Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:09 p.m.

ROLL CALL was answered by Council members Edward V. J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, Thomas X. White, and Mayor Judith F. Davis.

ALSO PRESENT were Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Robert A. Manzi, City Solicitor; David E. Moran, Assistant to the City Manager; and Kathleen Gallagher, City Clerk.

Mayor Davis asked for a moment of silence in memory of residents Raymond Stuart Bailey,

Christopher Bell Sanborn, and Yu Ying Yang; and former residents Joseph (“Jay”) Brubaker and Leo Davis. She then led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

CONSENT AGENDA: It was moved by Mr. Turnbull and seconded by Mr. Putens that the consent agenda be approved as presented. The motion passed 5-0.

Council thereby took the following actions:

MINUTES

- Work Session, July 9, 2003

- Regular Meeting, July 14, 2003

- Work Session, July 16, 2003

- Four Cities Meeting, July 23, 2003

- Work Session, July 28, 2003

Approved as presented.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Advisory Planning Board, Report #03-03 (Preliminary Plan of Subdivision – Friends Community School): Council accepted this report and agreed to consider it on the agenda of a future meeting.

Board of Elections, Report #03-1 (Voting Machines for 2003 Election): Council received this report.

Board of Elections, Report #03-2 (Council Referral on Proportional Representation Methods of Voting): Staff accepted this report and agreed to consider its disposition under the “Meetings” section of the agenda.

REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES IN ATTENDING MML BOARD RETREAT: Council authorized reimbursement of up to $300 in expenses for Mayor Davis in attending the Maryland Municipal League Board Retreat at Solomons Island from September 11-13.

RESIGNATIONS FROM ADVISORY GROUPS: Council accepted with regret the following resignations: Erica Linden (Park & Recreation Advisory Board), Elisa Craft (Recycling & Environment Advisory Committee), and Earl Taylor (Advisory Planning Board).

APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND ADDITIONS: It was moved by Mr. Turnbull and seconded by Mr. Putens that the agenda be approved as presented. The motion carried 5-0.

PRESENTATIONS: There were none.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: Gordon Pickering, 7931 Mandan Road, presented a request to Council to intervene in a dispute he has had with the management of Greenbriar regarding his wish to connect strobe-light smoke detectors in his condominium unit. He said he has been unable to get adequate cooperation in evaluating and replacing wiring, which an electrician told him was outdated, and in determining how he can connect to the building alarms in the hallway, which he cannot hear. He said he has been working with Renée Landen of the City’s code enforcement office.

Mayor Davis confirmed that Greenbriar has two sets of hallway alarms: smoke detectors with an audio alarm and another alarm that rings a bell if it is pulled. Mr. Pickering said his concern is both with being alerted to a fire within his own unit and also having access to the hallway alarms by connecting those to his strobe-light detectors. Mayor Davis told Council that Mr. Pickering also had recently submitted materials about this problem to the City Manager.

Mr. Pickering was told that the matter would be referred to the City Manager. Mr. McLaughlin commented that staff would talk with Greenbriar about it but that he could not give any assurance that the problem would be within the City’s authority to solve. Mr. White asked that staff also review the relevant safety code to see if it is adequate to protect deaf persons living in apartments or condominiums. Mr. Pickering asked that it be kept in mind that there are other deaf residents of Greenbriar as well. He said he believed there were five other units occupied by deaf residents.

MINUTES OF MEETINGS: Mr. White requested that the minutes of the executive session of July 21, 2003, be held for correction.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Mr. McLaughlin said work on the Community Center windows had begun, and there may be a problem with corrosion on the window frames that is beyond renovation. He said the City’s new phone system had recently been installed and asked for the public’s patience until all the equipment is operating properly. He also noted that there would be no parking at the Roosevelt Center parking lots beginning Tuesday night as the Labor Day carnival arrives.

Mayor Davis asked the status of the skateboard park. Mr. McLaughlin responded that staff is continuing to talk with vendors and that prices for engineers and architectural consultants have been found to be very high.

Mr. White asked if the Westchester Park board was invited to the Advisory Planning Board (APB) review of the preliminary site plan for the Friends Community School. Mr. McLaughlin said they had had their own presentation and review. Mayor Davis asked that the APB report be sent to Westchester Park.

Mr. Roberts reported on the meeting held by the local advisory committees on education in College Park with Dr. André Hornsby, Schools CEO. He said each ACE had presented one issue, with Greenbelt’s ACE being responsible for the renovation of the Greenbelt Middle School.

Mayor Davis announced the City’s first Dog Swim, which will be held Saturday, September 6. She reported on attending the annual Prince George’s County Literacy Council banquet, a Greenbelt Municipal Swim Team banquet, and the National Night Out programs of Greenbriar I and III and Windsor Green. She thanked Councilmember Douglas Peters for the $15,000 in funding he had provided in grants to City programs and congratulated Mr. McLaughlin for his upcoming recognition by the ICMA for serving 25 years in local government.

LEGISLATION

A Resolution to Negotiate the Purchase of Community Resource Advocate Services

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens moved that the resolution be introduced for first reading and that Council’s Standing Rules be suspended. Mr. White seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mr. White - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

Mr. Putens moved that the resolution be introduced for second reading and adoption. Mr. White seconded.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mr. Turnbull - yes

Mr. White - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The resolution was declared adopted (Resolution No. 963, Book No. 12).

An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 11 of the Greenbelt City Code, “Motor Vehicles And Traffic,” in Order to Restrict the Parking of Vehicles on City Streets, Alleys, Roadways, and Parking Lots for 30 Days or Longer

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. White introduced the ordinance for first reading. Noting that this was first reading, the Mayor asked if there were serious issues anyone wished to have addressed at the next meeting. Mr. Roberts questioned item #15 in the policy, asking what the difference was between having 30 days before the car would be towed and getting a permit to have 30 days before the car would be towed. He said if this is an additional 30 days, it requires clarification.

Mr. White suggested a need to note under item #2 any exceptions, such as military, to the requirement for in-state registration.

A Resolution to Negotiate the Purchase and Installation of Lockers at the Aquatic & Fitness Center with American Locker Systems, Inc., of Jamestown, New York

The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens introduced the ordinance for first reading.

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFING – POLICE DEPARTMENT: The Mayor read the agenda comments. Lt. Thomas Kemp addressed Council regarding recent public safety concerns in Greenbelt. He said although the City had experienced several high-profile incidents within a short period of time, this was not necessarily an indication of a change in the City’s overall incidence of crime. He gave a status report on the recent cases and described several proactive measures the department is taking.

HILTON GARDEN INN, GOLDEN TRIANGLE – DETAILED SITE PLAN: The Mayor read the agenda comments. Richard (“Chip”) Reed of Rifkin, Lefitan & Silver, introduced himself as representing the owners of Shamin Hotels, and he introduced others in attendance, including Neil Amin and Jay Shah of Shamin Hotels; Michael Plitt, planner, and Vic Bryant, landscape architect, of Macris, Hendricks & Glascock; and architect Neil Bhatt from NBJ Architecture. Mr. Reed gave a slide presentation and an overview of the plans for the site. He said the owners accepted all the conditions that had been presented by staff and the Advisory Planning Board. Council indicated its approval of the plan with the addition of a requirement for irrigation and maintenance of the landscaping for the entire site. Mr. Putens initially expressed concern that, at 2½ inches, the trees would be too small, but after further discussion, it was agreed that larger trees should be placed only selectively.

It was moved by Mr. Putens and seconded by Mr. White that the City support the Detailed Site Plan with the conditions that the applicants:

1.Provide a sign plan for approval of the City.

2.Provide proof of stormwater concept approval.

3.Provide detail for the dumpster enclosure.

4.Sign a maintenance agreement or an easement with the City for the proposed sidewalk along Walker and Golden Triangle Drives that will include liability issues.

5.Revise the detailed site plan to show five handicapped-accessible parking spaces.

6.Work with the City to address concerns relating to the proposed roof lighting.

7.Present their tree conservation plan.

8.Present the plan for irrigating and maintaining the landscaping on the entire site.

The motion passed 5-0.

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR THEATER RENOVATION–AWARD OF CONTRACT: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. White asked if there was a scope of work the City would be contracting for. Kristen Ward, Community Planner, said there was not as such. The City had put out a Request for Qualifications, and it was understood that until a feasibility study had been undertaken, the scope of the project could not be determined. Mr. White asked when the public would become involved. Ms. Ward said after the feasibility study various constituent groups would be involved. Mr. White said that would be too late in the process and that the public involvement should be much broader than specific groups. Mr. McLaughlin assured him that there would be broad public involvement very early in the process and that having a public meeting was waiting only for the selection of the architect. Mayor Davis also spoke in favor of early and wide public involvement, citing the advantage of getting all the ideas in early.

Mr. Roberts said he was concerned that the costs would go up quickly without more definition. Ms. Ward said staff would return to Council with specific alternatives once the feasibility study was completed.

Mr. White asked about possibilities for grant funding over and above the $250,000 available from the bond issue. Mr. McLaughlin said he did not think that was an unrealistic estimate of the costs, given that the City was not attempting to restore an ornate structure but rather was dealing with specific issues of repair and compliance. Mr. White responded that he was interested in seeing not just a fixing-up of the facility to make it functional and compliant for its current use but a plan for making the space more flexible for other uses by the City. Ms. Ward assured him that this consideration had been discussed with all the applicants and was understood.

Mr. White made a motion that Council approve contracting by the City with GTM Architects for the renovation of the Old Greenbelt Theatre building and enter into an agreement not to exceed $40,000, exclusive of reimbursable expenses. Mr. Putens seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.

ACE READING CLUB - REQUEST FOR FUNDING: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. It was moved by Mr. Roberts and seconded by Mr. Putens that the City provide funding for the ACE Reading Club Program for this year in the event that adequate grant funding cannot be secured. Mr. White remarked that Schools CEO Hornsby had indicated a particular focus on reading and suggested asking if any discretionary funding from the administration might be available. He said he also thought he had seen a grant category of the National League of Cities for youth programs that might be appropriate. The motion passed 5-0.

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES GRANT APPLICATION: The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens moved Council approval of the grant application as submitted and authorized the sending of a letter to convey that approval to the county. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.

REAPPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUP

It was moved by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Roberts that Council appoint Robert Schafer to a new term on the Arts Advisory Board. The motion passed 5-0.

It was moved by Mr. Putens and seconded by Mr. Roberts that Council appoint Mark Gitlis to a new term on the Arts Advisory Board. The motion passed 4-1 (White).

MEETINGS: Council reviewed the schedule of meetings. It was agreed that if Mr. White will be available on September 29, Council will take action at the next meeting to reschedule the second meeting in September to that date. September 17 and September 24 were removed from the work session schedule in favor of other events. Mayor Davis asked if anyone wished to schedule a work session on the Board of Elections’ report on proportional representation voting, but no one proposed doing so.

ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Putens and seconded by Mr. Turnbull. The motion carried 5-0. The Mayor adjourned the regular meeting of August 25, 2003, at 10:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Gallagher

City Clerk

"I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct report of the regular meeting of the City Council of Greenbelt, Maryland, held August 25, 2003.@

Judith F. Davis

Mayor

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