CITY OF GREENBELT, MARYLAND

 DATE:      January 24, 2013
TO:           City Council
RE:           Agenda Comments

The following are comments concerning the agenda for the January 28, 2013, 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

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission – Plan Prince George’s 2035: 
Kip Reynolds, Chad Williams, and Kierre McCune of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will present a briefing on Plan Prince George’s 2035.  This plan is an update of the 2002 Prince George’s County Approved General Plan and, when approved, will replace the 2002 General Plan.   (CM)

7.Petitions and Requests

*  8.          Minutes of Council Meetings

9. Administrative Reports

10. Council Reports

* 11.         Committee Reports

Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, Report #2012-1 (Annual Open Forum):  Staff recommends Council accept this report.  The committee does not think a work session with Council is needed to review the report this year.  Any needed responses from staff to issues raised will be provided to Council as well as to the committee as soon as they are available.  (CM)

Advisory Committee on Education, Report #2013-02 (ACE Grant Program – 2012 Final Reports):  Staff recommends Council accept this report.  Since this is the final report providing information on the 2012 ACE Grants to Educators awards, no further action is recommended.  (CM)

12. Advisory Committee on Education, Report #2013-1 (ACE Grant Proposals)

Reference:       ACE Report #2013-1

The FY 2013 Budget includes $7,000 for the Advisory Committee on Education (ACE) Grants to Educators program.  ACE solicited grant proposals for up to $500 each from the six ACE core schools:  Greenbelt Elementary, Springhill Lake Elementary, Magnolia Elementary, Turning Point Academy, Greenbelt Middle School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School.  ACE received a total of 21 proposals from four schools.

After review of the proposals, ACE has recommended the following 17 grant proposals totaling $7,483 be submitted to Council for funding approval.

ACE has identified $500 in the ACE budget that could be redirected to the grants program.  These funds are available due to recent changes in the Science and Reading clubs and the slow start of the clubs this year.  Therefore, ACE requests that Council consider funding the 17 recommended grant proposals totaling $7,483 using the $7,000 budgeted for the Grants to Educators program and $500 from the ACE Science and Reading Clubs program.
ACE noted that Greenbelt Middle School has been an active participant in the grant program in past years but submitted no grant proposals this year.  They believe that with the new school building, equipment and programs, the teachers are not thinking of additional enhancements to education this year.  ACE anticipates this will change in future years.  Therefore, they recommend Council consider increasing the ACE Grants to Educators program budget to $9,000 next fiscal year.  Jon Gardner, representing ACE, will be present to answer any questions.

Council direction is sought.  (CM)

13. Community Visioning Report

Reference:       Visioning Report

The City held Community Visioning Sessions on Saturday, November 17, 2012, at the Greenbelt Municipal Building, Springhill Lake Recreation Center and Greenbriar Community Building.  Professional facilitators from Christine Becker Associates conducted these three sessions.

Christine Becker, President of Christine Becker Associates, will be present to review the final report on the Community Visioning Sessions.  (CM)

14. 75th Anniversary Report

Reference:       75th Anniversary Report

Council accepted the 75th Anniversary Final Report at the last meeting.  The report includes two recommendations.  The first is to provide grants to seven groups or individuals from what is deemed “surplus” funds.  The second is to convey any surplus merchandise to the Friends of the Greenbelt Museum.

Staff recommends the report be accepted but without the provision of the grants because a number of these groups already receive financial or other support from the City.   It should be noted that, other than ticket sales for the Gala, City funds of $17,500 constituted the largest source of funding for the celebration, so the “surplus” funds can be viewed as City funds.  Regarding the surplus merchandise, staff recommends an arrangement where the City receives some monetary credit to be used towards future purchases of items such as statues.   (MM)

15. Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission - Greenbelt Metro Area and MD 193 Corridor Sector Plan and Proposed Sectional Map Amendment

Reference:       Memorandum, C. Craze, 01/24/2013 
Email, C. Williams, 01/16/2013
Letter, City of College Park Mayor Fellows, 01/22/2013

On October 2, 2012, the City Council presented testimony before the Prince George's County Planning Board in opposition to the Draft Greenbelt Metro Area and MD 193 Corridor Sector Plan and Sectional Map Amendment. The Council's concerns covered many issues within the plan, but there were several substantive points that framed the Council's position. Among those concerns were the elimination of the Conceptual Site Plan review requirement for proposed mixed-use developments; the proposed construction of a Diverging Diamond interchange to replace the Kenilworth Avenue/Greenbelt Road intersection; increase in housing; and the lack of recognition of city services and facilities.
The Planning Board approved the Sector Plan in Resolution PGCPB No. 12-109.  The Planning Board resolution addressed many of the city's concerns, but several substantive issues remain.  Planning staff has met with M-NCPPC staff to discuss these concerns and negotiate additional amendments.  Progress has been made, but there remain issues with respect to overall control of mixed-use developments.  We continue to search for options to address these concerns.
The District Council will be holding its work session on the Sector Plan on February 5. Staff recommends that a new letter be sent from the City Council to the District Council, recommending the changes as outlined in the staff memo included as background in the Council packet.  The proposed letter would voice general support of the plan subject to the changes as described. It will be necessary for the District Council to define/direct changes in the plan as will be reflected in the City Council letter.
Staff will be present to discuss these issues. (CC)

16. Bus Shelter Designs

Reference:       Designs

As requested by Council (CAR #2011-16), included in Council’s packet are drawings for City bus shelters.  These are basic drawings for both a smaller shelter (10 feet wide) and larger shelter (16 feet wide).  Exact dimensions may vary depending on the individual site.

The shelters will have tempered glass on three sides and have an opening on the front or fourth side.  The walls will be close to the ground with a three (3) inch opening to allow for drainage and airflow.  The shelters will include a bench.  The next shelter to be built is on Crescent Road at Gardenway (Roosevelt Center stops) followed by Hunting Ridge.

It is recommended Council authorize staff to proceed based on these drawings.  (MM)

17. Grounds Maintenance Contract

Reference:       Memorandum, L. Riddle, 01/24/2013

In October 2012, the Public Works Department issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for lawn mowing and landscaping services at various locations throughout the City.  Four bids were received ranging from $34,560 to $73,915.  Included in Council’s packet is a memorandum from Lesley Riddle, Assistant Director of Public Works, providing details on the bid process and the bids received.

Inside Out Services, LLC, offered the second lowest bid pricing ($36,252) with a one year extension option.  Inside Out Services have provided landscape and mowing services for these locations over the past two years and Public Works staff is very pleased with their work quality as well as their timely and professional communications.  Denison Maintenance Services, LLC, offered the lowest bid pricing ($34,560) but without any extension option to the contract.  For the current fiscal year, $40,000 was budgeted for this work.  Because this contract is below $50,000, the City’s Livable Wage Policy does not apply. 

Based on the offer of a two year price guarantee, past work performance and familiarity with City needs, Public Works staff recommends Council award the bid for lawn mowing and landscape services to Inside Out Services of Silver Spring, Maryland, at a cost of $36,252.  (CM) 

18. Other Reports

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

* 19.       Reappointments to Advisory Groups

Reference:       Reappointment Surveys

The following individuals have indicated their willingness to continue to serve on their current advisory boards or committees.  Approval of this item on the consent agenda will indicate Council’s intent to appoint these individuals to new terms. 

Franklin Noll              Forest Preserve Advisory Board
Eva Fallon                   Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability
Betty Timer                 Senior Citizens Advisory 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)
Greenbelt Theater
University of Maryland
Clergy/Religious Organizations
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

Respectfully Submitted,

Michael P. McLaughlin
City Manager