MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Held May 1, 2000
For the purpose of reviewing the Proposed FY 2001 budgets for Social Services, Other Funds and Miscellaneous Funds

The meeting began at 8:08 p.m. It was held in the Council Room of the Municipal Building.

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

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Jeff Williams, City Treasurer; Cathy Serra, Accountant; Anne Marie Belton, Executive Secretary; and Carol Leventhal, Director of Social Services.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Mary Linstrom and Sandra Lange with the Greenbelt Museum; Karl Hille and Jill Hille with The Gazette; Jill Parsons, part-time curator for the Greenbelt Museum; and a representative of the Greenbelt News Review.

Sandra Lange explained to Council that the museum has continued to grow this year. To assist with the growth of the Greenbelt Museum, they are seeking an increased financial commitment from the City for a full-time curator. The museum has applied for a grant to assist with the curator’s salary; however, in FY 2003 the City would be responsible for 100% of the curator’s salary. Mr. Roberts commented that he needs to be convinced that the citizens of Greenbelt will benefit from this position when we are in a tight budget year. Ms. Lange responded by saying that eventually the community would experience additional revenue from programs implemented by a full-time curator as well as revenue to local businesses from other visitors of the museum. Mr. White asked if M-NCPPC has been contacted regarding additional financial support to the Museum. Ms. Lange does not believe that they would be interested.

The museum has an exhibit that will open on May 5 that focuses on growing up in Greenbelt. A video will be added to this exhibit that interviews adults who have lived and still live in Greenbelt.

Carol Leventhal presented the accomplishments of CARES in FY 2000. The department received a $40,000 grant that was funded with TANF money (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families). These monies are being used for parent skill training groups at Springhill Lake Elementary School and anger management groups at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. These funds are not guaranteed to be available next fiscal year and must be spent by the end of this fiscal year.

More requests are being made of CARES to assist in Greenbelt schools. CARES attempts to accommodate as many of the requests as possible. Mayor Davis suggested putting an annual report together for the Board of Education, so that they can see the amount of service that CARES is providing to the students in Greenbelt schools. Mrs. Leventhal commented that we would need to be careful in what was said to ensure the confidentiality of participants is kept.

The Maryland Association of Youth Services Bureaus (MAYSB) is still pursuing additional state money that would increase funding for programs in CARES. The State has determined that there are additional monies for programs, but has not designated it to go to MAYSB. It was suggested that Council send a letter to the Governor requesting that the money be designated for MAYSB.

It was noted that CARES will work with the staff of Channel B-10 to advertise their services to Greenbelt residents. Also noted were line item 27 (Overtime) and line item 30 (Professional Services). Overtime has increased due to the Crisis Intervention Counselors responding to calls for service. Professional Services has been increased to allow for a fee increase to the consulting psychologist for CARES.

Mr. McLaughlin continued with a brief review of the Grants and Contributions budget. It is proposed to not fund the grant to Washington Ear this year. Washington Ear has requested to come and speak to Council on Wednesday, May 3.

Mr. McLaughlin gave a general overview of the Non-Departmental and Fund Transfer budgets. He explained that these accounts are for activity that runs through the entire budget or have no real home department. Mr. McLaughlin noted that $50,000 is budgeted for unforeseen expenses.

Mr. McLaughlin continued with the review of the individual budgets in the Other Funds section of the budget. It is proposed to transfer $1,100 from the Cemetery Fund to the General Fund to offset maintenance costs. Since there are no more plots available in the cemetery, the future of the cemetery will be studied and reported to Council in FY 2001.

The Debt Service fund balance will have a $30,000 draw down to pay existing debt as part of the approved draw down plan.

The Replacement Fund balance is lower than in previous years due to the purchase of a new pumper truck by the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad in FY 1999. Payments for the Police and Finance computer system loans will be over in 2 and 3 years respectively; this will relieve some of the pressure on the fund balance. It was noted that the Animal Control vehicle is being carried over from FY 2000. The list of items to be replaced will be reprioritized in FY 2001.

The Temporary Disability Fund requires that the fund balance be 2% of total wages. The proposed fund balance does not meet this requirement. Time permitting, staff will review lowering this requirement to 1% of total wages.

The Unemployment Compensation Fund is currently earning more interest than payments are made against it.

The Emergency Assistance Agency Fund is not as plentiful as expected. In order to assist others in a time of need, letters should be sent to those who have benefitted from this fund in the past reminding them that the money they received was a loan and not a donation.

Other Business: Mr. McLaughlin informed Council that Pat Fitzenreiter will be retiring as of June 30, 2000. The sculpture garden at the Community Center will not be ready for dedication on May 6. It was decided to be dedicated on Greenbelt Day in June. A final Letter of Introduction to visitors at the Community Center was signed by Council. Mayor Davis received an invitation to attend commencement exercises at Prince George’s Community College on May 25 and asked if anyone would like to attend. No one responded.

The meeting ended at 10:12 p.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