REGULAR MEETING OF GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held Tuesday, May 28, 2002.

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:02 p.m.

ROLL CALL was answered by Council members Rodney M. Roberts, Thomas X. White, and Mayor Judith F. Davis. Councilmember Edward V. J. Putens arrived shortly thereafter. Councilmember Alan Turnbull was out of town.

ALSO PRESENT were Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; David E. Moran, Assistant to the City Manager; Robert A. Manzi, City Solicitor; and Kathleen Gallagher, City Clerk.

Mayor Davis asked for a moment of silence in memory of former Greenbelt resident, Reverend Nancy Spong Ward. She also asked that everyone remember all those who have given their lives in military service for our nation. She then led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Mr. Roberts and seconded by Mr. White to approve the consent agenda. The motion passed 3-0.

Council thereby took the following actions:

MINUTES

- Work Session, April 15, 2002

- Work Session, April 17, 2002

- Work Session, April 24, 2002

- Work Session, May 6, 2002

- Regular Meeting, May 13, 2002

Approved as presented.

LETTER TO COUNTY OPPOSING CB-35-2002: Council approved preparing and sending a letter to Councilwoman Scott opposing CB-35-2002.

CONTRACTING WITH WGES FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION: Council authorized the City Manager to sign a one-year agreement with WGES for electricity generation and transmission.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Roberts asked to add "Bee Research at BARC - Possible Cutback" to the agenda as item #24. Mr. White moved approval of the agenda as amended. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.

PRESENTATION: Memorial Day Poppy Presentation - Unit 136, American Legion Auxiliary: In honor of Memorial Day, Rosita Dietrich, Rose Unruh, and others from the American Legion Auxiliary of Greenbelt Unit #136 accompanied Katie Dillon (Little Miss Poppy) to make a presentation of poppies to Council and explain the symbolism of flowers used to honor veterans. Council thanked them for coming.

2ND PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED FY 2003 BUDGET AND HEARING ON THE CONSTANT YIELD TAX RATE: The Mayor read the agenda comments and declared the Public Hearing to be open. She then read a memo from the City Treasurer enumerating the amendments Council had made to the City Manager’s proposed budget. It was noted that a $5,000 increase to the Advisory Committee on Education was to include programs and activities, in addition to scholarships. Mr. Putens clarified that the changes that were made were not necessarily supported unanimously by members of Council. Anne Zevallos, 222 Lastner Lane, spoke briefly to say she had no objections to the budget.

Mayor Davis announced that this was also the hearing on the Constant Yield Tax Rate and that the City’s property tax rate will be set when the budget is adopted on June 3, 2002, at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building. There being no one else who wished to speak, Mayor Davis announced that the Public Hearing was closed.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: There were none.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Mayor Davis said she had attended Career Day at Springhill Lake Elementary School and was looking forward to the Eleanor Roosevelt High School graduation at the US Air Arena later in the week.

LEGISLATION

An Ordinance to Establish a New Fund to Be Known as the 2001 Bond Fund, to Provide for the Receipt by the Fund of the Proceeds of the Sale of Bonds Authorized by Ordinance Number 1205 And Such Other Revenues or Fund Transfers as May Be Authorized From Time to Time

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. White introduced the ordinance for second reading and adoption. Mr. Putens seconded. Mayor Davis thanked Mr. McLaughlin and Jeffrey Williams, City Treasurer, for their work on this.

ROLL CALL Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. White - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The ordinance was declared adopted (Ordinance No. 1215, Book 11).

Legislation to Amend the City Code Enforcement Program: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Celia Craze, Director, Department of Planning and Community Development, briefed Council on the proposed legislation.

A. An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 4, "Buildings and Building Regulations," of the Greenbelt City Code for the Purpose of Allowing the City to Update Sections of the Code, Replace Article III, and Establish Requirements for Property Inspections of Day Care Centers

Ms. Craze described the advantages of incorporating the International Property Maintenance Code into the City Code, rather than having to reference it. She explained the proposed change to eliminate licensing as a separate process from inspection, saying this would greatly reduce the administrative burden for Code Enforcement. The other substantive change is the institution of required inspection for daycare facilities. Following brief discussion, Mr. Putens introduced the ordinance for first reading.

B. An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 12, "Parks and Recreation," of the Greenbelt City Code for the Purpose of Allowing the City to Give Postings at Park and Recreation Facilities the Force of Law

Ms. Craze explained the advantages of having regulations be enforceable as civil infractions on the basis of posted signs. She compared this to a traffic control sign that has the force of law wherever it appears, not only in specifically defined locations. Mayor Davis questioned how this authority would actually be used, asking, "Would we ticket a kid on a scooter in Roosevelt Center?" Ms. Craze responded that it would allow for warnings to be issued first and that it could also be based upon a third party’s affidavit. Mr. White asked the status of the draft rules for Roosevelt Center. Mr. McLaughlin said he had referred the draft to the Youth Advisory Committee. Mr. Putens introduced the ordinance for first reading.

C. An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 14, "Planning and Development," of the Greenbelt City Code for the Purpose of Allowing the City to Update Certain Sections of the Code, Clarify the City’s Authority to Enforce Sediment and Erosion Control Plans and Requirements, and Revise Fees for Erosion and Sediment Control Permits

Ms. Craze said the revisions are to address the vagueness of the Code on what is covered and on its definition of the City’s authority. In response to a question from Mr. Putens, she responded that the City would have tighter control over construction projects until they are completed satisfactorily. Mr. White introduced the ordinance for first reading.

A Resolution to Repeal Resolution Number 931 and to Establish Service Charges for Garbage, Trash, and Recycling Collections in the City of Greenbelt, Maryland, Effective July 1, 2002

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens introduced the resolution for first reading.

A Resolution to Repeal Resolutions 930 and 947 and to Establish Admission Fees and Pass Rates for the Greenbelt Aquatic and Fitness Center, Effective September 2, 2002

The Mayor read the agenda comments. The resolution was introduced for first reading by Mr. Roberts.

REQUEST FOR DESIGNATION OF HONORARY POET LAUREATE: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens said he agreed that it should be an open process if it were to be done. Mr. Putens moved and Mr. Roberts seconded that the issue be referred back to the Arts Advisory Board (AAB) for their recommendation on whether a process should be established to designate a Greenbelt poet laureate and, if so, how it should be carried out. It was suggested that the AAB invite the Writers Group and, if it still exists, the poets group to their discussion of the topic. Mr. McLaughlin asked if direction from Council could be included in the motion to formulate a letter of appreciation to Mr. Rimar to be presented on a suitable occasion. Mr. Putens and Mr. Roberts agreed. The motion passed 4-0.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MONTH PROGRAMS - BRIEFING: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. MPO Scott Kaiser described the activities for the month. The summary of pedestrian accident figures he had prepared was also discussed. Mayor Davis suggested sending the report to the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee for their information. Ms. Craze also described the plans for the new bollards to be used in some of the pedestrian crosswalks.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND OPERATIONS PLAN: The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens asked if it would be possible to do a "one-pager" on emergency procedures that could be available to all citizens. Mr. McLaughlin said there was one designed to be adapted by different cities that he thought Greenbelt could use. After pointing out some typographical errors, Mayor Davis asked if the City’s civil defense sirens were still operable. Mr. McLaughlin said they were not but that the question of whether they could be reactivated was being looked into. Mr. Putens moved that Council approve the Emergency Preparedness and Operations Plan, with the understanding that it is a document that will continue to be updated. Mr. McLaughlin noted that Doctors Hospital is well-prepared and that the City will work with them. Mr. White seconded the motion, which passed 4-0.

LETTER TO COUNTY REQUESTING CHANGE IN PRECINCT BOUNDARIES: The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. Roberts moved Council approval of the letter to the County requesting a change in precinct boundaries. Mr. Putens seconded the motion, which passed 4-0.

RESPONSE TO 2001 ELECTION QUESTIONNAIRE - BRIEFING: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Moran remarked that the response rate was down slightly. There was also a decrease in the proportion of retirees responding and in the longevity of the respondents in Greenbelt.

ACCEPTANCE OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS - ASSISTANT DIRECTORS, RECREATION: The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. White said he was pleased that this version of the job descriptions incorporated suggestions he had made on the prior draft. He said he was concerned, however, that the positions were not entirely well-defined and have too many overlapping responsibilities. He said he also had questions regarding the skills set being sought for the facilities position. It was moved by Mr. Putens and seconded by Mr. Roberts that Council accept the descriptions tonight and consider them at the next regular meeting. The motion passed 4-0.

BEE RESEARCH AT BARC - POSSIBLE CUTBACK: Mr. Roberts moved and Mr. Putens seconded that the City write in opposition to moving this research program away from the Beltsville facility. The motion passed 4-0.

MEETINGS: Council reviewed the upcoming schedule of meetings. It was agreed not to reschedule the July regular meeting. Mayor Davis suggested attempting to schedule the following work sessions: Capital Projects, advisory chairpersons, Capital Office Park, and the new performance evaluation tool for the City Manager. She asked what response Council wished to make to the Friends Community School’s request for a meeting regarding their interest in part of the Jaeger Tract. Mr. Putens suggested meeting with them now would be premature, and Council directed staff to respond to their letter. The Mayor asked Mr. Moran about scheduling the stakeholder meeting with the federal legislators; Council agreed that meeting in the District would be advisable. Mr. White said he was interested in seeing the following meetings scheduled: theater management, community center windows, and the update on Public Works expansion. Mr. McLaughlin said it would probably be September before the next phase of the Public Works project was ready for presentation. He said staff is still pursuing funding for a demonstration project on the windows with the Maryland Historical Trust; if that is unsuccessful, staff will bring a plan to Council for how to proceed on internal resources.

June 1 had been one of the possible dates for Council to tour Greenbelt Middle School. Mr. Roberts expressed his concern with further delaying this tour. Given the upcoming changes in the County School Board, however, as well as the school administration’s decision to delay the project for a year, other Council members thought it would be better to wait until the new board could be invited, as well as interested parents, school administration staff, and members of the Advisory Committee on Education. It was agreed this event should be well-orchestrated.

ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Putens and seconded by Mr. White. The motion carried 4-0. Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of May 28, 2002, at 10:25 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 May 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