MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Held Wednesday, July 5, 2000
For the purpose of reviewing priorities on the Capital Projects Fund for Fiscal Year 2001

The meeting began at 8:05 p.m. It was held in the Senior Classroom of the Community Center.

PRESENT WERE: Council members Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, Thomas X. White, and Mayor Judith F. Davis. Edward V.J. Putens, who had injured a knee, arrived at about 8:20 and left at 10:25 p.m.

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Kathleen Gallagher, City Clerk; Jeff Williams, City Treasurer; Celia Craze, Director, Planning and Community Development; Kenneth Hall, Acting Director, Public Works.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Sheldon Goldberg, Greenbelt East Advisory Coalition; Robert Thomas and Michael Moore, Greenbrook Homeowners Association; Jay Remenick and Randy Krob, Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Dept.; Diane Oberg, the Greenbelt News Review; and Amy Boyes, the Gazette.

Mayor Davis began with introductions. Mr. McLaughlin reviewed the staff recommendations for possible revisions to the Capital Projects Fund as it had appeared in the proposed FY 2001 City budget; these suggested revisions were itemized in his memo to Council of June 29, 2000.

Municipal Building Roof: In response to questions, Mr. Hall said that the Municipal Building roof has never been replaced. Replacement had been suggested for this year based on a staff assessment and the presumed life-expectancy of the roof, but a professional roofer has now said it should last for another three years with some repair to the flashing areas. (+$55,000)

Carpet for Police Department: If only the worst areas, including the upstairs hallway, are done this year, $15,000 can be deferred until next year. Council suggested that staff look into longer-lasting alternatives for hallway areas receiving heavy traffic. (+$15,000)

Street Resurfacing: This will come in at $15,000 below the original estimate. (+$15,000)

Mother and Child Statue/Bas-Reliefs on Community Center: In response to the Mayor’s question, Ms. Craze said it would not be cost effective to separate these two jobs, since Sharon Koehler travels to Greenbelt to stay to do the work. Regarding other funding sources, Ms. Craze said an application would be submitted in November for the next SOS funding cycle. There was discussion of whether the City should pursue the $40,000 that has been discussed from the Maryland Historical Trust, given the nature of the 10-foot easement they would require. Mr. Roberts asked to be provided with a copy of the easement document. Council agreed to defer this expense until next year. A work session on the Mother and Child will be scheduled for September, since there are still unresolved issues regarding the scope of the repair and restoration. Since Ms. Koehler does not have to do the work on the concrete base itself, staff will pursue having the lip of the base repaired; if this job is to exceed $5,000, staff will bring it to Council for approval. (+$50,000)

Dog Park Expansion, Lights, Water: Council did not want to defer this work. ($0)

Buddy Attick Park Master Plan: Council agreed that the funds allocated to beginning the Phase I improvements set forth in the master plan could be reduced to $85,000 for this year without compromising the work.. (+$15,000)

Greenbrook Estates Trail/Bridge: It was agreed to keep the existing $10,000 in the budget. Mr. Thomas spoke on behalf of the homeowners’ association. They will need to call a membership referendum prior to any action being taken, and this will not happen before fall 2000 at the earliest. The board does not agree on whether Greenbrook should retain the paths or grant an easement to the City. Ms. Craze clarified that the long-term goal with these trails is to link Greenspring, Greenbrook, and Schrom Hills Park. Mr. Turnbull said he thought a City role in making links between existing pieces of trail would be appropriate, but he argued against Council’s slipping into taking over internal trails on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood sort of basis, rather than deciding to do it on a comprehensive, citywide basis. Mr. White responded that the City already has taken interior trails from Greenbelt Homes, Inc. Mayor Davis added that if the City is committed to an interior walkway system citywide, then the City may have to pay for it. She requested that, when the work session can eventually be scheduled on the Greenbrook trails, staff provide Council with a map showing which internal walkways are currently City-maintained. After extensive discussion, it was clarified that the funds were intended for bridge and trail construction/repair, not for purchase of easement. ($0)

Unbudgeted New Expenses

Firehouse Apparatus Room Floor: Council agreed to fund $20,000 of the amount requested. (-$20,000)

Springhill Lake Matching Funds: The necessary funds were added to match a state grant. (-$25,000)

Hanover Parkway: It was agreed that the City should continue to talk to County Councilwoman Scott about the county’s liability regarding the original paving, but in the meantime Council agreed to go ahead with the total of $120,000 in extra expenses ($70,000 already spent; $50,000 pending). (-$120,000).

Traffic Calming: Mr. Turnbull had suggested increasing this funding, and Mr. Roberts said he would support that. Mayor Davis and Mr. White concluded that schedules were such that it would be difficult to spend more than the currently budgeted amount for this year. Mr. Putens having left, opinion was split. ($0)

Mr. Roberts asked Mr. Williams and Mr. McLaughlin to give some thought prior to next year’s proposed budget to separating expenses like the re-paving of roads from activities that are either one-time expenses or more on the order of "special projects."

Other Items:

Mr. McLaughlin reported on the closing of roads and explosion of a firework on July 4. He also noted the editorial in the Greenbelt News Review regarding Council’s holding executive sessions to discuss land acquisition and shared a draft of a possible response. The Mayor shared softball schedules she had received from Kelly Ivey. She also explained that it might be necessary for Mr. Turnbull to take over some activities or meetings for her next week when her father was visiting.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 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