MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Held May 17, 2000
For the final budget review

The meeting began at 8:11 p.m. It was held in the Multipurpose Room of 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; Jeff Williams, City Treasurer; Anne Marie Belton, Executive Secretary; Jim Craze, Chief of Police; Celia Craze, Planning & Community Development Director; Harry Irving, Recreation Director; Harry James, Assistant Recreation Director; Carol Leventhal, CARES Director; Kenny Hall, Acting Public Works Director.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Sheldon Goldberg, Amy Boyes with the Gazette and Jim Giese with the Greenbelt News Review.

The work session began with an overview of changes in revenue and expenditures. Mr. Turnbull presented his suggested changes for the FY 2001 budget. The suggestions were discussed during the review of each budget.

The salary increase request for camera operators will be included with the discussion of the salary and benefit compensation review. Mr. Putens requested the ACE Scholarship amount be raised to $3,000 per year. The amount will not change due to the funding available in the Agency Fund. Mayor Davis requested the membership fees for the Goddard Alliance be placed back in the FY 2001 budget.

Mayor Davis inquired about a possible increase in commercial license fees. Celia Craze informed Council that if the fee schedule were changed to $100 increments, the revenue would increase by approximately $7,000 during the fiscal year.

Mr. Turnbull’s suggestion of finding other alternatives to rental vehicles for the under cover narcotics unit resulted in the relinquishing of one rental vehicle for this fiscal year at a savings of $7,000. Funding was identified for the School Resource Officer program to acquire bike equipment ($4,600). This was listed as an unmet need for the Police department.

A sign-making machine ($5,000), tire balancer ($4,000) and tractor salter ($1,200), listed on the Public Works unmet needs, are to be added to the proposed FY 2001 budget. Mr. Roberts commented that a tire balancer should be on the replacement fund schedule instead of an unmet needs list. Mr. McLaughlin reminded Council that a review of the replacement fund schedule would be done in the upcoming fiscal year to address such issues.

It was noted that with the closing of the Sandy Hill landfill, the City will use the Brown Station landfill with no impact on the FY 2001 budget.

It was decided to fund a second Center Assistant at both the Youth Center and Springhill Lake Recreation Center. The purchase of security cameras for both facilities was deferred until an evaluation of the photo id, additional staffing and increased police presence can be evaluated.

The hours of operation at the Greenbelt Aquatic and Fitness Center will remain the same as the current fiscal year. This will increase personnel expenses $17,000.

Funds for a new commercial refrigerator ($5,000) and improvements to the darkroom ($4,000) were approved for the Community Center.

The Greenbelt Boys and Girls Club, Aquatic Booster Club and Greenbelt Double Dutch League will receive additional funding totaling $4,700.

The grant to Washington Ear for $1,000 was restored. The fees and operating hours for the Greenbelt Connection will remain at the FY 2000 level.

In a discussion regarding increased funding for the Greenbelt Museum, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Turnbull expressed a concern regarding future funding. There is only a small impact this year, however, the City will fully fund the position in the near future. It was noted that the funding is inappropriate due to the fact that there appears to be a problem with fairly compensating current City employees.

The amount for reserve appropriation has historically ended the fiscal year between $20,000 and $30,000. It was decided to reduce the amount from $50,000 to $20,000, a savings of $30,000.

There was a brief discussion of all Other Funds. It was noted that the amount designated for a new animal control vehicle will not be expended until the program is back up and running.

Mr. McLaughlin congratulated the Council on the effort and consideration they placed on this year’s budget.

Other business: Mr. McLaughlin noted that there will be a bill signing by Senator Green for the Springhill Lake building grant at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 18. There was also a reminder of the Saturday work session on the Metro Area Sector Plan. Mr. Putens noted that he would not be able to attend. Mayor Davis requested an executive session at 7:30 on Monday, May 22.

The meeting ended at 12:40 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