The meeting began at 8:05 p.m. It was held in the Multipurpose room of the Community Center.

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; Hank Irving, Recreation Director; Joe McNeal, Community Center Supervisor; Julie McHale, Recreation Supervisor; George Rogala, Aquatic Supervisor; Nicole DeWald, Arts Coordinator; Karen Haseley, Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor; Greg Varda, Recreation Coordinator; Di Quynn-Reno, Aquatics Coordinator; Brian Butler, Recreation Coordinator; David Moran, Assistant to the City Manager; and Anne Marie Belton, Executive Associate.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Sheldon Goldberg, Advisory Planning Board; Amy Boyes, Gazette Newspapers; James Giese, Greenbelt News Review; Clement Lau, PRAB member.

Accomplishments

Mr. Irving reviewed many of the accomplishments of the department for fiscal year 2002. One of the accomplishments mentioned was the B.U.I.L.D.I.N.G. mentoring program lead by Brian Butler at the Springhill Lake Recreation Center. Mr. Butler reviewed the program and the award won for the program.

Issues and Services

Accreditation - Mr. Irving reviewed the accreditation program, Commission on Accreditation for Park and Recreation Agencies, the department will be incorporating into its programs and services this fiscal year. This process will aid in improving services and operations within the department to benefit the citizens.

Greenbelt Theatre - With the City taking ownership of the Greenbelt Theatre building in fiscal year 2002, Mr. White requested that a work session be scheduled to better define its future.

Teen Programming - Greg Varda provided Council with an update of the Youth Speak-Out scheduled for May 4. Doug Mangum will be the moderator and there will be refreshments and live music for the event.

Administration

Mr. Irving reviewed the department reorganization proposal due to the retirement of Harry James. Mr. White requested to review the job descriptions of the Assistant Director positions being proposed. Mayor Davis noted the similarities between the reorganization of the Public Works Department and the Recreation Department. Mr. McLaughlin noted that they are similar and suggested bringing the job descriptions to the budget adoption since they are related.

Recreation Centers - Formerly budgets for the Youth Center, Springhill Lake Recreation Center, and Schrom Hills Park. It was noted that these budgets will remain in the budget until the historical data is gone.

Aquatic and Fitness Center - Mr. Rogala informed Council that life guards for the summer are at full staff. However, as of this meeting, there is a shortage of lifeguards for the fall due to Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission raising their hiring rate for guards and managers.

Mr. Rogala also reviewed the proposed fee schedule for the upcoming fiscal year. Mr. White recommended increasing the summer only weekday non resident fees to $5 for youth, $6 for young adult, and $7 for adults. Mr. Putens suggested lowering the senior pass fees to the previous summer only rate of $2.50 and reducing the daily admission senior fees to $2.25. Council stated that they want these rates to be effective when the pool opens May 25. They also requested a report on the pool’s attendance over the summer at the end of the summer season.

Mr. Roberts asked why patrons had to continuously register for classes in person as opposed to registering on-line at the City’s Web site. Mr. McLaughlin responded that one of the initiatives of the Information Technology Director is to have an on-line registration available for class participants to fill out.

Mayor Davis and Mr. Putens suggested having some type of security measure put in place, such as filling out a form with the users personal information, for those purchasing a daily pass. This type of information would be used in case of an emergency for identification purposes. Several ideas were discussed and the decision was made to use the method that was most efficient and easy to use.

Community Center - Mr. McNeal reviewed the accomplishments of the Community Center. Of particular interest was the up and coming virtual reality tour of the center. It is hoped that this project will be completed in the near future.

Darkroom - Community Center staff are also working with the Police department in hopes of acquiring their darkroom equipment. The Police department is planning to upgrade their current darkroom to a digital darkroom.

Window Project - Mr. McNeal informed Council that the estimates received for this project are higher than what was budgeted. The City should know in three to four months if a grant from the Maryland Historical Trust will be granted to assist in funding a demonstration window. A demonstration window will aide the City in an accurate estimate for the completion of the project.

Food Service Manager - Mr. McNeal informed Council that this position is currently a part time non-classified position. Equivalent positions throughout the County are classified positions. Mr. McNeal requested that this position be upgraded to a part time classified position with benefits. Mr. McLaughlin said this would be an increase of approximately $3,400. Mr. McLaughlin also pointed out that now that the Hendricks compensation study was complete, a review of non-classified positions would take place. He recommended waiting to get the results of the non-classified study before making a decision. Mr. Putens requested that a work session be held when reviewing the non-classified employee positions.

Arts - Ms. DeWald reviewed the many successes of the arts programs over the past year. She stated that she is preparing for continued growth in arts programming.

Mr. White requested a copy of the agreement with the New Deal Café for the summer concert series. He also suggested that the Arts Advisory Board be a part of the Art Policy review when it occurred.

Special Events - Council suggested that the Recreation Department work more closely with the other departments involved to find ways to better coordinate the Springfest, Earth Day, and Public Works Day events, in order that there not be conflict in the timing of important activities.

Informational Items from Mayor Davis - Mayor Davis informed Council of the following: June 12 is a definite date for the Highway Interchange Alternatives meeting. She asked that this be placed on Council’s list of meetings to be scheduled; the brother of Pam Ericson was killed in the tornado that struck in LaPlata, Maryland; Sherrie Kane was killed during a robbery in Bladensburg; and May 18 is scheduled to be a clean up day in and around Springhill Lake.

The meeting ended at 11:55 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