Minutes of Greenbelt City Council Work session,
held November 13, 1997
in the Greenbelt Community Center

The meeting was called to order to 8:05 PM

PRESENT were Mayor J Davis and Council members Thomas X. White, Rodney Roberts and Alan Turnbull.

ALSO PRESENT were Hank Irving, Harry James and Joe McNeal of the Greenbelt Recreation Department; Barbara Simon, Nancy DePlatchett, Bob Zugby, Pat Schreiber, and Diane Oberg, tenants of the Community Center; and Michael McLaughlin, City Manager.

Meeting with Community Center Tenants: Mayor Davis noted this meeting was for the purpose of meeting with tenants of the Center to discuss issues and concerns. Ms. DePlatchett, a Community Center studio artist and member of the Greenbelt Association of Visual Artists (GAVA) began by noting the building is fantastic, though there are some concerns. She inquired about plans for the windows, noting that while she understands there are financial considerations, something needs to be done.

Ms. Simon, the president of GAVA, suggested that a committee comprised of Center tenants, users and citizens should be established to help advise the city on the operations of the Center. Establishment of such a group had been previously discussed by the Community Center Task Force. Mr. Zugby of Greenbelt Access Television, Inc. also thought that such a group would be a good idea.

Ms. Oberg of the Greenbelt News Review raised a concern about security noting that two phones and some cash had been taken from their offices. She also commented about the condition of the door jambs which are being damaged by closing doors.

Ms. DePlatchett also expressed concerns about the security of the building. She noted the alarm system was not being zoned as previously expected and the cameras are not giving good pictures. She also thought that staff needed to approach people wandering through the building.

In response to some of the concerns, Mr. McLaughlin noted Council has budgeted $100,000 as the start of replacing the windows and has asked staff to look into a sponsorship contribution program to raise money for the windows. Also, the door jambs would be looked at again, those repairs were to be done.

Mr. Turnbull supported the committee idea. On the security issue, a number of Council members expressed interest in the idea of a uniformed security person for the center. Another idea suggested was using volunteers for security purposes. Mr. Irving noted volunteers are being used for program needs.

Other matters discussed included the need for signage and maps of the building, locking the outside lights in place and trying to find a way to get the ramp in front of the gym removed. Mr. Zugby inquired whether a cable connection has been made to the building.

Ms. DePlatchett expressed a need for more storage and noted there had been mention of using a storage room on the second floor. She also asked whether the city could assist with insurance. Some of those in attendance noted they thought other tenants had more reasonable cost insurance. Mr. McLaughlin that coverage could not be provided by the city=s insurer, the Local Government Insurance Trust, because it is an insurance pool of local governments.

Overall, everyone was pleased with the facility.

Mayor Davis thanked everyone for attending. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00pm.

Respectfully submitted,

 Michael McLaughlin

City Manager

edit here

City of Greenbelt, Maryland
City Offices, 25 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: 301-474-8000 FAX: 301-441-8248