BUDGET WORK SESSION OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held Wednesday, May 9, 2007, for the purpose of meeting with Contribution Groups to discuss the proposed FY 2008 budget.

 Mayor Davis started the meeting at 7:34 p.m. It was held in the Multipurpose Room of the Community Center.

 PRESENT WERE: Councilmembers Konrad Herling, Edward V. J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, and Mayor Judith F. Davis.

 STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael McLaughlin, City Manager and Greg Varda, Recreation Supervisor.

 Council met with the following groups and people to discuss funding requests:

 Greenbelt Golden Age Club – Robert Terrell and Elinor Rimar represented the group. They are seeking an additional $1,000 for a total of $6,100 which is already in the budget.

 Friends of the New Deal Café Arts(FONDCA) – Barbara Simon, and Dorian Winterfeld represented the group. They are seeking a $200 increase to $1,500. The city’s funds are used for performance fees. Ms. Simon noted they are expecting fewer funds from the County Arts Council.

 Greenbelt Boys & Girls Club (GBGC) –Maria Evans, Rita Jordan, William Winfield, Laurel Voglezon, Victor Wainwright and others represented the club. One of the initiatives the group is working on is trying to connect with transient residents and keep participants after they become teenagers when young people tend to leave. It was noted the club’s reserves are healthy, so why are they asking for more city money? The club feels it is outgrowing space at the Youth Center and is considering looking for its own property as well as to be able to replace equipment and have sufficient reserves in case of emergency. New sports being considered are track and field, tennis and baseball for young teens.

 Greenbelt Concert Band – Tom Cherrix and David Clarke were present to represent the Concert Band. Council thanked them for the work they do. It was requested that attention be paid to fund raising. One suggestion was to have flyers or envelopes available at performances soliciting contributions.

Greenbelt Aquatic Boosters(GAB )– David Taylor-Nielsen, Kan Fong and Clement Lau represented the group. The group sees its membership growing and they are moving up to a higher division. It is the group’s 50 th anniversary.

 Greenbelt Senior Softball –Jim Harbaugh represented the group.

 Greenbelt Double Dutch – Kim Bradshaw represented the group. Membership is growing and is anticipated to double this year. In the past year, the group had a part in a Disney movie, “Jump In.” Mr. Putens asked for a listing of trips next year.

Greenbelt Baseball – John White represented the group. There are 8 major league teams, 3 machine pitch teams, and 3 t-ball teams.

 Greenbelt Arts Center (GAC) – Jeff Landou and Sandy Irving represented the group. Lease discussions are occurring with the new master lease holder, the Coop Supermarket. Rent has gone up 25% since August 2003. The group’s funding was hurt by one performance which did very poorly. The group is trying to analyze its operations to better understand where its costs and opportunities are. The Center has asked for an additional $4,500 in support from the City. Fund raising suggestions were offered by Councilmembers.

 Greenbelt Babe Ruth League – Bob Sonneveldt represented the group.

 Greenbelt Labor Day Festival Committee – No one was present.

 Mayor Davis asked of each of the sports related groups what they were doing to ensure sportsmanship and appropriate behavior.

Recognition Groups

Council asked for follow up with the Recognition Groups that have not filed paperwork.

 The meeting ended at 11:03 p.m.

 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