REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
HELD MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2000

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:09p.m.

ROLL CALL was answered by Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, Thomas X. White and by Judith F. Davis, Mayor. Mayor Davis announced that Council Member Putens was ill and was not able to attend.

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 Linda Lynch, a resident, and James Hall and Graham B. Holton, former residents. Then, she led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

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

COUNCIL THEREBY TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

MINUTES:

- Interview, January 10, 2000
- Regular Meeting, January 24, 2000
- Work Session, January 27, 2000
- Work Session, February 2, 2000

Approved as presented.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Public Safety Advisory Committee Report #00-2: Council accepted this report.

APPROVAL OF EASEMENT - GREENSPRING: Council approved the storm drainage easement and authorized the City Manager to sign it.

REFERRAL TO PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - POLICE VISIBILITY: Council referred the report to the Public Safety Advisory Committee for their review and held the report for consideration during the budget.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Turnbull requested adding "Wilson Bridge" and also "Route One Bike Lanes." Mr. White added "Advisory Board Appointment." With these additions, Mr. White moved that the agenda be approved. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: There were no petitions or requests.

MINUTES:

Executive Session, January 20, 2000: Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the Executive Meeting of the City Council held Thursday, January 20, 2000 be approved as presented. He further requested that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in Executive Session at 8:07 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. White seconded

ROLL CALL: Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mr. White - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Mr. McLaughlin announced that the dedication of the theater marquee was tentatively set for Saturday, February 26.

Mr. White complimented Planning and Community Development staff for the Greenbelt Lake Water Quality Improvement document they produced.

Mr. McLaughlin reported on the city’s press conference on the USDA lawsuit.

Mayor Davis passed along a request to not plow snow into handicapped spaces, particularly by the Community Center. Mr. Turnbull noted that the City could designate temporary handicapped spaces. Mr. Turnbull also thanked Public Works staff for shoveling sidewalks near bus stops . Mr. White commented on a resident who took it upon herself to help out by shoveling out a bus stop.

Mayor Davis encouraged citizens to shovel their walkways. Mr. McLaughlin noted that not all sidewalks were the City’s responsibility.

Mayor Davis reported on three events she had attended. A NASA presentation complimenting employees on their work; a commitment ceremony at St. Hugh’s pledging community service; and GAVA’s art exhibit.

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

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

BALLFIELD LIGHTING AT BRADEN FIELD: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Hank Irving, Director of Recreation, briefed Council on the project to date. Mr. Irving noted that

Mike Mulaney of Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission (MNCPPC), had helped the City put together the Request for Proposals (RFP). Mr. Irving noted that spillover control and information provided by Dark Sky were included in the RFP.

Mr. White asked if PRAB had reviewed the RFP. Mr. Irving responded no, but reported on the other considerations by PRAB and City residents.

Mr. White moved approval of the RFP, contingent upon PRAB review. Mr. Roberts seconded.

Mr. Mulaney, noted that Council could hold bidders to a zero spillover standard. Mr. Turnbull encouraged the Council to include a very strict standard as an alternative.

Mr. Roberts asked about the time-frame. Mr. Irving responded that staff was hoping to get proposals back by April. If there is a good response, staff hoped to install the lights in mid-summer.

Mr. Roberts asked about the tennis courts lights. Mr. Irving responded that these lights were inefficient and had significant spillover. He noted this was on the Capital Projects wish list.

Mr. White requested an amendment that would have an alternative ½ foot candlepower at 75 feet and Mr. Roberts agreed.

Mr. Turnbull asked if vertical spill was addressed. Mr. Mulaney noted that alternative 4 would have zero vertical spill.

The motion passed 4 to 0.

UPDATE ON PARK RANGER PROGRAM: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Hank Irving, Director of Recreation, briefed Council on the city’s new Park Ranger program and provided a report on their activities.

Mayor Davis asked if the rangers covered the smaller parks. Mr. Irving noted that these were covered as well. She noted a group of students at St. Hugh’s who were interested in being involved in park issues.

Doug Love complimented the program and encouraged the City to keep moving in this direction.

STUDIO ARTIST LICENSE AGREEMENT: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mayor Davis and Council Member Turnbull thanked Ms. DeWald for her work on this project.

Mr. White moved that Council approve the Artist in Residence Program and the Studio License Agreement. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.

BUS STOP AT MD 193 & GREENWAY CENTER: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Turnbull expressed concern about the safety of the bus stop. He was willing to wait several weeks to hear from WMATA, but wanted the City to bring the issue back in the near future.

Mr. Roberts suggested a guard rail was needed.

Mr. White noted that the City had warned SHA about the location when it modified the road. He believed this was a most inappropriate place. Mr. White suggested routing buses through Greenway Center

On a related issue, Doug Love, stated that "The Bus" doesn’t stop at the Metro station. Mr. White agreed that it did not appear that "The Bus" doesn’t stop at the station. Mr. Turnbull noted that "The Bus" bay was very far away from the station entrance.

Mr. Roberts favored working with State Highway to address the bus stop at Greenway Center.

Mr. Turnbull expressed impatience and did not want to wait for a work session or SHA to improve the roadway. He believed it was a public safety hazard and that the City had a responsibility to address the situation. He suggested that the City remove the stop.

Mayor Davis asked Mr. Manzi if the City could remove the bus stop. Mr. Manzi asked for time to review the situation and get back to Council.

APPROVAL OF PURCHASE - PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT VEHICLE: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. White moved that Council approve the purchase of a Ford Taurus from Maryland Bid #001TT810943 in the amount of $14,868. Mayor Davis seconded.

Mr. Roberts asked if this was for the Springhill Lake inspector. Mr. McLaughlin responded this was connected to that position. Mr. Roberts indicated he did not favor a vehicle for this position, and certainly not a Taurus.

Mr. Turnbull also indicated he would not support a Taurus and favored something smaller or something used.

Mr. White believed this was worth doing and liked the ethanol feature and favored support.

Mr. Roberts did not believe ethanol would have widespread use in the future.

Mr. White moved to table the motion until the first meeting in March. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.

WILSON BRIDGE: Mr. Turnbull referenced an email message regarding the Wilson Bridge and requesting that the City oppose the bridge and support a tunnel alternative. He noted the Sierra Club favored tunnel alternatives. He requested Council consider formally communicating with the State.

Mayor Davis requested more facts.

Mr. Roberts favored a tunnel.

Mr. Turnbull moved that Council send a letter to the State Highway Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, and the City’s Congressional Delegation expressing opposition to a 12 lane bridge and supporting investigation of the Sierra Club tunnel proposal. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.

APPOINTMENT TO ADVISORY GROUPS: Mr. White moved that Council appoint Konrad Herling to the Community Relations Advisory Board. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.

MEETINGS: Mr. Turnbull moved that the meeting scheduled for June 12 be moved June 5. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.

Mr. Roberts moved that Council hold an executive session to consult with legal counsel and consider possible land acquisition. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 4 to 0.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Turnbull moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. White seconded. The motion carried 4 to 0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of February 7, 2000, at 10:33 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 7, 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