REGULAR MEETING OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL
held Monday, January 26, 2009.
Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 8:12 p.m.
ROLL CALL was answered by Councilmembers Konrad E. Herling, Leta M. Mach, Edward V. J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts and Mayor Judith F. Davis.
ALSO PRESENT were Michael McLaughlin, City Manager; Robert A. Manzi, City Solicitor; David E. Moran, Assistant City Manager; Cindy Murray, City Clerk; Amy Hofstra, Community Planner; and Christal Batey, Community Resource Advocate.
Mayor Davis asked for a moment of silence in memory of residents Rachel Algaze, Donna Barber Mangum and Bruno Zanin and former resident Edwin Hirschmann. She then led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
CONSENT AGENDA: It was moved by Mr. Putens and seconded by Mr. Herling that the consent agenda be approved. The motion passed 5-0.
Council thereby took the following actions:
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS
Work Session, December 17, 2008
Interview, January 12, 2009
Regular Meeting, January 12, 2009
Approved as presented.
REQUEST FOR USE OF FACILITIES: Council approved waiving the facility rental fees as requested in the letter from the Eleanor Roosevelt High School Grad Night Committee. The committee remains responsible for costs incurred for City personnel.
RESIGNATION FROM ADVISORY PLANNING BOARD: Council accepted with regret the resignation of Joyce Chestnut from the Advisory Planning Board.
REAPPOINTMENT TO ADVISORY GROUPS: Council reappointed the following individuals to new terms on their advisory boards or committees: Virginia Jones, Senior Citizens Advisory Committee; Ed James, Recycling and Environment Advisory Committee; and Susan Gregersen and Jean Snyder, Forest Preserve Advisory Board.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Mr. Putens and seconded by Mr. Herling that the agenda be approved as presented. The motion passed 5-0.
PRESENTATIONS:
City Council Report on Voting System Issues: Mayor Davis read a statement detailing Council’s recommendations on the voting system reform issue.
David Lange, 12 Pinecrest Court, commended Council and Staff on the report. He commented that the recommendations may be effective at increasing voter turnout but did not make it easier for minority candidates to be elected to council.
PETITIONS AND REQUESTS:
Sheldon Goldberg, 7848 Jacobs Drive, asked about the status of FiOS installation in Windsor Green. Mr. Putens commented there was confusion regarding the installation in several areas of the City and suggested a meeting be held with all homeowners’ associations and Verizon. Mr. McLaughlin said Ms. Palau was meeting with Verizon on Friday and would forward this suggestion.
Mr. Orleans, Greenbelt, asked why Council was not recommending a change to district voting. Mr. Manzi explained that the key issue being addressed is low voter turnout and a change to district voting would not address this problem. Mr. Orleans asked for detailed information regarding discussions with the Department of Justice and the experts that had been consulted by Council. Mr. Manzi said this information was considered confidential. Mayor Davis asked Mr. Orleans to hold further questions regarding the voting system recommendations for the upcoming hearings on the subject.
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS:
Executive Session of January 13, 2009: Mr. Roberts moved that the minutes of the executive session of the City Council held Tuesday, January 13, 2009, be approved as presented. He further requested that the minutes of this meeting reflect that the Council met in executive session at 7:38 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building. Council held this closed meeting in accordance with Section 10-508 (a)(7) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Public General Laws of Maryland to consult with legal counsel. Mr. Putens seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes
Ms. Mach - yes
Mr. Putens - yes
Mr. Roberts - yes
Mayor Davis - yes
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
Mr. Herling attended a COG Metropolitan Development Policy Committee meeting and Mayor Davis, Ms. Mach and Mr. Putens attended the Maryland Municipal League Reception. Mayor Davis and Ms. Mach also attended the Prince George’s County Municipal Association meeting.
Ms. Mach noted her attendance at the Clean Air Partners meeting and the Maryland Municipal League’s Communications Committee meeting.
Mayor Davis noted her attendance at the District 22 Annapolis Reception, the Inauguration of President Obama, and two Martin Luther King Jr. events, one sponsored by the Maryland State Teachers Association and the other by the City of College Park.
LEGISLATION:
A Resolution to Repeal Resolution 893 and Establish a New Green Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (GreenACES)
Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Mayor Davis introduced the resolution for first reading.
GREENBELT ASSISTANCE IN LIVING PROGRAM – THE BACKPACK TO HEALTH INITIATIVE: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Ms. Batey made a PowerPoint presentation on the new initiative.
Ms. Mach asked if information on the Governor’s Wellmobile program was being distributed to students at Greenbelt Middle School. Ms. Batey said she was awaiting permission from the school system to distribute information in this school also.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments. Ms. Hofstra reviewed the plan and answered several questions.
Mayor Davis mentioned the public hearing on the proposed plan was scheduled for tomorrow evening and noted Ms. Hofstra will be attending as well as Mr. Herling, who is scheduled to speak.
Ms. Hofstra said she will prepare written testimony for Council’s review which will include comments identified in her memorandum of January 14th. The testimony can be submitted to Prince George’s County Staff anytime before the record closes on February 11th.
Council supported Staff’s review of the plan.
STATE LEGISLATION: Mayor Davis read the agenda comments.
Ms. Mach moved that Council support House Bill 27. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
Mr. Herling moved that Council support Senate Bill 163. Mr. Putens seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
MEETINGS: Council reviewed the meeting schedule.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Herling moved that Council conduct an Executive Session in accordance with Section 10-508 (a) (7) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of the Public General Laws of Maryland to consult with legal counsel. Ms. Mach seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Herling - yes
Ms. Mach - yes
Mr. Putens - yes
Mr. Roberts - no
Mayor Davis - yes
ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn the regular meeting was made by Ms. Mach and seconded by Mr. Putens. The motion passed 5-0.
Mayor Davis adjourned the regular meeting of Monday, January 26, 2009, at 10:02 p.m. Council then moved into Executive Session in the Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Murray
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 January 26, 2009.”
Judith F. Davis
Mayor