MINUTES OF GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION,
Held Wednesday, February 2, 2000
Greenbelt Community Center

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:10 PM

PRESENT were Mayor Judith F. Davis, Edward V. J. Putens, Rodney Roberts, Alan Turnbull and Thomas X. White.

ALSO PRESENT were Michael McLaughlin, City Manager; Celia Craze, Director of Planning and Community Development; Robert Manzi, City Solicitor; Diane Oberg, Greenbelt News Review; and Karl Hille Gazette.

Mayor Davis welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Council met to discuss strategies for the city to obtain more planning and zoning authority. Ms. Craze made a presentation to Council. It covered programs that the City currently exercises, future possible authorities and potential opportunities under the State’s Smart Codes.

Interest was expressed in raising the fines on the City’s handbill enforcement. Mention was also made to tying handbills to the City’s issuance of liquor licenses. The matter of residential burglar alarms received discussion. There was interest in doing something in this area. There was disagreement whether the resident should be licensed or whether the City should license installers. It was also suggested that residential false alarm reduction could be handled with a program of working with the most frequent offenders, but at no cost.

Interest was expressed in looking into the possibility of the City licensing child day care.

It was thought that perhaps the next component in planning authority that the City could most logically pursue was site plan review. The City of Takoma Park is pursuing this authority this session. Ms. Craze also advised that legislation has been drafted at the County called architecture conservation overlay zone. She noted that this is being done as part of College Park’s consideration of creating a historic district.

Council continued to express interest in obtaining zoning enforcement. College Park is currently discussing with Prince George’s County taking over this authority from the County. Council was also interested in receiving a report on the city pursuing full building code authority.

It was noted that two bills have been introduced in the General Assembly to implement the Governor’s Smart Codes program, Senate bills 207 and 208. Staff will be monitoring the progress of these bills. If successful, the City will likely adopt the Maryland Rehabilitation Code.

Council asked for reports on how to implement these matters and to be kept advised of the progress of the State legislation.

There was discussion about the status of PG/MC - 7. Council members were briefed on the need for seeking support from other municipalities by contacting their legislators.

A draft agenda for the upcoming work session with GHI was distributed and discussed. It was requested that GHI brief the City on its tree management plan.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael McLaughlin

City Manager

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