WORK SESSION of the Greenbelt City Council held June 11, 2003, for the purpose of meeting on Capital Projects.

Mayor Davis started the meeting at 8:05 p.m. It was held in the Senior Classroom of the Community Center.

PRESENT WERE: Council members Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull, Thomas X. White and Mayor Judith F. Davis. Council Member Edward V. J. Putens arrived at 8:10 pm.

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Celia Craze, Director of Planning and Community Development; and David E. Moran, Assistant to the City Manager.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Konrad Herling, Molly Lester and George Brandon

Mr. McLaughlin distributed a memo on the CNG fast-fill pump. He noted that the cost for the City was $20,000.

Mr. McLaughlin reviewed the Capital Projects memorandum with Council. He noted the funding for the proposed SHL Recreation Center.

Mr. Turnbull stressed that he wanted to pursue AIMCO’s redevelopment and centralization of recreation facilities. It was causing him to rethink the plans to expand the City’s recreational center in Springhill Lake. He asked about the conversations with AIMCO. Ms. Craze reported that AIMCO had hired the Duany firm as a consultant and was rethinking their entire redevelopment project. Kentlands was referenced as an example of Duany’s work.

Mayor Davis and Mr. Roberts expressed concern about Kentlands. Mr. White stated that one of Greenbelt’s strengths was its housing diversity. Mr. Turnbull again expressed his desire to hold off on investing in the SHL Recreation Center and pursue a better redevelopment project with AIMCO.

It was noted that there was time pressure on the CDBG funds. Council discussed several alternatives for CDBG projects including: the Metro roundabout, the skateboard park and others. Mr. Moran noted that only certain sections of the City qualified. He also indicated that the county appeared to now be favoring street projects.

Ms. Craze summarized the concept plans for the Animal Control facility. She stated that while staff had initially estimated the cost at $100,000, it was her belief that the cost could be lowered. She noted that staff was investigating modular buildings, similar to the temporary classrooms used by schools.

Council reviewed the proposed projects within the fund.

There was discussion about the Metro Access Drive roundabout and the problems associated with this intersection. Mayor Davis asked about PCD workload for the upcoming year. Ms Craze responded that she didn’t think PCD could accomplish Greenbelt East traffic-calming, other city-wide traffic-calming and the Metro Access roundabout all during the same year. Council discussed alternative ways to accomplish the work product. A majority of Council favored leaving this project in the Fund.

Council discussed the playground improvements. Council asked if the most serious safety violations had been addressed. Mr. McLaughlin responded yes. Mr. White believed this item could be deferred. Mr. Putens and Mayor Davis also favored deferring this item pending the outcome of the work session of the GHI playground report. A majority of Council decided to defer $46,800 proposed for playground improvements.

A majority of Council also supported deleting the $20,000 identified for traffic-calming.

There was discussion about the Springhill Lake Recreation Center addition and staff’s recommendation to use $300,000 in Program Open Space funds to complete this project. Mr. McLaughlin noted that Council did not have to make the decision tonight. Council did not make a decision on this issue.

Council discussed the fast-fill appliance and the need to appropriate $20,000 toward installation costs. Mr. McLaughlin noted there were sufficient funds in the fund balance to cover this project and Council agreed.

The meeting ended at 11:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
David E. Moran
Assistant to the City Manager

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