MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Held Tuesday, October 19, 1999,
For the purpose of discussing Roosevelt Center Issues.

The meeting began at 8:41 p.m. It was held in the Council Room of the Municipal Building.

PRESENT WERE: Council members Alan Turnbull, Edward V.J. Putens and Mayor Judith F. Davis. Council Members Roberts and White arrived later in the meeting

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; David E. Moran, City Clerk and Celia Craze, Director of Planning and Community Development

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Barbara Simon and Karl Hille, The Gazette

Ms. Craze stated that the Roosevelt Center mall renovation was essentially complete. She noted that the drain grates were not burnishing as fast as had been hoped. Ms. Craze indicated that the cameras were installed, but the city was still waiting for Jones Communications to order an additional piece of equipment.

Council discussed the issue of the conduit for the cameras. Mr. Roberts expressed dissatisfaction with the exposed conduit on the facades. Ms. Craze noted that some of the conduit would be covered by the theater marquee and that the city could hide some additional conduit behind the wall.

Ms. Craze noted that the County had not issued a permit for the marquee and was blocking the City from installing. She indicated she was contacting the supervisor. Council expressed frustration with the County process.

Next, Council reviewed the estimated versus the actual costs of the project. Ms. Craze noted that costs had come close to the estimates. Mr. McLaughlin stated the impact to the Capital Projects Fund.

Ms. Craze reported on the sponsorships that the City had received to date. She noted that the City would have acrylic facsimiles of the plaques at the Dedication Ceremony.

Ms. Craze reviewed the issued related to the statue and the base and possible next steps. She stated that Sharon Koehler believes that additional restoration work is needed. Mayor Davis asked if grant funding was available. Ms. Craze responded that SOS funding might be available for further statue restoration and restoration of the base.

Mr. Roberts believed the concrete base and the fountains were part of the artwork and should be restored. Mr. White indicated a water fountain might be an attractive nuisance. Mr. Putens believed the City needed to do a complete renovation of the statue. Mr. Turnbull had mixed feelings and believed the costs might not be justified. Mayor Davis asked if Council could get more specifics on costs and how it would be accomplished.

Mr. White inquired about ongoing maintenance of the statue. Ms. Craze noted that Ms. Koehler still owed the City a treatment plan to maintain the statue. Mr. White wondered if there was a way to gauge community support for a fountain.

Ms. Simon commented that she believed it was more "faithful" to the original design to restore the fountain.

Mr. Roberts believed enough had been done to the statue itself. He questioned the $35,000 cost figure for the base. Ms. Craze noted that a big part of the cost was bringing in a resident conservator.

Mr. Turnbull believed that a quality mason could do the cubic statue base. He also believed additional restoration on the statue was not needed.

Mr. White stated he was not in a position to judge whether additional restoration was needed. He believed the cube was integral to the health of the statue. He believed the City should aggressively pursue grant opportunities. He was not in favor of the fountain or pursuing the rear mall plan.

Mr. Putens asked what the city was doing to protect the statue from deterioration. Ms. Craze responded that the statue would continue to deteriorate and there was no way to stop this.

Mr. Roberts favored exploring the further costs of 2, 3 & 4 and believed that a mason could perform the work. Ms. Craze noted that SOS would not likely fund anyone other than a conservator to do the work.

Mr. Turnbull favored keeping the rear plan on the agenda. He also suggested stockpiling some additional chairs and umbrellas to use as replacements. Mr. White was not in favor of additional furniture or spares. Mr. McLaughlin indicated staff would research and report back to Council.

Council reviewed the program for the Roosevelt Center Dedication.

The meeting ended at 10:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

David E. Moran, CMC

City Clerk

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