Mayor Davis started the meeting at 8:05 p.m. It was held in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Community Center.

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; Jeff Williams, City Treasurer; Kenny Hall, Director of Public Works; Bill Phelan, Assistant Director of Public Works; Carolyn Clemens, Superintendent; Cindy Murray and Richard Keeley, Public Works Staff; Dierdre Allen, Accountant; and David E. Moran, Assistant to the City Manager.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Sheldon Goldberg and Thomas White, News Review

Mr. Hall began with a powerpoint presentation. The presentation reviewed selected accomplishments. Ms. Clemens provided an update on the Public Works Facility project. She noted that staff hoped to go out to bid in mid-May and break ground in July.

Mr. Phelan provided a detailed update on the playground upgrades completed in FY 2004. He noted it was proposed in the FY 2005 Budget to eliminate the playground at Greenbriar Park and indicated that six other City playgrounds were proposed for upgrades.

Mr. Phelan discussed other Issues & Services. Under maintenance of the urban forest, he noted the plan to aerate soils near trees. He also discussed the bolting of trees. Under alternative fuels, the new CNG fast fill station was discussed. There was considerable discussion about the use of bio-diesel and its actual environmental benefits.

Ms. Murray discussed a proposed change to yard waste collection by using paper bags or plastic bins for yard waste collection. It was noted the paper bags would decompose at the same rate as the yard waste. Council expressed support for this proposed change.

Next the Municipal Building and Traffic Control budgets were reviewed. Under Public Works, the Administration, Multi-Purpose Equipment, Street Maintenance, Waste Collection and City Cemetery budgets were reviewed. Then, the Parks and Greenbelt Connection budgets were discussed.

Other Business

Mr. McLaughlin reported that the Post Office was on the May 10 agenda. Ms Mach reported that ACE Committee Member, LaShelle Ferguson had been awarded the Christa McAuliffe award from the Prince George’s Board of Education.

The meeting ended at 11:30 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