REGULAR MEETING OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held June 7, 2004.

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

ROLL CALL was answered by Councilmembers Konrad E. Herling, Leta M. Mach, Rodney M. Roberts, and Mayor Judith F. Davis. Councilmember Putens had indicated it was likely he would not be able to attend tonight's meeting. 

ALSO PRESENT were Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Robert A. Manzi, City Solicitor; and Kathleen Gallagher, City Clerk. 

Mayor Davis asked for a moment of silence in honor of the death of former President Ronald Reagan and sympathy for his family, as well as in recognition of the 60^th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6.  She then led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. 

CONSENT AGENDA: Mr. Herling moved that the consent agenda be approved as presented.  Ms. Mach seconded the motion, which passed 4-0. 

Council thereby took the following actions: 

MINUTES

            - Work Session, April 19, 2004

            - Work Session, May 17, 2004

            - Interview, May 24, 2004

            - Regular Meeting, May 24, 2004

              Approved as presented. 

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION PLAN - LETTER OF COMMENT: Council approved sending the letter supporting specific elements in the Commission's "Federal Elements" draft plan for the region. 

RESIGNATIONS FROM ADVISORY GROUPS: Council accepted with regret the resignations of Sieglinde Peterson from the Employee Relations Board and Michael Travis from the Arts Advisory Board.   

REAPPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUPS: Council reappointed Richard T. Ransom and Paul Sabol to the Park & Recreation Advisory Board. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Ms. Mach and seconded by Mr. Herling that the agenda be approved as presented.  The motion carried 4-0.  

PRESENTATIONS: There were none. 

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS: There were none. 

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 

Mr. McLaughlin reminded everyone that June is Pedestrian Safety month and mentioned a number of activities to be conducted in conjunction with the event.  He announced that because of the rain, the ribbon-cutting for the CNG facility that had been planned for Saturday was postponed and would be rescheduled.  He also told Council the letter previously discussed had been sent to the county regarding Fire Department staffing. 

Mr. Manzi reported that he has contacted the newspapers to set up some possible dates for meeting with the municipalities regarding an agreement on vending boxes.  He pointed out that a decision would have to be made as to whether the first meeting should be with staff or elected officials.  Mayor Davis said she thought Greenbelt, at least, was beyond the staff level on this topic and that she would want Council invited along with staff.  Mr. Manzi said the cities involved at this time are Greenbelt, Annapolis, and Laurel, but he is still hoping to get Bowie and College Park on board.  Mayor Davis asked about the smaller cities.  Mr. Manzi said they had been mailed and would be notified of meeting dates even if they have not responded to say they are interested. 

Ms. Mach reported on a successful "Not for Seniors Only" session on June 5. 

Mayor Davis reported on: a May 29 retirement event for former Mayor Gerald Glaubitz of Morningside, who had served for 43 years, which former Councilmember Thomas X. White also attended; the May 30 World War II brunch in honor of Greenbelt veterans; the May 31 Memorial Day commemoration held at the Legion; various events of Greenbelt Day Weekend, including the ACE Reading Club reception on June 4 and the Youth Open Forum on June 5.   

Mr. Herling also thanked Barbara Simon and others for the activities conducted by the New Deal Café in conjunction with Greenbelt Day Weekend.

LEGISLATION

Adoption of the Budget: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.  Council first reviewed the changes to General Fund Revenues.  

Mr. Herling moved the following changes to Taxes; Ms. Mach seconded; motion passed 4-0.

 Ms. Mach moved the following change to Licenses & Permits; Mr. Herling seconded; motion passed

 4-0.

Mr. Roberts moved the following change to Miscellaneous Revenue; Ms. Mach seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mayor Davis moved the following change to Total General Fund Revenues; Mr. Herling seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Council then took up the changes to General Fund Expenditures. 

Mr. Herling moved the following change to Administration; Ms. Mach seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Herling moved the following change to Finance; Ms. Mach seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Herling moved the following changes to Public Information and Community Promotion; Ms. Mach seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mayor Davis moved the following change to Public Officers Associations; Mr. Herling seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Ms. Mach moved the following changes to Community Development; Mr. Herling seconded; motion passed 3-1 (Roberts).  Upon being asked by Mayor Davis if he wished to speak to his vote on this item, Mr. Roberts said he thought it was self-evident that he was not in favor of adding staff positions at a time when a structural problem had been identified with the budget and no additional revenues were forthcoming to fund the positions.

Mr. Roberts moved the following changes to Police; Ms. Mach seconded. Mayor Davis asked Mr. McLaughlin for confirmation that, while Council had agreed on a split vote to maintain the red-light camera, efforts would still be made to identify a more constructive location for it. Mr. McLaughlin said that was the case and that the item would return to Council. The motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Herling moved the following changes to Public Works Administration; Ms. Mach seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Herling moved the following changes to Street Maintenance; Ms. Mach seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Ms. Mach moved the following changes to Greenbelt CARES; Mr. Herling seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Ms. Mach moved the following change to Recreation Administration; Mr. Roberts seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Ms. Mach moved the following changes to Recreation Centers; Mr. Herling seconded; motion passed 3-1 (Roberts).

Mr. Roberts moved the following change to the Aquatic & Fitness Center; Ms. Mach seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Roberts moved the following change to the Community Center; Mr. Herling seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Roberts moved the following change to Special Events; Ms. Mach seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Herling moved the following changes to Parks; Ms. Mach seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mayor Davis moved the following changes to the Greenbelt Museum; Ms. Mach seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Roberts moved the following changes to Non-Departmental; Mr. Herling seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Roberts moved the following changes to Fund Transfers; Ms. Mach seconded. Mayor Davis asked that Council receive an update of the chart that had been provided by David Moran, Assistant to the City Manager, during the budget process regarding the status of the fund balances.  The motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Roberts moved the following change to Total General Fund Expenditures; Mr. Herling seconded; motion passed 4-0.

Mayor Davis moved the following change to Replacement Fund; Ms. Mach; motion passed 4-0.

An Ordinance to Adopt the General Fund, Building Capital Reserve Fund, Cemetery Fund, Debt Service Fund, Replacement Fund, Special Projects Fund, Temporary Disability Reserve Fund, Unemployment Compensation Reserve Fund, Green Ridge House Fund, Capital Projects Fund, 2001 Bond Fund, and Community Development Block Grant Fund Budgets for the City of Greenbelt, Maryland, to Appropriate Funds and Establish Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Rates for the Fiscal Year 2005, Beginning July 1, 2004 and Including June 30, 2005

            Mr. Roberts introduced the ordinance for first reading and moved suspension of Council's Standing Rules in order to allow second reading and passage of the ordinance tonight.  Ms. Mach seconded the motion. 

                        ROLL CALL:               Mr. Herling       - yes

            Ms. Mach         - yes

            Mr. Roberts      - yes

            Mayor Davis     - yes 

            Mr. Roberts introduced the ordinance for second reading and moved that it be adopted.  Ms. Mach seconded the motion. 

            In response to a request from Mayor Davis for any comments from Council, Mr. Roberts said he hoped to live long enough to see a year when the City Council did not raise taxes. 

            On behalf of Council, Mayor Davis thanked the City Manager, City Treasurer, and all the staff who worked on the budget for their work, as well as the citizens who came out to participate in the budget work sessions and public hearings.  She said this was a "tough budget" and added that although, as Mr. Roberts had suggested, it might appear that Council had not gone far enough in tightening the City's belt, Council had delayed adding necessary positions in past years, and she believed this was beginning to have an impact on the staff and on services.   

                        ROLL CALL:               Mr. Herling       - yes

           Ms. Mach         - yes

           Mr. Roberts      - yes

            Mayor Davis     - yes

     The ordinance was declared adopted (Ordinance No. 1245, Book 12.) 

A Resolution to Negotiate the Purchase of Citation Collection Services from Data Ticket, Inc., of Newport Beach, California 

            Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.  Ms. Mach introduced the resolution for second reading and adoption.  Mr. Herling seconded the motion. 

            Mayor Davis noted that there was mention in the terms of the contract of possible collection of red-light camera tickets, too.  Cpl. Maria Parker said the idea at this point was simply not to exclude that possibility.  In response to a question from Mr. Herling, she replied that this firm's customer service toward the City had been excellent and that they were very responsive to any concerns. 

                        ROLL CALL:               Mr. Herling       - yes

            Ms. Mach         - yes

            Mr. Roberts      - yes

            Mayor Davis     - yes 

            The resolution was declared adopted (Resolution No. 972, Book 8.) 

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 

            Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.  Mr. Roberts introduced the resolution for first reading. 

PEDESTRIAN WAYFINDING SIGNAGE FOR ANACOSTIA TRAILS HERITAGE AREA (ATHA): The Mayor read the agenda comments.  Mr. McLaughlin gave a slide presentation on the proposed sign locations.  He said the first plan had called for many more, but the existing plan reduced it to nine signs and one interpretive panel. 

            Regarding #101, at the entrance to the Lake Park, the Mayor expressed concern that the sign was too isolated.  Mr. McLaughlin said the intent was not to bury it in the trees, but he suggested an alternative site would be near the rest room facility once it is built, since that building will also house other educational materials.  In response to Mr. Herling's question about what trails exactly were in question, the Mayor explained that, as used by ATHA, the term did not refer to literal trails through the City.  Mr. McLaughlin also explained that the piece of this that Council was looking at is pedestrian-oriented because the state has not yet agreed to implement the highway signage that would bring vehicles to arrival points in the City. 

            There was discussion of whether it would be better to put some of the signs nearer by existing signs and panels.  Mr. McLaughlin said the experts with whom ATHA had been working recommended against bunching them in that fashion. 

            Council generally agreed that sign #108, on the south side of the Centerway underpass, was not well placed and intruded too much into the residential area.  Ms. Mach thought it might actually be misleading, and Mr. Roberts called it "overkill."  Mr. McLaughlin said it could either be eliminated or assigned to another location. 

            Mayor Davis suggested the overpass from Greenbelt East as another possible location.  Mr. McLaughlin said he thought that would primarily serve Greenbelt residents rather than the visitors who make up ATHA's audience.  He said the City could consider doing that on its own.  Mayor Davis noted that this route is also part of the bicycle path through Greenbelt and might serve non-residents that way.  Later in the discussion, she suggested Schrom Hills Park, with the idea of including direction toward Center City. 

            There was a great deal of discussion of sign #109, on Southway northbound at Crescent Road, in terms of whether the sign would inevitably serve motorists as well as pedestrians and whether the information on it would be useful.  Council agreed that sign #110, on Crescent eastbound at Southway, was too close to #109 and would interfere with the stop sign and crossing.  Mr. Roberts described the two signs at this intersection as "too much."  He said he thought it would make more sense to direct people to Roosevelt Center and have adequate maps and information there.  He also suggested adding the designation of the Forest Preserve areas to this and other City maps. 

            Mr. McLaughlin said the sign (#114) proposed for the Greenbelt Homes, Inc. (GHI) offices on Hamilton Place had not been discussed with GHI yet. 

            Ms. Mach raised again her objection to the inaccurate map on the interpretive panel at the educational site at Greenbelt Lake.  She suggested that even though it had been done as a student project, perhaps other students or the student's school could be prevailed upon to do a corrected version. 

            Mr. McLaughlin said he would convey Council's preference to scratch the locations for  signs #108 and #110 and asked Council to continue to think about whether it wished to place them elsewhere or eliminate them.  

SELECTION OF AUDIT SERVICES FOR FY 2005: The Mayor read the agenda comments.  After some discussion and clarification with Jeff Williams, City Treasurer, of the best criteria to be considered, Ms. Mach made a motion that Abrams, Foster, Nole & Williams be selected as the audit firm to review the City's financial records, in accordance with its proposal submitted in response to the City's Request for Proposals.  The motion passed 4-0. 

MEETINGS: Council reviewed the schedule of upcoming meetings.  It was agreed to cancel the July 7 work session. 

ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Mach and seconded by Mr. Herling.  The motion carried 4-0.  The Mayor adjourned the regular meeting of June 7, 2004, at 10:42 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 7, 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