MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
held Monday, July 27, 1998
for purpose of discussing the post office proposal.

The meeting began at 8:05 p.m. It was held in the Council Room of the Municipal Building.

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

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; David E. Moran, City Clerk and Celia Craze, Director of Planning and Community Development.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Rex Harvey, John Turpin and Kaye Lanes, Postal Service; Nicki Frush, Myers-Billingsley; Kerana Todorov, Gazette; Virginia Beauchamp, News Review; Sheldon Goldberg, Judith Thompson, Matt Moraff and Charlene MacAdams.

Post Office

Mr. Harvey presented the latest redesigned plan. Ms. Craze noted that while there wasn't a contiguous 2 -2.5 acre buffer that she believed the screen between Windsor Green and the facility was sufficient.

Mr. Putens hoped that the Postal Service would replace the vegetation on the proposed berms. Mr. Roberts asked about the trees near the potential pond. Mr. Harvey responded that the pond would only be built if needed and that most of the trees would be saved either way. Mr. Roberts expressed concern about grading activity in the save area.

Mr. White asked about pedestrian access. Mr. Harvey demonstrated the pedestrian plan. Mr. Turnbull asked about bike racks and Mr. Harvey responded that racks could easily be installed near the building entrance. Mayor Davis asked about potential conflicts at the customer driveway on Ora Glen. Ms. Craze responded that there may be traffic calming opportunities along Ora Glen. Mayor Davis thanked the Postal Service for addressing the city=s concerns.

Mr. Roberts asked that the buffer be deeded to the city or protected through an easement. Mr. Harvey expressed liability concerns about people accessing the site. Mr. Turnbull believed the open space should be available for people to use.

Mayor Davis asked about windows. Mr. Harvey indicated that there would be windows along Hanover and Ora Glen. Mr. Roberts wanted the city to insist that the buffer zone be a permanent buffer area. Mr. Turnbull agreed.

Mr. Goldberg asked that tractor trailers be routed on Hanover Parkway and not Ora Glen. Mr. Harvey indicated that there would be no trucks above 2.5 tons.

Mr. Turnbull left the meeting at 9:05 p.m.

Mr. Manzi raised the issue of the site plan approval and indicated that this was a condition of the covenants. In response to a question from Mr. Roberts about protecting the buffer, Mr. Harvey indicated that he would take this issue back to his superiors.

Ethics

Council suggested that staff request an opinion from the ethics commission regarding a revision of the city's ethics ordinance.

Goals

Mr. White suggested that Council do some homework by: reviewing the Goals document, preparing proposed action steps, editing the list and removing items from the list. Mr. Putens wanted the short and long-term lists to be combined and separately designated. Council set August 14 as the deadline for Council to complete their "homework" and Council would schedule an additional goals work session at their August 17 meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 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