BUDGET WORK SESSION OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held Wednesday, April 19, 2006, for the purpose of reviewing the Public Works sections of the proposed FY 2007 budget.

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. It was held in the Multipurpose Room of the Community Center.

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

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Jeffrey Williams, City Treasurer; David E. Moran, Assistant City Manager; Kenny Hall, Director, Bill Phelan, Assistant Director, and Carolyn Clemens, Superintendent of Operations, Public Works; Deirdre Allen and Leslie Nataro, Finance; and Kathleen Gallagher, City Clerk.

ALSO PRESENT WAS: Diane Oberg, Greenbelt News Review.

Public Works staff first gave a slide presentation on the work and activities of the department. Two items noted were experimentation with recycled rubber chips instead of wood chips for playground surfacing and the plan to begin a nominal charge of $50-$100 for the use of the aerial lift truck by other jurisdictions. Council was supportive of instituting the charge for organizations outside the City.

Council then went through the Public Works section of the budget. Mayor Davis asked that congratulations be passed on to staff on the increase in the recycling rate to 52%. She also commented on the level of activity of the Greenbelt Connection at 5,800 trips last year.

Council was supportive of the plan to have Greenbelt provide the driver and maintenance for the Four Cities street sweeper. It was clarified that this would require hiring a driver.

The Mayor questioned the statement for one of the department’s management objectives that one or two maintenance functions would be bid out next year. Mr. McLaughlin explained that the intention was to bid out over a period of about five years all the services the City uses contractors for as a way of “shopping” the prices.

The increase in utility costs was commented on.

Mayor Davis asked what additional road project Mr. McLaughlin wanted to suggest, given the restoration of $45,000 in highway user fees by the state. He said Plateau Place was the next priority but that he would raise this for discussion at the final budget work session. He said that in addition to that amount, the City would also have more funding than anticipated in the form of $35,000 in FY 2006 funds resulting from a recalculation by the state. He said a new, re-estimated total for FY 2007 would be $755,000.

Mayor Davis asked Mr. McLaughlin to provide a copy of the cumulative “wish list” by next week, to which should be added the French drain needed at an area on Hanover Parkway in Greenbriar where thick ice forms.

Regarding the proposed increase in refuse fees, the Mayor noted that, even with the increase, the cost would not be made up. Mr. McLaughlin responded that the approach was not necessarily to recoup all costs: for example, a position had been added that improved operations but which did not seem appropriate to bill as a fee to users, and City government’s refuse costs are not billed as fees to users.

There was brief discussion of a memo from Mr. McLaughlin dated April 19, 2006, regarding a restructuring of commercial trash pick-up rates. Under the revised structure, no commercial customer will pay less than residential customers. The revised structure more accurately reflects actual usage by individual customers but will have little impact on total revenue to the City.

No objection was made to the increase in “opening and closing” fees for the cemetery, which currently do not come close to covering costs.

Under the “Parks” budget, Mayor Davis clarified that there is currently no funding for the Northway Fields Master Plan, which is listed under the management objectives.

Under the “Greenbelt Connection” budget, the Mayor suggested doing one or more regular runs to the Greenbelt East post office from the Center and Green Ridge House. Mr. Phelan thought letting individuals schedule their trips as needed might be more effective initially. After some discussion, Council directed Public Works staff to brainstorm on the best way to pursue this.

Mayor Davis said someone from the Golden Age Club had mentioned the need for a trashcan by a bus stop at 10 Court Southway. Mr. Hall said he did not think this was necessary since the trash that appears there seems to blow in from the Parkway. He said they are working on placing a trash can near the location where the ice cream truck stops on Hanover near Eleanor Roosevelt High School.

Council thanked Public Works staff for their work and for the presentation.

Other Business

Mayor Davis said she had a conflict with a COG event on May 24 and asked that the executive session on that night be rescheduled.

Regarding a meeting of the Roosevelt Merchants, Mayor Davis said their primary concern was with the kids at the Center. There was also concern about the behavior of an individual who has been spending time at the Center and in some of the shops. Mayor Davis also mentioned that Cardon Corporation will be vacating its space (111 Centerway, Suite 200). She suggested that the City consider whether it could make use of it.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen Gallagher
City Clerk

 

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