Boards and Commissions
The City of College Park utilizes Boards and Commissions to advise the Mayor and Council on a variety of topics in the City. Members of the City’s Boards and Commissions give generously of their time and talents to make valuable contributions to the City. Some Boards and Commissions are established in the City Charter or City Code, and some are established by Resolution of the Mayor and Council. The City Clerk’s office is responsible for maintaining records for Boards and Commissions, although most are also assigned a Department Staff Liaison. The Mayor and City Council make appointments to Boards and Commissions when vacancies occur. Some appointments are made based on council district while other appointments are at-large. Most members who serve on the City’s Boards and Commissions are City residents, but a few Boards allow non-residents to be appointed members. Some of the City’s Boards and Commissions offer small stipends to its members, but most are strictly voluntary. General information about the City’s Boards and Commissions is listed below. For detail about vacancies, please contact the City Clerk’s office. For appointment opportunities, please contact the City Clerk or your district Council representative. |
Advisory Planning Commission
Number of Members: 7
Term Length: 3 Years
Compensation: $60 per meeting
Meetings: First Thursday of the month, 7:30 pm, City Hall
Staff Liaison: Planning Director
The primary function of this commission is to conduct hearings with respect to applications for variances from the strict application of the Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance and departures from design and landscaping standards, parking and loading standards and sign design standards of the Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance as well as appeals with respect to violations of the College Park Code for Housing Regulations, Building Construction and Property Maintenance. The Commission may also make recommendations to the Mayor & Council on development applications; land-use issues and plans; grant requests and capital improvements; and may develop a long-range comprehensive plan for the City as directed by the Mayor and Council.
Individuals interested in serving on the Advisory Planning Commission should have a City-wide perspective and interest in planning and housing issues; a track record of civic-mindedness from work on other City projects or committees and some knowledge of the planning and development process and related laws and procedures.
Animal Control Board
Number of Members: 5
Term Length: 4 Years
Compensation: None
Meetings: Currently Inactive
Staff Liaison: Public Services Director
The Board resolves official or private complaints regarding animal control and recommends rules, regulations and procedures to Mayor & Council in order to enhance animal control within the City. Since the City’s Animal Control Officer was granted the authority to issue Municipal Infractions, this board has been inactive. The City’s Animal Control Officer is the primary point of contact for these issues.
Animal Welfare Committee
Number of Members: Up to 15
Term Length: 3 Years
Compensation: None
Meetings: Fourth Thursday of the month, 7:00 pm, City Hall
Staff Liaison: Animal Control Officer
This committee addresses issues related to domestic and wild animals in the City of College Park; works with the City Animal Control Officer to plan activities and initiatives to promote animal welfare; educates the community about responsible pet ownership, wildlife management and pest control; advises the Mayor and Council on animal welfare related issues; and coordinates with animal welfare and rescue organizations.
Individuals interested in serving on the Animal Welfare Committee should have interest and expertise in animal care, animal training, animal rescue, or wildlife management.
Board of Election Supervisors
Number of Members: 5 qualified voters of the City
Term Length: 2 Years
Compensation: Chief Supervisor $480 annually, Members $360 annually
Meetings: As needed
Staff Liaison: City Clerk
The Board is responsible for supervising the City’s elections by approving the contents of the candidacy packet, approving the petitions of candidates; placing notices in local newspapers regarding registration, candidates, and election information; conducting the election; counting the ballots, including absentee ballots; and certifying the results to Mayor & Council.
Individuals interested in serving on the Board of Election Supervisors should have interest and expertise in the overall process of local elections in a City like College Park.
Cable Television Commission
Number of Members: 4 plus voting Chair
Term Length: 3 Years
Compensation: $60 per meeting
Meetings: Quarterly
Staff Liaison: City Manager
The Commission manages and oversees the City’s cable television systems which are run by the private sector. Responsibilities include reviewing cable operations, and communicating problems and citizen inquiries to the cable franchisee.
The Commission reviews and makes recommendations to Mayor & Council on telecommunications services in general, reviews applications and agreements for the use of the City’s rights-of-way by providers of telecommunications services within the City, and develops procedures for approving or denying applications to provide services.
Individuals interested in serving on the Cable Television Commission should have particular interest in the City’s cable franchises, an informed understanding of public cable service, and a willingness to represent the best interests of the community’s cable subscribers to the providers.
The College Park Cable Television Commission would like to hear about your experience when calling Comcast or Verizon about your cable service. If you would like to share your experience, please send an email to cabletv@collegeparkmd.gov.
Citizen Corps Council
Number of Members: 5 to 7 residents to serve as community coordinators
Term Length: 3 Years
Compensation: None
Meetings: Quarterly, and as needed
Staff Liaison: Public Services Director
The College Park Citizen Corps Council (CPCCC) works closely with local public safety programs such as College Park Neighborhood Watch and the Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.), to provide training and education to make College Park safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues and disasters of all kinds. The CPCCC promotes volunteerism, and strengthens the Citizen Corps programs at the neighborhood level, such as CERT teams and Neighborhood Watch groups; identifies training opportunities for special skills and interests, develops targeted outreach for special needs groups; organizes special projects and community events; encourages cooperation and collaboration among community leaders; and captures smart practices and report accomplishments.
Individuals interested in serving on the Citizens Corps Council should have interest and expertise in emergency management, first responder training, crime prevention, emergency medical services, or emergency communications.
College Park Airport Authority
Number of Members: 7 (residents and qualified voters of the City)
Term Length: Decided by the appointing body (City Council & Mayor)
Compensation: None
Meetings: As needed
Staff Liaison: City Clerk
The Authority investigates, reviews and reports on the current and proposed future uses of the College Park Airport and its facilities.
Individuals interested in serving on the Airport Authority should have interest and expertise in aviation, historic preservation, and general aeronautical practices.
Committee for a Better Environment
Number of Members: No more than 25 members
Term Length: 3 Years
Compensation: None
Meetings: Fourth Monday evening, 7:00 pm, at City Hall
Staff Liaison: Planning Director
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Education Advisory Commission
Number of Members: At least 9 members, residency not required
Term Length: 2 Years
Compensation: None
Meetings: Third Monday evening, 7:30 pm, at City Hall
Staff Liaison: Director of Youth, Family & Senior Services
The Commission advises the Mayor & Council on issues relating to education within the City.
Individuals interested in serving on the Education Advisory Commission should have interest and/or expertise in the education through high school of College Park’s youth.
Ethics Commission
Number of Members: 7
Term Length: 2 Years
Compensation: None
Meetings: As needed
Staff Liaison: City Clerk
The Commission encourages high ethical standards of conduct by City officials and employees. This is accomplished by disclosure requirements as set forth in the City Code for elected officials, certain employees, and candidates for elective City office. The City Code establishes the role and authority of the Ethics Commission.
Individuals interested in serving on the Ethics Commission should have interest and expertise in ethical standards and local government.
Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee
Number of Members: 3
Term Length: Two Years
Compensation: None
Meetings: Quarterly
Staff Liaison: Public Services Director
The committee provides a network to exchange information about crime occurring in our neighborhoods. It disseminates pertinent, police reviewed, crime-related information (i.e., actual incidents, police lookouts, crime trends) City-wide. It works closely with Prince George’s County Police Department Community Oriented Policing (COPS) officers and College Park Public Services Director to identify and resolve neighborhood problems.
The committee promotes and supports the Neighborhood Watch concept, strengthens existing Neighborhood Watch groups, and helps begin new groups in areas where they do not exist.
Individuals interested in serving on the Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee should have interest and expertise in crime prevention, public safety communications, and organizational or training skills.
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Noise Control Board
Number of Members: 5 plus 2 alternates
Term Length: 4 Years
Compensation: $60 per meeting
Meetings: As needed
Staff Liaison: Public Services Director
The Board advises the City in noise control efforts and holds noise board hearings as required by the City Code, Chapter 138.
Individuals interested in serving on the Noise Control Board should have interest or expertise in mediation, noise measurement and control, code interpretation, administrative law, and fair adjudication.
Recreation Board
Number of Members: 10
Term Length: 3 Years
Compensation: None
Meetings: First Monday of the month, 6:30 pm, College Park Community Center
Staff Liaison: Public Services Director
The Board oversees and coordinates recreational activities and special events, such as the Fourth of July celebration and fireworks, concerts in the park, and other planned events provided by the City for the residents of College Park. The Board also coordinates recreational facilities and events with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the University of Maryland.
Individuals interested in serving on the Recreation Board should have interest and expertise in entertainment, recreation, sports, social activities, organizational skills, media relations, and consensus building.
Rent Stabilization Board
Number of Members: Between 5 and 7 members with priority given to residents and to owners of real property located in the City. At least two members should be tenants and two members should be landlords.
Term Length: 3 Years
Compensation: $60 per meeting attended where a quorum exists
Meetings: As needed
Staff Liaison: Public Services Director
The duties of the Rent Stabilization Board are as follows:
- To recommend to the City for adoption, such Ordinances as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of Chapter 15, Article IX of the Code of College Park;
- To make such studies, surveys and investigations, and to conduct such hearings and obtain such information as it deems necessary in administering and enforcing this chapter, and the regulations and orders promulgated hereunder;
- To conduct Public Hearings, administer oaths and affirmations, and to request persons to attend and testify as a witness before the Board and to produce any and all necessary relevant documents. Any person who rents or offers for rent or acts as broker or agent for the rental of any rental unit may be required to furnish under oath any information required by the Board and to produce records and other documents and reports;
- To provide analysis and input relative to any issue referred to it by the Mayor and City Council;
- To determine and set rent levels, whether through general or individual adjustments, of any unit subject to this Chapter;
- Require registration of all rental units subject to this Chapter;
- Make adjustments in the rent ceiling in accordance with Chapter 127;
- Set rents at fair and equitable levels in view of and in order to achieve the purposes of Chapter 127;
- Report annually to the Mayor and City Council on the status of rental housing units covered by Chapter 127;
- Request the City Council to remove rent controls;
- Other powers conferred on the Board by the Mayor and City Council that are necessary to carry out the purposes of City Code, Chapter 127 which are inconsistent with the terms of this Chapter.
Individuals interested in serving on the Rent Stabilization Board should have interest and expertise in mediation, administrative law, economics, real estate management, code interpretation, and consumer protection.
Tree and Landscape Board
Number of Members: 9 Voting Members consisting of 5 citizens, plus the Chairperson of the Committee for a Better Environment, the City Forester, the Planning Director, and the Public Works Director
Term Length: 2 Years
Compensation: None
Meetings: Second Wednesday of the month at City Hall, 7:00 pm
Staff Liaison: City Horticulturist
The Board educates and encourages citizens to use safe and desirable installation, removal and maintenance practices in order to promote healthy trees, shrubs and ground cover on private and public lands within City limits.
Individuals interested in serving on the Tree and Landscape Board should have interest and expertise in gardening, landscaping, surrounding environment, trees, and wildlife habitat.
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Redistricting Commission
Number of Members: 11
Term Length: As needed, after the release of decennial census data
Compensation: None
Meetings: As needed (determined by the Commission Chair)
Staff Liaison: Staff as designated by the City Manager
The Redistricting Commission, after receiving a charge from City Council, recalculates the municipal councilmanic districts for the City of College Park based on decennial census data and voter data. The Commission analyzes the data in an effort to equally distribute the City population into the number of municipal councilmanic districts designated by Council. Based on such data analysis, the Commission offers recommendation options to City Council for adoption which determine the new boundaries of the municipal councilmanic districts in the City of College Park.
This Commission operates independent of public and political influence. The Commission meets as needed until they compile the final product and Council approves one of the redistricting options produced.
Individuals interested in serving on the Redistricting Commission should have interest and expertise in data analysis, computer science / mapping software, analytical / critical thinking, and a good familiarity with specific neighborhoods and the city at-large.
Veterans Memorial Improvement Committee
Number of Members: 9-13 members
Term Length: 3 Years
Compensation: None
Meetings: As needed, especially prior to Memorial Day and Veterans Day
Staff Liaison: Public Works Director
The Committee advises and assists the City to ensure that the Veterans Memorial is used and maintained in a manner befitting the service and memory of those who served.
The annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies are planned and executed by this Committee.
Individuals interested in serving on the Veterans Memorial Improvement Committee should have interest in honoring current and former veterans at the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.
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