REGULAR MEETING OF GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held Monday, January 28, 2002.

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:03 p.m.

ROLL CALL was answered by Councilmembers Edward V. J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, Thomas X. White, and Judith F. Davis, Mayor. Councilmember Alan Turnbull arrived at 8:15 p.m.

ALSO PRESENT were Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; David E. Moran, Assistant to the City Manager; and Kathleen Gallagher, City Clerk. Robert A. Manzi, City Solicitor, arrived at 9:50 p.m.

Mayor Davis observed a moment of silence for resident William J. McCarthy and former resident Sandra Bowers Harkleroad. She then led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Putens requested that item #21 (Appointments and Reappointments to Advisory Groups) be removed from the consent agenda. Mr. White asked that the minutes from the meeting of January 14, 2002, be removed. A motion to approve the amended consent agenda was made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Roberts. The motion passed 4-0.

Council thereby took the following actions:

MINUTES

- Work Session, January 7, 2002
- Interviews, January 14, 2002
- Work Session, January 16, 2002

Approved as presented.

PARKING AND YARD WASTE COMPOSTING PLAN AT NORTHWAY FIELDS: Council authorized staff to proceed on the proposals presented at the December 17, 2001, meeting to better define the parking areas and establish a yard waste composting facility adjacent to Northway Fields.

RESIGNATION FROM ADVISORY GROUP: Council accepted Bridget Osborne’s resignation from the Park & Recreation Advisory Board with regret and directed staff to prepare the appropriate letter of appreciation for the Mayor’s signature.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND ADDITIONS: Mr. Putens moved approval of the agenda. Mr. White seconded the motion, which passed 4-0.

PRESENTATIONS:

Greenbelt Writers Group - Presentation to City of New Anthology: On behalf of the Greenbelt Writers Group, Jennifer Lindsey-Stevens, 12-H Hillside, presented a copy of their third anthology, Now and Then, to Council for the City. She also thanked Council for the financial report the group has received and the staff of the Community Center, who renovated space for them and helped with equipment. They can be reached on the Internet at GWGMail@yahoo.com.

Introduction of New Director of Information Technology: Jeff Williams, City Treasurer, introduced the new Director of Information Technology, Stephen Robinson. Council welcomed him and asked him to look into some issues involving City e-mail account.

Government Finance Officers Association Awards: The Government Finance Officers Association has conferred two prestigious awards on the City, which Mr. Williams received on behalf of the Finance Office. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award was received for the City’s Fiscal Year 2002 budget. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Award was received for the annual report for the year ending June 30, 2000. This is the 14th consecutive year the City has received the budget award and the 16th consecutive year the City has received the annual financial report award.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: Robert Schafer, 1 Lakeview Circle, introduced Norma Belt of Hyattsville, Timothy Edberg of Bowie, and Andy Zmidzinski, 9-R Research Road, who said they were still awaiting action that had been promised by City staff quite some time ago on creating a dark room space at the Community Center. After some discussion, it was agreed that the City Manager would see that a contact person was named in the Community Center to talk with those who are interested in the dark room so that a plan can be formulated. Staff will report to Council on what progress is made.

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS: Mr. White asked that the January 14, 2002, minutes be corrected to say that it is summer and fall for which data are expected for the visual arts programs in conjunction with Council’s review of whether a Request for Proposals should be issued at this time. It was moved by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Putens that the corrected minutes be approved. The motion passed 5-0.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Mr. White described all the activity at Roosevelt Center last Saturday night, including performances at the Arts Center and the New Deal Café and a nearly full house at the Old Greenbelt Theatre. Mr. Turnbull said that Friday night had been busy as well. Mayor Davis reported on attending a mural dedication at Eleanor Roosevelt High School last Thursday and thanked the Public Works staff and the members of the Recycling & Environment Advisory Committee for their efforts in collecting over 100 pounds of greeting cards for recycling.

LEGISLATION

A Resolution of the City of Greenbelt, Adopted Pursuant to the Authority of Article XI-E of the Constitution of Maryland and Section 13 of Article 23A of the Annotated Code of Maryland, (2001Replacement Volume as Amended), Title "Corporations-Municipal," Subtitle "Charter Amendments," to Amend the Charter of the City of Greenbelt Found, in Whole or in Part, in the Compilation of Municipal Charters of Maryland (1983 Edition as Amended), as Prepared by the Department of Legislative Reference Pursuant to Chapter 77 of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland of 1983, by Repealing and Re-enacting with Amendments Section 55 (a), Titled "Bonds–Issuance, Authorization": Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. White introduced the resolution for second reading and adoption. Mr. Putens seconded.

ROLL CALL

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mr. White - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The resolution was declared adopted (Resolution No. 941, Book 8).

A Resolution of the City of Greenbelt, Adopted Pursuant to the Authority of Article XI-E of the Constitution of Maryland and Section 13 of Article 23A of the Annotated Code of Maryland, (2001Replacement Volume as Amended), Title "Corporations-Municipal," Subtitle "Charter Amendments," to Amend the Charter of the City of Greenbelt Found, in Whole or in Part, in the Compilation of Municipal Charters of Maryland (1983 Edition as Amended), as Prepared by the Department of Legislative Reference Pursuant to Chapter 77 of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland of 1983, by Repealing and Re-enacting with Amendment "Elections" Section 14(b), Titled "Referendum": Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Turnbull introduced the resolution for second reading and adoption. Mr. Putens seconded.

ROLL CALL

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mr. White - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The resolution was declared adopted (Resolution No. 942, Book 8).

A Resolution of the City of Greenbelt, Maryland, to Authorize Application for a Maryland Historical Trust Capital Grant for Restoration of the Community Center Bas Reliefs and to Authorize the City Manager to Execute all Necessary Documents: The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. Roberts introduced the resolution for second reading and adoption. Mr. Putens seconded.

ROLL CALL

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mr. White - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The resolution was declared adopted (Resolution No. 943, Book 8).

An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 2, "Administration," Article IV, "Ethics," of the Greenbelt City Code for the Purpose of Modifying the Requirement for Filing Reports under Oath: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens introduced the ordinance for first reading. In response to a question from Mr. Turnbull, Ms. Gallagher clarified that the section of the Code requiring oath before a notary public would remain in force for individuals filing as lobbyists.

A Resolution to Negotiate the Purchase and Installation of an Animal Control Transport Conversion Package from Harford Systems, Inc., of Aberdeen, Maryland: The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens introduced the resolution for first reading.

A Resolution to Negotiate the Purchase and Installation of Equipment for the Buddy Attick Park Playground with Taylor Sports & Recreation of Huntingtown, Maryland: The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. Roberts introduced the resolution for first reading. Mr. White said he was glad the City had been able to take advantage of this grant opportunity by applying so promptly. He asked to have a more definitive breakdown of the total costs of the project, including costs for site work to be done in house, when the resolution is introduced for second reading.

MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST - APPLICATION FOR CAPITAL GRANT: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens moved Council authorization of the submission of the proposal to the Maryland Historical Trust by the City Manager. Mr. Roberts seconded. Mr. White sought clarification on the status of this project with regard to the capital projects budget. Mr. Turnbull said that although he was fully supportive of this effort to conserve the Community Center bas-relief sculptures, he did not want to invest additional funds without substantially improving the display lighting on the front of the building, in line with that originally intended by the architects. Council asked Mr. McLaughlin to look into this further. Kristen Ward, intern, Planning and Community Development, responded to questions regarding the level of work to be done. Barbara Simon, 23-K Ridge Road, read a support letter sent to the Trust by Lenore Thomas’s son, Eric. Mr. Turnbull asked that Council also be given an update on the maintenance and preservation plan for the Mother and Child Statue; Mayor Davis and Mr. Putens also noted that there needs to be a decision made on what to do with the statue’s base. The motion passed 5-0.

ZIPCAR AGREEMENT: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Bill Edwards, Regional Director, appeared to answer questions. Mr. White asked how scheduling would be handled. Mr. McLaughlin said it would be done by the individual member with a call to Zipcar’s 800-number or on their Web site: that is, there would be no administration by City staff. It was clarified that non-residents can use the vehicles; they should be up and running within about a month; the City is responsible for providing parking for the cars; the car to be placed at the Municipal Building will displace an existing City pool car; for residents of Green Ridge House, all participant costs, except possibly the initial application fee, would be paid out of the Green Ridge House budget. Mr. Roberts commented that the program would essentially be free for Green Ridge House residents and that he hoped this would encourage residents who use their cars only occasionally to get rid of them.

Mr. Putens moved that Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Zipcar to provide car sharing services and two vehicles as described in its proposal for a period of one year. Mr. Turnbull seconded. In response to a question from Mayor Davis, Mr. Edwards explained that eligible participants are not required to have their own insurance. The motion passed 5-0.

PENDING STATE LEGISLATION: At Mayor Davis’s request, Mr. Moran described the five General Assembly bills presented for Council consideration. It was moved by Mr. Putens and seconded by Mr. Roberts that Council support be communicated to the City’s delegation for the CB-40 Referendum Bill, Senate Bill 2 on Electric and Gas Aggregation by Counties and Municipalities, HB 130 on Funding Share for Sidewalks and Bicycle Paths, and HB 233 on Cooperation with Municipalities/Capital Projects. It was further moved that it be conveyed to the delegation that if HB 35 on a Task Force to Study Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Systems, which Council is not supporting at this time, is passed, it should include municipal representation.

APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS: It was moved by Mr. Putens and seconded by Mr. Roberts that the following appointments and reappointments be made to advisory groups. The motion passed 5-0.

The following advisory group members were reappointed to new terms on their current boards or committees:

Dan Hamlin - Community Relations Advisory Board
Booker T. Hughes - Community Relations Advisory Board
Dea Zugby - Community Relations Advisory Board
Teddy Primack - Arts Advisory Board
Jeffrey Morissette (previously a member of the Arts Advisory Board) and Eva Griffin were also appointed to the Advisory Committee on Education.

MEETINGS: Council reviewed the upcoming schedule of meetings.

ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Putens and seconded by Mr. Turnbull. The motion carried 5-0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of January 28, 2002, at 10:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Gallagher
City Clerk

"I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct report of the regular meeting of the City Council of Greenbelt, Maryland, held January 28, 2002."

Judith F. Davis
Mayor

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