MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Held Wednesday, April 12, 2000
For the purpose of meeting with Contribution Groups to discuss the proposed FY 2001 budget

The meeting began at 8:00 p.m. It was held in the Senior Classroom of the Community Center. Mr. Putens arrived later.

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

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Nicole DeWald, Arts Coordinator; and Kathleen Gallagher, City Clerk.

ALSO PRESENT: Barbara Young of the Greenbelt News Review.

The following groups appeared before Council to discuss their activities and respond to any questions about their requests. Council also thanked each of them for appearing and for their work in the community.

GIVES was represented by John Taylor. Mr. Taylor noted that a group in Berwyn Heights may start a group similar to GIVES, with advice to be provided by the Greenbelt group. In addition to use of facilities, GIVES also wishes to continue having the use of a photocopier. The group is pursuing 501(c)(3) status and is seeking expert advice on preparation of the application; the Golden Age Club will support application costs up to $200.

Greenbelt Golden Age Club was represented by John Taylor and Bill Souser. The group intends to continue its activities next year as they have in the past.

Greenbelt Senior Softball Team was represented by Burt Kerr. The team doubled its wins this year and hopes to continue the trend. Although the infield at Schrom is well-maintained by the City, the condition of the outfield is still a major problem that is being worked on for the long term.

Greenbelt Writers Group was represented by Marsha Barrett. The group is very active and has maintained open monthly meetings since it began, but there is some difficulty with retaining a large permanent membership and with getting people to take on leadership roles. Mayor Davis asked about an item for a phone line for a modem in the Media Room. The group hopes eventually to offer PC workshops in word-processing; it has some PCs but is seeking advice on what is needed to make them usable.

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival was represented by Barbara Ransom and Pam Callen. Ms. Ransom introduced Ms. Callen as the group’s new treasurer. Mayor Davis pointed out that while this group receives no separate funding, the costs for this event are budgeted in departmental budgets. The budget book includes a table that shows the City contributions to this event, as well as to the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. Ms. Ransom said the biggest change this year will be determining if someone else can take over the running of the Photo Show as an event, subsequent to Prospero Zevallos’s death. Despite the serious rains that affected Labor Day 1999, the participating groups and vendors did reasonably well. Council wished the Festival spectacular weather this year.

Greenbelt Boys & Girls Club was represented by Darlene Lawrence and several other representatives from their board. Mr. Putens inquired about several ongoing internal problems that had previously been reported. The group believes there are fewer complaints and that the situation has improved; however, there is still a shortage of adult volunteers as the number of youth participants increases. Mr. Turnbull asked if the board has had the opportunity for professional board training. Ms. Lawrence said that PRAB had also made this suggestion and that they have funds budgeted to do it this year. Mayor Davis said that PRAB had also recommended that Council meet with representatives of the Club. She said that Council might call on them within the next two or three months to arrange a meeting.

Greenbelt Aquatic Boosters was represented by Leslie Davis-Hilliard, who said the increase in the group’s request is partly accountable to an increase in awards, particularly for developmental swimmers--the youngsters who are not yet on teams. In addition, they need to invest in a new pace clock. An upcoming problem is that they may not have enough in their budget to pay for an experienced swimming coach for the summer, since they had been paying less to a good but relatively inexperienced individual. Mr. Turnbull raised the issue of why the coaches of some youth sports are paid and others are not. Mr. Putens noted that swimming coaches used to be paid by the county, thus requiring local communities to compete with that practice; however, he further observed that coaches of individual sports seemed to be paid while those of team sports were not. Ms. Hilliard said that pool time is still a problem. The group tends to get only early-morning times, which work for practices but not for team competition.

Greenbelt Double Dutch Team was not represented at the meeting.

Greenbelt Concert Band was represented by Tom Cherrix and David Clark. They discussed several needs (1-foot risers, help with publicity, and storage issues) for which they were referred to the Arts Coordinator, who is already working on, or can otherwise help with, these problems.

Greenbelt Baseball Cal Ripken League was represented by John White and Charlie Lorenzetti. The evolution of the teams’ names and affiliations was explained. Their opening will be Saturday, April 15: meeting in the parking lot at 11:30 - 11:45; parade at noon; game at 2 p.m.

Greenbelt Arts Center and the Greenbelt Youth Initiative were represented by Michael Cooney. He indicated that the increase in their request was for productions and advertising, since they believe that changes in advertising (e.g., in the Post) have brought in new people as both players and audience. Council praised the improvements that have been made to the theater space. There are ongoing problems with plumbing, but GAC is reluctant to make further capital improvements while SCAN holds them on a month-to-month lease. Mayor Davis suggested that they talk with the Coop about the terms of their lease, and Mr. Putens emphasized the need for a permanent home. Council encouraged the use of outdoor space, as well as brief entertainments at such community facilities as Adult Day Care.

Greenbelt Babe Ruth League was represented by Bob Sonneveldt and Kelly Ivy. A perennial problem is the need for more fields, which is exacerbated by their successful recruitment of more teams. In response to their request to be part of the final review of plans for lighting at Braden, Mr. McLaughlin told them to get in touch with Hank directly to coordinate this. Mr. Ivy also reported that they are starting a girls’ softball team with Prince George’s County.

Informational Items

Mayor Davis reported that Mayor Jacobs of College Park had quintuple bypass surgery following a heart attack.

At a COG meeting, Mayor Davis learned from David Rogers of the DOE that an ethanol fuel station will be opened in College Park. Mr. Putens also had heard word of this. Mr. McLaughlin confirmed that with the Taurus the City will have three alternative fuel vehicles.

Mr. McLaughlin distributed a revised p. 144 for the FY 2001 budget book. This now reflects $4,700 more in expenses, which the budget has not been adjusted for.

The meeting ended at 10:40 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kathleen Gallagher

City Clerk

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