MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Held April 26, 2000
For the purpose of reviewing the Recreation Department FY 2001 proposed budget.

The meeting began at 8:00 p.m. It was held in the Multipurpose Room in the Community Center.

PRESENT WERE: Council members Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, Edward V.J. Putens, Thomas X. White and Mayor Judith F. Davis.

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager, David E. Moran, Assistant to the City Manager, Kathleen Gallagher, City Clerk, Jeff Williams, City Treasurer, Cathy Serra, Accountant, Anne Marie Belton, Executive Secretary, Hank Irving, Recreation Director, Harry James, Assistant Director, Julie McHale, George Rogala, Joe McNeal, Karen Haseley, and Nicole DeWald.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Ed Birner with Assisted Living Task Force; Jessica Gitlis and Barbara Simon, GAVA; Karl Hille, The Gazette; and Al Geiger, the Greenbelt News Review.

Pastor Birner, with the Assisted Living Task Force, asked Council to consider funding a Community Resource Advocate position. This position would aid the elderly to find assistance for some day-to-day tasks, as well as follow up on calls for assistance to the County. Mr. White mentioned that Laurel has a similar position and asked that other jurisdictions be checked.

Mr. Irving reviewed the success of many programs, such as the Park Rangers and the Arts Coordinator. Mr. Irving noted that existing programs cannot be expanded due to the lack of facility space. The department is also developing a uniform policy for conduct that facility users must adhere to. There was a question about the Millennium Committees task force. It was noted that the Millennium group is planning to pick five (5) existing programs to promote this year. Mayor Davis asked that the task force come to a Council meeting and give a report as to where they are.

Julie McHale reviewed the accomplishments at the recreation centers. The Department received a $1,400 grant for their after school program (GOAL). Due to some behavior problems, a photo ID program is being instituted at the Youth Center and Springhill Lake Recreation Center. It was expressed that there is an unmet need for security cameras at both facilities and to have at least two (2) employees working at all times in the facility; $14,000 is listed as an unmet need for this. The department is considering raising the price of an annual pass due to the higher cost of producing photo ID cards. The department will also assess the lighting in the gym.

Salaries in the Springhill Lake budget have decreased due to the resignation of a long time employee. The staff at Springhill Lake will continue to develop a good relationship with Springhill Lake apartment complex. The apartment complex cosponsored the Celebration of Spring last year, but is not participating this year.

Salaries for building maintenance in the Schrom Hills Park budget have increased due to heavier use of the facility. The Department will develop a soccer camp to be held at Schrom Hills this year.

George Rogala, Aquatic and Fitness Center Supervisor, reported that revenues for the Center, have declined again this year. Some contributing factors could be the recent opening of Golds Gym, the recreation facility at the University of Maryland and the Glenn Dale Splash Park. Staff reported pass sales may be down as well due to residents realizing that they did not use the pass enough in the previous year to warrant purchasing another pass.

Mr. Rogala noted several accomplishments for the Aquatic and Fitness Center. They included the implementation of a Guard Start program, staff members receiving a Governor’s Citation for conserving water during the drought in 1999, implementing a pay incentive for lifeguards and the installation of a defibrillator.

The facility is having difficulty in staffing life guards and pool managers. Currently, thirteen (13) people have committed for the summer; twenty eight (28) are needed. Hourly rates for these positions may need to be raised. Mayor Davis requested an amount to raise hourly rates to and also the impact of a higher wage on the budget.

During the summer, non-resident passes on the weekends and holidays have increased to 51% of daily passes sold. There have been complaints from residents regarding non-resident use of the pool. After much discussion, preliminary support was expressed to allow residents, pass holders and their guests only on weekends and holidays as well as an increase in the daily admission price.

As a cost saving measure, staff is proposing to close the facility at 9:00 p.m. instead of 10:30 p.m. beginning Labor Day. Mr. White proposed closing at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays and closing at 9:30 p.m. during the week.

The equipment in the fitness wing of the center is in need of replacement due to heavy usage. The GAFC has devised a plan to replace all of the treadmills in FY 2001 and replace the remaining equipment over the next two years.

Both the indoor and outdoor pool are in need of recaulking of the deck and perimeters, both interior and exterior surfaces. The indoor pool is also in need of a new white coating. Both of these items are in the Capital Projects budget.

Barbara Simon of GAVA reported that their earned income this year covers part of their administrative costs. They are requesting $12,600 to pay for a part time bookkeeper. This is considerably less than last year’s request of $21,000. Arts Coordinator, Nicole DeWald, went on to say that the relationship between the City and GAVA is good. There are a few issues to be worked out before the signing of the new contract; there will be a work session to discuss these issues. Ms. DeWald continued with an overview of the arts programs and a desire to have a separate arts budget in order to make grant applications simpler.

Joe McNeal, Community Center Supervisor, reviewed some of the accomplishments at the Community Center for FY 2000. Then he reviewed a request from the Greenbelt Nursery School and Kindergarten (GNSK) regarding their rent. GNSK requested a reduction in rent based on the fact that they have not grown as anticipated. Mr. McNeal informed Council that the rent for GNSK will not be raised and that a sublet agreement has been approved to increase their revenues by approximately $2,900.

Facility usage at the Community Center continue to be high. Over 3,000 hours this year were provided to groups free of charge. It is proposed to increase the rental fee for the gym to $50 per hour for residents and $75 per hour for non-residents.

Community Center staff is working with Public Works staff on a five (5) year maintenance plan for the Community Center. Mr. McNeal also noted some unmet needs of the Community Center. They include the renovation of the darkroom, a new refrigerator in the commercial kitchen and a stove hood and renovations in the kitchen located in the Multipurpose Room.

Therapeutic Recreation programs were reviewed by Karen Haseley. She noted the trip to New England, cosponsored with Prince George’s Community College, went very well. Ms. Haseley reported that the special events for the senior citizens was well attended this year.

The meeting ended at 1:20 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Anne Marie Belton

Executive Secretary

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