Mayor Davis started the meeting at 8:02 p.m. It was held in the Senior Classroom of the Community Center.

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

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; David E. Moran, Assistant to the City Manager; Hank Irving and Joe McNeal, Recreation; Celia Craze and Kristen Ward, Planning and Community Development; Kenny Hall, Public Works; Jeff Williams, City Treasurer; and Kathleen Gallagher, City Clerk.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Doug Love, William McHale (president), Thomas Teutsch, and Wayne Warren, Greenbelt Astronomy Club; Sheldon Goldberg, Advisory Planning Board; and Sharahn Boykin, the Gazette.

Mr. McLaughlin reviewed the fund balance, revenues, and the status of the various Capital Improvement Funds.

Astronomy Club Observatory: Mayor Davis proposed that Council begin its discussion of the list of projects with the Astronomy Club Observatory, since several club members were in attendance. Mr. McHale said that prior to getting an estimate, the club had anticipated costs of about $20,000. After the estimate came in at $50,000, they trimmed the plan and the budget back to $30,000. They have raised $20,000 in donations and are requesting $10,000 from the City. Mayor Davis asked what they cut back, since Council had seen only the original plan. Mr. McHale said the main item eliminated was the observation deck; the design is now limited to the dome and a small pier. In response to a question from Mr. Putens, Mr. McHale said it would be possible to add components later if funds became available.

It was concluded that a separate work session is needed to discuss the specifics of the plan. Mr. McLaughlin said there are still many issues to decide before this project can move ahead, including whether the City should take ownership and how responsibilities would be assigned. He said a memorandum of understanding is needed. Mayor Davis said other issues include access, parking, and the compost site. Mr. Turnbull asked if the small pier could be installed prior to the work session, as a way of getting the ball rolling. Ms. Ward said that would not be advisable because the zoning issues are different if the City does not own the structure.

Mr. White asked if the $10,000 being requested from the City could eventually be paid back by the Astronomy Club, since it was not part of the original arrangement request for the City to provide in-cash support. Mayor Davis suggested it would be better for the Club’s future resources be put into the maintenance and possible enhancement of the observatory rather than repaying a debt. Mr. Putens agreed, saying he would prefer to have the club’s energy and resources go into the maintenance of the observatory and the outreach and education programs that had been discussed previously. Mr. Love added that the club had exhausted its possibilities for major fundraising for the time being and that he thought it would be easier to raise funds later for the upkeep and expansion of the facility than to repay a debt. In response to a question from Mr. Roberts, the club representatives confirmed that the club would maintain the facility even if the City took ownership. Mr. Turnbull asked if they had looked into grants, and Mr. Love said funding was more likely to be available for programs than for capital projects. This item was added to the list later in the meeting at a figure of $10,000.

The following items were confirmed without major discussion: Municipal Building Windows, $30,000; Street Resurfacing, $240,000; Playground Improvements, $64,000; Land Acquisition $725,000; Buddy Attick Park Master Plan, $10,000; Braden Field Tennis Courts, $75,000.

Animal Control Facility ($30,000): Mr. White asked if this amount was specific to use of the Jaycee building. Ms. Craze said it was not, since staff’s assumption was that the cost would be about the same, regardless of whether that structure was used or whether a pre-fab building was placed on the Public Works lot. Council agreed to leave the funding in the budget, with the understanding that no decision had been made with regard to a site. Council agreed there was no need to advertise to determine interest by others in the Jaycee building, but Mr. Turnbull said that, if they can be located, he would like to notify the woodworking group that previously expressed interest.

Bus Shelters ($2,000): It was clarified that the two listed are in addition to the two included in the bond issue.

Miscellaneous Sidewalk Repairs ($30,000): Mr. Putens suggested there should be cooperation between the City and homeowners on bids if residents also need to have work done. He mentioned a group in Greenspring that was cooperating to get a bid on driveway work.

Gateway Entrance Signage ($10,000): Ms. Craze suggested letting this figure stand, even though the matching grant money will not be available. She said staff will be looking into less expensive, poured concrete signs that are made to resemble limestone. Those would cost $3,500 for the first sign and $2,500 each for the other two. She said if these are not acceptable, the City should look into other lower-cost alternatives, including making the signs smaller.

Roosevelt Center Garage Roof Replacement ($8,000): The roof will be restored to the original flat roof. There was discussion of eventually replacing the doors. Mr. McLaughlin will look into whether an easement is needed.

Community Center Windows ($389,000): The $20,000 the City is receiving in grant money from the Maryland Historical Trust to undertake a pilot study is not enough to do a full window. The window in the first-floor men’s room has been identified as a good candidate because it is in a particularly bad state of repair.

Community Center Facility Needs ($34,000): Mr. White commented that this is another list of items that have been bundled together to create a capital project.

Preservation of Bas-Reliefs ($50,000): Ms. Ward said because a local conservator of outdoor stone has been identified, this work can be done without the $25,000 grant that had been expected. It was agreed to leave $50,000 in the budget, however, since Mr. Turnbull had also requested a change in the display lighting to be pursued in conjunction with this project.

Dog Park Expansion ($5,000): Ms. Craze said the fencing is done, and the lighting is in the works. Staff is looking at residential, not commercial, grade in order to limit the intensity. Council invited the Astronomy Club members to provide suggestions to Ms. Craze if they wished.

Skate Park ($5,000): Mr. White asked for a realistic time frame for this project. Mr. McLaughlin said staff expected to complete its assessment and bring a plan to Council in September. Mr. White again raised the question of whether the $5,000 in seed money was intended to include purchase of portable equipment, since he believed it was not. It was agreed to discuss this again at the time of the assessment report. Although Mr. Roberts advised against including a dollar amount for the project in the absence of a site and a plan, it was agreed to increase the line item from $5,000 to $60,000 for this year.

Pathway Behind Community Center: $10,000 was added for re-landscaping the area surrounding the path that runs between the Community Center and the Aquatic & Fitness Center and Youth Center.

Lake Quality Study: This was proposed as a water quality study, but Council directed that it be broadened to include the “upstream” and “watershed” factors that feed into the health of the Lake. Mr. Roberts said he did not want to support further studies unless they included getting rid of the concreted spillway that comes down from Lakewood. Ms. Craze said eliminating it and re-creating a habitat would probably cost $200,000-$300,000. It was agreed to add $25,000 to the list for the study.

Boundary Study: The study would delineate City from private property on the south side of the Lake. An estimate of $17,000 was added to the list.

Metro Access Drive and Cherrywood Lane Roundabout: Council agreed to put this on the list for $70,000, which was the upper limit cited by Ms. Craze; however, Mayor Davis said she had strong reservations about the City paying for it now rather than trying to have it funded by the developers of Greenbelt Station. Mr. McLaughlin suggested the City write a letter to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) asking them to partner on it with the City, since the sole purpose of this street is to serve Metro.

Other Business

Ms. Gallagher asked for Council’s suggestions on agenda items for the stakeholder meeting with Capital Office Park. Mr. White asked Mr. McLaughlin for a report on the fight that occurred at the Center last Friday night. Mr. Putens raised an issue regarding a metro sign at Ora Glen Drive and South Ora Court. He also asked about a problem with young people using cars with handicapped registration in front of the Safeway. Ms. Craze said if an officer sees them, they can be asked to produce a permit. The Mayor said the next meeting with M-NCPPC will likely be July 31 instead of July 24.

The meeting ended at 10:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Gallagher
City Clerk

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