Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. It was held in the Community Building at Hunting Ridge.

PRESENT were Mayor Judith Davis, Mayor pro tem Rodney Roberts, and Councilmembers Konrad Herling, Leta Mach and Edward Putens.

ALSO PRESENT were Sheldon Goldberg from Windsor Green, Dorothy Pyles from Greenbriar, Kay Mooney from Hunting Ridge, and Charlene MacAdams from Greenwood Village of the Greenbelt East Advisory Committee; and Michael McLaughlin, City Manager.

Mayor Davis noted this meeting was the regular stakeholder meeting with GEAC. GEAC submitted an agenda with the following 16 items. A staff response was prepared on the items for review.

1. Greenbelt Station Status – It was noted that it is believed the project is proceeding in planning. Discussions occurred with the City on possible settlement of the City’s lawsuit in March 2004 that were ultimately not successful. No word has been received on the City’s appeal of concept or preliminary plans.

2. Post Office – Council supported construction of a new postal facility on Hanover Parkway at Ora Glen Drive. Federal funds are authorized for construction, which should begin this year and take approximately 18 months to complete. Effort will also be made to establish a contract postal unit with a merchant at Roosevelt Center.

3. Playground Agreement – A new revised agreement is being drafted and is undergoing in-house review.

4. Hanover Parkway Traffic-Calming Project Status – The second traffic circle at Hunting Ridge is complete. Ms. Mooney noted that the residents of Hunting Ridge are happy with the results. The traffic-calming study for Greenbelt East including the remainder of Hanover Parkway will be finalized this summer and ready for review by Council. It has been reviewed by all Greenbelt East neighborhoods.

5. Sunrise Property/Forest Preserve Task Force – Sunrise property has been acquired. Forest preserve task force has been established and its first meeting was June 2.

6. Code Enforcement/Inspection Policy – Mr. Goldberg noted that the City’s new policy of windshield inspections was causing conflicts with some of the neighborhoods’ guidelines. Council noted its support for the program and that the ultimate goal is compliance within a reasonable time.

7. Eleanor Roosevelt H. S. Memorandum Of Understanding – Council had asked County Councilmember Peters to get an agreement with the School Board that allows an addition to be built at DuVal High School as long as Greenbelt children always attend Roosevelt, programs are not cut, and if student population grows an addition will be put back on list. Late last week it was determined that an MOU was not doable; instead, Mr. Peters had similar language added to the school system capital budget.

8. Electric Power Aggregation – City supported the approach in the 2004 General Assembly session, but it did not get out of Senate committee. City is suggesting it to Maryland Municipal League for 2005 session.

9. Fire Department Staffing – The county has just recently made decisions to reduce paid staffing at the Greenbelt station between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Greenbelt station has agreed to a30-day trial. A letter of concern from the City has been sent requesting a meeting to discuss this. Apparently staffing was reduced at Berwyn Heights station in January 2004. All paid staffing was removed from Branchville about two years ago.

10. Greenbelt Assistance in Living Program (GAIL) – The program has been operating successfully for the past year. Grant funding has ended, but the program is proposed to continue with City funding in FY 2005. The program is supported by a volunteer group known as the Friends of the Resource Advocate (FORA).

11. Mandan Basketball Court – the City continues to monitor the situation with police, inspectors, and park rangers. There have been no reported problems for some time.

12. Springhill Lake Redevelopment Plans – The owner of Springhill Lake apartments, AIMCO, is developing plans to rebuild the complex. The plan will likely include an increase in density, a mixture of housing types including an ownership component, and an upgrade in the value of the housing. They are also looking to replace Springhill Lake Elementary School. No detailed plans exist yet.

13. Budget Issues – Loss of State Funds – It was noted the state had reduced the highway user/gas tax to local governments by approximately 30% in FY 2004. This meant a reduction of $150,000 to Greenbelt. Reduction was initially continued in the FY 2005 budget but was modified by approval of some higher fees that restored $62,000. Serious concerns remain related to the need for further state cuts for FY 2006, since the state is expected to face an $800 million gap and few options. Program Open Space was funded for FY 2005, though at a slightly reduced level from FY 2004.

14. Lien Law – Mr. Goldberg stated this matter was placed on the list to hear if there was any update. Mayor Davis noted that passage of legislation such as this has been attempted a number of times in past years with no success and nothing was submitted last year.

15. Newspaper Vending Boxes – The City Solicitor is developing an agreement to be jointly used by a number of municipalities including Annapolis and Laurel as well as Greenbelt. A work session with newspaper representatives is being scheduled.

16. Theater Remodeling/Operation – Plans are in design and expected to be completed this summer. Remodeling work is to begin as soon thereafter as possible.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael McLaughlin

City Manager

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