University Park public meetings in 2022

Council

The University Park Mayor and Common Council will hold a public hearing on a special exception to allow a 5-foot fence at 4222 Sheridan Street, hear a stormwater management report from engineer Robert Palmer, and introduce an emergency parking ordinance prohibiting parking on the south side of Clagett Pineway. The council will also discuss a police retention bonus program and select a date for the 2023 election.

• Public hearing on special exception for a 5-foot fence at 4222 Sheridan Street
• Introduction of emergency parking ordinance banning parking on south side of Clagett Pineway from Woodberry Street to Clagett Road
• Stormwater management report by RK&K engineer Robert Palmer
• Washington Gas permit application to replace 16 residential connections
• Discussion of police retention bonus program

The Council set the 2023 election date and introduced a police retention bonus program funded by ARPA. They also approved a building permit variance for a fence and introduced an emergency parking ordinance for Clagett Pineway.

• Approved 2023 election date as Tuesday, May 9, 2023 (7-0)
• Introduced Police Retention Bonus Program totaling $30,000 for FY2023 (6-1)
• Introduced emergency parking ordinance prohibiting parking on south side of Clagett Pineway (7-0)
• Approved special exception for 5’ fence at 4222 Sheridan Street (7-0)
• Approved Washington Gas permit application (7-0)
• Approved December 5, 2022 meeting minutes (7-0)
• Approved December 12, 2022 closed session minutes (7-0)

Police, Traffic & Public Safety Committee

The committee approved the October 14th minutes and recommended the town purchase 'No Parking or Standing' signs. Several security and infrastructure proposals were referred to the FY2024 budget. The Traffic Calming Devices policy was tabled until January 11th.

• Approved October 14th minutes
• Recommended purchase of 'No Parking or Standing' signs at $36 each
• Tabled Policy for Traffic Calming Devices until January 11th
• Added radar speed camera purchase ($6,000-$8,500) to FY2024 budget
• Added 12 multisensory security cameras ($185,000 initial cost) to FY2024 budget
• Added 4 Code Blue Duress Stations ($68,000) to FY2024 budget
• Added 4 to 6 park lamps to FY2024 budget

Council

The University Park Mayor and Common Council will hold a special session entirely remotely, convening at 6:00 p.m. and immediately moving into closed session to discuss personnel matters such as appointments, performance evaluations, or other issues affecting specific individuals. The Council will not return to open session after the closed session.

• Closed session to discuss personnel matters including appointments, employment, and performance evaluations
• Public comment will be taken before the closed session
• Meeting conducted entirely remotely via video and audio conference

The Council met in a closed session to discuss the timeline and process for hiring a new town administrator. The Mayor will provide candidate resumes and interview questions to councilmembers and coordinate interview dates.

• Approved motion to close public meeting (6-0)
• Approved motion to end closed meeting (7-0)

Council

The Council approved an ordinance to align the Town's public ethics code with Maryland state law. Additionally, the Council approved a ten-year renewal of the cable television franchise agreement with Comcast of Maryland, LLC.

• Adopted Legislative Resolution 22-O-09 to amend Public Ethics code (7-0)
• Approved 10-year Comcast franchise agreement renewal (7-0)
• Approved agenda (7-0)
• Approved November 21, 2022 minutes (7-0)
• Approved November 21, 2022 closed session minutes (7-0)

Helping Hands Committee

The committee established a new monthly meeting time and approved a holiday bus tour for members. They also scheduled a December Lunch Club event with costs covered by the committee budget.

• Approved October 27, 2022 minutes as corrected
• Changed monthly meeting time to fourth Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. (majority vote)
• Approved holiday bus tour for members
• Scheduled December Lunch Club for December 14 with costs paid from HHUP budget
• Tabled recording of volunteer training
• Postponed member directory until after the holiday season

Council

The Council approved a $400 holiday payment for current employees and adopted the 2023 meeting schedule. They also introduced an ordinance to renew the Comcast franchise agreement for 10 years and reviewed the Fiscal Year 2022 audit.

• Approved $400 net holiday compensation for each current employee as of December 1, 2022 (7-0)
• Approved the proposed 2023 University Park Council Meeting Schedule (7-0)
• Introduced Ordinance to renew Comcast franchise agreement for 10 years (7-0)
• Introduced the Fiscal Year 2022 Audit (7-0)
• Approved November 7, 2022 minutes (7-0)
• Approved November 7, 2022 closed session minutes (7-0)

Development Overview Committee (DOC)

The committee approved the meeting agenda and reviewed the status of several active local development projects. Members discussed updating the committee's mission to focus on affordable housing, stormwater management, and the impacts of the Purple Line. No new projects were presented for discussion.

• Approved meeting agenda
• Proposed updating committee mission to address affordable housing and post-pandemic conditions
• Proposed working with State Senator Pinsky and the County on stormwater regulation and enforcement

Council

The Council adopted a resolution to lower speed limits in designated school zones from 25 mph to 20 mph during weekday hours. They also approved a $10,000 budget transfer for a playground project and introduced an ethics code amendment.

• Adopted Legislative Resolution 22-O-08 to reduce school zone speed limits from 25 to 20 mph (7-0)
• Approved moving $10,000 from ARPA Expenditures FY22 to Playground Project CP&P (7-0)
• Introduced ordinance 22-O-09 to amend the Public Ethics code (7-0)
• Approved the agenda (7-0)
• Approved October 17, 2022 meeting minutes (7-0)
• Approved entry into Closed Session to discuss personnel (7-0)

Sustainability Committee

The committee reviewed progress on the park plan and the public works garage RFP. Members discussed the Sustainable Maryland renewal and potential composting initiatives. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.

• Action: Patricia to clarify if David Deutsch's park plan is for the RFP or the plan itself
• Action: Patricia to request the RFP for the public works garage
• Action: RD to remind Town to send the garage RFP to the Sustainability Committee once ready
• Action: Martha to lead drafting a recognition statement for stream work
• Action: David Brosch to explore vehicles for a stream pollution case study
• Action: Ralph to invite Mike Hunninghake to the Dec 6 meeting regarding Sustainable Maryland renewal
• Action: David Brosch to prepare a newsletter item on metal recycling
• Action: Patricia to draft a proposal for encouraging town composting

Helping Hands Committee

The committee approved the minutes from September 27, 2022. Members discussed volunteer residency requirements, background check updates, and upcoming holiday events. No other formal votes were recorded.

• Approved September 27, 2022 minutes
• Postponed member directory until after the holiday season
• Postponed Gogo Grandparent budget discussion