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

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:07 p.m.

ROLL CALL was answered by Edward V.J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, Thomas X. White and by Judith F. Davis, Mayor.

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

Mayor Davis observed a moment of silence for Lucille Lushine, Selenia Bonebrake, Robert Cooper, Estelle Gerson, Doris E. Brown and Melvin E. Jones. Then, she led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

CONSENT AGENDA CONSENT AGENDA: Ms. Davis removed the minutes of December 14, 1998. With that change, Mr. Putens moved approval of the consent agenda. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

COUNCIL THEREBY TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

MINUTES:

- Work Session, January 6, 1999

Approved as presented.

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

PRESENTATIONS:

Report on Greenbelt New Year Report on Greenbelt New Year: Earl Keppler appeared representing the Greenbelt New Year Committee. He reported on the 1998/99 Greenbelt New Year (GNY) program. He noted that the event exceeded all expectations. He thanked the Recreation Department staff and his other volunteers for their assistance.

Mr. Keppler requested that the Council help GNY seek official recognition from County Executive Wayne Curry. He noted that GNY had an almost $6,000 budget for 1999 and projected a $10,000 budget for 2000. Mr. Keppler hoped to expand the event to other venues such as the Youth Center, Arts Center and Theater.

Mr. Putens suggested contacting GEAC for support. Mayor Davis suggested contacting State agencies for assistance. Mr. White urged caution about departing from the scale that GNY had been using. He also noted that many people are planning large family celebrations for 2000 and this might need to be factored in. Mayor Davis thanked the committee for all their efforts. Mat Amberg of 6-E Hillside stated that the beginning of the new millennium was 2001.

Joe McNeal stated that the Greenbelt New Year Committee and program were nominated for, and received a Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MPRA) Innovative Program award. Larry Hilliard displayed the award. Mr. McNeal thanked Mr. Hilliard for bringing the program to Greenbelt.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: Mat Amberg of 6-E Hillside Road presented honeybell tangelos to Council and staff. He noted that he was home from Florida and expressed his gratitude to the Police Department and the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad for helping him during a recent problem. Mat Amberg of 6-E Hillside Road presented honeybell tangelos to Council and staff. He noted that he was home from Florida and expressed his gratitude to the Police Department and the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad for helping him during a recent problem. Mat Amberg of 6-E Hillside Road presented honeybell tangelos to Council and staff. He noted that he was home from Florida and expressed his gratitude to the Police Department and the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad for helping him during a recent problem.

Mr. Amberg referenced another problem with the Police, which he would relay to Council and the Manager in private. He noted that Police used to watch houses when people left town and were now unable to assist in this way. He expressed opposition to the Parkside annexation until the city hired more Police. Mr. Amberg expressed his gratitude for the Volunteer Recognition program and noted that his wife, Rose Amberg, had placed the award in a prominent place of honor.

Sheldon Goldberg of 7848 Jacobs Drive, referenced an article in the News Review about Starpower coming to GHI and asked if Starpower was coming to other sections of the city. Mr. Turnbull asked if Starpower would be required to be everywhere in the city. Mr. McLaughlin responded that Starpower would be required to serve the entire city.

MINUTES:

Regular Meeting, December 14, 1998: Regular Meeting, December 14, 1998: Mayor Davis removed the minutes because there was an incomplete sentence on the last page. Council directed the Clerk to correct the omission and place these minutes on the next agenda.

Executive Session, January 6, 1999Executive Session, January 6, 1999: Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the Executive Meeting of the City Council held Wednesday, January 6, 1999 be approved as presented. He further requested that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in Executive Session at 7:20 p.m. in the Community Center Senior Gallery, 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
Mr. White - yes
Mayor Davis - yes

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

Anacostia Trails Heritage Area Meeting, 1/21/99: Mr. Roberts reported that the meeting was a chance to notify elected officials about heritage area activities and plans. He stated that many of the communities are putting tremendous effort into the area and he looked forward to see what comes out of the process.

4-Cities Meeting, 1/21/994-Cities Meeting, 1/21/99: Mayor Davis reported that the Metro development, the city's emergency plans, the Y2K issue and legislative issues in Annapolis were discussed at the 4-Cities meeting.

Hitchcock Film Festival: Sarah Schaffer and Bo Ferguson reported that the weekend's film festival was very successful. Ms. Shaffer noted that $6,179 was generated and 1,200 people attended. She noted that Friends of the Greenbelt Theater (FOGT) had sold t-shirts and raised over $300.

Mayor Davis asked about aesthetic upgrades to the theater. Mr. Ferguson stated that staff had not pinned him down, but Mr. Sanchez had mentioned installing a Dolby Digital Sound system.

Mr. Putens expressed pride and appreciation for the efforts and noted that he had seen the long lines. Mr. McLaughlin noted that Mr. Sanchez was beginning to generate his own ideas. Mayor Davis thanked the News Review, Gazette and Post for their support with ads and articles.

Mr. White reported on the MML Legislative Committee Meeting. He noted that the Y2K bill was on track. The strategy for Police funding was to get it into a supplemental budget. The highway access issue was divided into three areas and MML staff was directed to pursue legislation. Telecommunications was hoped to be referred to summer study or a task force.

Mr. Putens thanked the Gazette distribution manager and reported that he had not gotten any complaints from residents about delivery of papers.

Ms. Davis reported that 10-15 street lights were out on Hanover Parkway & Mandan Road. She reported on a dog adoption day at Petsmart sponsored by the Washington Animal Rescue League.

A RESOLUTION FOR THE NEGOTIATED PURCHASE OF COMPAQ COMPUTERS FOR THE FINANCE SYSTEM

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens introduced the above titled resolution.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE RENEWAL: Mayor Davis read the above titled agenda comments.

Mr. Roberts moved that Council allow the renewals to proceed without a city protest and that Council authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the Board of License Commissioners describing an incident with the Mushashi Restaurant and asking for their assistance in the future. Finally, he moved that Council direct staff to draft an ordinance providing for specific and significant fines for failure to obtain a municipal liquor license. Mr. Putens seconded.

Mr. Turnbull expressed concern about the lack of county support and compared it to building inspectors. It was suggested that the city's letter to the Board include references to situations where the County and City have worked together to correct violations. Mr. Roberts agreed.

The motion passed 5 to 0

APPROVAL OF SIXTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LOCAL GOVERNMENT INSURANCE TRUST AGREEMENT: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Putens moved that Council authorize the Mayor to sign the forms approving LGIT's action. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

MEETINGS:: Mr. Roberts moved to schedule an Executive Session on 2/10 or 2/17. Mr. Putens seconded

ROLL CALL:
Mr. Putens - yes
Mr. Roberts - yes
Mr. Turnbull - yes
Mr. White - yes
Mayor Davis - yes

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Putens moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of January 25, 1999, at 9:40 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 Monday, January 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