BUDGET WORK SESSION OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held Wednesday, May 10, 2006, for the purpose of meeting with Contribution Groups to discuss the proposed FY 2007 budget.

 Mayor Davis started the meeting at 7:34 p.m. It was held in the Multipurpose Room of the Community Center.

 PRESENT WERE: Councilmembers Konrad Herling, Leta Mach, Edward V. J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, and Mayor Judith F. Davis.

 STAFF PRESENT WERE: David E. Moran, Assistant City Manager and Greg Varda, Recreation Supervisor.

 Council met with the following groups and people to discuss funding requests:

 Greenbelt Golden Age Club – Robert Terrell and Bill Souser represented the group. They indicated that the arrangement with Karen Haseley using the funds previously allocated to the club for programming trips was working well. Mr. Souser noted the club would be celebrating its 50 th Anniversary next year.

 Greenbelt Senior Softball – Bert Kerr and Sterling Tropp represented the group. Mr. Kerr noted they have added more Greenbelt players and increased their member dues to $30.

 Friends of the New Deal Café Arts(FONDCA) – Barbara Simon, Anja Bull and Chris Logan represented the group. Mayor Davis asked about signs and publicity in Greenbelt East. Ms. Simon indicated she would work on additional signage. Mr. Roberts suggested advertising in the HOA newsletters. Ms. Simon noted that FONDCA was requesting a $400 increase to cover additional activities at the Green Man festival. Mr. Herling asked how many performances they do in a year. Mr. Logan responded about 42. Ms. Mach asked how FONDCA could work with ERHS. Ms. Simon responded they were discussing ideas for working with students including internship possibilities.

 Greenbelt Concert Band – Tom Cherrix and David Clarke were present to represent the Concert Band. Council discussed their performances and thanked them for the work they do.

 Greenbelt Arts Center (GAC) – Jeff Landou and Sandy Irving represented the group. Mayor Davis asked about GAC’s deficit. Mr. Irving responded that much of it was due to replacing lighting equipment. He reported on several other line items that were impacting their budget. Mr. Landou believed that GAC needed to do a better job of grant writing. Mr. Putens asked about the GAC lease. Mr. Landou responded that SCAN had reported that there shouldn’t be a problem with month-to-month and the owner’s representative had provided positive feedback about them staying. There was considerable discussion about the GAC moving to the post office space and also the previous concept plan to add a performance space (black box) to the Community Center.

 Greenbelt Baseball – Greg Fisanich represented the group. Mr. Fisanich reported that Greenbelt Baseball picked up t-ball which meant uniforms and equipment for an additional 4 teams.

 Greenbelt Labor Day Festival Committee – Patti Brothers, John and Gloria Winfrey, and Lenny Wertz represented the Committee. Ms. Brothers reported that the reserves were good. Mr. Wertz presented a check for $1,500 towards the repayment of the loan, leaving a balance of $4,500.

 Greenbelt Boys & Girls Club (GBGC) –Aleasha Boone, James Green, Kim Paz, Jennifer Zambrana and Victor Wainwright represented the Club. The club indicated that fundraising was a high priority. Mayor Davis asked about the reserves. Ms. Boone responded that the club would be using some of the reserves to purchase equipment. GBGC indicated it had about 400 youth in their various sports programs. Council agreed with PRAB and expressed concern about their high reserve balance.

 Greenbelt Aquatic Boosters(GAB)– David Taylor-Nielsen represented the group. He reported on plans to seek 501C(3) status. He noted that GAB intended to spend down some of its surplus and also reported on a very successful triathlon last year.

 Greenbelt Babe Ruth League – Bob Sonneveldt represented the group. He reported they were reevaluating fundraising at the Comcast Center. Mr. Sonneveldt noted the dirt was harder than usual due to the lack of rain. Mr. Varda indicated that special dirt was being ordered.

 Recognition Groups

Council discussed the recognition groups and raised several questions. Mr. Varda was able to answer the questions or indicated he would obtain answers for Council.

 The meeting ended at 11:03 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted,

 David E. Moran

Assistant City Manager

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