The meeting began at 8:07 p.m. It was held in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.

PRESENT WERE: Council members Rodney M. Roberts and Thomas X. White. Mr. Turnbull arrived at 8:23 p.m. and Mr. Putens arrived at 9:33 p.m.

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Jeffrey Williams, City Treasurer; Carol Leventhal, Director, Greenbelt CARES; David E. Moran, Assistant to the City Manager; Anne Marie Belton, Executive Associate.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Judy Bell, Greenbelt News Review

GREENBELT CARES

Ms. Leventhal began the meeting by reviewing some key highlights of the department’s accomplishments for FY 2002. Among the accomplishments noted were the parent training classes, a job fair sponsored by the Greenbelt Advisory Committee on Education (ACE), and the ACE Reading Club grant. She noted that the parent training classes held at Springhill Lake Elementary have been quite successful. Ms. Leventhal has been told that a grant for $5,000 to assist with the job fair was awarded, however funds have not been received.

As in previous years, Ms. Leventhal noted the amount of State funding will not increase in FY 2003. However, she was contacted by Keith Hampden, Director of Prince George’s County Family Services, regarding providing counseling services for non Greenbelt people. He stated that if the County was awarded Youth Consolidation Grant funding some of these funds would be available for Greenbelt, but that the City would have to include another jurisdiction in its formal counseling program. Mr. McLaughlin stated that the possibility of these funds is good. It could increase future funding from the State.

Mr. Roberts requested information on the result of the ACE Job Fair. A request was also made to find out what the home school population is in Greenbelt.

MISCELLANEOUS FUNDS

Greenbelt Museum - One of the objectives for the Greenbelt Museum in the upcoming fiscal year is to review the current Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Friends of the Greenbelt Museum (FOGM). Mr. White requested that the possibility of reviewing FOGM’s financial information be a part of this review.

Mr. McLaughlin pointed out that FY 2003 will be the last year for grant funding from the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) to assist in funding the curators for the Museum. However, funds may not be received by the City due to a reduction in funds from the State to MHT.

Non-Departmental - Mr. McLaughlin stated that a large portion of funds estimated in FY 2002 are to pay for the lawsuit against the USDA. There is a total of 3% pay adjustment for classified employees proposed in FY 2003. This funding should raise employee salaries to the recommended level according to the compensation study.

OTHER FUNDS

Cemetery Fund - Mr. White requested a copy of a report previously prepared by Mr. Moran on the future of the cemetery.

Debt Service - Mr. Williams noted that the 1993 bond information will be transferred to the 2002 bond fund due to the refinancing of the 1993 loan.

Replacement Fund - Council made the suggestion to fund items such as equipment replacement at the department level, not through this fund.

Unemployment Compensation Fund - FY 2002 expenses are estimated to be $10,000. This amount is considerably higher than in previous years. Council requested that the cause for the increase be researched by staff.

The meeting ended at 10:11 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Anne Marie Belton
Executive Associate

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