cities had developed a little logo, so we are College Park in Bloom.

[1:47:48] And it's just an really good process.

[1:47:51] One of our neighbors, Mr. Rod Barnes, who is the talent administrator from Edmiston, has been a past president of American Bloom.

[1:48:00] And he is also heading up this year's presentation.

[1:48:04] So the last, right after the participants come here, they'll be going to my old municipality at Bladesburg Waterfront Park and they'll be having a big celebration there.

[1:48:14] So that's American Bloom and I just wanted to make sure everybody was aware of it.

[1:48:18] And the fact that we will be, we will be doing it at the same time as we're doing quantum.

[1:48:24] And that project is very exciting. So I'm here for any questions.

[1:48:27] Thank you, many questions.

[1:48:28] Pretty exciting, by the way.

[1:48:30] I'm looking forward to it.

[1:48:31] Looks like my college part looks a lot nicer.

[1:48:35] Thank you.

[1:48:35] Yeah.

[1:48:36] So when they come, will we be able to ask them any questions?

[1:48:40] Yes.

[1:48:40] Actually, it's a really great information sharing program.

[1:48:44] And you'll be able to ask questions of not only the evaluators who will be here,

[1:48:51] but also of other cities and people that have been it for 20 years.

[1:48:55] This year is a 20th anniversary of American Bloom.

[1:48:58] And so it's had a lot, there's a lot of university communities.

[1:49:03] There are a couple of, there are a lot of small cities.

[1:49:06] But you can, they ran into some cities from 500 to 500,000.

[1:49:10] I don't believe the city of St. Paul is in one of the,

[1:49:14] one of the, I don't know, I always get Minnesota Wisconsin,

[1:49:18] all those states all mixed up.

[1:49:20] I'm sorry, I don't know which one it is.

[1:49:21] But anyways, I live in the Midwest for a while,

[1:49:24] but I don't ask me anything outside of Illinois and Indiana.

[1:49:28] So, but one of those cities there,

[1:49:30] so there's large cities and it's very small cities

[1:49:32] that are in America and blue.

[1:49:35] Thank you.

[1:49:37] Thank you very much for listening.

[1:49:39] Let's go to the next one on the quantum world congress.

[1:49:44] So I have this one up for you.

[1:49:46] This is the future of quantum.

[1:49:48] The quantum world congress is coming from September 20th,

[1:49:51] to 25th at the hotel. I'm going to go into the family firm. I guess I should go to the next one.

[1:50:00] So, welcome to quantum. This is the future of computing. College Park is the home of quantum and the University of Maryland. College Park is, you know, known for quantum and has been the hub for this, for this process. Quantum is coming to the quantum conferences about five years old and they'll be people from all over the world and several different major companies that are working through that process.

[1:50:29] College Park. Again, College Park is part of the story. We're not just the venue, we are at a home,

[1:50:37] and we'll have five. My understanding is that we have five to six governors coming here for this presentation.

[1:50:44] It helps us, you know, we're going to be the city of supporting this project from the standpoint of not only through

[1:50:50] making it host to it, but also from the standpoint that we're helping to make sure that people are connected and using this as a long-term opportunity for college park.

[1:51:05] Who's hosting?

[1:51:07] There's a lot of, we have our elected leaders like the governor and our county executive will be there.

[1:51:14] staff has been working with our different partners, such as Maryland National Capital Park and Planning

[1:51:19] was recently to try to make sure that we are connected and providing information so that when

[1:51:25] people want to come here for quantum that we can provide information on the demographics of

[1:51:30] the community and encourage them to move to Prince George's county. But as part of the group of visitors

[1:51:35] that will include will be the Army's, the Army's Research Lab and IH Department of Energy IBM and

[1:51:43] HP and then there's a different foreign entities, the European Artificial Intelligence, the British

[1:51:51] embassy, and Chile, and then we also have, I think this is the next slide, sorry, this

[1:51:57] is what we're doing, which is the, which is the, I thought it was the next slide, are the,

[1:52:03] these are the banners that we're putting up, which in some ways is part of our whole, or whole

[1:52:09] to welcome to Quantum and then ACP loves Quantum as far as some of the

[1:52:15] some of the banners that you're going to see around town. And then here it is.

[1:52:19] The Australian Trade and Investment Commission will be coming here to City Hall on

[1:52:24] September 22nd at 530 p.m. We will be having a event for them and they will be

[1:52:33] working with us to, you know, to, as far as a trade partnership between the U.S. and Australia.

[1:52:41] And then here, I'm here for any other questions.

[1:52:43] I know that we've been working as far as staff, and I'm going to lean on the sea manager and my colleague Laura a little bit on this one.

[1:52:51] And I believe all Mr. Williams is, as not in here, but we've been working hard with the EDC and other partners on trying to make sure

[1:53:00] that we are all getting the most out of this conference.

[1:53:06] At this point, we are working to get more information to you,

[1:53:10] but we wanted to one, just put this on your radar

[1:53:12] and as things develop further,

[1:53:15] we will make sure that we come back with more presentations

[1:53:18] and information.

[1:53:19] Thank you.

[1:53:20] Again, welcome.

[1:53:20] Another pretty exciting opportunity for showcase college park

[1:53:25] to the outside world and all the talents they have in the city.

[1:53:29] And thank you for your work with the Conference Committee and the University of Maryland administration to bring this wonderful conference to College Park.

[1:53:44] Colleagues, do you have any questions on the conference or so?

[1:53:48] I do.

[1:53:49] Thank you.

[1:53:50] First off, thank you so much to all of the C staff for really taking this moment,

[1:53:57] that College Park is home to Guantan. College Park is the capital.

[1:54:07] It is the capital of Guantan, and this is fantastic, right? Because we want to make sure

[1:54:12] that we are capitalizing on the opportunity here that has not happened previously for this

[1:54:19] specific conference. Typically this conference is done in Tyson's in Virginia and a lot

[1:54:26] of the visitors there are beginning to invest in the infrastructure there, this is a wonderful

[1:54:32] opportunity for us to showcase what it is to live in college part, how it is to build

[1:54:38] in college part. We have, we're extremely fortunate to work with the University and have

[1:54:43] the University serve as a major economic driver for all of the residents keeping our taxes

[1:54:50] at the rate that they are quite frankly. I will say that this provides us the opportunity

[1:54:57] to not only serve.

[1:55:00] Our work force development for high paying and high in that earlying jobs. Right here within the city and the surrounding area, but also, you know, just showcase why it's such a great place to live here in college part.

[1:55:14] So I'm really excited about being registered myself. I hope that I can do whatever I can to help, but I hope that we as a council can continue supporting this effort.

[1:55:25] I know that the University of Maryland is extremely invested in making sure that this is taken off the ground.

[1:55:31] I do have one question, I'm wondering, have you all received the list of companies and is our economic development team in the process of reaching out to those companies?

[1:55:45] It's

[1:55:55] a good evening Mayor Council.

[1:55:58] So the Commonwealth Congress, yes, we've met with the folks, the team leading this effort

[1:56:05] for the conference is connected DMV and we've had a tour of this of our facility here

[1:56:15] that we're seeing in tonight.

[1:56:16] We have plans to have some of our businesses supporting with noting that I believe it's

[1:56:24] 45 or 46 different countries being represented.

[1:56:30] So we're really hyped up about it.

[1:56:33] We're also working with the Turk and development company

[1:56:36] to share a list of restaurants and favorite places

[1:56:43] to go and to visit in College Park.

[1:56:46] So we're actually within the last three or four days.

[1:56:51] We've come up with a list and share that with TDC in terms of anything else we are looking

[1:57:03] forward to the reception with the Australian delegation for the quantum world Congress,

[1:57:11] as well as working and really being nimble enough to address the needs or anything that the

[1:57:20] the connected D&V organization, which is really the force behind and the organizing force behind this.

[1:57:29] So, just excited.

[1:57:30] We're putting in a lot of energy towards it.

[1:57:35] And, yeah, I've been available for anything.

[1:57:39] We're also trying to work with the Prince George's county delegation through their economic development corporation over there,

[1:57:48] to make a bummery and in Richardson, let's see.

[1:57:55] But mainly really just trying to be ready to show off college part.

[1:57:59] There's some, we came in thinking about way finding a little bit, trying to make sure that we had signs up in different kinds of access to directions back and forth in and out of college part.

[1:58:15] We've been working with different developers mainly up north as you come off the beltway on

[1:58:22] route one. You see the Cherry Hill Road shopping center. We call the College Park Shop

[1:58:28] in center but there's some cleanup going on there. There's some political signs that came from

[1:58:34] last season that we I'm sorry if there's any possibility for just if I just wanted to

[1:58:45] So we're going to have the Australians here.

[1:58:46] It would be awesome if the local vendors near here.

[1:58:51] Like we're aware of that, right?

[1:58:52] Maybe they can put some Australian flags,

[1:58:54] a little bit of their own place making.

[1:58:56] I don't know what other companies are here.

[1:58:58] All I'm saying is what I think would be really beneficial

[1:59:01] if we can't get that, the certain entities.

[1:59:04] And this is the recommendation, right?

[1:59:06] I'm hoping that every single business owner is watching

[1:59:08] this meeting right now, so that they know

[1:59:11] that this conference is coming.

[1:59:12] Unfortunately, as we know, small business owners don't typically have the time to continue to follow up with all the recent information.

[1:59:19] I know the city has a lot of great relationships with a lot of the businesses up and down.

[1:59:25] The route one corridor and across the city, I'm hopeful that we can at least make them aware.

[1:59:29] I know that you have that very nifty website of the college park, live college park.

[1:59:35] If there's a way to conduct outreach out to the downtown corridors and for the other stores that this is coming hopefully we can we can work together to like I don't know make everyone feel just a little bit more welcome.

[1:59:51] Thank you. So again, it's starting up north and as you come off the beltway and get access into the city across park.

[2:00:00] We actually have an agreement with the small developer to do more signage and definitely have that area cleaned up a little bit.

[2:00:10] There's a big WSSC project that's getting paid over right now on Route 1.

[2:00:17] So we'll be working, and all that stuff is known. We'll hit as many business owners that we can.

[2:00:25] keep in mind one of the things we just heard about with our crazy

[2:00:28] kebabs owner.

[2:00:30] A lot of these guys live our merchants, our renters,

[2:00:33] they at least are property.

[2:00:34] So they don't control the storefronts.

[2:00:37] But we will do and we will activate and be as aggressive as we can

[2:00:41] to get in many sizes as much way, way finding as possible

[2:00:47] in there and so hopefully we will have a good show,

[2:00:51] can't wait. There are other kind of partnerships we've approached some of the restaurants

[2:00:57] on and we'll just see how they work. I'm not going to take up much of your time strategically.

[2:01:03] We're thinking to do better of a show as opposed to trying to offer discounts. I don't know

[2:01:10] if the quantum crowd would move for $5 discount as opposed to a good show to welcome Australia

[2:01:17] and other countries, so that's what we're focused on.

[2:01:23] Thank you. Mr. Young, I was going to say also, we do have opportunity as well to potentially

[2:01:28] host another event during the day from another country.

[2:01:33] They haven't kind of disclosed that yet, but since we get through working with that, we'll

[2:01:39] let you know what that opportunity is. And we've also been reaching out to all of our

[2:01:44] other government partners and kind of coordinating that effort to make sure that we're able

[2:01:49] to bring forward our best foot forward in terms of our parents, how we look and present

[2:01:56] ourselves to the conference attendees.

[2:01:59] Thank you.

[2:02:00] Thank you.

[2:02:01] Anyone has any other suggestions?

[2:02:05] We have your colleague.

[2:02:06] Thank you.

[2:02:06] We actually could have a few of my colleagues have some questions and I'm sure Councilman Jordan

[2:02:11] and then Councilman Oates.

[2:02:13] Yes, as someone who has worked as a physicist myself for many years, I'm so excited that this conference is happening in College Park.

[2:02:21] I echo what my colleague has said about connecting with the different businesses that will be here for the conference,

[2:02:26] especially as we look for long-term partnerships and investments within College Park.

[2:02:31] There's so much knowledge and innovation here in College Park and on top of that is a great place to live.

[2:02:36] Thank you.

[2:02:37] I just wanted to come and thank you for your support.

[2:02:39] That's what it looks.

[2:02:40] That's the physics undergrad, grad school.

[2:02:44] I also wanted to speak, I think this is also an opportunity not just for engaging with

[2:02:49] the companies, but also with the community, right?

[2:02:52] There's a lot of great work that happens here, but I think particularly for a long-term

[2:02:56] residence, they're quite disconnected from what is the cutting-edge research going on at

[2:03:01] the university.

[2:03:02] I would love it if the city or the university or TDC or someone could do some sort of event for community members that is educational

[2:03:13] About quantum and help people understand what is happening here and why it's important

[2:03:19] I know the university in the past had done kind of something called science on tap that they've done at

[2:03:24] they used to do it in Oak Boy Art House before that closed, but I think having some outreach to the community on this topic and issue to highlight, not only that this is coming here, but what does it mean, why they should care and helping them understand and contextualize what's, you know, I think it's going to be a great event.

[2:03:46] Thank you.

[2:03:48] Just one more.

[2:03:49] Mr. Honice.

[2:03:50] They absolutely.

[2:03:51] I know that we really haven't even started on me.

[2:03:53] But whatever you need from council, please let us know.

[2:03:56] I know that in talking to the University of Maryland, we wanted to help support some of those.

[2:04:02] Was it entrepreneurs that were presenting in their version of Shark Tank with regards to their ideas?

[2:04:10] Please let us know because I know that.

[2:04:13] Well, I recently submitted an agenda item to help support the quantum industry.

[2:04:17] If that's something that we want to build upon, we would definitely take it as a suggestion.

[2:04:21] I just think it's something that we would like to act fast on, especially as the federal government and the state government have

[2:04:28] already put the investments in earlier in the year.

[2:04:32] We're kind of playing a little catch-up, so I mean, obviously we're a little faster than them.

[2:04:36] So, please let us know, and we'll be happy.

[2:04:38] Yeah, I'll see you in the email, I thought we were with the restrictions on the movement of the delegations that it would be hard to do a contest to some sort, but we can certainly.

[2:04:54] No, no, no, as I understand it is it is it is in a gendered item in the conference.

[2:04:59] So the conference agenda.

[2:05:00] And it stipulates that it's happening in the whole town. But I mean, I defer to your discretion there, Mr.

[2:05:06] John. Thank you. And we do have an ask from the conference in terms of our sponsorships. I'll have an email out to you all kind of explaining that here shortly. Yes. Thank you so much.

[2:05:21] this is just really quickly. I think you mentioned that you are also going to tap into some

[2:05:26] of the resources of our tourism community for the conference to have some different things

[2:05:34] available. If there's anything that we can do to help promote anything like maybe at the aviation

[2:05:41] museum or anything like that, please let us know, you know, sometimes, although help from a council

[2:05:48] member goes a long way.

[2:05:51] And I think this is a great opportunity for our city to shine here.

[2:05:56] And I'm looking forward to it and offer our support.

[2:06:00] Thank you.

[2:06:02] Thank you.

[2:06:03] Thank you.

[2:06:03] Thank you so much again.

[2:06:05] Again, please let us know anyway.

[2:06:06] We can support you.

[2:06:08] We will all the questions you have.

[2:06:10] So those are the two presentations we had.

[2:06:13] Let's move to action items in the first one.

[2:06:16] And the second one I believe.

[2:06:18] What of them are related to acquisition of the 49-16 to come to the state property and what

[2:06:26] of them will be taken by our assistant city manager, it's rooms.

[2:06:32] Good evening, Mayor and Council.

[2:06:34] I've got a couple slides to share and then happy to answer any questions.

[2:06:38] I think item that you have before you tonight is consideration of a contract for the purchase

[2:06:42] of 49-16 to come to the street.

[2:06:44] There is an accompanying item which is the introduction of an ordinance for authorizing the acquisition of this property for our public purpose.

[2:06:53] So these two kind of go together.

[2:06:56] So let's talk about to come to the street straight off the bat.

[2:06:59] The list price for this property was listed at $150,000.

[2:07:03] The contract price that we are proposing is $144,000.

[2:07:07] I will explain that shortly.

[2:07:08] It is located in District 2.

[2:07:11] Currently, it is a vacant residential parcel.

[2:07:14] Approximately 13,000 square feet.

[2:07:16] It is zoned residential single family.

[2:07:19] There is an existing two car garage on the property that is no longer usable.

[2:07:24] There is a culvert, storm drain located along the rear of the property.

[2:07:28] And I think importantly, it is important to note that is the adjacent to city owned properties that we have on Rhode Island Avenue.

[2:07:36] We have some photos here of the property and just to orient yourself if we look at the image on the right.

[2:07:44] The property in question is in pink, 4916 to come to the street.

[2:07:49] Those properties that you see in green, 807 and 8011, those are existing city owned properties.

[2:07:56] And to the left of those red line that marks going down a Rhode Island Avenue there, that is the trolley trail.

[2:08:02] And then that blue line that cuts back through the end of 80 to 7 through 49 16 to

[2:08:09] come to us is that storm drain that we're talking about.

[2:08:14] So why would we consider acquisition of this property?

[2:08:17] Well, one, I think, you know, again, it is located conveniently to already own city properties

[2:08:22] that we have that existing culvert may provide improved access for our plan future utility

[2:08:29] connections to those existing city owned properties and importantly, the acquisition

[2:08:34] reserves are ability to use that property for a future public purpose.

[2:08:38] So, potential future purposes for this property are long-term owner occupied affordable

[2:08:44] housing so this would continue what we started in Lakeland, which I think is a very unique

[2:08:49] and innovative program that we have here in the city, or preservation of the property as

[2:08:54] open space.

[2:08:55] When we think about this as a potential owner-occupied long-term affordable housing, we look at the feasibility of that.

[2:09:02] We have had preliminary discussions with the College Park City University Partnership, regarding this property's potential.

[2:09:09] They are definitely interested in working with us and evaluating the property for this purpose.

[2:09:14] And we have been working closely and will be working closely with them during the due diligence of this.

[2:09:19] I do want to emphasize tonight that, you know, we are talking strictly really about the acquisition of the property.

[2:09:26] We are not committing ourselves tonight to either use of the property and that the ultimate use of the property will be determined by Council at a later date.

[2:09:36] The conditions of the sale contract that we have before the council tonight includes the $6,000 credit for the removal of the two car garage I mentioned before and that takes us to the contract price of 144,000.

[2:09:48] we did have an appraisal of the property which came in above the contract price as well as the

[2:09:54] price. So we're in a very good position here. Our sales contract also includes

[2:10:00] This is a due diligence period prior to the settlement date, which we are already working on evaluating. So we're

[2:10:06] looking at zoning, title, utility conditions, surveying the property. We have an ongoing,

[2:10:11] environmental conditions assessment, and we're looking with our partners on the evaluation

[2:10:15] general development feasibility. This due diligence period allows us to take the time to really

[2:10:22] make sure that we're evaluating this property to make sure that meets the needs of the city before

[2:10:27] we proceed to settlement.

[2:10:30] And if we look at the timeline before us, so tonight, September 1st, what we have before

[2:10:35] Council is considering the authorization of the sales contract that is this particular

[2:10:38] agenda item, and then we will have the introduction of the ordinance that authorizes this

[2:10:43] acquisition for a public purpose.

[2:10:46] We are required to hold a public hearing on the ordinance, and that is scheduled for September

[2:10:56] 22nd.

[2:10:56] Second, and currently our tentative schedule settlement date is November 13th, and that really

[2:11:03] is allowing us the time to do the due diligence that we need on this property, so that's

[2:11:08] why you see that little time delay there.

[2:11:11] That is what I have for you tonight on this item.

[2:11:13] I'm happy to answer your questions that the council has.

[2:11:17] Any questions?

[2:11:18] Let's look pretty straightforward.

[2:11:20] I'm going to comment.

[2:11:21] Just one.

[2:11:21] We have to look at the vote.

[2:11:24] It's part of our consent agenda.

[2:11:25] We move the meeting from the 22nd to the 21st.

[2:11:29] Is that change anything with the timeline requirements?

[2:11:32] No, we'll just confirm the public hearing would be on the 21st.

[2:11:38] Thank you. We appreciate the gap.

[2:11:41] Thank you.

[2:11:42] Seeing none. Looks like pretty good.

[2:11:44] We have a question for all of us.

[2:11:46] It's just a quick general question.

[2:11:48] I know you said you wouldn't know what to use it for,

[2:11:50] but let's say you were to put affordable housing.

[2:11:52] What would that look like because it's not a big piece of land?

[2:11:54] What kind of housing would go there?

[2:11:56] Sure, it would most likely be a single family home.

[2:11:58] One single family home.

[2:12:00] Okay, just one single home.

[2:12:01] Okay, thank you.

[2:12:02] But long term owner occupied affordable housing is what we would look for.

[2:12:07] And it could be built in the same model.

[2:12:10] We built on the Lakeland property.

[2:12:12] Yes, exactly.

[2:12:12] What does that have to do with the ability?

[2:12:15] It's a period of 99 years.

[2:12:17] There you go.

[2:12:18] It's a nice model.

[2:12:21] Thank you.

[2:12:22] Seeing none, we need to be forwarding up to the next one.

[2:12:25] We need to.

[2:12:28] What on this?

[2:12:29] Correct.

[2:12:31] So then I need to take the motion from this.

[2:12:33] I'm going to check two colleagues.

[2:12:34] I'm going to approve the contract of purchase for

[2:12:37] in 2016 to come to Street College Park, Maryland, from Epcot, MD LLC,

[2:12:41] for a purchase price of 144,000 plus settlement cost.

[2:12:46] Second.

[2:12:48] Any further comment, council majoram?

[2:12:51] Yes, thank you.

[2:12:52] Thank you for bringing this to council.

[2:12:57] This is in our district and has a number of strategic advantages,

[2:13:01] is specifically being an adjoining parcel to our 80 to 788-11 Rhode Island Avenue property.

[2:13:10] This gives the city flexibility for access, for utilities, and so I am in support of this.

[2:13:17] Thank you.

[2:13:18] Any further comments for any of my colleagues before I take the vote?

[2:13:22] I'm saying none. All in favour say aye. Any opposed? Any abstention? Motion has been approved.

[2:13:32] My streams do you want to take the other one? Zero or six or five?

[2:13:39] I agree.

[2:13:43] So this one is the companion item with the item that we just discussed. This is the introduction of the ordinance.

[2:13:50] As you know, when the city government purchases any piece of property, we are required to do an ordinance for that purchase, authorizing the acquisition for a public purchase, which also includes the required public hearing.

[2:14:05] There is a minimum of seven days between the introduction of the ordinance and public hearing.

[2:14:09] As we mentioned earlier, we are good in terms of the timeline on this.

[2:14:13] And then the ordinance will be effective 21 days after adoption.

[2:14:18] Again, this timeline lines up well with our due diligence period, and actually we have a little bit of

[2:14:22] extra time based on the timeline I shared earlier.

[2:14:25] We will go to settlement in approximately November 13th.

[2:14:29] If our city attorney has anything to add, I'll turn it over to her.

[2:14:33] No, the ordinance just has all the required authorizations as required under state law and the

[2:14:41] lines meet with the contract, the proposed contract for sale, so everything is legally sufficient.

[2:14:49] Thank you. Thank you for your help. Any question for staff or attorney?

[2:14:55] Seeing none, I'll let you turn a motion, maybe. What other district to colleagues will take it?

[2:15:00] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move to introduce ordinance 2605 and ordinance of the mayor and council of the city of College Park, authorizing the acquisition of certain real property located at 49.16 to come to the street, College Park, Maryland, 20740 for a public purpose. The public hearing will be held on Monday, September 21.

[2:15:23] Is it $25?

[2:15:27] $25.

[2:15:27] $21.

[2:15:28] $22.

[2:15:29] Thank you.

[2:15:30] For the comment.

[2:15:32] Councilor Simmons?

[2:15:34] Yes.

[2:15:34] Thank you just briefly.

[2:15:35] I would echo the comments that my colleague council member Jordan made just moments

[2:15:39] ago and also say that I think the opportunity to potentially provide owner occupied affordable housing

[2:15:45] at this location using the partnerships that we've already developed and the model that we have in place really just

[2:15:52] on and strengthening that is a really exciting, exciting possibility, so thank you.

[2:16:00] Thank you. Any comment before we take the vote?

[2:16:06] Seeing none. All in favor of the aye.

[2:16:10] Any opposed? Any abstention?

[2:16:13] The motion has been approved.

[2:16:16] So those are the action items we had.

[2:16:18] Now we move to two work session items and thank you our director of public services, Mr.

[2:16:26] Coker, and our partner manager, Mr. Miller, for patiently waiting.

[2:16:34] Thank you.

[2:16:35] So the first item is about code enforcement update and this will be actually taken by our

[2:16:40] everybody's already manager as well, Ms. Hachbout.

[2:16:45] So Mr. Kokkar and I are here today to do a brief update on code enforcement items.

[2:16:51] Over the last few months, see vases to kind of look at a lot of different items in regards to code enforcement.

[2:16:56] So we wanted to do a check-in over the next few,

[2:17:00] either over the next few months in regards to some code enforcement issues.

[2:17:03] And in this one, we're starting off with where we are with some of the software, where we are, as far as some next steps, and then trying to give you a timeline so you know what's going to be happening.

[2:17:16] Over the fall, you'll probably see probably three or four more items on specific code enforcement issues and issues related to public services.

[2:17:26] I'm going to say general services.

[2:17:28] So let me start.

[2:17:30] So in this particular update, we're going to just summarize

[2:17:34] what we've done recently.

[2:17:35] We're going to outline next steps.

[2:17:37] And then we're going to show the statuses

[2:17:38] and provide some timelines that we're

[2:17:39] we're going to be going.

[2:17:41] I'm going to let Mr. Kokara take on the next few slides.

[2:17:44] So the next slide is in strides in our process

[2:17:47] and the development, Mr. Kokara.

[2:17:51] Thank you, Michelle.

[2:17:54] I think before I delve into the slide,

[2:17:56] I would just like to share a couple of things with the Council regarding, you know, some of the

[2:18:04] details we have provided that in the memo related with the ASBAL, at the present time our

[2:18:11] code enforcement staff is fully staffed based on the position that we have. And the majority of them

[2:18:19] have gone through all the needy training with the exception of one that is starting next week.

[2:18:24] And I just wanted to make a point of it.

[2:18:28] The second thing that I wanted to share with the council,

[2:18:31] I don't know how you all feel.

[2:18:34] But I have been going with my staff yesterday, as well as today.

[2:18:38] And I really had a very pleasant feeling in my heart.

[2:18:42] Going to all the, you know, like, down-throw area here,

[2:18:46] mostly Dan Oats and Ray Rankers area.

[2:18:49] And we covered, like, about 38, you know,

[2:18:54] houses like there were two teams and we covered 38 houses each with the two different teams.

[2:19:00] So we have probably gone to like somewhere between 75 to 80 houses in these two days and

[2:19:05] we got a little bit more to do that tomorrow.

[2:19:08] So we have total like 137, 38 total houses which are in the rental, you know licensing

[2:19:15] room of things in that area and we have done knock-and-talks and just wanted to share that

[2:19:22] video all as well. And we'll provide a more detailed information item and share with the council

[2:19:29] in near future, you know, what has been the numbers and if there are any issues related

[2:19:36] with it. Having said that I'll come back to slide three, we have been dealing with Accela,

[2:19:45] you know, like that was the software that was implemented in 2021 and we have recently,

[2:19:51] you know find out there are a lot of challenges with you know different type of licensing

[2:19:56] that we could do in that and different records.

[2:20:00] And those records don't talk to each other. And we have realized in our present, you know, initiative that is going on and it is in works at the time. And I think a more detailed report will come that later in the month.

[2:20:15] But having said that, I want to make sure that we are, you know, sharing the, you know, the improvements that we will do with this new, you know, one sort where across all the three different departments in the city.

[2:20:29] and being able to have a better streamlining an alignment of information as we implement that in coming few months.

[2:20:40] Right now, this staff is really working hard to deal with the different information that is out there

[2:20:47] and try to make sure that we have the best possible product as we go into the implementation of that product.

[2:20:57] I think we have, you know, found out many areas where, you know, some improvements can be done,

[2:21:05] you know, like, and information can be better, you know, utilized.

[2:21:09] And we will also have a more transparent and usable information for not only just for these students,

[2:21:18] in the college part, but also with the landlords as well and the investors as well.

[2:21:29] I'll move on to the next slide.

[2:21:37] Integration of the process linking request and complaints to the property records and aid in

[2:21:43] generation of more thorough reports.

[2:21:46] We are also fully utilizing the availability of different reporting system that we will have in our new

[2:21:53] go of implementation and we'll get the more details as we are at detail and of that process

[2:22:00] when we implement it in near a couple of months and those are improvements which are related

[2:22:08] with our CRM system which is the customer service system that we are like we have a module

[2:22:15] and we are trying to implement that and we are putting in and we are developing as we are going

[2:22:20] through that internal sort of cleaning process, as well as making sure that the data that is being put in is correct.

[2:22:28] Can talk to each other within different divisions and different departments to have a better coordination across the different parts of our administration.

[2:22:45] I think some of the things that I would like to kind of refer here is like we are working through the rental licensing as well as, you know, like short-term rentals.

[2:22:58] Short-term rental is one of the areas where we are finding out that, you know, like the way county ordinances and the way our ordinance was written.

[2:23:09] the digital privilege past, we are finding out that they are not aligning with each other,

[2:23:14] we are in deeper discussion with the county folks regarding the policies and the different

[2:23:19] legislation that may be needed or alignments that may be needed so that we are implementing

[2:23:24] it seamlessly.

[2:23:28] And we also found out some discrepancies out of how the county ordinance is

[2:23:34] and how our system works here in the city at the local level.

[2:23:40] We are also going to be working on the vacant registry.

[2:23:45] Wicked registry is, we already have 69 properties that have already been registered.

[2:23:53] They are already in our GOG of system at the present time as I speak.

[2:23:57] We will be implementing that and we will provide a detailed report when we give the report

[2:24:03] on the Google implementation process later this month and also in the month of October.

[2:24:11] Our next slide please.

[2:24:18] So these are three emerging issues that we will be kind of also dealing with it.

[2:24:23] Like first one is the mobile vendors and the food trucks and the mobile services which

[2:24:29] are being done in the city at this time.

[2:24:32] We are seeing more of these vendors are popping up right now.

[2:24:37] They utilize the process from DPI and they come, but they are not in alignment with our present regulation that exists.

[2:24:44] We are working with the city attorney as well as the staff trying to, you know, have some alignments with the process from the county and process from the city.

[2:24:54] The present city process just deals with the 30 day, you know, like a winning.

[2:25:00] Licensing process, whereas the county has a year, and we are trying to have a better alignment of those two processes, and also very fine to make sure that all the health, safety, business license requirements, they are also adhered to not only from the county, but also from the city as well, so that we can have the best possible service that we can provide to the people.

[2:25:23] Second is the short rental, on short rental as I explained earlier we are working through the process and we will be doing a more discussion on the policy and implementation piece of it and as we develop our application process in the go-gov system will be sharing more with the council as we go through that process.

[2:25:45] Early lease ordinance enforcement, I think we have shared earlier, like it's a two-part process.

[2:25:53] One is the assessment of the complaint and the other one is the enforcement of the complaint as it relates to the 180-day time period.

[2:26:04] That is where we don't want the landlords to be basically putting sort of the new renters or the tenants including the students.

[2:26:15] in some sort of cohesive approach to have that information pushed through them and trying

[2:26:25] to make them, you know, doing sooner than what is allowed by the early lease ordinance.

[2:26:32] We have our housing coordinator who is working with the first piece of it and then the code

[2:26:36] enforcement division will deal with the enforcement piece of it.

[2:26:40] And we are sort of keeping both of those processes independent because we want to make sure

[2:26:44] that there's now conflict of interest in the process.

[2:26:48] If somebody has a question about our lilies,

[2:26:50] they are going to be given all the details by the housing group,

[2:26:54] and then once they have vetted the complaint

[2:26:56] and verified the facts, which are being brought to us

[2:27:00] as a complaint process, then they verify it,

[2:27:03] and then they will hand over that to the code enforcement process.

[2:27:06] And we'll work through that.

[2:27:08] We have had some information as it relates to it.

[2:27:13] we have participated with some of the University of Maryland, you know, stakeholders group and we

[2:27:18] have shared the preliminary information on that as well. Michelle, do you want to add anything

[2:27:23] on the? Yeah, I was going to say it's not the housing coordinator or the housing manager, this will be

[2:27:28] the, we have our economic development or we have an yellow coordinator which is the coordinator for

[2:27:35] the economic development department that is working on it, we are on a barray. So she is the

[2:27:40] she's our main contact and she's working through ELO and I think the one things that we're really

[2:27:45] like, like, to tend to saying, we want to separate out those two processes so that enforcement

[2:27:51] can do the enforcement and that the intake can be done by one half of the house so that it's not,

[2:27:57] so that there's no, there's no biases but from the enforcement standpoint. So we want to make sure

[2:28:02] the bed occurs. Going back to a little bit to the short term rental, the other issue that we are

[2:28:06] finding is that the short-term rental reality of houses that are out there doesn't, is not

[2:28:15] necessarily reflected in the way that our ordinance in the county's ordinance is written.

[2:28:20] Both ordinances are written to say that there are owner occupied units where you're renting

[2:28:25] maybe two or three bedrooms and not what we're seeing in the market where as there are houses

[2:28:31] that are on the market that of several bedrooms and those have occupancy issues.

[2:28:36] And as we go into the fall, we will come becoming back into the issue of occupancy and overcrowding

[2:28:42] and helping to deal with some of those issues as well.

[2:28:45] And that's going to be a separate session.

[2:28:47] And the Tess city attorney and us are meeting on that issue and providing some guidance

[2:28:52] to Council on laws that are on the law in regard to that matter, too.

[2:28:57] So I know that they're all kind of tied in together.

[2:29:00] I know that I get information from Council on from residents saying, hey, this place is listed

[2:29:06] on the internet and they're advertising XYZ and our code says this and they're doing that and

[2:29:13] so what we're trying to do is trying to be able to answer those in an efficient way to make sure

[2:29:17] that people are complying with the law. So we hear you and we are trying to work through it and

[2:29:24] it's more complicated and we're trying to figure it out but you're out the best way to answer that.

[2:29:29] As far as timelines go, the last very last page is this whole go-go thing in some ways has taken the whole summer to put together.

[2:29:39] So we're in the phase of getting out the most of the stuff for code enforcement and also for public works.

[2:29:48] And I like to recognize two members of our team,

[2:29:52] Jean Fletcher, and Jacob Baffelotti, who have really been

[2:29:56] like the internal champions of this, and I'll probably say it again.

[2:30:00] Any times, but any time that we're trying to figure out a process, they've been able to help break it down and I'll say, hey, I need something that does this, and we meet and figure out how to make it work.

[2:30:11] So hopefully, we will be able to have it fully implementable by mid-October. We'll be able to find to do some testing at the end of September.

[2:30:22] It'll include not only the permit, the code enforcement, but it also includes some of the public

[2:30:28] works functionality that we currently don't have so that they can both talk to each other.

[2:30:32] Public works has some, we'd like to be able to track more things in public works the same way

[2:30:37] we're going to be tracking them in code and code enforcement.

[2:30:42] The phase two will also have the implementation of the short-term rentals and the building

[2:30:48] permits in Doga as well and then we're again moving towards that comprehensive licensing framework

[2:30:55] which we will work towards from this year until the end of the, I mean from the summer

[2:31:00] until the end of the calendar year which we will then implement in the fit new fiscal, we are

[2:31:07] looking at new standard operation procedures for code enforcement which jettender do you want to

[2:31:18] almost in the completely review of that items, standard operating procedures for the code enforcement

[2:31:23] division that includes our code enforcement officers, as well as our licensing and permitting

[2:31:29] staff. And the review is complete. We are probably going to just take a last time to get it reviewed

[2:31:35] by our legal office as well before implementing it. It's going to definitely make some

[2:31:44] performance level establishment within our group and also make sure that the information

[2:31:49] sharing is also better. It's a completely late or document and will be once it is finalized

[2:31:56] we will share the document with the council as well. And that establishes all the different

[2:32:03] level of accountability, transparency as well as giving the core and fundamental details of all

[2:32:11] different scenarios and it reduces the level of interpretation and clarity to what a person

[2:32:20] needs to do at each level of the organization as they go through a code enforcement process.

[2:32:25] Yeah and to say just to even to kind of even give the kudos to our staff they really have been

[2:32:30] sitting down working on our processes and looking at them and like how do we currently operate,

[2:32:36] how can we operate better based on some of the things that we are doing and really looking at

[2:32:41] how we can, you know, not just how we've always done it before, we're just going to write that back down again.

[2:32:48] It's looking at the process and trying to determine like how can we better address problems and issues as we come up.

[2:32:54] The last part is the fact that we are reviewing the fines and fees.

[2:32:59] As we're doing this we're sort of looking at that we have a study from IBTS.

[2:33:04] I'd be curious.

[2:33:05] Thank you.

[2:33:06] I got it right.

[2:33:07] You got it right.

[2:33:07] I'd be curious.

[2:33:09] That has some initial numbers which we will present along with looking at some of

[2:33:14] some more local costs in the area to try to do that.

[2:33:18] It looks like the county is making some strides or some changes to some of their things.

[2:33:24] So we want to make sure that we're consistent as that's coming out.

[2:33:27] So we will keep you in the loop on that as well.

[2:33:30] So that will happen in this fall and winter.

[2:33:32] And then, again, the adoption of the IPMC, which is the International Property Maintenance Code for the 2021, we're currently operating in the 2018 version of leave.

[2:33:45] Yes.

[2:33:46] The recently earlier this year, the PG County has changed from 2018 to 2021.

[2:33:52] I will be adopting 2021 because that's the latest.

[2:33:57] regionally that everybody is following that yeah I think there's a 2024 but we we don't

[2:34:01] want to be on the leading edge I guess yeah it would be and the initial if you would allow me

[2:34:07] I think there is a specific chapter in property maintenance code that will address exactly

[2:34:14] this specific requirements of over occupancy within existing dwelling as well so it will bring

[2:34:21] more clarity to the needs which are needed in that aspect as well.

[2:34:26] Amazing.

[2:34:27] So we're here for any questions that you may have on this.

[2:34:30] This again is one of many presentations we're probably going to bore you guys on Code of Force.

[2:34:35] But I don't think I can bore you guys on Code of Force, man.

[2:34:37] So that's why.

[2:34:38] Thank you.

[2:34:39] Thank you so much and last thing on behind the scene and many of us, including our residents,

[2:34:45] do not know that.

[2:34:47] So it's a good thing that we are talking about it so that our community can appreciate it.

[2:34:52] One question I have if I am allowed to speak.

[2:34:55] Um, many, a couple of years ago.

[2:35:00] This related to the transition to the go-go of system and the streamlining, all the different systems.

[2:35:06] We have into one system so that we can have better efficiencies, which is a very excellent idea.

[2:35:14] A couple of years ago, I think on the council, we talked about having kind of building a very high level dashboard that the council can have read all the access.

[2:35:26] I'm not talking about they can make change or anything, just to see the important information

[2:35:33] often time we ask you the staff and this takes a lot of your time to generate those

[2:35:39] report or to respond to or request. So this will make things not easier in improving the

[2:35:49] efficiency so that you don't need to spend those kind of time. So that's an opportunity I'm

[2:35:55] you can actually look into it as we are transitioning.

[2:35:59] So that's it.

[2:36:00] I think that is part of our implementation process also.

[2:36:04] It is in our plan when we do that because we will be working on this item as well.

[2:36:09] But that will be like we have in the beginning right now we are just dealing with rental licenses

[2:36:14] and the basic business licenses piece.

[2:36:17] That has the biggest amount of think within our database.

[2:36:20] And that's where we are trying to make sure that everything is done right.

[2:36:25] You know, we had a lot of data in Excel and then we want to like making sure that all the data is accurate.

[2:36:31] And I don't want to let the council members, you know,

[2:36:36] in terms that they have provided us the information, and that has helped us a lot as well in that regard.

[2:36:42] But obviously, I think Mr. Young has been, you know, like asking us for almost maybe a couple of years.

[2:36:49] and we have been definitely working so we wanted to make sure that when we do the go-go implementation,

[2:36:55] it is going to be a part of that as well. Thank you. You want to elaborate on that, Michelle?

[2:37:00] Just to say that reporting to the public into the council is really important and that there will be

[2:37:06] we are actually designing some reports that will provide you with information. I think the one that we're

[2:37:13] trying to do is let's say that weekend activity report you'll get something like that within the next three

[2:37:18] four months that will kind of tell you when we're out what's going on and it can be sent

[2:37:23] to council members as on basis and on a I mean it's just like on a regular basis.

[2:37:29] What we also are looking at is that it does have some dashboards built into it and so how

[2:37:34] to get that out to the council. So I think when you'll see the when we're going to actually

[2:37:39] do a preview of what go go looks like so that you can kind of get an idea of how to look

[2:37:45] stuff, how to check into there. So we will provide you with that opportunity so that you

[2:37:51] can kind of look up open cases and things like that. Thank you. What's available to the general public?

[2:37:56] Very nice. We have a long list. I think everyone has to talk to this, doesn't it?

[2:38:01] Exciting item. Starting with, console or other stuff, then console or run on this. First just thank

[2:38:07] you to staff for continuing to push on this. I know that's a lot of change and a lot of

[2:38:13] A lot of work to get the back office systems working and in transition, so I appreciate that

[2:38:20] that's ongoing.

[2:38:23] I think a few questions, one was I know in the old system and perhaps in the new system,

[2:38:29] there was the as part of the database or list that is publicly available had information

[2:38:36] on phone numbers for landlords or their representatives so that residents could be in touch

[2:38:43] if issues arrive, is that plan to be part of the plan?

[2:38:45] Yeah, we're trying to recreate that, like we had in the AS-400 system, where you could look up the, you could look up the landlord and the phone number and that you always have a contact for soon, that's first for the property, yes.

[2:38:57] Great. And then, second was, I know that a lot of the system is trying to get things, working well within the way that they're supposed to work, I wonder if you can talk a little bit more on how code enforcement.

[2:39:13] is working towards identifying or making it easier to identify

[2:39:18] unlicensed rentals as well that haven't people who haven't applied

[2:39:23] things that aren't in the system if you can come in on that.

[2:39:31] I do believe that an effort is being made to address that particular aspect as well.

[2:39:38] We had noted that as one of our feedback requirements and we are working through it

[2:39:44] I don't have the exact response to your question, but it is part of our overall approach

[2:39:50] to how we make our transparency better.

[2:39:54] I think it comes back to everything should be transparent if somebody putting a comment.

[2:40:00] Whether that comment is being put by the officer or a landlord or like a renter or any other stakeholder like from the neighborhood community and all that.

[2:40:11] It should be totally transparent and it should be clarified within just like for example, you know, the status of a complaint within go go per se, you know, all those comments should be, you know, like spelled out with the date.

[2:40:24] So that's when somebody's looking at it, they can chronologically look at it and if there

[2:40:28] have any question that clarity can be brought to make it like a transparent and seamless

[2:40:34] in terms of the information flow.

[2:40:37] Council members, well, so part of the process is that when as part of the property records,

[2:40:42] we do send out intention letters.

[2:40:44] So as properties are sold, we have like an intent, an intent statement, that's how we discover

[2:40:50] if a property is, is needs, you know, needs is a rental or not.

[2:40:55] So staff has to go go because that's going to be auto-populated in there.

[2:41:00] We'll be able to track that a little bit better and to make sure that we can get that.

[2:41:04] But we also, it's the issue that we, I think that we've come across,

[2:41:07] especially over the last few weeks going through the old system,

[2:41:11] is that some of the stuff that we have in a cello,

[2:41:15] we're trying to see how it transfers over.

[2:41:16] So there are previously licensed places

[2:41:19] we're trying to make sure all of those

[2:41:20] are going into some kind of information,

[2:41:22] but the information that we're pulling over

[2:41:25] is not great.

[2:41:26] So what staff is really trying to do is either to do it either,

[2:41:30] you know, manually,

[2:41:32] but to figure out how those will be just one

[2:41:35] like the nuts and bolts of it,

[2:41:37] the challenge has been,

[2:41:38] there's a side of like garbage in,

[2:41:39] we don't want to put garbage in the new system,

[2:41:42] but at the same time we want to capture

[2:41:45] where we've had rentals in the past, and they had not renewed, and so we are keeping those

[2:41:50] lists, and we're trying to make sure that we are going back to all the rentals that

[2:41:55] have been rentals, and that have laps or not have not renewed as well.

[2:42:00] So I think to get more of those of the kind of struggles that we're having because of the way

[2:42:06] that the data is in the cello, and we're working through that as well.

[2:42:09] So Mr. Cook, our answer to it, but I just want to make sure that it's been something

[2:42:13] that we've struggled with how much information

[2:42:16] to bring over from Asala into Goga and how to aggregate

[2:42:20] that data in a way that we can use it better,

[2:42:22] because it's not as clear and it's just,

[2:42:26] I mean, it's just complicated when we've done some searches,

[2:42:29] we've gotten either like 50 records or 1500 records,

[2:42:33] it's just not consistent the way it was in there.

[2:42:35] And so, I mean, there's like 25 drop-downs,

[2:42:39] but we're taking it up.

[2:42:39] I think my point is that for the records that you have

[2:42:42] are people who applied for licenses.

[2:42:44] Correct.

[2:42:45] And so, yes, so that's what we're talking about.

[2:42:48] Also, how code can consider and either if that's

[2:42:54] through the College Park Connect app and make it easier for people

[2:42:58] to report properties that may not have rentals.

[2:43:01] I think making it the database public so that people can see

[2:43:05] who has obtained a license and who has not.

[2:43:09] I think there's a separate room and to go

[2:43:11] of and it would then report on like if you like if you have an issue you can do that and

[2:43:15] I'll want to.

[2:43:16] And I think just since I know that there's a long list and I don't want to take about

[2:43:19] the time.

[2:43:20] I think I would just encourage you to and I will also take this as an action item but

[2:43:25] or as a take away.

[2:43:29] I think thinking about what steps the council can take to help here I know that you guys

[2:43:34] again, are deep in the weeds of implementing a new system within the way the city code currently

[2:43:42] works. I also think there are changes that we should be making to the code. I know that

[2:43:48] it's complicated to do those at the same time, but I do think that both closing some of the

[2:43:55] loopholes or flipping some of the order of operations may actually make couldn't force

[2:44:00] and it's job much easier, and so I don't want to wait for the program to be fully implemented

[2:44:06] with our current code and then say, oh, but then it's still not working because the code needed

[2:44:12] to be changed. I think we should be thinking about what changes to the code are needed

[2:44:17] that we can do this fall in order to, in order to seek and to improve the system.

[2:44:24] I think Mr. Coker has been working really hard on the implementation of the IPMC and actually

[2:44:30] that's a project that he's taken on personally as we're working through it so it is

[2:44:34] happening simultaneously.

[2:44:35] There's side-by-side processes, it's just that when I think maybe done sooner or the other,

[2:44:40] like we really need the go-go up, but we are working simultaneously on the IPMC so that that

[2:44:48] will be implemented.

[2:44:49] Yeah, I think just to, so it's clear when I say the code and not talking about IPMC, I'm talking about the way that

[2:44:57] that virtualists are, uh, licensed.

[2:45:17] We heard from Deputy Secretary Manager, some of the potential problems and director-go-car on short-term rent

[2:45:29] I think one of the opportunities we're not necessarily discussing is how we're capitalizing.

[2:45:36] If and when we do permit these particular short-term rentals on maybe a potential differential tax rate.

[2:45:45] I say this because I know at least two or three properties within our district of the North College Park who have racked in nine to twelve thousand dollars in a weekend.

[2:45:58] I mean, that is basically a hotel, right?

[2:46:03] You buy your home, let's say 15 years ago,

[2:46:05] and all of a sudden, your next door neighbors

[2:46:07] renting out like four different units.

[2:46:10] This is wild, right?

[2:46:11] And it is not conducive to having a good neighbor,

[2:46:15] like it is not conducive to a residential neighborhood,

[2:46:21] like it's an issue, be if it's gonna happen

[2:46:24] because the county in the state allow it.

[2:46:26] we need to be able to capitalize from a municipality perspective and invoke some sort of hotel,

[2:46:34] I don't know, multi-property tax on these particular individuals. At least at the very least,

[2:46:39] to make sure that we are getting something back from the vendors. Let alone the fact that they

[2:46:45] should be regulated and every neighbor should at least approve their operating, or at least,

[2:46:57] makes us a property owner of a short-term rental like talk to their neighbors, but doesn't necessarily need approval.

[2:47:05] I'm wondering if we need to create some sort of local ordinance here in the city that we can enforce and apply in order for us to be able to address those issues.

[2:47:15] It's really just making you information through electrical car.

[2:47:17] I know that we've talked offline on this particular issue, but I do want to make sure to put stop that there is a revenue capturing opportunity here.

[2:47:24] And I want to also welcome any of the short-term rental property like companies to come and talk to council members because I mean I'm happy to have a conversation, but we also have to be able to represent the interest of our constituents.

[2:47:39] Mobile vendors, I'm all about business entrepreneurship and opportunities, but like we have to

[2:47:50] we as a local community need to be able to have a say in what we're seeing like pop up

[2:47:56] around.

[2:47:58] I mean, in a way, mobile vendors can program a space that necessarily hasn't necessarily

[2:48:02] been programmed or energized in quite some time.

[2:48:05] In another way, we could just start seeing mobile vendors kind of get out of hand.

[2:48:11] So I'm hopeful that as a part of your future planning process, we're thinking about how

[2:48:17] is it that we're going to get in front of this, how from a local ordinance perspective

[2:48:20] from a city perspective, are we going to address some of those concerns before they become

[2:48:25] a problem?

[2:48:26] As I understand it right now, there's a 30 day thing, 30 day license from the county, but we're

[2:48:35] that's just outside of like that's just that just puts us in a week position and we should

[2:48:41] at the very least be able to have them have a license and or register as a business operating

[2:48:48] within our city limits. Finally, and this is just for all rental properties since we're talking

[2:48:53] about the systems, right? As I understand it, there are some property owners within the city of

[2:49:05] license or they'll have the license and not be issued it for quite some time and then some

[2:49:11] random letter comes in the mail about trash like they need to pay a trash fee. First of all

[2:49:18] I don't know what this trash fee is for a rental property owner because most if not all our

[2:49:25] trash fees are paid by like city tax rates.

[2:49:31] It's a very simple amount of tax, a trash fee,

[2:49:34] separate trash fee for rental properties.

[2:49:36] For rental properties, even if it's just one trash can.

[2:49:38] Even if it's one trash can.

[2:49:40] Do we see how that seems like it's double taxing

[2:49:42] the rental properties?

[2:49:43] Because we're taxing them for the...

[2:49:45] Double tax them in other ways.

[2:49:47] And we can't, and I'm happy to do that.

[2:49:48] And we can have a very deliberative conversation

[2:49:50] about that.

[2:49:51] It seems like the existing process is really what I'm trying

[2:49:54] to like hit on is there was some sort of problem

[2:49:57] with the system.

[2:49:58] I don't know if it was during the change.

[2:50:00] The decision between a Celia and a GOG of that caused the rental licenses to kind of go on a whack or out of sync.

[2:50:08] I'm hopeful that as we continue to modernize the system, we're able to do that.

[2:50:12] And for anyone who still does not yet have their rental license, please, like reach out to the city and ask them so that you can be in compliance.

[2:50:22] Thank you.

[2:50:23] All right.

[2:50:24] Thanks so much.

[2:50:25] Let's go to Councilor Moranko.

[2:50:27] Are you echoing most of what my colleagues said, just also want to thank you for the

[2:50:33] continued work juggling.

[2:50:35] Both updating the system updating the code and enforcing current code.

[2:50:40] So I'll leave it at that.

[2:50:41] Others have covered it.

[2:50:44] Fantastic.

[2:50:45] Councilor Moranko and then Mayor Potemaki.

[2:50:48] Thank you.

[2:50:49] I have a couple of a few questions here.

[2:50:54] One, if you discovered that a property was a rental in the past,

[2:51:00] and no longer is a rental in the system,

[2:51:03] but they actually still are.

[2:51:05] Have been a rental that has not been paying their rental fees

[2:51:10] for the past years,

[2:51:13] the number of years that they've slipped through the system, is there going to, what, what

[2:51:20] is the protocol for that? Is it going to be that we collect the back fees? Or do we, right,

[2:51:26] just quite the slate clean? Are there any penalties? And I'm wondering what the process

[2:51:32] will be?

[2:51:34] I could respond to your question, Mr. Hugh. You know, if there is a property that has been

[2:51:41] or it was probably 5, 6 years or maybe in our legacy system at some point of time it was

[2:51:46] evental.

[2:51:48] Many times these scenarios are like where the property owner is at exchange hands and that's

[2:51:54] where we always kind of initiate a process.

[2:51:57] We reach out to the new owner and we send them, you know, like, what is their intention,

[2:52:02] you know, like, and then as they use its intention statement, UIS and that's the document

[2:52:08] that stars the process and we tell them like, hey, these are the requirements.

[2:52:12] You've got to fill out a rental permit application and then you have to go to a building

[2:52:17] safety inspection process.

[2:52:19] And once that process is complete, then we issue them the final rental license.

[2:52:26] That would be the protocol in that scenario.

[2:52:29] Well, I'm referring to somebody who has kind of slipped through a system, it's like the same

[2:52:35] They've had a rental for the past 10 years, and in the last three years it hadn't gotten

[2:52:39] a letter to renew their license, and they chose not to pursue it, and I was like, okay,

[2:52:45] if they've been forgotten and disowned here.

[2:52:49] And now you catch them, and they'll be like, okay, you owe us three years back paying fees,

[2:52:56] or is it going, oh well, no, we'll just move forward from here.

[2:53:01] Yeah, I think typically if there's a gap of more than two years, I think even to legally pursue, it becomes more and more difficult if you have like a three year or four year, you know, like a scenario for a particular property.

[2:53:18] But if we, you know, get a information that it is the case, we definitely sent them the

[2:53:24] latter and try to put a perspective to that particular case and reach out to them through

[2:53:30] our, you know, laid out protocols and reached them. That's what we do.

[2:53:36] And Kalsma, we both have cited people who have been, who have not had mental licenses and

[2:53:42] they get fined and then they start the process as well. So it kind of depends on how we

[2:53:47] as well. I mean, we've had cases recently where we have cited people for not for failure

[2:53:53] to have a rental license, and then they've come in and got in their rental license, but

[2:53:58] we've also taken them to court, and they've been issued a citation for it, and a fine.

[2:54:04] And also, it's here a process in GoGo, or the online app, to say you have a neighbor that

[2:54:14] know was a rental, and I doubt they have a rental license and they don't behave like

[2:54:20] the legit rental. Is there a process report that?

[2:54:26] Yes, there is. There's a process in the CRM app that would then attach us. The property

[2:54:31] and inspector would go out and they would either verify that there is a license or if

[2:54:37] there's not a license and then they would enforce, then they would do the investigation to determine

[2:54:42] whether there are renters at the property, they will do that.

[2:54:45] Thank you.

[2:54:46] And on that topic here, in my own experience

[2:54:50] and from things that residents have said to me,

[2:54:53] you said, often a ticket put out on this system.

[2:55:00] We'll come back and say it's been closed, and however they've seen no change. And they're wondering, well, what has happened, has the property been notified, have they been fined, have they been fined, they're going to be coming to compliance soon, is something it's just as ticket is closed. Is there a way we can give a little more information?

[2:55:23] Yeah, I don't believe I think, when our inspector, like office is called office as they find out that there is a non-compliance of somebody who has been default on making the payment for any kind of services to the city, we, you know, verify the facts and then we issue them and we and give them some time to respond and then if they don't do that, then the next step goes to the municipal infraction and they are taken to the, you know,

[2:55:53] a hard-swilled court system as well, just to follow through on that process.

[2:55:58] In Councilmember, I know that when you're asking a question about sometimes they're closed

[2:56:02] and they don't, and people don't get a full answer.

[2:56:04] Some of them are being referred to another, so like with the VOs and scooters like that,

[2:56:09] you may get that it's closed immediately because it's sent to Jacob or somebody in public works.

[2:56:17] But we're trying to work on that when we're providing those answers before we're closing it out

[2:56:21] that you'll get more information from GOGOVs so you don't just get that it's closed if

[2:56:26] it's something that has, you know, or that there's already a case, we'll try to give you

[2:56:30] more information.

[2:56:31] So, we can work with staff on that as far as when we're working through this.

[2:56:36] I don't understand what you're saying.

[2:56:38] That would be most helpful.

[2:56:39] And on the topic of short-term rentals, I know that Airbnb has a government portal where

[2:56:46] we can enter in our policies and request.

[2:56:52] I don't think they'll give you the actual Airbnb rental addresses, but if there, I think

[2:57:02] they will confront somebody who's unlicensed or hasn't paid to license and make sure they

[2:57:11] to come into compliance, but have we actually utilized that portal, have we, which has been

[2:57:19] our interaction there?

[2:57:23] I'm not aware of if we have had a particular scenario, we had interactive with that governmental

[2:57:29] portal that you are talking about.

[2:57:31] Which portal is that?

[2:57:32] Which portal?

[2:57:34] It's only Airbnb, and you have to be screened to be, that's the private entity, right?

[2:57:40] Airbnb.

[2:57:40] B.C. is the host of all the shows at rentals.

[2:57:46] There's the role on Airbnb.

[2:57:47] I don't know.

[2:57:48] The verbals process, because Airbnb has been,

[2:57:52] I believe both at MML and I'll see,

[2:57:56] Expo.

[2:57:57] And I talked to the representatives.

[2:57:58] And they've been sounding like they're more than willing to work with us

[2:58:01] to make sure that the policies within our city are under compliance

[2:58:09] with their rentals.

[2:58:12] Yeah, I think I understand what you're saying, council member,

[2:58:16] who, like all of those organizations,

[2:58:18] they have a governmental relationship group with them as well.

[2:58:23] And they try to work with the municipalities or counties

[2:58:26] to make sure that there is a better alignment.

[2:58:29] And they also have their own QACUC process.

[2:58:32] And they probably try to put those things.

[2:58:34] The way I look at it, I think what you're

[2:58:36] I think it's an opportunity for us to engage into and we can be inclusive of that coordination and collaboration

[2:58:42] on the public versus private sector and to make things better on both sides of the aisle.

[2:58:49] Thank you, it's a very interesting for the integration.

[2:58:52] Thank you very much.

[2:58:53] Thank you.

[2:58:53] All right, I'm still having a great time.

[2:58:56] I'm going to be very quick because my colleague spoke on issues.

[2:59:01] I wanted to bring forward just in plus we send in our council questions and thank you staff for answering them.

[2:59:10] I just want to say, you know, we are a community and we need to work together to make sure that we're, you know,

[2:59:19] like earlier resident from District 4 reported about parking, he's been vigilant, he's looking, he's, you know,

[2:59:28] He reported this to us so it would be very beneficial if residents say something and they use the go-gov app

[2:59:36] So we need to make sure that residents know how to use the go-gov app

[2:59:40] But you know, I do have to tell you that a lot of people are frustrated with it and I think it can be

[2:59:48] It can be an opportunity for the city to teach the residents how to use that go to go back and then also, you know, put forward just the

[3:00:00] Commitment to registering rentals and really working on the quality of life as this gentleman mentioned

[3:00:08] that his wife gets home late from work, and she can't park it in front of her house. I think

[3:00:13] my colleague and I can both, that's been our situation sometimes too. And so, you know,

[3:00:20] I think it's important that we're working as a community of residents, staff, council members

[3:00:26] to solve this problem, so I just, that's all I wanted to say. Thank you.

[3:00:32] Thank you. Nice comments.

[3:00:34] Because one of us simons.

[3:00:35] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[3:00:37] And thank you all for this presentation.

[3:00:39] I have only one question.

[3:00:41] I think it may be somewhat straightforward.

[3:00:45] And I do.

[3:00:46] I think part of that is because my colleagues have covered so many things

[3:00:50] and their questions and I really appreciate and echo a lot of the things that they have said.

[3:00:54] But my question really is, what is the difference

[3:00:57] between Gogov and College Park Connect or CP Connect?

[3:01:06] The same thing.

[3:01:08] I believe it's the same.

[3:01:10] They are like, you know, Gogov, you know,

[3:01:14] like, through online on our website,

[3:01:16] or going through an app.

[3:01:18] The system is same and information goes to that.

[3:01:21] And the based on what type of complaint it is,

[3:01:24] it is assigned to the particular department.

[3:01:26] Perfect, so I think, and I think I had understood this before that GoGov and College Park Connect, CP Connect, this is all one and the same thing.

[3:01:38] Yeah, it is one and the same.

[3:01:39] It's that GoGov is the vendor.

[3:01:42] Yes, it's like the vendor and the power that we had branded our app and website, College Park Connect, CP Connect, for sure.

[3:01:48] And you used to be called, I was like, and Blaine's where I was called, I was named for them.

[3:01:52] So, love it! I would love, I think, Mayor Protem, Mackie, made an excellent point about education and really getting people to use our app.

[3:02:01] I think it would be so useful if we as a council and city staff, as a collective body, really used our brand, college-part-connect or CP-connect, whether it's internal discussions, external discussions, emails to

[3:02:17] Our residents, I know for me it is a little bit confusing when we talk about and I have thought I understand that they are one and the same thing but I think this discussion has kind of brought up that question for me again and and I think it would just be really really useful to have one consistent name that we use for it even though I totally understand internally it might make sense to say go gove but when we use a word or a term internally it kind of bleeds to the outside

[3:02:47] as well. So I think just for our residents and education, the sake of clarity would be, I would love if we stuck.

[3:02:54] And I see some thumbs up. I love that. Thank you so much. I would really appreciate that. Thank you.

[3:02:59] Okay, this is something called branding.

[3:03:02] Yes, yes, yes, yes.

[3:03:04] This is basically a complaint system, sort of saying a lemon's language.

[3:03:09] And the issue is like the information should go to the relevant department to act upon.

[3:03:14] and in a responsive, effective manner, and I do believe that our organization

[3:03:21] have done some efforts previously in person pieces, and I'm pretty sure even within

[3:03:28] DPS, my staff has talked to people coming to the counter and helping them

[3:03:32] they, this is how you do it, taking their phones, absolutely, no, but it is an

[3:03:37] opportunity.

[3:03:38] No, I think that's great as well if there's education about how it works, excellent.

[3:03:42] But my point is literally just at the level of language just to use that consistent messaging.

[3:03:49] Thank you so much.

[3:03:50] So that's all we have.

[3:03:52] Thank you.

[3:03:53] It's for your hard work.

[3:03:54] I know you say it's a journey and you have taken and you're really working very hard and

[3:04:00] it's like being seen more coming as you make progress and I'll be seeing probably seeing

[3:04:08] some demos on the dashboards that you're building and other improvements you're making.

[3:04:16] Absolutely, but I think for right now our goal is like we are just prioritizing, but that

[3:04:21] is part of the solution.

[3:04:23] Definitely.

[3:04:24] Thank you.

[3:04:25] Thank you Mayor.

[3:04:26] Thank you council.

[3:04:28] Appreciate it.

[3:04:29] So, our second and last two oxygen items will be presented by our

[3:04:37] parking manager, I believe he's a director, ma'am.

[3:04:42] Mr. Miller, thank you so much for patiently waiting and the discussion will be by the emergency

[3:04:49] replacement of the city's single space smart parking mirrors.

[3:04:53] Yes.

[3:04:53] Welcome Mr. Miller.

[3:04:54] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[3:04:55] members of Council. So this is going back almost a year.

[3:05:00] When we first got word of our single-space smart meter provider that we've been in business relations with for about 30 years.

[3:05:09] POM is a family-owned company, was a family-owned company, and it was started by a husband and wife. The wife, pretty much in principle, was just on paper as a partner.

[3:05:24] The founder of the company passed away about 14 years ago.

[3:05:31] The son and daughter took over business operations and maintained that.

[3:05:37] The most recent and I'm just going to do a quick chronological going back to September

[3:05:44] when this offer started.

[3:05:49] Back in September on September 15th of 2025, we had received

[3:05:53] notice from POM that they were looking to sell the company or liquidate the assets for existing

[3:06:02] customers such as College Park and other cities across the United States. They would maintain

[3:06:07] full operations even after December 31st to come and go. So we thought that we would have to make

[3:06:15] quick move, but we had a surplus of meter parts and the single-space

[3:06:21] smart meters that we have on street. Currently 39 in total, managing 71

[3:06:27] spaces, we're pretty rugged pieces of equipment. Very little could be damaged

[3:06:34] other than maybe the car reader and we had parts. So we maintained operations, then

[3:06:42] came January of this year, and the agreement with the College Park

[3:06:47] Shopping Center could not be reached.

[3:06:50] Mayor Council had approved the purchase of the

[3:06:53] flowbird paystations for downtown, and that included

[3:06:57] five units for the Shopping Center.

[3:07:00] Those five units were in storage in our parking garage,

[3:07:04] waiting for a place to go.

[3:07:05] And when this came about more recently that on I'll I'll bring correct myself August 21st

[3:07:15] I received a memorandum from the ownership of POM.

[3:07:21] The mother who was the last listed owner on POM's property and their business passed away

[3:07:30] last month.

[3:07:31] So, the son and daughter are basically shutting down communications, effective October 1st.

[3:07:40] Needless to say that kind of put us into a rapid response on how we want to address this.

[3:07:48] We had actually gotten quotes after the September 15th notification.

[3:07:56] And on January 13th of this year, we had a work session discussion on this very item.

[3:08:00] We had obtained two quotes, a third quote from another vendor, never came through.

[3:08:10] And so during this summer, before we got this more recent notice in the latter part of August,

[3:08:17] we actually were in the process of looking to move forward with Council approval

[3:08:21] to get replacement single-space smart meters.

[3:08:25] At that point in time, we realized we can utilize the existing brand new

[3:08:30] pastations in storage to help to resolve the problems that we're now facing.

[3:08:37] The fact of the matter is that even if Council at this point in time wanted to

[3:08:41] approve a meeting approval to replace apples to apples so to speak with single

[3:08:45] space smart meters, it's a 12 to 14 week lead time, so there's no way

[3:08:51] We would be able to meet the October 1st deadline when the

[3:08:55] communications for our current meters stops.

[3:09:00] So in the packet, the initial packet you received an

[3:09:05] aerial view with the staff report.

[3:09:07] map. There was a second aerial view map that showed

[3:09:11] been in your red packet that came about.

[3:09:15] We're recently because it somehow

[3:09:18] on this inclusion in the original packet.

[3:09:22] The first aerial view map with the blue dots

[3:09:26] is specific to Hartwick Road.

[3:09:29] That would replace 29 meter spaces with four

[3:09:32] of the five pay stations that we have,

[3:09:35] that we can go ahead and utilize those.

[3:09:39] The other aerial map that was in your red packet

[3:09:43] shows the fifth location of the pay stations,

[3:09:47] which would be on the 7400 block of Baltimore Avenue, just to our north here.

[3:09:53] And of course on that second aerial view is also some yellow dots.

[3:10:00] That would mark the mobile app only locations, and that's specific to the high road, just on the

[3:10:06] north side of Jason City Hall, and Yale Avenue, just behind City Hall. These areas, because

[3:10:13] the meter spaces are so few and they're segmented out, it wouldn't be cost effective to try

[3:10:26] Kenny Young and with Deputy Director, WC Manager, Michelle Hitchcock, about this, and we came

[3:10:34] to the conclusion that given the circumstances, we could make the locations on both Lee

[3:10:42] High and Yale mobile app only.

[3:10:45] There are other cities that are going to mobile app only applications.

[3:10:50] It doesn't give the customers necessarily the options that we've tried to provide them through

[3:10:57] the years, but we also realize that these spaces are not adjacent to our fronting retail

[3:11:03] establishments downtown, so they can use those spaces for longer term parking.

[3:11:10] And there are actually still two mobile app providers.

[3:11:14] We added part mobile last year.

[3:11:16] We already had the Ames Amp Park mobile app in place since COVID.

[3:11:22] So for some of the council that's been with us here for these years, you'll remember those.

[3:11:29] So it still gives customers at least an option.

[3:11:34] The two mobile apps will benefit anybody that wants to use them.

[3:11:38] We do know that with the University of Maryland student population and even their families,

[3:11:42] They tend to lean toward mobile apps, it's more convenient, and they don't seem to mind paying the convenience fee, which is how these vendors actually make their profits.

[3:11:53] So there are two apps. The convenience fees are different.

[3:11:58] Ames is a 30 cent convenience fee per transaction, whereas park mobile is 40 cents.

[3:12:05] And Park Mobile is on a co-op through an Omniagrement, which means that they based on productivity

[3:12:12] have the right without advertisement to raise their convenience fee from one year to the next

[3:12:20] over the five-year term that we're signed for.

[3:12:23] I don't anticipate that that's going to be the case, but we won't now until we're a full

[3:12:28] year in to see how that comes about.

[3:12:30] So that's the plan of action at this point in time.

[3:12:34] We just wanted to bring this to Council's attention.

[3:12:37] Again, since this is a follow up discussion from January 13th

[3:12:42] and to, you know, take any questions you may have.

[3:12:46] Thank you.

[3:12:47] Let's turn this to my district three colleagues

[3:12:49] because this will be mostly implemented

[3:12:52] in their district's customer.

[3:12:55] So specifically for the pastations on Heartwork Road

[3:12:58] Are those going to be both coin and credit?

[3:13:03] Yes, they're going to actually be the same as all the other, the 11 other

[3:13:07] paystations that's currently in operational city streets, coin, bill, credit card,

[3:13:14] either by EMV, which is a chip reader that you insert the card or a tap.

[3:13:19] They all have the same features on them, gives customers a lot of options.

[3:13:24] I'll just say, I'm not related to this, but there has been a lot of conversation in the

[3:13:31] community about concern with the parking at College of Education Center, and the solution

[3:13:39] to that that many people have shared is to park on heartwork because it is, so when this

[3:13:47] was coming before us, I got nervous about how those changes were going to be.

[3:13:53] I think, as I've shared with others in the past,

[3:13:58] I'm interested in a broader parking initiative

[3:14:01] and how we can think about making that easier across the city.

[3:14:09] And then maybe the only other question that isn't, again,

[3:14:13] focused on this, but as I far as understand it in city hall,

[3:14:18] you can park for free for up to an hour in the municipal broadcaster.

[3:14:23] Is there any other places in the city that you can park for free for any period of time down town

[3:14:31] Pretty much all of our streets except for the most southern streets in Calvert Hills

[3:14:36] There's a couple of streets in Calvert Hills where it's not restricted part of it. I mean at a pay station

[3:14:43] But like no

[3:14:44] It's all payment the the lowest amount that a customer can pay at a pay station location is 50 cents for 15 minutes

[3:14:53] Okay,

[3:14:57] I'll stop there and I'll stop there and it's just now

[3:15:00] With this, this item is about to come. I'd actually propose doing away with that. When we were looking at the garage phase, but council, we need to go a different way.

[3:15:11] Do we pay when people get a free thing, or is it just printed, I mean, like we're paying for the paper for the ticket, right, but is there a cost to the vendor?

[3:15:22] So, with our pay stations, if a regardless of whether a customer just wants the free-hour option in the garage,

[3:15:32] they have the same choice of selecting whether they want a private receipt.

[3:15:37] No receipt or have the receipt information text it to the phone.

[3:15:43] Yeah, I just know that for myself and a lot of other residents, particularly in District 3,

[3:15:49] often, you know, you will go to a business, or you'll go somewhere to then pick up food to go

[3:15:57] and so I think figuring out how, you know, we're trying to support economic development,

[3:16:02] and have I been downtown and thinking about how to make it easier for people to do that,

[3:16:07] given that in some of the places, you know, going to the second level of the garage to the

[3:16:18] spots that are dedicated for that, doesn't make a whole lot of want to call sense of.

[3:16:24] Happy to have further conversations.

[3:16:26] Thank you.

[3:16:27] Thank you.

[3:16:28] Yeah.

[3:16:28] Speaking of the heart, the parking on the heart, like Rome, and Consolumber, or maybe very good

[3:16:37] point.

[3:16:38] And we have also seen quite a few emails from the community about the situation, parking

[3:16:44] situation and the college part, the shopping center.

[3:16:48] And the concern community has about having to park for a very small amount of time, just to pick up a medication from CVS or pick up a cup of coffee from Starbucks and doesn't make sense to pay $22 for full parking fees.

[3:17:09] The meters that we are will be installing there, do you think you can have an arrangement

[3:17:14] to have, say, a fast half hour free or something like that?

[3:17:19] That can certainly be considered, but again, that would require software changes, which does

[3:17:25] come at a cost.

[3:17:26] I mean, we could get a quote on that, but I would defer to the city management to see what

[3:17:33] are full.

[3:17:34] We can also rest in some now actually partying on Hardway because of the situation in across

[3:17:41] the street from College Park Shopping Center, you can park in the grass for an hour

[3:17:44] for free.

[3:17:46] And then across the street and then by city hall there's 30 minute free parking in front.

[3:17:51] So there are places where that's accessible is just about Hardway where where folks can go.

[3:17:58] But I think thinking about, as I've said, thinking broadly about parking, how to make it easier, and how to do it.

[3:18:09] Exactly. That's one of the things people, especially people who live in North College Park, they don't want to come to South because the parking situation is that they think is still that there are that we want to go to a Greenbelt shopping center.

[3:18:22] That's what I'm saying.

[3:18:24] I'm not sure price-wise in the shopping center with the vendor they're using in the

[3:18:32] parking industry is new, so there's little known about the company that they're using

[3:18:38] for payment.

[3:18:41] But I've never been there since they've implemented this.

[3:18:44] Some of they had a different company and they're under a vendor last parking, under previous

[3:18:49] property management.

[3:18:50] Now, there's a new property management that's overseeing the shop center property, so they've moved to a different company, and that's the company that's new in the industry.

[3:18:59] I don't know what their rates are, but if they're high certainly for the businesses there, it would most likely drive customer business away,

[3:19:08] which I can only imagine the tenants would then be up in arms about what are you doing for us to help us out, you know,

[3:19:19] Certainly, this is something that if we want it to do a short-term free parking at certain areas downtown, that could be looked into.

[3:19:28] Okay. Yeah. Thank you.

[3:19:33] I'm curious. So I see that we have a proposal that includes the proposed pay stations and then proposed mobile app only locations is there an alternative.

[3:19:45] I know that the mobile app only can be inconvenient or challenging for some folks.

[3:19:51] Is there an alternative that we're considering that does I understand this is the proposal that's before us?

[3:19:57] But do we have an option not to consider to...

[3:20:00] To have something that's not mobile app only in those yellow dot locations, or is that pretty much that is the option that we get to consider and there's no alternative.

[3:20:12] At this point in time, I mean, certainly council could look at, you know, from the high and yellow words mobile app only that that's what we're in looking to move for it, you know, with now.

[3:20:23] because the here and now we just don't have enough time before us to get equipment in if the city council ever

[3:20:30] consider wanting to put in, say, apples to apples with, you know, single space smart meters.

[3:20:37] The problem with a downtown area where you have a major university is if we don't put some type of regulatory measure in place,

[3:20:46] as you can imagine, it becomes storage,

[3:20:48] cars just parked forever.

[3:20:51] And then it goes to the 48-hour limit ordinance

[3:20:54] and that's a long drawn-out process

[3:20:56] if you have to obtain registered information.

[3:20:59] So it can present a problem.

[3:21:02] There really isn't any other alternative,

[3:21:05] again, within the parking industry,

[3:21:07] there's a lot of things.

[3:21:10] But when it comes to regulating parking by pay parking

[3:21:13] even short-term free parking, there are limitations as to what's available.

[3:21:20] So I think I understand all of that and I'm not advocating for free parking along Lehigh

[3:21:26] and Yale, just kind of recognizing the constraints of a mobile app only system.

[3:21:32] So I guess my question would become is if we wanted to get pay stations or meters, is that

[3:21:41] We're back to the 12 to 14 week lead time to get those. Is that correct?

[3:21:46] That's correct. Okay, excellent. I think my last question is I know I actually was so surprised to see that the last time we discussed this was back in January

[3:21:54] It seems like it was not that long ago that you were before us and I know at that point in time we had developed we had identified kind of an urgent

[3:22:02] need to address this scenario that's now before us. So I guess my question becomes

[3:22:07] What happened in between January and today that this didn't come back to us earlier to give us time to work with that 12-14-week meantime?

[3:22:17] In part, from the initial notification from POM in September, we thought that we would have to move a lot quicker.

[3:22:25] But then when we found out in conversation with POM that they would maintain full operational status even beyond the first of the new year.

[3:22:34] and we had ample parts in storage so we had a surplus and we were able to get the rechargeable battery packs for the machines.

[3:22:47] We could essentially stay operational for an indefinite period of time.

[3:22:53] So that kind of put things back because then we didn't have a necessary need for immediate change.

[3:23:01] When we realized that then when the shopping center contract expired and wasn't renewed, we had five

[3:23:09] paystations in storage.

[3:23:12] And so at that point in time, it wasn't until we got to notice August 21st from POM that

[3:23:19] due to the passing of the mother who was the last listed owner of the business, the company

[3:23:25] was going to fold, and that's going to be effective October 1st.

[3:23:29] So, that, again, put the wheels back in motion for us to be able to do something.

[3:23:34] And, for us, the only real answer that we had at that time was to utilize the

[3:23:41] PlayStation that's been sitting in storage.

[3:23:43] And, instead of, you know, put them on a street, make them useful.

[3:23:47] Go ahead and put them out there to resolve as many of the single-space

[3:23:52] meter locations that we had.

[3:23:54] And then the smaller section was the area, only high in Yale, that Mr. Young and Mithage

[3:24:01] Path and I had spoke about.

[3:24:03] Excellent.

[3:24:04] I decided to do that.

[3:24:05] Okay, thank you.

[3:24:06] I appreciate it.

[3:24:06] I think that does clarify things for me.

[3:24:10] For my perspective, and I defer ultimately a bit to my district three colleagues.

[3:24:15] This is in their district, but your proposal seems to make sense to me.

[3:24:19] I would be interested to see, I think this makes sense as potentially an interim condition

[3:24:26] looking at reintroducing paystations into those locations, or I guess they're meters now,

[3:24:35] but introducing paystations something that would offer a little bit more flexibility for

[3:24:40] residents who do want to park along the high NDL as well.

[3:24:44] Certainly, and I do know that a lot of towns and cities that have had equipment physical equipment

[3:24:49] on street are actually going the way of mobile app only, where I live in Frederick City, they

[3:24:57] took all the meters off of every street.

[3:25:00] And then parking garages, everything on street became mobile app only. And there's, again, you know, public outcry, you're going to have some members of the public, that's not going to be happy about the options available to them.

[3:25:12] And this is something that gives us an opportunity to look at specific to Lehigh and Yale that if we get, you know, response back from the general public saying that, you know, why don't we have something there.

[3:25:24] Then that's something that we can sort of look at and I can maintain quotes from the different vendors that offer that problem

[3:25:32] Come

[3:25:34] Thank you. Looks like

[3:25:36] The council is an agreement with your proposal. Thank you for your work. Thank you appreciate it. Appreciate it. Okay

[3:25:42] All right, so that we have come to the very end of our meeting except one thing

[3:25:48] Very quest for a status of future agenda items. I haven't seen any

[3:25:53] request, but is there any question from my colleagues about any gender items that we have

[3:25:59] requested? Seeing none. And now is the time to entertain a motion to adjourn.

[3:26:06] Motion to adjourn.

[3:26:09] Stop did we get the names? All in favour, sir. Any opposed and a extension. We will not be

[3:26:16] having a meeting next week, but we will have a meeting following week.

[3:26:25] The very last meeting will be on Monday. Good night college work.

Mayor and Council Meeting Sep 1 - Sep 2nd, 2026

Agenda

Transcript