REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY, MAY 10, 1999

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:03 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 the victims of tornadoes, those in Colorado & the people of Kosovo. Then, she led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Putens moved approval of the consent agenda. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

COUNCIL THEREBY TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

MINUTES:

- Regular Meeting, April 12, 1999
- Public Hearing, April 14, 1999
- Interview, April 19, 1999
- Work Session, April 19, 1999
- Work Session, April 21, 1999
- Interview, April 26, 1999
- Regular Meeting, April 26, 1999
- Work Session, April 28, 1999
- Work Session, May 5, 1999

Approved as presented.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

CRAB REPORT ON PARKING CONCERNS AT RIDGE & RESEARCH: Council accepted this report and agreed to consider this item on the next agenda.

PRAB REPORT #99-2: Council accepted this report and agreed to consider this item in conjunction with the FY 2000 budget.

APPROVAL OF BALLOT - LOCAL GOVERNMENT INSURANCE TRUST (LGIT) BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Council expressed support for the three candidates and authorized the City Clerk to complete the ballot and return it to LGIT.

PROPOSAL FROM ASIAVISION INC. FOR TELEVISION COMMERCIAL: Council approved the barter agreement with AsiaVision.

APPOINTMENT TO ARTS ADVISORY BOARD: Council appointed Dennis Jelalian to the Arts Advisory Board and directed staff to prepare a letter of appointment.

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

PRESENTATIONS:

ACE STUDENT AWARDS: Leta Mach, ACE Chair, provided opening remarks and then introduced each of the awardees. The recipients each received a certificate and a small gift. Awards were presented to:

Travis Levius Greenbelt Elementary
Shannon Pearson Greenbelt Elementary
Jeffrey Flores Springhill Lake Elementary
Deleshia Hart Springhill Lake Elementary
Kin HuLamm Magnolia Elementary
Karen Garcia Magnolia Elementary
Mark Grant St. Hugh’s School
Laura Povinale St. Hugh’s School
Jebediah Boseck Greenbelt Middle School
Ayanna Butler Greenbelt Middle School
Adrian Zein Robert Goddard Middle School
Dionna Casey Robert Goddard Middle School
Seung Yun Kim Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Adelaide Elise Barnes Eleanor Roosevelt High School

LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP - 23RD DISTRICT DELEGATION: State Senator Leo Green and Delegate James Hubbard provided a summary of the 1999 General Assembly Session. It was noted that Delegate Pitkin planned to attend, but had to leave town on a family emergency and Delegate Conroy was out of town and sent her regrets.

PROCLAMATION "40TH ANNIVERSARY OF NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER": Goddard celebrated it’s 40th Anniversary during this past week. Mayor Davis read a proclamation which was issued at the Goddard Day festivities on May 2. Dr. Susan Breon, a manager at Goddard and also a Greenbelt resident, accepted it on behalf of Goddard.

OATH OF OFFICE - NEW POLICE OFFICER ANDREW WILLIAM POWELL: Mayor Davis administered the Oath of Office to Andrew William Powell, a new Greenbelt Police Officer.

PROCLAMATION "POLICE MEMORIAL DAY & POLICE WEEK": May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 9-16 is National Police Week. Mayor Davis read a proclamation in honor of the occasion. Chief Craze accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Police Department.

PROCLAMATION "PUBLIC WORKS WEEK": May 16-22 is Public Works Week. Mayor Davis issued a proclamation to mark the occasion. Kenny Hall, Acting Director of Public Works, accepted the proclamation

PUBLIC HEARING ON FY 2000 BUDGET: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. As required by the City Charter, a public hearing was held on the proposed FY 2000 Budget. In accordance with the State of Maryland’s Constant Yield Tax Rate requirements. This public hearing fulfills both requirements.

The Mayor announced that the city’s property tax rate will be set when the budget is adopted on June 7, 1999 at 8:00 p.m. here in the Council Room of the Municipal Building

Mayor Davis reviewed each section of the budget.

Jay Remenick, President of GVFDRS Inc., presented Council with copies of blueprints on the renovation project. He noted that their request for an additional $82,000 in funds from the City. Mr. Remenick stressed that the additional funds would go towards the sprinkler and alarm system.

Lee Shields, commented on the Greenbelt Museum’s work with higher education institutions. He believed additional funding could provide more opportunities for these efforts.

Mayor Davis announced that the city’s property tax rate will be set on June 7, 1999 at 8:00 p.m. in the Council room of the Municipal Building when the budget is adopted.

Mayor Davis declared that the public hearing had been held.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS:

REQUEST FROM GREENBELT AMERICAN LEGION: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments

Mr. White moved that Council accept the request and refer it to staff and the Park and Recreation Advisory Board for review and recommendation. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

MINUTES:

EXECUTIVE SESSION, APRIL 26, 1999: Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the Executive Meeting of the City Council held Monday, April 26, 1999 be approved as presented. He further requested that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in Executive Session at 7:25 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
Mr. White - yes
Mayor Davis - yes

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

Mr. McLaughlin relayed a report from Officer Buerger, the School Resource Officer, that May 10 had been quiet [despite reported rumors of violence/bombings] at Eleanor Roosevelt. He noted that there were several hundred students absent.

Mr. White stated that at the Al Herling bench rededication ceremony, he received comments on the poor condition of the stairs between the Library parking lot and the Community Center. Mr. McLaughlin noted that people were using the new bench.

AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE AND EMPOWER THE CITY OF GREENBELT, MARYLAND TO CONTRACT WITH CRESTAR BANK, N. A. TO BORROW NOT MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000) FOR THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING ADDITIONAL COMPUTER SOFTWARE FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING PURPOSES DESCRIBED HEREIN, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF SECTION 59, CONTRACTS OVER ONE YEAR, OF THE CITY CHARTER

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Williams introduced the representatives from Pentamation and explained the need for the additional components. Mr. Roberts asked if this was everything the Finance Dept needed and was advised it was.

In response to a question from Mayor Davis, Bronne Bruzgo stated that the system was Y2K compliant and Pentamation guaranteed that compliance.

Mr. Turnbull asked about original request to vendors. Mr. Williams responded that the RFP was very detailed, but it wasn’t until staff worked with the programmers that these additional needs were uncovered. Mr. Turnbull asked why the vendor wasn’t paying for the additional costs. Mr. McLaughlin responded that the major component, personal property tax module, had been offered initially, but the city choose not take it, but later discovered it was needed.

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

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

The Ordinance was declared adopted. (Ordinance No. 1181. Book No. 11)

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 11, "MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC", SECTION 39, "PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS", OF THE GREENBELT CITY CODE.

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens introduced the above titled Ordinance for second reading and adoption. Mr. White seconded.

Mayor Davis noted that several Green Ridge House residents had expressed concern about enforcement of this new provision. Mr. Ferguson responded that the Parking Enforcement Officer and Police Department would enforce these provisions. He also noted that additional signage would be erected.

Mr. Roberts asked if towing was an option. Mr. Ferguson responded that the city had not yet needed to tow, but it remained an option if the situation got severe.

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

The Ordinance was adopted. (Ordinance No. 1182. Book No. 11)

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 11, "MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC", OF THE GREENBELT CITY CODE FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO ORDINANCE 1180

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

BRIEFING ON ROOSEVELT CENTER SPONSORSHIPS: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Celia Craze, Director of Planning and Community Development, noted that most of the tree adoptions are memorializations and that the trees went very quickly. She reported that citizens had expressed interest in the additional adoption opportunities.

Mr. Roberts asked about the size of the plaque on the benches. Ms. Craze responded that it would probably be a rectangular plaque similar to the adopt-a-tree plaque. Mr. Roberts asked who would be responsible for replacing a plaque if it were vandalized.

Mr. White moved that the City establish two additional sponsorship opportunities, adoption of the new benches ($200) and adoption of the existing London Plane trees ($400-500) along Centerway including that the t-shirts, currently being given to donors, be available for sale to the general public. Mr. Putens seconded.

Mr. Roberts asked about the amount of funds generated. Ms. Craze responded that the City would generate about $10,000. Mr. Roberts stated it was impractical to have a plaque on every item in the Center. Ms. Craze responded that the plaques would be tasteful and small in scope. Mr. Roberts believed the City was getting carried away.

Mayor Davis stated this would add a personal touch to the Center and would be done tastefully.

Mr. Turnbull expressed disappointment that more pavers had not been sponsored and suggested that the City reduce the price of the paver and try to market them better.

The motion passed 4 to 1 (Roberts).

Mr. Turnbull requested consideration of dropping the price of the paver. Ms. Craze stated that City could allow any individual to contribute any amount towards a paver.

APPROVAL OF COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY FOR CDBG AND HOME PROGRAMS: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens moved that Council approve the three year extension of the agreement with the County. Mr. White seconded.

Mr. McLaughlin noted that the City had done quite well under the CDBG program.

The motion passed 5 to 0.

PROPOSAL FOR GREENBELT ACCESS TELEVISION (GATE) FUNDING: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Beverly Palau, Public Information and Communications Coordinator, stated that GATE needed additional funding and grants, to maintain their operations. Ms. Palau noted that GATE’s digital editing system was a much better quality than the city’s system.

Robert Zugby, President of GATE, endorsed Ms. Palau’s proposal. He noted that a proposal for municipal access and public access to work together wasn’t new. Mr. Zugby stressed that GATE was experiencing a tremendous increase in programming and stressed a need for funding now to keep this momentum going.

Mr. Putens moved that the city begin development of an agreement with GATE to utilize their studio and equipment in exchange for on-going financial support to be discussed at a future work session. He further moved that the second payment of approximately $22,000, and the $4,000 balance from the 1995 settlement, be given to GATE as soon as possible to upgrade its editing system and serve as the payment for FY 2000. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

Barbara Simon, 23-K Ridge Road, showed a brochure from the MNCPPC program that enabled the video camp to produce "When Beavers Attack." She announced the start of the next video project.

WORK SESSION WITH NEWSPAPER REPRESENTATIVES: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. White asked about the purpose of the meeting. Mayor Davis responded that the recent discussion of censorship and other aspects of positive news coverage. Mr. Moran responded that it was intended to be a stakeholders meeting.

Mr. Turnbull hoped that the session would contain more that just the censorship issue and also hoped the representatives had issues that they wanted to share with the City.

Mr. White stressed that the meeting would need to be carefully organized and agreed it should be two-way. He also suggested that the city provide a detailed map showing the boundaries.

Mayor Davis suggested that the City put together an information package.

Mr. Roberts believed the City should consider inviting television media as well.

Mr. Putens moved that the June 2 work session include just representatives from the newsprint media and that Council approve the draft letter. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

MEETINGS: Mayor Davis suggested that Council not schedule a work session when 2 Council Members anticipate being absent, because one of the remaining three may need to be absent.

Mr. White asked about the need for a quorum at a work session and stated his belief that a quorum wasn’t required. Mr. Moran stated that while the Standing Rules could be interpreted either way, they did require a quorum to do business and he believed that holding a work session was doing business. Mr. Moran recommended this issue be discussed at the work session on Standing Rules. Mr. White stated that the issue needed more discussion and referenced other legislative bodies that hold discussion sessions with less than a quorum.

Mr. Roberts stated that it didn’t seem right to hold a meeting with only two members. Mr. Turnbull suggested holding this discussion until the May 27 work session on Standing Rules.

Mayor Davis and Mr. Putens announced they would not be available for the work session on May 26. Council asked staff to invite GHI, Springhill Lake and Steve Bupp to this work session.

Mr. Putens asked if staff was ready for the work session on financing alternatives. Mr. McLaughlin responded that staff needed to get estimated costs first. He agreed to provide a memorandum to Council with rough cost numbers, the city’s debt capacity and other funding alternatives in the 3 or so weeks.

Mr. Turnbull asked about the briefing on Historic District Study. Mr. White expressed concerns about this item and wanted to wait until GHI makes a request of the City. There was considerable discussion of this issue. Council agreed to wait until GHI communicates with the City on this issue.

Council scheduled a work session on June 24 with either the Trust for Public Land or Capitol Office Park.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Turnbull moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of May 10, 1999, at 11:30 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 May 10, 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