REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
HELD MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2000

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m.

ROLL CALL was answered by Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, Thomas X. White and by Judith F. Davis, Mayor. Mr. Putens arrived at 8:07 p.m.

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

Mayor Davis congratulated Mr. Turnbull on the birth of his new daughter, Kathryn Gwyn. Then, she observed a moment of silence for Thomas Chapman and Stanley L. Burt, residents and Joan A. Neumann, former resident. Then, she led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

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

COUNCIL THEREBY TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

MINUTES:

- Work Session, January 12, 2000

- Regular Meeting, March 13, 2000

- Interviews, March 15, 2000

- Work Session, March 15, 2000

- Work Session, March 20, 2000

Approved as presented.

PROPOSAL FROM SHARON KOEHLER - SCULPTURE GARDEN BASE: Council approved Ms. Koehler’s services and authorized the expense from the Capital Projects Fund as part of the Memorial Gardens project.

COUNTY LEGISLATION - CR-9-2000 (WATER & SEWER DESIGNATIONS FOR METRO/SMITH PROPERTIES.): Council opposed the proposed amendment to the 1994 Water and Sewer Plan which changes the category designations for the Greenbelt Metro and the A.H. Smith properties, as this change is premature given the status of the Greenbelt West Sector Plan and stated that a recommendation to change the category should be considered as part of the sector planning process, and not in advance of consideration and approval of the plan.

POLICY ON ADOPT-A-TREE PLAQUE REPLACEMENT: Council adopted the following policy: that the City be responsible for replacing any adopted trees and the adopting party be responsible for replacing commemorative plaques. This policy would apply to Roosevelt Center as well as other adopt-a-tree locations throughout the City.

REFERRAL TO PRAB - ATTICK PARK RESTROOM CONCEPT: Council referred their preferred design and locations, along with other concept designs, to the Park and Recreation Advisory Board for their review and comments.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mayor Davis added discussion of a WMATA letter concerning the extension of hours. With that change, Mr. Turnbull moved that the agenda be approved. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

PRESENTATIONS:

Dedication of Bunk Room - Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department: Jay Remenick, GVFD President, announced that the newly renovated bunk room is being dedicated to the Greenbelt City Council and staff, along with Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.

City Manager’s Proposed FY 2001 Budget: The City Manager presented the Proposed Budget for FY 2001 which begins July 1, 2000 and ends June 30, 2001.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: There were none presented.

MINUTES

The minutes of the March 7, 2000 Executive Session were deferred until the next meeting.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Mr. McLaughlin reported on a solicitation claiming to represent the Greenbelt Police Department. He noted that the City’s department and FOP were not engaged in this activity.

Mr. McLaughlin announced the new lighting in the Council Room.

Mayor Davis mentioned the "ride The Bus free" day on March 15. She noted that Greenbelt hosted a Prince George’s County Municipal Association (PGCMA) meeting.

Mayor Davis announced she had served as a science fair judge at Greenbelt Elementary. She also reported on the bond bill testimony before the Maryland House. Mayor Davis reported on the MML Legislative Committee meeting on Saturday.

Finally, she encouraged everyone to submit their census forms.

A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TREES

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

Mr. Roberts announced he would vote against the resolution. He believed the Recycling and Environment Advisory Committee (REAC) could perform these duties.

Steve Perez, announced that REAC has suggested appointing representatives from existing committees to serve on the new tree committee.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - no

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mr. White - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The Resolution was declared adopted. (Resolution No.908. Book No. 7)

A RESOLUTION TO REPEAL AND REENACT WITH AMENDMENTS RESOLUTION NUMBER 876 TO ADOPT REVISED STANDING RULES FOR THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENBELT, MARYLAND
Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Roberts introduced the above titled resolution.

A RESOLUTION FOR THE NEGOTIATED PURCHASE OF STREET REPAIR WORK FOR HANOVER PARKWAY

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens introduced the above titled Resolution for first reading and suspension of the rules. Mr. Roberts seconded.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mr. White - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

Mr. Putens introduced the above titled resolution for second reading and adoption. Mr. Roberts seconded.

Mayor Davis asked about a reduction of 153 feet road surfacing. Mr. Hall announced that the entire length can be completed for the $176,000 amount.

Mr. White asked about the County funding request. Mr. McLaughlin reported that Mrs. Scott was already working on this issue.

Mr. Roberts expressed concern about other sections of Hanover Parkway.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mr. White - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The Resolution was declared adopted. (Resolution No.909. Book No.7)

LETTER TO GOVERNOR REGARDING METROLAND DEVELOPMENT: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. White suggested several minor changes to the letter.

Kate Spenser, representing Citizens to Conserve and Restore Indian Creek (CCRIC), reported that CCRIC had drawn up a map outlining the environmental envelope and was seeking approximately 145 acres.

Council agreed to modify the letter to seek up to 145 acres.

Mr. Putens moved approval of the letter with the changes and two maps (CCRIC & Sector Plan) be attached. Mr. Roberts seconded. Mayor Davis requested that the City’s earlier letter also be attached. The motion passed 5 to 0.

STATE LEGISLATION: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Putens moved support of HB 1088. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

Mr. Putens moved that the City send a letter urging approval of additional funding for Youth Service Bureaus. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

Mr. Putens moved that Council support the five MML bills (SB 507/HB 830, SB 207/HB 284, SB 208/HB 285, SB 523/HB 904, SB 624/HB 889). Mr. Turnbull seconded.

Mr. Roberts expressed opposition to the infill bill (SB 208/HB 285). Mayor Davis noted this bill would help communities who needed to redevelop older areas.

Mr. Putens and Mr. Turnbull agreed to separate the motion.

The motion to support the other four MML bills passed 5 to 0.

Mr. Putens moved approval of the infill bill. The motion passed 4 to 1 (Roberts).

DISCUSSION OF A WMATA LETTER CONCERNING THE EXTENSION OF HOURS: Mayor Davis noted an email message encouraging the extension of metrorail hours.

Mr. Turnbull moved that the City send a letter of support. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

Mayor Davis encouraged the City to help with promoting the extended hours.

MEETINGS: Council approved the list of budget work sessions presented by staff. Council scheduled a budget work session with Public Works Employees for April 25. Council set aside May 2 or 9 for a work session with WMATA and SHA on the bust stop at Greenway Center.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Putens moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of March 27, 2000, at 10:17 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 March 27, 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