The city’s Public Works Department has as their mission to preserve, maintain and improve the city’s infrastructure, parks and green spaces. They are essential workers, to be considered one of the city’s first responders. On May 16, Public Works Co-Directors Brian Kim and Brian Townsend, along with Sustainability Coordinator Luisa Robles, shared with council their budget needs for the upcoming fiscal year and capital projects that will require city funding.
The new cleaning and maintenance protocols put in place due to the pandemic have raised the department’s workload by 20 to 30 percent. Townsend, in a memo to council, stated that their employees “continue to go above and beyond in order to keep staff and citizens safe.” Mayor Emmett Jordan emphasized that all this was accomplished without the addition of new staff, extolling them as capable individuals who were meeting changing demands.
Compost, Recycling
Robles reported that food scraps continue to be picked up twice a week from the Buddy Attick Park recycling station. For those seeking to produce compost at home for their own use, Public Works provides bins at a greatly reduced rate. Electronic recycling remains active, with the numbers of those participating still in the 190 to 300 range. Kim stated that this is “not a cash-flow positive” effort for the city, with the vendors accruing the majority of the profits.
Proper use of the recycling stations has posed a problem, as Kim indicated that at times there was 100 percent contamination. He felt that more education is the solution, not more bins. Robles said that a more strategic approach is called for to better situate and distinguish the bins from trash receptacles.
Grants Received
Public Works received two large grants this past year. The first was a $100,000 Community Legacy Grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development toward the Four Cities Waste Reduction and Education Initiative that was used for the purchase of BigBelly kiosk stations. The other was a combined amount of $63,500 from Maryland Smart Energy Communities-Maryland Energy Administration grants that was used to install energy efficient LED lighting at the Youth Center and Public Works warehouses, as well as to add to the city’s electric vehicle charging stations; all focused on helping “to reduce the city’s carbon footprint,” according to the memo.
The city has three Level Two electric vehicle charging stations which can accommodate two vehicles each. At present, this is enough for the city’s fleet of electric vehicles, but if that number were to increase, more stations will be needed soon.
Ballfields, Dog Park
Townsend related that the city’s sports fields are “in okay shape,” with significant wear caused by unscheduled, unpermitted use by unrecognized groups. Concerning the dog park, Townsend said that efforts are moving ahead to provide water dispensers for both people and pets.
Interns
There was a discussion on the city’s use of interns, which typically are unpaid positions. Councilmember Judith Davis proposed looking into possibly providing some sort of compensation as an enticement. Kim said that Public Works normally has two interns at a time, frequently from the University of Maryland, who mainly focus on the city’s Geographic Information System data mapping.
Bus Service
The city’s Greenbelt Connection bus service ridership numbers are nearly at pre-pandemic levels for weekly usage. Weekend numbers remain lower. Council debated the idea of expanding its use by offering a fixed route throughout the city in addition to its call-in service. Jordan proposed a pilot program as a first step. Kim stated that 75 percent of its use is still medical visits to Doctor’s Hospital and that this should not be jeopardized. Public Works is in talks with Beltway Plaza about the idea of a circulator service as part of the proposed redevelopment plans.
Staff Compensation
Acting City Manager Timothy George informed council that a long-planned compensation study would begin in May and be ready for review at the Fiscal Year 2024 budget deliberations. Davis viewed its delay as a problem, stating that “we may lose people in the meantime.” Councilmember Ric Gordon asked if something could be done now to compensate staff, before the study is completed. George said that staff are looking into a premium pay plan and how it can best be disbursed.
WMATA trail
Director of Planning and Community Development Terri Hruby stated that the Greenbelt Station trail project is on hold for the moment until its full cost is estimated. At present, this is $3 million. Hruby also said that the parking lot renovation at Buddy Attick Park should be complete enough for use during the July 4 celebration.
Capital Projects
Public Works presented a list of upcoming capital projects, at the combined cost of $1,390,000. It includes: a pedestrian/bicycle master plan at $20,000; a bus stop accessibility study at $20,000; street resurfacing on Hanover Parkway, Lastner Lane, Greenhill and Ridge Road (Southway to Gardenway) at $900,000; miscellaneous concrete repairs on sidewalks and driveways at $100,000; a street lighting pilot to upgrade lighting on Crescent Road and Ora Glen Drive to energy efficient LED lights at $50,000; improvement to Greenbrook trails at $50,000; and, a Buddy Attick Park inclusive playground at $250,000.
According to the Capital Funds report to council, regarding the playground, it would “serve children ages 2 to 12” and “create play experiences that meet a variety of needs, interests and abilities” (including wheelchair accessibility) for youth who have been long overlooked and need this type of recreation the most. Kim looked for this to “make true change” and have a “generational impact.”
Staffing
Public Works is not looking to increase its staff. Kim acknowledged that while recruiting efforts are successful, the turnover rate is high. He said that it is often “a hard sell” to attract workers at $16.50/hour with the long-term goal of acquiring benefits and retirement after years of service. Kim explained that the strategy is “to help the lowest guy get better,” creating “upward motion in the department,” this being a “win/win” for all. Kim said that the Public Works Department “is a good place to work” and that it “takes a certain type of person to stick and stay. Some do and some don’t.”
Kim stressed that during the pandemic, all of the department “showed up and did their jobs, despite their fears.” May being Public Works Month, Jordan ended the meeting by saying that “this should be Public Works Year,” praising the department for doing a “fantastic job.”