REGULAR MEETING OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held June 5, 2006.

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 Edward V. J. Putens was out of town.

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. She then led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

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

Council thereby took the following actions:

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS

- Work Session, May 17, 2006

Approved as presented.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Advisory Committee on Education, Report #1-06 ( Adequate School Capacity – Greenbelt West) : Council accepted this report for future consideration of this issue.

BOATING REGULATIONS AT GREENBELT LAKE : Council generally endorsed the amendments to the regulations as proposed by the Park & Recreation Advisory Board and directed staff to place the changes on the agenda of the next Council meeting for consideration.

REAPPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY GROUP : Council appointed Lola Skolnik and Kelly Ivy to new terms on the Park & Recreation Advisory Board.

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

PRESENTATIONS

Pediatric Wellness Program at Springhill Lake - Bowie State School of Nursing Report : Felicia Andrews, who served as the project manager, gave an overview of the Pediatric Wellness Program, a collaborative project of the City and Bowie State University aimed at addressing the “Leading Health Indicators” and educating parents about the overall pediatric wellness needs at the Springhill Lake community. She said the program was quite successful and well worth continuing. In response to a question from Ms. Mach, she said that although lack of insurance coverage was an issue, education was also a factor, since many families were not fully aware of coverage for which they were eligible for their children. At the conclusion of the questions, Christal Parker Batey, Human Resource Advocate, presented Ms. Andrews a certificate of appreciation from the CARES program.

National League of Cities Proclamations : Mayor Davis read two proclamations that will be presented to the president of the National League of Cities on Saturday, June 10, during the summer meeting of the NLC Small Cities Council. Greenbelt City Councilmember Edward Putens is serving as chair of the Small Cities Council, and the summer meeting is being held in Greenbelt. One proclamation announced the City’s commitment to the NLC’s Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities; the other declared June 10 to be National Small Cities and Towns Day.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS

Sue Krofchik, 6 Lafayette Place, spoke to compliment the City’s Planning staff on all their hard work on the Greenbelt West development projects. She encouraged the City to keep this in mind at evaluation time.

Clement Lau, 6 Greentree Place, presented a petition upon his arrival later in the meeting, asking that more lane space be made available to the swim team for practice until school is out and they can practice in the mornings. He said it is just a two-week period that is a problem and asked that this be permitted next year if it is too late to make a change for this year. Council referred the matter to staff.

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS

Executive Session, May 15, 2006: Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the executive session of the City Council held Monday, May 15, 2006, be approved as presented. He further requested that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in executive session at 9:05 p.m. in the Library of the Municipal Building. Council held this closed meeting in accordance with Section 10-508 (a) (14) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Public General Laws of Maryland to discuss negotiations related to the operating agreement for the Greenbelt Theater building. Mr. Herling seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes
Ms. Mach - yes
Mr. Roberts - yes
Mayor Davis - yes

Executive Session, May 30, 2006: Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the first of two executive sessions of the City Council held Tuesday, May 30, 2006, be approved as presented. He further requested that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in executive session at 8:10 p.m. in the Library of the Municipal Building. Council held this closed meeting in accordance with Section 10-508 (a) (7) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Public General Laws of Maryland to consult with legal counsel on a legal matter related to the lease for the adult day care center. Mr. Herling seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes
Ms. Mach - yes
Mr. Roberts - yes
Mayor Davis - yes

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Mr. McLaughlin announced that a mobile postal unit was to be available in the parking lot outside the Municipal Building beginning next week. He said people needing to get to the new post office on Ora Glen could also call the Greenbelt Connection. He said a number of programs and activities were planned for Employee Safety week this week. He also announced that the Prince George’s County sheriff would be holding a “Meet the Sheriff” forum in the Council Room on June 13 at 7 p.m.

Mayor Davis asked that some attention be given to the proliferation of advertising signs on medians and poles on roadways. She also asked Mr. McLaughlin to remind the Park Service, if that is the responsible agency, that the grass needs cutting on the Southway medians. She said she had attended a Friends of the Greenbelt Museum lecture; the Police Chiefs of Prince George’s County annual awards, at which Shaniya Lashley-Mullen won the Civilian of the Year Award; the COG Local-State Partnership dinner; a Glenarden Woods Elementary School event; the American Legion Memorial Day commemoration; the Eleanor Roosevelt High School graduation; the Springhill Lake Elementary School 40 th anniversary celebration; Greenbelt Day Weekend activities; and a reception honoring Pauline Menes. She also thanked members of the City’s county and state delegations, as well as the municipalities of New Carrollton and Berwyn Heights, for their congratulatory ads in the Greenbelt News Review for Greenbelt’s 69 th anniversary.

Ms. Mach reported on activities of the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee and noted that an initiative on plug-in hybrid cars might eventually come to the City once the committee sent it forward to the COG board. She also submitted a report to Council on the National League of Cities National City After-School Summit, which she attended.

Mr. Herling said the group forming to plan an International Cultural Festival was targeting mid-October to mid-November to hold it. He also said COG is forming an Arts and Culture Committee on which he has been asked to participate. Mayor Davis said she would bring this to the attention of the COG board.

LEGISLATION

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

 Mayor Davis moved the following changes to Taxes, Licenses and Permits, and Total General Fund Revenues. Ms. Mach seconded; the motion passed 3-1 (Roberts).

Council then took up the changes to General Fund Expenditures.

Mr. Roberts moved the following changes to City Council, Administration, Finance and Administrative Services, Community Promotion, and Total General Government. Ms. Mach seconded; the motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Herling moved the following changes to Planning,Community Development, and Total Planning and Community Development. Ms. Mach seconded; the motion passed 3-1 (Roberts).

Ms. Mach moved the following changes to Police, Animal Control, Fire and Rescue, and Total Public Safety. Mr. Herling seconded; the motion passed 4-0.

Mayor Davis moved the following changes to Public Works Administration, Motor Vehicle Maintenance, Street Maintenance, Refuse Collection, Roosevelt Center, and Total Public Works. Mr. Roberts seconded; the motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Roberts moved the following changes to Greenbelt CARES, Assistance in Living Program, Service Coordination Program, and Total Social Services. Ms. Mach seconded; the motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Herling made the following changes to Recreation Administration, Recreation Centers, Aquatic & Fitness Center, Community Center, Greenbelt’s Kids, Therapeutic Recreation, Leisure and Fitness, Arts, Special Events, Parks, and Total Recreation and Parks. Ms. Mach seconded; the motion passed 4-0.

Ms. Mach moved the following changes to Grants and Contributions, Greenbelt Museum, Total Miscellaneous, Non-Departmental, Fund Transfers, and Total General Fund Expenditures. Mr. Herling seconded; the motion passed 4-0.

Ms. Mach moved the following change to Debt Service Fund. Mr. Roberts seconded; the motion passed 4-0.

Ms. Mach then moved that the budget as a whole be adopted. Mr. Herling seconded the motion, which carried 4-0.

Ms. Mach commented that she had been impressed with the process of working through the budget this year, which had been less difficult than in prior years. Mr. Herling agreed, saying he was very pleased to support this budget, which sustained City services without a tax increase despite the sharp increase in energy costs. Mr. Roberts described this year’s budget as a “partial miracle,” noting that while there had been no tax increase, assessments would go up. He thanked both staff and Council. The Mayor thanked the City Manager, City Treasurer, Department Directors, and all the staff who worked on the budget. She pointed out that the budget includes increases in user fees but not in the tax rate. She gave an overview of some of the changes that had taken place in the City this year.

An Ordinance to Adopt the General Fund, Building Capital Reserve Fund, Cemetery Fund, Debt Service Fund, Replacement Fund, Special Projects 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 2007 Beginning July 1, 2006 and Including June 30, 2007

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Roberts introduced the ordinance for first reading and moved suspension of the rules in order to allow second reading and passage of the ordinance tonight. Mr. Herling 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.

ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes
Ms. Mach - yes
Mr. Roberts - yes
Mayor Davis - yes

The ordinance was declared adopted (Ordinance No. 1267, Book 12).

Mr. McLaughlin thanked Council on behalf of the employees and commented that the level of attention paid to the City Council during the budget review process contributes greatly to how well the City operates over the year. Mayor Davis added that she had received a call from County Councilmember Douglas Peters assuring her that the funding for the School Resource Officer was in the FY 2007 county budget under the Sheriff’s Department.

A Resolution to Repeal Resolution Number 982 and Establish Service Charges for Garbage, Trash, and Recycling Collections in the City of Greenbelt, Maryland, Effective July 1, 2006

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Ms. Mach introduced the resolution for first reading.

GREENBELT AMBULATORY CARE CENTER – DETAILED SITE PLAN : Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Ethan Bindernagel, Community Planner, pointed out that this site, Parcel I, is the last developable site at Maryland Trade Center. He presented a slide show depicting the plan. Michele LaRocca, attorney for the developer, Kenny Cooper of Joyce Engineering, and David Meiners of Manekin, LLC, answered a number of questions. In response to Mr. Roberts’ comment that he was still concerned about storm-water run-off, Mr. Meiners said adequate capacity for storm-water management already existed on the site. Mayor Davis expressed concern about the accessibility of bus stops and bus shelters to the building, given the health needs of clients. Mr. Meiners agreed that they could contribute $1,000 for a bus shelter wherever the City would deem appropriate.

There was discussion of green building principles and agreement to revise one of the conditions to refer to a specific exhibit.

It was moved by Ms. Mach and seconded by Mr. Herling that Council approve the Detailed Site Plan for Maryland Trade Center IV, the Greenbelt Ambulatory Care Center, subject to the following six conditions:

• Submission of all proposed signage to the City for review and approval as provided for in the covenants;
  
• Maintenance in good order, condition and repair all trees and vegetation on site as stipulated in the covenants;
  
• Addition of a second bicycle rack on the north side of the facility proximate to the entrance;
  
• Provision of details for the benches, café-style tables and bicycle racks on the Landscape Plan and submission of the details for review and approval by City as provided for in the covenants;
  
• Modification of the note on the Detailed Site Plan regarding the “12 future parking spaces” to clarify that those 12 spaces are not related to the ambulatory care center site plans; and
  
• Use of low-impact development techniques and/or green building technologies in the development of the site, as described in Exhibit A, to the extent possible.

The motion passed 4-0.

GREENBELT STATION – ARCHITECTURAL COVENANTS WITH PULTE HOMES : Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Bindernagel gave a slide presentation illustrating the architectural issues. Mayor Davis raised an issue about fire regulations for outdoor cooking on balconies that are only six-feet deep. Sandi Gallagher, attorney representing the developer, said only one of the covenants was in dispute and that they wished to suggest that the language be revised to say that on side elevations that are not visually prominent, they would be required to have only 50% masonry. Staff’s language would have required that for exceptions to the masonry requirement, they would have to come back to the City for approval. There was considerable discussion of the impression given by houses that have masonry fronts with cheaper materials on the sides or backs. Ms. Gallagher maintained it was not simply a question of cost but rather of providing a more varied and textured appearance. Mr. Roberts replied that variation can be accomplished with masonry, too. Sean Bruce, representing Pulte Homes, said having all-brick on an end house increases the cost by about $25,000 but that the buyer does not get much added value when the brick is not visible. Mayor Davis said she did not object to trying to keep the prices of some of the houses more affordable by compromising if the result was not highly visible. Most Councilmembers continued to hold the opinion that holding to the staff language was preferable and that it would be better to consider revisions that were presented later in more specific detail, in order to get a better sense of what the effect would be. Mr. Herling moved the staff recommendation that Council approve the “Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions” for the Pulte townhouse/condominium development in the South Core of Greenbelt Station as presented with the inclusion of the City staff’s language for condition #2, with the understanding that Pulte Homes may later request that these covenants be revised to incorporate alternate designs for end units. Ms. Mach seconded the motion, which carried 3-1 (Roberts).

PROPOSED PAWN SHOP IN COLLEGE PARK – SPECIAL EXCEPTION APPLICATION : Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. After Councilmembers expressed support for College Park’s position and took issue with the claims of the pawn shop in its justification for the special exception application, it was moved by Mr. Roberts and seconded by Mr. Herling that the City convey its opposition to the application to the Prince George’s County Planning Board. The motion carried 4-0. The Mayor also asked staff to determine whether College Park would also like to have Greenbelt staff or Council present when the hearing is held.

MML 2006 LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES – ACTION REQUESTS : The Mayor read the agenda comments. She suggested adding municipal electricity aggregation, since an election would have been held prior to the next Assembly session. She also reminded Mr. McLaughlin that it had been agreed to work on local issues early and convey them to the City’s delegation this summer. Mr. McLaughlin said staff was working on this already. It was moved by Mr. Herling and seconded by Ms. Mach that the City propose “Increase State Aid for Police Protection” and “Municipal Electricity Aggregation” as statewide legislative initiatives for 2007. The motion carried 4-0.

MEETINGS : Council reviewed the schedule of upcoming meetings. Ms. Mach said the City should work through the Advisory Committee on Education (ACE) to set up a meeting with Schools CEO Deasy and that it should be ACE’s meeting. The Mayor said that meetings with Washington Gas and Lakeside and on the emergency plan, homelessness, affordable housing, and overtime practices/retiree prescription plan should be added to the list of meetings to be scheduled.

ADJOURNMENT : A motion to adjourn the meeting was then made by Ms. Mach and seconded by Mr. Herling. The motion carried 4-0. The Mayor adjourned the regular meeting of June 5, 2006, at 11:40 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 5, 2006. "

Judith F. Davis

Mayor

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