REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, April 13, 1998

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:06 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 and David E. Moran, City Clerk.

Mayor Davis observed a moment of silence for Evelyn Potter and Ann Roland. Then, she led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

CONSENT AGENDA: Ms. Davis added the minutes of the Special Meeting on March 30. With this change, Mr. Turnbull moved approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

COUNCIL THEREBY TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

MINUTES:

Regular Meeting, March 23, 1998
Work Session, March 25, 1998
Work Session, March 26, 1998
Special Meeting, March 30, 1998
Work Session, March 30, 1998
Work Session #1, April 1, 1998
Work Session #2, April 1, 1998
Work Session #1, April 2, 1998
Work Session #2, April 2, 1998

1997 ELECTION REPORT: Council referred the 1997 Election Report to the Board of Elections for review and comment.

AD-HOC GROUP TO EVALUATE MOTHER AND CHILD STATUE: Council created an ad-hoc task force consisting of Ms. Sharon Bradley-Papp, Ms. Barbara Simon and Ms. Sandra Lange, and any other interested residents to provide recommendations regarding statue renovation.

APPOINTMENTS TO CITY ADVISORY GROUPS: Council appointed the following individuals to city advisory groups:

Mary Wade-Youth Advisory Committee

Steve Perez-Recycling Advisory Committee

Mary Alice Carroll-Advisory Committee on Education

Richard Lee Reid-Advisory Committee on Education

Philip Larkin-Park and Recreation Advisory Board

Maxine Bolling-Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

RESIGNATION FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION: Council accepted Ms. Sistrunk-Blocker's resignation with regret and directed staff to draft an appropriate letter of appreciation for the Mayor's signature.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Putens moved that the agenda be approved. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

PRESENTATIONS:

Proclamation "Municipal Government Week": Mayor Davis read a proclamation in honor of Municipal Government Week. Mr. McLaughlin noted that Beverly Palau will conduct the "It's Municipal Government" program in local schools and the city will fly a special flag.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: Sheldon Goldberg, 7848 Jacobs Drive, noted that additional yellow paint on the curbs was needed at the intersection of Frankfort and Ora Glen. Next, he read a letter from GEAC requesting a city funded memorial site in Schrom Hills Park.

Then, Mr. Goldberg expressed concern regarding evictions and property left on the street. He suggested a legislative initiative to get these items sooner. Council noted that legislation had been introduced to address this issue and asked staff to check on the status of the legislation. Mr. Roberts agreed that legislation was needed. Mr. White agreed that the current practice was barbaric. Mr. Putens stated that there are other sides (landlord) to the issue.

Dorothy Pyles, 8013 Mandan Road, supported the request to have a section of Schrom Hills Park dedicated as a memorial.

Charlene McAdams, Greenwood Village, stressed the need for the memorial and asked that money be set aside in the upcoming budget and indicated that GEAC was suggesting an amount of $10,000.

MINUTES

Executive Session, March 16, 1998

Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the Executive Meeting of the City Council held Monday, March 16, 1998 be approved as presented.

He further requested that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in Executive Session at 8:05 p.m. in the Council Room of the Greenbelt Municipal Building, and that Council held this closed meeting in accordance with Section 10-508 (a)(4) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Public General Laws of Maryland (1995 Replacement Volume) to consider a preliminary matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the state. Mr. Putens seconded

ROLL CALL:

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

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Mr. McLaughlin reported that the General Assembly approved a grant of $325,000 for Community Center windows and the Greenbelt Fire Department. He asked if Council wanted to invite the delegation to an upcoming City Council meeting for their annual report. Mr. Putens wanted the City to move quickly on window installation. Mr. McLaughlin asked Council to consider public recognition of the Delegation. Mr. White suggested recognition on Greenbelt Day Weekend.

Mr. McLaughlin noted that Mr. Manzi would be arriving shortly. He also noted that a meeting was occurring with the Corp of Engineers on Friday.

Ms. Davis thanked the Recreation Department for their efforts during Spring Break. She also expressed thanks to the Horticulture crew for their landscaping efforts.

A RESOLUTION FOR THE NEGOTIATED PURCHASE OF CLEANING SERVICES AT THE AQUATIC AND FITNESS CENTER:

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens introduced the above titled Resolution.

APPROVAL OF HUNTING RIDGE LICENSE AGREEMENT: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens moved that Council authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

APPLICATION FOR NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME & SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION GRANT: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Dana Rabois explained her proposal to use these funds for a basketball tournament for police officers and youth. She reported that in her research and her work for the City, there was a hostile relationship between police and minority youth and this event is to try to improve this relationship. Ms. Rabois explained the recruiting efforts to get youth to participate.

Mr. Putens moved that Council authorize the grant application and contribution of the in-kind services mentioned in the application. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

REFERRALS TO YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Putens moved that the following issues be referred to the Youth Advisory Committee for review and comment:

Is the Youth Advisory Committee effective? Does it need to be restructured and if so, how?

Does the Youth Center meet the needs of young people, particularly at night? What changes would you recommend?

Consider conducting a survey of youth on a regular basis to solicit ideas and determine if city programs meet their needs.

Share Council's list of priority issues and solicit Committee feedback.

Encourage the Committee to create, devise and invent concepts, ideas and recommendations to submit to Council and stress that Council wants the Committee to be proactive and not just wait to receive Council referrals.

Skateboard Park/Rollerblading issue raised by GHI and previously referred to PRAB.

Mr. White seconded. Mr. Roberts suggested that the Council meet with the Youth Advisory Committee. The motion passed 5 to 0.

MEETINGS: Council moved the budget work session on May 7 to May 14. Council moved the public information meeting on beavers to May 27.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Roberts moved that Council enter into executive session in accordance with Section 10-508 (a) (7) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of the Public General Laws of Maryland to consult with legal counsel. Mr. Putens seconded.

ROLL CALL:

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

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Putens moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. White seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of April 13, 1998, at 9:13 p.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 April 13, 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