WORK SESSION OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held Thursday, March 2, 2006, for the purpose of holding a stakeholder meeting with the Greenbelt East Advisory Committee (GEAC.

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

PRESENT were Mayor Judith F. Davis and Councilmembers Rodney Roberts and Leta Mach.

ALSO PRESENT were Sheldon Goldberg, Judith and Derek Thompson from Windsor Green; Dorothy Pyles, Barbara Smith and Nancy Warish of Greenbriar; Kay Mooney of Hunting Ridge; Fred Gasper, Greenbelt Lake Village; Charlene MacAdams of Greenwood Village; Carol Griffith of the News Review; and Michael McLaughlin, City Manager.

Mayor Davis began the meeting noting it was the annual stakeholder meeting with GEAC. Items discussed are listed below.

1. Post Office – Mayor Davis noted the status of the work, indicating there may be permit problems. Construction is nearly complete. Opening expected by end of March. Council continues to work with the Postal Service and Congressman Hoyer’s office to maintain service in Roosevelt Center.

2. Playground Agreement – Windsor Green, Greenbelt Homes, Inc., and Greenwood Village have signed the agreement. The City has reviewed Windsor Green playgrounds, removed hazardous equipment and met with residents and Board members. Funds are budgeted to replace one or two playgrounds this spring.

3. Greenbelt East Traffic-Calming Project Status – Work is about 50% complete and will be completed this spring. Fred Gasper made a number of points about improving access for pedestrians and bicyclists along Hanover Parkway, including connections between paths and bus stops, and creating room for bicyclists.

4. Sunrise Property/Forest Preserve Task Force – The Forest Preserve task force has submitted its report. Council has requested further consideration. The Task Force did not recommend preserving Sunrise at this time, due to discussions of need for ball fields throughout the City. Ms. MacAdams stated that GEAC should have the opportunity to comment on the future of the Sunrise property.

5. Greenbelt West

a. Greenbelt Station (South Core) – The area has been annexed. Conceptual plans were approved for residential (983 units) with some commercial retail (not more than 80,000 square feet). The detailed site plan still must be presented. The project is proceeding in planning.
b. Springhill Lake Redevelopment – AIMCO is pursuing conceptual plans. They are seeking 5,800 units with community-serving retail. Plans should come to Council for review in next month or two.
c. Beltway Plaza – The owners have started discussions to make Beltway Plaza a town center type of development with additional retail and residential units in back. Beltway Plaza owners are going to take over the AMC 8 theaters and put in stadium seating.

6. Electric Power Aggregation – It was noted that the Public Service Commission is considering establishing a pilot program. Greenbelt has indicated that workload with Greenbelt West, collective bargaining, etc., will keep the City from offering to be a pilot.

7. Newspaper Vending Boxes – There has been no change from last update. A meeting was held with newspaper representatives on February 23, 2005. The City Solicitor is developing an agreement based on discussions to be reviewed by papers and other interested municipalities, including Annapolis and Laurel.

8. Public Works Building – Plans have been submitted to M-NCPPC for review. It is hoped that the project will go to bid in spring/summer 2006.

9. Theater remodeling – Final construction plans are in preparation. The project should come to Council this spring/summer for review.

10. FY 2007 Budget – The FY 2007 budget is being developed. Assessments will grow 8-10%, but the City continues to face a structural problem of expenditures growing faster than revenues. The state budget has restored the Highway User/Gas Tax to full funding in FY 2007, but FY 2006 funding will likely be reduced about $46,000 from what was approved by General Assembly

11. Other Items – Mayor Davis mentioned Council’s recent meeting with representatives from State Highway Administration. Mr. Gasper noted that pedestrian crossing countdown signals are also scheduled to be installed on Greenbelt Road at DuVal High School. Mr. Thompson asked about enforcement for cloudy windows and trash containers. Mr. McLaughlin suggested having the Community Development Inspectors speak with the Windsor Green Board on these matters.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm.

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