CITY OF GREENBELT
MARYLAND

 DATE:      October 18, 2012
TO:           City Council
RE:           Agenda Comments

The following are comments concerning the agenda for the October 22, 2012, regular meeting of the City Council.  The comments are a summary of background information and recommendations prepared by various staff and reviewed and approved by the City Manager.  The initials of the staff member preparing each section are noted after the comments. 

6. Presentations

 American Legion Post #136 – Veterans Day Program:   Mike Moore, Commander of Greenbelt American Legion Post #136, will be present this evening to discuss the Veterans Day Program and invite Council and the community to attend.  (CM)

America Recycles Month Proclamation:  America Recycles Day will be celebrated on Thursday, November 15.  This is the 15th year that a day has been set aside nationally to build consumer demand for recycled products and to educate all Americans about the environmental and economic benefits of reusing and recycling.  Luisa Robles, Recycling Coordinator, will be present to accept the proclamation on behalf of the Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability.  Ms. Robles will also give an overview of this year’s America Recycle Month plans.  (CM)

Oath of Office – New Greenbelt Police Officers:  Chief James Craze will be present to introduce two of Greenbelt’s newest police officers, Christine Foster and Michael Epperd.  Ms. Foster and Mr. Epperd are scheduled to graduate from the Anne Arundel County Police Academy on November 7.  The oath of office will be administered.  (CM)

County Executive Baker’s Congratulatory Letter:   County Executive Baker sent a congratulatory letter to the City for the 75th Anniversary Gala Dinner.  The letter was not included in the original Gala Program but will be included on the updated Gala Program and posted on the City website.  Mayor Davis will read the letter into the record.  (CM)

7. Petitions and Requests

*  8.          Minutes of Council Meetings

9. Administrative Reports

10. Council Reports

*  11.    Committee Reports

12. Maryland Department of Transportation Draft FY 2013-2018 Consolidated Transportation Plan

Reference:       Memorandum, Terri S. Hruby, 10/17/2012
Draft CTP Project sheets, FY 2013-2018

The City has received the Draft FY 2013 – 2018 Maryland Department of Transportation Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP).  The FY 2013-2018 CTP totals about $9.8 billion.  The annual tour meeting was held on October 3, 2012.

Very little has changed in the Draft CTP from last year’s program given the economic challenges facing the State.  The full interchange for Greenbelt Station continues to be on hold despite the County referencing it at the annual tour meeting as a priority project given the discussion about possible relocation of the FBI to the north core of Greenbelt Station.  The Route 201 Extended project continues to be on hold.  The CTP shows a reduction of $52.4 million in funding for the Purple Line project as a result of a reduction in available federal funding.  The CTP includes engineering funding for improvements to US 1/Baltimore Avenue.

Consistent with the City’s position last year, staff recommends City Council transmit a letter to Acting Transportation Secretary Darrel Mobley, stating the City’s strong support for transit related projects such as the Purple Line, construction of a full interchange at Greenbelt Station and investment in local and regional transit.  The letter will restate the City’s position on the need to increase transit funding (including the establishment of a municipal transit funding program), and to close the gap between Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in terms of transit investment.  The letter will reiterate the City’s opposition to Maryland Route 201 Extended project.  As in past years, the letter will include reference to the State’s sound barrier program and the need to implement policy changes related to eligibility requirements.  (TH)

13. County Stormwater Restoration Program

Reference:       Memorandum, M. McLaughlin, 09/20/2012
Letter, Samuel Wynkoop, Jr., 09/04/2012
HB 987

The State passed HB 987 in 2012 which requires local governments to have a stormwater restoration program (SWRP) in place by July 2013.  The purpose of the SWRP is to establish a stormwater remediation system of charges and to provide a plan for improving stormwater management through restoration work in municipalities, the County and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. 

The restoration program can be operated/managed by either a county or a municipality.  To operate such a program will require knowledge, expertise and staff that most municipalities in the County, including Greenbelt, do not have.  It is expected that all the other municipalities will “opt-in” to be part of the County program, with the possible exception of the City of Bowie which operates its own water system.

Council met with the County Department of Environmental Resources on Monday, October 15, and received a briefing on the SWRP.  The City must decide by October 22 whether it intends to join the County program or establish its own program.  A final decision to participate with the County will need to be made in a few months after an agreement is drafted and considered.   

Staff recommends the City indicate its intent to participate with the County’s SWRP.   It is further recommended the City indicate the need for an opt-out clause and annual reporting in the final agreement.  (CM)

14. Workforce Investment Act

Reference:       National League of Cities, Blog Article, 10/15/2012
Draft Letter

The National League of Cities (NLC) has learned that there is a growing effort to remove local control from workforce development programs. There has been increasing talk within the House and Senate about turning over responsibility for the Workforce Investment Act to states.  NLC is concerned that this proposal will be part of the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act, which is expected to be taken up early in the next year.  

In Prince George’s County, the Workforce Services Division of the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation is responsible for policy development and workforce activities related to administering services and programs funded by the Workforce Investment Act.  Its Workforce Investment Board includes private-sector businesses, public sector agencies, educational agencies, organized labor and community based organizations. 

The NLC Human Development Steering Committee, on which Council Member Mach serves, has been asked to advocate for the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act with particular emphasis on the need to preserve local control so that the programs can respond to the needs of local businesses and workers.

It is recommended that Council support sending a letter to our Congressional Representatives about the need to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act and preserve local control.  (MPM)

15. Other Reports

Councilmembers will present reports on meetings and conferences recently attended.  (CM)

* 16.       Greenbelt Ethics Commission, Report #2012-1 (Review of the City’s Ethics Ordinance)

Reference:       Greenbelt Ethics Commission, Report #2012-1
Minutes, Work Session #1, 09/19/2012

   Council accepted the Greenbelt Ethics Commission (GEC) Report #2012-1 at its August 13, 2012 meeting, and discussed the report with the GEC at a work session on September 19, 2012.  Approval of this item on the consent agenda will indicate Council’s intent to have the GEC remain as a three member committee.  (CM)

V.        MEETINGS

Reference:       Chart, Stakeholder/Regular Meetings
Master Calendar

Ready to be scheduled:
Roosevelt Center Owner
Roosevelt Center Vacancies
Park & Planning (stakeholder)
Comcast/Verizon (stakeholder)
PEPCO (stakeholder)
Capitol Office Park/Maryland Trade Center  
(stakeholder)

For later scheduling:
Hotels (stakeholder)
Zoning Enforcement
Parkway Apartment Owners/GHI (parking)
Northway Fields Master Plan
City Manager Updates (Jan-incl. pre-budget, June, & Sept/Oct)
Camp Fire USA proposal
Rental Apartments (stakeholder)
Cemetery Plans
Meeting with County on Transportation Plan
Information Technology Dept.
Council process for selection of members for COG
      and City Advisory Boards
University of Maryland