Meeting Roundup: University Park's Council Discusses Permits, STEP-UP and Cafritz

It was a long night in University Park Monday, while mayor and council attempted to get through a jam-packed agenda when they met for their regular legislative session in University Park Elementary. 

Although they got through most of the items, two things were deferred until their October meeting - including a discussing on eco-friendly street lighting and a compost pilot program.

Here's what they discussed:

• Council voted in favor of an application to construct a new screened porch at 6600 44th Street.
• Councilwoman Tracey Toscano believes there should be a way to expedite the permit approval process. Mayor John Tabori agreed and said many of these could just be approved, if they are following town code. If resident need a variance, it would still come to council. Council will discuss this measure at the first meeting in October after it has been discussed in committee.
• Council endorsed the annual fall CDC/FEMA/FMS Walk and Run through town on Sept. 22 from noon until 1:15 p.m.
• Tabori reintroduced the idea of expanding town hall. He said it could serve as office space, community center and a sheltering place. Tabori said the expansion would be eligible for FEMA grant money. Councilman James Gekas said he'd like to see solar panels be a part of the expansion somehow. Council will review the initial drawings and discuss in committee.
• The town's 75th Anniversary celebration on Oct. 9 has received RSVPs from a number of local, county and state officials. To town will also be allowed to used the "Being Green" song from the Muppets.
• Councilman Len Carey introduced two charter amendments that would amend term limits for mayor and council and Tabori said the public has the right to know and bring it to referendum. He added another amendment, that council should take office on July 1, that way their first vote is not on the final budget when they didn’t have any role in it.   Councilwoman Jacqueline Bradley Chacon wants to make sure the public has time to discuss it as well as the committee. She doesn’t want to rush it. Tabori also wants elections to happen every two years. Right now residents half the town only votes every other year, while the other half votes every year. Bradley Chacon wants the language drafted also 2 to 3 years.
• Chuck Wilson, with , updating council on the town's stats with the program. "We’re on target with what we want," Wilson said. "Eighteen percent of the town signed up to participate or 1 in 5 homes as of Sept. 1." He also added that 1 in 10 homes have gotten an audit and 7 or 8 percent are investing in their homes. He said the program is now hoping to focus some of it's attention on town-wide issues like eco-friendly street lighting and a public composting program.
• Wilson asked for council's approval on a few positions STEP UP would like to secure — retaining one of the student interns for 10 hours a week, hiring a technical consultant, as needed 15 hours a week. "We’d like to go into and make sure contractors are doing their job right." And hire a website consultant.  
• He said has put together a great loan product for residents who need financial help to invest in the STEP-UP program and they are hoping to figure out a program for senior citizens on fixed incomes.
• A meeting scheduled for later this month between the school board and University Park's Community Solar LLC. on Sept. 20.
  
• DPW Director Mickey Beall said public works moved into a new garage maintenance facility. 
• Beall said paving operations going on throughout town and although it looks like a minimal amount that’s gotten done, he's been very pleased with the contractor’s work. "They will begin milling shortly. They weren’t able to finish Tennyson corridor, so they’ve delayed paving, so they can have all of ward 2, ward 6 and ward 7 ready to be paved."
• Beall noted that there are three historically old trees in town. An elm tree at 6500 Queens Chapel Road and a Black Oak at 4205 Tuckerman Street are about 175 years old. The oldest tree in town is a willow oak is on resident Bruce Burrow’s property. It's at least 200 years old or older.
• He said it cost $10,000 for emergency tree clean-up due to Hurricane Irene.
• Tabori said he has asked for a meeting between Chip Reed, who also represents the Landy/Belcrest Plaza development and planners to discuss their stormwater management plan.
• Council approved the police department to dispose of a surplus vehicle.
• Council introduced their resolution about the for the region. Councilman Michael Cron asked that the town to find a way to only contribute if three or more entities would join on. According to Hyattsville Patch, their city of Hyattsville approved to spend $5,000 on the study. University Park's council will vote on the measure at their October meeting. The study has yet to be officially pitched to College Park or Riverdale Park's councils.
• Councilman Len Carey asked that council meet at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 to discuss Cafritz at length.
• Council voted to approve a transfer fund of $2,500 to buy a new phone system.
• A has been set for Oct. 25 to fill the Ward 1 seat left vacant by Margaret Mallino.