CITY OF GREENBELT, MARYLAND

DATE: December 6, 2012
TO: City Council
RE: Agenda Comments

The following are comments concerning the agenda for the December 10, 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

7. Petitions and Requests

Clearing of Trees:  Ruth Kastner, Chair of the Forest Preserve Advisory Board, has submitted a written query for consideration under Petitions and Requests regarding the clearing of trees and vegetation that recently occurred in the Greenbelt Forest Preserve near the Hamilton Place Gardens.  Ms. Kastner is unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.  A copy of her query is included in Council’s packet.  (CM)

8.         Minutes of Council Meetings

Statement for the Record – Executive Session of November 26, 2012:  The following motion is needed:

In accordance with Section 10-509 (c)(2) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Public General Laws of Maryland, I move that the minutes of tonight’s meeting reflect that Council met in executive session on Monday, November 26, 2012, at 9:55 p.m. in the Library of the Municipal Building.  Council held this closed meeting in accordance with Section 10-508 (a) (1) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Public General Laws of Maryland to discuss a personnel matter.  

Vote to close session:

The following staff members were in attendance:  Michael McLaughlin, City Manager; Robert Manzi, City Solicitor; Celia Craze, Director of Planning and Community Development (by conference call); and Cindy Murray, City Clerk.

Other individuals in attendance:  None 

Council took no actions during this session. 

9. Administrative Reports

 10. Council Reports

* 11.         Committee Reports

12, An Ordinance to Revise Chapter 14 “Planning and Development” of the Greenbelt City Code for the Purpose of Revising Sediment and Erosion Control Regulations as Mandated by the State of Maryland

2nd Reading, Adoption

Reference:       Ordinance
Email, C. Craze, 12/5/2012 (1)
Email, C. Craze, 12/5/2012 (2)

The City of Greenbelt has been delegated by the State of Maryland the authority to enforce sediment and erosion control regulations within the City.  On a bi-annual basis, the City’s program is audited by the Department of the Environment (MDE) to ensure compliance with the delegated authority.

At the conclusion of the City’s successful 2011 audit, the City was awarded the maximum two year delegation of authority, with the condition that the city’s regulations be updated to be consistent with recently updated state requirements.  These revisions must be adopted by December 31, 2012. 

This ordinance contains the required revisions to Chapter 14 “Planning and Development” to bring the City Code into compliance with State sediment and erosion control regulations.  MDE has preliminarily approved the draft copy of the Code changes.  

Several questions were raised following the first reading of the ordinance by Bill Orleans and later by Cary Coppock.  Staff has responded to those questions via email, and those emails are included as background materials.

Mr. Herling introduced the ordinance for first reading at the last meeting.  It is recommended the ordinance be introduced for second reading and moved for adoption tonight.  (CC)

13. A Resolution to Negotiate the Purchase of a 2007 Ford Truck with Terex Aerial Unit from Utility Equipment Leasing Corporation of Waukesha, Wisconsin at a cost of $34,595

1st Reading

Reference:       Resolution
Memorandum, Lesley Riddle, 11/30/2012
Rental Agreement, 09/04/2012
Email, Ken Hall, 12/06/2012

The City’s aerial lift truck is over 23 years old and did not pass its last State required inspection.  Public Works staff conducted an extensive search for used trucks with aerial lift units and found the closest vendor was Utility Equipment Leasing Corporation (UELC) of Waukesha, Wisconsin with a dealership in York, PA. 

UELC offered the City a monthly rental option for a 2007 Ford Truck with Terex aerial unit with a portion of the monthly rental fee to be applied towards the future purchase of the unit if that occurred.  Public Works began renting the unit in September and staff has been pleased with its performance and ability to meet the needs of the City.   

Public Works staff is recommending purchase of this unit at a purchase cost of $39,275 less rental recapture fees of $4,680, making the total cost $34,595.  The City of College Park has agreed to pay 20% of the unit cost ($7,855) since the unit will be used by their City for hanging of banners.   

It is recommended this resolution be introduced for first reading.  (CM)

14. Letter to Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission

Reference:       Draft Letter

Council held a stakeholder work session with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) on Monday, December 3, 2012.  WSSC informed Council that the waterline replacement work in Greenbelt Homes Inc. (GHI) had reached a stalemate with no resolution being reached between the parties regarding the relocation of the water meters and the responsibility of waterlines from the meters to the individual units. 

Council discussed sending a letter to WSSC urging it continue to work with GHI towards resolving this issue so waterline replacement work could be completed in GHI.  A draft letter is included in Council’s packet.

Council approval of the letter is sought.  (CM) 

15. Council Meeting Dates for 2013

Reference:       Memorandum, Cindy Murray, 11/27/2012
Proposed Calendar

At the work session on Monday, December 3, 2012, Council discussed its meeting calendar for 2013.  The following changes are proposed:

• Reschedule March 25 Council meeting to Wednesday, March 27 (Passover sundown March 25 – sundown March 27)
• Reschedule June Council meetings to the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month (June 3 and June 17) to accommodate both the approval of the City budget (prior to June 10 per Code)  and Council’s attendance at the Maryland Municipal League’s Conference (June 23 – 26)
• Schedule Charter Meeting of the New Council on Monday, November 11, which is Veteran’s Day – a City Holiday. (First Monday following the Municipal Election per Code)
• No meetings scheduled on Monday, April 1 (Easter Monday) and Wednesday, September 4 (Rosh Hashanah sundown September 4 – sundown September 6)

Council direction is sought.  (CM)

16.Other Reports

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

* 17.       Letter to Congressional Delegation – Budget Control Act’s Budget Sequestration

Reference:       Draft Letter

At its last meeting, Council approved sending a letter to our Congressional Delegation requesting Congress enact legislation to avoid the Budget Control Act’s required budget sequestration.  Included in Council’s packet is a draft of this letter prepared by staff.

Approval of this item on the consent agenda will indicate Council’s approval of the letter.  (CM)

* 18.       Advisory Committee on Trees, Report #2012-2 (Tree Trimming in Beltsville Agricultural Research Center)

Reference:       ACT Report #2012-2

Council accepted the Advisory Committee on Trees, Report #2012-2 (Tree Trimming in Beltsville Agricultural Research Center) at its last meeting.   Staff recommends that Lesley Riddle, Assistant Director of Public Works, meet with Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Operational Staff to relay the concerns expressed in the report.  Approval of this item on the consent agenda will indicate Council’s approval of the staff recommendation.  (CM)

* 19.       Appointment of Councilmembers to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Policy Boards and Committees

Reference:       Correspondence, D. Robertson, 11/29/2012

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is soliciting appointments  to COG’s policy boards and committees for 2013.  Council approved the following appointments for 2012:

Board of Directors - Mayor Davis, Alternate - Mr. Jordan
Transportation Planning Board - Mr. Roberts, Alternate - Mr. Jordan
Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Comm. - Ms. Mach, Alternate - Mr. Herling
Region Forward Coalition - Mr. Jordan, Alternate - Mr. Herling
Human Services and Public Safety Policy Committee - Mr. Putens, Alternate -Ms. Pope
Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Committee - Mr. Herling, Alternate - Ms. Mach
Chesapeake Bay Policy Committee - Mayor Davis, Alternate - Mr. Putens

Approval of this item on the consent agenda will indicate Council’s intent to approve the same COG policy board and committee appointments for 2013.  (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)
Greenbelt Theater

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
Briefing on Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights by
City Solicitor and Police Chief

Respectfully Submitted,

Michael P. McLaughlin
City Manager