WORK SESSION of the Greenbelt City Council held Wednesday, June 13, 2007, for the purpose of holding a stakeholder meeting with the Greenbelt Homes, Inc. (GHI) Board.

 Mayor Davis started the meeting at 7:33 p.m. It was held in the Board Room of the GHI Offices.

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

 STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager and David E. Moran, Assistant City Manager.

 ALSO PRESENT WERE: Ed Hickey, Erol Mazursky, Luisa Robles, Dorothy Lauber, Sylvia Lewis, Sheila Alpers, Suzette Agans and David Morse, GHI Board; Dianne Wilkerson and Marat Moore, GHI Audit Committee; Gretchen Overdurff, GHI Manager; Jim Cohen, Ed James, and Bill Orleans and Thomas White, Greenbelt News Review.

 Green Ribbon Task Force – City Involvement & GGI Survey Results

 Mr. Cohen described the Green Ribbon Task Force and the Greener Greenbelt Initiative (GGI). A brochure was distributed that described upcoming events including a charette. Ms. Agans suggested the City might want to include some questions in a survey that was being conducted as part of GGI. Mayor Davis suggested outreach to the Roosevelt Center merchants. She also suggested that the survey questions should be broadened to have more applicability to the entire City. Ms. Mach agreed that it would be good to have questions that applied to the entire City. Mr. Putens emphasized that Greenbelt East should be included in the GGI. Mr. Herling asked about the make-up of the charette. Mr. Cohen responded that the intent was to include everyone that has a stake in “Historic Greenbelt.” Ms. Alpers asked about including Greenbelt West stakeholders like the Marriott and the Federal Courthouse. Mayor Davis asked how else the City might be involved. Mr. Cohen noted that GGI materials including minutes of meetings were being transmitted to Mr. McLaughlin.  

Leaf House

 Next, Mr. Cohen discussed the “Leaf House” which is the University of Maryland’s entry in a solar housing competition. After the competition, the house would be used as an office for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Potomac Valley Chapter. The University of Maryland has approached the GHI Board about locating it here. It requires a ½ acre of land in the sun. Mr. Roberts expressed concern about locating what was essentially an “office building” in GHI.

 Forest Preserve Ordinance

 Ms. Lewis suggested that the GHI Woodlands Committee might want some clarification on the Forest Preserve guidelines. She hoped the City and GHI could work together on maintenance issues. Mayor Davis stated that it was the City’s desire for the Forest Preserve to be an area that was left in its current natural state. She suggested that GHI might want to add its woodlands to the forest preserve or create its own forest preserve. Ms. Lewis stated that both the City and GHI’s goals were the same. Ms. Agans stated that the Woodlands Committee was encouraging people to go into the woods to “appreciate” them. Ms. Robles believed that the Woodlands Committee might not understand the “guidelines” document. Mr. James suggested that staff at University of Maryland might be able to help with an assessment of the Forest Preserve.

 Zoning Variance - Storage Buildings

 Ms. Lewis stated that GHI was thinking of expanding its storage lot to include some storage buildings and wondered if this would require a variance. Mr. McLaughlin responded that the City would need more specifics before making a determination. Mr. Roberts didn’t believe GHI would need zoning approval since buildings had been at that location previously. Mr. McLaughlin suggested that Mr. Manzi might be able to provide some assistance in his role as a zoning attorney.

 

Zoning Variance – Verizon Tower

 Ms. Lewis noted that GHI had been approached about installing a cell phone tower on GHI property and asked how the City would feel about that. Mayor Davis indicated opposition to such towers. Mr. Roberts believed that the income generated by these monopoles was not worth the damage to the community and indicated he was not in favor of them.

 

Encroachment onto GHI Property

 Ms. Lewis reported that GHI and the City had come to an understanding about encroachment issues, but noted two examples where the City had granted approval when GHI has said no. There was particular concern expressed about “PODS” in GHI. Ms. Lewis requested notification where GHI was involved. Mayor Davis responded that there should be a consistent message and that the City was working on an Ordinance on this issue and would hold a work session on it. Ms. Mach believed that the City’s policy was that a shed on City property had to be moved when the home was sold. Mayor Davis believed this policy on “shed encroachment” needed to be documented somewhere.

 Update on Lights at Northway Ball Fields

 Mayor Davis stated that the Northway ballfield lights were on a wish list with no funding. Ms. Alpers suggested that sports groups could engage in fundraising activities to help pay for field lighting.

 

Police Department/GHI Member Relations

 Ms. Overdurff reported that there had been difficult situations involving members. She stated that sometimes when members call the Police Department they are not getting a satisfactory response from the Police. She reported that emails were not being returned. Mr. McLaughlin was disturbed by the reports and suggested that GHI staff sit down with City staff and get the matter resolved. Mr. Putens expressed concern that the problem was larger and happening in other sections of the City. Ms. Alpers reported on incidents involving gun shots and poisoned meat where the Police response was not appropriate.

 

Citizen Petition Regarding Tax Increases

 Ms. Lewis stated that GHI found some of the petition language and the discussions that ensued to be divisive and asked for Council’s advice. Mayor Davis responded that it was unfortunate that some individuals had chosen to be divisive. Ms. Mach suggested explaining the facts, but that going head-to-head would not likely accomplish anything. Mr. Roberts believed that many people were reaching their limit in their ability to pay taxes. He noted the negative impact on the middle class and seniors.

 Damage to Common Areas by City-Owned Vehicles

 The issue was vehicles that put ruts in the ground when accessing common areas for maintenance. Ms. Lewis reported that GHI has alerted their staff and contractors about this issue and requested that Public Works be alerted as well. Ms. Overdurff believed all areas that had been damaged were now repaired.

 Leaf Collection Service

 Ms. Lewis noted that GHI was treated differently than the rest of the City because they have to bag their leaves instead of raking them to the curb. It was indicated that curbside pick-up might work in certain sections of GHI. Mr. McLaughlin responded that previously the rationale had been to treat all of GHI the same so that a consistent message could be communicated. He indicated he would be happy to sit down with GHI staff and discuss the matter.

 Walkability of Neighborhoods Adjacent to GHI

 Mr. Morse hoped that during the GGI charette, walkability issues would be addressed. He expressed concern about getting people out of their cars. He wanted a systematic audit of where people walk and what needs to be improved. Mr. Morse particularly noted the challenges of getting from GHI to Greenway Center. It was stated that many of these problems are the State Highway Administration’s responsibility. Council noted some of the improvements that had been made in recent years. Mr. Morse also noted that there is no crosswalk connecting the inner walkway system on Southway.

 Other Matters

 Mayor Davis reported there was proposed County legislation that would create a commission on cooperatives and condominiums. Mayor Davis thanked GHI for hosted the meeting and appreciated the good working relationship.

 The meeting ended at 10:16 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