MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION of the Greenbelt City Council held Wednesday, February 27, 2002, for the purpose of meeting with the Greenbelt Homes, Inc. (GHI), Board.

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, Edward V.J. Putens, and Mayor Judith F. Davis.

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager and David E. Moran, Assistant to the City Manager.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: GHI President Julia Eichhorst; GHI Board Members Sylvia Lewis, Betty Deitch, Joyce Abell, Sue Ready, Bill Phelan, Dorothy Lauber and Sheila Alpers; GHI General Manager Gretchen Overdurff; Amy Boyes, The Gazette; Sandy Smith, News Review, and Hopi Auerbach, chair, GHI Audit Committee.

Mayor Davis welcomed everybody and explained that the purpose of the meeting was an annual stakeholder meeting with GHI.

Historic District Designation

Mayor Davis reiterated some of the key issues. Ms. Eichhorst offered to designate a GHI contact person. Mr. Phelan indicated that he supported the designation as a tool to prevent other property owners in the District from doing the wrong things and would not support a GHI only District.

Status of Playground Agreement

Mayor Davis stated that City staff was preparing a report. She also noted an increase in complaints about fallen branches near GHI playgrounds.

Gateway Signs

Ms. Lewis asked if street identification signs would be unique to Greenbelt and be a special style and color. Mr. McLaughlin responded that this was the plan. Ms. Abell stressed the need to update the map sign on Southway.

Mr. Turnbull asked about funding for the Gateway signs if the grant does not materialize. Mr. McLaughlin indicated the project was estimated at $10,000 and would likely be included in the proposed Capital Projects budget.

Traffic-Calming

Ms. Abell asked about traffic-calming at the crosswalk near Northway & Crescent. Mr. McLaughlin indicated that a crosswalk study was underway which likely included this crosswalk.

Mr. Phelan asked if stop signs were part of the traffic-calming considerations. Mayor Davis indicated that stop signs were being ignored throughout Greenbelt.

Mr. Turnbull suggested a pedestrian refuge at the Northway crosswalk. He also asked about the use of yellow sandwich boards in the crosswalk. Mr. Phelan suggested using raised crosswalks and speed bumps. He indicated that traffic-calming was needed on Ridge Road as well.

Ms. Deitch referenced the "pedestrian flag" program in Salt Lake City. Ms. Ready noted that drivers don’t stop at red lights either.

Mr. Phelan suggested using automated cameras to catch stop sign violators.

Mr. Putens observed that often the violators of these laws are Greenbelt residents.

Mr. Turnbull suggested that some of the ideas raised relating to traffic calming be incorporated into pedestrian safety week.

Assistance-in-Living Program

Mr. Moran reported on a meeting with Senator Green regarding proposed State legislation that would establish NORC demonstration programs.

Housing Code Violations and Inspections in GHI

Ms. Overdurff stated that there needed to be improved communication between the City and GHI and expressed a desire to work with the City. Mayor Davis stressed that the philosophy of the Code Enforcement program is to gain compliance. Mr. Phelan stated that too much patience (on the City’s part) could undercut GHI’s efforts. Mr. McLaughlin suggested that Ms. Overdurff meet with Ms. Craze to discuss how the code enforcement program works.

Mr. Turnbull noted that GHI should be receiving all citations and notices since it is the property owner.

Car-Sharing Program

Mr. McLaughlin explained the Zipcar program.

Recycling Bin Complaints

Mayor Davis noted that the City had received some complaint letters and was working to educate City recycling crews. Ms. Eichhorst complimented Public Works employees, especially noting trash and recycling pick-up and snow removal. Other members of the GHI Board agreed that City employees provided good service.

Park Area at Crescent and Gardenway

Mr. Phelan noted that a resident had created ruts in the ground by driving a mulch truck over a grassy park area. Ms. Eichhorst referenced a "Community Clean-up Day" on April 6.

Ms. Eichhorst thanked the Council for the opportunity to meet.

The meeting ended at 10:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
David E. Moran
Assistant to the City Manager

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