BUDGET WORK SESSION of the Greenbelt City Council held April 9, 2008, for the purpose of reviewing the Planning and Community Development section of Proposed FY 2009 budget.
Mayor Davis started the meeting at 8:03 p.m. It was held in the Multipurpose Room of the Greenbelt Community Center.
PRESENT WERE: Councilmembers Konrad E. Herling, Edward V.J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts and Mayor Judith F. Davis.
STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; Jeffrey Williams, City Treasurer; Celia Craze, Director of Planning and Community Development (PCD); Terri Hruby, Assistant Director of Planning; Jim Sterling, Assistant Director of Community Development; and David E. Moran, Assistant City Manager.
ALSO PRESENT WERE: Thomas White, News Review; and Frank Lockman, Derek Thompson, and Sheldon Goldberg.
Ms. Hruby and Mr. Sterling gave a Powerpoint presentation. Mr. Sterling requested an additional inspector that could be assigned to Springhill Lake. Mr. Putens asked how revenue could be raised to pay for this inspector. Mr. Sterling responded that inspection fees could be raised. He also noted that the City had received fees for street construction work in City right-of-ways in Greenbelt West.
There was lengthy discussion about housing code violations in Springhill Lake. Ms. Craze suggested that PCD staff return with suggestions about strategies that could be implemented in Springhill Lake as well as revenue strategies to fund an additional inspector.
During a discussion of the animal control program, Mayor Davis noted that sometimes residents ask her if returning the program to the County as a cost savings measure was an option. Ms. Craze responded that it was always an option. She highlighted the differences between the City and County program and believed the City program provided a better service to the community.
Ms. Craze discussed the Greenbelt Station flyover bridge. She noted the 20 foot section of roadway between the bridge and MD 193 had not been built because neither the State, County, Berwyn Heights, nor the City would accept responsibility for it.
Next, Council reviewed the Planning and Community Development section of the budget.
Mayor Davis noted that during the recent pedestrian safety workshop questions were raised about the need for additional crosswalks. There was considerable discussion about crosswalks and the criteria used to determine where they should be placed. Ms. Craze explained some of the rationale used when evaluating crosswalks.
Council reviewed the Animal Control section of the budget.
Council raised several items of other information.
The meeting ended at 11:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David E. Moran
Assistant City Manager