REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
HELD MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2000

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:06 p.m.

ROLL CALL was answered by Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, and by Judith F. Davis, Mayor. Edward V. J. Putens arrived at 8:10 p.m. Thomas X. White arrived at 8:43 p.m.

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

Mayor Davis observed a moment of silence for Prospero Zevallos and Nina Goeller, residents, and Joan Reid Neumann and Gertrude Law, former residents. Then, she led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Turnbull moved approval of the consent agenda. Mr. Roberts seconded. The motion passed 3 to 0.

COUNCIL THEREBY TOOK THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

MINUTES:

- Public Meeting, March 22, 2000

- Regular Meeting, March 27, 2000

- Work Session, March 29, 2000

- Work Session, April 3, 2000

- Work Session, April 5, 2000

Approved as presented.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Public Safety Advisory Committee #2000-3: Council accepted this report and directed that the item appear on a future agenda.

Park and Recreation Advisory Board Report #00-3: Council accepted this report and agreed to consider it in conjunction with the Contributions Groups’ budget.

Arts Advisory Board Report: Council accepted this report and agreed to consider it in conjunction with the Contributions Groups’ budget.

Recycling and Environment Advisory Committee Report: Council accepted this report and noted that no further action was required since the City is already on record in support of the bill.

COUNTY LEGISLATION - CR-11-2000 : Council supported CR-11-2000.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Turnbull added State Highway Administration (SHA) Task Force. With that change, Mr. Roberts moved that the agenda be approved. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 3 to 0.

PRESENTATIONS:

Introduction of New City Clerk: Mayor Davis announced that the City has hired a new City Clerk, Kathleen Gallagher. Mr. McLaughlin introduced Ms. Gallagher and explained her background. Council welcomed Ms. Gallagher.

Greenbelt Lions Club - Worldwide Induction Day: Mayor Davis stated that April 15, 2000 is the Lions Club Worldwide Induction Day. She read a Letter of Commendation to mark this occasion. Joe Wilkinson and Barbara Jacobs, representatives of the Lions Club, accepted the letter of commendation and provided a brief overview of the Club’s activities. Council thanked the Lions Club for their service to the community.

Maryland Plant Community Award Program: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. She read from a plaque that she and City Horticulturist Bill Phelan had accepted from the Maryland Community Forest Council.

Arbor Day Celebration: Mr. McLaughlin reported on the City’s Arbor Day celebration. He noted the planting of a White Oak as part of the celebration.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: There were none presented.

MINUTES

Executive Session, March 7, 2000: These minutes were deferred.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

Census 2000 Update: Celia Craze, Director of Planning and Community Development, provided an update on the City’s efforts to support and promote Census 2000. She reported that Greenbelt’s mail back response rate was 60%, with a target of 73%. She indicated that the national response was 60%, the State was 63% and the County was 61%. Mayor Davis encouraged everyone to complete their form and send it in. Ms. Craze explained how the Census information is confidential.

Mr. Putens shared information on red light and speed cameras.

Mayor Davis stated that on 3/31 she attended Women’s History Day at SHL Elementary. She also attended their international pot luck dinner on 4/ 6. She reported attending the GATE dedication on 4/9. Mayor Davis noted that earlier in the day she attended the 10th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope.

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 for second reading and adoption. Mr. Putens seconded.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The Resolution was declared adopted. (Resolution No. 910. Book No. 7)

REPORT ON COMMUNITY CENTER OPEN HOUSE AND FORUM: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Joe McNeal, Community Center Supervisor, announced that the Community Center flag pole had been renovated and thanked the American Legion for funding the project.

Mr. McNeal briefed Council on the open house plans and read a proposed list of activities. Eileen Peterson, announced that the Greenbelt Garden Club would be holding a plant sale.

AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED WITH HANOVER PARKWAY ROUNDABOUT: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Ms. Craze showed Council overhead slides which illustrated the existing roundabout and the proposed modifications.

Mr. Putens asked about completion time and plantings. Ms. Craze responded that it would take about 4 weeks for construction and indicated that a planting plan had not been finalized.

Mr. Turnbull expressed concern about the abruptness of the chokers. Ms. Craze responded that initially they may use bollards to create the choker and allow for future bicycle uses. Mr. Turnbull believed a raised curb was needed instead of bollards. He also expressed concern about the driveway to the Lakes at Greenbelt Village. Ms. Craze responded this could be investigated

Mr. Roberts expressed concern about the crosswalk and pedestrian visibility. Ms. Craze did not believe there would be a problem. She indicated a desire for a raised crosswalk. Mr. Roberts expressed concern about the size of the circle and believed it was too small. He suggested testing the design with the bollards. Ms. Craze responded that this solution would solve the problem. Mr. Roberts asked about brick pavers. Ms. Craze indicated that they were not part of the design, but that stamped concrete was likely.

Mayor Davis asked if the Schrom Hills Park sign could be on the south side. Ms. Craze responded that the grade on the north side allowed the sign to go higher.

Mr. Turnbull asked if the Police Department had played a role in educating motorists about the roundabout and encouraged this effort. Ms. Craze responded that improved signage was probably needed. Mr. Turnbull suggested an educational flyer to residents of the Lakes of Greenbelt Village.

Mr. Putens encouraged an education campaign for the residents. Ms. Craze referenced informal conversations, but indicated a more formal effort would be made.

Mr. Putens moved that Council authorize the construction of the Hanover Parkway roundabout, as described. Mr. White seconded. The motion passed 5 to 0.

RENEWAL OF SIGN PERMIT - BELLE POINT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Turnbull expressed concern about allowing the applicant an extension and indicated the applicant had an opportunity to perform landscaping.

Mayor Davis asked how long it would take to install the landscaping. Ms. Craze responded the applicant would be given two weeks.

Mr. White moved that City Council renew the permit for a temporary real estate advertising sign for the Belle Point commercial development for a period of six months with the condition that the applicant maintain the proposed landscaped area at the base of the sign and noting that if the applicant fails to maintain the landscaping, the sign permit will be revoked and the applicant will be ordered to remove the sign, including all landscaping. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed 3 to 2 (Roberts, Turnbull).

STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION (SHA) TASK FORCE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO GREENBELT ROAD (MD 193): Mr. Turnbull stated that this was a unique opportunity for the City and wanted Council to discuss strategy for making appointments. Mr. White suggested a sight impaired resident, living on Southway.

Mayor Davis suggested a representative from the Advisory Planning Board (APB) and Bicycle Coalition.

Mr. Roberts asked about the City’s request that the project be extended to Goddard. Ms. Craze responded that SHA had responded no.

Mr. Turnbull indicated he wanted an opportunity for Council to talk with potential representatives and suggested that Council add this issue to an upcoming work session.

Mayor Davis suggested a News Review advertisement to recruit volunteers.

AWARD OF CONTRACT - MISCELLANEOUS CONCRETE WORK: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.

Mr. Putens moved that the City piggy back on College Park Contract #CP-98-01 and allow V.M.P. Construction to perform concrete sidewalk and curb replacement for the City. Mr. Turnbull seconded.

Mr. Putens asked if the City ever extended homeowners the opportunity to have driveway work performed at the same time the contractor was in their neighborhood. Mr. McLaughlin agreed to have Public Works explore this concept for future contracts.

The motion passed 5 to 0..

MEETINGS: Council scheduled an Executive Session for 4/24 at 7:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Putens moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Turnbull seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of April 10, 2000, at 9:36 p.m

Respectfully Submitted,

David E. Moran Assistant to the City Manager

"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 April 10, 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