MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
held Thursday, April 2, 1998,
for the purpose of reviewing the CARES, Miscellaneous
and Other Funds budgets.

The meeting began at 8:12 p.m. It was held in the Council Room of the Municipal Building.

PRESENT WERE: Council members Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull Thomas X. White and Mayor Judith F. Davis. Mr. Putens arrived later in the meeting.

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; David E. Moran, City Clerk; Jeff Williams, City Treasurer and Carol Leventhal, Director of CARES

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Barbara Havekost, FOGM; Mary Linstrom, FOGM; Sandra Barnes, FOGM and CaraLee Scmidt, Washington Ear

Washington Ear

Ms. Schmidt described the services that Washington Ear offers to visually impaired persons. She noted there are approximately 20 people in Greenbelt who utilize their services. Ms. Davis asked if the numbers had increased or decreased. Ms. Schmidt responded that the numbers had remained about the same.

Friends of the Greenbelt Museum (FOGM)

Ms. Lange stated that FOGM was requesting an additional $5,000 to increase the hours of the curator. She noted that the curator's duties included supervising interns, coordinating volunteers and writing grant applications. Mr. White believed that the Museum could help educate new Greenbelters "about what Greenbelt is all about." Ms. Havekost indicated that the Museum is a marketing tool for GHI and Greenbelt.

Mr. Turnbull asked about the decrease in paid membership. Ms. Havekost responded that the she believed the decrease was because FOGM counted before their renewal notices went out. Ms. Davis suggested that the Museum provide their brochure to Greenbelt East communities for inclusion in their welcome packages. Ms. Lange indicated that the curator might be able to help with text and layout in a revised trail guide.

Mr. Turnbull noted that the Museum ultimately wanted a full-time city employee as the curator and was interested in exploring this. Ms. Lange indicated that the Museum was moving in a more professional direction and ultimately wanted a full-time person. Ms. Linstrom believed that city benefits would help attract a candidate. Mr. Roberts asked about the salary level of a curator. Ms. Lange did not believe a high salary would be needed, because these positions are sought after.

Greenbelt CARES

Ms. Leventhal summarized the accomplishments of the past year. She stated that the Crisis Intervention Counselor was proposed to be increased by another half-time position. Mr. White asked about the Systems Reform Initiative (SRI). Ms. Leventhal reported that Youth and Family Services Directors and City Managers had recently met to discuss this issue. Mr. McLaughlin believed that the city needed to monitor the issue, but at the present time there was not a imminent threat.

Ms. Leventhal reported on the counseling groups at Springhill Lake Elementary and that the city had been welcomed there. She indicated that CARES had wanted to conduct a group at the Middle School, but had been unsuccessful. Council expressed concern about this and suggested that the city notify Suzanne Plogman of this issue.

Mr. Turnbull asked if Greenbelt provided a higher level of services than other municipalities. Ms. Leventhal responded that the city does provide a wider range of programs than some of the other cities. In response to a question, Ms. Leventhal indicated that the greatest need for additional programs was probably in the schools.

Other Miscellaneous Budgets

Mr. McLaughlin summarized Non-Departmental and Fund Transfers. There was considerable discussion regarding the $.07 contribution to the Capital Projects Fund and if it was sufficient.

Other Funds

Mr. McLaughlin reviewed the Cemetery, Debt Service, Replacement, Temporary Disability Reserve, Unemployment Compensation and Agency Funds.

There was some discussion regarding Cemetery expansion and possible construction of a structure for urns.

Under Agency Funds, Mr. McLaughlin noted that the city was still holding $4,000 that the City had subtracted from a large GATE contribution. The Mayor requested a presentation from GATE.

CB-35

Ms. Craze presented an update on CB-35. She referenced a conversation with Mr. Reed and indicated that the staff comments would be incorporated into draft 3. Ms. Craze described the density bonus concept. Council was concerned that the bonus not apply to wetlands or flood plains.

Ms. Craze described the relationship between CB-35 and CR-17. Mr. Roberts expressed concern about piecemeal development and wanted to prevent development of wetlands. Mr. Turnbull believed this may provide an incentive to the developer. He noted that the city still retained the opportunity for Court challenges and to negotiate a private agreement later during plan reviews. Mr. White stated that the city needed to get as much protection out of CB-35 as possible. He wondered if we had any leverage with Mr. Reed for a side agreement.

Mr. Turnbull asked about the appropriate ratio for a density bonus. He wanted to provide an incentive to protect the southern portion of the site but not give an excessive amount of density. Mr. White favored no bonus for environmentally undeveloped areas. Mr. Roberts was concerned about placing residential development on the Smith site.

Mr. McLaughlin suggested an Executive Session with Mr. Reed on 4/13 or 4/15. Mr. White wanted Mr. Manzi's opinion on the timing.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:38 p.m.

 Respectfully Submitted,

 David E. Moran
City Clerk

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