SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES College Park City Council Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, this was a WebEx Virtual Meeting PRESENT: Mayor Wojahn; Councilmembers Kabir, Kennedy, Brennan, Dennis (arrived at 8:51 p.m.), Day, Rigg, Mackie and Mitchell. ABSENT: : None. ALSO PRESENT: Scott Somers, City Manager; Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager; Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk; Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney; Robert Marsili, Director of Public Works; Bob Ryan, Director of Public Services; Dan Alpert, Student Liaison; Julia Nikhinson, Deputy Student Liaison. ------------------- SPECIAL SESSION #1: ------------------- During the regularly scheduled Worksession of the Mayor and Council, a motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember Rigg to enter into a Special Session to approve a time-sensitive matter that will amend the Council’s adopted Rules and Procedures to allow them to hold this virtual meeting tonight. The possibility of the Special Session was listed on the Worksession Agenda. The motion carried 7-0 and the Council entered Special Session at 7:40 p.m. 20-G-54 Amendment to Council Rules and Procedures to authorize elected officials to participate in Mayor and Council public meetings by telephone or other means that is publicly accessible during certain emergencies. Mayor Wojahn said when this was discussed last week, we didn’t realize we would be using it so soon, but things are changing quickly. The proposed language was reviewed. A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to approve an amendment to the Council Rules and Procedures to allow for an elected official to participate by phone or other format that is generally accessible to the public during emergency events that substantially impact the ability to safely meet as a legislative body, or that require one or more elected officials to be quarantined or to self-quarantine. Comments from the audience: Oscar Gregory, resident: Supports the motion. There were no comments from the Council. The motion passed 7-0. A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to adjourn from the Special Session, and with a vote of 7-0, the Special Session was adjourned at 7:46 p.m. ------------------- SPECIAL SESSION #2: ------------------- During the regularly scheduled Worksession of the Mayor and Council, a motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Brennan to enter into a Special Session to consider several Special Session items that were listed on the agenda. The motion passed 7-0 and Council entered the second Special Session of the meeting at 8:08 p.m. 20-G-55 Approval of a revision to the Property Use Agreement for The Hall Ms. Ferguson reviewed the staff report. She said the Council has already approved a Property Use Agreement for The Hall, but the actual operation of the establishment doesn’t fit the previously approved PUA. They are requesting an amendment in Paragraph 5, Operations, to allow them to serve alcohol in the flex space inside and fenced-in area outside the establishment. They will be serving alcohol in these two spaces, but not necessarily food. Their attorney said their BOLC license does allow them to serve alcohol in these areas, and the PUA amendment would conform. Councilmember Kennedy asked for and received confirmation that they would still be serving food elsewhere in the establishment. A motion was made by Councilmember Day and seconded by Councilmember Rigg to approve an amendment to the Property Use Agreement with The Hall in essentially the form attached to include the interior flex space and the exterior fenced space in those areas that are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages and to reduce food service during entertainment events and to authorize the City Manager to sign the amended PUA. There were no comments from the audience or the Council. The motion passed 7-0. --- 20-G-44 Award of Contract for RFP-CP-20-06, “Materials Testing and Inspection Services and Third-Party Inspection Services for City Hall Redevelopment” Mr. Gardiner reviewed the staff report. The RFP was issued in February and three proposals were received. Redgate followed up with the bidders for certain clarifications. The proposals have been reviewed by the City Attorney and the Construction Team. The recommendation is to award the contract to Dulles Geotechnical and Materials Testing Services, Inc. who is the lowest bidder. A motion was made by Councilmember Brennan and seconded by Councilmember Rigg to award the contract for RFP-CP-20-06, “Materials Testing and Inspection Services and Third-Party Inspection Services for City Hall Redevelopment” to Dulles Geotechnical and Materials Testing Services, Inc. and to authorize the City Manager to execute the contract upon review by the City Attorney. There were no comments from the audience or from the Council. The motion passed 7-0. --- 20-G-46 Support for County Legislation CB-9-2020, CB-10-2020, and CB- 12-2020, for the Western Gateway Project Mr. Somers reviewed the staff report. The Council has received information on the Western Gateway project. Because the project will cross multiple zoning categories, this County legislation has been drafted to allow the project to move forward. A draft letter to support the County legislation was prepared for consideration. A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Day to approve sending a letter to County Councilmember Glaros requesting approval of CB-9- 2020, CB-10-2020, and CB-12-2020. Councilmember Rigg said although this project involves a loss of trees, it checks a lot of our boxes for desired development. It is mixed-use, high-density residential right next to a high capacity transit system and the University of Maryland. Comments from the Audience: Stuart Adams, resident, President of Calvert Hills Citizens Association: Agreed that this is smart growth and supports the vision for the western gateway. He thanked the Council and developer for listening to their concerns about the loss of tree canopy. Adding density next to the future Purple Line station and adding affordable graduate student housing are both important, and so is protecting our natural resources, so we should look to preserve as much of this publicly owned green space as possible. He supports the legislation. Oscar Gregory, resident: This area used to be the Buddington Farm and is an undeveloped beautiful area with lots of trees, and they are going to chop it down for townhomes and apartments. Are we a Tree City or not? Supporting this legislation sends the wrong message. Councilmember Day thanked the developer for hearing the resident concerns. They took the comments to heart and went back and redesigned the project. Councilmember Rigg reminded the developer about the importance of stormwater management. Mayor Wojahn echoed the appreciation to the developer for working with the community and for their commitment to protecting the public green space. The motion passed 7-0. --- 20-G-56 Support for Transportation for America Congressional Relief Package. Mayor Wojahn requested Council support for a federal relief package that is being considered with respect to the coronavirus. Transportation is taking a serious hit and will face a challenge due to low ridership. This stimulus package will provide resources to support our transit systems. A motion was made by Councilmember Mitchell and seconded by Councilmember Kennedy to send a letter in support of the Transportation for America Stimulus Package. Comment from the audience: Oscar Gregory, resident: Teleworking can diminish the footprint of transit so we wouldn’t need to devote so many resources to growing the transit system. The motion passed 7-0. --- ADJOURN: A motion was made by Councilmember Rigg and seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to adjourn the Special Session, and with a vote of 7-0, the Special Session was adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk College Park Special Session Minutes March 17, 2020