April 27, 2024 Ward 1 Community Meeting Q & A

 Typically, items are added to the agenda a week before the council meeting. If there is an item that the city wishes to discuss but has not been included on the agenda, it must be voted on at the start of the meeting. The council needs to amend and approve the item before it can be discussed during the meeting. When the clerk reads out the agenda items, the presiding officer will inquire if there are any discussions to be had. This is the opportunity for the council to engage in debate or deliberation, provided they have relevant matters to discuss or investigate before voting. 

The public can access all items on the council agenda by the Thursday before the meeting, and council members cannot decide on their vote until the vote is taken. Citizens can sign up for public comment or contact legislators to voice their concerns or opinions on agenda items prior to the meeting. 

 Our stakeholder meetings welcome public attendance. To request an invitation or details about our upcoming meeting, kindly send a message via the chat feature on this website. 

  1. Ignite, an organization established to link College Park citizens with necessary resources, has been a city contractor since 2019. 

2. The initial contract amount of $35K in 2019 increased to $50K by 2022. 

3. Until June 2023, Ignite's contract was managed by Adullam Ministries, led by councilwoman Jamelle McKenzie as CEO. 

4. However, the councilwoman is no longer associated with Ignite. 

5. The city does not donate to Ignite; rather, it is a contractual agreement for service provision on the city's behalf. 

 Woodward Academy, situated in Ward 1, has maintained its strong connection with the community since January 2024. Our councilwoman has actively engaged with Woodward Academy by attending the Horizons Service-Learning Class during the previous two summers. This program aims to empower Woodward students to develop leadership skills and contribute to the community through their time and talents. We eagerly anticipate the ongoing collaboration with Woodward, as we actively participate in and endorse their various programs, events, and initiatives. 

Our Ward 1 team organizes events that are all-encompassing and tailored to the varied demographics within the Ward 1 community. This includes food distributions, the Healthy Looks Good on You Campaign, Keep College Park Beautiful Litter Pick Up, senior activities, and upcoming summer programs. We celebrate the diverse multicultural, socioeconomic, gender, and ethnic backgrounds that contribute to the beauty of our Ward.