REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, March 23, 1998

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:04 p.m.

ROLL CALL was answered by Edward V.J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, Thomas X. White and by Judith F. Davis, Mayor.

ALSO PRESENT were Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Robert Manzi, City Solicitor; W. Bowman Ferguson, Management Analyst and David E. Moran, City Clerk.

Mayor Davis observed a moment of silence for Joy Virginia Snyder. Then, she led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Roberts moved approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

COUNCIL THEREBY TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

MINUTES:

4-Cities Briefing, March 5, 1998

Regular Meeting, March 9, 1998

Work Session, March 11, 1998

Approved as presented.

FEDERAL GRANT TO PROTECT NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS: Council voted to support this funding effort and communicate that support to Congressman Hoyer and Senators Mikulski and Sarbanes.

REPRIORITIZATION OF FIRE DEPARTMENT RENOVATION PROJECTS: Council approved $10,982 for painting the engine room and $1,950 for carpet replacement.

APPROVAL OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY: Council approved the policy.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Ms. Davis added HB 1 and Mr. McLaughlin added CB-35 to the agenda. With these changes, Mr. White moved that the agenda be approved. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

PRESENTATIONS:

Oath of Office for New Police Officer: Chief Craze introduced Christine Godzich as the city's newest police officer. Ms Godzich is a certified officer who has worked on the University of Maryland force for 4.5 years. Mayor Davis administered the following oath of office: Oath of Office for New Police Officer

"I, Christine Godzich, swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland and support the Constitution and laws thereof; and that I will, to the best of my skill and judgment, diligently and faithfully, with out partiality or prejudice execute the office of Greenbelt Police Officer according to the Constitution and laws of this State."

Community Center Windows Video: Beverly Palau presented a brief video which was shown at both the Senate and House Community Center bond bill hearings. Mayor Davis thanked Ms. Palau, Mr. Ferguson and Malia Murray for their help in the production of the video.

GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award FY 1997: Mayor Davis noted that the City has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for Fiscal Year 1997. This is the 11th year that the City has received this award. Michael McLaughlin, Mr. Williams and Mr. Ferguson accepted the award.

City Manager's Proposed FY 1999 Budget: The City Manager presented the Proposed Budget for FY 1999 which begins July 1, 1998. Mr. McLaughlin reviewed the budget summarizing the highlights and accomplishments. He stressed that the budget was a hold-the-line budget. City Manager's Proposed FY 1999 Budget

Ms. Davis noted that the city had scheduled budget work sessions and a public hearing and encouraged residents to participate in the budget process.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: Mr. Goldberg noted that parking along Ora Glen Drive had increased. He indicated that residents were having problems getting out of their courts and requested that the city increase the yellow painting on some of the curbs. Mr. McLaughlin responded that the city would look at this situation very shortly and also will be meeting with NYLCare to discuss the parking issue.

Mr. Putens requested that the city also do something at the Metrobus stop along Ora Glen Drive, because people park in front of the Metro stop.

Doug Love of 3-D Plateau noted that paint marks had appeared on rocks and trees in the woods. He indicated that this paint was very offensive to the users of the woods and park areas. Mr. White asked if the city employees were doing this. Mr. McLaughlin indicated he would have to check on this. Mr. Putens wondered if the markings were made by an organized group. Ms. Davis suggested publicizing the city's moratorium on biking in the woods.

MINUTES:

Executive Session, March 11, 1998: Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the Executive Meeting of the City Council held Wednesday, March 11, 1998 be approved as presented. He further requested that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in Executive Session at 10:50 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Greenbelt Community Center, and that Council held this closed meeting in accordance with Section 10-508 (a)(7) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Public General Laws of Maryland (1995 Replacement Volume) to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice. Mr. Putens seconded.

ROLL CALL:

Mr. Putens - yes
Mr. Roberts - yes
Mr. Turnbull - yes
Mr. White - yes
Mayor Davis - yes

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Mr. McLaughlin noted that there had been a significant storm drain backup at the top of Lastner Lane. He indicated that the road was flooded but passable. Public Works employees were contacted and determined it was a County problem. They remained on site until the County came out and solved the problem. Mr. McLaughlin also indicated that NYLCare had been sold to Aetna. He referenced a memo from Celia Craze which would be discussed later in the meeting.

Mayor Davis announced that she and Mr. Moran had attended the Fire Department's Annual Banquet and had been given a tour of the new control room which was recently renovated. She also indicated that everyone had received an MML nomination form for positions on the Board of Directors.

Mr. Goldberg reported that a storm drain at Greenbelt Road and Hanover Parkway was overflowing. Mr. McLaughlin indicated that the city would contact the State Highway Administration and get the problem corrected.

AWARD OF BID - CHIPPER: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens moved that Council award Bid 1998-1 to Mid Atlantic Waste Systems of Clinton at a cost of $23,665. Mr. White seconded. Mr. Hall explained how the chipper would be used. In response to a question from Mr. White, Mr. Hall noted that the existing chipper would be retained as a back-up. The motion passed 5 to 0.

CITY COMMENTS ON WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY (WMATA) DEVELOPMENT PROCESS: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens believed the overall WMATA process was flawed and requested that Ms. Craze's memos be forwarded to WMATA as well.

Mr. White asked about staff's intention in communicating the comments. Mr. McLaughlin indicated that staff planned to paraphrase the agenda comments and memos. Mr. White suggested that the city give comments on the development proposal and also provide a response indicating that Mr. Heinemeyer did not accurately describe the process. Mr. Roberts suggested that copies of these letters go the County, State and Federal elected officials. Mr. Turnbull expressed concern about WMATA's characterization of this as a procurement process and suggested we raise that issue. Mr. Putens suggested 3 letters: Ms Craze=s comments on the lack of opportunity to participate, the city=s comments on the development process, a letter on the use of a procurement process.

Mr. Turnbull requested that the city communicate specific concerns about the development proposal. Mr. White stressed environmental and traffic concerns.

Mr. Putens moved that all 4 of these letters be sent. Mr. White seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0. Doug Love stressed that he had put his name on a list for more information and Metro had never contacted him.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) FOR NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA): Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Putens moved the city send comments requesting that Federal government commit to the road work required to service the traffic generated by this project. Mr. Roberts seconded. Mr. Putens expressed concern about wetland impacts, even though the EA indicated there were no impacts. Mr. White asked about the proposed road improvements. Mr. McLaughlin outlined the three proposed improvements. Ms. Davis suggested that the city again reiterate that Soil Conservation Road not be closed.

Mr. White asked if NASA had a long term, overall Master Plan, especially dealing with traffic. Mr. McLaughlin indicated that these issues could be discussed with NASA at an upcoming work session. Mr. Goldberg reported that NASA had previously talked about many traffic plans, but these had not been seen by any citizen groups. Mr. Love presented his concept of where the traffic was going. Mr. Roberts suggested a shuttle bus from NASA to the Metro station and Mr. White suggested that this issue be raised and this be included in the city's letter. The motion passed 5 to 0.

STATE LEGISLATION: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

SB 515/HB 1041 "Religious Freedom": Mr. Putens moved that the city support this bill with the amendments suggested by MML and indicate opposition if all of the amendments are not adopted. Mr. Roberts seconded. Mr. White and Mr. Turnbull were more comfortable with opposition or no position. Mr. Roberts withdrew his second and Mr. Putens withdrew his motion's 515/HB 1041 "Religious Freedom":

SB 618 "Comparative Negligence": Mr. White moved that the city oppose this bill. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

HB 903 "ICC Park": Mr. Turnbull moved that the city support this bill. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

PG/MC 33 (HB 820) "Bikes on Metro": Mr. Putens moved that the city support this bill. Mr. White seconded. Mr. Turnbull indicated that WMATA had reported that they would do this administratively. The motion passed 5 to 0.

HB 1074 "Patuxent Watershed": Mr. Putens moved that the city support this bill. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

HB 430 "Reduction of Unfunded Liability": Mr. Roberts moved that the city support this bill. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

HB 1 "School Accountability": Mr. Putens moved that the city support this bill. Mr. White seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0.

CB-35-1998: Mr. McLaughlin noted that this bill would be considered on March 31 at 9:00 am. He indicated that Ms. Craze had received a call from Mr. Reed and Mr. Reed supported inclusion of language to address the city's concerns. Mr. Putens stated that he didn't appreciate the legislative process being proposed. He indicated that if the city was going to support CB-35, it would have to address all of the concerns raised by the City Solicitor. Mr. White was not interested in fixing this bill and considered this a slippery slope. He also thought we should determine how neighboring municipalities felt. Mr. Roberts expressed a willingness to talk with the representatives again to try and work something out.

Council indicated they were in an opposition mode unless the developers' representatives were willing to delay passage of the bill.

MEETINGS: Council authorized staff to schedule a Federal Legislative Dinner 6/4, 6/15 or 6/17 as outlined in a memorandum by the City Clerk, depending on the Legislators availability. Council agreed to schedule a Public Information Meeting on Beavers on 5/14; a work session with Roosevelt Center Merchants on 5/27 and a work session on Traffic Calming for 6/1.

Mr. White suggested that a discussion of conserving the Smith property as an environmental protection area should be added to the 4-cities agenda.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Turnbull moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of March 23, 1998, at 10:30p.m

Respectfully Submitted,
David E. Moran
City Clerk

"I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct report of the regular meeting of the City Council of Greenbelt, Maryland, held March 23, 1998."

Judith F. Davis
Mayor

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