Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m.

ROLL CALL was answered by Council members Konrad E. Herling, Leta M. Mach, Edward V. J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, 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 honor of residents Elizabeth (Betty) Beers, Charles Russell James, Elmer Janosko, and Emily Nutku; and former resident and Greenbelt Pioneer Bernice Brautigam. She then led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

CONSENT AGENDA: Ms. Mach requested that the minutes of the meeting of June 7, 2004, be removed from the consent agenda. Mr. Herling asked that the Park & Recreation Advisory Board report under item #10 be removed, since the chair of the board was present and would like to address Council about it. The City Manager asked that item #19, Reduction in Career Staffing at Fire Stations – Four Cities Letter, be removed. With those changes, Mr. Putens moved that the consent agenda be approved. Ms. Mach seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.

Council thereby took the following actions:

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS

- Work Session, May 26, 2004

- Work Session, June 3, 2004

- Work Session, June 9, 2004

- Work Session, June 14, 2004

- Approved as presented.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Advisory Committee on Education, Report #03-2004 (ACE Reading Tutor Program): Council accepted this report and agreed to consider it on the agenda of the next meeting.

Arts Advisory Board, Report #04-005 (Recognition Group Applications): Council accepted this report and agreed to consider it on the agenda of the next meeting.

REAPPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS: Jennifer Cosgrove and Clement Lau were reappointed to new terms on, respectively, the Advisory Committee on Trees and the Park & Recreation Advisory Board.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. McLaughlin asked Council to reverse the order of items #15 and #16. It was moved by Mr. Putens and seconded by Ms. Mach that the agenda be approved with that change in the order of business. The motion carried 5-0.

PRESENTATIONS: There were none.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: There were none.

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS: In the minutes for the Regular Meeting of June 7, 2004, Ms. Mach said under the ATHA signage topic, a reference to sign #110 should have been #109; Mayor Davis also pointed out a typographical error. Mr. Putens moved, with a second from Mr. Herling, that this set of minutes be approved as amended. The motion passed 5-0.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Mr. McLaughlin noted the following had been distributed to Council: tickets for the PGCMA breakfast at the Maryland Municipal League conference; copies of the MML’s e-bulletin; and e-mail from Chief Brian Rudy related to a later agenda item.

Mr. Herling said the first clean-up day by the Arts Center had been held at the Jaycee’s Clubhouse. It will take at least two more of these events to clean it up for evaluation for use by the Disabled American Veterans; the next one is scheduled for July 17.

Mr. Putens attended the NLC Small Cities Steering Committee meeting in Tennessee. He said there was interest in the Greenbelt Assistance in Living (GAIL) Program; on a national level, there was strong interest in having the White House set a priority on developing non-oil transportation.

Mayor Davis reported on attending: the Eleanor Roosevelt High School commencement—the graduating class has been awarded $21 million in scholarship money; the North Brentwood 80th Anniversary celebration—the City’s congratulatory letter was printed in their program; the Green Ridge House 25th Anniversary celebration—the Mayor read the City’s proclamation; a GAIL-sponsored presentation on avoiding scams; and the Greenbelt Elementary School awards ceremony. She also announced that a Greenbelt resident, James Gonzales, was the winner of a $1,000 PGCMA scholarship.

COMMITTEE REPORTS - Park & Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) Report #04-5 (Buddy Attick Restrooms): Lola Skolnik, chair of PRAB, said the board report was submitted because the restrooms at the park have been pending for more than 20 years. She said the board is optimistic that there will be enough funding to cover them with the bid for the expansion of the Public Works facility; however, there is concern that should the money be stretched too thin, the restrooms might be postponed once again. She said she had asked to address this at tonight’s meeting simply to make the public aware that the PRAB report would be considered at the work session on the Capital Projects budget this Wednesday night. Mayor Davis said she was strongly supportive of this project and that it had been delayed most recently because Council had found the cost would be prohibitive if the water lines were run separately. Ms. Mach agreed, saying that since the Public Works expansion provided the best possible time to do this project, it would make no sense to drop it. Mr. McLaughlin pointed out that while the City is bundling these two projects to save money, they in fact will be funded through separate funds so that a shortfall in one project need not impact the other. Council thanked Ms. Skolnik for coming.

LEGISLATION

Resolution to Repeal Resolution Number 948 and Establish Service Charges for Garbage, Trash, and Recycling Collections in the City of Greenbelt, Maryland, Effective July 1, 2004 (2nd Reading, Adoption)

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Roberts moved that the resolution be introduced for second reading and adoption. Ms. Mach seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes

Ms. Mach - yes

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mayor Davis- yes

The resolution was declared adopted (Resolution No. 973, Book 8.)

An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 4, ABuildings and Building Regulations,@ of the Greenbelt City Code for the Purpose of Allowing the City to Amend Section 4-287, “Fees And Penalties” to Increase Fees for Inspection of Residential Rental Dwellings, Effective July 1, 2004

The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. Roberts introduced the ordinance for first reading and moved suspension of the rules. Mr. Herling seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes

Ms. Mach - yes

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

Mr. Roberts introduced the ordinance for second reading and moved adoption. Mr. Herling seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes

Ms. Mach - yes

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The ordinance was declared adopted (Ordinance No. 1246, Book 12.)

An Ordinance to Make a Supplemental Appropriation in the General Fund for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2004, in the Amount of Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($800,000) for Additional Expenditures over the Appropriated Amount

The Mayor read the agenda comments and added that the amount staff proposed to transfer this year was unusually high. Jeff Williams, City Treasurer, responded that it was a large amount but that there had been several big-ticket items that could not be budgeted at the beginning of the year, including the purchase of the Greenbelt Theatre building, Workers’ Compensation expenses, and major increases in gas and electric rates. He said a substantial cushion was also built in, so that the City would not risk being noncompliant with its Charter by overrunning any departmental budgets. Mr. McLaughlin concurred, saying he thought the most likely scenario would be an additional appropriation of no more than $500,000-$600,000: $200,000 for the theater building, $100,000 for Workers’ Compensation; and $150,000 each for electric and gas.

Mr. Putens asked the status of revenues. Mr. Williams said they appeared to be down by about $100,000, mostly in personal property taxes. Mayor Davis said she had to wonder now whether the recently adopted FY 2005 budget had adequately taken the increased costs into account. Mr. Williams said $35,000 had been added for electricity prior to adoption. The Mayor said the situation should be evaluated halfway through the year. Mr. McLaughlin said he was considering holding some of the new positions Council had approved until August, when the revenues from income taxes could be evaluated.

Ms. Mach introduced the ordinance for first reading and moved suspension of the rules. Mr. Herling seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes

Ms. Mach - yes

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

Ms. Mach introduced the ordinance for second reading and moved adoption. Mr. Herling seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes

Ms. Mach - yes

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The ordinance was declared adopted (Ordinance No. 1247, Book 12.)

An Ordinance to Make a Supplemental Appropriation in the Special Projects Fund for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2004, in the Amount of Two Hundred and Five Thousand Dollars ($205,000) for Additional Expenditures over the Appropriated Amount

The Mayor read the agenda comments and asked Mr. Williams to elaborate. He said the major item involved was the new telephone system. There are also expenses in this fund for items reimbursed by confiscated drug funds and costs of e-government purchases. Mr. McLaughlin added that it was important to realized that the Special Projects Fund is entirely self-funded and does not require monies from the General Fund or take funding away from anything else.

Mr. Herling introduced the ordinance for first reading and moved suspension of the rules. Mr. Putens seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes

Ms. Mach - yes

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

Mr. Herling introduced the ordinance for second reading and moved its adoption. Mr. Putens seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes

Ms. Mach - yes

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The ordinance was declared adopted (Ordinance No. 1248, Book 12.)

A Resolution to Authorize Kathleen Gallagher to Sign Checks, Vouchers, and Purchase Orders from June 24 to July 12, 2004

The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens introduced the resolution for first reading and moved suspension of the rules. Ms. Mach seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes

Ms. Mach - yes

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

Mr. Putens introduced the resolution for second reading and moved adoption. Ms. Mach seconded.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes

Ms. Mach - yes

Mr. Putens - yes

Mr. Roberts - yes

Mayor Davis - yes

The resolution was declared adopted (Resolution No. 974, Book 8.)

FISCAL YEAR 2005 PROGRAM OPEN SPACE APPLICATION: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Kristen Ward, Community Planner, was present to answer questions. There was discussion of the $35,000 discrepancy between the amount requested from Program Open Space for the Skateboard Park new development project and the amount listed in the Capital Projects budget. It was moved by Mr. Putens and seconded by Ms. Mach that Council approve the FY 2005 Program Open Space annual program, with the Skateboard Park to be listed as $135,000 and the difference to be taken from a project further down the list chronologically. The motion passed 5-0.

BRIEFING ON SUICIDE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Christal Batey, Community Resource Advocate, described a campaign to counter national and City trends of suicide among older people, especially men. The program will be introduced in July and culminate in October with depression-screening week. The City will partner with Community Crisis Services, representing the first time this organization has partnered with a municipality on this scale. In response to a question from Mayor Davis, Ms. Batey clarified that the depression screening is open to all ages, although City’s effort to highlight the problem was motivated by suicides by seniors. Mr. McLaughlin commented that this represented another significant undertaking on Ms. Batey’s part, and Council thanked her for her work with the senior programs.

AWARD OF PURCHASE – POLICE RADIO REPEATERS: The Mayor read the agenda comments. Sgt. James Parker was present to answer questions. Mayor Davis asked how the condition of the older repeater to be placed in the basement of the Municipal Building would be monitored. Sgt. Parker said the Police Department anticipated testing it quarterly. The Mayor asked why, if keeping this one was such a good idea, the City would not want to replace it if it failed. For the same reason, Ms. Mach asked, “Why not keep both of the old ones?” Sgt. Parker replied that since this equipment is old, the department had thought keeping only the better of the two would be the best decision. He said a reason for investing a small amount of money in keeping the one is that the Police Department and the water tower on which the repeaters are mounted are on the same power grid, so there is some possibility of both locations going out at once. Mr. McLaughlin said that in his opinion, this was creating a redundancy of a redundancy that did not justify long-term investment. In response to a question from Mr. Roberts, Sgt. Parker said they hoped the antenna that used to be on the Municipal Building roof is still there; however, should it have to be replaced, it will not be conspicuous. It was moved by Mr. Roberts and seconded by Mr. Putens that Council approve the purchase and installation of the radio repeaters from Wireless Communication/Motorola of Baltimore for $34,345and the purchase and installation of two new antennas from Teltronic Towers of Capitol Heights for $4,525. The motion passed 5-0.

AWARD OF BID – AQUATIC & FITNESS CENTER HVAC UNITS: The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. Putens moved that Bid 2004-3 be awarded to Oasis Mechanical Contractors, Inc., of Lanham, Maryland, in the amount of $27,861. Mr. Herling seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.

REDUCTION IN CAREER STAFFING AT FIRE STATIONS – FOUR CITIES LETTER: Mayor Davis said there was a draft letter on the agenda to be sent by the Four Cities to the county Fire Chief regarding a new decision to reduce career staff at local fire stations. In the meantime, Chief Blackwell had responded to a letter from the City requesting a meeting. Since there are no times left in June, Council directed staff to attempt to find a time in July if possible. Mayor Davis asked Mr. McLaughlin to try to find out what the staffing status at West Lanham Hills from 3-5 p.m. is, since that station serves a sizeable portion of Greenbelt. Mr. McLaughlin also commented on an e-mail he had distributed to Council from Greenbelt Fire Chief Rudy documenting the negative impact on the level of response the City had already seen as a result of the change in policy. It was moved by Ms. Mach and seconded by Mr. Putens that Council approve the letter from the Four Cities and authorize the Mayor to sign it. The motion passed 5-0.

MEETINGS: Council reviewed the schedule of upcoming meetings. Mayor Davis asked that staff convey to NASA a request to summarize the current status of their master plan at the stakeholder meeting that has been scheduled for July 28. She also asked Mr. McLaughlin to check on a report she had heard that WMATA has intentions of expanding the Greenbelt Metro yard, since it might impact the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center property.

ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Mach and seconded by Mr. Herling. The motion carried 5-0. The Mayor adjourned the regular meeting of June 21, 2004, at 9:50 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 June 21, 2004.@

Judith F. Davis

Mayor

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