WORK SESSION OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL
Held Wednesday, February 18, 2004
For the purpose of meeting with the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee to discuss its report on the 2003 Open Forum.

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. It was held in the Senior Classroom of the Community Center.

PRESENT WERE: Councilmembers Leta M. Mach, Edward V. J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, and Mayor Judith F. Davis. Councilmember Konrad E. Herling arrived at about 8:25 p.m.

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Karen Haseley, Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor; and Kathleen Gallagher, City Clerk.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Phyllis Budin (chair),Bunny Fitzgerald, Henry Haslinger, Pearl Siegel, Leah Warner, Jim Bowles, Helen Geller, Esther Herold, Betty Timer, and Booker Hughes, Senior Citizens Advisory Committee; and Tom White.

After introductions, items were reviewed in the order of presentation in the report as follows.

Crosswalks and Bollards: Mayor Davis said the problem with the “walk” light at Hanover and Greenbelt is possibly that while the flashing signal may last long enough for crossing the street, it comes on right away, with the result that there is no way for a pedestrian to know how much time remains to cross. She said when the weather is warmer, she will get someone from the State Highway Administration (SHA) to come out and test it. Ms. Timer said that in other jurisdictions she has seen signals that do a reverse numerical countdown, which allows the pedestrian to make a reasonable judgment about entering the crosswalk. Mr. Putens said these devices are not that expensive, and perhaps the City could fund one jointly with SHA as a pilot project.

Ms. Mach said she understood the Frederick delegation to the General Assembly had introduced legislation prohibiting solicitation at intersections. The Mayor said the City should look into this, since it has been a topic of interest in Greenbelt for some time.

Regarding the library parking lot, the Mayor said the Planning Department had responded that the lines all need repainting. When weather conditions are right for that, Public Works will look into the best alternatives. With regard to Crescent Road, she said that eliminating parking spaces to improve visibility would be a hardship on the apartments. Mr. McLaughlin said he believed the bollards were currently all accounted for and working well. Everyone agreed that the crossing on Cherrywood Lane at the Giant was very bad. Mr. McLaughlin explained the City’s request to reprogram CDBG money to upgrade that part of Cherrywood Lane. He said the City has funding from the county under the County Executive’s Livable Communities Program to improve the crosswalk.

Ms. Haseley also noted a memo dated February 18 from Community Planner Kristen Ward saying the location on Lakeside Drive for which a crosswalk had been requested by Esther Webb would not, in her opinion, be suitable for a crosswalk.

Ms. Timer asked about the videotapes on pedestrian safety that had been broadcast on the cable channel. Mr. McLaughlin said they were usually broadcast during pedestrian safety month in June but could certainly be shown occasionally at other times.

Traffic Issues: Regarding speeding, Mayor Davis said people should call the Police Department and report it. She also described the training program for using the radar guns. Someone suggested this program as a topic for “Not for Seniors Only.”

Regarding the traffic flow behind the Post Office, Ms. Mach suggested that midway directional signs might serve as reminders to people who lose sight of the one-way directions when they return to their cars after being parked.

BWP Pedestrian Overpass: The Mayor noted that the overpass is now brightly lit, with the vegetation cut back. Ms. Fitzgerald said she was very impressed with the job Public Works has done in keeping it clear during the bad weather as well.

Accessibility Issues: There was support for Ms. Siegel’s suggestion to look into the price of the wheelchairs for sale at the Coop and, if it seems reasonable, purchase one for use at the Community Center to provide an alternative to borrowing from the Adult Daycare Center. The Mayor said the new Greenbelt Connection bus is still on order. She asked the cause of the delay and whether the City should ask County Councilmember Peters to help. Mr. McLaughlin said Public Works had been monitoring the situation, and he would check with them first.

Miscellaneous: Mr. McLaughlin said the City had not heard back from M&T Bank regarding their mobile banking center. In closing, Ms. Budin reiterated the strong support of the SCAC for funding the Community Resource Advocate position.

This part of the meeting ended at about 9:25 p.m.

Other Business

Mayor Davis reported that in response to the question she posed to the Governor at a Maryland Municipal League Legislative Committee meeting he attended, he said there was no intention of forcing slot machines on communities that did not want them.

Mayor Davis also recounted a phone call she received from Councilmember Peters regarding the new capital projects budget for the schools, which eliminates an addition to Eleanor Roosevelt High School and provides for one instead at Duval. In addition, boundary changes will be made. After some discussion, it was concluded that the City should oppose this change in the absence of adequate data on the intended impacts. Mr. McLaughlin will get whatever additional information he can and refer the question to the Advisory Committee on Education.

There was discussion of the need for an executive session next week regarding Greenbelt Station.

There was discussion of a February 12 meeting attended by Mayor Davis and Mr. McLaughlin regarding efforts on planning and zoning authority.

Mr. McLaughlin said the planning and zoning issue would go before the bi-county committee on February 25 at 9 a.m., and the City’s request for Program Open Space reimbursement for the Sunrise property would be on the Board of Public Works’ agenda at 10 a.m. on the same day. Mayor Davis will be away. Mr. Roberts will attend, and Mr. Putens will attempt to do so.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 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