REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1999

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m.

ROLL CALL was answered by Edward V.J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, and by Judith F. Davis, Mayor. Council Member White arrived later in the meeting.

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

Mayor Davis observed a moment of silence for Richard F. Miller and Larry Noel, former resident and Luther Arrington, Seat Pleasant Council member. Then, she led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Putens removed item 15. With that change, Mr. Turnbull moved approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.

COUNCIL THEREBY TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

MINUTES:

- Interview, September 27, 1999

- Regular Meeting, September 27, 1999

Approved as presented

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

COMMUNICATION FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION (ACE): Council added a meeting/reception for Dr. Iris Metts, the new Superintendent of Schools, to it’s list of future meetings.

RESIGNATIONS FROM CITY ADVISORY GROUPS: Council received resignations from Bob Snyder resigning from the Recycling Advisory Committee and Beverly Long resigning from the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee. Council accepted their decisions with regret and directed that the appropriate letters of appreciation be drafted for the Mayor’s signature.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Putens moved that the agenda be approved. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.

PRESENTATIONS:

Announcement of Grants by County Councilwoman Scott: The County’s FY 2000 Budget contains grants to various programs within the City. Audrey Scott, the City’s representative on the County Council, appeared and announced each of the grants. She also noted CDBG and MNCPPC funds distributed to Greenbelt. Councilwoman Scott also announced that the Lakewood Stormwater Project was completed and noted that the picnic celebration was scheduled for Thursday, October 14, from 5:30 -7:30 p.m.

Mayor Davis thanked Councilwoman Scott for the support.

Barbara Simon, Director of GAVA, thanked Council Woman Scott for the grant and explained the funds would be used for a teenage program.

Introduction of New Arts Coordinator: The city has hired a new Arts Coordinator, Nicole DeWald. Hank Irving, Director of Recreation, introduced Ms. DeWald and described some of her background. Ms. DeWald thanked the City and described her background. Mayor Davis welcomed Ms. DeWald.

Mayor Davis thanked Mr. Irving for his Department’s efforts with Schromfest.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS:

MINUTES:

Executive Session, September 21, 1999

Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the Executive Meeting of the City Council held Tuesday, September 21, 1999 be approved as presented. He further moved that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. in the Municipal Building Library, 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 for a business to locate, remain or expand in the State of Maryland. Mr. Turnbull seconded.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

Executive Session, September 27, 1999

Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the Executive Meeting of the City Council held Monday, September 27, 1999 be approved as presented. He further moved that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in Executive Session at 10:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building Library, 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 legal counsel to obtain legal advice. Mr. Putens seconded.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Mr. McLaughlin reported on the new busses operated by Prince George’s County called "The Bus."

Mr. Moran reported on the upcoming Election.

Mr. Putens asked about the status of a request from a square dancers group that uses the Community Center. Mr. McLaughlin responded that the rate was being reset to the old rate and that a letter would be sent to the association.

Mayor Davis noted a problem with the campaign sign poles leaning at the intersection of Hanover Parkwat and Mandan Road. She also noted a leaking manhole on Greenbelt Road.

The Mayor reported on a meeting hosted by the Board of Education attended by Lt. Governor Townsend. She also referenced the New Deal Cafe concert.

Mayor Davis thanked the City Horticulturalist for his tree plantings in Greenbriar and Windsor Green medians. She also noted the Fire Department Open House and the Little League banquet and awards ceremony.

PROPOSED BELTWAY INTERCHANGE AT GREENBELT METRO STATION: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Roberts disagreed with the staff recommendation. He noted that the reasons staff listed were all the reasons why the city should oppose the interchange. Mr. Roberts believed that the development as proposed would overwhelm roadways and would not benefit the City of Greenbelt. Mr. Roberts believed the City needed to get the developers’ attention and that by attacking the interchange this would get the developers’ attention.

Mr. Turnbull believed the City needed to clearly state its opposition to the interchange. He believed the letter had all the right reasons, but came to the wrong conclusion. Mr. Turnbull stated that all the reasons listed were not going to change.

Mr. Putens believed that the City should communicate clearly where it stands on this issue.

Mr. McLaughlin did not disagree with Council’s comments and noted that staff and Council were together, but differed on the strategy. He believed that the staff strategy would give the community a voice in any discussions about development.

Mr. Roberts believed the City needed to show its opposition to the interchange so that the developers would have to come to the city.

Mr. Putens asked if the City Manger believed that Greenbelt’s position would impact development of the property in the southern portion.

Mr. Turnbull stressed the need for any development to be transit oriented and believed that development should not exceed the existing footprint. He stressed the need for value added compatible development.

Mayor Davis stated that Council’s goal from the beginning had been to save as much of the wetlands and floodplain as possible. She noted that if the County wanted to develop the property it was going to happen.

Lowell Owens, 119 Northway, urged opposition to the interchange. He stated that building the interchange enables high density development. He believed the City would have more power if it opposes the interchange and believed the neighboring communities would understand the City’s position. Mr. Owens believed the sector planning group may take a different approach. He noted that Citizens to Conserve and Restore Indian Creek (CCRIC) had a different vision of what could happen at the site.

Mayor Davis asked if CCRIC had identified any firm sources of funding to purchase the property. Kate Spencer responded that CCRIC was working with several groups.

Hans Christen, of 12-H Hillside, stated that the City needed to voice what it wanted there. He believed the only way to get the kind of development the City wanted was to oppose the interchange.

Richard Reed, of Wilkes Artis Hendrik & Lane, stated that the Smiths are willing to compromise. He stated that opposition to the interchange may affect the developer’s willingness to compromise. Mr. Reed requested a work session with Council to discuss compromise and the possible purchase of the property. He asked the City to consider that the property had industrial zoning and that development could proceed before the sector plan is adopted.

Mr. Roberts noted that this was the first time Mr. Reed had mentioned the word compromise and believed that it was because the City was considering opposition to the interchange.

Mr. Reed implored the Council to not take away one of the legs of the project.

Ms. Spencer indicated that CCRIC was opposed to the interchange based on the current development proposal.

Mayor Davis suggested that the City oppose the interchange based on the current development proposal.

Mr. Turnbull did not believe that the City’s opposition should be tied to any specific development proposal.

Mr. Putens questioned if the city would be harmed by waiting for 30-45 days and holding a work session.

Mr. White entered the meeting. Mr. Reed reiterated his request for a work session to try and obtain a compromise. He noted that opposition to the interchange may cause the State to change its position on acquisition of the sensitive areas.

Mr. Roberts believed there was an urgency and believed that the next sector planning meeting on 10/20 would consider the interchange.

Mr. Turnbull suggested Mr. Reed tell his client that the City of Greenbelt communicated a position to the State Highway Administration. He also noted that if the Governor was true to smart growth he would not want an interchange there either.

Mr. White summarized the history of the Metro construction proposal. He stated that it would be irresponsible for the City not to oppose the interchange because of the problems it would create.

Mr. Reed stressed that the interchange may be needed to attract the quality of development needed at the site. He believed that without the interchange the development could go more industrial.

Mr. Turnbull moved approval of a revised letter, which was distributed to Council. Mr. White seconded.

Paul Downs stressed the need to preserve the land for educational purposes. He stated that the interchange was insane, sick, and greedy. He asked the Council to dream bigger about the future of the property. Mr. Downs expressed support for a nature preserve and stressed it was a moral responsibility of the City. He favored killing the project tonight and suggested not using the word compromise.

Council made numerous changes to the letter. Mayor Davis read the letter again.

The motion passed 5 to 0.

Slyvia Lewis thanked Council for taking the vote and expressed pride in the Council’s action.

Bob Auerbach agreed with the previous CCRIC speakers and thanked Council for their action. He believed Council should oppose development altogether.

Ms. Spencer thanked Council for opposing the interchange.

TELEWORK QUESTIONNAIRE: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Gil Weidenfeld, State Department of Transportation, noted that Elaine Skolnik-Nicholson had requested the survey. Mr. Weidenfeld described telework and its benefits to the community. He noted that Maryland was a leader in telework. He noted a state mandate that agencies establish telework programs and a grant program for establishing telework programs.

Mr. Weidenfeld suggested Greenbelt place information on the municipal channel. He urged Greenbelt to be the first to survey its citizens.

Mr. White suggested changing the last 2 bullets on the questionnaire.

Mr. Putens moved that the survey be allowed to be distributed at the City Election on 11/2/99. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

COUNTY LAND TO BE DECLARED SURPLUS: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. McLaughlin suggested a letter to the County indicating that the City was aware that the owners of Greenway Center would buy the property. There was discussion about the property’s ownership and how it became an access road.

Sheldon Goldberg, of 7848 Jacobs Drive, asked what would happen if Greenway Center did not buy the parcel. Mr. McLaughlin responded that this was the purpose of asking the County to notify the City if no buyer came forward.

Mr. Turnbull moved that the City send a letter to the County. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

1999 ELECTION QUESTIONNAIRE: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Turnbull suggested removing St. Hugh’s from the list, because it was a private school. He also requested clarification of what was meant by "teachers" under the ACE section. There was not Council consensus to remove "St. Hugh’s.

Mr. Putens moved approval of the questionnaire. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 4 to 1 (Turnbull).

APPOINTMENTS TO CITY ADVISORY GROUPS:

Mr. Putens moved that Council appoint the following individuals to city advisory groups and direct staff to prepare the appropriate appointment letters. Mr. Roberts seconded.

Jeffrey Morisette Arts Advisory Board

Matthew Inzeo Youth Advisory Committee

Nancy Lawson Public Safety Advisory Committee

Pauline Grant Advisory Planning Board

John Smid, Jr Youth Advisory Committee

The motion passed 5 to 0.

PLAQUE WORDING: Mr. McLaughlin requested that Council approve the wording for the Roosevelt Center Dedication plaque.

Mr. Putens moved approval of the plaque. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

MEETINGS: Council directed staff to invite the new Superintendent of Schools to a pre-Council meeting reception on November 22 or December 13. Council discussed possible work sessions for the new Council and decided not to schedule any additional meetings at this time.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Putens moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of October 11, 1999, at 12:05 a.m. on Tuesday, October 12, 1999.

Respectfully Submitted,

David E. Moran, CMC

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 October 11, 1999."

Judith F. Davis

Mayor

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