CITY OF GREENBELT, MARYLAND

DATE:      September 20, 2012
TO:           City Council
RE:           Agenda Comments

The following are comments concerning the agenda for the September 24, 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

National Public Lands Day Proclamation:  National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance public lands.  Lesley Riddle, Assistant Director of Public Works, will be present to receive the proclamation and provide an update on the plans for this event.  (CM)

7. Petitions and Requests

*  8.  Minutes of Council Meetings

9. Administrative Reports

10. Council Reports

*  11.        Committee Reports

Youth Advisory Committee, Report #2012-1 (Sustainable Land Care Policy):  Staff recommends that Council accept this report and consider it on the agenda of a future meeting.  (CM)

12. A Resolution to Authorize the Negotiated Purchase of Certain Goods and Services from Various Vendors as Enumerated Herein When Total Fiscal Year Purchases from Each Vendor Exceeds Ten Thousand Dollars   - 2nd Reading, Adoption         

Reference:       Resolution

Each year, the City deals with a number of vendors from whom the City’s individual purchases are below the bid limit of $10,000 but total purchases over the fiscal year reach or exceed that amount.

Obtaining bid proposals for these goods and services is not warranted.  Some of these vendors are the sole source or best source of purchase.  In other instances, the City’s purchases are based on bids taken by other government agencies (e.g., the state or county) or through the Council of Governments cooperative purchase program, with the bid price extended to Greenbelt.

Ms. Mach introduced this resolution for first reading at the last meeting.  It is recommended the resolution be introduced for second reading and moved for adoption tonight.  (CM)

13. Anacostia Trails Heritage Area – Support of Funding Request

The Anacostia Trails Heritage Area (ATHA) has submitted a request to the Prince George’s County Community Partnership Grant program for $75,000.  These funds will be used to match the state funding that is provided through the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and support the development of heritage tourism promoting the history, cultural heritage and natural resources of Prince George’s County.

Aaron Markavitch, Executive Director of ATHA, will be present at tonight’s meeting requesting Council support of this funding request.  A draft letter of support is included in Council’s packet.  (CM)

14. Collective Bargaining Negotiations with Greenbelt Fraternal Order of Police #32

Reference:       Letter, M. Apgar, 07/16/2012

The City will have collective bargaining negotiations with the Greenbelt Fraternal Order of Police #32 (FOP) later this fiscal year.  Included in Council’s packet is a letter from the FOP suggesting “the next set of negotiations be conducted directly between the parties, without the day to day involvement of legal counsel.” The FOP notes this will be the third set of negotiations and that both sides are well versed in how the process works.  Also, this will save money for both sides.

City staff is supportive of this approach with the understanding that an attorney, and possibly other experts, may be consulted and involved in preparation of the negotiations and during the negotiations, at the city’s discretion, as well as at the end for review and comment as noted in the FOP’s letter.

It is recommended Council endorse the FOP proposal with the understanding that the city reserves the right to consult and involve an attorney and other experts at its discretion, and communicate this position to the FOP.  (MPM)

15. Other Reports

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

* 16.      Resignation from Advisory Group

Reference:       E-mail, Joyce Gladstone, 09/12/2012

Joyce Gladstone has submitted her resignation from the Advisory Planning Board. Approval of this item on the consent agenda will indicate Council's intent to accept her resignation with regret.  (CM)

V.        MEETINGS

Reference:       Chart, Stakeholder/Regular Meetings
Master Calendar

Ready to be scheduled:
Roosevelt Center Vacancies
Park & Planning (stakeholder)
WSSC (stakeholder)
Comcast/Verizon (stakeholder)
PEPCO (stakeholder)
Franklin Park (stakeholder)
Greenway Center (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

Respectfully Submitted,

Michael P. McLaughlin
City Manager