REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1999

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:05 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. Thomas X. White arrived at 9:10 p.m.

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 Nora C. Kelly, Robert George Vidi, Nida B. McDonald and Vera S. Weber. Then, she led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Turnbull removed the minutes of the work session on March 10. With that change, Mr. Putens moved approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.

COUNCIL THEREBY TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

MINUTES:

- Legislative Dinner, February 24, 1999
- Regular Meeting, March 8, 1999

Approved as presented.

APPROVAL OF FIRE DEPARTMENT GRANTS: Council authorized the selection of the Heiserman Group as the architect for the bunk room renovation project and released $14,500 from the Capital Projects Fund to GVFD for architect’s fees. Further, Council released the projected $202,000 balance in the Replacement Fund to GVFD toward the purchase of a new pumper.

STATE LEGISLATION: Council formally supported both the herbal cigarette legislation (SB 328 & HB 560) and the .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) legislation (SB 255 & HB 699).

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mayor Davis added "Easement Agreement with Roosevelt Center", With that change, Mr. Turnbull moved that the agenda be approved. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

PRESENTATIONS:

Certification of Special Election: Section 8-9 of the City Code requires that the City Clerk file the certification with City Council and record the certification in the Minutes.

City Manager’s Proposed FY 2000 Budget: The City Manager presented the Proposed Budget for FY 2000 which begins July 1, 1999 and ends June 30, 2000. Mayor Davis encouraged everyone to attend the public hearings and work sessions on the Budget.

ICMA Service Award: Mayor Davis read a letter from the International City Manager’s Association (ICMA) recognizing Michael P. McLaughlin for 20 years of service in the profession.

GFOA Distinguished Budget Award: The City has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for Fiscal Year 1998. This is the 12th year that the City has received this award. Jeff Williams, City Treasurer, accepted the award on behalf of the city.

GVFD Award: Mayor Davis read an award that had been presented to the city in appreciation for their support of the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: Betty Timer, presented a petition on behalf of Senior Citizen Advisory Committee. She asked what happened to all of the people in the Greenbelt Nursing Home who had to find another place to live. Ms. Timer noted a void in Greenbelt because there are no group homes for seniors in the city. Ms. Timer asked the city to be pro-active in researching this issue. She also asked the city to provide the results of the 1997 election questionnaire on senior housing. Ms. Timer requested that the city establish a task force on this issue.

Mr. Putens asked if the election questionnaire results could be provided. Mr. McLaughlin responded that he would get the results for the committee. Mr. Putens asked that an ad-hoc committee be established to look the issue of senior group homes.

Mr. Roberts asked about the Nursing home’s zoning because they were a non-conforming use. Ms. Craze stated that a new operator was in the process of acquiring the property and intended to reopen it sometime after June, 1999.

Leonnie Penney, stated that there was something not quite right about it taking so long for the city to address this issue of senior housing. She stated that this was very important and this was something the city was lacking.

Dorothy Lauber, 9-M Ridge Road, requested that the city not remove any more play equipment from the playgrounds in the historic sections of Greenbelt. She referenced the removal of 2 slides behind Gardenway. Mr. McLaughlin responded that the City had removed equipment that was felt to be the most unsafe.

MINUTES

Executive Session, March 10, 1999: Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the Executive Meeting of the City Council held Wednesday, March 10, 1999 be approved as presented. He further requested that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in Executive Session at 7:08 p.m. in the Community Center Multi-Purpose Room, 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. Turnbull seconded.

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

Work Session, March 10, 1999: Mr. Turnbull requested that the minutes reflect the discussion that took place after the meeting. Council asked Mr. Manzi to give an opinion. Mr. Manzi requested additional time to research the request.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Mayor Davis reported on a PGCMA item on housing standards (CB-11-1999).

Mr. Putens asked about the status of the drain project on Ora Glen Drive. He suggested that staff write a letter to the appropriate agencies. He noted that the Eleanor Roosevelt Poms had taken first place in the state competition and expressed pride in his daughter who is a member of the Poms.

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 18, "STREETS AND SIDEWALKS" OF THE GREENBELT CITY CODE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING ARTICLE II

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Ms. Craze explained that this legislation would help enforce serious violations more quickly.

Mr. Turnbull introduced the above titled Ordinance for first reading and suspension of the rules. Mr. Roberts seconded.

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

Mr. Turnbull introduced the above titled Ordinance for second reading and adoption. Mr. Putens seconded.

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

The Ordinance was declared adopted. (Ordinance No. 1179. Book No. 11)

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 11, "MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC", OF THE GREENBELT CITY CODE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING THE CITY TO UPDATE AND REVISE CERTAIN PROVISIONS AND INCREASE CERTAIN FINES

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

Mr. Turnbull asked if the prohibitions on parking in bike lanes were solid. Ms. Craze suggested amending the ordinance by adding a "prohibition in bike lanes." Doug Love of 3-D Plateau Place asked that the City address the issue of people walking on bike lanes.

A RESOLUTION TO REPEAL RESOLUTION 741 AND ESTABLISH A NEW RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

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

PETITION FROM CITIZENS TO CONSERVE AND RESTORE INDIAN CREEK (CCRIC) TO OPPOSE BELTWAY RAMP AT GREENBELT STATION: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Lowell Owens, of 119 Northway, urged Council to be proactive on this issue. Mr. Owens displayed a map of the area and noted that under normal circumstances the site would probably not be that attractive, but the County Council had passed a special zoning bill. Mr. Owens presented a traffic impact map. He noted that the developer estimated the proposed development would generate 8,000 trips per day. Mr. Owens stated there were current traffic delays on the beltway and believed that drivers would use local roads to access this new development.

Mr. Owens stated that this development was an extreme proposal. He stated that this proposal would place a burden on the community

Kate Spencer, 8617 63rd Avenue, Berwyn Heights, MD, and the Chair of CCRIC, stated that she was appalled by the development proposal. She noted the significance of the wetlands and forested area on the site. Ms. Spencer stated that the stream provided habitat for fish and wildlife and noted that the composition of the forest was the same as it was 100 years ago.

She expressed concern that even developing only the metro parking lot portion of the site would still have an impact on the stream, forest and wetlands. Ms. Spencer stated that CCRIC’s goal was to protect the area as a park or nature preserve and that the site could serve an educational capacity.

Ms. Davis stated that Council was in agreement with CCRIC’s position on preservation of the forest area and referenced the city’s participation in the sector plan process. Mr. White suggested that CCRIC make a presentation to Berwyn Heights and College Park. He suggested CCRIC contact the Federal Highway Administration. Mr. White further noted that CCRIC should contact Congressman Hoyer and express their opinion.

Mr. Putens was glad that CCRIC existed and indicated that the city had been supporting this area as park and preserved area.

Ms. Spencer asked if the sector plan would override CB-35. Mr. White stated that if the developer is not able to line up his plan in time, the sector plan would set new zoning for the area.

Connie Arnold of 5-A Laurel Hill invited people to walk the area this Saturday from 9-12. Ms. Spencer noted that the group had permission to walk the USDA portion of the site.

Doug Love of 3-D Plateau Place, was pleased to see the coalition formed.

Mr. Roberts stated that Council had been involved in this process for many years and noted that the one group in the planning process that would not "give up anything" was the developer. Mr. Roberts believed the development proposal would be a monstrosity and believed the city needed to take a strong stand against the developer.

Mayor Davis noted that a 4-Cities group met on a quarterly basis. She also stressed that Council would schedule a work session with CCRIC.

Ms. Craze stated that Mr. Reed, the attorney representing the developer, had advised that they were conducting a visioning process and would be preparing another plan. Mr. White noted the creation by EPA of a hotline on the Anacostia watershed and referenced previous violations of environmental regulation on that site.

APPROVAL OF LETTER OF INTENT - POLICE VEHICLES: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. McLaughlin noted that these vehicles would replace existing vehicles in the city’s fleet.

Mr. Turnbull moved that Council authorize a Letter of Intent to purchase 4 vehicles. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

SPONSORSHIP OF MML YEAR 2000 BOOK: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. White moved that the City support the year 2000 book by becoming a sponsor at the Silver level in the amount of $500. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE DINNER: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Council agreed to support the items listed in the agenda materials.

EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR ROOSEVELT CENTER: Mr. Manzi stated that a number of years ago, the city committed to this easement and had been waiting for Mr. Christacos, the owner of the buildings, to prepare it.

Mr. Turnbull asked if the city needed wiggle-room to remove a space or two. Mr. Manzi noted that this would tie the city’s hands but indicated that the city had committed to this in exchange for the facade agreement.

Mr. Putens moved approval of the easement agreement. Mr. Roberts seconded. Mr. Turnbull asked if the item needed to be acted on tonight. He favored placing the matter on the next agenda so that it could be advertised. Mr. Putens and Mr. Roberts withdrew the motion.

MEETINGS: Council scheduled a work session with CCRIC on May 6. Council scheduled a work session on electric deregulation for May 26 or 27.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Putens moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. White seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of March 22, 1999, at 11:10 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, March 22, 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