Council Meeting Notes: Terrapin Turf Support, Free Parking Downtown This Summer, and More

Couldn't make last night's mayor and city council meeting? Well here are some notes in bulleted format to help you catch up.

Meeting Minutes

• The council voted unanimously to approve the meeting minutes from the Jan. 24, 2012 regular meeting.

Announcements

• North College Park residents have been working hard to open the first community library, which will be located in the basement of a church on Rhode Island Ave, said Councilmember Fazlul Kabir (Dist. 1.) According to volunteers, more than 4,000 books have been donated to the library, which will open next Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Anyone interested in volunteering to work at the library should contact Kabir.

• Prince George's County Councilwoman Mary Leham will be hosting a mini-town hall at Hollywood Elementary school on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 6:30 p.m., where attendees can expected to learn about city and county initiatives, said Kabir.

City Manager's Report

• College Park City Manager Joseph Negro reported that the city offices will be closed on Monday for the President's Day holiday, and that as a result of the holiday all collections for trash, recycling, and bulk materials would be occurring one day behind schedule.

Student Liaison's Report

• Student Liaison John Natalizio reported that he and his deputy will both be confirmed in their positions on Feb. 15. He also said the the UMd. Student Government Association would like to be more involved with and learn more about the 2020 Vision.

Presentation of Certificates

• Mayor Andrew Fellows acknowledged eight College Park elementary school students from four different schools for their winning designs from the College Park Day Poster Contest.

Consent Agenda

Items below were all agreed upon by the city council.

• The approval of two non-competitive and four competitive public school grants that amount to a total of $18,500.

• A resolution to join with Prince George's County and other municipalities to join in joint negotiations for the renewal of the Comcast franchise.

• Opposition to HB 563 Telecommunications Taxes.

• An expression of support of the "University District Vision 2020."

Action Items

• The council unanimously approved a motion to support the application of College Park Academy Charter school.

• The council voted 7-0 to voice no objection to the application of Mohammad Afshar Khalai for a Class B liquor license for Terrapin Turf, to be located at 4408/4410 Knox Rd. in College Park, and to authorize city staff to testify at the official hearing. Kabir abstained.