REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
HELD MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2000

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, Council Members and by Judith F. Davis, Mayor. Councilmember Thomas X. White was away from the City on business.

ALSO PRESENT were Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Robert Manzi, City Solicitor; and David E. Moran, City Clerk.

Mayor Davis observed a moment of silence for Gilbert J. Kennedy and Kenneth N. Lundregan, both residents. Then, she led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

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

COUNCIL THEREBY TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

MINUTES:

- Interview, February 7, 2000

- Regular Meeting, February 7, 2000

- Work Session, February 9, 2000

Approved as presented.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Open Forum Report: Council accepted this report and referred it to staff for review and comment.

Arts Advisory Board Report #00-1: Council accepted this report and referred it to staff for their review and comment in conjunction with the FY 2001 budget.

Advisory Committee on Education Report #1-2000: Council accepted this report and agreed to add this matter to the next agenda.

RESPONSE TO WSSC REQUEST: Council approved the letter and authorized the Mayor to sign it.

REMOVAL OF CONCESSION STAND AT ATTICK PARK: Staff was directed to proceed with removal of the concession stand as soon as possible.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Putens requested that HB 1147 be added under "State Legislation." With that change, Mr. Putens moved that the agenda be approved. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

PRESENTATIONS:

ACE Educators Award Ceremony: Leta Mach, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Education (ACE), introduced this year’s award recipients from each of the schools. Council presented each awardee with a certificate and a "Greenbelt is Great" mug. County Councilwoman Audrey Scott presented a proclamation and Emory Harmon, representing Senator Leo Green, presented each awardee with a congratulatory letter and a Maryland State Flag. The awardees were:

Katherine Kerdock Greenbelt Elementary School
Alonzo Williams Springhill Lake Elementary School
Steve Ciambor Magnolia Elementary
Mary Foeckler St. Hugh’s School
John LaPolla Greenbelt Middle School
Anne Cherry Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Mayor Davis expressed appreciation to all of the award winners.

Millennium Communities Certificate: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Kevin Hammett, Chair of the Task Force, reported on the group’s discussions to date. Mayor Davis presented the Certificate from President Clinton.

Presentation by Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is: Ruth Rathcich and Jim Sturdivant, appeared representing the community. They read a statement and presented copies of the statement to the Council

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS:

Request from Greenbelt American Legion: Council accepted a request from Harold Lloyd, manager and baseball chairman of the Greenbelt American Legion, requesting a $500 donation for the 2000 season. Staff noted they are reviewing this request and will place it on the March 13, 2000 agenda.

Sheldon Goldberg of 7848 Jacobs Drive noted that the driveway to Greenway Center was in bad shape and asked if there was a status. Mr. McLaughlin noted that the County was attempting to find a buyer and it was anticipated that Combined Properties would buy the property.

Joseph Johnson, of 7406 Garrison Road, stated that he was interested in opening the concession stand at Buddy Attick Park. He stated that the boat house was never abandoned and indicated he closed the concession stand at the request of the City. He asked that the City resolve the situation in a fair manner. He advised the City that he may be forced to take legal action. Mr. Johnson requested a meeting with the City Council

Mr. Manzi stated that there was no lease with Mr. Johnson and the lease had been terminated with leasee in October 1997. He noted that the City had never been a party to the contract between the Johnson’s and the Greer’s and that the City had never agreed to an assignment of the lease.

Council agreed to discuss the request for a meeting under Meetings.

MINUTES:

Executive Session, January 10, 2000: Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the Executive Meeting of the City Council held Thursday, February 10, 2000 be approved as presented. He further requested that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in Executive Session at 8:00 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

Mayor Davis - yes

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Mr. McLaughlin announced the annual summer job fair scheduled for the upcoming weekend. He announced a grant from the Chesapeake Bay trust which would cover this year’s earth day project.

Mr. Putens stated that residents wanted the potholes at the Hanover Parkway Entrance to Greenway Center repaired. Mr. McLaughlin announced that the City was reluctant to make the repair since the County owned the driveway.

Mayor Davis reported on the opening of the Prince George’s Small Business Development Center. She also reported on the rededication of the theater marquee. Mayor Davis complimented all those involved for their efforts on the sign and the ceremony.

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 12, "PARKS AND RECREATION", BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE VII, "TREES"

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

ROLL CALL: Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The Ordinance was declared adopted. (Ordinance No. 1189. Book No. 11)

APPROVAL OF BUS SHELTER LOCATIONS: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Putens moved that Council authorize the construction of bus shelters at the following locations:

- Hanover Parkway, across from Greenbrook Drive

- 7800 Block of Hanover Parkway

- Hanover Parkway at Hunting Ridge

Mr. Roberts seconded.

Mayor Davis noted the three shelters scheduled for completion next year. The motion passed 4 to 0.

STREET RESURFACING - CAPITAL PROJECTS: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. McLaughlin reported on the problems with the Hanover Parkway roadway. He noted that he was not optimistic that the County would help fund the road work.

Mr. Putens moved that Council approve the reallocation of the FY 2000 resurfacing funds to repair Hanover Parkway between Greenbrook Drive and Megan Lane with the understanding that the Lakewood streets that were to be done this Spring will be done this Summer or Fall 2000. Mr. Roberts seconded.

Mr. Turnbull noted that the City seemed to want the initial road construction to happen and was not sure going back to the County was a good faith action.

Mr. Roberts asked if this would include the bike lanes. Mr. McLaughlin noted that this would likely be recommended as a corridor study for the upcoming budget. He stated that the City was only working on the problem areas and that other sections had been built to city specifications as developments occurred.

Mr. Turnbull asked if there were any above ground power lines. Mr. Hall responded no. Mr. Turnbull suggested that the City look at these opportunities as it performs major roadwork.

The motion passed 4 to 0.

Mayor Davis agreed with Mr. Turnbull’s earlier comment that because the City knew what it was getting when accepting the road, it should not go back to the County.

Mr. Putens suggested sending a courtesy letter to the County.

Mr. Putens moved that the City send a nice letter to County Councilwoman Scott requesting Prince George’s County help participate in the reconstruction of Hanover Parkway. Mayor Davis seconded.

Mr. Turnbull suggested using this opportunity to get the Greenway Center driveway repaired.

Mr. Roberts asked if there were any precedent for this. Mr. McLaughlin stated staff was unaware of any situation.

The motion passed 3 to 1 (Turnbull).

STATE LEGISLATION: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Council considered each of the bills individually.

Senate Bill 613: Mr. Putens moved support. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.
Senate Bill 244/House Bill 310: Mr. Roberts moved support. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.
House Bill 1150: Mr. Putens moved support. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.
House Bill 1165: Mr. Turnbull moved support. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.
House Bill 1147: Mr. Putens moved support. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.

MEETINGS: Council scheduled a work session on March 6 to consider advisory group issues and conduct a review of the Council Action Requests report. Council directed that staff pursue Greenway Center and Capitol Office Park as the top priorities for stakeholder sessions. Council set a work session with the Greenbelt East Advisory Coalition for May 4.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Turnbull moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion carried 4 to 0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of February 28, 2000, at 10:12 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 February 28, 2000."

Judith F. Davis
Mayor

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