WORK SESSION OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held Thursday, April 3, 2003, for the purpose of holding a stakeholder meeting with the Greenbelt East Advisory Committee.

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. It was held at the Windsor Green Community Center.

PRESENT were Mayor Judith F. Davis and Edward Putens. Rodney Roberts arrived at 8:15 p.m.

ALSO PRESENT were Michael McLaughlin, City Manager; Sheldon Goldberg, Kay Mooney, Dorothy Pyles, Derek and Judith Thompson of GEAC; and Barbara Hopkins of the Greenbelt News Review.

Mayor Davis began the meeting by noting that this meeting was the annual stakeholder meeting that Council has with the Greenbelt East Advisory Coalition (GEAC). GEAC had provided a list of 19 topics on which it sought updates. City staff had prepared a memo with the requested updates on the topics. One additional topic, emergency preparedness, was added to the discussion. The topics were Greenbelt Station status, Post Office/Sunrise, Playground equity, Hanover Parkway study, NASA – Soil Conservation Road, SHA Neighborhood Conservation Program, Results of redistricting, electric power aggregation, police/fire staffing, senior citizen programs, Mandan basketball court, Comcast, Purple Line/ICC, skateboard park, FY 2004 budget issues, lien law, newspaper vending boxes, and theater ownership/ operation.

GEAC members appreciated the updates. They were pleased to hear that progress was being made on finalizing the arrangements relating to the Post Office and Sunrise. Regarding playground equity, City assistance was offered to inspect any playgrounds for compliance with safety guidelines. GEAC members were interested in reviewing the plans for Hanover Parkway and Ora Glen and were relieved that there did not seem to be any further activity on removing or transferring professional fire fighters from nearby stations.

In discussing the basketball court at Windsor Green field on Mandan Road, interest was expressed in both removing the basketball court and increasing City presence in order to keep the court for everyone’s use. It was noted this matter will likely be before Council at its April 28 meeting.

Regarding the City’s FY 2004 budget, GEAC members expressed an understanding of the difficult financial situation facing the City. They indicated that they supported doing what was necessary to maintain City services, even if a tax increase was necessary.

It was noted that the City continues to work on the matter of newspaper vending boxes. A letter was included from the City Solicitor indicating his effort in coordinating the efforts of municipalities on this topic.

Ms. Pyles asked for information on emergency preparations that would be useful for residents and published by the City. She was advised that other groups have published such information and copies would be sent to her.

Council members thanked everyone for attending and for the discussion.

The meeting was then adjourned at 9:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,

Michael McLaughlin,

City Manager

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