MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
held Wednesday, June 3, 1998,
for the purpose of meeting with Roosevelt Center merchants.

The meeting began at 8:10 p.m. It was held in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Community Center.

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

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; David E. Moran, City Clerk Doug Sappington, Acting Police Lieutenant; Sharon Bradley-Papp, Landscape Architect and Celia Craze, Director of Planning and Community Development.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Kerana Todorov, The Gazette; Jim Cassels, Co-op; Leonard Wallace, Realty 1; Gwen Vaccaro, Pleasant Touch; Jim Rice, Credit Union; Mike Cunningham, Greenbelt Video; Bill Edwards, Professional Building; Philip Njowusi, The Pan Group; Bob Davis, Co-op; Cindy Comproni, Credit Union; Joe Natoli, Generous Joes; Bill & Beth Novick, Mobil and Craig Zwiang. Bejing Restaurant

Ms. Craze began by summarizing the time-frame for the renovation project. Ms. Bradley-Papp reviewed the design plan and explained the plantings and treatments. She responded to questions from the merchants about specific aspects of the plan.

Acting Lt. Sappington summarized the efforts the Police Department is undertaking to improve safety. He stressed that the "officers as agents" program and possible use of a trespass notice were tools that would help the Police deal with this situation. Mr. Putens referenced the video camera pilot program as another method.

Mr. Edwards favored more police presence. Ms. Comproni expressed concern about lighting. Mr. Wallace raised concerns about the youth at the Center. He favored a consistent police presence. Mr. Cunningham asked about closing the mall area. Acting Lt. Sappington responded that the mall area could be closed at 11:00 p.m.

In response to the discussion, Acting Lt. Sappington also stated that he was investigating an anti-loitering ordinance. Mayor Davis and Mr. Turnbull expressed concern about targeting groups of kids and preventing them from being at the Center.

Ms. Novick stated that there was no place for the kids to go. Mr. Zwiang expressed concern about the vandalism at his restaurant. There was considerable discussion regarding youth "hanging out", their needs, role of parents, and the problems that society faced as a whole.

There was also discussion regarding the chairs in front of Greenbelt Variety Store. Council expressed concern about this situation and asked staff to investigate it. Ms. Vacarro raised concerns about the furniture at the Step Club and Council agreed to try and contact the club and make suggestions for improvements.

Council encouraged the Merchants to get organized, consider hiring a security guard and evaluate their needs as an association.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 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