On June 8, what began as a Greenbelt City Council worksession to deliberate on potential uses of ARPA funds transitioned into more of a public hearing where residents aired their views on the matter as well as sharing some deeply felt concerns about the issue of equity in the city, specifically concerning Greenbelt West. While all present agreed that a disparity exists, most centrally with recreation space in an area that contains 50 percent of the city’s population, the reasons why and how to alleviate it differed. Staff was represented by Interim City Manager Timothy George and Interim Assistant City Manager Debi Sandlin.
Spent or Set Aside
So far, $2.2 million ARPA funds have been spent on rental, utility, mortgage assistance and food support, with $4.35 million encumbered in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The city has as yet only received half of its ARPA funds, at $11.44 million, with staff currently not worried that the equal, second amount will arrive in late July or early August. This ultimately leaves $16.33 million left to further disburse over a four-year period.
Staff and council advised that the $10 million set aside for unrestricted funds (the maximum any municipality can claim) is important only for the reporting process and that residents should instead focus on the uses of $16.33 million remaining. Councilmember Judith Davis explained that it was necessary to “look at the big picture,” and added that “tough decisions” will need to be made, and that there will not be a complete consensus.
Suggestions
Staff prepared a revised list of ARPA suggestions from staff, council and residents, compiled over several months of discussions. In it, priorities were set from high to medium to low (with the most expensive listed first), alongside community scoring numbers, and in the five categories of infrastructure, household needs, small/local business assistance, mental health resources and other (including public safety and essential workers). Some items had the cost missing, with staff awaiting guidance from council as to whether further study is wanted. Both staff and council stressed that the list was far from complete, urging continued feedback. Mayor Emmett Jordan emphasized that this process will likely unfold incrementally, with priorities shifting over time.
Council requested that staff include several petitions received from entities like the library system and Greenbelt Homes, Inc. (for stormwater management) in order to make a more informed decision.
Residents such as Douglas Payne and Lore Rosenthal urged council to make another infusion of rental and utility assistance, in line with a more human-centric approach to the funds, with Payne requesting the ability to receive funds on a monthly basis instead of a fixed amount. Payne, a resident of Franklin Park, characterized the situation many residents are dealing with as critical, with many living month to month. Council expressed its willingness to address this issue.
Several residents, including Bob Rand, Lois Rosado and Rosenthal, commented on the preponderance of infrastructure items on the list, feeling that the major emphasis should be on household needs and aid to those most economically impacted. Greenbelt Station resident Angelina Jao stressed that more resources need to be secured for the city’s youth, to ensure their mental, social and emotional health.
Scrapyard
The issue of how to deal with Prince George’s Scrap, Inc. scrapyard came under intense debate. Councilmember Rodney Roberts urged a robust effort to purchase the property and convert it into amenities for Greenbelt West, like a playground, before another developer does so, possibly leading to more housing. Davis said that the price may be prohibitive and that it is a revenue source for Berwyn Heights since it is within Berwyn Heights limits. Greenbelt Station resident Darlene Jean-Pierre, a member of the Coalition for a Greener Greenbelt, felt that making this area into something more amenable for children and the community would “have a huge impact,” finding the “paucity of playgrounds” in Greenbelt West both “disturbing and upsetting.” Resident Jennifer Nearhood said that on the EPA’s Environmental Justice Screen, Greenbelt West scored at a very high threshold in exposure to environmental pollutants, citing especially the scrapyard.
George stated that as the scrapyard is private property, options are limited on how to affect the conditions there, and that any kind of on-site study would require their permission and a fee to an organization to do so. Davis said that at the very least, a request to the state on its environmental standing and proper permitting could be done.
Council Demeanor
There was much attention given to the combative environment displayed by council during the meeting, an atmosphere, resident Johanna Goderre said, was inconducive to “proactive discussion” and she was frustrated by the “endless” back and forth “without an outcome.” Jordan was dismayed about the failure of council to act as a unit at times, there being too much casting blame against other members. Resident Michael Hartman said that the “bickering” resulted in many feeling that thoughts do “not make a difference,” commenting that even before the meeting had ended, many had already left.
Disparities
Resident Tom Adams, of Connecting Across Greenbelt, stated that the root of the sense of feeling underserved and underappreciated in sections of the city lay in a failure for there to be real outreach and listening to all sections of the city about real needs, with past efforts, though welcome, being merely being the tip of the iceberg. He said that an investment of $200,000 along these lines would go much farther than one in the millions spent on other approaches and that what is really needed is “social infrastructure.” Rosado echoed these sentiments, especially when it comes to Greenbelt West, expressing that council needs “to just listen to what is being said.” Councilmember Colin Byrd felt that Greenbelt West residents often receive less responsiveness from council than the city’s other residents, frequently being told the reasons why something “can’t be done” instead of “taking seriously” their concerns and requests.
Davis explained that a central reason for the inequities in amenities between the old and the newer sections of Greenbelt lies in the fact that the old section was created by the federal government with the amenities included. Both Greenbelt East and West came later and much is private property, outside the city’s purview and ability to augment.
Jordan echoed council by saying that more focused worksessions are required on the further disbursement of ARPA funds. Davis explained the delay comes from a desire to come up with the best strategy to not only help the most residents, but to ensure the city’s resiliency against any future struggles.