BUDGET WORK SESSION OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held Monday, April 17, 2006, for the purpose of reviewing the Planning & Community Development, and Capital Projects sections of the proposed FY 2007 budget.

Mayor Davis started the meeting at 8:05 p.m. It was held in the Council Room of the Municipal Building.

PRESENT WERE: Councilmembers Konrad E. Herling, Leta Mach & Rodney M. Roberts, and Mayor Judith F. Davis. Council Member Putens arrived at 9:22 pm.

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Jeff Williams, City Treasurer; Celia Craze, Director of Planning & Community Development; Terri Hruby, Assistant Director of Planning; Jim Sterling, Assistant Director of Community Development; Deidre Allen, Accountant; Leslie Nataro, Administrative Associate and David E. Moran, Assistant City Manager.

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Sheldon Goldberg, Derek Thompson, Rachel McMullin, Joan Falcão, Sean Ballantine and James Giese, News Review

Mr. McLaughlin called Council’s attention to the MML Budget Memo #2, noting that projected Highway User Revenues for FY 2006 and 2007 were higher than in the Proposed FY 2007 budget.

Planning & Community Development

Ms. Craze began by stating that Ms. Hruby and Mr. Sterling would be delivering a powerpoint presentation. Ms. Hruby presented slides which summarized the planning projects that the Department is working on. Mr. Sterling presented and outlined the Community Development program.

Mr. Roberts mentioned that he had received complaints about people having difficulty reaching Animal Control. Mr. Sterling responded that there had been some confusion about which telephone number to call and when. He believed this confusion had been resolved.

Ms. Mach asked if property maintenance standards were on the City’s website. Mr. Sterling responded that staff was beginning to place more information like this on the website.

Under Issues & Services, Mayor Davis asked which projects on the Council Action Request Report were a low priority. Ms. Craze responded that nothing was a low priority, but workload did cause ongoing adjustment of priorities. She encouraged Council to communicate their priorities so staff could respond accordingly. There was considerable discussion about the demands on Community Development staff associated with Greenbelt West development.

Mayor Davis asked about the theater renovation exceeding the initial budget. Ms. Craze responded that now there were significant “must do” items such as an electrical upgrade and complete HVAC replacement. Mayor Davis suggested the City seek Maryland Heritage Area Authority (MHAA) and Maryland Historic Trust (MHT) grants to cover these additional costs.
Next, Council reviewed each of the Planning & Community Development budget pages. Mayor Davis noted a reduction in false alarms and handbill violations under Community Development performance measures. Mayor Davis asked if the inspection fees should be increased. Mr. Sterling indicated that staff could look at these fees. Ms. Craze noted the Community Development program could only cover costs and not generate revenue.

Under Animal Control, Mayor Davis noted that vicious animal complaints were increasing. Mr. Sterling indicated that some of these were referrals from Prince George’s County. Council expressed interest in having the City’s Animal Control officer inspect the PetSmart pet store.

Mr. Herling asked Ms. Hruby what she foresees happening related to public transportation within the next year. Ms. Hruby responded that the county was behind in their planning process and would likely not get involved until construction in Greenbelt West begins.

Ms. Craze complimented her staff and thanked Council for the opportunity to meet with City Council. Council thanked the Planning & Community Development staff for their hard work.

Capital Projects Fund

Mayor Davis noted that most of the projects proposed for Fiscal Year 2007 were carried over from Fiscal Year 2006. She asked what happened to the funds allocated in Fiscal Year 2006. Mr. McLaughlin explained that the unspent funds were being carried over to Fiscal Year 2007.

Council reviewed the list of proposed projects in the Fund. Council asked about funding an additional street project with additional Highway User revenues. Mr. McLaughlin responded that staff would bring a proposed street to Council at the next work session. Mr. McLaughlin noted under Miscellaneous Concrete that $30,000 wasn’t going as far as it used to and staff might seek an increase in future budgets.

There was considerable discussion regarding playground improvements. Mr. Thompson noted that people were patient but concerned about a 5-6 year timeframe. Mr. McLaughlin reported that the 2001 Bond Issue could be used if any funds are left over from the traffic-calming projects. Windsor Green noted that its matching funds were available if the City could accelerate the playground improvements program.

Regarding the skate park project, Ms. Craze reported that California Landscape Design (CDL) expressed concern that they were “upside down” on this job (meaning CDL would lose money). Ms. Craze noted a gray area regarding the relocated access road and pedestrian path, and site/landscaping improvements. She suggested these be packaged as their own project.

Mr. Herling asked about the “City Drainage Problem” project. Staff responded that a WSSC repair had corrected most of the problems in Boxwood Village.

Council discussed the Summary page. It was agreed to move the Schrom Hills lighting to unprogrammed and Northway Master Plan to the five-year plan.

Other Items

Mr. McLaughlin reported that the 4-Cities meeting on April 27 was cancelled and that New Carrollton wanted to hold it on May 18 or May 25. Mayor Davis made several announcements.

The meeting ended at 12:05 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