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

PRESENT WERE: Council members Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, Edward V.J. Putens, Thomas X. White and Mayor Judith F. Davis.

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Jeffrey Williams, City Treasurer; David Moran, Assistant to the City Manager; James Craze, Chief of Police; Lt. Dan O’Neil; Lt. Michael Craddock; Lt. Tom Kemp; Sgt. James Parker; Cpl. Maria Parker; and Anne Marie Belton, Executive Associate.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Sheldon Goldberg, Advisory Planning Board; Barbara Young, Greenbelt News Review, Amy Boyes, Gazette Newspapers, Mike Lanier, Vice President, Greenbelt Fraternal Order of Police.

Accomplishments - Chief Craze began the meeting with an overview of the department’s accomplishments and challenges during fiscal year 2002. Of particular interest were the events of September 11 and assisting other jurisdictions with natural disasters and athletic events. Chief Craze also reviewed the department’s statistical information for 2001.

Mr. White inquired about reports of crime at T.G.I. Friday’s in the department’s weekly report. Lt. Kemp stated that quite a number of the problems at T.G.I. Friday’s are alcohol related and that he and other police staff are working with the T.G.I. Friday’s management to find solutions. Mayor Davis noted that the City may see fit to take action against T.G.I. Friday’s liquor license renewal if problems persist.

Issues and Services - In reviewing the issues and services for the upcoming fiscal year, Chief Craze discussed the department’s unfunded mandate of recording traffic stop information beginning January 2003. Mayor Davis asked if funds had been budgeted for this mandate. Chief Craze stated that due to the uncertainty of the officer’s time this will consume, funding is difficult to estimate. However, he has talked with other jurisdictions who are already required to record traffic stop information and will work with them to determine additional costs to the City.

Chief Craze also discussed the issue of staffing within the department. He told Council that requests for service have increased while staffing levels have remained constant since fiscal year 1999. While the department is not requesting additional staff this fiscal year, they would like to have the Cadet position reinstated to lighten the load of the officers. Chief Craze also introduced a new position, Public Safety Officer, that could also assist with service calls. Mr. Putens said that these additional positions would enable police officers to put more of a focus on more serious crimes in Greenbelt. Mr. Putens suggested researching grant funding for these positions. Funding for two Cadets and one Public Safety Officer are to be added to the list of unfunded items to be reviewed at the final budget work session.

Police - Corporal Maria Parker reviewed the process of issuing a Red Light Camera citation. She pointed out that approximately 48% of the offenders receive tickets. She stated that when this program began, each participating jurisdiction had to fend for itself in regards to fees associated with the program. Now, participating jurisdictions are forming an alliance in hopes of receiving consistent pricing from the vendors. The City’s current contract does not expire until December 2004.

Mr. McLaughlin informed Council that an additional $45,000 needs to be added to the proposed budget for the two cameras that were proposed to be removed.

Lt. O’Neil distributed information to Council about insurance coverage for police officers who are disabled in an emergency or pursuit. Under the provisions of the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) program, the City could receive a higher grant amount if it provided health insurance coverage to such officers. The amount is an additional 10% to the current grant amount. Since this benefit is not offered to the City’s officers, 90% of available funds are received. Lt. O’Neil explained that there is no additional cost up front, however there is the potential for increased expenses in the future. He also noted that LLEBG funding for the upcoming fiscal year will be reduced this year by 25%.

Informational Items - Mayor Davis requested that the Council meet in executive session to discuss the City Manager’s evaluation on April 30. Mayor Davis also shared a letter of support for Citizens to Conserve and Restore Indian Creek to be placed on the May 13 consent agenda.

The meeting ended at 10:16 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