As previously reported, at its April 26 regular meeting the Greenbelt City Council took action on two proposed resolutions that were introduced for second reading. If it is not petitioned to referendum by the voters, one of these resolutions will convert the city’s Absentee Voting program into a full-fledged Mail-in Voting program. It will continue to serve the needs of voters who have used Absentee Voting, but it is hoped that it will bring in new voters as well. In-person voting on election day and Early Voting in the weeks preceding will continue to be available.
The other resolution, to establish a 21-member commission to study and develop possibilities for local reparations for Black residents of Greenbelt, was not supported in its present form. Opinion was that it was not sufficiently defined as presented and should not move forward without public input. Councilmember Edward Putens moved to place it on a referendum, but Mayor Colin Byrd opposed putting a civil rights matter up for a vote.
Budget Public Hearings
The first of two required public hearings on the 2022 city budget was also held that night, but no residents asked to comment. The second public hearing is scheduled to be held during the May 24 regular meeting after the budget worksessions have been completed. The budget is scheduled for adoption at the regular council meeting on Monday, June 7.
In addition, the mayor made two presentations at the beginning of the meeting. Charise Liggins, the city economic development coordinator, accepted a proclamation designating May as Small Business Appreciation Week. City Treasurer Bertha Gaymon accepted the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the city. This award is the highest recognition for governmental budgeting.
Goddard Plans
NASA has developed draft master and transportation plans for the Greenbelt campus of Goddard, which were referred to the city by the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). The plans cover a 20-year time period and potentially include the demolition, construction and renovation of many buildings, including options for excess buildings and land areas as well as divesting of land and buildings.
Community Planner Molly Porter had prepared a detailed memorandum of comment on the plans, which councilmembers generally supported. Planning Director Terri Hruby said they would develop a letter to the NCPC based on the memorandum and provide it to council in time to meet a May 7 deadline.
Monthly Crime Stats
At Byrd’s request, a resolution was introduced for first reading that would require council to hold a public hearing at the first regular meeting of each month to review monthly crime statistics. His goals are to have more complete information available on a frequent basis and to provide an opportunity for public comment.
Councilmember Judith Davis requested that before second reading, councilmembers should receive an estimate on how much staff time the plan would require.
Mandan Basketball Court
The mayor had raised this subject and said he would like to see the rims at the basketball court put back up. Councilmember Emmett Jordan said that while he had concerns, he too would like to see the court open again, with the understanding that, if there were problems, the matter would be taken up promptly. He added that he regretted that this matter had to come to the city council for resolution at all. Other councilmembers who recalled the problems created at the site earlier and the strong opposition from nearby homeowners were less enthused.
Davis stated a list of conditions that should apply if the court were opened again, and she recommended starting gradually with a half court and one rim. She said that when they went through this before, there was to be a sign posted giving rules and the hours the court would be closed and there would be visibility into the area, including no parking along the street in front of the court and a trimming back of the shrubbery. The police would be instructed to cover that area as part of their regular route. If problems arise, quick action will be taken.
After discussion of about an hour, there was a five-to-two vote in favor of going ahead. Putens did not support it because he believes the underlying problem is that this location is simply not appropriate for a basketball court. Councilmember Silke Pope thought there should be more discussion with the nearby residents before making a decision.
Because it was 12:30 a.m., it was agreed that the remaining items on the agenda would be postponed until the next regular meeting. These items included the following: recognition group policy, waiving matching fund requirements for fiscal year 2021 due to the pandemic, minimum wage for city employees and paid family leave for city employees. See article on May 20 for the write up of these agenda items. (click here).