REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1999

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m.

ROLL CALL was answered by Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, Thomas X. White and by Judith F. Davis, Mayor. Mr. Putens arrived at 8:38 p.m.

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 Raymond Haber and Mary Luck. Then, she led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. White moved approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.

COUNCIL THEREBY TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

VARSITY SWIM MEETS AT THE AQUATIC & FITNESS CENTER: Council approved the City making the facility available for this type use, provided that it occur no more than three times per season and each meet include the Eleanor Roosevelt swim team

BICOUNTY LEGISLATIVE ITEM - PG/MC - 7: Council supported the proposal as drafted.

SIDEWALKS ON GREENBELT ROAD: Council agreed that the City not pursue the sidewalk connections at this time, but wait for the streetscape concept plan process which should occur within the next year.

RESIGNATION FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS ADVISORY BOARD: Council accepted Marsha Voigt’s decision with regret and directed that the appropriate letter of appreciation be drafted for the Mayor’s signature.

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

PRESENTATIONS:

Proclamation "America Recycles Day": Monday, November 15 is America Recycles Day. Mayor Davis issued a proclamation in honor of this occasion. Darlene Walters of the City’s Recycling Advisory Committee and Michael Clem, the City’s Recycling Coordinator, accepted the proclamation.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: There were no petitions or requests.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Mr. McLaughlin reported on the green substance which had been observed in the stream by the tennis courts. He indicated the County was investigating and would provide a report to Council.

Mayor Davis noted that schedules for "The Bus" were now available. Mr. Turnbull suggested posting the schedules at the stops.

Mr. Moran provided a report on the upcoming City Election.

Mr. White reported on the Officer of the Year program at the American Legion and indicated he presented a proclamation honoring Officer Robert Musterman. Mr. White also reported on the Special Recognition Program for Richard Santos and Sandi Dutton held at the American Legion.

Mayor Davis noted the Lakewood picnic celebrating completion of the storm water management project and expressed gratitude to Councilwoman Scott. She reported on the celebration marking the 25th Anniversary of Greenbriar.

Mayor Davis referenced the ACE meeting at Greenbelt Elementary. She thanked Celia Craze and the Public Works Department for their efforts in the Roosevelt Center Re-Dedication. She summarized the grants received for the Roosevelt Center project:

$1,000 from Save Outdoor Sculpture

$15,000 from Maryland Main Street

$40,000 from State Delegation for statue restoration

$2,000 from Councilwoman Scott.

Mayor Davis announced the snow rodeo being held on Wednesday at Redskin Stadium. She reported on the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.

NEW BLX LIQUOR LICENSE - ROYAL GOURMET: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Linda Carter appeared representing the applicant. She presented photographs of a similar restaurant in Indiana. She also presented a copy of the menu. Ms. Carter noted that the building required substantial repairs.

Mr. Roberts moved that Council take no position on this application. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

RED LIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Chief of Police James Craze briefed Council at this meeting on the Red Light Camera Program. This program uses technology to photograph cars that run red lights at monitored intersections.

Mr. Roberts asked if the city would receive the revenue. Chief Craze responded yes. Mr. Roberts asked when the light at Southway would be blinking. Mr. McLaughlin responded that staff was pursuing this with SHA.

Mr. Turnbull expressed concern about hidden costs of the red light program. He also asked Mr. Manzi to review the program to make sure the State would not take over at a later date.

Mr. Roberts asked about technology that captures speeders. Chief Craze responded that this was the next step for the technology.

Mayor Davis asked if there was a warning period. Chief Craze noted there was a warning period to make technical adjustments and also for a public education campaign.

Mr. White moved to direct staff to develop a red light camera proposal to be implemented in the city. Mr. Putens seconded. Mr. Roberts asked that the motion include investigation into technology that monitored mid-street speeding. The motion passed 5 to 0.

MML PRESIDENT JACK A. GULLO: Jack A. Gullo, President of the Maryland Municipal League (MML) and Mayor of New Windsor, appeared to recognize Greenbelt officials serving on MML Committees and update Council on MML programs.

President Gullo thanked Greenbelt for its active involvement in MML and the National League of Cities (NLC). He presented proclamations to Mayor Davis, Mr. McLaughlin, and Mr. Moran.

Y2K BRIEFING: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Bo Ferguson, Senior Management Analyst, reported on the City’s state of preparedness. Mr. Ferguson presented the binder of responses from city vendors. He summarized the city’s contingency plans.

Lt. Tom Kemp discussed the specific contingency plans put in place by the Police Department for the New Year’s weekend.

Mr. Ferguson noted that the City will be holding a Y2K Public Information Meeting.

Mr. Putens stated that the Washington DC celebration was expected to be a large celebration and that hotels were expected to be filled to capacity. Lt. Kemp responded that the police department was ready to deal with any situation.

Mr. White did not believe anything was going to happen at midnight, but had heard concerns expressed about Monday, January 3. Mr. Ferguson and Lt. Kemp noted that the City’s contingency plans covered that scenario as well.

DRAFT STATE CONSOLIDATED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Roberts hoped the streetscape project could be extended to NASA. Mayor Davis asked if this would include bicycle lanes. Ms. Craze responded that SHA would be looking at this aspect.

Mr. Turnbull hoped that public input could be obtained where possible.

Mr. White asked if there was a benefit to communicate the ongoing litigation re: the MD 201 extended project. Ms. Craze noted that SHA was aware of the litigation. Mr. Manzi did not see a problem including this in the letter.

Mr. Roberts encouraged support of the widening of MD 193 at Cherrywood to make a double left turn.

Mr. Roberts moved that Council send a letter reiterating the City’s opposition to widening and/or the extension of MD 201 and the Prince George’s ICC. He further moved that the city express support for the Greenbelt Road streetscape project, with a request it be extended to NASA, and the widening of MD 193 to create a double left turn at Cherrywood Lane. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0.

LISTING OF PRIORITY TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS BY PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Roberts asked about road work north of Muirkirk Road. Ms. Craze responded that this was likely connected to construction of a private development in the area.

Mr. White stressed that City could reiterate its concerns about MD 201 extended. He suggested the City communicate to the County that it not consider use of private funds for the interchange.

Mr. White believed the letter to Mr. Lynch about the city’s opposition to an interchange at the Greenbelt Metro Station needed a clarification by the City to Mr. Lynch and the Governor. He expressed concern about the misinterpretation of the Council’s vote and believed this needed to be clarified. Mr. White wanted a communication to the Governor and his Chief of Staff that expressed a level of amazement that the letter (from the Smith’s attorney) is couched in a threat.

Mr. Putens expressed concern about the legitimacy of the letter. Mr. Roberts believed the City should reference the secrecy of the process. Mr. Putens also noted that there were different game plans for each of the municipalities.

Mr. White moved that the City again communicate its opposition to these projects (interchange & Kenilworth extended) to the County Executive and County Council. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

Mr. Turnbull questioned the need to respond to the letters and suggested a letter to the Governor and the SHA that clarified the city’s position and that the developers are not authorized to speak for the city.

Mr. Putens believed the city needed to respond because fellow elected officials were misinterpreting the city’s position. Mr. Roberts believed the city needed to respond to the statement that the developer had been working with the city.

Mr. White believed the letter needed clarification.

Mr. White moved that the city draft a letter to the Governor that clarified and communicated to the Governor the City’s intentions up until now, copies of which would be sent to the Council members for their review and approval. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

MEETINGS: Mayor Davis suggested that Council schedule a Y2K public information meeting. Council scheduled the meeting for 11/29 or 12/6. Mr. Putens suggested an Executive Session for the new Council on Metro issues.

CLOSING COMMENTS - 32ND COUNCIL: Mr. Turnbull noted it had been a pleasure. Mr. Putens thanked staff. Mr. Roberts wished his colleagues luck and thanked staff. Mr. White wished everybody good luck and stated this was one of the best Councils he had ever served with and also thanked staff. Mayor Davis thanked staff and also the citizens of Greenbelt. She encouraged everyone to get out and vote.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Turnbull moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of October 25, 1999, at 10:58 p.m

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 25, 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