WORK SESSION OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held
Thursday, March 5, 2009, for the purpose of holding a stakeholder meeting with the
Greenbelt East Advisory Committee (GEAC).
Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. It was held in the Greenbriar Community Building.
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 McLaughlin, City Manager; and Cindy Murray, City Clerk.
ALSO PRESENT were Sheldon Goldberg from Windsor Green; Barbara Smith, Angeline Butler, and Terry Benedict of Greenbriar; Kay Moomey of Hunting Ridge; Charlene MacAdams of Greenwood Village; Eulalie Lucas of Greenspring; Joyce Gladstone and Pravina Mattoo of Greenbrook Village; Tom Crandall of Lakes at Greenbelt Village; and Barbara Hopkins, Greenbelt News Review.
Mayor Davis began the meeting noting it was the annual stakeholder meeting with GEAC. Items discussed are listed below.
1. Status of Playground work in Greenbelt East: Work is completed on Canning Terrace playground in Windsor Green. The Ora Glen playground, a community build project, will be completed this spring. Work on the playground in Greenbelt Village is scheduled for Fiscal Year 2010.
2. Newspaper Vending Boxes: The agreement has been signed by the major publishers but still needs to be signed by the publishers of free publications.
3. Greenbelt Station North and South Core: All work has stopped on the South Core as the ownership company has gone out of business. Petrie Ross is still making plans for the North Core and working on a new development agreement with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
4. Beltway Plaza Plans:- Plans for redevelopment, including construction of 1,400 residential units, have been submitted to Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and are under review by the City’s Advisory Planning Board. The plans should come to Council for review in April or May.
5. Code Enforcement Issues:-
a. Parking - Vehicles are parking too close to the traffic circles on Ora Glen Drive making it difficult for vehicular traffic to maneuver.
b. Trash - Blowing trash from containers on trash collection continues to be a problem. The City’s Green Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (GreenACES) is reviewing a Council Action Request regarding how long trash containers can be on the curb.
6. Progress on local voting procedures including report on three local meetings held in February: Council issued a statement on January 26, 2009, recommending moving the Council election from odd numbered years to even numbered years as well as other steps. Council has taken comments received at three public hearings held in February under consideration but has not made any decision at this point.
7. Economic update on conditions in Greenbelt: Conditions will be manageable through Fiscal Year 2010. Most revenues have held steady except for those from the State such as highway revenues, police aid and income taxes. The State is reporting the property values continue strong due to assessment process. Problems are anticipated in Fiscal Year 2011 and beyond as property tax revenue for the next three years will be based on assessments done this calendar year.
8. Eligibility for any stimulus money: While the City has a number of “shovel ready” projects, it appears not to be eligible for direct stimulus money, but not all the details have been finalized. For example, transportation infrastructure money requires that roadways be federally designated. No City streets are so designated, so no street resurfacing money is likely to come to city. However, Congressman Hoyer just announced a $950,000 grant for police computer and radio upgrades and the City recently received word of a $137,000 State grant for a water quality project. Both of these projects were on the City’s “shovel ready” list.
9. Report on recent State legislation: Council reviewed a number of bills they had taken a position on which are under consideration by the General Assembly.
10. Verizon installations and services: Verizon has negotiated contracts with Greenbriar and Windsor Green. Contracts have not been negotiated with Greenbrook Village, Hunting Ridge or Greenspring.
11. Crosswalks in Greenbelt East: GEAC will check further on this issue. It is the City’s understanding that all crosswalks have been installed.
12. Tree policy of City including mulching schedules: The City only mulches trees in the first three years after planting. Homeowners’ Associations are responsible for mulching after the third year, if desired.
13. Trees to be removed from Schrom Hills Pond: The City sent their suggested approach to this issue to Greenbrook Village on November 10, 2008, and is waiting on their response.
14. Update on Empirian Village: The City recently held a stakeholders meeting with Empirian Village. The new owners are attempting to make improvements to the property and are working with the City inspectors on a large number of code violations.
OTHER ITEMSMs. Lucas asked for the bench and information kiosk to be repaired in the Greenspring playground.
Ms. Lucas mentioned two residents of Greenspring had moved businesses into their homes. Mr. McLaughlin suggested she contact the Code Enforcement Office for advice on how to handle the issue.
Ms. Gladstone said someone had painted yellow stripes at the end of a private cul-de-sac off Greenbrook Drive. Mr. McLaughlin said the City didn’t paint the stripes and suggested the maintenance company be notified to remove the stripes.
Ms. Lucas said there was a problem with unauthorized groups playing soccer on the field at Schrom Hills Park on Sundays leaving trash that blows into neighborhoods. Mr. McLaughlin will advise the Park Rangers, through the Recreation Department, of the problem.
Mayor Davis shared information received in a letter from Pepco to Councilmember Turner addressing recent complaints about higher electric charges.
Mayor Davis presented Sheldon Goldberg with a certification of appreciation from GEAC for his service as chairman.
The meeting ended at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Murray
City Clerk