Following dinner, Mayor Davis convened the meeting at 7:50 p.m.

PRESENT WERE Councilmembers Konrad E. Herling, Leta M. Mach, Edward V. J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, and Mayor Judith F. Davis.

STAFF 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.

ALSO PRESENT WERE State Senator Paul Pinsky, State Delegate Justin Ross, and County Councilmember Douglas Peters. State Delegates Anne Healey and Tawanna Gaines had been present earlier but had to leave before the meeting.

Mayor Davis welcomed the legislators and thanked them for attending. The following legislative priorities were reviewed:

State Issues:

Planning and Zoning Authority for Municipalities: This item was stressed as being the City’s highest priority.

Protection of Municipal Funding Sources: Council expressed thanks to the delegation for support on the City’s Program Open Space reimbursement request.

Limiting Judicial Sentence Reconsideration

Joint State/County Issues:

Renovation of Greenbelt Middle School: County Councilmember Peters asked if something specific could be targeted for county support in the $1 million range. There was discussion of the need to focus on the historic part of the structure. Mr. McLaughlin also suggested requesting support for planning the overall renovation.

Opposition to Inter-County Connector/Support for Inner-Beltway Purple Line

Opposition to Additional Beltway Ramps at Greenbelt Metro Station

County Issue:

Woodlands Ordinance: County Councilmember Peters distributed a draft bill.

The following topics were also discussed:

Information Items:

Greenbelt Station/Metroland development

Relocation of the salt dome at Kenilworth and Cherrywood: The State Highway Administration has indicated it will not relocate the salt dome and has requested suggestions toward a beautification plan.

Neighborhood Conservation Program

Other Issues:

Thornton Funding for Schools: It was noted that Thornton will be fully funded this year and next.

Telecommunications Antennas: Senator Pinsky described a bill that has been introduced to remove the authority of counties and municipalities to zone telecommunications antennas by allowing them to be concealed within flag poles of up to 150 feet. He noted that no one from the Maryland Municipal League had testified against it. Senator Pinsky had to leave at 8:30 p.m.

Speed Cameras: Delegate Ross said although he would support this bill, the administration had indicated it would not be signed if passed.

Fire Alarm Modifications for Hearing Impaired Condominium Owners: There was brief discussion of this bill.

Restoring Municipal Zoning Enforcement Authority: County Councilmember Peters said he would put this bill in when the City wished him to.

County Support: County Councilmember Peters asked to have a plan no later than early next week for use of $225,000 in Park and Planning funding that he may be able to designate for use by the City. The renovation of the Old Greenbelt Theatre was discussed as a possibility.

Council thanked Delegate Ross and County Councilmember Peters.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 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