REGULAR MEETING OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held June 4, 2007.

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:07 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 could not attend the meeting because of a business trip.

ALSO PRESENT were Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Robert A. Manzi, City Solicitor; David E. Moran, Assistant City Manager; and Kathleen Gallagher, City Clerk.

Mayor Davis asked for a moment of silence in memory of residents Lillian K. Cox and Charles Brockway and former resident Phillip J. Rondeau. 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 21, 2007
- Interview, May 29, 2007
Approved as presented.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE (MML) BYLAWS: Council agreed to oppose this change to the MML bylaws, which would alter the process for nominations to the board of director.

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

Oath of Office for New Greenbelt Police Officer: Chief James Craze introduced Greenbelt’s newest police officer, David Marsh, to the City Council. Mayor Davis administered the oath of office and welcomed Officer Marsh to the Greenbelt Police Department. Council also welcomed back Officer Ryan Peck, who was called up for active duty with the Navy a year ago and served the last six months in Iraq.

PETITIONS AND REQUESTS : Laura Burns, who currently lives in Austin, Texas, represents the Lincoln Place Tenants Association in Venice, California. She asked to speak regarding that apartment complex, which is owned by AIMCO, the owners of Springhill Lake. Ms. Burns described Lincoln Place, which she said was inspired by the Garden City Movement. Ralph Vaughn, one of the architects on the project, worked at the Resettlement Administration when Greenbelt was built. She spoke about the experience of the tenants at Lincoln Place, who, she said, were illegally evicted by AIMCO, which had agreed to relocate tenants within the project in the process of renovating it. She said Greenbelt should be very careful to nail down any conditions of approval, be sure in advance that the conditions are enforceable, and closely oversee what is done. Noting the recent fires at Springhill Lake, she said there have been electrical fires at other AIMCO projects across the county and that AIMCO projects often have code violation issues. Mr. Herling asked the status of the legal action against AIMCO, and Ms. Burns said there were two cases, both full briefed, awaiting the scheduling of hearings.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Mr. McLaughlin announced a design day on June 9 for community participation in the design of a playground for South Ora Court. Ms. Mach described the mission of Kaboom!, from which the City has received a grant in support of the playground.

Ms. Mach reported on attending the COG forum on “Charting the Future of the National Capital Region, “ as did Mr. Herling and Mayor Davis.

Mr. Herling also announced that GATE would be preparing a community video to be paired with a video made by a young person for showing before feature films at the Old Greenbelt Theatre and the Academy Theatres at Beltway Plaza.

The Mayor also mentioned attending the Roosevelt Center merchants meeting, a Green Ridge House event recognizing Older Americans Month, the Eleanor Roosevelt High School graduation, a reception for the U.S. Physics team, the dedication of the Skate Park, and other events of Greenbelt Day Weekend.

LEGISLATION

Adoption of the Budget : Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. She then read a statement from Mr. Putens in which he said he fully supported the budget in its current form. Council first reviewed the changes to General Fund Expenditures.

 Ms. Mach moved the following changes to City Council, Administration, Finance & Administrative Services, Community Promotion, and Total General Government. Mr. Herling seconded; the motion passed 3-1 (Roberts). Mr. Roberts explained his negative vote by saying that although he was not opposed to an increase in pay for the City Council, he thought the matter should be decided by the voters as a referendum question rather than being decided by one Council for the next Council. Mr. Herling responded that it had been nearly 20 years since there had been an increase and that he supported making one now.

Mr. Herling moved the following changes to Planning,Community Development, and Total Planning and Community Development. Ms. Mach seconded. Mr. Roberts explained that he did not support funding a new position for a capital projects manager. Mayor Davis said she was convinced that the work load justified the need. Ms. Mach agreed, adding that what Laura Burns had said under “Petitions and Requests” about the need for close oversight of AIMCO’s redevelopment was a good example of the need for the position. Mr. Roberts said he would not have a problem with the position if the tax rate were not being increased to pay for it. Mayor Davis replied that the tax rate was not being raised to pay for it; she said fees were increased in Community Development last year to pay for it. Joan Falcão, 114 Julian Court, said it was her understanding that the City was not required to accept the full ten percent increase in assessments. Mr. McLaughlin said it is true that a local government could request a lower rate. The City’s cap had been lowered to five percent for a time period, but was now at the maximum cap of ten percent. The motion passed 3-1 (Roberts).

Mayor Davis moved the following changes to Police, Animal Control, and Total Public Safety. Ms. Mach seconded. Mr. Roberts asked to vote separately on the items under Public Safety and so moved. Mr. Herling seconded Mr. Robert’s motion, which carried 4-0. The vote was 4-0 on each item except for Police, which was 3-1 (Roberts).

Ms. Mach moved the following changes to Public Works Administration, Motor Vehicle Maintenance, Street Maintenance, Street Cleaning, Waste Collection, Roosevelt Center, and Total Public Works. Mr. Herling 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. He said he believed CARES was overdue for an increase. Mr. Herling said he had been impressed by the strong public support for the case manager position. Ms. Mach said she was also supportive and that this was a good example of why departmental budgets needed to be looked at individually rather than making across-the-board percentage increases or cuts. Ms. Mach seconded the motion, which passed 4-0. Mr. Walder thanked Council for Greenbelt’s “good government” and stated his opinion that this was a sound budget system.

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.

Mayor Davis moved the following changes to Grants and Contributions, Greenbelt Museum, and Total Miscellaneous. Ms. Mach seconded; the motion passed 4-0.

Mayor Davis moved the following changes to Non-Departmental. Mr. Herling seconded; the motion passed 4-0.

Mayor Davis moved the following changes to Total General Fund Expenditures. Ms. Mach seconded; the motion passed 4-0.

Before introduction of the ordinance to adopt the budget, the Mayor opened the floor to any comments. Leonie Penney, 127 Northway, said the emotions that are raised by taxes are out of proportion with the actual impact of the taxes. She itemized her own tax bill as an example.

Ms. Falcão presented another 33 signed petitions, for what she said was now a total of 248 requesting Council not to raise the tax rate. She said surrounding municipalities had not. She said the people who had signed the petition expected a response and had not received one. Mayor Davis thanked Ms. Falcão for having raised the level of the discussion on the budget. She said there are municipalities who have not raised their tax rates who have subsequently found they are not competitive on staff salaries or benefits or who have depleted their reserves. She said she believed Ms. Falcão and Mr. Fireovid had, while being fairly accurate in the information they had included on their petition, omitted other information. She said when she had talked with people who had signed the petition and offered additional information, they often changed their minds.

Charles Hagelgans, 125 Hedgewood Drive, spoke to oppose the budget. He said do not increase the tax rate. The City Council should rather tell the departments that “it’s not business as usual anymore” and reduce City services as needed in order not to raise the tax rate..

Bob Fireovid, 114 Julian Court, said that in circulating the petition he had encountered many people, especially in Greenbelt East, who were less affluent than he, and that these people need tax relief.

The Mayor then asked for any Council comments. Ms. Mach said she supported the budget, which included many valuable services. She said there was a price tag attached to collective bargaining but that she could not justify funding the collective bargaining agreement by cutting other City programs.

Mr. Herling read a statement addressing the value of Greenbelt as a community, the importance of maintaining what it provides, and the need to maintain the reserve fund.

Mr. Roberts said he believes it is his responsibility to represent everyone—not only the people who can afford to have ongoing tax increases to maintain services but also those who cannot afford to absorb increases every year. He said he believes that at this point the City should be able to live on the revenues brought in by the increased assessments.

Mayor Davis described as “insulting” a recent letter in the Greenbelt News Review that suggested there was only one member of the City Council who comprehended the significance of raising taxes now or who sympathized with homeowners. She said, “We are all homeowners,” and she added that many of the City staff are also Greenbelt residents. She said Greenbelters have a quality of life that people move here in search of. She said there are no cheap solutions to the goals Greenbelt wishes to achieve while holding on to a high reserve, which some other cities have drained rather than stand up to pressure not to increase taxes. She said people know Greenbelt’s taxes are high, and people who move here should be aware of that.

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 2008 Beginning July 1, 2007, and Including June 30, 2008

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Ms. Mach 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

Ms. Mach introduced the ordinance for second reading and moved that it be adopted. Mr. Herling seconded the motion.

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

The ordinance was declared adopted (Ordinance No. 1280, Book 12).

Mayor Davis thanked the staff and all the citizens who participated in the budget process. Mr. Herling said he appreciated the efforts of Ms. Falcão and Mr. Fireovid to involve more members of the community in the process. Ms. Mach also thanked everyone.

A Resolution to Negotiate the Purchase of Services for Roof Repairs at the Youth Center with ProCoat Applications of Davidsonville, Maryland, at a Cost of $15,630

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mr. Herling introduced the resolution for second reading and moved its adoption. Ms. Mach seconded the motion.

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

The resolution was declared adopted (Resolution No. 1014, Book 8).

An Ordinance to Establish a New Fund to Be Known as the Greenbelt West Infrastructure Fund to Provide for Revenue and Expenditures for Capital Projects Associated with New Development in Greenbelt West

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

Ordinances to Add City-Owned Parcels to the Forest Preserve

Mayor Davis read the agenda comments for the following four ordinances.

A. An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 12, “Parks and Recreation,” Article IX, “ Forest Preserve,” of the Greenbelt City Code for the Purpose of Designating a City-Owned Parcel as Forest Preserve Area (Parcel 12)

Mr. Roberts introduced the ordinance for first reading.

B. An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 12, “Parks and Recreation,” Article IX, “ Forest Preserve,” of the Greenbelt City Code for the Purpose of Designating a City-Owned Parcel as Forest Preserve Area (Boxwood Preserve)

Ms. Mach said she had understood that this ordinance was to be removed from tonight’s agenda and introduced later. Mr. McLaughlin said staff recommended introducing it tonight in order to keep it with the others for purposes of the public hearing at the next meeting. He said that staff hoped it might not require revision and expected that at worst there would be some revision to the language to describe the same intended boundaries. Given that explanation, Ms. Mach introduced the ordinance for first reading.

James Giese, representing the Greenbelt News Review, later asked for further clarification regarding the Boxwood parcel. He said the staking of it made it appear that there was an area the City currently mows that would be within the Forest Preserve. Celia Craze, Director, Planning and Community Development, explained that the intention was that wooded areas be inside the Preserve, mowed areas outside.

C. An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 12, “Parks and Recreation,” Article IX, “ Forest Preserve,” of the Greenbelt City Code for the Purpose of Designating a City-Owned Parcel as Forest Preserve Area (Belle Point Preserve)

Mr. Herling introduced the ordinance for first reading.

D. An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 12, “Parks and Recreation,” Article IX, “ Forest Preserve,” of the Greenbelt City Code for the Purpose of Designating a City-Owned Parcel as Forest Preserve Area (Sunrise Preserve)

Mayor Davis introduced the ordinance for first reading.

A Resolution to Repeal Resolution Number 1003 and Establish Service Charges for Garbage, Trash, and Recycling Collections in the City of Greenbelt, Maryland, Effective July 1, 2007

The Mayor read the agenda comments. Mr. Roberts introduced the resolution for first reading.

MEETINGS : Council reviewed the schedule of upcoming meetings. Mayor Davis noted that at the merchants meeting it had been suggested that a condition be imposed on the New Deal Café’s liquor license limiting the hours of service of alcoholic beverages outdoors.

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 4, 2007, at 10:40 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 4, 2007. "

Judith F. Davis
Mayor

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